Happy St. Patrick's Day

Twins, Tony and Thomas O'Reilly, Barrack Street, Fethard, photographed wearing their St. Patrick's Day badges after the St. Patrick's Day Mass held in Holy Trinity Parish Church Fethard.

First Aid Classes
Fethard Civil Defence will commence with classes in First Aid on Thursday 27th March from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The classes will last for eight weeks. Those interested in participating are asked to contact: Dolores Fahey, Civil Defence Officer, Heywood Road, Clonmel. Tel: 052 34455 or Mobile: 087 2435001. Email: dolores.fahey@southtippcoco.ie

Country Markets
This week’s Country Market will take place in the Town Hall on Thursday morning, 20th March, instead of the usual Friday as this week is Holy Week.

Marie and Gerry need your votes!

Irish Bride of the Year contender Marie Holohan from Killusty with her fiance Gerry Burgess from Lisronagh. VOTE HERE

A 25 year-old Killusty woman is one of the finalists in a competition to be crowned Ireland's Bride of the Year and win a dream wedding worth €50,000. But in order to clinch the coveted title and prize, Marie Holohan needs the public's votes in an Internet ballot that closes next Friday, 21st March.

She has been delighted with the public support she has received so far for her campaign and urged people to vote every day if possible over the next week (it's simple to do and doesn't cost you anything).

Marie, whe lives in Lisronagh with her fiance Gerry Burgess, is one often brides from all over the country selected for the final of the Wedding Journal magazine contest. She entered the competition while attending a wedding fair sponsored by the glossy magazine in Millstreet in Co. Cork in January.

Marie, who works in administration at South Tipperary General Hospital, said she had to record a two minute video at the fair's "Big Bridal Diary Room" explaining why she should win the competition.
Her entertaining presentation impressed the judges, who chose her out of hundreds of entrants for the final ten. Now the member of Fethard GAA Club ladies football team is busy campaigning for votes to clinch the lucrative wedding day package.

The prize includes a honeymoon with Joe Walsh tours, a designer wedding dress, wedding flowers, groom's wear, a wedding photography package, wedding jewellery, Tipperary Crystal for her home, a cake, wedding hair and beauty package, room display and decoration and girls only pampering package at the Seafield Golf & Spa Hotel.

Marie and Gerry met each other on Millennium New Year's Eve in The Castle in Fethard and got engaged last July while on holidays in Lanzarote. “Our wedding is booked for Raheen House in Clonmel in September, 2009 and at the moment it's a small family wedding. If I win this prize we would be able to have all our friends and work colleagues there too to celebrate the day with us,” she told The Nationalist.

Voting opened in the competition on Tuesday and will close at noon on Friday, 21st March. You can cast one vote each day the ballot is open. — (Report by Aileen Hahesy from The Nationalist)

Challenge to Change

Pupils from Nano Nagle National School photographed with members of the Simon Community who gave a talk on homelessness as part of their 'Challenge to Change' project. Challenge to Change is a Development Education Programme initiated by the Presentation Sisters Education Office for Presentation Schools. Photographed with the pupils are Front L to R: Ms Sinéad Cronin Daly, Tenancy Support Worker in South Tipperary; Sr. Maureen (Principal), Ms Chris Anderson, Regional Development Officer for South East Simon Community; and Ms Rita Kenny (Class Teacher).

There is a lot of talk, debate and concern at present about the problem of homelessness. Although it is quite a complex subject, the girls from Nano Nagle National School Fethard have chosen it as the topic for their ‘Challenge to Change’ project this year.

‘Challenge to Change’ is run by the Presentation Sisters Education Office and encourages and supports its schools nationwide in researching and presenting projects on various subjects such as, injustice, poverty, racism, inequality and Third World issues.

As part of their research, the girls from Nano Nagle invited the Simon Community to come and speak to them. Chris Anderson and Sinéad Cronin Daly visited the school on 25th February and the girls were delighted with the assistance received on the subject of homelessness. The girls then presented the Simon Community with a cheque for €500, proceeds from their project fund-raising fund.

It was a very enjoyable encounter all round and proved very valuable to the girls vis-à-vis the information and insights they required.


Photographed above is Karen Hayes presenting a cheque for €500 to the Simon Community on behalf of the pupils of Nano Nagle National School Fethard who have chosen Homelessness as their project for this year's 'Challenge to Change' programme. 'Challenge to Change' is a Development Education Programme initiated by the Presentation Sisters Education Office for Presentation Schools. L to R: Sr. Maureen (Principal), Ms Sinéad Cronin Daly, Tenancy Support Worker in South Tipperary; Ms Chris Anderson, Regional Development Officer for South East Simon Community; Karen Hayes (6th Class Pupil) and Ms Rita Kenny (Class Teacher).

Day Care Centre AGM
Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold their AGM on Thursday 27th March at 8pm in the Tirry Community Centre. All are welcome.

60's Rock N' Roll Weekend
Lonergan's Bar, The Square, will host an exciting '6o's Rock N' Roll Weekend' on 4th, 5th and 6th April with live music, DJs, Finger Food, Fancy Dress and loads of craic! A €10 ticket will cover all the weekend events and all proceeds will go towards PAWS Animal Shelter in Mullinahone.

The weekend kicks of at 9pm on Friday 4th April with 60's DJ and live music by 'Midnight'; on Saturday from 9pm to closing you have a 60's DJ and the return of the very popular 'Elvis' show by Shane Devine; Sunday afternoon from 3pm to 7pm you'll have 60's DJ followed by 'Fancy That'. A great line up not to be missed . . . and all for a great cause!

McCarthy’s Hotel Golf Society
The Society are holding their first outing of 2008 on Saturday April 5th at Mount Wolsley Golf Club in Tullow, Co Carlow. Tee times are from 12.50 to 1.40pm. The poster is now on display in the Hotel. Places are limited, so it’s on a first come first served basis. A reminder will be sent from the social secretary regarding this outing. Membership is now due for the current year, at €25 per person. Fixture cards are available from any member of the committee or member of staff in McCarthy’s.

Boys National School Raise €600 for Bóthar

Pupils of St. Patrick's Boys National School Fethard photographed with Eamon Quirk from B—thar who spoke and answered questions on life in Uganda and Tanzania.

For the past three years, the boys of St. Patrick’s National School Fethard, have been fundraising for Bóthar during the Lenten season. The role of the 5th and 6th classes is to plan, organise and manage various activities to raise money for Bóthar. The activities and events planned are reliably well received by all boys in the school.

This year’s fundraising got off to a welcome start — a no-homework night proved a successful launch to our campaign. Children gladly contributed! The non-uniform day for the whole school was also embraced enthusiastically as was the DVD viewing the week after.
This year also saw Bóthar benefit from a very lucrative cake and bun sale — always a favourite among children (and staff) as we all enjoyed some culinary delights for a small price and a good cause. The cake sale was very well supported by parents, teachers and children alike.
This year’s fund raising campaign was very special as we enjoyed an interesting visit from Eamon Quirke of Bóthar. He spoke to all the boys about the work of Bóthar abroad and how much our efforts mean to the people in need. Eamon brought a sense of fulfilment to our fund raising efforts as he addressed all our questions and showed photographs of life in Uganda.

The boys of St. Patrick’s N.S. are proud to announce that the school has raised a total of €600 for Bóthar this year. This means that we can send two goats to families in Uganda — a contribution that can make a significant difference to the quality of their humble lives.
Many thanks to all who have participated and contributed in our Lenten campaign. We look forward to continuing our fund-raising efforts for Bóthar next year.

Fethard Community Sportsfield
Good news for Fethard Community Sportsfield, preliminary planning permission has been granted by South Tipperary County Council for the proposed new structure in the sportsfield containing dressing rooms, showers etc. A facility such as this is very important and there is a big voluntary effort being put into this development at the moment.

Fethard Ladies Football Club
Fethard Ladies Football committee would like to thank all those who supported their bag packing venture at the weekend. Your help was very much appreciated and the venture was very successful.
Junior Training will continue on Friday nights at 6.30pm. U-14 and U-16 training will take place on Tuesday nights at 6.15pm. Training for all underage teams will be on Saturday mornings at 11am. Fixtures for U-12 and U-16 will be coming up very shortly. All club registration fees should be paid by 31st March, 2008.

Daffodil Day in Fethard

Young Paddy Whyte queuing for Daffodil Day, Paddy, son of Pat and Tina Whyte, was the first customer for daffodils outside Fethard Post Office.


Pupils of Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School helping out with 'Daffodil Day' sales outside the Post Office. A new record collection this year amounted to Û3,260. L to R: Samantha Morrissey, Carrie Sweeney and Sarah Conway.


Purchasing their daffodils for 'Daffodil Day' outside Fethard Post Office are L to R: Sarah Murphy, Hannie Leahy, Joe Barrett and Kitty Ahearne.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Senior Football County League game played on Sunday resulted in a win for Fethard on a scoreline, Fethard 2-9, Rockwell Rovers 2-4. The half time score was Fethard 1-6, Rockwell Rovers 2-3, and the game proved very competitive for both teams with fine intelligent football played, breaching our defence in the first half. The team has to learn a lot before the championship begins but they did improve in the second half by holding Rockwell Rovers to a single point. Best on the day was Damien Byrne in defence, Jamie McCormack at midfield, with Michael Dillon, Aiden Fitzgerald, Tommy Gahan and Glen Burke to the fore up front. Scorers were Aiden Fitzgerald 1-2, Glen Burke 0-4f, Tommy Gahan 1-1, Michael Dillon and John P Looby a point each. Subs used were Brian Coen and John Fitzgerald.

The Minor Football League game did not proceed, as both teams had no chance of making the semifinals.

Congratulations to our fellow GAA club, Ballingarry, in winning the All Ireland Club Junior B Hurling title in Athea in Limerick on Sunday last. This is possibly a first club title for both county and division.

Fixtures coming up: Senior County League game against Arravale Rovers is on Sunday 16th March in Tipperary Town at 2pm. The South Under 21 B Championship quarterfinal against Clonmel Og is on Monday 17th March at 4pm in Monroe.

Club Membership fees for 2008 must be paid to Michael O’Dwyer, Mary Godfrey or Nicholas O’Shea before 31st March, Adults €30 and Juveniles €15.

The final County Board Draw for 2007-2008 is coming up shortly and all promoters please note that outstanding monies must be with club coordinator Nick O’Shea before this draw.

Club Lotto Jackpot €9,000 was not won. We had no ‘match three’ winner. Tickets were drawn and €30 each went to Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan, Fethard), Mary Coen (Killusty, Fethard), Esther Breen (Barrack St. Fethard), Alice Lawrence (Derryluskin Fethard), Brian Walsh (Baptistgrange, Lisronagh). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Austy Godfrey (Derryluskin, Fethard). We thank Fethard Credit Union for supplying the tickets.

Work Friends celebrate at Butler's Sports Bar

Bulmers staff members photographed at a get-together last weekend on the occasion of work-mates, David Coady and Martin Culligan, leaving their employment at Bulmers, Clonmel, after many years service. L to R: Eoin O'Gorman, John Hunt, Philip Butler, Cillian O'Donnell, David Coady, Martin Culligan, Eamon 'Redser' O'Donnell, Mark Egan and Derek Egan.

Fethard and District Rugby Club
All the Minis travelled to Kilkenny last Sunday morning whereby we were treated to fantastic hospitality and witnessed yet again a great morning of rugby. Thank you to all the parents who travelled and we were treated to a wonderful spread.

Well done to our Under 7s who played Kilkenny’s weaker eights and came away with a narrow victory. All credit to the following seven players who were impressive on the pitch: young Frankie Meagher continued his monster tackling; Harry Cummins proved a marvel with his passing and tacking; James Phillips and Peter Wall worked together well to score a try with their ball pick-up and strong driving; Danny Gleeson, Ciaran O’Dwyer and Gavin Ryan ably assisted each other throughout the game by scoring runaway tries after passing the ball and continually showing determination to keep the ball in Fethard’s possession. All these boys upped their game and showed their continuing improvement this season.

Praise is deserved for the Under-8 players — Dale Murphy, Harry Butler, Jack Grace, Richard Holohan, Joseph O’Connor, Darragh Lynch, Ned Grogan, Ross Mullins and Patrick Scully all showed great skills throughout their two games. They came away with two wins on the morning and performed impressive tackling to win the ball. With overcoming the three pass rule they enabled themselves to have the upper hand.

Under 9s scored ten tries to Kilkenny's four in their game. All credit to Gus Browne, Connie Cohen, Mark Collins, Michael Gaynor (1 try), Andrew Phelan (3 tries), Matthew Lynch (1 try), Eoin Shaw (1 try), Gary Kavanagh (2 tries) and Pierce Blackmore (2 tries), who proved too much for Kilkenny. This was an impressive and progressing game to watch with plenty of great tackles and good passing.
The Under 10s had a two great wins. Their first game proved victorious, 7-0 to Fethard and in the second game it was very closely contested with just a try in the difference to Fethard. With just ten Fethard players against forty Kilkenny players, it was a huge task, but Fethard rose to the occasion and played very well. Gearóid Fahy, Jack Gleeson, Eoin McCormack, Thomas Murphy, Harry Tobin, Christian Casey, Ben Murray, Padraig Feehan, Luke Grant and Jason Ryan, all proving a formidable force last Sunday with good ball recycling, passing, driving and great tackling the team work proved the winner.
Under 12s played excellently with a mixed team and won 6-2.
The Under 11s in the 2nd game lost a closely contested match 4-3 but showed a spirited performance with some missed tackles. There is improvement to come from this younger team. The squad was Cathal O'Donnell, Cathal Meagher, Josh Murray, Jimmy Feehan, Colin Kenny, Robert Horan, David Heffernan, Thomas McGowan, Jack Kennedy, Tommy Anglim, Harvey Blackmore, Martin Ryan and Adrian. Well done boys.

Our under 16s continued their cup campaign in Nenagh and travelled with the expectation of a win having defeated Nenagh in Fethard in the first leg. Colm Shanahan captained the Fethard side, and put in a great performance throughout. Nenagh opened the scoring with a well-taken penalty, but immediately Fethard pressure resulted in Daniel Hickey equalising when awarded a penalty. It was end-to-end rugby from there on with neither team willing to yield. Johnny Fleming and Jerome Ahearne were brilliant in defence, but despite this Nenagh got in for a try just on half time to leaver the score at 12 points to 3 at the break for Nenagh.

At the restart both teams upped their game and the forwards on both sides made most of the play. The lighter Fethard pack did extremely well with great performance from Kevin Hayes, Matt O’Sullivan, Robert Hall and Alan Casey with Colm Shanahan driving them on throughout. Nenagh playing with the wind and driving rain crossed for their second try against the run of play, extending their lead to 15 points to 3. Fethard responded and won the ball on the kick off with Ciaran Power breaking the gain line and released Robert Hall on his shoulder who broke through at least four tackles before touching down for Fethard’s only try, which was converted by Daniel Hickey. Fethard played most of the second half with fourteen men and despite been beaten they can all be well proud of their performance. Nenagh won by 20 points to 10 and Fethard go on to compete in the plate competition.

Our under 18s also travelled to take on Nenagh in the cup. Both sides produced a very entertaining game of rugby with Nenagh running out the eventual winners on a scoreline of 10 points to 5. This game was played at a very high competitive level, with a spirit and commandment that was sadly lacking at the weekend. Nothing divided the teams in the first half as both sides enjoyed periods of dominance, the defensive tackles going in were of vintage Munster variety with no quarter asked or given. Nenagh were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes and hit over to go into the break three points up.

Fethard started the second half in determined mood and were help up on the line on at least three occasions. Nicholas Hoyne led the pack with vigour with Dick Walsh, Joe Fogarty and Jack O’Sullivan responding very well, it seemed as if Fethard just had to be patient, but Nenagh scored a breakaway try from the half line to push their advantage to ten points to nil.

Fethard moved up the gears and they continued to attack, which eventually led to a well taken try by Declan Doyle, who continues to show improvement. Mark Fitzgerald and Joey Kelly, despite injury, put in good performances, as did Shane Kavanagh at full back. It was a great team performance with everyone making a contribution including the subs used and they can look forward to the next round with confidence.

Training is on Friday evening at 6.45pm to 8pm. Any youngsters (girls or boys) from Fethard and the surrounding district who are interested in playing just come along to training on Friday evenings.  The Rugby Club mobile is (087) 744 7691.


Winners of Fethard & District Rugby Club Table Quiz held in Burke's Bridge Bar were L to R: Sinead Hall, Bob Hall, Ann Hall and Eleanor Lahart.

Taking part in the Fethard & District Rugby Club table quiz held at Burke's Bridge Bar were L to R: Jim Carey, Gabrielle Walsh, Adam Henry, Eva Haller and Caroline Lett.

Taking part in the Fethard & District Rugby Club table quiz held at Burke's Bridge Bar were L to R: Finola Anglim, Ann Moloney, Beatrice Dolan and Mary Lynch.

Polly Murphy and Paul Kavanagh photographed at the Fethard & District Rugby Club table quiz held at Burke's Bridge Bar.

Taking part in the Fethard & District Rugby Club table quiz held at Burke's Bridge Bar were L to R: Liam Hayes, Joan Hayes, Judy Doyle and Sean Doyle.

Ted Cummins, winner of the hamper at the Fethard & District Rugby Club table quiz held at Burke's Bridge Bar

Taking part in the Fethard & District Rugby Club table quiz held at Burke's Bridge Bar were L to R: Valerie Connolly, Gerard Manton, Suzanna Manton and Rita Kenny.

With the White Heathers
One of the largest numbers of followers of the season turned out for the final meet of the White Heather Harriers at Orchardstown on Sunday last. A good afternoons hunting was enjoyed, hounds sticking to their task well in rather patchy scenting conditions. A fox from the Glen across the road ran back to the covert below the bridge. Leaving here he ran through Mr. Bill Carroll’s to the very busy Clonmel – Cashel Road where they were stopped. Hounds did not find again until reaching Donoughmore. They hunted from here through Mr. John Ryan’s crossing the Road at Ballinlough to Ballyhomeen where they lost him. Drawing back they found again near Donoughmore Cross. This fox took them back to the first draw in the Glen. Turning here he retraced his steps crossing the road to Ms. Emily Graafland’s and down to the Ha’penny Bridge where they lost him. Thus finished the day, and the 2007/ ’08 season.

The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers wish to thank sincerely all landowners over whose land they hunted during the season. Thanks to all our friends and followers for their continuous support and a special thank-you to Mr and Mrs Ronan and family for the hospitality dispensed on Sunday last. All followers out on Sunday were very pleased to hear that Damien Morrissey, one of our regular juvenile followers, is making very satisfactory progress, in the Children’s Hospital, Temple Street, where he is undergoing treatment on his arm following a recent accident. We hope to see Damien back in full flow when the horn blows once more next Autumn. Until we meet again through the Hunting Notes in The Nationalist, slán agaibh go léir, is go mbeirimíd go léir beo ar an am seo arís.
— E.A.N.

Fethard Bridge Club
Our game on Wednesday 5th March was sponsored by FBD Investments and the results were:
1st Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
2nd Gross: Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney;
3rd Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John;
1st Nett: Anne Connolly and Eileen Frewen
2nd Nett: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;
3rd Nett: Kathleen Kenny and Madeleine O’Donnell. 
Anyone looking for a partner please contact Berney Myles at 32038. 

Fethard & Killusty Anglers AGM
Fethard & Killusty Anglers will hold their annual general meeting on this coming Friday night, 14th March, at 8pm in the Tirry Community Centre.

Fethard & Killusty Community Council AGM
Fethard & Killusty Community Council will hold their Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 18th March at 9pm (please note later time to facilitate those attending the Parish Novena) in the Tirry Community Centre.

Fethard & Killusty Parish Novena
The 2008 Fethard & Killusty Parish Novena - “Give God a Chance (Let’s talk to Him)” - takes place from Monday March 10th to Tuesday March 18th inclusive. Ceremonies are held nightly in Fethard Parish Church at 7.30pm, with the exception of Saturday 15th when commencement time will be 7pm. The Novena will conclude on Tuesday night, March 18th, with a Penitential Service for Easter.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
Lotto results for 27th February were as follows. The numbers drawn on for 27th February were: 2, 3, 7 and 21. We had no Jackpot winner and four ‘match 3’ winners who received €40 each:
Olwyn Wall, Chapel Lane, Fethard;
Mary Pacetti, Killenaule;
Peggy O’Reilly, Barrettstown, Fethard;
Maura Meaney, Crampscastle, Fethard.
The €50 Lucky Dip winners were: 
Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Michael Monaghan, Waterford;
John Joe White, Rathkenny, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

David Kitt at the Abymill

Singer songwriter David Kitt will perform in Fethard on Saturday 29th March in the intimate surroundings of the Abymill Theatre. David will be supported by ‘Armoured Bear’ who are a band based in West Cork and will be releasing their debut album 'Honeycomb Moons' in April 2008.

This is a great chance to see one of Ireland’s finest performers in a perfect intimate setting of the Abymill Theatre enhanced with great acoustics. Tickets for the gig are available from McCarthy’s Hotel in Fethard or call Vincent (Jasper) on 086 8119625.

Cake and Bric-a-Brac Sale
A Cake and Bric-a-Brac sale will take place on Thursday 13th March at 1:30pm in St. Patrick's Boys School Hall with lots of delicious Easter Eggs to be won. The event is organised by the Parents Association and all proceeds will go towards school funds.