Having become Irish Senior Champions for the very first time in their 84 year history in 2007, the Murley Silver Band confirmed that it had been no fluke by retaining the title with victory on Saturday at the Marketplace Theatre, Armagh.

Voyage to Ostend

Their performance of the set test piece, ‘Voyage Of Discovery’, was good enough to place them two points ahead of second placed 1st Old Boys. Adjudicator Markus Bach also awarded the band the prize for most musical performance of the day.

Directed by William Hill, who only became MD a few months ago, the Fivemiletown outfit did enough to secure that all important place at the B Section European Championships next year.

Directed by William Hill, who only became MD a few months ago, the Fivemiletown outfit did enough to secure that all important place at the B Section European Championships next year4BR

Hat trick winner

Meanwhile, Alan Graham conductor of Warrenpoint Silver was certainly celebrating after he picked up three first prizes .

The first success was with Hamiltonsbawn Silver in the Fifth Grade Brass, his second was with Warrenpoint Silver in the Fourth Grade Brass and the third with Wellington Memorial Silver in the Third Grade Brass.

Impressive

The most impressive of these three victories was Warrenpoint Silver as they placed three points clear by adjudicator Markus Bach, of the other 5 contenders in the section on the test piece ‘Impromptu’ by Eric Ball.

Wellington Band meanwhile won their section with 90 points 2 points ahead of the other two bands on the test piece ‘Sinfonietta’ by Gareth Downey

The last major win for Warrenpoint was in 1976 in Grade 3, whilst Wellington were last Grade 3 winners in 2000.

Afterwards Alan said that he was very pleased for the three bands and this was a great morale boost for the players who have kept going over the last few years when there was no success.

Results:
Championship Section:
1. Murley silver – 96
2. 1st Old Boys – 94

Grade 2:
1. St Joseph’s Brass – 91
2. Downshire Brass – 89
3. Roughan Silver – 88

Grade 3:
1. Wellington Memorial – 90
2. Newtownards Silver – 88

Grade 4:
1. Warrenpoint Silver – 88
2. Dungarven Brass – 85
3. Poyntzpass Silver – 84

Grade 5:
1. Hamiltonsbawn Silver — 83