Kerry Community Games Finals – Great to be Back

Community Games personell focusing on matching places and numbers at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Denny Kerry Community Games Secretary, Margaret Culloty keeping track of the rapidly elolving events from the office window even during a tea break at the games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Caherciveen Community Games team members, Iona Wynton (left) and Laura O’Sullivanpictured at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Kilcummin competitors, from left: Eamon O’Donoghue, Puc Fada; Daragh Keane, U-12 X 100 metres and Darragh Forde, U-12 X 600 metres at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

On duty at the Denny Kerry Community finals in Castleisland on Saturday were: Jim Bunyan (left) and Nelius Collins, Duagh / Lyre Community Games pictured with Micheál Herlihy, Rock Street / Caherslee. ©Photograph: John Reidy

A quick look at the camera before Pádraigín Úí Chonaill left them off on the boys U-8 X 60metres at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday.©Photograph: John Reidy

Kit Horan, Moyvane / Knockanure (left) with: Pádraig, Aisling, Nessa and Aoibheann McElligott, Lixnaw at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Job done: Jack Clifford, Milltown / Castlemaine ran for gold in the Boys U-10 X 100 metres and got it at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Conor Mulvihill, Moyvane / Knockanure with his silver medal from the Boys U-10 X 100 metres at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Denny Kerry Community Games volunteers Pádraigín Úí Chonaill (left) and Bríd Kenny matching names to medals at the games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The O’Shea family members ably representing Kenmare in Castleisland on Saturday were: dad, Pearse, Rómí (left) and Fallon with her gold medal from the girls U-8 X 60 metres at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Brendan’s Gold: Brendan Costello won gold for his Abbeydorney / Kilflynn team in the Boys U-8 X 60 metres at the Denny Kerry Community Games at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Lixnaw Community Games team member Isabelle Larkin with her silver medal from the Girls U-10 X 100 metres and her mom, Emma at the Denny Kerry Community Games finals at An Ríocht in Castleisland on Saturday. ©Photograph: John Reidy

On the Saturday and Sunday of last weekend An Riocht track in Castleisland was a hive of activity once again with the return of the Kerry Community Games Denny County Athletic Finals.

By Nelius Collins

After missing out last year due to Covid-19 restrictions, this year was a little different.

All the areas were restricted to one participant in each event and there was 544 competitors over the two days.

Great to be Back

All areas were divided into their own pods and a huge thanks to all the managers for looking after this and getting the necessary forms sorted.

The competition was as good as ever with some excellent running and close finishes the order of both days.

But it was the smiles on all the participants faces that told the true story. It was great to be back.

Surprise Visitor

On Saturday there was a surprise visitor to the track, the one and only David Kenny who represented Ireland so well at the Tokyo Olympics and relived where it all started for him when winning the U-13 walk and going on to win bronze at the national finals.

Thanks All Round

Thanks to all volunteers who gave of their time, to the parents and coaches and above all to all the participants.

A huge thank you to our sponsor for the last 18yrs Denny for their generous support and to An Riocht for all their help and the use of their fabulous facilities.  

Nelius Collins is the chairman of Kerry Community Games.

All the weekend’s results can be found with a Click on the link here: http://www.kerrycommunitygames.ie/results
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