💚 2024 Scór na bPaistí County Final Review💚
All corners of the county led to Askeaton on Saturday last for our Scór na bPaistí 2024 county finals.
After last years rousing Scór na bPáistí competition we were all looking forward to this year’s full programme.
With an astounding 180 children representing 17 schools from the 4 divisions in the county gave us a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment in the best of Irish music, song, dance and story telling.
Our 4 adjudicators Johnny Cronin, Rita O’ Grady and Kieran Larkin had such a hard job picking the winners as the talent was sensational. Rita O’ Grady, who in November, won the All Ireland title for Aithriseoireacht/ Recitation was back with us. There were runners up medals in some of the more keenly contested competitions.
Sarah Gilmartin a former All Ireland Scór na nÓg winner was a most friendly and competent Bean A’ Tí and kept the whole show moving along with the minimum of fuss. She also gave a great rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann to get the show on the road. The hall was full, the excitement was palpable and everyone was ready to see what talent our Limerick primary schools had to offer.
St. Paul’s came out trumps in the Rince Foirne with a 4 hand reel to claim the title. While last years winners, Oola NS came second. The sparkles and footwork were nothing but astounding from our primary school children.
Sorcha Ní Mhuiris, from Scoil Áth a Mhuilinn, won Amhránaíocht Aonair with a beautiful rendition of ‘Isle of Hope’. Maisie Ní Mhíacháin, from GS an Raithín, came 2nd with ‘Land of the Gael’. Caoimhe Ní Maolruaidh, from St. Fergus NS, Glin, came 3rd with ‘Maid of the Sweet Brown Knowe’. With 10 competitors in this competition, no one was jealous of the judges job to pick the top 3.
Eilionóir Ní Fhoghlú, from Scoil Ath a Mhuilinn, was a humble and talented winner in the Recitation/Story telling competition with Noel Joyce’s ‘Dance Hall Days’. Séamus Ó hAichir, from SN na Banóige, came 2nd with his hilarious piece ‘Mary Ann McGee’. Faye Ní Shúilleabháin, from GS Sáirséal, came 3rd with an extract from ‘Angela’s Ashes’.
With 9 Ballad Groups in the competition, GS Chaladh an Treoigh took the title and came 1st with their beautiful melodies and instruments in ‘Cuirimid Deaindí’. Scoil Mocheallóg, last years winners, were awarded the 2nd place, giving us a fine rendition of ‘Brave Ireland’. While Scoil Áth a Mhuilinn came 3rd with a beautiful piece as Gaeilge ‘An Cailín Álainn’.
Next in the Nuachleas competition, we had an astounding 4 schools competing. Nicker NS came first with their piece “At the Pearly Gates”. A very topical and funny piece by a young group with lots of potential. Maith sibh!
9 schools participated in the Ceol Uirlise competition. Gaelscoil an Raithín were awarded the runner up position with ‘The Butterfly’ slip jig, while SN na Banóige came 3rd with Martin O’ Connors hornpipe.
It was a tough call but St Nessans NS, with ‘The Kimovee Jig’ took a well deserved win in what was an excellent competition.
And finally our last competition, the Rince Seit, represented by 3 schools, showed us fancy footwork and formations with the Aran, Cashel and Sliabh Luachra set. Oola NS, our reigning champions came 1st once again with the Sliabh Luachra set.
After the Limerick GAA Irish Cultural Officer Veronica Callinan presented the medals. Also every child that participated recieved a certificate to bring back to their schools.
It was then time to introduce the inaugural winners of the “School of the Year” . This is a beautiful perpetual shield that was awarded not just on placings in the competitions but also on the number of competitions each school participated. It was a close competition, but GS Chaladh an Treoigh were announced as the winner of “School Of The Year” for 2024. Overall it was an excellent day and we hope to build on it for 2025.
Our thanks to our committee and helpers Veronica Callinan, Muirne Bennis, Jim Enright, Helena Twomey, Mike Shinnors, Aisling Roche, Evelyn Ryan and Liam Guiney – our wonderful judges Johnny, Rita and Kieran, Sarah our excellent Bean A’ Tí and Mike and his committee in Askeaton Community Centre, without all your help Saturday would not have happened.
Thanks to Limerick County Board for sponsoring fabulous prizes of Framed team photos and signed jerseys.
Thanks to Declan Hehir who arrived to take plenty pictures to capture the talent on the day. Pictures will be in Vale Star and weekly observer.
Our huge THANK YOU to all our teachers, mentors , parents we know you all have busy lives and we thank you for your support.
But the BIGGEST THANK YOU goes to all our fantastic girls and boys who represented their schools with pride. We are so proud of you all.
Long live Scór agus LUIMNEACHABÚ 💚🤍
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