Varied talents of Duagh/Lyre youth celebrated

WHERE to start when it comes to the slew of brilliant talent among the young of the high parish of Duagh and Lyreacrompane?

It is dizzying in its variety as Friday night’s Community Games awards held in Duagh National School amply demonstrated.

Brilliant performances and feats in everything from soccer to athletics, art, music and even skittles and handwriting were honoured as the local branch of the national organisation paid tribute to its young stars on another brilliant year.

And the branch’s new President – as well as a big Kerry sporting hero – were deeply impressed by the level of talent and participation with more than 100 youngsters honoured.

“On the night Fr Jack O’Donnell President of Duagh/Lyre Community Games and local Kerry footballer Anthony Maher presented the prizes. Fr Jack was in attendance in what was his first awards night as the new President and was amazed with the talented youth in the area,” Duagh/Lyre Community Games PRO Liz Twomey told The Kerryman.

It was a big night for the 2017 National finalists. They were: Saoirse Dillon who won gold in the U10 100m in her second time taking an individual gold medal; Mike Galvin who was sixth in the U12 100m; Nuala Moloney who took silver in the U12 cycling on grass (in atrocious weather conditions in the final); and in U14 Art Erin Welch took bronze in the National finals in what was Erin’s third National final and now adds to her collection of pewter for art and gold for project.

“In the Munster finals at UL Sports campus we had two teams taking part in U13 and U10 Indoor Soccer. In the U10 Indoor Soccer team were Dylan Buckley, Gavin Dillon, Odhran Doorley, Joseph Maher, Timmy O’Connell, Ryan Stack, and Ronan Sheridan,” Liz said.

“The U13 team were Fearghal Cudlipp, Eli Fitzgerald, Cian Mangan, Jack Moloney, Ethan Keane, Eoghan Dowling and Cormac Dillon,” she added.

The organisation is now looking forward to what it hopes will be an equally successful 2018.

Photos by Domnick Walsh The Duagh/Lyre Community Games stars at the big awards night in their honour at Duagh National School on Friday.

Photos by Domnick Walsh Chloe Dillon, Asia Fitzgerald andOrla Dowling from Duagh with their trophies at the big awards night on Friday.

Photos by Domnick Walsh Caoimhe Hearte , Emma Cotter and Sarah Cahill celebrating a year of great Community Games success at awards night.

LEFT: Aoibhinn Harte, Aoife Bates and Emily Ashley with the fruits of their Community Games successes.

Cathy Johnson and Megan Sheehy at the Duagh/Lyreacrompane Community Games Awards night on Friday.

Gavin O’Brien and Owen O’Regan holding their precious Community Games trophies at Duagh National School.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Jack and Cody Collins with their well-deserved trophies at the Community Games Awards.

Photos by Domnick Walsh INSET BELOW: Ashton Kelly and Tomas Cahill.