The Cork Country Open Coursing Clubs Association’s fifteenth running of its annual inter-club charity talent contest was another fantastic success and the standard and quality of the contestants that graced the stage were worthy of a place in any Opera House.
This year’s competition was held in aid of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, Cork. The large attendance was treated to some wonderful performances and the association can feel very proud of yet another successful charity evening.
The unenviable task of selecting winners in the three categories fell on the capable hands of Jerry Doody and Barry Cogan. Their selection met with universal approval when the Club Talent Contest and Liam Burke Memorial Cup went to the Inniscarra club represented by Peter O’Riordan and Eva Mullane. White’s Cross took the runner-up prize. The Individual contest was won by Joanne Geaney of the White’s Cross club, with Eva Mullane of the Inniscarra club taking the runner-up prize. The Entertainer of the Year and the Pat Huggins Memorial Shield went to Donal ‘Tucker’ Corkery from the Doneraile/Shanballymore club.
Association chairman Jerry Burke, acting as compere of this event since its inception 15 years ago, spoke very highly of the 15 contestants and thanked them for letting everyone enjoy their fantastic entertainment. He congratulated the seven winners and wished all the other better luck in the future. He thanked Kiera Kissane and Carling Lager from Molson Coors for their sponsorship, and manager Robert Boyle and his staff of Mayfield GAA Club for their kindness and help in organising the event.
Jerry also thanked Rickie Coleman and Cormac O’Connor for supplying the cocktail sausages and the members who provided sandwiches, the ladies committee for their hard work in the kitchen and looking after the catering arrangements. He thanked those who donated raffle prizes, and John White for providing the music for the evening. He thanked the two judges for their commitment and said that he did not envy them in the difficult task they had in making their selection.
Finally Jerry thanked the large attendance for the continued support of the charity fund-raiser and extended his grateful thanks to the many clubs and individuals, especially the association’s great friend from Kingsclere for their generous contributions to the night which made it possible, once again, to present a substantial four figure sum to this year’s charity, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Brendan Dempsey, past regional president of St. Vincent de Paul in Cork, thanked Jerry, the contestants, those who donated money and supported the venture. He outlined the various activities of the society and said he was amazed at the amount raised on the night which showed what can be done with hard work and good organisation. He concluded by thanking all coursing people, including the coursing friend from the UK for their generosity and assured them that the funds raised will be well spent in providing comfort to people less well off than ourselves.