THE county Scór na nÓg finals were held in St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, on Sunday night.
The hall was filled to capacity and the large audience was treated to a fantastic night’s entertainment from the representatives of the 16 participating clubs.
Judging by the first competitors who took the stage it was inevitable this was going to be one of the best Scór na nÓg finals in many years.
Darragh Cross, Mayobridge, Teconnaught, and winners Ballyholland competed in the céilí dancing competition and all gave great performances.
Solo singers were next up as Clodagh Coulter (Ballygalget), Cathleen Garland (Dundrum), Niamh McDowell (Glasdrumman) and Eimear Magee (Mayobridge) competed in what was an excellent display of singing. Niamh was declared the winner of an extremely close section.
They were followed by reciters Oisin McClorey (Rostrevor), Brenna McAloon (Ballyholland), Beibhinn Watson (Ballycran) and Jude Quinn (Teconnaught). This competition, like the previous one, was excellent and Ballycran’s Beibhinn was the winner.
To finish a wonderful first half the audience were treated to four fantastic performances from Ballygalget, winners Mayobridge, Portaferry and Glasdrumman in the ballad group section.
The second half was just as good as the first, with the Leiriú competition getting things underway.
There was a wide range of s being acted out to the very appreciative audience from Bryansford, Mayobridge, and the successful Saul club. Next up was instrumental music by St Paul’s, Clonduff, Saul and the winners from Cumann Pheadar Naofa, who had the audience ready for dancing by the time they were finished.
The final competition was the set dancing with Clonduff, Drumaness, Castlewellan and winners Ballyholland putting on a variety of dances and some very nimble footwork.
The most difficult task of the night inevitably lay with the adjudicators who had the onerous task of choosing a county champion in each of the competitions. Bean a Tí Ciara Pickering announced the results.
The county champions will represent Down in the Ulster semi-finals in Swatragh on Sunday, December 11, against the champions of Derry, Tyrone, Donegal and Cavan.
In truth, all the participants were winners so high was the level of competition. Thanks to everybody who took part from the first rounds starting away back in mid October.
The County Cultural Committee wishes to convey its heartfelt thanks to the adjudicators, the organising committee members, the helpers on the night and, particularly, St Malachy’s High School for the fabulous venue and take this opportunity of wishing the county champions all the best in the Ulster semi-finals in two week’s time.
The county Scor na nÓg table quiz takes place in Drumaness GAC on Friday at 7.30pm. All clubs are invited to send along a team of up to four to have the chance of representing Down at the All-Ireland finals in the Waterfront, Belfast, on February 11.