Thousands get ready for the Games

ALMOST 12,000 Kerry children are expected to compete in the Community Games this year, with sports, board games, singing, dancing and artistic endeavours to make up this year’s roster.

The games have been officially launched nationally, and Kerry Community Games secretary Margaret Cullotty is, as always, excited ahead of what she calls ‘the busiest time of the year.’

While some competitions have already taken place in Basketball, Badminton, Judo, Futsal and singing, the majority of Kerry’s regional finals will take place over the coming three months at various venues around the county, as Margaret explained.

“February and March are fierce busy with county finals on every weekend.

“But it’s an exciting time, and particularly exciting this year as 2017 marks the Community Games’ 50th anniversary.”

Ms Cullotty added that one of Kerry Community Games’ co-founders, Christy Murray, will be honoured at an up- coming national ceremony in March.

“Each county has nominated a ‘Golden Volunteer’, and our nominee is one of our founders, Christy Murray,” she said.

“Kerry Community Games was founded in 1972, and Christy’s work in establishing our regional games makes him worthy of this Kerry prize.”

The winners will progress to Regional and National Festivals, which take place on May 6 and from August 18-20 at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin in the big highlight of the athletes’ year.

Roisín Mulcahy (8) and Dillon Madigan (8), try to get their hands on the gold medal Paul O’Connell won for the under-10 Freestyle at the ‘88 Community Games at the launch of the Aldi Community Games this week.