*
banner

Results: 93rd Championship of Ireland

1st Old Boys take the honours in Armagh under the baton Michael Fowles.

Fowles
 

The results for the 93rd Championship of Ireland Contest organised by the North of Ireland Bands Association in Armagh on Saturday 16th October saw Mike Fowles lead 1st Old Boys Band to the title.

Victory

Their performance of Kenneth Downie's 'St Magnus' saw them claim victory over rivals Laganvale, with Murley Silver in third.

In addition the 'Best Instrumentalist' award went to Old Boy's John Egan, whilst the band also picked up the Irish Tourist Board Trophy for the best performance of the day.

Adjudicator Alan Fernie stated that there had been three excellent performances with two outstanding bands, whilst his his words the winning band had 'super soloists and created some magic moments'.

There was even more success on the day for the Old Boys Band as their youth ensemble came runner up in the newly created youth section.

Results:
Adjudicators: Alan Fernie

Championship:
1. 1st Old Boys Silver (M. Fowles) — 95
2. Laganvale (Metal Technology) (E. Ruddock) — 94
3. Murley Silver (W. Hill) — 93

Best Soloist: John Egan (1st Old Boys)


2nd Grade:
1. Downshire Brass (M. Alcorn) — 89
2. 3rd Carrickfergus (D. Graham) — 88
3. Drogheda Brass — 87

Best Bass Section: Drogheda Brass
Best Cornet Section: Downshire Brass


3rd Grade:
1. Comber Silver (W. Thompson) — 85
2. St Mark's Silver (C. McBride) — 84
3. CWA Brass (F. Moore) — 83


4th Grade:
1. Dungannon Silver (F. Mitchell) — 83
2. Warrenpoint Silver (S. Murray) — 81


5th Grade/Unaffiliated:
1. Letterbreen Silver (S. Crooks) — 79
2. Greystone Silver (E. Dalton) — 78
3. Banbridge Silver (A.Cooke) — 77

Junior Brass:
1. Roughan Silver Junior (K. Anderson) — 82
2. 1st Old Boys Silver Junior (Mrs J Bingham) — 81
3. Downshire Brass Junior (M. Alcorn) — 80

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Ben Dixon

Dixon docks at Marsden for York challenge

July 24 • Grimethorpe MD, Ben Dixon will lead Marsden Silver Prize Band at the First Section National Finals.


nybbs

Scottish youth ready for NYBBS experience

July 24 • 143 talented young players will head to Perthshire for what promises to be an inspirational week of fun and serious music making.


Band Supplies

Band Supplies: The new Sterling Royale Euphonium and Baritone now available

July 24 • Band Supplies has taken stock of the eagerly anticipated Royale Euphonium and Baritone from Sterling Instruments.


Bandamonium

Countdown on for Bandamonium

July 23 • There will be bandamonium in Devon on Saturday 25th July — and you can enjoy it all live and on demand thanks to NXTOD.


Sherborne Town Band - Free Music in the park

Sunday 26 July • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park

Sunday 9 August • Summer Concert- Trowbridge Park BA14 8AH


Regent Hall Concerts - Cross Bones Trombone Quintet

Friday 21 August • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 23 August • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Sherborne Town Band - Free-Music in the park

Sunday 13 September • Sherborne, Dorset-Pageant Gardens DT9 3NP


Ashington Colliery Band

July 24 • Front Row Cornet & Tenor Trombone. We're a friendly, ambitious Second Section band based in South East Northumberland just north of Blyth. We rehearse Tuesdays & Thursdays, 19:30-21:30, and transport can be provided depending on location.


Rushden Town Band

July 23 • Trombone and Bb bass positions available.


Chinnor Silver

July 21 • We are looking for PERCUSSIONISTS to join our ambitious,friendly and hard working 1st section band.Rehearsals are on Wednesdays in our own bandroom (no setting up and down). Good but realistic diary of concerts and contests including tour abroad in 2027.


Phillip Littlemore

GGSM, AoBBA Member
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Arranger, Teacher and Publisher


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd