Happy Reunion

Members of the the 1956 Killusty Junior Football County and South Champions team and representatives who were honoured at a special function organised by Fethard GAA Club on Friday 30th March. Back L to R: Miceál McCormack (South Board Chairman), Sean Moloney, Vincent Allen, Tony Newport, Gus Neville, Jimmy O'Shea, Liam O'Flaherty, Alfie Brett, Eamon Keating (representing Gus Danaher), Noel Byrne (representing Mick Byrne). Front L to R: Jim Williams, Kay O'Riordan (representing Mick O'Riordan), Elizabeth Sheehan (representing Ned Sheehan), Kathleen McCormack (representing Tom McCormack), Mary O'Donnell (representing Brian O'Donnell), Seamus Hackett and Sean Nugent (South Board Secretary).

Fethard GAA Club hosted a most enjoyable social evening in the Fethard Arms on Saturday night last.  The evening was organised to honour the members of the Killusty Junior Football Team, winners of the 1956 South and County Tipperary Junior Football Championship, and to present the 2005 South Tipperary Senior Football Championship medals and the 2006 South Tipperary Intermediate medals to the respective Fethard winning teams.  Club chairman Michael O’Dwyer first welcomed each and everyone with a special Cead Mile Failte for the guests of honour, South Tipp Chairman, Miceál McCormack, Secretary Sean Nugent and Jimmy Ryan, Carrick, recipient of the South Tipp player of the past award 2006. 

Jimmy O’Shea, a member of the ’56 team was a most capable MC for the presentation of a beautiful memento of the occasion to the 1956 veterans, all of those in attendance we are glad to report looked fit enough to go out and play next Sunday.  Four members of the panel were unfortunately unable to attend, and especially remembered were the six members of the panel, Mick Byrne, Mick O’Riordan, Ned Sheehan, Brian O’Donnell, Gus Danagher and Tom McCormack who are now no longer with us.  Indeed it was an evening of remembering and do you remember, matches won and lost, and worthy opponents of the day.  More than one of the old timers remarked, “what a pity we do not have more such nights when old friends could meet and recall past glories”. 

Very welcome refreshments were provided by the ladies of the club.  The evening concluded with a terrific sing-song, many of the guests contributing with local talented accordionist Joan O’Brien at her brilliant best.

Photographed at the special function to honour the 1956 Killusty Junior Football County and South Champions team are L to R: Caroline Sheehan, Tommy Sheehan, Elizabeth Sheehan, Pat Sheehan and Martha Sheehan.

Community Council meet with Minister Haughey
Members of Fethard & Killusty Community Council travelled to Dail Eireann on Wednesday 4th April last to meet with Minister Sean Haughey.  Minister Haughey is the Junior Minister for Education with responsibility for Youth Affairs.  The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the activities of the Community Council in relation to the provision of facilities and services for Youth in Fethard and particularly to impress on Minister Haughey the need for the support of his Department with regards to the application for funding for the Fethard Community Youth Project.  The Fethard Community Youth Project was established in September 2006 and it currently employs one Youth Worker, Suzie O’Shea, on a part-time basis.  It is essential that permanent funding is secured so that the numerous activities of the FCYP can be continued. In addition to the representatives of Fethard Community Council the meeting was also attended by Rachael Murphy, Area Manager, Foróige and Siobhan Ambrose, FF.

First Class Honours

Kora Delany from Parsonshill, Fethard, photographed with medal and certificate received for achieving first class honours in The Leinster School of Music's third grade Speech & Drama at Moyglass National School. Kora's teacher is Eleanor Dwyer.

Fethard GAA Club News
In the Intermediate County hurling league game played away last Sunday we had only the minimum available and lost on a scoreline, Fethard 2-6, Clonakenny 4-11. The next game is on 15th April at home to Galtee Rovers.

The Minor Football Championship starts with a game on the 13th April against Cahir. The Senior Football county league game for the Easter weekend will now be played at home to Killenaule.

The club had a very enjoyable night in the Fethard Arms on Friday 30th March with a fine attendance honouring the 1956 Killusty Junior Football County /South Champions. In an ‘off the cuff’ summary, captain of the day Jimmy O’Shea, went through the team and subs mentioning the fourteen still alive and the six deceased. Each representative was presented with a momentum on the night. The team in the final was: Tony Newport, Jim Williams, Mick Byrne (Rep Noel Byrne), Sean Moloney, Tom McCormack (Rep Kathleen McCormack), Liam Connolly, Seanie Connolly, Jack Prout, Ned Sheehan (Rep Elisabeth Sheehan), Gus Danagher (Rep Eamon Keating), Brian O’Donnell (Rep Mary O Donnell), Jimmy O’Shea, Gus Neville, Johnny Ferris, Seamus Hackett. Subs were: Liam O’Flaherty, Gerard Mackey, Vincent Allen, Alfie Brett, Mick O’Riordan (Rep Michael O’Riordan).

On behalf of the team, Tony Newport thanked the club for there recognition and presentations. Guests present were: Chairman South Board Miceál McCormack, Secretary Sean Nugent, and 2007 Hurling Hall of Fame recipient, Jimmy Ryan (Carrick Davins). These guests presented medals also to the current players on their 2005 South Senior Football and 2006 South Intermediate Hurling successes.

Our President, Fr Tom Breen P.P. graced us with his presence and a well few chosen words. Joan O’Brien provided the music on a night and started a sing song that went on till late. Thanks to everyone who assisted on the night, Michael O’Dwyer (Club Chairman), Noel Byrne (PRO), and Mary Godfrey (Secretary) for organising the event and to all who provided the sandwiches and sausages. Well done.

Don’t forget, all Fethard club players, county players, mentors, past players, officers, juveniles, camogie and ladies football members are asked to attend the Easter Monday (9th April) GAA South Board Centenary Parade in Clonmel, meeting at the GAA Centre at 11am for 12pm start. The parade will go through the town and the time expected to take from start to finish is two hours. A mini Fleadh Cheoil will take place in the centre during the afternoon. We ask you for your support to show that GAA is vibrant and strong in the current way of life in the ‘Friary Town’, particularly as we are the leading club in football in the county.

Congratulations to the Connolly Brothers
David and Evan Connolly, now residing in Tramore, are both sons of Sgt Liam and Margaret Connolly, formerly of Garrinch, Fethard.  These boys are making a name for themselves in Waterford at the moment, being involved in all types of sport. David was recently selected to represent Ireland on the under-15 boys basketball team while Evan is a member of Waterford under-14 soccer team who are currently playing in the Kennedy Cup. Evan and his team will be in the UK during the next two weeks where they play Bangor in Wales and Wolves in Chester.  The team will attend a premiership game during their trip. The final of the Kennedy Cup will be held in University of Limerick next June. Well done to both boys on their achievements and good luck with the games. 

Social Dancing
Social dancing on this Easter Sunday night to the very popular music makers Cupla. Proceeds go to Childrens Special Olympics fund and your support for this very worthy cause would be much appreciated. Looking forward to seeing you.

Tidy Towns Presentation

Peter Grant presenting Jonathon Cooney with a token of appreciation from Fethard Tidy Towns for his work and help while holding the position of Fethard Area Engineer with South Tipperary County Council. Jonathon has now moved to the Housing Department and Eoin Powell has taken his place as Area Engineer.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
It has been a busy week for the Juvenile club with matches played at under-12, 14 and 16 levels. The under-12s were home to Ballingarry on Friday evening of last week and after a slow start came back with a great win. This is the second game of their championship bid and they showed great promise with some great performances. We wish them the best of luck in their next match.

Under-14s travelled to Ardfinnan on Sunday evening of last week for a challenge match in preparation for their championship bid, which begins this Thursday evening at home to Clonmel Commercials at 7pm in the GAA field. In Ardfinnan they played a great game in glorious sunshine and came away with a convincing win. We wish them luck as they start their championship bid. Thanks to Ardfinnan for the match.

Under-16s have played two of their championship matches and some serious work is needed with these lads if they are to leave behind the results of the last two matches. This is a team with great potential and we wish them the best of luck in their next match at home to Killenaule.

The Juvenile Club would also like to congratulate Eoin Fitzgerald on his selection to the Tipperary Schoolboys Team representing Ireland in the Kennedy Cup which is being held in Paris over a four-day period. Eoin will be playing other teams from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Best of luck Eoin!

If you have any queries please phone club secretary, Caroline Sheehan Tel: 086-1713502.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games

Róisín McDonnell from Fethard at the Community Games Art & Model Making County Finals in Fethard. CLICK TO SEE MORE PHOTOS

Congratulations to all girls and boys from the area who competed in the County Finals of the Art Competition on Saturday last 31st March.  There were approx 180 competitors from all over the county and the standard was very high.  Judge Frances Fennessy had some very tough decisions to make but like everything there has to be losers as well as winners and to qualify for a county final is indeed a good achievement.

Congratulations to our four competitors who won medals, Roisín McDonnell, Main Street, won her first county gold medal under 8, and Laura Rice, Everardsgrange, won her third gold medal in the under 16 event.  Leah O’Donnell, Coleman, won a silver medal under-12 and Nicole Looby, St Patricks Place, won a bronze medal under-14.   Roisín, Leah and Nicole are all pupils of Nano Nagle School while Laura is a pupil of Presentation Patrician Secondary School, Fethard.  Roisín and Laura will now represent Tipperary at the HSE Community Games National Finals in Mosney next August.  Raisin’s dad, Pat, competed in Mosney in athletics some years ago.   A reminder to Róisin and Laura to please hand in a photocopy of their birth certificate with one passport type photo to the Community Games office at Grove Road as soon as possible as the county secretary needs to have them by 12th April, otherwise place will be offered to runners up. 


Carly Tobin from Fethard at the Community Games Art & Model Making County Finals in Fethard. CLICK TO SEE MORE PHOTOS

Well done to all and a big thank you to Frances Fennessy for judging the competitions. Thanks to Fethard Ballroom committee for providing the venue, to Monica Ahearne and Margaret Phelan for supplying the welcome refreshments, to Joe Keane, Shem Butler, Kathleen Long, Sonia Bonelli, Gabrielle Fortune, Geraldine Quigley and everybody who helped in any way to make the day so successful.

Badgers (over 30s soccer)
Last Friday night 30th March saw the annual gathering of Badgers in Burkes Bar for our AGM.  There was a very good turn out and it was great to see so many sporting very trendy black polo shirts with our new crest and logo ‘Cave Canem’.  The jury is out on a secret handshake!

On the top of the agenda was deciding when to return from our winter grounds at the Killenaule astro-turf to our home ground in the Fethard Community Field. All agreed to return straight away, so from Wednesday 4th April we are back to the field.  A gentle reminder to all that players to arrive early and help with setting up goals, corner flags etc, for kick off at 8 sharp.

Please also be reminded that new rules dictate that all players should have shin guards and not use steel studs.  New members are always welcome but it has proven difficult to regulate who is a member and who is not, hence, who is covered under the insurance umbrella?  So from here on new members will be expected to pay €10 from day one which will go towards full membership if they so decide.

Congratulations to the new committee members voted into office, they are: Owen Roach (chairman), Kevin Ryan (assistant secretary) and Brian Steedman (treasurer).  Many thanks to those outgoing officers who worked so well in the last year — Philip Furnell, Liam Harrington and Colm McGrath.

Drats! forgot to elect a new PR person, oh well what’s another year, Cave Canem.

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 28th March 2007 we played for Easter prizes and the results were:
1st Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
2nd Gross: Gemma Burke and Carol Kenny;
3rd Gross: Berney Myles and Alice Quinn;
1st Nett: Madeleine O’Donnell and Nora Lawrence;
2nd Nett: Anne Ryan and Joan Kelly;
3rd Nett: Mary Quirke and Fr. John Meagher. 

On Wednesday next, 11th April, we play the first round of the Club Championship. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 32038.

Dog Missing

Has anyone seen a Jack Russell dog, 1.5 years tan and white, missing since last Saturday morning between the Fethard and Kilsheelan area. If so please contact Ciaran on Tel: 086 8119626. Reward Offered.

Fresh Fish
A new weekly Fresh Sea Fish service has started in Fethard.  Bernard Stapleton, Holycross, who already services two weekly Farmers Markets will visit Fethard each Thursday morning. 

Holy Week Ceremonies

Fethard Parish Church
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8pm.
Good Friday: Stations of the Cross 3pm; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 8pm.
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil 8pm. 

Augustinian Abbey
Holy Thursday: No morning Mass. Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7.30pm. (Adoration until 9pm).
Good Friday: No morning service. Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 3pm; Stations of the Cross at 7.30pm.
Holy Saturday: No morning Mass. Easter Vigil 8.30pm.
Easter Sunday: Masses at 9.30am and 11.30am.
Easter Monday: Mass at 1030am only (no Mass at 8am. or 5pm).

Church of the Sacred Heart, Killusty
Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8pm.
Good Friday: No morning service Celebration of the Lord’s Passion 8pm (with Holy Communion). Stations of the Cross 7.30pm.
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil 8pm.

‘Any Dream Will Do’ on Saturday night
Andrew Lloyd Webbers search for a new ‘Joseph’ to take the lead in the forthcoming West-End production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (commencing July 2007) took to the airwaves on Saturday night last on BBC 1 when we got a glimpse of some of the contestants that were chosen from the 10,000 that applied.  At the end of last week’s show fifty contestants graduated to ‘Joseph School’ and next week we will see this number reduced to twenty.  These twenty Josephs are those talented fellows who provided such wonderful entertainment in the Abymill Theatre on March 19th last.  It is anticipated that many locals will tune in to see if their favourite Joseph made the final cut.  The Abymill performance and related activities in McCarthy’s Hotel and Kiltinan Castle, recorded at that time, will be shown on next Saturday’s show also.  Details of the show Any Dream Will Do can be accessed on www.bbc.co.uk/joseph and a brief introduction to the Abymill performance can be viewed on www.andrewlloydwebber.com.  Any Dream Will Do will be broadcast on Saturday night next, April 7th, at 7.45pm on BBC1.

St. Rita’s Camogie Club
Twenty years ago this year St. Rita’s Camogie Club was formed. It had many great years of competition and friendship since. Over the last few years our number of
players have been in decline. The Annual General Meeting of the club takes place on Wednesday 11th April at 8.30pm in the Tirry Centre and we urge anybody who may be able to help us to keep the club up and running to attend. We urgently need committed players so that this, our twentieth year in existence, may not be our last.

Fethard ICA Notes
Our April meeting takes place in the ICA Hall on Tuesday 10th April at 8pm. Reminding members that voting is to take place on the proposed increase in membership fees. Our speaker for the night will be Bridget Ryan of the Duneske Leisure Centre Cahir. Bridget's subject will be ‘Women's Wellness’. Non members are most welcome to join us for what promises to be a most interesting and important talk for women of all ages. The Blue Group are catering on the night. 

South Tipperary IWA
The South Tipperary Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association held their AGM on Sunday 25th February 2007 in Kiely’s lounge Tipperary.  Our committee was selected for the coming year. 

Our first meeting was held on March 6th and the following officers were elected, Chairperson John Ryan, Secretary John Harrington, Treasurer Sean Buckley, Vice Chairperson Mary Walsh, Assistant Secretary Trish Kelleher, Assistant Treasurer Jerome Kiely, PRO Peggy Moroney and Mary Walsh, South Tipperary Disability Forum Branch representative Donal O’Halloran.  Other committee members include, Kitty Peters, Theresa Ryan, and Brigid Walsh

On Sunday 11th March, members from South Tipperary, Limerick and Kilkenny got together in the hall in Cloneen and enjoyed an afternoon of good food and music.  There was a raffle held with numerous prizes, all sponsored.  

There is also a very active Youth Group.  We get together in Clonmel the first Thursday of each month.  So far this year we have held two successful table quizzes in Clonmel and Cloneen.  We wish to thank everyone who supported us.

Country Markets AGM
Fethard Country Markets will hold their annual general meeting on Friday 13th April at 11.30am at their premises in the Town Hall and all are welcome to attend.

Fethard was the first Country Market formed in Ireland and this year celebrate their 60th year. The Country Market was started in a time of great need for produce to be made available and sold to the general public. Eggs were plentiful, but the farmers' wives had no way of disposing of them on a weekly basis. Olivia Hughes got together a few very enterprising people to start a market in Fethard, and from this Country Markets was born, and now it has spread throughout the whole country.

Easter Opening Hours
Fethard & District Credit Union opening hours for Easter weekend are as follows: Thursday 5th April open from 10am to 12 noon; closed on Good Friday 6th April; and open as usual on Saturday 7th April from 7pm to 8.30pm.