County Derry Post

A County Derry teenager was on song this week when she scooped a prestigious all Ireland title.

  By Connla Young

connla@derrypost.com

 

 

Lavey lass Niamh McGlinchey is the toast of Lavey parish after beating off stiff competition to claim the all Ireland solo singing competition at the Scór na nÓg finals held in Athlone Institute of Technology on Saturday.

 

The 16-year-old wooed the judges with a unique and powerful rendition of Raglan Road.

And the people of Lavey rolled out the red carpet as the Gulladuff girl made a triumphant return on Sunday.

 

Dozens of locals packed into Lavey social club to welcome the champion singer home.

 

“I’m completely honoured to have won such a prestigious award at 16,” beamed the proud teenager. “I would like to thank everybody who supported me and all the people who lit candles for me around Lavey.

 

“I was brought back to the club and it was a complete shock. All my family and friends and neighbours were there and I knew nothing about. I would like to thank everyone who helped organise the party including Donal O’Kane, Sean McPeake and Joe and Mary McGurk. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

 

And the fifth year pupil at Saint Patrick’s College, Maghera, says she didn’t feel a twitch of nerves before taking the stage on Saturday.

 

“I was as cool as a cucumber. It was the first time in my whole life I was not nervous going out on stage. I just wanted to enjoy the moment and I did. It was the most special day in my life and I will never forget it.”