By Tom Aherne
Congratulations to Cormac Long from Rooskagh, and Rathkeale Boxing club who recently won a senior gold medal at the National Stadium Dublin. He defeated Marcin Skalski from Leo’s Boxing club Dublin, by a unanimous decision over the three round contest.
The death has taken place of Michael Joseph Brouder, Addlestone, Weybridge, Surrey and formally of Gortnadroma, Kilcolman. He was a retired businessman who lived in England for the majority of his life. Mick came home religiously each Christmas with his bodhrán to hunt the Wren with groups including the Carrigkerry group in recent years. We extend our sympathy to his son Michael, grandchildren Kelly, Shannon and Danielle, great grandchildren, sisters Philomena and Peggy, brother Raymond, sisters in law Nancy and Mary, nephews, nieces and extended family and friends. May he rest In Peace. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
We extend our sympathy to Bernie and James Flynn and family on the death of Bernie’s sister Mary MacLean, in Paisley, Scotland. May she rest in Peace. The death has also taken place of Marie Purcell, nee Reidy, Kilcolman and Bridie Kiely, nee Mangan, Glensharrold, and full details next week.
The following are the Lottery results from Neary’s Bar Ardagh on Monday November 28. The numbers drawn were 6,10,15,24, and there was no Jackpot winner. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each, Mike Collins Park Ballyhahill, Jerry Scannell, Newcastle West, B O’Connor, and Josie, Majella O’Connor, Ballyhahill, and Tom Costelloe, Coolcappa. Next week’s Jackpot will be €11,200, and the draw will be held in Moore’s Bar, Carrigkerry.
Saint Kieran’s were defeated by Granagh/Ballingarry/Banogue, 3-15 to 4-7 in the West U 21 B Football Championship Final at foggy and cold Mick Neville Park Rathkeale, on Friday November 25. It was a straight final this year and the lack of competitive action showed in both teams play, and in hindsight it would have been better for the players to have participated in the A championship. The combination team were deserving winners on the night, and all associated with Saint Kieran’s will be disappointed with their display. They trailed by 2-7 to 2-4 at half-time, and jumped three ahead following two quick goals on resumption. That was as good as it got as the winners, upped their performance and created and took their scores easily to claim the title.
TEAM: Robert Bradley, Eoin Moran, John Byrnes, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Michael Upton, 1-0 Anthony Mullins, John Buckley, Shane Lynch, 0-1 Patrick Liston, 1-0 Darragh O’Connor, 0-1 Seamus Mangan, 1-3 Raymond Noonan, Liam Upton, Pa O’Connor, Killian Enright, 0-2 Subs Thomas Mullins, Noel Callanan, 1-0 Daniel Barrett, Gerard Kiely, Cillian Ambrose, Daniel Power, Stephen Hennessy, Darragh Breen, Colm Copse, Stephen Copse, JJ Cronin, Brian McCarthy, Kaelan O’Connor. Management: Paudie McCarthy, Owen Hayes, John O’Connor, Ivan Neary.
Saint Kieran’s are running a Christmas draw at present and tickets are on sale from committee members and players. The tickets cost €2 each and a book of three cost €5 and the draw will be held on Thursday December 22 at Ardagh Community Hall. The top prize is € 500 and there are numerous other prizes on offer, and support will be appreciated.
Saint Kieran’s had no winner in the November Limerick GAA Club draw which was held on the sports show on Limerick Live 95 FM on Saturday November 26. The annual church gate collection will be held on this coming weekend December 11/12.
Congratulations to Cathal O’Connor and Killian Heffernan, both from Ardagh N.S., who were members of the West Limerick team that won the Cumann na mBunscol competition. They defeated South Limerick by 3-4 to 1-5 at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick on Tuesday November 22.
Carrig Celtic lost 6-0 at home to Abbeyfeale Utd in Round 3 of the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday November 27. In Division 1 of the Desmond Ladies League Creeves Celtic drew 1-1 at home to Carrig Celtic. Shannon Ruttle, for Creeves, and Stephanie Downes, for Carrig scored the goals.
The AGM of the Great Southern Trail was held in Leen’s Hotel, Abbeyfeale (courtesy of Maurice and Olive Sheehan) on Thursday November 17 with a large and representative attendance from West Limerick and North Kerry being present. The AGM elected the following officers: Cathaoirleach, Liam O’Mahony; Vice Chairman, Denis McAuliffe; Secretary, Jim Barrett; Treasurer, Pádraig Ó Condúin; North Kerry Convenor, Michael Guerin; Walks Organiser, Eileen Woulfe. Cllr. Liam Galvin, Abbeyfeale and Joe O’Connor of Limerick City and County Council’s technical staff briefed the meeting on the forthcoming €400,000 upgrading of the Limerick section of the GST which will make it much more cycle friendly. Cllr. Jimmy Moloney, Listowel relayed the positive news that planning of the extension to Listowel has now received initial funding. Both Councillors looked forward to a joint meeting of all the Newcastle West and Listowel Municipal District Councillors and officials in the near future.
The AGM of the Great Southern Trail Ltd. has planned a Christmas Cycle/Walk along the Greenway. Cyclists will set out from the Newcastle West (Gaelscoil on Station Road) at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday December 27 and walkers will leave from Ardagh Community Hall at the same time. The destination for both groups is Rathkeale where there will be a stop for refreshments. Cyclists will return by bike to Newcastle West (total distance 16miles/26km). Walkers only have to cover 5miles/8km as they will be provided with a return coach.
The first edition of the West Limerick Heritage Journal was launched by Newcastle West historian John Cussen, at Newcastle West Library on Friday November 25. I missed the launch but a big crowd was in attendance, and the journal is on sale for € 10 at O’Connor’s Shop in Churchtown, Newcastle West. Fifty different articles from the West Limerick parishes are included with several from the Saint Kieran’s Heritage area.
The book Good Seed, Fertile Soil, edited by Brother John M Feheney was launched by Bishop Brendan Leahy at Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday November 26. A fine crowd was in attendance, and both got to meet and chat with all the people. There are almost 1,000 deceased religious people from West Limerick featured including 56 from Ardagh/Carrigkerry and Coolcappa/Kilcolman parishes. The book has 332 pages, and references, and sources are included at the back and it is on sale for € 25 at the usual outlets.
Carrigkerry Christmas cards are available at Moloney’s Shop. A pack of six will cost € 5, and they are ideal for sending to people living away from the village.
A DVD of the recent concert held in St Molua’s Church Ardagh, is now available for sale at Neary’s Bar, and Curley’s shop in Ardagh. It is priced at € 15 and all the proceeds will go directly to Pieta House in Limerick.
A DVD of the West Limerick 102 concert held at Rathkeale House Hotel on Wednesday November 23 is now available to buy for € 15 at the Radio Station, Pat O’Donovan Auctioneer, and other outlets. All the artists who performed that night are included in the three hour long DVD which would make a nice Christmas present.
On the Highway to Nowhere is the title of the new 20 track album from singer/songwriter George Langan, from Glenagragra, and Dublin. The album includes tributes to Johnny Donegan, Mick Enright, Gene Stuart, Brendan Shine, and Philomena Begley. It costs € 10 and it is available from Collin’s, and Brouder’s, Athea, Mullanes Knockdown, Moloney’s Carrigkerry, and Mairead Langan, Glenagagra, contact no 068-42254. It would make an ideal Christmas gift for a Country and Irish fan. Best wishes to George, who is a great promoter of Irish artists, and songs.
A new CD titled A Touch of Class is now on sale for €10. It has been released in support of the Friends of St Ita’s Hospital Newcastle West, and the Butterfly Club Rathkeale. A number of well-known entertainers are featured on the CD which can be got from committee members.
Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association, will hold their next meeting this Thursday December 8, at 8pm in Coolcappa Community hall, and all are welcome.
The official opening of Kilcolman National School extension will take place on Sunday December 11. Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Donal Leahy in St Colman’s Church at 12 noon. This will be followed by the official opening of the school by Bishop Donal, and light refreshments, will be available. All are welcome to attend and to view this latest upgrade that sees a large modern school now in place.
Light up a Memory the annual Milford Hospice fundraising event, invites members of the public to sponsor a light on their tree to remember someone dear to them, or as a Christmas gift. The order forms are available in the local newspapers, and they should be filled in and returned to Milford Care Centre, Castletroy, Limerick. It costs € 5 per light and the tree lighting ceremony takes place on Sunday December 11 at 6pm.