MORE THAN 6,000 children, volunteers and organisers braved the elements at the weekend to compete in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Games, now in their 40th year.
Long-term partner Mosney plays host for the final time to the event, as the national finals will move to state-of-the-art sports facilities at Athlone Institute of Technology in 2009.
Events ranged from GAA and soccer to gymnastics, judo, skittles and rounders in what was the second of three finals weekends.
Sponsored by the HSE since 2006, the partnership has proved fruitful, as both organisations work to promote a more active, healthy lifestyle for young people in Ireland.
"Our shared vision of enabling people to live healthy and fulfilled lives is what makes our partnership so successful," said Catherine Murphy of the HSE. "Our health is facing new challenges all the time; obesity in children in Ireland has been identified as an emerging health problem, the consequences of which will be increased health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and joint problems for the next generation.
"Organisations such as the HSE Community Games help to foster a love of active, healthy lives in our young people and may help to reverse this worrying trend."
Saturday saw the worst of the weather conditions, and there was no let-up from the torrential rain for those taking part in the soccer and GAA finals. The teams remained enthusiastic and played on with soaking jerseys and wet hair as brave parents battled to keep hold of their umbrellas.
"The weather has been atrocious and the subs are frozen on the sidelines but they absolutely love it and wouldn't miss it no matter what the weather," said David O'Brien, there to back daughter Sarah in the girls' GAA final with the Listowel team.
Yesterday's competitors were more fortunate as the rain held off and the sun even made an appearance, bringing smiles all round as all present could shed the ubiquitous rain-coats and wellies.
This is the last time the games take place in Mosney as owner Phelim McCloskey plans to redevelop the complex.
Margaret Bolton, marketing director for the games, said that when Mr McCloskey "informed us of his plans, we started to look at other venues around the country, and Athlone was by far the best and they had fantastic plans. It will be there until 2012 and hopefully beyond."