Belgooly’s Nicola Desmond Takes Second Place At World Championships
Writes JJ Hurley
The champagne corks were believed to be popping around Ballingarry, Belgooly, during the week, with the news that Nicola Desmond had taken second place in her category at the world floral championships, held in Barbados. Having taken part in the five-day event, which drew competitors from all over the world, Nicola was left speechless following her success, for what is one of the world’s premier competitions for floral artists, to pit their talents against the elite competitors in the discipline.
Previously, she had competed in Boston and Dublin, where her efforts had just fallen short of picking up an award, but this time it was to be the third time lucky for the popular Belgooly resident. Competing in the class- The World of Colour, Nicola’s entry, which had been carefully and methodically planned on the kitchen table, testing her parents’ patience according to Nicola, beat off some stiff competition to take second place, despite the best efforts of the other 13 competitors in her class.
As well as paying a special tribute to her parents, Nicola was also particularly appreciative of the support of her fellow members of the Kinsale Garden and Flower Club, with Eileen O’Brien, Teresa and Derry Murphy, and Nora Lawton coming in for some special praise.
Indeed, Nora Lawton had also travelled to the Caribbean venue to exhibit her skills, but unlike previous appearances at the championships, she was not successful on this occasion. While Nicola will return to Ballingarry for something of a heroe’s welcome, with family friends and neighbours, it will be back down to earth now as she plans for the upcoming national championships in Mullingar, later in the year.
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