Massive Disappointment

Placed last at Nationals. Our team was beyond shocked. In fact, we would have been less shocked if a throng of wild elephants were set loose inside of our hotel. Apparently, that is the sentiment of Irish Dance world as well, so at least we are slightly vindicated.

Megsdancemumblings has posted an incredibly detailed account of the incident, so please read.

The message boards (sort of the barometer of Irish Dancing), have literally exploded into a mess of conspiracy theories, nasty jibes, and basically support for us. While I don't agree with the overall nastiness, it does feel a little good to know that other people thought the results were wonky. Here are some selections from the boards (I have left in the spelling errors and typos. The bold text represents my comments):

Comment 1: Check out the adult irish dancing board to see whats going on here. The adult competition was a mess with the placements. 2 teams were not placed that absolutely should have placed. Bremer danced to the wrong music and were placed 1st by a judge. NOTE: this poster is incorrect. Celtic Academy danced to the wrong music, not Bremer. One judge never awarded a 2nd or 3rd place. NOTE: I never heard this. These results are ridiculous and its the talk of NAN's . Unfortunately for 2 teams of 8 women that should have placed the NAN's committee decided to call them back to the stae after awards to embarrass them by giving them medals and not tell them what place they came in. I guess they were avoiding egg on the committees face. Shame on them. The judges should know at championship level if a dancer dances to the wrong music you dont give them 1st place. This whole competition was an insult to every adult dancer the way this hosting committee handled it. Every team was good but the judges blew it. Shame on the hosting committee !!! You made fools of all adult dancers!

Comment 2: Unless you were there and witnessed what happened in this competition you cant say a statement like that. Everyone that witnessed these ladies dancing knows that something dirty went on with those marks. What a shame.2 teams went home with a placement that they should not have gotten. It will have to remain in their heads that they know they should not ave been in that placement . I know if it was me and I knew I did not deserve the place I git it would really bother me. I guess I have morals Ummmm....wow.

Comment 3: Well as of this morning (Sun) this is what is being said. Yes, I am ana dult dancer but my team did not compete this year .Yesterday each judge was called in (not before the committee) HMMMMMM interesting.Asked about their placement of only the 1st team- Bremer.(which seems pretty odd) 2 of the judges had them placed 4th and 5th. Note: this poster is incorrect. Bremer received a 1st, a 2nd, and a 5th. One placed them 1st. Discrepancy #1. This judge is also from the same region as this team. HMMMMMMMM more interesting. The committee (wonder if the really exists) said that new rules will be enforced because of what happened in this competition- YOU DANCE TO THE WRONG MUSIC YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED and then another rule about ringing the bell. So this competition results have really changed team competition. The way it should have placed after all the reviewing was O'Rourke 1st, O'Leary 2nd and Culkin 3rd. What a differenece! And we all move on........

Its a shame what happened but maybe it will open up peoples eyes to see that ID competitions like this are not run fairly. Yes there is indeed favoritism by certain judges and yes the judges do make huge mistakes . I wish all the teams that did not place were they should have the best of luck . Come back next year and take what is rightfully yours. I know you are hurting right now but in our hearts we know who the winners are. Its just a stupid trophy or crystal dish. You put your hearts out there and you made the adult competitors very proud. Keep up the good work

I have my own theories as to what exactly happened, but they will stay between me and my team. As for now, we will regroup, and begin practicing for the Oireachtas. You can't keep the Culkin ladies down!