Just as the gallant St. Croans footballers were contesting their All Ireland final in Croke Park, across the capital in the City West Hotel, the Kilbride, Elphin and St. Dominics clubs were also lining out in a national decider as the GAA All Ireland Scór na nÓg Championship reached their conclusion.
A wonderful occasion filled with top class talent, intense rivalry and parochial pride, this year's Junior Scór Final served up yet another memorable event.
As Roscommon had dominated the winners enclosure at the Connacht final in January taking four out of seven titles, hopes were high that the county's good run could continue at the highest level. Unfortunately this was not to be the case and despite all of our competitors turning in outstanding performances, the accolades did not come our way. In the Figure Dancing, three time Connacht Champions St. Dominics danced with great pride and precision in the evening's first competition. Against them were Watty Graham's of Derry, The Downs from Westmeath and eventual winners from Kerry's Spa club.
Kilbride's Aoife McLaughlin had the very special honour of being the first ever competitor from her club to reach an All Ireland Scór na nÓg final. Her haunting rendition of 'The May Morning Dew' not only showcased her beautiful singing voice, but also her sense of pride on a special day for her club. Again the Munster and Kerry Champion took the title on this occasion, Proinnsias Ó Cáthasaigh from the Lispoole club.
St. Dominic's Patrick Mullooly proved an exceptionally popular with all supporters in the City West on Saturday. Reciting Seamus O'Rourke's 'The Wake', the young Knockcroghery competitor held the large audience in the palm of his hand throughout his performance, a remarkable achievement for a ten year old in an under 17 competition. On this occasion Patrick narrowly lost out to Ciarán Ó'Brien from the J.K. Brackens club in Tipperary.
In the Léiriú Stáiriúl (formerly Novelty Act), St. Dominics were again in action. Their sketch entitled 'The History of Hurling' was performed excellently and provided wonderful entertainment to the 1500 strong audience. A very popular act since early rounds of the competition back in November, the Knockcroghery actors have continued to build on and improve their delivery as they have progressed and their hard work and dedication was very much in evidence on Saturday last. St. Dominics narrowly lost out to The Downs from Co. Westmeath.
Early in the day the Tráth na gCeisteanna Boird (Table Quiz) was held in the venue. Elphin were proudly representing Roscommon in this national final. Quiz Master, Michéal Ó Mairtín of Laois asked very tough questions over ten rounds. Again it was to be Kerry representatives that came out on top, with the Spa Club again taking the spoils.
Coiste Scór Roscomáin would like to congratulate all of our fantastic competitors on the wonderful way they represented the county on Saturday last. To reach the final four in Ireland is a tremendous achievement and while on this occasion the titles did not come our way, they can all be immensely proud of themselves and the great honour they have brought to their clubs. We hope that despite their disappointment that they can look back on their great Scór journey this year and the happy memories they have made. Roscomáin abú agus maith sibh go léir.
All Ireland Scór na nÓg Champions 2015
Figure Dancing: Spa Co. Kerry
Solo Singing: Prionnsais Ó' Cathasaigh, Lispoole, Co. Kerry
Recitation: Ciaran Ó'Brien, J.K. Brackens, Co. Tipperary
Instrumental Music: Lixnaw, Co. Kerry
Léiriú Stáiriúl: The Downs, Co. Westmeath
Ballad Group: Moate All Whites, Co. Westmeath
Set Dancing: Aghamore, Co. Mayo
Tráth na gCeisteanna Boird: Spa, Co. Kerry