The contestants in the Austin Stacks GAA ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ with host Brian Hurley. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin
STRICTLY COME DANCING:
In Tralee’s Festival Dome last Saturday night (22nd Aug), the curtain came down on the 5th annual Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser for Austin Stacks Hurling and Football Club’s second pitch development at Connolly Park.
When this event was first held in the Brandon Hotel in 2011 who was to know how popular this event was to become over the subsequent years, as Austin Stacks made this unique fundraiser their own as an event sometimes borrowed by others, but never equalled or surpassed.
The introduction of Jackie O’Mahoney as choreographer was to prove to be a major factor in the success of “Strictly” and also the transition to the Festival Dome at the end of the Rose of Tralee Festival week was a favourable factor.
The evening began with an opening dance which was performed by all the couples. Six couples took to the floor in the first half:
Danny Leane and Joan Lowe – Mambo; Lorraine Lynch and Tadhg Meehan – Jive; Tricia Higgins and Ger Breen – Tango; Jill Hannon and Trevor Houlihan – Quickstep; Patrick Kelly and Claire O’Brien – Rumba; Michael Hogan and Amelie Quenson – Samba.
During the interval, there was opportunity to vote for performers at the ballot boxes, while entertainment was provided by Tenacity School of Performing Art and the Light Opera Society Tralee, the latter performing some items from their forthcoming production of Les Miserables.
Anyone with hunger pangs headed to the hospitality area for Terrys Butchers famous burgers and hotdogs.
The excitement and tempo of the competition was increasing with the resumption of dancing. Couples in the second half were:
Debbie Guerin and Maurice Quilter – Salsa; Sean Lyons and Annie Locke – Viennese Waltz; David Heaslip and Frida Dema -Lindy Hop; Fiona O’Connor and Kevin Boyle – Paso Doble; Jonathon Culloty and Laura Flaherty – Showdance; Mairead Hurley and George Savage – American Smooth.
The entertainment at the second interval was also well received, and was performed by Helena Brosnan (singer), Darragh Hurley/Sean Hanafin (Irish Dance), Tara Dore/Katarina (ballet routine.)
The judges in this year’s competition, Honor Hurley, Aidan O’Carroll, Tim Landers and Timmy Moynihan whose scores accounted for 30% of the result, had their work cut out for them with several couples recording “perfect 10’s”, such was the high standard of the competition.
While the results were being tallied, Austin Stacks Club Chairman, Aidan O’Connor, addressed the gathering, thanking many who contributed to the success of the event – MC Brian Hurley, Jackie O’Mahoney (choreographer), Siobhan Naughton and her Stacks team of volunteers, Vogue Hair & Beauty Salon (make-up/stylists), Festival of Kerry, sponsors, supporters.
The development of the club’s second pitch is now progressing on schedule and should be in use in 2016.
The time had come for M.C. Brian Hurley to announce this year’s winners, and it was the voting public who had the final say.
The hugely popular combination of Laura Flaherty and Jonathon Culloty were the winners. Their “Showdance” routine was theatrical and technically brilliant and energetic.
Laura was sponsored by Bella Bia (and to prove that the apple doesn’t fall from the tree, her mother Clair McEvoy was last year’s winner with Leon Diggin) and Jonathon was sponsored by his employers, Terrys Butchers.
Their chosen charity, Palliative Care Unit at Kerry General Hospital, will receive a donation of €500. Amidst the celebrations, the Helen Dowling Memorial Cup was presented by her daughter, Caroline and the Jimmy Barry Memorial Cup was presented by his daughter, Joan to the winning couple
With the conclusion of the official part of the evening, Austin Stacks own DJ ‘par excellence’ Francie Breen entertained the large attendance with his ever-popular disco into the small hours.
Thanks to all the people of Tralee and elsewhere (some people arrived in at Kerry Airport just an hour or so before the start in order to be present at the event) who came out and supported Strictly Come Dancing 2015, we hope you enjoyed the entertainment.
Our thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin who submitted the above comprehensive Report.
To see TraleeToday.ie’s photos from the event, please click here
SENIOR FOOTBALL: We are due to travel to Foilmore on this Saturday evening (29th Aug) to play the local side in round 9 of the Co. League. Throw in at 6pm.
WELL DONE: to the Kerry Minors and Seniors (including our own Jack Morgan, Ferdia O’Brien and Kieran Donaghy) on their semi final wins in a very wet Croke Park yesterday. It means that, for the second year in a row, both teams advance to their respective finals.
Only twice before did this happen – both teams advancing to successive finals at the same time – the first away back in 1931 and 1932 and the last time in 1979 and 1980. And on those two occasions the Kerry Seniors went on to do the four-in-a-row (1929-1932 and 1978-1981).
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL: Our B team are due to travel to Rathmore on this Friday (28th Aug) to play the local side in round 1 (quarter final) of the Co. Championship (The Molyneaux Cup). Throw in at 6.45pm with extra time if required. However, as we write, there is a possibility that the fixture may be changed.
Then on Monday evening (31st Aug) we are due to play St. Pats in the 5th and final round of the Town League. The game in Blennerville starts at 7.30pm. We have a round 4 back game to play in this competition – at home to Kerins O’Rahillys on a date to be fixed.
U21 FOOTBALL: Spa 3-10; Austin Stacks 1-13.
We travelled to Spa (Killarney) last Tuesday (18th Aug) for the opening round of the U21 Club Championship (Cup Section) but two late goals by the home side saw them advance to the next round while we, together with the other seven first round losers, must be content to compete at the quarter final stage of the Shield competition. These quarter finals are now in doubt, however, as there were five walk-overs out of the eight first round games in the Cup last week.
MINOR FOOTBALL: In the Central League we have two more rounds to play – a round 4 game at home to Laune Rangers and the 5th and final round away to Milltown. No new dates have been fixed for either game as we write.
CONGRATULATIONS: to six super Rockies who were in celebratory mode of late – Mike Carmody from Connolly Park turned 80 recently and two former Club footballers -Tim Tiger Slattery and his wife Anne (nee Naughton) celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
And then, last week, another former Club footballer, Kristian Donovan went and swan the English Channel, landing on the French side close to midnight last Monday week (17th Aug) – seemingly the 51st Irishman and only the second Kerryman to do so.
Current Club footballer, Nicholas Gogarty, was one of the Rose Escorts during this year’s Festival.
And then to crown it all on Friday last (21st Aug) Marina Barry was deservedly named as one of the ten greatest Women GAA Players of all time.
Marina, of course, is the winner of 10 All Ireland SF medals with Kerry. Congratulations to all six for their varying feats.
BINGO: continues on this and every Saturday night commencing at 8.30pm.
CLUBHOUSE: As always the Clubhouse is available for all types of Parties. For Bookings phone Des at 066 7126942 after 8pm any evening.
CARDS: The 45 Card Sessions continue in the Clubhouse every Monday and Thursday Nights, commencing at 9.30pm each night.
LOTTO: Last Monday’s (17th Aug) Jackpot worth €5,000 was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 11, 17, and 31.
The €20 Prizes went to Teresa Ashe, c/o Brendan O’Regan; Tom Leen, c/o The Cards; Mary O’Connell, c/o John O’Riordan; and Brendan O’Donnell and Danny Carroll, both c/o Club Rockies.
SYMPATHY: Sincere sympathy is also offered to the families of the following who died recently – Gerard Byrne, Killeen Woods and late of Connolly Park; Margaret Shalabi (nee O’Connor), Fountain Court and late of Currow Village; Larry Higgins, Cork City and late of Lohercannon; Neil O’Brien, Lisbeg and late of Clonmore and Doon; and Roger Sinnott, Russell Street and late of Meadowlands and New York.
