LAST weekend was a pretty busy one on the Community Games front. We kicked off on Friday night with the Boys' U-16 Table Tennis in the Parish Hall in Killarney with Eileen Switzer coordinating.

The seven teams formed two pools. Castleisland topped the group of four with Firies taking second place on the number of sets won. Meanwhile Spa / Muckross topped the smaller group with Ballydonoghue/Lisselton in second spot.

St. Brendans / Listellick were the unlucky team here while Knocknagoshel and Beaufort were the teams pipped in the larger group. A strong Spa/Muckross side defeated Castleisland in the final, while Ballydonoghue/Lisselton took the bronze at the expense of Firies.

Eileen got a huge amount of help on the night from Paul O'Shea and she found the managers and supporters very helpful. She was delighted with the co-operation shown by the competitors.

On Saturday we made our way to Abbeydorney for the Music. The Group standard was very high with each of the 11 groups coping well. In a very tight competition Listowel took the gold just ahead of Duagh / Lyre with Ballydonoghue / Lisselton taking another bronze medal, while Lixnaw won the certs.

The Solo competition was immense with a very high standard. True, nerves got to a few of them, but most were coolness personified. The judges has a very difficult job, but in the end Emer lynch of Ballymac pipped Jason Foley of Ballydonoghue / Lisselton, while Michael Dillane from Rathmore / Gneeveguilla took bronze just ahead of Timmy Flaherty of Moyvane / Knockanure.

On Sunday our thoughts turned to Indoor Football with the U-15 Boys taking the floor. We had two morning sessions, one in St Senans and the other in Listowel Community Centre. In Listowel the last game decided the pool of five. Causeway needed a win but failed and so Listowel took the qualifying spot.

In Mountcoal Ballymac, St Brendans / Listellick and Spa / Fenit / Barrow all finished level and undertook another round robin that saw the seasiders advance to play Lixnaw for the qualifying spot. Lixnaw had earlier seen off both Knocknagoshel and Brosna. This was tough game that saw Lixnaw take the lead early on, but they were soon pegged back and then a score just before the break gave the Spa / Fenit / Barrow lads the advantage. However, a powerful free kick levelled matters and the game ended all square.

Spa / Fenit / Barrow went ahead midway through the first period of extra time after a couple of near misses. They

during the second period they defended strongly and countered every Lixnaw move, holding on to win. Thanks to Richard Cotter of Knocknagoshel and Tommy McCarthy of Spa / Fenit / Barrow for refereeing with Richard doing the lion's share.

The afternoon session in Listowel saw Duagh / Lyre overcome Ballyheigue and Kenmare narrowly after they had played a draw. In the other pool Ballyduff saw off Ballybunion and Moyvane / Knockanure. In the qualifying game the court craft of Duagh / Lyre proved vital and they scored at timely intervals to book their place in the Co. finals.

In Annascaul everyone tip to advance was , needless to say, Dingle. However, a surprise was on the cards. Entering the final game Beaufort needed a draw to capture the qualifying spot. They were comfortable enough in holding Annascaul / Camp / Inch until they conceded a penalty in the last minute. However, the keeper effected a brave save and Beaufort clung on their spot.

On Sunday evening the Girls' Table Tennis was run off in Balloonagh Convent. Carmelita Ryan and Pat Lynch of Rock St / Caherslee had everything under control. The entries were few once again. Rock St / Caherslee retained their tile at U-16 at the expense of Duagh / Lyre, whose U-13 team took bronze behind Rock St / Caherslee and Killarney South who made it three in a row golds at this age group.

- Jimmy Turner