Strictly Clon tickets are ‘hotter' than All-Ireland's

THE final showdown for the hugely popular ‘Strictly Clon Dancing’ event in Clonakilty takes place this Saturday night in Inchydoney Lodge & Spa, and tickets are harder to come by than All Ireland final tickets.

The response to the charity event has been way beyond the expectations of the organisers, since the first event kicked off on November 6th.

The spectacularly successful event was the brainchild of local GAA Club member Ger McCarthy, who has brought together some interesting duets of would-be dance stars from the town. 

It is believed that the funds raised from the event are expected to be well in excess of €60,000, and will be shared jointly between the local GAA and rugby clubs. 

The show was launched by Fine Gael MEP and former GAA president Sean Kelly in Ahamilla. The MEP was chosen to launch the event because of his role in opening up Croke Park to other sports. 

Another interesting union in the town as a result of Strictly Clon Dancing is the pairing of local Fine Gael TD Jim Daly’s wife Virge with Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan, with many local wags wondering if this is a glimpse of what many perceive as an inevitability – a Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil coalition after the next election!

The two semi-finals were held at Dunmore House Hotel in front of capacity crowds and provided two wonderful nights of entertainment with a host of well-known locals taking to the floor.

Their moves and shakes were performed in front of a panel of five judges and a voting public, with the results determined by a 50/50 split of judges’ votes, and the votes of the audience, which can be purchased on the night. 

Local businesses have donated generously to the event, through general sponsorship, services provided, and help with the likes of make-up and hair styling. The comperes are Kevin O’Donovan and Pauline Lowney.

However, those hoping to get a little slice of the action this weekend will be sorely disappointed, as tickets have been completely sold out for weeks for the show. 

The scramble for tickets has at times resembled the panic over All Ireland final tickets in September, with one local remarking she was more likely to pick the winning Lotto ticket this weekend than come across a ticket for the Strictly Clon Dancing final.