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Under-14s do it with style
Congratulations and well done to our under-14 hurlers who brought home the south title to Fethard on Sunday of last week on a wet, windy, rainy morning.
We were playing away to Killenaule, in Ballingarry, in a game of hurling that made sideline supporters proud to say that they were there to support Fethard. The weather conditions on the day were appalling and the Fethard lads went down to Killenaule early and were 6 points down when the half-time whistle blew.
All credit to Fethard who never for a moment lost heart and dug down deep from within to pull off one of the most amazing comebacks ever to be witnessed. Each and every player was a credit to this team. A goal from captain Christopher Sheehan left Fethard only 1 point down. This goal was the turning point in the game and lifted the spirits of the team and to Fethard’s delight, Dean Tobin planted another goal into the back of the Killenaule net. With two points to spare the pressure was then piled onto the backs with Killenaule clawing for an equalizer, but all credit to the backs, they never allowed them into the game and to add insult to injury two more points were scored much to the delight of the Fethard supporters, trainers and team.
This was a well-deserved win for Fethard who were the better team on the day and it was a deserving captain Christopher Sheehan who lifted the cup for Fethard. The last time the title came home to Fethard at under/14 level was in 1985, so it was a proud day for all associated with the club.
One can only give full credit to the trainers and mentors who have worked with this team since they were a very young age. The amount of time and effort spent with them is now evident. Well done to Liam Hayes, Ian O'Connor, Jim McGrath and Martin O'Connor. We can only wish them the very best of luck as they now go forward to the county semifinal next weekend.
Well done to the under-11 hurlers who were out in Cloneen on Saturday of last week to compete in the Lift and Strike competition. They played 3 matches and had convincing wins over St. Patricks and Moyle Rovers and were unfortunate to only draw with Kilsheelan. We are now onto the next round of this competition and players will be notified of time and venue.
Please note that football training for under-8 and under-10 football has now re-commenced on Saturday afternoons at 3pm in the GAA field.
Getting Dark for Fethard’s Badgers
Due to the evenings closing in, the normal Wednesday night training sessions at 7.30pm will no longer be feasible. Plans are underway to install lighting in the Community Field in the near future and until then we have rescheduled our soccer sessions to Sundays at 3pm. Our first Sunday meeting will take place on Sunday 26th September and we expect to see all our usual members present and invite any new members who want to play soccer for fun to come along.
Patrician Presentation Parents’ Association
The AGM of the Patrician Presentation Secondary School Parents’ Association was held on Monday 13th September in the school. The following officers were elected: Ann D’Arcy (chairperson), Judy Doyle (vice-chairperson), Finola Anglim (secretary), Rita Kenny (treasurer). Committee members: Marie McGrath, John Whyte, Mary Prout, Ann Fleming, Joan Hayes, Valerie Rice, Jane Hayes, Veronica Fogarty, Ann Sheehan, Maureen Maher, Maura Gorey and Catherine McGrath.
The parents’ representatives on the Board of Management are John Whyte and Ann Fleming.
Married Recently
The wedding took place at Kilcoran Church, Co. Limerick, on Saturday 4th September of Edel Lonergan, Barrack Street, Fethard, to Mr Karl Dore, Ballyshonick, Co. Limerick. The reception was held in Limerick’s Casteltroy Park Hotel.
Fethard Historical Society
Nollaig O Gadhra, author, journalist, lecturer, broadcaster and president of Conradh na Gaeilge, will speak for the Fethard Historical Society on the subject, “George Plant and his family”, in the Abymill Theatre on this Friday 17th September at 8.30pm. The talk will include a tape recording of George’s sister, Lily Plant, whom Nollaig O Gadhra interviewed shortly before she died in 1992. A question and answer session will follow the talk. Admission is €3.
Killusty Soccer Club
Killusty 1, Clonmel Town 1
This game was played at a wet and windy Killusty last Sunday, and credit to both teams for giving us a tough and honest encounter. With slippery conditions and both defences in top form, chances were few, but Town took the lead in the first half when they were awarded a penalty, which Tony Scully converted. In the second half, Killusty upped the tempo and after a period of sustained pressure, their efforts were rewarded when Town failed to clear a goalmouth scramble and Karl Maher was on hand to slot home the equaliser.
With 15 minutes to go, Town were reduced to ten men but they still tried hard for a winning goal, and they had a couple of chances, the best coming from a Tony Scully free kick, which Ronan Maher did well to tip over. This was a good result for Killusty against the League Champions, and since their opening day defeat to St. Michael's, the lads have now gone five games undefeated. Chris Coen has done well to mould this team together, from what is one of the youngest panels of players we have had in recent years.
Team: Ronan Maher, Nicky Murphy, Noel Walsh, Brian Coen, Cian Maher, Shane Aylward, Colm Coen, Tony Shelly, Declan Fanning, Philly Croke, Aaron Kelly. Subs: John Noonan, Jason Nevin, Philip Ryan, Karl Maher and Martin Coen.
Thanks Paddy
Shaun Morrissey from Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, England (email: shaun.morrissey@ntlworld.com) wrote to us after visiting Fethard. “My father Gus Morrissey came from Grove Lodge, Fethard. My family and myself have just returned from a holiday stop off in Fethard. I noticed lots of changes in 35 years, some things still are the same. We had a great time. Many thanks to Paddy in the Gateway B&B. Hope my return will be sooner next time!”
Fethard GAA News
The intermediate hurling south semifinals take place on this Sunday in Monroe when Fethard play St Marys at 12.15pm, followed by Ballybacon Grange playing Cahir at 1.30 pm. The very best of luck to our team in their quest to win another south title. The south final is fixed for Sunday 26th September at 1.30 pm in Monroe.
The senior football county semifinals are down for decision in Cashel on 3rd October when Fethard take on Moyle Rovers at 2pm and Cahir take on Loughmore at 3.30pm.
We congratulate our young Juvenile Hurling Under-14 B players on winning the south title and we wish them the very best in the county this weekend.
The Sports Lotto Jackpot of €6,000 was not won. The numbers drawn at Burkes Bar were 4, 11, 14 and 18. The following ‘Match Three’ winners received €30 each: Jack Slattery (Kilnockin Rd), Sheehan Boys (1 Woodvale Walk), Eamon Power (Old Parish, Co. Waterford), Eddie Thompson (57 Woodvale Walk), Esther Breen (Barrack Street), and Mary Godfrey (Derryluskin). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Tom Purcell (Burke Street).
Our condolences are at this time with Garda John Lonergan and his family on the death of his daughter Laura. Go Ndeanai Dhia Trocaire Orthu.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Jackpot €9,250
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 7th September were 2, 9, 18 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner and two 'Match 3' winners who received €75 each:
Nicky Stokes, Fethard
Diana Stokes, The Square, Fethard
Three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Edward O'Brien, Main Street, Fethard
Michael Power, Knockelly Road, Fethard
Paula Gahan, 6 Cedar Grove, Strylea, Fethard
Next weeks Jackpot is €9,250 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €815.
Third Level College Grant Assistance
The local conference of St. Vincent de Paul has established a fund to help students attending third level colleges. Any person with a son/daughter at a 3rd level college who needs financial assistance are asked to please contact any member of the conference for an application form.
Clonmel Cider in Finland
Timo Jokinen from Helsinki, Finland, (email: timppa@kent.nu) contacted us after a visit to a local market. He goes on to explain how he found the Fethard website, “I just bought a bottle of Irish cider from a local market and I noticed from the label that it was manufactured in Clonmel. Then I searched the web a bit and came up with Fethard etc. I spent three months in Grangebeg Stud Farm, Fethard, in the end of year 1987. Please give my regards to P.F. Quirke, Mary, Rosemary and Jack.”
It’s good to know that some people do read the small print!
Fethard Community Playgroup
Fethard Community Playgroup, Rocklow Road, have vacancies for preschool children on their afternoon sessions on Tuesdays from 2pm to 4.30pm. For further details please contact administrator Helena O’Shea at Tel: 052 32316 or call upstairs to Fethard Health Centre, Rocklow Road, during opening hours.
George Plant Memories
The forthcoming lecture on George Plant evokes my memory of the day his body was returned to his family burial ground at St Johnstown. I watched the procession from the corner of Kenny's Shop on The Green. It was an exceptionally wet day and the procession took hours to pass, or so it seemed to a five year old. Later on I would listen to my mother wax eloquently about the injustice of the manner of Plant's condemnation and execution. It all seemed a very murky affair. I regret I shall be unable to hear the lecture on Friday 17th September, I have no doubt it will be extremely interesting. Tommy Healy, Plymouth, England (email: tomhealy.rugby@blueyonder.co.uk)
Heritage Week in Fethard
This years National Heritage Week event attracted over 20 visitors to Fethard who joined with locals to take part in the Fethard Historical Society’s guided tour of “Heritage Work in Progress in Fethard” on Tuesday 7th September.
The first stop of the evening was at the Town Hall (c.1600) where Terry Cunningham spoke on the restoration plans for the building currently being planned by South Tipperary County Council in consultation with Community Council and the Historical Society. Cllr John Fahey spoke on the comprehensive ‘Building Report’ carried out by Dublin Civic Trust for Steven Fallon while working as Conservation Officer with the Council. He also explained in detail the problems the Council have in proceeding with the proposed work.
The next stop was Holy Trinity Church (c.1200) where Mary Hanrahan gave a brief talk in the church grounds. The group then went inside and looked at the many interesting plaques and graveslabs situated on the walls and floors of the church. Brian Palmer spoke on the small numbers of Church of Ireland congregation in the locality and answered any questions asked in relation to how the church is financed and run. A very comprehensive restoration work has just been completed on the church tower with the help of much needed funding from the Heritage Council.
Fr John Meagher OSA then greeted the group at the front door of the Augustinian Abbey (c.1305) and welcomed them inside where he gave a most interesting talk on the history of the Augustinians in Fethard and explained how the original site of the Abbey and residential buildings would have looked. He also explained why the churches were all built facing east towards the rising sun and how it was such a pity that Fethard lost the west tower of the Abbey to make way for traffic on the road outside.
The tour completed with a visit to the admirable restoration work being undertaken by Tim Robinson on his medieval house at Watergate. This was followed by light refreshments at Lonergan’s Bar.
Fethard Athletic Club
Training for the upcoming cross-country season has now recommenced in the Community Sports Field on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6.30 pm. The Monday session is ‘lap night’ when members from 7 years old and upwards run, jog and walk 400m laps to improve their aerobic fitness. Because of the nature of this training younger children need encouragement and company while doing their laps, so if you are available on Monday evenings why not come along, bring the kids and get fit as a family?
Now is a great time to begin as everyone is just starting back after the summer holidays. So don’t worry if you are unfit, bring your trainers and you will meet new friends and get in shape little by little with the children. Experienced runners and joggers are also needed; all assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Progressive 25 Results
Results for Progressive 25 Drive game played on Friday 10th September are as follows:
winners on 11 games, Dinny O’Donnell and David Curran; runners up on 11 games, Bob Gleeson and Tom Phelan, Sean Walsh and Masie O’Grady; table prize, Chris Colville and Mick Holohan; rubber finals, Pat Buckley and Esther Phelan, Mick Holohan and Chris Colville, Michael Browne and Willie Kennedy. Next game takes place in Fethard Ballroom on Friday 17th September at 9pm sharp.
The Time has Come
The time has come esteemed readers to say goodbye. In sending in a wedding report this week I realise it is 45 years ago I sent in my first wedding report to the Nationalist. The happy couple on that occasion were Johnny Murphy, Cashel Road, and the late Doreen Leahy, Kilnockin. I wonder how many weddings and indeed how many deaths we have reported in the intervening 45 years. However, it is a wise man who knows when he has enough eaten, so I have decided to call it a day. Just one or two things I would like to mention.
I would like to thank sincerely my cousin Joe Kenny for his cooperation with the column over the past few years. Indeed without Joe’s help in this era of modern technology as I glide blissfully illiterate into the 21st century, I would have been obliged to retire some time ago. Speaking of modern methods, I would like to think that perhaps in the days prior to instant communication we kept our Fethard emigrants some way informed of the happenings in their native town.
We are not going away you know, we will still be in touch with Joe. If by any chance there are any unusual occurrences in Fethard, like for instance, a calf being born with five legs, or a submarine coming up the Clashawley on high tide, we will not let it go unnoticed. Please in the meantime keep Joe informed of any items of interest. Agus le ser deireadh mé, slán agaibh go léir.
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