JUVENILE GAA CLUB
Our under/11 football team travelled to Commercials ground on Thursday last to meet Ardfinnan in their next game of the ‘Floodlit Cup’. It was a great match with Fethard having another fine win. The scores were very close in the first half of the match but once the second half began Fethard dominated much of the game. Ardfinnan did have opportunities to score but the lads were on tip-top form and saved some great frees directed at the goal. The final score stood at Fethard 3-08, Ardfinnan 2-02. They now go on to meet Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Og in the week ahead and we wish them the best of luck. The panel was Cathal Hurley, Brian Delahunty, Damien Morrissey, Owen Dillon, Kieran O’Connell, Frankie Donovan, Daniel Hickey, Matthew Fitzgerald (capt), Eoin Fitzgerald, Alan Lawrence, Tommy Sheehan, Dean Sharpe and Ciarán O'Meara. Subs are: Ronan Fitzgerald, Michael Smith, Gerry Horan, Ger Maher and Davy Walsh.

TIPP FM 'ROADRUNNERS' VISIT FETHARD

Tipp FM ‘Roadrunners’ Ian O’Connor and Mary Dempsey paid a visit to Fethard on 18th November to celebrate the station’s new county-wide broadcasting license which was issued recently. The broadcast crew are photographed with children from First Steps Playgroup at Fethard and Killusty Community Centre.

FETHARD JUDO CLUB
The north-west championships were held in Derry last weekend. We had fifteen travelling up on Friday morning. Our only senior competitor was Roy Gorey, who fought well and finished third. Our youngest competitor was Padraig O'Shea, who did well and won gold. Also winning gold was Liam Halley, who did very well, this being his first competition in eighteen months. We had D. J. Gorey and Martin O'Donnell fighting each other for gold. D. J. won the gold and Martin was a good second. Stephanie Lawrence, Orla O'Donnell and Alan Brannigan all won silver medals. Bronze medals were won by Richard Gorey, Samantha Feery, Jake Walsh and Grace Maher, all doing very well. Tom Woodlock and Niall O'Donnell did well, but were unlucky on the day. The unluckiest of them all was Cathal Gorey who, during his fight, broke his collarbone. Thanks to the parents who drove to Derry and to our coach Eric O'Donnell.

FETHARD RUGBY
Sunday November 23rd saw a convoy of cars travel from Fethard to Carrick-on-Suir for the under-9s and under-11s blitz. Conditions were virtually perfect for rugby as the under-11s took on the home team in their first game of the day. It was a close fought encounter with Carrick eventually coming out on top, three tries to two, their final try being scored seconds from the end of normal time. The Fethard tries came from Frankie Sheehan and Daniel Hickey (who was to go on to have a profitable day). Fethard went on to play Clanwilliam in their second game of the day, looking to overturn their three tries to two defeat against the same team the previous weekend. The team got off to a great start, with three tries from Daniel Hickey, Colm Shanahan and Aaron Conran. The second half saw the team run in four more tries through Colm Shanahan, Aidan Purcell, Stephen Maguire and Daniel Hickey, to seal an impressive seven tries to nil scoreline. Best for Fethard on the day were Colm Shanahan, Stephen Maguire and Kevin Hayes in the pack, with Jack O'Connell, Andrew Kelly, Tommy Sheehan and the hard-tackling David Bergin impressing in the backline.
Our under-13s played Kilfeacle in the league on Sunday. We gave four players their debut to the oval ball game, Declan Doyle, Aaron O’Donovan, Alan O’Connor getting a try, and Christopher Sheehan, two tries. Christopher’s second try saw all four involved up in the build up. If we are to take anything from this game, it is the defence we'll have to work on. Tackling was a little slack also. The final score was 30-17 to Kilfeacle.

FETHARD CHRISTMAS CARDS

A selection of four Fethard Christmas Cards are now available for sale in local shops. The one above is of Watergate Bridge.

SANTA BEAR APPEAL
This year’s ‘Santa Bear Appeal’ in aid of the Central Remedial Clinic will take place from Monday 1st December to Friday 12th December. This year is celebrating Santa Bear’s 10th Birthday and we ask your support locally for this very worthy cause.
Proceeds of this year’s Carol Singing, which takes place on Thursday 18th December will also go towards the appeal.

NELLIE’S NINETIETH BIRTHDAY

A very large crowd of family, relatives and friends turned out at Slievenamon Golf Club on Sunday afternoon last for the ninetieth birthday party of Mrs Nellie Shortall. Nellie, looking elegant as usual, moved around greeting each of the many guests by name and made each feel especially welcome to the auspicious occasion. Following a scrumptious meal, the party really got underway. The combined talents of the extremely very musical Fitzpatrick family was very much in evidence. Led by her son John on the violin, accompanied by his close friend Joe Kenny on guitar, the singing voices of at least three generations of Nellie’s relatives were truly remarkable.
What can one say of Nellie Shortall? It must be the keen outlook she still maintains in her many interests that keep her going. Up to a very short while ago she was actively involved in the Hogan Musical Society, the I.C.A., and Senior Citizen Club outings and parties, which she still attends. She has taken part, up to two years ago, in the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition at the R.D.S. An excellent professional cook, her advice in culinary matters is often sought and acted upon locally, she has represented Tipperary I.C.A. in All-Ireland cooking competitions. In May 1999 she entered and won the lilting competition at the Tipperary Fleadh Cheoil finals held at Kilsheelan.
Her pride and joy as a music lover was to attend the various competitions at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Clonmel, and is already looking forward to next years. Nellie attended a 50th wedding anniversary party on Saturday and the Fethard Players production of ‘The Plough and the Stars’ during the week. Need we go on? We are tired already, just writing about her activities!

Nellie photographed above with her three children, John, Marie and Ann.

The remarkable evening concluded with the assembled guests in one voice, giving a great rendering of, ‘The boys are all mad about Nellie’, ‘For she's a jolly good fellow’, and giving three lusty cheers for a truly remarkable lady. Ad Multos Annos.

SOPRANOS RETURN

Local music lovers are in for a rare treat on December 10th when the Irish Sopranos make a much look forwarded return visit to the Abymill Theatre. The three girls, Wendy Dwyer (Cork), Kay Lynch (Tralee) and Deirdre Masterson (Gorey), have been really hitting the high spots since their last Fethard concert. Live on television for the Rose of Tralee, they were the first female group to salute the winning Rose.
Prior to their American tour, the Irish Sopranos embark on a short Irish tour, which includes Fethard. Early booking at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street, is very advisable. Tel: 052 31254.

HUNTING NEWS
The book ‘Tipperary’, a Tipperary Foxhounds production launched officially in the Horse and Jockey Inn on Tuesday night last, is surely a must for all Tipperary sporting people, hunting and non-hunting folk alike.
The book, an excellent production, is the story and not just historical facts, of the Tipperary Foxhounds since their foundation at Grove in 1821. A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words. This book is adorned with a myriad of excellent photographs, including some great action pictures of masters, secretaries, huntsmen, whippers-in, mounted followers, foot followers, terriermen, fencers, you name it, it’s in there!
Preliminary copies available simply flew off the shelves of stockists. No doubt in a short time, it will be a collectors item.
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers meet next Sunday at Rocklow at 12 noon.

DEATH OF TIM VIGORS

The death has occurred recently in England of Wing Commander Tim Vigors, formerly of Tullamaine and Coolmore Fethard. Born in 1921, he joined the RAF at the outbreak of World War II and quickly became one of the most noted fighter pilots in what became known as ‘The Battle of Britain’. Credited with shooting down 11 German planes, with a further 6 possibles, he admitted that prior to his first mission, he felt what he described for the first time, ‘The taste of fear’, quickly changed to one of self preservation.
Following many of his flying sorties over the south English coast, his plane, which had the tricolour painted on the nose, was serviced by another Fethard man, the late Christy Matthews of Kerry Street. Christy served in the RAF ground forces during the war and often described Tim Vigors plane as returning, ‘riddled with bullet holes’.
After the war he returned to Coolmore, which he inherited from his father in 1968. He then began building the famous stud farm which it is today, before selling out to his partners, Mr John Magnier, Mr Vincent O’Brien and Mr Robert Sangster. He then went to live in Spain and continued to work in the bloodstock business. He returned to Newmarket 20 years ago and lived there until his death on 14th November.

JUVENILE GAA CLUB
The under-11 football ‘Floodlight Cup’ kicked off on Thursday last with the lads playing against Cahir on a cold evening in Clonmel Commercials ground. It started off at a slow pace with the lads having to get used to the one hop, one solo, rule as well as being able to pick the ball off the ground, but they were not long catching on and halfway through the first half they were well in control of the game.
There were a few nail-biting moments when it looked as if Cahir were going to get the better of us, but the defence line held strong and cleared some great balls. Final score stood at Fethard 0-6, Cahir 0-4. They now go on to meet Ardfinnan in the next game, players will be notified with details. Good luck to the lads!

FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
Fethard Bridge Club are playing for ongoing turkey prizes at the moment and the results will not be announced until our Christmas party which will be held in Sadel’s Restaurant on Wednesday 17th December. A reminder to all members, that subscriptions are due before the end of November. Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O’Brien Tel: 052 31862.

SALE OF WORK
Powerstown & Lisronagh Parish annual sale of work will take place in the GAA Centre, Western Road, Clonmel, on Sunday November 30th commencing at 2pm. Stalls including books, toys, cakes and produce, bric-a-brac and wheel of fortune, a visit from Santa and face painting for the children. Teas will be served and raffle will take place. All proceeds in aid of Lisronagh Church Renovation Fund.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Fethard and District Day Care Centre will hold their annual Christmas Bazaar on Friday 28th November at 11am in the Tirry Community Centre. On sale will be many handmade goods, toys, books, and bric-a-brac for everyone. We'll also have a monster raffle and cake sale. All donations of cakes etc would be very much appreciated. So please come along and join the fun, good company, light refreshments and plenty of craic is always on the menu.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred on November 19th in Galway, of Fr. Pearse Aloysius O’Mahoney OSA. Many Fethard people, will still fondly remember the late Fr O’Mahoney from the five year period in the late sixties, early seventies, when he ministered at the Fethard Augustinian Abbey. Interment took place at Forthill Cemetery, Galway.
The death has occurred of Mrs Bridie Murphy, formerly Breda Tynan, St. Johnstown, at the comparatively early age of 45, came as a great shock to her family and wide circle of friends locally, by which she was held in the greatest esteem. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery.

GOLDEN JUBILEE

Congratulations to Mrs Breda and Mr Dick Burke, Bridge Bar, Fethard, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Saturday last. The occasion was marked by a special mass in the Parish Church on Saturday afternoon, followed by an anniversary party for family and friends.

FETHARD GAA CLUB
The Intermediate Hurling South Final replay will be played on Sunday 30th November, please check sports page for details.
We had no winner of our Lotto Jackpot of €1,900.
Our Annual General Meeting takes place on Saturday 10th January at 8.15pm. Please put the date in your diary.
Our deepest sympathies are with Mary Murphy and family (St Johnstown), and Bridget Robinson and family (Kilsheelan) at this time. Go nDeanai Trocaire Orthu

FETHARD PLAYERS
What can be said about the Fethard Players that has not been said already. Sufficient to say that, once again they excelled their own high standards with their production last week of Sean O’Casey’s, ‘The Plough and the Stars’. The production played to house full audiences from Sunday to Sunday. The popularity of the society seems to be growing further a field each year. This may be judged by the number of motorists who pulled up in Main Street each night, asking, “Where is the Abymill Theatre?
To producer and caste selector, Austin O’Flynn, “Austie, if your interests were primarily in football, you would have Mick O’Dwyer’s job!

RETIREMENT OF GARDA MAIREAD O'TOOLE

Photographed above at the retirement function for Garda Mairead O'Toole held at Slievenamon Golf Club on Friday night 21st November are L to R: Garda John Lonergan, Sergeant Kevin Corry, Garda Mairead O'Toole, Superintendent Dick Burke and Garda Pat Fallon, originally from Fethard

Our best wishes go to Garda Mairead O'Toole who retired from the Garda Siochana on Sunday 9th November 2003. To mark her retirement, a function was held in Slievenamon Golf Club on Friday night 21st November, attended by a large crowd of Mairead's family, friends from Fethard, and work colleagues in the Garda Siochana. Glowing tributes were paid to Mairead for her dedication to her family and her work.
Sergeant Kevin Corry, after making a presentation, said that Mairead had a wonderful quality of having a solution for every problem and she will be greatly missed at the Fethard Station.
Superintendent Dick Burke, representing the Garda Siochana, said that he and Sergeant Kevin Bowen from Clonmel had spent many hours trying to convince Mairead to remain on with the force, but now looking back, they were wrong, as Mairead has one strong quality that men do not have, and that is a 'mother's instinct'. He now understood and was happy to accept Mairead's decision to spend more time with her family but her retirement would be a great loss to the Garda Siochana.
Garda John Lonergan, who organised the event, spoke of Mairead's unique ability to communicate equally with people from all walks of life and her in-depth knowledge and understanding of people living in the area and her 'above the call of duty' willingness to help them.
Presentations were also made by Áine Donnelly on behalf of the Irish Police Association; Ann O'Boyle, on behalf of the Female Garda Tipperary Division; and Martin Walsh, on behalf of the Garda Representative Association. Following speeches and presentations, a very enjoyable social function was enjoyed by all.

Garda Mairead O'Toole photographed with female work colleagues from the Tipperary Division.