The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games calendar for 2023 is starting to take shape. The National Community Games calendar can be found here. A full download of all the 2023 Rule Book can be found here. Please note that there is a competition entry fee of €3 per child per event for County events payable through local area secretary. Note however that the Talent Show entry fee is €3 per child per eventto cover costs. Some Team events may also have an additional fee per Team to help cover referree and venue costs.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games County Art took place this week over Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening, 16-18 May, in the Holy Family School. A massive thank you to the Holy Family School for the use of their facilities and in particular to Kevin Brennan who was always on hand to help over the 3 evenings. We had close to 200 children competing and they all produced amazing artwork. Thanks to Sarah O'Donoghue and Paddy Vaughan for coordinating the event and to all the volunteers who helped out. A huge thanks to all the judges who gave up their time to do the difficult job of picking the top 4 in each category. The full results are listed below. The top two children in each category progress to the National Finals which are taking place in Carlow on 9th and 10th September.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Annual County Athletic Finals were held on Sunday 14th May in John O’Sullivan Park, Lees Road. Hundreds of children from twenty-six areas across the county participated in Relays, Track and Field events. There was an opening ceremony at 12 noon where all the competitors and their mentors paraded on the track behind their area banner. The parade was led by torch bearer Ava Rochford from Ennis St John’s. The Chairman Graham Meakins in welcoming everyone to our County Athletic Finals, especially Barbara Maher representing out Sponsors St Francis Credit Union who also presented a cheque for this year. He welcomed the Mayor of Ennis Claire Colleran Molloy, President of Clare Community Games Mrs Cecilia O’Sullivan, the County executive committee, all the volunteers at area and county level who give so much time and energy for the children of Clare. Without these volunteers there would be no community games. He thanked St Francis Credit Union for their continued Sponsorship, Clare County Council, and the caretaker at John O’Sullivan Park for the wonderful facility to host the finals. He thanked the parents and children for turning out in such numbers. He wished all the competitors the very best and hoped they have a very enjoyable experience.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Mixed U11 and Girls U13 county finals were held over the weekend in Kildysart. Doora-Barefield won the mixed U11 event on Saturday 18th March, which was co-ordinated by Bernie O'Driscoll. The U13 girls competition, coordinated by Paul Kennedy, took place on Sunday 19th March and that too was won by Doora-Barefield. So congratulations to the two Doora-Barefield teams who go forward to represent Clare in the Munster finals in UL on 15th April. Full results below.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games U12 Boys Soccer team took place over two days this week, Monday 29th May and Tuesday 30th May. Huge thanks to Davy Ryan, co-ordinatory, and Newmarket Celtic Soccer club who hosted the tournament. In a hotly contested Boys U-12 soccer tournament Ennis St. Johns retained the title with a narrow 2-1 win over Doora Barefield in the final. The Ennis side had to come from a goal behind at half time to claim the crown with team captain Robbie Lyne getting the all important winning goal. In the 3rd/4th place playoff Newmarket claimed the bronze medal with a 2-1 win over Sixmilebridge Kilmurry. A total of nine teams participated in the warm sunshine in what turned out to be one of the most competitive events in recent years. It was also great to see both Shannon and Clarecastle teams back in the competition after a few years. The winners go forward to represent Clare in the Munster Finals in UL on 18th June.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games U14 Camogie event was held in Kilmaley GAA Club on Sunday 30th April. Many thanks to co-ordinator, Anne McMahon and referees and officials. The tournament was won by Inch-Kilmaley-Connolly who now go on to represent Clare in the Munster Finals on 18th June.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Chess competition was held on Saturday 25th March in Treacy's West County Hotel, Ennis. There was a great turnout of teams from across the county in the U11, U13 and U16 competitions. The event was co-ordinated once again by Johh Cassidy who was assisted by James O'Sullivan, Niall Whelan and Audrey Rochford. Well done to Ennis St Johns who won Gold in both U11 and U16 whilst Newmarket on Fergus won the U13 event. Winners go forward to represent Clare in the Munster Finals on Sun 16th April in Rathkeale.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games U13 Cross Country, U12 & U14 Mixed DIstance Relay and U10 Relay events took place in O'Sullivan Park, Lees Road, Ennis on Sunday 26th March. The event was well attended by athletes from around the county and the Cross Country Community Games event is one which the Banner County has excelled in over many years at national level. The event co-ordinator, Margaret McCarthy, was assisted by her husband Vincent and by Colm O'Boyle and all the events were run off flawlessly, as usual, and fortunately the weather also remained dry. The Cross Country and Mixed Distance Relay teams representing Clare at the National Finals in Gormanstown on 27/28 May are made up of the top athletes in each category (5 boys/5 girls on the Cross Country team and 6 boys/girls on each of the Mixed Distance Relay teams). The U10 Relay event is a county only competition but it is a great introduction for the younger athletes. Full results are listed below.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Cycling (on grass) event was held on Saturday 29th April on Clooney pitch. It was an early start for coordinators Marie Lynch, Dereck Browne and Liz Canny, so Liz organised breakfast bags for the participants. Full results are listed below - the winners go forward to the national finals in Gormanstown, Co. Meath, on Sun 28th May.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games County Draughts tournament was co-ordinated by Kevin Phelan and took place on Friday 31st March in Sixmilebridge National School. A number of teams from the county took part in the U10, U12 and U14 competitions. The winners in each category will represent Clare in the Munster Finals which take place in Rathkeale on Sunday 16th April.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games 2023 season kicked off on Corofin on Saturday & Sunday 4/5 March with the Boys and Girls U13 and U15 Futsal event. Huge thanks to Flan Brennan and his team of volunteers for co-ordinating this popular event again and to Michael Rock who refereed all 7 matches. The winners go forward to represent Clare in the Munster competition on 15th April in UL.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Handball event was co-ordinated by Orla Considine and took place in Tuamgraney on Wed 5th April. Full results are listed below. Best of luck to the winners who progress to the National Finals in Gormanstown, Co Meath, on Sun 28th May.
The St Francis Credit Union County Handwriting 2023 event took place on Friday 24th March in St Joseph's Secondary School, Tulla. The event was co-ordinated by Shirley O'Brien who assembled a fine crew of volunteers and fellow teachers to help out with the event, which catered for a large number of boys and girls from across the county in the U10, U12 & U14 age categories. Many thanks to St Joseph's for providing a fine venue and to Shirley and her team, which included: Mary McNamara (SNA and long serving Community Games volunteer), Sr. Eileen (retired teacher), Annmarie Connolly, Darragh McMahon, Gary Guilfoyle (teachers), Alice O'Brien & Sarah Thornton (student teachers), Declan O'Reagan (BAM), Alex Kirwin (5th year student) and Principal Julien Coman, Deputy Principal Michael McDonagh and Vice Principal Catriona Dolly. Well done to all children who participated at local and county level. Full results are below - please note that medals will be distributed to Area Secretaries at the next County Meeting on 4th April. The top two in each of the U10 and U12 categories go forward to the National Finals in Carlow in September; the U14 is a County only competition.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Hurling competition for U11 boys was held on Saturday morning, 6th May, in O’Garney Park with thanks from Sixmilebridge GAA Club for their facilities, the referees Fergal O’Brien, Kevin Corry and Kieran Liddane, to Kevin Phelan and Tadgh Keogh for co ordinating and all the volunteers who helped out on the day - without all these people the event wouldn’t happen. Nine teams participated.
St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Indoor Soccer competitions for boys and girls U10 and U13 took place over the weekend, 11/12th March, in Corofin GAA Hall. They were co-ordinated by the very efficient Flan Brennan. Great thanks must go to Flan, his team of volunteers and the referees. The standard was very high with some very closely contested matches. The winners in each will now go forward to represent Clare in the Munster Finals in U.L on Saturday 15th April.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Marathon event took place on Thursday 13th April in Kilmurry-McMahon, co-ordinated by Anne Marie Linnane. Tommy McCarthy was on hand to award medals and perpetual trophies to the winners of this U16 boys and girls event. The winners qualify for the National Finals which take place in Gormanstown, Co. Meath on 27/28th May.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games mini rugby county final took place on Sunday 19th March in Kilmaley, co-ordinated once again by Mike Reid. Inch-Kilmaley-Connolly came out on top, winning Gold and they go on to represent Clare in the Munster Finals in June.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games model making competition took place on Friday 19th May in Ennis. Many thanks to all the volunteers and to the judgets for their time. The top two contestants in each category go forward tot the National Finals in Carlow in September.
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games Pitch and Putt Competition (U16s) took place at the Kilnamona Pitch & Putt Club on Saturday 15th April. The event was once again co-ordinated by long serving Clare Community Games volunteer, Jimmy Maher, who was assisted by Connie Corry and Enda Clune. Many thanks to Ann and Martin Commane who had the Kilnamona Course in beautiful condition after all the recent rain. The winners progress to represent Clare in the National Finals in Westport on 14th May. The results are as follows:-
The St Francis Credit Union Clare Community Games U14 Quiz was held on Tuesday 9th May in Newmarket – on -Fergus Community Hall. It was co-ordinated by Sarah O’Donoghue with assistance from Sarah Jones, Marion Crimmins, Kevin Ryan, Graham Meakins and Mary Phelan. Only ten teams participated but what it lacked for in quantity was made up in quality. The standard was very high. It took an extra round and sudden death round to separate first and second place. Both those teams now to forward to represent Clare in the National finals later in the year. Thanks to Newmarket on Fergus for providing their facility and the very helpful Ger Fahy.
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.
