The death has taken place of Bridget (Chris) Lawlor (nee O’Donoghue,) Knocknagun, Carrigkerry at Saint Catherine’s Nursing Home, Newcastle West, on Friday 7^th December. Wife of the late Pat, and mother of the late Nora Vaughan, Chris was in her 95^th year, and one of the oldest members in the parish. She was born in Monagea on 22^nd December 1917 and also baptized there. The family moved to Sugarhill, in Templeglantine and she attended Cratloe N.S. and Newcastle West Convent School, and worked in Abbeyfeale, and Newcastle West. Chris married Pat Lawlor from Limerick City in 1949 and the family came to live in Knocknagun, Carrigkerry in 1960. She was a most popular member of the community and a friend to all in her new location. The family had an open door and a welcome for all callers. They had one of the first Televisions in Carrigkerry and many of the locals would call in by night to watch the most popular programmes of the time. Chris made people feel special and the kettle was on the boil for all callers.  She liked music and the Wrenboys, and the Irish language, and she was a familiar figure sitting outside her house during the summer months. She provided a shed at the end of her house, for many years for students to shelter in and put in their bicycles, while waiting for the School Bus. Chris sadly lost her husband Pat in 1979 and her daughter Nora in 2004. We will remember Chris for her kindness, elegant walk and her pleasant smile, and she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Her remains reposed at Reidy’s Funeral Home Newcastle West, on Sunday evening followed by removal to Saint Mary’s Church Carrigkerry. Her nephew Fr Connie O’Doherty concelebrated her funeral Mass, assisted by Fr Larry Madden, Ardagh/Carrigkerry Fr John Duggan, Castlemahon/Feohanagh, Fr Phonsie Cullinan, Rathkeale, and Fr Thomas Hurley Templeglantine, at 11.30am on Monday morning. Family members assisted in the readings, offertory prayers of the faithful and reflection. Fr Connie traced her path through life in his homily and her grandson James gave a moving tribute, on behalf of the family at the end of Mass. Chris was laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West, on Monday 10^thDecember.   We extend our sympathy to her sons Ned, Gus, Con, and Pat, daughters Anne,(O’Dwyer) and Mary(Young) brother Jim, sisters Kay Moloney(Croagh) and Nora O’Doherty (Thurles,) 27 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives neighbors, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Joe Geoghegan died on Monday11^th November, and he was laid to rest (following Requiem Mass in Saint Peter and Pauls Church) in Wardley Cemetery Manchester, on Wednesday 28^th November. He was born on Christmas Day 1930 son of the late Margaret, and Tom, from Glensharrold Carrigkerry. He was educated in Carrigkerry National School, and worked at John and Annie Hayes farm in Knockfinisk for six years. He was a dedicated worker and a very popular figure around the locality and all were sad to see him depart for England in August 1952. He spent sixty years living and working there and he was also a regular visitor home, during that period. He was husband of Mary and father to Mike and Angela, and he was a very popular and trusted member of his community. Joe was a gentleman kind generous loyal protective honorable respectful and funny and he will be sadly missed by all who were lucky to have known him. He was a hard worker all his life, and he was highly organized and did things in a neat and tidy manner. On his last trip home to Glensharrold about five years ago. He spent a few hard days painting and cutting hedges around the home place. He always kept in contact with home, and kept informed of the happenings of the neighbours and the results of matches. He was a season ticket holder and lifelong Manchester United supporter, and he listened to RTE Radio, and seldom missed a Ceilí House Programme of a Saturday night. Sympathy to his wife Mary, son Mike, daughter Angela,  daughter-in-law Kathryn, grandchildren, Liam, Rachel, Claire,Niall, brothers Michael and Tony sisters Mary and Joan, and extended family members, and friends. May he rest in Peace.

Sympathy to Peg, and Paddy O’Sullivan and family Carrigkerry West, on the death of Peg’s brother Brian Quinn, Hillside Drive Athea. He was laid to rest in Holy Cross Cemetery Athea, on Tuesday 11^thDecember. Sympathy also to his brothers, and sisters, nephews and nieces, and extended family members. May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of Elizabeth (Lilly) Power (nee Sheehy) peacefully following a long illness at her home in Kilscannell, Ardagh, on Tuesday 11^th December. Her remains reposed at her residence on Wednesday from 4pm, followed by removal to Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa. The Concelebrated Requiem Mass was celebrated by her brother Fr Jim Sheehy Columbian Fathers, nephew Fr Eugene Boyce, Fr Denis Mullane, and seven other priests from the Columbian Fathers. Fr Jim and Fr Eugene paid lovely tributes to Lilly during the ceremony and family members participated in the readings, prayers of the faithful offertory and bringing life symbols to the altar. Lilly was from a family of nine, and a hard worker, in the home and farm, who had a great devotion to the Holy Rosary. She married her husband Donie in 1961 and they celebrated their Golden Anniversary last year.  She liked a day out at the races, and having a meal out, and visits to her family in later life.  Her faith was very important to her, and she liked to attend Mass, in various churches, and also saying the Rosary once a day at least. She liked people to call to the house for a chat, and all were made very welcome with a cup of tea, and a good conversation which she enjoyed. Burial took place in Kilscannel Cemetery on Thursday 13^th December. We extend our sympathy to her husband Donie, son John, daughters Marie, and Breda, seven grandchildren, brother Fr Jim, sisters Julia, Kay, Teresa, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, and nieces, neighbours, and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Congratulations to John Sheehy and Bill Downes, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game, held on Wednesday 5^th December.

Congratulations to John Mulvihill and Vinny Wrenn, and Jim Lynch and Peg Mulvihill who were prizewinners at the Card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday 9^th December.

The Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw for December was held at Saint Patrick’s G.A.A. Club House on Friday 7^thDecember.  It turned out to be a great night for the Saint Kieran’s club, who won first and second prizes. Congratulations to Seamus Culhane Barnigue, Carrigkerry who won €15,000, and Seamus Ambrose, Ardagh, won €5,000. This was the final draw for 2012 and the next draw will be in March 2013.

The following are the Lottery results from the draw held in the Old Mill Bar on Monday 10^th December. The numbers drawn were 2, 5,7,13, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners. €100 Timmy Roche c/o Josie. €60 Mary Malone c/o Reen’s. € 60 Connie Naughton c/o Curley’s. €60 A and D c/o Denis Greaney. €30 Pa Linda, and Shane, c/o Moloney’s. €30 Nancy Barrett c/o Moloney’s. €30 Patrick Brouder c/o Moloney’s.  Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €20,000.

“Mrs. Liston’s” Shop in Coolcappa village closed for business on Friday 30^th November. Kathleen opened the shop on 3^rd March 1966 and over the 46 years it provided a most important service to the local community. It became a focal point for people to meet before and after church school, hall and sports events. Kathleen and Tony provided a dedicated service to their customers, and we would like to thank them for this and wish them well in the future.

The Saint Kieran’s club participated in the County Scór na nóg finals in the Cappamore Community Centre, on Saturday 8^th December. They performed very well in the three events but were out of the honours on the night.

On sale at present in the local shops are The Ballyguiltenane Rural Journal, The Athea Parish Journal, and The Limerick 2012 G.A.A. Yearbook. They all contain articles of local interest which will keep people busy reading over the Christmas festival.

A meeting to put a committee in place to oversee the development of a children’s Playground in Carrigkerry was held in the Community Centre on Thursday 6^th December. A follow up meeting has been fixed for this coming Thursday night 20^th December at 8.30pm, to receive feedback from the committee members put in place.  All interested in being involved in this exciting venture are asked to attend and all are welcome.

Gortadroma dump will close on Friday 21^st of December, at 3.30pm, and will re-open on Wednesday2nd January at 8.am

Saint Kieran’s G.A.A.Club is holding a charity road hurling tournament on Saturday 29^th December. The entry fee is € 30 for a team of three people, and all the proceeds will go towards cancer research. The event commences from Ardagh Church Car Park at 11.am and will take in the surrounding areas. People interested in participating are asked to contact club secretary Ivan Neary on 087-6577541 or any club officer.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all people who helped me to compile these notes over the past twelve months. I would also like to wish the editors, staff member’s fellow contributors and all the readers at home and abroad   a very peaceful and joyful Christmas, and a happy New Year.

 

 

 A Time of Memories 

With Christmas just around the corner people of my generation are inclined to look back and remember with a certain feeling of nostalgia on Christmas times of the past when we were younger and in better fitness than we are now. But then on the other hand some of us who have lived into old age have every reason to be thankful to God for having spared us so long.

Since last year many whom we knew and who were in different ways part of our lives have passed to their eternal reward, we will remember neighbours from our own parish who have died since last Christmas, and others who were well-known public figures because of their special talents, people like Moyvane’s Dan Keane, Rooskagh’s Tom McCarthy, Broadford’s Johnny Donegan and before that late Paddy Faley, Patie Enright, Dick Prendeville and Mick Barrett, all very talented people in their own ways. God rest all their souls. Some of us lost near relatives as well, my own younger brother Andrew, who was better known as Ando, died in October leaving me as the only survivor of our original family, some of  my own former neighbours in Lyreacrompane area also passed on, it was only today we were told when on the phone to my sister-in-law Kathleen in Dromada that a  one-time neighbour of ours Jackie Cronin, formerly of Dromadabeg, had died. Jackie was at one stage in his younger days a member of our Smearla Rangers football team. He later emigrated to the United States and returned here with his wife and family in Castleisland area.

As already mentioned Christmas is a time of many memories, we remember our Christmas school holidays when we were young boys and girls, there would be toys and decorations there beforehand and some lucky children would be presented with these on the day we got the holidays. In many local homes there was a goose for the Christmas dinner, very few turkeys were eaten then, they would all have been sold in the pre-Christmas Market, mostly in Castleisland. There were trips to the local shops a day or so before Christmas and the usual Christmas Boxes for their regular customers, what a lovely old custom this used to be. On St. Stephen’s Day the young lads and sometimes the girls too in the townland would be out “going in the wren”, in our area it was always “giving” rather than “hunting the wren” as it is mostly called in West Limerick.

When we grew older and attended dances there was always a dance on the night of Christmas Day at Dan Paddy Andy’s Hall in Renagown which we used to attend.

Then on St. Stephen’s night we would travel to Ballintourig in Currow area, a few miles from Scartaglin, where my father’s cousin Jamesy Brosnan had a dancehall. There was an all-night dance there each St. Stephen’s night and we would stay there until morning and then go to our cousin’s homes to get a sleep and usually remain with them for a couple of days visit. In our own townland of Dromada there were often house dances in the different homes throughout the festive period and there would be tea, bread and jam and home baked raisin cake served to the gathering in all the houses. One Christmas, when working with the Jesuits in Rathfarnham Castle, was spent by me in Dublin. Together with some more of the staff we visited a local bar in Rathfarnham on St. Stephen’s night. There was some lively company there and a great sing-song  in real old-world  Dublin style. It was my first time hearing that great lively song  “Patsy Fagan” and it was sung by one of the ladies present.

There were other times coming home on Christmas Eve from Dublin and from England to Lyreacrompane, all very happy homecomings. But there was one very special time coming back for Christmas to Mary and the children in 1966 after being away all the previous year working in Derbyshire. That was such a happy and emotional trip home that it inspired me to write a poem about it “Going Home for Christmas”. There were other lovely times to remember as well when Seanie was coming home for Christmas from a college he was attending in the Midlands and when our girls were coming home at a time they were working abroad.

There is another special pre-Christmas time in my memory as well, it was the Christmas that Mary came home from Kilcara Nursing Home where she had been recovering for a month after major surgery in the Mater Hospital in Dublin.

There are of course no doubt many other Christmas memories one could recall like the couple of times the local Knocknagorna Wrenboys held the Wren Nights at our house but space does not permit recalling them.

In the meantime my thanks to all those whose suggestions inspired me to keep writing this column and also those who sent me items and suggestions for my Limerick Leader notes. A special word of thanks to Domhnall and Lillian who each week e-mailed my notes to the Limerick Leader and who published my column in Athea and District News. A happy Christmas to you both. Festive greetings too to my relatives, friends and neighbours in Athea parish, particularly my most helpful neighbours in Knocknagorna.. A happy Christmas to Athea people everywhere at home, in other parts of Ireland and in foreign lands. My sympathy goes out to all local people and to others we know who lost loved ones during the year as well as to those who are sick or in trouble of any kind. May the Lord comfort them.

Get Well Wishes

At the time of writing our thoughts and prayers go out to the Dalton family of Glasha for Patsy’s complete recovery in University Hospital, Cork after his accident. It has been an awful ordeal for both local families and they all need our understanding and our prayers as well as any help or comfort we may be able to give to them.

 

Late Brian Quinn

The recent death of Brian Quinn of Templeathea was widely regretted throughout Athea parish, other parts of West Limerick, North Kerry and beyond where the Quinn family have many relatives. Brian was still a fairly young man but was having some health problems for a number of previous years. The removal took place from Kelly’s Funeral Home to St. Bartholomew’s Church where many called to express their sympathy with the family. There was also a good attendance at the Requiem Mass on the following day and at the funeral afterwards to Holy Cross Cemetery. Brian is survived by his brothers Sean and Tim, his sisters Mary and Peg, his in-laws and their relatives to whom sympathy is extended. May his soul rest in peace.

 

Late Bridget (Chriss) Lawlor

The death occurred on December 7th of Bridget (Chriss) Lawlor of Knocknagun, Carrigkerry. Deceased (nee O’Donoghue) was a native of Templeglantine area and had reached an advanced age. She was a well-liked member of the local community who will all miss her. She was pre-deceased by her husband several years ago. The removal took place from Reidy’s Funeral Home, Newcastle West to St. Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry, where a big number of people called to pay their respects. There was also a good attendance at the Requiem Mass on the Monday and the funeral to Calvary Cemetery on the following afternoon .

Sympathy is extended to her sons, daughters, grandchildren, her in-laws and other relatives. May her soul rest in peace.

 

American Tragedy

The terrible massacre at the school in Connecticut, United States, where 28 people were shot and murdered by a lone gunman was an awful tragedy and tragedies such as this are happening all too often in America and indeed in other countries as well. What motivates a person to carry out such a terrible act in cold blood is something which, for ordinary people, is beyond comprehension.

Paudie O’Shea’s Death

The unexpected death of Kerry football legend Paudie O’Shea is something we have just heard while completing this article. No further details yet. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

 

 

 

Athea GAA

Medal Presentation

There will be a medal presentation to our successful Minor Players this Sunday evening at the Top of the Town. Our minors won the West & County A Championship with Feale Rangers. We also went on to win the West 12aside Competition.  Players are requested to be there for 8.45pm. Please come out and support our boys on the night.

Club Draw

Our final draw takes place this Sunday evening at the Top of the Town. A Xmas hamper will be up for grabs on the night. A big thank you to all that supported our draws this year and congratulations to all our winners.

Happy Xmas to all readers and we wish everyone a Prosperous New Year. Here’s to another busy playing season in 2013.

Old Photographs
The Club are currently collecting old photographs, match programmes, match reports etc. If anyone has any of these items from any decade we would appreciate if you would contact a club member. We will make a copy and return the originals. It is hoped to display the items in the meeting room. For more details please contact Denis Collins 087-2957387. Lal Browne 087-2725404 or John Hunt 087-7875378.

 

Athea United Soccer

Division 1 League (December 15^th)

Athea Utd A (0) 2 Gerard Ahern, Kevin O’Keeffe

Old Mill (0) 1

Team: Pa Ahern, Kevin O’Keeffe, Mathew Tierney, Padraig Reidy, Joe Vaughan, Conor Mullane, Ger Collins, Gerard Ahern, Cillian O’Connor, Darren Murphy, John Cotter. Sub Tom Collins. Referee: John Roche.

Division 3 League (December 15^th)

Ballingarry B v Athea Utd B called off, pitch waterlogged.

FIXTURES

Saturday, December 22^nd

U14s away to Shountrade at

11.30am.

Sunday, December 30^th

Junior As home to St Itas in the League Cup at

11.30am.

Junior Bs away to Ferry Rangers

at 2.30pm

ATHEA UTD TRAINING TIMES

All players check with respective managers for confirmation of training times over the holiday period.

LAST MAN STANDING

We completed our first Last Man Standing competition of the season with Seanie Culhane from Glin the outright winner and we would like to again congratulate Seanie on winning the €300 prize. The club would again like to thank Leo Geoghegan of Gale Foods, Athea for sponsoring the Last Man Standing competition and this is greatly appreciated by Athea Utd.

NEW COMPETITION

The next Last Man Standing Competition will get underway on Saturday December 29^th and at the moment lines are on sale from our sellers. This Last Man Standing Competition is being sponsored Tom O’Grady, Brown Joes Bar and the club would like to thank Tom O’Grady for his sponsorship.

ATHEA UTD CHARITY SOCCER TOURNAMENT 

Following the very successful tournament held last Christmas Athea Utd are organizing an 7 a side tournament on the Astro Turf at The Vales on  St Stephen’s Day. First game at 11.30a.m sharp. Funds raised will go towards The Great Ormond St Childrens Hospital/Josh O’Mahony Fund and Athea Utd Schoolboys.

The tournament is open to players with an Athea connection from 17 years upwards and the teams will be a mixture of current players, ex players, over 35s and ladies. Last year we had 80 players taking part between the quarter finals, semi finals and final.

Trophies for the winners and runners up, player of the tournament, best goal, best save and worst miss are being generously sponsored by The Top of The Town, Athea.

To jog the memory last years winning team was Gerard Ahern, Matthew Tierney, Jason Quille, Mark Horgan, Mick O’Connor, Roger Ryan, Ian Murphy and Donal Pierce.

ATHEA UTD 7 A SIDE SOCCER TOURNAMENT 2012

TEAMS, RULES ETC –

The Shepherds

Joe Vaughan (capt)

Mike McCarthy

Liam O’Brien

Morgan O’Connor

Joe O’Connor

Phillip Woulfe

Roger Ryan

Pa Kiely

Snowflakes

Gerard Collins (capt)

Vinny Collins

John Hunt

Conor Mullane

Nelius Hunt

Ed O’Connor

Mike Reidy

Mike Ahern

The Carol Singers

Martin Chawke (capt)

Bobby Barrett

Derek Byrne

Brian McKenna

Mick O’Connor

Gary O’Keeffe

Eoghan Nash

Gerard Ahern

The Wise Men

Tom Collins (capt)

Mike O’Connell

Stephen O’Rourke

Tom Greaney

Pa Ahern

Jonathan Mulvihill

John Geoghegan

Pat Kilbridge

Bad Santas

Raymond Brouder (capt)

David O’Connor

Darren Murphy

Leo Collins

Cedric Daveau

Sean Ahern

Brian Murphy

Denis Greaney

Reindeers

Stephen Reidy (capt)

Dan McMahon

Kieran Dalton

Colm Hassett

Brian Sheehy

Brian Ahern

Kevin O’Keeffe

The Turkeys

Maurice Hayes (capt)

Emmet White

Ciara O’Grady

Dan Leahy

Steven McEnery

Gary Carroll

Jason Quille

Stephen O’Connor

Reindeers

Padraig Reidy (capt)

Mark Melbourne

Tim O’Riordan

Mathew Tierney

TJ Reidy

John Cotter

Mike Buckley

Danny O’Connor

Wren Boys

Jamie Collins (capt)

Stephen Reidy

Dan McMahon

Keiran Dalton

Colm Hassett

Brian Sheehy

Brian Ahern

Kevin O’Keeffe

Thr Turkeys

Maurice Hayes (capt)

Emmet White

Ciara O’Grady

Dan Leahy

Steven McEnery

Gary Carroll

Jason Quille

Stephen O’Connor

FIXTURES

ROUND 1 –

GAME A – 11.30am Shepherds v Snowflakes

GAME B – 11.45am Carol Singers v The Wise Men

GAME C – 12 noon Bad Santas v Reindeers

GAME D – 12.15pm Wren Boys v The Turkeys

SEMI FINALS –

12.30pm Losers A v Losers B (for Shield)

12.45pm Winners A v Winners B

1pm Losers C v Losers D (for Shield)

1.15pm Winners C v Winners D

SHIELD FINAL @ 1.30pm

AHERN CUP FINAL – @ 1.45m

RULES

First match starts at 11.30am sharp.

6 minutes a half.

Players are asked to arrive 15 minutes before kick off time as all games will commence at designated times.

Only moulded studs or astro turf runners to be worn.

No metal studs.

Presentation at The Top of the Town at 5.30pm.

CHURCH GATE COLLECTION
Athea Utd wishes to thank sincerely all those who supported our Church Gate Collection last Saturday night and Sunday morning. It was very much appreciated and thanks again.

FUN TABLE QUIZ

Athea Utd Schoolboys will be holding a Fun Table Quiz at The Top of the Town on this coming Friday, December 21^st commencing at 9.30pm. Once again there will be numerous spot prizes on the night. Good craic and entertainment is assured so be sure to keep this Friday, December 21^st free in your diary.

ATHEA UTD / ADRENALIN SPORTS

Athea Utd AFC in conjunction with Adrenalin Sport are pleased to announce details of some news that will be of interest to all the players in the club. Currently we are distributing Discount Cards from Adrenalin Sports to all our players. The Discount Cards allows you to a 15% reduction off all regular stock at any of its outlets in Abbeyfeale (Main Street) or in Newcastle West (Upper Maiden Street or Lower Maiden Street). In addition the Discount Card allows you a 10% reduction on any sale stock in either outlets. So we would urge players that are looking to at purchasing any sports attire to support the local Adrenalin Sports outlets.

 

ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR

DECEMBER 17^th

The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, December 17^th at Whites Bar are as follows –

Jackpot was €6700. Numbers drawn 3, 13, 20, 26. No jackpot winner.
€50 lucky dip to Anna Flaherty, Blaine, Athea.

€30 lucky dips to the following – Denise O’Riordan, Lower Dirreen, Athea. Betty Walsh, Listowel. The Murphy Family, Upper Dirreen, Athea. David Murphy, Newcastle West. PJ Meehan, Listowel.

Sellers Agatha & Pat Hayes.
New jackpot will be €6800 on Sunday, December 23^rd at Brown Joe’s Bar

PLEASE NOTE-

Our Weekly Lottery draw on Sunday, December 23^rd will take place at 7.30pm.

 

SEASONS GREETINGS

On behalf of Athea Utd Soccer Club I would like to wish all players, managers, officers, supporters, our fantastic lottery ticket sellers and Donal and Lillian at The Parish News a Very Happy and Holy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Looking forward to an injury free year in 2013 and hopefully another successful season for our club.