Carlow hosts National Finals for fourth consecutive year
Slaney Valley's U11 mixed tag rugby team earned national bronze medals
“Ireland's Olympics”, as aptly named by MC Anthony Fitzsimons, ran off without a hitch for the fourth successive year at the wonderful venue of SETU Carlow on the last weekend of August.
Children from all around the country flocked into the venue from early Saturday morning, sporting their county colours and exuding a confident determination.
Energy and enthusiasm were palpable all around the venue as athletic prowess was set to be put to the test on track and field.
Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne TD was on hand to congratulate and to present medals. His presence added to the event as he acknowledged the importance of Cairn Community Games in promoting youth development and sportsmanship.
Once again, the event was only possible with the help of the 100-strong troupe of volunteers, reliable as always and crucial for the smooth-running of proceedings.
The only dampener were the few showers that gathered late on Saturday afternoon but without rain, there’s no rainbow and in SETU Carlow the rainbow of colour was everywhere to be seen, on the track, on the sidelines and on the podium, a joy to behold.
On Sunday it was the turn of the outdoor team sports including gaelic football, hurling, soccer, rounders, and tag rugby. Carlow had only one team qualified this year, the U11 tag rugby team from Slaney Valley.
In the semi-final, Tipperary's Cloughjordan proved just too strong for Slaney Valley. The Carlow team re-grouped and re-settled themselves for one last big effort in their final match of the season against Coolera, Sligo in the 3rd/4th place playoff. That effort paid dividends and Slaney Valley ended their All-Ireland campaign with bronze medals.
Co Carlow’s field and track medal winners from the National Finals in SETU:
GOLD / All-Ireland Champions Adnan Bouanba Nichistroi (Burrin) in U10 60m hurdles Ben Nolan (St. Mary’s) in U14 80m hurdles William Myers (Hacketstown) in U14 100m sprint Éanna Dunican (Bennekerry/Tinryland) in U16 100m sprint
SILVER Adam Roberts (Myshall) in U8 80m Noa Bambrick (St. Lazerians) in girls long puck
BRONZE Daniel Hickey (St. Lazerian’s) in U8 60m Jacob Cummins (Bagenalstown) in U8 80m Ava Broderick (Askea) in U14 100m Kiegan Lawlor (Bennekerry/Tinryland) in U16 100m Ada Bambrick (St. Lazerian’s) in U16 200m U14 boys relay (Hacketstown) U16 girls relay (St. Lazerian’s) U16 boys relay (Bennekerry/Tinryland)
PEWTER (4th place) Winnie Rooney (Ballon/Rathoe) in U10 100m Odhran Nolan (Rathvilly) in U12 100m Nicole Rigley (St. Lazerian’s) in U14 80m hurdles Ayman Bouanba Nichistroi (Burrin) in U16 100m U14 girls relay (Askea)
