Connacht G.A.A.
ensures the West is well and truly awake!
The G.A.A. dressing rooms, pitches, walkways and training
grounds around the country maybe desolate, however, it’s cultural wing, Scór,
is busier than ever. From Manorhamilton in North Leitrim down to beautiful
Kinvara in South Galway, and from Achill on the Atlantic coast to Tarmonbarry
on the Roscommon/Longford border, there's barely a club in the mighty West left
untouched by GAA Scór activities. How fitting so are the words of Thomas
Davies' rousing ballad 'The West's Awake', to celebrate Scór participation in
Connacht during these unprecedented times and represent the province in Virtual
Scór.
This memorable rendition of a song synonymous with wonderful
sporting days for western teams, features over 30 musicians and singers from 14
clubs across the province. With all local and county rivalries put aside, these
performers have contributed their time and expertise for this special
collaboration in a spirit of goodwill and pride befitting our country’s
response to the challenging times we are living through. A great surprise to
many was the inclusion of G.A.A. legends Jimmy Murray (Roscommon), Joe McDonagh
(Galway) and of course, who many would regard as the original voice of Gaelic
games, Dublin’s, Mícheál Ó hEithir.
The project was co-ordinated by Tom Murray, Rúnaí of Coiste
Scór Chonnacht, who put the call out to Connacht Scór officials and delegates
from each county to liaise with people at local level. Seán Ó Murchú,
Cathaoirleach, Coiste Scór Chonnacht, has praised the efforts of all involved
saying “it’s so heartening to see the great calibre of talent in the west
making such a united contribution to ‘Virtual Scór’”. These sentiments were echoed
by Gerry McGovern, Uachtarán, Comhairle Chonnacht, who remarked “all in
Connacht G.A.A. can be immensely proud of this initiative”.
Ensuring that the final product was successfully brought
together, the expertise and experience of Gareth McGreevy from Saul GAA in Co.
Down was brought on board. Gareth has been responsible for some excellent
‘Virtual Scór’ collaborations over the past few weeks which have seen singers
and musicians from all over Ireland record versions of the ‘May the Road Rise
to Meet You’ and Dana’s ‘All Kinds of Everything’. Connacht Scór is indebted to
Gareth for lending his time and professionalism to his fellow Gaels in the
west.
‘Virtual Scór’ has been a source of tremendous entertainment,
distraction and fun over the past two months. The absence of our native field
sports and club activities has left an indelible void in the lives of many and
presented an obstacle to the natural expression of our Irishness offered
through Cumann Luthchleas Gael. ‘Virtual Scór’ has hugely helped to counteract
this void for many Gaels all over the country and beyond, and so Connacht Scór
would like to dedicate this song to the men behind the movement, Aodán Ó
Braonáin, Chairman of the National Scór Committee, and Rúnaí, Jamie Ó Tuama
(Páirc an Chrócaigh), for their tireless work and efforts in keeping Scór to
the fore in this novel way.
Singers and musicians involved in the production are:
Cian and Caoimhe Kearns (Owenmore Gaels GAA, Sligo), Niamh
Farrell (St. Mary’s GAA, Sligo), Damien McGuinness and Deirdre Kilgannon (St.
Farnon’s GAA, Sligo), Carmel Costelloe (Menlough/Skehana GAA, Galway), Ellen
Keane, Emily and Emmet Greaney (Abbeyknockmoy GAA, Galway), Siobhán Breathnach
(Kilconly GAA, Galway), Paula Kiernan (Carrigallen GAA, Leitrim), Fionnuala
Maxwell (Annaduff GAA, Leitrim), Laura Crossan and Eleanor Smith (St. Mary’s
Kiltoghert GAA, Leitrim), Sarah Keane (Elphin GAA, Roscommon), Fiachra Guihen,
Elizabeth Earley and Rachel Noone (St. Ronan’s GAA, Roscommon), Mary Murray,
Claire and Anne Marie Murray, Lisa and Tom Murray, Louise Fallon, Ciara
Dempsey, Áine O’Connor Flynn, Padraig and Gordon O’Connor, Donncha and Alastair
Beegan (St. Dominics GAA, Roscommon, Ann Forry and Fiona Connaghan (CLG
Acla/Achill GAA, Mayo), Joanne McAndrew (Kilfian GAA, Mayo).
The production was launched at 8pm on Friday evening on
Connacht G.A.A.’s Facebook page. In less than 20 hours it has over 21,000 views
from right across the world.
In the words of Thomas Davies “but hark a voice like thunder
spake, the West’s Awake, the West’s Awake!”