Meath stars set for Broadway Challenge
Just one sleep to go until Meath GAA present their Broadway Challenge in Donaghmore/Ashbourne clubhouse and nerves are jingling as over 60 personalities from the Meath GAA world conclude their preparations to thread the boards in this musical extravaganza.
It's certainly a long way from Carnegie Hall, but there have been hours and hours of practice poured in by the performers who include members of the Meath senior football, senior hurling, ladies football and camogie teams who will put their singing and dancing skills to the test.
First scheduled to take place in early October the Broadway fundraiser was put back to Saturday 26th November to allow players who were still involved with teams in the latter end of championships take part, but for the last few weeks it has been full steam ahead.
Under the guidance of renowned musical and performance director Martina Dixon 60 of Meath GAA's players, officials, supporters and even members of the media have been treading the concrete floors of Dunganny in an effort to perfect their art.
The idea is very simple. Seven troupes will perform songs and dance routines from famous Broadway (or off-Broadway) musicals and their performances will be judged by a panel including Mary Duff, Gerry McEntee, Sean Boylan and Alisha McNally.
Among those hoping to catch the eye of the judges include senior county footballers Donal Keogan, Mickey Burke, Mickey Newman and Donnacha Tobin.
They will be joined by former county star Paddy Gilsenan and members of the Meath Ladies football team Hannah Heskin, Aideen Guy, Ailbhe McHugh, Niamh Lister and Blathnaid Keogh to perform numbers from hit musical Grease.
Other Meath senior footballers Brian Power and Bryan McMahon will link up with Shane Maguire, Christopher Harrington, Emma Dowd, Emma Troy, Aoife Traynor and Sarah Bagnall to perform a medley of Motown hits from the musicals.
Michael Jackson will be remembered with a series of hits including 'Thriller' to be performed by Paul Mullery, Eddie Phelan, Kyle Dixon, Ashling McEntee, Katie Queeney, Helen McEntee, Emma Carry, Aileen Curran and Donna O'Brien.
Christy Ring Cup Champions 15 winners James Toher and Adam Gannon will be joined by the Meath Chronicle's Fergal Lynch, Meath Ladies Senior football captain Paul Dunne, Eimear Hubble from Wolfe Tones and Lobinstown's Hazel Meade for some numbers made famous by the Blues Brothers.
Ashling McEntee, Katie Queeney, Sharon Carroll, Carol O’Neill, Charolette White, Andrew Lenehan, LMFM's Paddy Joe Moran, Dessie Smyth, Fergus Harmon and Gordon Spillane will thrill the audience with 'The Elvis Experience'.
ABBA's songs from Mamma Mia! will get the Meath GAA treatment from Arthur Reilly, Eamon Hubble, Paddy Doyle, Colm McManus, Anne Burlingham, Karen O’Reilly, Martina Doyle, Amanda Golden, Ally Doherty and Aoife Mooney.
The final act will see John Allen, Jim Mullery, Evan Dixon, Anthony Monaghan, Coleen Hynes, Sandra Keelan and Becky O’Toole jive to Saturday Night Fever.
There will also be entertainment on the night from internet comedy sensation Rorys Stories as well as renowned countery singer Mary Duff.
Tickets are priced at €20. After each group perform, 50% of votes goes to judges and 50% on a public vote to be crowned Meath Broadway champions. Dudley Farrell will be MC for what promises to be a special night. Tickets are available from the performers, Jack Kiernan's Navan and from Meath GAA Co Board official Martin O'Halloran pro.meath@gaa.ie or (087) 2770887.
The Meath Chronicle will carry coverage from the night on Facebook Live, so if you can't make it to Donaghmore/Ashbourne's clubhouse on Saturday night be sure to find us on Facebook.