Saturday 22nd April will be always be a red letter day in the life of Cornafean's Michael McGibney, who captured the 2006 Scor All Ireland Recitation title at the national finals which were held in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Michael's hilarious delivery of his recitation 'Doing the Double' captivated the audience of over two thousand patrons who along with over seventy Cornafean supporters, received the news of his crowning glory with a tremendous ovation of appreciation. When presented with his winners medal by the then outgoing G.A.A. President, Sean Kelly and National Scor Chairman, Jarlath Burns, the obvious delight and emotional response from the local contingent was duly deserved. While the McGibney name has long been associated with Scor in the Cornafean area, this is Michael's first time to win a national title. He made his first appearance on the national stage at the Killarney venue back in 2002. He was again to the forefront at national level when he represented Cornafean, Cavan and Ulster in the national finals in 2004 when they were held in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. His talent was to the fore again in 2005 when he once again graced the national arena this time in Killarney. His journey to a national title saw many valiant efforts being pipped but the love for his art never diminished his belief that his day would finally come. This was to prove so this year as he brought national honours not just to himself, but also to his club, Cornafean and county. Competition on the night was intense as Michael tried to put himself in pole position for a national title. Strong challenges from talented opposition from counties Dublin, Leitrim and Limerick were to help spur on the Cavan man to his finest hour as he took centre stage to deliver what many experienced pundits of Scor competitions believe to be one of the finest pieces of recitation ever witnessed at the nationals. In gaining his place for the national finals it was widely expected that Michael's time had arrived as he consistently captured the attention of every audience on his his way to the Killarney event. On hearing his name called out as winner on the night, the seventy odd Cornafean supporters who had made the journey to the 'kingdom' could feel equally proud not just of Michael's tremendous honour but also the achievements over the many years involvement by the club at Scor competitions. The night of the 22nd April will long be remembered by the Cornafean club not solely for Michael's win but also for the fact that club were represented in no less than three competitions on the final night. Victory eluded the Question Time team and the Novelty Act group. The Novelty troupe of Gavin McDermott, Cormac and Rory Geoghegan, Richard Keith, Mary Duignan and Michael McGibney showed little signs of nerves as they produced a peformance of high quality acting and witty dialogue which belied their inexperience at this level as this was their first appearance at a national Scor final. Their production of their sketch, 'Mattie's Return' captivated the audience but they had to endure the disappointment of seeing fellow contestants, Galway take the premier title. Michael's gold medal placing was nearly equaled on the night by the Question Time team who were eventually to lose out in the cruelest of circumstances. The team of Brian Doyle, Michael Dinneny and Tommy McGibney can feel justifiably proud of their achievement in the Trath na gCeist competition. The Cornafean team overcame the challenges of Legan (Longford) and Bornacoola (Leitrim) only to lose out to the Limerick and Munster champions Monaleen. As a contest this was a cliff hanger as the quiz went to a number of tiebreakers before Monaleen edged the brave effort of the Cornafean team. Lifetime and family involvement The name of McGibney has been associated with Scor in the Cornafean area since its inception. According to Michael: "Great credit for the success and indeed the instigation of this part of the GAA must go to Paddy McDermott who has never wilted in his enthusiasm over those many years. As a family, we have been involved throughout with both my brothers, Tommy and Jimmy having achieved success particularly in the question time event. "My first sojourn into Scor took place at the tender age of eight and while I have been primarily involved with the novelty act, I was enticed to take up the recitation which gladly has proven a God send." The gentle and affable Michael, while justifiably proud of his achievement, is quick to point out that Scor is an integral part of the fabric of the area and while the club may be small, its richness and diversity at Scor makes it a proud name in the annals of the competition. According to Michael: "This rich tapestry has been fostered and worked upon by many people involved in Scor in the area and while I was fortunate enough to have won the national title, I feel that it was as much an achievement for the club members, past and present. To me, as an individual, winning the title and receiving the medal from the President of the G.A.A was akin to those footballers and hurlers, who receive their All Ireland medals. The success on this occasion was for me a great personal achievement, having taken part in the previous three finals and not succeeding. On the night we also had a very good Novelty Act, which I felt, was definitely in with a great chance, but it was not to be, and that took a little away from my achievement. It was the first time ever that our Novelty Act had made it to the National Final. Well there is one thing certain, for Cornafean, it will be an added motivating factor to make them want to come back again and this time take first prize. As far as defending my title in the Recitation, I will definitely be back next year and hopefully, make it two a row." Michael was quick to point out that the Scor participation has been intertwined in the fabric of the parish with everyone in the locality acutely aware of what is happening and how each act is progressing from county, provincial and national level. With that kind of involvment, it is no wonder that Michael's achievement and those of his fellow participants at the National finals were received with the festivities, normally accorded to All Ireland football winners, with a massive bonfire and festivities in the parish hall and local tavern. Proud History The Cornafean club have been involved at Scor for the past thirty five years and with Michael McGibney capturing his national title, the club can proudly claim their fifth such title during that period. Two of those titles have been recorded at Scor na nOg. Cornafean won their fist All Ireland title back in 1984 when the quiz team of Tommy and Jimmy McGibney, Geraldine Martin and sub, the late Margaret Young triumphed at the City Hall in Cork. Their other senior title came in 1991 when Sean O'Reilly, Adrian Harrington, Cait Masterson and Brendan Geoghegan took the title with a sketch penned by another local man, Sean Masterson. The success of Michael's achievement can be viewed with an historic content as a glance at the club's involvement in Scor is indeed truly monumental. As a football club, Cornafean, were historically acclaimed and since the inception of Scor some thirty six years ago, they have amassed a incredible list of honours at county, provincial and national level. When you look at the cultural aspect of GAA catered for by Scor, consisting of music, song, dance and drama, it is not surprising that an area like Cornafean can achieve such high standards on an annual basis. As far back as the 1920s, Cornafean were to the forefront under the guidance of Pol Mac Seain who started Irish language and dancing classes. During the 1950s, there were two drama groups in the area while the Cornafean name was linked to the famous Radio Eireann Question Time programme hosted by the then famous Joe Linnane. On that occasion, the name of a McGibney was prominent with Packey McGibney, along with Seamus Morris, Peadar Doyle, P. J. Masterson, and Master Tommie O'Reilly making up the team. On that occasion they competed against neighbours, Cormore. A glance back over the years reveals the extent which the proud traditions of the area have manifested itself in a list of honours. Success at both Scor na nOg and Sinnsir is indeed remarkable. The successes at county, provincial and national level are too many to list but suffice to say that this club's proud record at Scor is intrinsically interwoven with the fabric of the culture of their area and will be a major force at Scor for as long as they wish to compete. Michael McGibney's achievement in Killarney at national level was not just reward for Michael himself, but a rubber stamp for the tremendous work and personal sacrifice put in over those many decades by former members, deceased and alive. The personal achievement by Michael personifies the character of that wonderful and famous area of Co. Cavan, Cornafean, where a proud tradition is carried with a quiet confidence and great dignity. This was a fitting climax to many successful years for Michael's involvement in Scor competition. Michael personified 'if at first you don't succeed try, try again' as this was his fourth time to contest the All Ireland finals. Tweet

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