Our second edition of Stars in Their Eyes was a huge success, with the 12 acts all showcasing their talent in abundance to a packed to the rafters Community Centre on Saturday night last..
The night was presided over by Eoin Kennedy, who was the brainchild of this spectacular event and who was the organiser and who presented in the guise of Donald Trump.
Our judges, Ger ‘Flash’ Walsh, Frances Kennedy & Tim Moynihan provided great value throughout the night with their comments, and went down a treat with all in attendance.
The night got underway with Kerry Herbert performing an excellent rendition of ‘Valerie’ as Amy Winehouse, accompanied by Liam McCarthy on guitar.
Patrick Mulvihill, Darragh Healy & John Daly of Asdee National School gave us a great version of Take That’s ‘Rule the World’.
Then, Rebecca Lynch gave a beautiful rendition of ‘Grace’ as Frances Black.
‘North Kerry Tools for Hire’ had the hall hopping with a super medley as The Beach Boys.
Catherine Kennedy & Eoin O’Mahony sang a mighty duet as George Ezra & Taylor Swift with ‘Blame it on me’. Sinead Carr of Eurovision Junior fame was up next with her fabulous her self-penned song ‘Cén fáth?’. Sonny Egan provided tremendous value with his performance as Bill Haley and ‘Rock around the clock’.
Tom Kennedy & Tracy Long then brought the house down singing Meatloaf’s ‘Anything for Love’, while also dressed in the best costumes of the night.
Next up, Mad 4 Trad provided a traditional music feast as the Kilfenora Céilí Band. Joe Edgeworth then sang a lovely version of ‘The Story I Tell You is True’ by TR Dallas.
Audrey Costello followed up with a powerful rendition of Garth Brooks’ ‘The River’ as Trisha Yearwood and had the hall rocking. Finally, Sean Breen, Dan Foley & Tommy O’Carroll provided a medley with a mix of traditional music, lilting & a haunting perfomance of ‘Raglan Road’.
Prior to the awards being handed out, Frances Kennedy entertained the crowd with her Ryanair song, before Asdee’s county champions in the Scór sketch had the crowd lapping up their routine.
Everyone of our acts played an absolute blinder and were duly awarded with an individual prize each.
Sinead Carr & Ivan Tydings won the Popular Vote & Best Manager Award for garnering most votes prior to the night.
The ‘Star on the Night’ Award was won by Tom Kennedy & Tracy Long.
The Judges Award was won by North Kerry Tools for Hire.
Ger ‘Flash’ Walsh had the crowd dancing into the night with music afterwards, while the bar in the marquee was buzzing with craic.
We would like to thank everyone who helped to make the night happen, from our organising committee, to our sponsors, to our vote sellers, to everyone who gave equipment or their time to get the hall looking so well, and of course, to everyone who gave their support on the night. It is greatly appreciated.
Special mention to Mike Breen for the mighty work done in flooring the marquee for the night, Tom Kelly for setting up the marquee, and to Richard O’Brien & Jimmy Quinn for their help
CHAMPIONSHIP. The Bernard O Callaghan Memorial Senior Football Championship; sponsored by McMunns Bar and Restaurant, Ballybunion began with 14 teams from the District competing and got underway on Sunday October 15th with Asdee taking on Knocknagoshel in a first round game at Frank Sheehy Park, Listowel, at 1pm. On Sunday last saw the first semi final between holders Ballydonoghue and Brosna took place at Frank Sheehy Park Listowel with Ballydonoghue with an injury time winner to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat. So with just five weeks on there are still 4 teams remaining. So Brosna are still in contention to lift the Eamon O Donoghue Cup for the very first time. Date and venue for the semi final replay to be confirmed. Moving on to semi final number two on this Sunday where two of the heavyweights of Gaelic Footbal out North of the Countyl will do battle to reach the 2017 North Kerry Championship Final. Listowel Emmets v Ballyduff will take to the field at venue to be confirmed. Without doubt this is a game that has all the expectations of a cracker; in recent years when these sides met in the Championship the Duffers have held the upper hand and once again im sure will make life difficult for who was one of the favourites to win out from the beginning. Emmets were champions in 2004 but out of the blue came Ballyduff to knock the Listowel boys of their perch in 2005 and again a year later they completed a two-in-a-row over Emmets in the finals. However since then Emmets have been involved in a number of finals winning on 4 more occasions whereas Ballyduff failed in their attempt to add to their Championship triumphs.Hurling duties has kept Ballyduff in perfect shape and they will be all out to add to their County Hurling title won recently. Emmets may be favourites but you write off the Duffers at your peril.
RESULTS. There was mixed fortunes for our footballers on Sunday last at Dowling Park, Coolard. In the North Kerry Division 2 Championship Under 16 Final Bally/Asdee were no match for a rampant St. Senans who won as they pleased. In fairness our players did their best but one could argue but that our opponents should be competing in Division 1.
Bally/Asdee/Beale just about deserved to qualify for the North Kerry Under 21 Semi Final by virtue of a 2pt victory over St. Senans. Both teams were very much understrength but served up a good competitive encounter.
FIXTURE. Bernard O Callaghan Memorial Senior Football Championship Semi Final Sponsored by McMuns Bar and Restaurant, Ballybunion Listowel Emmets v Ballyduff; Sunday November 26th 2 30pm at venue to be confirmed.