A packed gym hall at the Lusk National School north of Dublin saw Ashley McMichael of Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band crowned All Ireland Champion Piper for 2019. Ashley is pictured above with his trophy.
There was more success for Field Marshal in the ‘A’ piobaireachd where Scott Wallace triumphed with his rendition of the King’s Taxes, and in the ‘B’ MSR where Alastair Donaghy came out on top. In the drumming Gareth McLeese, also of FMM, was placed first.
The All Ireland solo and band competitions are hosted year about by the Irish Pipe Band Association and the Northern Ireland Branch of the RSPBA. In his closing remarks IPBA President Con O’Connell thanked the stewards and organisers for all their hard work on the day with close on 250 performances to co-ordinate. In reply Winston Pinkerton, President of the RSPBANI congratulated the IPBA on the outstanding organisation which helped the day run so smoothly.
‘A’ Piping – MSR
1 Ashley McMichael
2 Ross Miller, Inveraray
3 Julian Dornan, St Laurence O’Toole
Judges: T Tully, J Wilson
‘A’ Piping – Piobaireachd (two tunes) – does not count towards overall
1 Scott Wallace
2 Ross Miller, Massacre of Glencoe
3 Kris Coyle, Field Marshal, Tulloch Ard
Judge: R Wallace
Of the ‘A’ piobaireachd adjudicator Robert Wallace writes: ‘Scott Wallace was a worthy winner. A note error in the last line of his crunluath doubling did not detract from the quality of his music and bagpipe. Ross Miller played well too and just needed more expression in his tune. Kris Coyle‘s bagpipe did not quite last the pace but he set his tune out very well. Ditto Andy Wilson who played MacKay’s Banner. Ashley McMichael with Corrienessan never settled the pipe and there were stilted passages in his tune. James Frazer showed real promise with the Finger Lock despite a fumble. Thirteen pipers played.’
‘B’ Piobaireachd (own choice)
1 Brian Crawford, Colmcille
2 Desmond Smyth, Manorcunningham
3 Andrew Shilliday, Tullylagan
Judge: J Reville
‘B’ MSR
1 Alastair Donaghy
2 Ryan Cupples-Menendez, Field Marshal
3 Desmond Smyth, Manorcunningham
Judge: J Wilson
‘C1’ MSR
1 James Stone, SLOT
2 Mark Adair, Cullybackey
3 Mark Hasson, Colmcille
Judge: R Maguire
‘C2’ Piping
1 Ernesto Gongora, New Ross
2 Con Houlihan, Cullen
3 Catriona Lloyd, Colmcille
Judge: T Tully
U18 Piping
1 Marc Warnock, Tullylagan
2 Fraser Rodgers, Upper Crossgare
3 Cian Flanagan, New Ross
Judge: R Maguire
U16 Piping
1 Andrew Nelson, Ballyboley
2 Jack Hamill, McDonald Mem.
3 Brady Annet, New Ross
Judge: J Wilson
U14 Piping
1 Sam Purvis, Tullylagan
2 Callum Piner, Black Raven
3 Thomas Winters, Mountjoy
Judge: T Tully
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