By Peg Prendeville

Loughill/Ballyhahill parish is reliving old times with recent successes in Gaelic football. Congratulations to the Gerald Griffiin’s ladies on reaching the county final with their semi final victory over Ahane and to the men’s junior team on winning the West final for the 1st time in 21 years. It is good to be celebrating again. We wish them all the best of luck as we commend them for their commitment to the game.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Liam Enright who celebrated 91 years during last week. Liam has the posture of a young man and hides his years very well. Long may his good health continue.

The Resource Centre in Loughill is celebrating its tenth birthday this month and is having a weekend of celebrations on September 23 to 25 with lots of events organised. Well done to the committee who runs this centre – there is always something going on there and it keeps the community together. Sadly there is no shop or post office in the village now and has not been for some while. But, in recent times, a very active and enthusiastic group of parents have come together with a plan to build a Community Park & Playground in Loughill village for the Loughill/Ballyhahill Parish. Work has already started and Fr McNamara blessed the work after Mass last week. It is an ambitious project and deserves to be supported.

The new pre-school in Ballyhahill, under the management of Sharon Griffin, is going very well. I had the pleasure of dropping off a grandchild during the week. One of the classrooms in the school has been converted into a little wonderland for these children and it is obvious that they enjoy their time there.

I have been following the TV3 series Smalltown by Gerard Barrett. Though the theme is serious, based on emigration and cancer within  the family, it is lightened here and there with some humorous lines. Pat Short plays the serious role very well. Well done to Gerard and continued success to him. Joe and Peggy must be rightly proud of him.