Congratulations to all the athletes who represented Kilmaine in the Community Games County Finals in Claremorris on Sunday July 1. It has been our most successful year to date both in terms of participation and results. The day started on a very positive note with a great run by the u-10 relay team Niamh Cosgrove, Finn O Loughlin, Ellen Walshe and Mikey McDonagh just narrowly missing out on a place in the final. This was followed by the u -12 girls relay team of Rhiannon Keady, Aiesha McNicholas, Kelsey Munroe and Niamh Duffy taking 2nd in their heat and qualifying for the final. Not to be outdone the u-12 boys followed suit with Darragh Acton, Sean Macken, Evan Heraty and Kyle Munroe also qualifying. The Girls u-14 team of Laura Walsh, Susan Macken, Taylor Keady and Aine Fahey finished 4th overall in a very fast final. The relays set the tone for the day and as the sprints got underway Clodagh Heraty, Shane Flannery and Quentin Keady all found a place in the u-8 semi finals with a strong performance also from Caoimhe Cosgrove. The under 10 category Niamh Cosgrove and Mikey McDonagh sailed through their 200m heats to qualify for the semi-finals with a great run also from James Macken in the 100m. At u12 Niamh Duffy destroyed the field in her 100m heat with a great run also from Kyle Munroe. Aine Fahey sprinted home at u-14 to book her spot in the final and we finished off with 4th place for Michael McDonnell in a very competitive U16 straight final.
In the u-10 hurdles Finn O Loughlin ran like a pro and Ellen Walsh easily finished 2nd in her heat and was placed 6th in the final, while Laura Walsh put in a fine performance at u14. In the u-12 600m Kilmaine were well represented by a strong Kelsey Munroe and Sean Macken qualifying for the final where he was placed a respectable 5th. Susan Macken put in a great run in the u-14 800m to finish 7th against a very competitive group.
There were great hopes for Kilmaine in the field events where Caoimhi Farrell and Darragh Acton stood out in the u-12 ball throw with Darragh taking 4th place- definitely a contender for a medal next year. Catherine McDonnell showed her talent in the u14 puck out and the Kilmaine flags flew high when Evan Heraty won the 1st medal of the day by taking Bronze in the u-12 long puck.
The lashing rain didn't dampen the spirit of the Kilmaine athletes and supporters as the semi-finals got underway. Quentin Keady, Shane Flannery, and Aine Fahey showed their talent and were well placed. Clodagh Heraty and Niamh Duffy made it look too easy winning their semis with great style cheered on by all their team mates. Niamh Cosgrove and Mikey McDonagh both did Kilmaine proud in the 200m just narrowly missing out at the finishing line.
As the day was coming to a close all eyes were on Niamh Duffy and Clodagh Heraty in the sprint finals. Decked out in the new red and green kit Niamh Duffy had a fantastic run to take the bronze medal in the u-12 100m, just pipped at the post by the current Connacht champion. Niamh is definitely one to watch next year. Going for gold in the u-8 60m final was Clodagh Heraty where after an Olympic sprint she took 1st place, bringing the gold medal home to Kilmaine much to the delight of the athletic team who had stayed on to watch her run. Clodagh will now represent Mayo in the all-Irelands in Athlone, a splendid conclusion to a wonderful day for the Kilmaine athletes!
Many thanks to Mattie and Tara Donnellan for training all the athletes so well, for sacrificing their free time and the encouragement they gave to every child. The support and sportsmanship shown by all the athletes and their families was a credit to Kilmaine. Every athlete was cheered on and encouraged and the spirit of the Community Games was alive and well. Congratulations to all!
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