Some of the Clonduff representatives, mentors and organisers with some youthful supporters!
Congratulations and well done to all our Scór Sinsir representatives in the County Finals in Mayobridge on Saturday evening 23rd September. Some of the competitions may have been low in participants but that shouldn’t take away from the quality of the entertainment of offer!
Clonduff dancers got together to pay homage to their initial co-tutor the late Sean Hillen who passed away at the end of August 2023, who along with Joe Farrell introduced them all to Set Dancing and took them to an All Ireland Set Dancing title in 1991 and to a double of Ceili and Sets in 1993 – only 9 dancers were used on that occasion and that feat has never been repeated by anyone since! In his summing up before the announcement of the results, County Cultural Officer Donal McNally spoke of the importance of keeping our culture alive and of the role of mentors. He called a moment’s silence for those in the Scór family who had passed away in the last year and in particular Sean Hillen.
In 2023 the Set Dancers, a number four of whom were on those All Ireland winning teams, did Sean and Joe proud with their near flawless display to lift the County title and the Kearney Shield once again.
But Clonduff’s representation was not just about the Dancers – Eileen McCusker won and All Ireland CCD title in 1989 and there she was back on stage in 2023 collecting the County title!
The Instrumental Musicians were a lovely blend of younger talent and their mentor Siobhan Doyle (they, like the Ceili Dancers were runners up). Kayleigh McPolin, one of our youngest representatives, took part in the largest competition of the night Solo Singing and put on a great performance but was just out of the medals.
It’s great to have the big numbers from Clonduff back in Scór Sinsir and hopefully they will all stay together as Scór Sinsir will be back again in a few months, reverting to its original slot in the calendar – late Winter, early Spring.
Best wishes to Eileen and the Set Dancers going forward to represent Down in the Ulster Semi Finals on 7th October in Killeavy and indeed to all the Down Champions who will be in the Ulster Semi Finals. Full list of winners going forward to Ulster semi finals:
Ceili Dancing – Mayobridge
Solo Singing – Eimear Magee, Mayobridge
Recitation/Storytelling – Eileen McCusker, Clonduff
Ballad Group – Glenn
Novelty Act – Attical
Instrumental Music – Ballyholland
Set Dancing – Clonduff
Glenn were the recipients of the Moya McCormack Cup for ‘The Spirit of Scór’
Mayobridge received the Peter Keenan Cup for the overall Best Scór Club at Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir.
The Table Quiz is a standalone event which will take place in Drumaness GAA Club on Wednesday 11th October at 8pm – 14 teams have entered which includes one from Clonduff! Winner goes straight to Ulster Finals on 21st October.
Ádh mor orabih!
Included in the photo are Back row: (l-r) Eoin Murray (Musician), Anita Brannigan (Co Scór Secretary and Clonduff Acting Cultural Officer), Ursula Kearney, Lisa Gribben, Francis Quinn, Caroline Grant Michael Walls, Niamh Canning (all Dancers), Siobhan Doyle (Musician), Maura Quinn (long-time Cultural Officer), Thomas Magee (Musician), Joe Farrell (Dancing Tutor); Middle row (l-r) Nicola Ward, Laura Mackin (Dancers), Eileen McCusker (Recitation/Storytelling), Wendy Branagan, Caroline McShane (Dancers); Front row – youthful supporters, all children of participants!
