Wind Energy Development Plan
The County Development Plan for wind energy will be open to the public from Monday 25th September until Tuesday 24th October. In this plan the Slieveardagh area is marked as being suitable for wind energy. Other applications in the area might follow, so it is important that everyone is aware of the county development plan. During the viewing period submissions can be made to the County Council.

Lily and Billy are doing well

Billy Butler and Lily Maher both have a tiger by the tail — only one of the many exciting experiences they tell us they are having since leaving Fethard last month to work in Australia.

We’ve had contact from Lily Maher, Killenaule Road, and Billy Butler, Main Street, who left Fethard last month to seek employment and experience in Australia. We are delighted to report that both are doing extremely well on both counts. Both are now working and despite the bad weather over there at the moment, managed to go elephant riding, catch a few tiger’s tails and, as soon as the weather picks up, they intend to go camel riding. Home was never like that!

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of Fethard Bridge Club game played on Wednesday 20th September were:
1st Gross: Alice Quinn and Berney Myles;
2nd Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
1st Nett: Marie Delaney and Annie O’Brien;
2nd Nett: Suzanne Opray and Ellen Rochford.

Next Wednesday, 4th October, we will be playing for the Free Sub Nett. Anyone looking for a partner are asked to contact Berney Myles at Tel: 32038.

Fethard GAA Club News
Well done to all involved in winning the South Intermediate Hurling Championship on Saturday last, 24th September, played in Monroe. The final scoreline read, Fethard 0-10, Ballybacon 0-9.  We wish the team the very best in the county quarterfinal. This is the fifth time taking the O’Dwyer Cup, the last in 2002. Those who did us proud were: Paul Fitzgerald 0-1f, Carol Gahan, Cian Maher, Michael Carroll, Dean Tobin, Shane Walsh, John Leahy, Michael Ryan, John P Looby, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-3 (Capt), Miceál Spillane 0-1, Kieran Treacy 0-2f, Michael Aherne, Stephen O’Donnell, Kenneth O’Donnell 0-1f. Subs used were: Christopher Sheehan 0-1, Brian Coen 0-1f, Willie Morrissey, P J Aherne, and Jamie McCormack. Other subs: Michael Dillon, Eoin Doyle, Adrian Lawrence, Declan Doyle, and William O’Brien. Well done also to Denis Byrne, trainer /manager, and selectors, John Hurley, Philly Prout, and the backroom team.

On behalf of the club we would like to thank Liam Hayes and his selectors for their commitment and work in looking after the Minor Hurlers this was omitted in last week’s report.

The senior football relegation game against Carrick Swans is fixed for Saturday 30th September in Kilsheelan. Check sports page for club fixtures.

The Junior A football game against Moyle Rovers is expected to be played on weekending 7th October.

The numbers drawn on 12th September were: 2, 3, 23 and 28. We had no jackpot winner and one match three winner of €150 — Seamus Hackett (Strylea, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip went to Geraldine McCarthy (Glenconnor, Kerry Street).

Our Lotto Jackpot of €2,000 was also not won on 19th September. The numbers drawn were 10, 16, 17 and 18. We had no match three winner so five tickets drawn won €30 each: Eamon Drea (Strylea), Julia Brennan (5 Strylea), Andrea Brabston (Rosegreen), Willie McGarry (10 Woodvale Walk), and Joan Dunphy (c/o Bob Fitzgeralds, O’Connell Street, Clonmel). The €50 Lucky Dip went to Noel Sharpe (Castle Inn). All Tickets kindly sponsored by Harrington Development.

Lots of Happy Birthdays

Mary Fleming, Coolbawn, Fethard, photographed with her children on the occasion of her 70th birthday party celebrated at Slievenamon Golf Club. Back L to R: Sarah, Margaret, John, Frances, Anne. Front L to R: Mary, Mary Fleming (mother) and Bridget.

This past week was full of surprises, especially for all the birthday girls and boy who celebrated their birthdays. Those we’re aware of are: John Lucy, The Square, who celebrated his 90th birthday; Mary Fleming, Coolbawn, who celebrated her 70th birthday; and to Majella Drea who celebrated her 40th birthday. We send our best wishes to all!

Majella Drea photographed on the occasion of her 40th Birthday celebrated at Slievenamon Golf Club. L to R: Eamon Drea, Majella Drea, Ann Daly and in front Rebecca Daly.


John Lucy, The Square, Fethard, photographed on the occasion of his 90th Birthday with friends and family. L to R: Ann Healy, Marie (Lucy) Synnott, John Lucy, Ann Lucy and Concepta (Healy) Hurley.

Concert this Saturday Night in the Abymill
Aidan Ward and guests will play a concert in the Abymill at 8pm on this coming Saturday, 30th September. Several accomplished musicians will accompany Aidan on the night. The support band, to open the evening, is a local group, ‘The Autocats’, featuring Paul McCarthy on drums; Kevin Maher on vocals; 
Declan Doyle on bass; Lory Kenny on guitar; and Fintan Maher also on guitar. Tickets are €10 and can be bought in McCarthy’s Hotel.

Funding cut could close Fethard centre
(Article by Joe Pryce from ‘South Tipp Today’ 27th Sept 2006)

The Fethard and District Day Care Centre which has looked after elderly people for the past eight years is in danger of being forced to close down because the Health Service Executive has decided to cut its annual funding by a massive €16,395. According to those involved in the centre, requirements imposed upon them by the HSE have put additional financial strain upon the day care centre's resources and yet gave little in the way of compensation. Now the HSE has decided to cut a large amount from its funding.

Until four years ago the centre was operating on a voluntary basis. But upon the insistence of the Health Board, they had to hire a supervisor and a bus driver. But its base funding of €40,000 a year was only raised by €8,000 to compensate for the added expense of these salaries.

Although the added funding was meagre, the centre continued operating. In fact, this year's request for financial assistance was €5,000 less than they sought last year. But the HSE decided to reduce overall funding for this year by over €16,000.

According to Liam Hayes, Treasurer of the centre, this leaves them in an impossible position. “Our funding has really only gone up €8,000 in the last 4 years, despite the fact that we've taken on a supervisor and a bus driver”, he said on Monday. “We've actually looked for less this year. You're looking at €5000 less than the previous year. It is unsustainable. We just won't be able to continue. It looks that if there is no let-up in funding, we'll have to close on the first of November.”

He continued to say that the monies raised from fundraising events, the donations made by clients and the input of schemes such as Community Employment Schemes have been vital in ensuring the continued operation of the centre. Yet despite this, he says, the HSE continues to tell them to raise more funds in this way while cutting funds.

“Why our centre is so cost effective is that we have a community FÁS scheme. It's a bit rich then to be lectured by full-time paid Health Board officials on how we should fundraise more.” Mr. Hayes also feels that the HSE doesn't appreciate the work that centres such as the Fethard and District Day Care Centre does to take pressure off of the HSE's resources. “Our whole reason for existing is to try and keep people living in the community as long as possible,” he claimed.

This paper contacted the HSE for their comment on the effect these cuts could have upon the centre but they would not commit to an official response until the matter was considered further.

The plight of the Fethard and District Day Care Centre is also being addressed by local political representatives who received news of the funding cut on Monday. Deputy Tom Hayes has described the decision to cut funding as, “truly shocking”, and has called upon the HSE to, “reverse its decision or else take responsibility for the closure of the facility.” With so much money in the Government coffers at present, he feels that it is hard to justify the cuts. “The Fethard and District Day Care Centre does an excellent job providing extremely valuable services to the people of Fethard and the surrounding area”, he stated following the news. “For it to be facing closure now as a result of a cut in Government aid is truly shocking. At a time when the Tánaiste has stated that the Exchequer can do without over €1 billion per annum in stamp duty, it is difficult to justify cuts that affect the most vulnerable citizens in society”.

Cllr. Denis Landy, who is a representative of the Fethard area has also found the decision to be a backward step in caring for the elderly. He contacted the HSE following the announcement and spoke to the Regional Manager, Seamus Moore, requesting a reversal of the decision. Cllr. Landy said, that in response, Mr. Moore told him that he would, “investigate the situation and he (Mr. Moore) would request a report on the issue and then would look at the situation. And, depending on the report, if there was a shortfall in funding he would look at the matter then”.

The Fethard and District Day Care Centre looks after up to 22 people from the Fethard, Killenaule, Drangan, Moyglass and Killusty areas.

St. Rita's Camogie Club
St. Rita's Camogie Club AGM was held on the 17th February 2006 in the Tirry Community Centre. Officers elected on the night were: Chairperson Jean Morrissey; Secretary Eimear Gahan; Treasurer Emma Fitzgerald and the following committee: Stephen Fitzgerald, Helen Dunne, Norah O’Meara, Edel Fitzgerald, Stephanie Fitzgerald, Ollie Noonan, Denis O’Meara and Lisa McCormack.

Unfortunately things did not go our way this year and we were defeated in both league and championship games. A big thank you from all players and committee to Liam Treacy, Willie O’Meara, Sharon O’Meara and Stephen Fitzgerald for all their hard work with the girls throughout the year. We would like to maintain the long standing tradition of camogie in Fethard, so if you are interested in playing we look forward to seeing you next year. Thanks to all who supported our table quiz and church gate collection this year we are very grateful.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 20th September were 4, 5, 7 and 9. There was no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners of €50 each:

Martin Burke, Main Street, Fethard;
Nellie Ryan, 46 St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Angela Connery, Rathloose, Powerstown.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Mary Lynch, c/o Coolmore Stud, Fethard;
Anne Daly, 34 St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Edwina Newport, Main Street, Fethard.

This weeks Jackpot is €7,200 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €720.

Died in England
The death has occurred last week in England of Mrs Mary Jones, Gloucester, formerly Mary Prout from Killusty.