Racing Successes
Two local trainers paid successful visits to the Tipperary Foxhounds Point-to-Point held at Dundrum on Sunday last.  Michael Philips, Ballyvaden, recorded a double with ‘Port Salon’, in the Confined Hunt Maiden, and ‘Emmet Hotel’.  Thomond O’Meara, Grangebarry, won the 4-year-old Maiden Race for Mares and Geldings with ‘Boulevardofdreams’.

Damage to Trees
Unfortunately we again have to report vandalism to trees on Main Street.  The tree outside Barmore Supermarket on Main Street has been vandalised for the second time over the Easter weekend.  This wanton damage to our streets is unacceptable and a reward has now been offered to anyone who will forward information leading to the successful prosecution of the culprit.

Recent Deaths
The death has occurred in Croydon, England, of Ms Anna O’Donnell, Croydon, formerly Anna Danagher, Kilknockin Road, Fethard.  Interment took place in England.

The death has occurred in Birmingham of Ms Eileen Murphy, formerly of Sparagoleith, Fethard.  Interment took place in Birmingham.

The death has occurred on March 22nd of Mr Paddy Ryan (Little Paddy), Tirry Park, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

The death has occurred on March 23rd of Mrs Alice Keane, Knockelly and Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard. Interment took place at Peppardstown Cemetery.

Helicopter Hi Jinks
A perilous rotary incident lately occurred in the Fethard area, about which a young pilot would like to get some answers. He was on a flying exercise over Fethard when he noticed a rattle in the passenger door of his two-seat helicopter. He decided to land into a field overlooking the town to check it out as it could cause a problem if it came open in flight. He hopped out, leaving the engine idling, and closed the door properly. As he was on the ground and he still had an hour to fly back to base, he decided to stretch his legs. Whilst in the act, he noticed a man out walking the fields with two small dogs. While turning to re-button his overalls he heard the engine of the helicopter revving up. Fearing that the throttle had shot forward by itself, he looked around expecting the machine to flip over and crash. He was surprised to see the walker sitting in his seat with the two dogs on the passenger seat. As he ran towards the craft to get them out before they did any damage, it took off and hovered twenty feet over his head. It then flew over the hedge and landed in the next field.

The mystery pilot, wearing a red woolly hat, jumped out with his dogs and ran off into the woods nearby. The young pilot retrieved his machine. He has quietly been making investigations into the incident. He cannot be named as he could loose his license if the Aviation Authority found out that he left the helicopter without first closing down the engine.

If anybody knows anything about the incident or knows the man with the dogs who can fly a helicopter he would be interested in the information. The pilot continued his exercise that day, and once he had determined that no damage had been done by the rogue pilot, flew off over Lakefield.

(N Gawe)

Community Games Art and Model Making
There was a large amount of entries for the Community Games Art and Model making competition this year.  Many of the pictures were of very high standard and the judges had a difficult job sorting the winners.  However, there are winners and losers in everything and the fun of participation is the main thing. The following are the medallists.

Girls Under 8: (1st) Aine Proudfoot, (2nd) Cassandra Needham, (3rd) Megan McCarthy. Girls Under/10: (1st) Jennifer Rice, (2nd) Aobh O’Shea, (3rd) Emma Hayes.

Girls Under/12: (1st) Faye Manton, (2nd) Jane Holohan, (joint 3rd) Nicole Looby and Evie O Sullivan.

Girls Under/14: (1st) Laura Rice, (2nd) Katie O’Shea, (joint 3rd) Jane Kenny and Bridget O’Reilly.

Boys Under/8: (1st) Alex O’Donovan, (2nd) Eoin O’Donovan, (3rd) Conor Mackey Boys Boys Under/10: (1st) Donal Walsh, (2nd) Charlie Manton, (3rd) Eoghain Hurley.

Boys Under/12: (1st) Louis Rice, (2nd) Michael Smyth, (3rd) Brian Delahunty.

Boys Under/14: (1st) Joseph Thompson.
Model Making Girls Under/10: (1st) Amy Sweeney.

Model Making Boys U/14: (1st) Gerry Horan, (2nd) Mark Fogarty.

There were strong family ties in the Art competition with the Rice family, Everardsgrange having a treble with Jennifer, Louis and Laura all winning gold and the two qualifiers in the boys under 8 were first cousins, Alex O’Donovan, Moanbeg, and Eoin O’Donovan, The Valley.  The first two in each event qualify the county final which will take place in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday 2nd April at 1pm.  Entry fee is €2 each which much be paid to local secretary before start of competition.
Competitors must bring all their own material i.e. paper, paints, pencils etc. The theme of entry must be of a sporting nature. Competitors will be allowed three hours to complete their entry which will be judged immediately after the event.  Medals will be awarded to first, second and third and the winner will qualify for the national finals in Mosney in August.  We hope people are putting on their thinking caps and will travel to the under 14 Juvenile quiz which will take place in Presentation Secondary School in Thurles on Wednesday, 6th April at 8pm. and first county final is the cross country event which will take place in Thurles Crokes field on Friday, 1st April. I am sure members of Fethard Athletic Club are looking forward to this event.

Enquiries to secretary, Bernard Feery, at Tel: 052 31023. Bernard has now compiled the schedule of games for the county finals of the Indoor Soccer event which will take place just down the road at the Monroe Complex over two weeks, April 14th and 21st.

Fethard U/13 boys will play Clerihan in match three at approx 7.15pm on 14th April, and Fethard U/15 boys play Clerihan at 6.45pm on 21st April.  All finals will be completed on 21st April.  All areas taking must pay a fee of €10 per team to pay for the cost of the complex.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games Committee would like to express their sincere sympathy to chairman, Joe Keane, and his family, on the recent death of his mother, Mrs. Alice Keane, Fr. Tirry Park, who was buried on Good Friday in Peppardstown.  May she rest in peace.

Fethard Ladies Football Club
Reminder that the Annual General Meeting of Fethard Ladies Football Club will take place this Friday night, 1st April, in Tirry Community Centre at 8.30pm.  Please attend and show your support of the club.  All are welcome.

Fethard Juvenile GAA
Our unde/12s played two more games on Saturday last in Killenaule winning both, against St. Pats and Killenaule. The under/12s play their first round of the championship on 7th April against Commercials in Clonmel. The Peil gets underway this coming Friday, 1st April, in Fethard, time to be confirmed.  The under/16s next match is away to Cahir on Monday, 4th April, at 6.45pm.  Bus leaving GAA field at 6 pm. 

All membership fees are now overdue and can be given to any of our team managers. Well done to the Fethard minors on their win against Ballingarry last weekend. Training for under/6s, 8s and 10s will commence on Saturday, 9th April, new faces welcome. Hurling training will also start shortly for all teams.

Results of the Easter raffle are as follows: 1st prize, Delores Shelly, Woodvale Walk, Fethard; 2nd, seller Ronan Fitzgerald; 3rd, Michael O’Dwyer. Thanks to all who supported us. Next meeting of all committee members will take place on Thursday, 7th April, at 8pm in the Tirry Centre.

Our sympathy is extended to the Keane family, St Patricks Place, and to the family of Paddy Ryan, on their recent bereavements.

Fethard GAA Club News
All footballers and hurlers are now back in training.  Football training takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays, and hurling training on Thursday for the present.  We ask all those who wish to play in 2005 to come to the field and all are welcome.  Now is the time, not on the Friday before a match, as the selectors will be shortly compiling panels for the coming year. Do not forget to pay your membership fees: Adult €20 and Juvenile €10, as you will be unable to play if not paid.

The Minor B Football South Championship started on Easter Saturday when we played Ballingarry in Killenaule and came away with a win, Fethard 2-7 (1-3), Ballingarry (0-3) 1-7.  This year it is played on a league system with five matches to play in the B section. On Saturday last we had an outstanding performance from Christopher Sheehan who had a personal tally of 2-3 (0-2 frees), with Thomas Gilpin scoring 0-1, Declan Doyle 0-2 (1f), and Liam O’Brien (0-1f). The team on the night was: Glen O’Meara (Strylea), James Smyth (Strylea), Liam Ryan (Slievenamon Close), Alan O’Connor (St. Patricks Place), David Prout (Derryluskin), Connie O’Flynn (Rathkenny), Niall Hayes (Cashel Rd), Liam O’Brien (Rosegreen Rd), Richard Gorey (Jesuit Walk), Peter Gough (St. Patricks Plc), John Leahy (Derryluskin), Stephen O’Meara (The Valley), Declan Doyle (Strylea), Thomas Gilpin (The Valley), Christopher Sheehan (Woodvale Walk).  Subs were: Cathal Gorey (Jesuit Walk), Aaron O’Donovan (The Valley), and James Darcy (Killusty). Our next game is against St Patricks Gaels.

Fethard Junior B Team continued in the County League with a game played in Fethard on Easter Sunday.  On this occasion we went down on a scoreline, Fethard 0-10, to Ballylooby /Castlegrace 1-11, who were stronger, fitter and more accurate in taking their chances.  Our Team was: Glen O’Meara, Connie O’Flynn, Shane Walsh, Diarmuid Burke, James Smyth, Darren O’Meara, Mike Kelly, Brian Burke, Jamie McCormack, Brendan Brett 0-7 (5f), Kevin O’Donnell 0-2, Shane Aylward, Paul Kenrick 0-1f, John Fitzgerald and John Hanrahan.  Subs used were: Philly Croke, Ronan O’Meara and Philly Blake.  Our next game in this competition is away to St Patricks on weekending 10th April.
The new County Board Draw was launched in Thurles on Easter Sunday in the Sarsfield Centre, so please keep your support to the promoters who will be calling in the next few weeks.
Club Membership is €20 Adults, and €10 Juveniles, which are now due.  Forms can be requested from our secretary or treasurer as the deadline for 2005 is approaching fast.
Our Lotto Jackpot of €1,300 was not won.  The numbers drawn were 9, 13, 15 and 24. We had one match three winner of €150 which went to Brian Walsh (Baptistgrange).  The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Rena Sheehan (264 Elm Park Clonmel).
Our sympathies are at this time with the Keane (family) Knockelly on the death of their mother Alice. Go Ndeanai Dhia Trocaire Orthu.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results
The numbers on Tuesday 22nd March were: 3, 5, 14 and 26. There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner who received €150:

Gussie Slattery, Kilnockin, Fethard

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Greta O'Dwyer, Red City, Fethard

Cathy O'Brien, c/o Annie O'Brien, Main Street, Fethard

Carmel Shine, St. Patrick's Place, Fethard

Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Fethard & Killusty London Reunion
A reminder that this year’s Fethard & Killusty London Reunion will take place on Saturday 11th June, at St. Anthony's Parish Centre, Live band and buffet food. £10 per head to defray the cost. Starting at 8pm this year. There is a Premier Lodge directly opposite the Venue, these typically offer a good standard of room at around £60 per night. For further details contact Paul Looby (London) at Tel: +44 (0) 7967 648244.

Cheltenham's Dinner for Jimmy
The following report was supplied by Philippa Coady.

Cheltenham without Jimmy Ryan?  Not possible I hear you cry.  Well sadly it happened this year.  Even the hotel staff missed him!  He may not have been there physically but he was first and foremost in a lot of people’s minds.  I was there for the four days and I never met anyone who didn't either know him personally or who had not heard of him and many regrets were expressed at his absence. Exchanging pleasantries at the bar with complete strangers, several said, “We're from … and before you ask, yes, we did know The Buck.”  Such was his notoriety and a fitting tribute to him!

Sixty of his close friends attended the memorial Mass on Wednesday morning in the Queen’s Hotel during which a priest, who frequently bantered with Jimmy, said “Let’s say a prayer to Our Lady to look after him - after all she was a woman and we all know how Jimmy liked the women!”  A lighter moment in what was a sad occasion.

Dinner on Wednesday evening was attended by 44 people - a number which could easily have been tripled but space in the Queen’s was at a premium during the Festival and many people were unable to take part due to lack of space.

A PowerPoint presentation ran showing moments captured with Jimmy - always in his favourite position - standing at the bar with a pint and the dinner menu, especially printed in his honour, showed him in full colour propped up at McCarthy’s (where else!) and on the back page with ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ at Coolmore.

Jimmy’s favourite Irish Ballads were played during the evening. The following morning began with: “My wife says I was out of order last night and that I owe everyone an apology …”  Jimmy couldn’t have said it better himself !

The Well Golf Society
As predicted, The Well was the place to be on Easter Sunday night. The place was buzzin, the D.J was rockin’‚ and the craic was mighty. Thanks to everyone who made the effort to be there. A few ‘thank yous’ before we give you the results. Firstly, to all of you who supported our draw, a special thank you to our sponsors, without their generosity it would not have been possible. Thanks also to our ticket sellers and to our hard-working committee. Finally, we must thank those who helped out on the night, Des and Ann Delahunty, to Killusty Meats, who provided the food, and last but not least, Emma and Sharon, for their invaluable assistance.

The results are as follows:
1st prize: Hamper; Carrie Lyons, Kilcash.
2nd prize: Meal voucher; Kieran Byrne, c/o Flancare.
3rd prize: Shamrock Foods hamper; Frances Dillon, Tullamaine.
4th prize: Bob Fitzgerald voucher, Cormac Sheehan, c/o Flancare.
5th prize: Green fees; Andy Donovan.
6th prize: Meat voucher; Kieran Hickey, c/o Flancare.
7th prize: Race tickets, Jack Fleming, Barrettstown.
8th prize: Drinks hamper; Alan Ivors, c/o Dawn Fresh Foods.
9th prize: China Crystal; Kevin Byrne, Marlfield Road, Clonmel.
10th prize: Bottle of spirits; Zoë Cooney, Main St, Fethard.
11th prize: Easter egg; Pat Smyth, c/o The Well.
Ticket sellers prize: Free green fee for next outing: Martin Fanning.

Killusty Soccer Club
Killusty 1, Peake Villa 1
This was a typical end of season game, with both teams playing in the comfort zone. Killusty took the lead in this game from the penalty spot. Karl Maher was the scorer. Shortly after this, Villa drew level. The rest of the game was played with great effort but chances were few. The best of these fell to Villa with the last kick of the game, and only a point-blank save from birthday boy Ronan Maher prevented a certain winner for Villa. This was our last home game of the season, and our home form has been the bedrock of our performance, having only lost the opening day fixture. We now have only two league games to play and a Tipperary Cup semi-final against Clonmel Celtic B. This game will probably be played in two weeks time. The venue for this game is Cashel and we are hoping the supporters will turn out in great numbers.

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of the Fethard Bridge Club game played on Wednesday 23rd March are:

1st Gross: Teresa Cummins and Alice Quinn

2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane

1st Nett: Annie O’Brien and Marie Delaney

2nd Nett: Ann and Sean O’Dea

On Wednesday next, 6th April, we play the first round of the ‘Player of the Year’ competition, which continues for the following three weeks.

Anyone looking for a partner, contact Annie O’Brien Tel: 052 31862.