The Jig Factor

 

For those about to Jig, we salute you!

7 couples, and 14 dancers have been training since before Christmas. With almost all of them having never Irish danced before, they've been put through their paces to get them up to speed in time for the big event, thanks to the ever patient Noelle and Rhonda from the Kerlin School of Dancing.

The acts will take to the stage aiming to come out on top of this much coveted competition, and earn a contract that will see them tour Strabane and Leckpatrick in a deal that could be worth a few pints to them!

At this stage ALL tickets are sold for the Jig Factor, and we are operating a returns only policy. If anyone is looking for tickets to the event, and want's to go on a stand by list please contact Galvin Early (07521721894) or Joe Hegarty (07712668329).

Tickets are priced at £10.

 

Read below to meet our seven couples!

 

RYAN McSHANE and TANYA DOOHER

Ryan, or Ryan Patrick John McShane for short, was a member of last year's Owen Roes minor winning side, and Omagh CBS' McCormack Cup side. Alongside these medals in his trophy cabinet sits the St.Joseph's PS egg and spoon medal from 2001 (He was third and it was a small intake that year) so therefore is keen to add to his haul of trophies, and he hopes that this will lead to Ryan fulfilling his ultimate ambition which is getting invited to take part in Dancing on Ice (Apologies Ryan thinks that being an Owen Roes senior player affords him celebrity status!)!

Ryan's partner is Plumbridge's, flame haired, waltzing waitress (And secretary), Tanya Dooher. Tanya lists Beyonce Knowles as her inspiration, and claims that the Texan singer/ dancer is a far cousin of the Knowles from out near Ballykeery! So Tanya will be hoping that she's a 'survivor' in the contest, and winning is her 'Destiny'.

 

DAVY HARTE and EVELYN McCOOL

Davy Harte is another of the Club's senior footballers to take to the stage with the aim of winning the Jig Factor. As we know, young Davy shares his name with Tyrone's All Ireland winning wing back from Errigal Ciaran, and there are are some similarities. The Owen Roes Davy is also a wing back and, welll, er, um. Truth be told that's were the resemblances end, unless the Errigal version decides to hit the beer for a month, and get naked for a racy calendar!

Davy's partner on the night is the former Strabane Sigerson's player and IT software guru Evelyn McCool. Evelyn names the dancer that she most admires admires as Shakira. The Columbian chanter is most famous for her hit song 'Hips Don't Lie', and for the fact that is dating Barcelona defender Gerard Piqué! Isn't that an amazing coincidence! Shakira's partner is a famous footballer, and Evelyn's partner on the stage is also a (Please note that the following line has been deleted due to factual inaccuracies).

 

JOE CHRISTY and LUCIA McFADDEN

Joseph Christy's Jig experience has spawned new found fame and possibly a new career! The man from Moorlough tells us that life as a lorry driver has been a lot more difficult since news of his new skills have leaked out. He has been inundated with autograph hunters, paparazzi and calls from keen agents. There are rumours that Joe is being lined up to star as the new Magnum as a replacement to Tom Selleck! He'll certainly be hoping that the judges mark him 5 O on the night (Get it? 5 O? I'll get my coat.)

However if you think that Joe's Jig Factor tale is uplifting, spare a thought for his partner Lucia McFadden. Such was the publicity of her dancing debut that she has been forced to move house! Lucia lists her dance inspiration as Ann Whiticombe, and her ambition is to marry a millionaire, but worryingly adds, that they must have a bad cough. With that comment I think I'll avoid the smart remarks for this one!

 

PETER CRAWFORD and CAROLINE McMULLAN

Peter Crawford's occupation could come in  handy if he wins the Jig Factor. Peter is employed by Harkin's Fireplaces, and there are rumours that Peter has asked the Harkin's design team to design a mantle piece big enough to host the Jig Trophy! However Peter has been down this road before. A big follower of greyhound racing Peter's biggest hope for greyhound glory was called 'Lad'. Months of training and preparation had the great white hope ready to take the greyhound world by storm. However come race night and the lifting of the traps, saw 5 dogs leap from the start line..... except Lad, who remained in the comfort of his cosy trap! So on Jig night Peter will be hoping that things will not be as 'ruff' and that with his 'lead' he'll not 'paws' on the night!

Caroline McMullan will be Peter's trustee sidekick on the night. Caroline is a familiar face around Glenmornan, as she is employed in the Glen shop, or as it's known in the village, the shap. Caroline has told us that she hopes to take her dancing to the next level if she wins the Jig Factor, but quickly adds that she anticipates the next level being retirement! Sources though have indicated that this is simply a ruse by crafty Caroline, and that she is being touted as being the new member of street dance troop Diversity. Keep your eye out for the street moves slipping in tonight! Word!

 

STEPHEN KELLY and NIAMH CHRISTY

Stephen Kelly makes up the male half of the students pairing that is he and Niamh Christy. When asked what he most enjoyed about The Jig Factor, Stephen replied "Thee absolute craic"! Unfortunately Stephen thinks that using the olde English word 'thee', and the Gaelic term 'craic' makes him multi cultural. It doesn't. It just makes you confused! The boy from the Moorlough Road describes his ambitions in life as winning Jig Factor, getting to university, and walking out in Croke Park in a 'green and red jersey'. With that last hope in mind, we'd like to wish Stephen well with his application to the Artane Boys Band.

If Stephen has his head in the clouds, his partner Niamh has to have her feet on the ground, and the Holy Cross College pupil certainly does that. Niamh states that the dancer she most admires is Louis Spence. No doubt Niamh admires Louis' masculinity compared to her Jig partner.  Niamh's ambitions of winning the Jig Factor are two fold. Not only does she want to beat all the other competitors, she also wants to ensure that her father Joe (See above) doesn't get bragging rights in chez Christy for the next few months!

 

KIERON DEVINE and CATHERINE KELLY

The next couple to be introduced to an eager audience is Kieron Devine and Catherine Kelly. Kieron is a familiar face around the club, as he's involved in a fitness capacity for many of our youth and adult teams, by day though he is a bricklayer. So he'll be hoping that he is 'cement' to win this competition, and that he'll not be 'bricking' it on the night. It's interesting to note that Kieron is the only one of our contestants to say that he'll 'miss' the Jig Factor when it's all over. However I am not sure if that is the attraction of the dancing and the routines, or another excuse to get out of the house from his partner in life Julie. I'll leave all yousons to decide that!

Kieron's partner on the stage is hairdresser Catherine Kelly. Catherine will be hoping that life as a stylist will be to her advantage and offer her some 'fringe' benefits on Friday night as she brings her 'razor' sharp skills to the stage. Some of you may have known Catherine prior to her marriage to Jude Kelly, and will know that her maiden name was Henderson. It's a pity that she has dropped that name, because I've watched Kieron's footwork in practice, and this couple were made for the title 'Big foot and the Henderson' (It's an old film, look it up!).

 

DANNY KELLY and SHARON DEVINE

Councillor Danny Kelly turns his attention to the world of dancing as he continues to add to his eclectic mix of occupations and hobbies. Danny's attendance at practice has been somewhat sketchy, so much so that we had to send the truancy officer out to investigate! However in Danny's defence he has been a busy man, and as others practiced, councillor Kelly has been busy getting broadband into Plumbridge! He must be hoping for internet voting on the night at the Jig Factor!

Danny's dancing partner for The Jig Factor will be the ever patient Sharon Devine. Sharon has spent most of her time practicing alone, and at times has felt a bit like Lois Lane from Smallville. As we know Lois Lane spent a lot of her time alone, as Superman dashed off to save the world from destruction. This must be the first time we've ever seen a Superman/ Danny Kelly comparison, which is a sure fire sign that I am running low on material!

 

That's all our acts introduced now. Hopefully we'll see you on the night. The author will be unable to attend due to pending law suits and threats from our dancers.