Athletes from Craughwell AC had a highly successful weekend at the National Finals of the Community Games in Athlone last weekend with 11 athletes in action, four of whom brought home silverware.

Emma Byrne had a super performance in the U13 girls 900m race walk to take 4th place while Shane Finn was unlucky not to make the final of the boys event with a 6th place finish in the semi-final. This was Galway’s first time in a long time competing in the race walk in Community Games and Craughwell’s first time ever – so it was a fine performance by both athletes. They were complimented on their technique by several of the judges. 

Linda and Laura Porter brought glory to Galway when they featured as part of the Galway U16 marathon team who took the silver medals in their 7000m race. Linda finished in 6th place, just behind teammate Kate Burke from Ballinasloe. Michelle Maher was next in followed shortly by Laura who had an exceptional race over a new distance for her. 

The highlight of the individual events was Maria McNamara’s fantastic performance in the U16 girls high jump to take the bronze medal with a 1.55m clearance – in the 6 years since 2005 the club has featured in the high jump medals each year with Cathriona Farrell (2 gold and a silver), Niall Rooney (bronze) and Tomas Keehan (bronze) flying the flag in previous years. Maria's technique was flawless up to the 1.55m height, clearing it first time each height. And with a little more practise at the higher heights, Maria will be sailing over those too!

There were fine performances also from Oisin Doyle who finished 5th in the U12 boys 600m, breaking his PB for the distance by a split second, Tara McNally who made the U14 100m final, Caelfhionn O’Donoghue who finished 5th in her U8 80m sprint, Conor Gillen who took 7th in his U16 boys 1500m semi and Grainne McDaid who missed out on a final position in the U12 girls 600m by a fraction of a foot when finishing in 7th place in her semi. Aidan Conneely and Eddie Madden featured on the Ardrahan relay team, making it as far as the U14 4×100 semifinal.