The County Limerick Community Games Athletic Finals were held in Mungret, on Saturday/Sunday 22^nd/23^rd June. Saint Kieran’s were well represented in many events over the week-end and all performed very well. Congratulations to all the medal winners, competitors, and their mentors, who give freely of their time.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar Newbridge, on Monday 1^st July. The numbers drawn were 3,11,16,28, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners as follows €60 Mike Burns, Newcastle West. €60 Pat Walsh c/o the Thatch. €60 Vinnie Collins c/o Moore’s Bar. €30 Ita Kirk Rein’s. €30 Margaret Brouder c/o Curley’s. €30 John Madigan c/o Tom Harnett. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €10,200.

The following are the Saint Kieran’s Bord Na Nóg fundraising raffle winners 1^st Prize 2 night’s bed and breakfast in either Moran’s or Bewley’s Hotel Cork or Dublin, Aimee Liston Ardagh. 2^nd Prize €150 voucher from Party Time Ltd towards the hire of a bouncy castle Mike Weeks, Bruff.  3^rd Prize €100 voucher from Laochra Sport, Aidan Kelly, Ardagh. 4^th Prize €50 voucher from Adrenalin Sports, Newcastle West, Wesley Murphy, Newcastle West. 6^th Prize voucher for Sunday lunch for 2 people from the Old Stand Shanagolden, Lorraine O’Connor Ardagh. 7^th Prize €50 voucher from the Good Hair Company Abbeyfeale Mary Murphy Ardagh. 8^th Prize €20 meal voucher from Dan Cronin’s Bar Newcastle West Donna Daly Newcastle West. 9^th Prize voucher for riding lessons in Clonshire Equestrian Centre Adare Michael Barrett Old Mill. €20 vouchers from Adrenalin Sports Newcastle West went to Catherine Hayes Carrigkerry, and Moira O’Donovan Ardagh. €10 voucher from Adrenalin Sports Newcastle West went to Ann Geraghty Ardagh.

Kate Buckingham Glenastar, on behalf of Newcastle West Daffodil Day, recently presented a cheque for €10,853 to Joanne Murphy, of the Irish Cancer Society. The money was collected during the Daffodil Day collections around the area last March.

The West Limerick Golfing Societies Weekly Observer Challenge Cup was held in Charleville, on Saturday 29^th June. Congratulations to Neary’s Bar Ardagh who finished third and to Carrigkerry Society members Pat Hennessy and Pat Flynn who had the best card of the day.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Father Casey’s by 2-13 to 1-8 in the County Senior Football League in Coolcappa on Friday 28^th June.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Drom –Broadford by 3-12 to 2-8 in Round 1 of the West Junior B Hurling Championship on Tuesday 25^th June.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Fedamore by 3-10 to 0-5 in the County Junior B Football League Final played in Mungret Gaelic Grounds on Tuesday 2^nd July. It was a difficult evening for football with wind and rainfall during the game.  Saint Kieran’s trailed by 2-3 to 0-0 at half time, and was always chasing a lost cause. TEAM. Tommy Quinn, Chris Madigan, John O’Connor, Ivan Neary, James O’Connor, Gavin Hayes, Pa Brouder, Sean Windle, 0-1 Aengus Gannon, 0-1 Mark Collins, Sean O’Connor, 0-1 Ian Mackessy, Anthony Liston, Captain, Tony Doyle, 0-2 Owen Hayes, Subs Shane Lynch, Paul O’Connor, Diarmuid Crowley, Tom Moran, James Morrisroe, Dan Madden, Ray Noonan, Padraig Trant, Patrick Liston, Cian Shorten, Nicky Kelly. Kevin Crowley, Eoin Moran, Management Owen Hayes, Mike Flynn, Mike Meade.

The U 16 Gaynor Cup Soccer Competition was held from Friday 28^th to Sunday 30^th June in UL. The Desmond League participated for the first time at this age level and played three games in their group. Aoife King Carrigkerry Lauren Moloney Ardagh and Katie Colbert Kilcolman were members of the squad and Mike King Carrigkerry was part of the management.

Congratulations to James Naughton Creeves Celtic on winning the Desmond League Youths Division 2 Player of the Year Award. He enjoyed a great year in both the youths and junior teams with his club and he was also a prolific goalscorer.

We extend our sympathy to Myles Vaughan and family Carrigkerry on the death of his father Seamus from Direen, Athea. He was well known in the area as he operated a travelling shop for many years. He was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Athea on Tuesday 2^nd July. May he rest in Peace.

John Tierney from Eachtra and a number of local volunteers participated in Graveyard Mapping in Ardagh Cemetery on Wednesday/3^rd and Thursday/4^th July. This is part of the West Limerick Graveyard Mapping Project. The results of the survey will be uploaded to the website historic graves.com. The weather was favourable for the work and progress was made, but many days and volunteers would be required to complete the task. The aim of the project is to record all the graveyards in the country in the coming years and to upload the information on www.historicgraves.ie The money for these pilot areas come from the Leader fund at present.

The Clounleharde School reunion   commenced with an Open Air Mass celebrated by Fr Michael O’Connor in Killeaney AFC ground in Knockdown on Saturday 29^th June. It was followed by a meal in the marquee, and music song and chat in the Knockdown Arms.  Well done to the organizers who also presented the past pupils with a lovely book of memories and photographs as a keepsake.  I am assured that all who attend had a wonderful night recalling their school days in Clounleharde School.

The Irish Pure Friesian Open Day 2013 was held on the Ballykennedy herd of brothers John and Michael O’Connor Ballingarry on Friday 5^th July.   They are the sons of Carrigkerry native Michael O’Connor the well known singer, and their mother hails from Athea. Michael and family have build up the herd over the last 30 years to its present top class status. It was a lovely sunny afternoon for the event which attracted a large crowd to the very impressive farm.  A lot of work went into the preparations for the day which saw the well laid out and spacious farm and outbuildings at their best.  A host of stands were set up around the yard and were selling their wares to intending customers. The stock judging and viewing of the herd was of great interest also. A proud and well deserved day for the family who provided refreshments to all who attended.  We wish continued success to the family in the future.

The weekly summer shows featuring Comhaltas artists commenced on Thursday 4^th July at 9pm in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine. They will run weekly over July and August to give visitors to the region the opportunity to see the top entertainers in action.

Carrigkerry Playground Committee recently received planning permission for their proposed development in the village. They can now proceed with their funding application to West Limerick Recourses, and other fundraising plans.  The plan of work can also go out to tender to secure a contractor to do the work.  A public meeting to outline the details will be held in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Thursday 11^th July at 8.30pm, and all are welcome.

The annual graveyard Mass will be celebrated in Kilbradern Cemetery on Sunday 14^th July at 2pm.

Fleadh Cheoil Na Mumhan. 2013 will be held in UL from Sunday 14^th July to Sunday 21^st July. We extend good wishes to all the local competitors who are participating in the various events.