This year, Scór na nÓg was held over 2 nights. On Thursday 24th March, the first part of the Quiz competition was held, with the top 3 teams making it to the stage final on the following evening. Milltown had 1 team in it this year, and with 12 teams in the county final, we knew it would be tough. In the end, we did what was needed and came 2nd.
And so onto the County Final on Friday 25th March in Allenwood. A little disappointingly, we only had 1 other act, Seán Kelly in the Recitation competition. Despite only 2 weeks to prepare, Seán gave a great performance, but lost out on the night to Ardclough.
So all our hopes were now on the Quiz Team. The stage final was extremely tight, with only 1 question (the same as the previous year) separating 1st from 2nd positions. Fortunately for us, Milltown pipped Maynooth into a heartbreaking 2nd placed finish for the second year in a row.
Our competitors on the night:
Recitation: Seán Kelly
Quiz Team: Anna Mulpeter, Robert Shannon, Patrick Shannon, Daniel Percival and our sub Eoghan Delahunty.
Onwards to the Leinster Preliminary Round. The team travelled to The Downs GAA club in Westmeath on 2nd April and made a storming second half comeback to clinch a top 3 finish and make it to the Leinster final. The Leinster final was held in the National Opera House in Wexford on Sunday 16th April. On the day, despite being the best of the 3 teams, they were pipped by just 1 question out of 2nd place. A top 3 finish, however, still means they qualified for the All Ireland in Killarney.
In a demonstration of what it means to our club to have teams in All Ireland finals, a fundraising quiz was held on Thursday 4th May in The Inn @ Milltown. Our Quiz Master, and Scór champion himself, Ronan Byrne, presented each of the team with Scór na nÓg club tops for the occasion. A large turn out gave the team the sendoff they deserved.
On Saturday 6th, the long trip to Killarney was made to fight it out with 11 other counties to see who would be crowned champions. Unfortunately, a slow start in the first 3 round meant that, despite almost perfect round thereafter, the team had just too much ground to make up.
However, it was a great learning experience for them, and with 4 of the 5 still underage again next year, we headed home with high hopes.
A huge thank you to their mentor, Noel Shannon. A Scór champion himself, Noel put in a huge amout of work to prep the team and get them to an All Ireland. Míle buíochas.
Baile an Mhuilinn abú! ❤️💚
Senior ScórFriday 13th October 2023 saw the county final of Scór Sinsir take place in Allenwood. Milltown had a strong field, with participants in Solo Singing, Recitation, Ballad Group, Novelty Act and Quiz Time.
A strong Milltown support (many with hats and flags straight from supporting our county finalist football teams) really helped to lift the atmosphere and spur on our competitors.
Alan Davoran led the way, with a powerful rendition of Dublin In The Rare Aul Times in the Solo Singing. As usual in the Solo Singing competition, there was strong competition, and it took a former All Ireland champion to narowly beat Alan into 2nd position.
Following Alan was Mary Stewart in the Recitation. Mary did a brilliant performance of The Bean an Tí, and was so unlucky to also lose out in 2nd place.
From here on though, our luck changed. Our Ballad Group was up next, and they stormed to victory with stirring renditions of Spanish Lady and Neidín. It was noted that this may have been our first county title in Ballad Group in Senior Scór. If not the first ever, we certainly have to go back many decades to the last win.
Our Novelty Act never disappoints, and they produced a really funny piece based on the TV show, Gogglebox. Certainly, judging by the laughs from the crowd, they were worthy winners.
Rounding off the night was our Quiz Team, who were defending their crown. As usual, they were neck in neck with Allenwood. However, there was a surprise challenge from Clogherinkoe. Heading to the stage section, Milltown were in 3rd spot, but only 2 points behind. A storming stage performance saw Milltown take the crown once again.
Well done to all!
Solo Singing: Alan Davoren
Recitation: Mary Stewart
Ballad Group: Alan Davoren, Owen Fogarty, Eimear Shannon, Therese O Reilly & Michelle Egan
Novelty Act: Michelle O Hara, Enda Dowling, Breda McHale, Shane Shannon, Tom Malone, Emmet Mulhall & Paul Delahunty
Quiz Team: Mary Byrne, Noel Dunne, Noel Shannon, Ronan Byrne & Paul Delahunty
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