Donegal Town Band Steal The Show To Win Ulster Fleadh

Yesterday Donegal Town Band put on one of their best performances ever and it was definitely worthy of winning the Senior Miscellaneous section. They made history with their first Senior Miscellaneous Silverware and this was very apparent with their joyous scenes after the results were announced, which really shows what winning the Ulster meant to them and what Fleadh is all about.

This was a major shock to me and probably all the spectators. I majorly underestimated this band and their chances yesterday, I did say on Friday that this band was one or two steps behind the other two bands in this section it turned out to be the opposite way around. I couldn’t have been more wrong, I completely take those statements back. But in fairness I was going on the Donegal Fleadh Results and last years performances, but if they performed like that at the Donegal Fleadh and only came second they would they would rightly have been aggrieved.

The other two bands in this section just weren’t up to Donegals high standard of marching drill. Although their music is simple in many ways, sometimes simple can be effective, this is shown by Cloich Cheann Fhaola Senior who do it best. Ramelton came second but there couldn’t have been much between them and Atticall. I think both bands haven’t changed much since last year and that maybe was a problem, it looked liked they both underestimated Donegal Town and this cost them their chances at winning the Ulster. Atticalls music was much better than Rameltons so maybe the result was the wrong way around?

The other two sections were the junior miscellaneous and the Pipe Bands. Cloich Cheann Fhaola were very up for their competition and look ready for the All Ireland. St Joseph’s Longstone also put on a convincing performance in their competition and they’ll face an experienced band in the All Ireland.

We’ll have the full list of bands that have qualified for the All Ireland later today.

I’ll finish this piece on Donegal Town Band who now have a real shot of winning the Senior All Ireland miscellaneous and they’ve given Cloich Cheann Fhaola Senior a lot to think about over the next few weeks.