Manchester Utd v Norwich tickets raise €1,400 for South Tipperary Hospice Movement
Proceeds from the raffle of four corporate box tickets for the Manchester United v Norwich game to be held in Old Trafford on January 11, was handed over to South Tipperary Hospice Movement at Lonergans Pub on Friday, January 3. Pictured at the presentation are the four winners and representatives from South Tipperary Hospice Fund Raising Group with sponsor Tony Flanagan (Wilton Advisors). Back L to R: members of the South Tipperary Hospice Fundraising Group, Angela Keavney, Sinaida Jansen (Manager, South Tipperary Hospice Movement), Sean O'Donovan and Gail McGrath. Front L to R: ticket winners Sean Aylward, Dane O'Sullivan, Tony Flanagan (Wilton Advisors London), Dave Heffernan and David O'Sullivan
Tony Flanagan, Wilton Advisors London, and a brother of Roseann Carroll (née Flanagan) proprietor Lonergans Pub, Fethard, donated four corporate box tickets for the Manchester United v Norwich game to be held in Old Trafford on January 11. Proceeds from the raffle amounting to €1,400 was handed over to South Tipperary Hospice Movement at Lonergans Pub on Friday, January 3, 2020.
Bunny Hop back at Fethard Convent Community Hall
Bunny Hop, Music and Movement for babies to four-year-olds is returning to Fethard, starting on this Monday, January 13, at Fethard Convent Community Hall from 10am to 11am.
To book for January please contact Nicola 087 6742401 or by email: nicola@bunnyhop.ie. Parents, Grandparents and childminders all welcome. Bunny Hop is an hour of music with movement for babies and young children.
Social dancing at Fethard Ballroom
Fethard Ballroom continues its New Year’s social dancing on Sunday, January 12, to the music of ‘Declan Aungier’. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 9pm to midnight. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes. For further information or for booking the ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 077 6420, Email: eileencoady@hotmail.com
Jake Carter coming to The Abymill
Jake Carter will do a once-off intimate concert in the Abymill Theatre, Fethard, on Saturday, March 7, starting at 8pm. The concert is run to raise funds for Cappanagarrane Horse Rescue. You are asked to please come along and support this deserving cause to help fund the rescue and rehabilitation of so many horses who would otherwise have no chance of survival. Cappanagarrane Horse Rescue is the only registered horse rescue service in Tipperary. Tickets are just €25 each and early booking is advised as tickets are limited. Booking now by contacting Anne at Tel: 086 0834208.
Sports Achievement Award nominations for December
The following nominees have been received for the Butler’s Bar Fethard Sports Achievement Award for December:
- Matt Coen – winner of the Mick Frawley cup for u/15 Gaelic Football with South Tipperary.
- Jessica Moloney – Player of the year on St. Rita’s U14 Camogie Team with Fethard.
- Aine Connolly, Evie Smith, Emily Spillane, Aoibhinn Collum – Four U14 Fethard Ladies Football players who are chosen to be part of the Tipperary panel for 2020.
- Alison Connolly, Carrie Davey, Leah Coen, Niamh Hayes – All four picked for the Tipperary Minor football panel for 2020.
- Patrician Presentation Senior Girls Volleyball Team – All Ireland B schools winners beating Strokestown of Monaghan in the final which took place in UCD.
- Dorothy Wall – Picked to play for Ireland’s Senior Rugby team for the upcoming Six Nations Championship.
The Winner will be announced on Friday night next, January 10, at a special presentation function in Butlers Bar. All are welcome.
25th Annual Book Fair on Sunday, February 9, 2020
It’s amazing how time flies, and a ‘book fair in the Ballroom’ that began on the second Sunday in February in 1996 is still going strong after twenty-five-years. The organisers – Fethard Historical Society – did not know what to expect all those years ago as it was a ‘new idea’ for everyone involved. But, it did take off from year one and has not looked back since.
One contributory fact was, that good advice was sought and taken, from knowledgeable ‘book dealing people’, in particular, the late Rudi Holzapfel who ran a great second-hand and antiquarian bookshop in Tipperary town at that time. In fact, the formula worked so well that it has not changed much in the past 25 years; as the Americans say, ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.’ So, it is still held on the second Sunday in February, with an in-house Café and a piano player on stage to add more ambience to the event. The presence of the large Ballroom space makes such a venture possible and it is also wonderful that the Fethard Ballroom is also very much a going concern twenty-five-years later.
The name ‘Tipperariana Book Fair’
People sometimes ask where the name ‘Tipperariana’ came from, and like most things it happened by accident. For the second fair in 1997, Rudi Holzapfel compiled a forty-page booklet, listing all the better known ‘Tipperary books’ produced in the last two centuries. He also gave ‘guide prices’ that antiquarian book collectors would pay for all the books listed. ‘Tipperariana’ was the title he gave to his booklet and ever since the organisers have called the annual fair ‘The Tipperariana Book Fair’. The Tipperariana Book Fair has now been adopted by all Tipperary people as ‘their’ county book fair and this has added to its continuing success.
Book donations gladly received.
The book fair is the one fund raising venture of the Fethard Historical Society during the year, and the sale of donated books at the fair forms a big part of the overall income. Anyone wishing to donate books can contact any member of the society or email: history@fethard.com or phone 087 9305232 / 087 9009722 and arrangements will be made to receive the books in the coming weeks.
Fethard U16 Girls Rugby continue their success
Fethard U16 Girls Rugby team who continued their success last Saturday in their penultimate league match against Carrick in a cracker of a game.
The success continues for our U16 girls and what an amazing season so far. Each and every member of this squad throughout this campaign have played with pride, passion along with commitment to each other.
Last Saturday was their penultimate league match against Carrick and true to form it was a cracker of a game. After an exciting start, 10 minutes in we had our first try, scored by Anna Duggan and converted by Kate Flannery. Fethard continued to make great tackles by Aoibhe Gleeson, Anna Kearney assisted by Abby Noonan. Scrum-half Evelyn Gayson Molloy quickly moved the ball with super handling from Kate Ross and Aisling Morrissey. Just before half time captain Shauna Maher scored an exciting try which was then converted. Great carrying too by Sophia O’Brien, Caoimhe Grace and Lucy Kearney in the first half.
The second half brought continued progressive rugby and super work from our backs Jess Stokes and Lucy Austin to keep momentum going. The third try by Shauna Maher was assisted by Kate Flannery. The excitement did not stop there with a quick change over with Ella Hennessy coming on with fresh legs. Beth Buttimer finished the game in style with a magnificent try.
Wishing a speedy recovery to both Lia Coady and Caoimhe O’Brien and we look forward to seeing Emma, Jane and Grainne back in action as well. Keep up the good work girls. Special thanks to all the coaches and management. Not forgetting the fantastic continued support from parents. Fethard Girls Rugby continues with new players always welcome from five-year-olds up to eighteen-years, on Friday evenings.
New Year – New Decade
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Fethard are L to R: Billy Bamforth, Emma Walsh, James O'Donnell, Lara Henehan, Nicki Tandy and Gavin Shorten
As Fethard enters another new decade. it seems like only a few years has past since we were out celebrating a new millennium. Time moves on at a very steady pace, unlike our memories and aspirations that keep pace with our health and happiness. So, we look forward to seeing and experiencing what the New Year may bring?
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Fethard are L to R: Rachel O'Meara, Erica McGrath and Josie Ivors
This year in Fethard appeared somewhat quieter than last year with less crowds out celebrating but, nevertheless, those that did come out certainly enjoyed themselves. At midnight, Patrician Presentation Secondary School pupil, Ned Looby Ryan, unexpectedly arrived on The Square, Fethard, and played a selection of seasonal music on his bagpipes to welcome in the New Year. As most people were unaware of his appearance, he was later invited in to Lonergan’s Bar where he gave a repeat performance to rapturous applause.
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Fethard are L to R: Nicola Harrington and Rena Sheehan
Another memorable night was at Fethard Ballroom during the ‘Christmas Crackers’ concert with Gina and the Champions with special guest Ronan Collins. It would be great to see lots more community driven events in the coming year. Fethard Ballroom is such a fine venue and the current committee have created a very friendly and welcoming ambience that is ready-made for great community get-togethers as held in former years.
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Fethard are L to R: Dallan Shine, Paul Webster and Nathan Costin.
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Fethard are four O'Reilly girls L to R: Bridget, Hannah, Kitty and Helen.
We take this opportunity to wish all our readers a very happy and healthy New Year.
Weather clears for 'Goal Mile'
Some of the large group that participated in this year’s ‘Goal Mile’ on Christmas morning in Fethard
The annual Goal Mile was lucky this year as by the starting time at 12 noon on Christmas Day, most of the ice had cleared from the roads and footpaths. Nevertheless, as a precaution at the starting line, there was no sudden burst away to complete the lap of the town, instead everyone moved off at a nice relaxed casual pace. The atmosphere was as usual that of family friends and community coming together in a show of solidarity in our shared humanity.
The money raised on the day for Goal was €1,210. Thanks to everyone who contributed and took part and happy New Year to all.
Community Games set fees for New Year
Fethard & Killusty Community Games wish everybody a very happy new year. We look forward to further success in 2020. It was decided at the AGM that the following fees would have to be implemented. Entry fee for all participants this year is €3 each regardless of a team or an individual event. Each individual competitor paid €3 to enter any event over the past few years. Teams were not charged. It is no longer possible to enter free teams as costs have increased considerably especially referee's fees. Where there’s a panel of 16 players on a team entry fee of €48 must be paid to the Area Secretary at the same time as the team entry is made. A team of 12 will cost €36. This the only way we can meet our expenses going forward.
Area Art & Handwriting competitions may commence in early February or whenever time that suits the teachers to start – even in January. We are very grateful to the local schools for their valuable support of these events. Closing date for collection of same will be issued later. The closing date for entries with the county is March 14, and the county finals will take place in Thurles on March 21.
Our local Area Secretary, Noreen Sheehy, would like to be informed of anybody wishing to take part in Swimming as soon as possible as the closing date for entries is February 9. County final takes place in Thurles on February 16. The U14 Table Quiz also takes place in Thurles on January 31. Areas may send as many teams as they wish to this event - entries taken on the night.
The closing date to enter all Talent competition is February 21. Talent county finals will be held in Boherlahan Community Hall on Friday, February 28. Events are U12 and U16 for boys and girls in: Solo Singing, Solo Dancing, Solo Music and Recitation; U12 and U16 Group Singing, Group Dancing and Group Music; U15 Culture Corner and U13 Choir.
See www.communitygames.ie for events and full details. We would like to remind anyone likely to be a manager please check their Garda Vetting is in date and renew as soon as possible if required. Some of the existing vetting forms have expired.
Died Recently
 The death has occurred on Saturday, January 4, 2020, of Monica Hennessy (née Ryan), Coleman, Fethard, peacefully at home, surrounded by her family. Monica, beloved wife of Michael and loving mother of Mary, John, Maggie, Michele and Matt, predeceased by her sister Philomena Treacy and her brothers Tom and Donie Ryan; is sadly missed by her husband, children, brothers Dermot and Matt, sister Teresa, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law David, Garvan and John, daughters-in-law Jaey and Trish, nieces, nephews, relatives, her carers, neighbours and friends. May she rest in peace.
Reposing at McCarthy's Funeral Home, Fethard, on Monday from 5pm to 8pm. Funeral Mass in St Michael's Church, Clerihan, on Tuesday morning at 11.30am (Eircode E91 X260) followed by burial in the adjoining Cemetery. House private please.
Fethard Ladies turn on style for medal presentation celebration
Winning captains with their trophies won during the year. L to R: Nell Spillane captain U16 B camogie county final, Muireann O'Connell captain U19 A football county final,Niamh Hayes captain U17 football division 1 league winners, Lucy Spillane with the Mary Quinn Cup for winning the All Ireland Intermediate football final with Tipperary, Alison Connolly captain Munster U17 camogie inter-provincial winners, Carrie Davey with the All Ireland football U17 cup for winning the U17 A All Ireland blitz with Tipperary, Maryann Fitzgerald captain U14 B camogie county final, Nicole Delaney and Aoibheann Collum with the Munster cup for winning the U14 B Munster football final with Tipperary, Maggie Fitzgerald captain of the Patrician Presentation Senior Schools team who won the Rachel Kenneally Cup for the senior schools championship in Tipperary, Katie O'Dwyer captain U12 camogie county final and Edel Fitzgerald captain of the Junior B Camogie Championship winning team.
Clonmel Park Hotel was again the venue for the Fethard Ladies Football Club and St. Rita’s Camogie Club dinner dance and medal presentation night on November 23, 2019. This night of celebration is always eagerly awaited when the girls are honoured by presentations of the array of trophies and medals won over the past year by special guests, accompanied by club members, parents and county board members. The celebration also acknowledges the coaches roll and involvement in what was achieved on the field in 2019. Special guests on the night included Tipperary Intermediate footballer Caoimhe Condon, county football chairman Lar Roche and his wife Gemma, County camogie secretary Carmel Harkin, Fr. Tom Breen and Fr. Liam Everard P.P.
Jessica Moloney who won U14 camogie player of the year receiving her trophy from Paula Bulfin.
Molly Stapleton who won the most improved on the U14 White team receiving her trophy from Caoimhe Condon.
Emaleigh Cuddihy who won most improved on the U14 blue team receiving her trophy from Caoimhe Condon.
Medals were presented to the following county final winning panels, U14 B camogie league, U16 B camogie league, Junior B camogie championship, U17 Division 1 football League and U19 A football championship.
Nell Spillane who won U16 camogie player of the year receiving her trophy from Paula Bulfin.
Meadhbh O'Loughlin who won most improved player on the U16 blue team.
Anna Duggan who the most improved player on the U16 white team receiving her trophy from Caoimhe Condon.
Carrie Davey who won U18 camogie player of the year receiving her trophy from Paula Bulfin.
Leah Coen who won the U18 footballer of the year award receiving her trophy from Caoinhe Condon.
Lucy Spillane who won senior footballer of the year receiving her trophy from Caoimhe Condon.
Lucy Spillane who won the junior camogie player of the year receiving her trophy from Carmel Harkin.
St. Rita's Camogie Club presentation to coaches by Carmel Harkin L to R: Mia Treacy, Mary O'Mahoney, Carmel Harkin and Michael Ryan.
L to R: Tipperary footballers Aoibheann Collum (left) and Nicole Delaney (right) who won Munster U14 B medals,receiving their awards from Tipperary Intermediate footballer Caoimhe Condon.
Player of the Year awards were presented to the following girls on the night, in camogie, U14 Jessica Moloney, U16 Nell Spillane, U18 Carrie Davey and junior Lucy Spillane. In football the most improved player went to U14 Blue Emmaleigh Cuddihy, U14 (White Team) Molly Stapleton, U16 (Blue Team) Meadhbh O’Loughlin, U16 (White Team) Anna Duggan and player of the year awards went to Leah Coen in U19 and Lucy Spillane in senior.
L to R: Nell Spillane, Carrie Davey, Niamh Hayes, Alison Connolly and Leah Coen pictured with Caoimhe Condon who presented them trophies in recognition of the five girls winning the U17 A All Ireland Blitz with Tipperary who beat Dublin in the final.
Alison Connolly received a presentation from St.Ritas Camogie Club in recognition of her being captain of the Munster camogie team who won the U17 inter-provincial league from Carmel Harkin.
Lucy Spillane received a presentation from Fethard Ladies football club to honour her winning Muster and All Ireland Intermediate football medals,she is the first player to win an adult All Ireland medal since the club was formed in 2003, the presentation was made by her grandfather Sean Spillane.
L to R: Tipperary footballer, Caoimhe Condon (special guest), Micheál Spillane, Fr. Liam Everard P.P., Fr. Tom Breen, Mary O'Mahoney (St. Rita's Camogie Club), Lar Roche (Chairman Ladies Football County Board), and Carmel Harken (Secretary Camogie County Board).
L to R: Lar Roche, Gemma Roche, Caoimhe Condon, Mary Condon, Carmel Harkin, Mary O'Mahoney, Sandra Spillane and Micheál Spillane.
Presentations were made to Alison Connolly who captained the Munster Camogie Team to win the U17 Inter-provincial and also Tipperary footballers Nicole Delaney and Aoibheann Collum who won Munster U14 B medals, Carrie Davey, Leah Coen, Alison Connolly, Niamh Hayes and Nell Spillane who won the All-Ireland U17 A Blitz and Lucy Spillane who was on the Munster team that won the Senior Schools Inter-provincial and also won the Munster and All Ireland intermediate championship with Tipperary.
Back L to R: Aoife Harrington, Kaycie Ahearne, Evie Smith, Olivia Ward, Holly Hayes. Middle L to R: Maryann Fitzgerald, Kiera Daniel, Aine Connolly, Lucy Kenny. Front L to R: Emily Spillane, Emily Davey, Lucy Brett, Aoibheann Collum and Taryn Purcell.
L to R: Anna Duggan, Meadhbh O'Loughlin, Aoife Morrissey, Kelly Ryan, Amy Fennelly, Megan Quigley and Anna Prendergast.
L to R: Amy O'Donnell, Gillian Fogarty, Ciara O'Meara and Heather Spillane.
L to R: Lily O Mahony, Gráinne Murray and Chloe Gunn.
L to R: Gillian Burke, Aine Gayson, Ella Mai Hackett, Ciara Spillane and Rachel Ryan
L to R: Anna Lynch, Hannah Sheehy, Ava Ward, Kate Burke and Laura Harrington.
Back L to R: Lucy Spillane,Niamh Hayes, Ciara Hayes. Middle L to R: Katie Ryan, Lauren Dowling, Megan Coen. Front L to R: Nell Spillane, Kate Davey, Aine Ryan and Carrie Davey.
L to R: Leah Coen, Meabh Elle Ryan, Jess Gleeson and Aine O'Connell.
Players from Fethard Ladies Football Club and St. Rita’s Camogie Club photographed at medal presentation Dinner Dance at Clonmel Park Hotel on Saturday, November 23, 2019. (All photos by Joe Kenny, Fethard).
Afterwards the dance floor was filled to capacity as the girls showed some nifty footwork and stamina to finish off another great night’s entertainment.
Faces and Places from the Past – 36 Year Ago
The following are a selection of photographs of faces and places taken in our locality that may bring back memories to many of our readers and visitors to fethard.com Please send any comments or photo information, names and event, to fethardnews@gmail.com
These photographs taken at Fethard GAA Centenary Convention held in the Tirry Community Centre in January, 1984, 36 years ago, will bring back many memories of a vibrant Fethard GAA Club, and local followers who dedicated their lives to the club. At that convention the following were elected: President - Fr. Philip Noonan, vice-president - Bill O’Connor, Dickie Allen, Fr. Stapleton and Michael O’Riordan, Chairman - Dick Cummins, Vice-Chairman - Ned Sheehan and Dick Fitzgerald, Hon. Secretary - Michael McCormack, Hon. Treasurer - Martin Cuddihy. Committee: Noel Byrne, Joe Ahearne, Hurling Chairman: Liam McCarthy, Hurling Secretary: Seamus Hackett, Margaret Hackett, Frances Bourke, Sean Hanrahan, Benny Morrissey, L. O’Meara, J. Allen, M. O’Brien, J. Clarke, J. O’Shea (Trainer), N. O’Shea, P. Sheehan, J. McCarthy, A. Colville, L. Connolly, J. Harrington, D. Kane and M. Keane.
Top table at the Fethard GAA Centenary Convention held in the Tirry Community Centre in January 1984 L to R: Liam McCarthy, Dick Fitzgerald, Ned Sheehan, Dick Cummins, Miceál McCormack, Martin Cuddihy and Stephen McCormack.
Fethard GAA Centenary Convention held in the Tirry Community Centre in January 1984.
Fethard GAA Centenary Convention held in the Tirry Community Centre in January 1984
For Facebook members, many of these photos are also published on Fethard Faces and Places from the Past page. This Facebook page is used for sharing old Fethard photographs with members of the group and is open to anyone interested in joining.
Fethard News
Items for inclusion on this website and on the weekly Fethard News page on The Nationalist can be emailed before noon on Mondays to fethardnews@gmail.com or delivered by hand to Joe Kenny, Rocklow Road, Fethard.
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