MACRA CREWS CAPER TO ALL-IRELAND SUCCESS

AWARDS FOR BANTEER, FREEMOUNT AND WHITECHURCH

SLICK moving productions featuring energetic dancing, singers and entertainers dominated a splendid All-Ireland Macra Capers Final hosted in the presence of a capacity attendance in the Éire Óg GAA Pavilion, Ovens on Saturday last.

The freshness and enthusiam of performances surfaced to delight a receptive audience with a strong Cork representation. And though outright honours belonged to Bree, County Wexford, they were individual awards for Freemount, Banteer and Whitechurch.

Additionally, Freemount collected third overall place with their show entitled ‘Don’t Stop Us Now’, produced by Miriam Angland. Their reportoire included classics from Westlife and Queen, along with traditional airs.

The talented Aoife O’Connor collected Best Female Performer and cast members also included Eileen Murphy, Karen O’Sullivan, Ciara O’Sullivan, Brid Anne O’Donoghue, Nicholas O’Donoghue, Danny Lane, Karen Ryan, David Fenton, Mairead O’Neill, Thomas O’Neill, Jaya Collins, Niall Flahive, Honor O’Flynn and Sheila O’Flynn.

Banteer returned to a Capers Final after a previous victory in 2018, their latest presentation, ‘Oh What a Feeling’, produced by Heather Healy, featured classic hits, comedy and a strong output of native music and dance.

Club chairman Kelvin O’Connor led the way to win the Best Male Performer with the cast also including Aidan O’Donoughue, Amanda O’Sullivan, Barry Daly, Billy Herlihy, Colette Crowley, Darragh Twomey, David Murphy, Evan O’Brien, Gemma Linehan, Ger Kelleher, Joseph Murphy, Karen Buckley and Patrick Buckley.

Whitechurch earned best comedy award for their show ‘Our Show has a Capers Problem’.

Overall winners Bree offered a fusion of music, song and dance in a production ‘Promoting Positive Mental Health’. Also involved in the National Final were Callan (Kilkenny) and Athboy (Meath).

Freemount took third place in the All Ireland Macra Capers Final.

Jaya Collins and Nicholas O’Donoughue in a scene from the Freemount production.

Kelvin O’Connor, Banteer, receives the Best Male Performer from Alan Twomey, Chairman, Muskerry Macra.

Left: Noreen Healy congratulates Karen O’Sullivan after Freemount’s third place in the Macra Capers Final.

Photos: John Tarrant A lively finale to the Banteer production in the AllIreland Macra Capers.

Banteer brush dance performers Aidan O’Donoughue, Amanda O’Sullivan, Billy Herlihy, Karen Buckley and Patrick Buckley.

Aoife O’Connor, Freemount thrilled to accept the Best Female Award.