Individual and team medals for Mayo athletes at Community Games track and field finals
Mayo Community Games competitors made the long journey to the South East Technological University in Carlow last weekend 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 and two sets of relay team medals were won by athletes from Mayo Community Games.
Over 2,000 children took part in the national finals in the sweltering heat, which reached over 30 degrees in Carlow on Saturday. More than 7,000 bottles of water were distributed on the day to keep everybody hydrated, while 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 Under 8 girls 60m final.
Kyle Gleeson from Claremorris is a great athlete and he picked up a gold medal in the Under 10 boys 60m hurdles in some style and with great technique.
Ciara Jennings from the town of Castlebar had a marvelous day, winning her heat early on before finishing in second position to take a silver medal in the Under 12 girls 200m final.
The experienced Alan Hegarty from Turlough Towers went home with a silver medal after a great race in the Under 16 boys 1,500m final.
The Claremorris mixed relay Under 10 team can be so proud of their performance after winning silver 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 Under 8 60m sprint final.
Laura Hoade from Cong has been competing for years at underage level and once again she succeeded in adding another national medal to her Community Games haul when she finished third in the Under 16 girls 100m final.
Aoife Blewitt from Knockmore ran a brilliant race to take a bronze medal for her efforts in the Under 16 girls 1,500m final.
The Claremorris boys Under 16 relay team secured a set of bronze medals also. 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 fourth place medal in the boys long jump at Under 14 level.
Matthew Kelly from Turlough Towers added another medal to his huge Community Games collection since he first competed at Under 8 level several years ago. On this occasion he secured fourth place in a tough Under 14 boys 800m final.
Chloe Connolly from Hollymount must be delighted with her overall display to end the season with a fourth placed medal in the Under 14 girls 80m hurdles 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.
Special thanks to all the coaches, trainers, parents and volunteers who have given their time to keep the children involved in Community Games over the summer holidays 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, Carlow College.