Waterford man's cinematic dance film makes its sporting mark

A cinematic dance film that celebrates the source and energy of former hurling and camogie stars and their impact in the community has premiered.

Waterford-born choreographer, Fearghus Ó Conchúir's film, ‘All to Play For’, was developed and shot on location in Kilkenny, with multiple All-Ireland medal winners and well-known personalities such as Anne Dalton, Ann Downey, Liam Fennelly and Tommy Malone all featuring prominently.

Their incredible on-field power, talent and skill, and their off-field inspiration as role models, is captured in the short film that uses dance to embody connection, community, drive and determination.

'All to Play For' is one of five community-rooted projects commissioned by Kilkenny County Council’s Public Art Programme 2024-2027, and funded by the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage and Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. 

More than a sports story, 'All to Play For', lifts the viewer into something felt rather than simply seen. 

Fearghus, who is originally from An Rinn, said that after the whistle blows and the lights go down, it's still all to play for.

“I hope the film shows the drive that powers hurling and camogie, a drive you see especially, but not only in the people who excel in the games," he said.

"That drive doesn’t go away when the whistle blows, and I wanted the film to celebrate the fact that there’s always more to play for," he added.

Reflecting on his own background growing up in a strong GAA family, he commented: "I know how camogie, hurling and all the GAA sports shape lives and communities. My dancing comes from that background too and so I’m using it, thanks to the beautiful film work that Stevie Russell has directed, to show something familiar in a new and exciting light.”

Speaking at the film's premiere, Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, said the local authority was proud to support such a public art project, adding that investment is not defined by permanence alone, but by its ability to connect, to inspire, and to engage.

“It is something we are committed to building on; continuing to broaden the scope of what public art can be, and who it is for," she said.

"Tonight, we turn our focus to something deeply embedded in the identity of this county — our extraordinary and proud tradition of hurling and camogie," she added.

Ms Cavanagh said such games were "far more than sport" in Kilkenny, commenting: "They are a living legacy, passed down through generations, woven into the fabric of our communities, our language, and our sense of pride.” 

Seven-time All-Star and two-time All-Ireland senior camogie medal winner, Anne Dalton, said she was completely blown away by the fitness levels of the dancers who performed as part of 'All to Play For'.

“My hope for audiences watching this is that it might open their eyes and their minds to the fact that dancers are athletes," she said.

"Merging dance and sport will hopefully inspire others to train hard, to be as strong as that girl lifting the guy, to get active, play a sport, take up dancing, start something new," she added.

Kilkenny County Council's Arts Officer, Mary Butler, said the local authority’s Public Arts Programme approach to the film and other projects now underway spans a wide range of artforms including visual arts and film, music, literature, and performing arts.

“These projects ensure that the public is not just an audience, but a participant, central to the work itself," she said.

"They create space for people to share their voices and stories, to imagine the future, and to engage with the past in new and meaningful ways," she added.