Josie, beloved wife of the late James and much loved mother of Michael, John, Gerard and Mary (Canty). Sadly missed by her family, son-in-law Michael, daughters-in-law Eleanor and Margaret, grandchildren Joseph, Ann Marie, James, Rosemarie, Jim, Elaine, Michael and Madeleine, great grandchildren Lochlann, Euan, Finley, James and Robert. May she rest in peace.

Reposing at Killure Bridge Nursing Home, Airport Road, Waterford, on Friday, January 23, from 3.15pm to 5.15pm, arriving at Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, at 7pm. Funeral Mass on Saturday at 11am with burial thereafter at Calvary Cemetery.

Died in England
The death has occurred in England on Monday, January 19, 2015, of Mrs Noreen Ryan (neé Tobin), Crouch End, London N8, and formerly of Grove, Fethard, after a short illness bravely borne. May she rest in peace.

Funeral arrangements later.

Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on this coming Sunday night, January 25, to the music of ‘Liam Mannering’. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing for the New Year. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €8 which includes tea and cakes.

Joint winners for 2014 Sports Achievement Award

Photographed at the presentation of the Butler's Bar Fethard Annual Sports Achievement Award for 2014 are L to R: Michael Ryan (2013 winner), Paul Fitzgerald (joint winner 2014), Nina Carberry (special sporting guest), Philip Butler (proprietor), Amy Pollard (joint winner 2014), and Tony Lawrence, representing sponsors Molson Coors Brewing Company (Ireland).

The winner of the Annual Fethard Sports Achievement Award was announced on Friday night last at a presentation function attended by a large crowd in Butler’s Bar. The monthly award winners were present along with last year’s overall winner, Michael Ryan, Tullamaine, manager of the Tipperary intermediate hurling team that retained the All-Ireland title by defeating Kilkenny by 2-14 to 2-11 at Nowlan Park on Saturday, August 31, 2013.

Butler’s Bar proprietor, Philip Butler, introduced special sporting guest, Ireland’s leading female National Hunt jockey, Nina Carberry, to present certificates to the monthly winners. He also thanked the members of the selection committee, comprising of representatives from various sporting organisations and walks of live in the parish, who came together over the year to decide the monthly winners and the annual winner for 2014. He also introduced and thanked the sponsor for the 2014 annual award, Tony Lawrence from Carrick-on-Suir, representing Molson Coors Brewing Company (Ireland).


Photographed at the presentation of the Butler's Bar Fethard Annual Sports Achievement Award for 2014 are L to R: Mollie Standbridge, Bridget O'Dwyer and Nina Carberry, Ireland’s leading female National Hunt jockey.

Explaining the selection process, Philip went on to announce the winners in a very evenly contested final with only four votes between the top four positions. The joint winners were Paul Fitzgerald, long serving Tipperary and Fethard senior football goalkeeper; and Amy Pollard, Fethard and Tipperary Intermediate ladies gaelic footballer. There was also a joint second place award presented to Kate Davey, a member of the successful Tipperary U16 team that won the All Ireland in 2014; and Keri Brett, winner of two gold medals at the Special Olympics event held in Limerick.

Photographed at the presentation of the Butler's Bar Fethard Annual Sports Achievement Award for 2014 are L to R: Nina Carberry (special sporting guest), Clodagh Sweeney who accepted joint second place award on behalf of her daughter Keri Brett, Paul Fitzgerald (joint winner), Amy Pollard (joint winner), Kate Davey (joint second place) and Philip Butler (proprietor Butler's Bar).


Photographed at the presentation of the Butler's Bar Fethard Annual Sports Achievement Award for 2014 are L to R: Mick and Mary O'Mahoney, Sandra and Micheál Spillane, Tullamaine.


Photographed at the presentation of the Butler's Bar Fethard Annual Sports Achievement Award for 2014 are L to R: Shirley Kelly, Bernard Tynan, Gerry Kelly, Róisín Blake and Junior Tynan.

This year’s annual awards ceremony concluded with lots of social and sporting banter accompanied with delightful refreshments provided by Marianne Shortall.

Ballet Classes registration day
On Thursday, January 29, we are holding a registration hour at Fethard Convent Community Hall from 5pm to 6pm. All enrolled need to attend with forms and registration fees please and those who'd like a place, please attend on the day. Classes then start Friday, January 30. Thank you and we look forward to meeting you and your child!

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of our game on January 7 were: 1st Gross, Betty Walsh and Monica Anglia; 2nd Gross, Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke; 3rd Gross, Ellen Rockford and Rita Holohan; 1st Nett, Kevin O’Dwyer and Willie Harrington; 2nd Nett, Anna Cooke and Bill Sullivan; 3rd Nett, Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny.

The second round of the Player of the Year competition has been deferred and this Wednesday, January 21, we play for prizes sponsored by FBD Investments instead. Please note that bridge now starts at 7.15pm sharp! If you are interested in learning bridge, come along to the Tirry Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038.

Munster Masters Road Championships
Fethard Athletic Club will host the Munster Masters Road Championships on Sunday, February 22, at 12pm, all eligible members encouraged to attend.

Training continues each Monday and Friday evening at 7.15pm from the ballroom carpark. New members welcome. Please note that annual registration fees are now due.

Frosty Fethard

Sean Brett enjoying the frosty weather at Grove while out for a ride on his horse.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 14 were: 8, 10, 31 and 32. We had no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Paul O'Meara, The Green, Fethard; Jimmy Mullins, The Valley, Fethard; and Martin Ryan, Lismortagh, Killenaule.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners received €50 each: Dick O'Brien, Sparagoleith, Fethard; Ellen O'Brien, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard; Chrissie Nash, Ballyluskey, Drangan.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, January 21. The Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €1,000. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard, and we thank you for your on-going support.

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto
The numbers drawn on January 16 were 6, 8, 25 and 29. There was no jackpot winner and one match three winner who received €150: Ellen O'Dwyer, c/o Benny Morrissey, Fethard. The €50 Lucky Dip winner was: Denis Burke, Redcity, Fethard.

Next week’s Jackpot is €7,900 and the draw will take place in Fethard GAA Park on Friday, January 23, at 7pm. All are welcome. Thank you for your continued support.

Auricular Acupuncture
Fethard Convent Community Hall will host a series of ear acupuncture therapy evenings, also known as Auricular Acupuncture, based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. This therapy is widely used for many conditions including cigarette or drug addiction, mood disorders, obesity, pain and many other conditions. The acupuncture points found on the ear help to regulate the body’s internal organs, structures and functions.

These therapy classes will commence on Wednesday evenings from 8pm to 9pm and the cost is €10 per session, concessions for OAPs and students. Open to everyone but under-16s will need parental consent. For further information contact: Audra 085 2182620.

Toddler Group back on Thursdays
Just a reminder to all parents/minders with small babies and toddlers the Toddler Group meet in the Convent Community Hall on Thursday mornings at 10am. This is a very informal group that meet up and enjoy some adult conversation with a cup of coffee while the toddlers play and get to know each other in a clean safe environment.

This is a community run not for profit group and the more that come along the more successful the group is. We hope to have a nursery rhyme reading morning with a storyteller in the coming weeks or if there’s anything you would like us to do for the toddlers please let us know. Parents or minders with small babies are very welcome to come along to the group.

Fethard secure bonus point two weeks in a row
Having travelled to Fermoy the previous week and secured a fine win Fethard hosted Scariff at home on Sunday last. Fethard started the stronger and played the first twenty minutes in the Scariff twenty two, Shane Kavanagh gathered a opposition over throw at the back of the lineout and sprinted through to score the opening try, Kavanagh was on hand again to score Fethard’s second try. Scariff settled down and began to put more phases together and were rewarded with a fine drop goal to leave the half time score 10-3 in favour of the home club.

Scariff really played the third quarter in the home teams twenty-two but some great defensive work from William Power, Alan O’Connor, Brian Murphy and Paddy Cuddy held them out and when John Ryan made a break Chris McGrath was on hand to score. Fethard added a fourth try when Kieran Power made a break offloaded to Richie Carroll who rounded two defenders to score. Carroll also added two conversions to leave the final score 24-3.

Girls’ Rugby thriving in Fethard
Girls rugby continues to thrive in Fethard. The U15 girls played South Cork at the end of the year in the Munster League and won by 50-10. Great play by Lucy Murphy at scrum half scoring 3 tries and setting in up tries for Kate Gayson Molloy on the wing. Their next game is away on Saturday, January 31.

The U18 girls joined with a strong Thurles team for their last two Munster league games and came away with two wins – against South Cork last month and away to Cashel last Sunday on a scoreline 20-5 in our favour. Amy Kirby played well on the wing with Aoife Delaney putting in great work in the scrum. Leah Scott also showed good hands and speed on the wing.

Our U13 girls play their Fourth Munster tournament on Saturday, January 24, in Limerick, St Mary's.

Junior Rugby
Fethard paved the way for a great morning of mini rugby with visitors Kilfeacle laying down the gauntlet and the U7s. Great tries scored by Sam Wyse, Thomas Murphy, Max O'Reilly, Cormac O'Donnell, Conor Danagher, Josh Britton and Luke Britton.

Our U8s turned out in good numbers and all played with enthusiasm. Adam Ruttle scored a couple of impressive tries and set up tires for the tough tackler Joey Fitzgerald. New recruit Darren Mullins Kane showed good hands and support for his team. Well done to all involved with this team.

Our U10s played at home to Kilfeacle and as our U9s had no game, they stepped up to the mark to play U10 against a very big and strong Kilfeacle team. Fethard squad of 22 split in to two teams with a mixture of both age groups, which was great to see as they executed some great moves, tackles and some brilliant tries. In the end Kilfeacle had a little bit of an edge on us but Fethard showed great heart and were beaten on the day. Too many players to mention well done to everybody.

The minis are at home on Sunday, January 25, hosting Thurles, and also home the following week for a Mini Blitz. We ask parents to kindly bring sandwiches and buns for the visiting teams. Thank you.

Afternoon Tea for Kitty

Fethard Historical Society members attending an ‘Afternoon Tea’ event in Clonacody House on Sunday last, January 11, to acknowledge the great contribution of Kitty Delany to the society over the past twenty years. Back L to R: Gerry Long, Maree Moclair, Marie O’Donnell, Terry Cunningham, Mary Hanrahan, Colm McGrath, Dóirín Saurus, Jennifer Whyte. Front L to R: Patricia Looby (Chairperson FHS), Catherine O’Flynn, Ann Gleeson, Kitty Delany, John Cooney and Ann Lynch.

Fethard Historical Society will hold their 20th Anniversary Tipperariana Book Fair in Fethard Ballroom, Co. Tipperary, on Sunday, 8th February 2015, from 2pm to 6pm.

Community Playgroup places available
Fethard Community Playgroup request parents who have given in their child’s name for 2015 term to collect registration forms now and return them when filled in. The morning sessions are booked up for September 2015 but we still have places for the afternoon sessions from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. If you have your child's name down and do not wish to avail of the place could you please let us know as soon as possible. Our contact number is 052 6132316. Please note that we can’t keep places for people who do not contact us and complete registration.

The ‘Beauty Queen’ at Clonacody House


Clonacody House will host three intimate performances of Fionn MacCumhaill Players production of ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ on January 22, 23 and 24. The performance will start at 8pm each night and tickets are €20 each. Food will be served.

‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’, by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh, was premiered in 1996 by the Druid Theatre Company in Galway and also enjoyed successful runs at London's West End, Broadway and Off-Broadway. It was nominated for an Olivier Award as Best Play for the London production, and the 1998 Broadway production was nominated for six Tony Awards, winning four.

This production features the cast of Mia Treacy, Noel Clancy, Keith MacAdhaimh and Anne Williamson. Booking now at Tel: 083 1355762 or 086 0834208.

Fethard News
Items for inclusion on this website and 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.

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