Westmeath athletes produce fine displays

South Westmeath athletes did not manage to win any medals despite some admirable performances last weekend - as the curtain came down on the final weekend of the HSE Community Games National Finals, held for the first time in Athlone IT. Castledaly/Ballinahown/Clonbonny was well represented last weekend, with Oisin Foley, Patrick Heffernan, Declan Henson, Patrice Doolan, Ellen Sheerin, Rebecca Farrell (all U-15 mixed relay), Adam Turley (U-8 60 metres), Andrew Beaumont (U-8 80m) and Daniel Heavin (U-12 100m) all competing for Westmeath. And while medals didn't come their way, they did themselves proud with their performances. Moate was represented by Linus Sayeh in the U-14 100m, while Linda Conroy of Kilbeggan competed in the U-14 800m. Even the miserably wet weather conditions couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of competitors and spectators alike, as the children gave of their best on the Olympic standard tartan track. The transition from Mosney to AIT has been a great success and - despite a few teething problems, which will be sorted out - this venue will become the home of Community Games for years to come. There were many success stories over the weekend and the delight on the faces of the competitors told its own story. From a Westmeath perspective, one of those success stories was Paul Collins from Castlepollard who won the gold medal in the Under-16 Discus, while competitors from Kinnegad, Delvin and Killucan brought home silver and bronze medals. Gold For Paul Collins Castlepollard can be very proud of the very talented Paul Collins who took the gold medal from a very strong line-up of twenty discus throwers from all over Ireland. Paul has now joined his brother Justin in bring home a Community Games All-Ireland medal and there is no doubt that Paul will be a name to watch out for in the future. U-10 Mixed Relay Win Silver Kinnegad/Coralstown Under-10 mixed relay team put in magnificent performances when they won their heat and semi-final. In the final they gave it everything only to be pipped on the line for the gold. This team of Nicole Gorry, Patrick Leydon, Jordyn O'Connor, Eanna Burke, Aileen Brannock, Jeff Umukro, who won gold last year, now have a silver medal to add to their collection. Two Bronze Medals In Walk Edel Glennon from Kinnegad/Coralstown and Oisin Quinn from Delvin had no problem in winning their semi-finals in the Under-13 Walking Race and looked quite comfortable and ready to take on the rest in the final. The two finals produced very close exciting walking with both Westmeath walkers out in front in the leading bunch throughout the race. In the final twenty metres it was any ones race and just at the finishing line, both Edel and Oisin were only three steps away from gold (that's how close it was) and had to be content with bronze medals. Bronze for Delvin Relay Team Delvin keep producing All-Ireland medal winners and on Sunday last they home with four silver medals in the Under-12 girls relay team of Lisa Cooke, Katie Mander, Saoirse McGrath, Niamh Quinn. Lisa Cooke, a member of the relay team, also won an individual silver medal in the girls under-12 100m and, with Oisin Quinn having won a bronze medal in the Walking Race, this completed a great weekend for the Delvin competitors. Ciara Wins Bronze In Hurdles Race Ciara O'Looney from Killucan/Raharney had no problem clearing the hurdles in the heats and semi-final of the under-10 60m. In the final Ciara ran a tremendous race and was only piped on the line into third place and the bronze medal. Only nine years of age, Ciara has a very bright future in athletics.