Published: Wednesday, 17th February, 2010 5:00pm

Crosserlough set dancers in quest of glory

The winning Crosserlough set dancing team, who will perform in their fourth all-Ireland Scór final this weekend are (from left): Gerry Gunne, dancing teacher; with Kevin Smith, Darren Callery, Pierce Smith and Stephen Smithl; front, Christiane Smith, Claire Boylan, Annie Smith and Cait Smith.

The talented young Crosserlough Set Dancers are going in quest of All-Ireland glory on the double over the coming two weekends.

First up this Saturday at the Athlone IT campus is the All-Ireland Scór finals and the following weekend, Saturday February 27, the dancers compete in the All-Ireland Readóirí finals at the University of Limerick.

The eight members are Kevin Smith, Pierce Smith, Stephen Smith, Darren Callery, Christiane Callery, Annie Smith, Cait Smith and Claire Boylan.

These multi-talented young boys and girls from the general Crosserlough area are trained by Gerry Gunne, a former All-Ireland winner himself on the Scór and Fleadh scene, with his native Elphin. Gerry is a construction and DCG studies teacher in St. Patrick's College, Cavan.

This will be the Crosserlough team's fourth appearance in the Scór finals and their third showdown in the Readóirí finals and the experience gleaned in previous years should stand them in good sted on this occasion.

They have been training two nights a week in the Kilnaleck Hall and their dedication is most admirable and they are backed on the accordion by Barry Leonard.

The dancers have won four Ulster Scór titles and have collected three Ulster Readóirí crowns. They also won the All-Ireland Under 12 set dancing at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Tullamore and finished second in the 12 to 15 age group at Tullamore last year.

Gerry Gunne has been teaching these young people for the past six years and speaks very highly of their dedication and self belief in their talents.

He also extolled the great enthusiasm and commitment of all the parents who support the young people all along the way.

The County Cavan Scór committee wish the team and their trainer the best of luck in Athlone this weekend and congratulate them on the outstanding achievement of reaching the national final for a fourth year in a row.