Sweet sound of success again for St. Laurence O'Toole
ST. Laurence O'Toole under Pipe Major Terry Tully added another major title to the outstanding achievements won this year when they clinched the Grade 1 title 2008 at the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships in Ennis Co. Clare on Saturday.
This has to be the most successful season ever for St.Laurence, having already won two of this year's five major titles- the Scottish and the British. No doubt they will be pressing hard to add the European title to their trophies as well, before they seek to win the ultimate prize in pipe bands- the world championships.
Only one point separated them from the Field Marshal Montgomery who claimed best pipes and the runner up place.
The tussle continues between the two Guppies brothers with this week's 3rd place going to Ballycoan and 4th to Cullybackey.
What a superb victory for Pipe Major Philip Boyce and Killeen Pipe Band who won the All Ireland title in Grade 2. This result will give a big confidence boost to them as they prepare for the European in Lisburn on 26th July.
Sammy Connolly's Ravara Pipe Band took runner up place and won the best bass section and best drums under Leading Tip Aaron McCartan. Seven Towers were third and Annsborough fourth in this grade.
The Grade 3A title went to Aughintober who also won best pipes and best bass section. Runner up was Killen with the Howard Memorial in 3rd and winners of the best drums corps with the final 4th place going to Drumlough.
In 3B McNeillstown were in first place with Raffrey in second spot. Augharonan took 3rd and best drums and best bass section with Cullenfad taking the final 4th placing.
Two Southern bands claimed the top prizes in the final two grades with Manorcunningham taking first in 4A and Achill in 4B.
Paula Braiden won the 2008 All Ireland senior drum major championship title with Samantha Gordon taking the juvenile, Lauren Muldrew the Junior and Zoe McDowell the novice juvenile title.
The next competition will be on Saturday 26th July when the European Pipe Band Championships will come to Lisburn. 121 bands have entered for this the third of the five major championships of 2008.
Results
Grade 4B. 1st. Achill PB. 2nd. lst Royal Engineers Sweden.3rd. Youghal PB. 4th Killeshin.
Grade 4A. 1st. Manorcunningham. (also best pipes). 2nd.St.Laurence. Howth. (also best drums best bass). 3th.Matt Boyd Memorial. 4th.Colmcille.
Grade 3B. 1st. McNeillstown. (also best pipes). 2nd.Raffrey. 3rd.Augharonan(also best drums best bass). 4th. Cullenfad.
Grade 3A. l st. Aughintober (also best pipes best bass). 2nd.Killen. 3rd.Howard Memorial. (also best drums). 4th.Drumlough.
Grade 2. 1st. Killeen (also best pipes). 2nd.Ravara(also best drums best bass). 3rd.Seven Towers. 4th.Annsborough.
Grade 1. 1st. St.Laurence O'Toole. (also best drums best bass). 2nd.Field Marshal (also best pipes). 3rd.Ballycoan. 4th.Cullybackey.
Senior Drum Majors. 1st. Paula Braiden. 2nd.Kathy Megarry-Calvin. 3rd.Ryan Ferry. 4th.Brian Wilson. 5th.Alicia Dickson. Juvenile. lst. Samantha Gordon. 2nd.Linzi Hamilton. 3rd.Laura Jane Lawson. 4th.Emma Chambers. 5th.Jemma McKinney.
Junior. 1st. Lauren Mulgrew. 2nd.Stephen Gilchrist. 3rd.Elizabeth Morrow. 4th.Lauren Hanna.
Novice Juvenile. 1st. Zoe McDowell. 2nd.Emma Barr. 3rd.Rachel Caldwell. 4th. Lauren Abraham. 5th.Bethan Martin.
Ulster Star
11/07/2008
