A few showers didn’t dampen the spirits of the NI Branch bands at the 2014 World’s. All the headlines will feature the 4-in-a-row, 10-time Grade 1 World Champions Field Marshal Montgomery. A superb achievement and testament to the commitment, ability and hunger that the band, and especially PM Richard Parkes, posess to maintain the standard for such a long period of time. While FM were the only band from the Branch to take first prize we also have two World Champion Drum Majors in Juvenile World Champion Lauren Abraham (Raffrey) and Junior World Champion Zoe McDowell (Aughintober).
The Branch also supplied more than its fair share of finalists and Prize Winners in both Bands and Drum Major competitions.
Bands
Grade 1: World Champions Field Marshal Montgomery with Cullybackey also making it through to a very competitive final. Our IPBA friends St. Laurence O’Toole had another impressive result taking 3rd place in PM Allen Tully’s first year in charge.
Grade 2: Bleary & District ran a very close second to Bagad Brieg from France with Aughintober and PSNI also making the final.
Grade 3A: Ballybriest took 5th and Annsborough 6th while Tullylagan also made the grade final.
Grade 3B: Upper Crossgare collected a commendable 3rd with Matt Boyd Memorial pipped into 4th place with Colmcille also making the final. Frequent I.P.B.A. visitors Thiepval Memorial took the World Title in 3B with Achill also making the final.
Grade 4A: Closkelt managed 4th place with Marlacoo and District 6th. McNeillstown and Battlehill also made the final. IPBA Tralee Pipes and Drums were placed 3rd with St. Patrick’s Bandon also making the final.
Grade 4B: Whitewater took the highest place for the Branch with 4th ahead of Ballyboley in 5th. The McDonald Memorial also made it through to the final along with IPBA colleagues Gorey and Clontibret.
Drum Majors
Adult: NI Branch accounted for 5 of the 6 finalists with Samantha Gordon (FMM) taking the runner-up spot on M&D preference ahead of Brian Wilson (Lomond & Clyde) in 3rd. The rest of the prizes taken by Paula Braiden (Cullybackey) 4th, Alicia Dickson-Hamilton (Matt Boyd Memorial) 5th, Lauren Hanna (Drumlough) 6th.
Juvenile: Again another 5 from 6 of the prize winners were from the NI Branch with Lauren Abraham (Raffrey) the 2014 World Juvenile DM Champion. Emma Barr (PSNI) finished a close 2nd with James Kenney (Whitewater) 4th, Caitlin D Graham (Upper Crossgare) 5th and Joanne Graham (William Kerr Memorial) 6th making up the remainder of the prize list.
Junior: The top 5 prizes in the Junior grade went to NI Branch Drum Majors with Zoe McDowell (Aughintober) the 2014 World Junior DM Champion. Rachel Lowry (Armaghbreague) 2nd and Jamie Cupples (Killeen) 3rd were close behind. Lana Gibson (Major Sinclair Memorial) 4th, Darcey McIlroy (Raffrey) 5th and IPBA Kathy Hunter (Manorcunningham) 6th completed the prize list.
