Pipe bands: Co Fermanagh championships in Enniskillen

The Broadmeadow at the Lakeland Forum, not too far from the scenic Enniskillen Castle, hosted more than 30 bands and 45 drum majors.

Competition was fierce throughout the grades, however at the top level it was something of a one- horse race.

Bleary & District were the only band entered in grade one and as such claimed all the prizes that were up for grabs.

However, it must be noted that the Bleary band, under the direction of pipe major Nigel Davison, certainly entertained the crowd of spectators with their medley selection.

Grade two was equally light on numbers. Closkelt’s withdrawal left Thiepval Memorial as the only regular grade two competitor, however Drumlough and Colmcille stepped up to help make a competition of it.

Thiepval took first place and the prizes for best pipes, drums and bass section. Drumlough edged second place from Colmcille on ensemble preference.

Into grade 3a where Colmcille took the honours a point clear of Aughintober. Colmcille also won the prize for best pipes with Aughintober winning the drumming prize. Drumlough and Ballybriest completed the top four. Best bass section in 3a was won by Matt Boyd Memorial.

Grade 3b went to Marlacoo & District ahead of St Joseph’s Clondalkin, who also had the best bass section, Matt Boyd Memorial and Major Sinclair Memorial were placed third and fourth respectively. Best corps of drums in grade 3b went to Tullintrain.

Grade 4a was a close one with just three points separating the top four bands. Portavogie came out on top ahead of Tamlaght O’Crilly in second place. Piping preference was enough to separate Cleland Memorial and Battlehill in third and fourth place respectively. McNeilstown claimed the drumming prize with Tamlaght O’Crilly lifting the bass section award.

Kildoag ran out the victors in grade 4b a single point clear of Clontibret who were second and won the drumming prize. Third place went to Gilnahirk with Wicklow claiming fourth place and the prize for best bass section.

In the drum majors competitions Louis Anderson (Crozier Memorial), Jason Nicholl (Tullylagan), Emma Barr (Field Marshal Montgomery) and Lauren Hanna (Drumlough) collected the titles.

RESULTS

Grade 1: Bleary & District, also best pipes, drums, bass and M&D.

Grade 2: 1, Thiepval Memorial, also best pipes, drums and bass; 2 on ensemble preference, Drumlough, best M&D, 3, Colmcille.

Grade 3a: 1, Colmcille, also best pipes; 2, Aughintober, also best drums; 3, Drumlough; 4, Ballybriest. Best bass and M&D: Matt Boyd Memorial.

Grade 3b: 1, Marlacoo & District; 2, St Joseph’s Clondalkin, also best bass; 3, Matt Boyd Memorial, also M&D; 4, Major Sinclair Memorial. Best drums: Tullintrain.

Grade 4a: 1, Portavogie; 2, Tamlaght O’Crilly, also best bass; 3 on piping preference, Cleland Memorial; 4, Battlehill. Best drums: McNeilstown. Best M&D: McDonald Memorial.

Grade 4b: 1, Kildoag; 2, Clontibret, also best drums; 3, Gilnahirk, best M&D; 4, Wicklow, also best bass.

Drum Majors

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

Junior: 1, Jason Nicholl (Tullylagan); 2, Jamie Cupples (Killeen); 3, Kathryn McKeown (Battlehill); 4, Abigail Wenlock (Cullybackey); 5, Kara Gilmour (Finvoy).

Juvenile: 1, Emma Barr (Field Marshal Montgomery); 2, Caitlin Graham (Upper Crossgare); 3, Zoe McDowell (Aughintober); 4, Lana Gibson (Ballyboley); 5, James Kennedy (Whitewater).

Adult: 1, Lauren Hanna (Drumlough); 2, Jason Price (Ballycoan); 3, David Brownlee (Derryclavin); 4, Paula Braiden (Cullybackey); 5, Andrea McKeown (Battlehill).