The Sports & Cultural Council of Tipperary Education and Training Board presented the third year of their Tipperary ETB Schools’ Talent Search Finals on Thursday 26^th January 2017 in “The Dome”, Thurles (adjacent to Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed., Thurles). There were twelve acts performing on the night, six acts in both the Junior and Senior categories. These finalists were selected from the semi-finals stages of the competition which saw acts from the twelve Tipperary ETB Schools compete for a place in the finals.

The MC for the evening was Mr. Liam Molumby. He opened the event by thanking everyone for their attendance, including the Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB, Ms. Fionuala McGeever, staff of Tipperary ETB, the performers along with their families and friends. He extended a warm welcome to the three judges; Ms. Siobhan Hall (Music Teacher, St. Ailbes School, Tipperary Town), “The 2 Johnnies” (Johnny B & Johnny Smacks). Chief Executive Fionuala McGeever then thanked everyone who made this event possible especially members of the Sports & Cultural Council along with the staff, students and members of the Parents Association of Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed. She thanked everyone for attending including Tipperary ETB staff, students and their families and friends. She finished up by wishing each of the performers the very best of luck.

The Junior Final got underway with a duet named Uke 2, made up of two ladies named Summer Doran Byrne & Eve Du Berry from Coláiste Phobal, Roscrea.  The girls played the ukuleles and performed a great rendition of the hit song “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men.  The next Junior finalist was Ava Lawrence from Scoil Ruain, Killenaule who gave a wonderful display of Irish Dancing.  Next to take to the stage was Mara Van Aelst from Newport College who gave a beautiful performance on the Harp. Next Up was a Traditional Group from Coláiste Dún Iascaigh, Cahir which comprised of the following students: Sarah English, Erin O’Regan, Aoife Fahey, Sinead Cunningham, Leah Fitzgerald and Amy O’Dwyer who gave a beautiful portrayal of Irish Music and Dance.  Keelan McGrath of Borrisokane Community College took to the stage and played an Irish medley on the Button Accordion.  The final Junior contestant was Oisin O’Foireastal, a first year student from Gaelcholáiste Cheitinn, Clonmel who also gave a highly entertaining performance on the Bosca Ceoil.

First to open the Senior Final was a group of students from Coláiste Dún Iascaigh which consisted of singers Niamh Murphy, Alissa Keating, Nicole Butler, Saoirse Murphy along with those playing the background music which were Cillian Hearon, Adam Hearon, Daniel Cunningham, Ciara Hickey.  Next up was a group of 8 students collectively known as Seis from Coláiste Phobal Roscrea.  The group was made up of Kelly Feehan, Caoimhe Flannery, Áine Gleeson, Eimear Gleeson, Teresa Maher, Katie Scully, Innessa Teehan and Irma Teehan.  The girls again gave a beautiful display of Irish music and dance. The third Senior performance was from a young lady named Cáit De Barra who represented Gaelcholáiste Cheitinn, Clonmel . She sang “falling in love with you” and played guitar. The next girl to take to the stage was Michelle Carroll from Borrisokane Community College who performed a beautiful contemporary dance.  Our 2^nd duet of the evening comprised of Kacie Dorney & Eoghan Cagney from Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed., Thurles.  Kacie sang James Arthur’s Impossible and was accompanied by Eoghan on the guitar.  The final act of the evening was 9 a-side from Scoil Ruain, Killenaule and comprised of Baylea Grace, Jack Grace, Caoimhe McMenamin, Aaron Smullen, Cameron Bailey, Danny Gleeson, Tara Gayson, Ciara Horan and Amy Maher. This group performed a medley of songs and performed Irish Dance also.

“The 2 Johnnies” then took to the stage to congratulate each of the performers and encourage them to follow their dreams no matter what the results of the nights show were.

 The winners of the 2017 Tipperary ETB Schools’ Talent Search Finals who were announced as follows:

Fionuala McGeever, Chief Executive of Tipperary ETB presented the winning performers with their prizes and congratulated them all. We would like to say well done and thank you to each of the performers for participating in this event. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of their music teachers and their School communities for their continued support in preparing them for the event and for nurturing these talented performers.  We wish all of our students the very best of luck in their School lives and in which ever future paths they choose to follow.  We look forward to seeing what the 2018 Finals will have to offer.

Please check our Facebook Page “Tipperary Education and Training Board” to view videos of each of the performances.

Photo Credit: Donal O’Brien