.
The Tralee team heading off to Kecskemet in Hungary this summer to take part in the Children’s International Games. Also included in front are Dearbhail Foley, Paula Henry, Chairman Tralee ICG Mike Culloty, Siobhan Murphy, Anne Moore, Ger McDonnell and John Byrne. Photo by Dermot Crean
A GROUP of teenagers from Tralee and beyond will once again look forward to representing their county this summer at the International Children’s Games.
Tralee has been sending teams since 2005 and this time they will compete at the Kecskemet Games, in Hungary from June 30-July 5.
Kecskemet, the 8th largest city in Hungary, is situated along the banks of the Danube. It promises to be an exciting time for all participants in a city steeped in Hungarian culture, history and sporting achievement.
In total 107 cities have registered for the Games, with Tralee ICG the only Irish representatives, as they have been since 2009.
Continued below…
.
“It’s a tremendous experience for these young athletes” said ICG chairman, Mike Culloty, “who get the once in a lifetime opportunity to compete at against their own peers at an International level this age (13-15). There is so much to be gained from a social, cultural, educational and sporting perspective for our athletes through participation at the Games, the world’s largest annual Youth-Sport event in the world, that the effort made to ensure participation each year is continually rewarding and satisfying for all of us involved”.
The team selected for Hungary will feature 10 athletes in Track and Field, 3 in Judo and 5 in Swimming.
Swim coach Ger Mc Donnell was delighted to accept the invitation from the International Children’s Games for a group of swimmers to attend this year’s games in Hungary.
The swimming crew, part of the Tralee team heading off to Kecskemet in Hungary this summer to take part in the Children’s International Games. From left; Grace Reidy, Evelyn Fox, Ruairi Boyd and Cian Mason (missing from photo is And Hayes).Photo by Dermot Crean
Ger has previously travelled with the ICG to the Games in Thailand, Bahrain and Scotland and is looking forward to the experience in Kecskemet: “This swimming squad are extremely hard working and driven athletes- arguably the best group that we have ever sent to the Games-and I look forward to their performances, which I am sure will portray Tralee in the best possible light in Kecskemet”.
This will mark the 5th time that Kerry School of Judo will have players representing the club at the Games, much to the delight of head coach Danny Roche, who is of the opinion that the sporting and cultural experience of the Games is quite unique and not to missed if at all possible.
Continued below…
.
“Our athletes have fought and performed well at National Level and are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete in Hungary against their peers from Israel, the Ukraine and Holland, who are always very strong in Judo. It will be a wonderful experience for everyone”.
Some of the Tralee team heading off to Kecskemet in Hungary this summer to take part in the Children’s International Games. In front; Mohamed Abdalla, Cathal Murphy and Zara Ozaslan. Back from left; Samuel Regan, Cara Gannon, Nicole Walker, Melissa Aherne, Rachel Nealon and Lucy O’Connor. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Track team is comprised of 6 female and 4 male athletes, who will be coached by former ICG participant in 2006 and 2007, Dearbhail Foley, now coaching with Tralee Harriers. The Games represent “a once in a lifetime experience and an athlete’s dream come-true on a world class stage” says Dearbhail.
The level of support in the local community is a critical aspect of continued participation, a point readily emphasised by Mike Culloty: “The participation of athletes from Kerry is simply not possible without the support of families, local communities and local businesses. As a voluntary organisation within the local community, we are acutely aware that without that level of support the athletes would never have this opportunity or experience this level of competition at such an early stage of their sporting lives”.
Continued below…
.
The ICG team, with athletes from Tralee, Killarney, Listowel, Firies and Ballymacelligott, together with their parents and team coaches, held their first meeting on Friday night last at the Education Centre, Tralee, where details of travel arrangements, registration requirements and plans for the next four months were communicated to all present.
The ICG Teams for Kecskemet:
Girls’ Track and Field
100m: Nicole Walker and Melissa Ahern
400m: Rachel Neylon
800m: Cara Gannon
Long Jump: Lucy O Connor
High Jump: Rachel O Mahoney
Boys’ Track and Field
100m: Samuel O Regan
1500m: Mohamed Abdalla
High Jump: Cian Caplis
Javelin: Cathal Murphy
Judo:
Luke Costelloe, Cian Forde, Zara Ozaslan
Swimming:
Cian Mason, Rory Boyd, Evelyn Fox, Anu Breheny, Grace Reidy
Delegation:
John Byrne, Ger Mc Donnell, Danny Roche, Dearbhail Foley, Michael Culloty and Paula Henry
