Tang GAA’s lip sync event is a sell-out success

Tang GAA Club held their lip sync fundraiser recently which was a huge success, raising thousands for the club's future development.

The 'Lip Sync Heroes' event took place in the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule on Friday, October 27 and October 28.

Chairman of the club, Tom Conlon said that the fundraiser created "a huge buzz” in the community and that it was an “unbelievable success”.

“Over 350 people attended on both nights, and the atmosphere was absolutely electric,” he said.

Mr Conlon didn't reveal the figure raised by the lip sync but some of the money has been ringfenced for a project to develop Tang GAA facilities. The first phase will be to buy 6.25 acres of land from two local farmers at Joe Fox Memorial Park in Curraghbrack, Tang to develop a new pitch and build some new infrastructure there.

The Tang Chairman said that he was “very happy” with the figure raised by the lip sync event.

The following organisations will also benefit from the proceeds of the fundraiser: Tang GAA, Maryland/Tang GAA, Drumraney Camogie Club, Goldsmiths LGFA, Tang NS and Tang Muintir na Tire.

Mr Conlon commended the hard work of the lip sync participants in rehearsing for the past three months with a choreographer. “We are so thankful for the unselfish contribution of all the participants who have given up so much of their time as they fundraised, attended rehearsals and numerous meetings.”

Tom Sheerin and Bruce McCormack from Truce Promotions produced the show and hired a choreographer and Mr Conlon said that they were “phenomenal.”

“Everyone was raving about the sound and lights,” said Tom.

Mr Conlon added that the committee has organised an appreciation night following the fundraiser in the Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule on November 25 at 8pm. They will screen a video of the lip sync event on the night and refreshments will be on offer.

“I can't emphasise how well we as a committee got on and the excitement never waned. I couldn't praise the committee enough,” he said.

The lip sync was judged by country singer Cliona Hagan, 2022 Rose of Tralee Rachel Duffy, Cllr Tom Farrell, Minister Peter Burke and Deputy Robert Troy.

Mr Conlon said that the committee was preparing for the event prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and that the judges were “blown away” by the quality of the performances. “Cliona Hagan was full of praise for the performers,” said Tom, adding that Deputy Troy and Minister Burke were delighted to be asked to judge the event, and that Cllr Farrell knew almost everyone on stage.

Each night of the lip sync there was People's Choice Award and a Judges' Choice award. Act 12, Killer Queen, which represented Tang GAA Club won the People's Choice on Friday. The group performed as British rock band Queen which encompassed Robert English, Niall Bannon, Shane Hanley, Owen Coughlan, Kieran Duncan, Ian Coughlan, John Salmon and Davy Marlow.

Act 7, St Mary's Sisters, represented Tang National School and won the Judges' Choice Accolade for their performance as Sister Act. The parents of pupils at the school were Joan O'Meara, Amy Kenny, Fiona Scanlon, Susan Fahy, Claire Sheerin and Cora Foxe.

The Judges' Choice Award went to Parish Priest Fr Oliver Devine on Saturday night for his performance as Elvis Priest-ly along with Johnny Rock, Niall Lynn, Andy Donohoe, Mary McKnight and Jimmy McKnight.

Finally, Act 8, the Jovi Boys, took home the People's Choice Award on Saturday night, performing as Bon Jovi. The performers were Tom Lennon, Rory Quigley, Tom Keenan, John Coughlan, John Sheerin and Shane Keenan. Each act also had to raise €3,00 from fundraising and sponsorship. They held their own fundraisers in advance of the lip sync such as cake sales and a darts tournament.