Mayo Community Games competitors made the long journey to the South East Technological University in Carlow on Saturday last to compete in the ALDI National Community Games track and field finals. It certainly was a busy day with 28 track events taking place along with 14 field events.
A total of 10 individual medals were won along with two sets of relay team medals by athletes from Mayo Community Games. Over two thousand children took part in the national finals in the sweltering heat which reached over 30 degrees in Carlow.
Over 7,000 bottles of water were distributed on the day to keep everybody hydrated. Several thousand parents, officials, volunteers and supporters poured into the splendid venue to witness the best of competitive action from children who travelled from all corners of the country.
Congratulations to Kayla Garvey from the parish of Shrule / Glencorrib / Kilroe who ran to the best of her ability to secure a treasured gold medal in the girls 60 metres under 8 final.
Kyle Gleeson from Claremorris is a great athlete and he picked up a gold medal in the boys 60 metre hurdles under 10 event in some style and with great technique.
Ciara Jennings from the town of Castlebar had a marvellous day winning her heat earlier in the day, before finishing in second position to take a silver medal in the girls 200 metres under 12 final.
The experienced Alan Hegarty from Turlough Towers went home with a silver medal after a great race in the boys 1500 metres under 16 final.
The Claremorris mixed relay team under 10 can be so proud of their performances last weekend after winning the silver medals in an exciting final, congrats to Elena Crowley, Calum Alworthy, Molly Noone, Kyle Glesson, Eilis McHugh and Luke Duffy.
James Darcy from Bohola was in top form in Carlow to win a bronze medal in the final of the 60 metres under 8 sprint final. Laura Hoade from Cong has been competing for years at under age level and once again she succeeded in adding another national medal to her haul of community games medals when she finished 3rd in the girls 100 metres under 16 final.
Aoife Blewitt from Knockmore ran a brilliant race in warm conditions to take a bronze medal for her efforts in the girls 1500 metres under 16 final.
The Claremorris boys under 16 relay team secured a set of bronze medals, congrats to Sean Killeen, Mark Wallace, Sean Hallaran and Kevin Duffy. Their hard work on the tartan track in Claremorris paid dividends in the end.
Stephen Gibbons from Ballinrobe put in a wonderful performance to gain a 4th place medal in the boys long jump at under 14 level.
Matthew Kelly from Turlough Towers added another medal to his huge collection of community games medals since he first competed at under 8 level several years ago. On this occasion he secured a fourth placed medal in a tough 800 metre boys under 14 final.
Chloe Connolly from Hollymount deserves to be delighted with her overall displays to end the season with a 4th placed medal in the girls 80 metre hurdles under 14 final.
Congratulations to all the medal winners on the day and well done to all the other competitors who took part in the track and field events in very testing weather conditions as warnings for the heatwave were in full force.
Special thanks to all the coaches, trainers, parents and volunteers who have given their time to keep the children involved over the summer holidays in community games at local, county, provincial and national level.
The next ALDI National Community Games finals will take place on August 27/28 when the art / cultural and talent competitions take place in the Visual centre and St Patrick's College Carlow.
