St. Malachy"s keep the flag flying for Westmeath

Hundreds of Scor followers from all over Leinster made the trip to the Ballymore Community Centre, Westmeath for the finals of the Leinster Scor na nOg 2009.With eight out of the twelve counties participating the standard of each of the eight disciplines was of the highest and all of the winners will be the first to admit that they had to be at their best to take the laurels in this thrilling contest.The Lake County can be proud of their competitorsWestmeath Scor Committee and the large Scor following from within the Lake County can and should be proud of all of their competitors going into last Sundays Finals. Westmeath were represented in seven out of the eight disciplines and we were all hoping for a better return alas when the adjudicators whom were drawn from the four corners of Ireland handed in their result sheets, we had to settle for two titles both going to the St. Malachy"s Club Kathryn Nea in the Solo Singing and their brilliant Novelty Act going through. But we have to compliment all of our competitors who did their county and club proud it has to be pointed out that in finals such as last Sunday there could be as little as one mark in the difference of victory and defeat.How our competitorsperformed. Rince Foirme (Figure Dancing). St. Mary"s just pipped by MaynoothOur first competitors to go on stage last Sunday were the figure dancers from St. Mary"s, Rochfortbridge and indeed Elaine Geraghty, Francis Fallon, Shauna Wilson, Megan McKenna, Ruth Gavin, Clare Geraghty, Gemma Gorman, Clare Ryan and Helen McInerney gave a very polished performance and the large Westmeath following thought that the Bridge girls might bring the Leinster title back to the County. Unfortunately they had to give way to the Kildare champions Maynooth. We in Scor would like to say thanks to Elaine, Francis, Shauna, Megan, Ruth, the two Clares, Gemma and Helen for giving us so much pleasure and enjoyment over the past few months.Amhranaiocht Aonair (Solo Singing). St. Malachy"s Kathryn Nea - A class above the restThe second competition on the clar last Sunday was the solo singing competition and as usual this was a very good contest with four of the best in the province competing for a Leinster medal and a place in the All-Ireland final which will be held in Athlone on Saturday February 21st. Amongst those competitors was the holder of the title, Kathryn Nea from the St. Malachy"s club. Kathryn was the last competitor to go on stage for a solo competition this can often be the worst position to be in and you have to wait until the very end before you perform this. This doesn"t worry the popular St. Malachy"s girl and she gave one of the best performances of her young life and nobody in the hall would disagree with the adjudicators on this one. Kathryn is now through to the All-Ireland for the second year in a row. Let us hope we will go all the way on this occasion.Ceol Uirlise (Instrumental Music). Good show byBallycomoyleJohn Coyle, Cian Farrelly and Hilary Gaffney from the Ballycomoyle Club carried Westmeath hopes in this the instrumental music competition and as usual John, Cian and Hilary gave a brilliant performance and can hold their heads high after such an impressive performance. This was one of the most competitive competitions on the night which included last years winners from Co. Wexford and the Wexford club were given the nod once again. We also say well done to the Ballycomoyle trio and we know that we will see plenty more of them in the near future.Aithriseoireacht/Scealaiocht. (Recitation/Storytelling). Emer Clarke"s just falls shortEmer Clarke from the St. Malachy"s Club represented Westmeath in this the Recitation/Storytelling discipline and as usual the St. Malachy"s lady was at her brilliant best. Yes this was a top class performance from Emer although she had to bow to the Wexford competitor. She can take great heath from this final and there is no doubt this girl will be back.Bailead Ghrupa (Ballad Group). Moate All Whites lose out to Offaly ChampionsLeonie Canavan, Jennifer Hynes, Michelle Holloway, Noel Brennan and Eoin Minnock from the Moate All Whites represented Westmeath in this discipline. As this was the All Whites third year in a row to reach the last four in this competition many of their followers were hoping for a third time lucky, but no and Leonie, Jennifer, Michelle, Noel and Eoin had to watch as their old rivals from the Shamrocks Club, Co. Offaly were deemed to be champions. As we have already mentioned there is very little between victory and defeat and this was one competition that would have came under this heading.Nuachleas (Novelty Act).St. Malachy"s were magicIf one waits long enough they will get a summers day that the best way to sum up this result in the Novelty Act Competition. For the past few years this group from the St. Malachy"s Club has been just a whisper away from victory in this discipline. Did this worry or upset Emer Clarke, Shane Ward, Aonghus Clarke, Niall Kelly, Fearghal Daly, Eoin Quinn, Neil Kirby or Dean McDermott or their mentors Martin Daly or John 'Banjo' Quinn. No, not one but and they came back this year as confident as every with a new script and new ideas, thats what makes a good novelty act and this a brilliant act that is now only an act away from the All Ireland medal after watching Emer who this win will make up to her for the disappointment of losing the recitation. Shane Aonghus, Niall Fearghal, Eoin Nell and Dean we won"t be a bit surprised that on the February 21st there could be an All Ireland on its way to Castletown-Geoghegan.Rince Sit - The Downsare shockedThe last competition on the clar was as usual the Rince Seit and as usual Westmeath were represented by The Downs Club who had Jean Moran, Michelle Flynn, Mary Lynam, Aoife Ronan, Kevin Maguire, Niall Folan, Kyle Casey and Shane Murray in their line up and it has to be recorded that Jean, Michelle, Mary, Aoife, Kevin, Niall, Kyle and Shane gave a winning performance and the Scor followers from Westmeath who were in the lovely Ballymore Community Centre on Sunday evening were expecting a local victory in this discipline. But to the surprise of all of the followers when the excellent Bean an Ti Kathleen O"Neill from the Rathcoffey Club, Co. Kildare announced the winners, the title went to their rivals from the St. Vincents Club, Co. Longford. This indeed was a big disappointment to The Downs and to everyone from Westmeath as we all felt that this group after trying very hard and been unlucky on many occasion that this could be there year. It wasn"t to be but knowing The Downs they will be back.Well done JennyWell done and congratulations to the current All Ireland Senior Solo Singing Champions, Jenny McNamee from The Downs Club who sang the National Anthem last Sunday in Ballymore. Thanks Jenny for a job well done.The late Jerry CunninghamOur deepest sympathy goes to the wife and family of the late Gerry Cunningham, Ballymore. The late Gerry passed away on Sunday morning. The morning of a Leinster Scor na nOg Final which was to be staged in his beloved Ballymore. The late Gerry was one of the founders of Scor in Ballymore and only for the vision of Gerry the chances are there would never be a Leinster Scor Final in Ballymore as he was one of the men who put the Community centre that we all enjoy so much now in Ballymore. May this great gentle man rest in peace.Scor SinsirNow that Scor na nOg is almost complete its now Scor Sinsir time. This will commence with the semi-finals. The first one will be held in the Community Centre, Ballymore on Friday February 13th and the second one will be held in The Downs G.A.A. Centre on Sunday February 15th. The final will be held on Saturday February in The Downs G.A.A. Centre as Scor will be celebrating it 40th birthday this year we are asking clubs to try and make a special effort to enter scor this year.