By Tom Aherne

The annual SSE Airtricity Community Fund Presentation night was held in Halla Inse Bhán in Templeglantine on Wednesday February 11^th. Ardagh Community Leisure Centre Ltd received funding for the installation of a solar water heating system. Carrigkerry Sports Association Ltd received funding for the installation of energy efficient lighting in the centre.

The death has taken place in London of Elizabeth (Betty) Dolan nee O’Donnell Acton, England and late of Kilscannell, Ardagh. Her funeral arrived in Saint Kyran’s Church Coolcappa, on Thursday evening and her Requiem Mass was celebrated there on Friday February 20^th at 11am followed by burial in Kilscannell Cemetery. We extend our sympathy to her sons, John, Aidan, and Pat, daughter, Ann, brothers Mike, and Tim, Kilscannell, grandchildren,   great-grandson Harry, daughter-in-law Rowena, relatives, and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Paddy and may she rest in Peace.

Maureen Cregan nee Welshe, from Balliniska, Feohanagh, was buried in Ardagh Cemetery on Sunday February 22^nd . We extend sympathy to her family relatives and friends. May she rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday February 16^th. The numbers drawn were 4,11,14,21, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners €60 Joan Bridgeman, Rathreigh, Ardagh. €60 Ann and Mary c/o Moore’s Bar. €60 Eileen and Mike, c/o Josie. €30 Marian O’Connor, Lisbane, Shanagolden. €30 Tommy and Evelyn Mullins, Ardagh. €30 Sarah O’Connor, Carrigkerry. Next week’s draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh, and the Jackpot will be €9,000.

Congratulations and best wishes to all in the locality who recently celebrated birthdays and we hope they all enjoyed their day. We heard of the following Bridie Kiely from Glensharrold who was 92 years old on February 20^th. Paddy O’Neill from Bruff celebrated his 90^th birthday in January. Paddy and family are living and farming there since 1979 when they moved from their home in the Old Mill.

Carrig Celtic lost 5-2 away to Newcastle West Rovers in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday February 15^th. Seanie King and Ray Cahill scored their goals. Old Mill lost 5-0 away to Rathkeale B in Division 1, and Creeves Celtic lost 4-0 at home to Kilcornan in Division 2. Carrig Celtic B defeated Feenagh B 2-0 away in the Division 3 League Cup Group B with Fintan McEnery and Mark Collins scoring.

In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Carrig Celtic lost 2-1 away to table toppers Breska Rovers. Michelle Brouder scored their goal, and they finished runners-up in the division.

The West Limerick GAA Board held this year’s draws at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Tuesday February 10^th. In the Senior Football Championship Saint Kieran’s will play Castlemahon in the quarter final. In the Senior Hurling Championship they will play Granagh/Ballingarry in the quarter final. In the Intermediate Hurling Championship they will play Croagh/ Kilfinny in the quarter final.  In the other competitions the League system operates before the knock out stages. In the Junior B Football Championship they are in Group 2 with Rathkeale, Ballysteen, Athea, and Glin. In the Junior B Hurling Championship they are in Group 1 with Croagh/Kilfinny, Killeedy and Knockaderry. In the U-21 B Football Championshup they are paired with Saint Senan’s and Granagh/Ballingarry. In the U-21 B Hurling Championship Askeaton/Saint Kierans are paired with Drom-Broadford, and Allaughan Gaels. In the Minor B Football Championship they are paired with Drom/Broadford, Granagh/Ballingarry/Banogue, and Saint Senan’s. In the Minor B Hurling Championship they are paired with Drom Broadford, and Croagh/Kilfinny.

Congratulations to Mike Young and Michael O’Mahony who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday February 11^th. Congratulations to John Mulvihill. Peg Mulvihill, and Mike Robinson, who were prize winners at the card game held in Rathkeale Community Centre on Wednesday February 11^th. Congratulations to Moss O’Connor who was a prize winner at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday February 13^th.

Tony and Joan wish to thank all the people who contributed to the recent clerk’s collection held in Coolcappa/Kilcolman Parish. Any outstanding envelopes may be handed in at the usual masses.

The recent meeting of the Friends of the Great Southern Trail Greenway decided on the following schedule of spring events to inaugurate the three new trail loops. Sunday, March 15th at Halla Inse Bán, Templeglantine at 2.30pm for a two hour ramble along the Tullig Wood Loop. Monday, May 4th at Garryduff Cross [N21-5km west of Newcastle West] at 3pm for a three hour strenuous walk along the Rooskagh Loop. Sunday, May 31st at Ardagh Hall at 7pm for a two and a half hour stroll along the William Smith O’Brien Loop. As these loops are partially along public roads visibility vests should be worn. Cyclists are also most welcome and an extended route will be available for them. The 5th Annual 36 km ‘Big Walk’ along the Greenway will take place on Saturday, June 20th at 10.30am.The trail is a fine facility to have in our locality and a great way to get exercise in a secure location.

Kilcolman N.S. are currently enrolling for September 2015. Please contact the school on 069-60005.

The Limerick GAA Club Draw will commence next month and run for 10 months up to December. It costs €10 a month for the 10 months or €100 for the full draw. The first prize in the monthly draw is €13,000, second prize is €3,000, third prize is €2,000, and fourth prize is €1,000, plus 5 prizes of €500, and 11 prizes of €250. Interested people are asked to contact their local club to join.

The Stations of the Cross will be recited in Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West each Sunday during Lent at 2.30pm. All are welcome to attend and participate in remembrance of their relatives and friends.

Fitness classes will commence in Ardagh Community Centre on this Friday 27^th February from 7pm to 8pm. The classes will be conducted by Saint Kieran’s player Michael Flynn who can be contacted on 087-2919107.

The 15^th annual charity céilí in aid of Chernobyl Children International will be held in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine, on Friday 27^th February at 9.30pm. The music will be supplied by Taylor’s Cross Céilí Band with numerous spot prizes on offer and admission is €10.  Your support will be greatly appreciated.

The Limerick County Senior Scór finals will be held in the Community Hall Askeaton on Friday 27^th February at 8pm. All clubs are invited to take part and enter two of the seven events to qualify.  A very good night’s entertainment is assured.

Mary Kury will launch her new book about Ardagh Graveyard in Ardagh Hall on Saturday 28^th February following the 7.30pm Mass in Saint Molua’s Church. The book includes a history of the site which includes the Ardagh Church Graveyard, Old graveyard and the new section which opened 20 years ago. Her late father Jerry McMahon published the Headstone Inscriptions of Ardagh Cemetery in 1995 from work he undertook in 1981. Mary has updated all these headstones as well as including the additional headstones over the past 34 years.  She also takes a look at the design of the headstones and the stonemasons who created the carvings on the headstones. The book also includes a photograph of each memorial and historic notes on many of the headstones. It promises to be a great read and a valuable addition to books already written about the parish.

Lucky Numbers Draw

21/ 02/ ‘15

No’s Drawn: 5, 14,  17,  22. No Winner

Lucky Dips

€20 each

Jim Sullivan, Lower Athea

Betty Cotter, Coole West

Gearoid Collins, Upper Athea

Pat Nolan, Athea

Sellers Prizes:  D. de Barra & White’s Bar

Entrants to draw for €200 at end of month

Noreen Barry, Cratloe

Dani Griffin, Coole West

Next Draw: 28/02/’15 Venue:  Top of the Town.  Jackpot: €5,200

Athea Utd Soccer

U12 Division 2  (Sat, February 21st) 

Athea Utd     (1) 3     Paric Enright, Michael Tierney, Andrew O’Riordan
Kilcolman Rvs A (2) 3

Team – Gavin Mulvihill, Dermot Pierse, Brandon Finucane, Gavin Ambrose, Andrew O’Riordan, Fergal Pierse, Daire O’Shea, TJ Hunt, Michael Tierney, Eoin O’Shea, Paric Enright. Subs Gearoid O’Sullivan, Shauna Sweeney, Shane Scanlon.
Referee Ger O’Connor

PREMIER DIVISION  (Sun, February 22nd)

Athea Utd A      (0) 1  Cillian O’Connor

Shannonside A  (3) 4

Team – Timmy Enright, Michael Reidy, Mathew Tierney, Tom Collins, Padraig Reidy, Padraig Horgan, Gerard Ahern, Ger Collins, Mark Horgan, Cillian O’Connor, John Cotter. Subs William Cronin, Gary Vaughan.

Referee Pat King.

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 28th

U10s away to Mountcollins in the cup at 11.30am

U14s away to Broadford Utd B at 11am

Sunday, March 1st

Junior As away to Broadford Utd A in league cup at 11.30am

Junior Bs away to Kildimo Utd B in league cup at 2.30pm

LAST MAN STANDING 

It was round four of our last man standing competition last weekend where we had 42 people still in contention. If you had picked Chelsea or Everton you were going to be left disappointed as both dropped points at home to Burnley and Leicester City respectively. Of the 42 people we had left going into last weekend we had 27 fallers so we are now down to just 15 left standing.

Best of luck to everyone left in the competition.

Brown Joe’s Bar are sponsoring this Last Man Standing Competition with €300 going to the winner and the club thanks them for their sponsorship. We also have a €50 sellers prize to the person that sells the winning line.

TRAINING AT THE VALES

In 2008 we undertook a major development with the installation of a synthetic training area, known as ‘FIELDTURF’ which is the only one of its kind in Co. Limerick and is approved to FIFA standards. There has being a hugh amount of interest from clubs, leagues, companies in the years since. To book your slot for either training or leisure contact Pat on (087)7934417 or Denis on (087)2069900. Slots are very limited so ring us today.

ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY,

FEBRUARY 23rd 

The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, February 23rd at Donie’s are as follows –
Jackpot was €17,800. Numbers drawn 1, 11, 25, 31.

No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Sean Fitzgerald, Athea. Jim Gould, Kilmorna. Catherine Madigan, Ardagh. Mary Kelly, Coole West. Tim, Mike, Padraig & Mark Reidy, Upper Athea.

Sellers Margaret Dalton & Rose Enright.

New jackpot €17,900 at White’s Bar on Monday, March 2nd.
Tickets €2 each or three for €5

 Athea GAA

Mount Brandon Climb:

Due to the bad weather the Mount Brandon Climb was cancelled and will now take place in the very near future so if any person, families or groups interested in walking to the top of Mount Brandon in County Kerry can still do so. The walk has been organized by the Limerick GAA Football board to help raise funds for the football development squads which are taking place in LIT every Saturday morning. A donation will also be made to Red Hill School for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Patrickswell. The cost per person is €20 or you can sponsor anyone of our players attending the development squads who will also be doing the walk.

GAA Scholarships For The Gaeltacht:

A limited number of Scholarships are available for anyone wishing to attend an Irish college this summer. All applicants must be club members; either playing our games or involved in Scór. The scholarships are for secondary school pupils only; they apply only to residential colleges under Comharchumann Chorca Dhuibhne(West Kerry); Coláiste Béal Atha an Ghaorthaigh(West Cork) or Coláiste na Roinne (Port Láirge). Approximately one third of the cost is covered, so if anyone is interested please contact Jacqueline on 086-0670091 as a form needs to be filled out and submitted to the West Board by the end of this month.

Gym Equipment:

If there is anyone around the Parish with any unwanted gym equipment that they would be interested in donating to the Club e.g. thread mill, Cross trainer, Benches, etc., we would greatly appreciate it. This would be of great help with the training of our senior teams. The benefits and rewards of having such equipment would be an added advantage to our boys. We would gladly collect any item and you can contact Jacqueline on 086-0670091 for more details.

Intermediate Football Championship Draw 2015:

There are two groups of six teams who will contest the Championship.

Group 1: Claughaun, Feohanagh/Castlemahon, St.Senans, Mountcollins, Hospital/Herbertstown & Bruff.
Group 2: Oola, Mungret, Galbally, Cappamore, Athea & Glin 

Round 1: Athea V Glin.
Round 2: Athea V Cappamore.
Round 3: Athea V Galbally.
Round 4: Athea V Mungret.
Round 5: Athea V Oola.

West Senior Football Championship Draw 2015:

We play Ballysteen in the West Senior Football Championship.

West Intermediate Football Championship Draw 2015:

We play Castlemahon in the West Intermediate Football Championship.

West Junior B Football Championship Draw 2015:

We are in group B in the Junior B Championship along with Rathkeale, Ballysteen, Glin and St.Kierans

West Minor A Football Championship Draw 2015:

There are four teams contesting the Minor A Championship Athea/Mountcollins Rangers, Ballysteen, Deel Rangers and Gael na Sionna.

Athea Coiste na nÓg:

Matches

U14:

Our U14s were the first Athea team into action this year as they travelled to Askeaton to take on a very strong local team in the Feile B competition. We were playing against the elements in the first half and the home side totally dominated and racked up a big score by half time. In the second half, our boys came out a different team, the passing, the movement and the tackling was excellent. Askeaton/Ballysteen managed just two points in the second half and this was due to the sheer determination of our young team. Despite playing really well scores were hard to come by, but TJ White scored a super long range goal mid-way through the half. At the final whistle the home side had won comfortably, but if we play like we did in the second half we can really look forward to a great year ahead.

Team: Danny Brady, Eoin Sheahan, Alex McEldowney, Jamie O’Mahony, Jack O’Connor, Seamus Leahy, Michael Tierney, David O’Connor, TJ White, Luke Gleeson, Aidan Curry, Jack Hunt, Eoin O’Shea, Brian English, TJ Hunt, Pauric Enright & Daire O’Shea.

Training:

Thursday February 26:

U14:

Training for U14s will continue this Thursday evening February 26 in Páirc na nGael at 6.30pm. All players must have gum shields

Friday February 27:

Junior Infants & Senior Infants;

Training for both Junior and Senior Infants will continue this Friday evening February 27 at 5.30p.m to 6.25pm in the hall. There is a charge of €2 per child and all players must have gum shields.

First Class & Second Class;

Training for both Junior and Senior Infants will continue this Friday evening February 27 at 6.30p.m to 7.30pm in the hall. There is a charge of €2 per child and all players must have gum shields.

Calendar 2015:

This year’s Calendar is still on sale in Rose’s shop and Paul Collins’ shop and is once again bursting with over one hundred team, action and assorted photographs from the year gone by. This wonderful production at a cost of only €5 would make a lovely present for anyone at home or abroad.

Athea Community Games

Congratulations to all that took part in the recent Art and Handwriting competitions, any many thanks to all who helped organise the entrants. We are delighted to announce that we had 2 winners in: Laura Dalton U14 Art 4th position and Luke Gleeson U14 Art 2nd position. There is a medal presentation on Tuesday 3rd March in the Woodlands Hotel in Adare. Well done to all involved.

Many thanks to all who helped out and to the public for their generous contribution at our recent church gate collection, and to all who supported our fundraisers in the local pubs over the Christmas period.