ULSTER GAA: Promoting Scór within your club

SCÓR is an integral part of our GAA community. It combines all of the colour and rivalry of Gaelic games with the social element of Ireland’s traditional past times.

Nascann imeachtaí agus comórtais an Scór iomaíocht na gcluichí Gaelacha le spraoi agus le cultúr chaithimh aimsire na hÉireann. Eagraítear Scór go dátheangach – i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Scór is organised bilingually, agus fáiltítear roimh iontrálacha sa dá theanga, and as such, entrants in both Gaeilge and English are welcome. Beatha teanga í a labhairt.

Representing your club, county, or province in Scór is an excellent opportunity for GAA members, both young and old, to develop in confidence, to avail of social interaction with fellow club and community members, as well as to wear your colours with pride.

The wide range of disciplines of Scór allow for a variety of option for club members wishing to get involved in Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsir.

There are many ways in which clubs can promote Scór across all disciplines and age groups. Many people may have an interest i gceol na hÉireann (Irish music), damhsa (dance), amhránaíocht (singing), aithriseoireacht (recitation), scéalta na hÉireann (Irish stories), aisteoireacht (acting) nó tráth na gceist (quizzing).

If existing club members possess talent or an interest in any of the above, why not recruit them to mentor others and provide practice outlets?

These competitions need not be presented as such in the beginning: start a drama club or small group to encourage the actors, a music or singing workshop to help build the confidence of those interested in music etc.

Participation and enjoyment are undoubtedly the key to success. Tá sé tábhachtach sult a bhaint as. On seeing the interest of the club members in these various past times, your mentors may also decide that Scór Sinsir is where they would like to focus their own interests, abilities and talent!

Many clubs and communities have excellent acmhainní (resources), such as a local Comhaltas branch, Irish dancing schools, drama societies and choirs.

Clubs can only benefit from using these resources and joining forces with such groups to further strengthen Scór participation. It can also be very useful to link in with local múinteoirí and the local school community. Bailíonn brobh beart.

Scór champions are presented with their medals in the same way as champions of peil agus iománaíocht: by Uachtarán an CLG. Thus, depicting the importance of, and respect afforded to our Scór competitors, from club, county and province.

This year’s Ulster semi-finals take place in Killeavy, Armagh and in the Dún Uladh Centre, Killyclogher, Tyrone on the 7th and 8th of October respectively. The Ulster Scór final will take place on Saturday 21st October, with the venue yet to be confirmed.

Ní neart go cur le chéile.