Knockcroghery cheers on Roses on the double!

Monday was a huge night for Knockcroghery parish, in particular Ballymurray, as large numbers of people gathered in Tralee or around the nearest television to cheer on their Roses in what surely is a unique achievement for the area, represented on the double at the world famous festival this year. Aine Shine, the Liverpool Rose was first of the Roscommon representatives on the stage for her chat with new host Daithí "' Sé and the 24-year-old pharmacist joked that herself and Roisin Hunt, representing San Francisco, were both from Ballymurray and in the same class in secondary school but they had to come to the Dome in Tralee to meet again! Both ladies have represented St Dominic's GAA club, Knockcroghery with distinction in the past and were supported on the night by a large group of family, friends and local people. Over in San Francisco, special Rose parties were held by work colleagues in a city radio station to watch Roisin's stint in the famous Dome in Tralee via the internet. The bubbly reporter, also 24, who has been based in San Francisco for the last year told the Westmeath Independent last week that the festival so far has been a "great big adventure," adding that the fact her and Aine hail from the same place has only added to the excitement. She recited a poem on the night, a homage to her home county and was cheered on by huge crowds from all over Roscommon. At the time of going to press, The 2010 Rose of Tralee was not announced. She was crowned live on RTE 1 television later last night. She was presented with the perpetual tiara and trophy, a magnificent selection of Newbridge Jewellery, the use of a car for a year and a €25,000 World Prize from the Pilot Training College.