DIED RECENTLY
We record the death of Johnny 'Taxer' Ryan, formerly of St. Patrick's Place, Fethard, who died last week in London.

SOCCER FOR OVER-30s
If you are interested in playing soccer for fun and are in the 30-40 age group and upwards, come along and join us in the Community Sports Field on the Killenaule Road on Wednesday nights at 7.30pm or on Sunday evenings (time to be confirmed). We are a recently formed group ‘Badgers’, who are simply a group of people getting together for a game of soccer once or twice a week. This is about getting together for fun and a bit of exercise with little emphasis placed on competition in order to avoid injury. So if you are over 30 and feeling you're already past it, think again!  For further information contact Colm McGrath at Tel: 086 3502360 or Liam Harrington at Tel: 086 8436546.

FETHARD GAA CLUB
The Senior Football County League semifinal was played last weekend in Clonmel against Cahir when we came out on top on a scoreline, Fethard 0-13 (0-8), Cahir 0-10 (0-6), to set up a final date for Saturday 24th April in Cahir against our old rivals Aherlow for the 4th year in a row, meeting at semifinal or final levels of the County League, with Fethard winning 2001, 2003, and Aherlow in 2000, Ardfinnan in 2002.

The Intermediate Hurling County League commenced on Easter Monday and our first match is away to Clonakenny on this Sunday 18th April at 7pm , with a home game on Sunday 25th in Fethard at 7pm against Lorrha.

Minor Football B commences on Wednesday 21st April against St Patricks at 7pm in O’Sullivan Park, Ballingarry.  It is the first South Board fixture to be played in their new field and we wish Ballingarry the very best off luck in this new facility which was blessed and opened to the public last Sunday.

Our under 16 juvenile footballers we are away to Clonmel Og on 19th April at 7pm and in under 12 football we are at home to Moyle Rovers on Thursday 22nd April at 7pm.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €3,800 was not won.  We had two match threes winners of €75: Gary Lonergan (Main St), and Pat Bradshaw (The Green).  The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Aisha Tobin (53 Woodvale Walk).  The numbers drawn in The Well were 8, 13, 17 and 19.

Don’t forget our annual Dinner Dance takes place on this Saturday 17th April in Cahir House Hotel at 8.45 (sharp). Presentation of 2003 South Junior A, County Senior League Medals will take place at the dance, and we will also be honouring the 1978 County/South Senior Football Champions.

JUVENILE GAA CLUB
Our U/12 footballers played their second match in their championship bid on Thursday evening last against Clonmel Og in Clonmel.  The team came out in fighting form but were well beaten by a very big and strong opposition who had the upper hand from the word go.  We wish our lads the very best in their next game.  Players will be informed of time and venue when known.

The Juvenile Club would also like to congratulate the Patrician Presentation Secondary School's U/14 team, captained by Christopher Sheehan, for their great win in the South Tipp Schools ‘Lift and Strike’ competition held in Clonmel recently.  Well-done lads a great win and achievement.

Football training continues on Saturdays at 3pm for U/8s, 10s and 12s, and at 6pm on Tuesday evenings for U/12s.  U/14s on Wednesday evenings at 6.30pm and Fridays at 6.15pm.  U/16s on Monday evenings at 7.00pm.  All the above training sessions take place in the GAA field

Hurling training has now commenced for U/14s and U/16s on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm in the new Community Sports Field.

HAPPY EASTER WISHES
We take this opportunity to wish all our readers, at home and away, a very Happy Easter.


If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Club Secretary, Caroline Sheehan, Tel: 052 32005 or 086 1713502

L to R: Noel Kenny, Sr. Philomena O'Brien OSU, Cathy O'Brien, Liam Kenny and Michael Mallon photographed in New York.

We've also been asked by the Kenny family, Grove, to sent Easter Greetings to Sr. Philomena O'Brien, originally from The Green, Fethard, who had the honour of being Grand Marshall at this year's St. Patrick's Day Parade at Bayport, New York. On that happy occasion, Liam Kenny, Noel Kenny and Michael Mallon (photographed above) travelled to New York, met Sr. Philomena and Cathy O'Brien (The Square, Fethard), and were very grateful for the hospitality received and the wonderful holiday they had while staying in New York. On their return, they also dropped in some press cuttings from the Irish Gazette CLICK TO READ REPORT

CHAMPION OF THE HOMELESS IS PERSON OF YEAR
(The Nationalist Saturday 10th April)
By Conor Kane

Fethard woman and veteran campaigner for the homeless, Alice Leahy, has been named as the 2004 Tipperary Person of the Year.

The award is being made in recognition of Alice Leahy's contribution to some of the most vulnerable members of society, since she founded the TRUST organisation in 1975.  She will be formally presented with her award at the Tipperary Annual Dinner on Friday, April 23, at Moran's Red Cow Hotel in Dublin.

Jarlath Daly, President of the Tipperary Association, Dublin, commented: "From a rural background, Alice has become almost a legend amongst the most excluded of Dublin's homeless. For over 30 years she has worked in the front line, providing medical and social services to the most marginalised since she founded TRUST."

A nurse by profession who has also become a broadcaster, commentator and writer, Alice is an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. She wrote her first book, 'Not Just a Bed for the Night' in 1995 and last year she edited 'With Trust in Place - Writing from the Outside' which was published by Townhouse and featured contributions on the theme of the outsider from a wide range of people.

"In recognition of her outstanding contribution, we are delighted to announce Alice Leahy is our 2004 Tipperary Person of the Year", added Jarlath Daly. He pointed out that, through education programmes undertaken by TRUST, "more people have been given the opportunity to understand what it means to be excluded and forgotten".

TRUST is a non-judgemental, social and health service for people who are homeless. A former Chairperson of the Sentence Review Group, Alice Leahy was involved with the Simon Community and Voluntary Service International before co-founding TRUST which is based in Bride Road, Dublin, in the basement of the Iveagh Hostel.

Meanwhile, Jarlath Daly has also announced that sporting legend Jimmy Doyle will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Tipperary Annual Dinner in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Tipperary hurling.

Killusty edge home in SEVEN-GOAL thriller
Killusty 4 Cahir Park 3 (League Div 1)

A very entertaining game at Killusty with seven goals and plenty of near misses - if both teams had taken their chances we could have been in double figures. The visitors were quick off the blocks when they went in front after 10 minutes. Noel O'Brien picked up a loose ball just outside the box to fire it to the net. Jimmy O'Meara had the home team level just 15 minutes later with a good shot from the edge of the box.

Cahir were exerting a lot of pressure and it came as no surprise when Noel O'Brien put them in front again on 35 minutes with a great shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 at the break.

The home team came out all fired up for the second half and on 60 minutes they were level, Jimmy O'Meara rising highest in the box for a cross to head home a great goal.

Both teams were going at it hammer and tongs. In the 70th minute a cross into the Cahir box was headed home by Shay Coen. On 78 minutes Michael Quinlan put the home team further in front when he finished a good move to the net.

The last couple of minutes were going to be hectic with both sides going all out and it was Cahir who scored in the 87th minute through John Ryan to make it a nail biting finish but Killusty held on for the points.

Goals prove decisive for Kilsheelan
Kilsheelan 2-9, Fethard 0-11
South Tipp U-21 HC 'B'
(The Nationalist 10 April)

This was a very evenly contested game until the last five minutes when Kilsheelan scored 1-2 to Fethard's 0-1 to win by four points. Kilsheelan started at great pace and raced into 0-5 to no score lead after ten minutes with David Hanrahan 0-2, Senan O'Halloran 0-1, Barry Cloona 01 and Anthony Walsh 0-1 who was the best player for Kilsheelan on the night.

Fethard slowly took control and prevented Kilsheelan from scoring in the remainder of the first half and adding 0-5 from Michael Dillon (0-3 f), Eoin Doyle 0-If, Paul Kenrick 0-1, to leave the half time score all square at five points each. Both teams also had five wides each so a draw was a fair reflection of a very enjoyable half with under foot conditions slippery.

Fethard took up where they had left off and added two points from Michael Dillon (1f) to go in front for the first time. Then after 10 minutes David Hanrahan hit a tame shot which the goalie failed to hold and ending in the net to put Kilsheelan back in front with their first score in 30 minutes.

Fethard did fight back to level with a Michael Dillon free after 15 minutes but the goal gave Kilsheelan a wake up call and they added 2 points from David Hanrahan and Senan O'Halloran to go 2 up , Fethard fought back with 2 points from a Michael Dillon free and John Leahy to draw level again after 24 Minutes.

Kilsheelan's Senan O'Halloran and Anthony Walsh added points and within a minute the match was over when the Fethard goalie misread a ball going wide to deflect into his own net so Kilsheelan were five up with 2 minutes to go. Fethard did add 0-1 from a Michael Dillon free to leave the final score Kilsheelan 2-9, Fethard 0-11.

Best for Kilsheelan were Niall Walsh, Tommy Ryan, Shane Geoghegan in defence and Senan O’Halloran. Anthony Walsh, David Hanrahan and Barry Cloona in attack. Fethard's best were Ian Kenrick, Eoin Doyle, William Harrington in defence while Michael Dillon was Fethard's best forward on the night.

Kilsheelan - Ian Coughlan, Eoin Ryan (K), Niall Walsh. George Stewart, Keith Condon, Tomas Ryan, Shane Egan. Patrick Walsh, Eoin Ryan (B). Senan O’Halloran 0-3 (If). Anthony Walsh. 0-2, David Hanrahan 1-3, Karl Gibbs, David Power, Barry Cloona 1-1. Subs: Shane Crotty, Francis Strang.

Fethard - Paddy Cooney, Mike Kelly, Ian Kenrick, James Smyth, William O'Brien, Eoin Doyle 0-1(f), William Harrington, Jamie McCormack, Michael Dillon 0-8 (7f), John Leahy 0-I, Ronan Maher, John Noonan, John Hanrahan, P J Morrissey. Paul Kenrick 0-1. Sub: Owen Maher.

Colm Coen hat trick completes memorable Killusty comeback
Ballingarry Albion 3, Killusty 4 (League Division One)

This game was played at a hectic pace in the first 45 minutes, when the visitors gave as good as they got, but over the ninety minutes the home team will feel unlucky not to have secured a draw. The home team were in front after just 15 minutes, James Ivors finishing off a good move from inside the area. Killusty were level two minutes later, Tony Shelley reacting quickest in the box to fire home from an acute angle.

Gerry Ivors got number two for the home team on 35 minutes when he was on the end of a cross to knock the ball home. David Cashin made it 3-1 on 40 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box, and Ballingarry looked like they were going to take complete control when it was 3-1 at the break. A lot of chances were created in the second half but this half was more notable for the scoring achievements of Colm Coen of Killusty, who got a hat-trick with goals in the 60th 70th and 85th minutes to take all the points for the visitors.

Fethard Judo Club
The Cavan Open was held last weekend. This is one of the big competitions of the season and we had some of the best performances of the year.  ‘Star of the day’ had to go to Stephanie Lawrence who won three gold and one silver medal and was awarded Player of the Day.

We then had Richard Gorey who won two gold medals. Padraig O'Shea and Niall O'Donnell both won gold medals with some of the best bouts of the day. Loraine Feery was in no mood for messing and won gold in style. Liam Halley did very well and won gold and silver in some of the hardest fights of the day. We then had Cathal Gorey winning silver. Gary Bradshaw received silver for one of his fights being the quickest of the day, lasting only two seconds.

Orla O'Donnell did very well to get silver in the senior event. Samantha Feery showed she is coming into form winning silver in the junior event and bronze in the senior. Alan Brannigan did well and was delighted to get bronze. Tom Woodlock and Aobh O'Shea were unlucky on the day, but fought well.  Yet again we would like to thank the parents who drove the long and bumpy road to Cavan and a big thanks to coach Eric O'Donnell.

The Dublin school championships were held recently.We had four from the club competing. The O'Donnell family did very well. Martin and Orla both won gold and Niall won silver. Grace Maher won gold and silver.

The community games judo is being held on Saturday 24th April, at 2 sharp. Anyone who wins will go forward to the Ministers on Sunday 3rd July, in Limerick, and then on to Mosney the weekend of 20th-22nd August. Keep these dates in your calendar and just to remind everyone, there is no training this Friday as it is Good Friday.

FETHARD RUGBY U/13s Bow Out In SemiFinal
Fethard Rugby Club U/13s played Kilkenny on Saturday last week in the league semi-final and were narrowly defeated by a well drilled Kilkenny side. The Fethard lads never gave up and some great forward drives by JP McGrath, Colm Blackmore, Joe Fogarty and Stephen Healin which set up scoring chances for Chris Sheehan, Doyler, Alan Doyle and Eoin O'Connell. This was a great year for this team in their first season and they did Fethard RFC proud. Our thanks to John Lonergan for officiating at this game.

On Sunday we travelled to Cashel with the U/8s, U/10s and U/12s. Our U/12s participated in the under 12 plate and had a great victory over Galbally by two tries to one in the semi-final and faced Thurles in the final. This was a very tough encounter with Thurles scoring in the first half. Fethard piled on the pressure and some great drives by Michael John Murphy, Colm Shanahan and Michael Power sent Damien Morrissey, Jerome Aherne and Paraic O'Shea on great runs, but we failed to get the vital touch down. It was a great display by the Fethard lads.

Our U/8s played a great game against Cashel, which saw great performances from James Lanigan, David Morgan, Colm Grant, Harvey Blackmore and William Morgan.

The U/10s had to give best but nevertheless gave a good account of themselves, Philip Meagher, Joseph Morgan, William Croke, Michael Smith, Colm Meagher and David Bergin all gave their best.

TIPP FM BROADCAST - EASTER SUNDAY MASS
Tipp FM Radio will do a live broadcast of 11am Easter Sunday Mass from Holy Trinity Parish Church in Fethard.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The senior citizens annual holiday to Cairne, Co. Wexford, will take place in early June. Anybody wishing to travel please contact any member of the Society before the end of April

Families on social welfare assistance who need our help with Confirmation or First Communion please contact us as soon as possible.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Performing in the Abymill Theatre are L to R: Paul Kelly, Eleanor Shanley and Frankie Lane.

The committee would like to thank all who helped and supported the Eleanor Shanley concert in the Abymill last weekend, proceeds of which are going towards the costs of purchasing and erecting the annual Christmas Streets Lights in Fethard.  Thanks to the staff of the Community Employment Scheme for their help and to Kenny’s Centra Supermarket who sponsored the Cheese and Wine reception.  A special work of thanks to Vinny Murphy, McCarthy’s Hotel, who organised the event and to Lonergan’s Off Licence in Clonmel for loaning us wine glasses.

The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place on Tuesday 20th April at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre.

SLÍ NA SLÁINTE MEETING
Fethard & Killusty Community Council have organised a meeting on Friday evening 23rd April at 8.30pm in the Tirry Community Centre for all those interested in starting a 'Slí na Sláinte' walking route around Fethard.  Mr Leo D'Arcy, Killusty, will give an introductory presentation on the night, which will be followed by a discussion and election of a group to steer the project. Tea will be served afterwards. Please do come along!

'Slí na Sláinte' is the Irish phrase for 'Path to Health' and it is a unique exercise concept devised and launched in 1996 by Paddy Murphy, Chief Executive of the Irish Heart Foundation. The aim of the project is to make exercise more attractive and more fun by putting distinctive signs along walking routes around the country to mark one kilometre walked.

STEVEN'S MARATHON HORSE-RIDE FOR CHARITY

Heartiest congratulations to Steven O'Connor (above), originally from Kiltinan, Fethard, who has just been elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Steven's election to the almost 200-year old society, is in recognition of his achievement in completing a 3,000 km, trans-European, solo trek (no back-up) with his Spanish horse, Murphy, in 2002. He plans to do a horse-circuit of Ireland this year. You can read all about his trek and plans on his brother's website www.planorganic.com.
Steven would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to help with sponsorship. Contact Steven by email;  or by post: Steven O'Connor, 5, Coinagehall Place, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4AZ, England. Tel. 00 441 736 361820

COMMUNITY JACKPOT NOW €5,950
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Tuesday 6th April were: 10, 12, 17 and 24. There was no Jackpot winner, and no "Match 3" winner so five tickets were drawn and the following received €30 each:
Richard O'Donnell, Woodvale Walk, Fethard
Peter Grant, The Valley, Fethard
John Joe White, Rathkenny
Susanna Manton, Main Street, Fethard
Jim Murphy, Coleman, Fethard
Lucky dip winners of €50 each were:
Tracy Ryan, 10 Cedar Grove, Strylea, Fethard
David Woodlock, Fethard
Thomas Keating, Cloneen, Fethard
Next weeks Jackpot is €5,950. Jackpot sellers prize €450.

THE WELL GOLF SOCIETY
I expect that many of you readers are wondering where is the best place to go on Easter Sunday night. Well worry no longer, because The Well is the place to be. Not only are we holding our Annual Easter Draw, there will also be music by Donal Lyons, plenty of food, loads of craic, sure where else would you get it. And a reminder to our members, get those draw cards back ASAP

FETHARD GAA CLUB
Our under-21 ‘A’ hurling losers game took place on Saturday last in Kilsheelan against Kilsheelan and, having to play without five of our regulars, Shane Walsh, Paul Hackett, Darren O’Meara, William Doyle, Shane Aylward, our team put up a great show in losing in the last few minutes by 4 points on a score line, Fethard 0-11, Kilsheelan 2-9.  Full match report on sports page.  The club would like to thank all selectors and players for their commitment and voluntary time.

Intermediate Hurlers please note that training resumed on Thursday evening 1st April at 7.30 pm. Our last senior football county league game resulted in a walkover for Fethard which puts us in the county league semifinal which will be played on Easter weekend.

Well done to our senior football county players, Damien Byrne, Aiden Fitzgerald, Paul Fitzgerald, Glen Burke, John P Looby and Cian Maher, for a great league showing of nine points and hard luck in not making the play off stages.  We wish them the best of luck in the Munster Championship. Congratulations also to our minor player, Shane Walsh, in helping Tipp footballers to reach a semifinal spot later on.

Our under 16 A juvenile footballers play Cahir in Fethard on Monday 12th April at 7.00pm and our under 12 A footballers are away this Thursday 8th April to Clonmel Og and away also on 15th April to Cahir.  Both games take place at 6.45pm.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €3,700 was not won.  We had one match three winner, Gillian and Aisling Breen (9 Barrack Street), who received €150.  Our €50 Lucky Dip winner was Tony Sayers (Watergate Street).  The numbers drawn at The Castle were 13,15,18 and 20.
Congratulations to all our County Board draw winners and thank you for your continued financial support.  The April winners were: Pat O’Donnell (Monroe) €1,000, Noreen Harrington (Garrinch) €600, Joe Allen (Killusty) €200.  It is that time of year again and our promoters will soon be contacting each member for this year’s draw. Annual Premium is €100 or by ten €10 monthly payments by direct debit or collection.

Don’t forget our annual Dinner Dance takes place on Saturday 17th April in Cahir House Hotel at 8.45 (sharp). Presentation of 2003 South Junior A, County Senior League Medals will take place at the dance, and we will also be honouring the 1978 County/South Senior Football Champions. Final bookings will be taken this weekend by our secretary, treasurer, or any dinner dance committee member.

FETHARD ATHLETIC CLUB
The club was well represented at the recent Community Games Cross Country Championships, held in Thurles last Wednesday the 31st March.  With the much sought after ‘trip to Mosney’ on offer, for the first six across the line, competition was keen. Nevertheless, Fethard Club provided five athletes who will have the honour of representing their County at the Cross County weekend in Mosney in May.  These athletes are: Lolo Trehy, Ryan Laslett, Ciara O’Connor, John Lalor and Hannah Trehy.

Meanwhile, on the senior scene, Fethard’s team of David Sullivan, Pat Heffernan and Tom Prester, took 3rd team prize at the recent 4 mile road race held in Moyglass on St. Patricks Day.

Training has now moved to the Community Field on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6.30 to 7.30pm.  Please note there will be no training on Easter Monday.

Members are reminded that registration fees are now due for 2004. This season’s fee is €20 per individual and €50 per family.  This increased fee will cover all entries to A.A I. events for the entire year, this will make administration simpler and easier for all concerned. All are welcome to come along and join in the training for the 2004 track and field season.

PROGRESSIVE 25 RESULTS
Results for Progressive 25 game played on Friday 2nd April.
Winners on 12 games: Robert and Bernie Phelan.  Runners up on 11 games: Tom Phelan and Bob Gleeson.  Table prize: Pat Horan and Biddy O’Donnell.  Tickets: Sheila Hall, Seamus Maher, Greta O’Donovan and Michael Murphy. 

A ‘special’ €10 game will take place in the Ballroom on Friday 9th April at 8.30 sharp. Proceeds are in aid of a very good cause.

DANCING
Popular dancing as usual in the ballroom on next Sunday night 11th April to the music of Old Flame.

JUVENILE GAA CLUB
Our under-12s began their south championship football bid on Thursday last with a great home win over Kilsheelan in some really bad weather conditions.  The match started off fairly slow and at half time it was only four points apiece.  The Fethard lads then stepped up the pace with Alan Lawrence, Eoin Fitzgerald, Ronan Fitzgerald and Gareth Lawrence piling on the pressure by scoring some really great goals and points, which put us well ahead before the final whistle blew.  It was great to see the lads back in action.  The final score was, Fethard 2-09, Kilsheelan 1-01.

We play Clonmel Og in our next match on Thursday 8th April in Clonmel Og.  The bus leaves from outside the GAA field at 6 pm.  Best of luck to the team and to all involved.  For further information please ring club secretary, Caroline Sheehan, Tel: 052 32005 or 086 1713502.

Training continues on Saturdays at 3pm for under/8s, under/10s and under12s.  On Tuesdays at 6pm, Wednesdays at 6.30pm, and on Fridays at 6.15pm for under/12s and under/14s.  Under/16s on Mondays at 7pm in the GAA field.  Hurling training has commenced for under/14s and under/16s on Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm in the new community sports field.

COMMUNITY GAMES

Gold medallists in the County Final of the Crown Paints Community Games Art Challange in Fethard last weekend. Back L to R: Danielle Mullane from Clerihan who won the under/16 section; Martin O Keeffe, Cahir, County Chairman Community Games. Front L to R: Aoife O Dwyer, Carrick-on-Suir, winner of the under/8; Jane Kenny, Fethard, winner of the under/12; Evie O'Sullivan, Fethard, winner of the under/10; and Roisin Ryan, Upperchurch, winner of the under/14.

Approximately 220 children contested the county finals of the Community Games Crown Paints Art Challenge in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday last, April 3rd.  Congratulations to Fethard competitors, Evie O Sullivan, daughter of Jimmy and Fionnuala, Main Street, and Jane Kenny, daughter of Joe and Rita, Rocklow Road, both of whom won gold medals in under/10 and under/12 age groups.  Louis Rice, son of Fintan and Valerie, Everardsgrange, won a silver medal in the boys under/12 event.   This was a great achievement for Fethard and we wish the girls the very best of luck at the National Finals which will take place in Mosney next August.   Evie and Jane are requested to send a copy of their birth certificate and a passport type photo to our Area Secretary, Bernard Feery, Tel: 052 21023 as soon as possible. 


Other local competitors were: Charlie Manton, Gerard Gorey, Adam Lyons, Christopher Thompson, Brian Delahunty, Jody Sheehan, Nicole Looby, Jessica Conran, Sadbh and Gráinne Horan, Laura Rice and Jane Holohan.  Well done to all our competitors. It is a great achievement to reach a county final.  A big ‘thank you’ to the Ballroom Committee for the use of their venue and for all their help on the day.

KEYS LOST
A large bunch of keys were lost in the vicinity of the town last week. We ask the finder to please hand them in to the local Garda Station.

FETHARD BRIDGE CLUB
On Wednesday 31st March 2004 we played for Easter prizes and the results were:
1st Gross: Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke
2nd Gross: Margaret Hackett and Berney Myles
3rd Gross: Rita Kane and Kay St. John
1st Nett: Mary Quirke and Fr. John Meagher
2nd Nett: Philly Kenny and Margaret Mary McCormack
3rd Nett: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny
On Wednesday next 14th April we will be playing the first night of our Club Championship. Anyone looking for a partner please contact: Annie O’Brien, The Square, Fethard. Tel: 052 31862.

PATRICIAN PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL
Sharon Duggan, Sarah Kennedy and James Smyth from 5th year successfully completed the 2FM Trocaire fast. This is a very worthwhile cause and good sponsorship was raised.

The Lourdes Quiz Night raised €900 and was again a great success with large student participation. The student table winners were John Freeman and Niall Hayes of 3rd year. The students selected to go to Lourdes are Mary Gorey and Sarah Kennedy.

A great effort by Mr. & Mrs Prendergast, all our scrutineers, collectors and sponsors, Connie Sullivan of our ancillary staff and all who help is made and they are to be congratulated.

In the Young Entrepreneur competition, Sara Conway, Carrie Sweeney and Chloe Gough, all of 1st year, received a prize for their Personalised Calendars which looked very attractive indeed.

Transition Year Daffodil Day Team Suzanne Gorey, Stephanie Fitzgerald, Gillian O'Connell, Richard Gorey and Fintan Maher raised approximately €1000 outside the Post Office on Daffodil Day, 19th March.  This is an annual venture for TY students who were hugely supported by Anne Connolly, the local organiser.

On the games front our Volleyball Junior team were in action in Lismore, Co. Waterford, and both our hurling and football teams have games coming up.  In the annual charity volleyball challenge match between the seniors and the staff, the staff won 2-1.

ABBEY RESTORATION AND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS
We commenced our monthly meetings for the Abbey Restoration and Jubilee Year Celebrations in February 2004 and so far have had a good response from the people of Fethard and Killusty.  If you wish to help or feel you have anything to contribute to the Jubilee Celebration please join us in the Abymill Theatre on, Tuesday 12th April, at 8pm for our next meeting.

The proposed 'Augustinian Dates' we have marked for special celebrations are:
Lent 2005 - Opening of the Jubilee Year;
April 2005 - Our Lady of Good Council;
May 2005 - St. Rita;
August 2005 - Sts. Augustinian & Monica (highlight of the year);
November 2005 - St. Nicholas of Tolentine;
January 2006 - Church Unity Octave
Lent 2006 - Closing Triduum dedicate to Blessed William Tirry

FLEADH CEOIL
Have you a room, flat or house to rent for weekending 27th, 28th and 29th August?  Local accommodation is urgently required by Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann committee for competitors, their friends and supporters who will be attending the Fleadh in Clonmel on the above mentioned dates.  B&B accommodation and full board are also sought.  For further information contact the Fleadh secretary at Tel: 052 24960.

THIS WEEK'S - 'PIC 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.

These photographs were taken c.1900 of Fethard Streets, and we think it is quiet today!

Burke Street, or Moor Street as it may have been known at that time. Where is O'Flynn's Menswear?

Lower Main Street, Fethard, before the new Convent Entrance.

EASTER MESSAGE
In 1819 the first Mass was celebrated in the Parish Church of Fethard.  The relaxation of the Penal Laws made it possible to build the Church and celebrate the Eucharist. Since then, the Eucharist has been celebrated in Fethard church continuously, helping to deepen the faith of the area.  We are now approaching the Easter season when the Lord Jesus becomes our Saviour.  He changes us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

May all of us be renewed this Easter and, being refreshed after our recent Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help, may our light so shine before men that they may see good works and glorify our Father in Heaven this Easter season.

On behalf of Canon Power and myself, we wish all our parishioners a very Happy Easter. Fr. Tom Breen PP.

CHAIRMAN RETIRES
Fethard GAA circles were stunned during the week by the news that club chairman Mick Ahearne had tendered his resignation from the club and from the association.  Mick, following from the referee’s report on the South Tipperary, Ballybacon/Grange v Fethard intermediate hurling semifinal game, received a two-month suspension at last week’s meeting of South Tipperary GAA Board.

He is adamant that he is not guilty of the charge as set out in the report and felt, having stated his case to the Board, when the suspension was imposed, he had no other alternative but to tender his resignation as a matter of principle.  Mick is the first chairman in the 120-year history of the club to receive a term of suspension, and also the first to resign before his term of office was completed.

Mick Ahearne is a gael that the club or the association can ill afford to loose. A most dedicated official, Mick was not a man just for the big occasion.  An under-14 juvenile match, a junior ‘B’ game on a wet day, cutting the grass on the pitch, senior football or intermediate hurling games, representing the club at South and County Board meetings, were all equally important to Mick Ahearne.

Despite several approaches from club members and friends to change his mind, Mick says his decision is final!  Let us hope that wiser council will prevail and Mick Ahearne will return to the GAA, which has been so much part of his life for so long.

BADGERS
Last Thursday night in Grants Bar, the very first meeting of ‘Badgers’ took place. Who and what is Badgers?  It's simply a group of people getting together for a game of soccer once or twice a week.  But what makes it different is that those involved are all in the 30-40 age group and upwards.  This is about getting together for fun and a bit of exercise with little emphasis placed on competition in order to avoid injury. It is hoped to officially kick off in the next week, with two days to choose from to cater for the varying work schedules that exist.  So if you are over 30 and feeling you're already past it, think again! Come along and join us in the Community field on the Killenaule Road on Wednesday night at 7.30pm or Sunday morning at 11.30am.

For further information contact Colm at Tel: 086 3502360 or Liam at Tel: 086 8436546.

DIED IN ENGLAND
The death has occurred in Kent, England, of Ms Ann Lee, formerly Ann Cummins, Killenaule Road, Fethard, and daughter of the late Noreen Cummins.

ABYMILL THEATRE
The Eleanor Shanley concert at the Abymill on Friday night last was greatly appreciated and highly praised by the full-house attendance.  The concert was opened by local musicians, Mary Nugent and Seamus Hayes, who were later joined by John Shortall on fiddle.  Eleanor Shanley, supported by musicians Paul Kelly and Frankie Lane, said she was very impressed by the performance of Mary, and also her programme of songs, which were mostly written by herself.

Austin O’Flynn and the Abymill management continue their policy of promoting entertainment of the highest standard, when they present the Irish Chamber Orchestra in the Abymill on Friday 16th April.  Fethard are extremely lucky that such a talented group of classical musicians have now included the Abymill Theatre in Fethard as one of their six only Irish performances on their annual National tour.

RETREAT
Fr. Tom Breen P.P. and Canon James Power, at last week’s masses, paid tribute to the parishioners of Fethard and Killusty for their magnificent nightly attendances at the nine-nights retreat which concluded in the Parish Church on Tuesday 30th March.

Fr. Breen also thanked sincerely, the visiting priests who preached so eloquently, all who contributed to the retreat’s success, with a special thank you to sacristan Ms Pauline Morrissey.

EASTER CEREMONIES ABBEY
Holy Thursday: 7.30pm, Adoration until 11pm.
Good Friday: Passion at 3pm and Stations at 7.30pm.
Easter Saturday: 9pm
Easter Sunday: 9.30am and 11.30am

EASTER CEREMONIES PARISH CHURCH
Holy Thursday: 8pm.
Good Friday: Stations at 3pm and Passion at 8pm.
Easter Saturday: 8pm
Easter Sunday: 8.30am and 11am

EASTER CEREMONIES KILLUSTY
Holy Thursday: 8pm.
Good Friday: Stations at 3pm and Passion at 8pm.
Easter Saturday: 8pm
Easter Sunday: 10am

CONFESSIONS
Confessions will be available in the Abbey from 12 noon on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday.
Confessions will be available in the Parish church after the ceremonies each day and after the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.

EASTER BOUQUETS
Easter Mass Bouquets are available from the Abbey. For further information call to the Abbey. Tel: 052 31273.

ICA MEETING
The next meeting of Fethard ICA Guild will take place on Tuesday 13^th April in the ICA Hall at 8pm.  Our guest speaker will be shanachaí, T.K. Dwyer.  Hostesses will be the ‘green group’ and competition theme is “Something new from something old”.

The Spring Federation meting is being hosted by the Cloneen Guild on Tuesday 20^th April, so ladies, we hope as many as possible will attend on the night.

IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA SPRING TOUR
 The Irish Chamber Orchestra will return to the Abymill Theatre on Friday 16th April as part of their National Tour. Tickets can now be booked at O'Flynn's Menswear Tel: 052 31254 at €20 each (concession €15).

Fresh from resounding success at the Wigmore Hall, London, the Irish Chamber Orchestra takes to the road in April for a six-venue national tour. Under the directorship of Katherine Hunka, the orchestra presents a programme that spans the centuries from the 1600s - 1900s. Opening with the lively second of Handel's Concerti Grossi Op.6, the programme takes a leap into the future to explore the exciting characterful and quirky world of Alfred Schnittke in Sonata No.1 for Violin, Harpsichord arid String Orchestra. The romanticism of Puccini brings a complete contrast to a highly energetic Schnittke; composed in a single night, I Crisantemi (Chrysanthemums) arranged for string orchestra is a song of lamentation. Mendelssohn's String Symphony No.9, one of twelve early essays in symphonic style, was written when the composer was a mere 14 years old, yet it displays much of the energy that characterizes his more mature style.

SPACE STATIONS IN APRIL
What a wonderful colourful response we've had from Tony Newport's 'Space Stations' on Slievenamon, on 1st April, 2004. It's good to know that the tradition of 'April's Fools Day' is alive and well, at home and abroad!

PROGRESSIVE 25 RESULTS
Results for the Progressive 25 game played on Friday 19 March.
Winners on 13 games: Willie Kennedy and Michael Browne.  Runners up on 12 games: Bridie Lee and Chris O’Brien, Michael O’Brien and Seán Callaghan, Veronica and James Muldowney, John St. John and Pat O’Dwyer.  Table prize: Gus Neville and Alice Quinn.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
We are breaking the mould a bit this week with happy birthday wishes.  A young lady in The Valley celebrates an ‘all the fours’ birthday on Saturday next.  Happy birthday to Isobel Kennedy, daughter of Bill and Liz, who will be all of 4 years old on the 4/4/04.

Forty years will pass before, God willing, Isobel celebrates another ‘all the fours’ birthday on 4/4/44.  The mind boggles if the past 40 years are anything to go by, on what changes Isobel and all children of her age will witness in the ensuing 40 years.

CAR PARKING
Some time ago, the Fethard Presentation Sisters were approached by a few people who had difficulty walking from Main Street to the Parish Church, for permission to park their cars in the Convent Grounds.  This was readily given, to allow the not so fleet of foot easy access from the Convent to the rear of the Parish Church.  The Sisters generosity has, however, been taken advantage of.  The Convent grounds are private property and it's not unusual now to see between twenty and thirty cars being parked in the grounds on any Sunday morning.

A special appeal has been made to those who are able to walk the short distance from the street to the church, to please not use the Convent grounds as a car park.

RELATIONS SOUGHT
We have had an enquiry from James Dean, Appleton, USA, re his ancestors from the Kylenagranagh and Ballycullen areas.  James’s grandfather, also James and son of James Denn and Catherine Hennessy, Ballycullen, emigrated to USA in 1876.  It is also likely that his brothers and sisters emigrated to USA around 1880, probably along with their father.

Perhaps our friends in the Cloneen-Mullinahone area could help on this one.  Mr Dean will be visiting Fethard in May of this year.  His postal address is: James Dean, 920 Foxmoor, Appleton, WI 54911, USA.

Apparently somewhere along the way, the spelling of the surname was changed from Denn to Sean.  Mr Dean (Denn) was actually in Mullinahone a few years ago but unfortunately his request for Deans in the area brought no response.

FETHARD & KILLUSTY LONDON REUNION
This years Fethard & Killusty London Reunion will take place on Saturday 26th June at St. Anthony’s Parish Centre, Garratt Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 9AN, from 6.30pm ‘til late! Buffet food will be available, with music from 8pm onwards and all are welcome.

Now is the time to start booking those cheap flights (for €1 depending on the day) and while you’re at it, why not make a weekend of it in London and enjoy some shopping.
Cover charge on the night to help defray expenses is: adults £10.00, and children £7.00 and tickets available in advance or at the door. Further details from Paul Looby, Tel: 0044 (0)1276 459080 or plooby@ntlworld.com