Happy St. Patrick's Day
Happy St. Patrick's Day to all our readers. The 11am Mass celebrated in Holy Trinity Parish Church was enhanced by the singing from the children from Nano Nagle National School and St. Patrick's Boy's National School. Also attending in numbers were members of the Fethard Boy Scouts and Fethard Girl Guides.

A question raised on the day was, when did the tradition of the local national school children singing at the St. Patrick's Day mass start? Some have suggested it was a boys only choir started by the Patrician Brothers.
We would love to hear from any of our older readers who may remember from their own school days. Reply to fethardnews@gmail.com


Fethard Girl Guide and their leaders photographed at St. Patrick's Day mass at Holy Trinity Parish Church.


Fethard Boy Scouts and their leaders photographed at St. Patrick's Day mass at Holy Trinity Parish Church.


Photographed after St. Patrick's Day mass are L to R: Janneke Van Dommelen, John Pollard and Shem Butler.


Photographed after St. Patrick's Day mass are L to R: Ned Donovan and Mick Gleeson.

Another Video Test
This is another video (broadband speeds needed) that I would like you to test and give us some feedback as to how it works on your computer. The video (22 mins) is a compilation of photographs, video clips and original audio taken while on a 'Playing for Life' trip to Malawi in October 2006. This information will help us to plan for the inclusion of video and audio items on the Fethard site in the future.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Died Recently
The death has occurred in England of Mr Tommy Wall, formerly from The Green. Tommy left Fethard as a teenager and as far as we know, never returned to his native town.

Fethard Ladies Football

Fethard Ladies Football resumed training on Saturday 10th March in the GAA Field with the assistance of coaches photographed above L to R: Michael Ryan, Denis Burke and Joe Keane.

Club chairman, Joe Keane, was very pleased with the turnout at the first training session of the season for underage players on Saturday morning last in the GAA park. Training commenced at 11am and the ages of children who attended ranged from 6 to 16 years old. Breeding says a lot and among those ‘togging out’ on Saturday were daughters of Miceál Spillane, Michael Ryan, Willie O’Meara and Philip Prout, who are all household names where football is concerned in Tipperary. Indeed Michael Ryan and Denis Burke, both also big names on the GAA scene, were joined by Mary Proudfoot and all gave their morning assisting with training these girls for the future. Their valuable help is very much appreciated. It is excellent to see new faces but there are still a few very promising girls from last year that the club would like to see returning for 2007.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football are L to R: Áine Proudfoot, Aileen Butler, Annie Prout and Alana Coady.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football are L to R: Jade Pattison, Laura Ryan, Áine Phelan and Amy Pollard.

There will be no training this coming Saturday, 17th March, due to it being St Patricks Day but hopefully both old and new faces will return on the following Saturday 24th March at 11am. First match of the season for the under 16 team will be on Sunday next March 18th against Moycarkey Borris. The best of luck to them.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football are L to R: Laura Rice and Chloe Gough.


Photographed at the training session for Fethard Ladies Football are L to R: Jane Kenny, Áine Phelan, Jean Anglim, Emma Hayes and Hanna Daly.

St Patrick’s Weekend at Fethard Ballroom
This Saturday (St Patricks Night) 17 March, why not come along to Fethard Ballroom and enjoy some ‘Social Dancing’ to music by Owen Condon and on Sunday 18 March dancing to Checkers. Music and dancing from 9pm to midnight. So come along, meet some friends and dance the night away, even getting some exercise to boot!

Lourdes Table Quiz
The Parents’ Association of the Secondary School, Fethard, will hold a table quiz in the secondary school hall on Tuesday 27th March at 8.30pm. A raffle will be held in conjunction with the table quiz. Attractive sponsored prizes will be on offer. This quiz and raffle are in aid of the Lourdes Fund. Two students from 5th Year will travel with the Diocesan Pilgrimage in June as youth helpers. A good night's entertainment is promised, refreshments will be served and an invitation is extended to all.

Pool Competition for Hospice

Marie Smyth, proprietor of The Well, Fethard, presenting a cheque for €550 to Jim Bond, representing South Tipperary Hospice. The cheque was the proceeds of a pool competition run in the pub by the locals. L to R: Anthony Hayes (winner), John Hurley (runner-up), Marie Smyth (The Well), Jim Bond (South Tipperary Hospice), Tommy Gahan (organiser) and Michael O'Flaherty (organiser).

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

Patrician Presentation Secondary School News

Transition Year Physics Experience
Congratulations to Ida Carroll, Menlo, Fethard. Who was one of the thirty lucky transition year pupils from all over Ireland to be selected to participate in the ‘Transition Year Physics Experience’ held in Trinity College Dublin from 5th to the 9th March. The programme included physics lectures, experiments, demonstrations and a trip on ‘Astrophysics Day’ to the Armagh Observatory. Ida was nominated for the programme by her science teacher, Mr Michael O’Gorman.

Open Evening Quiz Winners
Congratulations to Gerry Horan from St. Patrick’s Boys’ National School and Karen Hayes, Nano Nagle National School, who were the lucky winners of vouchers for Easons, at the school’s recent Open Evening.

LCVP News
Fifth Year LCVP (Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme) students attended the FÁS Opportunities 2007 Exhibition in Croke Park on Friday 2nd March, accompanied by Mr Michael Leonard, LCVP Coordinator in the school, and Ms M.A. Fogarty.

Young Entrepreneur
Congratulations to First Year pupil, Rebecca O’Donnell, and her teacher, Mrs O’Donnell, on coming second in the junior section of the South Tipperary Young Entrepreneur’s competition last week. Rebecca produced an excellent business plan and an interesting display for her company ‘Bliss’, which proposed a babysitting service for parents.

School Bank Exhibition
On Thursday 15th March, transition year pupils, Robert Ahearne, Alex Channon, Darragh Dwyer, J.P. McGrath, Sarah Hayes, Ida Carroll and Ciarán Ryan will travel to Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny to participate in the AIB School Bank Challenge competition. The group with the help of their teachers, Ms Deirdre Mulhall, Mr Michael Leonard and local AIB representative Ms Barrett, set up the schools first bank during the school year. Best of luck to all concerned.

Visit to the Augustinian Abbey
As part of their religion course, second year pupils accompanied by their teachers, Ms Caitríona McKeogh and Ms Marie Maher, visited the local Augustinian Abbey on 5th March. Fr. Gerry Horan OSA gave the pupils a very informative and interesting guided tour of this historic abbey.

Outing to Dublin Zoo and Croke Park
Transition Year students and their teachers, Mr Noel Maher, Mrs Ann O’Donnell and Ms Mary Lysaght enjoyed a very informative and interesting trip to Dublin. The students participated in the TY programme on offer in Dublin Zoo and later that day took a guided tour of Croke Park and its Museum.

Volleyball News
Both junior boys and girls volleyball teams were in action this week. The girls travelled to Tramore and had a fantastic three set game with Blackwater losing only by a few points in the third set. The team was Aisha Tobin (captain), Katie Coen, Jane Kenny, Kelly Fox, Kelly Fogarty and Rebecca O’Donnell. The second girls team put up a great fight against Tramore before losing two very close sets. The team was: Jean Anglim, Niamh McGrath, Fiona Crotty, Emma Fleming, Orla Lawrence, Jenny Pyke and June Fitzgerald. The girls will now compete in the B section next week.

The boys travelled to Tipperary and beat both Listowel and Blackwater Community School to qualify for the A competition semifinals next week. Panel of players are: Matthew Fitzgerald, Owen Healy, Damien Morrissey, Padraic O’Shea, Darren Thompson, Gareth Lawrence, Tony Myler, Dean Sharpe, Tommy Sheehan and Gavin Carroll.

Fethard Community Youth Project Sports Clubs

Fethard Community Youth Project Sports Club members L to R: Dylan Maher, Gerard Gorey, Adam Hall, Eoin Walsh, Dion Butler, Gary Bradshaw, Ciarán O’Meara. Front row: Mark Fogarty. Missing from photo: Colin Grant and Andrew McGuire.

Over the next couple of months the FCYP will run a number of sports clubs for young people in both primary and secondary school. The 5th/6th class boys sports club has already started and is in its 3rd week running. There will also be a 1st/2nd year girls sports club and 1st/2nd year boys club. The clubs offer young people the chance to come along and play loads of different sports that they like and have fun, in a supervised environment. There are places available for the 1st/2nd year boys sports club which will be starting after Easter. Any quires please contact Suzie on 086 2485977

The Well Golf Society
Here's hoping it will be a case of third time lucky for the Well Golf Society as we attempt to play our twice postponed outing to Slievenamon Golf Club. Sunday 25th March is the day and tee off time is 11.30am.

Kiddies Disco
Moyglass National School Building Fund are holding a fundraising Kiddies Disco on Monday 19th March in Slievenamon Golf Club from 4.30 to 6.30pm. All are Welcome.

Fethard & District Rugby Club
Our under 18s played host to Clanwilliam and went down by a 27 points to 3 points drubbing. The Clanwilliam team were far more aggressive on the ball and this is an area our lads need to work on. We played some excellent rugby in the first 20 minutes and were literally camped on the Clanwilliam line. We were awarded three penalties and our kicker Shane Kavanagh landed the most difficult of the three. William Power had a very effective game at scrum half.

We started the second half by conceding an early try but credit to our lads, they continued to play some excellent rugby and had Clanwilliam defending gallantly with Richard Gorey breaking the defence line on numerous occasions, but it was denied. Other players to impress on the day were Paddy Teehan, Nicholas Hoynes and Jack O’Sullivan, who performed particularly well when moved back to the forwards. Our underage players Tony Kelly, Shane Kavanagh and Billy Horan stepped up to this level gallantly and played very effectively throughout.

Our under 14s played against Cashel in the semifinal of the East Munster league. This was a tremendous game of rugby played at high tempo throughout. Cashel won by five tries to one, but this margin does not reflect the tremendous rugby played by Fethard. Frankie Donovan crossed the line for a sure try but was adjudged to have knocked on. Ciaran Power also crossed for a certain try, but the referee adjudged the ball to have been held up, much to the dismay of all present. Joe Morgan played a great game. Robert Hall and Michael Ger Murphy were outstanding in the line out. These lads have been given Tuesday night off to recover and will be back in full training for the cup competition on Friday night next. Well done lads it was a great achievement to reach the semifinal.

Our under 8s travelled to Clonmel and came away with a great victory on a margin of six tries to four. These young players continue to improve and impress with every outing. The future of our club is assured while these young people continue to play with this level of enthusiasm. The players who particularly impressed on the day were Colm Hayde, James Walsh and Gary Kavanagh.

We travelled to Clonmel on Saturday and met a very tough team. The Fethard team showed good skill and determination throughout their game and despite going down by a few tries their tackling was impressive. Ones to note were Harry Butler, Tommy Morgan and Joseph O'Connor, however, the team as a whole are improving all the time and play well together.

Fethard Bridge Club
The results of our bridge game played on Wednesday 7th March were:
1st Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
2nd Gross: Bernie O’Meara and Anna Cooke;
1st Nett: Ann and Sean O’Dea;
2nd Nett: Rosemary Lalor and David Abell.

On March 28th we will be playing for Easter Prizes. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Killusty Pony Show 2007
The Annual General Meeting of the Killusty Pony Show will take place on Friday 23rd March in the Tirry Community Centre at 8.30pm (sharp). All those interested are asked to attend and please bring a friend.

Healthy Living Club Presentation In The Abymill

Photographed after the Healthy Living Club's ‘All Stars Idol’ presentation in the Abymill Theatre are L to R: Chloe Byrne, Tara Horan, Emma Morrissey, Gráinne Fanning, Molly O'Dwyer (back), Robyn Tobin, Nicole Looby and Emma Hayes.

The girls in the Healthy Living Club finished their ten-week programme this week with their presentation show ‘All Stars Idol’ in the Abymill theatre. It was a great way to finish a fun filled 10 weeks, in which the group played games, had facials and hand massages, made plenty of healthy snacks and learned about leading a healthy lifestyle. The FCYP would like to thank everyone who came along to the show and to the Abymill Theatre in Fethard. Congratulations girls!

Fethard GAA Club News
On Saturday 10th March we made our exit from 2007 South Under 21 B Football Championship when we lost in the losers side to a stronger Davins Team played in Ballyneale. The match was changed to this venue due to weather conditions. Match report on sports page. The game ended on a scoreline, Fethard 1-6, Carrick Davins 2-7. Team was: Darragh Corbett, Nial Hayes, Connie Flynn, Alan O’Connor, Mike Kelly, Jimmy Smyth, Declan Doyle, Shane Walsh, William O’Brien, David O’Sullivan, Richard Gorey, P.J. Morrissey, Paul Kenrick 0-1f, Christopher Sheehan 1-3 (2f), John Leahy 0-1. Subs used were: Dean Tobin 0-1, Adrian Lawrence and Peter Gough. Well done to all who gave their time and we wish the Davins the best of luck in the remainder of the championship.

In the senior football county league on Sunday 11th March, we had a convincing result over Aherlow in Lisvernane played in atrocious conditions. The game was well handled by Ger O’Riordan who sent off Kenneth O’Donnell and Derry Peters after 17 minutes. The game settled down to very good football played by our ‘Friary Town’ team having a lead at half time 1-2 to Aherlow’s 0-2. It was in the second half, playing up the hill, that our fitness and skill was put to the test and with a nice blend of youth and maturity we hit some great scores from play, particularly from Aiden Fitzgerald who scored 4 points in as many minutes. We ran out easy winners on a scoreline, Fethard 2-11, Aherlow 1-3, with a solid performance from Paul Fitzgerald, Damien Byrne, Aiden Lonergan, Aiden Fitzgerald, Brian Coen, Stephen O’Donnell, Christopher Sheehan, Declan Doyle and Edmond Sheehan. The team was: Paul Fitzgerald, Nicky Murphy, Damien Byrne, Connie Flynn, Aiden Lonergan, John Paul Looby 0-1, Jamie McCormack, Aiden Fitzgerald 0-5(3f), Eoin Doyle, Miceál Spillane, Brian Coen 0-3 (2f), Kenneth O’Donnell, John Noonan, Stephen O’Donnell 1-0, Ed Sheehan 1-2. Subs used: Christopher Sheehan, Declan Doyle 0-1, and Aaron Donovan. Our next game in the county league is on Monday 19th March in Fethard at 4pm when we play Moyne Templetuohy.

With a very late start in the Minor Football County League played on Sunday 11th March in Cahir, we came out on top with a convincing win over the hour, Fethard 4-7 to Cahir’s 2-2. Having led at half time, 1-5 to 1-0, we nearly let the lead slip midway through the second half.  After 15 wides and hitting the post 4 times, Cahir got 1 goal and 2 points to our 2 points, but our team lifted a gear and in the final quarter and we came good scoring three goals, two from Michael Fleming and one from Eoin Condon. The other goal came from a penalty in the first half by Christopher Sheehan, his first shot having been saved he put away the rebound. This result now puts us level with Rockwell Rovers with a fix made for Sunday 18th March. Team was: Bernard Walsh, Gavin Fitzgerald, Cathal Gorey, Kieran O’Connell, Adrian Lawrence, Alan O’Connor, Dean Tobin 0-1, Declan Doyle, Christopher Sheehan 1-3 (3f), Tom O’Connell, Aaron Donovan 0-1, Eoin O’Connell 0-1, Michael Fleming 2-0, Eoin Condon 1-0 and Mathew Fitzgerald 0-1. Best of luck in the division’s county league final.

We had a bye in the first round of the county intermediate hurling league and we expect to be out on weekending 1st April. There are four other teams in our ‘Group C’ section: Cahir, Fr Sheehys, Galtee Rovers and Clonakenny.

Club Events
On Friday 30th March we will honour the Killusty 1956 County/South Junior Football Champions and also present South Medals in both hurling and football for 2005 and 2006. We ask you for your presence and support. More details next week.

The South Board Centenary Year celebrations are in full flight and a Great Irish Ceilí Night will be held in the GAA Centre Clonmel on this Sunday 18th March, starting at 8.30pm. Tickets are €10 and there are still a few available, contact Noel Byrne (052-31518).

Our big ‘GAA Day’ will take place on Easter Monday 9th April in Clonmel. All club personnel from juvenile to senior, club members and supporter are expected to attend. More details later. There will also be visitation to gravesides for deceased members of the South Board during April and May.

Happy Birthday

Terry Cunningham's celebrating his 57th Birthday (after midnight) in McCarthy's Hotel. On hearing the news of his birthday, proprietor Vinny Murphy took a Christmas cake out of a leftover hamper, put a candle on it and surprised Terry by getting the locals to sing 'Happy Birthday'. Terry's birthday is on 10th March and is photographed above with his wife Jennifer.


Kari Laaksonen photographed with friends at Slievenamon Golf Club where he celebrated his recent 50th Birthday L to R: Rita Kenny, Kari Kallin, Fintan Rice, Kari Laaksonen, Lisa Laaksonen and Joe Kenny

Fethard and Killusty Anglers
Fishing starts on club waters on Saturday 17th April. Membership is now due for renewal and should be paid as soon as possible for insurance to be valid.  Please phone 087 2497189 for more information. We wish ‘tight lines’ to all our members for the coming season.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Our u-12s had a challenge match against Clerihan on Thursday last week in preparation for their south championship that begins shortly. They came away with a great win and the club would like to thank Clerihan for travelling to Fethard on such a bad day.

Training continues every Wednesday evening for u-12s; Mondays and Thursdays for u-14s; Mondays and Wednesdays for u-16s and every Saturday from 3pm to 5pm for u-6, 8s and10s. New members are especially welcome

Members please note that membership is now due and players will not be insured to play unless they have paid their fee of €15 per child. Matches will be commencing shortly and we ask that you make an effort to start paying membership.

The Juvenile Club still have some tickets left for the Community Field Building Fund and if you would like to buy a ticket please feel free to contact any committee member. This is for a great cause.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 7th March were 6, 11, 20 and 27. We had no Jackpot winner and one ‘Match 3’ winner  who received €150:
Breda Ryan, Coolmoyne Cross, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were:
Tina Ryan, Kilnockin View, Fethard;
Dermot Darcy, St. Patricks Place, Fethard;
Margaret Maher, Kilboy, Killenaule.

Next weeks Jackpot is €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.