There were titles for three of the five counties competing at the Connacht GAA Scór na nÓg Finals, which were held in the Town Hall, Claremorris on Saturday, January 11th 2020.
The first result to be known in any Scór competition is the Tráth na gCeisteanna and this year the title went to Menlough / Skehana of Galway as they outscored Mayo champions Claremorris, Carrigallen of Leitrim, Roscommon champions Kilglass Gaels and St. Molaise Gaels of Sligo. Question Time is always a close competition and this year was no exception. The top three teams now compete in the All Ireland Final: Galway, Roscommon and Mayo. Coiste Scór Chonnacht would like to thank the Máistreás na gCeisteanna, Catherine Daly (Iarmhí) for her interesting and challenging questions.
Following the quiz, supporters had to wait patiently until after the Set Dancing to find where the remaining accolades were destant for! As the final deliberations were being made by the adjudicators from Donegal, Down, Westmeath and Armagh, Jamie Ó Tuama, Rúnaí, Coiste Náisiúnta Scór, addressed a packed Town Hall in Claremorris to acknowledge the work carried out by the various Coistí in the province. Before presenting the winners with their medals John Murphy, the Chairperson of the Connacht GAA Scór Committee, paid tribute to Bean an Tí, Frances Hanley, for leading the audience efficiently through the Clár an Lae. He also thanked everybody who took to the stage and all those who helped out at club level, as they keep the competition going from strength to strength. The results were then handed to the Bean an Tí and the audience were on the edge of their seats as she raised the microphone to announce the winners.
In Figure Dancing, the competition that got the event under way, Mayo Club, Louisburgh, claimed the honours. Dancing the “High Caul Cap” they defeated Leitrim representatives, St. Mary’s and St. Dominic’s of Roscommon.
Abbeyknockmoy from Galway claimed the second Galway title of the afternoon when Ellen Keane won the Solo Singing competition with a self-composed song “Julia, a Stór.” Ellen saw off Caoimhe Mooney from Leitrim, Sligo champion Kate Gavin, Mayo’s Orla Connolly and Saoirse Murray of Roscommon.
Then it was on to the second “solo” competition; Recitation / Storytelling and the audience was treated to four very enjoyable pieces. In the end the title went to Roscommon champion Evan Gunn, of Elphin. Evan held great respect from the audience and he overcame the challenge of Westport’s Tomás Ó Raghallaigh, Mark Mulhern of St. Mary’s, Co. Sligo and Leitrim champion Michael Connorton from St. Mary’s.
There were great cheers from the large Galway contingent in attendance when the result of the next competition, Ballad Group, was announced as the title went to Abbeyknockmoy. They sang “Mo Ghile Mear” and “Galway” to defeat county champions Swinford, from Co. Mayo, Easkey of Sligo, Leitrim’s Annaduff and St. Dominic’s of Roscommon.
Roscommon claimed their second title of the afternoon in a closely contested Nuachleas competition courtesy of St. Dominic’s with a hilarious sketch. They had the audience in stitches as they overcame Mayo champions Achill and Mohill of Co. Leitrim.
Next up was the Instrumental Music competition and despite good performances from St. Michael’s of Roscommon, Easkey of Sligo, Leitrim side Kiltubrid and Corofin of Galway, the title went to home side Ballintubber.
In the last competition of the day, Set Dancing, Abbeyknockmoy won Galway’s fourth title of the day for a fourth year running. Dancing the “Ballykeale Set,” they defeated Roscommon champions St. Dominic’s, Annaduff from Leitrim and Mayo’s Louisburgh.
Coiste Scór Chonnacht would like to thank everyone who helped make the event a success, including the Town Hall in Claremorris, the stewards, the ticket sellers and everyone who helped in any way to making the day such a success.
All the winners will travel to Kerry on Saturday, February 1st for the All-Ireland Finals in the Gleneagle INEC Arena, Killarney. For ticket information please contact the Secretary of your County Scór Committee or the County Culture and Irish Officer as soon as possible. Alternatively e-mail Connacht Scór secretary Tomás Ó Muirí on scor.connacht@gaa.ie
By briangaa Mon 13th Jan
