The omens for Strictly Come Dancing, a fundraiser for Araglin Community Hall, were encouraging as the event was completely sold out even before the admission tickets were printed.

Expectation, allied to the hype, created a certain amount of pressure on organisers to deliver and this they surely did by serving up a fantastic night's entertainment on Easter Sunday. Normally, this type of show would attract a predominantly local audience, however, for a gig that set about replicating its television counterpart, the appeal was widespread and patrons came from all over to see 11 couples step it out in some style.

The dance competition was amateur in name only as dancers, under the tuition of Aileen McMurtry from Castlelyons, worked long and hard perfecting intricate and physically demanding routines.

Contestants were drawn from a variety of professions with mechanics, gardai, nurses, farmers, carpenters and publicans all represented.

For the record the dancers were: Geraldine Sheehan and John Moore, Lisa Marie Carey Humphries and Christopher Higgins, Nora Flynn and Tom McCarthy, Carmel Kearney and Patrick Sheehan, Sarah Kearney and Laurence Lomasney, Emer O'Keeffe and Dave Browne, Caitriona Sisk and Mitch Barry, Fiona Kenneally and Denis Motherway, Ena O'Sullivan and Eddie O'Donoghue, John Joseph O'Donovan and Fiona Hetherston and a trio of dancers that featured Joan O'Mahoney, Pat Kenneally (Ballyduff) and Jim Kenneally.

Unfortunately, a very talented duo in Declan and Caitriona Ennis had to withdraw because of injury which was hugely disappointing given the effort they put in.

Marie Aylward, Tom Hyland and former national ballroom dancing champion, Maureen Lomasney were the judges. However, to ultimately succeed, dancers also needed to win the public vote. Under very controlled circumstances, the votes were counted and what emerged was a tie between Laurence Lomasney/Sarah Kearney and John Joseph O'Donovan/Fiona Hetherston. Having put everything into their earlier performances, these couples found themselves in a dance-off for ultimate honours.

Needless to say, it was end of the seat stuff and the capacity crowd lapped it up. Laurence and Sarah eventually won the day with John Joseph and Fiona filling the runners-up spot. Emer O'Keeffe and Dave Browne came third with Joan O'Mahoney along with Pat and Jim Kenneally finishing a very creditable fourth. In truth, all the dancers were brilliant.

The show was jointly compered by Kieran and Helen Leddy. Kieran's brother, Tom, who is chairman of the hall committee, said the night was a fantastic success and he thanked everyone who helped make it possible - a sentiment echoed by committee secretary and dancer, Fiona Kenneally who made a presentation to dancing coach, Aileen McMurtry.

For her part, Aileen said the dancers went above and beyond the call of duty in preparing their routines. The only downside for those behind the venture is the job of work they have attempting to better an event that had everything in terms of glamour, excitement and entertainment value.

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