Ballinasloe hosted the Connaught Community Games Finals on Saturday 13th July

Connacht Community Games Committee with Cllr Jimmy McClearn, Cllr Aisling Dolan, Cllr Dermot Connolly, John Byrne CEO, and the two pledge readers

63 teams and over 600 children from all over Connaught battled it out in the second phase of the Connaught Community Games Finals to secure their place in University of Limerick for the Finals over the weekend.  

From Skittles to Rounders, Tag Rugby to Spikeball, Gaelic Football to Soccer,  there was a wealth of sporting talent in the town from children from all over Connacht. 

John Mulligan of Galway Bay FM was stationed in the Emerald Ballroom for the day and kept the county updated with the results and news. 

The Connaught Community Games Finals were opened in the Emerald Ballroom by Cllr Jimmy McClearn of Galway County Council.  Special Guests, Councillors Dermot Connolly and Aisling Dolan were at the opening ceremony to support the Games and were very enthusiastic about the array of events and the facilities in Ballinasloe being showcased. 

Two Ballinasloe teams were in the Tag Rugby finals with the U14 being declared Connacht Champs - unfortunately the U11s were pipped at the post by just one point!  The U14 team will now make there way to University of Limerick for the All Ireland Finals in the Aldi Community Games August Festival. 

Carmel Grealy, Chairperson of Connaught Community Games said "This is a great opportunity for Ballinasloe to showcase the fantastic sporting facilities it has in the town and its surrounds. Everyone came together and  all it took was a phone call to secure a venue and volunteers for the occasion. I would like to say a special thank you to organisers, coaches, referrees, co-ordinators and volunteers who gave up their time to make today a successful day for the children. I''d also like to thank Colm Croffy of Ballinasloe Life, Councillors Aisling Dolan and Dermot Connolly, my fellow committee members and everyone else who supported us."

John Byrne, CEO of Aldi Community Games said "I'm delighted to be here today and it's inspiring to see so many young people from all over the Province made so welcome in Ballinasloe.  Ballinasloe has superb sporting facilities and it's great to see them all in use today for Community Games. "

The venues over the weekend ranged from the Emerald Ballroom to the Fair Green to Duggan Park and as far as the Rugby Club and the Kiltormer Sports Complex. ​ Ballinasloe Library kindly supplied eco-friendly bags and water bottles to children playing skittles!