Texas Holdem Classic finalists

Seven finalists in the Texas Holdem Classic at The Castle Inn on Thursday, January 12. Back L to R: Adrian Lawrence, Noel Morrissey, Dean Sharpe (runner-up), Noel Sharpe (winner), Eoin Maher. Front L to R: Nicky Noonan and Russel O'Meara.

Basic Computer and Internet Safety Course
A basic computer and Internet safety eight-week course for parents will commence on Tuesday, January 24, at Fethard Youth Centre, Lower Main Street, Fethard, from 10am to 12 noon. The cost is €40 which can also be paid by €5 per class.

Topics covered to include basic computer skills, using the internet to access information, emailing, social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, etc. Awareness of safety issues for your child while online is the main emphasis of this course which is organised as part of Home-School-Community Liaison Scheme, Scoil Ruain, Killenaule and Patrician/Presentation Secondary School, Fethard.

For further information or to book your place on this course please contact: Margaret O’Neill, HSCL Co-ordinator Killenaule & Fethard on (087) 6536374

Died Recently in England
The death has occurred in England on Thursday, 12th January, of Mrs Nuala Duncan (nee Connolly), Golborne, Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Nuala was a daughter of the late Mary (O'Brien) Connolly, who lived on The Green, Fethard.

Funeral service will take place at All Saints Church, Golborne, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday, January 24, at 1pm.

Fethard Tidy Towns AGM
Fethard Tidy Towns will hold their AGM on Wednesday, January 25, in the Tirry Community Centre at 8pm. All are welcome to attend this meeting.

For the coming year we would like to see Fethard full of flowers and not full of litter so we ask all to please keep a lookout for those dumping rubbish on side roads leading to town and at the bottle banks. Thanks for all your help. More news and reports to follow.

Killusty ‘Night Out’
A night out for all Killusty people is taking place on Friday, January 27, in the Clonmel Park Hotel, cost is €40 per person for meal and dance. Anyone with Killusty connections is more than welcome to attend. For more information and booking contact 052 6132653 or 087 9795025 as soon as possible as we need to confirm numbers with the hotel soon.

Unislim Classes
Did you make a New Year's Resolution to shed those pounds? Join Unislim and start with our exciting new ‘7 Day Quick Loss Plan’ and lots of free foods. Class will take place in the Tirry Centre, Fethard, on Tuesdays from 6.45pm to 7.45pm. Contact Angela on 087 3239774. All Welcome.

Arts and Entertainment Awards Ball
The Tipp FM Arts and Entertainment Awards Annual Gala Ball takes place at Dundrum House Hotel on Friday, January 20.

The monthly awards were inaugurated in 2003. They are announced each month, recognising the contribution Tipperary people make in the wide field of arts and entertainment, and presented at the Gala Ball. By Friday, January 20, one hundred and eight individuals and groups will have received awards. Each monthly recipient automatically qualifies for the Tipp FM Arts and Entertainment Annual Award, which is announced and also presented on the night.

In 2008 Tipp FM introduced the ‘Hall of Fame’ award. The ‘Hall of Fame’ recognises the contribution made in arts and entertainment by those who have passed on. The award is presented to a member of the deceased’s family, and a replica goes on permanent display at the Tipp FM Broadcast Centre, Gortnafleur. Previous inductees are, tenor Frank Patterson, bandleader Mick Delahunty, and Amateur producer/director Dick Meany.

The Black Tie event on this Friday night commences with a reception at Dundrum House at 7pm. Dinner is served just after 8pm, and each monthly winner is then introduced and presented with their awards by a member of the board of Tipp FM. That fabulous showband ‘Opus1’ will then take to the bandstand and keep the patrons tripping the light fantastic until the small hours.

40th Birthday Party

Needham family members photographed at William Needham's 40th Birthday Party in Butler's Bar last weekend. Back L to R: Gerard Lonergan, Kathy Needham, Gabrielle Needham, Val Needham, Majella Lonergan, Andy Doyle. Front L to R: Frances Lonergan, Kathleen Tuohy, William Needham, Ann Needham and Helen Doyle.


Joe O'Meara and Benny Browne photographed at William Needham's 40th Birthday Party


Photographed at William Needham's 40th Birthday Party are L to R: Paddy Wallace, Laura Lyons and Eddie Croke

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 11 were: 1, 16, 20 and 22. We had no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match Three’ winners who received €50 each: Nellie Croke, Coolbawn, Fethard; Sheena Fitzgerald Ryan (online ticket), Crampscastle, Fethard; and Denis O'Meara, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also won €50 each: Jane Keogh, c/o Tom Purcell; Eamon O'Donohoe, Cork; and William Needham, Friarsgrange, Fethard.

The next Lotto draw will take place on January 18, and you can also purchase your lotto ticket online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers. Next week’s Jackpot commences at €7,400 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €740. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Bunny Hop open at Youth Centre
Bunny Hop is an hour of music with movement for babies and young children. Little people love interacting with others of same or similar age, at Bunny Hop we have an hour of stimulating fun in which to do so.
Bunny Hop, music and movement 0-4 year olds has now recommenced again in Fethard on Monday mornings at Fethard Youth Centre/ Internet cafe /Old Convent Hall from 10am to 11am. All welcome. For enquiries and to join us contact Nicola at 087 6742401.

Scouting Chief to attend 25th Anniversary
Fethard Scouting extend an invitation to all, especially ex-members to attend our Investiture / Promise Renewal on Sunday, January 22, at 10.30am in Fethard Ballroom. Chief Scout Michael John Shinnick, the County Commissioner, and other dignitaries will attend to mark the occasion. So please come along, especially ex-members and meet old friends who would love to see you. Light refreshments will be available afterwards. We look forward to a great turn out.

STSP Operation Transformation Walk

Photographed at the start of the STSP Operation Transformation Walk in Clonmel last weekend were L to R: Eileen Connolly, Alan Connolly and Eugene Walsh. In front is baby Lauren Connolly.

Fethard GAA Club News
The senior football and under-21 teams have started training again and will continue one night a week for the next few weeks. It’s nice to see players returning to the fold after a year out and they are more than welcome. This coming season we could hit the jackpot if the right buttons are pressed. Roll on the summer!

In minor football and hurling we will join up with near neighbours Clonmel Óg in a combination known as St. Josephs in the A championships. This will be good for these players as they will have to up their game and will no doubt improve their skill levels. At under-21 level in hurling and football we will go it alone, even though our numbers are very limited but hopefully we will have a good run in the championships.

Word has come back from South Tipperary County Council that the land area at the rear of the sportsfield will soon become available for community use and for the GAA club at a nominal fee in the very near future. Well done to all concerned with this venture over the last couple of years.

Membership fees are now due so don’t be shy and pay it sooner than later. Our Lotto is running very well at the time being and it would be nice to see a few more players supporting it. Any officer will lead you in the right direction if you inquire.

The numbers drawn on January 10 were: 16, 17, 23 and 24. We had no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Stephen O’Donnell, Coolmoyne; and Dick Fitzgerald, St. Patrick’s Place.
The €50 Lucky Dip was won by James Cooney, Coleman. Next week’s Jackpot is €3,400 and the draw will take place in the Castle Inn on January 17. Our thanks to Clonmel Oil for sponsoring the printing of tickets.

Patrician/Presentation Jottings
New Year Greetings
A Very Happy New Year to all members of the school community and their families. Special Wishes also to former staff members near and far.

Presentation by Sr. Éilís Bergin
Shortly before Christmas, the 6th Years and their religion teacher, Ms Caitriona McKeogh, were invited to the Presentation Convent by Sr. Éilís Bergin to view her most recent art work. Sr. Éilís had done some workshops with these pupils when they were second years in 2008 and she very kindly presented them with one of her paintings titled ‘Forest’.

DEAR Week 2012
The whole school community is looking forward to this year’s DEAR programme in the school during the week of January 16 to 20. DEAR which means Drop Everything And Read is very popular in the school when everybody, including the school’s management and the ancillary staff, take a reading break from 11am to 11.15 am each day. Pupils are encouraged to bring their own books to school or they may choose from reading material supplied by the school. This programme, which has been running in the school for some years now, is certainly in keeping with the new Literacy and Numeracy Policy which is presently being promoted by the Department of Education.

Irish Heart Foundation Visit
On Friday, January 13, a speaker from the Irish Heart Foundation in Cork gave an interesting presentation to the Transition Years and Fifth Year Pupils on the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and on the many dangers associated with smoking. The school has close associations with the Foundation and help out each May with the annual Happy Heart Collection.

Visit to Art Exhibition
On Friday, January 13, a group of 6th Year Pupils and their art teacher Ms Pat Looby attended an art exhibition in the South Tipperary County Museum in Clonmel. The exhibition featured Irish Women Artists of the 20th Century and included works by Stella Solomons, Norma Guinness, Evie Hone and Alice Maher. The works form part of the National Collection from The Model’s ‘Niland Collection’ in Sligo and the Tipperary County Museum in Clonmel.

Seminar on Stress
Thank you to Pauline Cummins from the Tipperary Youth Service who facilitated a very interesting seminar on stress with the Transition Year Pupils on Thursday, January 12.

With the White Heathers
Ballylusky White Heather Harriers had a good day from Ballylusky Cross on Sunday last. Finding in John McCormack’s on the left of the Killenaule road they hunted across the road by Liam Clancy’s down to the rear of Guinan’s, across the road at the County Council’s gravel storage site they hunted down to Martin Heffernan’s. Turning right-handed here they ran towards Lyon’s hill to Joe Ryan’s near Bawnbrack and to ground near the Bawnbrack road.

From the glen at Ballylusky they ran through Hayden’s, crossing the Crohane road to Lar Noonan’s, to the plantation over the ‘Two Trees’ road. From the Ballylusky quarry they concluded the day hunting a fox to Whelan’s bog. Hunting well for fifteen minutes in covert they crossed the Drangan Ballylusky road. Hunting left-handed towards Drangan they re-crossed the road where runnung to Knockcura they checked and were stopped at 4.15pm.

The White Heathers meet on Sunday next, January 22, at Coolmoyne; Sunday, January 29, at Coleman Cross; Sunday, February 5, at Coolbawn Cross; and Sunday, February 12, at Thorney Bridge. All meets at 11am.

Photos from The Castle Inn

Sisters Breda Walsh and Joan O'Meara photographed at The Castle Inn. Breda and Joan were formerly Tobins from Kilnockin, Fethard.


Photographed in The Castle Inn are Stephen Roche, Cabrina Roche and James Roche


Photographed in The Castle Inn are L to R: Louise McGrath, Kathleen Connolly and Joan Gough


Photographed in The Castle Inn are L to R: Paddy Cooney, Cabrina Roche, Pat Shehan, Eddie Sheehan, Cathal Brett and Noel Morrissey (Photos supplied by Brud Roche)

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Fethard Under 7s enjoyed a great game of tip Rugby against a fine Cashel Team on Sunday last.  Louis Ryan with Michael James Phelan, Clodagh Foley and Andrew Wall worked well together with quick tipping hands and good passing to record a good number of tries. Other team members to impress were David Healy, Oisín Ryan with Mark Neville and Robin O'Shea ably assisting the team with good recycling of the ball to score more tries. Also good work by Páirc Heffernan, Tom Smyth and Luke Fitzgerald to the fore during the game. This team are playing well together and continuing to improve.

Fethard U8s had a wonderful strong game against Cashel. Johnnie Gleeson, James Ryan with Michael Ryan and Connor Neville constantly tackled and scored numerous tries from brilliant play. Other scores came from the strong group of Ben Ruttle, Charlie Cummins, Michael Long and Padraig O'Dwyer. We also saw James McCormack and David McCormack up their game with great rucking and passing. This was a fine display from Fethard and it was a joy to watch.

Fethard U9s team won all their matches in a tight contest. We had a great mornings rugby and a big thanks to Cashel RFC. Whilst there was good individual displays of rugby, the level of tackling, rucking and passing was top class from all the young men who are clearly not showing any signs of an over indulgent festive season!

A bright chilly morning saw a good turnout for Fethard U10s. Mathew Burke, Ethan Coen, Darragh FitzGerald, Aoife Fitzgerald, David Gunn, Iain Harrington, Jack Hassett, Courtney Jade, Angus MacDonald, Lucy Murphy, Darragh O`Connell, Cathal O`Mahoney, Richard Robinson, Andrew Slattery, Eoin Walsh and Ryan Walsh all made the short journey to Cashel for this return fixture.
Off to a slow start, the excesses of the festive season showing; the teams went in at half-time roughly level. Having caught their breath at the break Fethard settled down to some hard work in the second half, Fethard displayed excellent recycling skills to move the ball around the pitch and made their breaks when presented with opportunities. The scores kept coming in this half and some spirited tackling and good mauling prevented a strong Cashel side from matching them. Coming off the pitch as worthy winners these children won plaudits from those watching for the spirit of team ship which has allowed both those new to the game and the 'veterans' to develop their skills and understanding of the game, all credit to them.

Sunday January 15, our U12s played away to Cashel. We had a full panel of thirteen players but Cashel only had 9 so we played 9-a-side.
Fine performances from all team members. Tries from Harry Cummins, Joe Carroll, Gavin Ryan, David McCormack, Patrick Scully, Jack Cleere, Darragh Lynch and Seamus Cleere helped us to a convincing victory. John Gillman and Conor Hayes were excellent in the scrum while Padraig Harrington, Sean Ryan and Barry McGrath made some big tackles. Unfortunately Barry was taken off injured after a tackle and our best wishes go out to him for a speedy and safe recovery. Thanks to Cashel for a very sporting game.

Fethard U13s had a great win over Waterford City. This was a great team performance with Fethard winning 20 points to 15. Jack Hayes crossed for two tries, while Jack Ward the versatile Richie Holohan also got on the score sheet. James O'Connell, Andrew O'Connell and Jack Kealy had great games while in the forwards David Healy, Ned Grogan, Jack Hayes, Harry Butler and Ross McCormack were to the fore. Liam Quigley and Dale Murphy were both excellent at scrum half and Darragh Harcourt brought off some great tackles. We would like the thank Waterford City for the soup and sandwiches afterwards which were very welcome on a cold fresh morning.

Fethard J2s played a Cashel combination on Saturday evening last and a large crowd were entertained to a great open game of rugby. Fethard were first on the score sheet with a well worked try which saw the ball pass through the hands of Shane Kavanagh, Willie Power for Trevor Ivors to cash over in the corner for a fine try.

Cashel came back strongly but some great work by Nigel O'Connell, Nicko Hoynes, David Kelly and Timmy Donovan held them out. The game was very evenly matched for long periods with Rob Hall donating the lineouts and some great play by Brian Murphy and John Hannigan. Cashel eventually got over for a try so at half time the score was 5 all.
At this stage Fethard introduced Chris Large, Shane Power and Cliff O'Halloran, a fine Cashel move looked to be leading to a fine try but young Conor Kavanagh brought of a brilliant tackle. Fethard with a very young team kept the ball moving and the speedy Alan O'Connor eventually ran from his own 22 to score a fine try. Declan Doyle landed a fine penalty for Fethard but in fairness to Cashel they never gave up. Matthew Ryan, Kevin Hayes and Kieran Power were other good performers. Our thanks to Eoin O'Connor for a great refereeing job and to Aidan in Davern’s for his hospitality.

Stella Days – nine nominations in IFTA's shortlist
Albert Nobbs, The Guard and Stella Days have each picked up nine nominations in the shortlist for the 2012 IFTA's to be held on Feburary 11. All three films will contest for Best Film, along with Terry McMahon's psychological thriller Charlie Casanova, with the same four films competing for Best Script after nods for John Banville & Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), John Michael McDonagh (The Guard), McMahon (Charlie Casanova) and Antoine O'Flaherta (Stella Days). READ MORE FROM SCREENDAILY.COM

Stella Days Trailer

A small town cinema in rural Ireland becomes the setting for a dramatic struggle between faith and passion, Rome and Hollywood and a man and his conscience. STELLA DAYS is the story of a man, a story about the conflict between love and duty, hope and faith, and between the excitement of the unknown and the security of the familiar. It encapsulates the dilemma of Ireland in the mid-1950s - on the cusp of the modern but still clinging to the traditions of church and a cultural identity forged in very different times.