Scór na bPaistí Update
All roads led to Lisgoold on Sunday last (28th January) for the two semi-finals of the East Cork Scór na bPaistí competition. The parish was very well represented by all of our young contestants who did themselves, their parents and their teachers proud, irrespective of whether they made it through to the final or not. Darragh Fitzgerald gave a lovely rendition of “Molly Malone” in the solo singing competition. The standard was extremely high in this group – each competitor more talented than the next….with Dungourney not found wanting! Brian Flynn, a seasoned campaigner in the Scór recitation competition, entertained the audience with “The Hurler on the Ditch”, a very apt piece for a parish steeped in the hurling tradition….and he really looked the part in his Dungourney kit. The individual music competition had two representatives from Dungourney – both girls are members of Imokilly Comhaltas. Molly Leahy played “Island of the Woods” on the violin and Darcy Voronins played “Sweeney’s Buttermilk” on the tin whistle. Lewis Costigan participated in the individual dancing competition and his footwork and carriage were a pleasure to watch.
The ballad group consisted of Lucy Flynn, Eimear McGrath, Cara Padden and Amy O’Reilly who sang two songs – “Caledonia” and “Níl na Lá”. The girls are all lovely singers individually and came together really well with lovely harmony for “Caledonia” and the use of the bodhrán for “Níl na Lá”. Dungourney also participated in the sketch/drama competition, something that we hadn’t participated in for a few years. The plot centered around hosting the Ed Sheeran concert in the village instead of in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and it was clear that a huge amount of time and effort had gone into this from learning lines to having costumes, props etc. The play was written and directed by Emily Aherne from Tallow and those acting were Molly Leahy, Kate O’Riordan, Neil Hennessy, Katie Hennessy, Sorcha Joyce, Aimee Hickson O’Mahony and Sean Ryan.
The group music was very closely contested – the team consisted of Eamon Barry on the banjo, Aislinn McGrath on the violin, Darcy Voronins on the tin whistle and Aoibhe Corby on the concertina. They played “Island of the Woods” with lovely harmony and livened the place with their rendition of “Terry Teahan’s” polka. The final competition that Dungourney competed in was the polka set. The team of eight girls danced really well and their efforts practicing and perfecting their steps were evident on the night. The team was made up of three sets of sisters – the Flynn’s (Lucy & Rachel), the O’Donovan’s (Lauryn & Evie), the Corby’s (Aoibhe & Chloe), Eimear McGrath and Darcy Voronins. This made co-ordinating practices easier if nothing else!
Best of luck to all contestants going through to the East Cork Final on Sunday 4th February in Watergrasshill Community Centre. All support welcome! The competition has highlighted the level of talent locally and well done to all those who have participated at any stage, including the opening heats held in Dungourney school back in October. A special thanks to our local Scór co-ordinators (Claire Padden, Catherine Doocey and James Leahy) who do a lot of work behind the scenes, it is greatly appreciated.