The celebrations continue around the locality following Saint Kieran’s win in the County Junior A Hurling Championship in Tournafulla on Saturday 27^th October. It was their second title in the grade, and it bridged a 27 year gap back to 1985 when they defeated Feenagh/Kilmeedy in the West and County finals. The team went through this year’s Championship unbeaten with 9 straight wins over Monagea, (3) Feenagh/Kilmeedy, (2) Askeaton, Templeglantine, Kilmallock and Patrickswell. The County final was the hardest of all the games, but they were deserving winners despite the tightest of winning  margins. TEAM: John Greaney, Mike Windle, Paudie McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Flynn, Patrick Windle, Séan Windle, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-1  Jack Ben Hartnett, Timmy Carroll, Johnny McCarthy,0-1   Ray Cahill,  Donal Nolan, 1-5   James Muckell, 0-1  Danny Collum,0-1  SUBS Darragh Treacy, 0-1 Ian Mackessy, 0-2 Jonathan Ruttle, Chris Madigan, PANEL: Jason Mullins, Mikey Breen,  Owen Hayes, Gerard Donovan, James Windle, Padraig Trant, Billy Breen, John O’Connor, Donal Balfe, Tony Doyle, Kenneth Greaney, Ivan Neary. Management Committee. David Woulfe, Noel Broderick, John Ahern, Mike O’Connor, (trainer) Physical Trainers: Niall Crowley, John English. Physio/First Aid: Timmy Madigan. Dr Mel Fullam. Backroom Team: Seán Hayes, Seán O’Sullivan, Kenneth Greaney Officers: Chairman John Ryan, Vice-Chairman Patrick Windle, Secretary Ivan Neary, A-Secretary Moira O’Donovan, Treasurer Tom Hartnett, Irish Officer John Ahern, P.R.O./Children’s Officer Owen Hayes, (junior) Saint Kieran’s now progress to represent Limerick in the Munster Championship this coming weekend. They will play the Tipperary Champions Kilsheelan/Kilcash, from Slievenamon in South Tipperary in the quarter final of the Munster Championship on Saturday 10th or Sunday 11^th November. It will take place in a West Limerick venue, as the Coolcappa ground is not suitable for the fixture.

Congratulations to Catherine Hayes, Secretary of the Saint Kieran’s Community Games Club, who has been named Limerick Community Games P.R.O. 2012. She was presented with her award at the AGM of Limerick Community Games, held at The Woodlands Hotel in Adare on Sunday 28^thOctober. Catherine has brought a lot of energy knowledge, drive and commitment to the locality since her arrival from her native Dromcollogher, and is a tireless worker for Community Games in the Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/ Kilcolman area. Her weekly reports and photographs are detailed and informative, and eagerly looked forward to in the local press. Catherine also finds time to be involved with Saint Kieran’s Board Na Nóg, and Carrigkerry Community Centre, among other activities. A true volunteer she is a most deserving winner of this award.

Congratulations to Martin Flynn, Mike Kearney, Con Enright and Peter Fitzsimons, who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game on Wednesday 24^th October.

Carrig Celtic B defeated Rathkeale B 2-1 away in Round 1 of the Richard Hogan Cup on Sunday 28^th October. Thomas Moran, and John Doyle, scored the goals.

Old Mill lost 3-2 on penalties at home to Newcastle West B in Round 2 of the Reidy Cup. The game finished 2-2 after extra time, with James Morrisroe, and Pierce Treacy scoring their goals.

Carrig Celtic had no fixture.

In Ladies football Carrig Celtic lost 5-0 away in Division 1 and Kilcolman Rovers had no fixture.

Congratulations to Ardagh N.S. girls who defeated Dromcollogher N.S. in the West Division 1 ,11-a-side final  at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Monday 22^nd October. They will represent the Division in the County finals in U.L. on Thursday 8^th November.  A number of the team will also represent West Limerick in the Larkin Shield series in U.L. on Thursday 15^th November.

Congratulations to Ballyhahill native Gerard Curtin who launched his latest book ‘’Every Field had a Name’’ at three different venues in Askeaton, Athea, and Newcastle West, last week. It focuses on the minor place names of West Limerick, and it will be of great interest to all sections of the community.  Gerard’s late father Michael was an insurance agent, who would have been well known in the locality calling to the people on a regular basis. His late mother @ Schollard was a native of Knockfinisk, who he credits for his great love in history geography folklore and the landscape. This is his fifth book and all are based on the West Limerick area. We should be all grateful to him for collecting and preserving this vast amount of history and geography for future generations to study and enjoy. Gerard won West and County titles with Gerald Griffins footballers, in the nineties, and was also the P.R.O. of the Desmond League for a number of years. We wish him every success with his latest book which is on sale, for €20 in outlets around the locality or from the author on 087-6275560.

A reminder to parishioners that the Rosary will be recited in the three cemeteries in Newcastle West, each Sunday during the month of November. The venues and times are as follows: Famine cemetery 3pm, Calvary cemetery 3.20pm and Churchtown cemetery 3.40pm. All are welcome to attend.

The annual Mass will be celebrated in Kilcolman Cemetery on Sunday 11^th November at 2pm.

A table quiz in aid of Coolcappa National School will be held in Rathkeale House Hotel on Friday 16^th November. Teams of four and numerous prizes to be won and all are welcome to attend. A very enjoyable and fun filled night is promised.

Peg Prendeville from Glenbawn, Ballyhahill will launch her second book of poetry ‘’The Purple Pencil’’ in Newcastle West Library on Friday 16^thNovember at 8.pm. Nóirín Ní Riain, the Celtic spiritual singer, associated with the monks in Glenastal Abbey, will perform the launch and all are welcome to attend. ‘’What’s for dinner Ma’’ was Peg’s first book and her latest offering includes reflective poems celebrating everyday life. The book will include a CD of the poems included and it will cost €12. Peg has been on Limerick Live 95 and West Limerick 102 Radio promoting her book which we all look forward to reading. Peg is an award winning writer for prose and poetry and is the popular librarian in Glin Library at present. She is also the Editor of the Ballyhahill/Loughill Parish Annual and a tireless worker in the community involved in many clubs and organizations. Peg was a recent guest on A Story and a Song with Pat O’Donovan on West Limerick Community Radio. She recited a number of the poems, included in the book, and told Pat how they came about. It was a very enjoyable hour’s programme and an insight into her creative mind. All will join with me in wishing Peg every success with her latest book.

Carrig Celtic is holding a club social on Saturday 17^th November, and tickets will be on sale shortly and more details later.

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.

The West Limerick Scór na Nog 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 alive.

The annual Christmas raffle in aid of Coolcappa Community Hall will be held on Monday 10^th December. Cards will be in circulation around the parish and all support will be appreciated. The profit from the raffle will go towards the insurance and the upkeep of the hall.

The AGM of West Limerick Tourism will take place this Thursday November 8th 2012 at 7.30pm in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare. All those involved in tourism from either a business or community perspective are welcome to attend.