The games got underway with an unbelieveable opening ceremony in front of a packed Thomond Stadium and when the Ulster Team entered the Carrickmore Starbreakers were well represented with Aoife Kerr, Sammy Jo Sweeney, Orla McCartan, Francis Meenagh and the club coach Paul Sweeney decked out in the provincial gear and ready for the party. Des Cahill and Ian Dempsey were the hosts and there was an array of celebrities including rugby stars Keith Wood and Paul O Connell, the Supermodel Twins and Irish rockstars The Cranberries, the raising of the olympic flag, the lighting of the olympic flame and Mary Davies declared the 2010 Ireland National Games officially open.Thursday saw the local athletes all taking part in divisioning against athletes from Munster, Lienster, Connaught and the Eastern Region in order to post times and distances for the event finals which would take place over the coming days. Limerick UL was the venue for 100m, 50m walk and run plus the shot putt, softball and tennisball throws. While indoors Orla was doing her bit in the pool.
Friday and Sammy Jo was first up in the Shot Putt 3kg final and Starbreakers were off to a flier as the young starlet picked up the GOLD with a throw 4.39m, Sammy Jo was on again within the hour but was a division too high in the 100m and came home in fifth place. Inside Orla was in her first swimming final and put up a game battle before finishing fourth.
After a night of entertainment the Starbreakers athletes were at it again with Aoife Kerr in the central role with two more finals to compete in. Aoife's first event was the softball throw and she did very well finishing fourth in a tough group. Francie Meenagh took to the track in his first final and a late burst of speed saw him strike Gold in the 50m run. As Francie celebrated Aoife was back on the track in the 50m walk and a gallant effort saw her grab another fourth place finish but unfortunately she was disqualified due to a technical fault. It was a real rollercoaster day for the Starbreakers but win ,loose or draw they are very much team with each one cheering and comiserating with each other. 
Sunday was the final day of competition and although our camera man didn't capture the action Orla McCartan was inches away from a Silver but had to settle for a Bronze medal in the freestyle. Sammy Jo joined up with three other Team Ulster ladies for the final of the ladies 4x100m relay but for the first time the categorised ladies and mens teams together and the Team Ulster ladies were completely outclassed and finished a disappointing 7th but would have got a silver had the relay been run in a ladies only category.Francis Meenagh was also in action in the tennisball throw and his second throw was the best of his three efforts and saw the Starbreaker gent grab a Bronze medal, his second medal of the games. Needless to say he was happy and so were his team mates and new found friends in Team Ulster.
These events brought the curtain down on the 2010 Ireland games and the Starbreakers left Limerick with 2 Gold, 2 Bronze, 2 Fourth placed ribbons, a fifth place ribbon, a seventh placed ribbon and a particapation ribbon, but also alot more. The took away experience, friendships and a sack full of memories they will never forget from Limerick 2010.
Thank you to all who travelled to Limerick to cheer the locals on, and all the family members who made the long journey we hope you enjoyed the experience.
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