Active Coffee Morning for 50+ Adults
An Active Coffee Morning for 50+ adults will take place in the Fethard Ballroom on this Tuesday morning, April 9, at 10.30 am. The morning will be a social gathering to include Go For Life Games such as Scidils, Lobbers and Flisk and will conclude with light refreshments. The morning is hosted by South Tipperary Sports Partnership and will be led by Ms Margaret O’Keefe, of Go For Life, a national body promoting active living for the 50+. All are invited to attend. (Nominal €2 contribution per person).
Daffodil Day wash out
Local Daffodil Day organiser, Ann Connolly, photographed with helpers outside Fethard Post Office on a wet and windy Daffodil Day.
The Irish Cancer Society have issued an emergency appeal due to their annual ‘Daffodil Day’ fundraiser being down 50% because of rain, wind and snow. Local organisers in Fethard usually experience terrific support selling Daffodils outside the post office and local supermarkets with the much appreciated help from the transition year students at Patrician Presentation Secondary School. Due to the severe weather this year many people didn’t get the opportunity to support this most important appeal.
The Irish Cancer Society is seriously in need of this funding for vital care and support programmes for people living with and affected by cancer. As a result they have set up four ways you can still support ‘Daffodil Day’:
- Make a donation online at www.cancer.ie;
- Text Daff now to 50300 to donate €4 (100% of your donation will go to supporting programmes);
- Buy a virtual daffodil on the Irish Cancer Society’s Facebook page;
- Lodge your gift through any AIB to account number 09105304, and sort code 931098.
The local organisers would like to thank everyone who already supported Daffodil Day in Fethard and would appeal to those who didn’t have the chance to consider using one of the options above . . . it’s never too late!
Fethard sports achievement award nominees for March
The following seven people were nominated for the March ‘Fethard Sports Achievement Award’, promoted by Butler’s Sports Bar in Fethard. The aim is to recognise and reward sporting achievement be it at participation, coaching or administration level. Nominees must be over 18 and from Fethard parish, work in Fethard, live in Fethard (play for Fethard teams) or from Fethard but participate in sport elsewhere.
- Niall Higgins – In a recent inter pub darts tournament Niall achieved a remarkable 24 wins out of 24 while claiming victory in the competition.
- Claire Annan – A Belfast native who lives and works locally. She recently rode her first ever Point to point winner at Horse and Jockey on board Colemans Abbey a locally trained horse.
- Martin Fennessy – A well renowned boxing coach. His Fethard connection is one of his young prodigies Jack Connolly recently won a Munster title U/18 in the 60kg class.
- Jimmy Kelly – Another first for Jimmy. He rode his first ever Point-to-Point winner on board his own horse ‘Out Of The Way’ at a recent meeting in Bennettsbridge Co. Kilkenny.
- Kelly Anne Nevin – A member of the Tipperary class 4 badminton team who won Munster and All Ireland titles recently. In the All Ireland series played at NUIG they overcame teams from Galway, Meath and Wexford on route to victory.
- Mouse Morris – Mouse saddled three horses at Cheltenham recently, all finishing very creditable seconds. The horses involved were First Lieutenant, Rule The World and Bailey Green.
- Kart Paalma – A native of Estonia with strong links to Fethard and Fethard Athletics Club. On St. Patrick’s Day she completed the Barcelona marathon in a very creditable time of 4hrs and 35mins.
Prizegiving will take place at Butler’s Sports Bar on Friday, April 5 at 10pm.
Fethard ICA
The next meeting of Fethard ICA will be held on Tuesday, April 9, at 8pm in the ICA Hall on Rocklow Road. Guest speaker will be Trish from Trish’s Beauty Salon, Main Street, and hostesses for the evening are the ‘Blue Group’.
Tai Chi classes with Carmel O’Connor begin on Monday, April 8, at 8pm in the ICA Hall.
We held our AGM on March 12, and the officers elected were President, Catherine O’Connell, Hon. Secretary, Margaret Phelan, and Treasurer, Phil Wyatt. We are happy to report that we have quite a few new members joining our guild this year. We are always very pleased to see new faces come along to our meetings.
Wigwam Glam Band
Enjoying the Easter entertainment at Lonergans were L to R: Daiana Dilly Adamczak, Daria Paluch, Mariola Adamczak and Mark Fitzell, lead singer with the Wigwam Glam Band
Fethard & Killusty Anglers
The Fethard & Killusty Anglers club competition due to take place this Sunday, April 7, has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Any information on club membership and rearranged competition date can be had by ringing 087 7477218.
Unlucky Jack
‘Humble in Victory and Gracious in Defeat’ these are the words of the great Mohammad Ali, and can also be used to describe Jack Connolly's defeat in the All-Ireland semi-final, against Wayne Kelly at the National Stadium in Dublin last Friday evening, March 29. At the end of the second round the scores were 7 points each, and after the third and final round, the score read 10 points to 9. A fantastic performance by Jack, who like everyone else at the Stadium that night thought the fight had gone the Fethard man’s way, but believe it or not, three out of five judges gave the third round to Jack, only to be denied by the computer.
Last year the world governing body of boxing introduced a new scoring system, where the highest and lowest scores are taken away and the computer comes back with an average score for each round. Heartache for Jack who under the old system would have won the fight hands down, but that's not the way anymore, so it’s onwards and upwards from now. After this very impressive performance Jack will now enter the under 18s category, who have it all to lose against the Tipperary ace.
Maybe we should be very grateful that the software used by the boxing association’s computers is not the same software used to fly aeroplanes, or your next holiday flight might be your last! Many thanks to everyone who sponsored Jack, thank you very much for your support.
O'Dwyer leads Fethard into East Munster final
Killian O'Dwyer scores his second try for Fethard against Nenagh in the semi-final of the East Munster Cup on Sunday, March 31.
Fethard under-15s rugby team continued their great run at this age group with a hard fought victory over a much bigger Nenagh side played in Nenagh on Sunday morning last. Fethard playing with a strong wind scored a fine try when Killian O’Dwyer split the Nenagh defence. Gary Kavanagh put over the conversion. Nenagh were quick to respond and within five minutes scored a breakaway in the corner. Fethard piled on the pressure and some great forward play by Griffin Ivors, Ross McCormack, Tim Daly and Bill Phelan saw Fethard camped on the Nenagh line, but a strong Nenagh defence held Fethard out.
Half time whistle sounded and with only a two-point lead Fethard were going to be under massive pressure playing against what was now a gale force wind. Nenagh with their big pack mauled the Fethard lads back and within ten minutes of the restart had gone over for a try, but these young Fethard lads put their heart and soul into the final fifteen minutes and continually took the ball until deep in the Nenagh 22. Nenagh rushed up to cover the Fethard centres, Connie Coen and Joey Noonan, who had posed threats all day but the elusive Killian O’Dwyer cut inside to score under the posts. He kicked the conversion himself.
With ten-minutes left at 14-10 these Fethard lads defended well. Thomas Murphy, Richie Houlihan, Michael Gaynor and Mark Collins tackled everything that came at them and in the backs Mark Heffernan, Gearóid Fahey and Jack Dolan were rock solid.
This was a superb performance by this young team and they did themselves, their parents and the club proud. They go on to face Dungarvan in the final probably next Sunday but this has to be confirmed. Please come out and support these young guys in the final.
Birthday time at The Castle
Kelly Fogarty photographed with her friends on the occasion of her 21st Birthday Party celebrated in The Castle Inn, Fethard last weekend L to R: Faye Manton, Hannah Daly, Kelly Fogarty, Emma Hayes, Jane Kenny and Jean Anglim.
Noel Sharpe, proprietor of The Castle Inn, presenting a surprise cake to Ronan Maher on the occasion of his 29th Birthday on Easter Saturday.
Members of the Whyte family photographed at The Castle Inn, Fethard, last weekend L to R: Erica Whyte (in-law) with sisters Marie, Patsy, Niamh, Sarah and Kathleen Whyte.
Kevin Whyte and Kelly Fogarty photographed on the occasion of her 21st Birthday Party celebrated in The Castle Inn.
Members of the Fogarty family photographed at The Castle Inn, Fethard, last weekend L to R: Frank, Una, Martin, Anna and John.
‘Cash for Clobber’ fundraiser
St. Rita’s Camogie Club and Fethard Ladies Football Club will hold a ‘Cash for Clobber’ spring-clean fundraiser so if you’re spring-cleaning this month keep us in mind for any clothing that you no longer need. We will be collecting outside the GAA field in Fethard on Friday, April 5, between 7pm and 9pm and on Saturday, April 6, between 10am and 1pm. Contact numbers: Mary O’Mahony (St Rita’s Camogie Club) 087 6980351 or Micheál Spillane (Fethard Ladies Football Club) 087 6217055.
We can take adult and children’s clothes, paired shoes and boots, handbags, belts, sheets, curtains, towels and soft toys. Please note we cannot take duvets or pillows, dirty or wet clothing, mats or carpets.
The company we are using is fully licensed and Irish owned. This company supports charities by it works including Friends of Calcutta and we have been assured that the clothes and textiles will be sent to Africa and Asia.
Social Dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Dancing at Fethard Ballroom on Sunday Night, April 7, to the music of Peter Burke. All welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing. Dancing 9pm to midnight and admission is €7.
Stella Days premiere on RTE this Wednesday
 Stella Days the film, directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan and set in rural Ireland in the 1950s, was mostly shot in Fethard in November 2010 and will premiere on RTE ONE television at 9.35pm on this Wednesday night, April 3.
The film features Martin Sheen, Stephen Rea, Marcella Plunkett, Amy Huberman, Tom Hickey, Trystan Gravelle and lots of local faces and places. Well worth watching if you haven’t seen it already.
As part of "Ireland at the Movies" season, RTE are making Stella Days with Martin Sheen available - for free for the next seven days on RTE Player – Enjoy it!
Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday, March 20 we played for Easter prizes and the results were:
1st Gross: Eileen Ryan and Jim Lahert;
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
3rd Gross: Carol Kenny and Gemma Burke;
1st Nett: Monica Anglim and Betty Walsh;
2nd Nett: Kay Walsh and Rose Lonergan;
3rd Nett: Berney Myles and Annie O'Brien.
On April 10 we start the Club Championship which runs over three nights. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles 6132038.
Easter Lilies
Selling Easter Lilies in Fethard last weekend were L to R: Dermot O'Connor, Éamonn Ó Fogartaigh and Douglas Hannigan.
Barry O'Brien, guest speaker at the 71st Anniversary Commemoration of General George Plant that took place in St. Johnstown Churchyard on Easter Sunday.
Fethard Community Playground
Confirmation has been received from the contractors that the play equipment is on order and work is well underway on the site at Cashel Road in preparation of the Community Playground in the coming months. While over €100,000 in funding has been secured from South Tipperary County Council and South Tipperary Development Company it is necessary that the community contribute some euros to the project. In this regard the committee are promoting a fundraising event in conjunction with Clonmel Greyhound Stadium.
Fethard will ‘Go to the Dogs’ on Thursday, May 23. Mark this date in your diary, it promises to be a great night of fun and entertainment and an opportunity to see and experience the splendid new facilities at Clonmel Track. The focus on the night will be the ‘Buster Draw’ when the finishing order of the greyhounds in a particular race will win €1,500 for one lucky ticket-holder. Tickets, priced at €20, are now on sale locally. In addition to being in with a chance to win the prize money the ticket also gains the holder free entry to the track on the night. Residents of Fethard and surrounding area will soon be approached to lend their support to this enjoyable, worthwhile event.
There is also the opportunity for businesses and individuals to contribute, by sponsoring a race or placing an advert in the race-card. If you are interested in supporting either of these options please contact Carmel on or email tirrycentre@fethard.com.
Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on March 27, were: 12, 15, 23 and 32. We had no jackpot winner and no ‘Match Three’ winner so the following drawn tickets received €50 each: Pamela O'Donnell, Grangebeg, Fethard; Trish Fitzgerald (online ticket); Abigail Sheehan, Grangebarry, Fethard.
The three following ‘Lucky Dip’ winners won €50 each: Dermot O'Meara, 63 Woodvale Walk, Fethard; Therese Ryan, c/o Maria Murphy; and Margaret Fitzgerald, Monroe, Fethard.
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, April 3 and the Jackpot is €8,350 and the Jackpot seller’s prize is €835. All proceeds go towards community work in Fethard.
Fethard ‘Gathering’ Festival 2013
Fethard Business and Tourism Group are looking for your support and participation in a massive ‘Gathering’ Festival, which will culminate in the weekend of June 21, 22, and 23, this year. Event ideas are being sought, but already plans are afoot to hold the following events: National Street Celebration of Country Markets, founded here in 1948; U12 Hurling Blitz; Exiles’ Match; Rugby Match; School Reunions; Opening of New Playground; Marquee by Town Wall for functions including a Saturday night ‘Big Event’; Irish Final of Highland Games; Pub Quiz and Darts Championship; Dog Show; Ballroom Dancing on Sunday; and Fethard Historical Pageant.
The refurbishment and proper development of Fethard Town Hall will be a huge asset for the whole town. The building will act as the link and the portal for the tourist to the ‘Heart of the Town’. It will offer a welcoming, multi-functional and hospitable environment where visitors and local people can relax and learn more about Fethard.
To support this development and the ‘Gathering’ Festival a draw will take place at the end of May with the help of local participating organisations. Ticket price is €50 per ticket for three fabulous prizes eligible for travel anywhere in the world. 1st Prize is a €3,000 travel voucher; 2nd Prize a €1,500 travel voucher; and 3rd Prize: a €1,000 travel voucher. Tickets may be purchased from all local clubs and from Bill O’Sullivan at 087-2522885.
Please support this draw (and your local club) by buying a ticket, contacting friends and family abroad inviting them home. This is a unique opportunity for all of us to work together for the development of Fethard.
Fethard Ladies Football ‘Big Spring Clean’
‘Cash For Clobber’ Spring Clean fundraiser leaflets were distributed last week with regards to our joint fundraiser with St. Rita’s Camogie Club. If you are doing some Spring cleaning this month keep us in mind for any clothing that you no longer need. We will be collecting outside the GAA field in Fethard on Friday, April 5, between 7pm and 9pm and on Saturday, April 6, between 10am and 1pm. We can take adult and children’s clothes, paired shoes and boots, handbags, belts, sheets, curtains, towels and soft toys. Please note we cannot take duvets, pillows, dirty or wet clothing, mats or carpets. As in recent years your support is hugely welcome.
‘Gaelic For Mothers’ training will resume this Thursday at the Community Field at 7.15pm, training to start 7.30pm sharp. After the inclement weather last week the GAA field was closed due to waterlogging but hopefully we can resume training at all grades this weekend so watch out for updates over the coming week and keep an eye on our Facebook page.
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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