Nurse and student take the Strictly Clon crown

THE winning couple in this year’s Strictly Clon Dancing raised the roof as they swayed their way to victory at Dunmore House Hotel.

Ballineen nurse Mary Ann McCarthy and student Eoin Sexton from Butlerstown proved to be as popular with the judges, as with the voting public for their memorable cha cha to the sound of Sway.

To huge applause, Southern Star reporter Kieran O’Mahony presented the couple with their prize of a night’s B&B plus dinner for two (for each member of the couple) at the Kenmare Bay Hotel, sponsored by the newspaper. 

They were also presented with trophies specially designed and sponsored by George Duggan of Cork Crystal. 

Runners-up on the night were Samantha Kelly and Stefan Tipurlea, who danced a charleston.

‘A total of 12 couples took to the floor showcasing their skills in a variety of dances and the standard was very high and closely contested,’ said Helen Houlihan, PRO of Strictly Clon Dancing.

As well as ensemble dances from the  couples, one of the judges, Anne-Marie O’Brien and her group from Butlerstown, treated the audience to a medley of song and dance from the 1940s, which was specially commissioned for the final.

Chairman of the committee, Jimmy O’Regan, thanked all the dancers for their dedication and commitment since they signed up for the event in September. 

He also thanked the committee, made up of members from both the local GAA and rugby clubs for their hard work in organising the dancing spectacle, along with generous sponsors and MCs Kevin O’Donovan and Marlise Walsh who, he said, did a tremendous job.

Ger McCarthy and Willie Wilcox, chairmen of the GAA and rugby clubs respectively, also thanked the dancers, the committee and the capacity audience who attended on all three nights and they outlined what the funds raised will mean for each of their clubs.

The judges on the night of the final were disability rights campaigner Joanne O’Riordan; choreographer and director Anne-Marie O’Brien; world champion dancer Eoghan Scally; award-winning actress Nora Scannell; and journalist with The Southern Star, Kieran O’Mahony.

For those who may not have caught this year’s dancers in action, they have another chance when a special charity Strictly Clon Dancing takes place in Ahamilla GAA complex in the New Year.

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