By Tom Aherne

Congratulations and best wishes to Damian Dowling, son of Kay and Joe, Ballinabearna and Sinead Boran, Kildare, who were married on Saturday October 8. The ceremony was performed by the bride’s uncle Fr Boran, who is based in Brazil. Damien works in IT and Sinead in the medical profession and they will live in Cork city.

The death has taken place of John Walsh, Manchester and late of Lisbane, Shanagolden. He is survived by his family in Manchester, brother Jimmy and sister Ita, and extended family members who we offer our sympathy to. The Funeral is to take place in Manchester. May he rest in Peace

The death has taken place also of Fr Eoghan Haughey, Donnycarney, Dublin and a member of the Oblate Order who were based in Cahermoyle, on Friday October 7 following a battle with illness. Many of the older generation will remember the time he spent in Cahermoyle, when it was owned by the Oblates.

He was the last remaining member of a generation of the Haughey family and he was aged 82.  The mourners at the Church of Mary Immaculate in Inchicore, South Dublin, heard how Fr Haughey was a passionate sportsman and a lover of the Dubs. To celebrate this part of his life, the Sam Maguire Cup, won by the Dublin football team earlier this month, was present in the church as part of the offering. The funeral Mass was celebrated by his priestly order, the Oblates. Fr Paul Byrne spoke about Fr Haughey’s love for sports, competition and Fianna Fáil, but also his humility. I never once heard him say the words my brother the Taoiseach, he said, adding that he was always fiercely proud of his brother.

Fr Haughey was described as a forthright and passionate man who was very much at home in his life as a priest. Mourners were also told of his beautiful tenor voice and how he would entertain his audience with songs in both Irish and English. He was the last member of the six Haughey siblings, who lived most of their young lives at the family home in Donnycarney, Dublin. One of the passions of his life was to travel and Fr Haughey got this opportunity as part of his religious work, mourners were told. Fr Byrne spoke about the loyalty that Fr Haughey showed towards his sister Maureen when she was sick in 2014, travelling every day to see her. When his older brother Charlie passed away in 2006, he led the requiem Mass.  May he rest in Peace.

The death has taken place of John Sheahan, Fortwilliam, Rathkeale, father of Esther Stack, Coolcappa N.S. He lay in repose at O’Grady’s Funeral Home Ballingarry last Friday from 5.30pm until 8pm. Arrival of remains for Requiem Mass on Saturday at 12 noon at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballingarry. Burial took place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. We extend our sympathy to his wife Margaret, sons Pat, John, Mike, daughters Mary Minogue, Esther Stack, Margaret Hennessy, Vera and Oonagh Morris, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, his 26 cherished grandchildren, sister Ellen Noonan, sister-in-law Eileen Houlihan, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. May he rest in Peace.

The following are the Lottery results from the Thatch Bar, Newbridge, on Monday October 10. The numbers drawn were 1, 10, 20, 22, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners, who won €40 each, Magella O’Connor, Ballyhahill, Philip O’Connor, Carrigkerry, Ita Kirk, Reens, Ardagh, Ann Relihan, Ardagh, and Mary Nash, Shanagolden. Next week’s Jackpot will be €9,800 and the draw will be held in Peadar’s Bar, Ardagh.

Congratulations to the Old Mill ladies who won the U-16 County football title under lights in Martinstown on Monday October 10. They defeated Mungret/St Pauls by 4-20 to 5-1 after the teams were level at half time. PANEL Sophie Hennessy, Tara Geraghty, Roisín Mann, Meabh Ambrose, Geri Mai O’Kelly, Arianne Reidy, Cathy Ambrose, Captain, Roisin Ambrose, Niamh Foley, Iris Kennelly, Aishling McEnery, Hannah McMahon, Sophie Liston, Katlyn Hayes,  Tara McCarthy,  Ali Rose Ambrose, Niamh Enright,  Amy O’Shea, Niamh Sparling. MENTORS: Ivan Neary, JP Ahern, Ide Trant, Noreen Kiely, Jimmy Duggan.

Saint Kieran’s lost out to Galbally in the County U-16 Division 1 Football Championship Final played at the Bog Garden Rathkeale on Sunday October 9. Galbally won by 1-12 to 2-6 after an entertaining match played in perfect pitch conditions, before a good attendance, on a day borrowed from summer. Galbally led by three points to two after 12 minutes with Liam Kennedy kicking both from play. Galbally extended their lead to five points to two by kicking two points from play. St Kieran’s hit a five minute purple patch that yielded 2-3 and a six point lead after 28 minutes. Adam Lacey with a point from play on 23 minutes followed up with a cracking goal to edge them ahead. Eoin McEnery finished a sweeping movement to the net from the kick out, and John Hayes from a 45, and Dylan Moloney from play left it 2-5 to 0-5 in their favour.

This was as good as it got for the team as Galbally kicked a late point to leave five the difference at the short whistle. It was all Galbally on resumption as they dominated around the middle third and four points in a row saw them trail by one after 10 minutes. Michael Conlon from play kicked Saint Kieran’s only point of the half in the 17 minute, to keep them ahead. Galbally replied with a point from a free, to leave the minimum between the teams entering the final ten minutes.  The match winning goal on 23 minutes, left Galbally in pole position, and they concluded the scoring two minutes from time with a point from play. Galbally were deserving winners on the day and Eoin O’Mahony at centre field was the star player on view.  Well done to the St Kieran’s players and mentors, who pushed them all the way.

TEAM Adam Flanagan, Eamon Ambrose, Denis Cronin, Edward Fitzgerald, Michael Shanahan, Eoin Burke, Charlie O’Doherty, Liam Kennedy, Captain 0-2 David O’Donovan, John Hayes, 0-1 Adam Lacey, 1-1 Stephen Lyons, Dylan Moloney, 0-1 Dylan Cahill, Eoin McEnery, 1-0 Subs Michael Conlon, 0-1 Evan Donovan, Michael Murphy, Brendan Guiry, Kevin Guina, Dan Duggan, Aaron O’Connor, Tomás Treacy, Jack Enright, Shane Murphy, Diarmuid Flynn, Sean Kelly, Liam Liston, Mentors Mike Meade, Mike Flynn, John Ahern, Donie Murphy.

Carrig Celtic lost 4-2 at home to leaders Rathkeale AFC in the Premier Division of the Desmond League on Sunday October 9. Donal Nolan, and Ray Cahill scored their goals. Creeves Celtic drew 2-2 away to Ferry Rangers, in Division 3, with James O’Connor, scoring both goals. Carrig Celtic B had no fixture. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Broadford Utd 1-0 at home with Erin Hennessy on target. Carrig Celtic lost 7-1 away to AK Utd, and Creeves Celtic had no fixture.

Congratulations to Mike O’Mahony, and Mike Young, from Castlemahon, who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday October 5. The card game commences at 9pm each Wednesday and tea will be served and all are welcome. The card game continues each Tuesday night at 9pm in Saint Molua’s Hall Ardagh and all are welcome also.

Thanks to all who contributed recently to the Epilepsy collection that was taken up in Coolcappa/Kilcolman parish. The total collected was €177.26

The annual general meeting of Newcastle West Comhairle Ceantair Fianna Fáil was held at the Court House on Monday October 10. Sean Collins from Kilscannell was elected vice Chairman.

The Keep Fit classes in the Community centre Ardagh, are held on Wednesday and Friday night from 7pm to 8pm. Personal attention for everyone so come along and enjoy the experience.

Volunteers are needed to set up a First Responder group in Ardagh in the coming months. Interested people must be over 18 years, and training will be provided locally. An information meeting will be held shortly and further information from Deirdre Ambrose, 087-9509218 or Patsy Duggan, 087-1352722

Newcastle West golf club have a number of new membership packages on offer at present. All the details can be got by contacting the office on 069-76500

Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association, will hold their next meeting on this Friday October 21 at 8pm, in Carrigkerry Community Centre, and if interested in heritage please come along you will be very welcome. The change of date is due to some members, attending Ger Greaney’s Classes on Genealogy in Newcastle West on Thursday nights.

The West Limerick Singing Club will host the eight Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Festival, based in Abbeyfeale, from Friday October 21 to Sunday 23.  The official opening will be performed by Mick O’Connell the Valentia Island football star, who was a team mate of Garry. The club are honouring storyteller Daisy Kearney from Ballyhahill this year. They will pay a special tribute to her on the Sunday afternoon in Fr Casey’s Clubhouse. Visitors from all over Ireland and overseas are expected to attend as in previous years. There will be a feast of traditional entertainment over the three days, with singing sessions, workshops and newly composed ballads. A very enjoyable weekend is promised and all are welcome.