By Tom Aherne

Congratulations to Iris Kennelly, Ardagh, and Sophie Hennessy, Carrigkerry, both members of the Old Mill Ladies football club who were members of the Limerick panel, who retained the U-14 C All Ireland title, in Ballymahon, on Saturday July 4. They defeated Derry by 4-12 to 3-9 and Iris received the Player of the Match award.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Michael O’Connor, son of Paddy and Maura, Ballyloughane, Carrigkerry and Gemma Gorner, who were married and held their reception in Ashley Park House, Nenagh, on Saturday July 4. Michael is a former player with Saint Kieran’s GAA Club, and Carrig Celtic FC.

Congratulations and best wishes to Jack O’Grady, Knockdown and a native of Barnigue, Carrigkerry who recently celebrated his 91st birthday. He enjoys good health and he remains active and out and about gardening.

The following are the Lottery results from Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry on Monday July 6. The numbers drawn were 11,13,16,23, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the lucky dip winners, as follows. €60 Joyce Treacy, Ardagh. €60 Charlie and Tom, Reens, Ardagh. €60 Amy Lawlor, Carrigkerry. €30 Pat and Caitlín O’Connor, Glenastar. €30 Mary Lenihan, Shanagolden. €30 Maurice Harnett, Coolacokera, Ardagh. Next Week’s draw will be held at Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh and the Jackpot will be €13,200.

Congratulations to Peg Mulvihill and Jim Lynch, and John Mulvihill and Vinnie Wrenn who were prize winners at the card game held in Shanagolden Hall on Friday July 3.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Croagh/Kilfinny by 2-12 to 3-7 in the West Junior B Hurling Championship.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Glin by 2-12 to 1-9 in the West Junior B Football Championship at Foynes, on Friday July 3.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Athea by 3-7 to 2-8 in the U-16 Football League, at Coolcappa, on Monday July 6.

Saint Kieran’s received a walkover from Feohanagh, in the West Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Saint Kieran’s lost to Drom/Broadford by 1-14 to 2-5 in the West Senior Football Championship Quarter Final Replay at McCarthy Park Tournafulla, on Friday July 10. They fielded without a number of regular players, and trailed by 1-5 to 0-4 at half time. The team went 25 minutes without a score, in the second half, allowing their opponents to increase their lead to 1-13 to 0-4. A late scoring burst left 6 points between the teams at the final whistle. TEAM: Robert Bradley, John O’Connor, Paudie McCarthy, James O’Connor, Mike Windle, John Doyle, Kevin Meade, Johnny McCarthy, Sean Windle, Mossie Shine, Anthony Molyneaux, 1-4 Shane Lynch, Brendan McCarthy, 1-0 Niall O’Shea, 0-1 Jack Ben Harnett. Subs Patrick Histon, Anthony Mullins.

The summer edition of the Green and White, Limerick GAA Youth Magazine, was published before the schools closed for their holidays. This is number 57 and it contains the usual colourful mix of interesting items. There is a nice tribute to the late Tim Crowley, former principal of Saint Molua’s N.S. Ardagh, who passed away on May 1. Tim with his late friend Noel Liston coached many successful West Limerick teams in the Mackey and Sarsfield Cups. There are also photos of teams from Ardagh N.S. Kilcolman N.S. Johnny McCarthy, and Darragh Treacy from Saint Kieran’s.

Congratulations to our neighbours Killeaney soccer club, who recently celebrated their 40^th anniversary. It all came about following a 6 A-Side soccer tournament that was held in Woulfe’s Field in Killeaney, Glin. It started in October 1975, and continued each Sunday over the winter months. Two teams from Ardagh/Carrigkerry took part with six others, Loughill, Bally Rovers, Turaree, Cahara, Marian Place and Killeaney. Following the tournament Killeaney entered a team in the Desmond League, and as they say the rest is history.

A number of houses and plots of land are still for sale around the locality. We are told that prices are going up and the market value is returning after many years of a down turn. It may take a while longer out in the country before this is achieved. Customers can still be found for property in prime locations, with land always in demand. A roadside farm in Kerrikyle, with road frontage along the main road, has been sold recently. It was purchased by a local farming family who will continue to work the land which belonged to the Mullins family.

The weather to date this summer has been mixed and not as hot as the previous two. May was very wet, with little or no growth and June was mainly dry with higher temperatures.  This led to a lot of work being done by the farming community and householders, during the long and bright days. The month of July has seen increased rainfall and dull with little sunshine for people to enjoy.

John Keily from Ardagh, presents Sacred Space, on West Limerick 102FM Community Radio, on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11 am. It is a religious mix of interesting items with regular guests participating and well worth listening to.

The Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann sponsored traditional entertainment programme for the summer season commenced in July at more than 40 centres throughout the country. The Devon Inn Templeglantine is one of these centres, where on Thursday nights a host of musicians, singers and dancers combine to present a top class show of Irish traditional entertainment for visitors and locals alike. There is a cast of up to twenty entertainers on each night, many of whom have achieved All Ireland honours. Towards the end of the night, time is allowed for audience participation and for a bit of set or céilí dancing.  The Templeglantine Seisiún takes place on each Thursday night at 8.45pm.

The Munster Fleadh Cheoil, is currently taking place in Nenagh and continues up to Sunday 19. Best wishes to all the local competitors who are participating.

The friends of Daniel John Cussen will host a fundraising night to help him on his journey with leukaemia at the Ballintemple Inn, Newcastle West, on Saturday 18th July at 8pm. The music will be supplied by the Donie and Maura, Ceili Band, followed by DJ Joe Casey. A great night of entertainment is promised and tickets are €10 and are available to purchase locally. His mother comes from Carrigkerry and all support for this very deserving cause will be much appreciated.

The annual Graveyard Mass will be held in Kilcolman on this coming Sunday July 19th at 12 noon.

A Summer Open Day will be held at the Organic College, Dromcollogher, on Sunday July 19^th from 2-5pm. This is a great opportunity to view the gardens, and to pick up some treats. All are welcome and admission is free.

This year’s Foynes Air Show will be held on Sunday July 26th from 1-6pm. It promises to be even more daring than last year’s show which was so successful.

The annual special West Limerick Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from 6th to 11th August, with full board for five nights, accompanied by spiritual director and with a direct flight from Cork. The itinerary and booking forms and additional information can be got from Pat Dalton on 069-62306.

The annual Newcastle West Flower Show will be held on Wednesday/Thursday August 12th/13th in the Community Centre. People who are interested in participating need to be getting their exhibits ready at present.  Entries can be submitted for flowers, vegetables, baking, jams, photography and lots more, with sections for both primary and second level students.

The youth 2000 Summer Festival will take place from 13th to 16th August and it is a four day Roman Catholic event for youth aged 16 to 35. It takes place in the grounds of the Cistercian College, Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea. The festival brings together young people from across the country to grow in faith and friendship. For more information phone 0-16753690, email [email protected] or book on line at www.youth2000.ie