Preserving Fethard’s Market Rights
At the end of April 2006 All Irish Market Rights that are unused in the last ten years stand to be extinguished. A town with no Market Rights has no right to hold a market. Local Authorities and Government want to get rid of Market Rights as they give too much power to the people. Markets in Ireland have not prospered with the Casual Trading Act introduced in 1995, instead most traders have been denied trading opportunities.

To ensure Fethard has the right to hold markets into the future, Fethard & Killusty Community Council invite traders to set up a stall of any kind offering something for sale at The Square, on this Thursday morning 27th April (Thursday is the legal day for Fethard Market) from 10am, which will ensure that the right is kept alive for the next ten years. We would also invite buyers to come along and support the sellers.

Alzheimer’s Morning at Day Care Centre
The Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold an Alzheimer’s Morning on Thursday 4th May. Our usual raffle and cake sale will take place and we would greatly appreciate all cake donations for the event. Refreshments will be served so please do come along and support this very worthy cause.

Fethard Community Heart-safe Training helps save baby’s life
Fethard & Killusty Community Council’s Heart-Safe Training Programme has already impacted on our local community.  One of our local responders, Ms Linda Phelan, who has completed the training course under instructor, Liam Hayes, at the Tirry Community Centre, came to the assistance of a baby crash victim recently.  The baby’s grateful mother, who performed C.P.R. skills on the baby, sent Linda a message from a Dublin hospital to thank her for helping at the scene. So well done Linda and we hope that baby Ben makes a full recovery.

Training for Fethard to Fethard Cycle
Fethard Heartsafe Programme coordinators have organised a sponsored ‘Senior Cycle’ from Fethard-on-Sea to Fethard on the weekend of 29th/30th July 2006. Date to be confirmed. This event will help raise funds to purchase Defibrillators for the Fethard Heartsafe Programme. On the same day, a ‘Junior Cycle’ will also be organised from Kilsheelan to Fethard for younger participants. The target funding per participant is €500 for senior cyclists and €50 for junior cyclists. Training for the event has now commenced and intending participants can join the training programme every Wednesday night at 7.30pm from the Ballroom Car Park. Further information available from Joe Burke at 087 9536286 or Bill Kennedy at 086 8437400. Cyclists will travel by bus to Fethard-on-Sea and cycle the 53 miles back to Fethard at a leisurely pace.

Mr Jimmy O’Sullivan, coordinator of the Fethard Heartsafe Programme, outlined Phase 1 of the Proposed Defibrillator Placement:  (1) Main Street, outside O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy; (2) General School Area at Rocklow Road; (3) Outside Tirry Community Centre; (4) Creamery / Abymill Area; (5) Factory / Woodvale Walk Area.
Training in the life saving skills of CPR, relief of foreign body airway obstruction (choking) and the use of AED (Automatic External Defibrillators) continues in the Tirry Community Centre by Liam Hayes, Heart-Save Instructor. It is estimated that approximately sixty volunteers will be trained from different areas in Fethard to provide an effective service for the Heartsafe Programme.

They’re Back!
The weather may be a bit chilly but not to worry, summer is around the corner and the first swallows have arrived on time. We have reports of the first swallow being sighted in Grove on 3rd April and a few more in Derryluskin on the following days.

Speaking of birds, there are two unusual feathered friends locally at the moment. We have a blackbird with a white head and neck and a most unusual jackdaw. This jackdaw has been with us at least four years and with every moult produces more white feathers. Now it looks more like a magpie than one of its own species.

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 12th April we played for Easter prizes which were postponed from the previous week.  The results are:

1st Gross: Philly Kenny and Rita Kane;
2nd Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
3rd Gross: Gemma Burke and Carol Kenny;

1st Nett: Ellen Rochford and Suzanne Opray;
2nd Nett: Bridie Lee and Mike Burke;
3rd Nett: Anna Ryan and Rita Holohan.

On Wednesday 19th April we played for prizes sponsored by Nora Lawrence and Madeleine O’Donnell and the results were:

1st Gross: Brigid Gorey and Betty Walsh;
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;

1st Nett: Mary Quirke and Fr. John Meagher;
2nd Nett: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny.

We play for our President’s Prize on Wednesday 10th May and prizes will be presented at our President’s Prize dinner on Wednesday 17th May.  Our AGM has been deferred to 24th May.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
Fethard & Killusty lotto results for Wednesday 12th April are as follows. The numbers drawn were: 9, 16, 24 and 25. There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner, Ted Cummins, Cois Falla, Fethard, who received €150.

The three Lucky Dip winners of €50 were: 
John Hanrahan, Rathcoole, Fethard;
Tom Cummins, Hymestown, New Inn, Cashel;
Matt Bradshaw, Cnoc Failte, Ardfinnan, Clonmel.
Next weeks Jackpot €3,750  Jackpot sellers prize €375.

The Fethard & Killusty lotto results for Wednesday19th April were:
Numbers drawn: 6, 9, 19 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner, Tadhg O’Connor, Main Street, Fethard, who received €150.

The three Lucky Dip winners of €50 were: 
Cathy O’Brien, c/o Annie O’Brien, The Square, Fethard;
Monica O’Shea, Woodvale Walk, Fethard;
Nellie Fleming, Farranshea, Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot is €3,900. The Jackpot sellers prize is €390.

Fethard GAA News
The Intermediate Hurling County League starts on Tuesday 2nd May when Fethard play at home to Golden.  On the 9th May we are away to Cahir and in the third round at home to Ballinahinch on 16th May. We have now played a few challenge games under manager Denis Byrne and we wish him the best for the year with his selectors.

On Sunday 23rd April, we had little difficulty in getting into the quarterfinal of the Under 21 B hurling, where we play St Marys on Sunday 30th April at 3.30pm in Goatenbridge. The other quarterfinal is Moyle Rovers v Skeheenarinka with Mullinahone and Ballybacon Grange getting byes to the semifinals. The score last week was, Fethard 2-15 (0-7), Cahir 2-6(1-4). The team was: Darragh Corbett, Declan Doyle, Alan Burke, Connie O’Flynn, Niall Hayes, Shane Walsh, Mike Kelly, Aiden Lonergan 0-2, Jamie McCormack 0-7 (5f), John Leahy 0-1, William O’Brien 0-1, Alan O’Connor 0-1, Shane Aylward 1-0, Glen O’Meara 0-3, and Paul Kenrick 1-0.

The Minor Football B Championship is run on a league basis and we had to come back from 7 points down to draw level, Fethard 2-5 to Mullinahone 1-8, who the previous week had won the County Division 2 League final. The team was: Glen O’Meara, Pa Holohan, Liam Ryan, Adrian Lawrence, David Prout, Niall Hayes, Alan O’Connor, Thomas Gilpin, Richard Gorey 1-1, Stephen O’Meara, Declan Doyle, Dean Tobin, Ed Sheehan, Peter Gough 1-2, and David Conway 0-2. Subs used was: Aaron O’Donovan. Our next game is on Friday 5th May against St Patricks in Killenaule at 7.30pm.

Killusty Sportsfield Irish Grand National Results:
1st Prize: ‘Point Barrow’ (Paula Gahan, Strylea, €100);
2nd Prize: ‘Oulart’ (Fionnuala Prout, Killusty, €50);
3rd Prize: ‘A New Song’ (Esther Breen, Barrack Street, €30);
4th Prize: ‘American Jennie’ (Robert O’Hanlon, Cloneen, €20)
Thank you very much for your support.

The County Board Draw promoters are on the road at the moment collecting draw subscriptions of €100 for the year or €20 per month. Collection of player’s membership fees is now nearly at an end, Adults €25 and Juveniles €15. With all Juvenile Football in full swing it will be a busy month of May for all players.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €2,200 was not won, tickets sponsored by J. L. O’Sullivan’s Chemist, Main Street. The numbers drawn were 6, 8, 12 and 15. We had four ‘Match Three’ winners who received €40 each: Esther Breen (Barrack St), Kevin Ryan (Killusty), John Phelan (Butlerstown), and Martin Power (Moyglass). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Lizzy Reddy (Woodvale Walk).

Our sympathy at this time is Paddy O’Flaherty’s family (Cahir) and the family of Michael Lahart (St Patricks) on their recent bereavement.
Go ndeana Dia trocaire orthu.

Special Mass for Joe Nixon
The 10am Mass on Wednesday 3rd May will be offered for the repose of the soul of the late Joe Nixon, FÁS, who had such strong connections with Fethard. Joe was involved with the restoration of the Abymill Theatre, Tirry Community Centre, Fethard & Killusty Community Employment Scheme, the Community Games Scheme, and was very popular with the people of Fethard. It is hoped that a large number of the congregation will attend this Mass. 

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
The Community Games Area Athletics will take place in Fethard GAA Park, on Saturday 6th May, commencing at 4pm. Entry fee is €2. Anybody interested in competing in the swimming event please contact our secretary, Bernard Feery, Tel: (052) 31023, or the Community Games office, Tel: (052) 31906, as soon as possible. The county final will take place in Tipperary Town on Sunday 4th June. A date for the Judo county finals will be arranged next week.

Fethard are due play Clogheen in under-10 football, Ardfinnan in under-11 hurling and Moycarkey Borris in under-12 girls GAA. All games have home venues and are due to be played immediately.

Fethard Ladies Football Club
The Ladies Football Club’s ‘Duck Race’ took place on Sunday last and Ger Manton's Duck (No 315) sailed home to a comfortable victory. This duck was sold by Joe Keane and won first prize of €100 for its owner. Second Prize of €50 was won by Andrea Stanley c/o club secretary, Ollie Noonan, Drangan, who sold the duck. Third prize of €25 went to Stacey Delahunty, Glenegad Drive, Old Bridge, Clonmel, sold by Sandra Maher. Prize for the last duck home went to Kevin Burke, Cappoquin, and was sold by Kenneth O’Donnell. Sincere thanks to all who supported this fundraiser.

The under-16 team travelled to Clonmore on Tuesday last but were beaten by Lorrha. We are still in the semifinal and are due to play on weekending 5th/6th May. Fethard junior team had a comfortable victory over Clonmel Og on Wednesday night, the score was 4-5 to 1-4.

In our forthcoming match, the under-12 C team will play Moyle Rovers in the GAA Park on Saturday next, 29th May, at 2.30pm. This is a first ever game for this team. Registration of all players will take place on this Saturday in the GAA Park dressing room, after the match at 4pm.  Fee is €27 and applies to all age groups ie: under-12, under-14, and under-16.

Fethard & Killusty Anglers
Fethard & Killusty Anglers held their annual fishing competition on Sunday 23rd April. From the start, conditions were very bad for fishing with a northwest wind and very bright sunshine. It did not look good, however, eighteen anglers fished hard all day and fifteen trout were returned, with two very fine trout weighing just over one and a half pounds each.  The results were: 1st, Matty Fleming; 2nd, Sean Maher; 3rd, Albert Adcock; 4th, Robby Ryan. The heaviest trout was caught by Matty Fleming.

Fishing so far this season has been very bad on the Anner and Clashawley rivers. Reports from fishermen say there is a good stock of fish in the Anner but the Clashawley river, from Kiltinan to Fethard, has no trout at all.

Fish stocks on this section of the river have declined over the past few years and are now almost gone. What’s wrong? The Southern Regional Fisheries Board tell us the water quality has never been as good so why are the fish gone? Somebody must have the answers, if so, we would like to hear them.

On a brighter note, Fethard and Killusty anglers would like to congratulate George McGrath on winning the Munster Fly Fishing Completion held recently in Cork. Well done George and the best of luck in the inter-provincial. Any information required on fishing club ring (052) 54675 or (052) 52369.

Killusty Soccer Club social evening
The Well Bar, Burke Street, is the venue for this year’s Killusty Soccer Club’s social evening, which takes place this coming Sunday 30th April. Music on the night is supplied by DJK, which promises to be a fun night so do come along.

The Well Golf Society
The waiting is nearly over! This coming Sunday the Well Golf Society play on the first outing of the season. The venue is Tipperary Golf Club and tee-off is 11.30am. As always, we ask all golfers to arrive well in advance and to register on arrival.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Well done to our under-16 A football team in qualifying for the South semifinal by virtue of wins over Swan and Cahir. The same team were unlucky to loose to county champions Commercials by 2 points. Great credit must go to these lads for having to play three games in six days without some of their key players in all their games. They showed great sprit and played some brilliant football on the way.

The semifinal will be played on the 7th May and it would be nice to see a large number of Fethard supporters come along to cheer these boys on.

Or under-14s were also in action and played out an exciting draw with Killenaule in the 1st round of the under-14 A championship. They were seven points down with ten minutes to go and really showed what they were made of to come back and level the game. The team play Moyle Rovers in the second round on Tuesday night 25th April.

Fethard were involved in the Féile under-14 hurling and lost to a very strong Clonmel Óg team. the club would like to wish Kieran ‘Curly’ O’Connell a very speedy recovery after picking up a bad injury during the game.  Our under-12 A football team did not fair out as well in their quest, losing to both Cahir and Commercials in the championship. We will have played Moyle Rovers by the time of going to print and will have to win this game to stay in the championship.

Membership fees are now overdue and all players who have not paid please return same as soon as possible. Our under-6, 8, and 10s will resume training next week on Saturday from 3pm to 4pm. Each child attending should bring a contact mobile number for future games and training will be sent by text, all are welcome. It would be great to see some new faces. Membership for the year is €35 and covers the cost of buses for the year. Any queries contact Caroline on Tel: 086 1713502.

Died in England
The death has occurred of Michael Mullins in England on 20th April. The late Michael, formerly from Knockbrack and a regular visit to Fethard, is a brother of Jimmy Mullins, Knockbrack, and Christy Mullins, Cashel Road.

Remains will return to Fethard on Thursday 27th April. Requiem Mass at 11am in Fethard Parish Church on Friday 28th April, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery.

Ned Kelly Touring Route
Ned Kelly, the famous Australian outlaw, is still making news and now a very direct connection is being made between ‘Kelly Country’ in Australia and the original Kelly homeland in Moyglass, Co. Tipperary.  The ‘Ned Kelly Touring Route’ project, supported by Tourism Victoria in Australia, now wishes to extend the touring route to Ireland. They wish to include Moyglass, home of John ‘Red’ Kelly, Ned’s father, in their Touring Route and to erect a plaque here to mark the connection.

The Tourism Ireland office in Sydney was asked for help in making contact with the relevant people on the ground in ‘Kelly Country’ in Tipperary. This search, via Failte Ireland and South East Tourism, ended up on the desk of Terry Cunningham who is a rural tourism adviser with Teagasc in Clonmel. As it happens Terry was a member of the Fethard Historical Society group of Mary Hanrahan, Marie Crean and himself who did the original research on Ned Kelly’s Tipperary origins way back in 1988.

The Australians were thus put in contact with the Moyglass Community Development Committee and last Wednesday Michelle Armstrong of the Ned Kelly Touring Route in Victoria came to Moyglass to meet chairperson Tom Kelly (no relation), and secretary Seamus Hunt, to discuss how best to proceed with extending the Touring Route to Moyglass. Hopefully something will happen within the year as marking the connection will help boost visitor numbers in both directions and the Australians are very eager to support the initiative.

Terry Cunningham also took Ms Armstrong on a tour of the other sites associated with John ‘Red’ Kelly and his conviction for pig stealing and subsequent transportation to Australia in 1841, just four years before the Great Famine of 1845. The places visited included the site of the Kelly Homestead in Clonbrogan, the former RIC barracks in Mobarnane and Newpark (Dualla) — both now private houses — and the Cooney cottage in Ballysheehan from where the two pigs were stolen.

The RTE Morning Ireland programme has also taken an interest in the story and on Saturday morning last their Cian McCormack visited the area and Terry had to retrace his steps around Kelly Country and retell the story that seems to interest people all over the world.  Last year he took a Japanese woman, Masako Kuwabara, on the ‘Kelly Tour’ as she was writing a book, in Japanese, for the Japanese market. So Cooney’s pigs, apart from ‘Babe’, must be the most famous pigs in the world at this stage.