By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Cormac Long Rooskagh and Rathkeale Boxing Club who won his ninth National Boxing title at the National Stadium in Dublin over the June Bank Holiday week-end. He defeated Sean Conroy from Mayo in the semi-final and Pearse Sherry from Dublin in the final. Next up for Cormac will be the European Championships later in the summer.

The death has taken place of Thomas (Tom) Guinane, London and late of Kerikyle, Ardagh, and husband of the late Ellen. His Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Holy Rosary, Tullow, County Carlow on Sunday June 8^th at 11.45am, followed by burial in the local cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his brother John, Lisgordan, Ardagh, sister-in-law Catherine, nephews, nieces, extended family members and friends. May he rest in Peace.

A card game was held in Ardagh Hall on Tuesday May 20^th, in aid of the Ardagh Chalice Project and 42 players took part. The committee would like to thank the organisers, players, and people who supplied prizes for the event, which raised € 330 for the project. The construction of the project has commenced and the committee would like to thank all who are involved in this work.

Congratulations to Patrick Downes (Junior) from the Saint Kieran’s Club who won € 250 in the Limerick G.A.A. Club Draw for May which was held at Limerick Live 95 FM Radio on Saturday May 31^st.  The June draw will be held on Saturday 28^th June at Limerick Live 95 FM Radio.

Johnny McCarthy and Darragh Treacy from the Saint Kieran’s Club were members of the Limerick team that lost to Tipperary by 2-14 to 1-11 in Round 1 of the Munster Senior Football Championship at Limerick Gaelic Grounds on Saturday May 31^st.

Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Feohanagh by 1-11 to 0-3 in the West Junior B Hurling League semi-final in Knockaderry on Monday June 2^nd.

Congratulations to Iris Kennelly Skehanagh Ardagh who was a member of the Limerick team who participated in the Camogie Primary Game in Thurles on Sunday June 1^st.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Ballysteen by 0-10 to 0-6 in Round 2 of Group 1 of the County Senior Football Championship at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale, on Thursday June 5^th. They led by 3 points to 1 point at half time after facing the sun and the wind. Ballysteen cut the deficit to one point but Saint Kieran’s finished strong to secure their second win in the group. TEAM Patrick Histon, James Windle, Paudie McCarthy, Kevin Meade, Brendan McCarthy, Johnny Mc Carthy, Michael Flynn, Timmy Carroll, Darragh Treacy, 0-2 Jack Ben Harnett, John Doyle, Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-5 Ray Cahill, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-2 Diarmuid Carroll, 0-1.Subs  Diarmuid Crowley, Maurice Shine, Donal Nolan.

The Desmond League soccer season concluded on Sunday June 8^th after a marathon ten months of action. The final fixture was the Carrig Celtic V Abbeyfeale Utd clash in the Premier Division League Cup Final and we will have a report on the game in next week’s notes. To date it has been a season without silverware for the five local junior teams, who participated in League and Cup Competitions.

Carrig Celtic finished in third place in the Premier Division with 28 points from their 18 matches played. They won seven drew seven and lost four scoring 49 goals and conceding 41 for their highest place to date in this Division. Carrig Celtic B finished in ninth place in Division 3 with 11 points from 11 games.

Old Mill finished in eight place in Division 1 with 14 points from 18 games.

Creeve’s Celtic finished in fifth place in Division 2 with 25 points from 18 games, and Creeve’s Celtic B finished in eight place in Division 3 with 12 points from 11 games.

The Aviva All Ireland Schools track and field competitions were held in Tullamore on Saturday May 31^st. Congratulations to Kyle Larkin Ard Scoil Ris who won the 2,000 metre steeplechase, and his sister Ellen from Villiers who won a silver medal in the Intermediate Pole Vault. Their father Timmy is a member of the well known sporting Larkin family from Reens in Ardagh.

Congratulations to Michael Shanahan who won an All Ireland gold medal in the Community Games shot competition, Darragh Nolan, Cilian Hodgson, and Jessica Hodgson who also won medals at the Community Games. Congratulations to Craig Mc Innes, Jake Moran, and Fionn Gleeson who were part of the Creeves soccer team that won the U 10 Division 3 Shield and Conor Hodgson, and Con Enright who were part of the Kilcolman soccer team that won the U 10 Division 2 Shield, and Coolcappa N.S. soccer team who made it to the FAI Primary School’s West quarter-final.

Kilcolman Community Creche located in Kilcolman village is within walking distance of the local National School. The crèche is managed by a committee which is made up of parents. It is a non-profit making organization where the happiness and development of children is a priority. The services available include a baby room, wobbler room, toddler/play room, Montessori (ECCE free places) and afterschool. Enrolments are now being taken for September and a number of free ECCE places are available. For information and bookings phone Grainne on 069-60770.

The turf cutting season is progressing well, and a lot of people got their supply cut during the fine spell of weather we got in April. Our local area is usually one of the last to be visited by the turf machines as they move around the locality tending to the needs of householders.  The local contractors commenced cutting in Scotland Bog on Bank Holiday Monday. In recent years more people are cutting turf due to the rising costs of oil, coal and briquettes. The carbon tax was increased on coal and briquettes again on May 1^st adding more charges to hard pressed householders. Many people benefitted from Storm Darwin on February 12^th and they have a good supply of timber for next winter.

The Daughters of Charity will visit Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish on this coming Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th June to inform the attendance at all Masse’s about their work in Africa.

Old Mill ladies football club are holding a number of fundraising events in preparation for their trip to the All Ireland Feile Na Nóg Finals in Roscommon on 27^th/28^th June. The U-14 girls are representing Limerick and funds are needed to finance the trip. A Clothes collection will be held on June 10^th and a Table Quiz will be held in The Silver Dollar Bar Newcastle West on Friday 20^th June. All support will be appreciated for the above events.

Kilcolman school fundraising committee will be holding a used clothes collection at the school on Friday 20th Sunday22nd and Monday 23^rd June. Clothing, bedding (not pillows/duvets) curtains, shoes, belts, handbags, all accepted. The drop off times will be announced later and many thanks for your continued support.

It is the responsibility of Ardagh/Carrigkerry Parish to host the forty hour adoration this year. It will take place from Friday evening 20^th June to Sunday 22^nd June in Saint Molua’s Church Ardagh. The time table is available for people to fill in their names opposite the times that suit them 

The Debra Ireland Kerry Challenge 75km hike through the bogs and mountains around the Dingle peninsula takes place from Friday 20^th June to Sunday 22^nd June. Pat Toomey, Mike Histon, Joe Carrig, and Eamon O’Keane, from the Shanagolden/Creeves area will be participating for the eight consecutive year. The funds raised are essential to the medical research teams and support groups funded by Debra Ireland. People who are interested in donating sponsorship to the group are asked to contact Eamon on 087-6271065.

The fourth annual Great Southern Trail Midsummer Walk will be held on Saturday 21^st June commencing from Abbeyfeale Old Railway Station at 10.30am. It will be along the 36km route of the old railway to Rathkeale, and Certificates will be presented in Rathkeale to those who complete the entire journey on foot. People are asked to register at [email protected]by Saturday 14^th June. A registration fee of € 10 is payable in advance to Great Southern Trail 9 Bishop Street Newcastle West.