IRISH GIRL GUIDES
The Girl Guides in Fethard are resuming on Monday 17th January at 7pm in the Ballroom for Brownies, Ladybirds and Guides. In December, ten guides and two leaders attended the pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, in the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. It was a marvellous day out. Next weekend 22nd and 23rd January we hold our Annual Church Gate Collection.

MACRA NA FEIRME
Congratulations to Brendan Morrissey who won the regional final of the Impromptu Public Speaking competition that was held in Kilmallock on Saturday last. Best of Luck to our senior debating team who represent South Tipperary in the County Final in Thurles, against Nenagh, on Friday next, January 21st. Representing Fethard are Chris O'Riordan (chairperson), Mairead Croke, Declan Morrissey and Brendan Morrissey. The exchange with Firies Club, Co. Kerry was a great success. Both clubs went karting to Watergrasshill and a few budding Eddie Irvines were spotted!
The All Ireland finals of the Macra Capers competition takes place on Saturday 22nd January in Bru Boru, Cashel. Fethard club will go bowling on Sat 29th January in Waterford at 9pm. All are welcome.

GRADUATION
Congratulations to Anne Guiry, Peppardstown, Fethard, who was recently conferred with a Bachelor of Nursing Studies Degree at University College Dublin. She also holds a Higher Diploma in Palliative Care Nursing and is currently employed as a staff nurse in St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel.

FALSE ALARM
Following an urgent phone call stating that a premises on Killenaule Road, Fethard, was on fire two units of Clonmel Fire Brigade accompanied by a Garda squad car arrived on the scene to discover they had answered a hoax call.
Do the perpetrators of these bogus calls ever stop to think that while these vital services are answering, what the caller considers a joke, their services may be required on a genuine mission where lives might be in danger.

RECENT DEATHS
The death has occurred of Mrs Eileen Dillon, Rocklow Road. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery.
The death has occurred in England of Mr. Martin McCarthy, formerly of Tullamaine and Barrack Street, Fethard. Interment took place in England.

NEW ROAD SWEEPER
The County Council have now money aside to purchase a new Road Sweeper which will be shared locally by five towns. Fethard Tidy Towns have requested a road sweeper for some time and although it will only be allocated to Fethard for one day per week — it is still a step in the right direction.

HUNTING
Every good wish for a speedy recovery to James O'Donnell first whip to the Tipperary Foxhounds who suffered a rather serious knee injury in a fall from the Tipps meet at Knockfee. James now joins huntsman Simon Probin, who has been out of action all season, on the sideline.
Paul O'Brien son of acting huntsman Pat O'Brien, who has been showing great sport since Christmas, is helping out in the interim.
The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers will meet on Sunday next, January 23rd, at Ballyluskey and on Sunday January 30th at Ballingarry at 12oíclock.

FETHARD GAA CLUB
Minor
Fethard 2-9, JK Brackens 3-7. We continued with the County League in Templemore on Sunday last loosing by a single point in a pulsating game to JK Brackens. Team: Ronan Maher, David Kelly, John O'Meara, Peter Carroll, Paul Hackett, Diarmuid Burke, Ian Kenrick, Glen Burke (0-5), John Needham, John Noonan (1-0), Owen Doyle (0-2), Brian Coen (1-1), Paddy Cooney, John Hanrahan and Pat Looby 0-1. Sub. Alan Burke for David Kelly. We await our next fixture.
Senior
Our next outing in the Munster League is on Sunday next Jan. 23rd in Ballincollig vs. Ballincollig at 2.30pm. Players note meeting at Main Street @ 12 noon.

EMIGRANTS' NEWSLETTER
The eagerly awaited Parish Newsletter, which unfortunately is late to hand this year, should be available at the usual outlets soon.

WHO WILL FILL THE POSITION
Who will be Fethard GAA Clubs outside trainer for the current year is the chief topic of conversation in recent weeks amongst local GAA supporters. Alex Ferguson is the only name that has not been included amongst the many fliers circulating. Firstly the decision to appoint an outside trainer has not yet been taken. The adjourned convention will discuss the possibility and then decide.
Secondly, why all the panic? Fethard last year won the 'A' Co. Minor and 'A' South Co. Junior titles, the South Tipp U/21, the County Junior Camogie League and County Junior Camogie Championship and the County Intermediate Hurling League. They reached the finals of the Munster Club S.F. League, the South S.F. Championship and the County SF League. This is a record any club could be proud of. What is an outside trainer supposed to do. Come in and wave a magic wand and Fethard S.F. team will win the lot. If you believe that then there are fairies at the bottom of the garden.
The answers lie elsewhere: what Fethard wants from the players and trainer is a hundred per cent dedication from a 100% of the players all the time. From the selectors a commitment to the players who are giving this commitment not to those who miss games, any games, and training sessions on the flimsiest of excuses. This is not a sure-fire recipe for success but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

COACH TOUR
A seven-day coach tour to see both the 1st and 2nd World War monuments and memorials will take place from Thursday 7th Sept. to Wednesday 13th Sept. This inclusive tour will visit the Battlefields in Flanders, Somme and Normandy (including visits to Ypres, Mesen, Thiepval, Omaha Beach and Ste Mere Eglise). A limited number of places are available on this tour, if you are interested contact Edwina Newport before Wednesday January 26th for further information.

REPRESENTATIONS TO COUNTY COUNCIL
The following are replies to representations made by Councillor John Fahey, on behalf of the Fethard community.

That a yellow line be considered at lower Main Street Fethard consideration will be given to same when we are next lining in Fethard. Contact will be made with the local Gardai in Fethard to discuss the enforcement of a single yellow line.
Height signs for North Gate on Rocklow Road
The height of the North Gate will be measured and signs ordered for same.
Sign at Barrack Street indicating Killenaule
The sign has been ordered
Pruning of trees at Tirry Park, not complete
The gardener has pruned the trees he felt needed pruning in Tirry Park during the winter of 1999.
Speed limit signs on the Killenaule Road
These signs will be ordered in the very near future
Repair damage to bridge at Jesuit Walk
The bridge was obviously caught by a high vehicle which displaced some of the key stones. The work is being investigated and work will commence shortly.
Fence at Cloneen Road
This is entirely a private matter and the Council has no responsibility.

(Jonathan Cooney, Assistant Area Engineer, Tipperary SR County Council)