COMMUNITY GAMES FINALS: The ominous weather forecast, sombre skies and frequent downpours were unable to dampen the spirits of participants at the national finals of the ESB Community Games, which kicked off in Mosney this weekend.
Even the manager of the Irish soccer team, Mr Brian Kerr, braved the unseasonal elements yesterday morning to take his place on the sideline of the girls' under-15 soccer play-offs. He says the importance of these games to Irish sport cannot be underestimated.
"It's not about the stars," says Mr Kerr. "It's all about local kids getting the chance to participate at a national level. So many of our top athletes have participated in the community games at the start of their careers, and although they also get the opportunity to play in school and in local clubs, it gives them the experience of competing at a high national level."
There are 6,000 children between 6 and 16 competing in this year's finals, held over two weekends. This first weekend of intense competition included numerous sporting events, ranging from handball to swimming and from volleyball to judo.
There was also plenty of opportunity for young people to display their talents in other areas. Non-sporting events included chess, model-making and art, while the musically inclined gravitated towards the choir and variety show events.
The chief executive of the games, Mr Donal Buggy, says that while some children approached the competitions on a very professional level, most were there for the sheer fun.
"The disco is as much a part of it as anything else," he says.
The daughters of the Mayo football manager, Mr John Maughan, Tressan (13), and Sally (11), are both on the winning under-15 and under-13 girls' rounders teams and although Tressan is delighted with their win, for her the games are not all about competition.
"It's all about the new people you meet, the new friends you make, and the disco and the carnival are great. It's brilliant, really exciting," she says. Sally, meanwhile, is looking forward to the prize-giving.
"We get a presentation with a big plaque with our names on it and medals. It's class," she said.
The captain of the winning under-15 girls' soccer team from Kiltoom-Caam, Co Roscommon, Aine O'Brien, demonstrates that the competitive streak is not absent. Her team came to Mosney this year for unfinished business. "The team we played beat us three years ago and we were out for revenge. Now I feel brilliant; it's the best feeling ever. I'm going to stay up all night to celebrate," she says.
Although Cork have been knocked out of the All-Ireland Football Championship, the Douglas under-10 community games mixed football team, have done their county proud. Conor O'Brien (9), a member of the team, is thrilled to have beaten Kildare. "It's great. There'll be a party in Douglas to celebrate," he says.
It's not all about team sports though. Geoff Rellis (14), Clane, Co Kildare, who already won a gold medal in the National Championships in April, ensures there is stiff competition in gymnastics, eventually laying claim to the winning medal.
However, despite the high standard, facilities leave a lot to be desired with the competition taking place in what can only be described as a drab, musty, shed-like building.
Geoff's Dad, Mr Gerard Rellis, says the facilities are dreadful and don't reflect the young people's sporting standard. It is the same countrywide, he says. He has to drive Geoff to locations as far afield as Dublin, Belfast and Cork so he can train. Despite the constraints, Geoff remains enthusiastic about the sport.
"I love the thrill of it. You get to do some cool stuff and it's good fun," he says.