Died Recently
The death has occurred on Tuesday, 22nd August, of Mrs Angeline Kennedy, Burke Street, Fethard. Remains will leave her residence in Burke Street at 7.30pm on Wednesday 23rd August for Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard. Requiem Mass at 11am on Thursday followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to her daughters, June and Mary, and her son, Fr. A.B. Kennedy.

Abandoned — PAWS to Rescue

Amanda Ryan photographed with the two abandoned puppies found with their mother in a ditch outside Killusty.

In this day and age it is hard to believe some people can be so inconsiderate as to dump a family of Lucher pups in a ditch, drive away and leave them with some dog nuts to survive. Well this happened in Killusty last week and luckily the puppies were discovered by a passer-by just in time before they almost died.

As luck with have it, PAWS, Peoples Animal Welfare Society Ireland, have just recently relocated to a 7-acre site just a few miles outside Mullinahone on the Callan Road, and agreed to look after the puppies and mother. PAWS is a voluntary organisation and depends on the physical help of people walking dogs, supplying dog food, as it also depends on donations to help with veterinary fees and medicine fees when needed.


The mother of the two puppies also in need of intense veterinary care.

Two local girls, Melanie Ryan and her daughter Amanda, are regular helpers at the new PAWS facility in Mullinahone and are full of praise for the terrific work they achieve in looking after neglected animals and in finding new homes throughout the world. They still badly need more helpers so if you can, please contact Gina at Tel: 052 53507, or email: waymeet@eircom.net. You can also get further information about all the services of PAWS, or on how to make a donation, from their website www.paws.ie

National Heritage Day
Last year the Irish Walled Towns Network, of which Fethard is a member, organised a Walled Towns Network Day during Heritage Week.  This year the designated day is Sunday 27th August. The network flag is already flying from the wall tower in Fethard. Bell ringing will also take place in many of the 23 walled towns across the country at 3pm.

Heritage week will commence on 26th August and continue through until 3rd September.  This is an initiative that was started by the Council of Europe in 1991, currently there are over forty-six countries taking part.  For us in Ireland it means free entry to many of the OPW sites across the country plus many specially organised events from music recitals to historical re-enactments. 

In Fethard the local Historical Society will run a guided tour of the town, this will take place on Sunday morning 27th August at 11.30am from the front of the Town Hall. It’s free of course and all are welcome.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Training for the coming season for under-16s and under-18s will commence on Tuesday 29th August at 7.30pm in the Community field. New players are welcome and will be given every opportunity to acquire skills necessary to successfully compete in this great game. All our coaches are accredited by the Munster Council.

Trust Classic a Huge Success

Photographed at the presentation of prizes at the Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic are L to R: John Lonergan, Brendan Kenny, Alice Leahy (Trust Charity) and Annette Murphy.

The Frank Purcell Memorial Golf Classic in aid of Trust took place in Slievenamon Golf Course on Thursday and Friday last, followed by a barbecue in McCarthy’s on Friday night. The few days before the event were spent organizing the various happenings with one eye firmly on the weather reports. If these were to be believed, we were going to be treated to two days of hail, rain, thunder, lightning and maybe a touch of snow just to complete the picture. As it turned out, we got two beautiful mild days and a warm night. Lightning did flash in the distance and one wag commented that if it struck the stage, we would have barbecued Pheasant Pluckers (the band) on the menu later in the evening.


L to R: Anthony Hanrahan, Trish Kellegher, Gerry Ahearne and Dee Cashman.

The event was a huge success. The final tally isn’t in, but the organizers expect to hand over a cheque for more than twenty thousand euro to the Trust charity in the next few weeks. The organizers would like to congratulate the winning teams. First prize of a round of golf at Mount Juliet went to John Lonergan, Brendan Kenny, Sean Lonergan and Conor Lonergan.  Second prize was a round of golf at Fota Island, won by John Lonergan, Pat Smyth, Dan Hartnett and James Smyth. Third prize, a round of golf in Dundrum, went to Gerard Purcell, Paul Kelly, Martin McGowan and Trish McGowan. 


L to R: Catherine Ahearne, Robin Moyles, Clara Phelan, Michael Knightly and Liam Brennan.

The organizers would also like to thank the staff at the Golf Course for all their help, South East Scaffolding  crew for building the stage, Premier Sounds in Clonmel for supplying the sound and lights, the Pheasant Pluckers for the music, the girls from G&Ts for the barbecue, John Stokes for wrangling thousands of euro out of various pockets in the auction and everybody that put their hand in their pocket to sponsor a team, tee box, donate a prize, or just turned up on the night to make it such a great success. The list of people who helped would fill the page, so we’ll just say one word to them all. Thanks.
—(VM)


L to R: Lilly Maher, Bob Grant and Trish Grant.


Members of the Purcell family. L to R: Biddy Purcell, ?, Gerard Purcell, Liam Kenny, Gordon Eadie, Trish McGowan and Martin McGowan.


L to R: Chris Coen, Alice Leahy and Charlie Best


John Stokes running the auction


L to R: Terry Cunningham, Friend, Rita Kenny and Jennifer Whyte.

Music Scene in Fethard
We hear that Fermoy based band, Loudest Whisper, will pay a return visit to Butler's Bar Fethard on this coming Friday night, 25th August. For anyone who hasn’t heard the band yet — this is not to be missed.

Local ‘You’re a Star’ competitor, Jewel Burke, will also play a gig in Butler's Bar, Fethard on Sunday night 27th August. We have also heard that Aidan Ward, formerly from Kerry Street, is due to return to Fethard soon to play a gig in the Abymill Theatre and will be supported by one of our young emerging Fethard bands.

Fethard’s Castles
As a follow up to last week’s article on Fethard’s Castles, we are happy to report that Michael Hall has since identified the author and name of the full article. The article was an excerpt from a thesis written in July 1984 by Conran Cairns, entitled, ‘The Tower Houses of County Tipperary Vol I and Vol II’. Both volumes are available at the Local Studies Dept., Tipperary County Library, Thurles.

Money for old hair!
The Fethard Heartsafe Programme received a big boost on Saturday night last with the proceeds of Butler’s Sports Bar ‘Head Shave & Leg Wax Night’.  Over €1,500 was raised on the night by several brave men who never flinched throughout — even the late leg wax was great craic!

Well done to Sally and Liz for all the work and to Anne and Philip Butler for hosting the event and providing a great night’s entertainment. Many thanks to all who supported the lads by sponsorship.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games

Fethard and Killusty under-16 girls volleyball team who won silver medals at HSE Community Games National Finals in Mosney. Back L to R: Laura Rice, Lisa Anglim, Denis Burke (coach and manager), Chloe Gough, Sarah Conway, Debbie Lawrence, Leslie Looby and Mary Anne Keane. Front L to R: Niamh Fanning, Sarah Hayes, Carrie Sweeney (capt), Aisha Tobin and Kelly Coady.

Congratulations to all the competitors from Fethard and Killusty area who did who did so well at the HSE Community Games National Finals in Mosney last weekend. Wonderful performance from Gary Bradshaw and Padraig O’Shea to win two gold medals for their county in the under-30kg and under-45kg judo events, followed by a silver medal won by Lorraine Feery, Claremore, Killusty, in the under-50kg championship.

Andrew Maguire, Annsgift, who competed at HSE Community Games National Finals in the boys' under-14 model making.

A tremendous performance from the girls’ under-16 volleyball team to win silver medals, just going under in the third set to Claremorris having defeated Monaghan in the semi final. The girls beat Monaghan by two straight sets and won the first match against Claremorris by 23-21, lost the second game by 25-23, and lost the third game by 15-11. They treated their supporters to some super games as indeed did the under-15 boys team who were unlucky to lose the semifinal to Milford, Donegal, who went on to win the championship outright. The boys had a really tight game against Milford and another nip and tuck contest against Graigcullen, Carlow, in the playoff for the bronze, which the boys won for Fethard.

Denis Burke coach said he was very proud of the teams who gave their all, and he was well pleased with the good results. Girls team members: Carrie Sweeney (capt), Sarah Hayes, Sarah Conway, Chloe Gough, Mary Anne Keane, Lisa Anglim, Debbie Lawrence, Niamh Fanning, Leslie Looby, Laura Rice, Aisha Tobin and Kelly Coady. Boys team: Ciaran Ryan (capt), Matthew Fitzgerald, Jerome Ahearne, Darren Thompson, Michael Fitzgerald, Kevin Hayes, Glen Maher, Joseph Sheehan, Damien Morrissey, Tommy Sheehan and Padraig O’Shea.

Sarah O'Meara, Knockbrack, Fethard, who was a Presentation Girl at HSE Community Games National finals


Laura Rice had a double engagement competing in girls’ under-16 art. Jack Ward, Garrinch, competed in boys’ under-8 art and Andrew Maguire, Annsgift, had an excellent entry in boys under-14 model making. Philip Maher, Ballybough, qualified for the semifinal in the boys’ under-12 swimming championship in the National Aquatic Centre in Finglass.

The Community Games committee wish to say a special thank you to Denis Burke who has always been such a staunch supporter of the games and who gives so much of his time to the youth and volleyball teams. It is due to the commitment of Denis that the teams were entered and his dedication is very much appreciated. Thanks also to managers Alice Feery, Helena O’Shea and Patricia Breen. Denis and the ladies have one of the hardest jobs of all — taking the children over the weekend and we really value their support.

Fethard GAA Club News
In the third round of the Munster Senior Football League, played in Mitchelstown on 15th August, we had a good victory on a scoreline, Fethard 1-9, Laune Rangers (Kerry) 0-5. Our final game in the section will be played this week in Monadreen against Doonbeg (Clare),

We advanced to the semifinal of the South Senior Football Championship on Sunday 20th August with a fine win on a scoreline, Fethard 0-13, Killenaule 0-8. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Ian Kenrick, Stephen O’Donnell, Philly Croke, Michael Aherne, Willie Morrissey, Nicky Murphy, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-2, Jamie McCormack, Eoin Doyle, John P Looby (0-2), Brian Coen 0-6 (4f), Martin Coen, Miceál Spillane 0-1, and Kenneth O’Donnell 0-1. Subs used were: Cian Maher, Karl Maher, Christopher Sheehan, Michael Dillon and Brendan Brett.  I understand this was the first meeting of both clubs for a number of years if not the only meeting at this grade. Our opponents in the semifinal is another meeting with Grangemockler in Clonmel on this coming Saturday, 26th August at 6.30pm

The Club would like to thank all those who supported our Church Gate Collection last weekend

On this Friday, 25th August, we play Cahir in the third round of Junior A Football South Championship in Marlfield at 6.45pm. We have four points from two games so another win will put us into contention for the final.

We will know our fate in the Minor B Hurling South Championship by the time this paper goes to print, as we will have played the crunch game on Wednesday 23rd August. Match report next week.

In Intermediate Hurling we play St Marys in the ‘top of the table’ clash on Saturday 2nd September in Monroe at 5pm. This is part of a double bill where Cahir and Ballyneale fight for the third spot.

Our interest in the Junior B Football competition is now concluded for 2006. Thanks to all involved. In our Junior B Hurling group the qualifiers were Cahir and Marlfield, hence our involvement is also concluded for 2006. Again thanks to all involved.

This week’s Jackpot of €3,600 was not won. The numbers drawn were 3, 20, 21 and 28.  There was no match threes so five €30 Lucky Dips were drawn and won by: Patricia Breen (Barrack St), Cinta O’Flynn (Abbey St), Dick Burke (Main St), Chrissie O’Meara (Grove Rd), and John O’Meara (Grove Rd). The €50 Lucky Dip winner was Esther Breen (Barrack St).

Last week’s numbers drawn were 2, 14, 17 and 24. We had five Lucky Dips of €30 each, won by: Eddie Croke (St Patrick’s Place), Nellie Ryan (St Patrick’s Place), Liam McGrath (c/o Cambells Soup, Thurles), Abigail Doyle (The Green), and Denis O’Meara (St Patrick’s Place). The €50 Lucky Dip going to Monica O’Shea (Woodvale Walk).

The previous week’s numbers were 9, 11, 22, 28, with one ‘match three’ winner of €150 to Con Doyle (Woodvale Walk), and the €50 Lucky Dip going to Esther Breen (Barrack Street).

St. Rita’s Camogie Club
St. Rita’s Camogie Club will hold their Church Gate Collection on this coming weekend, Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August. Your support is much appreciated.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 16th August were 2, 7, 14 and 18. There was no Jackpot winner and five ‘Match 3’ winners who received €30 each:
Dermot Darcy (x3), 30 St. Patrick’s Place, Fethard;
Maureen Murphy, 18 Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard;
Bill Pollard, The Valley, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Margaret Croke, 50 St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Maura Ryan, 10 Kilnockin View, Fethard;
John Hanrahan, Rathcoole, Fethard.
This weeks Jackpot is €6,450 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €645.