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Weather fails to dampen spirits at May Games 2008

April 2008

Heavy grey skies, followed by even heavier rain, gave a sense of déjà vu to the competitors in the Irish Blind Sports 28th Annual May Games, which took place on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th May in ALSAA Sports Club near Dublin airport.

The May Games is a family affair; it offers blind and visually impaired people the opportunity to be part of an event that has been in existence for a generation. The emphasis is as much on the fun and enjoyment of taking part, as it is on winning medals.

Fortunately, the inclement weather improved, at least to the extent that Nick Davis (M.C.) was able to start the proceedings under a constantly threatening sky: Athletics, Football, Swimming, Tenpin Bowling & Tandem Cycling events were well supported, with a total of more than 150 competitors, including guest athletes, travelling from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Spain, Sweden and, of course, the Republic of Ireland. This year, yet again, Maureen O'Kane ensured that St. Joseph's School for the Visually Impaired in Drumcondra, were well represented. Competitors of all ages were enthusiastically supported by family and friends.

The tandem cycling events, organised by Audrey Lewis, took place in calm conditions. Competitors followed a route taking them along the perimeter of the airport. Elizabeth and Paul Farquhar (County Down) won the 25 mile race in an excellent time of 74.2 minutes, followed by Gavin Allman (Co. Laois) and Danny McSherry (Co. Down) in second place. Bill Foster and Shannon Connolly (Northern Ireland) won the 15 mile time trial, in a time of 45.01 minutes, followed by Thomas Quigley and Barry Macaulay from Belfast (53.04 minutes). Sarah and James McNabb from Galway won the 10 mile event.
Paul and Elizabeth Farquhar were voted Tandem Cyclists of the Games.

In International football, after a tournament in which they remained unbeaten, a much improved England came out on top, beating Republic of Ireland 9-2 and drawing 4-4 with World no: 3 team Spain. Ireland salvaged some pride by defeating Spain 11-7, to finish joint runners up. Hereford won the B League, edging out Dublin and Lisburn.
Hugo Costa, from England, was voted Footballer of the Games.

There were some superb individual performances in track and field, with Per Jonsson, a guest from Sweden, coming away with gold medals in the 100m (11.24 seconds) and 200m (24.30 seconds); Father and Daughter, John and Aggie Goldrick excelled yet again: John winning gold in the Vets 60m (just pipping Dominic Meenagh in the process), the Mile Walk and the Long Jump; Aggie won two medals in her own right. Not for the first time, Monaghan's Breandan Ward won both the 5000 metres and the 1500 metres, proving that he is recovering well from the injury that kept him out of last year's IBSA World Games. Amanda Crotty's hard work is beginning to pay off, as she won gold in the 800m. There were many outstanding displays by the juniors, including Katie and Jamie Bluett, who were very impressive throughout. The Collins girls, Eoin Hayden, Amy O'Connor, Harry Matthews and Joshua Kelly were all prominent in the Junior Track and Field events.
John Goldrick, from Sligo, was voted Athlete of the Games.

In Swimming, the undoubted star of the senior events was Stephen Campbell (Tyrone), appearing at his first May Games since winning silver at the IBSA World Games in Brazil 2007 - Stephen duly won each race he entered and is on the glide-path towards Beijing 2008. Little Aggie Goldrick excelled once more, despite suffering from 'flu, winning the 25m crawl (22.28 secs) and the 25m backstroke (25.94 secs). For his persistence and positive mental attitude, David Burt (London) was voted Swimmer of the Games.

The Tenpin Bowling competition (organised by Jim and Mary Harding) was extremely popular, with many competitors visiting from all corners of Britain and Ireland to take part in the serious tournament in the morning, followed by the fun event in the afternoon. The Men's B1 event was won by John Byrne (Mayo). Sharon Byrne (Dublin) won the Women's B1 competition. Aidan Fox-Flynn, from Glasgow, won the Men's B2/B3 competition and Margaret Leacy, a regular May Games competitor from Wexford, won the female equivalent.
Natalie Shaw, from Lancashire, was voted Bowler of the Games.

For his tremendous work ethic, generally positive attitude, not to mention skill, Jamie Bluett was named Irish Blind Sports Junior Sports Personality for 2008.

The success of the Games depends on the dedication of people such as Bernie and Joe Walsh, and their impressive team, who have officiated at every May Games on record; Maureen O'Kane (St. Joseph's School); Nick Davis (MC for the day), Daragh McDaid (IBS Athletics Co-ordinator), Tony Guest (P.C.I.), Julianne Ward, Susan Lennon, Kelly Boutilier and many more. We were also extremely fortunate to be assisted, yet again, by "the girls in the yellow shirts" i.e. the students from Mount Anville Convent, Roebuck, Co. Dublin. Finally, enormous praise and thanks are due to Kate Dobbyn (and her family!), as always, who organised and planned the event for Irish Blind Sports.