Tipp FM visits Fethard Day Care Centre
Thursday 18th January saw a very exciting day at the Day Care Centre. Eamon O’Dwyer visited the Centre and recorded his ‘Down Your Way’ programme to be aired on Thursday 1st February at 7pm. The atmosphere was great and Ian O’Connor who produced and directed the show had a surprise guest on the day, namely Tony Brook, who has a country and Irish show every night from 8pm to 11pm on Tipp FM.

Tony used to perform with Gina, Dale Haze and the Champions (that’s taking some of us back a bit). We had some great entertainment on the day with beautiful renditions from Kitty O’Donnell, Jimmy Roche and Mary Hennessy, Cllr. Jimmy O’Brien didn’t let his side down, he followed proudly in his late father’s footsteps with Fiddlers Green.

Music was provided by our two stalwart volunteers (and resident band), Pauline Morrissey and John Pollard. Jackie Aylward also gave us a medley on his mouth organ. It was a great day and everyone really enjoyed themselves. We would like to extend a big thanks to Ian O’Connor, St. Patrick’s Place, who organised the visit.

Fethard Youth Club and Friends Reunion
Initial plans are underway to hold a reunion of those involved in the original ‘Fethard Youth Club’ based in the old Tirry Club in Barrack Street from the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s. The ‘reunion’ mooted for many years now, took a step forward last weekend with a provisional plan for October 2007. The reunion will take the format of an optional meal and overnight stay in a suitable hotel not too far away for those who wish to travel home. Anyone who was connected with the Fethard Youth Club, and their friends at that time, are invited to come along and share the many happy memories that most of us have from that period. For further details or information you can contact any of the following: Gerry Fogarty, Monroe, Fethard (052) 30830; Liam Leahy, 4 Toberaheena, Marlfield Road, Clonmel; Thomas Barrett, The Green, Fethard (052) 31585 or Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard (052) 31663.

Tony Sheehan Memorial Fund
The Tony Sheehan Memorial Fund is currently in the process of being approved by the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland. This is a legal requirement in accordance with the Charities Acts 1844-1973. Under the acts the Charity Commissioners of 12 Clare Street, Dublin 2 provide services of a judicial or quasi-judicial nature and these must be exercised according to the strict rule of law which governs charities.

The Board of Commissioners comprises eleven members and is currently made up as follows: The Hon. Mr. Francis D. Murphy, Chairman; Mr Colm Gaynor, B.C.L., Solicitor; The Hon. Ms. Justice Mella Carroll; The Hon. Mr Justice Declan N.O. Budd; The Venerable Gordon C.S. Linney; The Hon. Ms Justice Mary Laffoy; Ms Mary Geraldine Miller, B.L.; Rt. Rev. Monsignor John Wilson; Ms Daphne Tease, B.A., F.C.A.; Mr Peter H. Mullock, F.C.A.; and Mr Graham Richards, B.A. (Mod), Solicitor, Notary Public.

Secretary to the Board is Ms Orla Barry Murphy, BCL, Solicitor. The committee of the Tony Sheehan Memorial Fund has applied for approval to the Commissioners. This procedure requires that the assets of the fund be frozen pending the issue of the certificate of approval by the Charity Commissioners. This process is ongoing and is expected to be completed by mid to late February 2007 when the fund will be in a position to re-commence its activities. — (Waltie Moloney  Tel: 086-8302542)

Point-to-Point Success
Fethard training yards enjoyed good success at the Scarteen Hunt Point-to-Point in Kilfeacle on Sunday 21st January.  Billy Treacy trained Rock Captain, owned by Paddy Butler, to win the 5 year olds only race, with the Thomand O'Meara trained All Thyne Greats taking second place.  A double Fethard success followed in the next race with the David (Harry) Kelly trained Haakaiser winning the 6 year olds and upwards.  Haakaiser is owned by local builder Miceál Maher.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Our under 16s travelled to Carrick-on-Suir and came away with a very impressive victory on a score line of 32 points to 5. Fethard were on the front foot from the beginning with our forwards providing a very solid platform from which to launch attack after attack, with the forwards accounting for 5 of our 6 tries. Paul Tierney had his best game to date, with two of his forward bursts releasing Joey Kelly for two of his hat trick. Colm Dunne scored our 1st try and was very dominant throughout, being particularly effective in the line outs.

Keelin O’Neill put in a great performance, stealing a ball in the line out to release Joey Kelly for our 3rd try. Keelin rounded off his performance with a well taken try midway through the second half. Convert was well taken by Shane Kavanagh. William Power was also impressive at scrum half and ran in to take our 6th and final try. Johnnie Moroney was very effective on the day at full back and his try saving tackle was impressive. Adam O’Donnell was also impressive on the day with some good intelligent running and almost got in for a try.

Under age teams scores clean sweep against Carrick and Roscrea

Our under 10s played two games against Roscrea and scored two great victories on a score line of 5 tries to 3 and 5 tries to 4. The coaches were very impressed with their young players as they all showed great improvement in their passing and attacking game and they continue to improve with every outing.

Our under 12s played three great games winning all three — two against Roscrea and one against Carrick — which showed great improvement on last week, but they need to sustain this progress to regain their pre-Christmas form. Our best wishes go to Luke Keating, who was injured on the day and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Our under 8s treated us to a tremendous display of rugby. Their display of technical skills for such young players even amazed their coaches. Their passing and tackling game was particularly impressive. To impress on the day were Killian O’Dwyer, Connie Coen and Colm Hayde.

The under 7s were at times even more impressive and scored three great victories, playing with enthusiasm and great skill. Joe Carroll, Darragh Harcourt and Tommy Morgan were particularly effective on the day.

Fethard GAA Club News
The adjourned AGM took place last Friday 19th January with a nice attendance. The under-21 hurling selectors for 2007 are Liam McCarthy, John Hurley and Tommy Gahan (Snr). The minor hurling selectors for 2007 are Michael Carroll, P J Aherne and Kieran Treacy. The under-21 football selectors are in place and the minor selectors are Tommy Sheehan, Kenneth O’Donnell, Eoin Doyle with two more to be ratified at our club meeting. The senior football and intermediate hurling management teams are deferred for two weeks on the recommendation of two committees appointed at the adjourned AGM to return to officers of the club with people recommended for the positions.

Last week’s lotto jackpot was not won. There was no match three winners. Five tickets drawn received €30 each: Stephanie Johnson, Bee Gould (Claremore), Michael Gould (Claremore), Bob Maher (Barrack St), Stephanie Fitzgerald (Monroe). The €50 Lucky Dip going to Rita Doyle (Woodvale Walk).

This week’s lotto jackpot of €3400 was also not won and we had no match three winner. The five tickets drawn for €30 each went to: Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan), Helen Morrissey (St Pats Place), Sheehan Brothers (1 Woodvale Walk), Austy Godfrey (Derryluskin), Josie Fitzgerald (Kiltinan). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Ann Marie Butler (Main St). Thanks to Harrington Developments for providing the tickets.

Open Evening
Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School will hold an ‘Open Evening’ on Monday 5th February from 7pm to 8pm. This is an opportunity for parents and students to visit the school and take a look at the excellent facilities available.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club AGM
With our year just around the corner the time has come for our juvenile AGM, which will take place on Monday night next the 29th January, in the Tirry Center at 7.45pm.  These meetings are usually very poorly attended and we would urge parents of children and senior club members and players to attend this event and express your views as to how we can improve our club. There will be various positions up for grabs and we will appoint selectors for all our teams. We always welcome new faces for after all it is the kids of our parish that we and other sports are catering for.

If you feel you cannot fill any of our positions don’t worry, come along anyway and enjoy the night. Looking forward to seeing you on Monday night 29th January at 7.45pm in the Tirry Community Center, Barrack Street. Spread the word!

Fethard Ladies Football Club
A very special meeting of Fethard Ladies Football Club will take place in the Tirry Community Centre on Tuesday, January 30th at 8pm. This meeting is geared towards parents and all those interested in underage players. There are a large number of young girls interested in the sport but it is very difficult to arrange mentors and supervision.

Before we make any arrangements for 2007 matches we must establish the interest and support of parents for the club and for their children and also the commitment of the junior team members. New faces would be very welcome here so please make a big effort to give an hour of your time and come along to do your bit for Ireland’s fastest growing sport and keep Fethard on the map. Enquiries 086 2050727.  Make a note of the date now.

No Parking outside school gates
Mr. Torn Hayes, T.D. has asked us to publish this reply from Nicola Walsh, E.E.

Assistant Area Engineer, South Tipperary County Council, in relation to his representations on behalf of Sr. Maureen De Poar, Nano Nagle School, Fethard.

The reply states: “I have investigated this matter and am arranging for the erection of two 'No Parking' signs on the piers either side of the entrance. I will also arrange for double yellow lines to be painted on the roadway across the entrance to the school car park.

This work will be carried out in the near future.  Yours sincerely, Nicola Walsh, E.E. Assistant Area Engineer."

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto Results
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 17th January were: 2, 11, 12 and 23. We had no Jackpot winner and two “Match 3” winners who received €75 each:

Niamh Moroney, 13 Ard Alainn, Fethard;
Breda Burke, Main Street, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:

Kitty O’Donnell, Slievenamon Close, Fethard;
Fiona O’Donohoe, c/o J. O’Donohoe;
John O’Meara, Milestown, Cloneen.

Next weeks Jackpot is €9,450 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €945.

Badgers are back
Badgers are back, that is our senior over 30s or masters who play soccer on Wednesday nights in the Community Sports field.  We return to action on Wednesday 31st January at the usual time 20.00hrs but for these very wet months we are going to the astro turf in Killenaule.  The usual car pooling will apply, so anyone interested should be in the car park opposite the ballroom no later than 19.40hrs. It is essential that everyone is in Killenaule and ready to play for 20.00hrs sharp!  Looking forward to seeing you there.

For further information contact Philip 086 0565075, Liam 086 8436546, or Colm 086 3502360.

Bamboozalem
Mike O'Carroll has contacted us in relation to a Fethard Notes article he came across in the achieves from Saturday, 29th September 2001. He was attracted by the article concerning 'Bamboozalem' written by Tony Newport.

Mike went on to say, “I don't know whether or not the query excited any interest or if the artist's name was discovered. I remember the show, which in my opinion, was the best on the road at that time during the war years and on to the early fifties. You mentioned Tony Newport remembering the name 'Rameses' as the artist's stage name but his advertised name was Edgar Benyon and his actual name Edgar Wilson Beynon. I watched him many times in the Coliseum, Portlaoise and in the Savoy Cinema, Waterford. In fact my brother, who married a Clonmel lady, a McCarthy of the pub in College St. Clonmel, and retired as Colonel in the Irish Army, won a quiz on Benyon's show. Great detail of Benyon's life and further information can be found in a Google search on the internet under Edgar Benyon. You have some great friends of my family in Fethard who own McCarthy's Hotel. Maybe you might remember me to them should you meet them. I can be contacted on my website www.frenchwithouttears.com. Best wishes, Mike O'Carroll.”

With the White Heather Harriers
The hunting on Sunday last from Kilbury might be described in football match report terms of a game of two halves.  The Kilbury bogs at the Milestone end held a brace.  Scent seemed to be non-existent as hounds hunted slowly through the main covert under Kilbury House and marked to ground by Mr Jim McGrath’s farmyard.  Drawing the wood at Cantwell’s hounds eventually had one of a brace away at the bottom.  Out in the open they really opened up and fairly flew through Rossane crossing the road by the bridge and straight through the big quarry to the five-eyed bridge. Turning here the fox crossed the Cloneen / Mullinahone road at Kickham’s Tree to the big plantation.  Here hounds were located hunting strongly.  It took some good work by Donie, Richard and Craig to get them together. With the pack all on a move was made to Kylenagranagh Hill.  Here however as regards density of covert after an hour it was a case of foxes on their own pitch 5; Hound Nil.  Eventually after on short circle out of the covert and weather deteriorating rapidly it was decided to blow for home at 3pm.

The Ballyluskey White Heather Harriers meet next Sunday, January 28th at Ballyluskey (Liam Clancy’s), joint meet with Jessfield Harriers, Sunday February 4th at Loughcopple and on Sunday February 11th at Clonacody at 11am.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Monday 22nd January 2007 of Maura Mullins, St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

Pilates Classes
Pilates classes for beginners will commence in Fethard Ballroom on Tuesday 30th January from 8.45pm to 9.45pm. This is an eight-week course and will cost €80. The Pilates method is a unique approach to exercise that develops body awareness, improving and changing the body's postural and alignment habits and increasing flexibility and ease of movement. For further information or to book a place, contact Karen Morrissey at 087 9152377.