Louth
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NATIONAL FINALS - AUGUST 2016

The competitors from County Louth performed very well in the recent National Finals of the Community Games, which were staged in Athlone in August. The medal haul was an excellent five gold, one silver, four bronze and four fourth place medals.

The county’s swimmers were particularly impressive with four of them striking gold in their individual events. Skye Kasozi (Dundalk) won the U10 Girls’ 25m Backstroke, Harry Winston (Ardee) won the U12 Boys’ 50m Freestyle, Sam Winston (Ardee) won the U14 Boys’ 50m Backstroke and Jordan Byrne (Dundalk) won the U16 Boys’ 50m Backstroke. For good measure the Ardee team of Finn Duffy, Michael McGrath, Evin Quinn and Sam Winston took 4th place in the U16 Boys’ 4x50m Medley Relay.

Several medals were also won in the athletics events. Patience Jumbo Gula (Dundalk) stormed to victory in the U16 Girls’ 100m, Aoibhin McMahon (Dundalk) claimed silver in the U14 Girls’ Shot and Euan Canniffe (Drogheda South) took bronze in the U14 Boys’ Javelin.

There were also bronze medals for the Tullyallen U13 Mixed 4x100m team of Grace Fitzpatrick, Sean McEvoy, Aeyla Orr and Josh Seberry and the Dundalk U14 Girls’ 4x100m team of Sarah Clarke, Patricia Jumbo Gula, Aoibhin McMahon, Sarah Morgan and Hannah Reilly. Tara O’Connor (Dundalk) and Shauna McMahon (Dundalk) both won fourth place medals – in the U10 Girls’ 200m and U16 Girls’ Discus respectively. Arthur Sands (Ardee) reached the “B” final of the U8 Boys’ 80m, in which he finished 3rd to claim a bronze medal.

Louth was well represented at the National Finals in the art competition with each competitor producing a beautiful piece of artwork in what was a competition of a very high standard. Diarmuid Loughman (Drogheda South) secured a bronze medal in the U8 Boys’ competition.

Amelia Laurence (Drogheda North) also did very well in Athlone, taking 4th place in the U12 Girls’ Handwriting competition.

Louth also had competitors in the U14 Mixed Quiz in Athlone. Besides the five areas from across the county from which the medallists came, the other three areas which are registered with the Community Games organisation – Blackrock, Cooley and Togher – were also well represented in the National Finals. All that remains is for some adults in other areas of the county to take the initiative to get involved and thus open up to their children the opportunity to enjoy the experience of participating in the Community Games.


NATIONAL FINALS - AUGUST 2015

The National Finals of the Community Games were staged in Athlone over two weekends and competitors from County Louth produced several impressive performances.

Sixteen girls and ten boys travelled to Athlone for the Swimming events on the weekend of 15th and 16th August, 2015. To get to the finals is an achievement in itself.

Most of the swimmers availed of the six weeks’ training beforehand – County Louth is privileged to have Olympian Colin Lowth at the helm of the Community Games swim training. With his mild temperament, huge enthusiasm and commitment to the sport, his training sessions at Aura Drogheda help advance the county swimmers to national level. He gives the team the confidence to work together and represent the county. His inspiration to the children and teens is not something which is taken for granted.

The ten boys swam on Saturday 15th. Sam Winston from Collon took gold in the U14 Backstroke and Jordan Byrne from Dundalk took silver in the U16 Freestyle. Five boys – Sam Winston, Harry Winston, Kyle Quinn, Michael McGrath and Hugh McGrath made up the U13 Freestyle Relay squad and proudly took silver in an exciting final. These were massive achievements for the Wee County from this small squad of lads!

The next day the sixteen girls were in action. Kate Delaney from Blackrock took gold in the U10 Backstroke, while the Blackrock U16 Medley Relay squad, made up of Rachel O’Brien, Leah Martin, Naoise Carroll and Isobel Duffy, took 4th place in the final. It was certainly a memorable experience for all these swimmers at the 2015 National Finals. Thanks are also due to the team managers – parents Jean Winston and Gerry Martin – for their organisation at the events.

That same weekend young Diarmuid Loughran from Drogheda won silver in the U8 Art competition.

The following weekend it was turn of the athletes to take centre stage. Two athletes struck gold – Jonathan Commins from Ardee in the U14 80m Hurdles and Aoibhín McMahon from Dundalk in the U14 Shot Putt.

Conor McMahon, a cousin of Jonathan’s and also from Ardee, took silver in the U16 High Jump. Silver medals were also the reward for Dundalk speedsters Patience Jumbo Gula in the U16 100m and Gráinne Moran in the U8 60m, as well as Drogheda’s Ewan Canniffe in the U12 Ball Throw.

There were also silver medals for the Louth U16 team of Alan Connor, Tadhg Leavy and Jack McCullough in the 7km road race, while Jack enjoyed the added bonus of winning a fourth-place individual medal.

Cooley’s Ciara Carolan won bronze in the U12 100m, as did Cormac Broe from the Blackrock/Haggardstown area in the U8 60m ‘B’ final. The Dundalk area U14 4x100m relay team of Sarah Clarke, Patricia Jumbo Gula, Aoibhín McMahon and Hannah Reilly also stormed home in the final to claim bronze medals.

A number of other athletes came through the heats and semi-finals to reach the finals on Sunday. Oliver Carolan finished 5th in the U8 80m, Erin Leavy finished 5th in the U10 200m and Shauna McMahon, who was also celebrating her birthday in Athlone, finished 5th in the U16 Discus. Emma Cheshire finished 6th in the U16 200m, while Abbie Sheridan qualified for the U14 800m final.


NATIONAL ATHLETICS FINALS - AUGUST 2014

The Louth athletics team did very well in the National Community Games Finals in Athlone the weekend before last, winning a total of four gold, two silver, five bronze and two fourth place medals. This left the Wee County in a highly creditable sixth place in the overall medals table.

The gold medals went to Gina Akpe-Moses (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U16 100m, Patience Jumbo Gula (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U14 100m, Leo Mac Ruairí (Blackrock/Haggardstown) in the U10 60m Hurdles, and the St Joseph’s, Dundalk relay team of Patience Jumbo Gula, Shauna McMahon, Maria Smith, Kelly Breen and Kate O’Connor in the U14 4x100m.

The silver medallists were Shauna McMahon (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U14 Shot Putt and the U16 Boys’ 7km Marathon team.

Bronze medals were awarded to Chloe Barry (Cooley) in the U14 Long Jump, Ciara Cunningham (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U8 80m, Jack McCullough (Togher/Termonfeckin/Clogherhead) in the U16 7km Marathon, Katelyn Quinn (Cooley) in the U14 Javelin, and the St Joseph’s, Dundalk relay team of Aoibhín McMahon, Hannah Reilly, Sarah Clarke and Patricia Jumbo Gula in the U12 4x100m.

Fourth place medals are also awarded in the National Community Games Finals and two Louth athletes earned this honour – Conor McCarron (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U14 Shot Putt and Joe O’Brien (Ardee/Collon) in the U10 200m.

Several other athletes just missed out on medals with fifth place finishes. These included Emma Cheshire (Tullyallen/Monasterboice) in the U16 High Jump, David Doyle (Ardee/Collon) in the U12 100m, Aoibhín McMahon (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U12 Ball Throw, Conor McMahon (Ardee/Collon) in the U16 High Jump and Erin Orr (Tullyallen/Monasterboice) in the U14 80m Hurdles. Another notable performance was that of Lily Cummins (Drogheda North), who came home seventh in the U10 200m final.


NATIONAL ART FINALS - AUGUST 2014

There was success for Louth in this year's National Art Finals in Athlone. Siblings Conor Loughman and Eile Loughman from the Drogheda South area both finished in fourth place and thus in the medals – Conor in the U12 age group and his sister in the U10 age group.


NATIONAL SWIMMING FINALS - AUGUST 2014

Louth swimming enjoyed their most successful result in recent times at the National Community Games held in Athlone on the weekend of 16th and 17th August, culminating in 1 gold, 3 silver and a bronze.

The 28 strong team trained in the Aura Drogheda pool over the summer to prepare for the Games, which brings together the best swimmers from each county across the country.

Drogheda and Aer Lingus swimmer Caoimhe Branigan produced a fine swim to finish 2nd in the Girls’ Under 14 50m Butterfly. Caoimhe's training regime includes getting up at 5am to travel to Dublin for early morning training before travelling back for school.

Sam Winston from Collon led from start to finish in the Boys’ Under 12 50m Backstroke for an easy success, with a gold medal and a great future lies ahead for him. His brother Harry Winston came a credible 4th place in Under 10 Freestyle. Both boys make the journey to the Aer Lingus swim club several times a week. Kyle Quinn, who trains with Newry & Mourne club also took 4th place in the Boys’ Under 10 Backstroke.

Dundalk swimmer Jordan Byrne capped a fine season by claiming silver in the Boys’ Under 14 Backstroke. Jordan now swims with Aer Lingus 6 times a week.

Michael McGrath was rewarded for his hard work and dedication by snatching a bronze medal in the Boys’ Under 12 50m Front Crawl.

In the most exciting race of the competition, the Boys’ Under 13 relay team of Evin, Finn, Sam, Luke and Michael produced a scintillating display to be just denied gold in the final by a strong Mayo team.

Several other swimmers achieved personal best times and gained valuable experience of top level competition. It was a tough 2 days - our special thanks has to go to Colin Lowth for his interest, support, inspiration and encouragement which means so much to our Louth competitors during the tense but exciting moments of each race. Colin takes such a personal interest in each swimmer; we are honoured to have him as part of our management team.


NATIONAL ATHLETICS FINALS - AUGUST 2013

The young runners, jumpers and throwers who comprised the Louth athletics team at the finals of the National Community Games in Athlone performed magnificently to win no fewer than ten medals.

Patience Jumbo Gula (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) brought her superb season to a fitting close by winning gold in the U14 100m, an excellent achievement considering that she was just a few days too old to compete in the U12 age group.

Gina Akpe-Moses (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) took silver in the U16 100m, as did Grace Fitzpatrick (Tullyallen / Monasterboice) in the U10 200m.

Louth won four bronze medals in the field events, thanks to Liam Connaughton (Drogheda South) in the U14 Javelin, Niamh Kelly (Drogheda South) in the U16 High Jump, Conor McMahon (Ardee / Collon) in the U14 Long Jump and Shauna McMahon (St Joseph’s, Dundalk) in the U14 Shot Putt.

Fourth place medals are also awarded in the Community Games and one of these came the county's way, thanks to Chloe Finley (Cooley) in the U16 Triple Jump.

In addition the younger age groups had “B” competitions for those who didn’t qualify for the semi-finals from the first round heats. Two medals were won by Louth athletes in the U8 80m “B” events – silver for Seán Cassidy-McKeever (Blackrock / Haggardstown) and a fourth place medal for Erin Leavy (Ardee / Collon).

The other athletes on the team who great brought honour to themselves, their local areas and their county with their fine performances included Cormac Barry, Seán Bergin, Daragh Brady, Euan Canniffe, Ciara Carolan, Harry Carolan, Jack Carolan, Kenza Cherouat, Emma Cheshire, Shane Cheshire, Jonathan Commins, T J Doheny, Alana Duffy, Anna Faulkner, Odette Flannery, Ciara Gough, Laura-Jane Hearty, Patricia Jumbo Gula, Róisín Kane, Cian Leavy, Leo Mac Ruairí , Conor Matthews, Moya McCabe, Jack McCullough, Lily McEnteggart, Martin McGrane, Aoibhín McMahon, Caitlin Mulholland, Danny O’Brien, Tia Power, Ciara Quinn, Evin Quinn, Neil Quinn, Clodagh Roe, Callum Sheedy, Maria Smith and Hannah Stewart.

The team managers for the weekend were Deirdre McTeggart and John Roche, and they were delighted with the outstanding performances on the track and the tremendous team spirit off it. In addition, they appreciated the strong support from several parents and other family members who travelled to Athlone to cheer on the team.


COUNTY ATHLETICS FINALS - JUNE 2013

The Louth Community Games athletics finals took place in the newly refurbished Lourdes Stadium in Drogheda on the June Bank Holiday Monday. It was a perfect day for track and field competition, as glorious summer sunshine greeted competitors and spectators alike. The young athletes in action were representing their local areas, which stretched right across the county from Cooley to Drogheda South.

The winners of each event have qualified for the National Community Games, which will be held in Athlone in August. Two of the county’s national champions from last year will be returning to the Midlands venue this year to strive for further glory. These are Jonathan Commins (Ardee / Collon), who retained his U12 100m title, and Gina Akpe-Moses (St Joseph’s, Dundalk), who won the U16 100m on Monday.

In addition Jack McCullogh (Drogheda North), winner of the U14 100m Breaststroke in last month’s national swimming finals, will be back in Athlone in August to contest the U14 800m on the track.


NATIONAL SWIMMING FINALS - MAY 2013

The national swim finals took place in Athlone on the weekend of 25th and 26th May with 32 young people from Under 8 up to Under 16 from all over the county taking part. It is a proud day to represent your county in any sport. Several made it through to the semis and the finals.

Competition is fierce with 32 counties taking part, but Jack McCullough from Clogherhead gave us gold with a powerful swim in the U14 Boys’ Breaststroke. Young Esther Quinn from Ballymascanlon was 4th in the B final of the U10 Girls’ Freestyle and young Joshua Seberry from Monasterboice was also 4th in the equivalent boys’ event – all great achievements.

Well done also to Juliet McGrath, Sophie Gray, Stephen Woods in the U8s and U10s; Rachel Woods, Jaiden Byrne, Molly Hughes, Michael McGrath, Finn Duffy and Sam Winston in the U12s; Leah Martin, Ruth Clarke, Rory McDonagh, Jordan Byrne and Matthew Burns in the U14s; Orla Stafford, Claire O’Hanlon, Darren Lynch, Cathal Killeen and Seán Gibney in the U16s; and to the members of the U13 relay teams: Luke O’Hanlon, Jordan Kenny, Hugh McGrath, Róisín McDaid, Aoife McDaid, Cara McAvinney, Caitlin Sofia and Rebekah Woods.

Huge thanks to Colin Lowth who swam for Ireland in the Sydney Olympics – he comes to support the Louth Community Games team every year – and to our managers Liam McGrath and Seamus O’Hanlon and of course the ladies Deirdre, Lorraine, Audrey and Karen.


COUNTY SWIMMING FINALS - APRIL 2013

Almost 100 children took part in the Louth Community Games Swimming Finals, which were held in the Aura Pool in Dundalk on Sunday 7th April 2013.

Three of the county's medallists from last year's National Community Games Finals were in action again and all three duly won their events, despite having moved up into a higher age group in two cases. These were Caoimhe Branigan (U14 Backstroke), Michael McGrath (U12 Breaststoke) and Sam Winston (U12 Backstroke).

The following swimmers also won their individual events and have thus qualified to compete in the National Finals in Athlone next month: Matthew Burns, Jayden Byrne, Jordan Byrne, Ruth Clarke, Finn Duffy, Seán Gibney, Molly Hughes, Cathal Killeen, Darren Lynch, Leah Martin, Jack McCullough, Rory McDonagh, Kate McDonnell, Juliet McGrath, Claire O'Hanlon, Esther Quinn, William Quinn, Joshua Seberry, Orla Stafford, Rachel Woods and Stephen Woods.


NATIONAL ATHLETICS FINALS - AUGUST 2012

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th August 2012 witnessed one of the best ever performances by any team to represent Louth in any sport. The young runners, jumpers and throwers who comprised the county athletics team at the finals of the National Community Games in Athlone performed magnificently to finish second in the overall athletics medals table with 6 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze and 2 fourth place medals.

Galway topped the table, just marginally ahead of the Wee County, with 6 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze and 2 fourth place medals, while Clare, who won a total of 5 gold medals, were third in the rankings. Louth's achievement is even more remarkable when compared with the country's most populous county, Dublin, who won three golds, half the Louth total, or with our near neighbours in Armagh, Down, Meath and Monaghan, who won just one gold medal between them.

The six athletes who won gold in Athlone were Gary Campbell (Togher / Termonfeckin / Clogherhead) in the U16 1500m, Mark Rogers (Togher / Termonfeckin / Clogherhead) in the U16 High Jump, Gina Akpe-Moses (St Joseph's, Dundalk) in the U14 100m, Jonathan Commins (Ardee / Collon) in the U12 100m, Liam Connaughton (Drogheda South) in the U12 Ball Throw, and Tom Cummins (Drogheda North) in the U10 200m.

Lauren Finegan (Togher / Termonfeckin / Clogherhead) took silver in the U16 Javelin, while Oisín Ó Gibne (Drogheda South) struck bronze in the U14 800m. Ardee / Collon's mixed relay team of Conor McMahon, Niamh Tenanty, Naoise McConnon and Jonathan Commins also won bronze in the U13 4x100m.

Fourth place medals are also awarded in the Community Games and two of these came Louth's way, thanks to Eva Cummins (Drogheda North) in the U12 600m and Neasa Reilly (Blackrock / Haggardstown) in the U10 200m.

The other athletes on the team who great brought honour to themselves, their local areas and their county with their fine performances included Chloe Barry, Cormac Barry, Jack Boylan, Euan Canniffe, Olivia Carroll, Shane Cheshire, Lily Cummins, Aidan Curtin, Cillian Duffy, Keith Dunne, Méabh Fee, Grace Fitzpatrick, Ronan Greene, Kate Kelly, Niamh Kelly, Rachel Leonard, Cormac McCabe, Dara McDonnell, Liam McDonnell, Martin McGrane, Conor McGuinness, Joe O'Brien, Liam O'Callaghan, Ruarcán Ó Gibne, Katelyn Quinn, Kyle Quinn and Heather Rogers.

The team managers for the weekend were Barbara Kelly and Tom McGrane, and they were delighted with the outstanding performances on the track and the tremendous team spirit off it. In addition, they appreciated the strong support from several parents and other family members who travelled to Athlone to cheer on the team.