4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Kerry club's talented dancers and musicians score All-Ireland success after years of coming up short
It was a case of finally getting over the line for many of the victors, who endured disappointments in the past but continued to hone their skills in the hope of one day seeing glory.
Kilcummin dancers swept the board in the senior competitions, claiming All-Ireland titles in the highly-contested Over 18 Full Set Mixed, Over 18 Half Set Mixed, Over 18 Full Set Ladies, and Over 35 Full Set Mixed competitions.
In the junior ranks, Kilcummin girls achieved glory in the 15-18 Ladies' Set. The CCÉ's dancers placed second in the U12 Mixed Set while the U12 Ladies' Set entrants narrowly missed out on a placing in their competition.
Brynn McCarthy also delivered a superb performance in the U12 Irish Singing competition, setting the stage for more success ahead.
Kilcummin's young musicians matched the success of their association's dancers.
Michael Healy emerged as All-Ireland champion in the 15-18 Melodeon contest, and Eoin Foley was victorious in the 12-15 Button Accordion competition and placed third in the 12-15 Melodeon category.
Colm Fleming brought home another All-Ireland title for Kilcummin after rising to the top in the U12 Melodeon, while he finished second in the U12 Button Accordion competition.
Sean Butler also put in a fine display to finish runner-up in the 15-18 Mouth Organ contest.
Derek O'Leary, Kilcummin Comhaltas PRO, told The Kerryman his organisation has not experienced such success in many years.
'Some of the competitors would have been knocking on the door of achieving an All-Ireland for a long number of years but just didn't get over the line,' Mr O'Leary said. 'They would have been pipped at the post.'
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'A lot of the winners this year were of that nature, where they were competing in All-Ireland finals for seven, eight, nine years, and just never got to the final pinnacle.'
Mr O'Leary puts the success down to ongoing commitment and perseverance of members.
'It's a huge undertaking,' he said.
'From a set dancing point of view, they have hours of practice put into that, rehearsing three or four times a week coming up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.'
The future is bright for the Comhaltas because there is plenty of talent vying for competition places.
'It's like football in a way - you're all trying to create the best you can with what you have,' Mr O'Leary said.
'We're always looking for new people to come through as well.'
The Comhaltas is planning to hold a 'hooly' to mark the success of its members at the end of this month.
It offered its gratitude to the Moriarty School of Dancing for the preparation of its dancers, the musicians who played for sets, and the tutors who worked tirelessly with its musicians and singer.
Thanks was also extended to the families and supporters of Kilcummin CCÉ, who provide year-round encouragement.
