With another long winters practice behind everybody the countdown to 2008 outdoor season as thoroughly begun. However the start to the new season will be slightly different compared to that of previous years.
With the cancellation of the Malahide competition it was decided by the N.I Branch to move the Banbridge indoor competition to the date of 17th May and hold it as an outdoor competition. This will give the bands a chance of a final shakedown before the Scottish Championships.
With almost 50 bands entered, it is promising to be a great day with four grade 1 bands on the draw including the big two of Field Marshal Montgomery and St Laurence O'Toole. Annsborough will be making their debut as a grade 2 contender, the band will be playing first of four bands in the grade at 15.50
Annsborough Pipe Band was represented in the best possible way at the Ulster Solo Piping and Drumming Championships at Monkstown. Their star soloist Eoin Rogers, in only his third solo drumming competition came away as 2008 Ulster Solo Drumming Champion in the Under 14 drum pad section.
Congratulations to Eoin from the Committee and members of Annsborough Pipe Band
Eoin Rogers - Ulster Solo Drumming Champion Under 14 Drum Pad
Meanwhile Allen Tully proved to much too handle in the senior piping at the Ulster Solos. The St Laurence O'Toole player winning the Ulster title over Johnathon Greenless in 2nd who also won the Open Piobaireachd and Andrew Carlisle in 3rd place. In the Senior Drumming Chris McNicholl of Strathclyde Police came to the top of the
section ahead of FM men Gavin Noade and Philip Bell.
2008 Ulster Solo Piping and drumming
championships results below
