Mayo Scór na bPáistí County Final

  • Mar 06,2023

Mayo Scór na bPáistí County Final

Having made a positive and welcome return at divisional level towards the end of February, Scór na bPáistí reached the county final stage before a packed house in Balla Community Centre on the afternoon of Saturday, March 4th. Two acts from within each competition had progressed from each division. Nobody would have envied the job of the final’s adjudicators as competitions progressed. 

 

The day got underway with Figure Dancing. The county title was taken by Bekan NS with four little girls proving they were equal to the task, and that age really is only a number! The second title of the day was taken by Lucy McDermott from Irishtown NS in south Mayo. Lucy, who appeared in no less than four competitions on the day, got the adjuciators’ nod in Solo Singing following her flawless rendition of ‘Siúil a Rún’.  

        The standard continued to be high in the next competition, which threw up some highly entertaining recitations and stories. North Mayo’s Julian Hopkins, a second class pupil in Lahardane NS, edged the honours following his recount of the story of ‘The White Trout of Lough Conn’. The first half concluded with some rousing performances in the Ballad Group section – The Spanish Lady making her presence hugely felt across an extremely enjoyable half hour! It was west Mayo’s turn to take a title as St. John’s NS, Breaffy were announced as winners. 

           In a slight change to the usual order, the second half commenced with the Instrumental Music section. Another tight affair, which must have been extremely tough to adjudicate, saw St. John’s NS, Breaffy take a second title for west Mayo. The very appreciative audience continued to be delighted by great talent as the Sean Nós Dancing competition got underway. This time, it was the turn of east Mayo’s Croídhe Ní Dhochartaigh to get her hands on a trophy to take back to Foxford NS, having beaten of some stiff competition along the way. The Novelty Act went to south Mayo’s St. Feichín’s NS, Cross who dramatised ‘The Tourmakeady Ambush’ which some fine acting as well as some wonderful costumes. The final competition of a hugely entertaining day was Set Dancing. The girls from Holy Family NS, Newport took victory with a very eye-catching performance of ‘The Connemara Set’. 

As at the West Mayo Final in Kilmeena, during the instrumental music section a tribute was paid to Noel Kilkenny, who passed away following illness just before Christmas. His stellar contribution to music will without question or doubt stand the test of time. Leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aige. 

Scór Mhaigh Eo would like to congratulate all the children who competed in Scór na bPáistí this year following the long COVID-19 lay off. Thanks to them and their teachers and mentors. It truly is great to have Scór na bPaistí back. 

          

Scór’s next outing is the county final of Scór na nÓg. It will also be held in Balla on Sunday March 25th. The day gets underway with the Tráth na gCeist’ (Quiz) at 4pm. This will be followed by stage events at 5pm. Further details are available from individual GAA clubs.