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EMYVALE

Ulster Scor Finals 2012

The Ulster Scor finals were held on Saturday, March 24th and Monaghan was represented by two Emyvale teams: the Set Dancers and the Ballad group. The finals were held in Derry and that caused a little problem for some. The notification on the Ulster GAA website gave 35 Northland Road as the location of the venue. However two years ago St. Cecelia’s College, the venue, moved to Bligh’s Lane and some arrived at the closed gates of 35 Northland Road and then had to find their way across Derry to find the other location. This of course was a first test for Derry as the All-Ireland Scor, Ulster Scor and All-Ireland Fleadh takes place in Derry next year. I must say this was a fabulous venue with terrific facilities. Most of the workers from local GAA were excellent in their approach but some, with their special Scor shirts and their name tags dangling from their necks seemed overawed somewhat by the new job.
The competitions were of the highest standards and very enjoyable as top class entertainment. Of course at the end there had to be winners and losers and unfortunately the Emyvale Ballad Group did not make it through but the Set Dancers did and will now go forward to Killarney for the All-Ireland finals. Congratulations to them and we wish them every success at the pinnacle of this competition. I would suggest that a serious rethink needs to happen regarding the judging of these competitions. Of course we will not always agree with the officials and we can be biased in our favourites but when there are three competitors in a competition and three judges and each judge gives first place to a different act then what criteria are they using that they come up with totally different answers. Yes their own subjective views will influence but that is not fair on the losers, who have spent time and effort rehearsing, to lose on the whim of an individual rather than by set down criteria.