By Peg Prendeville

All the hard work and preparation and painting over the past few months paid off for the Killeaney Soccer club. The 40^th anniversary celebrations in the Killeaney grounds in Knockdown was a great success last weekend. The Irish night on Friday night brought singers from all corners of the county and a great night was had. On Saturday the sun shone, thankfully, as the committee and a few helpers worked like beavers all day dressing up the marquee with balloons and candles and flowers. At 8.30 pm a lovely buffet meal was served to almost 240 people in the marquee by Kelly’s Caterers in Foynes. Chairman Anthony (Anto) Collins welcomed and thanked everybody. He called to mind all the members who are now living in foreign countries and asked for a minute’s silence for those members who have passed on from this life. He introduced the special guests including the most popular John Delaney who got a great welcome by all soccer enthusiasts. His glamorous partner Emma was also welcomed and admired. Both John and Emma patiently posed for photographs and chatted to many. John complimented the committee members past and present and expressed his admiration of the excellent facilities. He said that Killeaney was more than a club, it was a community, always there for the people when support was needed and he was impressed by that. A display of photographs and some articles referring to highlights through the years was there for all guests to see and read and to jog the memories and provide conversation pieces through the night.  A very impressive cake was sponsored by Cakes by Lisa of Dromaggarraun. After all the speeches and food and raffle everybody moved across the road to the music of Johnny Ahern in the Knockdown Arms where the celebrations continued until late. Well done to the committee which put in so much hard work and commitment to organise a most successful event. Roll on the 50^th !

While all this celebration was going on we were shocked to hear that a former classmate of my own – Sally (Connolly) Egan, Ballinamuddagh, Glin had passed away unexpectedly. She was a lovely lady who had a very mischievous side while going to Dore’s in Glin and it could be guaranteed that if there was any trouble in the class Sally would be in the thick of it. She leaves us with lovely memories. Sympathies to her husband Charles, daughter Laura, her mother Mary and sisters Una, Mairéad and Anne, her brothers Patsy, Thomas, Gerard and John and extended family. May she rest in peace.

Wishing a very happy 91^st birthday to Jack O’Grady this week. He can be seen working in his garden every day.

There is a coffee morning in Conway’s in Glin this coming Sunday after 11 am Mass to raise funds for the upkeep of the defibrillators in the area. All support will be appreciated I am sure.

There was a very interesting piece in the Observer last week by Gerard Curtin about Ballyhahill. This week he will be in Athea. Gerard has done a lot of work to ensure that the histories of our parishes will not be forgotten. Well done to him.