COMMUNITY GAMES MUNSTER FINALS
Competitors from Fethard/Killusty Area had a good day at the ESB Community Games Munster Finals in the University of Limerick on Saturday last. We had 3 winners and 6 seconds from the area in the Judo competition. Fethard Boys Volleyball Team became Munster Champions and the girls were runners up. Judo winners were: Padraig O’Shea, Lorraine Feery and Richard Gorey. Runners up were: Gary Bradshaw, Emma Walsh, Aobh O’Shea, Katie Coen, Samantha Feery, Cathal Gorey. Other members of Fethard Judo Club who were successful were Niall O’Donnell and Stephanie Lawrence who will represent Cahir and Clerihan. Orla O’Donnell (Cahir) was second. Well done to Eric O’Donnell and the club who never come home empty handed. Thanks to Patricia Bradshaw and Josephine O’Donnell who officiated at the games.
Denis Burke was very confident about the strength of his boys volleyball team all year and his hopes were realized when the lads became Munster Champions beating Sixmilebridge, Co. Clare, by two sets to nil. This was a great performance and they were worthy winners of the ‘Sean Murphy Mohawk’ trophy, which was presented to Captain Stephen O’Meara, Knockbrack, by Co. Tipperary senior footballer, Aiden Fitzgerald, who was a guest at the games. Team members were: Stephen O’Meara, Christopher Sheehan, Liam Ryan, Aaron O’Donovan, Declan Doyle, Cathal Gorey, Alan O’Connor, Joe Fogarty, Paul McCarthy, Michael Fleming, Lory Kenny and Chris Horan. Team Managers were Denis Burke and Liam Frewen.
The girls volleyball team consisted of Emma Walsh, Stephanie Fitzgerald, Sinead Coffey, Sarah Mai Ahearne, Margaret Smyth, Ciara Aylward, Suzanne Gorey and Gillian O’Connell. Team managers were Denis Burke, Mary Gorey and Liam Frewen. This team were out of luck in their final when they were beaten by Tramore. Jennifer Keane was volleyball coordinator.
Bernard Feery, Killusty co-ordinated the boy’s under/15 Indoor Soccer, won by Waterford. Judo winners will compete in Mosney on the first weekend which is 15th – 17th August, along with David Gorey (Model Making) Cathal Maher and Laura Rice (Art). The boy’s volleyball team compete on the second weekend, 22nd-24th August along with Michael Costello (athletics). The area will have a total of 19 competitors at this year’s National Finals.
Passport type photo must be handed in to Bernard Feery, Secretary, Killusty, or to Community Games Office (Peggy Colville), Grove Road, immediately as there is a closing date on registration.

PROGRESSIVE 25 RESULTS
Results for Progressive 25 game played on Friday 4th July. Winners on 12 games: Teresa Cummins and Brigid Hayes. Second on 11 games: Jackie Davitt and Chas Keane. Table Prizewinners: Greta O’Donovan and Philly Kenny. Rubber Final Winners: Paddy and Tom McCormack, Tess Maher and Paddy Butler, Phyllis Murray and Ciss Neville, Jim and Mary Garrett.
Results for Progressive 25 game played on Friday 11th July. Winners on 13 games: Hannie Leahy and Michael Phelan. Runners up on 12 games: Jimmy McCarthy and Michael Lonergan, Sean Spillane and Chris Maher, Chris Coleville and Joe Godfrey. Rubber Final Winners: Paddy and Tom McCormack, Phyllis Murray and Breda Nolan, Lory Byrne and Michael Murphy. Next game Friday 18th July at 8.45 sharp.

JUVENILE GAA CLUB
It has been yet another victorious week for our Juvenile Hurling teams and the under/12s have won their 6th match in a row to confirm their place in the semifinal. No date or place has been set but they had a convincing win over Killenaule on Wednesday evening last in Killenaule. It was to date the hardest match played but these young players did their club proud and now await their next match, we wish them the greatest of luck and all credit to Liam, Jim, Martin and Ian.
The under/14s have also done the club proud with their second win in a row in their championship bid with a great win over Ballybacon Grange at home on Thursday last. They are away to Cahir next Thursday and we wish them the best of luck.
The club would also like to congratulate the people that did so well in the Munster Finals in Limerick on Saturday last and we wish them the best of luck in the next round.

FETHARD GAA CLUB
On Saturday 12th July our senior footballers secured a quarter final place in the County Championship when we defeated our old rivals Moyle Rovers in a low scoring game played in ideal conditions in Kilsheelan. The final score was, Fethard 0-8 (0-2), Moyle Rovers 0-6 (0-4). This win gives the club football up to September at least. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald (capt), Damien Byrne, Michael Ahearne, Tom Anglim, Alan Phelan, Cian Maher, Stephen O’Donnell, P J Ahearne, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-1, Carl Maher 0-2 (1f), Michael Dillon 0-1, Miceál Spillane 0-1, Conor McCarthy, Brian Coen 0-2, and Willie Morrissey. Subs used: Tomas Keane, Colin Allen 0-1, and Kenneth Byrne. Our next game in the championship is in the South semifinal in around 4 weeks time. We also have one remaining game in the County League against Moyle Rovers.
In intermediate hurling we play Annacarty in the County League on 15th July. Report next week. Our next game in the South Championship will be played on weekending 28th July.
Our Junior B football game played on Wednesday 9th July resulted in a loss, on a scoreline, Fethard 1-10 (1-7), Clonmel Commercials 0-16 (0-5). This fine sporting game played in Ned Hall Park, proves that if the players do not go to Fethard Gaa Park and train they will not advance in the competition. Team: Kenny Hackett, Kevin Coffey, Chris Coen, Paraic Cloonan, Paul Hackett, Philly Blake 0-1, Shane Walsh, Garreth Byrne, Colm Coen 0-1, M J Croke, Joe Keane 0-3 (1f), Shane Aylward 0-1, Martin Coen 0-3 (1f), Michael O’Riordan, Shay Coen 1-1. Subs used were Paul McDonald and Kenneth Sheehan.
In the intermediate hurling south championship we beat Fr Sheehys in Clonmel on Sunday last on a scoreline, Fethard 2-14, Fr Sheehys 1-13, giving us six points out of a possible eight, with four games to go. Our county league game against Annacarty takes place in Fethard on Tuesday 15th July at 8pm.
On the 1st July in Cloneen we had a convincing win against Mullinahone in the start of our Junior B Football campaign, the final score being, Fethard 4-14 (2-6), Mullinahone 1-5 (0-3). The team was: Kenny Hackett, Sean Og Ryan, Willie Quigley, Paraic Cloonan, Paul Hackett, Philly Blake, Michael Costello, Chris Coen 0-2, Colm Coen 0-3, M J Croke 1-1, Joe Keane 2-3, Shane Aylward 0-1, Martin Coen 0-4 (3f), Michael O’Riordan 1-0 and Paul McDonald. Subs used were: Paul Kenrick, Shane Walsh, Noel Barry, John Hanrahan and Kevin Coffey. Our next game in this competition is on Wednesday 9th July. Report next week.
Our Minor B Hurling commenced on Saturday 5th July in Cloneen against Mullinahone, resulting in a final scoreline of: Mullinahone 3-18 (2-7), Fethard 2-6 (1-5). The team was: Keith Lawrence, Paul Kenny, Paul Kenrick, Mike Kelly, Liam Frewen, Shane Walsh 0-2 (1f), Liam Ryan, Jamie McCormack (sub P J Morrissey), Darren O’Meara, John Leahy, Alan Burke 1-4 (2f), Ned Allen (sub Shane Aylward), Connie O’Flynn, William Doyle and Darragh Corbett 1-0. Our next game is against Cahir (check sports page for fixture).
The report on our Junior Football ‘A’ game against Newcastle will appear next week.
The Junior Hurling B game against Ballybacon Grange takes place on Sunday 20th July at 5pm in Marlfield. The Minor Hurling B game against Cahir takes place on Wednesday 23rd July in Ardfinnan at 7.30 pm.
Our Juvenile under/14 B hurlers are away to St Patricks on Thursday 24th at 7pm, and our under/16 B hurling team are at home to Ballybacon on Monday 21st at 7pm.
Our Lotto Jackpot of €1,700 was won weekending 5th July by Jim Williams (Killusty), this gives us a total payout since the 14th May 2003, of €11,700 to lucky people who buy our tickets each week. Thank you for your continued support.
Last week our new jackpot was not won. We had five match three winners who received €30 each: Paula Gahan (Cedar Grove), Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan), Michael O’Rahilly (Bawnbrack, Killenaule), Joan O’Brien (Woodvale Walk), and Anna Cooke (St Patricks Place). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Bernie Byrne (Claremore). The numbers drawn were 3 , 6 , 14 and 15.
We offer our sympathies to the Nagle Family at this time on the passing off Mary O’Connor (nee Nagle) formerly (Grove Road ), who played Camogie for a good number of years. and to the Family of John Treacy (The Valley) on his recent Bereavement. Go nDeanai Trocair Orthu.

INTERMEDIATE HURLING
Fethard 2-14, Fr Sheehys 1-13.
This was no easy game for last year’s South Champions who were made fight all the way in a keenly contested contest which was played in Clonmel on Sunday evening 6th July. With both teams guilty of missed chances, Fethard had 13 wides and Fr Sheehys 12 wides, during the game. A strong wind favoured Fethard in the first half leaving the score, Fethard 1-7, Fr Sheehys 0-5, at half time. The scorers were: Jamie McCormack 1-1, Colin Allen 0-3 (1f), Aidan Fitzgerald, Shane Walsh and Miceál Spillane scoring 0-1each; with Fr Sheehy’s Liam O’Connor scoring 0-3 (1f), Liam Fleming and J D Sweeney having a point each. Fr Sheehys amassed eight wides to Fethard’s four, so the halftime score could so easily have been level, had Fr Sheehys taken their chances. In the second half Fethard upped their game, Fr Sheehys introduced Michael Fleming at half time for Brendan English, and they seemed to play with more purpose. Liam O’Connor, outstanding at centre forward, seemed to pop up at the end of every move to score freely, adding 1-7 to his first half 3 points, scoring 1-10 out of their total 1-13. Liam Fleming scored 0-1 in this period. Fethard replied with Miceál Spillane scoring 1-2, Michael Dillon, Colin Allen (free), Owen Doyle, Stephen O’Donnell and Brian Coen all getting 1 point each, to give a final score of Fethard 2-14, Fr Sheehys 1-13. Those who played well for Fethard were: Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan, Tomas Keane, P.J. Ahearn, Brian Coen and Miceál Spillane. Fr Sheehy players who caught the eye were: Liam O’Connor, Liam Fleming and J. D. Sweeney. Fethard team: Paul Fitzgerald, Philly Croke, Michael Ryan, Shay Ryan, Tomas Keane, Stephen O’Donnell 0-1, Michael Ahearn, Colin Allen 0-4 (2f), P J Ahearn, Cian Maher, Aidan Fitzgerald 0-1 (sub Owen Doyle 0-1), Brian Coen 0-1, Jamie McCormack 1-1 (sub Michael Dillon 0-1), Miceál Spillane 1-3, Shane Walsh 0-1 (sub Kevin O’Donnell). Fr Sheehys team: Brendan Walsh, John Corbett, Frankie Wyse, James Butler, Emmet O’Brien (sub Brendan English), Willie Clancy, Richie McGrath, Declan English, Liam Fleming 0-2, Brendan English, Liam O’Connor 1-10 (5f), J D Sweeney 0-1, Eoin Myers, Tom Tierney (sub John Sheehan) and Mike Maher.

HOSPICE COLLECTION
South Tipperary Hospice would like to thank everyone who contributed to their annual Church Gate Collection last weekend in Fethard and Moyglass. A total of €1,581.20 was collected for this very worthy cause.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the Fethard and Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 8th July were: 7, 17, 20 and 29. There was no Jackpot Winner and three 'Match 3' winners who received €50 each:
Dermot Darcy, Patricks Place, Fethard.
Dermot Darcy, Patricks Place, Fethard.
Pat Ship, Group Homes, Fethard.
The three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners of €50 were:
Breda Fitzgerald, Owen/Biggs Lot, Cashel.
Ian Cooke, 49 St. Patricks Place, Fethard.
Theresa Cummins, Burke St., Fethard.
The Jackpot remains at €10,000 and next weeks Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

FETHARD BOY SCOUTS
On Saturday June 28th, scouts took part in a fun camping weekend in Dundrum, the scout section of the troop went up to the Galtee lakes, Lough Dihneen and Curra, under the shadow of Galtymore mountain. A hike we never done before, with a very tough climb at the start but the reward was a fantastic view which everyone agreed was well worth the walk. In attendance on the hike were leaders, John Noonan, David Kennedy and Philip O'Donnell, and scouts Mike McCarthy, Dermot Culligan, Kieran Barrett, Paul McCarthy, Declan Doyle and Kieran 'Curly' O'Connell, whose first hike it was with the troop - well done Curly! Missing from the hike was Robert Phelan, who remained behind in Dundrum to help out with the cub section of the troop, with cub section leader, John Cloonan.
June 27th, 28th and 29th saw the Fethard cubs and scouts head to Dundrum for the weekend under canvas. Friday night’s activities (after the work was done of course) included games and a night hike in the wood after supper before everyone ‘retired’ to their respective tents.
Saturday morning and early afternoon was occupied with games and activities around the campsite for the cubs while the scouts headed off to the Galtees for a hike. On their return form the hike Scout Leaders, ‘Stiff’ and ‘Nugget’ prepared a commando bridge in the wood for the cubs. This proved to be very enjoyable and wet for some but helped work up an appetite for the tasty barbecue cooked by Bobby, Nugget, Mickey and Dermot. The traditional campfire took place on Saturday night with Mickey, Kieran and Declan demonstrating their musical talents playing with some non-traditional campfire songs on the guitar.
Our expert scouts gave the cubs an introduction to orienteering on Sunday after Mass (we start training them young!). On the way back the scouts stumbled across the commando bridge … one wonders did they actually use the bridge to cross the water at all, judging by the state of them when they returned to the den. After a quick clean up and a bit to eat it was off home for us, to enjoy a good nights sleep.

DEATH OF SR. ÁINE
The death has occurred on 11th July of Sister M. Áine Ryan, Presentation Convent Fethard. The late Sister Áine, who was over 50 years professed, spent her entire teaching career at Fethard Presentation Convent. She will be fondly remembered as Sr. Thomas by many past-pupils of the Presentation Convent National School.
Interment took place in the Presentation Convent Cemetery.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred on Sunday 13th July of Mr John Treacy, The Valley, Fethard, and formerly of Barrettstown. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery.

TIPPS TOP
Tipperary Foxhounds were the top prize-winning pack at the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association Championship Foxhound Show held at Stradbally, Co. Laoise, on July 6th. The Tipps won four first prizes and three second prizes. Their successes were in the following classes, The Nancy Connell Challenge Cup for best unentered dog, with ‘Chopper’; the John Watson Cup for best couple unentered doghounds, with ‘Charmer’ and ‘Chester’; the Dick Russell Cup with ‘Charmer’; the Isaac Bell Cup for best unentered bitch, with ‘Chapel’ and 2nd with ‘Chamber’; second prize in the Horse and Hound Cup, with ‘Chamber’ and ‘Chapel’.
The hounds were shown by huntsman Pat O’Brien and 1st Whip, James O’Donnell. Fifteen of Irelands leading foxhound packs competed.
Making his first appearance in an official capacity at the show, since taking up position as 1st Whip and Kennel Huntsman to the Kilmoganny Harriers, was Paul O’Brien, son of Tipperary Huntsman, Pat O’Brien. They say that good hurlers, good jockeys and good musicians are born not made. The same could be said, even more so about good huntsmen. Paul O’Brien is certainly a born huntsman. He seems to be gifted with that rapport between man and hound which the late doyen of huntsmen, Capt Ronnie Wallace described as an invisible thread.
Paul is a fully qualified butcher and boner. He worked at the victualler business both at the retail and factory sections before deciding to follow his heart into hunting. His very many friends in Tipperary hunting circles will join in wishing Paul every success in his new career.

CYCLING NEWS
Regular readers of this column will know we have followed the career of cyclist Ray Clarke with interest since he won the under/15 Irish Road Race Championship as a juvenile rider. Ray surpassed all expectations in finishing third to two Korean riders in the track cycling meet in Agile, Switzerland. Track cycling is a highly specialised discipline in the sport. The game is as much about tactics and hard work as speed and skill. When the riders come down off the highest perimeter of the track, into the bends at speeds of up to 50mph, it is certainly no place for the faint hearted.
Ray’s performance is nothing short of unbelievable when considering that Ireland has no track racing facilities of note. Competing at present with Cycleways / Lee Strand, Ray was one of a special squad selected for track cycling coaching last February. Organiser Ciarán McKenna brought over Olympic track racing champion Chris Boardman from England to coach the squad. Ray Clarke’s performance in Switzerland was enough to get him on the Irish team that will compete in the Olympic games in Athens next year.
We wish him the very best of luck and will follow his progress with great interest. One thing for sure, he certainly will not be lacking in heart and endeavour.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
At a very pleasant function held in Bob Grant’s Bar on Friday night last, a serious wrong was righted. Sean Hanrahan was presented with a South Tipperary Junior Hurling Championship medal won with Killenaule in 1948. John Hurley, vice-chairman of Fethard GAA Club, presented Grace Pollard and Olwyn O’Brien with a Tipperary Senior Football Championship medal, won in 1942 by their father, the late Derek Wall.
William O’Grady, president of Killenaule GAA Club, made the presentation to Sean Hanrahan. Tributes to both players were spoken. Derek Wall was an all-round sportsman, and also took a very keen interest in racing being a regular attender to all South of Ireland tracks.
Sean Hanrahan in replying and thanking the organisers certainly lived up to his reputations as the locality’s greatest wit. Sean said, in a very hurt tone of voice, “ I’m surprised that the M.C. in stating that I got my second level education in the school of hard knocks and graduated from the ‘University of Life’, never mentioned the fact that I was in Rockwell.”
Stunned silence greeted the remark.
After a suitable pause, Sean added, “ Well I was at the Ploughing Match!”
Sean Walsh was chief coordinator of the event and responsible, with his good wife and daughter, for the refreshments provided. Noel Byrne looked after the supplying of the Fethard 1942 Senior Football medal. The organisers also greatly appreciated the attendance of Miceál McCormack, vice-chairman of South Tipperary GAA Board.