PATRICIAN PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL
It’s show time again for Transition year who will stage ‘Buddy's Song’ in the Abymill Theatre on December 16th, 18th and 19th, starting at 8.15pm. Tickets will be on sale in the school from the week of Dec 9th 2003 at €8. This year's show is one with a difference and is a play loosely based on Buddy Holly and his music. This will be the 11th Transition year Show.
On the sporting front, our senior volleyball boys’ team just missed out on an All-Ireland qualifier, playing in Loughrea, Co Galway. In the Cidona South Tipperary Schools Cross Country competition, athletics David Sullivan of 5th year won his event, Darragh Dwyer of 1st year came second, and Bernadette Costello of 1st year came 4th. Michael Costello, Robert Maher and Kate O’Brien also participated. Well done to all and our thanks to Fintan Rice who accompanied the team with our P.E. teacher Ms Bernie O’Connor.
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION DRAW
The Parents Association Christmas Draw has now been launched and lines are on sale at €2 per line. The prizes are excellent and the draw will take place in the school on Tuesday December 16th.
ABBEY GREETINGS
Sincere greetings for a happy and Holy Christmas from the Augustinians in the Abbey. We welcome all who will be returning home for the feast and wish them a pleasant stay. May the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate, fill our hearts, homes, parish and country with peace, love and joy during the Christmas season and into the New Year. We are very grateful, as always, for the continued kindness and support of Fr Tom Breen P.P., Canon Jim Power and the people of Fethard. A Novena of Masses will be offered in the Abbey during the Christmas Season and your special intentions will be included in the Novena.
LEGION NEWS
The Legionaries of Mary wish to express gratitude to all who joined them for the Rosaries in Fethard and Killusty during October. Many made sacrifices to come out during the cold weather. It was also wonderful to have so many pray the Rosary in the Parish cemeteries for the Holy Souls. More members are needed so we invite anyone interested to consider coming to our meetings, which are held on Monday evenings, at 7pm.
DIED RECENTLY
O’Shea (nee Hyland) Cloran, Cloneen, Clonmel, Co Tipperary on 9th December at South Tipperary General Hospital, Sheila (relict of the late Victor), deeply regretted by her loving family, Florence, Clare, Lilian, Robert, Tom, Victor, her sister Eileen, sons in law, daughters in law, Rosemary & Joanne, grandchildren & great grand daughter, Ciara Rose & all her relatives & friends. RIP. Removal of remains from McCarthy’s Funeral Home at 7.00pm this Wednesday to Cloneen Church. Requiem Mass at 11.00am Thursday. Burial immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
STATS FOR NOVEMBER
We are happy to report that the number of visitors to the Fethard site is still growing as you can see by the statistics for November 2003.
For those interested in where are visitors are coming from, the chart below will give you a rough idea.
KILLUSTY NOTES
Happy Birthday Cathal
Happy birthday to Cathal Ryan who celebrated his first birthday on Saturday last, and best wishes to his parents Paul and Catherine.
Well Done Ladies
Well done to all the ladies who walked around Cloran on the Sponsored Walk recently. What a great effort!
New Recycling Bins
Walsh Waste Management have delivered the new recycling bins. So no more excuses, it's time to do our bit for mother nature and separate our rubbish. And just so we wouldn't get confused; the new 'green' bins are red! Makes sense, doesn't it? Walsh Waste Management will let us know when the collection day will be in about 2 weeks time.
Christmas Lights
It's nearly the season to be jolly again and I'm sure we're all looking forward to I seeing the lights go up in and around the village. Before you know it we will all be gathered around mulled wine and Christmas cake in a friendly local! Paul Duggan will make his rounds soon to collect for the village lights.
Skipathon
Congratulations and well done to everybody who raised funds through a sponsored walk and Children's Skipathon for Killusty National School. It was a great success.Big Rovers win keeps the pressure on Clonmel sides
Soccer Youths Lose Again — Rock Rovers 6-1 Killusty
The three points here were a must for both sides if they were to catch up to Clonmel Town and Clonmel Celtic. Killusty, who are new to first division football this year, have not being performing as well as might been have expected. Rovers dominated the game playing their hearts out and not letting much slip. They scored their first goal after twenty five minutes when James Hawkins received a great ball from Paul Ryan. Goal number two came right on the half hour mark, clever thinking from David Smith in centre field set up Richie McGrath, 2-0 at half time and Rovers looked to be home. Ten minutes into the second half Paul Ryan scored. Rovers third to leave it 3-0. Killusty just had no answer to all of the Rovers attack and neither had they an answer to the Rovers defence of Alan Rocket and Eoin Ryan who on numerous occasions throughout the game, saved their team from a Killusty comeback. Goal number four was scored ten minutes later, this time by Richie McGrath. Davis Smith got the goal of the day when he broke from centre field and blasted the ball into the back of the net. Rovers' final goal was scored twelve minutes from time by Paul Ryan to leave it 6-0. Shane Aylward capitalised on an error in the Rovers defence, but it was a case of too little too late as the score after ninety minutes was 6-1 to the home side.
league division one O'Riordan brace gets St Nicholas back to winning ways
First League Defeat for Juniors — St Nicholas 2 Killusty 1
The Saints got back on the winning trail here but were made to work for it by a tenacious Killusty team. In fact if the visitors had taken their chances in the first half this could have been a different game. The home team were in front after just 15 minutes when Aidan O'Riordan pounced on a ball that had been blocked to rifle it to the net. Killusty really came into the game after this and but for good goalkeeping they could have been in front. They got hack on level terms on 40 minutes, Owen Aylward turning up at the far post to head home from a good cross and it was 1-1 at the break.
FETHARD DAY CARE CENTRE
Thank-you to everyone who contributed in making our Christmas Bazaar held on the 28th November a huge success. Again, it is an amazing event and everyone connected with the Day Care Centre really enjoyed the bustle and craic of the day. Our Christmas Party will be held on Friday 19th December and then we close for two weeks, opening again on Monday 5th January 2004. We would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
CHRISTMAS HAT PARTY
This year’s Annual Christmas Hat Party will take place in the Bridge Bar on Saturday 27th December. This is the first time it will be held after Christmas, which will give our visitors a chance to join in the fun. All proceeds go to the CRC Santa Bear Appeal. More details later!
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The annual collection for our society takes place at all masses this coming weekend. We ask people to be as generous as they can to enable us to continue our work in 2004. In the current year we have spent the following amounts. All of which came form local donations.
Christmas help €2,200, education projects €3,387, Fuel, €1,800, cash assistance usually for debts, bills etc. €2,160, holiday for senior citizens €3,720. This collection is our only public fundraising of the year and it is the community judgement of our work. That judgement has always been positive and we hope that this year will be the same.
Anybody who needs our help at any time of the year can contact any member of the conference in complete confidentiality.
If any person who applied for Christmas assistance has not heard form us by December 18th please feel free to contact any member of the conference as soon as possible in case we inadvertently missed you.
FETHARD GAA CLUB
The County Junior A Football Final was played on Sunday 7th in Templemore and we certainly had to give way to a young Ballina team who played very good football on the day and won on a scoreline, Ballina 2-10 (1-6), Fethard 2-3 (0-1). The match report is on the sports page. This ended our year on the playing field and I would like to thank all those who helped to make Sunday last such an enjoyable day — Coolmore, The Bridge Bar, Grants Bar, The Well, South East Scaffolding, Munster Joinery, and Coen’s Shop. To the team, selectors and back room staff, we are very grateful for the enjoyment during the year.
Congratulations to Dick Cummins (life president), Miceál McCormack (vice chairman), Noel Byrne (fixtures committee), Joe Ahearne (appeals committee), all having been elected for 2004 at the South Board Convention last Sunday.
Our Lotto Jackpot €2,100 was not won. We had five who matched three, receiving €30 each: Eddie & Mary Sheehan (67 St Patricks Place), Nuala McCormack (c/o Cambells Soup, Thurles), Laura Lyons (71 Woodvale Walk), Michael Ryan (46 St Patricks Place), David Maher (8 Barrack Street). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was: Thomas Purcell (Jnr), Burke St).
Ballybacon/Grange gain sweet revenge on 12-man Fethard
Ballybacon/Grange 3-8; Fethard 1-9
Ballybacon/Grange, who were chasing five titles in-a-row last year when they fell to Fethard, got back on the winning trail when they came with a late surge to score 2-2 against opponents who were then down to twelve men in this competitive South Tipperary Martins Fruit and Veg intermediate hurling championship final replay at Clonmel Sportsfield on Sunday 30th November.
CAROL SINGING
The Pheasant Pluckers will go carol singing on Thursday night 18th December at 8pm, leaving from the Town Hall. Please make sure children are supervised if they wish to come along. Proceeds are in aid of the Central Remedial Clinic’s Santa Bear Appeal.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
The annual Christmas Carol Service will take place in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland on Sunday 21st December at 8pm. All are welcome.
FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY LOTTO
The numbers drawn on Tuesday 2nd December were: 2, 20, 27, 30 and the bonus number 21. There was no jackpot winner and two 'Match Three' winners who received €75 each:
Dinny Gahan, Cloneen, Fethard
Rose Lonergan, Fethard
The three 'Lucky Dip' winners of €50 each were:
James Roche, 22 Woodvale Walk, Fethard
Nellie Donovan, 22 Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard
Samantha Ryan, c/o Group Homes, Fethard
Next week's Jackpot is €3,600 and the sellers prize €210. The weekly 'Bonus Number' draw for €1,000 Holiday Break will also continue until further notice.
RESTORATION WORK AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
Restoration work in progress at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland.
TABLE QUIZ FOR ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
A table quiz in aid of St. Vincent de Paul will be held in Bob Grants Bar, Main Street, Fethard, on Tuesday 9th December at 9pm. Please come along and support St. Vincent de Paul who do so much to help those in need get through this demanding time of year.
TWELVE MEN
Following the sending off of three players on Sunday last, local GAA historians are in deep reflection trying to recall the last time a Fethard team was obliged to finish with twelve men. As far as we can recall, it was all of seventy years ago. Coolmoyne hurlers won the South Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship and were drawn against a team from the banks of Shannon in the county semifinal at Thurles. The game got rather physical and Coolmoyne were reduced to twelve men. The late Tom ‘Doc’ O’Callaghan was urging on his team of twelve to, "give them holly". A rather comfortable lady who probably had a son playing for the opposition suddenly interrupted him, "Will you shut up for ? sake and go back to Coolmoyne, the home of the Snipe!"
Even up to recently, the late Jimmy Hayes often used the expression, "I come from Coolmoyne, the home of the Snipe!"
FETHARD GAA CLUB
The curtain came down on the hurling year in a dramatic fashion on Sunday last in Clonmel in the replay of the Intermediate Hurling South Championship, in a game that was played in superb spirit of what hurling is all about until the 55th minute of the game when a immature decision, decided the faith of 12 months of commitment and dedication by the players and mentors, resulting in Fethard been reduced to 12 players without a dirty stroke on the field of play, and Fethard were leading by 3 points. Ballybacon /Grange went on to score 1-2 in the last three minutes to record a surprise victory on a scoreline, Fethard 1-9 (1-5), Ballybacon 3-8 (1-4). The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Michael Quinlan, Michael Ryan, Shay Ryan, Tomas Keane, Stephen O’Donnell (capt), Michael Aherne, John P Looby 0-1, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-2, Michael Dillon 0-1, P J Aherne 0-1, Brian Coen 0-1, Jamie McCormack, Miceál Spillane 0-1, and Colin Allen 1-3 (all frees). Subs used were: Cian Maher, Shane Walsh; other subs were, Eoin Doyle, Garreth Byrne, Philly Croke, William Harrington. On behalf off the club we would like to thank the players, selectors, trainer and supporters for their effort and commitment in 2003.
In Junior A Football, on Sunday 7th December, we play Ballina in Templemore at 1.30pm in the County Final, having last won in 1999. On Sunday we are going for our third county title in this grade. The club will be playing in Maroon Colours as both clubs must change jerseys on the day. Best off luck to all involved.
Our Lotto Jackpot of €2,000 was not won. The draw took place in The Well and the numbers drawn were 9, 10, 15 and 22. Five matched threes and each received €30: Majella Drea (Cedar Grove), Kate O’Shea (Woodvale Walk), Austy Godfrey (Derryluskin), Garreth Byrne (Claremore), and Marian O’Connor (44 St Patricks Place). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Con Doyle (66 Woodvale Walk).
All current Club Adult Members will receive nomination papers in the next three weeks as our Annual general Meeting is on Saturday 10th January 2004 in the Abymill Theatre at 8.15pm (sharp).
FETHARD ATHLETIC CLUB
At the recent Cidona Post-Primary Schools Cross Country Competition, six club athletes represented Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School. In the girls first year race, Bernadette Costello ran really well to just miss out on the bronze medal with a 4th place finish and Kate O’Brien competed valiantly to finish the 1200m race in 25th position. First year boys were next to race and in this event Darragh Dwyer yet again showed his class by taking the silver medal, Michael Costello was an impressive 9th, while Robert Ahearn can be well pleased with his run, finishing mid-pack in 22nd place. The best wine was certainly saved until last as David Sullivan put in a marvellous performance in the boys 5th year event to win the gold medal with considerable ease.
Please note that there will be no training on Monday the 8th December.
THE FOX IS ON THE TOWN’O
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers had a most unusual hunt from their meet at Rocklow on Sunday morning last. From their second draw at Ballybough Bridge, a fox was quickly away across the road through Mr Aidan Mahers. Crossing the Fethard Moyglass road, he ran the riverbank almost as far as The Kennels, where he crossed the river. Hounds pushed him on over the Cashel Fethard road, which he crossed near the Car Boot Sale, oblivious to the traffic, crowds and noise. The pack then hunted into Fethard to the rear of the Cross Stop Shop. Turning right-handed, they ran to the Redcity Road and back re-crossing the Cashel road at Canon Power’s entrance, and making to ground in the Osiery Bed. Disturbed by this intrusion into their domain, no less than a brace and a half of foxes left the Osiery, crossing the river to the Convent fields. One of these was hunted across the Rocklow Road, almost to Woodvale Walk. Hounds then hunted left-handed to where Strylea Boreen meets the road. Hounds were at fault here. A follower viewed the hunted fox making a very hasty entrance through the gate of the Parochial House. No doubt he felt this was a safe refuge, as did the huntsman who decided to leave him.
Rathvin Fort held a brace, one of which crossed into Rocklow Demesne, where hounds hunted in great style under the beech trees where he was lost. Mr Halley’s ‘Spinney’ proved blank, as did the roadside Grove in Mr Tom Hayes. Huntsman Donnie Slattery then blew for home at 4.30pm, bringing the best day of the season so far, before the largest number of followers, to a conclusion.
Hounds meet next Sunday at Jossestown at 12 noon.
DIED RECENTLY
We record the death of Sally O'Brien (nee Finn) who died on Monday 1st December. Remains left McCarthy's Funeral Parlour at 7pm on Tuesday 2nd December for Augustinian Abbey Church Fethard. Requiem Mass took place at 11am on Wednesday, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery Fethard.
JUVENILE GAA CLUB
Our under/11 football team travelled to Commercials ground on Thursday last to meet Ardfinnan in their next game of the ‘Floodlit Cup’. It was a great match with Fethard having another fine win. The scores were very close in the first half of the match but once the second half began Fethard dominated much of the game. Ardfinnan did have opportunities to score but the lads were on tip-top form and saved some great frees directed at the goal. The final score stood at Fethard 3-08, Ardfinnan 2-02. They now go on to meet Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Og in the week ahead and we wish them the best of luck. The panel was Cathal Hurley, Brian Delahunty, Damien Morrissey, Owen Dillon, Kieran O’Connell, Frankie Donovan, Daniel Hickey, Matthew Fitzgerald (capt), Eoin Fitzgerald, Alan Lawrence, Tommy Sheehan, Dean Sharpe and Ciarán O'Meara. Subs are: Ronan Fitzgerald, Michael Smith, Gerry Horan, Ger Maher and Davy Walsh.
POST PRIMARY CROSS COUNTRY
Pupils from Patrician Presentation Secondary School Fethard photographed at the Cidona Post Primary School Cross Country Races in Clonmel on Thursday 27th November, where they competed against other post-primary schools in South Tipperary. L to R: Robert Ahearne, Darragh Dwyer (who came 2nd in his race), David Sullivan (winner 5th class boys 2,000 meters race), Michael Costello, Kate O’Brien and Bernadette Costello (who came 4th in her race).
TIPP FM 'ROADRUNNERS' VISIT FETHARD
Tipp FM ‘Roadrunners’ Ian O’Connor and Mary Dempsey paid a visit to Fethard on 18th November to celebrate the station’s new county-wide broadcasting license which was issued recently. The broadcast crew are photographed with children from First Steps Playgroup at Fethard and Killusty Community Centre.
FETHARD JUDO CLUB
The north-west championships were held in Derry last weekend. We had fifteen travelling up on Friday morning. Our only senior competitor was Roy Gorey, who fought well and finished third. Our youngest competitor was Padraig O'Shea, who did well and won gold. Also winning gold was Liam Halley, who did very well, this being his first competition in eighteen months. We had D. J. Gorey and Martin O'Donnell fighting each other for gold. D. J. won the gold and Martin was a good second. Stephanie Lawrence, Orla O'Donnell and Alan Brannigan all won silver medals. Bronze medals were won by Richard Gorey, Samantha Feery, Jake Walsh and Grace Maher, all doing very well. Tom Woodlock and Niall O'Donnell did well, but were unlucky on the day. The unluckiest of them all was Cathal Gorey who, during his fight, broke his collarbone. Thanks to the parents who drove to Derry and to our coach Eric O'Donnell.
FETHARD RUGBY
Sunday November 23rd saw a convoy of cars travel from Fethard to Carrick-on-Suir for the under-9s and under-11s blitz. Conditions were virtually perfect for rugby as the under-11s took on the home team in their first game of the day. It was a close fought encounter with Carrick eventually coming out on top, three tries to two, their final try being scored seconds from the end of normal time. The Fethard tries came from Frankie Sheehan and Daniel Hickey (who was to go on to have a profitable day). Fethard went on to play Clanwilliam in their second game of the day, looking to overturn their three tries to two defeat against the same team the previous weekend. The team got off to a great start, with three tries from Daniel Hickey, Colm Shanahan and Aaron Conran. The second half saw the team run in four more tries through Colm Shanahan, Aidan Purcell, Stephen Maguire and Daniel Hickey, to seal an impressive seven tries to nil scoreline. Best for Fethard on the day were Colm Shanahan, Stephen Maguire and Kevin Hayes in the pack, with Jack O'Connell, Andrew Kelly, Tommy Sheehan and the hard-tackling David Bergin impressing in the backline.
Our under-13s played Kilfeacle in the league on Sunday. We gave four players their debut to the oval ball game, Declan Doyle, Aaron O’Donovan, Alan O’Connor getting a try, and Christopher Sheehan, two tries. Christopher’s second try saw all four involved up in the build up. If we are to take anything from this game, it is the defence we'll have to work on. Tackling was a little slack also. The final score was 30-17 to Kilfeacle.
FETHARD CHRISTMAS CARDS
A selection of four Fethard Christmas Cards are now available for sale in local shops. The one above is of Watergate Bridge.
SANTA BEAR APPEAL
This year’s ‘Santa Bear Appeal’ in aid of the Central Remedial Clinic will take place from Monday 1st December to Friday 12th December. This year is celebrating Santa Bear’s 10th Birthday and we ask your support locally for this very worthy cause.
Proceeds of this year’s Carol Singing, which takes place on Thursday 18th December will also go towards the appeal.
NELLIE’S NINETIETH BIRTHDAY
A very large crowd of family, relatives and friends turned out at Slievenamon Golf Club on Sunday afternoon last for the ninetieth birthday party of Mrs Nellie Shortall. Nellie, looking elegant as usual, moved around greeting each of the many guests by name and made each feel especially welcome to the auspicious occasion. Following a scrumptious meal, the party really got underway. The combined talents of the extremely very musical Fitzpatrick family was very much in evidence. Led by her son John on the violin, accompanied by his close friend Joe Kenny on guitar, the singing voices of at least three generations of Nellie’s relatives were truly remarkable.
What can one say of Nellie Shortall? It must be the keen outlook she still maintains in her many interests that keep her going. Up to a very short while ago she was actively involved in the Hogan Musical Society, the I.C.A., and Senior Citizen Club outings and parties, which she still attends. She has taken part, up to two years ago, in the ‘Best Dressed Lady’ competition at the R.D.S. An excellent professional cook, her advice in culinary matters is often sought and acted upon locally, she has represented Tipperary I.C.A. in All-Ireland cooking competitions. In May 1999 she entered and won the lilting competition at the Tipperary Fleadh Cheoil finals held at Kilsheelan.
Her pride and joy as a music lover was to attend the various competitions at this year’s Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Clonmel, and is already looking forward to next years. Nellie attended a 50th wedding anniversary party on Saturday and the Fethard Players production of ‘The Plough and the Stars’ during the week. Need we go on? We are tired already, just writing about her activities!
Nellie photographed above with her three children, John, Marie and Ann.
The remarkable evening concluded with the assembled guests in one voice, giving a great rendering of, ‘The boys are all mad about Nellie’, ‘For she's a jolly good fellow’, and giving three lusty cheers for a truly remarkable lady. Ad Multos Annos. READ MATCH REPORT
SOPRANOS RETURN
Local music lovers are in for a rare treat on December 10th when the Irish Sopranos make a much look forwarded return visit to the Abymill Theatre. The three girls, Wendy Dwyer (Cork), Kay Lynch (Tralee) and Deirdre Masterson (Gorey), have been really hitting the high spots since their last Fethard concert. Live on television for the Rose of Tralee, they were the first female group to salute the winning Rose.
Prior to their American tour, the Irish Sopranos embark on a short Irish tour, which includes Fethard. Early booking at O’Flynn’s Menswear, Burke Street, is very advisable. Tel: 052 31254.
HUNTING NEWS
The book ‘Tipperary’, a Tipperary Foxhounds production launched officially in the Horse and Jockey Inn on Tuesday night last, is surely a must for all Tipperary sporting people, hunting and non-hunting folk alike.
The book, an excellent production, is the story and not just historical facts, of the Tipperary Foxhounds since their foundation at Grove in 1821. A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words. This book is adorned with a myriad of excellent photographs, including some great action pictures of masters, secretaries, huntsmen, whippers-in, mounted followers, foot followers, terriermen, fencers, you name it, it’s in there!
Preliminary copies available simply flew off the shelves of stockists. No doubt in a short time, it will be a collectors item.
The Ballylusky White Heather Harriers meet next Sunday at Rocklow at 12 noon.
DEATH OF TIM VIGORS
The death has occurred recently in England of Wing Commander Tim Vigors, formerly of Tullamaine and Coolmore Fethard. Born in 1921, he joined the RAF at the outbreak of World War II and quickly became one of the most noted fighter pilots in what became known as ‘The Battle of Britain’. Credited with shooting down 11 German planes, with a further 6 possibles, he admitted that prior to his first mission, he felt what he described for the first time, ‘The taste of fear’, quickly changed to one of self preservation.
Following many of his flying sorties over the south English coast, his plane, which had the tricolour painted on the nose, was serviced by another Fethard man, the late Christy Matthews of Kerry Street. Christy served in the RAF ground forces during the war and often described Tim Vigors plane as returning, ‘riddled with bullet holes’.
After the war he returned to Coolmore, which he inherited from his father in 1968. He then began building the famous stud farm which it is today, before selling out to his partners, Mr John Magnier, Mr Vincent O’Brien and Mr Robert Sangster. He then went to live in Spain and continued to work in the bloodstock business. He returned to Newmarket 20 years ago and lived there until his death on 14th November.
FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
Fethard Bridge Club are playing for ongoing turkey prizes at the moment and the results will not be announced until our Christmas party which will be held in Sadel’s Restaurant on Wednesday 17th December. A reminder to all members, that subscriptions are due before the end of November. Anyone looking for a partner contact Annie O’Brien Tel: 052 31862.
