Fethard Athletic Club

Fethard Athletes taking part in the Novice Road Race L to R: Micéal McCormack, Michael Moclair, Pat Murphy, Nicola Nealon, David Burke, Mary Ryan, Pat Phelan, Aine Doocey, Paraic McCormack, Tony Shelly and Brian Slattery.

Well done to all our guys and girls who ran in the County Novice on February 17 in Clonmel in what was a great day for our club. We fielded both a mens’ and ladies’ team with ten runners in total, the like of which has not been seen since the 1980s. This was a massive effort from a small club and now there’s no reason why all our best times need be in the past, so lets look to a bright future.

On Sunday, February 3, Fintan Rice came an impressive 5th in the Moyne 5k, with his daughter Jennifer Rice also running strong and finishing well placed overall. Wednesday night, February 6, saw Fintan Rice continue his winning streak in the Clonmel 4k series with his third win in a row. We had great results right down the field with Tony Shelly, Brian Slattery, Jennifer Rice, Ann Coen and Louise Coen all doing themselves proud. Great stuff lads, the hard work is paying off.
On Monday night, February 4, we had a very productive meeting in McCarthy's Hotel where a new committee was voted in with hopes of taking Fethard AC to a new level in the coming year.

The incoming committee is as follows: Club President Tom Tobin; Chairperson Miceál McCormack; Vice Chairperson Annette Connolly; Secretary Jennifer Rice; Assistant Secretary Fintan Rice; Club Registrar / PRO Paraic McCormack; Joint Treasurers Aine Doocey and Noreen Harrington; Welfare Officers Tina Phelan and Fran Tyrrell; Club Medics Aine Doocey, Pauline Barry and Helen Gazely.

Running takes place every Monday and Friday nights at 7.15pm, meeting at the Ballroom. We invite all to make running the 13th annual ‘Walls Of Fethard 4 Mile’ event your goal for 2013. Any enquiries to 087-9229747 or find us on Facebook.

Happy 21st Birthday Audrey

Audrey Tynan (front) photographed with her mother, Mary, and grand-aunt, Eileen Connolly, on the occasion of her 21st Birthday Party celebrated at The Castle Inn.

Congratulations and ‘Happy Birthday’ to Audrey Tynan who celebrated her 21st Birthday with family and friends at the Castle Inn last weekend. Audrey, a very popular girl, also had many of her friends from the Tipperary Wheelchair Association at her party which was enjoyed by all.


Photographed at Audrey Tynan's 21st Birthday Party at The Castle Inn are L to R: Kelly Fox, Jenny Burke and Jenny Conway.


Audrey Tynan (front) photographed with friends on the occasion of her 21st Birthday Party celebrated at The Castle Inn. Back L to R: Niall Taylor, Danielle Mooney and Andrew Kerr.


L to R: Andrew Maher and Garreth Lawrence photographed at Audrey Tynan's 21st Birthday Party at The Castle Inn


L to R: Christine Needham and Jessica Bradshaw photographed at Audrey Tynan's 21st Birthday Party at The Castle Inn.


L to R: Conor Clancy and Amy Tynan photographed at Audrey Tynan's 21st Birthday Party at The Castle Inn


L to R: Josh Fortune and Shauna Mackey photographed at Audrey Tynan's 21st Birthday Party at The Castle Inn.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Thursday, February 14, of Tony Tobin, Knockelly, Fethard. Our sincere sympathy to his parents, Eileen and Pat, sister Patrice, brother Keith, partner Alice, family and friends.
Tony was a very popular member of Fethard community, highly skilled at his craft and an enthusiastic motorbike racing follower. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him, may he rest in peace. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

Fethard Ladies Football
Well done to Kate Davey, Ciara Hayes and Megan Coen who played for the Tipperary U14s who defeated Laois and Kilkenny over the past week as they prepare for their upcoming championship. We would also like to wish a speedy recovery from injury to Molly O’Meara who is also on the team.

With the U16 championship beginning soon training is in full swing. Training continues on Thursdays from 7.30pm to 8.30pm at the community field. Girls are asked to bring €1 towards the cost of the lights.

U12 girls’ training continues on Saturdays from 11am to 12 noon at the school field. New players welcome at all grades.

Vyvienne Long with the Balanescu String Quartet

Vyvienne Long and the Balanescu String Quartet who play a concert in Fethard’s medieval Holy Trinity Church on Thursday, February 28.

Vyvienne Long with the Balanescu String Quartet will play a concert in Fethard’s medieval Holy Trinity Church on Thursday, February 28, with a Cheese and Wine reception at 7.30pm and concert starting at 8pm.

Vyvienne and the Balanescu String Quartet are known for their work with artists as diverse as Michael Nyman, Kraftwerk, David Byrne and Damien Rice. This concert, promoted by the Arts Council and RTE’s Lyric FM, promises to be a very interesting night mixing classical and popular music. Tickets are €18 and can be had from McCarthys Hotel, Main Street. Booking at Tel: 086 8119625.

Juvenile GAA Club
The GAA Juvenile Club's registration day is on Saturday, February 23, from 11am to 12 noon. Membership is €20 per youth member (capped at €40 for two or more children from the same family), €30 for Adult membership, €20 for minor players and students in full time education, €40 for Adult Playing members and €30 Adult non-playing members.

It goes without saying how important it is to pay you membership as without payment you are not registered with your Club for 2013 which means that you cannot play for your club of you will not be covered for the GAA injury Scheme (if injured).

With less than four weeks to the first rounds of the Championship fixtures and Premier games, training has is well underway for U14s and U16s, with U12s and Mini GAA getting started again too. If you have not been receiving information by text then please come along on Saturday and give in your details.

Fethard Macra News
South Tipp Macra had a Hoolie Night in Jerry Jacks Pub, Annacarty. on Saturday, February 16. This was a great night with a Karoke and more activities held on the night. We also had our titles night in which South Tipp's representatives for this year are Kevin Byrne of Fethard Macra for ‘Mister Personality’, Helen Ryan of Suirvale Macra for ‘Miss Macra’, this year's ‘Miss Blue Jeans Country Queen’ is Ann Marie Kirby of Slievenamon and ‘Queen of the Land’ is Eibhlis Maher of Slievenamon Macra. A huge thank you to all who came a long and wish all of our title holders the best of luck in the upcoming competitions.
For current members the second phase of officer training for both club and county levels will take place on Sunday, March 31, in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, at 7pm.

The Michael Moclair Munster Macra VP campaign attended the Seandun Glenville Speed Dating night on Friday, February 15, and the Macra titles night in Bantry on the Saturday, February 16. We are all very supportive of Michael's campaign and one of his colleagues, Martin Bourke, Manager of the South Tipp Farm Relief Scheme, says, “It's a delight to have Michael running as VP, he will have our full support in this campaign. He joined our Farm Relief Hoofcare Team in 2008 and has been a consistent hard worker. I thoroughly believe he will also work hard for Macra at a VP level.” Michael would like to thank all members and the public for their continued support.

Volleyball continues in Clerihan Hall every Thursday night at 8.30pm, new members are very welcome to come along.

Macra is a wonderful organisation for individuals aged from 17-35 and has something for everyone including social events, travel, farming and competitions including sports, public speaking, debating and more which give you skills for life. For more enquiries or if you are interested in joining South Tipp Macra contact Laurann on 085-7337432 or Una 087-4165826 or find us on Facebook under South Tipp Macra.

Graduation

Congratulations to Kay Cummins, Monroe, Fethard, who recently graduated from WIT with a First Class Honours Degree in BSc General Nursing.

Classes starting soon in the Convent Community Hall
Fethard Community Council hope to run the following classes in the Convent Community Hall very soon:

• (1) Sewing classes for Beginners – learn the art of sewing, measuring and marking.
• (2) Relaxation & Wellbeing – learn how to de-stress and relax using various techniques. This course also takes a look at ways to have more happiness and wellbeing in your life.

If you are interested in doing any of the above classes please phone Joan at Tel: 052 6131000 for further information. Limited places available on both courses.

Fethard Parent/Minder Toddler group
It was great to see a good turn out for the first meet up of the Fethard Parent / Minder Toddler Group on last Thursday morning. The feedback from the group was all very positive and the children all had a great time playing with the large selection of toys available while the parents enjoyed a cup of coffee and a chat. The group will meet every Thursday morn at 11am in the Convent Community Hall. Children have the opportunity to play in a safe, happy environment, so if you fancy an escape from the house for an hour or so call down to the hall. €2 per adult is asked to help towards costs of the hall.

Fethard Community Council
The next meeting of Fethard & Killusty Community Council will take place in the Tirry Centre on Tuesday, February 26, at 8.30pm.

Internet services in the Community Hall
Due to computer classes been run in the hall for the next few weeks on Wednesday and Thursday mornings the computers will not be available for public use during these times. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

Another Fethard business closes its doors
Unfortunately another Fethard business has closed its doors last week due in no small way to the current recessionary climate in Ireland.
Spar Supermarket was first opened by Tom Hennessey as the ‘Cross Stop’ on July 26, 1997, at the junction of Main Street, Kerry Street, The Valley and the Cashel Road. The building was formerly known as the ‘Cross House’ and was the residence of the late Johnny Halpin and his wife Margaret (nee Ryan).

As banks, suppliers, businesses and customers continue to tighten their belts who knows what effect it will have on the future of small business towns like Fethard, definitely not a good environment for development.

Fethard Rugby Club News
A trip to Kilkenny for Fethard, along with Tullow Rugby Club, for a Blitz last Sunday was a great success and our U7s came away with great experience. Emily Fox worked really well making great runs alongside Oscar Croke Staunton. Finn Madigan stormed the opposition with Sean Fitzgerald's strong determination and good passing from Oisín Ryan. We also saw fine work from Andrew Connorton with Bill Smyth consistent throughout.

Fethard U8s
Fethard U8s played three games against two Kilkenny teams and Tullow. David McCormack and Michael Blake were a great pairing to carry and tackle. Jack Quinlan and Michael James Phelan were always up with the ball and quick to tackle. Tries were scored with Mark Neville to the forefront rucking and ace cousins Robbie and William Noonan showing great tackling throughout. Ana Quigley was accurate with her tip offs and Clodagh Foley’s ball handling worked well together with Tomas Ryan who regularly brought the opposition down and turned over the ball to Fethard's advantage. Tom Smith and Luke Ryan were involved throughout with Andrew Wall with Nial O'Mara provided great back up. Padraig O'Dwyer came on with great effect and put in some fearsome tackles.

Fethard U9s
Our U9s came out on top winning three of our four games. In our first match after a slow start Kilkenny had two tries scored quickly and this proved very hard for Fethard to pull back these scores. Our next three games saw a different Fethard team with all playing very well right from the whistle.

Fethard U10s
Fethard U10s played three games in total winning two and losing one. Kilkenny narrowly defeated us in our opening game although we enjoyed territorial advantage. In the second game also against Kilkenny, Fethard came to life with brilliant combination play between backs and forwards ensuring this game was never in doubt. Their third game blew us all away, as well as Tullow. This was exhibition stuff. Fethard tackled like their lives depended on it. Special mention has to go to Robert Barton on his try saving tackle in the second half. Well done to all. Our team was: Robert Barton, Robert Wall, Aidan Fitzgerald, Cathal Foley, Shane Neville, Cathal Ryan, Sean Ryan, Oran Ryan, Oisín Smullen, Michael Scully, Toby Collier and Luke Fox.

Fethard U12s
U12s played three games against Kilkenny A and B teams, and Tullow, finishing with two wins and a draw. There was a decidedly marked improvement from the previous Sunday, with great support play from Conor Vaughan, Ritchie Anglim and Peter Wall, while Evan Looby and Paddy Gaynor were outstanding on the wings. Brilliant rucking from Jack Lonergan and Eoin Fitzgerald, with great ball delivery from Ciaran O'Dwyer. A very rewarding day for such a small turnout.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on February 13, were: 8, 13, 20 and 31. We had no jackpot winner and two ‘Match Three’ winners who received €75 each: Vicki Damon, Kilsheelan; and Margaret Carroll, c/o Kitty O'Donnell, Fethard.

The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Pat Shelly, Moyglass, Fethard; Tom Kearney, Killusty, Fethard; Ml. Russell & Jim Kenny, Drangan.

Remember you can purchase your lotto ticket online at fethard.com. Buy seven weekly tickets and get one free! Check on the website for lots of special offers.

Next week’s draw takes place on Wednesday, February 20 and the Jackpot is €7,450 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €745. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.

Free draw for Tom Weston’s hardcover book
The first winner of Tom Weston’s hardcover signed copy of ‘Feathered: being a fairy tale’ is: Jane O'Brien, 25-40 Shore Boulevard, Astoria, New York. We now have two more copies of his book to give away. The second draw will take place on Monday, February 25. Please enter once only as your entry will be carried forward from week to week. To enter our free draw please email your name, full postal address and telephone number to: competition@fethard.com or post to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard, Co. Tipperary.

If you would like to buy the book it's now available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com in hardback and paperback.


Tom’s editor is Carmel Trimble (nee Millett), St Johnstown, Fethard, and it was actually stories from Carmel’s childhood in the Castle Inn, on Watergate Street, which inspired this novel. The book is the 3rd in the award winning series called the Alex and Jackie Adventures. Alex and Jackie are two teenage sisters from California, who get involved in mysteries involving ghosts, vampires, etc. The series is targeted to reading ages of 10 and above.

Feathered: being a fairy tale is set for the most part in our town of Fethard, and many of the Fethard landmarks are referenced in this story of the Book of Kells, Vikings, Banshees and the Tuatha Dé Danann. Click to read more

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Sunday, February 17, 2013, of Jimmy Walsh, Kilconnell, Fethard, peacefully at home. Beloved husband of the late Ann. Deeply regretted by his loving son John, daughters Eleanor and Elizabeth, daughter-in-law Mary, son-in-law Paul, grandchildren, great-grandson, brothers John, Fr. Joe OSA (Australia) and Christy, sisters-in-law, nephew Fr. Joe (Upperchurch / Drombane), nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. May He Rest in Peace.

Reposing at Devitt's Funeral Parlour on Tuesday evening, February 19, from 5pm with Removal at 7.30pm to the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard. Requiem Mass on Wednesday at 11.30am followed by Burial in Cormac's Cemetery, Cashel. House Private on Tuesday please.

Items for Fethard News and Website
Items for inclusion on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to news@fethard.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.