Anyone going ? I might go Sunday to hear the piping competitions.
Our friend Joey (John) Abarta from Los Angeles is there in the adult piping. He was in good form at last Sunday’s sesh, and we wish him “break a reed” (well, not that!). 
o yeah
I’m going tomorrow morning
Be sure and let us know how the competitors played and who won, etc.
Tommy
Just heard Joey Abarta won 2nd place in senior uilleann piping.
FAIR PLAY TO YOU JOEY! WOO HOO!
Patrick.
Yaaaaay!!!
Well done Joey. I didn’t travel in the end. Anyone know who won ?
AWESOME!!! Congratulations, Joey!
The winner was a young Italian guy who lives in Limerick and who’s name escapes me (Martemo?)- he played really well on a full Froment set- lots of nice reg work throughout. He was sporting at least 2 ear-rings more than Willie Clancy ever wore 
Joey Abarta played with a lovely, controlled style. He had a pretty natty dress sense too- a touch of the Patsy Touhys there: resplendant in tweed waistcoat, pocket watch and Wolverine-esque sideburns.
Ryan Murphy came 3rd.
Only 6 of the 11 listed competitors turned up.
Such is the working life.
Strange to hear Joey’s playing described as controlled (at least as the main defining feature). Wild and crazy is how I remember it!
At any rate, good for him.
I think his name is Martino Vacca. Congratulations to you!
PD.
Slow Airs result.
1st Martino Vacca, CCÉ, Má Rua / An Cheapach Mhór, Luimneach
2nd Elvin Moynagh, CCÉ, Cum.na bPiobairí Uilleann, Baile Átha Cliath
3rd Ryan Murphy, CCÉ, Carrigdhoun, Corcaigh
Tommy
Here’s the link to the results page: http://www.fleadh2009.com/results-torthai
There’s another Fleadh thread over in the ITM forum here, too: https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/good-luck-to-all-chiffers-competing-in-the-all-ireland/66399/1
I have just come back frae Tullamore and Martino deservedly won both competitions.My heartiest congratulations to him. 
Honestly the quality of piping in all the age groups was fantastic and the 12-15 group was mind blowing.(There was only 1 point difference in the 1st 3)The adjudicator Padraig quite rightly said that the competitions are now almost history as the standard is so good across the board that it was almost impossible to judge.
Happily I was the exception to the rule and ma family in Moate have disowned me for a pish poor performance. 
I just turned to jelly and one mistake became many.
Ma 1st air ended with whit sounded like a motorway crash on the regulators followed by me saying “Ah feck this for a game o soldiers” which raised an eyebrow,and I forgot whit tune I was playing in another .Old age doesnae come on its own… 
I was asked by the judges at the end whit key ma pipes where in?
To whit ma reply was “Slightly flat o B but all the mistakes ,sqeeks & squaks where in Concert Pitch D”
Slán Go Foill
and well done to everyone it was a real pleasure listening to ye all…
Uilliam
COMÓRTAS 7 PÍOB UILLEANN / UILLEANN PIPES
Fé 12
1st Shannon Kearney, CCÉ, Cr.na gComarach, Port Láirge
2nd Éamon Ó Donnchadha, CCÉ, Tlachtga, An Mhí
3rd Colm Ó Foghlú, CCÉ, Teampall an Ghleanntáin, Luimneach
12 - 15
1st Lottie Ní Chulainn, CCÉ, (Cualann), Cill Mhantáin
2nd Grace Lemon, CCÉ, Cambridge Branch, UK
3rd Damien Bannon, CCÉ, Baile Chabháin, An Cabhán
15 - 18
1st Tim Doyle, CCÉ, Cr. Chualann, Baile Átha Cliath
2nd Seán Céitinn, CCÉ, Niall Ó Cathasaigh, Baile an Chollaigh, Corcaigh
3rd Rita Farrell, CCÉ, West London Branch, London, UK
Snr.
1st Martino Vacca, CCÉ, Má Rua /An Cheapach Mhór, Luimneach
2nd John Abarta, CCÉ, Cooley-Keegan Branch, San Francisco, California, USA
3rd Ryan Murphy, CCÉ, Carrigdhoun, Corcaigh
COMÓRTAS 20 PÍOB UILEANN FOINN MALLA / UILLEANN PIPES SLOW AIRS
Fé 12
1st Eithne Nic Mhathúna, CCÉ, Cill Dhéagláin, An Mhí
2nd Fergal Whitely, CCÉ, Cum.na bPiobairí Uilleann, Baile Átha Cliath
3rd Colm Ó Foghlú, CCÉ, Teampall an Ghleanntáin, Luimneach
12 - 15
1st Tara Ní Amhlaigh, CCÉ, Cill Fhionnúrach, An Clár
2nd Lottie Ní Chulainn, CCÉ, Cr. Cualann, Cill Mhantain
3rd Grace Lemon, CCÉ, Cambridge Branch, UK
15 - 18
1st Seán Céitinn, CCÉ, Niall Ó Cathasaigh, Baile an Chollaigh, Corcaigh
2nd Conor Ó Mealláin, CCÉ, Clanbrassil, Ard Mhacha
3rd Fionnán Mac Gabhann, CCÉ, Cr. Naithí, Baile Átha Cliath
Snr.
1st Martino Vacca, CCÉ, Má Rua / An Cheapach Mhór, Luimneach
2nd Elvin Moynagh, CCÉ, Cum.na bPiobairí Uilleann, Baile Átha Cliath
3rd Ryan Murphy, CCÉ, Carrigdhoun, Corcaigh
I see that the under 12’s uilleann piping was won by “Shannon Kearney” from Waterford. Any relation to the late Tommy Kearney?
Thanks a million to everybody!!
Martino
I had the pleasure of hearing Joey play in San francisco a couple of months ago and then at Lark Camp up in Mendocino this month. A more impressive, virtuostic player of the pipes I have never heard, certainly not live, chanter/drones/regulators all a-blazin’, the full regalia. Was thrilled to hear that a Californian was going to the All-Ireland, let alone placing 2nd. Freakin’ brilliant, Joey. 
