By Kathleen Mullane

‘Memorial Service’ 

What a lovely ‘Memorial Service’ on Sunday last here in Athea after 11am mass – put together by Fr. Bowen and his dedicated helpers, in remembrance of Con Colbert whose 100th anniversary was occurring. John O’Connell lit the lovely remembrance candle in front of Con Colbert’s picture and Irish flags at the side. Johnny Mullane recited a poem written by Jer Histon of Dirreen. Theresa O’Halloran also read another lovely relevant poem and Mike Hayes read a letter written by Con Colbert to his sister the night before he died. The choir sang beautifully which really added to the service. In all a very nice ceremony – well done to all who had an input.

Congrats to Paul Collins and his wife Audrey on the birth of their second child, a little boy they are naming Jack. Congrats to the proud grandparents and to Mary Collins the delighted great-grandmother.

Sympathy is extended to the Kiely family of Templeathea on the death of Kathleen Cullinan (nee Kiely) in Cavan recently. ‘May the light of heaven be hers’.

The very sudden death of Paul Dalton, Templeathea, while watching the hurling match on Sunday last, was indeed a shock to his family and relatives and to the Athea community. Paul was a gifted carpenter and a man who loved his garden and growing his own veg etc. His cremation will take place in Cork today, Wednesday. Sincere sympathy goes to his wife Margaret, son Rory and daughter Maedhbh and to his many relatives and friends. ‘May the light of heaven be his’.

What a deadly exciting U13s basketball game at the hall on Monday night. The game between Athea and Drom/Broadford went to extra time. The ball went into the net with ‘2 seconds’ remaining on the clock. Daire O’Shea was hailed ‘a hero’. The boys now go through to the Community Games Munster final in July. Well done to Trish Ahern and the boys.

Another great U14 football game against St. Kieran’s over the weekend with the Athea boys having a good win on a scoreline of (3-5) to (3-2).

Isn’t it great to feel a bit of “warmth” in the air over the past few days. Turf machines are busy in the bogs and there’s quite an amount of turf cut and sliced already. Hopefully the saving of the turf will not be as hard and time consuming as last year with the amount of rain we had.