Community Games county athletics finals
LAST weekend the County Track and Field Athletics finals took place at An Riocht running track in wonderful sunshine.
We had a wonderful parade with children from all areas walking behind their Area Banner led by piper, Gary Stephenson, followed by the County Banner carried by Linda O’Reilly and Grainne O’Driscoll. This was the first year that all children got to walk behind their flag and it added huge atmosphere and excitement to the parade – this is what Community Games is about – participation and representing your local area.
At the opening ceremony, Sasha Brent of Tarbert, carried the flame on a lap of the newly surfaced running track, before lighting the flame. Flag bearers were Peadar and Rachel. Saoirse Bennet from Fossa gave a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. The Community Games Pledge was read as Gaeilge by Grace O’Donnell and in English by Cian Spillane. The first race was started and so began two great days of great activity.
This is a great sporting occasion for all children in Kerry with just under 2,000 children taking part – these children have got through their own local qualifiers and have come to Castleisland and competed against the best in Kerry.
The County Track & Field is our major stand-out event of the Community Games calendar and no one could have been disappointed this year with the great competition we were treated to with competitors from most of the areas qualifying for the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.
Well done to all the children who took part and represented their towns, villages and areas so well – every child who took part should be proud of themselves and we hope to see many of them back competing in Castleisland next year.
Winners from individual races, field events, and relays will now go on to represent Kerry at the national finals in August.
Thanks to Denny, Community Games sponsor for 16 years and for their continued support of this great sporting event, which continues to grow. Thanks also to An Riocht – it is a wonderful opportunity for children to compete in this wonderful track – newly resurfaced just in time for our competition, and also to all our organisers, officials, co-ordinators, helpers, volunteers, parents and, of course, the children for making this such a special event.
RESULTS
60m U-8 Boys: 1. Jack Prendergast (Ballybunion); 2. Jack O’Connor (Moyvane/Knockanure); 3. Ben O’Connor (Ballyheigue).
Girls: 1. Aideen Dwyer (Dromid/Caherdaniel); 2. Aidean Larkin (Moyvane/Knockanure); 3. Saoirse Brosnan (Annascaul/Camp/Inch/Lispole)
80m U-8 Boys: 1. Stephen Harty (Ballyheigue);
2. Dara Harty (Spa/Fenit/Barrow); 3. Donnacha Lynch (Milltown/Listry).
Girls: 1. Aisling Falvey (Abbeydorney/Kilflynn); 2. Ciara Quirke (Caherciveen); 3. Molly Hussey (Keel/Kiltalagh). 100m U-10 Boys: 1. John Carmody (Listowel); 2. Symon Labrinski (Killarney); 3. Ciaran O’Connell (Ballymacelligott).
Girls: 1. Saoirse Dillon (Duagh/Lyre); 2. Aoibheann Buckley (Ballybunion); 3. Sarah Palmer (Firies). 100m U-12 Boys: 1. Mike Galvin (Duagh/Lyre): 2. Brendan O’Leary (Tarbert); 3. Finn Barrett (Caherciveen).
Girls: 1. Roisin Rahilly (Ballymacelligott); 2. Ellen Kelliher (Keel/Kiltalagh); 3. Erin Murphy (Killorglin)
100m U-14 Boys: 1. Sean Mahony (Listowel); 2. John O’Connor (Castleisland); 3. Jaon Lee (Killarney).
Girls: 1. Rebeca Falvey (Abbeydorney/Kilflynn); 2. Ava Fitzmaurice (Castleisland); 3. Muireann McElligott (Lixnaw)
100m U-16 Boys: 1. Mervyn Shalemba (St Brendans/Oakpark); 2. Cillian Griffin (Boherbee/ Cloghers/Manor); 3. Fergal O’Brien (Blennerville/Ballyard).
Girls: 1. Ruth Courtney (Spa/Muckross); 2. Elizabeth Stack (Spa/Muckross); 3. Donna O’Rourke (Ballybunion)
1,500m U-16 Boys: 1. Oisin Spillane (Blennerville/Ballyard); 2. Sean Pollman-Daaman (Boherbee/Cloghers/Manor); 3. Gary Murphy (Keel/Kiltalagh).
Girls: 1. Alyce O’Connor (Kenmare); 2. Sarah Barrett (Blennerville/Ballyard); 3. Natasha Myers (Keel/Kiltalagh) 200m U-10 Boys: 1. John Sexton (Milltown/ Listry); 2. Oran Horgan (Glenflesk); 3. Kai Seino (Rock St/Caherslee).
Girls: 1. Emma Neylon (Listowel); 2. Mairead Walsh (Firies); 3. Emily O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh/ Glencar) 200m U-12 Boys: 1. Ethan Tritschler (Listowel); 2. Finn Kennelly (Fossa); 3. Oran Murphy (Spa/ Fenit/Barry).
Girls: 1. Mya Granville (Kenmare); 2. Jessica McGibney (Spa/Fenit/Barrow); 3. Elizabeth Coffey (Fossa).
200m U-16 Boys: 1. Aaron Malik (Ardfert/ Kilmoyley); 2. Sean Quilter (St Brendans/Oakpark); 3. Basit Abolore Oyebanji (St Brendans/