The Rubber Band
Bands come and go and as teenagers change fads and fashions, one band is readily swapped for another as soon as their fifteen minutes of fame is declared over.  But the latest band on the scene is not a boy band or a girl band, it’s a rubber band.

According to local DJ and radio presenter Ian O’Connor — a man in the know about such things — the latest fashion is to wear a rubber band on your wrist. These bands represent the wearer’s support for worthy causes and different colours represent the different concerns.

It appears, however, that the causes are becoming secondary to the colour of the band. Many people are now wearing the colours that represent their favourite team, regardless of the causes concerned.  The fashion in Fethard is to wear the blue and white bands, the same colours that are sported on our local team jerseys.  The white bands, according to our man in the know, represent world peace.  The blue ones represent something else — nobody seems quite sure.

Today, every charity or cause seems to be jumping on the fashion bandwagon and producing a different colour band, which are sold from two euro each, to fill their coffers. The market place is becoming so flooded that there aren’t enough colours left to go around.

But this fad I’m sure will pass and when it does, I suggest that the older generation reuse and recycle the rubber bands. The more forgetful could use them as shopping lists when heading for the supermarket. White could represent a carton of milk, a yellow some eggs and the red, a bottle of wine. Just be careful not to wear them too tight in case you stop the blood circulation to your hand. If you do, we believe the green band represents the gangrene support group.

(N Gawe)

Fethard & Killusty Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday night 24th May at 8pm in the Tirry Community Centre.

Fethard / London Reunion
The time is approaching fast for this year’s Fethard/London Reunion, which will take place from 7.30pm till late on Saturday night 11th June 2005 in St. Anthony’s Parish Centre, Garratt Rd, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 9AN, London.  This popular venue, run by Mary (Smith) Hennessy, is the same as last year.  If you are travelling by tube, the nearest station, Edgware, is only a few hundred yards from the venue.  If you are planning on staying overnight you have a choice of hotels nearby, the nearest one across the road is the Premier Lodge, 435 Burnt Oak Broadway, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 5AQ Tel: 0870 700 1454 or 0870 990 6522.  Rooms cost approximately £60.

This year, with cheaper flights and hotels, why not make a special effort and come along and reminisce about old times when pennies were spent by the dozen and a ‘tanner’ was worth more than a ‘tenner’ today.

In order to help defray organising expenses a nominal charge of £10 for adults and £7 for children will be collected at the door.  Great value considering the live music, refreshments and buffet food are all top of the range.

Fir further details contact Paul Looby, on Tel: +44 (0) 7967 648244, or Email: loobs@londonirish.org

Mayday
A number of Fethard Munster rugby supporters were sitting in the stand in Thomond Park at the Munster versus Edinburgh match last week when they noticed many plumes of smoke rising from various parts of Limerick City.

As they mentioned it, a man turned and said that bonfires were traditionally lit up on Mayday in Limerick (or the night before in this case). Another man turned and said that he hoped that it wasn’t the Fethard lads car on fire.  “We’re all right”, replied the Fethard man looking in the direction of the smoke, “Our car is at the other side of the stadium”. “Or at least it was when ye left it”, came the reply.

(N Gawe)

War of Attrition
Congratulations are due to Mouse Morris and his team in Everardsgrange — they have managed to bring a winning horse home from the three biggest festivals in the National Hunt calendar.  ‘Fota Island’, owned by JP McManus, opened their account with a win in Cheltenham, followed closely by another win at Aintree.  They went for the treble last week at Punchestown, but when ‘Fota Island’ fell, stablemate ‘War of Attrition’ came from behind to take the win in a thrilling finish.  Well done to all concerned.

(N Gawe)

Youth Mass in Abbey Church
Fr Michael Barry will celebrate a special Mass in the Augustinian Abbey on Saturday 14th May at 7.30pm. This Youth Mass is intended especially for students sitting exams this year and their families, and is organised in conjunction with the 700 Centenary Celebrations taking place in the Abbey in Fethard this year. We look forward to Fr Michael's visit and an invitation is cordially extended to all.

Application for Youth Officer to work in Fethard
Mr Denis O’Brien, Area Manager Foróige, in conjunction with Fethard & Killusty Community Council, has made an application to Sile De Valera, Youth Affairs Section, Department of Education and Science, for funding to appoint a youth worker to work on projects with the youth in Fethard and surrounding areas.  The appointment would be for two years with the primary aim of working with disadvantaged youth in the locality.

In order for this application to be successful it is crucial that we all lobby our local politicians and TDs to highlight the need for this service in our locality.  A decision on funding is due to be made in late May or early June.

A Triduum in honour of St Rita of Cascia  (photo “St. Rita of Casia”)

A Triduum in honour of St Rita will be held in the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 19th May – 21st May at 7.30 pm each evening.  St Rita's feast day is on Sunday 22nd May and her Novena Mass will be held at 11.30 am on that day.

Antonio and Amata Mancini were an Italian couple who lived high up on a mountain in Umbria, central Italy. There was sadness in their lives. They did not have any children and they prayed and hoped for many years that God would bless them with a child. Their prayers were eventually answered and Amata gave birth to a girl in 1381. She was baptised and named Rita. As a growing girl she was remarkable for gentleness and prayer; affectionate with her companions and very devoted to her parents. She worked hard and carefully for the needs of their home and in her heart had a longing to enter Religious life. But in obedience to her parents wish she married and was blessed with a family of two sons.

Her husband grew careless of his religious duties, was cruel to herself and indifferent towards their children. By patience, gentleness and prayer Rita at length won him back to God and to his family. Then one day word was brought to her that he had been murdered, his body all torn with dagger wounds. So, bravely each night she prayed for mercy on his soul, and the grace of repentance for his murderers. Further misfortune befell Rita as her two sons became ill and also died, leaving her grief-stricken and alone. She was then in her thirty-fifth year.

Less than a year after Rita was received into the community of Augustinian nuns at Cascia. For the next forty years she lived a hidden life of prayer, obedience, penance, unfailing charity and most helpful service to the Community. Very soon her Augustinian sisters got to know God had blessed them with the presence of a saint. More than once they saw her in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament.

One night in the chapel, as she knelt before an image of Jesus crucified, a thorn detached itself and penetrated her forehead, leaving a wound that stayed with her to the end of her life.

The day came when sickness confined her to her room. It was only then that the other sisters came to realise how much penance she had endured. In mid-winter a lovely rose was brought to her from her home place. When winter was over and flowers abundant in the convent garden Rita died on May 22, 1457.  St Rita was canonised by Pope Leo X111 on May 24, 1900. She 'is venerated as the Patron Saint of the Impossible.

The Power of Advertising
Fethard people do take notice of advertising on the television. This was proven recently when an undertaker was adjusting the pins that hold a coffin in place in the hearse. A man stuck his head in the window of the hearse and said, “You’d want to get that right or you’ll be like the fella on the ad on the telly. You know the ad.  The one that says, The damage was done by yer man  in the back”.

(N Gawe)

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers on Tuesday 3rd May were: 1, 5, 14 and 28. There was no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners who received €50 each:

Thelma Griffith, Crampscastle, Fethard,

Mark Hayde, Saucestown, Fethard.

Margaret Mary McCormack, Dunguib House, Killenaule.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Sarah McManus, 44 Woodvale Walk, Fethard,

Chrissie Nash, Shanakyle, Drangan,

Mary McCormack, Kerry Street, Fethard.

Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Ardsallagh Information
Sid Rowles (email: marysidrowles@shaw.ca) contacted us for information on Ardsallagh.  “My wife's great grandfather was Colonel George Frend, who died at Ardsallagh, an estate near Fethard, in 1901.  I am looking for information about Colonel Frend or about Ardsallagh? We hope to visit Ireland later this year and hope to visit some family sites including Ardsallagh. Any information you could give us would be helpful. Thank you.

Auction of Rugby and Rowing Jerseys
Calling all Rugby and Rowing Fans.   Signed and Framed Irish Rugby Jersey signed by the Irish Rugby Team and up for phone in auction is now on display in McCarthys Hotel, also for auction is Jersey signed by Rowing Champion Steve Redgrave, Ring 086 1704874 or 052 31906 immediately to avail of your chance to own one of these prized possessions.  Proceeds in aid of further development of Fethard Community Sportsfield.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
Fethard and Killusty Community Games intend to hold their area athletics this coming weekend.  Date, venue and time to be confirmed.  Enquires to our secretary, Bernard Feery at Tel: 052 31023 or chairman Joe Keane at Tel: 052 31719.  Closing date for entries is Friday May 20th.  No late entries, so sports arrangements will have to be made over the weekend.

Fethard GAA Club News
The 1st round of the senior football county championship took place in Littleton on Sunday 8th May.  This was our first competitive match of 2005, which we won after extra time on a scoreline, Fethard 0-13 to J K Brackens 1-8.  We got off to a fairly even first half when we edged ahead on 0-6 to 0-4 lead with the following scores: Conor McCarthy 0-2 (1F), Miceál Spillane 0-1, Brian Coen 0-1, Kenneth O’Donnell 0-1, Michael Dillon 0-1.  After half time we added 4 points without reply coming from Michael Dillon, Stephen O’Donnell, Kenneth O’Donnell and a Conor McCarthy free to lead 0-10 to 0-4 entering the final quarter.  J K Brackens then scored 1-4 with no reply from Fethard to send the game to extra time playing10 minutes each way.

The first period produced no score.  In the second period both teams had a point. Fethard’s from Kenneth O’Donnell to leave teams level entering the final five minutes when Fethard added two more points from Kenneth O’Donnell and Glen Burke to run out winners.

The team who won on the day were: Paul Fitzgerald, Mikey Aherne, Cian Maher, Ian Kenrick, Willie Morrissey, Damien Byrne, Stephen O’Donnell 0-1, Aiden Fitzgerald, Michael Dillon 0-2, Miceál Spillane 0-1, John P Looby, Glen Burke 0-1, Conor McCarthy 0-3 (2f), Kenneth O’Donnell 0-4, Brian Coen 0-1.  Subs used were: Eoin Doyle and Alan Phelan.  We now go on to meet Aherlow in the next round of the County Championship and we meet Ardfinnan in the South.
Our intermediate hurlers lost to Aherlow, 1-21 to Fethard 0-4, in the County Intermediate League in Lisvernane having played Lattin in Fethard on the 10th May.
The minor football semifinal will not take place until after the Leaving Cert examinations, as the minor hurling will start on 22nd June with the Under-21 hurling also starting on the 26th June.
Thanks to all who joined the County Board Draw. We had no luck in the first draw but the club increased it numbers joined in the draw to 350.
Our Lotto Jackpot went back to €1,000 last week.  The numbers drawn were 5, 7, 13 and 18.  There was no jackpot winner and one match three winner, Tom Ryan (46 St Patrick’s Place), who received €150.  The €50Lucky Dip winner was Paddy O’Flynn (Burke St).

Recent deaths
The death has occurred on Sunday 8th May, at St. Lawrence's Nursing Home, Mockler's Hill, of Mrs Kathleen Bradshaw, formerly from the Green and Kilnockin, Fethard. Kathleen was the wife of the late George Bradshaw, Drumdeel, who was one of the victims in the Dublin bombings at Sackville Place on Friday night 1st December 1972.  Kathleen is survived by her son Rory and daughter Lynn. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

The death has occurred on Friday 6th May at Cork Regional Hospital, of Mr Michael Burke, Clonacody, Lisronagh. Interment took place in Lisronagh Cemetery.

The death has occurred on Tuesday 3rd May at St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, of Mr Denis Martley, Moyglass. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery Fethard.

The death has occurred in England on Monday 2nd May of Mary Stapleton, formerly from Cashel Road, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

Killusty Soccer Club
Tipperary Cup Final, Killusty 1, St Michaels 2.

This wasn't the result I had planned to write, and the manner of the defeat was one I would never wish to write about. Killusty went into this game as complete underdogs and when Michaels took the lead in the tenth minute from a well taken free kick, many believed Killusty would crumble and the floodgates would open — how wrong were they.

When the lads settled  it was Killusty who were putting the passes together and after twenty minutes a move, which began in our own half, saw Karl Maher slot the ball home from just inside the area.  As expected, Michaels pushed for a lead goal but our defence, led by Martin Coen and Tony Shelley repelled every attack.

In the second half Jason Nevin replaced the injured Shane Aylward, with Brian Coen dropping back into defence. But it wasn't all one way traffic.  Killusty had a number of chances. Jason Nevin had a shot tipped over the bar and Jimmy O’Meara had a shot saved on the line. At the end of ninety minutes it was still level and the game then went into extra time.

John Noonan replaced Karl Maher and Willie O’Meara, who was playing in his fourth Tipperary Cup Final, fifth if you count the first replay, came on for Kenneth O’Donnell. Chances were few in the first period of extra time. Then, with five minutes left, Killusty forced a corner which saw a Michael Quinlan header cleared off the line.

The game was in the final minute and with a penalty shoot out on the cards, Michael’s won a corner and the headed effort was saved on the line by Ronan Maher, but the rebound fell to James Walsh who stabbed the ball home. After the restart the final whistle sounded and the disbelief at what had happened sank in. This was a cruel way to loose a final.  Our lads had run themselves into the ground and in all my years with Killusty Soccer Club I can honestly say I have never felt as proud of our team as I did last Saturday night. When you saw the tears of disappointment you knew just what this game meant to them. Every player gave his all and none more so than ‘Man of the Match’ Colm Coen.  You can hold your heads high lads, you may not have brought home the cup, but you brought honour and pride to the little village.

The Killusty team was: Chris Coen (manager), Ronan Maher, Shane Aylward, Colm Coen, Tony Shelley, Martin Coen, Kenneth O’Donnell, Michael Quinlan, Brian Coen, Karl Maher (captain), Jimmy O’Meara, Philly Croke, Jason Nevin, John Noonan, Willie O’Meara, Shay Coen, Philip Ryan and Noel Walsh. A word of thanks to Tommy Gahan for his help on the night.

Winner Alright
The tip came straight from the horses mouth. Tom Purcell passed it on to the family and friends. Joe Murphy’s horse was going to win that evening.  He didn’t have the name of the animal, but that could be looked up in the paper.

That they did, then gathered the money and placed the bet. Tom returned later with bad news. The horse had lost. One of the punters tore up her betting slip and threw it in the bin in disgust. Later that evening, she checked the text to see where the horse had finished. The one that she had backed had won — at twenty to one. 

There were two J Murphy’s running horses in the same race and the punters, luckily for them, had chosen the wrong one. The torn docket, now worth a hundred euros, was retrieved from the bin, patched with tape and presented in the bookies. Despite the ragged appearance, she got her money.  We believe that Tom is waiving his commission for passing on the information.

(N Gawe)

Fethard Ladies Football Club
Fethard under-12 ladies will play Killenaule on Monday 16th May in Killenaule at 7pm.  This is the first game ever for this age group so your support would be appreciated.  The under-14s play Clonmel Commercials on this Wednesday night and we will have a full report next week. Our junior team will play Cappawhite during the week.

Congratulations to our junior and underage team who beat Clonmel Og in a challenge match in Clonmel last week. The club will hold a 3 mile sponsored walk around Ballybough on Monday, May 23rd at 7pm.  Hoping you will support this worthy cause.  Girls from age 8 upwards are very welcome to come along on Monday evenings to Fethard Community Sportsfield at 7pm.

Fethard Bridge Club
We played for sponsored prizes on Wednesday 4th May and the results were:

1st Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;

2nd Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn;

1st Nett: Berney Myles and Rose Lonergan;

2nd Nett: Brendan Kenny and Suzanne Opray.

On Wednesday next, 18th May we play for our President’s Prize.  We hope all members will be able to play on the night and everyone should be at the Tirry Centre at 7pm.

Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O’Brien Tel: 052 31862.

Surprised Tour Guide
Many people put off visiting local attractions because they are so close. And as a result never get to see them at all, even if thousands of people from all over the world visit them every year. Such was the case of one Fethard couple who had travelled the thirty-two counties of Ireland and visited everything from the Giant’s Causeway  to Cape Clear Island, but had by passed one local wonder hundreds of times — the Mitchelstown Caves.

Returning from Cork recently, they spotted the sign for the caves and headed in that direction. There was no imposing visitor centre waiting to greet them, just a parking area in front of a farmhouse. Tickets were acquired by knocking on the door of the house. They nearly didn’t get to visit the caves as a tour group had left already and wouldn’t be back for over an hour. The elderly lady who answered the door gave them the option of catching up with the tour if they wished which would be moving slowly as the group were French and everything that the guide said had to be translated. “The lights might be left on by the guide”, she said, “But I’ll give you this just in case”. She produced a flashlight and told them to follow the path.

The short walk to the entrance was through unspoiled farmland. A closer inspection of the torch showed that it was used on the farm as well as in the caves and had been in close proximity with a cow’s rear end at some point in the past.  A few minutes later the couple entered the caves where the lights had been left on, and began a steep descent to catch up with the French party. The tour guide acknowledged their arrival and asked where they were from. “Fethard”, they replied. “Oh”, he said surprised, “We don’t usually get any locals here”.

What followed was a very interesting and informative tour about the caves, their formation, how they were found, the forty different species of albino insects that inhabit them, the concerts that have taken place there and much, much more. They’re just over the road and well worth a visit.

(N Gawe)