THIS WEEK'S - 'PICS OF THE PAST'
If you have an old photograph of interest to our readers why not email it to us and we will include it on next week's 'Pic of the Past'
Bill O’Sullivan, Perryville, Fethard, photographed with his late wife Shiela and family at Fethard Festival (July 1982).

FETHARD ATHLETIC CLUB
Fethard Athletic Club was well represented at the Community Games Cross-Country County Finals with a total of eighteen runners competing for the honour of representing their county at the national finals at Mosney in May. With the top six to qualify in each category the competition for places was very intense. Girls under 12 were first into action as Hannah Trehy claimed an excellent 4th place followed by Michelle Ryall, just one place short of qualifying in 7th place, while Aisling O’Connor, Siobhan O’Brien and Fiona Walsh were all positioned in the top twenty. The boys under 12 race saw Michael Costello running well to take 5th spot, as Ben Walsh, Jim Moloney and Ryan Laslett performed well to finish 11th, 16th and 18th respectively.
In the girls under 13 event Ciara O’Connor was our only qualifier winning a well deserved bronze medal as Bernadette Costello also ran well to finish in 9th place. Lolo Trehy had a great run in the boys under 13 race to claim 3rd spot while Shane Gorey went one better in the under 14 event by winning the silver medal.
Fethard club dominated the girls under 14 race as Mary Gleeson had an excellent victory, just pipping her team mate Elaine Kennedy into 2nd place. Aoife O’Gorman also made the final cut by finishing 6th. Amy Moloney and Kate O’Brien ran well to take 9th and 10th places. Overall this was a great night for Fethard A.C. as eight club athletes qualified to represent Tipperary in Mosney next month.
The County Indoors Championships takes place next weekend April 13th in Nenagh and a bus will leave Fethard on Sunday morning at 10am sharp from the GAA field. Fee is €2 per person.
Club training sessions have now moved to the new Fethard Community Sports Field on the Killenaule Road where a project is being undertaken to develop this field into a multi-purpose sports facility which will be of benefit to the entire community. The property has been generously given on long-term lease to the committee by John and Susan Magnier. Fethard GAA Club, Fethard Rugby Club, Athletic Club and Community Games are all represented on the Sports Field Committee. Training session times are as follows: Mondays and Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 7.30 pm; Saturdays from 4.30pm to 6.00 pm. Saturday’s training includes a long jump session with expert coaching from top athlete Jacqui Stokes. Parents willing to help with coaching are encouraged to participate as your help would be greatly appreciated and new members are always more than welcome.

UNDER-21 'A' FOOTBALL FINAL
Click here to read Match Report from The Nationalist

Fethard's Glen Burke attacking (above), below Eoin Doyle takes a shot towards goal. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Below Fethard's Shane Walsh about to kick the ball.

TICKETS TO MICKEY JOE HARTE
Congratulations to Shane Gorey, St. Johnstown, Fethard, who won three tickets for the Mickey Joe Harte concert at the Excel Theatre in Tipperary Town last Saturday night. Mickey Joe will represent Ireland in the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

THE LONG MARCH
Fethard born adventurer Steve O’Connor (formerly from Kiltinan) and his Spanish steed Colina are planning to come back to Ireland in July to complete the last leg of their European Pilgrimage — they covered 3000 km from Seville to Penzance through Santiago in September last year. Steve is doing the trek to raise awareness of the problems of mental ill Health and in particular Bipolar Disorder, and he desperately needs financial help to do it.
It’s a long long way from Penzance in Cornwall to Beara in West Cork, and no they are not going to walk all the way. He will hire a horsebox to take his trusty steed Colina (Murphy) with all their gear from Penzance to Rosslare, from where they will start their trek. They will visit Holy Island, Fethard-on-Sea and Hook Head, before heading up to Fethard, Clonmel and Cashel. They then head South to Cape Clear in search of the origins of St Piran, Cornwall’s patron saint, then to Beara and their main objective, to follow the in the footsteps of O’Sullivan Beara’s march of 1602-’03, north to Leitrim. From Leitrim they will go to Lough Derg, The Giants Causeway, then south through Co Meath, Wicklow Kilkenny and back to Rosslare.
The trek is expected to take eight to ten weeks and probably cover 2000 kilometres. Unlike his trek of last year, he has to raise all the money this time through sponsorship and donations. He expects to need between €8,000, to cover the costs. Any money raised over and above this cost will be split between ‘Mind’ and ‘Hospice’.
Steve would be very grateful for any assistance you could offer him. Steve is making the trip to mark his recovery from a bout of manic depression that nearly ended his life. He said: “I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, or manic depression, but with the help of my family, friends and a the psychiatric health system, he has made a good recovery.”
If you can help Steve in any way telephone 017360361820, mobile 07989333317 or e-mail: steven@oconnor5203.fsnet.co.uk

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the Fethard and Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 8th April were: 1, 8, 9 and 20. There was no Jackpot Winner and six 'Match 3' winners who received €25:
Frances O'Connor, Cashel Road, Golden
Joan Skeffington, Upper Green, Cashel
Teresa Roahe, 22 Woodvale Walk, Fethard
Mary Coen, Killusty, Fethard
Dan Cummins, 53 St. Patricks Place, Fethard
John Whyte, Main Street, Fethard.
The three ‘Lucky Dip’ winners of €50 were:
Denis Walsh, Knockbrack, Fethard
Gloria Walsh, 16 Cois Falla, Rocklow Road, Fethard
Keith Culligan, The Valley, Fethard
The Jackpot remains at €10,000 and next weeks Jackpot sellers prize is €965.

FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
Results for Wednesday 2nd April:
1st Gross: Tony Hanrahan and David O'Meara
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane
1st Nett: Anna Ryan and Joan Kelly
2nd Nett: Kathleen O'Connell and Anna Cooke
Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O'Brien at Tel: 052 31862

OPEN DAY AT FETHARD DAY CARE CENTRE
An Open Day in aid of the Special Olympic ‘Fund and Athlete’ Campaign will take place at Fethard and District Day Care Centre on Sunday afternoon next, 13th April from 2pm. So why not come along, have a cup a coffee/tea and lend your support for this worthy cause. It will also give you a chance to see the new extension to the Fr. Tirry Center and see the beautiful facilities enjoyed by our senior citizens.

FIANNA FAIL AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Fethard Fianna Fail Cumann will take place this Thursday night, April 10th in the Tirry Community Centre at 8.30pm. This Cumann has been depending on three or four people for the past couple of years. Very few turn up to meetings and even though everybody wants something, nobody is prepared to do anything. If the Cumann is to stay alive in Fethard it is vital that this meeting is supported. New blood and especially members of the younger generation are badly needed. If you do not like the people involved or want to make any point come out and be heard. Please do your bit to prevent the Cumann becoming a lost cause.

PROGRESSIVE 25 RESULTS
Results for 4th April
First on 11 games: Paddy and Tom McCormack
Second on 10 games: Hannie Leahy, Mick Phelan, David Curran, Seamus Lawrence, Nellie Meaney and Tess Maher.
Table Prize: Chris Colville and Sean Walsh.
Other Winners: Seamus Maher, Brian O'Donnell, J. J. O'Connor, Willie O'Connor, Dinny O'Donnell and Jimmy Hayes.
Tickets: Pat Horan, Jim Garrett, Mickey Phelan and Ann Nevin.

FETHARD RUGBY CLUB
We travelled to Kilkenny on Sunday morning last and played six games in glorious sunshine, the only draw back being that the ground was very hard. We fielded two under-8 teams and both teams performed very well. Philip Dalton, Colin Meagher, James Mackey and James Houlihan made some great runs while in defence Luke Keating, Cian O’Connell and Eoin Walsh were to the fore.
Our under-l0s played two games, in the first game we seemed to be suffering from bus-lag as we allowed in some simple tries early on, but never-the-less we never gave up and were only beaten by six tries to four. Andrew Kelly and Daniel Hickey did some great tackling while Kevin Hayes, Matt O’Sullivan and Gregory Henry were constantly driving forward. In the second game we really played a lot better, recycling, nicking and putting some great passing movements together, which resulted in a good win. Michael John Murphy and Paul Tierney gave a great supply of ball to scrum half Conor Kavanagh, this resulted in some great scores by Jack O’Connell, Daniel Hickey and Gregory Henry.
The under-11s played a very hard and fast game which resulted in a six all draw. Chris McGrath and Sam Manton did some trojan work in the forwards while William Power, Shane Kavanagh and Seamie O’Keefe had great games in the backs. The under-12s also played a fine game, they allowed in some early tries but came back well to be narrowly beaten. J. P. McGrath, Joe Kelly and Colm Blackmore had fine games in the forwards while Steve Healan and David Hall made some great breaks.
Training continues on Thursday evenings at 6.15pm for under-10s and under-12s, training for all teams Saturday morning at 11am.

RICHARD EVERARD
It was lovely to see Richard Everard back in Fethard last week. Richard, now retired and living in Holland, is the renowned historian of the Everard family and has researched and recorded all the various branches of the family worldwide. Richard was in the locality to attend an Everard family wedding in Kilsheelan.

TONY FALVEY RETIRES
Best wishes for a long and happy retirement to popular assistant manager at Fethard AIB, Mr Tony Falvey who retired on April 3rd. An avid sports fan, Tony will no doubt find even more time now to support his beloved Cork hurling and football teams. Tony also has his priorities right where cross-channel football is concerned. A life-long supporter of Glasgow Celtic, he will now be able to make even more trips to Glasgow, and as the words of ‘The Ballad of Johnny Thompson’ says, “Go down to Parkhead to see Glasgow Celtic play.”
Johnny Thompson was the Celtic goalkeeper for 22 years and still a much revered figure at Celtic who was fatally injured when breaking his neck making a save against Rangers way back in the ‘twenties’. Over 100,000 peopled turned out in Glasgow for his funeral.

GOOD LUCK CONOR
Best of luck to young Conor O’Donnell, son of Hugh and Garrane O’Donnell, Fethard and Crohane, who appears on RTE’s ‘Winning Streak’ this coming Saturday night.

THE FETHARD CONNECTION
Following the point winning display of Irish goalkeeper Shay Given against Albania, a Dublin evening paper ran an article on Ireland’s great tradition in producing soccer goalkeepers. The article covered the period from the end of 1945 to 2003. Listed among the keepers was the name C. Moulson. Connie Moulson, Lincoln City goalkeeper and his brother, Grimsby Town center-half Georgie Moulson, both capped a number of times for a 32-county Ireland selection in the immediate post-war years, had strong Fethard connections. Their mother, Mrs Bridget Moulson, was before her marriage, Bridget Dahill of The Valley, Fethard. Maybe a few of our many senior citizens will remember Connie and Georgie Moulson visiting their Fethard relations. Indeed, once seen, they would not be easily forgotten! Connie Moulson, in an era when men of six feet were a rare commodity, stood at least 6 feet-4 inches and Georgie and inch or two less.
One local who readily recalls the Moulson boys is local sports historian Georgie Matthews. Amongst Georgie’s vast collection of match programmes and newsletters etc he has press cuttings of Connie and Georgie Moulson’s performances in the ‘green jersey’ and press photographs of Connie making a save against Hungary.
It is great to see the Fethard international soccer connection being carried on at underage level by young Christy Aylward at under-15 and in the not too distant past, Stephen Napier, who played for the Irish Youths team and is now with Cork City.

DEATH OF PAT BARRETT, BALLINURE
The unexpected death of Pat Barrett, Balloughboy, Ballinure, on Sunday last came as a great shock to his many friends and acquaintances in Fethard where Pat was very well known and highly regarded by many friends. All were unanimous in their view that Pat Barrett was truly one of nature’s gentlemen. Pat would simply not know how to utter an unkind or uncomplimentary word about anyone. His friends with whom he had most interesting chats on GAA and topical affairs on his visits to Mass in the Abbey each weekend will sadly miss him. Interment took place in Ballinure.

THE WELL GOLF SOCIETY
Tickets are now on sale for our annual Easter Draw. We have some fabulous prizes on offer, including hampers, meal vouchers, tickets to the Derby and Guineas plus many more. Sincere thanks to all our sponsors for making this possible. As usual, ten percent of our proceeds will go to the Fethard Day Care Centre. The draw takes place in The Well on Easter Sunday night, where there will be music, food and fun.

FETHARD GAA CLUB

On Sunday 6th April, our great under 21 A football team’s run came to an end in Clonmel. Our great success in this grade commenced on the 24th April 1999, following which we were successful in twenty-one championship games, winning four south titles and three county titles during this period. On Sunday last our players dominated the early exchanges so much that at the interval Fethard led by 0-7 to 0-3 and in missed scoring chances by 0-8 to 0-1. At the three-quarter stage the scoreline was Fethard 0-8 Killenaule 0-6, when on two occasions we had scores at our mercy, goals or points, but nothing was registered. When the opposition broke away and got a goal they received great confidence and our missed chances came back to haunt us. The final score was, Fethard 0-8 (0-7), Killenaule 3-10 (0-3).
Scorers for Fethard: Glen Burke 0-4 (3f), Brian Coen 0-1, Darren O’Meara 0-1, John Noonan 0-2. This was our first time ever to loose a south final at this grade since the competition began back in 1962. We wish Killenaule the very best of luck in their quest for county honours. On behalf of the club, we give thanks to the players for the entertainment and enjoyment provided during the year and to the selectors for their assistance.
The under 21 ‘B’ hurling starts for our club on Saturday 12th April when we play Moyle Rovers in Kilsheelan at 6.30pm.
Our senior footballers county league game takes place against Aherlow on Sunday 13th April in Lisvernane, at a time yet to be clarified as we go to press.
Our Community Sports Lotto Jackpot of €8,100 was not won. We had three ‘match three’ winners who each received €50: Susan McCormack (c/o Reflections Main St), David Flanagan (Derryluskin), and Noel Maher (Barrack St). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Bill Bradshaw (24 St. Patricks Place). The numbers drawn were 4, 18, 21 and 23.
The County Board Draw is now coming up for renewal, we thank you for your continued support for the new draw, bigger and better than before. We also have a club personalised draw booklet in the handouts, with club goals for the future and club honours for 2002 listed. The cost for the new draw is €100 per year or €10 per month. Cards can be obtained from any club promoters or club secretary or treasurer before 1st May, who will call to houses in the locality. Please support and remember that Fethard club will get 50% off what you pay to help run the club for the year. The club helps to keep our youth off the streets by providing playing fields supervised by voluntary workers . Thank you again for your support and assistance.
Our sympathies are at this time with the O’Connell Family (Coolmoyne) on their recent bereavement. Go Ndeanai Dia Trocaire Orthu.

FIRST FETHARD LADIES FOOTBALL TEAM

Fethard's first ever ladies football team photographed before their first competitive game against Cahir in Fethard last Sunday morning. Front L to R: Vanessa O’Donnell, Miela Noonan, Jennifer Keane, Valerie Colville, Kersty McCarthy, Barbara Ryan, Rebecca Morris, Kate Hanrahan, Sarah Ahearne. Back L to R: Lisa Ryan, Cathy Watters, Sharon O’Meara, Mary Gorey, Jennifer Fogarty, Edel Fitzgerald, Marie Holohan, Helen Frewen and Ursula Lawrence. Also on the team are Norah O’Meara, Lisa McCormack and Niamh Sheehan.

JUVENILE GAA FIXTURES
Our under-16 B footballers play Ballingarry on Saturday 12th April at 12 noon in Fethard. In under-12 A football we play Cahir in Fethard at 6.45pm on Thursday 17th April.

COMMUNITY GAMES.
Fethard & Killusty Community Games are making quite a successful start in the 2003 campaign. Several local children travelled to Thurles last week to contest the county finals of the cross-country. Michael Costello, Woodvale Walk, and Ciara O’Connor, Ardsallagh, both qualified for the ESB National Finals in Mosney, which will take place from 16th to 19th May.
However, we had a total of eight children qualified in neighbouring areas who are all members of the Fethard Athletic Club. Hannah and Lolo Trehy, Elaine Kennedy and Aoife O’Gorman will all represent Killenaule, while Mary Gleeson and Shane Gorey will represent Drangan. Well done to Fintan Rice, Mary Trehy, Miceál McCormack and everybody else involved in athletics.

Photographed at the Community Games Art County Finals held in Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Gráinne Horan (Tullamaine Fethard), Aidan Murphy (Holycross), Laura Rice (Fethard), Sean Maher (Ballingarry) and Róisín Ryan (Upperchurch).

Fethard hosted the county finals of the Art & Modelmaking competition on Saturday 5th April. Laura Rice, Everardsgrange, won the gold medal in the girls under-12 and Cathal Maher, Dun Aoibhinn won his 7th county gold medal in under-16. Faye Manton, Main Street, who was the gold medallist in the area for the past two years, won her first county silver medal in the girls under-10. A silver medal in boys under-14 went to John Frewen, Tullamaine. Mike Earl, Woodvale Walk, won a bronze medal in boys under-8 on his first attempt.

Photographed at the Community Games Art County Finals held in Fethard Ballroom are L to R: Robert Ahearn (Fethard) and Dave Gorey (Fethard).

The Model Making event consists of modelling with clay or mala and David Gorey, Main Street, won the gold medal under-14 with his masterpiece.

Cathal Maher, Fethard, taking part in his 7th Community Games Art County Final held in Fethard Ballroom.

Three gold, two silver and one bronze medal was no mean achievement for Fethard and all winners will represent County Tipperary in Mosney next August.

DIED RECENTLY
The death has occurred on April 4th of Mai O'Connell, Coolmoyne. Interment took place at Moyglass Cemetery.

FETHARD YOUTH CLUB
Congratulations to the two boys five-a-side soccer teams who took part and won their sections of the Tipperary Regional Youth Service's tournament in scorching heart stopping finals - a force to be contended with this year.
Congratulations also to the girls who played like lions in their section and although they didn't win, they were far from picking up the wooden spoon. This was their first run out as a team and they probably had an hours practice in total up to their first match. They will be a cracking team this time next year and have vowed to start training for that next Saturday! Go the women. Well done again lads and girls.
The day whole day lasted 8 to 9 hours with only a ten-minute break for the ref to have a cuppa? He needed it.
The teams were:
A: John Conway, John Hannigan, Noel Walsh, Aaron Kelly and Michael Barrett.
B: Philip Ryan, Davey Conway, Tom Gilpin, Stephen O'Meara and Fintan Maher
C: Samantha Sheehan, Louise Nagle, Ashley McCormack, Tracy Coady, Sara Kennedy and Susie Harvey.
Well done to Clare Hannigan and Tony Askins who supported the Fethard teams to their victories. Many thanks to Dinny Burke who lent the girls their kit - it's in the wash already Dinny!
Thanks to the Regional Youth Service for organising the event - cheers Noelle. Most of all, thanks to all the teams who played with such great spirit on the day.

DANCE FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS
A dance will take place on Sunday night April 27th in the Ballroom in support of the Special Olympic’s Support an Athlete’ project. Music will be provided by Chequers and admission is €5. Your support would be gratefully appreciated.

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