The range of talents exhibited by the young people in this club of ours never ceases to amaze. The downside of this of course is that Gaelic football may lose out as careers progress in different directions and that is great to see too. After all Niall Horan has travelled quite the distance since he first joined Mullingar Shamrocks and the then equivalent of Na SeamrÓigí. Conor Moore too. Conor and Seán O’Brien, Aidan Keena, Mark Irwin, John McKay, Frank Kavanagh, Robbie McCarthy, Derek Magee, Conor Gilsenan, Claire Fagan, the list is endless.

Kian Newcombe from our Under-14 squad was in the news again during the week as reported in the Westmeath Examiner after he earned a dancing role in the  Irish National Youth Ballet’s (INYB), The Nutcracker which will be part of the INYB 30th anniversary performances, in December.

Kian, who trains under Anne-Marie Bentick, has shown incredible dedication – he’s been attending rehearsals every week, even with a broken bone in his foot.

Lindsay Ashe-Browne, artistic director of INYB, commended Kian’s resilience. “His commitment to continuing with us despite his injury speaks volumes about his passion and determination to excel in dance.”

Funded by the Arts Council, INYB provides a platform for young dancers, allowing them to train with internationally acclaimed teachers and perform in semi-professional productions.

Many former members have gone on to professional ballet careers, and this opportunity gives Kian a solid foundation for his future in the arts.

Kian takes the stage at Samuel Beckett Theatre from December 6-8 including matinee and evening shows.

If you want a new entertainment experience and want to see Kian in action then the dates and times are as follows: 

Friday December 6. 12pm and 7.30pm; Saturday December 7. 2pm and 7.30pm; Sunday December 8. 1pm and 6pm. Book at inybco.com/the-nutcracker-christmas-2024/.