‘Thinking Day’ in Fethard
Photographed at the Irish Girl Guides 'Thinking Day' held in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland are L to R: Judy Doyle, Majella Daly, Catherine O'Connell (Area Commissioner), Catherine O'Donnell and Irene Reale (Area Secretary).
Irish Girl Guides Middle Third Area held their ‘Thinking Day’ in Fethard’s Holy Trinity Church of Ireland on Friday, March 1. The last time ‘Thinking Day’ was held in Fethard was on February 17, 2002.
On this occasion our newly appointed Area Commissioner, Catherine O’Connell, welcomed all the 190 girls to Fethard which included Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides, Young Leaders from Thurles, Moyne, Cashel and Fethard. Also present were outgoing Area Commissioner, Mary Jordan, and present Area Secretary, Irene Reale, invited guests and parents.
Fethard leaders photographed at the Irish Girl Guides 'Thinking Day' held in Fethard L to R: Molly O'Dwyer, Tara Horan and Molly Proudfoot.
The ceremony commenced with a parade of unit flags to the altar. Readings were then read by representatives from the Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides and Young Leaders followed by a lovely selection of songs and renewal of guide’s promises.
Slievenamon Ladybirds photographed at the Irish Girl Guides 'Thinking Day' held in Fethard L to R: Maria Brett, Rebecca Needham, Róisín Geoghegan and Aoibheann Collum.
Catherine O’Connell then thanked all for coming and closed the ceremony. All were invited to refreshments in the ICA Hall after which the girls headed for home. Well done to all for giving us a night to remember. Looking forward to the next area event in Dundrum Woods.
Fethard Brownies photographed at the Irish Girl Guides 'Thinking Day' held in Fethard L to R: Rose O'Donnell and Katie Ahearne.
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom next Sunday night, March 10, to the music of Sam O'Doherty. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.
St. Rita’s Camogie Club registration night
St. Rita's Camogie Club has teams entered in the following age categories, U8, U10, U12, U14 and Junior. Registration night will take place on Friday, March 8, in the GAA park in Fethard from 7pm to 8pm. Juvenile Membership is €20 and the minimum starting age is 5 years. New players welcome.
Enrolment at Holy Trinity National School
Enrolment forms for Junior Infants are now available at Holy Trinity National School. Please call or contact the secretary at (052) 6131493.
Sports Achievement Award for February
David Flanagan receiving the Butler's Bar Sports Achievement Award for February, sponsored by Cashel Motors, from Joe Ahearne. David was nominated for training three dogs to victory in one night recently at Thurles track. David also received the award for Top Private Trainer at the track for the second year in a row. L to R: M.J. Croke (representing sponsor Cashel Motors), Joe Ahearne and David Flanagan.
Congratulations to David Flanagan who was February’s winner in Butlers Sports Bar’s ‘Fethard Sports Achievement Awards’. David, a well known local greyhound trainer based at Sunset Kennels, Derryluskin, Fethard, recently trained three dogs to victory in one night at Thurles track. He also received the award for Top Private Trainer at the track for the second year in a row. The award was presented by Joe Ahearne on Friday night, March 1, at a function in Butlers Sports Bar.
Nominees for February's Sports Achievement Award photographed at Butler's Bar last weekend. L to R: Sean Kelly representing Harry Kelly, Kelly Anne Nevin, Paraic McCormack representing Fintan Rice, Kathleen Maher representing her brother John Keane, Michaél McCormack, Mary Kenrick, Justin McGree and David Flanagan.
Nominees for March 2013 are now being taken and can be handed in to Philip Butler at Fethard Sports Bar, Main Street, Fethard, before 6pm on Friday, March 22, or emailed to: sportsaward@fethard.com
Photographed at the Butler's Bar Sports Achievement Award presentation for February are L to R: Sean Moloney, Philip Butler, Joe Ahearne, Mary Godfrey, Austin Godfrey and Sean Kelly.
Fethard Tidy Towns
Hedge cutting on the left hand side of the Clonmel Road is now complete and gives an excellent view of the town on entry from Clonmel. Litter picking is on-going in the town and we have finalised a plan for tree planting on the Cashel road park which is being sponsored by Coolmore Stud. Work is also in progress on the convent side of the Clashawley.
We appeal to residents living on the entrance roads to Fethard to keep an eye out for litter dumping. The Environmental Protection Agency recently launched a new iPhone App, ‘See it? Say it!’ to help people to report environmental pollution in their towns and villages. The new App makes it easy for people to report a pollution incident the moment they see it while walking or otherwise. Using the App you can now take a photograph and this will automatically be sent to the relevant local authority for follow up. The App is currently available for iPhone customers and the EPA hopes to extend this to Android phones soon.
You can download the free App from their website: www.epa.ie
Fethard Tidy Towns would like to thank Carroll’s Framing for allowing his shop window to display photographs of their recent work.
Fethard Scouting weekend in Carne
Fethard Scouts photographed on their weekend in Carne, Co. Wexford
Scouts spent the weekend of February 22 to 24, in Carne, Co. Wexford, arriving at 10pm Friday night. Mostly dry weather, a good programme and excellent menu assured all of a great weekend.
Main events conducted were pioneering, tent pitching, orienteering (twice) and night hikes on Friday and Saturday. With a brief snowfall on Saturday evening the inevitable snowball fight ensued during the night hike. We attended Mass on Sunday morning where we were warmly welcomed by locals and the Parish Priest.
We returned to Fethard at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday evening. We say a huge ‘thank you’ to Owen Walsh for the loan of one of his buses. This was a magnanimous gesture from Owen and a huge saving on the overall costs of the weekend.
Fethard Athletic Club
On February 16, Fethard Athletic Club had Pauline Barry, Annette Comerford and Maria Raggett run in the Mount Juliet 10k and Kart Paalma continue her preparation for the Barcelona Marathon by taking part in the half-marathon also at the Co. Kilkenny venue. Big well done ladies.
On February 22, we had a ‘team of wizards’ competing in the A.C. Quiz Night held at The Village Inn, Moyglass, in support of our neighbouring club. A great night was had by all and we’re sure they will return the deed later in the year. The questions didn't suit us on the night.
Thanks to Butlers Sports Bar for the very well presented award certificates that both Fethard A.C. and Fintan Rice received at The Sports Achievements Award night on Friday, March 1. We were very impressed and delighted with the night and felt very welcome. Ye ain’t seen the last of us in 2013.
Congratulations to our club member Fiona O'Brien who represented Kilkenny in the Beat FM’s ‘Lets Get Physical’ challenge, the finale of which was held in The Showgrounds, Clonmel, on March 2. You looked fantastic and should be very proud.
On Sunday, March 3, Fintan Rice gave a master class performance to finish 4th to a trio of ‘flying machines’ from Thurles Crokes in the County Intermediate 8k Championship held in Two Mile Borris and hosted by Moycarkey Coolcroo Athletic Club. Paraic McCormack ran a personal best finishing 56th. In the Ladies 4k Aine Doocey continued to show both form and promise with her 11th place finish with Nicola Nylon progressing well and finishing 26th.
A busy few weeks lay ahead with The Ned Kelly 4 miler in Moyglass on March 17. The Mallow 10k is also on March 17. Moyglass will host the Munster Masters on the March 24 and The Inter Firms 6k series in Clonmel is also looming close. Any club member who want to run the Munster Masters (Over 35s) must pre book before March 13, as we hope to field both a mens and ladies team, Tel: 087-9229747. Best of luck to everyone taking part in these events.
All are invited to participate in training by running, jogging or walking every Monday and Friday nights at 7.15pm, meeting at the Ballroom. All welcome, no matter what your level of fitness is. Why not make running the thirteenth ‘Walls of Fethard’ four-mile event in May your goal for 2013. Any enquiries to 087-9229747 or find us on Facebook. Keep on running!
Games at Fethard Ballroom every Tuesday afternoon
Following on for the very successful ‘Go for Life’ games workshop held in Fethard the group has decided to meet every Tuesday afternoon in Fethard Ballroom at 2pm.
The games, suitable for all ages, are based on what Go for Life groups play across Ireland. 'Lobbers' is an adaptation of the game Boules. 'Scidil' is a type of ten pin bowling or skittles but more difficult as it is played with one skittle. The third game, 'Flisk', is a cross between Frisbee and the fairground favourite, horseshoe pitching. All interested from Fethard and further afield are invited to drop into the Fethard Ballroom on Tuesday afternoon for an enjoyable afternoon.
Vyvienne Long with the Balanescu String Quartet
Vyvienne Long, the Balanescu String Quartet and the Blunnie Sisters photographed with organiser Vinny Murphy after their concert in Fethard’s medieval Holy Trinity Church. L to R: Vinny Murphy, James Shinton, Katie Wilkinson, Alexander B?l?nescu, Nick Holland, sisters Róisin and Ailie Blunnie. Seated in front is Vyvienne Long.
Fethard Macra
Drama practice continues Mondays and Wednesday nights at 7pm in the ICA Hall, Rocklow Road, Fethard.
Well done to Kevin Byrne in our club who will represent South Tipp in the ‘Mr Personality’ competition on April 19, in Spring Hill Hotel, Kilkenny. Best of luck to him.
Club meeting takes place tonight (Wednesday, March 6) at 9pm in Butlers Sports Bar and all are welcome. Volleyball continues every Thursday night at 8.30pm in Clerihan hall. Competition for volleyball is only around the corner so if you would like to be part of our team contact our chairman Liam Cleary.New members always welcome.
On Saturday night, April 6, we will be holding a drama night in the Abymill Theatre. Some clubs will be performing and we will also be show casting our own play on the night. Doors open at 8pm and all are welcome to attend.
For more information about Fethard Macra, the above topics, or would like to join our club please contact our chairman Liam Cleary on 086-3998711. Thanks to everybody for their continued support of our club.
Fethard & District Rugby Club
Fethard U10s hosted a pan-Munster Blitz on Saturday, March 2. Killarney RFC came all the way up from Kerry, Clanwilliam came from Tipp Town and volunteers from each of the three clubs made up a fourth team called the Barbarians. Fethard once again proved they are a formidable U10 team, too strong for Clan and the first game went to the home side; meanwhile the Barbarians were getting to know each other in a thrilling and surprisingly close match with Killarney. The boys from the Kingdom however were too well organised and their skilful rugby took them out of reach of the scratch team.
Next up Fethard faced the Barbarians and were pinned back for a large part of the game, several times the boys in white reached the line but Fethard held on and defended superbly. In the second half the Fethard coach unleashed the full force of his pack and Fethard powered in several tries to gain their second victory. Killarney gave Fethard their sternest test of the day in a hard fought contest that had individual flair alongside practised team moves and skills. Winning their third game just put the icing on the cake of a hugely enjoyable day for these boys and with the Barbarians forcing a draw against Clan. All the teams came away having enjoyed the day, the competition and the hospitality.
Fethard U11s
Fethard U11s went to Kilfeacle on Sunday for the last leg in a season long rivalry between these two strong and accomplished sides. Both teams have worked hard to learn new skills but where Kilfeacle had the edge was, perhaps, size. The Kilfeacle pack were consistently larger and well drilled. Without substitutes to provide relief the Fethard defence had their work cut out and eventually the scores came for Kilfeacle. Fethard applied pressure but only came away with one score, albeit a cracker! The second half saw a more determined Fethard and another fine score but in the end Kilfeacle’s more finely polished professionalism saw them through.
Fethard U15s
Fethard U15s secured their third win in the cup with a win over Thurles. Bill Phelan scoring two tries, Ross McCormack and Michael Gaynor were others to touch down and Gary Kavanagh kicking two of the conversions. This was a great game of open rugby with the Fethard centre pairing of Killian O'Dwyer and Mark Collins being especially dominant. John Clancy, Griffin Ivors, Tommy Murphy and Richie Holohan were others to put in great performances.
Fethard J2s
Fethard J2s turned out one of the best performances of the season on Saturday night last when they were narrowly beaten by Waterpark. There was major improvements in many aspects of their play and some great pressure saw Richie Carroll land a great penalty. A lineout on the Waterford 22 saw Kieran Power secure possession and a fine rolling maul saw Chris Bannister touch down for a try.
Ten minutes into the game saw Fethard lose Chris Large and this was a major fact in the game. With ten minutes to go and the score 10 points to 8. Shane Kavanagh made a great break in the centre and was just caught on the line when a try looked imminent but in fairness to Waterpark, they defended well. John Fitzgerald, Kevin Hayes, Declan Doyle, Tomas Keavney, Dean Tobin and Alan O'Connor were other Fethard players to shine. Training continues Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm.
Introduction to Digital Image Editing
Plans are currently in progress to hold a course in basic digital image editing in the Convent Community Hall in Fethard. The proposed course content
will cover such topics: ‘Before you click the shutter’, ‘Transferring Images to Your Computer’, ‘Organizing Your Images’, ‘Image Editing Tools’, ‘Image Enhancement’, ‘Red Eye Correction’, ‘Look at Layers’, ‘Special Effects’, ‘File Formats (e.g. jpg, pdf etc.)’, ‘Image Size for Printing’, and ‘Image Size for email, web’.
The course is aimed at beginners and those willing to know more about digital image editing on your computer. If you are interested in taking part in this course please give your name to Joan O’Donohoe at Fethard Community Office, Barrack Street, Fethard. Tel: (052) 6131000 or email: tirrycentre@fethard.com
Community Games Art
Photographed at the at County Final of Community Games Art Competition are Back L to R: Cassie Needham (gold), Holly Keating, Laura O'Donnell, Matthew Burke (bronze). Front L to R: Ciaran McGuire (bronze), Gavin Mullally and Conor Harrington.
Well done to all our competitors who competed in the County final of the Community Games art competition. Special congratulations to Cassie Needham, Slievenamon Close, who won a gold medal in the girls U16 event and will represent Tipperary at the National finals in Athlone in May, also to Joseph Jackson O'Flynn, Ciaran McGuire and Matthew Burke who all won bronze medals. This was a great result. Thanks to Mrs Treacy, principal Holy Trinity N.S. and Mrs Harrington, principal Killusty N.S. and the staff in both their schools. Thanks also to our judge Ms Pat Looby who was so supportive. Closing date for entries in the U10 Handwriting competition is this coming Friday, March 8.
Holly Broomfield who won a silver medal in the Fethard and Killusty Community Games Art Competition
Community Games Area Art results
- Girls Under 6 Tots Non Qualifiers: 1st Katelyn O’Brien, 2nd Jasmine Brennan, 3rd Maria Brett.
- Boys Under 6 Tots Non Qualifiers: 1st Christoire Sheehy, 2nd Charlie Walsh, 3rd Richard Murphy.
- Girls Under 8: 1st Jenna Lou Coen, 2nd Ciara Donald Besso, 3rd Sharkira Bradshaw.
- Boys Under 8: 1st Jack Davey, 2nd Joseph O’Flynn, 3rd David O’Brien.
- Girls Under 10: 1st Eimear O’Sullivan, 2nd Hannah Connorton, Joint 3rd Kelly Ryan, Heather Spillane and Emma Lyons.
- Boys Under 10: 1st Cianan McGuire, 2nd Dara O’Meara, 3rd Conor Neville.
- Girls Under 12: 1st Sinead Regan, 2nd Holly Broomfield, 3rd Jessica Gainford.
- Boys Under 12: 1st Ben Coen, 2nd Matthew Burke, 3rd Michael Quinlan.
- Girls Under 14: 1st Holly Keating, 2nd Sarah Carroll, 3rd Laura O’Donnell.
- Boys Under 14: 1st Conor Harrington, 2nd Gavin Mullally, 3rd Stephen Crotty.
- Girls Under 16: 1st Cassie Needham.
Local art medalists Back L to R: Canon Tom Breen PP, Jasmine Brennan, Chriostoir Sheehy, Richard Murphy, David O'Brien, Joseph O'Flynn, Charlie Walsh, Conor Neville. Front L to R: Katelyn O'Brien, Jenna Lou Coen, Shakira Bradshaw, Heather Spillane, Kelly Ryan and Ciara Donald-Besso. Missing from photo is Maria Brett.
Medals winners in Fethard and Killusty Art Competition from Holy Trinity NS, Back L to R: Emma Lyons, Sinead Regan, Micheal Quinlan, Holly Broomfield, Eimear O'Sullivan Front L to R: Matthew Burke, Conor Harrington, Sarah Carroll, Gavin Mullally and Alex Ryan.
Cassie Needham, winner in the U16 section
Some of the medal winners in the Fethard and Killusty Community Games Art competition from Killusty NS
Competitors attending Killusty NS who received certificates for their entries in the Community Games Art competition pictured with School Principal Mrs Frances Harrington.
Pupils from Killusty NS who received certification for their efforts in the Community Games Art Competition.
Photographed at the county final of Community Games Art. Back L to R: Isabelle Hayden (Drangan), Eimear O'Sullivan (Fethard). Seated L to R: Dara O'Meara, Jack Davey and Hannah Connerton (Killusty).
Pillow Talk
Recently while Liz Newport was visiting a patient in South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, she was talking to some nurses about her observation regarding the apparent lack of pillows in the A&E Dept. The nurses said there was a severe shortage of pillows particularly in the A&E. So Liz had the brainwave that it might be a good idea to invite people to ‘Buy a Pillow’ (or part pillow) for STGH which would enhance the stay of any person who has to use this facility considering there probably isn’t a house in the Fethard area or its environs who have not used the A&E Dept. at some stage or another.
After contacting stores in the hospital they said that due to Health & Safety reasons Liz would not be able to purchase the pillows herself but a donation towards them would be very much appreciated. One pillow costs €12 and the rubber cover for it costs €5 which is a total of €17. If anyone reading this is interested in this scheme, donations can be handed into Joan O’Donohoe, Tirry Community Centre, Barrack Street, Tel: (052) 6131000 or to Liz Newport, The Valley, Fethard.
Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated and the scheme could be called, ‘The Feather Pillows from your Fethard Friends’. The closing date for donations is on March 31, 2013, which happens to be Easter Sunday so maybe this could be an alternative Easter gift?
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on February 27, were: 15, 25, 27 and 31. We had no jackpot winner and one ‘Match Three’ winner who received €150: Jimmy & Carmel Butler, Garrinch, Fethard.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Joan Shine, The Valley, Fethard; Louise McGrath, Rathcoole, Fethard; and Jane Keogh, c/o Tom Purcell.
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, March 6 and the Jackpot is €7,750 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €775. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.
Debating success
Ann Barry (left), Tullamaine, Fethard, photographed with the senior debating team from the Ursuline Secondary School) who qualified for the all Ireland Irish Gael Linn debating competition in Carlow.
Free draw for Tom Weston’s hardcover book
The third and final winner of Tom Weston’s hardcover signed copy of ‘Feathered: being a fairy tale’ is: Tara Mullins, Farranshea Lodge, Farranshea, Fethard. We thank all those who entered the competition and congratulate the three lucky winners. For those interested in buying the book, they can enquire at their local bookshop or order online from Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com in hardback and paperback.
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.
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