Roscommon GAA Scór na nÓg Final 2025
Elphin Community Centre played host to what can only be described as an excellent final of the Roscommon GAA Scór na nÓg competitions, on Saturday last, 15th November. The cultural showcase was the culmination of weeks of preparation and practice from clubs all over the county and what a spectacle their efforts produced. From start to finish, proceedings were of the highest order as Elphin’s own Sarah Keane, former All Ireland Scór Sinsir Solo Singing Champion, treated the crowd to a rousing rendition of Amhránna bhFiann and her fellow club member, Mick Rock, added a fantastic sense of occasion and professionalism, as Fear an Tí.
With eight county titles to be decided and the chance to represent Roscommon at the Connacht Scór nan Óg Final, the sense of club rivalry and pride, made for an electric atmosphere. The competition began with the Tráth nagCeisteanna Boird (Question Time). Cosite Scór Ros Comáin was delighted to have Clann na nGael’s Tom Nolan as Quiz Master. Tom set a fair and challenging set of questions as he put teams from Shannon Gaels, Tulsk, St. Dominics, Kilbride, Padraig Pearses, Athleague/Tremane and Kilglass Gaels, through their paces. After 10 rounds of questions, KilglassGaels, Athleague/Tremane and Kilbride, emerged as the top 3 to battle it out on stage for the Pat Dennehy Cup. After a tense final stage heat, the Kilglass Gaels team of Domhnaill Diffley, Rory Conroy, Daniel Fallon and Oisín Reynolds, reigned supreme yet again, County Champions for an amazing eighthconsecutive year.
The Figure Dancing discipline saw Roscommon Gaels, Kilbride, Kilmore and two teams from St. Dominics, vie for honours. The title went to the St. Dominics A team of Hannah O’Connor, Jane Casey, Alisha Connaughton, Eva Rose Beattie, Gemma Casey, Aoibheann Miley, Emily Donnelly and Sorcha Miley.
In the Solo Singing, Gemma Casey from St. Dominic’s delivered a beautiful rendition of ‘The Ballad of O’Carolan’sCountry’, earning her the county title against fantastic competition from Hollie Gilchrest (Kilmore), Aoibhe Bracken (St. Croans) and Katie Foley (Kilmore).
The Recitiation/Storytelling was also a highly competitive event. Elphin’s Henry Gunn, Lily Morgan and Eoghan Bunn of St. Dominic’s, all turned in brilliant performances. Their efforts gave way to Miriam Darcy of Padraig Pearses, whose delivery of her self-penned piece ‘My Darling Sarah’, ensured the title went to the South Roscommon club.
Singers from St. Michaels, Kilmore and St. Dominics, sang contrasting songs in the Ballad Group discipline. However, it was the young Cootehall group of Eoin Christy, Lily Harte, Caoimhe MacLochlainn, Aoibheann Ní Bhroin and Robyn McGarry, who emerged victorious, taking the title back to St. Michael’s for the first time in many years.
Without doubt, the Novelty Act competition delivered the most hotly contested event of the evening, as four excellently prepared teams turned in performances of the highest standard. Actors from Elphin, St. Dominics A and B, entertained a delighted audience to great appreciation but their efforts gave way to the victorious Padraig Pearses team of Katie Grenham, Kate Killeen Lyons, Kate Killeen, Miriam Darcy, Aoibhín Seale, Erin Arr and Oisín Murphy, whose performance of “Mythological Love” garnered them the county title in what was a very tight affair.
The Instrumental Music event, saw rousing tunes played by groups from Elphin, Athleague/Tremane, Kilmore and St. Dominic’s. The title was retained by the Elphin group of Rosise Keane, Tom Keane, Annie Kelly, Moya Kelly, Patrick Kelly, whose flute, uileann pipe, fiddle, accordion and concertina, delivery impressed the adjudicators.
Elphin’s winning ways continued in the Rince Seit, as their B team of Henry Gunn, Patrick Kelly, Sean Gormley, Tara Nolan, Laoise Higgins, Sarah Gormley, Annie Kelly and Moya Kelly, came out on top to retain the title ahead of Kilmore and Elphin A.
Coiste Scór agus Cultúir Ros Comáin were delighted to have Thomas Murray, Vice Chairman of Roscommon GAA County Board and member of the National Scór Committee, to present the winners with their trophies. Huge thank you to the Elphin Community Centre Committee, Northern Harps LGFA Committee for providing refreshments. Appreciation also goes to our excellent Sound Engineer and the adjudicators,who had an arduous task on the night.
The biggest word of thanks goes to all of the young GAA members who represented their clubs at every level this year in Scór na nÓg. They are what the competition is all about. Well done to the many mentors, trainers and club officials, who have worked so hard to promote Scór in their areas. Your efforts are ensuring this wonderful cultural outlet continues to go from strength to strength in Roscommon.
Our Roscommon County Scór na nÓg Champions 2025 now go forward to represent the County at the Connacht Final on Saturday, 29th November, in the Temperance Hall, Loughrea, Co. Galway. Stage events will begin at 3.30pm and will be preceded by the Tráth na gCeisteanna Boird, at 2pm. Tickets for the provincial final will be available online from www.connachtgaa.ie soon (they will be limited so first come first served). More information for competing clubs and competitors will be issued by Coiste Scór agus Cultúr in the coming weeks.
Ros Comáin Abú.