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Thursday 12th August 2004

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Archieved Fethard Notes 1997-2003

Slievenamon Pilgrimage to Holy Year Cross
The annual pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon takes places on this Sunday August 15th.  Pilgrims are requested to assemble at the mountain wall at 2pm sharp.  Parking facilities are available in O’Donnell’s field.  On everyone’s return from the mountain at approximately 3.30pm, Mass will be celebrated in O’Donnells’ field for the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady at which the intentions of all those who have made the pilgrimage are remembered.

Group taken after making the annual pilgrimage to the Holy Year Cross on Slievenamon in the 1970s, includes: Christie Williams, Pat Ryan, Tony Newport, John Tobin, Jackie Aylward and wife, Mick Halpin, Tom Sheehan, Cathleen Keane, Mick Keane, Margaret Keane, Cly Mullins, John Harrington, Agnes Allen, Bill & Babe Maher, ‘Cap’ Holohan and Fr. Cunningham.

This annual pilgrimage offers people an opportunity to join in prayer and is also a social occasion where you can meet people from different parts of the locality all of whom make this journey together just as they travel the road of life together.

You are most welcome to the Mass if you are unable to make it to the cross.  Please come along and encourage others to be part of this year’s pilgrimage to Slievenamon.

The Holy Year Cross was erected by the people of the parish to commemorate the Holy Year and was blessed by the late Rev. Patrick O’Donnell, Archbishop of Brisbane, Australia, on 15th August 1950.  The cross was made of wood and extended 12’ by 9’ and each year the Holy Year Cross was illuminated both on Christmas night and Easter time using a lamp powered by wet batteries.  In 1974 the wood of the Holy Year Cross had suffered from the extreme climatic conditions on Slievenamon over the years and had to be replaced by a concrete structure.  That year the annual procession also had Stations of the Cross with smaller Crosses erected at intervals from the entrance to Slievenamon.

Battle of the Bands this Saturday
This coming Saturday afternoon, 14th August, a 'Battle of the Bands' will take place in Fethard Ballroom from 1pm to 6pm.  Over 10 young and upcoming bands will have the chance to perform with the additional chance to win a full days professional recording time at GAF Studios.  The event is organised in association with Premier Music Clonmel and GAF Recording Studios.  If you still wish to take part, contact Pat Doheny at Premier Music Clonmel Tel: 052 29811, or Vincent Murphy at McCarthys’ Hotel, Fethard, Tel: 086 8119625 as soon as possible.  Band entry fee is €40.  Admission to the event will be €5.

Married Recently
The wedding took place at Fethard Parish Church of Margaret Fitzgerald and Niall Carty, Wexford.  Margaret is a daughter of Garda David and Harriet Fitzgerald, Wexford.  Margaret expressed the wish to be married in her father’s parish church of Fethard, which she came to know well following her visits to her grandmother’s home at Kiltinan.

Stolen Horses
We make a special appeal this week for any information on two horses stolen from Knockbordan House, Grove, just over a week ago.  One named, Ballylea, is a dun coloured gelding and the other is a chestnut coloured mare, Ginger.  The owners, Jacqui and Tom Freyne, have hunted the horses regularly with the Tipperary and Kilkenny Foxhounds over the past number of seasons.

The gelding is 19 years old and the mare is aged 8.  Jacquie has had Ballylea for 16 years and Ginger for 5, and is really devastated by their loss.  She is particularly attached to Ballylea and is also worried that the mare will not receive the regular veterinary attention she needs.

Tom and Jacqui earnestly ask anyone that may have seen or heard anything that would help them in recovering the animals, to contact them or any Garda station.

Support not forthcoming
Just a thought following the south Tipperary senior football championship semifinals played at Ardfinnan on Sunday last.  The small attendance just makes one wonder if supporting the local football team is now no longer fashionable — after all — Clonmel Commercials were representing a town of a least 15,000 people.

Fethard may have not fifteen thousand people but, just as a matter of interest, we wonder how many in Fethard even knew the game was on.  Time was when the whole parish was behind the local team, but, as we have said often before, “times certainly change”.

Stonethrowers Rally

Admiring some of the miniture rally cars on display at the Stonethrowers Rally service stop in Fethard last Sunday are L to R: Amy Lyons, Darragh Bradshaw and Adam Lyons.


Photographed at the Stonethrowers Rally service station on Main Street Fethard are L to R: Shamie Harvey, Frances Harvey and Rita Burke from Fethard.

Died Recently
The death has occurred of Ms Josie Maher, Friarsgrange, Fethard, interment took place at Calvary Cemetery.  Sincere sympathy is extended to her brother Gus, and relatives in Fethard.

The death has occurred in America of Mr Stanley Blake.  The late Stanley Blake was son of Dr W. Blake and Mrs Nell Blake, formerly Nell Holohan, Barrack Street.  Stanley spent much of his boyhood at his late mother’s home in Barrack Street and was a regular holiday visitor to Fethard where he had many friends.  His last visit to Fethard was some two years ago.

The death has occurred in Dublin, unexpectedly, of Mr Patrick Ahearne.  The late Patrick Ahearne was son of Mrs Johanna Ahearne, formerly Johanna Murphy from Cashel Road.  Sincere sympathy is extended to the Ahearne family and to Johanna’s sisters, brothers, and relatives in Fethard.

Our sympathy to Catherine and John O’Flynn, Knockelly, on the death of Catherine’s mother, Mrs Nan Horgan, Rochestown, Cork, which took place on 7th August.

Is it worth the effort?
Reading the latest doping scandal to affect an Irish Olympic athlete, one wonders where this “win at all cost” attitude is going to end.  Success, and the money that at present goes with it, is the spur that drives these international athletes to adopt such methods.  Even the amateur GAA athletes have not escaped and we read where three inter-county players were, between games, dope tested.

There is a verse, seldom sung, in the ballad of ‘Bould Thady Quill’ which contains the lines, “He won the long jump without throwing off his waistcoat, going 24 feet from the heel to the toe.”  Maybe the sooner we get back to the amateur days the better? 

By all accounts, the successful Mayo senior football team concluded each training session by jumping into ice water followed by hot showers, at least three times.  Another, of the unsuccessful teams this time, used new footballs at each training session as they would be playing with a new ball in Croke Park, surely, for an amateur game, this is going too far?

Fethard GAA Club
The senior football south semifinal was played last Sunday, 8th August, in very difficult conditions and we came away with a great victory on a scoreline, Fethard 0-9, Cahir 0-8.  This was our second time this year beating the 2003 champions, Cahir, having already beating them in the semifinal of the county league, which we went on to win back in April.  Last Sunday’s victory also gives Fethard, the only team from South, a chance to proceed direct to the county semifinal if we win the south final against Commercials on 22nd August.  Full match report on sports page.  The team on Sunday last was: Paul Fitzgerald, Willie Morrissey, Michael Quinlan, Alan Phelan, Cian Maher, Michael Aherne, John P Looby 0-1, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-1, Kenneth Byrne, Miceál Spillane, Damien Byrne, Michael Dillon 0-1, Carl Maher 0-4 (3F), Eoin Doyle 0-1, Brian Coen.  Subs used were: Tom Anglim 0-1, Nicky Murphy, Tomas Keane, and P. J. Aherne.

Our intermediate hurling campaign continues on this Friday, 13th August, in Cahir with a match against Fr Sheehys at 7.15pm. 
Juvenile fixture for under-16 B continues with a game in Fethard on 16th August against Cahir at 7.00pm.

Our Lotto Jackpot of €5,500 was not won.  We had three match three winners who received €50 each: Alex Koster (Knockelly Road), Seamus Dorney (Woodvale Walk), Edel Bradshaw (10 Congress Tce).  The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Vera Sheehan (Woodvale Walk). The draw took place in The Castle and the numbers drawn were, 2, 12, 15 and 23.

The GAA Golf Classic takes place on this Saturday in Slievenamon Golf Club. Thank you for your support.

The Well Golf Society
The Well Golf Society would like to members that our next outing takes place on Saturday, August 28th, at Callan Golf Club.  Tee off time is now 11 o'clock and soft spikes are also required.  In the race for the golfer of the year, Joe Corbett has just edged in front of Ray Morrissey.  Only ten points separate the top six and, with the best five scores to count, it looks like going right down to the wire.

Progressive 25 Results
The results for the Progressive 25 game played on 6th August were: winners on 12 games Phyllis Lonergan and Tom Tobin; runners up on 11 games, Seamus Maher and Brian O’Donnell; table prize, Esther and Vincent Phelan; rubber finals, Nora Lee and Nora O’Donnell, Phyllis Lonergan and Tom Tobin, Brian O’Donnell and Seamus Maher; tickets, Seamus Maher, Dave Curran and Sil Murray. The next game takes place in Fethard Ballroom on Friday 13th August at 9pm sharp.

Community Games Meeting
A meeting for Fethard & Killusty Area Community Games will take place on this Thursday night, 12th August, in the Tirry Community Centre at 8.30pm.  This meeting is especially for the competitors who have qualified for the ESB Community Games National Finals in Mosney and their parents.
Information will be distributed and all queries answered.  In the case of competitors staying in the chalets in Mosney, a fee of €80 must be paid on the night.  Those qualified from the area are: Philip Maher, Ballybough (Swimming); Evie O’Sullivan and Jane Kenny, Main Street (Art); Padraig O’Shea, The Valley, Natalie Cahill, Woodvale Walk, Lorraine and Samantha Feery, Killusty, Cathal Gorey, Moanbeg (all in Judo). The Boys’ Volleyball Team: J.P. McGrath, Rocklow Road, Alan O Connor, St. Patrick's Place, Robert Ahearne, Redcity, Jonathan Fleming, Redcity, David Gorey, Main Street, Darren Prout, Derryluskin, and team manager Denis Burke, Redcity.

Alice Feery, Killusty was appointed as County Judo Manager.  Bernard Feery, Killusty, Helena O’Shea, The Valley, and Joe Keane, St. Patrick's Place, have all been appointed as National Officials to assist with administration of the games in Mosney.

This is an important meeting on Thursday night so a full attendance is expected.

Law Abiding Sean

We wish to confirm officially that there is no truth in the rumour that Sean Hanrahan received four penalty points on his licence or that his two passengers were fined for having no seat belts when he used his pony and trap on Sunday evening to taxi two friends home from town.

Badgers Soccer News

Fethard 'Badgers' club treasurer Liam Harrington took a week off to soak up some sun with his family in Portugal last week. Liam didn't feel at home until he found a this watering hole called, you guessed it, BADGERS!

For almost the last six weeks we ‘Badgers’ have managed to achieve injury-free games, no strained ligaments, groins or hamstrings etc.  Maybe this is partly due to the introduction of warm ups before games and warm downs after.  Granted, some members who suffered from such injuries have not been seen for some time, we wish them a speedy recovery and hope to see them return to the field soon.  For those who have forgotten it’s every Wednesday night from 7.45pm Philip and Eoin!  Members of the Permanent Defence Forces and former members of the PDF have been missing for some time now, since the George Bush visit in fact, conspiracy theories abound.  Newcomers always welcome to join the club.  For further details contact: Colm McGrath, Rathkenny, Fethard. Tel: 086 3502360.

Gus Kenrick on RTE Radio
Anyone listening to RTE 1 Radio on Monday morning last, 2nd August, may have heard Tom McGurk interviewing Laurence Kenny about his uncle, the late Gus Kenrick who was one of the survivors of the allied forces D-Day invasion in France during World War II.  Although later Gus retired to live in Fethard for the years leading up to his death in November 2002, he was never heard to speak of his traumatic experiences on the beaches of Normandy.  Following his death, a small dairy entitled ‘Treasures’ was discovered in an old Christmas Card box which contained a detailed first-hand description of D-Day and the events unfolding as they occurred.  Three excerpts from the diary were read during the ten-minute interview all of which were chilling reminders of what it was like for those soldiers who faced death in the face for the sake of freedom.

Fethard & Killusty Lotto Jackpot €8,500
There was no Jackpot winner in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto this week.  The numbers drawn on Tuesday 3rd August were 13, 18, 23 and 31.  There was one 'Match 3' winner who received €150:
Vera O'Donovan, Burke Street, Fethard.
Three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Jim Carroll, c/o Centra, Fethard.
Paul O'Meara, The Green, Fethard.
Mrs. Mary Sayers. Crampscastle, Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot is €8,500 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €740.

Sr. Monica Kevin
A recent visitor to Fethard was Sister M. Monica Kevin, New York and formerly Barrack Street.  Now semi-retired from her teaching career of sixty years during which she lectured at Fordham University, she still maintains a great interest in, and love of her native town.

When complimented on her knowledge and memory of people and places in Fethard which she left at 15 years of age so long ago, Sr. Monica replied, “a big part of me never left it”.  Was it Thomas Davis who wrote, “Breathes there one with soul so dead that never to themselves hath said, this is my own my native place”. Truly Sr. Monica has never forgotten her native town.

"Final Four" Concert in the Abymill

Photographed at the 'Final Four' concert held at the Abymill Theatre are, above, 'Final Four', and below, fans waiting for autographs after the performance.

L to R: Amanda Ryan, Amy Grant and Emma Fleming





L to R: Carrie Sweeney, Amy Sweeney, Tommy Sheehan and Frankie O'Donovan.

Progressive 25 Results
Results for Progressive 25 game played on Friday 23rd July 2004: Winners on 11 Games: Tom and Paddy McCormack. Joint Second on 10 Games: Jim and Mary Garrett, Paddy Butler and Tess Maher. Table Prize: Vincent and Esther Phelan. Ticket Winners: Lory Byrne, David Curran, Esther Phelan and Margaret Phelan. Rubber Finals: John Martin and Dave Curran, Brian O'Donnell and Seamus Maher, Vincent and Esther Phelan.

Results for Progressive 25 game played on Friday 30th July 2004: Winners on 11 games: Paddy and Phyllis Murphy. Joint runners up on 10 games: Brian O’Donnell and Seamus Maher, Tom Phelan and Bob Gleeson. Table prize: Ester Phelan and Chris Maher.  Tickets: Sheila Hall, Brian O’Donnell, Chris Maher, Phyllis Murphy.  Rubber finals: John Martin and Bridie Lee, Brigid Hayes and Teresa Cummins, Seamus Maher and Brian O’Donnell

Next game takes place in Fethard Ballroom on Friday 6th August at 9pm sharp.

Recent Weddings
The wedding took place recently in Limerick of Colette, daughter of Mr Dick Fitzgerald and the late Mrs Lily Fitzgerald, St. Patrick’s Place, to Mr Michael Clancy, Limerick.

The wedding took place at Killusty Church on Saturday July 24th of Ms Eithne Carrigan, Clonacody House to Mr Andrew Chen, California.

The wedding took place at Killusty Church on Friday July 30th of Bernie, daughter of Mr. Gay and Mrs. Pat Horan, Tinakelly, Fethard to Mr Michael O'Rahilly, Bawnbrack, Killenaule.

St. Rita's Camogie Club
The county semifinal of the Junior A Championship was contested in The Ragg on Friday 30th July between Fethard and Toomevara.  The sides had previously met in the league earlier this year where Toomevara emerged comprehensive victors. However, Friday night’s game proved not to be as one sided, with Fethard putting up a very tough battle in a match which saw Toomevara run out winners on a scoreline of, Toomevara 2-2, Fethard 1-2, bringing an end to another season.

At this time, the club wishes to thank the following people for their continued work and effort on behalf of the club; Martha Sheehan, Emma Fitzgerald, Sharon O'Meara, Stephen McCormack, Denis O'Meara and Stephen Fitzgerald. We look forward to a more successful campaign in the New Year.

The team was: Jean Morrissey, Stephanie Fitzgerald, Ailish Sheehan, Emma Walsh, Norah O'Meara, Vanessa O'Donnell, Sandra Maher, Joan O'Donnell, Nancy Ferris, Marie Holohan, Edel Fitzgerald (captain), Niamh Sheehan, Gillian O'Connell, Lisa McCormack, Sarah Mai Ahearne, Sarah Costello, Evelyn Fogarty and Margaret Smith.

Juvenile GAA
It has been an extremely busy and successful week for the Juvenile Club hurlers with two wins and a draw from three games played.

The under/16s were at home to Kilsheelan on Monday night of last week in the first match of their championship bid and had a great win.  It was a match that could have gone either way but the lads pulled ahead in the last 10 minutes and came away with a great win.

Under/14s were at home to St Patrick’s on Thursday of last week and came away with a draw.  They were behind throughout the match but after the second half they came back with much determination and managed to draw and hold off St Pats forward line to finish level.  They are now through to the semifinal and we wish them the very best.

Our under/12s played were away in Cloneen to Mullinahone for a place in the south final and came away with a great win.  They are now into the final, venue and time to be decided. Players will be notified.  We wish them the very best of luck.

A very young under/10 team travelled to Killenaule on Saturday of last week to play off for the final of the B group and had a great win over Clonmel Og to make it into the final against Killenaule. They were well beaten by a bigger stronger team on the day but the score line by no means reflected the effort and determination by the Fethard lads and they did their club and themselves very proud on the day.

GAA Summer Camp
It is that time of year again and the GAA are holding their annual summer camp and we look forward to welcoming old and new members. Please note:
Date: 16th - 20th August
Time: 10am - 2pm daily
Venue: Fethard GAA Field
Age: 7 - 14 years
Price:  €30 per child (family rates apply).

Camogie, football and hurling will be taught to the children and competitions will be held with medals presented to the children on the last day of summer camp.  Any queries you may have please phone our club secretary: Caroline Sheehan Tel: 052 32005 or 086 1713502.

Down by the Riverside

Colin Grant from The Valley, photographed with some of the rubbish collected from the Clashawley River on Monday 26th July.

Early last week a rather irate lady rang a local radio station complaining about the state of the Clashawley River within the precincts of Fethard Town, fair enough.  Obviously she had taken her walk down by the riverside prior to Monday July 26th.

Approximately fifteen good men and women with a few energetic juveniles responded to the appeal for volunteers to carry out a clean-up operation on the river between the Convent Bridge and Coffeys’ Bridge.  Sacks of rubbish that included cans, broken bottles, carpets, planks, a bicycle, iron bars were just some of the larger pieces of junk that were removed.  Crisp bags, fast food containers and even a cock that will crow no more were among the general bric-a-brac that were removed form the river bed and banks. 

Among those who turned up were: Ann Marie O'Sullivan, Con Hurley, Theresa Hurley, Sarah Murphy, Ann Healy, Diana Stokes, Terry Cunningham, Geraldine McCarthy, Peter, Luke and Colin Grant, Catherine and Mary-Jane Kearney, Shem Butler, Colm McGrath, Thelma Griffith, and May McLaw, Little River, Victoria, Australia. Looking down the list one is struck very forcibly by two things, firstly the lady volunteers outnumber the male members by a large majority.  Secondly, looking at the address of the lady from Australia we notice a considerable number of the others are also citizens of Fethard by adoption so to speak.  Well done and many thanks to the volunteers who carried out such great work.





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