Latest news with #StrikeForceCheer
Irish Independent
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Finglas cheerleaders create history winning world championship title in US
Strike Force Cheer, based in New Cross College, Finglas West, Dublin 11, began back in 2008, during the boom of High School Musical and Bring It On. The school's senior team, known as SL4TE, are now world champions after winning the International Open CoEd Level 4 NT in Florida. Teams from all around the world were judged on athleticism, skill, technique and performance quality. Deja Blue, the school's junior team, secured a silver medal in their division. Shannon O'Reilly, who is the coach, believes that their secret sauce for success was focusing on themselves, rather than the competition. 'We were founded in 2008 by Hayden McGuirk during the boom of High School Musical and Bring It On. He started in Finglas and then throughout the years. I took over the club in 2020 and we've been going ever since,' Ms O'Reilly told the Irish Independent. 'The competition was crazy. We've been doing various competitions for a number of years. This was our second year at the All-Star World Championships. 'This year we decided to bring two teams, so we knew it'd be more hectic having to balance the two teams and training, but we did everything we physically could to prepare. 'When we landed, we trained for a day and then we were straight in competition. I don't even think we had time to think about it. 'We went into the competition almost knowing that we would be the underdogs. We come from a part of the world where it's relatively small. It's only really starting to grow right now. 'We wanted to go out and showcase good quality, high level cheerleading. Our focus was solely on that and not on anything else. That's what put us in the top spot. 'We were more focused on what we were doing and how we could do the best rather than focusing on the competition and who we were against, it turned out to be our secret sauce.' Finglas group Strike Force Cheer after winning at the cheerleading world championships in Orlando, Florida The group combines gymnastics, acrobatics, and intricate choreography. They pride themselves on being Ireland's leading cheerleading program; now that they've won the world title, the group is hoping more people will understand what cheerleading actually is. 'Our season will run from May/ June all the way through, there's really no time off,' Ms O'Reilly added. 'I feel it's a hard battle to sway people away from that stereotypical Pom Poms and chanting, we don't do that. It's more based around gymnastics, stunts, and high-performance dance. 'It's nice to be part of, everybody absolutely loves it, but then it's hard to explain what we do to other people. 'We'll have our work cut out, there is one more competition left this season in Glasgow and then we will be straight back into try-outs and add new people to the roster if that's needed and then hopefully, we'll head back over to the World Championships next April.'
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Finglas cheerleading team wins world championship title in Florida
Strike Force Cheer, based in New Cross College, Finglas West, Dublin 11, came out on top in the international competition in Florida last week. The school's senior team, known as SL4TE, are now world champions after winning the International Open CoEd Level 4 NT. Teams from all around the world were judged on athleticism, skill, technique and performance quality. Deja Blue, the school's junior team, secured a silver medal in their division. 'Making not only Strike Force history, but Irish Cheer history as the very first Irish team to place first in a competitive division in the US,' they said. 'An absolute pinch me moment! We celebrate 37 athletes, two teams and two world placements to be extremely proud of. 'Deja Blue and SL4TE, it's been an absolute pleasure getting to watch you chase your dreams this season. 'When we started this journey we just wanted to put out good quality cheer and now we're here in the US hitting zeros. This journey has been an absolute dream.' Conor Reddy, People Before Profit Councillor, said: 'A massive congratulations to Strike Force Cheer on bringing a world title home to the area.' Fianna Fáil TD, Paul McAuliffe, added: 'Huge congratulations to everyone in Strike Force. What an amazing achievement to succeed on the world stage. 'I've no doubt it involved endless practice and preparation. In representing Strike Force, they have also represented the entire community of Finglas and we are so proud of them.' Learn more Founded in 2008, the group combines gymnastics, acrobatics and intricate choreography. They pride themselves on being Ireland's leading cheerleading program. 'Our passion for cheerleading and commitment to excellence set us apart,' their website reads. 'Experience the thrill of competitive cheerleading and to be part of a community that supports and encourages each other. 'With Strike Force, you'll gain life lessons that you'll take with you far beyond your years of cheerleading. 'We see our athletes achieve success through gaining confidence, building lifelong friendships, developing a strong work ethic, and understanding that a team is only successful when hard work towards a common goal is achieved.'
BreakingNews.ie
21-04-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish group wins cheerleading world title in US
An Irish cheerleading team has clinched the world championship title in the US. The Strike Force All Star Cheerleading programme, based in Finglas West and founded in 2008, has made history by winning a world championship title at the prestigious All Star World Championships in Orlando, Florida. Advertisement The group of 17 girls won the senior title on Friday night before a large crowd. Far removed from the traditional image of sideline cheerleading, competitive cheer is a high-energy sport combining fast-paced gymnastics, acrobatics, and intricate choreography. Teams compete nationally and internationally, judged on athleticism, skill, technique, and performance quality. Strike Force Cheer is home to over 100 athletes, aged four to 30, with a strong female representation and a growing number of male members. From humble beginnings in local community centres, the club now trains out of its current facility in New Cross College, Finglas West, Dublin 11. Like many clubs, Strike Force was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, facing significant drops in participation as cheerleading did not fall under permitted sports during restrictions. Despite these challenges, club founder and Finglas native Shannon O'Reilly rebuilt the programme from the ground up, turning it into Ireland's most successful all-star cheerleading team. Advertisement Ms O'Reilly, alongside her dedicated coaching team, led 38 athletes across two teams to compete at the All-Star World Championships, held from April 15th to 18th. Both teams qualified through national championship victories over the past year. The junior team, Strike Force Deja Blue, returned to the world stage after a third-place finish in 2024, this time climbing even higher to secure the silver medal in their division. Joining them for the first time was the senior team, Strike Force Slate, composed of athletes aged 18 to 30, many of whom have been with the club since its early days. Slate entered the finals as the top-seeded team, having earned the highest score in their division. An Irish cheerleading team has clinched the world championship title in the US. Last Friday, they delivered a stunning final performance, defeating the reigning US champions and earning the title of world champions. Advertisement This victory marks a historic moment for Irish cheerleading - Strike Force Slate is the first Irish team ever to win a world championship in the sport, shining an international spotlight on Finglas and the Irish cheerleading community. Original founder Hayden McGurk speaking from his home on Sunday said he was 'thrilled for everyone involved. Mr McGurk added: 'I knew both teams were good. It's great that both teams got the recognition they deserved. All of this started from humble beginnings. This is not a recognised sport in Ireland according to Sport Ireland guidelines. But this sport is growing as it has so many new members across the country. 'The sport is a passion for all of those involved. This is the first year I have missed the championships but I'm so delighted for everyone.' Competitive cheerleading is governed globally by the International Cheer Union (ICU), headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Recognised as an official sport by the International Olympic Committee in 2020, cheerleading could potentially appear in future Olympic Games.
