History was made in the Count John McCormack Hall, Athlone IT last Saturday with Ballinameen GAA Club claimed it's first All-Ireland Scór na nÓg title.

Laura McDermott, Finbar McDermott and Gerard McDermottroe represented their club, county and province in one of the most riveting and closely contested Trath na gCeist finals in recent years. Silverbridge from Co. Armagh, Leinster champions Allenwood, from Kildare and Cork's Botherbue provided the opposition and they all put up a great fight. After the three rounds of individual questions, the half time score was revealed with Ballinameen and their Munster counterparts Botherbue both on full marks (36 points). Silverbridge and Allenwood were close behind on 28 points. Four team questions followed but Ballinameen and Boherbue could not be separated, both scoring full marks of 60 points. The competition went to "extra time" with three additional questions being asked and again both teams could not be separated; both scoring three out of three. The drama continued as another set of Tie-Breakers were called for. The 1500 strong crowd were on the edge of their seats as the answer sheets were collected and you could hear a pin drop as the Máistir na gCeist, Liam Rabbitte, read out the answers. He commiserated with Boherbue and congratulated Ballinameen on becoming champions; their answering was once again flawless while Boherbue missed just one. So near and yet so far.
Ballinameen's win meant that five of the last seven All-Ireland Question Time Titles have gone to teams from Roscommon, with Kilglass Gaels winning the other four. Another interesting fact is that it was almost 25 years to the day since Elphin won Roscommon's first Scór na nÓg Question Time title.

Although Ballinameen's win took the headlines great credit must go to the county's other representative Grace Dooley, from Padraig Pearses. Despite encountering some technical problems Grace put in a great performance in the Recitation competition and narrowly lost out to Brian Murphy from Kerry. It was a great achievement for someone so young to reach the All-Ireland Final - Grace was one of the winners at the Roscommon Scór na bPaisti (Primary School) competition last October.
The full list of Scór na nÓg All-Ireland Champions is as follows:

Figure Dancing: Glenflesk (Kerry)
Solo Singing: Shane Lynam (Offaly)
Instrumental Music: Millstreet (Cork)
Recitation: Brian Murphy (Kerry)
Ballad Group: Moate (Westmeath)
Question Time: Ballinameen (Roscommon)
Novelty Act: Kilteely - Dromkeen (Limerick)
Set Dancing: (Joint winners) The Downs (Westmeath) and Boherbue, (Cork)

Scór Sinsear
The County semi-finals of Scór Sinsear take place this Friday, February 26th , in Kilmurray Hall, Castleplunkett at 8:30pm and on Sunday February 28th, in Ballybay Parish Hall, Kiltoom at 6pm. Details of the draw will be published on www.gaaroscommon.ie/scor and emailed to all clubs tomorrow. Entries will still be accepted as the committee would like to give all clubs an opportunity to take part. For more information call 086 7821022 or email [email protected]

Seachtain na Gaeilge Table Quiz
Roscommon GAA will host its annual Seachtain na Gaeilge Table Quiz in Kilbride Community Centre this Wednesday February 24th at 8:15pm. The competition forms part of the GAA's contribution to the Seachtain na Gaeilge events agus beidh na ceisteanna ar fád as Gaeilge - after all, one of the stated aims of the GAA is the promotion of Irish language and culture. The Quiz is free to enter, teams can have a maximum of four members and entries will be accepted on the night. Do aon eolas eile, chuir glaoch ar 086 7821022 nó chuir R-Phost go [email protected] The top three teams in Roscommon will go forward to the Connacht Final, and if they are successful there, to the All-Ireland Final which takes place in Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day, prior to the All-Ireland Club Football and Hurling Finals. Roscommon GAA would like to see all clubs entering at least one team in this competition.

Gaeltacht Grants Competition
As part of their promotion of the Irish language, Roscommon GAA are offering a number of grants to students who wish to attend the Gaeltacht. Each grant is worth €200 and applications are invited from students aged 13 years (on 1st January 2010) or older. To enter the competition students must write a 300 word essay "as Gaeilge" on the subject of the GAA. They must also complete an application form, copies of which have been distributed to all Club Secretaries and Scór Officers. Forms can also be obtained by emailing [email protected] and for more information call 086 7821022. No applications can be accepted by phone.

Completed applications should be forwarded to Diane Ní Duinneacha, Oifigeach Cultúr agus Gaeilge, Roscommon County Board Office, 5 Castle View, Castle Street, Roscommon on or before Friday 5th March 2010. No entries will be accepted after this date. Please note any person who was successful in receiving a Grant / Scholarship from Roscommon GAA in previous years is not eligible to take part in 2010. Tweet

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