Kerry’s Best Advance to Munster Community Games Finals

 

Over 2,000 young athletes in a variety of age groups arrived in Castleisland on Saturday morning with high hopes of heroics and Gold medals.

Many of those achieved and realised the dream – over the weekend. Some didn’t and will, no doubt, start again for next year – maybe in a higher age bracket or in another sport.

The weather was ideal on Saturday morning as athletes checked in and parents and supporters got on with the setting up of gazebos and deck chairs along the grassy mounds which surround the track.

By late on Sunday afternoon there were many who experienced the sheer joy in walking out through the huge, iron gates of the stadium with a hard earned, Gold medal in their fists or around their necks.

Then there’s the right to go on to represent their county at the Munster finals in UL in Limerick on July 4.

There’s also the ultimate goal of heading to Athlone in August as Kerry and Munster Champion and representing their county in the National finals.

Kerry Community Games was founded in 1972 by the late Bob Casey and Christy Murray.

This was just five years after the national movement was initiated in Dublin and what an inspirational move it has proved to be.

The continued success of the Kerry Games has been due to the determination and hard work by a team of volunteers as well as the commitment and good nature of participants and their parents.

There are now 44 registered Community Games areas in Kerry. These areas are organised by voluntary workers from the local community who decide which activities to run.

Qualifiers from area competitions advance to the county finals where the first four in every competition receives a prize. All areas in Kerry have had the honour of representing the county in a variety of included sports over the years.

The ‘Kerry CG team’ also have the solid backing of the Kerry Group and its corporate affairs, director, Frank Hayes is a constant presence at the games at area level.

The return of many former participants as volunteers at both area and county level is also a welcome boost and assures the smooth running of the huge event. From the beginning, the committee insisted on small areas. Although some have since amalgamated, the levels of participation in sporting and cultural activities, encouraged by the games, plays a vital role in promoting community spirit and helping to ensure that children lead healthy and balanced lives.

At all competitions, the view that there is no such thing as a loser who has tried – is encouraged and practiced.

The results of the weekend’s activities on the track can be accessed with a click here:

http://www.kerrycommunitygames.ie/athletics/live-updates