Westmeath Community Games 2025 kicks off in style

Only a few short weeks have passed since our well-attended AGM, and the games kicked off in earnest last weekend. The first two weeks following the AGM gave all 22 active areas a chance to complete their Garda vetting and upload their committees.

Weekend one comprised of indoor soccer, futsal, badminton, table tennis, basketball, chess, draughts, and X rugby 7s. A total of 122 teams entered these eight events, and last weekend saw the start of the county finals being played after two weeks of preliminary rounds.

Rochfortbridge hosted the chess, and following 22 teams entering the three competitions, the county winners were decided on Sunday last. Following some action-packed preliminary rounds in the under 11 competition, Gainstown – Milltownpass contested the final against Streamstown-Horseleap. In a close-fought final, the gold medals went to Gainstown - Milltownpass.

Rochfortbridge has been very strong in chess over the last few years, and it was no surprise that their two teams made it all the way to the final of the under 13 competition.

The under 16 events went down to the wire, and after a fierce tactical battle between Tyrrellspass and Rochfortbridge, the gold medal was finally secured by Rochfortbridge.

Thanks very much to Paddy and Shirley and all the crew from Rochfortbridge who volunteered to host this event. All went very smoothly in the preliminary rounds and on Sunday for the county finals.

Sunday afternoon also saw some of the preliminary rounds of indoor soccer being contested at the wonderful facility that is Streete parish hall. Richard Fagan and his small crew have done great work down through the years hosting the soccer element of our games.

We had 31 teams spread across the four soccer events. Following numerous areas participating in preliminary rounds, there was one county final contested from the many games that were played, and that was in the under 10 girls where The Downs made it to the final and played against Horseleap - Streamstown. Both teams played their little hearts out, but eventually, Horseleap-Streamstown came out on top. Thanks to Richard for not only coordinating the games but also refereeing them. He did it all over again on Sunday, March 16, where there were county titles on the line for boys under 10, girls under 13, and boys under 13. Results to follow next week.

This Saturday, March 22, will see the best in the county competing in the futsal finals hosted by Athlone-East and expertly coordinated by Anthony Monaghan and his crew.

Some other dates for the diary are: The county draughts final will be hosted by The Downs in their clubhouse on Sunday, March 23. Anne-Marie Corroon and her team will welcome 32 teams to their clubhouse for a fun-filled day. Sunday, April 6th, is the county final date for quiz. Cathy and her crew from Moate, who have done great work down through the years, will host this event again this year. Monday, April 7, will see all our gymnastics participants battle it out for county honours in Athlone. Belinda and her team from Mount Temple-Baylin will host this event in Athlone Gymnastics Club. (Dependent on numbers, a second evening may be required once the deadline for entries closes on March 30.) Saturday, April 12, is the date for county finals of handball. With world champions in our area, it’s great to see this event being held in Mullingar Handball Club. Natasha and Fiona ran a very successful event last year and will do so again this year. County swimming finals will be held in the RSC in Athlone on Saturday, April 19. Mount Temple – Baylin has hosted this large event for the last few years and will do so again this year. Thanks to Fergal, Anne, and their many helpers who will be required on the night for volunteering to host this large event.

County final dates have yet to be set for table tennis, badminton, basketball, and X-rugby 7s, but all will be played before the deadline date of Sunday, April 27.

Mullingar Harriers has kindly given us permission to use their grounds and provide up to 40 volunteers to assist us in running the county track & field finals. This will be held at their wonderful grounds on Sunday, May 18. (Ball throw will also take place during this event.)

Our art and culture county finals have been contested over the past few years in Multyfarnham, and this year will be no different. Saturday, June 7, is the date for this event, and Richard, Joan, Madeline, and Hillary will be looking for loads of volunteers to manage this very large event. Everything from art to handwriting, debating, recitation, solo singing, group singing, solo dancing, group dancing, model making, modern dancing,

Irish dancing, group drama and comedy will be contested on the day, so a huge number of volunteers will be required to run that event safely and smoothly.

Dates yet to be confirmed relate to the following events: mixed distance relays, cross country, marathon. These are representative teams, and trials will take place in Mullingar Harriers to select our county teams. This trial will take place on a date prior to April 27. Cycling on grass will also have to be completed by April 27.

The second half of the Community Games calendar will see our children participate in outdoor soccer, 7-aside soccer, Gaelic football, camogie, hurling, tag rugby, pitch and putt, and long puck.

Plenty of mouth-watering action to come over the next few months. If you are not from an active Community Games area, why not join up with some like-minded individuals and email westmeath@communitygames.eu. We will guide you through the relatively simple process of Garda vetting and setting up a new committee.

There are still some areas in Westmeath that are inactive, and we would only love to work with you and help establish Community Games in your area.