Track and Field—Mosney
The National Finals were held in Mosney on the weekend of 29th August–1st September.
Age groups from 7–17 assembled at Foster St. Bus Park on Friday morning in an air of great excitement. The majority of children traveled by bus and lodged in the Mosney complex while some of the younger children traveled by car with their parents.
Events began on Saturday morning at 9am to glorious sunshine. Heats in all track events were completed by 5pm. Susan Smyth, following her great performance in the 400m Hurdles at the World Championships in Athens this Summer, arrived at lunch-time and met with the competitors. Semi-finals and finals in the track events took place on Sunday in the pouring rain. The children were like ducks in a muddy pond but were not deterred from having a good time. President Mary Robinson arrived on Sunday evening to join in the Closing Parade with all the athletes from the 32 counties who participated in the Games.
Claregalway had three representatives competing over the weekend. Brian Moran, athletics, Elaine Harrington, athletics and Val Baynes, Shot Putt. All three performed extremely well and enjoyed a fun-filled experience.
On Monday evening the County Galway athletes arrived back to the Fairgreen to be met by the Lord Mayor.
The AGM of the Claregalway/Lackagh Community Games will be held in Claregalway Leisure Centre on Thursday 18th September, 1997 at 8.00 p.m. This might be an opportunity to lend a helping hand in introducing new events from the area. Come along and join in.
Pauline Harrington
Secretary—Claregalway/Lackagh Community Games Committee
