FETHARD GAA CLUB
SENIOR FOOTBALL
We got back to our winning ways with a great display on Sunday last in the Munster League winning by 5 points away to Ballincollig, Cork, on a scoreline Fethard 1-9 (0-6), Ballincollog (0-7) (0-5). Team and substitutes that did us proud were: Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Carroll, Stephen O'Donnell, Willie Morrissey (0-1), Michael Quinlan, Damien Byrne, Brian Burke (0-1), P.J. Ahearn, Conor McCarthy (0-2), Miceál Spillane, Kenneth Byrne, Eugene Walsh, Brendan Brett (0-4), Miceál Sean Spillane. Subs used: Kenneth O'Donnell (0-1), Thomas Anglim (0-1), Glen Burke and Garreth Byrne.
We look forward to a meeting with Killrossanty on Sunday 30th January at 2.30pm in Fethard. A win or draw is required to qualify to the next stage of the competition.
U/17 COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
On Sunday last in Monroe we gave a great display in winning 2-18 (1-10) to 0-7 (0-6). Team: Ronan Maher, Alan Burke, John O'Meara, Peter Carroll, Paul Hackett, Diarmuid Burke, Ian Kenrick, John Needham, Glen Burke (0-5), Owen Doyle (0-4), John Hanrahan (0-1), Brian Coen (0-5), John Noonan (1-0), Val Dwyer (0-2), Pat Looby (0-1). Subs used: Paul Morrissey (1-0), Paddy Cooney, Nicky Noonan. We believe our outlook in this competition is dependent on other results.
ADJOURNED AGM
Please note that the adjourned AGM takes place on Saturday 29th January at 8.15pm in the Abymill. Will all paid up members of 1999 please take note that they are only eligible to vote. Subscriptions for 2000 are now due before 31st March 2000. Adults £5, Juveniles £3.
JUVENILES
Our Church Gate Collection will take place next weekend at all Masses. Please give generously. We also ask for your assistance in getting involved in our Juvenile Club in the year 2000 by attending the Annual General Meeting which is coming up shortly. Watch this space.

AUGUSTINIAN ABBEY NOTICE
The Augustinian priests of the Abbey wish to inform the people of Fethard and Killusty parish that, due to dwindling numbers in our communities in Ireland, it has been deemed necessary and urgent to assess the situation and address the possible eventuality of the closure of some houses and/or the merging of houses, close to each other, so as to retain a presence, as long as feasible, in the old establishments.
Hence, we of the Abbey have met with our Callan community some 6 times since mid-November last. We have endeavoured, not without difficulty, to foresee a community of 4 priests ministering in Callan and Fethard while living at one location Callan or Fethard
The Provincial Council of the Order will decide eventually what will be best for each location, when they receive the recommendations made from the group meetings of the past 2/3 months.
Suggestions for the future are now being sought by the Abbey priests from the people of Fethard and surrounds. Ideas and recommendations will be most welcome, leading up to a group meeting of laity in the near future.

THE FRIARS OF FETHARD
A notice from the Augustinian Abbey read at all local masses last weekend was greeted with shock and almost disbelief by Fethard parishioners. The notice, printed above, is seeking the help of locals to achieve the best solution for this difficult situation that has arisen due to dwindling numbers in the Augustinian communities in Ireland. Fethard without the Augustinian Fathers after 700 years is almost unthinkable and unbelievable. The Augustinian Abbey is the only non-secular monastery in the diocese of Cashel and Emly. People from the adjoining area of up to thirty miles call to Fethard Abbey frequently for spiritual guidance. We hope and wish that it won't come to that and that both Callan and Fethard communities can arrive at an agreeable solution.

TIDY TOWNS
The next meeting of Fethard Tidy Towns will take place on Tuesday 10th February at 8pm in the Tirry Community Centre. All are welcome.
Now that all the festivities are over we look forward to concentrating our energy on the town and keeping it clean. We ask all locals to do the same. It is unfortunate to see every approach road to Fethard littered with bottles, cans, chocolate wrappers, empty crisp packets, even bags of rubbish.
If we set the example of keeping the streets clean then maybe others would take their rubbish home with them instead of dumping it on the road.
We hope that the year 2000 will be a positive one for us and for Fethard.

HUNTING
The Ballylusky Harriers will meet in Ballingarry on this coming Sunday, 30th January at 12 noon.

HOGAN MUSICAL SOCIETY
The Hogan Musical Society have commenced rehearsals for their year 2000 production. Rehearsals are held in the Abymill Theatre on Monday nights at 8pm. New members are particularly welcome.

FETHARD JUDO CLUB
The All Ireland Judo Championships took place on Sunday 23rd January in the Canon Hayes Sports Complex in Tipperary Town. There was a huge entry for this event and the standard of competition was very high. Fethard had a total of 10 competitors who gave some tremendous performances. Winning gold medals were: Liam Halley, Mullinahone, (under 73kg youths ); Richard Gorey, Moanbeg, (under 41kg minor); Stephanie Lawrence, Woodvale Walk (+44kg). Silver medals went to: Roy Gorey, Redcity (under 60kg youths); D.J. Gorey, Redcity (under 41kg junior). Bronze medals were won by Christopher Sheehan, Woodvale Walk (under 37kg minor); Cathal Gorey, Moanbeg (under 34kg minor); Philip Halley, Mullinahone (under 55kg junior).
Eric O'Donnell was very proud of his charges and also complimented Tony Gorey who was just out of the medals, also Grace Maher who showed wonderful ability at her first ever All Ireland. We are bound to hear more of Grace in future events.

FETHARD DAY CARE CENTRE
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Day Care Centre committee will take place on Thursday 3rd February at 7pm in the Tirry Community Centre.


ANNUAL BOOK FAIR
Don't forget the Fethard Historical Society's annual Tipperariana Book Fair which will be held on Sunday afternoon 13th February, in the Ballroom. Unwanted books are urgently required for the society's own stall. Please contact any committee member to arrange collection or ring Dóirín Saurus 052 31936.

PADDY DALTON
The announcement of the death in New York of Paddy Dalton, formerly Redcity, came as a great shock to his many friends and acquaintances in Fethard. The last surviving member of an unique old Fethard family, Paddy though 45 years in the USA always remained a true Fethard man. Always one of the first emigrants to acknowledge the receipt of the annual newsletter he always concluded his letter with the old rallying cry "Up Fethard".
A prominent playing member of Fethard football and Coolmoyne hurling championship winning teams of the late forties and early fifties, he played with the Tipps in New York and was very actively involved with the New York Tipperary Mans Association. Circulation locally at present is a programme of the 1952 Tipperary v Cork Munster Senior Football Championship semifinal which shows Paddy Dalton, Fethard, as corner-forward.
Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife and family in New York. May he rest in peace.

ROPED AND TIED
James Balfe formerly assistant farrier to Stephen Foyle at Coolmore, has currently in Australia won the 1999 Novice Steer Roping Championship title on the last season New South Wales rodeo circuit. When one considers that New South Wales is double the size of Ireland and that James only took up the highly skilful and very dangerous sport after emigrating, his performance is all the more meritorious.
Best of luck in future competitions to Fethard's lone 'Coolmore Cowboy'.

FETHARD MACRA
Congratulations to our senior debating team who won the County Final of the competition last weekend. This win qualifies the team for the All Ireland finals which will be held in March. Representing Fethard were Chris O'Riordan (chairperson), Mairead Croke, Declan Morrissey and Brendan Morrissey.
Club members are presently busy practising for the Dublin City Talent Competition which takes place on Friday next 28th January. Next club meeting takes place on Tuesday 1sy February in Lonergans.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred in England of Mr Tommy King, formerly of The Green, Fethard. Interment took place in England.