Club of the Year was Cornafean GFC. Kieran Callaghan, chairman Cavan Co Board, presents the perpetual plaque to Pauline Duignan from Cornafean at the County Finals in Stradone last Sunday. On the right is Michael McGibney, Cavan Scór chairman and proud Cornafean man. PHOTOS: ALEX COLEMAN

Cornafean Club of the Year in Cavan Scór

Stradone Community Centre was the venue for the Cavan Scór na nÓg county final last Sunday afternoon. There was strong representation across the county with 11 clubs competing across seven disciplines. They had advanced from the first rounds the previous weekend in Mullahoran and Drumavaddy.

The clubs featured in the county final were Cornafean GFC, Ballymachugh GFC, Mullahoran GFC, Killeshandra GFC, Killinkere GFC, Killygarry Ladies, Drumlane GFC, Arva GFC, Lacken GFC, Laragh GFC and Lavey GFC.

The winners were as follows:

Rince Foirne - Mullahoran who danced the High Cauled Cap. They were Mollie Brady, Nina Mulligan, Saoirse O’Reilly, Aoife O’Reilly, Shauna Galligan, Orna Higgins, Eimear Cullen and Aoíbh Smith.

Amhránaíocht Aonair - Cornafean’s Niamh McCaffrey sang Isle of Hope and accompanied herself on guitar.

Aithriseoireacht - Killeshandra’s Owen Nulty recited a piece he wrote himself ‘In It For The Love of It!’

Bailéad Ghrúpa - Cornafean GFC sang The Hills of South Armagh and The Broad Magestic Shannon. They were Áine McGibney, Niamh McCaffrey, Ellen Creegan, Aideen Martin and Keelin Martin.

Nuachleas - Laragh with ‘The Dodgy Optician’. The actors were Cian Reilly, Colm Shiels, Ciarán Shiels, Joseph McGreevy, Lauren Brady and Chloe Sexton.

Ceol Uirlise - Lavey. The Smith family played The Orphan and Michael Russells. The musicians were Naoimi, Andrea, Shania and Keenan Smith.

Rince Seit - Lacken GFC who danced ‘The Plain Set’, figures one and three. They were Eoghan Gunn, Harry Sheridan, Charlie Sheridan, Patrick Caffery, Edel O’Reilly, Aoife Sexton, Méabh Gunn and Annie Crowe.

MC for the afternoon was Linda O’Reilly; and the judges were Eric Murray from Roscommon and sisters Orla and Lisa Ward from Leitrim.

A minute’s silence was observed before the competitions got underway in memory of the late Seamus McGovern from Templeport who had passed unexpectedly away the previous evening.

Later the Templeport Club were named Best Newcomers for 2023; while Cornafean retained its crown as Club of the Year for 2023.

Michael McGibney, the chairperson of Cavan Scór, thanked all the clubs for their participation - with 18 involved in first rounds this year. He stressed the importance of looking after the cultural aspect of the GAA and encouraging young children, particularly those who may not be naturally sporty, to get involved and grow in talent and confidence.

He was joined on stage by Kieran Callaghan, chairman of the Cavan County Board, to present the medals.

The Cavan winners will go forward to the Ulster Semi Final later this month. It will take place in St Joseph’s Parish Centre, Bridge Road, Dunly, Co Antrim (BT44 8QP) on Sunday, March 26, at 2pm.