Teenage line dancer is on top of the world

Emma Courtney (16), from Castleblayney, county Monaghan, has been crowned as an All Star at this year’s World Line Dancing Championships held in Blackpool, England.

Emma travels from Castleblayney with her two sisters, Sinead and Karina, every week - and sometimes twice a week - for dance classes at their club, Struttin’ Stars.

The talented teen has competed at the Worlds for the last five years. She also dances duos and partners with her sister, Sinead.

They have won both these divisions for five years in a row.

The 16-year-old has also won numerous All Ireland, European, Scottish and World titles.

In all, a total of 15 competitors from Struttin’ Stars competed at this year’s World Line Dancing Championships, held in the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Dance instructor Marie McBrien said: “The girls really worked hard to get to the world finals. Each competitor completed three qualifying heats to get to the worlds.

“We came away with six world titles this year and all of our finalists were placed in the top three, so I am very pleased with these amazing results.

“The highlight of this year came when one of our competitors was crowned an All Star.”

Described as a “lifelong dream come true”, the All Star honour is just the latest in a string of top awards for Emma and her two sisters.

Congratulating Emma on her title, club chairwoman, Mary Wray, said: “We have our very first All Star success in this club.

“We are all very proud and wish Emma all the best as she now competes at the highest level in the competition.”

Struttin’ Stars said they would like to thank choreographer Fred Og Whitehouse, for all his support in preparing the dancers.

Fred has also won numerous Pro-Am titles with the Struttin’ Stars competitors.

The club also wishes to thank all who supported the fundraising summer show, as well as Brookeborough GFC for the continued use of their facilities for practise.

Results:

First place, solos - advanced teen, Emma Courtney; novice young adult, Megan Murphy; teenage duos, Emma & Sinead Courtney; partners junior, Emma & Sinead Courtney; partners open, Megan Wray, Rionagh Durnien.

Second place - intermediate young adult, Courtney McGoldrick; advanced young adult, Sinead Courtney; novice junior, Karina Courtney; standard team, Struttin’ Stars.

Third place - novice teen, Jade McMahon; junior duos, Emma Mohan, Seannain Murphy; team of four, Sparkling Stars.

Fourth place - intermediate young adult, Rionagh Durnien; novice junior, Seannain Murphy

Sixth place - novice teen: Alex Thornton; intermediate young adult, Erin Wray.

Pro-Am winners – 1, intermediate young adult, Megan Wray; 2, novice young adult, Erin Wray; intermediate teen, Jade McMahon; advanced young adult, Courtney McGoldrick; 3, newcomer junior, Seannain Murphy; novice teen, Alex Thornton; intermediate young adult, Rionagh Durnien; 4, novice teen, Meaghan Callow; novice young adult, Caoimhe Durnien; 5, newcomer young adult, Megan Murphy.