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The Roscrea Credit Union, Youth Group, “Battle Of The Bands” took place recently and was a tremendous success with over five hundred people attending one of the most successful youth events ever staged in Roscrea.
Members of Roscrea Credit Union’s “Youth Group” who organised
the “Battle Of The Bands” competition in Roscrea recently.
Like most successful events, they don’t happen without dedication and hard work, and in the case of this event this was exactly what was needed from the Roscrea Credit Union “Youth Action Group”. The Battle of the Bands was run by the Credit Union “Youth Action Group” which consists of 14 young people from the local community aged between 16 and17. At the recent “Battle Of the Bands” event they proved to the leaders of the town that this sort of event can happen and that these 14 young people made it happen.
It wasn’t easy to run the event and the group realized that this would be a tough assignment. It looked good on paper but was a lot different when the final decisions had to be made. While not everyone agreed all the time, majority ruled, and those who lost out didn’t have much time to get upset as the work load was doubling as the Battle loomed. After several changes the 9th of February was set as the date, and when you have a date everything starts to fall into place. The group had tickets printed which were designed by group member Sarah Kiely and she impressed us all with her skills. The hall, PA system, stage, lights and everything down to the last thumb tack had to be ordered and approved and this along with begging, borrowing and even stealing! helped to make the night a huge success.
The winners of the Roscrea Credit Union Youth Group Battle Of The Bands were Soloway. L/r: Shane Tighe, Donal O'Doherty, David McCarthy and Tony Corcoran.
The night where to start, the hall courtesy of Grant’s Hotel was well decorated with posters by our artists again Sarah Kiely and helped by Niall Rigney with a few amateurs doing the glitter work, balloons were also in abundance and thanks to Niamh King, Cathy Kennedy and Christine McAuliffe for organizing and preparing the balloons (girls you must have been very tired after blowing up those fifty or so balloons!!). The hall decorating committee consisted of Carrie Fletcher, Kathryn Browne, Orlagh Moloney, Sinead Greene, Marina Carry, Maria Moloney and Eoin Smyth who did an excellent job on decorating the judges table and the stage areas. The preparations were overseen by chairman Shane Cooke and music enthusiast Declan Bergin. Everyone did a great job and when the time came it was lights, camera and action as the “Battle Of the Bands” commenced.
With six bands four from Roscrea, one from Templemore and one from Limerick the competition was stiff. With drums, guitars, singers, and even violin players each band was worthy of the prize. However there could only be one winner of the grand prize and what a prize it was, consisting of a day in a recording studio with the opportunity to have a three track demo to there name at the end, compliments of Roscrea Credit Union. When the golden envelope arrived it was “Soloway” the outsiders from Limerick who took the honours and the wonderful prize.
Victims Of Jack L/R Eddie Cole, Adrian Creaney, Sean Barton and John Barton
One the night MC Ger Maher did an excellent job and also a big thank you to our judges who had a very difficult decision with only two marks splitting the top two bands. The judge’s panel consisted of Seamus Doran, Joe Moloughney, Colin Stapleton and Diarmuid O’Connor. After the battle the crowd of more than 500 students enjoyed a disco with the brilliant DJ Conor Abbott who is also a member of the Youth Group. Thanks to all for your contribution on the night.
Teen Motion Cult:
L/R Dylan Parsons, Robert Flynn, Kate Flynn, Noel Kirwan and James Bergin
Also we must thank Rory Broderick and his crew for the PA system, Darren O’ Toole for the stage, the security and volunteers, Tom Stapleton for his advice and a special word to Mary O’ Carroll of Grants Hotel for her help and patience with us throughout the whole day.
We also would like to thank Tracy Hynes in the Credit Union and Deborah O’Connor for their help and support. Deborah wasn’t expecting the huge crowd to start singing Happy Birthday on the eve of her 21st but what’s a birthday without a surprise!
Finally without the aid of Mr. Brian King who facilitates the “Youth Group” at Roscrea Credit Union, none of the above would have been possible. Thank you Brian for pulling out all the stops and making this night one we will never forget.
On the night Brian thanked everyone mentioned above and said how proud he and everyone at Roscrea Credit Union was of the “Youth Group”. He said it was important that the “Youth Group” had enjoyed and well as learned so much from the staging of such an immense event. Never one to rest easy, he then laid down the gauntlet for the “Youth Group” to come up with something even more spectacular for next year!
Pictured At the Roscrea Credit Union “Battle Of the Bands” are
Back Row L/R:
Maria Moloney (RCU Youth Group) Deborah O’Connor (RCU), Shane Tighe (Soloway), Shane Cooke (RCU Youth Group), Dave McCarthy, Brian King (RCU), Seamus Doran (Judge), & Carrie Fletcher (RCU Youth Group)
Front Row L/R
Donal O’Doherty (Soloway), & Tony Corcoran (Soloway),
In the meantime the Credit Union “Youth Group” will continue to immerse itself in the local community. Already the group are working on a number of other exciting projects details of which will be released over the coming weeks.
The Bands that competed in the Credit Union “Battle Of The Bands” on a night that set the benchmark for future “Youth Events” in the town, were as follows:
Exile: Declan Bergin, Shane Fitzgerald, Shane Mcloughlin, Keith Dooley
The Complete First Season: Patrick McCabe, Kathrina Carter, James McDonald,Colm Brussels, Síobhan Murray
Teen Motion Cult: James Bergin, Neil Kirwin, Dylan Parson, Robert Flynn, Kate Flynn
A Random band: John MacMahon, Michael Carson, Mark Cummins, Jamie Collison
Victims of Jack: Sean Button, Eddie C, Jonathan Barton, Adrian Creaney
Soloway: Shane Tighe, Tony C, Donal O Doherty, Dave Mccarthy |
