St Brigid’s Hall in Tubbercurry played host to the 2026 Connacht GAA Scór Sinsir Final on Saturday last. The cream of GAA talent from across the province gathered in the Sligo town to contest Connacht GAA’s cultural showpiece, and earn the right to represent club and county in the All-Ireland Scór Sinsir Final – and Roscommon clubs enjoyed wonderful overall success.
The first event down for decision was the tráth na gceisteanna (table quiz). Roscommon’s standard-bearers, Elphin, qualified the stage final along with Bornacoola (Leitrim) and Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo). In the ultimate round, the men from the Orchard prevailed over their Leitrim counterparts after a tie-breaker, and so the team of Colm Beirne, Mattie Hynes, Mick Rock, and Micheál Gunn regain the title they last won in 2020 for Roscommon.
The amhránaíocht aonair (solo singing) event showcased an excellent standard of singing competitors from across the province. Pádraig Pearses’ Fionnán Seale did the county proud with his powerful rendition of ‘England’s Motorway’, but the title went to Killala’s Óisín O’Donnell.
Again, in the aithriseoireacht/scéalaíocht (recitation/storytelling) competition, Pádraig Pearses carried the county’s hopes, courtesy of Tom Costello. Despite a wonderful delivery of ‘The Manager’, his efforts gave way to reigning champion, Ethan McNea from Achill in Mayo.
Without doubt, the greatest scenes of joy of the night were witnessed when the bailéad ghrúpa (ballad group) winners were announced, and Roscommon’s own St Michael’s emerged as the champions of Connacht. The team of Aoife and Ronan Guckian, Chloe McGuinness, Sorcha Gilboy, and Niamh Reynolds sang ‘Tráthnóna Aoine’ and ‘The Faughan Side’ with great pride, and were very worthy winners.
Roscommon’s winning ways continued in the nuachleas/léiriú stáitse (novelty act/stage presentation) event, as reigning All-Ireland champions St Dominic’s beat Leitrim’s Gortlettragh and Mayo’s Kilfian, to yet again take provincial honours and qualify for the All-Ireland final. Well done to the St Dominic’s group of Laura Leonard, Sylvia Kilcline, Tommy Hurley, Kathy Dervan, Mary Ann Philips, Noel Dervan, and Anne Gillespie.
In the ceol uirlise (instrumental music) discipline, St Ronan’s performed rousing tunes and came agonisingly close to regaining the title they’ve won twice previously, but lost out to Corofin of Galway.
The Elphin rince seit (set dancing) group also pushed Corofin all the way in the final event of the night, but the Galway champions retained their title.
The huge efforts to promote Scór in Roscommon was recognised, as the county claimed the most wins, and were awarded the Cormac McGill Cup as the best Scór Sinsir county in Connacht. Oifigeach Cultúrtha CLG Ros Comáin, Síle Carney, proudly received the cup on behalf of Roscommon.
The All-Ireland Scór Sinsir Final will be held in the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar on Saturday, April 25th. All competing clubs are wished every success in their preparations. Ros Comáin abú!
