Clodagh Ahern who took the silver medal in the U9 Gymnastics at the National Community Games Finals in Athlone last Saturday

Success for Athea in National Community Games Finals

Limerick were well represented by Athea Athletes in the National Community Games finals held in Athlone over the last two weekends. Weekend 1 saw Dermot Pierse put in a gallant performance in the U12 1200 Cross Country. In swimming Anne-Marie Pierse competed well  in U14 50m breaststroke, while Emily Pierse competed in the U16 50m Backstroke, and competed again the following weekend in the 7K marathon U16 team event. Gymnastics saw great performances from Katie Byrne in the U11 competition, while the best result of the games came from Clodagh Ahern in the U9 event where she took 2nd place winning a silver medal, this was an outstanding achievement and she did herself and Athea proud, congrats Clodagh. A big thank you to all parents and anyone who helped out with community games throughout the year, we hope to get everyone’s support again next year, well done to all.

Michael & Kitt O’Connor, Lower Rd, enjoying the recent Athea GAA ‘Night at the Dogs’ at Tralee Greyhound Stadium

Spot the donkey!!
Dick Sheehy’s foal out for his Sunday morning pint!
Hope he brought his ID with him, he looks a bit young!!!

Athea Fishing Club

A mixed competition will be held in the river this Saturday evening (August 29th) from 5pm to 8pm. Sign on in Brown Joe’s Pub. Only those signed in will be considered for weigh-in.

Barbecue later on in same venue with music and song by Pa Quaid. Come along for lots of fun and craic.

Enquiries to Ann Sheehan at 087-1415487 for details of competition etc. Lots of spot prizes, burgers and hot dogs will be the order of the night. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Striking a Balance

A topic that is often discussed, particularly on radio and television, is the use of corporal punishment to chastise children. There are those who believe that giving a child a smack on the bottom is no harm to them and helps them realise that there are consequences to misbehaving and then there are others who are fervently opposed to any physical contact at all. Both sides can put up good arguments to back up their theories.

We must remember that it is only in very recent times that corporal punishment was prohibited in schools.  In my days at school the rod was liberally used as a punishment for not knowing the correct answer to a question, misbehaving or indeed at the whim of the teacher. Most teachers were fair but there were some who went too far and over did the beatings. I remember one teacher in particular who, though a great teacher, had a bit of a drink problem. The day after one of his binges was dreaded. Filled with remorse and suffering from a hangover, he took out his feelings on us and used any excuse to use the cane. He would ask rapid-fire questions and if you weren’t quick enough with the answers you suffered. I remember one day answering all the questions he threw at me and I was so happy I allowed a little smile to cross my face. “What are you smirking at ?” he said and proceeded to give me a double dose for insolence. I hated every day I went to school unlike my grandchildren who love going. That is one change for the better. If you had the misfortune to mention at home that you got slapped at school, you got another beating at home because the teacher was right and you were wrong. Parents and teachers believed the saying “spare the rod and spoil the child” and it made our young days mostly forgettable. It made good liars of us though. You never admitted to wrongdoing and always made up a good excuse to avoid getting the rod or the strap. There is no doubt that it had a lasting effecting on some of us. I grew up believing I was totally worthless and I developed an inferiority complex that has plagued me for most of my life.  Everything was so negative, even God was waiting for us to trip up so that we might be sent to burn in hell forever!. Nowadays there is more emphasis on love and understanding and less fear.

There is still the problem of discipline. At school errant children may be suspended for a period. This interferes with their education and is far more harmful than a couple of slaps on the hand. Some parents believe their children can do no wrong and let them do as they like. We all know what that leads to. We all have to learn that there are consequences to our actions and the best time to learn this is at a very young age. Parents face a huge challenge in dealing with young people who are getting most of their ideas from TV programmes and social media. It can be very provoking to be defied by one’s child but beating them is not the answer. The question is, what to do?  I am no expert in this field so I am not going to give an opinion but I would question the total outlawing of a smack on the behind for a youngster who is throwing a tantrum. A balance has to be struck between giving in completely and physically hurting a child. I never want to go back to the awful days of my youth but I have to admit that on one or two occasions I gave a smack to my own children when they were young and never had to repeat it again. They have grown up ok and have a good sense of what is right or wrong. There is no perfect way.

Domhnall de Barra