
SCHOOL STARS FINAL ULSTER HALL MONDAY 11TH MAY 2009
The 2009 Winners: Niall McCrickard – lead singer and guitarist, Conor Brannigan – backing singer and bass, Eoin Curran – lead guitarist and Stephen Orme- drums, performing as the Kings of Leon with their hit single ‘Use Somebody.’
Niall, Eoin and Stephen are lower 6th pupils and Conor is an upper 6th pupil at St. Patrick’s Grammar in Downpatrick.
The show was organised by J.W. Promotions and sponsored by UTV and the Sunday Life. Guest judges were UTV’s Pamela Ballentine and Julian Simmons and another main attraction was a guest performance by Eoghan Quigg from the X Factor.
19 acts in all performed on the night from various schools across Ulster and Dundalk. The competition was fierce and the standard was very high, with performances as diverse as solo singers emulating Celine Dion, to duets and well-choreographed dance acts supporting the main singers.
Eoghan Quigg, who pleased the crowds of adoring fans with a mature performance of John Lennon’s classic, ‘Imagine’, was quick to praise the winners. Eoghan had appeared as a finalist in School Stars himself, and was keen to praise the high standard and brave performances on the night. He stated that although he hadn’t won a final himself, that he felt that the competition was a great outlet for the immense talent in the country and that the J.W. Promotions team were very professional in their work with young people.
The boys were ecstatic to be crowned the winners, and their prize money for the night was £1000. Niall McCrickard, who is no stranger to the stage, performing in his family traditional group, along with his own rock band The Skanky Peas, said ‘we have worked so hard to reach the Final, and are so happy to have finally won! ‘
The lead guitarist, Eoin Curran states ‘the night was truly a life changing experience and we certainly won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.’


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FOR NORTHERN COMPETITIONS
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FOR SOUTHERN COMPETITIONS
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School Stars would like to receive photographs or videos from this years shows.
You can email them to photos@starsinyereyes.com
If you have the videos posted on the internet email us the web link.

NORTH: 2009
Winners - Niall, Conor, Eoin & Stephen – Kings Of Leon – Use Sombody - St Patrick’s Downpatrick
2nd Place - Gemma McMeel – Celine Dion – River Deep Mountain High- St Patrick’s College Maghera
3rd Place - Emma Dynes – Eddi Reader – Perfect - St Patrick’s College Dungannon
SOUTH: 2009
Winner – Kylan Ross – Ne-Yo – Closer – St Mary’s High School Dundalk Louth
2nd Place - Emer & Orla Shannon – Aretha Franklin & Annie Lennox - Sisters Are Doin It For Themselves – Ursuline College - Sligo
3rd Place - Chris & Donal – Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven (LIVE ACOUSTIC) – Scoil Mhuire Clane Kildare
The show was born in February 2002 with seventeen schools enrolled to take part in the competition. Since then the competition has grown from strength to strength with over fifty schools taking part in its forth year. Currently in the competitions fifth year hundreds of students across the country will battle it out for a place in the grand final.
A celebrity judging panel decides who will scoop the £5000 prize fund. Past winners have included acts as Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Lionel Ritchie, Anastacia, Bob Dylan
Aretha Franklyn, Etta James and Shania Twain. The standard has been excellent, and this year is no different.
Along with the growing demand for the competition our resources are growing too adding to our high standards of efficiency and professionalism. Every day we are learning more and more and use this to our advantage. We are gradually expanding the competition every year and would be delighted to have your school involved.
In 2003/04 the word had spread about the Ulster competition so we started to expand into the province of Leinster. This is a separate competition with its own Grand Final and prize fund. Now in our third year we have many more schools taking part. A celebrity judging panel decides who will scoop the €1500 prize fund.

We are a Promotions company based on the North Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. As well as promoting 'School Stars' in schools we also have a band Jokers Wild who provide entertainment for numerous weddings and corporate functions. Over the last eight years we have built up a great relationship with Hotel's, Theatres and many many fantastic artists. On top of all this we also provide entertainment at some of the country's biggest festivals and fairs. Each year we have more and more successful events under our belt with estimated figures attending of 80,000 to 100,000 we are the fastest growing entertainment company in Ulster.

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