The late Canon James Power
The death has occurred on Monday 9th March of Canon James Power, retired parish priest of Fethard & Killusty Parish.
Canon Power was born in Leigh, Two-Mile-Borris, on 26th February 1926 into a family of three brothers and one sister. He attended national school in Two-Mile-Borris and the Christian Brothers in Thurles. In 1945 he entered St. Patrick’s College, Thurles, to study for the priesthood. He was ordained on the 15th June 1952 and was first posted to Dublin as temporary mission. He returned to the diocese in 1955 when he was appointed Chaplin at Cashel Hospital where he served for two years. His next parish was Cappawhite, starting on 28th September 1957 where he spent six years, before moving to Kilbehenny as Vicarius Adjutor in August 1963. On 15th January 1966 he was appointed to Tipperary Town where he spent ten years before moving to Borrisoleigh on 4th December 1976. Fr Power moved to Fethard as Parish Priest on 28th September 1986 and was made Canon of the Chapter in March 1988.
The late Canon Power was a keen hurling sportsman in his day and loved to attend all games whenever possible. He also loved walking and the odd game of golf in Thurles. His many parishioners will best remember him for his dedication to hospital visitation and visiting the sick.
Canon Power was also a great community man and was very involved in local committees. He served as President of Fethard & District Credit Union (1989) and Fethard & Killusty Community Games (1990).
In 1993, on behalf of the Catholic community, Canon James Power welcomed President Mary Robinson to Fethard and said, “The achievements of such committees as the Abymill Theatre, Community Council and Tidy Towns was indicative of the tremendous pride in the parish and the ‘Friends of Fethard’ was another marvellous example of what a local committee could achieve.”
On Friday 2nd February 1996 Canon Power was proud to organise a special concelebrated mass for Fethard’s new Bishop, Richard Burke, when he returned to Fethard after being consecrated Bishop of Warri (south-eastern Nigeria) in Rome by Pope John Paul II. The Parish Church was packed to capacity for the occasion and after the Mass, Bishop Burke was presented with proceeds of a collection held in Fethard, to help him with his work in his new diocese of Warri.
Another very proud day for Canon Power that year was when Fr. Michael Barry celebrated his first Holy Mass in Fethard on 9th June, 1996. The church was packed to overflowing as his fellow parishioners gave Michael an emotional welcome home. There was sustained applause as Canon Power said how very special Michael was to everyone and how his courage, faith and joy were an inspiration to all.
In 2001, Canon James Power retired as Parish Priest, and at a most enjoyable parish function in the ballroom on Thursday 2nd August, presentations were made from the Fethard and Killusty parishes to mark his retirement. Mr Jimmy Connolly, M.C. on the night, on behalf of the Fethard parishioners thanked Canon Power for his dedicated and unselfish service to the people of Fethard and Killusty. He paid a very special tribute to the Canon’s devotion to the sick and incapacitated of the parish and said he never failed to visit any member of his flock who were hospitalised, whatever the distance.
The following year, on the 26th June 2002, Canon James Power celebrated his Golden Jubilee Mass with family relatives, parishioners and guests. The large attendance at the mass and at the following community reception held in Fethard Ballroom showed the high respect the community had for Canon Power and the tremendous work he achieved in the parish over the previous 16 years.
In these latter years, Canon Power suffered various illnesses but this in no way affected his parish work. His determination to continue working in the parish right up to his death was a reflection of a life fully dedicated to the work of God. The parish of Fethard & Killusty has lost a true friend.
Requiem Mass, concelebrated by Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dr. Dermot Clifford, took place at Holy Trinity Parish Church on Wednesday 11th March followed by interment in the adjoining graveyard. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis.

Diploma in Applied Christian Spirituality
June Kennedy, Burke Street, recently graduated with first class honours in the Higher Diploma in Applied Christian Spirituality (ACS) at Milltown Institute, Dublin and is currently completing her Masters degree. June is the second person from Fethard to study spirituality at Milltown. In fact it was recommended to her by the first graduate from the town, Richard Burke, formerly of Burke Street and currently Archbishop of Warri Diocese in Nigeria. The links extend even further since Richard has now sent one of the priests from his diocese to do the course also. June was a friendly face to greet Fr Joseph and they have swapped many tales of Archbishop Richard. There are two other Tipperary men also on the course at present.
Graduating on the same day as June recently was President Mary McAleese, who professed herself impressed with June’s singing during the graduation mass. June continues to juggle her work at Ferryhouse, travel to and from Dublin with her studies as she approaches her final examinations in May. She strongly recommends this course to anyone searching a new perspective on their life and faith.
The students in the applied spirituality programmes come from various countries, walks of life, occupations and diverse backgrounds, and are almost always at least 30 years old. They are often counsellors, teachers, social care workers, medical professionals, chaplains, or from the business world. Up to this year they were overwhelmingly non-ordained and female.
The applied spirituality programmes were created in response to a need to train people to handle issues about the meaning of life. As one of the recent graduates put it
“What an impact on my life this programme has had! It has been challenging on so many levels, particularly spiritually and emotionally. I have been brought to such awareness of who I am and where I am in this life, and would not have missed the opportunity for the world. Probably, one of the best decisions I have ever made.”
Anyone interested in further information should contact Dr Michael O’Sullivan, SJ,
Director of the Higher Diploma and MA in Applied Christian Spirituality,
Milltown Institute, Dublin. Phone 01-2776315 or 087 4140694. Email mosullivan@milltown-institute.ie

Board Games wanted for Fethard Youth Café
Fethard Youth Café are looking for donations of unwanted board games or any other gaming devices that can be used by members at the Youth Centre.
The Youth Café will be open for members on Saturday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm while renovations are still taking place. We expect to start opening on some weekend nights within the next few weeks.
A Bebo page has also been set up where members can get all the latest information on the Youth Café and meet other members. The address is www.bebo.com/fethardY
Intending members, aged 14 to 19, are asked to bring along a €5 registration fee and proof of age. We will also accept applications from teenagers aged 13 years or pupils attending 1st Year in Secondary School. Membership forms are available from the Community Office in Barrack Street, Newport’s Newsagency, Patrician Presentation Secondary School and can also be downloaded from the Fethard website.

Tony Sheehan Memorial Foundation
The Tony Sheehan Memorial Foundation was set up following the sad death of Tony in 2006. The object of the Foundation was decided to provide a fitting memorial to Tony by offering some financial support to individuals or families where serious illness has caused severe financial difficulties. Application forms for assistance can be had from Denis Burke, Secretary, Tony Sheehan Memorial Foundation, Red City, Fethard.

Community Council AGM Cancelled
As a mark of respect for the late Canon James Power, the Fethard & Killusty Community Council's AGM, due to take place on Tuesday 10th March, has been postponed until Tuesday 24th March at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.
The committee would like to sincerely thank everyone who supported their Church Gate Collection held last weekend in the parish.

Prayer for Lent at Presentation Convent
Why not make some space for prayer and quiet time during the season of Lent. All are welcome to come and pray with others in the Presentation Convent chapel on Monday, 9th, 16th and 23rd March at 7.30pm.

Fethard Hospice Support Group Draw
Fethard Support Group for South Tipp Hospice are currently selling tickets for a draw that will take place at 10pm on St. Patrick’s Night in the Castle Inn. Tickets are €5 each and your support for this worthy cause would be very much appreciated. Prizes are as follows: 1st Prize €250, 2nd Prize €150, 3rd Prize €100, 4th Prize Box of Chocolates, 5th Prize Easter Egg.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 4th March were 7, 18, 21 and 24. We had no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners who received €50 each:
Rita Burke, Woodvale Walk, Fethard;
Eamon O'Donohoe, Moyglass, Fethard;
Phil Tobin, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard.
The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each:
Michael Ryan, c/o T. Purcell
Patrick Whelan, Ballingarry
Denis O'Meara, c/o T. Purcell.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.
You can now play our lotto online from your own computer by visiting fethard.com.

Invitation to view ‘Black Gold’ at Tipperary Institute
All are invited and welcome to attend a screening of the film ‘Black Gold’ at Tipperary Institute on Friday 20th March at 8.30pm. The film, when reviewed by the Daily Telegraph stated, “Remarkable - a moving but scandalous story. Black Gold has extraordinary power!” As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar industry, Black Gold traces one man's fight for a fair price.
The film is a follow up to Fethard & Killusty Community Council’s recent introduction to Fairtrade and Transition Towns and is hosted at Tipperary Institute by Mathew Mather as part of a Transition Town program. There will also be a short meeting and informal discussion after the meeting. Again, all are welcome to come along. For further information contact Joe Kenny 052 31663.

Heritage Plan Public Meeting this Thursday
Have your say on the Heritage of South Tipperary by attending a public meeting in Fethard on this Thursday 12th March at 8pm in the Tirry Community Centre.
South Tipperary County Council and the South Tipperary Heritage Forum have started the process of developing a revised Heritage Plan for South Tipperary, to run from 2010 to 2014. The Heritage Officer is also available on request to meet with groups or individuals on a one-to one basis, to discuss any issues relating to the Heritage Plan and to assist in the preparation of submissions.
For further information, contact Labhaoise McKenna, South Tipperary Heritage Officer, South Tipperary County Council, County Hall, Clonmel. Phone 052 6134821, e-mail heritage@southtippcoco.ie

Died Recently
The death has occurred on 4th March of Mr Ajay Mehta, Ferrybank, Carlow, and formerly from The Valley, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

Fethard & District Day Care Centre AGM
The annual general meeting of Fethard & District Day Care Centre will take place on Thursday 26th March at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre. We invite all to come alone and in particular new volunteers willing to help and get involved in the many wonderful services provided for the elderly in our parish by the Day Care Centre. For further information contact Geraldine McCarthy at (052) 32917.

Table Quizs
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre wish to thank all who supported their recent table quiz held on Friday 27th February. A huge thanks to Philip and Anne Butler for hosting the quiz at their premises and for donating first prize. We also thank the staff at the centre and Marianne Shortall, who both donated beautiful hampers used for the prizes, and Pat Carroll, Main Street, for donating a frame for the centre.

Fethard GAA Club News
Our esteemed Life President of Fethard GAA Club, Canon James Power, passed on to his eternal reward on Monday 9th March. To his priesthood colleagues, nephew and nieces, the club extends its deepest sympathy at this time. Go ndeanai Dia trocaire ar a anam.
Our senior footballers had a good win against local side Moyne in the county league, played under lights last Friday in Templetuohy. The final scoreline was 0-10 to 1-6, having trailed at the interval 0-4 to 1-2. Our next game is on weekending 22nd March at home to Thomas McDonaghs.
Our minor footballers just missed out on a county league semifinal spot by failing to field a team against Knockmealdown Gaels. Better look in the South Championship which is expected to kick off on weekending 22nd March.
Our intermediate hurling league starts this weekend with a home game against Arravale Rovers at 2.30pm. With a bye in the first round of the U-21 hurling, we will surely be out shortly against one of the first round losers.
Our Lotto Jackpot was not won. The numbers drawn were: 9, 11, 13 and 27. We had one ‘Match Three’ winner of €150, to Josie Fitzgerald, Kiltinan, Fethard. The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Alice Lawrence, Woodvale Walk, Fethard. We thank AIB for supplying the tickets.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
The Juvenile Club would like to welcome back all their members. Training for all ages has now begun. Under-6s and 8s on Saturday 21st March at 11am in the GAA field. Under-10s, 12s, 14s and 16s on Monday evenings at 7.30pm. These times are for the present and we will inform members of any changes.
The Under-12s make their 1st round championship bid is on Saturday 28th March at 12 noon away to Ballyporeen. These dates are as we know them and if the club or coaches are informed of any changes we will let you know.
Our Under-16s were away to St Patricks on Sunday evening of last week for a challenge match and came away with a great win. They start their championship shortly and a greater effort is required to attend training sessions
A foundation-coaching course is being organised for anybody interested. Please contact Aidan Lonergan at 086 1600740 and put your name forward. This is a great course for anybody interested in giving a hand with any age group coaching.
The club would like to wish all their members a great and successful year and ask all age group members to make a strong effort to attend their training sessions.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Our Under-14s were away to Kilfeacle on Sunday morning of last week and this was never going to be an easy match with the elements against both teams from the start. Kilfeacle started the game with an early try against an unsettled Fethard team. Fethard then came back with a much better attitude and played some brilliant rugby with the rewards of a penalty converted by Dylan Fitzgerald. The lads kept up the pressure and were awarded another penalty again converted by Dylan. They went into half time with the score standing at 6-5 to Fethard.
Fethard were up against it in the second half with a gale force wind blowing in the wrong direction. This by no means discouraged the team and they put up a great defence time and time again but unfortunately they were not able to keep out a strong forward line and Kilfeacle scored two more tries.
Jack McCarthy, David Hayes, Luke Keating, James Holohan, Jimmy Phelan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Sean White and Gavin Delaney all put in good performances on the day This was a much better performance from this team and we can only see them going on from strength to strength.

Fethard Ladies Football
We have now received the fixtures for the coming year but unfortunately they arrived too late for us to play Aherlow in Under-16 league last weekend. We will play Aherlow as soon as possible.
On Saturday 14th March we play in our first game in Under-16 league against Moyne-Templetuohy at 3pm in Moyne-Templetuohy. We hope all players will be available on Saturday. Please make a big effort to attend matches. We're also away to Cappawhite on weekending 22nd March. Our Under-12s play their first match on 4th April and the Under-14s play their first match on 16th April.
Our junior team are drawn against Mullinahone in the first game of the league. Junior players this year, as last year, had to concede a walkover in the league. If there are players in the area we would be delighted if they would play for the club, which is open to all in conjunction with the senior Fethard GAA Club.
We will present our Junior League medals in Slievenamon Golf Club on Friday 27th March. Tickets available from senior club officers.

Fethard Bridge Club Results
On Wednesday 18th February we played the third round of the Player of the Year Competition, which was a change of partner, and the results were:
1st Gross: Betty Walsh and Breda Walsh;
2nd Gross: Brendan Kenny and Suzanne Opray;
1st Nett: Ellen Rochford and David O’Meara;
2nd Nett: Bridie Lee and Kay St. John.
On Wednesday, 25th February we played the fourth round of our Player of the Year competition and the results were:
1st Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
2nd Gross: Suzanne Opray and Ellen Rochford;
1st Nett: Philly Kenny and Margaret Mary McCormack;
2nd Nett: Rosemary Lalor and Anne O’Dea.
On Wednesday 4th March we played for prizes sponsored by FBD Insurance and the results were:
1st Gross: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey;
2nd Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
3rd Gross: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny;
1st Nett: Gemma Burke and Carol Kenny;
2nd Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke;
3rd Nett: Rosemary Lalor and Anne O’Dea.
On March 18th we play for prizes sponsored by Berney Myles and Alice Quinn. Looking for a partner, please contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Hunting News
At Bansha, on Monday, hounds found in Lismacue. Hunting around the estate they crossed the road at the back avenue entrance. Hunting down through Morrissey’s by the long Grove, Derry, obliged to take a wide detour, temporarily lost contact. Something easily done, considering the pace of the bitch pack. Hounds hunted by the Long Grove, left-handed to ground in the Fort and Burkes. One lot of car followers, who had detoured to the Ballycarron Road, heard the hounds marking quite close to Hartigan’s. Veteran local car-follower, Brendan Dyer, with his local knowledge, was able to pin-point the location, and with that wonderful modern aid to hunting, hounds were quickly re-united. Moving down to Ballycarron Bridge, Derry drew up stream by the Suir. One fox only was found here and went to ground immediately. Drawing across the road they did not find again until reaching Quirke’s. They hunted down to the river where they lost him.
Ballysloe, on Wednesday, was something of a rather quiet day. The first two draws at the fort beside the Ironworks and the Motte across the road proved blank. A move was made to the forest across the road towards Kilcooley. This vast cover held at least a brace and a half. A good hours wood-hunting concluded the day.
Foxes were also hard to find in Knocklofty on Thursday. Knocklofty House-side proving blank. Finding in Mr. Peter Reilly’s hounds hunted down to Knocklofty Cross where they crossed the road and down to the Suir below the bridge, and back through The Rock towards Clonmel. Drawing down through Loughtally and back by the Railway Line to Garrintemple hounds did not find. From the bog above the Level Crossing they hunted back over the Derrygrath Road, where they lost him, and did not find again.
The season officially ended on Saturday, with children of all ages enjoying the afternoon through the woods and pathways of Kilcooley Estate, with hounds hunting constantly. The 2008/’09 season concluded with a meet of the Tipperary Foxhounds in Drombane, by invitation of the Golden Vale Foxhounds, on Wednesday 11th March.
“Anois teacht an Earraig, the season has ended.
Days now are lengthening, Summer is nigh.
Soon Autumn leaves falling, huntsman’s voice calling.
Leu in there my beauties, leu in there and try”.

Until then, D.V., to all readers of the column, home and away, Slán go Fóill.
— (E.A.N.)