Preparation for Christmas
Advent prayer and preparation for Christmas will take a different form this year. An afternoon of reflection has been arranged at Glencomeragh House of Prayer, Kilsheelan, for Sunday 9th December, beginning at 2.30pm and finishing with supper at 6pm. If necessary transport can be arranged and the cost will be €20 plus travel. If you are interested in coming along please contact Sr. Winnie at the Presentation Convent.

‘Lord of the Rings’ syndicate

Members of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ syndicate photographed celebrating in Butler’s Bar after selling the unbeaten Irish mare ‘Feathard Lady’ for 270,000 guineas at the Doncaster August Sales on 8th August 2007. The mare was bought by Howard Johnson for the Graham Wylie-owned Chesters Stud in England. ‘Feathard Lady’ daughter of Accordion, won seven successive starts before injury curtailed a highly-promising career. Trainer Colm Murphy had hoped to keep her in training for this year's Cheltenham Festival but a recurrence of a ligament injury led to her retirement in February.
Feathard Lady is in foal to ‘Presenting’, whose progeny include Cheltenham Gold Cup winner ‘War of Attrition’.


Photographed at the ‘Lord of the Rings’ syndicate party were L to R: Anne Marie Butler, Paul Hackett, Alfie Flynn, Anne Butler and Sinead O’Brien.

Table Quiz
The Parents Association of the Secondary School, Fethard, will hold a Table Quiz in the Secondary School on Wednesday 21st November at 8.30pm. A raffle will also be held in conjunction with the Table Quiz and many attractive sponsored prizes will be on offer. A good night’s entertainment is promised, refreshments will be served and an invitation is extended to all.

Childcare Meeting
A meeting to elect a committee for local Pre-school Childcare will be held on Thursday 15th November in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm. It is anticipated that this committee will help in the provision of a new custom-built state of the art Childcare Facility in Fethard. Parents who have, or will have, children needing pre-school facilities are especially invited to come along and get involved. Local councillors and Ms Ger Boland from the County Childcare Committee will be in attendance.

Local Winner
Well done to local trainer and owner, Dick O’Brien, whose horse Yatool won the 4-year-old Gelding Maiden Race at the point-to-point in Templemore on Sunday 4th November.  Yatool was ridden by Pa King and had three-quarters length to spare over his rivals.  The Gelding is by Turtle Island – Sue Wood Bay and was bred by Maurice Harrington.

Graduations

Breda Kearney (centre), who graduated recently at Tipperary Institute, Thurles, with a Bachelors Degree (Honours) in Business Studies SME, is photographed above with her brother Tom and mother Biddy. Breda, originally from St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, is now working for an Irish Engineering company based in Wembley, London.


Ross Maher, Rathronan, Clonmel, with his parents, Seamus and Maureen, at his graduation with a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Strathclyde University, Glasgow, on 31st October 2007. Ross is a past pupil of Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Fethard.

Hunting News
Following their opening meet on Monday 29th October the children’s meet in Ardfinnan on Wednesday and at Kedrah on Thursday provided two rather quiet days.  Foxes were hard to come by and not much could be made in pretty poor scenting conditions with the few that were found.  Hounds did not hunt from their meet at Lismolin on Saturday. Hunting was called off as a mark of respect to a local family, to whom sincere sympathy is extended, who suffered the loss of a young infant on Friday night / Saturday morning.

Whipper-in, Paul O’Grady, is making a remarkably quick recovery from his horrific fall on opening meet day.  Out on foot on Saturday Paul sustained three broken ribs and a broken collar-bone in the fall.  He wishes to thank sincerely, those who came to his assistance following the fall and all who called to enquire into his well being and to wish him a speedy recovery.  Paul hopes to be back in action within four to six weeks.

With the White Heathers
Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers had quite a good turnout for their opening meet in Drangan on Sunday.  The first two draws did not hold, hounds found however in Phelan’s Glen.  From here they ran towards the old graveyard on the Mullinahone-Kylenagranagh Road.  Turning right here, this fox ran to Ballycullen Cross where he crossed the road, swinging left on the other side they ran to the Five-Eyed-Bridge where they were at fault and lost him on the road.  Hounds were vanned back to Glenmucaduibhe.  From here they had a nice hunt back to Mullally’s where he went to ground near the Priestown Road.  The day concluded with a run in deteriorating scent conditions on an outlier found on a bridge on top of a hill. Good to see so namy old friends out as well as quite a few new ones, and to see so many juveniles, the future of every sport, up with hounds all day. 

The White Heathers meet at Cloneen on Sunday next, 11th November  and at Clonacody on Sunday 18th November.

Badgers seek new opposition!
Although the Badgers have been around for a few years, it wasn't until last Saturday night that we played our first match against outside opposition. We took on a Clonmel Post Office team at the superb Clonmel Celtic all weather pitch.

The game started brightly for us with Mick Tillyer opening the scoring after four minutes when he slotted home from ten yards, yes ten yards Mick, not the thirty five that it probably has grown to now. Ten minutes later we went two up when Michael ‘Magic’ Ryan scored from close range after some good link up play from Pat O’Donnell and John Bermingham.

We thought this was going to be an easy game, how wrong we were. As the first half wore on the ‘Posties’ started to take control of the game, and five minutes before half time a blistering shot from Tommy Connolly gave our keeper, Liam Harrington, no chance. Then on the stroke of half-time, Liam, who had made some excellent saves, one in particular was top drawer, made a complete hames of a kick out, the ball went straight to an in walking forward who made full use of this early Christmas present (sorry Liam, I dressed it up as best I could).

Half-time came and we sorted out a few areas in our play that needed to improve on. The second half wasn't long under way when we went one up again. After some good play down the wing from Philip Furnell and Noel O’Dwyer, an Alan Connolly shot was only half cleared and ‘Magic’ followed up to score. However, the Post Office hit back straight away. Andy O’Donovan had replaced Liam in goal, with Liam going to his favoured left wing, and an attempted clearance from Andy somehow landed at the feet of an unmarked forward who walked the ball into the net.

Then things went from bad to worse, we suffered a double injury blow with John McLain (trapped haggis muscle) and Owen Roche (sliders ankle) having to retire. However, we had a strong panel, and our rotation system was working well. Note to Benitez: you know nothing about rotations until you've worked with the Badgers.

Then the ref gave the Post Office a soft free on the edge of our area after ‘Big’ Phill Furnell had levelled one of their midfielders. I say soft — it wouldn't be a free on a Wednesday night! What followed was Moses like defending, the wall parted like the Red Sea and Andy only saw the ball when he picked it out of the net.

Behind now for the first time we really had to show what we were made of. The Badgers sett (not a misprint, think about it) about their task and were rewarded with the goal of the game. A fast flowing move involving Liam Croke, Liam Harrington and John Bermingham, put through Alan Connolly, who rifled a shot past Declan ‘The Cat’ Dunphy.

We now had our tails up... as we went in search of a winner, and it came once again from that man Mick Tillyer. Mick shot from about twenty-five yards, this one however, didn't clear the fence like a few previous efforts, instead, it took a massive deflection from John Hewitt, which left Declan stranded.  It was now backs to the wall as the ‘Posties’ went route one, but our defence, under the leadership of Kevin O’Dwyer, held firm until we were mighty relieved to rear the final whistle.

This was a game played with great spirit and commitment, and we must thank the Post Office team for a very sporting game. Great credit is due to our lads, many of them never played soccer until they joined the Badgers. It's amazing what you can achieve with a little imagination, a lot of drink, and an understanding woman. I'm still talking soccer here. Until next time, Cave Canem! 

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 31st October we played for prizes sponsored by Berney Myles and Alice Quinn and the results were:

1st Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
1st Nett: Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen;
2nd Gross: Suzanne Opray and Ellen Rochford:
2nd Nett: Rita Holohan and Mary Delaney.

Next Wednesday, 14th November, we have a charity night and hope to see all our members there. The following Wednesday, 21st November, we start the Christmas Turkey competitions.  Subscriptions of €25 are now due and to be eligible to win a turkey competition subscriptions must be fully paid.

Anyone looking for a partner please contact Berney Myles at (052) 32038.

Lecture in Kilkenny
Risteárd Mulcahy, the renowned heart surgeon, is a guest of the Collins 22 Society in Hotel Kilkenny on Monday 12th November to give a lecture entitled, ‘Mulcahy and Collins, a conjunction of Opposites”.  Risteárd is a son of the late General Richard Mulcahy, TD for South Tipperary from 1948 to 1957, who is interred with his parents and wife in Ballymurreen graveyard, Littleton.  There are four speakers on the night including, Phil Hogan TD, Michael Doran, Historian, and Killenaule man Gerry O'Connell, Hon Sec. Society. All are welcome. For further information contact: Bill Martin Tel: 052 54165.

Fethard Forum
Due to constant spamming we have been forced to change our Fethard Forum to a new format. You will be still able to browse the old forum but not add entries. We have transferred many of the entries to the new forum to get it up and running. We invite you to have a look, make a comment or start a new topic for discussion. CLICK TO CHECK NEW FETHARD FORUM

Calvary and Peppardstown Cemetery Rosaries
Parishioners are asked to make a special effort in remember their dead by praying the Rosary in our local cemeteries during the month of November. The Rosary will be prayed in the following cemeteries on next Sunday 11th November: Calvary Cemetery at 3pm and Peppardstown at 3.30pm.

Graduation
Linda Corcoran (right), The Valley, Fethard, who graduated recently from U.C.C. with a First Class Honours Degree in Biomedical Science.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Senior Football County Final on Sunday last was a disappointing day for the club when we were outclassed by a fitter and faster Moyle Rovers team on the day. The similarities of another defeat in a County Final retuned after 21 years when, in 1986, Commercials beat us in the South Final by 13 points and in the County Final by 12 points, on a scoreline, Commercials 1-12, Fethard 0-2. Last Sunday’s result was, Moyle Rovers 1-9, Fethard 0-4, a margin of eight points, and again having lost the South Final by 6 points to Moyle Rovers.

The team on Sunday was: Paul Fitzgerald, Damien Byrne, Michael Aherne, Ian Kenrick, Benny Hahessy, Cian Maher, Glen Burke, Aiden Fitzgerald, Jamie McCormack, Willie Morrissey 0-1, Stephen O’Donnell, Michael Dillon, Christopher Sheehan, Brian Coen 0-1f,  and John P Looby 0-2. Subs used were: Eoin Doyle, Miceál Spillane, Aiden Lonergan, Kenneth O’Donnell for Christopher Sheehan, Michael Dillon, Glen Burke, and Willie Morrissey. Other subs were Tommy Gahan, Karl Maher, Shane Walsh, Conor McCarthy, Shane Aylward, Connie O’Flynn, Ed Sheehan and JP McGrath.

The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank the supporters for the colourful turnout and all involved including selectors, Michael Fitzgerald, Danny Kane, Brendan Brett, the backroom management team, our club officers for all their work, and our sponsors who have stuck by us through thick and thin — some for nearly 30 years. A very big thank you to all and especially, to last but by no means least, our players, who gave us enjoyment and pleasure throughout the year. Beg la eile le cunamh de!

Nice to see one of our own honoured on Sunday last in Cashel at the interval of the County Final. That was Sean Connolly (Kilsheelan) formerly of Fethard, who was with the 1968, 1972 County Senior Football Champions parade

The Minor Football B County Final replay is scheduled for this Saturday, 10th November, in Boherlahan at 2.30pm. Please lend your support by coming to Boherlahan and cheering on the team.


Fethard Minor football team who drew 1-6 to 1-6 with Upperchurch / Drombane in the County Minor 'B' Football Final played in Boherlahan on Sunday last. Back L to R: Tom O'Connell, Christopher Sheehan, Cathal Gorey, Aaron Donovan, Declan Doyle, Adrian Lawrence, J.P. McGrath, Michael Fleming, Eoin Condon, Ciarán O'Connell, Ciarán Ryan. Front L to R: Eoin Healy, Ben Walsh, Johnny Fleming, Alan O'Connor, James Kelly, Eoin O'Connell, Gavin Fitzgerald, Dean Tobin and Daniel Hickey.

The Lotto Jackpot €7,400 was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 19, 24 and 28. We had no match three winner so €30 each was won by Stephanie Fitzgerald (Monroe), Ger Manton (Main St), Martin Ryan (46 St Patrick’s Place), P J Aherne (Prospect), Davy Lawless (Woodvale Walk).  The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Cinta O’Flynn (Abbey St, Fethard). We would like to thank Fethard Wholesale Electrical for supplying the tickets.

The Club would like to extend its sympathy to the Power (nee Sheehan) family from Tullicussane, Drangan, on the death of Bernie. Go ndeana trocaire orthu.