Scór na nÓg

 Scór na nÓg is a competition in which our Ballinamore P.P.S students excel, this year was no different. This unique competition allows people view and enjoy the Irish culture and is a great social event. It is divided into 8 categories; figure dancing, solo singing, instrumental music, recitation, ballad group, question time, novelty act and set dancing.

There is a great buzz and excitement in the air when Scór comes around every year, people get practising (though some a bit later than others) and general preparation begins.

This year, especially the students here at Ballinamore have proved how talented they are with huge numbers of us qualifying for the County Final. Even though it was a far way off from the All-Ireland, the competition seemed to be toughest here. Only one team from each category could go through but astonishly 6 out of 8 winners were made up of Ballinamore p.p.s students. Quite an achievement! So represent ting Leitrim in the Connacht Final were Sean O’Heslins (Ballinamore) for the figure dance, Aishling Sammon, Aughnasheelin for the instrumental music, Fenagh for the question time, Sean O’Heslins for the Novelty act and Fenagh for the set dance.

A great night’s entertainment saw the Sean O’Heslins novelty act and the Fenagh set dance through to the All-Ireland. Also representing their county and Ulster in the set dancing was Kieran McCaffery who danced for Temple port.

The All-Ireland was held in Athlone. Nerves were high, but everyone’s performance was brilliant leaving the judges with some very tough decisions.

As the results drew nearer the atmosphere became very tense up on the balcony, as this was where all the competitors were situated.

It wasn’t going Connachts way until finally it came to the novelty act and Sean O’Heslins continued on the tradition in winning yet another novelty act All-Ireland.

The Fenagh set dancers unfortunately lost out on the gold. This All-Ireland brings the total of Scór na nÓg medals for Sean O’Heslins to 5, so between Scór and Scór na nÓg they have obtained 13 All-Ireland medals making them the leading GAA club in Ireland in the Scór department.

A truly deserving win for the novelty act group who celebrated long into the night.