ST EUNAN’S and Letterkenny Gaels GAA club are celebrating after capturing historic All-Ireland Scór na nÓg titles at the INEC, Killarney last weekend.
The current Donegal and Ulster and All Ireland champion in recitation/storytelling Síofra Harvey’s powerful rendition of Bandraoi Loch an Dúin saw her claim the ultimate accolade much to the delight of her family and supporters.
The Loreto, Letterkenny, Transition Year student brought back the cup and her All Ireland medal to the St Eunan’s clubhouse on Sunday where a large crowd, led by Sínead Ni Dhomhnaill, Scor co-ordinator, and Fergus McGee, Oifig na Gaeilge, had gathered.
Síofra with her mum Toni, sister Cliodhna and brother Lorcan.
Letterkenny Gaels GAA Club also made history on Saturday when they secured their first Scór na nÓg All Ireland title in the Nuachleas (Novelty Act) section in Killarney.
They presented the short comedic play entitled “Packie McNamee” based on a recitation written by Convoy native Fergus Cleary and adapted for stage by Brian Sweeney. The cast were Michael Sweeney, Cormac Crossan, Daniel Brady, Emily Crossan, Anna Sweeney, Alicia Brady and Eimear Sweeney. The play was directed by Brian, ably assisted by Sheila McMullen Sweeney and Paul Brady.
St Eunan’s GAA club has won Ulster titles in Instrumental music and ballad group in Scór sinsir in the early 2000s but this is the first All Ireland title.
Síofra stared in the Donegal county semi-final in Drimarone and went on to win the county final in Doneyloop. She represented CLG Naomh Adhamhnáin and Donegal at the Ulster semi final in Stradone, Co Cavan and there were tremendous scenes of celebration when Síofra was crowned Ulster champion in Threemilehouse, Co Monaghan in early January.
At the All Ireland final in the INEC in Killarney in front of 1,700 people Síofra gave her best performance to date. The daughter of Toni Harvey, she has an older sister Cliodhna and brother Lorcan. She was competing against very formidable opponents from Elfin, Roscommon (3 All Ireland’s), The Downes, West Meath (5 All Ireland’s) and Sean Treacy’s, Tipperary (3 All Ireland’s).
Anne Nicholls, who reached the All Ireland final last year, said she was delighted with Síofra’s success.
“I bought that book (Bandraoi Loch an Dúin) in Dunlewey a few years ago. It’s about a magic woman living on an island off the coast of Donegal and all she has is a cow and a spider. A fairy used to come and steal her milk at night and that was all she had to live on so she turned the cow into a statue at night. It’s a great dramatic piece and Síofra did it for our school (Scoil Mhuire gan Smal) four years ago and won the overall trophy,” Ms Nicholls said.
Letterkenny Gaels Scór Sinsir group finished runners up in last year’s All Ireland final.
All Ireland champions Letterkenny Gaels.
Their confidence was high going into the All Ireland final having defeated the reigning All Ireland Champions Naomh Mhuire, Aghagallon, Co Antrim (5 All Irelands) to become Ulster Champions. However, an All-Ireland final is at another level and they were up against multiple Scór winners in the Novelty Act section. Borris-Illeigh, Tipperary (3 All Ireland’s), St Dominic’s, Roscommon (3 All Ireland’s) and The Downs, West Meath (5 All Ireland’s) made up the quartet of clubs in the Novelty Act section of the Final.
At INEC their fast moving, quick witted play was delivered with a level of performance that wouldn’t be out of place on the West End. It was extremely well received by the crowd.
Tensions were high when the results were read out but when the Bean an Tí announced that Letterkenny Gaels were All Ireland Champions, the crowd erupted. The young Gaels were presented their medals by John Horan, president of the GAA.
Fergus McAodh proudly holding the two All Ireland Cups won by Letterkenny Gaels GAA and St Eunan’s GAA.
The All-Ireland Champions returned to Letterkenny on Sunday night to a large crowd of members who had congregated at the Letterkenny Gaels clubhouse. Cast member Emily Crossan spoke on behalf of the cast and Club Chairperson Michael O’Connor and Cultural Officer Bairbre Cahill welcomed the winning team home.
Scór is a GAA competition which was established by the GAA in 1969. It combines all the colour and rivalry of Gaelic Games with the social/fun element of Ireland’s traditional pastimes and culture. Scór also offers club members the chance to meet up, have fun and represent their club during the winter months.
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