Joy as Ballycomoyle and Bunbrosna crowned Leinster Scór champions

All roads led to Carnew, Co Wicklow for the Leinster Scór final last Sunday. Five recently crowned Westmeath county champions were taking part, with the hope of claiming provincial glory and securing a place in the All-Ireland final.

Tráth na gCeisteanna (Question Time) began the day's proceedings with a number of counties taking part in the qualifying round which was held prior to the stage competitions. County champions Mullingar Shamrocks were the Westmeath representatives on the day. The team consists of Tom Hunt, Conor McKenna, Richard McKenna and David Gavin. They finished in the top 3 in last year's final and were favourites to do so again. They lived up to their reputation and qualified once again for the All-Ireland final. They finished in a strong third behind winners St Mary’s GAA Rosslare (Wexford) and former All-Ireland champions Edenderry (Offaly). All three teams will now battle it out once again in Killarney.

First on stage for the lake county were The Downs figure dancing team consisting of Erica Hynes, Rebecca Kelly, Katie McGrath, Clíodhna Murray, Amy Dagg, Neasa Mangan Lynch, Robyn Dagg and Emma Dagg. The group gave an excellent account of themselves but narrowly missed out on the title. They had to give way to the reigning Leinster champions Birr (Offaly).

Ballycomoyle were next to take to the stage in the ballad group competition to perform two fabulous renditions of their songs. This young group made up of Aoibhín Dolan, Naomi Fitzpatrick, Clíodhna Daly, Bláthnaid Daly and Zara Geraghty are no strangers to the Scór stage, having competed together from a young age. Following a flawless performance many in the Westmeath camp had high hopes for this group to obtain some silverware. When the results came in, Ballycomoyle were declared champions, winning their first Leinster title in this category after many years together. The group will now represent their club, county and province in the All-Ireland final in three weeks time.

Kilbeggan were representing Westmeath in the novelty act competition at last weekend's Leinster final. The polished team of actors consisting of Bernice Kelly, Brenda O'Connor, Martin Dowdall, Pat Lynagh, Fiona Kiernan and Geraldine Fennell came up against stiff competition with the title being awarded to the current All Ireland champions Carnew Emmets (Wicklow).

Bunbrosna had everyone’s toes tapping in the hall in Carnew with their young instrumental music group comprising of Brian McGowan, Caomhán Mac Gabhann, Róise Nic Gabhann and Maeve Molloy with two sets of lively tunes. It was yet another disappointing Leinster final for the group as Cuala (Dublin) took the spoils and booked a place in the All-Ireland.

Bunbrosna's well-experienced set dancers Susan Eades, Veronica Moran, Orla Cleary, Sandra Eades, Seamus Moran, Chris McCormack, Eoin Clarke and Kenny Murphy closed the evening with rousing footwork in the Rince Seit.They secured yet another provincial medal to add to their already well decorated trophy cabinet.

The Westmeath winners now march on to the All-Ireland final in Killarney on November 18 with the hope of claiming glory.