No joy for The Downs and Moate All Whites in All-Ireland Scór finals

Scór was first introduced to the GAA in 1969, and fifty years of Scór was celebrated in 2019. However, Scór na nÓg was first run as a separate competition in 1973 with the All Ireland final held in Clara Co. Offaly. Fifty years later we travelled to Killarney for the All-Ireland final.

The winner of the first Scór na nÓg All Ireland Solo Singing competition was Michael Ryan from Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, and he was first on stage on Saturday as he sang Amhrán na bhFiann at the commencement of the competitions.

There were twenty two competitors representing Westmeath and Leinster at the All-Ireland final last Saturday in the INEC Killarney, and they performed to a very high standard. While we did not take home the All-Ireland title in the competitions, everyone can be very proud that they represented their clubs, county and province with honour.

The first representative was Alanna Corroon, The Downs in the Recitation. Alanna was first on stage in this competition and gave a flawless rendition of 'Mammy's Day Out in Tramore', written by Noel Joyce.

This has been a fantastic journey for Alanna in this individual event, having now performed on the large stages of the National Opera house and the INEC, Killarney, and not many can boast having performed on such stages.

Moate All-Whites Ballad Group of Katie Creggy, Hannah Martin, Emma Keane, Hannah Higgins and Corey Browne took to the stage in the next competition. Once again the young group entertained the audience with their two songs, showing that they are worthy Leinster champions.

As Moate All-Whites celebrates 100 years this June Weekend, they can be very proud to represent their club to the highest level.

The Nuachleas (Novelty Act) was the next competition in which we had interest. The Downs group of Aidan Tuite, Aidan Quinlan, Grace O'Neill, Senan O'Neill, Orla O'Connell, Sophie Moore, Darragh Colgan and Sean Corroon both educated and amused the audience with their 'Green' sketch. There is no doubt we will see many of these young actors gracing the stage over the next few years in Scór na nÓg.

The final competition of Set Dancing always rounds off the day of Scór competitions, and as always, the audience were fully engaged with the competition. The Downs were first on stage with their Plain Set, which was excellent. This is also a young group with potential to perform for many years to come.

While the young competitors were naturally disappointed, they came away from the weekend having representing Leinster, Westmeath and their clubs and hopefully very proud of themselves. A special mention for the mentors of the competitors, who have given of their time and expertise to enable the Westmeath clubs to compete at Provincial and All-Ireland level in various competitions.

Those involved in Scór and Scór na nÓg can relax now for the summer months. We will be meeting again to entertain at the All-Ireland Fleadh Gig-Rigs in August.