Field Marshal edges SLOT at All-Ireland
Banbridge, Northern Ireland – July 4, 2015 – Field Marshal Montgomery and defending champions St. Laurence O’Toole went head-to-head at the 2015 All-Ireland Championships along with Cullebacky and Ravara, and it was FMM that emerged overall champions. But SLOT gave the 2014 World Champions a run for their money by obtaining a tie in the Medley section, with FMM wining on ensemble preference. FMM had staright firsts in the MSR.
Grade 1
Medley
1st Field Marshal Montgomery (2,1,2,1)
2nd St. Laurence O’Toole (1,2,1,2)
3rd Ravara (3,4,4,3)
4th Cullybackey (4,3,3,4)
Judges: Tone Sloane, Frank Connolly (piping); Gordon Craig (drumming); Peter Snaddon (ensemble)
MSR
1st Field Marshal Montgomery (1,1,1,1)
2nd St. Laurence O’Toole (2,2,2,2)
3rd Cullybackey (4,3,3,3)
4th Ravara (3,4,4,4)
Judges: John Moles, Winston Pollock (piping); Sandy Steele (drumming); Ciaran Mordaunt (ensemble)
Grade 2
1st Bleary & District (1,2,2,1)
2nd Police Service of Northern Ireland ( 2,1,1,3)
3rd Mannorcunningham (3,4,3,2)
4th Thiepval Memorial (4,3,4,4)
Judges: John Moles, Winston Pollock (piping); Sandy Steele (drumming); Ciaran Mordaunt (ensemble)
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The ensemble placing on both boards is unfair on SLOT, IMHO, given how far behind (the piping) FMM’s drumming was at times. The entry to the last phrases in the March (MSR – second part in particular) were really poor for what one should expect of ensemble at that lofty level. Not just mildly imprecise either. Overtly bad. The drumming in FM’s medley also sounded like it needed a kick up the backside the whole way through. This is not an isolated case either. The round tunes in particular seem to leave the drummers in their wake. I admire FM for the sound and piping, but I do find their drumming (and resultant ensemble) to be a frustrating listen for the above reasons. Fantastic (unrivalled) sound and unison playing, but they are there for the taking if an ensemble judge has the chops to hear it and also call it, in my opinion.