By Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes to Edel Leahy, daughter of Ann and Pa, Cooltomin, Creeves, and Pat Donnellan, Kilkishen, County Clare, who were married in Saint Colman’s Church Kilcolman, on Saturday November 8th.  The reception was held in the Ballygarry House Hotel Tralee.

Fr Denis Mullane P.P. Coolcappa/Kilcolman has been appointed as P.P. of Tournafulla/Mountcollins and Templeglantine Parishes. His appointment came as a shock to all who will be very sad to see him depart from the parish after six very fruitful years of ministering to the people. Fr Denis helped to transform the parish during this time by introducing many new features. He also oversaw the renovations to mark the centenary of Saint Colman’s Church, Kilcolman last year.  He was very motivated and he got through a lot of work and he brought out the best in his parishioners with his friendly and caring approach. We wish him lots of luck and enjoyment in his new surroundings.

Mike Chawke from Clounleharde, Ballyhahill was Pat O’Donovan’s special guest on A Story and a Song programme on West Limerick Community Radio on Saturday November 8th. Mike is a man of many talents, and a well known figure around the West Limerick area. Pat and Mike covered a lot of ground over the one hour show which is proving very popular with the high number of listeners. Mike told us about his school and working days, and his past and present pastimes and hobbies. He is a hackney driver at present and he also worked in Ballyhahill Creamery and farming. He played selections of music on the melodeon, and the fiddle in between the chat. Mike also sang songs about Clounleharde, and Tom Stack, which he composed a number of years ago. It was a very interesting show and Pat and Mike are to be complimented on making it so. The programme is on air each Saturday from 3pm to 4pm, and it is repeated on Sunday morning from 7am to 8am. Pat would welcome new people to participate and tell their story and entertain the listeners.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday November 10th. The numbers drawn were 4,12,14,19, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Agatha Barrett, c/o Josie. €60 Darragh O’Connor, Creeves. €60 Tom O’Connor, Lisbane, Shanagolden. €30 Nancy Carroll, c/o Curley’s. €30 John O’Mahoney, Kerrikyle, Ardagh. €30 Tom and Helen Nash, Kilcornan. Next week’s draw will be held at Neary’s Bar, in Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €6,800

Carrig Celtic lost 4-3 away to Rathkeale in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday November 9th.  Ray Cahill, Séan O’Connor, and Sean Mc Sweeney scored their goals, and after seven matches played they remain bottom of the table. Old Mill lost 8-0 at home to Pallaskenry in Division 1 and they are also bottom of the table after 8 matches played. Creeves Celtic defeated Ferry Rangers 2-1 at home in Division 2. James Naughton scored both goals and the team is in third place on the league table after 8 matches played. Carrig Celtic B lost 5-0 at home to Ballysteen in Division 3 and after 7 matches played they are third from bottom of the league table.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Carrig Celtic defeated Charleville 4-1 at home, with Bridgid Liston, 2 Jessie Quaid, 1 and an own goal completing the scoring. Kilcolman Rovers defeated Creeves Celtic 4-1 at home, with Ide Trant, 2 and Chloe Kennedy, 2 getting their goals. Carrig Celtic are joint top, Kilcolman Rovers 4th and Creeves 6th in the 7 club league table.

The fall in oil prices is to be welcomed by all consumers, as we enter the dark months of winter when daily heating is needed. Home heating oil increased a lot in recent years for hard pressed householders, so news of a fall is very welcome news.  The fall at the pumps is good news also as a car is now a necessity in our rural areas which has no public transport apart from the rural bus service.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Monaleen B by 9-14 to 0-2 in the County U-13 Football League Division 2 Final at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, on Saturday November 8th. They led by 5-8 to 0-0 at half time and all the 26 players saw action during the game. TEAM Dan Duggan, Jack Enright, Shane Murphy, Aaron Heffernan, William Clifford, Michael Shanahan, Dan Geraghty, John Hayes,  (Captain) 2-2 Eoin Mc Enery, 0-2 Dylan Moloney, 0-7 Michael Conlon,4-2  Liam Liston, Tomas Treacy,  Jordan Ryan,2-1 Séan Kelly Subs Eoin Heffernan, Rory Forrestal, Conor Woulfe,  Seán Ryan, Shay Greaney,  Declan Kennedy,  Cathal McEnery, 1-0 Cormac Mann, William Steele, Shane Fitzgerald, Patrick Ambrose. Mentors Donie Murphy, Donie McEnery, David Woulfe.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Rathkeale/Cappagh by 1-12 to 1-10 in Round 3 of the County U-21Premier Football Championship at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Friday November 7th. The other teams in Group 2 are Newcastle West, Ahane, Shamrocks, and Grange. The top three teams progress to the knockout stages.

The West Limerick Scór na Nóg finals will be held in the new Community Centre Castlemahon on Friday 21st November. Enquiries to Jim Enright, Askeaton 087-2436086

The Noonan family in Templeglantine will switch on their Christmas Lights on Friday 21st November at 7pm. Santa Claus will be on hand to do the honours, and people are welcome to call to see the fine display at any time coming up to Christmas and into the new year. This is now an annual event and great credit is due to the family for displaying the lights for the pleasure of others. The result of people visiting their home has enabled the family to donate a lot of money to various charities over the years.

Desmond Foxhounds are holding meets at the Thatch, Newbridge on this Sunday 23rd November, and at Kilcolman on Sunday 30thNovember at 10.30am.

O’Donovan and Associates are holding an auction of antiques and collectables at their auction rooms in North Quay Newcastle West on Saturday November 29th. During the day a number of items will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go towards the care of Adam Conlon, from Rooskagh. The items include signed jerseys by Paul O’Connell, and Brian O’Driscoll, a Munster jersey signed by squad members, and a signed picture of Paul O’Connell.

Four years ago, Adam Conlon was diagnosed with Mowat Wilson Syndrome. This is a rare condition which means there is a defect in the DNA strand that affects the major organs in his body – the heart, bowel and brain, and also causes eye deformity. There are only 147 other cases in the world, and it is even more rare to suffer from all four medical issues like Adam, who is also blind in one eye. Another symptom of the disease is a very weak immune system which makes winter particularly gruelling for Adam and his mum, Rebecca Conlon who lives in Rooska,  Carrigkerry.

The young boy has been in and out of hospital with brinchiolitis and seizures, and has also been diagnosed with severe epilepsy. Unfortunately, just before Adam turned two, Rebecca lost her husband Joe to a brain tumor which means she is caring for Adam and her eldest son Eamon on her own. Adam requires round-the-clock care including two baths a day and a sterile area in the house where Rebecca can wash his stomach and treat his open wounds. Adam can’t move around himself and needs to be carried by Rebecca or pushed in a wheelchair. While Adam is still developmentally quite young, he is quite tall which makes lifting him particularly hard. 

Rebecca needs to modify her house so that she can move Adam around in his wheelchair without having to carry him. If the mum-of-two is not able to carry out these modifications to her home, Adam won’t be able to safely live there. Like all mums, Rebecca just wants her son at home with her and knowing just how life limiting Adam’s condition is makes having him in a safe and secure family environment all the more important. Adam has gone through 15 surgeries and it is his determination that has kept Rebecca going. “Every second Adam is in my life is a blessing and his love and smiles and determination has kept me going when times have been very hard.” Rebecca would like to use any money raised from the sale of the items to buy a specialist buggy from America which will allow Adam to get out and about more in safety with his brother Eamon. If you would like to help Adam you can do so by attending the auction, and bidding for the rare and treasured items on offer.