Scór Group raises €10,000 for local charities

The Moate GAA junior all Ireland winning Scór Ballad Group presented the proceeds raised from their CD on Tuesday night last in the Auld Shebeen. The group continue to appear at various charity occasions and were just back from performing in front of 82,225 spectators at the Dublin v Cork all Ireland senior football semi final in Croke Park where they sang their own all Ireland winning songs, An Speic Seogeach and In My Fathers House as well as The Banks of My Own Lovely Lee and Molly Malone which received a great response from the Cork and Dublin supporters. Tuesday night turned into a celebration of a wonderful year for all those associated with Moate Scór, the group Emma Stone, Eimear Fleming, Adrian Rabbitte, Jennifer Hynes and Suzie Gillivan; their mentors Louise Heavin, Ronnie Minnock, Tommy Heavin and Kevin Carroll and a wide range of supporters. Mary Fleming welcomed everyone who attended the presentation and acknowledged in particular the group "who had done us so proud". A journey which started as far back as last September and which will continue on as far as the Westmeath County Football final was recalled with great pride. The eleven track cd which was put together in six weeks and recorded with the help of the people at Grouse Lodge Recording Studios was launched on an incredible night in June when a packed Grand Hotel hosted a generous audience who gave the cd a great start. Tom Higgins, who accepted a cheque for €5,080.76 on behalf of South Westmeath Hospice, congratulated the Scór organisers and also acknowledged previous support from Moate Scór. Tom was delighted to publicise the Hospice open day on Friday next when the public who have generously supported its construction can come in and have a look around the new facilities prior to the first patients arriving. The open day times are from 11am to 4pm. Moate Social Services also received a cheque for €5,080.76 and were represented by Ann Killian and Una Walsh. Speaking on behalf of Social Services Ann thanked everyone involved with the fundraising and congratulated the group on their Croke Park success. Mary Fleming then thanked Westmeath Scór Chairman George Hatton, who was always so supportive and who has long campaigned for Scór acts to be used for the entertainment at major GAA occasions. George spoke about how the group had done us proud as they won their all Ireland and congratulated them for performing "with such panache in front of 80,000 people". Mary acknowledged the ongoing support of the Moate All Whites who were represented by Chairman Joe Whelan and Scór Secretary Tommy Heavin. Joe addressed the group telling them the GAA is about the community and spoke about "the difference you have made to your community". He thanked all the members of the club Scór committee for their effort and commitment and congratulated them on their successes. Mary thanked Ronnie Louise and Kevin for the way they had managed "to bring out the best in them and still be their friend". Ronnie responded by acknowledging the time, energy, commitment and support the families of the group members had given and its contribution to the success of the year. Mary finished off the formal part of the evening by thanking the sponsors who had supported the cd launch and the local businesses who had sold the cd in their shops. She also had some kind words for the coverage and support received from the local media, with special mention for the Westmeath Independent.