Scór Sinsir Chill Mhantáin Tráth na gCeist

Table quiz, split into 10 rounds of 6 questions. Here are the categories of questions for the Tráth na gCeist.

Tráth na gCeist (4 per team)

  • Gaelic & Ladies Football

  • Camogie and Hurling

  • General GAA Round

  • Irish Current Affairs

  • Irish history

  • Irish geography

  • World history and geography

  • World Current Affairs

  • General Knowledge

    Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh!

    Best of luck!

BLESSINGTON GAA completed a memorable four-in-a-row of Scór Tráth a gCeist titles on Friday night last in Echelon Park Aughrim, taking home the first adult county title of the year with six points to spare over Ballymanus, the last club other than Cros Bhaile Coimin to win this title. The Blessington quartet of Declan Reape, Tommy McDonnell and the two Pats - Molly and Brennan - led or co-led from pillar to post on Friday night but were given a stern examination by Ballymanus and Coolkenno throughout the evening.

For the majority of the initial 10 rounds, it was Coolkenno who kept pace with the now perennial champions. After three rounds it was Blessington and the team from the Carlow border who tied for the lead at 17 each. At this point, it was Knockananna who held the third spot - opening up with three consistent rounds of 5/6 This represented a fine return to Scór for Cnoc an Eanaigh.

Other clubs who were either making their returns after long absences or their first ever appearance at Scor Trath na gCeist on Friday included Naomh Padraig, Ashford, Coolkenno LGA and Naomh Teagain. It must be said, however, that you would never have guessed that this was these clubs' first appearance given the high scores being posted on the scoreboard by county PRO, Shauna Kelly.

At the halfway point, Blessington had eked out a small advantage over the Coolkenno foursome of Shane Byrne, Steve Donoghue, Colum O'Rourke and Alan O'Cal-laghan - 26 to 24. Ballymanus had, at this point, annexed third place from Knockananna - albeit by the minimum - 21 to 20.

Blessington's lead would stretch to three at one point but by the end of the 10 rounds, Coolken-no had finished strongly to reduce the arrears to the minimum - 52 to 51. Ballymanus' consistent scoring rate saw them take third on 46 with St Pat's pipping Carnew to fourth spot - both clubs having really surged in the final three rounds. On then to the four individual rounds to which Ballymanus, Coolkenno and Blessington advanced. In this section, each correct answer is worth two points so the complexion of the scoreboard can change quite quickly with 40 points on offer over the course of the four five question rounds.

Coolkenno, having been right on Blessington's heels, slipped back significantly. It was the Ballymanus four of Ann Doyle, Brendan Doyle, Michael O'Keeffe and Pádraig Healy who kept pace, matching Blessington round for round, score for score. However, they just couldn't claw back the six points (or three correct answers) that they needed to land their first Tom Walsh Shield since 2018.

When the scores were totted up, there were still those six separating them - 74 to 68. Coolkenno had to settle for third on a score of 58. Cathaoirleach CLG Chill Mhantáin, Damien Byrne, presented the Tom Walsh Memorial Shield to a delighted Blessington team who are becoming renowned county wide for their quiz prowess. They now advance to provincial level. At the time of writing, it was not yet confirmed if that would be to a Leinster semi-final or final. Altogether, 11 clubs took part in the Trath na gCeist this year.

Máistir na gCeisteanna, Liam O'Loughlin, commented that it was great to see such growth in the competition in recent years with the title now hotly contested each year. No doubt Ballymanus, Coolkenno and a host of other challengers will be eager to stop Blessington's drive for five in 2025 (doesn't that have a bit of a ring to it!).

Adh mór ar Bhaile Coimín sa chad bhabhta eile. Best of luck to Blessington in the next round.

Sheila Naughton returned to the stage after taking a break from Scór in 2023 and won the Wicklow County Final in the Aithriseoireacht (Recitation) category on 22 March 2024 which was hosted by Blessington GAA. Sheila went forward to represent the club in the Leinster semi-final in Oulart on 6 April 2024 and progressed to the Leinster Final which was held in The Downs GAA on 21 April 2024. Unfortunately, this was the end of the journey for Sheila but she did herself and the club proud.

Asia O’Riordan won the Amhránaíocht Aonair (Solo singing) category on 22 March 2024 which was hosted by Blessington GAA. Asia went forward to represent the club in the Leinster semi-final in Oulart on 6 April 2024. Unfortunately, this was the end of the journey for Asia but she did herself and the club proud.