Action across pitch at The Downs Community Games
Image 1 of 18
There was a large crowd out for The Downs Community Games track and field events.Image 2 of 18
The U8 boys racing to the line.Image 3 of 18
The winners of the mams race with some of their supporters.Image 4 of 18
Ben Conroy won the long puck.Image 5 of 18
Lilly Archbold and Chloe Bell.Image 6 of 18
Cillian Martyn and Peter Fitzpatrick.Image 7 of 18
The winners of the dads race.Image 8 of 18
Lilly Walsh.Image 9 of 18
The novelty races were great fun.Image 10 of 18
Rian and John Healy enjoying the wheelbarrow race.Image 11 of 18
U8 60m, 1. Evan Clifford, 2. Senan Byrne, 3. Tiernan Corcoran.Image 12 of 18
U8 girls 1. Layla Morgan, 2. Naomi Kilmurray, 3. Chloe Connolly and Aisling Dean.Image 13 of 18
U10 boys, 1. Rian Healy, 2. Cian Clifford, 3. Luke Cosgrove and Ruairi Walters.Image 14 of 18
U10 girls, Robyn Bradley, Alana Spain and Evie Murphy.Image 15 of 18
U12 boys, Ben Conroy, Noah Govinder and Noah Morgan.Image 16 of 18
U12 girls, Abbie Ennis, Ava Meehan and Alana Rice.Image 17 of 18
U14 girls, Aoibhe Martyn, Lilly Archbold and Robyn Kelly.Image 18 of 18
U16s Wesley Boonyoo Flynn, Conor Rieksen and Luke McLoughlin.There was action from one end of the pitch to the other at The Downs GAA when the Community Games Area held their annual Track and Field Event on bank holiday Monday, May 5.
The Downs Community Games Area stretches as far as the Ardmore part of Mullingar, so there was a large crowd out in the sunshine, for an event whose success was thanks to the work put in by the volunteer organisers.
That team was led by The Downs Community Games Area’s new chairperson Edel Ennis and secretary Jane Thornton. Among the volunteers helping were Colm Walsh, as race director, and Tommy Byrne, as MC for the day – without the aid of a microphone.
Blessed with beautiful weather, the event featured races for all ages, and from the classic Community Games competitions to novelty events such as the egg-and-spoon and sack races.
Joining the children on the track were the mammies and daddies, whose races added to the fun.
In the official Community Games events, there was strong competition throughout, and the winners go on to represent The Downs Community Games Area at the Westmeath Community Games County finals, on Sunday May 18 at Mullingar Harriers Club Grounds.
The Downs did well last year and several of their young athletes progressed to represent Westmeath at the national finals in running and relay events – among them was Lily Walsh, who won a national title and is aiming for another this year.
Already, several children from The Downs have secured spots in this year’s national finals in cross-country (held in Gormanston) and swimming (in Kilkenny).
Other local teams currently active in county events.
The U12 boys soccer team, county champions for the last two years, and the U10 boys Gaelic football team are both progressing in their competitions.
The Downs Community Games Area Art, Handwriting, and Model Making Competition is on May 22 at The Downs NS. The area had great success in those categories last year, and Aoibhe Martyn placed third nationally in Art for the second consecutive year last year.
The organisers of the track and field day thanked Barry Monaghan of B-Media for photography.
Anyone interested in representing The Downs in performance categories including singing, dance, band, and recital at the Westmeath County Finals is encouraged to get in touch with Edel Ennis or Jane Thornton.