Oscar Nomination for son of Fethard family

Mark Fergus, (left) is photographed here with his friends Adam Greene and Melanie, at a Fergus family reunion held in Lonergan's Bar, Fethard, in August 2001.

An American screenwriter with Fethard roots has been nominated for one of the highest honours in the film world. Mark Fergus, son of Morgan Fergus late of Fethard and New York, and grandson of the late Guard Fergus, Cashel Road, Fethard. Mark’s has been nominated for an Oscar for his work adapting the PD James novel, ‘Children of Men’, for the big screen.

The film has been described as a cross between ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Casablanca’. Set in an England of the future, it is a love story set in a dark place full of illegal immigrants and infertility. The film has been critically acclaimed worldwide. We wish Mark all the best with his Oscar nomination.

Dáil Na nÓg

JP McGrath photographed with the four South Tipp Delegates who attended Dail Na Nóg on Satuday 17th Febuary in Croke Park. L to R: Eimear, J.P., Maria, Samantha and Sheila.

The Dáil Na nÓg was held on Saturday 17th February in Croke Park. The day was a chance for over 200 delegates from around Ireland to express their views to a wide audience including the Minister of Children, Brian Lenihan. Five delegates from South Tipperary went up on Saturday including Fethard’s own J.P. McGrath. The day was a great success and the South Tipp delegates got their chance to express their views on important issues such as road safety and attitudes towards young people. The Fethard Youth Community Project and Patrician Presentation Secondary School would like to congratulate J.P. on his achievement as a delegate for the Dáil Na nÓg.

Community Field Clubhouse Development

Committee members organising ticket sales for the community field clubhouse draw. L to R: Paul Kavanagh, Valerie Colville, Mary Kelly, Gerard Manton, Pat O'Donnell, Niall O'Connell, Sean Devaney and Jimmy O'Sullivan. Also on the committee are: John Hurley, Joe Burke, Colm McGrath, Fintan Rice, Jerome Casey, Peggy Colville and Suzanna Manton.

A limited draw with prize money of €20,000 was launched last weekend to raise funds for the development of a new clubhouse at the Community Sportsfield which will incorporate dressing rooms/showers with a multipurpose room/gym.

Tickets are now on sale at €100 each and are available from any member of the Athletic, Juvenile GAA, Rugby or Soccer clubs, or Jimmy O’Sullivan (Tel: 052 32111), John Hurley, Paul Kavanagh, Liam Hayes, Fintan Rice, Pat O’Donnell, Sean Devaney. 

McCarthy’s Golf Society

Members of McCarthy's Golf Society photographed after a recent meeting L to R: Chris Coen, Eoin Whyte, Willie Harrington, Nicky Murphy and Brian Higgins.

The next outing of the year takes place on Saturday 3rd March to Mount Juliet. Tee off times from 11.40am to 12.50pm. Poster with details is displayed in the hotel. Membership fees for 2007 are also due, €25 payable to our treasurer, Eoin Whyte.

The Daily Star team continue their preparations, under the guidance of manager Willie Harrington, with another ‘session’ in Dundrum this Saturday. Good luck to all.

Hunting News
The Tipperary Foxhounds have enjoyed some good days recently.  From Delaney’s cross on the 8th they found in Mr William Kenny’s gorse, ran to higher ground in very thick fog, down again to better conditions and ran to the Mr Paul Kenny’s at Earlshill where they lost him.  Finding in Mr Michael Ivor’s covert they had a nice hunt via the phone masts on the hill to Glengoole hill. From Mr Casey’s their fox took them to McGrath’s where he got to ground in a shore. A very busy day concluded with a short run from Mr Jackie Sparrow’s over the Earlshill road where they lost him.

From Ballingarry on Monday 12th they found behind the Creamery. They hunted to the Commons road where the fox was prevented from crossing to the big plantation and was lost. A fox from the Foyle Hill was hunted to the bottom road where he was coursed by a cur dog and nothing more could be done.

A very long draw through Kelly’s, Tom O’Dwyer’s, up the Horse Valley and Tommy Corcoran’s all proved blank. The day ended on a high note however. A fox from near the old mine-shaft on Mr Bobby Reeve’s provided a flier, running to the high road from the Commons he turned right-handed to the village. Straight towards Croke’s covert at Grawncole he again turned right-handed short of here, over the hill hounds fairly flew towards the Ballingarry Cross road, turning left here he ran back towards Grawncole and got to ground in a double ditch. This was a very fast run of thirty-five minutes. A fox from Mr Tom McGrath’s yard was quickly caught on to conclude the day.

Hounds surprised a large field on the day where in atrocious weather conditions they hunted very well from the Ballyluskey meet on Wednesday.  From Lahart’s Glen they ran towards Bawnbrack, from there they hunted without a check back to Liam Clancy’s just above the first draw at Ballyluskey where they lost him.

Drawing up the glen towards Crohane Church hounds did not find. Moving on towards the higher ground they found on top. Hunting down to Cloughtaney they swung left handed and ran once again without a check to Ritchie Horan’s at Moonverrin, where they were at fault. A fox in the late afternoon in Phelan’s on the Drangan/Ballyluskey road got to ground quickly to finish the day.

Fair dues to the large number of followers, ladies and gentlemen good sportspeople all who stayed out to the days end though thoroughly soaked to the skin in torrential rain and high winds. 

Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will meet on Sunday next, February 25th, in Drangan at 11am. 

Happy 50th Birthday Valerie

Happy 50th birthday to Valerie O'Meara who celebrated her 50th birthday with family and friends at The Castle Inn, Fethard, on Friday night last. Valerie is photographed above with Back L to R: Bill Carver, Tishy McCormack, Ronan O'Meara, Esther McCormack, Darren O'Meara, Valerie O'Meara, Peter O'Brien, Glen O'Meara, Gina Power. Front L to R: Russell O'Meara and Ricardo Caiazo.

Fethard GAA Club News
It was great to see our team get back to winning ways in the Senior Football County League after an absence of three years from this competition. The win was at the expense of Moyle Rovers on a scoreline, Fethard 0-12, Moyle Rovers 1-8. Both sides fielded a mixture of old and new in a game that was exciting with patches of brilliant fielding and interceptions where errors were a bit more frequent than at championship level. All augers for an competitive year ahead for Fethard.

Best on the day were: Michael Aherne, Cian Maher, Aiden Fitzgerald, and up front Miceál Spillane, Ken O’Donnell and Damien Byrne, back after nearly two years out. Team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Christopher Sheehan, Michael Aherne, Ian Kenrick, John P Looby, Cian Maher, Michael Dillon, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-4 (1f), Jamie McCormack, Declan Doyle, Stephen O’Donnell 0-1, Ken O’Donnell 0-1, Miceál Spillane 0-1, Eoin Doyle 0-2 (1f), Damien Byrne 0-1. Subs used: Brian Coen, Karl Maher 0-2 (1f), Shane Aylward, Michael Dillon, Glen O’Meara. Our next game is away to county champions Aherlow on weekending 4th March.

In the South Senior Football Championship 2007 we are drawn against Ardfinnan in the first round, with the championship run on a knockout basis with losers getting a second chance.

Congratulations to Aiden Fitzgerald who will receive an award this Saturday 24th February for the Nationalist South Intermediate/Junior Hurler of 2006. The award will be presented in the GAA Centre after 9pm.

The very best of luck to our Under 2I B Football team who play Kilsheelan in Cloneen on Saturday 24th February at 3.30pm. The team had a few good challenges to get ready for this competition over the last few weeks.

The Minor Football County League continues on this Sunday 25th February, away to Ballyporeen at 12 noon.

All the Senior GAA South Championship draws were made last week with twenty championships, between hurling and football, and 136 teams. Fethard are involved in nine of championships:

Senior Football v Ardfinnan, first round (knockout) starting in May-June; Intermediate Hurling v Ballyneale (eight team league, top four to semifinals) starting in May; Junior Hurling B  v St Patricks (six team league, top two to semifinals); Junior Football A v Cahir (four teams, also Ballylooby and Commercials) team league, top two to semifinal); Junior Football B v Bye (seven teams, Clerihan, Commercials, Clonmel Óg, Fr Sheehys, Newcastle, St Martins, top two to semifinal); Under 21B Football v Kilsheelan (knockout and losers group) start 24th February; Under 21B Hurling v Bye (knockout and losers group) after exams; Minor Football B v Cahir (six teams inc. Ballyporeen, Carrick Swans, Carrick Davins and Ballingarry, league, top four to semifinals) start March; Minor B Hurling v Skeheenarinka (five teams inc. Carrick Swans, Newcastle and Fr Sheehys, league, top two to semifinals) possible start time after Leaving Cert, to be ratified.

Well done to two of our local Camogie girls Vanessa O’Donnell in goal and Edel Fitzgerald in the forward line, in winning the Ashbourne Shield last weekend with the Garda College who defeated UUJ (Jordanstown) by 3-9 to 0-6 in the final played in Balladereen on Sunday 18th February, having already defeated NUIG on Saturday 17th in the semifinal by 2-6 to 1-5. Congratulations to all involved.

Our Lotto Jackpot €3,600 was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 8, 13 and 22. We had no match three winner so the following were drawn €30 each: Rita Doyle (Woodvale Walk), John Aylward (Roebucksland), Mary Godfrey (Derryluskin), Michael Walsh (Two-Mile-Borris); Eileen McGrath (Woodvale Walk). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by John Phelan (Ballyneale). Thanks to AIB (Main St) Fethard for the tickets.

Congratulations to our recent County Board Draw winners: Joe Allen (Killusty) €600 on the 2nd February; Benny & Mary Morrissey €200 (2 St Marys Rd. Killenaule) on 9th February; Noreen Bourke (Tullamaine) Grand Canary Trip on 16th February; also to Gussy Fitzgerald, club promoter who received €200. Well done to all. The club is quite lucky overall. The final draws coming up in March. We ask everyone to consider joining the new draw. Our promoters — Nicky O’Shea, Gus Fitzgerald, Paul Fitzgerald, Edel Fitzgerald, Josie Fitzgerald, Seamus Hackett, Dick and Michael Fitzgerald, Jimmy O’Shea, Pat Sheehan, Sean Moloney, Noel Byrne, Paula Gahan, Miceál McCormack, Denis Burke, Denis O’Meara and Paddy Wallace will be on the Road in March and April. We are also looking for new promoters. If interested please contact draw coordinator, Nicky O’Shea at Tel: (052) 31127. 

National Winners in AIB Draw

Pat and Martha Sheehan, Garrinch, Fethard, were the national winners of a promotion run by AIB Insurances. The lucky couple won a 32 inch TV and DVD Combi and are photographed receiving their prize from the local bank manager James Kearns. L to R: Pat Sheehan, Martha Sheehan, James Kearns (Manager AIB Fethard) and Karen O'Shea (AIB Insurances).

Fethard ICA Club News
We remind all our ICA members that a council meeting is taking place on Saturday 24th February in Hotel Minella, starting at 10.30am. We are to be seated by 10.15am. Lunch and refreshments will be available. It is many years since South Tipperary hosted a council meeting and it is hoped that we will have a large attendance of members. There will also be a Craft display showing items of interest from many parts. Our committee meeting takes place on Tuesday 27th February at 8pm. 

Fethard & Killusty Anglers AGM
Fethard & Killusty Anglers will hold their annual general meeting on this Friday night, 23rd February, at 8pm in the Tirry Centre. Members only.

Fethard Area Community Games
This is the final call from Fethard and Killusty Community Games Committee to the GAA, Rugby, Camogie, Ladies Football, Quiz and Volleyball teams regarding entry in the 2007 games. Events are u/10 mixed football, u/11 hurling, u/11 rugby, u/11 and u/14 tag rugby, u/12 girls football, u/14 Camogie, u/14 Juvenile Quiz, u/15 boys volleyball and u16 girls volleyball.

Monday 27th February is the final deadline for teams to be entered at local level. If anybody is interested in entering any of these teams please contact community games office at 052 31906 otherwise they will not be entered.

The u/14 Juvenile Quiz will take place in the Presentation Convent Thurles on Friday 23rd March.  Entry fee €6. Fethard was strongly represented by four young ladies last year and perhaps they are still young enough to give it another go this year. Teams may be, boys, girls or mixed. Closing dates for individual events will be given later.

Skiing Trip to Italy

Patrician Presentation Secondary School 2nd to 5th year students photographed before they headed off on a skiing trip to Lavarone, Italy, on Friday 16th February. The group are accompanied by teachers, Ms Marian Gilpin, Mr Michael Leonard, Ms Marie Maher and Mr Noel Maher and will return from the trip on Thursday 22nd February. 

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Please note that training for all ages has now begun for the coming year and parents and children are asked to take note of times. We look forward to a great year and welcome back all our old faces and new players are especially welcome.

Training for under-6, 8 and 10s takes place on Saturdays from 3pm to 5pm in the GAA Field. This is a two-hour session for our younger members and the intention is to introduce hurling and football skills in a fun and safe manner to the children. Parents are more than welcome to come and participate. If you are standing around watching your child training and would like to become involved please feel free to speak to one of the trainers: Andy O'Donovan, Eddie Crotty, Willie Quigley or Lisa McCormack. They would appreciate any help you may have to give. Parents please make sure that your children bring their helmets and hurleys for the training sessions.

Training for under-12s will commence on Wednesday at 7pm in the GAA field. Tom Anglim, Michael Hayes, Paul Hayes and Tommy Morgan are the trainers and selectors of this team.

Training for under-14s takes place on Mondays and Thursdays at 7.30pm in the GAA Field. Training has already commenced for this team and is well underway. John Hurley, Jimmy O'Meara and Willie Quigley are the trainers and selectors of this team.

Training for under-16s takes place on Wednesday at 7.30pm in the GAA field. Players are pleased asked to note the new training time and change of day. Their championship starts soon and all players are asked to attend these training sessions. Paddy Cooney, Gerry Ahearne and Kenny Hackett are the trainers and selectors of this team.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact any of the selectors or trainers. 

Proposed Plant at Castleblake

Liam Burke and John Cooney photographed at the South Tipperary for Clean Industry committee's Information Day in Rosegreen.

Six years ago or thereabouts, a legendary meeting was held in Fethard ballroom packed with bodies outraged about a proposed incinerator that was to be built approximately six miles from Fethard. There were howls of protest and no one was in agreement with the incinerator which, eventually, did not go ahead. Today there is a proposal to build a giant industrial complex on the same site, which will produce glycerine, biodiesel, fertiliser, power for the national grid, and waste, which will go to a landfill site.  This time Fethard appears to be all quiet, even though more bonemeal will be dealt with now than in the first incinerator and the plant will run all day, every day of the year. A new group called 'South Tipperary for Clean Industry,' has been formed and one should visit their website (www.stci.ie) to at least have an informed view.

A company called 'Green organics Energy,' is behind this gigantic proposal, which will process waste from the whole country. This new company is a joint venture between Bioverda, Dawn Meats and Avglade and for further information they can be contacted at GOE Ltd. Burton Court, Burton Hall Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18. Their telephone number is 1890 252 502.  In their non-technical summary for this facility, this new company inform us that they will decommission the lagoons and the existing buildings of the plant, formally known locally and colloquially as Ronans. They suggest this decommissioning will have an overall improvement on the soil conditions of the site.


Photographed at the South Tipperary for Clean Industry committee's Information Day for advice on objecting to the proposed Bioenergy Facility at Rosegreen are L to R: Beatrice Dolan, Chris Maher and Sean Spillane.

There will be fifty full time jobs in this facility which, it seems, has never been tried before on such a scale anywhere and certainly not by this company. It is very difficult for the non-technically minded of us to understand the chemical and gas process that has to be gone through in order to make this digestive system work. These are a few questions that would strike any observer. Can it work without affecting the quality of life of those who live near the site? Can it work without odours, without polluting the river Moyle or the regional aquifer that the site is on? Can it work without polluting the air? Can it work in the midst of agricultural land or within less than a mile and a half of a famous horse-training site and in the midst of the equine industry? Can it work within the existing road structures and can it destroy fully the infective agent that caused BSE? The non-technical summary document says it is not anticipated that there will be any impact on the local economy.

On the other hand the people who are not happy with this industrial development say this is not the future, that there will be foul smells, that there may be water pollution, that industrial sludge may eventually be brought here and that this is the first anaerobic digestive plant in the world to use category one material — specified risk materials possibly infected with BSE or other diseases. They suspect there will be pollution and that there might not be any expertise in the country to truly monitor the factory when built.

So who to believe? There is no doubt that this is an immense and massive industrial development and may in one way or another affect many of us who live in the hinterland and will probably affect the next generation who will live in this area. Perhaps it is time to talk about it in Fethard.

Ask questions. This is a democracy and you can argue for or against it. Roughly you have five weeks from January 26th last to make a formal objection. You can do this by enclosing €20 in your letter to the County Council, which must note the South Tipperary County Council Planning Reference: 07/111. You have to include this number with your own name and address and the reasons you have for objecting.

Perhaps you feel that it is about time that we faced up to and tackled our own waste problem and not be exporting our industrial or agricultural sludge to Europe. Perhaps you value the fifty jobs that are promised here and you want to let the countryside deal with its own pollutants as on this site. Whatever way you jump on this one, form a view and make a decision, for nothing destroys us as much as apathy and maybe we can get back to the public meetings and the heaving bodies in the ballroom. 

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 7th February we played the first round of the Player of the Year competition and the results were:
1st Gross: Alice Quinn and Berney Myles;
2nd Gross: Bernie O’Meara and Anna Cooke;
1st Nett: Eileen Frewen and Kay Walsh;
2nd Nett: Margaret Mary McCormack and Philly Kenny.

On Wednesday next, 14th February, we played the second round of the Player of the Year, which was change of partner, and the results were:
1st Gross: Betty Walsh and Philly Kenny;
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rosemary Lalor;
1st Nett: Brigid Gorey and Breda O’Grady;
2nd Nett: Alice Quinn and Sean O’Dea. 

On Wednesday next, 28th February, we play the fourth and final round of the competition. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto now €10000
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Wednesday 14th February were: 3, 5, 8 and 19. There was no Jackpot winner and seven ‘Match 3’ winner who received €22 each:
Marianne Shortall, The Valley, Fethard;
Phil Wyatt, Jossestown, Fethard;
Eileen Fahy, Graystown, Killenaule;
Jackie Aylward, Roebucksland, Fethard;
Tommy Shine, Monroe, Fethard;
Bernie Myles, c/o The Abbey, Fethard;
Abigail Doyle, The Green, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Pauline Morrissey, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Rita Kane, Kerry Street, Fethard.

Next weeks Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.