Newbridge Community Games to celebrate Jubilee year

The late Bro. Paul Brennan of the Patrician Brothers who had the belief that Community Games would be a worthwhile movement and would benefit the town. This was at a time when the original Community Council in Newbridge was at it's strongest with every estate and area represented on it's committee and with encouragement from the Council Bro.Paul gathered a small group of volunteers and set up Newbridge Community Games in 1974.

From this small group it is a testament to the organisation that 3 of them, Teresa Harrison, Michael Donohoe and Peter O Neill are still actively actively involved at Area and County Board level.

Over the years the Games have produced many exciting moments and indeed lots of hard luck stories too. remarkable Children learned how to take defeats as well as the glory of victory.

Many lasting friendships have been formed not just with children from the town but from the County and all parts of Ireland and this is part of the true ethic of Community Games.

Indeed, watching the Olympics earlier in the Summer it was remarkable how many competitors mentioned their earlier involvement in the Games. who went In those early years after 1974 Newbridge held inter area competitions in events such as Gaelic Football, Soccer and Variety in particular. Who could forget the games held on pitches in Pairc Mhuire, Roseberry, Highfield and Ryston. Finals held in Pairc Mhuire often brought traffic to a standstill when the estate was thronged with supporters.

In the late 1970s it was Gaelic Football U 13 hitting headlights with Gold , Silver and Bronze medals from teams managed by Michael Donohoe assisted by Larry Hannon, Peter O Neill and Joe Harrison. Many of these players went on to play for Kildare seniors and of course Seamus 'Sos' Dowling was on the Kildare team that went so close to All Ireland honours in 1998.

In 1975 the first Gold medal came to Newbridge with Damian Carey in the U 14 100mts. Many other outstanding athletes would follow and surely our most successful and popular was Karen Shinkins who went on to represent Ireland at the 2000 Olympic Games where she broke her own 400m National record.

Yet another Games Gold medallist was Rose Anne Galligan who has represented Ireland in 800m and 1500m in Indoor and Outdoor World championships.

Into the 1980s the Variety U 16 event brought much joy and success with the first Gold medal in 1989 and team manager Terri Curtin.

As a result of this show team members David Timmons and Richard Keogh were invited to take part in the Christmas Late Late show with Gay Byrne. Variety became so strong that it required a full weekend of competitions in A and B sections in the Schoil Mhuire Hall.

As the Town grew and the population expanded Newbridge was instructed by the National body to split in January 1995 and thus the Areas of St Conleth's and St. Brigid's were formed.

This new era of the Games saw participation levels ever increasing with many new events , particularly cultural events, becoming available.

In 2002 Newbridge hosted all of the Leinster Team Finals, Indoor and Outdoor and itb proved to be a huge success. The noughties saw no let up in the numbers taking part and also becoming evident was the number of children from other nationalities now being involved which was great to see but did bring some problems with language familiarity at times.

Both areas continued to be among the strongest in the country with much in Gaelic Football U 10 , Soccer both indoor and outdoor, Tag Rugby, Basketball, Track and Field events and especially the new individual team and group Talent events which replaced variety.

Yet another feature now was the number of former competitors featuring as managers and assistants which was especially pleasing as it was becoming increasingly difficult to recruit committee volunteers.

Initially the National Finals were held in the old Mosney Holiday camp and the very mention of the chalets and facilities there bring back stories and memories of weekends spent there in wind and rain and sometimes glorious sunshine. Queuing for breakfast, lunch and dinner followed by Variety and Shows later.

So, the Games continue and no doubt will succeed with St. Conleth's and St. Brigid's assisted by the aforementioned surviving Founder members Ml. Donohoe, County President, Teresa Harrison , County Chairperson and Treasurer St. Brigid's, Peter O Neill County Vice Chairman and Secretary St. St. Conleth's. As we move into 2025 volunteers are urgently needed in both Areas to ensure that as many events as possible are made available to the children of Newbridge.

The Games are indebted to their main sponsors going back to Newbridge Town Council, Newbridge Credit Union, Kildare County Council, their many sponsors in the town, GAA Clubs, Soccer Clubs, Stage Performance Groups and all the schools without whose help it would be impossible to host all the events.

Special thanks to the children themselves and to their parents for their encouragement and support and hopefully this event will bring back lovely memories , friendships and stories of times spent in Community Games.

Finally, remember the Golden Jubilee celebration takes Place in Ryston Social Club Saturday 23 November 8.00PM with some music by Liam Kett, finger food and a display of Press cuttings and photographs from down the years. Tickets €10 available Teresa Harrison 0876505516, Peter O’Neill 0872422380 and from Newbridge Parish Centre