Disappointing news on Community Games finals

Athlone has missed out on a return of the National Community Games finals.

The town had hosted the event for a number of years before the decision to move to the National Sports Campus in 2017 and 2018 was taken.

The board of the Community Games opted earlier this year to seek tenders from prospective venues to host the event in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Late last night, it announced the University of Limerick as the new Aldi Community Games Festival venue

In a statement issued last night, The Board of Aldi Community Games said he met on Friday and after lengthy consideration, the University of Limerick was selected as the new venue. 

Speaking at the announcement, Gerard Davenport, President said:

“This was a very open and transparent process and in the end the University of Limerick were the successful bidders. I would like to thank the other 2 shortlisted parties – NUIG and Athlone IT.   Aldi Community Games looks forward to a successful three years at our new host venue.”

The news will come as a blow to Athlone as a concerted drive to secure the return of the games had been undertaken.

Mayor of Athlone, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke last night expressed his disappointment at the decision.

He said he was “very disappointed” to learn that Athlone was not successful in its bid to host the National Community Games at AIT for the next three years. 

“A lot of work was done on the bid by all stakeholders locally, but on this occasion the decision did not go our way. Congrats to University of Limerick.“