Coming Music Events
All music fans will be delighted to hear the return of Loudest Whisper to Fethard in June. In the meantime there are many more artists lined up to play in Butlers in the coming weeks. Martin Hutchinson plays a mix of folk and blues on this Thursday night 18th May; the legendary Philip Donnelly returns on the following Thursday night. Other artists due to return in the near future include Sonny Condell. All events are free.

Bus Times
We’ve been asked to remind patrons (by an observant commuter) that the bus from Thurles Station now arrives in Fethard at approximately 12.55 pm and the afternoon bus to Thurles Station from Clonmel, arrives in Fethard at approximately 3.30pm. Both busses run approximately 15 minutes earlier than usual.

We have had no official communication as to the new times or why the train busses were cancelled; indeed, we’ve been told by an older resident that the provision of those train busses was a condition of the closure of Fethard Train Station. Maybe someone can check the records?

Fethard & Killusty Community Games Results

Taking part in the Community Games sports day in Fethard were Back L to R: Noelle O'Meara, Ciara Hayes, Rachel O'Meara, Kate Quigley, Amy Roche, Laura Ryan, Annie Prout. Front L to R: Emma Hatton, Aine Trayer, Katie O'Flynn, Laura Harde, Amy Brophy and Shannon Thompson.


Action from the girls under-8 race at the Community Games sports day in Fethard.

The following are the results of the area athletics held in the school field:

Boys Events
U/8 60M: 1st, Mark Heffernan; 2nd, Andrew Phelan: 3rd, Joseph O’Connor.
U/8 80M: 1st, Joseph O’Connor; 2nd, Matthew Lynch; 3rd, Tom Sheehan.
U/10 100M: 1st, David Heffernan; 2nd, Jack Gleeson; 3rd, Dean Dorney.
U/10 200M: 1st, Eoghain Hurley; 2nd, Dean Dorney; 3rd, Paul Moloney.
U/12 100M: 1st, Brian Healy; 2nd, Darragh Bradshaw; 3rd, Darren Needham.
U/12 600M: 1st, David Hayes; 2nd, Kieran Walsh; 3rd, Kyle Walsh.

Girls Events
U/8 60M: 1st, Ciara Hayes; 2nd, Emma Hatton; 3rd, Rachel O’Meara.
U/8 80M: 1st, Rachel O’Meara; 2nd, Rebecca Kenny; 3rd, Laura Stockborough.
U/10 100M: 1st, Kate Quigley; 2nd, Annie Prout; 3rd, Hannah Tobin.
U/10 200M: 1st, Hannah Tobin; 2nd, Kayleigh Higgins; 3rd, Laura Ryan.
U/12 100M: 1st, Aine Phelan; 2nd, Karly Hayes.
U/12 600M: 1st, Evie O’Sullivan; 2nd, Emma Morrissey.
U/14 100M: 1st, Sarah McManus; 2nd, Rachel Prout.
U/14 800M: 1st, Jane Holohan; 2nd, Faye Manton; 3rd, Mary Jane Kearney.


Taking part in the Community Games sports day in Fethard were L to R: Cassie Needham and Amy Tynan Thompson.

First two in each event qualified for the County Finals which will be held in Nenagh on Sunday 28th May. Please contact the Community Games Office, Tel: 052-31906 if you are not travelling to Nenagh. Competitors are to provide their own transport.


Fethard boys photographed at the Community Games sports day in Fethard.

Fethard GAA Club
On Tuesday May 9th we played Cahir in the Intermediate Hurling County League, in Cahir, and came away with a share of the spoils on a scoreline, Fethard 0-13, Cahir 1-11. At half time we were behind, Fethard 0-7 to Cahir 1-7, but we just got the better of things in the second period. Those who played on the night were: Eoin Doyle, Paul Hackett, Carl Gahan, Michael Ryan, Stephen O’Donnell, PJ Aherne, Liam O’Brien, Willie Morrissey, Michael Carroll, Jamie McCormack, Tomas Keane, John P Looby 0-2, Kieran Treacy 0-11 F, Michael Aherne and Philly Croke. Subs used were: Karl Maher for Philly Croke, and Miceál Spillane for Liam O’Brien. Our next game is on this Thursday 18th May in Fethard at 7.30pm against Ballinahinch. With three points from two games and this been the last in the series, we need a result to be sure of a chance in the play offs.

The South Minor B Football Championship continues up to 7th May when a break until after Exams will see the conclusion stages of the competition. We played Kilsheelan on last Friday 12th May in Ned Hall Park and came away convincing winners on a scoreline, Fethard 6-4, Kilsheelan 1-5, and as the old saying goes, goals win matches and this was very true on the night. The team was: Glen O’Meara, Pa Holohan, Liam Ryan, Alan O’Connor, David Prout, Niall Hayes, Stephen O’Meara, Richard Gorey, Tomas Gilpin, David Conway 1-1, Declan Doyle 1-1, James Williams, Michael Fleming 2-0, Peter Gough 1-2, and Edmond Sheehan 1-0. The final game, Fethard v Ballingarry, to decide who goes direct into the final will be played on Wednesday 17th May.

Congratulations to our own Aiden Fitzgerald, who had a fine game and scored 2-2 against Limerick in Tipperary’s County Intermediate Hurling success last Sunday in Thurles.

Well done to our Under 16 juvenile footballers in getting to a South Final but hard luck on the night. Beg lá eile le cunamh de!

Our Lotto Jackpot of €2,200 was not won. The numbers drawn were 2, 4, 11 and 20. We had four match three winners who received €40 each: Caroline Sheehan (Woodvale Walk), Chris Doyle (Woodvale Walk), Edel Fitzgerald (Kiltinan), Denis O’Meara (St Patrick’s Place). Tickets were supplied by AIB (Main St) and the €50 Lucky Dip winner was Dermot Darcy (37 St Patrick’s Place).

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club News
On Sunday last our under-16 A football team played in the south final and were defeated on a scoreline, 2-10 to 0-07, and while the boys gave there best they were overrun throughout. This was a great achievement to get this far considering the start we had in this championship and, while we did not win, I’m sure their day will come.

Well done to all the boys for their efforts throughout the year and for the effort they showed to get this far. Our team was: J.P. McGrath, Matt Fitzgerald, Cathal Gorey, Jerome Ahearne, James Kelly (captain), Adrian Lawrence, Tom O’Connell, Chris Sheehan, Dean Tobin, Glen Maher, Eoin O’Connell, Andrew Walsh, Johnny Fleming, Aaron O’Donovan, Ciarán Ryan, Gavin Fitzgerald, Ben Walsh, Kieran O’Connell, Davy Walsh, Frankie O’Donovan, Alan Lawrence and Tommy Sheehan. Well done to our opponents and we wish them the best of luck in the remainder of this competition.

Our under-6, 8 and 10s trained last Saturday and we had a great turnout. Unfortunately there will be no training this weekend as there is Holy Communion this Saturday and we hope all the boys have a great day.

Our under-14 team played a challenge last week and won well. They played no championship game and have three remaining. They will play Cahir on this Thursday, 18th May, in Cahir. This is a game that we must win. Best of luck to all involved.

Finally, with the hurling championship just around the corner and all our teams in training, we wish the best of luck to all our teams in their quest for honours.

The Well Golf Society
The Well Golf Society hold their second outing of the season on this coming Sunday, 21st May, to Callan Golf Club. Tee off is at the slightly later time of 3pm. Once again we ask all members to arrive well in advance and register on arrival.

Youth Soccer Club starts on Saturday
At last the long wait is over — next Saturday 20th May will be the start of our Youth Soccer Club at the community sports field on the Killenaule road.  There will be two separate starting times to cater for the different age groups and these are: 4pm to 5pm for girls and boys from six to nine years of age; and 5pm to 6pm for girls and boys from ten to twelve years of age.

We ask participants and parents dropping and collecting children to arrive five or ten minutes before appointed time in order that there is a smooth change over between groups.  Interested parents are of course invited to stay for the duration and may even wish to help out where they can.

This club is about facilitating children to come together once a week to exercise, pick up some new skills in soccer, but mainly to have fun.  There will be no major leagues or competitions to travel to, though we may organise a small league among ourselves where all games are played in the community field.  There may also be a summer camp for a week in August. We apologies in advance that the start up date clashes with Munster’s big rugby game but if we don't start now we never will. For further information contact Tony Maher 086-8818963 or Colm McGrath 086-3502360.

Badgers Over-30 Soccer
The community sports field has been groomed and rested over the past week and a half and all clubs agreed to stay off the grounds for that time.  I’m sure many of our members appreciated the time out to rest weary limbs or to just ‘couch potato’ on a Wednesday night to watch the games on TV.  But, come the 20th May, the field will be open for action once again.  This means that we will be back playing at full tilt next Wednesday 24th May at the usual time 8pm. Unless there are torrential downpours or hurricanes there will be no need for phone calls, just get to the field, no excuses and be early to help with the goals.  Looking forward to seeing old and new faces.

Fethard Judo Club
The Samantha Feery Memorial Tournament was held in Macroom Co. Cork recently.  Most of her club turned out and a great weekend was had by everyone.  It was great to see so many clubs competing from all sides of the country and we ended up coming home with 18 medals.

Richard Gorey won gold in both senior and youths and his brother Cathal won silver and bronze.  Vincent Carroll won three bronze, this was a great achievement as he hasn’t played Judo in over 16 years.  Tom Woodlock also won bronze, Alan Brannigan got silver, Alan Sutcliffe got bronze, Natalie Cahill got silver, Katie Delahunty got gold, and well done to Ger Mullally who won bronze in this his first competition.

The main event of the day was the team event for the Samantha Feery Memorial Cup, sponsored by Fethard Judo Club.  It was a closely fought battle coming down to Macroom and Fethard in the final, although the team fought well, we were unlucky to be beaten. The team was: Tom Woodlock, Alan Brannigan, Natalie Cahill, Dean Kenny who was the star of the event fighting kids who were older and heavier and never gaving up.  The last member of the team was Lorraine Ferry who did great.  All the above won silver medals and are going back next year to win gold. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make this a great annual event.

Slievenamon Musical Society

Slievenamon Musical Society are hosting their annual ‘Midsummer ball’ on 10th June in Cloneen. Tickets at €30 each are now on sale. Music will be provided by ‘Never Heard of Them’ and promises to be a great night with plenty of food and craic from 10pm till late. Booking from any member of the committee or by Tel: 086 3161882 or (052) 31201.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn in the Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto on Wednesday 10th May were: 10,11, 28 and 29. There was no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner of €150, Julie Wall, Barrettstown, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Mairead Keeley, c/o Butlers Bar, Fethard;
Edwina Newport, Main Street, Fethard;
Michael Purcell, Burke St. Fethard.
Next weeks Jackpot is €4,350 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €435.

Fethard Secondary School Classic

Prizewinners in the Fethard Secondary School Classic. Front L to R: Marian Gilpin (Vice Principal), John Lonergan (1st), Maurice Kennedy (1st), Ernan Britton (Principal). Back L to R: Dick Prendergast (joint organiser), Eamon Murphy (5th), Ross O'Dwyer (2nd), John Hurley (3rd), Michael A. O'Meara (4th) and Denis Burke (4th).

The prizewinners in the Fethard Secondary School Classic, 18 Hole 3 Ball Scramble Competition held on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th May were:

1st: John Lonergan (17), Maurice Kennedy (18), Martin Burke (20) 56.5;
2nd: Ross O’Dwyer (7), Martin Cooney (14), Thomas Cooney (10) 56.9;
3rd: John Hurley (11), PJ Ahearne (18), Tommy Gahan (20) 57.1;
4th: Denis Burke (5), Michael O’Meara (12), Colin Allen (14) 57.9;
5th: Eamon Murphy (11), Paschal Connell (13), Tom Byrne (16) 58.0;
6th: Pat O’Brien (12), Kevin Hannon (15), Noel Whelan (8) 58.4.Nearest the Pin: Michael Nolan.
Ladies Longest Drive: Breda O’Meara.
Gents Longest Drive: John Hurley.

The Classic Raffle prizes were won by:
1st: Dermot O’Meara, Woodvale Walk, Fethard;
2nd: Johanna Sheehan, Killusty;
3rd: Sinead Coffey, Grove Road, Fethard.

Women’s Mini Marathon
The countdown is on once more for the woman’s Flora Mini Marathon 2006, which takes place this year on Bank Holiday Monday 5th June. Each year breaks a new record in both participants and money raised.

Apart from the huge enjoyment on the day, one of the insights gained is that much of this country depends on sponsorship and fundraising. Among the many participants in this year’s marathon will be Sr. Julianna, Sr. Betty and Sr. Winnie who are seeking sponsorship for the Mission of the Presentation Sisters in Zimbabwe. Your support, however small, will be greatly appreciated.

Fethard Badminton Club 1968

Fethard Badminton team in the late 1960s. Back L to R: Pat Barrett, Jimmy McCarthy, A.B. Kennedy, Danny Ryan. Front L to R: June Kennedy, Dolores O'Flynn, Philly Kenny and Ann Connolly.

Looking back at a Fethard Badminton Club report from almost forty years ago we can see the popularity of the game here in Fethard at that time. Fethard and Killusty Community Council are currently in the process of reviving badminton again in Fethard and are awaiting permission from the County Council to commence in the Town Hall. The report from 1968 is as follows:

“The Annual General Meeting of the above club was held in the I.C.A. Hall on the 15th October. There was quite a good attendance, which included the President, Rev. T. Cooke, C.C.; the chairman, Tony Newport, and the treasurer, Frank Sparrow. The club had not a lot of success during the year, but a special word of congratulations was paid to the ‘B’ team, who reached the final of the league and were very unlucky to lose. Miss Mairead Shanahan and Danny Ryan were also congratulated on winning the Keane Cup for the County Minor Mixed Doubles Competition, and to Miss Joan Burke and Danny Ryan on winning the Annual Mixed Doubles Competition held in Drangan. Miss Shanahan was also wished the best of luck and lots of happiness on her marriage to Martin Power, Dualla, Cashel.

The officers elected for the coming season 1968/’69 were as follows:
President, Rev. Fr. Cooke C.C.; Chairman, Tony Newport; Secretary, Daniel Ryan; and Treasurer, Frank Sparrow.

The club, which has a membership of 35, has entered three teams in the league for the coming season and are as follows:
A Team Men: Tony Newport, Main St.; James Connolly, Cashel Rd.; P. J. Lonergan, The Square; Pat Barrett, Market Hill.
A Team Ladies: Phyllis Kenny, The Green; Mrs. J. Connolly, Cashel Rd.; Goldie Newport, Main St.; Mrs Mary Newport, Main St.
B Team Men: Danny Ryan, Drumdeel; Michael Browne, Mocklershill; Don O’Connell, Burke Street; James O’Shea, c/o Wards, Kerry St.
B Team Ladies: Joan Burke, Tullamaine; June Kennedy, Burke St.; Dolores O’Flynn, Burke Street; Gill Maher, Main Street.
C Team Men: John Browne, Mocklershill; Tommy Bulfin, The Valley; Willie Browne, Kerry Street; Danny Kane, The Green.
C Team Ladies: Ann Ryan, Coolmoyne; Cinta O’Flynn, Burke St.; Mary Croke (Jubilee Nurse); Betty Bradshaw, Drumdeel. Subs: Mary Bulfin, The Valley; Mrs Rita Kane, The Green.

Confirmation in Fethard
Congratulations to the boys and girls from the parish who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday morning 12th May in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard. Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dr Dermot Clifford confirmed the following boys and girls from Fethard and Killusty: Joseph Morgan, William Morgan, Seamus Holohan, Mathew Holohan, Shane Power, Nicholas Cleverley, Ciaran O’Meara, Eugene Walsh, Gerry Horan, Ronan Fitzgerald, Mark Fogarty, Cathal Hurley, Kieran Walsh, Adam O’Donnell, Dylan Fitzgerald, Eoin Walsh, David Hayes, Dylan Maher, Dion Butler, William O’Mahony, David Burke, Tony Myler, Dean Sharpe, Noel O’Brien, Brian Delahunty, Ger Maher, Louis Rice, Gavin Lonergan, Michael Smyth, Ted Barrett, Garreth Lawrence, Andrew Maher, Jamie Walsh, Tommy Veale, Gavin Carroll, Aisling Harrington, Jessica Conran, Nicola Harrington, Shannon O’Brien, Leanne Sheehan, Anita Pollard, Nathalie Cahill, Katie Baker, Lucy Butler, Chloe Byrne, Lucinda Carroll, Aoibhlinn Delany, Deirdre Dwyer, Chloe Gleeson, Margaret Kennedy, Nicole Looby, Molly O’Dwyer, Mary Ellen O’Reilly, Evie O’Sullivan, Amy Pollard, Stephanie Allen, Mary Anne Fogarty, Jane Holohan, Mary Jane Kearney, Orla Lawrence, Amy Lyons, Faye Manton, Claire Morrissey, Louise O’Donnell, Rebecca O’Donnell, Edel O’Sullivan, Rachel Prout, Jenny Pyke and Amanda Ryan.

Market Day Video
We would like you to try and view this video broadcast of the traders who came out to preserve Fethard's market rights on Thursday 27th April 2006. This video was produced by Billy McLellan and introduced by Patricia Cantwell. We have plans to introduce video and audio podcasts in the near future and would welcome your comments to sort out any teething problems that may occur. A broadband connection is recommended. CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO and you can email your comments to fethardnews@gmail.com