By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Liam Cremin, Old Mill, who won the Jackpot of €7,200, in the Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA Club Lottery draw held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh on Monday September 8^th. Congratulations also to the following lucky dip winners €60 Imelda Balfe, c/o Curley’s. €60 Mike Molyneaux, Ardagh. €60 Catherine Madigan, Ardagh. €30 Lisa Mackessy, Ardagh. €30 Noreen Flaherty, Carrigkerry. €30 Mike Molyneaux, Ardagh. Next week’s draw will be held in the Thatch Bar, Newbridge,and the Jackpot will be €5,000.

Congratulations to Nora Mary Doyle, Coolanoran, Ardagh, who won the West Limerick Community Radio 50/50 draw. The Jackpot was €2,113.36 and Nora received €1,056.68 with the other half going to the station. West Limerick Radio is a non for profit station and as a result they run a number of fundraisers during the year as part of their licence agreement. Nora Mary was a very popular winner as she is a regular listener who rings in to request songs for her friends for special occasions.

Congratulations and best wishes to Liam Ward, Carrigkerry who celebrated his 21^st birthday with a house party on Saturday August 30^th.

A cheque for €1,200 was presented to Claire, and Megan Nolan who accepted it on behalf of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, at a recent fundraising event held at the Flag Floor Rambling House, in Glensharrold, Carrigkerry.

Congratulations to Caitrín de Bhal from Feenagh/Kilmeedy, and a primary school teacher in Kilcolman N.S. who was a member of the Limerick team that defeated Carlow in the All Ireland Junior A Camogie Final in Moneygall on Sunday August 24^th.

Congratulations to Peg Murphy, Lady Captain of Newcastle West Golf Club, Captain Frank Moore and Vice-Captain Michael O’Connor, on winning the Allianz Irish Independent Executive Golf Trophy Regional Qualifier in Glasson on Tuesday August 19^th.

Saint Kieran’s drew with Father Casey’s in Round 5 of Group 1 of the County Senior Football Championship  in Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on Saturday September 6^th. It ended Saint Kieran’s 1-11 and Fr Casey’s 0-14 and as a result they progress to meet Saint Patrick’s in the quarter final.  A good start saw them three points up but Fr Casey’s kicked eight points without reply before two late points saw them trail by 8 points to five points at half time. The Fealesiders went on another scoring blitz on resumption to move on to thirteen points, and Saint Kieran’s were struggling badly. The introduction of Kevin Meade, and a few positional changes, and the driving runs of Darragh Treacy and Johnny McCarthy helped to change the tide entering the final quarter. They cut the deficit to four points as they attacked in waves with time nearly up.  A driving run by Mike Flynn set up John Doyle for a goal and Johnnny McCarthy kicked over the equalizer to gain a share of the spoils. TEAM: Patrick Histon, Gavin Hayes, Paudie McCarthy, Maurice Shine, Johnny McCarthy, 0-4 Diarmuid Carroll, Mike Flynn, Darragh Treacy, 0-1 John Doyle, 1-0 Jack Ben Harnett, Anthony Molyneaux, 0-1 Brendan McCarthy, Ray Cahill, 0-1 Sean Mc Sweeney, 0-4 Donal Nolan, Subs Kevin Meade, Diarmuid Crowley.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Glin by 2-8 to 0-13 in the West Junior B Football Championship semi final played in Askeaton Gaelic Grounds on Friday September 5^th.

There were no junior matches played in the Desmond League on Sunday September 7^th due to Limerick playing Kilkenny in the All Ireland Minor Hurling Final. The Ladies League is due to start on Sunday 28^th September, and a lot of interest will center on Division 1 which contains three local teams. Carrig Celtic, Creeves Celtic, and Kilcolman Rovers, will be joined by Askeaton, Breska Rovers, and Kilbehenny, in the battle for promotion to the Premier League.

The card game has resumed for the winter season at the Flag Floor, Glensharrold every Wednesday from 8.30pm. Tea will be served and all are welcome.

Congratulations to Moss O’Connor, and Joan Fitzgibbon who were first prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday September 5^th.

The Junior cert results were out on Wednesday September 10^th and I would like to wish all who received them the best of luck in the future.

95 FM Radio have a slot within their schedule called my favourite place. It includes people from all walks of like telling the listeners all about a place close to their hearts. James Lawlor from Carrigkerry was featured in recent weeks telling us all about the Demesne in Newcastle West.

Home on holiday over the summer was Jack Sheehy who grew up in Ballinabearna, and attended Ballyloughane National School. He now lives in Australia with his family but he keeps in regular contact with his homeland and is very well informed on how things are progressing in Ireland. While on holiday he availed of the opportunity to visit his old school friends and the many people he has been in touch with over the years. It was lovely to meet him and to discuss the changes in both countries over the years. It is always nice to meet people who immigrated and made their home in another country but still retain strong links with their homeland. A good number of people returned home to holiday this summer and they were really blessed with our warm and sunny weather.

Junior set dancing classes are held in Carrigkerry Community Centre each Friday from 6.45pm. This class caters for all school children, and everyone is welcome.

The Tuesday Social Club in Ardagh reopened on Tuesday September 9^th after the summer break. It commences at 2pm and the usual bus service will operate. New members are most welcome to attend and to join in the bingo, music, dancing and games.

Pilates classes have commenced in Ardagh Community Centre on each Wednesday from 8pm. Call Nicola Brennan on 086-8140593 for more details.

Limerick Culture Night takes place on this Friday 19^th September. A record 70 free cultural events to suit all ages will be held around the city and county. Details from the Limerick Arts Office on 061-407363

The All Ireland Wrenboy Competition will be held in Saint John’s Square, Listowel on this Friday night 19^th September. It is always an enjoyable affair if the weather is kind and very popular with large crowds attending. A good number of people from the locality will also attend the racing which is on for the full week.

The 83^rd National Ploughing Championships will be held in Ratheniska, Stradbally, County Laois from Tuesday 23^rd to Thursday 25^thSeptember. It began in 1931 and the cost of running the event was nine pounds three shillings and five pence.  At present it costs three and a half million to run the event, which will have 1,350 exhibitors, and 1,100 trade stands. The ploughing will attract over 350 competitors who will contest the 19 All Ireland titles up for grabs.

SSE Airtricity would like to invite applications from community based projects in the locality of their Athea, Dromada, Tournafulla and Rathcahill wind farms for their next distribution of funds. Applications will be accepted within a 20km radius of the wind farms for projects that have an energy efficiency or sustainability theme, however, preference will be given to projects within 5km of their wind farm. The closing date for the 2014 Community Fund is Friday 26^th September. To find out more about how to apply please contact Community Development Officer Anne Reynolds. Tel 01 655 6556 email [email protected]

Living Links is a support group for people bereaved by suicide. They are holding an information meeting to discuss the next healing programme at the Limerick Pastoral Centre Denmark Street Limerick on Tuesday 30^th September at 8pm. Contact 087-7998427www.livinglinks.ie for more details.