WHAT Is Scór?  It is a valid question for many people both within the GAA and outside our organisation.

Scór is a GAA competition that combines all the colour and rivalry of Gaelic Games with the social/fun element of Ireland's traditional past-times. The competition was established by the GAA in 1969 with the aim of promoting Ireland's traditional pastimes and culture while offering club members the chance to meet up, have fun and represent their club during the winter months while Football and Hurling had ceased.

Scór seeks to advance the aspiration of the GAA to actively support the Irish language, traditional Irish dancing, music, song, and other aspects of Irish culture, through a range of competitions at youth and adult levels, designed to encourage participation, enjoyment, inclusivity and excellence. It shall foster an awareness and love of the national ideals and assist in promoting a community spirit through its clubs at home and abroad.

The eight disciplines currently making up Scór are 

• Rince Foirne Figure or Ceilí Dancing • Amhránaíocht Aonair Solo Singing • Aithriseoireacht/scéalaíocht Recitation/Storytelling • Bailéad Ghrúpa Ballad Group • Nuachleas Novelty Act • Ceol Uirlise Instrumental Music • Rince seit Set Dancing • Tráth na gCeist Quiz

Scór was historically divided into two main divisions namely Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsear. There is Scór na bPaisti for National School Children and this has become popular in many counties including Westmeath in recent years and adds a new element to the competition.

The first two paragraphs in this piece are broadly taken from the Statement of Scór as outlined by An Choiste Náisiúnta Scór, the governing body in charge at National Level and they encapsulate correctly the main aims and ambitions of Scór.

But the statement while comprehensive doesn’t totally explain Scór especially to those who are unfamiliar with the event. Scór is around since 1969 and in Westmeath since 1970 and in the past 51 years, Westmeath has embraced Scór fully with most if not all of our 47 clubs having participated regularly for at least some portion of the past five decades. The average rate of participation circles around 20 clubs each year which is significant and up until the pandemic of the past twelve months, Scór in the county had remained remarkably vibrant. There is a hard core of about ten clubs who through thick and thin are always there and they comprise a huge cross section of clubs from town to country though predominately it is the rural clubs who make up the bulk of participation in Scór.

The last time that we had competitors active was at the Leinster semi final on Saturday 7th March 2020 in The Downs when Westmeath Senior representatives were on stage claiming places in the Leinster final which never happened due to lockdown.  When will we see activity again? That is the unknown at present but it will happen and our clubs will certainly be eager to get going when the green light to do so is passed.

Looking at Westmeath in Scór, the county has been fortunate to have good and very dedicated administrators over the years with the current county committee being ably  led by Olive Leonard and Mary Doolin as Cathaoirleach agus Runai Scór Iarmhí. The Scór committee gets its message across to the people in the county through the local papers through the excellent work of long standing PRO Johnny Hannify and there is a broad spectrum of club representatives who make up a working committee of on average 14 people. So why does Scór remain popular?

Scór in its three divisions caters for a broad spectrum of people from 5 to 85 and older. It allows those members of GAA clubs who may have been ex players or may never have been to embrace the cultural end of our club life. In our county, this has manifested itself in healthy club rivalries which can sometimes get heated but always remain respectful. And it is that respect that generates the interest over the years. Scór is a family.

A wide ranging family where contacts and friendships made remain throughout peoples lives.  Its provides an outlet in the winter months and is in fact the grandparent of all modern day talent shows that grace TV and elsewhere. This article briefly outlines the scope of Scór and over the next couple of weeks I will give a full perspective of the importance and history of Scór in Westmeath.

Aidan Walsh

Oifigeach Cúltúir.

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