East Cork Scór na bPaistí Final
The East Cork Scór na bPaistí Final was held in Watergrasshill on Sunday afternoon last (4th February). Dungourney featured in four different competitions. Brian Flynn performed his widely acclaimed rendition of “The Hurler on the Ditch”, with his camán and sliotar and dressed in his Dungourney kit. Nobody in the hall was surprised that he came first when the results were announced at the end of the night, thereby going forward to the County competition taking place in Ovens on Sat 10th February. Lewis Costigan represented Dungourney in the solo dancing competition and gave an excellent performance – thankfully the judges agreed and Lewis was awarded first prize and went through to the next round of the competition in Ovens.
Next up were the ballad group which consisted of Lucy Flynn, Eimear McGrath, Cara Padden and Amy O’Reilly. All four girls are very strong, talented individual singers and they sang their two songs beautifully – “Caledonia” and “Níl na Lá” – so well that they were awarded second place and got lovely medals for their efforts. The last competition that Dungourney competed in was the polka set. The team was made up of three sets of sisters – the Flynns (Lucy & Rachel), the O’Donovan’s (Lauryn & Evie), the Corbys (Aoibhe & Chloe), Eimear McGrath and Darcy Voronins. They danced two parts of the Sliabh Luachra set. The girls gave a great account of themselves, as always, and were disappointed not to rank amongst the prize winners.
Scór na bPaistí is a great opportunity for children to perform on stage which has a number of benefits, not least helping to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The competitors learn a lot from the experience – the rewards of hard work, the necessity to remain calm under pressure and handle nerves, the joy of winning and, unfortunately, the disappointment of defeat. Well done to all those going on to represent East Cork in the County competition and best of luck, you’ll do the parish proud! Commiserations to all those children from Dungourney who were unsuccessful at different stages along the way…….there’s always next year!!
Mairead Corby.
PRO. Dungourney.