Hundreds of children from around the county (armed with pencils, crayons, paint and paper) flocked to CBS School Ennis on Saturday 3rd February to take part in the St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Art competition. Great credit is due to Cecilia O'Sullivan and her team for organising yet another successful event and many thanks to the school for providing the premises and all the adult and youth volunteers who helped with supervision of the competition. Well done to all those who took part.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games County Athletic Finals were held on Sunday 24th June in glorious sunshine in John O'Sullivan Park, Lees Rd. At the opening ceremony the Chairman John Wall welcomed Bishop Fintan Monahan, Mayor of Clare Michael Begley, Mayor of Ennis Claire Colleran Molloy, Ollie O'Regan St Francis Credit Union sponsors, He welcomed all the participants and hoped they would enjoy the experience of participating in the finals. The Mayor of Clare said he was delighted to be present and wished the children good luck in the finals and those who progressed to National finals best of luck there, this was reiterated by the Mayor of Ennis. .Bishop Fintan Monaghan said he was delighted to be here in such a festive atmosphere. He congratulated all the children and wished them well. He praised the work done by volunteers at area and county who give so much to community games. The Ulster Bank Cup for the Best Athletic Area was awarded to Ennis St John's at the end of the day.
Prior to the opening ceremony there was a very colourful parade of athletes from nineteen areas led by a piper from Loughrea. The torch bearers were Gabriel Kehinde of Ennis St Johns and Aine Garry of Ballynacally/Lissycasey. The pledge was read as gaeilge by Caoimhe Cahill of Inch/ Kilmaley/Connolly and in english by Darragh Walsh of Feakle.
THE WINNERS OF THE PARADE
Best Presented area – Shannon Development Cup – Clarecastle/Ballyea
Runner up Best Presented area – Dan Donoghue Trophy – Inagh/Kilnamons/Cloonanaha
3rd Best Present area – Meakins Family Shield – Cooraclare/Cree
Best Presented Small Area – O'Sullivan Family Shield – Ballynacally/Lissycasey
Mascot – Clare Community Games Shield – Moylussa (Oisin Minogue).
The St Francis Credit Union Badminton competition took place in St Anne's School, Killaloe on 8th April. There were three girls and two boys teams competing.
The u11 mixed basketball competition took place last Sunday January 21st in Gurteen. There were 5 teams in the competition. Kilrush had a decisive win over Quin/Clooney in the Preliminary game 14:0, Doorabarefield beat Cooraclare/Cree B 14:5 in the first semifinal in a very exciting game and Cooraclare/Cree A beat Kilrush 10 :7 in avery close thrilling game. There was another nail biting game for the 3rd & 4th place playoffs with Kilrush against Cooraclare/Cree B and kilrush winning 5:4. The final was also a very exciting game going tit for tat over the first three quarters but then Cooraclare /Cree A pulled a away with a decisive victory over Doorabarefield 22:14.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Camogie competition took place on Sat 28th April in Clooney GAA Club. Many thanks to coordinator Orla Considine, to all the volunteers and officials who assisted on the day, to the Clooney GAA club for use of their pitch and to all those areas/clubs who participated in a fair and sporting manner.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Chess competitions for U13 & U16 took place on Sunday 11th in St Flannan's College Ennis, coordinated by John Cassidy. In the U13 Competition 9 teams took part with 4 teams in the u16 competition. The standard was high with some very good games in both competitions.
In the U113 competition Lisdoonvarna/Doolin/ Kilfenora/Kilshanny (Red) were level with Cratloe at finish of game but in process of elimination Cratloe lost out. In the quarter finals Ennis St Johns beat Doora/Barefield, Tulla beat Quin/Clooney, Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry beat Lisdoonvarna/Doolin/Kilfenora/Kilshanny (White) and Ballynacally/Lissycasey beat Lisdoonvarna/Doolin/Kilfenora/Kilshanny (Red). In the semi finals Tulla beat Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry and Ennis St Johns beat Ballynacally/Lissycasey.
In the U16 competition, Doora/Barefield beat Cratloe in the semi finals while Ennis St Johns proved too strong for the Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry team. Ennis St Johns pipped near neighbours Doora/Barefield for the Gold and the opportunity to represent Clare in the Munster Finals. Cratloe beat Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry for the Bronze medals.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Annual All Star Awards Function was held on Friday 19th October in Treacy's West County Hotel, Ennis. Seventy Six children, 43 boys & 34 girls from twenty four areas across the county received awards for their outstanding achievements in their activity. The Chairman John Wall welcomed everyone especially the All Stars, their families, volunteers, Louis Faye representing St Francis Credit Union, invited guests and the Mayor of Ennis Clare Colleran Molloy who also represented the County Council. He thanked the main sponsors St Francis Credit Union, Clare County Council and all our sponsors and supporters.
The Mayor congratulated all the recipients of awards. She said she was fascinated by the amount of events that Community Games has to offer the children of Clare.
The M.C's were Sean Lenihan and Carol o'Neill. Amongst those who presented the awards were young talents sports people including Noel Shannon European winner in swimming & Surflifesaving, Timmy Crowe European Athletics winner, Chloe Morey Clare Camogie All Star, Ryan Taylor Clare Hurling star.
Other presentations on the night were Chairman's Awards which went o a very young talented singer/musician Katie Jones.
The Hall of Fame Award went to Clare McGrath who has co ordinated the county swimming finals for many years having taken over from her parents who were long serving members of Community Games John & Nora Murphy.
The International Police Association Cup for the most involved large area was presented to Doora Barefield by Billy Saunderson. They now go forward to contest the National finals in Cavan on December 1st. They were Clare, Munster and National winners last year and hoping to do likewise this time around.
The most involved Small Area Award went to Feakle. Feakle only came back into Community Games after a nuber of years abscent two years ago. They also go forward to National Final.
A Presentation was made to Rose & Graham Meakins to acknowledge their outstanding work in coordinating the All Star Awards events over thirty years.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games U13 Cross Country competitions were held on Saturday 13th January in O'Sullivan Park, Lees Road. The first five Boys & five girls will represent Clare in the National Finals in May which this year will be held in U.L. Well done to the seventy plus children who participated on what was a cold but dry morning. It was coordinated by Margaret & Vincent McCarthy with help from James Sexton and some community games volunteers. Nine areas will be represented in the county team.
The St. Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games cycling competition was held in Quin National School field on Sunday 20th May. Many thanks to Derek Browne who co-ordinated the event and Quin School for providing the venue.
The St. Francis Credit Union Clare Community Draughts Competition took place on Monday 19th March in St Mochulla’s Primary School, Tulla. A total of 23 teams tool part across the four age groups. A total of seven community games areas were represented and the standard was very high this year with lots of tight matches.
Many thanks to co-ordinator, Paul Caulfield; referee, Sean McGrath; all the Tulla Community Games committee and scorekeepers Paul Kelleher, Brian McSweeney, Shrena McGrath, Eimear Culloo, Lucas Donlon, Rory O’Sullivan, Eoin Donnellan, Cushla Murphy and Tadhg Floyd. Sincere thanks to St. Mochulla’s Primary School for making their facilities available. See full results below.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Futsal competitions took place over a number of weekends during March and April in Corofin GAA Hall with many teams from across the county participating. Many thanks to coordinators Flan Brennan and Mark Nestor and their dedicated team of assistants and referees. The standard was high with some of the matches so close that they went to extra time and penalty shoot outs. The winners now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster Finals in U.L. In July.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games U14 Girls Gaelic Football competitions were held on Sat May 19th in glorious sunshine in Gurteen. It was coordinated by Sean Lenihan with his team of referees. In the semi finals Doora/Barefield met Clarecastle/Ballyea and Lisdoonvarna/Doolin/Kilfenora/Kilshanny met Quin/Clooney. Doora/Barefield & Quin/Clooney progressed to the final while Lisdoonvarna/Doolin/Kilfenora/Kilshanny and Clarecastle/Ballyea met in the 3rd & 4th place playoff. After two very competitive matches Quin/Clooney emerged victorious taking the gold by beating Doora/Barefield by just 1pt on a score 0-09 to 1-05. They now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster finals in U.L. In July. In the play off both teams scored highly but Clarecastle/Ballyea edged ahead to take the bronze on a score of 7-10 to 6-03. The medals were presented by the fantastic referees Martin Nolan & Frank Culliton. Clare Community Games thanks sincerely the Doora/Barefield club for making their pitches and dressing rooms available for the day.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games One Wall Handball competitions took place recently in Tuamgraney. It was co ordinated by Christy Philpott. The first in each event will now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster Finals in April.
The St. Francis Credit Union Clare CommunityGames handwriting competition took place in Tulla Secondary school on Saturday, 10th February. The U10 and U12 Gold medal winning boys and girls progress to the National Finals. The U14 competition is currently only a county competition. Medals will be available for collectoin at the next County Meeting on Tues 6th March in Treacy's West County Hotel at 9pm.
Many thanks for St. Joseph's Secondary School, Tulla, for provinding a wonderful venue for the competition and thanks to coordinator Mary McNamara and all the adult and youth volunteer helpers and judges.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games hurling competition for boys U11 was held on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June in glorious weather conditions in O'Callaghans Mills GAA Pitch. It was coordinaated by Pat Loughnane with his efficient team of referees and assistants. Nine teams participated for the honour of representing Clare in Munster.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Boys U10 & U13 Indoor Soccer competitions came to a conclusion last weekend, 24/25 February. Due to the large volume of entries the competition took three days to run off. The standard was extremely high with a number of the matches going to extra time & penalty shoe out. It was coordinated by Flan Brennan with assistance from Mark Nestor in Corofin GAA Hall. Ballynacally/Lissycasey won the double they now have the honour to represent Clare in the Munster Finals on 21st April in U.L.
In the U10 semi finals Ballynacally/Lissycasey (Maroon) met Moylussa (1). These were very evenly matched with the Ballynacally/Lissycasey side edgeing ahead to win 6 – 4. Cooraclare/Cree met Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry but the Bridge boys proved to be the stronger side winning 10 – 4. Moylussa & Cooraclare/Cree played off for the Bronze medals Moylussa won 7 – 2. The finals was between last years winners Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry and Ballynacally/Lissycasey. The Bridge boys had to be satisfied to finish as runners up on a score 4 – 1.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Indoor Soccer competitions for U10 & U13 Girls took place over the weekend in Corofin GAA Hall. The Co Ordinator was Flan Brennan assisted by Mark Nestor and a number of referees. The U13 competition was on Saturday with the U10's on Sunday. The winning team in each will go forward to represent Clare in the Munster finals to be held in U.L. on 21st April.
The munstergroup Clare Community Games Judo competition took place recently. Many thanks to co-ordinator Geraldine Sharkey. The winners go forward to represent Clare in the Munster finals in July.
The St. Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games marathon event for U16 boys and girls took place in Kilmurry/McMahon on Wednesday, 21st March. Many thanks to Tommy and Mary McCarthy for co-coordinating the event and providing hospitality and to Vincent McCarthy and James Sexton for their assistance.
Official Sponsor
Please support our sponsors, your local credit union: St Francis Credit Union. Head Office: Friars Walk, Ennis, Co. Clare. Tel: 065-6828305, with branches in Shannon, Lissycasey, Clarecastle, Newmarket on Fergus, Sixmilebridge, Tulla, Kildysart and Kilmihil.
Community Games is an independent voluntary organisation which operates through the local community to provide an opportunity for young people (6 to 16 years) to experience a wide range of sporting and cultural activities before concentrating and specialising in those most suitable and attractive to them. To get involved, contact your local area representative or contact the County Secretary to find out more.
