A newly-formed dance crew from ATU Donegal stepped up to make history in the Dance Intervarsities this week.
The group wowed onstage at the Cork Opera House yesterday, with captain David Friel taking home the award for Best Choreography in the Mixed Piece Category.
ATU Music & Dance Donegal was established last October as the first-ever team to compete from the university. They started as a group of 12 strangers, but soon fell into step with each other to become a diverse and dynamic team.
The group is made up of only three dancers with previous dance experience. The other nine students are individuals who had the motivation and passion to prove that no matter what background you come from or college course you study, you can achieve anything.
They said: “Not only did we compete and get a rapturous standing ovation from the crowd in attendance but our very own Captain David Friel won the best Choreography award for the Mixed Piece Category, one of only two individual awards which are held in high regard.
“We would like to thank Michael Murphy and the ATU Donegal sports centre for the support of own team.
“We would also like to thank the staff in An Danlann who facilitated us through out the year and helped us make the dream become reality.
“Lastly, thank you and congratulations to UCC (University College Cork) for hosting an incredible competition filled with the best talent in Ireland we are thoroughly honoured to have taken part.”
Watch the ATU Dance routine in full at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cAhvsDshC8fFVhp97ooAzuArjX4LYhoA/view?usp=drivesdk