Carnew’s class acts setting off on a journey to make Scór history

It’s becoming almost routine at this stage but as the club from the Wexford border head south to Killarney in search of a three-in-a-row, we should remind ourselves of this salient fact: no club has ever won three titles in a row in the nuachleas category.

Far from being de rigueur then, Carnew are looking to move into uncharted territory this weekend.

They’ve won five titles thus far – 2000, 2003, 2011, 2022 and 2023. A sixth title on Saturday would put them level with Leitrim’s Ballinamore Sean O’Heslin’s at the top of the roll of honour.

Looking to wrest the title from Carnew this weekend are Limerick Scór superpower, Banogue; Mayo’s CLG Chill Aodháin; and Antrim’s Naomh Muire of Achadh Gallan.

Carnew’s act is entitled ‘The Royal Visit’ and features four of the act which annexed their first title almost a quarter of a century ago.

The stalwarts are Fergus Kinsella, Tom Culkin, John O’Hara and Thomas Darcy.

They are joined on Saturday by Emma Culkin, Brian Doran, John-Joe Myers (all of whom took to the stage in 2023) and Diarmuid Doran, who is in his debut season treading the boards. Christina Kinsella, Liz Collins and Michelle Doran fill the roles of bainisteoirí.

‘The Royal Visit’ elicited plenty of laughs in The Downs three weeks ago and it will no doubt do similarly on Saturday in the rarefied environs of the INEC Gleneagle.

Whether or not that’ll be enough to win the unprecedented three-in-a-row will be revealed around 8pm on Saturday.

Regardless, the above octet’s performance will no doubt be among the highlights of what’s sure to be a highly entertaining evening’s entertainment.

For readers who can’t make it to Killarney on Saturday, the event will be streamed live on TG4’s YouTube channel.

Ádh mór ar Charn an Bhua ar an Satharn. Best of luck to Carnew on Saturday.