Scór’s golden-jubilee milestone

Anniversary events in Fermoy and Páirc Uí Chaoimh

THE foresight of Fermoy native Derry Gowen was acknowledged last weekend as the GAA marked the 50th anniversary of Scór, culminating with a Golden Jubilee Concert in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Many past winners, including All-Ireland champions from Cork, performed in an important landmark in the GAA’s history, an occasion that offered plenty of reminiscing of Scór stories from the past five decades.

Prior to the concert, the GAA recognised Scór’s founder, the late Derry Gowen, at a wreath-laying ceremony at Kilcrumper Cemetery, Fermoy, attended by former Munster GAA Chairman Jerry O’Sullivan and former County Board Secretary Frank Murphy. In the presence of National Scór officials and Avondhu and Fermoy GAA representatives, Frank Murphy spoke eloquently of Derry Gowen’s GAA career, and Bride Rovers bard John Arnold delivered a fitting composition.

At the celebratory concert in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, GAA President John Horan spoke of thousands of members of the larger GAA community having the opportunity to display their talents on stages at Scór over the years thanks to Derry Gowen initiating a cultural programme.

“Scór is an integral part of what the GAA is about. In my travels as Uachtarán, I routinely see communities that have a GAA club as their beating heart, where a sense of place and a pride in that place is an inspirational guiding light for their members. As much as the games that we play on the fields and in handball alleys is a manifestation of this pride – so too is Scór and what it means to those who take part”, he said.

Scór National Chairman Aidan Brennan referred to the many lasting memories made on stages throughout Ireland and further afield as a testament to all those who have given of their time and volunteered to ensure that Scór has grown and developed through the generations.

“Over the past 50 years, clubs from all corners of the country have called on their members, young and old, to represent their communities and to do so in competition that produced the highest standards of music, song, dance and drama. Just as our games are preserved through competition, so too is our culture. But competitiveness is only one side of the coin”, he said.

“Friendships have been made that have crossed the generations, and Scór maintains, at its heart, the aspiration of its founders to provide a social outlet for our club members”, said Mr Brennan.

The jubilee concert was organised by Coiste Náisiúnta Scór in conjunction with Coiste Scór na Mumhan, and other commemorative events will take place around the county throughout the year.

Cork performers at the Páirc Uí Chaoimh Concert included Maggie Moynihan (Cullen); Alan Whelan (Lisgoold); Paddy O’Brien (Tracton); Ellmarie O’Dwyer (Freemount); Boherbue Figure Dancers; Aghabullogue Set Dancers; St Catherines Ballad Group, Buttevant; and Kilshannig Music groups.

Photo by John Tarrant A large turnout at the laying of a wreath at the grave of Scór founder Derry Gowen at Kilcrumper Cemetery.

GAA President John Horan makes a presesntation to Diarmuid Gowen and members of the Gowen family to mark Scór’s 50th anniversary in the presence of former Cork County Board Secretary Frank Murphy and outgoing Munster GAA Council Chairman Jerry O’Sullivan.

Photo by John Tarrant A North Cork group deliver rousing tunes at the 50thanniversary Scór Concert in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Photos by John Tarrant Pictured laying a wreath at the grave of Scór founder Derry Gowen at Kilcrumper Cemetery, Fermoy, were National Scór Chairman Aidan Brennan, Diarmuid Gowen andoutgoing Munster GAA Council Chairman Jerry O’Sullivan.

Photo by John Tarrant Cork and Munster officials Margaret Whelan, Jerry Doody and Orla Arnold.

Photo by John Tarrant Cill na Martra native Joan Cooney pictured with Cork Cultural Officer Richard Murphy and Richard’s wife, Majella, at the Scór 50thanniversary concert at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Maggie Moynihan, Cullen, sang at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.

John Arnold (Bride Rovers) delivers a self-penned rendition to salute Scór founder Derry Gowen at Kilcrumper Cemetery.