‘What a Triumph’

Well all eyes were glued to the rugby match on Saturday evening when Ireland took on France in the Six Nations and what a game it turned out to be. Both teams gave it “their all” and one wondered how any ‘body’ could stick up to the sheer physicality of the game – the level of punishment their bodies take is unreal, streaming blood was seen from many of the players. The final few minutes were “nail biting” to say the least, however, a two point win was well deserving to Ireland – it gave a great atmosphere for the St. Patrick’s weekend!

Many attended the surrounding parades in Abbeyfeale, Newcastle West and Listowel, all enjoying the fun, music and much more. In Dublin people attended from all over the world, all delighted to be in Ireland. Indeed St. Patrick’s Day parades are extending worldwide and it’s great to see Ireland’s parades are multi-cultural now, with nationalities from all over.

We congratulate the U-16 girls basketball team who travelled to Tralee on Saturday last and did themselves and their trainer Trish Phillips Aherne and indeed Athea proud by winning gold medals in the Team Kerry Championship. Well done.

Congrats are extended to Lorraine Herbert (daughter of Mary Anne and Jim) of Coole, Athea who, on Friday last, was married to Gary O’Connor of Brosna. The bride was assisted by her sisters Mary and Julie and Mary Andersen Horgan. The best man was T.J. Herbert and the groomsmen were Mark and Mike O’Connor. The page boy was Rory O’Connor and the flower girl was Becky O’Connor, niece and nephew of the bride. Fr. Bowen performed the Nuptial Ceremony here in Athea Church and  a great day was had by everyone at The Listowel Arms Hotel. The newly weds are honeymooning in Mexico.

Don’t forget Friday, March 28th is ‘Daffodil Day’. We are asked to support this worthy cause. Cancer is “sneaky” and the Irish Cancer Society won’t give up “until cancer does”.

Anyone watching “Jigs and Wigs” last week and who was around the “50” yr old mark, still has hope when one of the female dancers won a medal in the world dancing championships and she was 50+. You are never too old”. As Patrick O’Sullivan (who is Jim the jobber O’Connor’s nephew) says in his new song  “There is so much music and so little time, stand back from the race and slow down the pace”