Pipe bands: Field Marshal Montgomery win 25th Ulster title

Field Marshal Montgomery came out on top at the 65th Ulster Pipe Band Championships which were held in Antrim's Castle Gardens on Saturday.
Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (left) and Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band pictured leaving the competition arena at the Ulster Championships at Antrim Castle GardensPipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (left) and Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band pictured leaving the competition arena at the Ulster Championships at Antrim Castle Gardens
Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE (left) and Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band pictured leaving the competition arena at the Ulster Championships at Antrim Castle Gardens

This contest is the RSPBA Northern Ireland Branch’s flagship event and as such it attracted a strong turnout of bands playing to a large crowd of spectators who were eager to be entertained.

The highlight of the day was the grade one event which was won for the 25th time by Field Marshal Montgomery.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Four bands were expected to be competing in grade one, however Bleary & District took the decision to withdraw as a mark of respect following a bereavement in the Davison family. Ravara also pulled out in the run up to the event.

St Laurence O'Toole were edged out in grade 1St Laurence O'Toole were edged out in grade 1
St Laurence O'Toole were edged out in grade 1

That left a straight head-to-head between Field Marshal Montgomery and St Laurence O’Toole.

St Laurence won the March, Strathspey and Reel section on ensemble preference, while Field Marshal were winners in the Medley event. Field Marshal went on to lift the overall title and also collected prizes for best pipes and second drums with St Laurence winning the prizes for best drum corps and bass section.

The PSNI continued their commanding run in grade two by taking first place and prizes for best pipes and bass section. Thiepval Memorial, from Co Donegal, claimed second place and the prize for best drums with Closkelt in third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

First place and prizes for best pipes, drums and bass section in grade 3a all went to Aughintober as they dominated the prize list ahead of Colmcille, Upper Crossgare and Drumlough.

Ulster champion Adult drum major Paula BraidenUlster champion Adult drum major Paula Braiden
Ulster champion Adult drum major Paula Braiden

Marlacoo & District took the honours in grade 3b along with prizes for best pipes and bass section. Matt Boyd Memorial were placed second and won the piping prize ahead of Achill and Tullintrain.

First place in grade 4a and the prize for best pipes went to Battlehill with McNeilstown, Cleland Memorial, Portavogie and Cullybackey making up the top five.

Best drums in grade 4a went to Tullylagan while Augharan collected the bass section award.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gransha, from Co Down, were the victors in grade 4b followed by St Mary’s Derrytrasna, Gilnahirk, who were winners of the drumming prize, Sgt Walker Memorial and Kildoag, who won the bass section. Gransha and St Mary’s shared the prize for best pipes.

Drum majors at the Ulster ChampionshipsDrum majors at the Ulster Championships
Drum majors at the Ulster Championships

Ulster champion drum majors are Zara Cupples, Kara Gilmour, Lauren Abraham and Paula Braiden.

Results

Grade 1: 1, Field Marshal Montgomery, also 1st Medley, best pipes and second drums; 2, St Laurence O’Toole, also 1st MSR on ensemble preference, best drums, bass and M&D.

Grade 2: 1, PSNI, also best pipes, bass and M&D; 2, Thiepval Memorial, also best drums; 3, Closkelt.

St Laurence O'Toole were edged out in grade 1St Laurence O'Toole were edged out in grade 1
St Laurence O'Toole were edged out in grade 1
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Grade 3a: 1, Aughintober, also best pipes, drums and bass; 2, Colmcille; 3, Upper Crossgare, also M&D; 4, Drumlough.

Grade 3b: 1, Marlacoo & District, also best drums and bass; 2, Matt Boyd Memorial, also best pipes; 3, Achill; 4, Tullintrain. Best M&D: Major Sinclair Memorial.

Grade 4a: 1, Battlehill, also best pipes; 2 on ensemble preference, McNeilstown; 3, Cleland Memorial; 4, Portavogie; 5 on ensemble preference, Cullybackey, also M&D. Best drums: Tullylagan. Best bass section: Augharan.

Grade 4b: 1, Gransha; 2, on ensemble preference, St Mary’s Derrytrasna; 3, Gilnahirk, also best drums; 4, Sgt Walker Memorial; 5, Kildoag, also best bass. Best pipes shared between Gransha and St Mary’s. Best M&D: Ballydonaghy.

Drum Majors

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Adult: 1, Paula Braiden (Cullybackey); 2, Lauren Hanna (Drumlough) 3, Alicia Dickson (Matt Boyd Memorial); 4, Andrea McKeown (Battlehill); 5, David Brownlee (Derryclavin).

Ulster champion Adult drum major Paula BraidenUlster champion Adult drum major Paula Braiden
Ulster champion Adult drum major Paula Braiden

Juvenile: 1, Lauren Abraham (Ballybriest); 2, Emma Barr (Field Marshal Montgomery) 3, Zoe McDowell (Aughintober); 4, Gemma McDowell (Tullylagan); 5, James Kennedy (Whitewater).

Junior: 1, Kara Gilmour (Finvoy); 2, Emily Crooks (McNeillstown); 3, Kathryn McKeown (Battlehill) 4, Abigail Wenlock (Cullybackey); 5, Rachel Lowry (Armaghbreague).

Novice: 1, Zara Cupples (Cullybackey) 2, Louis Anderson (Crozier Memorial) 3, Benjamin Walker (Battlehill); 4, Leanne Crooks (Syerla & District); 5, Louise Smiton (Closkelt).

Related topics: