Annual Emigrants'Newsletter is now on sale in local shops and will be posted over the weekend to all our emigrants throughout the world.

Shoebox Appeal

Pupils of Fethard Holy Trinity National School photographed with their 'shoeboxes' filled with toys in aid of the annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal – an Irish project that promises to get your 'Christmas Shoebox' into the hands of a needy child in Eastern Europe. Included in photograph is local organiser, Monica Pollard.

Well done Neilie!
Congratulations to Neilie Hall who completed his 17th consecutive run in the recent Dublin City Marathon. This year Neilie was joined by Tom Halpin, Tom Hayes and Paul Walsh who together raised a total of €2,122 for South Tipperary Hospice Support Group. Well done to all concerned.

Fethard ICA Christmas Dinner
Fethard ICA will hold their Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 12, at 8pm, in McCarthys Hotel. Non-members are very welcome to join us. Contact Tel: (052) 6131378 or 087 9717748.
We would like to wish our members a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2013. Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 12. There will be no meeting in January.

Having a Ball!

Enjoying the final St. Luke's Hospital Ball at Minella were nurses Edward Whelan, Steph McCormack and Senan Byrne

Kerrygold for Jack Connolly
It was gold all the way in Kerry for Jack Connolly, Clonmel Boxing Club, with a very convincing win to kick start the new 2012/13 season, last Saturday night, December 1, at the Abbeygate Hotel in Tralee town, hosted by the Trogan Boxing club.

Jack fighting at 64kg, was up against Leroy Diche, a member of Navan Boxing club but attending college in Tralee and somewhat of a local hero in Kerry.

Not much in it after the 1st round, but in round 2, and 3 the Tipperary ace from Fethard, started to show his aggression to dominate and boss the remainder rounds, with all five judges going for Jack to win on a unanimous decision.

After the referees and judges watched all 12 fights, Jack was awarded, ‘Best Away Boxer of The Tournament Award’ to add to his vast amount of honours already accumulated.

A fantastic win, especially with a lot of the decisions going in favour of the home boxers, until the man from Fethard stepped into the ring and changed that. Well done Jack and best wishes for the new season.

Senior Citizens' Club
On Sunday, December 2, Fethard Senior Citizens' Club gathered to attend 11.30am Mass for deceased members at the Abbey Church before journeying to Thurles to the Anner Hotel where they celebrated the club's thirtieth birthday with a Christmas meal, bingo, music and song. Our thanks to local businesses who sponsored raffle prizes and spot prizes, and to the club members who sold tickets for the upkeep our club and also those who supported us through buying tickets.
The raffle winners were: Eddie Irwin who won €200; Dawn Fresh Foods, €100; Joe Butler (Ballycahill), Christmas Cake and Whiskey; Breda Kearney, Whiskey and Sherry; and John Grace, Tin of Biscuits.

Fethard GAA AGM
Fethard GAA Club will hold their AGM on December 16, at 2pm in the Fr. Tirry Centre. A full house will be expected and needed to organize for the incoming season.

Married Recently

Clive Moore, Clonmel, and Biddy Purcell, Burke Street, Fethard, who were married in Fethard on September 15.

Lotto extra Christmas Prizes start this week
Next week we will have extra Christmas Prizes drawn for Christmas Turkey and Hams so be sure to enter by buying a lotto ticket and have a chance of winning one for the three weeks leading up to Christmas.
The lucky numbers drawn on November 28 were: 3, 9, 13 and 31.
There was no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Pat Brett, Drumdeel, Fethard; Kitty O'Donnell, Slievenamon Close, Fethard; and Judy Butler, Tullow, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners also won €50 each: Kathleen O'Riordan, Cloran, Cloneen; Mary Delahunty, Castlehiggins, Fethard; and Thomas O'Connell, Coolmoyne, Fethard.

The next Lotto draw will take place on December 5. The Jackpot prize is €6,100 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €610. Lotto tickets can be purchased in local shops or online at www.fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets online and get one free! Check on the Fethard website for lots of special offers. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Fethard Ladies Football Club
Fethard Ladies Football Club had their last match of 2012 with the Minor County Final against Ardfinnan on a rainy Sunday morning, December 2. In terrible conditions when it was always going to be difficult to score, both teams gave everything to this game. Neither left anything behind, as these sides fought out a County Minor Final for the third time in as many years. Fethard had a slight edge at half-time, but Ardfinnan came back in the second half to take a two-point lead.

Fethard dug deep to get back into the game, and held a single-point advantage from the end of normal time all the way to the eighth minute of injury time. However, great credit must go to Ardfinnan for never giving up, and they were rewarded with a goal with the last kick of the game to win the game on a scoreline of 3-3 to 2-4. All of the girls from both teams can be really proud of themselves.

Well done to the Fethard girls for their efforts to get so close to another County title, and to the coaching team of Tommy Sheehan, Jarleth Connolly, Michael Tillyer, Anita Manton and Alice Butler. Thanks to the Fethard Youth Centre for allowing us to use their facilities for an after-match party. Thanks also to the parents and families of the Minor Team - and all our football teams in 2012 - for the tremendous support you've shown at every training session and every match. It wouldn't be possible without you.

The club would like to extend a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who helped and supported the bag-pack fundraising event which was held in association with St Rita's Camogie Club.

Open Day to view Town Hall plans
For the past year, the Fethard Business and Tourism Group have focused on securing a future for the Town Hall. The Town Hall has been identified as one of the most important early seventeenth century buildings in Ireland. It has been lying almost derelict for 20 years, saved only by the Country Markets every Friday. We now have a grand vision for the building which should fill it with heritage-led community-driven activity and secure its long-term role.

This week the detail of the planning application is being finalised by Shaffrey Architects in discussion with South Tipperary County Council and (because of its importance) with officials from the Department of the Environment. We are anxious to share these plans with the people of Fethard and invite you to join us at the Town Hall on Friday, December 7, between 2-5pm to view these plans.

It is planned that the building will have a number of ‘anchor’ tenants to secure a cash flow. On the top floor, we hope to have an Irish Landmark Trust apartment. This will be available for members of the public to rent for weekends or weekday breaks. It should provide an income stream. The apartment will be decked out with period furnishings and decoration and will have a commanding view southwards to the Church of Ireland church and over to Slievenamon.
On the middle floor, we hope to have a room dedicated for Community Council use (in the old Corporation Room) and a further room which will be rented by the Fethard Historical Society and used as a library and clubhouse. The middle floor will be dominated by a large and comfortable Exhibition Hall which we hope to make available for all kinds of community activities.

The ground floor will continue to be the home of the Country Markets for their Friday session, but the most exciting development is that a new café facility will be run from here. This café, which will be properly kitted out with all the requirements for food preparation, will also house the Tourist Information and will have a viewing platform at the rear overlooking the medieval precinct with lovely south-facing views across the river to Market Hill. There will be a lift for disabled access and modern toilet facilities. And we hope very much to re-open a third seventeenth century doorway that leads through the perimeter wall into the Church of Ireland graveyard which will mean that the Church of Ireland will be able to avail of the new facilities.

So please come and join us on Friday to discuss these plans and see our ideas.

With the White Heathers
Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers had their last meet of the season from their meet at Ballyluskey on Sunday last. Following a short run from near Ballyluskey Cross they drew up towards Magoury. Crossing Magoury lane they found an outlier on a hedge in Tobin’s. Hunting down to Phelans they hunted round the plantation, crossing the Ballyluskey Drangan road to the bigger plantation.

Running to Jimmy O’Dwyer’s they turned back to Phelan’s, then down to Newtown where they had two large circles before re-crossing the road near Drangan to Templeview Cross. Across the Drangan Cloneen road they hunted strongly through Peggy Maher’s on towards the Rathkenny road. By now, having hunted non-stop for 90 minutes, they checked, as some of the older hounds by now were tailing. Getting them together Donie decided to call it a day with darkness fast approaching.

A feature of this great run was the excellent cry of the hounds throughout. With all the circles covered it would be difficult to estimate how far hounds ran. They may have covered at least 8-9 miles and probably more. Fair dues to huntsman Donie Slattery and his two boys, Cillian and Cathal, for keeping in touch with hounds throughout.
Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers have a lawn meet at Fethard Rectory on Sunday next, December 9, at 11am.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Fethard U7 & U8
Fethard U7s played last Sunday against Thurles and despite the inclement weather conditions played well together. Oisín Ryan with Padraig Duggan passed the ball well with Charlie Walsh and Liam Kiely showing great support. Sean Fitzgerald's great pace enabled him to score a couple of tries.

The Under 8s played a tough Thurles side. Ana Quigley took the tip offs along with Adam O'Connell, who upped his game again this week for David McCormack and William Cleere to carry and offload to Luke Dolan. New recruit Micheál Blake proved to be a great asset to the team. Andrew Wall and Luke Ryan proved to be strong players who also scored a couple of tries.

Fethard U11
It was a weekend for superlative performances on the rugby field; England v New Zealand and Fethard U-11s v Thurles. On a wet, soggy, cold and grey community field our U-11s put on a display which dispelled the weather and warmed the hearts. This team’s hard work seemed to bear fruit as Fethard won rucks, recycled the ball in the mauls, tackled big and hard and ran. Thurles, playing full U-11 rules, proved time and again that they could play, their scrum was immaculate, but they couldn't match Fethard on the day. A great victory for Fethard, most of whom were partying until the early hours to celebrate the birthday of their teammate Richard Robinson. Starting as they mean to go on these boys and girls are laying down markers for later life. Our Team: Mathew Burke, Ethan Coen, Iain Harrington, Jack Hassett, Angus MacDonald, Dáire O'Connell, Sam Quigley-O'Dwyer, Richard Robinson, Eoin Walsh and Ryan Walsh.

Fethard U9 & U10
Fethard U9's and u10's joined forces on Sunday as Thurles had insufficient numbers for U9's. In appalling conditions both teams delivered up a great game of rugby for the die hard supporters on the day. This was not a day for passing rugby but Fethard rucked and mauled extremely well. The game ended up a draw at the final whistle which was a fitting result for both teams. Special mention to the U9's who stepped up to the plate and gave a terrific display.

Fethard U13
Fethard U13s semi-final at home against Thurles proved to be a spectacular encounter. Thurles dominated the first half, with Fethard finding it difficult to break through a strong Thurles defence, leaving a half time score of 10-nil.

Half-time, saw a very different Fethard team emerge. Patrick Scully made one of his blistering runs and after many phases, Ciaran O'Dwyer then took the ball on and scored in the corner, with Fethard failing to convert. After the re-start, Fethard made it out of their own half with great forward play and after intense pressure James Phillips broke through the Thurles defence to touch down on the corner flag, with Fethard again failing to convert. After the kick-off Fethard caused Thurles to concede a penalty on their 22, which Darragh Lynch converted to put Fethard 3 points ahead.

With 5 minutes left Fethard ended up defending their own 5 metre line, and successfully drove Thurles back and forced them to concede a scrum, which was kicked to touch and ended the game with a final score of 13-10.

Great defensive play from Gavin Ryan, Joe Carroll, Padraig Harrington, Harry Cummins, Conor Vaughan, Conor Hayes, Peter Wall, Dale Murphy and Will Ruttle. Subs: John Gillman, Ritchie Anglim, Eoin Fitzgerald and Evan Looby. A quick recovery wished to Paddy Gaynor who picked up an early injury. Best of luck to Fethard in the final against Kilfeacle next Sunday, looking forward to big Fethard support on the day!

Thanks to all the parents for their support. It was great to have tasty refreshments and snacks after the games for all the visitors. Thank you to all involved in the kitchen.

New Fethard Choral Society

Members of Fethard's new Choral Society photographed at rehearsal for their first public performance in the Augustinian Abbey, December 16, at 7pm.

Fethard’s new Choral Society will hold their first public performance in the Augustinian Abbey at 7pm on Sunday, December 16. The choir will be joined by the junior choir from Fethard National School, who will also sing approximately three carols on the night. After the carol service there will be a cheese and wine reception in the Abymill Theatre and a raffle for St. Vincent De Paul. All are welcome.

Advent Prayer at Presentation Convent

All are invited to participate in some Advent Prayers and reflection time for your Christmas preparations in the peaceful setting of the Presentation Convent Chapel, on Monday, December 10, at 7.30pm.

Laura dedicated to Taekwondo

Laura Ryan, Fethard Taekwondo School with her instructor Mr Paul Tobin

Laura Ryan, a member of the RITA Irish Colourbelt Squad competed in the Chung Ung Cup in Edinburgh and in the IUTF International Cup in Cork recently. Laura won silver in sparring and bronze in patterns in Edinburgh and gold in both sparring and patterns in Cork, all of which she truly deserved. She is very dedicated to Taekwondo and has trained very hard in both Fethard and with the Irish Squad. Travelling to Galway, Wexford, Carrick-on-suir and Dublin to train.
Fethard Taekwondo School train every Monday night at 7pm. For more details please contact Paul Tobin on 087 2447886

St. Vincent De Paul
Those needing help this Christmas may obtain forms at the end of the Holy Trinity Parish Church or the Augustinian Abbey church. The forms will be available from Saturday, December 1, and should be returned to any member of the society by Monday, December 10, 2012.

In order to be fair and just to everybody and to make our funds go further in the coming year we are confining our help this Christmas to those who will not receive hampers or help from other sources.

School friends

Helen Carrigan, Clonacody House, Fethard, photographed on a social night out with her school friends last weekend in Fethard. L to R: Sue O'Keeffe, Jenny Loftus, Helen Carrigan, Judith Sadlier and Caroline Griffin.

Items for Fethard News and Website
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.