Tralee International Children’s Games teams going to Lake Macquarie, near Sydney for this year’s Games (click on photo to enlarge). The teams depart on Sunday Nov 30 and return on Friday Dec 12th. Back from left: Rian O Sullivan, Brian O Regan, Michael Potts, Dylan O Sullivan, Sean O Leary, Conor Standen, Gary Matthews, Sean Collins, Caomhan Daly, Paul Dolan. Middle; Saoirse Kennedy, Leah Henry, Paula Henry, Jim Finucane, Mayor of Tralee Municipal District, Michael Culloty, Aoife Gallagher, Keelie O Connor. In Front: Megan O Donnell, Mary Barry, Caitlin Gunn, Elaina Galvin, Rachel Mulvihill, Elizabeth Mohan. Photo by Dermot Crean
EIGHTEEN young Kerry athletes depart for “down under” this morning (Sunday) to represent Tralee and Ireland at this year’s International Children’s Games and Cultural Festival, which will be held in Lake Macquarie, near Sydney from December 6-11.
The teams, coaches and family members travelling to Australia number 29 in total and they will fly to Sydney today where they will spend some time before travelling on by train to the Games venue, just a little under two hours away.
Tralee will be represented in boys soccer, ladies soccer and swimming and all athletes are excitedly counting down the days to departure at this stage.
“As one can easily understand it has been a long wait for these athletes who were selected in March of this year, and for the Games to be just around the corner means that the excitement at the prospect of competing in Australia is at fever pitch,” said Mike Culloty, secretary of Tralee ICG.
“It promises to be a marvellous experience for all the children and we are all looking forward to renewing sporting rivalries, meeting old friends and competing against the different participating cities in soccer and swimming”.
The two swimmers travelling are Megan O’Donnell and Caomhan Daly, both members of the Kingdom Swimming Club, Tralee, and they will be under the watchful eye of Paul Dolan.
The boys soccer team will be managed by David Magee and John Byrne and the full squad of eight players is as follows: Brian O Regan, Fenit Samphires; Sean Collins, The Park FC; Rian O Sullivan, Kingdom Boys, Gary Matthews, Killorglin; Sean O Leary, Mastergeeha; Michael Potts, Killarney Celtic; Conor Standen, Killorglin and Dylan O Sullivan, also of Killorglin FC.
Tralee participated in ladies soccer for the first time last year at the Windsor Games in Canada and performed with distinction.
As a result Tralee ICG decided to enter another ladies team this year, with Paula Henry and Aoife Gallagher in charge.
The team members are Elizabeth Mohan, Killarney Athletic; Saoirse Kennedy, Listowel Celtic; Leah Henry, Listowel Celtic; Mary Barry, Listowel Celtic; Keelie O’Connor, Killarney Celtic; Caitlin Gunn, Tralee Dynamos; Rachel Mulvihill, Listowel Celtic; Elaina Galvin, Killarney Athletic.
The athletes and their families have put in tremendous effort in fund raising activities throughout the year to ensure participation at this year’s Games was possible.
“There is a considerable financial requirement every year, and especially so for Sydney, which is the farthest away venue to which we have taken Tralee teams”, said Mike Culloty.
“The Tralee ICG committee is deeply appreciative of the extraordinary goodwill and support made available to these children through business, various sponsorship and the many contributions of members of the public through raffle tickets, table quizzes and bag packing. In reality it is they who make it possible to participate and compete at the Games and we are grateful to all who have helped in any way”.
Tralee will face serious competition in their pool games as a result of the draw. The girl’s team are in a group of 5 which includes reigning champions, Alkmaar of the Netherlands, Hamilton, Canada, Marion, USA and Lake Macquarie, the host city. The boys face up to opposition from Vevey of Switzerland, Plock of Poland, Ufa of Russia and Hadera of Israel. The schedule for the swimmers also means they will be going flat out over the three days of competition in their events. What a fantastic opportunity to participate at international level against their peers for all these athletes!
The Tralee teams have been befriended by the Sydney Rose of Tralee committee and its chairman Mr Tom O’Keeffe, who attended a meeting with Tralee ICG at this year’s Festival.
They are currently actively involved in preparing a real Irish welcome for the team on arrival, and in organising some opportunities for sightseeing and cultural events while in Sydney.
One such event will be a visit to the Sydney Swans, where Tommy Walsh and Tadhg Kennelly have played with such distinction, and who are expected to greet the team on their “home” turf!
Training sessions in swimming and soccer have been arranged along the famous Bondi beach, which will be a novel experience for everyone, to say the least.
With over 80 cities from around the world represented by almost 1,500 children, the first ever Games to be hosted in Australia should make for a great experience for everyone involved, and best wishes go to these athletes for success “down under”.
The Girl’s team travelling to Lake Macquarie to represent Tralee Back from left: Elaina Galvin Keelie O Connor Leah Henry, Liz Mohan, Saoirse Kennedy, Aoife Gallagher, Coach. In front Megan O Donnell, Caitlin Gunn Paula Henry, Jim Finucane, Mayor of Tralee Municipal District, Michael Culloty, Rachel Mulvihill. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Boy’s team travelling to Lake Macquarie. Front, from left: Brian O Regan, Rian O Sullivan, Paul Dolan, Coach, Mayor Jim Finucane, Mike Culloty, Michael Potts, Caomhan Daly. Back: Dylan O Sullivan, Sean O Leary, Conor Standen, Gary Matthews, Sean Collins. Photo by Dermot Crean
