A pictorial review of the year that was Sligo European Town of Sport 2014.

1. www.sligotownofsport.iewww.sligotownofsport.ie www.sligosportandrecreation.ie
A Pictorial Review
The year
that was…

2. Sligo was officially awarded European Town of Sport for Ireland for 2014
by the President of the European Capitals and Cities of Sport Federation (ACES Europe) at a special
presentation ceremony in Brussels. He acknowledged that the award was testament to:
how sport is delivered in Sligo in terms of diversity, access, participation,
inclusion, facilities, events, education, high performance and the
partnership approach by all involved.

3. In January Mr. Michael Ring, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport officially
launched Sligo European Town of Sport 2014 at Sligo City Hall which was attended
by a diverse range of sporting clubs and organisations.

4. This selective review of the year
that was Sligo European Town of
Sport 2014, reflects the diversity
of sport available in Sligo with
close to 100 events represented
across 40 different sports including
local, regional, national and
international events.
A sincere THANK YOU to the sports
clubs, organisations and individuals
who organised events and we hope
you enjoy this pictorial reflection of
the year…

5. Sligo got off to an active start for 2014 with over 350 fitness enthusiasts taking part in the Sligo walk
along Doorly Park which was part of the RTE Operation Transformation National Walk Day.
JANUARY

6. American professional surfer, Kurt Rist enjoyed the thrill of the large waves
that hit Mullaghmore in January.
JANUARY

7. Over 300 kickboxers from across the island of Ireland took part in the Junior Mugendo Association of
Ireland’s Kickboxing Open Championships hosted by Sligo Mugendo Club, one of the first club events
to celebrate Sligo European Town of Sport.
FEBRUARY

8. Sligo Senior GAA team gets off to a winning start against Limerick in their first National League game
of the season at Markievicz Park.
FEBRUARY

9. Yeats County Hockey Club junior members in action in their European Town of Sport
February 2014 Blitz.
FEBRUARY

10. Up and coming athletes taking part in the Connaught Primary Schools Cross Country event.
FEBRUARY

11. Sligo Town Boccia Club members get ready to play in Boccia Tournament.
FEBRUARY

12. Mountain Bikers from across the country converge on Union Wood to participate in the Connacht XC
Mountain Bike Spring League which was organised by the North West Mountain Biking Club.
FEBRUARY

13. Sligo Giant Warriors Basketball coach with the U14 Girls Team at timeout during a match against
Letterkenny, which they won in great style.
FEBRUARY

14. Great athletic endeavour on display at the Western Special Schools Sports Hall Athletics Festival
hosted in Sligo and involving participants from Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim and Sligo.
MARCH

15. Taking a shot at the Primary Schools Basketball Blitz organised by Sligo All Stars Basketball Club
in conjunction with SSRP.
MARCH

16. Over 100 teenage girls from secondary schools throughout County Sligo attended the
Annual Girls Active Festival.
MARCH

17. Sligo Ladies GAA Team in action against Waterford in a League Game in March.
MARCH

18. Republic of Ireland schoolboys played Northern Ireland in the Centenary Shield at the
Showgrounds in March.
MARCH

19. Sligo athlete Mary Cullen, the current Irish 3,000m indoors record holder opened the third annual
Mattie Carden Memorial 10K & 5K Run/ Walk in Enniscrone with over 300 athletes taking part.
MARCH

20. Athletes run through the streets of Tubbercurry during the Annual St Patrick’s Day 10K
hosted by South Sligo AC.
MARCH

21. Mugendo Kickboxing Club was selected for an award in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the category
which best represented the theme of Sligo European Town of Sport.
MARCH

22. Hikers enjoying the iconic Ben Bulben climb which was part of the 5 Peaks Challenge.
APRIL

23. Boxers Jordan Myers and Thomas Myers of Innisfree Boxing Club claimed titles
in the National Boxing Championships.
APRIL

24. Practice makes perfect - learning new skills at the Primary Schools Tennis Blitz
hosted by Allwin Tennis in conjunction with SSRP
APRIL

25. The growing popularity of running in evidence at the Carney 10k.
APRIL

26. Young Golfing enthusiasts take part in the Ballymote Golf Club ‘Come and Try’ Golf Fest.
APRIL

27. Experienced golfers pass on their knowledge of the game to youths
at the Strandhill Golf Club Open Day.
APRIL

28. Golfers Declan Reidy and Stephen Brady in full swing during the West of Ireland Golf Championship
hosted by County Sligo Golf Club.
APRIL

29. Dynamo Gymnastics Club were involved in many events during Sligo European Town of Sport 2014;
the club also relocated to a new gymnastics centre in April.
APRIL

30. Hosted by the Sligo Champion the first event of the inaugural Skoda Cycle Series took place in Sligo
with a large group of cyclists enjoying the scenic routes of West Sligo.
APRIL

31. Prize winners at the Easkey Junior Surfing Championships which took place at Aughris beach.
APRIL

32. County Sligo Swim Club hosted 170 swimmers from all over Connacht
at their invitational gala in May.
MAY

33. 2000 cyclists of all fitness levels and experience joined event ambassador Bressie
in the An Post Cycle Tour of Sligo.
MAY

34. Cyclists enjoying the wonderful Sligo scenery at Knocknarea on the An Post Tour of Sligo.
MAY

35. John Treacy Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council waves the flag to get the An Post Tour of Sligo
100K underway.
MAY

36. The An Post Tour of Sligo Family Fun cycle attracts several hundred enthusiastic cyclists.
MAY

37. Action from Sligo Racecourse over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
MAY

38. Olympic Style Rowing on the Garavogue River during the Semi Status Regatta
hosted by Sligo Rowing Club.
MAY

39. Participating in the very successful IRFU Volkswagen Sligo Tag Rugby League which offers the
opportunity for recreational players to enjoy the sport.
MAY

40. South Sligo Walking Festival attracted a large crowd of hikers from across the country and some
international visitors who all enjoyed the great scenery on offer in the Ox Mountains and the
tracks and trails around Lough Talt.
MAY

41. Top class tennis and sportmanship was on view at the annual West of Ireland Tennis Championships
hosted by Sligo Tennis Club .
MAY

42. Boyle Celtic were the winners of the Sligo/Leitrim Super League trophy 2014.
MAY

43. The Sligo Fit 4 Life Women’s 5K Series 2014 involved over 700 female participant places across the
four events hosted by Athletic Clubs in Sligo, North Sligo, South Sligo and Tireragh.
JUNE

44. Leading the way along the roads of Sligo in the Ransboro 10K.
JUNE

45. A wonderful turn out of runners and walkers on the streets of Sligo for the annual
Sligo Champion Streets of Sligo 5K.
JUNE

46. Enjoying the County Sligo Athletics Track and Field finals.
JUNE

47. Accuracy counts at the Sligo Boules Festival which took place
at the Boules facility in Mitchell Curley Park.
JUNE

48. The winning feeling on crossing the finishing line at Sligo Triathlon Club’s
Sprint Triathlon at Rosses Point.
JUNE

49. Action from the Metalman Swim Series which took place between May and September.
JUNE

50. Sligo celebrated National Bike Week 2014 from 14th-22nd June with a host of cycling events
involving people of all ages and cycling experience.
JUNE

51. Getting familiar with the sport of Archery.
JUNE

52. Taking a swing at the Irish Women’s Close Amatuer Championship in Enniscrone Golf Club.
JUNE

53. Over 100 energetic seniors from Active Age clubs across the County took part
in the annual Sligo Seniors Sports Festival.
JUNE

54. The SSRP ‘Peddle to Paddle’ programme attracted many participants keen to try out the popular
sport of Stand Up Paddling on the scenic Garavogue River.
JUNE

55. Members of Mullaghmore Triathlon Club displaying a strong presence at the Mullaghmore Sprint Triathlon.
JUNE

56. The Cumann na mBunscoil finals in Markievicz Park witnessed a great display of Gaelic Football
skills from the many teams representing primary schools throughout the County.
JUNE

57. Ballisodare United team celebrate their victory over Strand Celtic in the Sligo Cup.
JUNE

58. Beautiful hurdling at the Sligo Races.
JULY

59. A running relay team challenge with the novelty of running through the night attracted teams from
across the country with the winning team emerging from the local Sligo AC club.
JULY

60. The Bit o’Red getting ready for the visit of European soccer giants ‘Rosenborg’ to the Showgrounds.
JULY

61. Enjoying the surf at Streedagh during the Sligo 2014 Surf 2 Heal camp.
JULY

62. Connacht Rugby conducted a training session during a visit to Sligo Rugby Club and are eagerly
observed by the next generation of local Rugby players.
JULY

63. The last round of the Cycling Summer League organised by Eire Og Cycling Club captures Matthew
Robb in action on the Green Road
JULY

64. The ‘Little Ox Family Cycle’ was part of an extensive programme of cycling events hosted by the
recently established Ox Mountain Cycling Club in South Sligo.
JULY

65. Making a break at the IRFU Volkswagen Beach Tag Day on Culleenamore Beach.
JULY

66. Action on the roads of Sligo during the Sligo Stages Relay hosted by Connacht Motor Club.
JULY

67. Getting ready to take the plunge at the annual Lough Gill 10k swim.
AUGUST

68. The inaugural Bull Challenge took place in Banada, South Sligo on 16th July – extreme adventure!
AUGUST

69. Nearly there in the 30th anniversary of the Strandhill Warriors Run.
AUGUST

70. Surfers on the winner’s podium at the County Sligo Open, held in Strandhill.
AUGUST

71. Action from the Youth Interprovincials Rugby which featured representation on the Connacht Under
18 team from Sligo Rugby Club.
AUGUST

72. Sligo Yacht Club hosted a highly successful Women on Water Sailing Introductory
programme with a view to attracting and encouraging more women into the sport of
Sailing at both a participation and leadership level.
AUGUST

73. Eyeing up a shot on the green at Strandhill golf course for the
Connacht Inter-Club Cups and Shields Finals.
AUGUST

74. Yeats County Hockey Club Senior Team in action against Galway 1st XI in their
European Town of Sport 2014 Connaught Tournament.
SEPTEMBER

75. Sticking together at the Coast 2 Coast run.
SEPTEMBER

76. Lough Bo Shooting Centre hosted a 2 day Target Shooting competition.
SEPTEMBER

77. Sligo Kayak Club take to the water to promote the sport of Kayaking.
SEPTEMBER

78. History in the making in Sligo with the first ever sub 4 minute mile witnessed in Ballymote, all of
which has been a source of inspiration for the re-establishment of the local Corran AC.
SEPTEMBER

79. The Coaching Ireland 11th National Coaching Forum took place in Sligo for the first time with guest
speakers including John Treacy, Chief Executive Irish Sports Council and Billy Walsh, Head Coach
High Performance Unit IABA.
SEPTEMBER

80. The Coaching Ireland 11th National Coaching Forum was hosted at the Institute of Technology Sligo
attracting a top class field of national and international speakers with close on 300 delegates in
attendance from across all sporting disciplines.
SEPTEMBER

81. The County Sligo Cricket team, ahead of the final match of the 2014 season.
SEPTEMBER

82. The Ladies Tour of Lough Gill 40K, hosted annually by Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club, is part of the
Women in Sport initiative and aims to attract more females into the popular sport of cycling.
SEPTEMBER

83. The Yeats Country Tour hosted by Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club is firmly established on the local
cycling calendar with the added challenge of a 200K distance introduced in 2014.
SEPTEMBER

84. Action from the Sligo Ladies GAA Intermediate Final 2014.
SEPTEMBER

85. Great racing on the water at the Mirror Nationals which took place at Sligo Yacht Club.
SEPTEMBER

86. The popular Enniscrone Walking Festival attracted many walking enthusiasts to West Sligo to
experience the range of mountain and coastal walks on offer.
SEPTEMBER

87. Tubbercurry GAA Club celebrated their victory in this year’s GAA Senior County Championship.
OCTOBER

88. Naomh Eoin took the honours in the Minor Hurling Final for 2014.
OCTOBER

89. Athletics enthusiasts had a busy October with both the Coney Island Challenge
and Grange 10K taking place.
OCTOBER

90. A tight race at the Supervalu Primary Schools athletics Festival which involved over 1000 children.
OCTOBER

91. The Calry/St Josephs Hurling team contributed to a memorable year for the club,
winning the Senior Hurling Championship.
OCTOBER

92. The Calry/St Josephs team emerged victorious in this year’s intermediate football final.
OCTOBER

93. 5 clubs from across the region took part in County Sligo Swim Club’s gala in October.
OCTOBER

94. Current Republic of Ireland Manager, Martin O’Neill was the guest of honour at the opening of the
Sean Fallon Centre at the Showgrounds, Sligo.
OCTOBER

95. Tahitian Michael Bourez took time off from the surfing world championship tour
to visit Sligo in October to catch the waves.
OCTOBER

96. The Sligo Leitrim District Soccer League Representative Team which were selected from over 800
participants taking part in the various clubs in the league.
NOVEMBER

97. The talented Sligo All Star Boys under 17 team take on a team from Drogheda in the Mercy Gym.
NOVEMBER

98. Special Olympics Connaught hosted a Basketball Skills Day for athletes in the region.
NOVEMBER

99. November saw the first games being played at Sligo GAA’s new Centre of Excellence.
NOVEMBER

100. Sligo Rowing club celebrate the launch of their latest boat while up and coming rowers
try out the club boats on the river.
NOVEMBER

101. Over 40 females took part in the Sligo Triathlon Club annual ‘Try-a-Tri’ hosted in conjunction with SSRP.
NOVEMBER

102. The All Ireland Inter Provincial Wheelchair Hurling Finals took place in Sligo with 3 Sligo players
part of the Connacht team. This national event was facilitated locally by the Sligo and Connacht GAA
Social Inclusion Committees with support from Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.
NOVEMBER

103. Sligo man Aidan Hynes in action for the Connacht team in the final against Munster at the All Ireland
Inter Provincial Wheelchair Hurling Finals.
NOVEMBER

104. The Ted Gallagher Cup competition hosted by Sligo Table Tennis Club was keenly contested.
NOVEMBER

105. Young athletes from the various athletic clubs throughout the county took part in the County Sligo
Sportshall Athletics Finals.
DECEMBER

106. Connacht Open Badminton Championships hosted at Sligo Tennis Club attracted top class players
from across the country.
DECEMBER

107. The inaugural Regional Games for Life was hosted in Sligo and targeted older adults with teams in
attendance from Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo.
DECEMBER

108. Warming up on the start line of the first ever Secondary Schools Duathlon event in Sligo
hosted by Triathlon Ireland in conjunction with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership.
DECEMBER

109. Round 5 of the popular Connacht Cyclo Cross league at Cleveragh Park Sligo organised
by Eire Og Cycling Club.
DECEMBER

110. The ever popular 40K Lough Gill Charity Santa Cycle organised by Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club got
cyclists into the festive mood.
DECEMBER

111. The community of South Sligo was out in force on St. Stephen’s Day for a 5K run in Tubbercurry,
drawing the European Town of Sport year to a close and showing ‘sport for all’ in action.
DECEMBER

112. On awarding European Town of Sport 2014 to Sligo, ACES Europe remarked on
the quality of built sporting facilities in Sligo, particularly noting the quality of
Golf Courses, The Showgrounds, Markievicz Park and the Athletics Track at IT Sligo.

113. ACES Europe noted the abundance of natural amenities in Sligo and acknowledged
its ideal location as an adventure hub for a diverse range of sports to be enjoyed.

114. The Public Parks developed by Sligo County Council at Doorly Park and
Mitchell Curley Park were cited by ACES Europe as models of best practice
in open space for intergenerational recreation.

115. A summary of the European Town of Sport Award
Each year ACES Europe assigns the recognition of European ‘Capital’, ‘City’ and ‘Town’
of Sport to positive and ethical examples of places where social policy, strategies and
programmes promote sport for the entire population regardless of age, ability, gender,
ethnicity and socio economic background.
In keeping with the Olympic tradition, ACES aims to promote the
universal Olympic values at a community level through the five
objectives upon which the award is based, which are:
• Enjoyment in exercise
• Willingness to achieve
• Sense of community
• Learning fair play
• Improvement of health
This pictorial review of the year of European Town of Sport demonstrates the
positive manner in which the Sligo Sporting Community and Agencies embraced
and delivered the ACES objectives.

116. Partners in the Sligo European Town of Sport Award
The partners in the application and co ordination of the Sligo European Town of Sport 2014 award were
Sligo County Council, Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership and the Institute of Technology Sligo, with
Sligo County Council being the lead partner.
Thank you to the entire sporting community for hosting the many events which took place throughout the
Sligo European Town of Sport year and for its ongoing commitment to sport in Sligo.
Also, a sincere thank you to everybody who was so generous in sharing their photographs for this review.
For information on Sports Development in County Sligo contact:
Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership Tel: 071 9161511
Email: info@sligosportandrecreation.ie Web: www.sligosportandrecreation.ie