Scairbh

Na

gCaorach

EMYVALE

Ulster Finals of Scor 2010.

The Ulster Finals of Scor were held in Threemilehouse Complex on Saturday, March 27th beginning at 7pm. First let us congratulate the Sean MacDiarmada Club for the fantastic facilities they provided and for the manner in which they conducted the event. To cater for such a huge crowd was no easy task but they made it look simple. Well done to all involved and we know that they spent many long hours in preparation and making sure that everything was in order and they can be rightly satisfied that it worked on the night.

Other things just did not work as well - it must be said that changes are needed. Scor was once huge and then went through a period in the doldrums. It is going to head that way again if those in charge do not ask themselves why it went down last time out. It is a popular competition and one that can do wonders for the GAA itself but if priority is on how much profit it can make then the GAA is on an eventual loser. People will stop competing, people will stop attending, and people will lose faith in the GAA. People who participate and attend do so at great inconvenience and expense. The GAA must show appreciation to them by the manner in which they are treated. A person recording a family member competing and doing so with a little camcorder from the seat they paid for is told to stop recording as there is an official video!!! What does that say? Scor committees must take heed of what the important people (competitors and spectators) are saying and complaining about or you will force GAA Clubs to abandon participation, as some former greats have already done.

Re. The Finals: the standard was extremely high and it was a night full of top entertainment. Rose McMahon, Bean-an-Tí, did a terrific job in keeping the contest moving smoothly along. The Ulster President, Aoghan O’Farrell, was present to express appreciation to all and congratulate the winners, who were:

Ceili Dancing - Dromintee, Armagh; Solo Singing - Aine Brolly, Down; Instrumental Music - Derrygonnelly, Fermanagh; Recitation - Michael McGibney, Cavan; Ballad Group - Aghagallon, Antrim; Novelty Act - Eglish, Tyrone; Set Dancing - Emyvale, Monaghan; Question Time - Cornafean, Cavan. These winners will now represent Ulster in the All-Ireland Finals in Killarney on Saturday, April 24th.

Monaghan participated in four of the sections and Emyvale represented the County in all four. There was very little separating any of the performances and it is always really down to the personal likes of the judges.

We say well done to our Emyvale winners and indeed to those in all of our teams who reached the finals. We know the time and effort that they committed to rehearsal. We wish our set dancers every success in Killarney - could it be possible to win a back to back All-Ireland?

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Ulster Semi-finals HERE