Meet rhe Dancers (12): Sandra and Kyle:

Sandra Cannon is a member of a family that has been involved with Mullingar Shamrocks for many years and through family involvement in Scór. Sandra has also been involved with St Oliver Plunkett’s where she has played, coached and refereed under-age camogie. Sandra also wished to dance in Strictly Shamrocks in memory of her parents Noel and Mags who were great Mullingar Shamrocks supporters and who shared many an enjoyable night in the Mullingar Shamrocks Clubhouse when the club had its own Ballroom of Romance in Springfield and where the music was often provided by Des Smyth and his band. Des is the father of Sandra’s dancing partner Kyle.

 Kyle Smyth is a native of Killucan and a member of one of Westmeath’s most dedicated GAA families and one with a strong Mullingar Shamrocks connection.  When Mullingar Shamrocks won their last senior football title the team was managed by Kyle’s uncle Ray and included his two first cousins Lorcan and Aengus.  The GAA gene wasn’t as embedded in Kyle but he did play under-age football for Killucan and was part of a very strong set of Mullingar Athletic under-age soccer teams. Kyle (‘Smythuation’ to his friends) is a well-known Mullingar personality and runs the very popular Smyth’s hardware and stove business in Dominick Street. Kyle has appeared on stage with the Mullingar Charity Variety Group and danced in the Mullingar RFC Strictly Scrum Dancing. At weekends, Kyle does some DJ work with an emphasis on Dance music, although this is quite a distance removed from the dance music provided by his father Des over the years.