Broadband Service now available in Fethard
Eircom's Broadband Service is now available in Fethard. Anyone wishing to avail of the service can do so by visiting the Eircom Website and following the Broadband links. There is a two-week installation wait

Well Done Shannon!

Shannon Sheridan, from Fethard with her pony Ziggy who won first prize in the Mini Show Hunter Championship at the Dungarvan Show on Thurday, 28th July. Shannon & Ziggy were also placed 2nd in the Starter Stakes and 5th in the First Ridden Show Hunter Pony. Well done to both Shannon & Ziggy and also mother Michelle on a great performance.

On Yer Bike!
A few local cycling enthusiasts intend to establish an adult Cycling for Leisure and Pleasure Club in Fethard.  Any local cyclists interested are asked to meet at the Car Park opposite the Ballroom on Tuesday and Friday nights at 8pm.  Joe Keane, one of the organisers, says, “we will see how many are interested and take it from there”.

Book Your Tickets
‘Echoes of Tipperary’ which tells the story in music, song and verse of the historic events associated with the rich landscape of the mountains, rivers and valleys of Tipperary, will be presented by Siamsa Siuire in the Abymill Theatre on Saturday August 7th at 8.15pm.  Tickets ( 12) are now available from O’Flynn’s Menswear, Fethard, and Marian’s Office Supplies, Clonmel.  This show is devised and directed by Mary Cummins.  It will be Siamse Siuire’s only performance prior to presenting ‘Echoes of Tipperary’ in America at the Milwaukee Irish Fest (18th - 21st August).

Road Safety Measures Welcomed
The recent installation of traffic warning lights at Drangan and Cloneen National Schools has been welcomed by Cllr. Michael O’Brien.  He acknowledges the co-operation of the Council and its workers and the efficient manner in which the Council responded to this request for some form of traffic calming measures at both schools.  Also, the installation of warning signs alerting motorists to the hidden dip on the Killenaule road, near Coolmore, is welcomed by Cllr. O’Brien as motorists needed to be made aware of the dangers of overtaking on this section of road.

Ruby Wedding
Congratulations and best wishes to Danny and Rita Kane, Kerry Street, Fethard, who recently celebrated their Ruby wedding anniversary.

Recent Death
Sincere sympathy is extended to the husband, family and relatives of the late Mrs Mary Fenton, NT, Newtown, Ballymacarbry, formerly Mary O’Donovan of Tullowcussane, Drangan, whose death occurred on July 18th last.  A former pupil of Patrician, Presentation Secondary School, Fethard, she will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her friends from the 1979 Leaving Certificate class.

(Ob)Noxious Weeds
The interesting letter from Dr. Mike Quirke in last weeks Nationalist concerning the eradication, or should it be non-eradication, of Buachallan recalls memories of times long gone in Fethard.  Each year at the annual appearance of the ‘Noxious Weed Act’ placard was displayed outside Fethard Garda Barracks.  The placard stated that, ‘If Thistles, Ragwort and Dock were found on any land the landowner was liable to be prosecuted”.  While the Gardai would probably ignore small amounts they were not slow to prosecute where the growth had gone out of control.

One wonders how long it is in South Tipperary, or anywhere else for that matter, that a summons was issued under the Act.  Surely in this day and age when there are sprays available to eradicate everything from weeds to insects and even birds there is no excuse for an overgrowth of Ragwort or Buachallans as it is generally called.

Fethard Hurling Opinion
The recent results of the Intermediate and Minor Hurling games between Fethard and Carrick Davins makes very depressing reading for local hurling followers.  The intermediate final scores were Davins 5-12, Fethard 0-1.  This is something like a cricket team winning by an innings.  While Fethard was always recognized as a football stronghold and Carrick a hurling town, there was never that difference in hurling standards between the two.

Indeed, one recalls the epic senior hurling clashes between Coolmoyne and the Swans in the forties and fifties and even up to 1960, the last time Fethard Parish had a senior hurling team.  That year, having beaten Killenaule in a fantastic game in Fethard, over 400 people travelled by train from Fethard to Clonmel to see Coolmoyne narrowly lose to Carrick Swans. 

Tommy Kearney wrote in the famous Carrick Opinion before that game ‘there should be a very tough game in Clonmel on Sunday as Coolmoyne are feathered (sic) and the Swans have a down on them’.  Also, a young Fethard schoolboy asked in a school quiz at that time ‘what’s a young swan called?’ quietly replied ‘a davin’.  So, come on Fethard, come back Miceál, get those padlocks off the gates and get the Caman’s swinging again. 

Community Games
Fethard and Killusty Community Games enjoyed great success at the Community Games Munster Finals which took place in Cork recently.  There were five winners in the Judo event, Girls Under-16 Volleyball team became Munster Champions and the boys under-15 team consisting of James Kelly, Jonathon Fleming, Joseph Sheehan, Eoin Hayes and Darren Prout were narrowly beaten by Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare in the final.  The girls final was another tussle between Tipperary and Clare but the girls were not going to be denied victory while all the team played their part in the clever and well co-ordinated sets.

The star of the show was Sinead Coffey, Spittlefield, who played a fantastic game and secured the title for Fethard.  Coach Denis Burke was assisted by Stephanie Fitzgerald.  Denis is very proud of his team, and is looking forward to National Finals on first weekend in Mosney 19th – 22nd August.  Team members: Sinead Coffey, Carrie Sweeney, Ida Carroll, Mary Anne Keane, Chloe Gough, Sarah Conway, Debbie Lawrence, Sarah Hayes, Gráinne Horan, Lesley Looby, Niamh Fanning and Lisa Anglim.

Judo winners were: Emma Walsh, Main Street, Natalie Cahill, Woodvale Walk, Samantha Feery, Claremore, Killusty, Padraig O’Shea, The Valley and Cathal Gorey, Moanbeg.  Other competitors at the National finals are: Aine Proudfoot, Strylea and Louis Rice, Everardsgrange, both in the Art event.  All participants are competing on the first weekend.  Cost of staying in the camp is  98 and  25 if staying elsewhere.  Bus fare will be in the region of  25 also – further details later.  Well done to all.  The games committee wishes to say a big thank you to everybody who contributed to the Church Gate Collection held recently.   Your support is very much appreciated especially as there is a big expense incurred in going to Mosney.

Concern Church Gate Collection
A Church Gate Collection in aid of Concern will take place this weekend, Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July.  Please give generously to this worthy cause.

Top Newsagent
Newport’s Newsagents have been identified, by IPC Country & Leisure Media, as being one of the Top Independent Retailers in the UK and Ireland for the Horse & Hound magazine. In Ireland Newport’s are the third best selling retailer out of four hundred.

Approximatly 9650 Independent retailers are supplied with the Horse & Hound throughout the UK.  Correspondences received from Market Force, the UK’s market leader in magazine marketing, distribution and sales, stated that this is ‘a very impressive feat’ and that ‘the proven sales record of the store makes it a key retailer for Horse & Hound’.

Horse & Hound is the UK’s leading equestrian magazine with weekly sales in excess of 70,000 copies.  As the world’s oldest equestrian magazine and only weekly it appeals to dedicated and affluent consumers with a broad range of horsey interests.  Every week Horse & Hound brings its readers the latest news, reports and results, supported with in-depth features, previews and interviews.

This recognition for Newport’s indicates the extent of equine interest in the area and denotes the long established association with Fethard and horses.

Formation Flyers over Fethard

Residents living a few miles north of town were treated to a rare sight when the Red Bull aeroplanes arrived last week.  The seven planes passed overhead in a single line formation en route to Cashel where they took part in an Air Race on Sunday July 24th.  The organisers picked the Rock of Cashel as their Irish venue for the race, as they wanted ‘iconic’ landmarks as backdrops for their races all over the World.  The road between Fethard and Cashel was well worn in the week preceding the event as word filtered back that there would be practice sessions for a few days prior to the race.  As it turned out, the ones who made the trip to see the rehearsals got the best deal.  The weather conditions were perfect on Friday and Saturday and the small crowds were treated to hours of low altitude, high performance aerobatic flying above, beside and below the castle.  The pilots flying these high performance planes are the elite of their field, all of whom rank in the top fifteen aerobatic pilots in the World.

The Air Race itself was almost abandoned due to heavy rain and strong gusting winds, but proceeded after a delay of over three hours.  The races themselves were entertaining, but the impromptu freestyle flying tricks after the rounds were, at times, even better.

A few tourists were upset as they couldn’t gain entry to the castle, which was closed during the race.  An apologetic steward offered them some tickets to see the air race which he had just received from a woman who had too many.  “But we want to see the castle, not the aeroplanes”, one of the tourists replied.  “Missus”, replied the steward, ‘I can’t get you into the castle.  It’s closed.  But I can let you see the aeroplanes.  And you can look at the outside of the castle”.  Compromise doesn’t get much better than that. 
(N. Gawe)

Killusty Fancy Dress And Dog Show Results

At the Killusty Pony Show were L to R: Remy Bangan, twins Daniel and John, and Miriam O'Connor.

The Fancy Dress Competition and the Dog Show at Killusty Pony Show were spectacular at this year’s Killusty Pony Show. So many people put themselves out to invent new and ever more colourful costumes each year that it is very difficult for the judge to decide among them. This year was no exception and with no rain to mar the proceedings, the colour lasted to the end. Mrs Annette Murphy was the judge and her decisions were as follows;

Best Entrant: Emma Hatton ‘Puppies Wanted’
Most spectacular: Charlotte Hatton as Dumbledore/Wizard
Best Young Entrant: Georgina Murray as a Fairy
Most Colourful: Ava Meagher as a European Style Cowgirl
Most Original: James Philips as Crazy Frog
Most Topical: Caroline Stokes as a Tennis Pro
Scariest: George Ponsonby as a Viking
Best Family: Ciara Lyndsay and Annabel Ponsonby
Most Regal: Christian Casey as Captain Hook
Most Mysterious: Heather Casey as a Killusty Fortune Teller

The Dog Show increases in popularity every year. This year was no exception and a dedicated ring was in place so that the contestants weren’t kept waiting. Mr and Mrs Chapman from England kindly judged the Classes and the results are as follows:

Class 1: Fancy Dress Dog
1) Amanda Ryan ‘Lucky’
2) Hannah Tobin ‘Pippa’

Class 2: Best Groomed Dog
1) Emily O’Donoghue ‘Ozzy’
2) Maire Claire Kent ‘Frodo’
3) Ollie Hyams ‘Copper’

Class 3: Best Tail Wagger
1) George Ponsonby ‘Carla’
2) Audrey Caron ‘Sparky’
Joint 3) Lucy Kennedy ‘Herbie’
Joint 3) Sarah McDonald ‘Buddy’

Class 4: Most Obedient Dog Handled by a Child under 12
1) Alice Murphy ‘Merry’
2) Shane Porter ‘Josie’
3) Charlotte Hatton ‘Sorrel’

Class 5: Most Alert
Joint 1) Seamus Holohan ‘Buster’
Joint 1) Cillian Slattery ‘Don Juan’
2) David Bergin ‘Buster’
3) Billy O’Connor ‘Joss’

Class 6 Best Veteran Dog
1) John Cashman ‘Tiny’
2) Sally Nagle ‘Penny’
Joint 3) Sarah Mcdonald ‘Puppy’
Joint 3) Holly Williamson ‘Jessie’

Class 7: Best Trick
1) Cillian Slattery ‘Don Juan’
2) Holly Williamson ‘Jessie’

Class 8 Best Terrier
Joint 1) Sarah McDonald ‘Puppy’
Joint 1) Bernadette Blake ‘Max’
2) Zoë Stokes ‘Turkey’
3) Mary Jane Kearney ‘Droelin’

Class 9: Best Other Breeds
Joint 1) Kay Lee ‘Tidbit’
Joint 1) Margaret Horne ‘Curly’
2) Stephen O’Connor ‘Freddie’
3) Lyndsay Ponsonby ‘Dina’

Class 10: Dog you would like to take home
1) Damien Morrissey ‘Sandy’
Joint 2) Claire Morrissey ‘Ruby’
Joint 2) Grace Nagle ‘Louo’
3) Holly Williamson ‘Casper’

Best Large Dog In Show
1) Sophie Lane ‘Buddie’
2) Shane Power ‘Jessie’
3) Marie Claire Kent ‘Frodo’

Best Small Dog In Show
1) Paddy Hyams ‘Spud’
2) Sarah McDonald ‘Buddy’
3) Sabrina Blake ‘Max’

Class 12 Obstacle Course
1) Holly Williamson ‘Casper’
2) #47 (Late Entry)
3) Hannah Tobin ‘Pippa’

The Well Golf Society
Last season's outing to Adare Manor was undoubtedly the highlight of our year — so much so, that a return visit was agreed to by all.  This coming Saturday, July 30th, sees us back again at Adare Manor with a tee off time of 11.15am.

Killusty Soccer Club
A gentle reminder to all our members, our sponsored walk takes place this coming Sunday, July 31st. Walkers will leave Killusty at 11am, taking in the five mile Cloran circuit. All walkers are asked to be in the village in good time. Sponsorship cards can be returned to Emma Fitzgerald or Sarah Shelley.

GAA Club News
The Minor B Football semifinal was played last Thursday.  We made our exit for 2005 to a more balanced Mullinahone fifteen on a scoreline: Fethard 1-8 (1-3),  Mullinahone 3-9 (2-4).  Having fought our way back to level at the three-quarter stage (Fethard 1-7; Mullinahone 2-4) we lost our way completely in the final quarter to an opposition who scored 1-5 to a single point reply. Team: Glen O’Meara, Adrian Lawrence, Liam Ryan, Alan O’Connor, David Prout, Connie Flynn, Niall Hayes, James Smyth (0-2), William O’Brien, Stephen O’Meara, John Leahy (0-2), Peter Gough (0-1), Dean Tobin (1-0), Declan Doyle and Christopher Sheehan (0-2) (1f). Sub: Andrew Walsh (0-1). We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Selectors for their time and commitment and to praise the players for reaching the last four.

The Under 21B Hurling South Championship commenced last Saturday night. After a great game we had to give way to a stronger Mullinahone on a score line: Fethard 3-6, Mullinahone 3-13, who scored four points in injury time.  However, we do have a second bite of the cherry through the losers group in a few weeks time. The team on Saturday last was: Darragh Corbett, Mike Kelly, Alan Burke, Connie Flynn, Niall Hayes, Shane Walsh, William O’Brien, Jamie McCormack, Darren O’Meara, Peter Gough, Gavin Aherne, Michael Dillon 0-4 (3f), Dan Lonergan (1-0), Glen O’Meara (2-0), John Leahy (0-1),. Subs used: Stephen O’Meara, Damien Donovan and Liam Frewen.  In the Minor Hurling B 6th  Round game we play Skeheenarinka in Cahir on Friday 29th July at 7.30pm.

Our next adult game is on Friday 5th August when we play Junior A Football in Cahir against Ballylooby at 7.15pm,. The South Senior Hurling Final will be played in Fethard between Killenaule and Ballingarry on Sunday 7th August at 3.30pm.  This will be preceded by the Minor A Football South Final at 2pm.

Congratulations to Aiden Fitzgerald and Jennifer Keane who were married last week in Fethard Parish Church. We wish them all the best for the future,

Our Lotto Jackpot €2100 was not won. The numbers drawn in The Well were 1, 4, 23 and 24.  We had no ‘Match Three’ winners so five lucky dips were made and the following won €30 each: Jim Williams (Killusty), Paul Fitzgerald (Kiltinan), Maggie Thompson (7 Woodvale Walk), Chrissie O’Meara (Grove Road), and Fergus Healy (c/o Rita Doyle Woodvale Walk). The €50 Weekly Lucky Dip was won by Garreth Byrne (Claremore).

Our sympathies at this time are with the Shine family on the recent death of Michael. Go ndeanai Dhia trocaire ar a anam.

Juvenile GAA Club
The under-6, under-8 and under-10s trained last Saturday.  It was great to see such a great attendance. There are still a few more football games to play after which we will turn our attention to hurling.  We have to play five or six hurling games so any person willing to assist the trainers are more than welcome to get involved.

The under-12s played Mullinahone in Fethard last Saturday and came away with a great win. Down four points at half time the boys turned a great 2nd half display to win by five points, with young Eoin Fitzgerald in brilliant form scoring some great points.

With one game left against Kilsheelan, at home next Saturday at 12pm, it is vital that we get a win to keep up our good form and guarantee us a place in the semifinal.

Under-14s played no game last week and with two games left it will be vital that we get some results - this will put us in a great position to reach the semifinal.  Fixtures: St Pats (home) on Thursday 28th and Cahir (away) on Thursday 4th Aug.

Under-16s will have started the championship and we will have a report next week.  Also, next week we will have full details regarding our Summer Camp.

Members of the club were saddened on the recent death of former juvenile player Michael Shine.   Michael gave great service to the club through all grades and was on many occasions seen to put the ball in the net. We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and his girlfriend. May he rest in peace.