Clocks Forward for Summer Time
Just a reminder that Summer Time comes into being on Sunday 28th March. Do not forget to put all your watches and clocks forward one hour on Saturday night.

Newport’s Newsagents 90th Anniversary
Newport’s Newsagents wish to thank sincerely their many friends and customers, old and new, who visited us on Friday last to offer good wishes and congratulations on the 90th Anniversary of the opening of the shop as a newsagency on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19th 1920. Many were interested in the history of the premises which was opened as it is today by Catherine Kenrick - Newport, grandmother of the current proprietor, Edwina. The premises was in fact in operation as a tailors and outfitters for at least another eighty years or more that we know of. Edward Kenrick, Catherine Newport’s father and her grandfather Patrick Kenrick were both tailors. The records in existence go back to Patrick Kenrick’s era. The first entry in a day book of his period records, ‘to making a trousers for Philip Neville, Kilnockin, 3/6’ (three shillings and six pence). We are pleased to say that Gus Neville, Kilnockin, great-grandson of Philip Neville, is still a daily customer and was present on Friday to offer his congratulations and good wishes.

The tailoring business finished around the time of Edward Kenrick’s death in 1916 when the shop remained closed for a period of four years. Catherine Kenrick was at that time a monitress teaching junior infants and top class in the Convent School. She was also travelling to various ‘big houses’ in the locality teaching music. Two houses she often mentioned in this regard were O’Connell’s of Rathvin and Guiry’s of Coleman. Catherine Kenrick-Newport, God rest her, had a computer-like memory. She told the story that on a fair day of Fethard, ‘Professor’ Molloy of Moyglass (uncle of the late Jack and Pat) was in attendance. Having partaken of a few whiskies he was in good form. He drew a few ‘skelps’ of his ash plant on the closed door and shouted “’tis a shame to see this door closed, where Lords, Dukes and Earls walked in. Open it up, suppose you only sold a box of matches”. She took his advice and, as they say, the rest is history.
The shop, down through the years, has also served as something of a social centre and meeting place and has also a few historical and, I suppose, it would be correct to say sporting connections with Fethard. Patrick and John Kenrick were very much involved with the Fenian Movement. Eddie Kenrick, of the next generation, gave a two year term as Secretary of the South Tipperary Board of the GAA in its early years. His representatives were honoured with his reward at the South Tipperary GAA Board’s Centenary celebrations. Paddy Kenrick, of that generation, drove the first car registered in South Tipperary, HI-1 for his employer, Mr. Burke of Grove. It was the first premises in Fethard to make and sell its own ice-cream, it is believed that the first Garda Siochana stationed here in the early 1920s helped Catherine Kenrick to stir the product, and was also the first place where tomatoes were available, with many people, especially on fair days, enquiring “what are the little red things in the window”?
Following their wedding in 1928, Catherine Kenrick-Newport’s husband, Aubrey, known to all as Bert took over the running of the shop until ill health forced his retirement in the early seventies. His devotion to his job and customers knew no bounds. Apart from an odd trip to see his parents, in England, while they were alive, we doubt if he ever missed a day off duty except Christmas Day and Good Friday each year on which no daily papers were published. During the war years and for a long time afterwards the papers were delivered by the 9am Shamrock Bus. As there was no bus service on Thursdays he cycled to Cahir, the nearest main-line station, to collect the daily papers. Not alone did he fetch his own but he also brought the papers for the other two Newsagents in town, O’Meara’s and Wall’s. We can assure you that was a fair load on a push bike. He did like the odd half-day off to attend local race meetings and not so local. Clonmel, The Junction, Thurles, Limerick, Mallow, Tramore and Gowran. By bicycle to the local tracks and on a couple of occasions he and the late Dick McCarthy cycled the one-hundred miles to Listowel.

The shop at that time was a mecca for local racing men. Larry Keating, Major Delmege, Major Vigors and his son, Tim, Paddy Hannigan, Dick Gough, Dick McCarthy, C.J. Carroll, Christy O’Connor, Chris McCarthy were some. Mattie Owens, Larry Fahy, Dick and Willie Quinlan, local farmer-breeders, John Burke, Tom Hayes, Brian O’Donnell, Jimmy Delaney are just some more of the names that spring to mind, there were many others we just can’t recall. No one seemed to be in a hurry then. Form, breeding, prices and performances, horses bought and sold were discussed at length and we are sure many a good story told. In more recent years, one Monday morning when a full inquest was being held on a Fethard football defeat a lady customer was heard to enquire, “do ye ever talk about anything else in this place only Football and Beagles”? To which she got the reply “sure mam, you couldn’t talk about two more interesting subjects”! Indeed, the reputation of Fethard of being the ‘home of the racehorse’ is characterised by Newports currently being among the leading newsagents in the country for the sales of The Racing Post and Irish Field newspapers and the Horse and Hound magazine.

Well the show goes on and T.G. so does the shop. Since Patrick Kenrick’s days, Edwina is the fifth generation of the family to man the gap. While the going is tough, and getting tougher, for the smaller shop we hope, with the very much esteemed and much appreciated support and goodwill from friends and customers extended on Friday it will continue for ad multos annos. One particular customer said on Friday, “it is always a pleasure to come in here” and whatever the future holds, while Newports are in business we hope that this will continue to be the case. Undoubtedly, the presence of Rebecca behind the counter, who has been with us for nearly twenty-five years and to whom we express our sincere gratitude, will greatly enhance this aspiration.
With renewed sincere thanks to all. Beannacht Dé oraibh go léir. E.A.N.

Fundraising Night for Fethard Community Playschool
Just a reminder to all ladies, don't forget our "Girls Night Out" on tonight, Thursday March 25th. We have some great guest speakers lined up and many stands on the night providing tips and advice for everyone. We will have advisors on hand to show you how to style your clothes, your makeup and even your home. Our image consultant Margaret Doyle will explain body shapes, our make up artist from Gosh will help you create the perfect makeup look and Susan Archdeacon from Town and County will be available to offer advice on styling your home. We will also have clothes and accessories from a selection of shops in the area. Local beauty salons will provide mini-pampering sessions on the night and a range of other stands are also involved. This event promises to be very enjoyable and great fun. All proceeds are for an excellent cause, the building fund for a new playschool. Tickets, priced at €15, are available from Newport’s and Fethard Playschool or by calling Carmel at 087 6851046 or just turn up and you can pay at the door.

White Heathers Members and Friends Draw
The White Heather Harriers would like to thank their many members and friends who subscribed to their annual draw which took place in the The Archway Bar, Drangan, on St. Patrick’s night. The winners are as follows: 1st Prize (€400): Mary Britton, Cloneen; 2nd Prize (€200): Helen Ceasar, Killenaule; 3rd Prize (€100): Alan Cuddihy, The Sawmills and 4th Prize (€50): Kitty O’Donnell, Fethard.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 18th March were: 12, 13, 15 and 16. We had no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners who received €50 each: Mary & Donal, Glenough, Rossmore; Margaret Carroll, Drangan; Mick Ryan, Laffansbridge.

The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each: Keenan Aherne, Prospect; Maura Trehy, The Green, Fethard; and Tom Ryan, Clonmel.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.

St. Rita’s Camogie Club
St Rita’s camogie club will hold a Table Quiz in Butlers Sports Bar on Friday 26th March at 9pm. All are welcome.

Community Playgroup
Parents who have put their child’s names down to attend the Community Playgroup in September 2010 are asked to please contact Helena at Tel: 6132316 or call in to collect a form that will need to be completed as further details are now needed for children availing of the new ECCE Scheme.

Fethard Tidy Towns
A meeting was held to reform a new Fethard Tidy Towns committee on Monday 8th March and the following were elected: Joe Keane (chairman), Ann Cooney (secretary), Brian Sheedy (treasurer) and Jimmy O’Shea. Committee members: Rosemary Purcell, Joan Woodlock, Rosemary O’Donnell, Tom Tobin, Gerry Fogarty and Thelma Griffith. We would like to have someone from all area of the town on the committee as we have some major problems with litter to tackle. More news will follow our next meeting on Monday night.

Fethard Macra Goes Through to National Drama Final
Congratulations to Fethard Macra Drama group who took part in the semi-finals of the Macra National Drama competition in Tuam, Co. Galway at the weekend with the one act play ‘Till We Meet Again’ by Colin and Mary Crowther. There were eighteen entries nationally in the competition this year and Fethard will progress to the final as one of the top six teams of the competition. Well done to our producer Michael Manley who won the Best Producer award and also to Noel Clancy who won the Best Actor award on the night.
Fethard Macra would like to very sincerely thank Michael Manley, our producer, for travelling up and down from Cork on a very regular basis to help us with the play. Also a big thank you to the ICA committee, Abymill Theatre Committee and Cloneen Sports and Social Centre for the kind use of their facilities for our rehearsals. Thanks also to Joe Kenny for the help with advertising the play and to all Fethard Macra club members for all the behind the scenes work. Best of luck to the group in the finals which will take place in Cappoquin, Co. Waterford on April 10th and 11th.

Historical Society AGM
The AGM of Fethard Historical Society takes place tonight, Thursday, 25th March, at 8.30pm in the Meeting Rooms of the Abymill Theatre.

After a short AGM there will be a presentation on the new Failte Ireland funded Historic Town Trail that is being prepared for the town. Members of the society are working with the County Council and Failte Ireland to come up with the details of such a trail and are helping to draft the wording – in both English and Irish – that will be used on the plaques around the town.

This is a time consuming exercise and the AGM will be informed (via a Power Point presentation) as to progress to date and suggestions for improvements to both the contents and layout will be sought from those present.

Members of the Society are planning to go on a trip to a Medieval Festival in France - Chinon in the Loire valley in France for a few days over the August Bank Holiday Weekend to check out their famous Medieval Festival and to get some further ideas so as to improve on the local festival in Fethard. Arrangements for the trip will be outlined and the meeting will also firm up on prospective travellers to this small French town. The AGM welcomes all those interested in the heritage of the town and the evening will end with refreshments.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Under-16 footballers continued their winning streak on Saturday of last week when they were home to Cahir in their South Championship bid. It was a strong physical match and the lads were four points down at half time but came back with determination and showed a wonderful display of teamwork and skill. Cathal Hurley was outstanding scoring points out of nowhere. Great defending from Kieran Walsh in the backline made it difficult for Cahir to do much scoring and the lads pulled ahead and had a comfortable win in the end. Well done to these young men and we wish them luck in their next match.

Congratulations to Adam Fitzgerald and Kyle Walsh who represented their club and the south of the county when they both played a thrilling game of football against the mid selection. They were unfortunate to loose out by two points but both put on a fantastic display of football. Well done lads great achievement.

Our U12s played a great game on Saturday at home to Fr. Sheehy's and winning by 8-6 to 0-2. It was great to see so many young players turn up for the match. The Panel was: Harry Butler, Jack Dolan, Dean Dorney (4-3), Matthew Lynch, Jess McCormack, Tony O'Reilly, Liam Quigley, Dean Walsh-Kenny (4-2), Jack Ward, Joseph O'Connor, Kate Davy, Michael Earl, Ross McCormack (0-1), Andrew Phelan (captain), Tom Sheehan, Megan Coen, Eric Fogarty, Thomas Morgan, Molly O'Meara, Sally Butler, Adam Dorney, Megan McCarthy, Eoin O'Donovan, Thomas O'Reilly and Rebecca Kenny-Walsh. Our selectors were Willie Quigley and Willie Morrissey. We are out again on Saturday 27th March away to Clonmel Óg at 12 noon. Don't forget that our U6/8 and 10s are back training on Saturday 27th at 11am.

Fethard & District Rugby
Fethard J2s had a great win in the Evans Cup. They pulled out a great performance in this encounter at Waterford last Sunday. Short many regulars but with a fine pack Fethard were first to strike with a finely worked try that ended up with Paul Kavanagh touching down in the corner. Fethard kept up the pressure with Nial Higgins, Shane Kenny in fine running form and Kenny getting a touch down. Paul Scully and Tom Anglim got further scores and great work from Nico Hine, Dick Walsh and Nigel O’Connell kept the pressure on the Waterford side. John Smullen and Mush Dwyer both had fine games. We are back training next weekend.

The Under 13s were at home last Sunday to Cashel and with the fine weather came a great morning of rugby. Fethard scored a convincing victory in the league against Cashel with the score 30 points to 19 in Fethard’s favour.

Fethard showed good skills in passing, recycling of the ball and fine running form which resulted in numerous tries and conversions throughout. Cashel came back in the second half but Fethard’s great team work provided strong tackling and quick hands to keep the pressure on and allow them to come out on top, team: Eoin McCormack, Adam Fitzgerald, Darren Prout, Padraig Feehan, Luke Ryan, Tom Stakleum, Michael Gaynor, Gary Kavanagh, Matthew Walsh, Paul Moloney, Killian O’Dwyer, Jason Ryan, Jack Gleeson, Harry Tobin and Tommy Murphy.

Fethard Under 12s also played Cashel at home and showed great work together results in tries. The team of Andrew Phelan, Christian Casey, Cathal Fogarty, Ritchie Ivors, Luke Grant, Matthew Lynch, John Clancy, Rory Hayes, Philip Fogarty and Eric Dillon gave a good performance against a strong Cashel team.

Training continues on Friday evenings for the minis at 6.45pm to 8pm on the Community field. Special thanks to the continued commitment and help of the coaches and support from parents.
U17s were home to Galbally on Saturday evening of last week and played their best game of the season by far and although we were not on the winning side a disallowed try was the difference in us not winning the game we lost by 6 points considering the last time we played them in the league they beat us 63-7. This time the final score stood at 24-18

The effort and determination these young men showed on Saturday night was a proud achievement for all concerned and with the numbers ever increasing at training on a Friday night is finally starting to pay off. Every player on the team deserves a mention and every player gave a man of the match performance - well done all of you, lets keep up the hard work and effort

Community Games Art
Children from the area competed in the County Final of the Art Competition which took place in Gortnahoe on Saturday last.
Matthew Burke, son of Joe and Siobhan Burke, Drumdeel, won a bronze medal in the boys under-8 event at his first attempt. This was a great achievement by Matthew and we extend our congratulations to him. All our competitors gave a very good account of themselves in all age groups of this event where the standard of the exhibits was extremely high. They met their friends, had a great day out and enjoyed themselves which is what it is all about.

Munster Champion 2010
Jack Connolly, The Green, won his second Munster Title, after a brilliant weekends boxing, ending with the provincial final on St Patricks Day. This year the competitions were held in Tallow, Community Centre, Co Waterford.

The weekend started with Jack weighing in at 54kgs, on Saturday 13th, followed shortly by the draw, in which there was three boxers including Jack, one had a boy straight to the final, but the Fethard man had to do it the hard way and fight ever round, incidentally Jack has never had a boy in any draw, so we were not surprised after it was announced.

Sunday 14th was semi-final day and Jacks opponent was Dylan Costello from Ennis Boxing Club. Jack had one eye on the final, so after a pulsating first round, the referee saw enough and midway during the second round stopped the fight. Jack was now in the Munster Final.

St Patricks Day was final day, but this fight was going to be very different (or so we were led to believe), first of all Jack was up against the local hero and much fancied favourite, Irish Champion Kurt Bowes from Fermoy Boxing Club, who until now, had never lost in a competitive fight.

The Fermoy boxer made two mistakes, one he came down from 58kgs to 54kgs to fight Jack and win an easy title, the second mistake was getting into the ring with Jack, who by now was buzzing and rearing to hear the bell, and when it did sound, all hell broke loose. Bowes the Irish Champion and favourite must have thought he was hit by a train, and had no response to the onslaught and barrage of punches that Jack hit him with. The Tipperary boxer wanted this Munster Title and by God he was going to get it, and get it he did with some style. The score after the 1st round was 6 points to nil, after the 2nd round was 14 points to nil, and after the 3rd round was 17 points to nil, the referee raised Jack’s left hand and for the second year running he was crowned Boy 3, 54kg Munster Champion 2010. And so for six or so minutes of St Patricks Day, now became St Jack’s Day, never before was a provincial title won on such a scoreline.
Next up for Jack its back to the National Stadium in Dublin, on Easter Monday for a week, where he will go to defend his Irish Title, after the Munster it is something we are really looking forward to. Again great credit to Jacks coaches, Martin Fennessy (head coach) and Dan Coppinger of Clonmel Boxing club who are dedicated and brilliant people. Best wishes Jack and good luck in the All-Ireland final.