By Kathleen Mullane

Congratulations and well done to our Athea Intermediate footballers, who on Saturday evening last played in the semi-final of the West Intermediate Football Championship, against St Senan’s (Foynes) in Glin. Athea were victorious by a 2 point margin (1-8) to (0-9). They now have reached the “Final” , in which they could be playing Glin, Mountcollins or Cappagh. Watch out for the date and venue and give the team your support, they deserve it.

The “Darkness into Light” 5K walk/run which is taking place on May 9th in Newcastlewest and also in Listowel has pre-registration requirements. Registration is this Saturday 25th and also May 2nd from 10 am – 3pm at The Red Door Gallery in Newcastlewest. Last registrations will be Thursday & Friday 7th/8th May from 6-9pm. This is a great way of supporting Pieta House, who do untold work in preventing self-harm and suicide, which is so prevalent in recent years. The start time is 4.15 am on May 9th. (I’m not sure of the Listowel Times for registration etc, but no doubt it will be well advertised). Great to see that Pieta is starting up now in New York to help troubled Irish Immigrants.

Well with no births, marriages, anniversaries, important birthdays etc to report on this week, we will revert back to the beautiful weather that we are still so lucky to be experiencing. What a joy these mornings to get up early to the ‘Dawn Chorus’ and all the birds chirping! It’s a frosty start these mornings – however the sun comes up around mid-day. Turf machines have started up and the bogs are getting busy, turf is being sliced, flowers are being planted, gardens are being set, painting is being done, in all, everyone is on top of the world. Rumour has it that we may be having snow this Sunday – wonders never cease!

It’s sad to hear that 70 jobs will be going at Super Valu in the Market Yard, Newcastlewest. A sign of the times, I suppose, and with Lidl and Aldi “booming” at the moment – the recession really put them on the map when everyone was watching the prices and value for money, and many have stuck with them.

A recent survey has shown that our many beaches and rivers have come out “on top” and are among the cleanest in Europe – good news at last!

Thought for the week “Kindness is the language where the blind can see and the deaf can hear”.