Saturday 17th April 2004
FETHARD & DISTRICT RUGBY CLUB The club will finish their season on this Friday evening with an Inter-Club Blitz and Barbecue. Starting time is 6.30pm which will be followed by a tag rugby match in which Clonmel Ladies will take on our team of coaches and parents. Members please note the club’s AGM will be held on Thursday 29th April and not as previously noted. NEWBRIDGE REVISITED A plaque on the upstream side of the bridge says, “Richard Burke M.F.H. 1890”. Though now 114 years erected, it is still known as the Newbridge. Since then, the deep hole on the down stream side of the bridge has been used as the local ‘Sandybanks’, Tramore and Clonea, all rolled into one. Having personally swam there annually for over 60 years, I paid a nostalgic visit to Newbridge during the week to see the notices at first hand. As we looked from the bridge, we remembered all the happy hours spent there when, “All the world was young, and all the fields were green”. We recalled the good and not so good swimmers of yesteryear and remembered especially the very few experts such as Dick Gough, Derek Wall and Paddy O’Sullivan, all now alas no longer with us, who were able to dive from the bridge. This feat required the diver to clear about 12 feet of concrete from the not so high bridge, and then make a shallow dive, as the water was none to deep. The opening line of The Old House, “Lonely I wander through scenes of my childhood”, come very much to mind and no doubt former Newbridge swimmers, some now scattered world wide, will also have very happy memories of long lazy summer days spent near the crystal clear cool waters, fed by Mullinbawn springs. Insurance problems have closed down many local amenities nationwide. Mr and Mrs Ponsonby have, with great regret, been obliged to withdraw the swimming facility at Newbridge. We feel sure the locals will respect their decision. On behalf of all who enjoyed the privilege of swimming at Newbridge over the years, we would like to thank them sincerely for their courtesy, especially in recent years, when the privilege was more than somewhat abused by leaving litter, breaking fencing, on what, after all, is private property. (T.N.) DIED RECENTLY SOCCER FOR FUN WALKING FOR HEALTH BLUEGRASS DOUBLE BILL FOR ABYMILL 'Brooklyn Bluegrass Maestro' Orrin Star is a nationally recognized folk & bluegrass performer and teacher based in Brooklyn, NY. Winner of the 1976 National Flatpicking Championship (the largest bluegrass guitar contest in the country), he plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, sings, and performs solo, duo and with his band Orrin Star & the Sultans of String. His repertoire spans old-time, western swing, Celtic and original songwriting in addition to more mainstream bluegrass and folk material. An accomplished storyteller and entertainer (he worked as a stand-up comic for five years in the Boston area) he has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and has three recordings on Flying Fish Records. He is the author of a popular guitar instruction book (“Hot Licks for Bluegrass Guitar”, Oak Publications) and a columnist for Flatpicking Guitar magazine. He is also a recording engineer/producer specializing in acoustic music. An avocational graphic designer, his hobbies include table tennis, zydeco dancing and cribbage. The members of Grassroots have enjoyed playing and singing bluegrass music for over thirty years. The band was formed in 1973 with the line up of Kelvin Fosberry on banjo and harmony vocals, Barry Martyn on mandolin and fiddle, Terry McCarthy on lead and harmony vocals and Ron Nesbitt on bass, lead and harmony vocals. The late 1970's early 80's were extremely busy for the band, with success coming in numerous country music competitions and the release of three LP's. Without doubt the high spot for the group was an invitation to represent Great Britain at the 1979 Nashville Fan Fair where they played on both the International and Bluegrass Shows and performed on stage with the father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe. Today some 31 years after its conception the band is still going strong, playing numerous concerts and festivals both in the U.K. and continental Europe. Their latest CD, released in February 2004, 'The Original And Genuine' consists entirely of original material, written and performed by the band. COMMUNITY JACKPOT NOW €6,100 Margaret Doocey, Abbey Road, Fethard Lucky dip winners of €50 each were: Nellie Heffernan, Barrack St., Fethard. Eamon Keane, Barrack St., Fethard, Liam Daly, Fethard. Next weeks Jackpot is €6,100. Jackpot sellers prize €500. ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FETHARD & KILLUSTY LONDON REUNION THE WELL GOLF SOCIETY Juniors: 1st Brian Kennedy, 29pts; 2nd James Smyth, 27pts. COMMUNITY GAMES The County Finals of under 11 Rugby took place in Fethard Community Sportsfield on Sunday, April 18th. Our local team were defeated by Nenagh in the semifinal who then played Powerstown/Lisronagh in the final. Powerstown emerged County Champions and we wish them the best of luck in Munster finals in July. Indoor Soccer Quarterfinals and semifinals of the under/13 boys Indoor Soccer took place in Rockwell College on Thursday last. Fethard boys had a great victory over Powerstown with a final score of 9-2 (full report in main sports notes). Fethard team consisted of Ciaran Ryan, Darren Connolly, Adam Lyons, Damien Morrissey, Jake Maher and Ben Walsh. Also on the team was Daniel Hickey. Outdoor Soccer Fethard played Mullinahone on Thursday last in Mullinahone and had a 4-1 win. Tommy Sheehan scored 2 goals. Dylan Fitzgerald and Alan Lawrence scored a goal each. Athletics Area athletics will take place in Fethard Community Sportsfield on Friday, April 30th Commencing at 6.30 pm. Entry fee €2 covers all events. FETHARD GAA CLUB Out Lotto Jackpot of €3,900 was not won. The numbers drawn at Lonergans Bar were 10, 13, 19 and 24. We had three match threes winners of €50 each: Eileen Burke (Redcity), Lisa Nolan, c/o Noelle Doyle (St Patricks Place), and Austy Godfrey (Derryluskin). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Denis Burke (Redcity). FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB On Wednesday 14th April we played the first round of the Club Championship and the results were: 1st Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara; 2nd Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn; 1st Nett: Mary and Pattie Tobin; 2nd Nett: Philly Kenny and Margaret Mary McCormack. Our game on 7th April was sponsored by FBD Investments which was omitted from our notes last week. Next Wednesday, 28th April we will play the final round of the Club Championship. Just a reminder that we will be playing for the President’s Prize on 12th May, which is one week earlier than originally scheduled, and our AGM will be on 19th May. Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O’Brien at Tel: 052 31862. PROGRESSIVE 25 RESULTS Results for game played on 16th April were: Winners on 13 games: Tony Kelly and Pat O’Dwyer. Runners up on 11 games: Sean O’Callaghan and Michael O’Brien. Table Prize: Bernie and Robert Phelan. Rubber Finals: Sean Spillane and Chris Maher; Biddy O’Donnell and Mick Holohan. Tickets: Margaret Phelan, Nora Lee and Willie Kennedy. Next game takes place in Fethard Ballroom on Friday 23rd April at 8.45 sharp. WALKERS WANTED This year, however, a number of the group are unable to take part and a few new recruits are urgently needed. Judging by the number of ladies regularly seen walking the Ballybough Cashel Road and other local circuits, these should not be too difficult to find. Any local ladies willing to help are asked to contact, Diane Halpin on 052 31013 or Bernadette O’Meara on 052 32329. ACE OF TRUMPS At most of these far flung halls, at least one, sometimes more, come up to him and ask, “Are you Sean Walsh?”, usually followed by, “that used to hurl with Killenaule”. Indeed, Sean with his blonde hair, white boots, which were 40 years before their time, and usual excellent performances at center-full, made him stand out on the playing field. Sean, in his playing days, was known as ‘3D Walsh’, having played in three Tipperary divisions in own year. Maybe from now on he will be known as the ‘Six County Card Player’. Sean says, it is his intention to play cards at 100 different venues. When he accomplishes this it will perhaps, entitle him to be included in the Guinness Book of Records. |