“The Point Does Strictly 2016” event which took place in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry on Friday 18 March 2016 was an outstanding success and a truly memorable community occasion. Glamour, nimble footwork, intricate moves, choreography and a professional delivery of “The Point Does Strictly 2016” were the hallmarks of the event. The Miller Suite in the Canal Court Hotel was packed to capacity with more than 1000 online viewers through Destination Newry and DMC events. The appreciative audience in attendance were enthralled by the thirteen dancing duos who bravely treaded the boards with an eclectic mix of dances and rhythms.
The stars of the night were undoubtedly the dancers who received an electric reception from the audience. The thirteen dancing duos were Conor Gribben and Kerrie O’Connor, Niall McGovern and Kora Cunningham, Christy Carr and Lauren Woods, Brian Og Murphy and Maeve Conlon, Ian Russell and Tanya Rice, John Daly and Mary Walsh, Sean Gorman and Ciara Morgan, Caolan McLoughin and Rachel Gribben, Darren Rice and Sinead Carty, Declan Doyle and Martina Lynch, Matthew Teague and Noelle Harrison, Mousey O’Hare and Hilary Sloan, Kevin McCullough and Sara-Louise Carr
Co-Hosts for the evening Brendan Rice and Event Co-ordinator Aisling McGivern also gave a performance par excellence with their remarkable ability to engage the enthusiastic audience, interview the dancers and seek reaction from the judges with considerable aplomb, good humour and efficiency. Club personalitiy Conor McGarry was sharp witted in his post dance performance analysis of the dancers’ prowess which was brought to the audience by video link from the Green Room in the Canal Court.
The astute judges comprising of All Ireland Set dancing champion, renowned set teacher and avid club member Catherine McAnulty, former Down representative in the Rose of Tralee and member of Newry Junior Chamber of Commerce Nicole Curran, local personality and Newry Town footballer Sean McMullan and local celebrity, Q Radio’s very own Kevin McAllister had a difficult task on hand in choosing the overall winners. The judges were highly impressed with the quality of the dancing and the professionalism of the group dance which was performed by all twenty six dancers. The judges finally decided that the overall judges winners were Caolan McLoughlin, senior footballer and Rachel Gribben, a member of our club ceili team. The second award of the evening went to ‘The Peoples Winner,’ and following a standing ovation after their performance, Mary Walsh and John Daly were announced as winners to a rapturous roar from a packed Canal Court.
Speaking after the announcement, Social Committee coordinator and club PRO, Aisling McGivern congratulated the winners and stated that the dancers had embraced the spirit of the event with much fun, enthusiasm and great commitment. “They are all winners and we thank them for a super effort” added Aisling, who also expressed appreciation to lead Choreographer Turlough O’Neill and his assistant Ciara Tinnelly who provided expert choreography advice for the event and ensured the couples had the skills required to put deliver a top class performance.
Club Chairman, Eugene Gallagher was fulsome in his praise for the committee who organised the event. “Strictly Committee under its inspiring Chairperson and event Co-ordinator Aisling McGivern deserve special praise for their foresight, planning and hosting of this major social event.” He expressed thanks to the Social Committee members Natasha Cole, Cathy Jones, Larry Byrne, Michael Morgan, Daniel Bird, Conrad Madden, and Micheal Moore for their commitment and hard work.
Mícheál Moore edited a special “The Point Does Strictly 2016” live programme stream and he was congratulated on the superb quality of the new style live programme. Club photographer Conrad Madden produced first class couple posters for the night. Thanks were also expressed to the many patrons and friends of Cumann Pheadair Naofa who sponsored the dancers and took advertisements in the live programme. The professionalism of the Point Does Strictly was greatly enhanced by the video design and production co-ordinator Dara McCoy along with Brendan Monaghan and Panic Stage Hire.
Commenting on the success of the event, event organiser Aislíng McGivern said that “the community entertainment and atmosphere were of the highest standards, and we thank th whole community for another super effort. Tonight was a very special occasion, which gave us great pride and a sense of belonging, and will remain long in the memories of those present. We also acknowledge the pivotal support role of the management and staff of the Canal Court Hotel. The hosting of The Point Does Strictly is consistent with the Club ethos of operating as a proactive GAA Club at the heart of its local community for the whole of family, for the whole of life”.
