Whoever said Ireland's Community Games are not what they used to be forgot to tell the 500,000 children who participated this year.
Not to mention the 20,000 volunteers integral to the games' success and the countless fans who cheer along their local and county teams throughout the year.
But this year the games took place without support from their title sponsor ESB and, as a result, they could not produce their two annual half-hour TV community games broadcasts.
Organisers, however, are confident they will have secured a new sponsor by the time next year's finals come around. In the games' 39-year history, the finals have always been held in Mosney, but this is due to change by 2007 when they will be moving to a new, undecided location.
The games are an ongoing, all-year-round event, which culminated in two national finals this August in Mosney, Co Meath. Yesterday saw the games come to a close as more than 6,000 children took part in Mosney over two weekends.
On the final day of the games, the sun shone and there was a feelgood atmosphere as county representatives went head to head in 40 different sporting, cultural and artistic events. Incorporating everything from tag rugby, to track and field, to chess, there were children aged from six to 16 from all over the country.
Leaving the playing field after winning the under-16s girls marathon relay event were Donegal players Catherine Gibbons (14), Carla Bourne (14) and Brianna Ward (14).
Having a kick-around on the adjoining pitch were members of the Monaghan rugby team. Ten-year-olds Mark McCabe and Desmond Ward said they had loved playing rugby and hoped to be back again next year.
Nearby, Tadhg Morley (11) from Co Kerry was anxiously awaiting the 100m final he was due to take part in.
Mairead Sayeh, whose family is from Liberia, was enjoying herself after competing in the 100m relay race for Westmeath.
"The carnival was definitely my favourite part," she said.