Connacht 2016 Winners
2016 may be the Centenary year of the Easter rising but it is now also the year St Marys rose to new heights in Scór. The Carrick club incredibly outdid all expectations taking 4 Connacht titles back to Naomh Muire, Leitrim, in St Johns hall Lecarrow on Saturday last.
An amazing achievement for the club winning Figure Dance, Recitation, Instrumental music and Ballad group. It was surely history in the making for Laura Crossan winning the recitation competition, taking her Connacht 2016 medal total to 4 as multi talented lady was also part of the 3 winning Naomh Muire group events.
Leitrim also retained the Cormac MacGilla cup which was won in recognition of Leitrim success, the cup has never been outside of Leitrim since it was introduced to the competition, it was presented to Cathaoirleach Coiste Scór Liatroma Claire Crossan.
St Marys were first to the stage in Rince Foirne and won the Figure Dance, seeing off St Aiden’s of Roscommon. This is the clubs 4th qualifier to the All-Ireland, having won it for the first time in 2012 and they will be hoping to go the extra mile and bring the title back to Leitrim.
Paula Kiernan from CarrigallenÓgave a fabulous self-penned performance in solo singing but Norrie Kane of Abbeyknockmoy took the title back to Galway.
St Marys represented Leitrim in Instrumental Music; they gave a flawless foot tapping performance, a first win for the club in music at Connacht.
Laura Crossan also from St Mary’s club went down a treat in Recitation delivering to all in the crowd with a very entertaining piece and clinched her first Connacht Recitation medal. St Mary’s last win in recitation was in 1979 when Tom Fitzgerald won the All- Ireland for the club. The renewal of that Connacht title in this competition was a long time in the waiting for the Marys.
A fabulous win for St Marys Ballad group who gave yet another outstanding performance. Having made it to the All-Ireland on 3 separate occasions in past years, elation was felt among the Leitrim supporters for this exceptional group. It really will be a St Marys year with this group also making their fourth All-Ireland debut.
The fantastic and witty Cloone were unfortunate not to take the Leiriu. Fantastic stage presentationÓgiven to roars of the audiences laughter but dismay among the Leitrim’s suporters when Elphin were awarded the title.
Mary Mostyn competed for St Marys in Rince Sean-Os, a very well executed performance, the execution of her traditional old style steps with some very nice movements, a fabulously uplifting competition to watch as Mary delivered with such passion and poise. The winner was Roscommon.
Set Dancing was represented by the fabulous young Fenagh team, a fine performance but unfortunately not the winners. The clubs dancers will be feeling dissapointment not to be joing their question time team representing the county in Killarney. Cloones Gerry McGovernÓgave a few words on the night in his role as Cathaoirleach Coiste Scór Connachta.
Connacht 2016 Winners
Rince Foirne: St Marys, Leitrim
Solo Singing: Norrie Quinn, Abbeyknockmoy, Galway
Recitation: Laura Crossan St Marys, Leitrim
Instrumental Music: St Marys Leitrim
Sean-Os: Kilbride Roscommon
Ballad Group: St Marys, Leitrim
Set Dance: Abbeyknockmoy Galway
Tickets for the All Ireland
Tickets for the All Ireland Finals in the INEC Killarney on Saturday 2nd April must be ordered in advance. Unfortunately as we go to press, the ticket sales had closed on Monday 14th March. However if anyone would like to enquire for tickets please contact 087/6472547. We will do our best to secure if we can as there will be no box office on the day of the final. Tickets are priced at €20.
13-Mar-16 by Claire Crossan – PRO – Scor
