GALBALLY HALL was the venue for the county finals of the Community Games Under-10, -12 and -14 draughts competitions recently. Jim Doyle acted as co-ordinator and Wexford Community Games wishes to thank him most sincerely for giving of his time to oversee proceedings and for the smooth running of all games.

Thanks are also extended to Tommy Cahill of Ferns and Jim Somers, Wexford (both of whom are former co-ordinators) who came along and gave their services to refereeing. Thanks indeed to the other managers who stepped in and helped out, and to the local committee for the welcome refreshments.

The number of teams competing was down a fair bit on other years and there were a number of withdrawals too. However, those who turned up enjoyed a relaxing afternoon of competition and well done to all the youngsters who competed.

Bannow-Ballymitty had a good afternoon's outing, taking two of the county titles (Under-10 and Under-12), while Gorey took the Under-14 title. Hard luck to Kilrush-Askamore who featured in all three finals but had to settle for the runners-up medals. That in itself is no mean achievement and we hope to see them back for more in 2011.

UNDER-10

Eight teams were in action. First round matches saw Bannow-Ballymitty A defeat Bree-Davidstown on a 13-7 scoreline and Gorey defeat Newbawn-Raheen on a 1712 scoreline. This game ended 1010 and Gorey won out after an extra round was played.

On to the quarter-finals, and here Bannow-Ballymitty A had a comfortable 17-3 win over Kilrush-Askamore B side who had received a walkover from Oulart A. Gorey saw off the challenge of Rathgarogue-Cushinstown in a very close 11-9 finish, while Kilrush-Askamore A and BannowBallymitty B received walkovers from Ballycanew and Oulart B respectively.

In the first semi-final, BannowBallymitty A took on Gorey and came through quite comfortably on a 15-5 scoreline, while KilrushAskamore A easily saw off the challenge of the second team from Bannow-Ballymitty on a 164 scoreline.

Bannow-Ballymitty proved far superior to their opponents in the final, with Erin Reville defeating Adam Quinn 4-0, and Pádraig Lacey defeating Caitlin Black on a 4-0 scoreline. Adam Scott lost out to Kilrush-Askamore's Sarah Kenny (4-0), but then Dorian Dunne pulled it together again for Bannow-Ballymitty by defeating Seán Kehoe (4-0). Kiera Reville finished off the match, taking a 40 win over Stephen Kenny to see them crowned the county Under10 draughts winners for 2010.

The substitutes were also in action, with Bannow-Ballymitty's Aoife Cullen playing KilrushAskamore's Paul Doran and their match ending 2-2, while Becky Roche (BB) defeated David Dee on a 4-0 scoreline.

For the winning team, Erin Reville, Dorian Dunne and Kiera Reville won all their games in every round. Congratulations to both teams on their great performances and good luck to Bannow-Ballymitty in the Leinster rounds.

UNDER-12

Nine teams were in action. First round matches saw Ballycanew having an easy 17-3 win over Bannow-Ballymitty B, BreeDavidstown taking a close 12-8 win over Rathgarogue-Cushinstown A, and Oulart A receiving a walkover from Gorey.

In round two, Ballycanew had a 14-6 victory over Bree-Davidstown, Kilrush-Askamore saw off the challenge of Oulart B (18-2), Bannow-Ballymitty A had a 19-1 victory over Oulart A, and Newbawn-Raheen received a walkover from RathgarogueCushinstown B.

In the first semi-final, Ballycanew faced Kilrush-Askamore but had to give way to them on a 14-6 scoreline. In the other semifinal, Bannow-Ballymitty edged out Newbawn-Raheen in a close, tight game on a 12-8 scoreline.

This final yet again featured teams from the Bannow-Ballymitty and Kilrush-Askamore Areas. Details as follows with BannowBallymitty names first: Cathal O'Brien drew 2-2 with Conor Kehoe; Clare Moran drew 2-2 with John Kavanagh; Aaron Neville had a 4-0 win over John Doyle, and Brídín Reville drew 2-0 with Kevin Kenny to see Bannow-Ballymitty 10-6 up.

Finally, Patrick Roche drew 2-2 with Niamh Doyle to see his team take the match on a 12-8 scoreline. Bannow-Ballymitty substitute Patrick White defeated Ellen Doran 4-0, and substitute Olivia Scott lost out 4-0 to Aoife Kehoe. Congratulations to both teams on an excellent final.

UNDER-14

Five teams competed. Quarterfinal matches saw Bannow-Ballymitty receive a walkover from Oulart B, Kilrush-Askamore defeat Bree-Davidstown on a 12-8 scoreline, and Gorey receive a walkover from Oulart A to put them through to the semi-final to play Newbawn-Raheen who had received a bye.

Kilrush-Askamore took on Bannow-Ballymitty in the first semi and the sides were level at the end, 10-10. They sat down again and played an extra game each, with Kilrush-Askamore coming through 6-3. In the other semi, Gorey took on Newbawn-Raheen and came out victorious on a 13-7 scoreline.

In the final, Gorey took an 8-2 lead over Kilrush-Askamore after the first set and added six more points in round two to KilrushAskamore's four to see them take the county title.

Brendan Byrne gave Gorey a great start, taking the game 4-0 over Stephen Kehoe. Corey Chambers had a 3-1 win over Joanne Doran, Alex Byrne lost out 3-1 to Eoin O'Donnell, Jamie Keating had a 3-1 win over Nicole Black, and Shannon O'Connor had a 3-1 win over Liam Sheehan. Sophie Cushe lost out 4-0 to Eimear Kehoe in the substitutes' game.

Well done to both sides for giving of their very best and good luck to Gorey who now contest the Leinster rounds.