Congratulations to Leona Hoey winner of the Clonmore Great Variety X Factor 2009

16 acts made it through the first two heats to the final night. In front of a large crowd in the Ryandale first to take the stage were a group of local Clonmore girls who though as talented as any of the main acts were deemed to be a little too young this year, hence their name "Maybe Next Year". No doubt they will be back. Well done Rachel Pearson, Lauren Dynes, Orlagh Casey, Louise Grimley, Ailis Taylor and Niamh McBennett. There was praise all round for the opening act.

First act proper was Aine Tennyson from Maghery singing "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson.

Act 2 was Carrickmore native Michael Donnelly. Michael has competed in talent contests before and taking to the stage with umbrella he sang Gene Kelly's "Singin' in the rain". This was a solid performance.

Act 3 were GLS three friends who we found out were cousins studying in Belfast. They included Clonmore girl Grace O'Flynn, also Louise Quin and Shauna O'Neill. They sang "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. The judges picked up on the mixture of "Lovely harmonies and solos". Reference was made to early Wilson Philips.

Act 4, from Beragh was country fan Niall Donnelly, mechanic by day, cowboy hat wearing singer by night. Singing "The River" by Gareth Brooks the high standard set so far continued. Noted by the judges were "Conviction, confident key change, and a natural voice for country music2. The judges felt he should get a band and get on the road.

Before each act took to the stage patrons saw a preview of their route to the final on two screens in the hall. Also the contestants spoke about their feelings on being in the final. The compare remarked how the audience was "Enthralled by the performers".

Act 6 was Shauna McStravock from Ardboe. Singing "The Streets of Heaven" (Sherrie Austin). The judges were full of praise with words like "Believable", "Real", "Convincing", with a "Bold, strong attractive voice that suited the song and connected with the audience".

After a humorous tale by the compare next up were Act 7. TRT were the first group singing their own composition "Walking Tall", these three A’ Level students are studying music of course. Another fine performance in the "Style of the Arctic Monkeys" they showed "A lot of background work with a variety of their own songs".

Last of the acts before the interval were a group of Clonmore men who have honed their voices with the Clonmore Choir. No Trackin' Backs reached the final after being voted through by the audience. The judges claimed they knew this would happen and didn't vote them just through to play along, well they made it anyhow and they didn't disappoint with the Eagles song "Take it Easy". The judges felt it was a "Nice laid back performance with the choir influence and a good varied 2,2,2 theme". After some good banter with the compare we heard the band had enjoyed singing.

During the interval "Maybe Next Year" sang "Eternal Flame" and Maeve McCarney sang "Proud Mary".

After the break it was the turn of The Gatsby's who sang "99 Red Balloons". The judges were impressed by the "Large range of voices" and a "Strong finish to a challenging song".

Act 10 was Lorraine Tierney from Ballygalley singing Leona Lewis' "Happy". This was judged to be a "Good choice" of song which "Suited her voice" and a "Capable" performance.

Act 11 was Clonmore girl Lauren Foye, though Lauren was keen to point out that she is a dyed in the wool Tyrone woman, involved with the school choir and the Clonmore choir. This performance of "Don't Stop Believin'" got the crowd fully involved. The judges felt this was a "Perfect song" for her and that she had "Great tone and could do it". Further she "Made the song her own and had great crowd reaction", the crowd gave a huge applause when the song had finished.

On to Act 12 from Cullyhanna came Leona Hoey who sang "Hallelujah", again another fine performance. The judges commented "Beautiful tone with a great falsetto at the end, richness, dynamic control". We heard also how Leona "Made the song, her own" and how as in previous nights the song was "In perfect tune" with "The best voice control".

Act 13 was Donna McMahon singing "The Voice Within". Donna is involved in musicals and her performance was judged as "Good voice control with a difficult song".

Act 14 were a slight novelty as they were a change from the young hopefuls just starting out, in that here we had three priests from Tyrone, Armagh and Derry hence the name The TAD Priests. In their preview video they raised a laugh, with their ambition to tour the 'States if they won. "Lisnahull, Ballysaggart...” They sang "Bright Blue Rose" by Jimmy MacCarthy. On "Judgment day" they were "Well balanced, in tune throughout" with a "Lovely acapella ".

Second to last was Shauna Donnelly from Brantery with "Ave Maria". We heard in the preview video how this competition was the first time Shauna sang in front of an audience. Very graciously she wished all the other contestants well and hoped the crowd enjoyed it. The judges again praised another good performance.

The final act was another group "Booze, Bitches & Bling" who sang Black Eyed Peas "I Got a Feelin'". A great end to a great night as the band played out to an appreciative audience.

So it was voting time. Here again "Maybe Next Year" entertained with "I think we're alone now".

Along with the program handed out to guests on arrival by members of the organising team was a voting slip. More members of the team collected these votes. Mention to the many hands that had team badges on display who were there at every turn to keep things running smoothly. Along with the outstanding quality of performances was the outstanding professional way in which the event was organised. Everything was covered from Wes Taylor's sound and video production to Gerard Gunningham's direction. Also the "background team" which included Anne Donaghy, Teresa McBennett, Rosaleen Taylor, Caroline McKee, Maurice O'Neill, Kieran Conlon, Marcella Molloy, Paul Grimley, Mark Quigley and Dominic Molloy. Apologies if I missed anyone here, none of this would be possible without the time and experience given freely by those involved. Also thanks to the finalists, interval acts and those to who missed out on the final night. Thanks also to program sponsors; STEP, Whitemountain and ethna mcsweeney, Finally thanks to Vincent Daly and staff in the Ryandale, and of course the many people whose support is most vital in these fundraisers the paying public. Hopefully you got back an equal return and that you can enjoy the end product namely the new building development which is there for everyone to use and take ownership of.

Results time and with all the acts up on the stage the winners were announced by the Compare and prizes awarded by club Chairman Dominic Molloy.

These were:

Audience vote - Lauren Foye
Best band - the Gatsbys
Best group - the Priests
Best solo - Leona Hoey
Overall winner - Leona Hoey

The interval act gave a special presentation to Roisin McAliskey who mentored them in the run up to the final.

There are more events in the pipeline not just those organised by the club. Clonmore has many strings to its bow not least the excellent Church choir. A special event in the not too distant future is a special Carol service, which is being held in St Patrick’s Church Dungannon on Sunday 13th of December. The TAD Priests will be singing along with the Clonmore choir. More details will be in the press and online.