On Saturday 8 April at 5pm Warrenpoint Mixed Ceili team, consisting of Sinead Rice, Shannon Goss, Aine Murphy, Ciara Tinnelly, Micheal McAnulty, Oisin McCann, Turlough O’Neill and eamonn Burns took to the stage in Threemilehouse in Co.Monaghan to represent Cumann Pheadair Naofa and also Down in the 2017 Scór Ulster Final. Buses and cars of supporters travelled to support the team and all Down acts including Clonduff Ballad Group and Drumaness Léiruí, with the club and county flags flying high.
Warrenpoint dancers have long been associated with Scór, both in junior and senior competitions and County titles have been carried back to the Mary Street Clubrooms in abundance, however lifting and Ulster title has been somewhat of a challenge too far with the last one coming over 20 years ago. Little did the dancers know, but the long wait was over and at just after 9pm the results were delivered and the first to be crowned Ulster Champions, to a rapturous audience were the dancers from Cumann Pheadair Naofa. Among scenes of joy, jubilation and tears the dancers left their seats where they were joined by family and friends and proudly made their way to the stage where they were presented with their long awaited and much deserved Ulster Ceili Dancing medals and cup.
Dance mentor and team dancer Turlough O’Neill lifted the cup to the crowd with great pride and once again the crowd erupted for the new Ulster Champions. The team, the majority of whom have danced together since they were five years of age entered Senior Scór for the first time this year and Cultural Officer and Dancing Stalwart in Warrenpoint, Carmel McGrath was overcome with emotion and expressed her sheer delight at the announcement of the winner, “I just can’t believe it, i knew they had danced so well, they were foot perfect but you just don’t know. These guys have worked quietly numerous times a week in the clubrooms, juggling work, studies and dance commitments and practicing at early hours never seen by dancing shoes before! They deserve every minute of this, we will be celebrating for a long time.”
The Ulster Champions were then welcomed back to the club on Sunday morning to a packed house at a special Coffee morning where they performed numerous times for their eager fans! Special thanks to everyone who attended the coffee morning and to those who purchased tickets for the raffle, the winners of all prized are available on our facebook page.
