Mosney chosen for finals after all

This year's ESB Community Games National Finals will be held at the Mosney Holiday Centre - despite earlier fears that a Government decision to house 500 asylum-seekers at the site would force the event organisers to seek another venue.

After a meeting of the 36 National Executive Council members at this weekend's a.g.m. in Tullamore, Mosney emerged as the preferred venue for the special activities weekend in May and the nationals finals in September. Previous meetings had been held with the Department of Justice and a consensus was reached whereby additional accommodation would be provided in order for the Meath venue to continue to host the event.

That option was put to the executive council of the Games' organisers in mid-January and after consultation with each of the county delegates, a decision has now been reached to return to Mosney.

The first group of asylumseekers arrived at Mosney early last month, but after the "positive and very cordial" meeting with the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue; the Directorate of Asylum Support Services; the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; and the Community Games organisers, a mutually satisfactory agreement was reached.

Almost 400 delegates from the 32 counties attended the 30th a.g.m. in the year when the number of affiliated areas participating in the games rose to a record high of 845.

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen addressed the assembly on Saturday, and paid special tribute to volunteers. Media awards were also presented on Saturday afternoon two of the national press prizes went to The Irish Times: Best Sports Coverage, and Best Written Analysis.

Other national print media awards went to the Irish Examiner (Best News Coverage), the Evening Herald (Best Overall Coverage), the Irish Independent (Best Photographic Coverage), and the Evening Echo (Most Improved Coverage).