The weekend before last in the midst of all kinds of weather, the Scór na nÓg All Ireland Final took place in Monaghan.

Reigning county champions Eslin battled it out in the Tráth na gCeist competition and gave a mighty performance overall. They were were extremely unlucky not to make the final stages rounds having been in contention for one of the top three spots throughout the quiz. They finished up in 5th place in the end with minimal points between the top five teams. Having been in contention for a place in the final and similar to losing by point in the final minutes of a football game, we understand their disappointment but this young team have shown their ability to perform at a high standard at All Ireland level and we are confident that this is not the last we will see of them in the future. Well done to Eoin McNulty, Sarah Kiernan, Ben Kavanagh and Callum Kilcrann who represented Eslin and Leitrim with pride.

Leitrim was also represented by Ailíse Maxwell from Annaduff in the solo singing competition. She sang a beautiful Leitrim song called “Where Leitrim Waters Flow”.
Despite her wonderful performance, the winner on the day was Niamh Noade from Armagh. Ailíse has had a very successful year of singing and is the current Leitrim and Connacht Scór na nÓg Champion for Solo Singing as well as being All Ireland Fleadh Champion too.

Scór na nÓg 2024 All-Ireland Champions

Figure Dancing – Newcastle, Tipperary
Solo Singing – Niamh Noade, Mullaghbawn, Armagh
Recitation – Alanna Coroon, The Downs, Westmeath
Ballad Group – Glenflesk, Kerry
Novelty Act – Enniskillen Gaels, Fermanagh
Instrumental Music – Claregalway, Galway
Set Dancing – Spa, Kerry
Quiz – Naomh Columba, Donegal

Gaeltacht Grants Draw 2022

There was a large number of applicants for the Gaeltacht grants offered by Coiste Contae Liatroma. Leitrim County Board GAA was pleased to receive support from Leitrim County Council for this project. Grants of between €200 will be awarded to the twelve winners below on return from their chosen Gaeltacht course.

Seo iad na buaiteoirí:

Ava Keaveney, Drumkeerin

Sorcha Lowe, Drumkeeran

Naoise Quinn, Glenfarne

Cillian McMorrow, Dromahair

Alfie Regan, Tullaghan

Sinéad Brady, Manorhamilton

Sarena Fallon, Kilclare

Ellie Keegan, Dromahair

Ruby Mai Keane, Kilclare

Josh McWeeney, Leitrim Village

Tomás MacEoin, Drumshanbo

Patrick Keane, Kilclare

COLÁISTE NA BHFIANN

Connacht G.A.A. ensures the West is well and truly awake!

The G.A.A. dressing rooms, pitches, walkways and training grounds around the country maybe desolate, however, it’s cultural wing, Scór, is busier than ever. From Manorhamilton in North Leitrim down to beautiful Kinvara in South Galway, and from Achill on the Atlantic coast to Tarmonbarry on the Roscommon/Longford border, there’s barely a club in the mighty West left untouched by GAA Scór activities. How fitting so are the words of Thomas Davies’ rousing ballad ‘The West’s Awake’, to celebrate Scór participation in Connacht during these unprecedented times and represent the province in Virtual Scór.

This memorable rendition of a song synonymous with wonderful sporting days for western teams, features over 30 musicians and singers from 14 clubs across the province. With all local and county rivalries put aside, these performers have contributed their time and expertise for this special collaboration in a spirit of goodwill and pride befitting our country’s response to the challenging times we are living through. A great surprise to many was the inclusion of G.A.A. legends Jimmy Murray (Roscommon), Joe McDonagh (Galway) and of course, who many would regard as the original voice of Gaelic games, Dublin’s, Mícheál Ó hEithir.

The project was co-ordinated by Tom Murray, Rúnaí of Coiste Scór Chonnacht, who put the call out to Connacht Scór officials and delegates from each county to liaise with people at local level. Seán Ó Murchú, Cathaoirleach, Coiste Scór Chonnacht, has praised the efforts of all involved saying “it’s so heartening to see the great calibre of talent in the west making such a united contribution to ‘Virtual Scór’”. These sentiments were echoed by Gerry McGovern, Uachtarán, Comhairle Chonnacht, who remarked “all in Connacht G.A.A. can be immensely proud of this initiative”.

Ensuring that the final product was successfully brought together, the expertise and experience of Gareth McGreevy from Saul GAA in Co. Down was brought on board. Gareth has been responsible for some excellent ‘Virtual Scór’ collaborations over the past few weeks which have seen singers and musicians from all over Ireland record versions of the ‘May the Road Rise to Meet You’ and Dana’s ‘All Kinds of Everything’. Connacht Scór is indebted to Gareth for lending his time and professionalism to his fellow Gaels in the west.

‘Virtual Scór’ has been a source of tremendous entertainment, distraction and fun over the past two months. The absence of our native field sports and club activities has left an indelible void in the lives of many and presented an obstacle to the natural expression of our Irishness offered through Cumann Luthchleas Gael. ‘Virtual Scór’ has hugely helped to counteract this void for many Gaels all over the country and beyond, and so Connacht Scór would like to dedicate this song to the men behind the movement, Aodán Ó Braonáin, Chairman of the National Scór Committee, and Rúnaí, Jamie Ó Tuama (Páirc an Chrócaigh), for their tireless work and efforts in keeping Scór to the fore in this novel way.

Singers and musicians involved in the production are:

Cian and Caoimhe Kearns (Owenmore Gaels GAA, Sligo), Niamh Farrell (St. Mary’s GAA, Sligo), Damien McGuinness and Deirdre Kilgannon (St. Farnon’s GAA, Sligo), Carmel Costelloe (Menlough/Skehana GAA, Galway), Ellen Keane, Emily and Emmet Greaney (Abbeyknockmoy GAA, Galway), Siobhán Breathnach (Kilconly GAA, Galway), Paula Kiernan (Carrigallen GAA, Leitrim), Fionnuala Maxwell (Annaduff GAA, Leitrim), Laura Crossan and Eleanor Smith (St. Mary’s Kiltoghert GAA, Leitrim), Sarah Keane (Elphin GAA, Roscommon), Fiachra Guihen, Elizabeth Earley and Rachel Noone (St. Ronan’s GAA, Roscommon), Mary Murray, Claire and Anne Marie Murray, Lisa and Tom Murray, Louise Fallon, Ciara Dempsey, Áine O’Connor Flynn, Padraig and Gordon O’Connor, Donncha and Alastair Beegan (St. Dominics GAA, Roscommon, Ann Forry and Fiona Connaghan (CLG Acla/Achill GAA, Mayo), Joanne McAndrew (Kilfian GAA, Mayo).

The production was launched at 8pm on Friday evening on Connacht G.A.A.’s Facebook page. In less than 20 hours it has over 21,000 views from right across the world.

In the words of Thomas Davies “but hark a voice like thunder spake, the West’s Awake, the West’s Awake!”