Photographed at the Clonmel Union of Parishes' Harvest Thanksgiving Service at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Fethard on Friday 15th October are L to R: Jonathan Gilpin, Rev Arthur Carter, Archdeacon Michael Nuttall, Rev George Knowd, and Rev John Meagher OSA. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOGRAPHS

Emigrants’ Newsletter Collection
The annual church gate collection for the Emigrant’s Newsletter will take place this coming weekend, 30th and 31st October. We ask for your support to help us publish and post over 1000 Newsletters free of charge to our emigrants throughout the world.

All donations of €10 or more will be acknowledged in this years issue. If you wish to be acknowledged, please put your donation in an envelope with your name and address or else hand it to Carmel Rice, Brookhill, or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road.

Club secretaries are asked to submit their annual reports for inclusion in this years Emigrant’s Newsletter as soon as possible. Photographs and articles can be handed in to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard. Please also hand in change of addresses or new addresses for those wishing to be added to the emigrant mailing list. Anyone with Fethard connections living away from Fethard is eligible to be added to our list. An up-to-date mailing list is essential to avoid unnecessary postage costs, so please let us know if your children or loved ones living away from home have changed flat or house in the past twelve months.

The late Gus Danagher

The late Gus Danagher photographed on the Fethard 1957 Senior Football County and South Champions. Back L to R: Michael O'Riordan, Gussy Neville, Jimmy McCarthy, Ned Sheehan, Tony Newport (captain), Michael Byrne, Leo English, Gus Danagher, Seamus Hackett. Front L to R: Paddy McCarthy, Joe Hannon, Eddie Casey, Jim Williams, Cly Mullins, Liam Connolly, Pat Woodlock, Seanie Connolly, Sean Moloney and Jimmy O'Shea.

The death has occurred on Wednesday 20th October at the Mater Hospital Dublin of Mr Gus Danagher, formerly of Kilnockin Road, Fethard. The death of Gus Danagher came as a great shock to his many friends in Fethard and Tipperary GAA circles. One of Tipperary's most stylish players of the period he was a member of the Tipperary Minor Football team beaten by Dublin in the 1955 All Ireland minor football final. He played on the Tipperary junior football team the following year and was a regular member of Tipperary senior football teams of the following decade. Gus was honoured twice by the Munster football selectors in the sixties and he was also an accomplished hurler and figured prominently on Coolmoyne and group selection junior and senior teams of the period. He was a leading playing member of the Fethard county senior football championship team of 1957.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife Celine, son Paul, daughter Lucy, and relatives. Interment took place in Lucan, Dublin.

Holy Souls in November
The Legion of Mary wish to remind us that the Rosary will be recited in the following Parish Cemeteries during the month of November.
Monday, 1st Nov: Parish Church at 3pm and Holy Trinity at 3.30pm.
Sunday, 7th Nov: Abbey Church at 3pm and Everardsgrange 3.30pm.
Sunday, 14th Nov: Calvary at 3pm and Peppardstown at 3.30pm.
Sunday, 21st Nov: Rathcoole at 3pm, Redcity at 3.30pm and Tullamaine at 3pm.
Sunday, 28th Nov: Killusty, after Sunday Mass, Kiltinan at 3pm and Kilmaclough at 3.30pm.
We can remember all our dead in each cemetery we visit during the month of November. May they rest in peace.

‘Blithe Spirit’ Comedy for the Abymill
Fethard Players will stage their forthcoming production of ‘Blithe Spirit’, a comedy by Noel Coward, in the Abymill Theatre from Sunday 14th November to Saturday 20th November. The cast for this production is: Lisa Laaksonen (Ruth), Niamh Hayes (Edith), Jimmy O’Sullivan (Charles), Gerry Fogarty (Dr. Bradman), Helen Carrigan (Mrs. Bradman), Anne Connolly (Madame Arcati) and Mia Treacy (Elvira). The play is produced by Austin O’Flynn and booking is now opened at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street. Tel: 052 31254 or 087 1338961.
Photographed here is Mia Treacy who plays the part of Elvira.

Íosagáin – how long has it been sung in Fethard?
Many people, both local and visitors, are very moved by the playing of the hymn Íosagáin' at funeral masses in Fethard Parish Church. Many enquiries are made to the organist as to its name and origin. The hymn is usually played at all funeral masses of past pupils of Fethard Patrician Brothers schools. ‘Íosagáin’ has been traditionally sung by pupils of Fethard Boys National School at the masses on St. Patricks Day. It has no association with St. Patrick whatsoever as the words are actually suited to a before or after Communion prayer. The air is set to a well-known Church of England hymn, 'Lead Kindly Light', written by Cardinal Newman.

Can any of our readers throw light on who wrote the Irish lyrics of ‘Íosagáin’ and how long it has actually been sung on St. Patricks Day by Fethard schoolboys.

Tipperary Foxhounds
Once again very favourable weather favoured the opening meet of The Tipperary Foxhounds in Fethard on Monday last. Following the joint blessing of the hounds and followers by Very Rev. Fr. Tom Breen P.P. and Rev. George Knowd, the traditional stirrup cup was served. The field of 110 mounted, with even more car and foot followers, and set out for the traditional first draw at Rocklow. While the hunting did not feature runs of any great length, nevertheless, foxes were in very plentiful supply with no less than four brace being marked to ground during the day. The large field were kept very busy all day and the car and foot followers greatly entertained. Feature of the day was 45 minutes of glorious hound work with great cry at Rocklow House covert.

Truly it can be said that an enjoyable day was had by all when huntsman Pat O'Brien finally blew for home at 5pm in glorious evening sunshine of a beautiful autumn day.

White Heather Harriers
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will hold their opening meet in Drangan on this Sunday October 31st at 12 o'clock.

For ‘Old Time’ sake
Most extraordinary the amount of people who are enquiring as to whether the clocks go back or forward this weekend. Let there be no mistake - the clocks go BACK one hour on this Saturday October 30th.

Presentation to Retired Principal

Fintan Rice (left), making a presentation to Eamon Dwyer who recently retired as principal of St. Patrick's Boys School Fethard after 20 years service. Eamon commenced work in the school on 3rd September 1984 and was appointed principal on 1st July 1993.

In recognition of 20 years of dedicated service on the staff of St. Patrick’s Boys School, the Board of Management and the Parents’ Association presented Mr O’Dwyer with a beautiful handcrafted bowl and pedestal made from Chilean pine by local craftsman, Johnny Sheehan. The presentation was made at the Parents’ Association annual table quiz, which was held in The Well Bar on Tuesday 19th October. A bouquet of flowers was also presented to Eamon’s wife, Anne.

We would like to thank all who supported this event and we wish Mr Dwyer many years of happiness and good health in the future.

Primary Schools Cross Country
Following on from recent great success on the football field, Fethard boys once again made their mark on the Cidona Primary Schools Cross Country Competition. First into action were the boys 3rd and 4th classes competing in the large schools category. The team was led home by Brian Healy who ran an excellent race to finish 4th. Next to cross the line was Kieran Walsh with a great 5th placing, followed by Ciarán O’Meara in 10th and Ronan Fitzgerald in 11th place. Their combined score was good enough to take silver medals in Division 1.

Bronze medal winners in Division II were: Cathal Hurley (15th), Gerry Horan (20th), Eugene Walsh (25th), Dylan Fitzgerald (27th), Gary Bradshaw (30th) and Andrew Maguire (33rd).

Fethard’s 5th and 6th class boys were next to toe the line as Matthew Fitzgerald led the team home with a superb individual victory. Matthew’s win was complimented by marvellous team running from Louis Rice in 4th place, Owen Healy in 6th and Frankie O’Donovan in 7th. Next Fethard boy home was John Gartland in 15th position, closely followed by Brian Delahunty in 16th, Padraig O’Shea in 22nd, Stephen Maguire in 23rd, David Burke in 24th, Tommy Sheehan in 29th and Darren Thompson in 34th place. Their score earned them well-deserved bronze medals in division II.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Junior A football semifinal was played last Saturday 23rd Octber in Kilsheelan on a very wet and miserable evening for football with Fethard victorious on a scoreline, Fethard 0-7, Moyle Rovers 0-3 (Full Report see Sports Page). We are now in our second South final in two years having last year been successful over Ballingarry by 2-11 to 1-12. This year our opponents are Clonmel Commercials in Kilsheelan on Saturday 30th October at 3pm. With eleven of last year’s team available for selection, we wish them the best in the final.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €1,300 was not won. We had one match three winner of €150 to Dick Burke (Main Street). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Bernie Byrne (Claremore).

It was with great sadness when on Thursday 21st Oct we learned of the passing away of Gus Danaher, The Georgian Village, Castleknock, Dublin, and Fethard. He was one of the finest and stylish players of his era and gave tremendous service to both club and county over 10 years (approx) 1955 to 1968, until an accident curtailed his playing career which he bore with great patience up to his death. His motto was “Keep Smiling”.

On the playing fields he wore the county jersey with distinction playing in All Ireland minor football final of 1955 at centre forward, losing to Dublin by 5-4 to 2-7. He wore the county jersey on many occasions after that when in 1957 Tipperary lost to Kerry in the junior, he lined out at corner forward. He was then drafted into the senior team in 1958 where he remained on and off until 1968, with very little reward, except in 1967 when Tipperary played Dublin in the Bloody Sunday commemoration game on 19th November which ended in a draw in Croke Park, Tipp 0-12, Dublin 1-9. At the replay in Clonmel the following Sunday Tipp were winners by 5-9 to 4-10 and also their first time winning this annual game.

Gus was honoured to represent the county on Munster Railway Cup teams of 1966 and 1968. On the club scene he played on the Killusty 1956 junior football team, south and county champions, and he went on to wear the senior Fethard jersey with distinction when in 1957 he added south and county titles to his collection and played for the club up to 1968.

A keen Hurler he played with the Fethard/Killusty Juniors of the 1950s and was also a member of the 1959 Coolmoyne south junior champions.

He was, we understand, a very keen golfer. At the grave side his wife Celine was delighted to meet all those who travelled up and expressed her thanks to all present.

The Club wish to express it deepest sympathy at this time to the Danaher family on their loss and particularly to Celine, Paul, Lucy, family and relatives. Go Ndeanai Dhia Trocaire ar an ainmeanacha.

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 20th October we played for Hallowe’en prizes and the winners were:
1st Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
2nd Gross: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;
3rd Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
1st Nett: Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney;
2ndNett: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
3rd Nett: Ellen Rochford and Suzanne Opray;
Subscriptions of €25 are now due. Anyone looking for a partner contact, Annie O’Brien. Tel: 052 31862.

Fethard Community Sportsfield
Fethard Community Sportsfield are presently fundraising for future development in the field. As part of the efforts to raise money, Fethard Community Field Finance Committee have invited the National Coaching Training Centre to present two workshops in the Abymill, Fethard, on Tuesday, November 24th at 7.30 pm. The field committee are presenting all clubs/organisations/individuals with the opportunity to access free education for the athletes, players’ coaches in the area of Sports Science, which is sponsored by Lucozade Sport. Alan Swanson, expert in the field of Sports Science will present two seminars, ‘Fluid for Sport’ and ‘Fuel for Sport’. This should be a very beneficial night out for everybody. Make a date in your diary for Wednesday, November 24th. There is a nominal fee of €5

Further details on the sports seminar please contact Valerie at 086-1704874. Proceeds will be for future development in the field, which presently cater for athletics, rugby, soccer, GAA and individual requirements.

Fethard Ladies Football Club
Congratulations to Fethard Ladies Junior Football Team who won the replay of their match against Moyne Templetuohy by 3 points, played in Gortnahoe on Sunday evening. Fethard got off to a great start and by half time the score was Fethard 1-8 to Moyne 0-4. Moyne fought back hard in the second half but the Fethard girls gave no quarter and the final score was 2-9 to 2-6. Fethard are now in the semifinal of the County Junior ‘C’ Championship against Upperchurch, date to be arranged.

Scorers for Fethard were: Edel Fitzgerald (1-1), Sandra Maher (1-0), Jennifer Keane (0-4), Audrey Conway (0-2), Jacqui Freyne (0-1), and Vanessa O’Donnell (0-1). Good luck in the semi-final.

Killusty Soccer Club
Two Mile Borris 0, Killusty 2.
This was a great away win for Killusty against a Borris side that had been in fine form in recent weeks. The first half was evenly matched with both defences on top and clear chances were few. In the second half Borris got more into the game and the lads had to sustain some serious pressure. Borris didn't make the pressure count, and midway through the half Killusty got the opening gaol. Karl Maher unleashed a left foot shot from outside the area which flew into the top corner of the net. This score settled the team and we began to get more in control, with ten minutes remaining Aaron Kelly got his name back on the score sheet with a well taken goal after a fine build up. This win puts us on 14 points with eight games played. Great credit is due to the lads, as many of them were involved with the junior footballers the previous day.

St. Patrick’s Boys School
The Allianz Roinn B semi-final between Ardfinnan and St. Patrick’s School Fethard was played in the Barracks Field, Fethard on October 21st. and Fethard emerged winners on a scoreline, 3-10 to 3-02. The match was refereed by Micheál McCormack and a minute’s silence was held in memory of the late Gus Danaher RIP.

The scoring opened with a point from Tommy Sheehan. Ardfinnan responded with three goals scored by John O’Donnell (1) and Dean O’Mahoney (2). The Fethard boys were stunned but did not panic. The introduction of Matthew Fitzgerald settled the Fethard side and within minutes they responded with a goal by Owen Healy. John Gartland followed up with a second goal and further points from Tommy Sheehan, John Gartland and Ciarán O’Meara as well as a pointed free from Matthew Fitzgerald gave Fethard a two point advantage at the end of the first half.

In the second half the Fethard backs, led by captain Kieran O’Connell, stood firmly as Ardfinnan worked hard to get back into the match. However, they were limited to two points scored by Ciarán Nugent. Fethard started their second half scoring with a point by Damien Morrissey, they scored four more points in the second half and finished their scoring with a well-taken goal by Tommy Sheehan. Fethard deserved their victory and now go on to play either Carrick or Loughmore in the Roinn B Final.

Ardfinnan: Padraig Duggan, Jamie Butler, Liam Walsh, William Healy, Philip Murphy, Michael Goonan, Oisín O’Flynn, John O’Donnell, Stephen Kenny, Dawn Doolan, Ciaran Nugent, Dean O’Mahoney, Hayden Maher, Emma Sweeney, Eoin Lambert, Samantha Meaney, Nigel Carbery and Cian Hartigan

Fethard: Colm Shanahan, Ger Maher, Dean Sharpe, Kieran O’Connell, Stephen Maguire, Matthew Fitzgerald, Damien Morrissey, Brian Delahunty, Frankie O’Donovan, Tommy Sheehan, Ciarán O’Meara, John Gartland, Owen Healy, Padraig O’Shea, Michael Smyth, Andrew Maher.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council AGM
Fethard & Killusty Muintir Council Limited held their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 19th October in the Tirry Community Centre. This event marked the culmination of another very successful year for the organisation.

The Board of Directors elected at this meeting are as follows: Joe Kenny (chairperson), Jimmy Connolly (treasurer), Edwina Newport (secretary), Fr. Tom Breen, Ger Manton (liaison officer for Christmas Lighting), Thelma Griffith, Diana Stokes (liaison officer for Fethard Tidy Towns), John Barrett, Brian Sheehy, Nellie Donovan, Paddy McEvoy, Liam Hayes (liaison officer for Fethard & District Day Care Centre), Peter Grant (vice-chairperson and liaison officer for Community Employment Scheme) and Maria Murphy.

The highlight of the past year was the recent announcement of funding of €700,000 to expand Childcare provision in the town. This facility will be incorporated into the Convent Hall Development which is currently in the planning stage by the committee in co-operation with Tipperary Institute and Tipperary Leader Group.

Other highlights during the year included the development of designated walking routes in Fethard in co-operation with the Irish Heart Foundation as part of their Sli na Slainte campaign; a comprehensive submission was forwarded to South Tipperary County Council for inclusion in the Fethard Development Plan which is due for publication this year; an application has been made to enable Broadband Internet Access be available in the immediate Fethard area; and discussions with Foróige to appoint a permanent youth officer in Fethard who will work on youth projects that provide alternative activities that help curb anti-social behaviour.

In his chairpersons address Joe Kenny stated that having started out a few years ago with the objective of tackling the work of the organisation in a manageable way, both the workload of the committee and projects have grown considerably since. The sharing of the workload among all members in a piecemeal fashion has enabled the group to make substantial progress. The individual contribution of each member of the group has enhanced the quality of the work of the organisation and projects have grown accordingly. The recent sanction of €700,000 for the Convent Hall Development has instilled a new sense of enthusiasm as we embark on one of our biggest projects to date. Fethard Community Council have now reached an ideal situation whereby we are functioning effectively and have the County Council, the Health Board and others co-operating and working with us.