Ross and Shannon retain Munster Scór na Óg titles

BY JOHN TARRANT

A FASCINATING Munster Scór na nÓg Final yielded success for Carbery Rangers and Sam Maguires as Cork clubs dominated a hugely successful staging in the Éire Óg GAA pavilion in Ovens.

In the ballad group section, Carbery Rangers retained their title while Shannon Buttimer of Sams again came out on top in the recitation class.

Shannon delivered her own composition, The Fairytale of a Sam Maguire Minor, bettering opponents from Na Gaeil (Kerry), Éire Óg (Tipperary) and Mungret (Limerick).

‘I’m thrilled to win again,’ she said, ‘the competition was really tough but I performed to my best and it’s just teriffic to collect back-to-back titles.’

Carbery Rangers’ experience in the ballad group yielded dividends thanks to excellent harmonies from their renditions of ‘Lovely Derry On The Banks of The Foyle’ and ‘Moll Dubh A’Ghleanna’.

Team members Joan O’Donovan, Aoife McSweeney, Kate Creedon, Rachel Hodnett and Orlagh O’Gorman bettered challengers from Portroe (Tipperary), Wolfe Tones (Clare) and Glenflesk (Kerry).

Elsewhere, Maggie Moynihan from Cullen delivered a surperb rendition of the emigration song ‘Cooraclare’ to enjoy success in the solo singing with Kilshannig claiming a first win in instrumental music. 

From a strong Cork representation in the Munster final, there was no joy for Boherbue figure and set dancers nor the St James’ léiriú, delivering capable performances.

Carbery Scór secretary Gabrielle Crowley expressed delight at West Cork teams revealing their diverse talents to underline the division’s status as an emerging power in Scór circles.

‘What another great day for Carbery Scór and GAA, I’m so proud of the competitors and the clubs on their brilliant performances, given the standard of competition, the success of the West Cork clubs was admirable,’ she said.

The triumphant Cork winners from Sam Maguires, Carbery Rangers, Cullen and Kilshannig go forward to represent Cork and Munster in the All-Ireland finals in Sligo on Saturday, February 17th.