GOOD NIGHT OUT AT COLAISTE CHU CHULAINN QUIZ
The Ireland Wales game had just blown the final whistle and the crowds were streaming out of the pubs, but one pub that was packed to capacity was McGeough’s where the Colaiste Chú Chulain Table Quiz to raise money for the Accelerated Reader Programme and a huge crowd had turned out to do battle for this very worthy cause.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with principal Deirdre Uí Liatháin who was busy making sure the night was running smoothly and was being ably assisted by her corrections team of Sharon Agnew from Lennonstown Green, Sheila O’Neill from Blackrock, Sharon Brown from Belfry Avenue and quizmaster Michael Madine.
I then decided to have a look round to see who was getting ready to do battle and the first team were aptly named ‘ The Intellectuals’ and included Olivia McGeown from Willow Grove, Niamh and Patricia Tuite from Avondale Park and Deanna Cairns from Bay Estate who told me they were quietly confident of doing well, if only in the spot prizes.
Next I got a word with the team who were Jennifer Harrison from Newtownbalregan, Cora Kampes from Carrick Road, Yvonne Mefor from Woodview Park and Peter Bastible from Mourne Vale who were ready for a major night of head scratching conundrums and were sure they were going to do well.
Making my way over to another table I then caught up with ‘ Team Marvel’ and their superpowers who included Jennifer Maguire from Garrybawn, Fiona Maguire from St. Nicholas Avenue, Edel Molloy from Blackrock and Gillian Tennyson from Greyacre Road who assured me they weren’t there just to make up the numbers but were there for some of the major silverware.
After this I got a word with ‘ The Pile Drivers’ who included Tom Callanan from St. Marys Road, Pat O’Rourke from Belfry Drive and their secret weapon Hannah Hunt also from Belfry Drive. Tom told me they had finished mid table at the last quiz and were sure that Hannah was going to boost them into the medals at least.
A team who had travelled all the way down the N53 specially to be there were William Lyons, Matt Gormley, Anne Reynolds and John Heeney from Castlebellingham who told me they weren’t quietly confident, they were just quiet!
After this I caught up with the ‘Walking Unhealthy’ who were Paul and Michelle Redmond from Castle Park and Declan and Natalie Rafferty from Blackrock who were all set for some serious fun and to give a good account of themselves too.
Making my over to an adjacent table I then met up with the ‘Strawberry Pickers’ who consisted of James Connolly from Tallanstown, Franz Kampes from Kilkerley, Siobhan and David Duffy from Medebawn who assured me they were the money team and were going to win all in front of them.
However, I then caught up with a bunch of lads who had their dorsal fins well-hidden and they included Brian Martin from Ard Easmuinn, John Boyle from Yorke Street, Paul Boyle and John McGing both from Blackrock who were going by the name of ‘Jaws &Co.’ and were ready for all comers.
Not too far away I then met up with the ‘Life Of Reilly’ who were Dave and Sarah Reilly from Garrybawn, Sean Reilly from Seafield Lawns, Annette Reilly from Riverside Drive and they were awaiting the arrival of the fashionably late Lorraine Lennon from Bay Estate.
Next I got a word with Margaret Craig from Kilcurry, Ruth Rogers and Rita Doyle both from Blackrock who were in great form and answering questions left, right and centre.
Finally, before I departed I got talking to the ‘McKeevers’ and they included Gerry, Patricia and Conall from Ard Easmuinn and Alannah McLoughlin from Clanbrassil Street who told me after round 1 they were hanging in there!
All was set for an excellent night, but I think the quizmaster needed to invest in a new microphone, the questions were hard enough, but being able to hear them certainly would have helped!