Kinnegad’s PJ Cannon and Tyrrellspass’ Ulrika Maher danced their way to glory at last Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing competition at the Mullingar Park Hotel in aid of Coralstown/Kinnegad GAA Club.
By Michelle Crawley
Dancing the cha cha, Ulrika and PJ impressed competition judges, Tomás Ó Flahartha, former Westmeath GAA manager, Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell, and Davy Mooney, whose scores accounted for 30% of the vote, and the audience, whose votes made up the remaining 70% of the vote.
“BEST EXPERIENCE”
Speaking to Topic following the win, PJ Cannon, who was sponsored in the competition by Brian Coyne’s Bar, described his experience as “the best”.
“I never felt such a buzz in my life as the one on Saturday night. I was very apprehensive at the beginning but I went for it and I am glad I did. It really was the best experience,” he said.
PJ, who works as a boat operator, says that last Saturday night’s achievement is up there amongst his greatest, but nothing compared to his three children, Laura, Grainne and Sinéad, who he says are his greatest achievement. Having won a county final medal for his club in the past, PJ compared the two feelings and says while he would have been more comfortable lining out on the pitch than taking to the dance floor, the feeling of winning on Saturday night was like winning a county final medal! “It is a completely different experience. I never danced before but I went for it and I’d encourage anyone to go for it,” he said enthusiastically.
By his side on the dance floor was Ulrika Maher from Tyrrellspass, who PJ says was “magnificent” and guided him throughout the whole process. Ulrika, a primary school teacher, was sponsored by Audrey Byrne and Co. Solicitors and Ryan’s Auto Garage, and is no stranger to performing, as a former member of the Tullamore Gospel Choir. On the night, PJ and Ulrika were the last to take to the dance floor, dancing to “Ugly Heart by G.R.L,” a dance sponsored by Kinnegad and District Credit Union and Joe Maxwell.
HUGE ATTENDANCE
The fundraiser, which was compered by Ronan Collins, proved to be extremely popular on the night with over 1,000 spectators in attendance. All funds raised will go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the GAA club. Rosie Cannon, a member of the organising committee told Topic that the “response was fantastic” and says the club are very appreciative of everyone who backed them, came along and attended the event, or gave up their time and helped out on the night.
RECAPTURE THE
MEMORIES
The event was recorded by J.J. Farrell and a DVD of the wonderful evening of entertainment is in the pipeline and will be out in time for Christmas! So if you are looking for the perfect stocking filler, why not relive the memories and the highlights of the show with the DVD this Christmas!
