Council recognises national winners

INDOOR soccer, futsal, draughts, quiz, tag rugby, project, athletics, art and dance were some of the competitions that Carlow teenagers excelled in at the all-Ireland community games last summer.

Over 50 gold medallists were awarded with certificates of achievement by cathaoirleach cllr Ken Murnane at a civic reception in the council chamber on Monday 12 January.

The event was promoted by mayor of Carlow, cllr Paul Doogue, who is also deputy president of the national community games board of directors.

Cllr Doogue has been involved in community games for at least 27 years, as the Graiguecullen team chairperson, a Carlow community board member, a Leinster delegate and now as a deputy president. He coaches the swimming team, too. # “I have a passion for the games, I think it means so much to the children,” he said.

The fact that 66 children from Carlow won gold medals at the national games held in SETU in August 2025 was a “huge achievement for a small county,” said cllr Doogue. “They’re definitely in the top three counties in the country, punching way above their weight,” he said.

“A lot of work has gone into it over the year, you have to credit the coaches, managers and parents for making the children turn up.” With over 40 different events, he sees the games as “unique”.

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