Westmeath group to perform at Croke Park ahead of All-Ireland hurling final

SHANE KING

While Westmeath may not be competing for the Liam MacCarthy Cup this Sunday, the county will still have a proud presence on the field of Croke Park, as Ballycomoyle GAA's ballad group, the 2025 All-Ireland Scór Sinsir champions, take to the stage as part of the official pre-match entertainment ahead of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final.

This outstanding group of singers, who claimed national glory earlier this year at the Scór Sinsir final in Castlebar, will perform during the pre-match show designed to entertain early arrivals at the stadium and GAA supporters watching around the world.

The group set to perform for the more than 82,000 people in Croke Park include Bláthnaid Daly, Zara Geraghty, Clíodhna Daly, Aoibhínn Dolan and Naomi Fitzpatrick

Ballycomoyle has long upheld a strong tradition in Scór, and this year’s win marks the group's first All-Ireland title, a remarkable achievement the young performers who have been singing together for many years. Their dedication, harmony, and passion for Irish music have made them one of the standout acts in this year’s Scór Sinsir competition, and their inclusion in the All-Ireland hurling final build-up is most deserved.

Supporters in Croke Park will be treated to a live performance by the Ballycomoyle group and other acts as part of 'The Warm Up' show ahead of the big game.

Hosted by Aisling O’Reilly, the show will also feature sporting insights and analysis from a star-studded panel including Cork dual star Eoin Cadogan, Tipperary’s John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer, Waterford’s Noel Connors, and Kilkenny legend Walter Walsh, who famously scored 1-3 on his championship debut in the 2012 All-Ireland final replay.

GAA President Jarlath Burns and GAA Head of Hurling William Maher will also take part in the pre-match festivities.

HURLING FINAL

The Westmeath group will be the curtain raiser for what promises to be an epic game. With two of hurling’s most storied counties going head-to-head, Cork vs Tipperary has all the ingredients of an All-Ireland classic. For the neutral hurling fanatics in Westmeath, it’s the kind of showdown that captures everything great about the game, skill, tradition, fierce rivalry, and the pursuit of greatness. Whether watching from the stands or the sitting room this final is not to be missed.

It may be far from the banks of the River Lee in Cork or the rolling fields beneath Slievenamon in Tipperary, but the Lake County of Westmeath has become home to many members of the proud and passionate Munster hurling diaspora. Though long settled in their adopted county, many households across Westmeath will still fly the red and white of Cork and the blue and gold of Tipperary with pride this weekend.

So, who will you be shouting for?