Thrilling Semi-Finals of Tavern’s Got Talent
Back l-r: Owen Barret (Cahir), Greg Star (Aglish), Peter Walls (Limerick), Cian Morris (Nenagh), Liz Mitchell (Roscrea), Olivia Douglas (Ferbane), Bridget Maher (Roscrea), Linda Bryan (Littleton), Orlaith Murphy (Clonaslee)
Packed houses in the Tavern, Ballinderry last Thursday and Friday night witnessed entertainment of the highest standard as 17 acts competed for the 10 places in the Grand Final, to be held this Saturday night 24th at 9pm. Acts from Tipperary, Offaly, Limerick, Galway and Laois took part, with the best 10 acts from the 2 nights qualifying. What a standard and what a variety – pop, rock n roll, opera, blues, musicals, country, trad and classical music all featured to give the adjudicator’s a major headache!
The audience vote each night with the highest points automatically qualified, and on Thursday night this was Olivia Douglas from Ferbane with 147 points. Votes had to be counted twice as 2nd and 3rd places were so close at 145 and 143 points. Olivia sang and accompanied herself on keyboard and played brilliantly on the button accordion.
On Friday night the audience winner was local man Alan Dunne, who entertained us in his own unique style with the Rolling Stones’ Paint It Black and Michael Buble’s cover of Cry Me A River. After a long session the adjudicators had their marks tallied and the results were announced. The qualifiers were Bridget Maher (Roscrea), Orlaith Murphy (Clonaslee), Shauna Deane (Cloughjordan), Acts Of Piracy (Nenagh), D-Blocc (Birr), Conor O’Meara (Portumna), Alan Dunne (Ballinderry), Shane O’Dwyer (Ballinderry), Olivia Douglas (Ferbane), and Cian Morris (Nenagh).
It’s all to play for next Saturday night as there is very little between any of the acts; indeed there was a tie for 1st place with 2 acts on 241pts, and also for 5th place with 2 acts on 222. Also the act that unfortunately finished was only 4pts away, which is less than 1 point per adjudicator. Remember audience votes play an important part once again so come along to support your favourite!
back L-R: Reuben Noyce (Birr), Stephen Lyons (Birr), Mairead O'Meara (Borrisokane), Band members of Acts Of Piracy (Nenagh),Middle: l-r; Shane O'Dwyer (Ballinderry), Cora Coen (Ballinderry), Shauna Deane (Cloughjordan),Front: l-r; Conor O'Meara (Portumna), Alan Dunne (Ballinderry).
1st prize is €1000 and 1 day’s studio time in Zepplin Studios, Toomevara, and there are also cash prizes for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. A huge crowd is expected at the Final and the show will commence at 9pm with doors open at 8.30 so make sure to come early to secure a seat. The entire competition has been a huge success, according to Phil Quigley, ( prop. The Tavern) and she like many others, is looking forward to a thrilling final and wishes all the competitors the very best of luck. So come along for the last night to the Tavern on Saturday 24th at 9pm, and see who will be the Tavern’s Got Talent winner for 2010.
