Tidy Towns promote free 'Poop Scoops'

Fethard Tidy Towns members photographed at the launch of their free 'Poop Scoops', now made available at Fethard Post Office, in conjunction with South Tipperary County Council. L to R: Nick Casey, Joe Keane, Barry Connolly (Fethard Post Office) and Jimmy Horan (Area Foreman with South Tipperary County Council).

In conjunction with South Tipperary County Council, Fethard Tidy Towns have arranged to have free 'Poop Scoops' available at Fethard Post Office. These biodegradable scoops are a simple easy, hygienic and acceptable way to dispose of your dog's poop in an environmentally safe way. All dog lovers and owners are encouraged to pick some up at Fethard Post Office and carry them around when walking your dog on footpaths and walkways.

First Holy Communion

Fethard boys and girls who received their First Holy Communion last weekend photographed with their teacher Ms Sarah Hogan, Canon Tom Breen P.P. and Fr. Anthony McSweeney.

Congratulations to the following boys and girls from the parish who received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion in Holy Trinity Parish Church Fethard last Saturday, May 12: Aine Ryan, Aisling Hennessy, Alex Bradshaw, Ava Jane Ward, Cian Lawrence, Ciarán Maguire, Conor Walsh, David Cowlard, Eimear O'Sullivan, Emma Jane Lyons, Hannah Sheehy, Hayley Ryan, Jamie Webster, Keenan Aherne, Laura Harrington, Lauren Needham, Melinda Csuzi, Michael O'Meara, Natasha McGarry, Patrick Kennedy, Patrick Walsh, Simon Brawders and Toby Collier.

Open Day at Garden Centre

All are invited to the annual 'open day' at Countrylife Garden Centre in Fethard on Saturday next, May 19, from 11am to 4pm. There will be gardening demonstrations and advice by our horticulturalist, Linda Kelly. All present will be entered in a free raffle and for the kids, a face painter and a colouring competition. Complimentary teas, coffees and BBQ will be served. Special reductions of 20% off all plants, garden furniture and barbecues on the day, with 20% off True Temper garden tools, solar lighting and 'metal men and women'. Also on display is a large range of high quality summer bedding plants, shrubs and perennials. All are welcome, bring a friend.

Day Care Centre AGM
The AGM of Fethard & District Day Care Centre will take place on Thursday, May 31, in The Tirry Centre at 8pm. All are welcome to attend and we would especially appreciate any volunteers willing to help out at the Day Care Centre

Strictly Come Dancing
Fethard Ballroom will hold 'Strictly Come Dancing' on Monday, May 21, for local children aged 6-13 to display their skill on the Dance Floor. Featuring award-winning displays from Marina Mullins and Pat Casey. All proceeds in aid of Fethard & District Day Care Centre.

The show starts at 7.30pm. Doors open 7pm. Admission €5 in advance or €7 on the door. Tickets available from The Day Care Centre, Holy Trinity National School and from Marina at O'Sullivan's Pharmacy.

Scotish flavour birthday

Eleanor O'Riordan, originally from Kerry Street, is photographed above with Scotish and Fethard friends, who all came to Fethard to celebrate her birthday last weekend.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on May 9 were: 2, 21, 30 and 31. We had no Jackpot winner and no 'Match Three' winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Pat Looby, The Valley, Fethard; Jessica Moloney, Abbey View, Fethard; and John O'Flynn (online ticket).
The three following 'Lucky Dip' winners also won €50 each: Teddie Pollard, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard; and Eileen Tobin, St. Patricks Place, Fethard.

The next Lotto draw will take place on May 16, and you can also purchase your lotto ticket online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the Fethard website for lots of special offers. Next week's Jackpot is €9,950 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €995. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Historic Walk in the foothills of Slievenamon
On Saturday week, May 26, an evening walk will take place on the southern foothills of Slievenamon. This country ramble of less than three kilometres is being jointly organised by the Fethard Historical Society and The Killurney Sport and Social Club. The walk, commencing from Killurney Old School at 7pm, will take in Ballyboe motte and two ancient church sites in this beautiful area. Watch out for further details next week or phone 086 3905373.

Community Games

Amy Thompson who represented Fethard area at the county finals of the community games gymnastics.

Fethard and Killusty Area Athletics will take place this Wednesday evening, May 16, in the GAA Park at 6pm. Entries taken from 5.45pm. Fee is €2 per child. Races will commence at 6pm sharp. Events are: boys and girls under 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 also race for tots. Offers of help with the event would be appreciated.

The under 10 GAA team are now in the South semi-final. They are due to play Ballingarry in Ballingarry. The other semi final is between Ardfinnan and Kilsheelan. Winners of each game compete in the South Final.

IFA Tribute to Malachy Brett and Denis McGrath
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of both Malachy and Denis. Both were life-long members of the NFA/IFA.
Malachy, who was originally from Kilmoyler, was a founding member of the NFA/IFA in South Tipperary. He also took part in the Farmers' Rights March in October 1966. Malachy later moved to Tullamaine and joined the Fethard branch, eventually becoming chairman from 1985-1988.

Denis farmed at Rathkenny and was a founding member of the Fethard Macra na Feirme. He later joined the local IFA branch and became secretary from 1966-2005.

The large turnout and guard of honour that they received was an indication of their popularity and an acknowledgement of the time and support they gave to the various organisations. On behalf of the IFA and farming communities we offer our deepest sympathy to Malachy's wife Margaret and Denis's wife Kay and their respective families and friends. They will be sadly missed. May they Rest in Peace.

Happy Hearts

Fethard TY pupils helping to sell 'Happy Heart' badges last weekend in Fethard L to R: Tara Horan, James Maher and Michelle Walsh.


Joe Keane and Gussy Breen buying their 'Happy Heart' badges from TY student James Maher

Jack outclasses Scottish Champion
Irish eyes were smiling for Jack Connolly, The Green, as he had an emphatic victory over his Scottish opponent, during the first International contest of 2012, in Cork last Saturday night.

The venue was the beautiful Rochestown Park Hotel, where Jack out boxed, and outclassed the Scottish Champion, John Doherty in the 60kg category. Jack was in outstanding form, winning the first round 3 points to nil, after the second it was 6 to 1, with the fight finishing 9 points to 2.

This International was particularly important, as it was the first on the road to the European Championships to be held later during this year. Ireland went on to win the contest 10 fights to 7. So Jack, congratulations on another brilliant performance under the Green, White and Gold, you should be very proud of yourself. Well done.

Moyglass schoolboys win Tipperary

Moyglass United U14 Schoolboys soccer team who won the Tipperary Cup last Saturday at Peake Villa Park, Thurles. Back L to R: Noel O' Dwyer (manager) James O' Connell, Dean O'Connor, Jack Dolan, Ross McCormack, Jack Hayes, James Walsh, Larry Gleeson, Mark Heffernan, Junior Tynan (manager). Front L to R: David McCormack, Liam Quigley, Eoin Barry, Kilian O' Dwyer, Liam Meagher (capt) Gus Browne and Eoin Shaw.

Moyglass United Schoolboys soccer reached three cup finals this year and were rewarded last Saturday, May 12, when the U14s defeated Cashel in the final of Tipperary Cup, played at Peake Villa Park, Thurles. This was a great achievement, as all the top clubs participated. Moyglass started slowly and Cashel had the first chance of the game when their striker was put through against the Moyglass goalkeeper, Jack Dolan, but jack stood tall and made a wonderful save. After this the two Moyglass centre-halves, Gus Brown and Killian O'Dwyer, started to dominate and with the help of a large Moyglass support didn't put a foot wrong for the rest of the game. Liam Meagher started controlling the centre of the park for Moyglass and finished the half on top.

Moyglass started the second half in similar fashion and pressure paid off when Larry Gleeson was fouled and Eoin Barry converted the free kick to the top corner of the Cashel net. Cashel pressed hard for the next 15 minutes but Jack Hayes worked hard in the middle to protect the back four. The two full backs for Moyglass, James O'Connell and 'man of the Match' Dean O'Connor were not to be beaten.
Eoin Shaw replaced the hard working James Walsh and this proved decisive as a quickly taken free kick saw Mark Heffernan cross for Eoin to volley home. Liam Quigley and Ross McCormack came on to bolster up Moyglass for the closing stages as they held on for a momentous 2-0 victory.

The U12 team were defeated in their final later in the evening but great credit is due to their managers Jill Schubert and Sean Og Ryan for reaching this stage. The Paddy Hogg Cup was carried triumphantly through the village and the proud parents and managers Junior Tynan and Noel O'Dwyer along with the excited players enjoyed some light refreshments at the Village Inn.

May Procession



On Sunday last, Fethard Scouts are photographed carrying the statue of Our Lady in the traditional May Procession held in Fethard annually, from Holy Trinity Parish Church to the Augustinian Abbey.

Fethard GAA Club News
At Munroe on Sunday we had an Intermediate hurling game against Ballyneale. The game was robust to say the least with two of our lads having to visit South Tipp General A&E for running repairs. This was a tight game with spells of stylish hurling from both teams. A great game to win and we certainly needed the boost to encourage our lads to up their training and perform to the standard they are capable of attaining. At the final whistle we got the verdict over Ballyneale by the slightest of margins on a scoreline, Fethard 1-10, Ballyneale 0-12.

It is hard to believe that the Tipperary GAA Draw is upon us again and that we have strongly supported it over the last twenty-four year with a fair share of success – a car here and there – an odd big cash amount, maybe a set of jerseys thrown in, and a few promoters prizes for our efforts. On this, the 25th anniversary of the draw, we appeal to our loyal subscribers to stay with the cause and sign on again with your promoter to help our gallant club progress and flourish. Anyone in foreign parts that may wish to join the draw can contact us at: miceal46@hotmail.com. The annual fee is €100 or the equivalent in Sterling, Dollars, Dirhams, Yen, Rubles, Crowns or any other currency and we will put you in the right direction. Don't be shy and think of it as an investment in the future, as the prizes include 25 cars this year, lots of holidays in the sun, plus huge cash amounts throughout the year.

The Club would like to invite all connected with Fethard GAA, far & near, to the Clonmel Park Hotel on Saturday, June 9, for what promises to be a great night out to mark 125 years of GAA in Fethard. Tickets at €30 each, include a three course meal, dancing to top band 'Twice Shy' and late disco from local DJ Kumar Mehta. We are expecting a big crowd for this event and should prove a great re-union for all those involved in our club over many years. Tickets are available from P.J. Ahearne, John Fitzgerald, Andy O'Donovan or any committee member. We look forward to seeing you there.

The GAA Sports Lotto Results for draw that took place on May 8 are as follows. The numbers drawn were: 7, 9, 15 and 27. There was no jackpot winner and one 'Match Three' winner who received €150: John Kenny, The Green, Fethard. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Michael Kenrick, Burke Street, Fethard.

Thanks to all promoters, supporters and to AIB Fethard who kindly sponsored printing of tickets. Next week's jackpot is €3,300 and the draw will take place in The Well Bar on May 15.

Hi-Ya Calam!


This year, the Transition Years in the Presentation Secondary Ballingarry are breaking with tradition.  Instead of holding the annual school show in the school hall, they will be performing their show in the fabulous Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th May 2012, at 8pm.

This year’s production is ‘Hi-Ya Calam!’ is an adaptation of the wild west classic ‘Calamity Jane’.  Drawing largely from the original Hanmer and Parks script, this adaptation gives a new twist to an old favourite. The slight changes give the play a light-hearted, almost pantomime feel, and gives the audience a different take on what happened in Deadwood City. All the main characters are back, with the sassy Calamity Jane taking centre stage once more, flanked by the wayward Wild Bill Hickock, the upstanding Lieutenant Danny Gilmartin and the delightful Katie Brown. But be warned, not everything will run smoothly for all the characters in the new outcome of this show!
Presentation Secondary Ballingarry have had a great track record in producing top quality Transition Year productions over the years. From the plains of “Oklahoma” to the high school romance of “Grease”, the school has created some of the most wonderful amateur productions seen in Tipperary.



This year, it was decided to change things up a little. As the numbers were smaller than most other years, (11 boys and 9 girls), adjustments had to be made to ensure that this year’s production was up to the high standards set in the past. The script needed to be changed to give a fresh feel to a popular show; while maintaining the essence of the original production. The venue was changed to allow this group of students to experience what it is like to play to a full house in a marvellous theatre. However, the aim of this show was the same as every other show produced by the Transition Years from past years in our school. We hoped that all students would work as a team and co-operate with everyone involved, to help each other showcase all their talents to the community and to have an occasion to remember fondly for the rest of their lives.

With such a small cast of exceptionally talented individuals, the audition process was difficult. After numerous discussions about our actors and call-backs for the various roles, the tough decisions were made.

Of course, this show could never have taken place without the help and support of so many people throughout the last couple of months. We give our sincerest gratitude to everyone that has helped . Without these people, this show would not have been able to make the stage. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Show is on in the Abymill, Fethard on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th of May at 8pm, Tickets to the show can be booked from the school on 0529154104. Book early to avoid disappointment.