Impressive medal haul for Wicklow competitors
THE National Finals of Community Games were held in Abbotstown, a new venue with the games having been held in Athlone for the last number of years.
Moving to a vast campus did not deter the 143 children from Wicklow competing in various events over the weekend to win that elusive medal of any colour.
The children have to compete against 30 other counties and in athletics heats, semi finals and finals. Of 11 areas representing the county eight areas took home 25 medals in total.
Roisin Vigorg from Arklow sang her way to our only Gold medal in the Under-12 Solo Singing, Joshua Reynolds won Bronze U-16 Solo Singing.
Sean Tracey from Ashford/Glenealy was 4th for his beautiful Recitation from Angela Ashes, a future star of stage and screen.
The help we get through the schools in our areas shone through when Ciara Beresford Lakeside, 4th U12 Art, Sarah Downes, Aughrim/Annacurra, Silver U10 Handwriting, Shelby Richardson Aughrim/ Annacurra, Bronze U12 Handwriting.
In the last two years Pitch ’n’ Putt Boys and Girls from BBK/R have won Gold and Silver medals in this event.
This year the Girls U16 Team of Karina Costello,Lauren Ryan, Anna Delehunt,Nicole O’Donovan, won Silver. The Boys U16 Team of Conor Leonard,Kevin Leonard,Tom O’Shea,Jonathon Ryan,Andrew Traynor won Bronze.
Track and Field: Medals won on Track and Field are not easy to come by having run on running track in Athlone and going back to Grass people were reminiscing about the good old days in Mosney!!!!
Field: 4th Boys U12 Cycling, Conar Byrne, Roundwood; 4th Boys U14 Cycling, Jack Conroy, Rathdrum; 4th Girls U14 Long Puck, Emma Byrne, Rathdrum.
Track: Silver Girls U10 200m, Cassie O’Byrne, Aughrim/Annacurra; Silver U16 Girls 4x100 relay, Amy Allen,Niamh Cullen , Zoe Kirkman and Alannah Mc Guire, Lakeside; Bronze U16 Girls 100m, Amy Allen, Lakeside; Bronze Girls U8 80m, Eve Wright, Westside. Niamh Cullen Lakeside was Interviewed on 6 News R.T.E .
The following made their respective finals but were just outside the medals: Girls U8 60m, Seren Waters, Westside; Boys U8 60m, Fred Dick, Lakeside; Girls U10 60m Hurdles, Aimee O’Reilly, Baltinglass; Boys U12 600m, James Fleming, Baltinglass; Boys U14 800m, Hugh O’Toole, Baltinglass; Girls U14 800m, Eve Leacy, Roundwood; Girls U16 1500m, Roisin Treacy, Ashford Glenealy; Girls U12 Cycling, Sarah Kieran, Lakeside; Boys U12 4x100, Finn Behan, John Burke, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Gilmore, Charlie Mooney, David Johnson, Lakeside; Girls U12 4x100 Relay, Yasmin Dagg, Sadbh Houlihan, Emma Mulhall, Grace Muhall, Eimear Murphy, Shillelagh.
Thank you County Manager Liz Tyrrell, who worked tirelessly along with her team of managers over the weekend.
Well done to all the children who took part at Area, County, Province and made the National podium in their Wicklow tracksuits and a sincere thank you to main sponsor Pat Casey, Royal Hotel Glendalough.
In order to get the children to the National Finals it takes a great number of people, too many to mention. A team effort, be it at Area or County over a long number of months. A sincere thank you all.
As County PRO may I take this opportunity to thank Wicklow People Sports Editor Brendan Lawrence and team and Michael Sargent of East Coast Sport for the coverage of Community Games.