by Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Sarah Greaney (nee Farley) wife of the late Thomas, Balliston, Shanagolden, at Saint Catherine’s Nursing Home Newcastle West. She was affectionately known as Sal or Sally and she was in her late eighties and the last surviving member of her family. She was a very hard worker well into her retirement years, but in failing health since 2001 and confined to Saint Catherine’s for the past five years. She was a native of County Tyrone and very proud of her county especially when they won their two All Ireland titles in 2003 and 2005. She met her husband Thomas in England and they returned to live and raise their family in the peaceful setting of Balliston. Sally was a hard worker inside and outside the home, and was no stranger to the garden meadow or bog. She enjoyed the game of cards, and the bingo sessions, and also supporting Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club, and Kilcolman Rovers Soccer Club.  Her late husband Thomas was a founding member of Kilcolman Rovers at their house in 1968.   Sally was involved in looking after the club kit and serving tea and refreshments following numerous meetings at her house during the early years of the club. She followed her son’s careers in sports with interest and was proud of her grandchildren’s achievements in later years. She had a warm welcome for all who called to her house and a cup of tea and a slice of brown bread and apple tart was served up.

Her remains were removed from Ferris’s Funeral Home, Shanagolden to Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman, on Sunday 5^th May. Fr Dennis Mullane concelebrated her funeral Mass assisted by Fr Michael Daly at 11am on Bank Holiday Monday. A large crowd was in attendance to offer their sympathy and support for the well known family. Her son Tommy on behalf of the family paid a lovely tribute to his late mother before the Mass commenced. Family members presented symbols representing her life, and they also participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful and offertory gifts. Queen of the May was one of the many hymns performed during the ceremony. The burial took place in the family plot in sunny Kilbradern Cemetery not far from her home. We extend sympathy to her sons Tommy, Denis, and Patsy, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces, relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations to Askeaton/Saint Kieran’s who defeated Glenroe by 0-20 to 3-8 in the County U-21 13 A Side Hurling Championship Final at Fitzgerald Park Kilmallock on Sunday 5^th May.  The combination team of neighbours, and often rivals were deserving winners, before a small attendance, on a dry and windy afternoon. The side was well on top in the opening half and they hit over some lovely points from angles and distances. They led by 0-11 to 0-5 at the short whistle. They continued to dominate on resumption but their accuracy deserted them, allowing Glenroe to remain in contention. They took their opportunities to strike for three goals during a purple patch to hit the front and leave the outcome in doubt. The Askeaton /Saint/ Kieran’s team faced the challenge and inspired by man of the match Darragh Treacy they hit a series of 5 late points to secure the victory. Seamus Mc Namara Ass/Secretary of the County Board presented the Shield to winning captain Michael Flynn afterwards, to commence the celebrations. TEAM. Michael O’Meara, James O’Connor, Liam Horgan, James Hough, Brendan McCarthy, Andrew Scully, Michael Flynn, 0-1 Darragh Treacy, 0-8 Eoin Cuddihy, 0-5 Ian Mackessy, 0-4 S O’Donnell, 0-1 Mossie Shine, A O’Shaughnessy, 0-1 SUBS Declan Guerin.  Padraig Balfe, Paul Maher, Michael Enright, David Holland, Conor Barry, Damien Lynch. John Greaney a regular on the team was absent due to the death of his grandmother Sarah Greaney. SELECTORS Ivan Neary, Paudie McCarthy, Nicky Cuddihy, Aidan Barrett.

Congratulations to Paddy Donovan, Glenastar, Ardagh, who won the All Ireland Senior Bone Playing Championship at the Fleadh by the Feale Festival in Abbeyfeale over the May Bank Holiday week-end.

Congratulations to James O’Connor Boughill Bó Ardagh who won the senior bodhrán competition also in Abbeyfeale.

Congratulations to the pupils of Coolcappa National School who received the sacrament of Holy Communion in Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa on Saturday 4^th May.

Congratulations to the pupils of Ardagh National School who received the sacrament of Holy Communion in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday 11^th May.

Carrigkerry Wrenboy Group presented a cheque for € 1,300 to the Dialysis Unit, Mid West Regional Hospital Limerick, at the Flag Floor Rambling House on Wednesday 1^st May.

Congratulations to Peg Murphy and Joan Madigan who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 1^st May.

Congratulations to Jim Molyneaux, Ardagh who won the bonus prize of € 250 in the Newcastle West Rugby Club Lottery Draw held in The Courtney Lodge Hotel Newcastle West on Friday 3^rd May.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Saint Patrick’s by 1-8 to 0-10 in Round 1 of the County Limerick Senior Football Championship at windswept Bruff Gaelic Grounds on Bank Holiday Friday 3^rd May. They led by 1-5 to    0-3 at half-time after playing with the assistance of the wind. They increased it to six points on resumption but a series of missed chances and wides allowed their opponents back into contention. It was all to play for in the closing stages, with only a point in the difference and Saint Patrick’s pressing hard for an equalizer. The final whistle was greeted with relief from the small crowd of Saint Kieran’s supporters who travelled the long distance to the game. TEAM John Greaney, Michael Windle, John Doyle, Kevin Meade,0-1 Patrick Windle,  Paudie McCarthy Michael Flynn, Johnny Mc Carthy, Darragh Treacy, 0-3 Jack Ben Harnett, Anthony Molyneaux,0-1 Brendan McCarthy, 1-0 Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-1 Timmy Carroll, Ray Cahill,0-2 SUBS James Hough, Patrick Downes.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Granagh/Ballingarry by 1-14 to 1-11 in Round 3 of the West Junior B Hurling League in Ballingarry on Tuesday 30^th April

The Irish Cancer Society’s Care to Drive transport service is available for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. This service is completely free to the patient—a driver will pick you up at the door of your home and bring you to the hospital and then, after treatment, bring you home. If you are having trouble getting to and from the hospital for your chemotherapy treatment, please speak to your oncology team in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital or call Gail on (01)2310566.

Carrig Celtic lost 3-0 at home to champions elect Newcastle West in the Desmond League Premier Division on Sunday 5^th May. Old Mill and Carrig Celtic B had no fixtures.

The Rosary will be recited each evening at 7pm during the month of May at Churchtown Grotto Newcastle West.

Enrolment is now taking place for the new term at Carrigkerry National School. Please call to the School for the necessary forms.

The Carrigkerry Clerk’s Collection will be taken up over the week-end of Saturday18th/Sunday 19^th May. People are asked to show their appreciation for the wonderful work that Eileen is doing.

The annual Mass in Cahermoyle Grotto, Ardagh, will be celebrated on Wednesday 22^nd May at 7.30pm.

First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry on Sunday 19^th May at 11.30am.

First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman on Saturday 25^th May.

Stage 3 of An Post Ras will pass through Ardagh/Carrigkerry on Tuesday 21^st May. The stage will commence in Nenagh at 11am, and travel through Adare, Croagh and on by Ardagh, Carrigkerry Athea, and is expected to arrive in Listowel at 2.30pm. It was formerly known as Ras Tailtean and it is Ireland’s top International tour race. Up to 200 cyclists from 14 different countries are expected to participate. It is a massive boost for the Listowel area as it is their 7^th time to host a stage of the race. The spin off from overnight accommodation and spending in the shops will be most welcome for hard pressed businesses. The Ras in normal weather conditions is due to pass through Ardagh, at 1.41pm, Carrigkerry at 1.52pm, and Athea, at 2.07pm. It promises to be a wonderful spectacle as it passes by and spectators should view it from a safe distance and location and obey the race marshals.

The Sacrament of Confirmation for Ardagh/Carrigkerry school pupils will be administered on Tuesday 28^th May in Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry.

Domhnall de Barra making a presentation to Dan and Joan
Griffin on the occasion of their retirement from Athea Community
Council before Christmas, with Lucky No’s committee, Jim Cleary, Lal
Browne, Mary T. Mulvihill & Lillian O’Carroll

Big Changes for Athea  Community Council

On December 22nd last, two of our most dedicated members retired after over 20 years service to the council. Joan and Dan Griffin from Coole West have been in evidence on Saturday nights helping to run the Lucky Numbers Draw. They had made a commitment to remain working until the footbridge was paid for and when this happened on December 20th we knew that Saturday 22nd would be their last night with us. To mark the occasion a presentation was made to them by the council at the Top of the Town. We will miss Joan and Dan, not only for their hard work but also for the friendship that grew between us over the years without ever a word of rancour or disagreement. We take this opportunity to say a sincere thank you to them both and  to wish them good health and  happiness  for the future.

Now that the footbridge has been paid for in total we will need to continue with the draw in order to provide funds for the running of our FAS Scheme (the reason the draw was created to start with) and other council projects including the Library.  We look forward to your continued support.

Congratulations

Kevin O’Sullivan (right) from Lower Athea with the engineering award he received for his Leaving Certificate  project pictured with his teacher Pat O’Sullivan

Kevin, who is a student at Listowel Community College, received the award for Best Overall Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate project chosen from entries from a number of schools in Kerry. The award was sponsored by Tralee Institute of Technology.

Kevin is currently in college studying Furniture Design. His teacher Pat O’Sullivan praised Kevin’s efforts and said the award justified Kevin’s hard work and dedication to the subject.

The people of Carrigkerry and the surrounding areas were delighted to see the shop and filling station re-open on Thursday 8^th November. We welcome the Moloney family from Abbeyfeale, to the village and we hope they will enjoy a very successful stay. The shop first opened on the 8^th of October 1984 under the ownership of Pat, and Kathleen Nally from Ballyloughane.  It provided a very good service to the local community and the passing public, until it closed on 13^th May this year. The village has been very quiet in the last six months, since the closure, with people having to travel to other outlets to get their groceries and fuel. Best wishes to the owners, and staff in the future, and all local people are encouraged to give their support and business to their local and convenient shop.

Congratulations to Catherine Aherne, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry and Scoil Mhuire Askeaton who was the overall winner of the 2012 Super Valu West Limerick Tourism Schools Photography Competition, held over the recent months. The competition was open to all secondary school students attending the following schools in the West Limerick area. Scoil Ide & Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher, Desmond College, Newcastle West, Scoil Mhuire agus Ide, Newcastle West, Salesian Secondary College, Pallaskenry, Colaiste Na Trocaire, Rathkeale, Cresent College Comprehensive, Dooradoyle, Photographs could be entered in five different categories, Super Valu Tidy Towns & Villages. History Culture & Heritage, Landscape, Natural & Built. Adventures Attractions and Activities, Sport. The presentation of prizes was held at the Woodlands Hotel Adare on Thursday 8^th November. West Limerick Tourism Chairman David Fitzgerald, and Super Valu representatives presented the prizes to the six winning students. Congratulations also to Sean McElligott Kilcolman and Desmond College, Newcastle West, who was a category winner, History Culture & Heritage, and he received an iPod nano. Catherine as the overall winner received an Apple iPad. Colaiste Mhuire, Askeaton, won the overall school prize of €500 worth of art supplies.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar Newbridge, on Monday 12^th November. The numbers drawn were 13,16,20,22, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100. Vincent Cronin, Carrigkerry. €60 Jack Kelly c/o Curley’s. €60 Padraig O’Riann c/o Bus Eireann. €60 May and Iris Kennelly c/o Neary’s. €30 Mike Liston Glenastar. €30 Peter Donovan c/o Foley’s. €30 Lisa Mackessy, Coolanoran.  Next week’s draw takes place in Peadar’s Bar Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €20,000

We extend sympathy to Mary Geoghegan, Glensharrold and extended family members, on the recent death of her brother Joe Geoghegan in Manchester, England.

Sympathy also to Kitty Meade and family Carrons, Kilcolman, on the recent death of her brother Patsy Stubbins, late of Effin. May he rest in Peace.

Carrig Celtic defeated Killeaney 3-0 at home in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday 11^th November. Seanie King, John Doyle, and Sean McSweeney scored the goals. Old Mill and Carrig Celtic B had no games.

In Ladies soccer Kilcolman Rovers lost 2-0 away to Rathkeale in the Premier Division, and Carrig Celtic drew 1-1 at home to Breska Rovers, in Division 1 with Elaine Finucane scoring.

Saint Kierans defeated Kenmare Shamrocks by 1-11 to 1-7 in the Munster Junior Club Championship semi  final at Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney on Saturday last 17^th November.

Congratulations to Bill Downes and Mick McQuinn, prizewinners  in the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 7^th November. Cards every Wednesday night at 9.pm and all are welcome.

The Croagh Patrick climb for charity on 29^th / 30^th September was an outstanding success and to date has raised over €78,000 for two charities, TLC4CF and Irish Autism Action.  We congratulate Liam Woulfe, a native of Dunganville, Ardagh, and Mike Aherne, Adare, the organizers of the event, and all the other people that fundraised and that did the climb.  The presentation of cheques to the two charities took place in The Woodlands Hotel Adare, on Thursday 15^th November.

Airtricity which is powered by SSE, would like to invite applications from community based projects in the locality of its Tournafulla, Rathcahill and Dromada Wind Farms in West Limerick. Applications will be accepted within a 20km radius of each wind farm for projects that have an energy efficiency or sustainability theme. Preference will be given to projects within 5kms of each wind farm.  Carrigkerry Community Centre was awarded a grant towards attic insulation and cavity wall insulation under the fund in 2011 which was much appreciated. The closing date for the 2012 Community Fund is Friday 30^th November 2012. The successful applicants will be informed in early January 2013. To find out more about how to apply, please contact their Community Liaison Officer Anne Reynolds.

Telephone 01-6556556 Email anne.reynolds@airtricity.com  or visitwww.airtricity.com

Desmond Foxhounds recently announced the venues for their forthcoming Sunday meetings which commence at 11am, 25^thNovember. Castletown Conyers, 2^nd December Ballinvirick Cross, 9^th December Newbridge, 16^th December Milltown Cross Ballysteen, 23^rd Conigar Cross Creeves.

The arrival of Winter and old time can be a difficult time for many but a welcome time for book lovers to engage in one of their favourite pastimes. The month of November sees the arrival of the annual Old Moore’s Almanac, The Cork Holly Bough and Ireland’s Own Anthology along with the many parish journals and magazines. This is the third year of the Ireland’s Own Anthology which includes the prizewinners from their annual short story competition. It is a very interesting publication with 190 pages of interesting stories along similar lines as the weekly Ireland’s Own Magazine. It can be ordered by post or by bookshops and details are to be got in the weekly magazine. This year we also saw a number of local books launched which would make ideal gifts or presents to give in the run up to Christmas. The Saint Molua booklet is available to purchase in Curley’s Shop in Ardagh, for €3 or from the author Mary Kury  Ardagh, by post for €5.

The sean nós dancing continues every Thursday night in Ardagh Community Centre with kids and teens at seven, and adults at eight. All can join in the happy hour at nine with adult step dancing, waltzing, jiving and sets, and lots more. It is a great way to have a laugh, to meet new friends and burn off a few pounds in the process and all are welcome.

The Feohanagh/Castlemahon Parish Annual will be launched in Castlemahon Community Hall on Saturday 24^th November at 8.30pm. The launch will be performed by Jerome Scanlon, Chairman of Limerick County Council who is associated with the area. The launch night is always a very enjoyable occasion and all are welcome to attend.

West Limerick Community Radio is holding their next Car Boot Sale and indoor market on Sunday 25^th November, from 9am to 3 pm at Newcastle West Community Centre. It will give people a chance to do a clean out of their home, hire a stall and to sell items they may no longer need. Bargains will be there to pick up coming up to the Christmas period. The Radio provides great entertainment to so many at present so all support will be much appreciated.

An afternoon of tea dancing will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre, on Sunday 25^th November from 2pm to 5pm. Music by The Premier Blue Boys. All are welcome.

Saint Ita’s Community Hospital Remembrance Mass for deceased patients/residents will be held in the hospital chapel on Sunday 25^th November at 2.30pm.  Family members and friends are invited to attend.

The West Limerick Scór na nÓg finals will be held at Saint Molua’s Hall, Ardagh, on Sunday 25^th November at 2.30pm. All clubs in the division are asked to compete and to keep the great tradition of music song and dance alive in West Limerick.