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Gortnahoe & Glengoole

Still loving this town!

Stefan Müller photographed with his family at the North Gate while visiting Fethard at Easter. L to R: his father Bernd Müller, Stefan, his sister Simone and mother Rosi.

Stefan Müller, a visiting student from Germany came back to visit Fethard last week and send us this message on his return home.
“After staying in Fethard from August '08 until January '09 I came back to Fethard with my family for Easter.

I was looking forward for weeks to see my host-family Mary and Miceál and all my friends with whom I spent nearly every free minute and with whom I got plenty of unforgettable moments. When I arrived I did not expect that they were waiting for my return and it was an overwhelming feeling to see them.

During the three days I spent in Fethard everyone I met was delighted to see me again and I felt absolutely welcome in this "magic town".
I spent two evenings in the new Youth Centre, which is the most comfortable place to be for the teenagers in Fethard, that I could imagine. My sister Simone and I had some great hours and great fun there. It is unfortunate that the Youth Centre did not open during my stay – I surely would have had some great evenings and fun in this new Centre.

I want to say that the way everyone treated me during my stay, also during my Easter holidays, was overwhelming and unforgettable for me. I have to thank my friends in Fethard for giving me the “best time of my life” once again.

I am looking forward to October when I visit Fethard again. I am still loving this town!”

All-Ireland champion, Jack

Jack Connolly photographed with his parents, William and Dorothy, brother and sister on his return from Dublin after being crowned Boy 2, 50kg, 2009 Champion of Ireland.

Congratulations and well done to Jack Connolly, The Green, Fethard, who, representing Munster, won the Boys 2, 50kg, All-Ireland Boxing Final at the National Stadium in Dublin. Jack who is a member of the Clonmel Boxing Club won all three of his fights.

In the quarterfinal on Tuesday morning 14th April he defeated the Ulster Champion Jordan O’Neill on a scoreline of 11 points to nil. Next up was the semifinal on Wednesday night 15th April, when Jack defeated the Dublin champion Devon Coyle with a massive score of 22 points to 2.

Jack took a well earned break of two days before the All-Ireland final on Saturday morning 18th April against the tricky south-paw of the Leinster champion, James Joyce, but the young man from Fethard would not lay down and won his first National title on a scoreline of 8 points to 1.

All the months of hard training, sometimes seven nights a week had finally paid off and Jack is now champion of Ireland. His family, friends and the many who travelled to Dublin each day for his fights experience many emotions over the weekend, some in tears, some hugging, some roaring and shouting, some jumping for joy, who cares, the digital scoreboard said it, the announcer said it, and the referee raised the arm of the man in the blue corner, from Clonmel Boxing Club, Co. Tipperary, in the province of Munster, and the new Boy 2, 50kg, 2009 Champion of Ireland is Jack Connolly. His many supporters from Fethard, Clonmel, and Killenaule went wild.

What an achievement for this popular young man who never once complained about all the extra training, watching his diet, making his weights, etc, he just got on with it.

None of this would be possible without the great support of Jack’s coaches, especially Martin Fennessy, Dan Coppinger and Bobby Galvin who give all of their time and energy to what is now one the best Boxing Clubs in Ireland.

Last but not least thanks to everyone who sponsored Jack, too many to mention but it was very much appreciated. Again Jack well done, no one more deserves to be All-Ireland Champion than you and as Bernard Dunne once had a dream, his dream was, “One day I will be World Champion!” Watch this space folks.

Well Golf Society
A meeting to discuss the future of The Well Golf Society will take place in The Well Bar on Tuesday 28th April at 9pm. All members are requested to attend.

An evening of Song in Cloneen
Three great musical ensembles will participate in ‘An evening of Song’ on Saturday 25th April in Cloneen.

The Thukolo Gospel Choir from Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny will visit Cloneen for the first time. The choir receives raving reviews wherever they sing and are renowned for their professionalism, attention to detail and fun spirit. They were awarded the Clara Parish Shield for winning the Adult Choirs section of the 10th annual Kilkenny Music Festival last year. The Kilkenny Voice described them as ‘a gospel choir with a touch of the blues and rock 'n' roll’.

The Gordonaires from Clonmel need little introduction. With their brilliant, barbershop like vocals, enthusiasm and charm they have won the hearts of many audiences. Last year they performed in Cloneen as well, much to the delight of all attending.

Hair of the Dog is a new band that has risen from the ashes of The Sliabh na mBan Hillbillies. Since Cahir-based singer and guitarist Jim Brophy joined, the band plays a unique blend of Americana, trad and popular contemporary Irish songs. Their ability to play a wide variety of instruments never fails to amaze audiences and themselves alike, and their repertoire ranges from shut-eyed ballads to thunderously thumping instrumentals. Cloneen got a first impression of the potential of this new band last year, and decided it tasted like much more, so that’s exactly what Hair of the Dog will provide.

This multi-coloured evening of song is definitely one not to be missed. Tickets are €15. To book in advance, please contact 087 3283074 or 086 3161882.

Fethard GAA Club News
Our Minor ‘A’ footballers lost on Friday last on a scoreline, Fethard 1-5, Ardfinnan 6-15. Our next game in this division is against Commercials.
The Intermediate Hurling Championship continues this weekend when we play Moyle Rovers on Sunday. Check sports page for details.

We wish Paul Fitzgerald and Brian Coen the best of luck with the county team in the Division 3 final taking place in Longford at 6.30pm on Saturday 25th April. We also wish Eoin O’Connell the best of luck as he joins the panel of the Tipperary Minor hurlers who take on Limerick on Wednesday 29th April.

Our Lotto Jackpot was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 14, 15 and 27. We had no match three winners so the following tickets won €30: Rachel Quigley (Merrys Clonmel), Paul Fitzgerald (Kiltinan, Fethard), Austy Godfrey (Derryluskin, Fethard), Patsy Lawrence (Woodvale Walk, Fethard), Gerry Aherne (Prospect, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Kevin Barrett (St. Johnstown, Fethard). Thanks to AIB for supplying the tickets.

Legendary Loudest Whisper
Loudest Whisper will make a welcome return visit to Butler's Bar, Fethard, on this Friday 24th April, when they play their unique blend of Folk/Rock music. The band is considered ‘Legendary’ in many quarters and should not to be missed.

Dogs in Distress
Carmel O’Dwyer, originally from Fethard and now working in Dublin, has made an appeal for help in their quest to save dogs lives by supporting their voluntary organisation ‘Dogs in Distress’.

‘Dogs in Distress’ do not have a rescue premises but volunteers visit Ashton pound in Dublin three to four times per week to take photos and record all the dogs coming into the pound’s care. They then try and find foster homes as surrendered dogs may have only 24 hours to be re homed. Many of these dogs are healthy, well behaved dogs. ‘Dogs in Distress’ will not take any dog it feels is unhomeable i.e. dogs that have bitten, aggressive dogs or dogs deemed to be so ill that they are beyond veterinary care.

In Ireland in 2005, a total of 16,546 dogs were put to sleep and these were mainly healthy dogs. ‘Dogs in Distress’ aim to help as many dogs as possible but cannot save every dog that comes in to Ashton Pound.

Summer Aerobics
A six-week course in Aerobics and Body Toning starts from 7pm to 8pm on Tuesday 21st April at Mullinahone Community Centre at a special price of €40. Contact Esther at 086 8960369 for further details.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 15th April were 12, 16, 18 and 22. We had no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners who won €50 each:
Esther Breen, Barrack Street, Fethard;
Carmel Gahan, Cloneen, Fethard;
Judy Whelan, Ballingarry, Thurles.

The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each:
Maggie Napier, The Green, Fethard;
Joan O'Donohoe, Moyglass, Fethard;
Mary & Jim Kenny, Mullinahone.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

Fethard Macra
The Mr Personality contest will be taking place in the Springhill hotel in Kilkenny on April 24th and 25th. Also on this weekend the National Drama Finals will take place in the Watergate Theatre on Saturday and Sunday night and also the National Finals of the Volleyball will take place in St. Kieran’s College. There will be excellent entertainment during the weekend with Domino Effect and DJ on Friday night and Loaded and DJ on Saturday night. Entry fees over the weekend will be as follows: - Friday night €10, Saturday night Informal Gala Banquet €30, Sat Night Disco only €15. Banquet tickets must be booked by contacting Denis on 086 8389401.

For further information about our club contact Michael (087-9019443) or email fethardmacra@gmail.com or check out our macra page <FethardM> on Bebo. We are always looking for new members so if you are looking for a new and diverse range of interests and a great way to make new friends locally check us out!