A number of robberies were committed around the locality in recent weeks causing damage and distress to the occupants. This is a too common occurrence nowadays, and winter time offers the thief more opportunity with the increased shield of darkness to help. People are reminded that a number of community alert groups operate in the region, and any suspicious behaviour should be noted and reported to them, and also to the Gardaí. Carrigkerry and Ardagh Churches have been fitted with security cameras in the past year and Ardagh car park has been connected to the system in recent times following the break in to cars.

A car went off the road in front of Carrig Celtic soccer grounds around mid day on Wednesday 28^th November. The road which is shaded by the forestry trees was very slippery after the overnight frost. The sole occupant was injured and taken away to Hospital by Ambulance. Two Fire Brigades and the Gardaí also attended the scene. This is the third car that has gone off the road at this spot in recent years and it is now time that warning signs were erected and the problem was addressed. We wish the injured person a speedy recovery.

The West Limerick Scór na nÓg Finals was held in Saint Molua’s Community Centre Ardagh, on Sunday 25^th November, and only five clubs participated. Congratulations to the Saint Kieran’s club who were successful in three events. They were successful in Instrumental Music, Question Time, and Set Dancing. Best wishes to them in the County Finals in Cappamore on this Saturday night 8^th December at 7.30pm.

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar, Ardagh, on Monday 26^th November. The numbers drawn were 12,16,19,26, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100 Mossie Langan c/o Moore’s Bar. €60 Tom and Helen Nash c/o P Mullins. €60 Joan and Danny Scanlon c/o Curley’s. €60 Robyn Madigan c/o Peadar’s Bar. €30 Hugh Duffy c/o The Thatch Bar. €30 Betty and Katie O’Connor c/o Moore’s Bar. €30 Jack and Breda Bennett c/o Reen’s Bar.  Next week’s draw will be held in Neary’s Bar Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €20,000.

Congratulations to Eileen McSweeney and Catherine Kiely who were prizewinners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday 21^st November.

Congratulations to Jim Dalton and Francis Woulfe, John and Peg Mulvihill, who were prizewinners at the Rathkeale card game held on Wednesday 21^st November.

Congratulations to Paddy Sheehy and Séan Moriarty who were first prizewinners at the Shanagolden card game held on Friday 23^rdNovember.

Carrig Celtic lost 3-2 away to Ballingarry in Round 3 of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday 25^th November. Anthony Molyneaux, and Sean McSweeney scored their goals. Carrig Celtic B and Old Mill had no games, and all the games in the ladies league were off due to the bad weather on Sunday.

Sympathy is extended to Eileen Enright and family, Cedar Lodge, Ardnaveigh, Reen’s Ardagh, on the death of her father Maurice O’Brien formerly of Rhebogue and Ahane and late of CIE. Sympathy is extended to his sons, brothers, sisters, other relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

This coming Sunday 9^th December promises to be a wonderful occasion for the Saint Kieran’s G.A.A. Club when they contest their first Munster Junior Hurling Championship Final.  They have won the West and County titles, to date, and remain unbeaten after eleven Championship games. They are representing Limerick with pride and meet the favourites, Cork Champions, Kildorrery in Mallow Gaelic Grounds, at 2pm. The story of hurling in the catchment area of Saint Kieran’s has included a lot of heartbreak ,near misses and boardroom decisions going against them down the years. The curse left by Saint Patrick when the locals stoned his ass and he passing through Ardagh spreading religion around West Limerick has been put forward as one reason. The loss of players through emigration, injury, enclosed order, born on the wrong side of a stream, and a forgotten slip of paper has cost them a number of more titles. The club have contested  12 West Junior A Hurling Finals, and they can claim 5 successes, 6 losses, and the 2010 final which they won on the field of play was not awarded..  They lost 5 finals in succession in 1940, 1947, and 1956, (boardroom) 1964, and 1975, before they made the breakthrough in 1977, and they lost also in 2008. They won on the field of play in 1956, and 2010, and they lost the titles in the boardrooms due to objections from the defeated teams. In 1956 they drew with Banogue 2-3 to 1-6 and they won the replay by 4-3 to 1-5. They lost the title following an objection to a number of players living on the wrong side of a stream in the Old Mill area. In 2010 they defeated Askeaton by 2-12 to 2-11. No West title was awarded that year, following an objection that Saint Kieran’s had an extra player on the field of play and the referee had not received his slip of paper when they scored the winning goal. They have been crowned Champions in 1977, 1982, 1983, 1985, and 2012. They have won 2 County titles, which have been well documented in 1985, and this year 2012.

It would be timely to recall their first success in the West final all of 35 years ago this year.  It was the year that Jack Lynch led the Fianna Fáil party to a sweeping success in the General Election. The Northern Ireland Peace Movement members Betty Williams, and Mairead Corrigan, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In Britain a Colour Television License cost 21 pounds, and a Black and White License cost 9 pounds. In sport Liverpool won their first European Cup final, and the horse Red Rum won his third Grand National at Aintree. Elvis Presley the King of rock and roll died aged 42 years. Singers Bing Crosby died aged 73 and Maria Callas also died aged 53 years. The top films that year included Rocky which won an Oscar, Star Wars, Jaws, and Saturday Night Fever.  The top songs that year included “Don’t give up on us” ‘When I need you,’ and ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina.’

In West Limerick Saint Kieran’s drew with Knockaderry 1-7 to 2-4 at Newcastle West on 30^th October.  They led by 0-4 to 0-2 at half time, in a low scoring game. Michael O’Connor from Glenville was top scorer with 1-3. This game will be remembered for the length of injury time played in the second half. Team Jim Coughlan, Johnny Kennelly, Denis Greaney, Mike O’Sullivan, Pa O’Connor (captain ) John Windle, Patrick Mullins, Tim Crowley, Tom Ahern, Pa Leahy, Maurice Windle, Michael O’Connor, Mike O’Brien, Sean Mc Carthy,  Johnny Nash, Subs Tom Neary, Sean O’Sullivan, Mike Mullins, Dan O’Sullivan, Peter Mullins, John O’Connor. Saint Kieran’s defeated Knockaderry by 4-11 to 1-7 in the replay played at Askeaton. The team showed a few changes in personnel and places for the replay and they were trained by Fr Willie O’Gorman the local curate. Great scenes of jubilation followed the presentation of the cup to captain Pa O’Connor. Both games were played in very wet conditions, and the team enjoyed great support both days.

Since the name change (to unite all the four areas together) to Saint Kieran’s in 1972 the club has enjoyed a lot of successful and glorious days in hurling and football. The hurlers have experienced a number of lean years, as well, and we must thank the committed people who kept the small ball alive during those days. Following the glory days in the eighties, the team slipped down the ranks and even dropped down to Junior B level. The winning of the West and County B titles in 2006 saw resurgence in their fortunes, and West and County Junior A Hurling titles have followed since. At the start of this year Saint Kieran’ was only fourth or fifth favourites for to win the West Limerick title, which contained 11 strong teams. The team and all involved are to be applauded for what they have achieved to date. They have lifted the spirits of all Gaels and banished the thoughts of austerity bailouts and budgets.  One wag has said “it was the blessing of Saint Molua’s Well last August that has changed the fortunes of the team this year”. Saint Patrick’s power has weaned in recent

years and Saint Molua has become more popular in the village. If the team win on Sunday 40 years after their formation they will be all canonized saints, and no doubt it will be more than holy water the people will be drinking on the run up to Christmas.

There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for the Sunday’s of Advent in Ardagh, Church from 2.pm to 4.30pm. This is a perfect opportunity and facility for the parish community to make some preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas  time.

On sale in the local shops at present are some lovely Carrigkerry Christmas Cards for people to buy and to send to their relatives and friends. People have a choice of black and white snow scenes from around the village, or the more colourful Carrigkerry place named cards.

Tom Ahern from Knockfinisk, Athea is to be congratulated for compiling a 13 track CD of his songs. One of the songs ‘Barna Hill’ was recently aired on the Murt Downes Show on West Limerick local Radio. Tom is a well known traditional singer who performs at Rambling Houses, and the West Limerick Singing Club.

The Castlemahon/Feohanagh Parish Journal which was launched on Saturday 24^th November is now on sale in the usual outlets for € 10. It is a very impressive publication, and would make an ideal Christmas gift for a person interested in the happenings of the area.

A public meeting regarding a proposed playground for the village will be held in the Community Centre Carrigkerry on this Thursday 6^th December at 8.30pm. All interested people are asked to attend.

The annual Saint Vincent de Paul Christmas Collection will be held on the weekend of Saturday/Sunday 8^th/9^th December in Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish. The organization is coming under more and more pressure, due to the present recession, as people have less money to live on. The organizers are making a special appeal to people to be as generous as possible this Christmas. A small donation could help to make it a good time for all during this festive season.

Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas will hold their annual concert in Saint Molua’s Hall Ardagh, on Saturday 8^th December at 7.30pm.

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.