HAS SCHOOL STARS FOUND THE NEW CHIEFTAINS?
THE winners of the 2018 Secondary School stars have been compared to top Irish folk group, The Chieftains, and X Factor judge Louis Walsh saying they should go and record after their latest triumph.
Faoi Gheasa are an eight-strong traditional Irish music group - with their set blowing away the judges at last week’s final in the TLT.
With everything from a flute, a Conga drum, concertina, guitar, banjo and keyboard in total unison, the group, from De La Salle, Dundalk, were simply awesome.
Acclaimed lead vocalist Iarlaith Carroll said they were delighted to win the title -’ but we’ll be back in Drogheda for the Fleadh,’ he exclaimed.
Made up of Ronan Byrne, Oisin Dixon, Conor Conway, Colm Bellew, Donnach Hughes, Enoch Elewe and Samuel Ogobamidele, the group have been together for less than a year, under the guidance of proud teacher Pamela Campbell.
‘ The lads are passionate about their music and are very creative,’ she added.
‘Everything worked. There is no-one else like them and you could be like The Chieftains,’ Louis Walsh stated.
But the Dundalk lads were not the only stars of the show as the talent on the night amazed the judge.
Second place went to the extraordinary Tadgh Lynch from Drogheda Grammar. Despite illness, he sang ‘ High Hopes’ with both his singing and piano playing faultless.
Described by judge Amie Dyer as a ‘natural born performer’. Louis Walsh was equally as excited. ‘It was as good as Kodaline’s version. Potentially, you are amazing, follow it.’
And Finn Fitzgerald in third from St Mary’s DS was another to shine. Performing ‘Runaway’ , Louis Walsh was again starstruck, saying he was ‘very impressed’ by the highly promising singer.
But in truth, the whole field brought their A game on the night and they truly came from everywhere, Portmarnock to Dundalk.
Instrumental stars, Katie and Aoife Lynch from Sacred Heart were flawless with guitar and bodhran, performing ‘Whatever it Takes’ by Imagine Dragons. Indeed, if the Las Vegas giants see Ben Corcoran’s recording of the show - they can expect a call!
Ashley Abbedeen was stunning - her passionate ‘ Four Seasons’ inspiring Louis Walsh to say that she should record it and make a hit.
Neil Murray from De La Salle, Dundalk, was very much in the Johnny Cash mould, Louis comparing him to Randy Travis.
Traditional singer Sarah Maxwell - (if she busks at the Fleadh will be a millionaire in a week!) silenced the place with ‘Grace’ and Louis said he could see her in a ‘ Woman’s Heart’ in the future.
Naoise Duffy from Dundalk’s St Vincent’s was also one of the top vocalists on the night with ‘Writing is on the Wall’ and Louis again said she has the potential to be ‘ amazing’.
Dunleer rockers, Tribe, were awesome as ever and Farai Chari from St Joseph’s showed real soul according to Louis.
Adam Mooney from Portmarnock sang ‘Rake my Heart’ and Louis said he was a ‘ breath of fresh air, a real natural’ and ‘ the future of the music industry’.
Daire Grant Adams from Drogheda Grammar didn’t disappoint again, ‘Bed Shaped’ earning him a warm comment from Louis ‘‘you’ve got a gift.’
Public Warning from Ashbourne were another of the top groups and delivered a huge energy performance.
‘Battles’ was the song selected by Laura and Abby Rice and once again they were power-packed and faultless. ‘You have something going on,’ Louis exclaimed.
The dancing feet of Abo Obhakham from Greenhills were brilliant and Ruairi Holohan from Dundalk Grammar was told to follow his dream to the West End.
The 20 strong Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer, choir delivered ‘Road to Nowhere’ to great praise and the Balbriggan crew ‘Elite’ were true dance stars.
Perfection is what Coinneach Farrell from St Joseph’s is about and no one could argue with ‘Heart on Fire’ last week.
Colaiste na hInse guitar player Michael McDonnell produced a Guns n Roses classic and Ailish Carroll from Dunleer might have a country career, according to Louis.
The exceptional tap dance star Oisin Dunne was best dancer on the night and richly deserved it. ‘Very slick and professional, go to London and the musicials,’ Louis stated.
Sarah Yeates from Portmarnock was ‘ brilliant’ according to Louis and Lauren Crosby from Sacred Heart had all the moves.
Alex Gormley from Dundalk Grammar was a master of the strings with a guitar solo. ‘World class, a different league,’ Louis Walsh exclaimed when he finished.
A night when the region’s young people showed what can be achieved with hard work.
Expect to hear the names above mentioned in the years ahead - and their big break - on the stage of the TLT.