News

Published on the 25th of March.

Lip Sync a huge success

Over 1,000 people cheered, jeered, laughed (with tears in their eyes) and clapped their way through 12 acts at the Dicksboro Lip Sync legends night in the Hub at Cillin Hill in what was the club’s largest and most successful social event ever held.
Hard to believe that just four weeks ago there were serious concerns about it going ahead but the optimism and dedication of a small team of people headed by Eileen and Frank Morrissey (who came up with the idea) ,Eddie and Liz Holohan, Ed and Catherine Nolan, Davy Ryan, Fergal Murphy and the rest of the committee.
In the end it was family affair for the Gaffney family with mam, Mary playing Tina Turner against her son Murt (Scary Spice) and four other senior hurlers in the final. Judges Kieran Cuddihy, Helen Carroll, John Mulhall and Eileen Magnier could not separate the five, who included Paul O’Flynn (Ginger Spice); Mikey Hayes (Posh Spice), and Davy Ryan (Sporty Spice) along with Murt from Tina Turner and they drew the name out of a cup to decide the winner.
There were some hilarious moments like when Fr Jim Murphy, Parish Priest of St Canice’s appeared on stage in leather as Bon Jovi while Darragh Holohan flashed a bit too much, to the delight of the female contingent who had the camera phones ready for the Destiny’s Child star. We have since learned that Darragh wore his girlfriend’s dress on the night.
This was a special night and people were queuing from before the doors opened at 7.15pm and shows what can be achieved when everyone in a club puts their shoulder to the wheel and works for the good of the club.
The final four acts had to do it all again and first up was Frank Morrissey followed by The Village People with Mary Gaffney next and last were the Spice Girls.
The comments of the judges throughout the night added to the sense of fun that was around and everybody was in great form and it augers well for the upcoming hurling season.
The night started on a high with the entire ensemble for the opening number led by Sr Fergal Murphy and Ber Brennan with a song from Sister Act.
It’s hard to be the first act but Danielle Kenny, Ciara Phelan, Orla Fennelly and Jenny Clifford were super as One Direction complete with facial hair. And the acrobatics were a real treat.
Frank Morrissey became Frank Sinatra for five minutes on Saturday night and he brought the house down and he received a gret cheer at the of New York, New York. Despite threatening the judges with the mafia, he made the final.
Abba were next with Ber Brennan, Breda Clohosey, Jimmy McGarry and James Murphy. Again they were super and the choreography was top class.
Then it got raunchy with Destiny’s Child made up of Darragh Holohan, Enda Donohoe and Robbie Fitzpatrick. Helen Carroll made the comment that all the boys were very comfortable wearing womens’ clothes. Enough said.
What came next was most unexpected. Eucharisitic minister at St Canice’s Church, tomas Turley became Elvis and was fantastic, a real surprise and a highlight of the night.
But when the Village People came on stage led by juvenile club secretary, Fergal murphy and his “harem” the crowd went wild.
Unfortunately, Valerie Brennan broke a bone in her foot the night before while rehearsing in the Boro club and was in a wheelchair for the night but her co-stars Eilis O’Shea, Yvonne Finlay, Grainne Timmons. Sinead Maher, Olive Lacey and the absolutely fantastic Siobhan Nolan complete with builder’s hat, didn’t leave her down and gave a rapturous performance that got them through to the final.
Some men were born to go on stage – John Hanrick, Shane O’Brien and Robbie Murphy were brilliant as the Bee Gees right down to the hair. They were magic.
And when Sinead Butler came on as Britney, the young lads went crazy and she didn’t lave the down with a raunchy version of One More Time.
And the biggest cheer of the night was kept for fr Jim and his sexy backing singers Ariane Gravilan, Alice Holden and Catherine Nolan.
Helen Carroll said that if Fr Jim did that act every Sunday the church would be full to overflowing.
Mary Gaffney is a natural mover and her Tina Turner performance was electric and she received a deserved standing ovation. She was exceptional and helped make the night ahuge success.
However, straight afterwards hers son Murt as Scary Spice and the four others spicers made their way on to the stage from the back of the hall, like boxers going into the ring, with hooded robes straight out of Lord Of The Rings.
They were fantastic and I will never be able to look Mikey Hayes in the eye again and not laugh as he played Posh Spice to perfection.
Last on stage was Ronan Morrissey and he was excellent singing Is This The way To Amarillo.
this was entertainment at its best and they just about deserved the crown of Lip Sync Legends winners 2017.
This was a mammoth undertaking by the club and it will go down in local folklore for all the right reasons.