By Tom Aherne

The ADRSC (Ardagh District Recreational and Sporting Company) promoted Lip Sync Legends show held in the Devon Inn Hotel Templeglantine on Saturday, November 10 was a spectacular event that had the seven hundred plus audience captivated by their movement and execution. The massive build up and talk during the rehearsals stirred people, who responded in true community spirit to support their family members and friends, displaying their unique talents for the good of the Astro Turf project due to open shortly. From the opening  16 member group dance it was riveting and edge of the seat entertainment, as each of the 15 acts conjured up their own version of the hit songs. The background scenery helped to create a real time atmosphere as the songs from Rivers of Babylon to He Had it Coming were Lip Synced to. The colourful costumes, and lighting created a stars in your eyes feeling and the buzz and atmosphere present had to be seen to be believed.

For a high number of the participants it was a new experience to take to the stage, with forty new faces on view. The judge’s comments were witty and amusing and greatly enhanced the entertainment factor, which MC Keith generated with his professional presentation. The audience also played a huge part in cheering on, banner waving, phone lightning, and hand clapping in support of all the acts. The voting cards of the judges, Paul O’Connor, Breda Breen, and Timmy (Cabs) O’Donoghue, were very high and a few acts received perfect tens from the judges. The voting for the individual acts was very brisk all through giving a final result as follows. The top five acts in descending order on the night were The Backbog Boys, The Bellas, Chubby M, The Carrig Cowboys and the Village People.  A crescendo of passionate and elated joy greeted the announcement that the Village People, whose members included Ray Cahill, Seamus Ambrose, Jimmy Duggan, Noel Ahern, Darragh O’Connor and Robert Bradley, had claimed victory.

Chairman of ADRSC David Woulfe (on behalf of the committee John Aherne, Deirdre Ambrose, Sean Hayes, Donal McEnery, and Paddy Windle,) thanked everyone who was involved in the massive event over the past seven weeks. The families of the acts for their support, the individuals and businesses who put adverts in the programme, donated raffle prizes, raffle ticket sellers, voting staff, and William Sheehan and his staff at the Devon Inn. The judges Breda Breen, Paul O’Connor, and Timmy O’Donoghue, stagehands: Evan Donovan, Liam Kennedy, Stephen Lyons, and Michael Murphy, Social Media Promotion: Ian Mackessy, and Noel Madigan, and the Fundraising Event Group. Derlene Cleary who gave tremendous support and massive time to choreograph the 15 acts and opening act. A massive thank you to the participants, on what was an amazing journey of enjoyment and fun, mixed with phenomenal commitment and dedication, in what was a true act of volunteerism and community spirit.

Presentations were then made to the winners, to Deirdre Ambrose who did Trojan work in organising acts and stage props with her crew and also to Derlene Cleary Choreographer, who won the hearts of all the 70 participants, who were the real stars of the show. Donal McEnery was thanked for his dedication support and attendance during all the rehearsal nights, and David Woulfe for overseeing the whole project. The night/morning concluded with a lively Disco, as the performers let their hair or wigs down.  Roll on next year was the parting remarks as people made their way home after a wonderful community event and thanks to the ADRSC Committee for staging it, their families and the wider community for supporting it.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Helen O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry West and Conor (not Gearoid as mentioned last week) Whelan Newcastle West who were married recently in St Mary’s Church, Carrigkerry and held their Reception in Killarney Oaks Hotel.

Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Hannie O’Connor, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry who recently celebrated her 90^th birthday with family and friends in the Devon Inn Hotel.

Congratulations to Marian Hughes, Kilcolman who ran in the Dublin Marathon, and raised money for the Community Crisis Response Team who are based in Rathkeale. The amount raised will go towards renovations of the team’s new suicide hub in Rathkeale, and running their out of hour’s service.

The following are the Lottery results from Reen’s Bar on Monday, November 12. The numbers drawn were 1, 4, 10, and 13, and there was no Jackpot winner.  Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who won €40 each.  Daniel Barrett, Glenastar, Ardagh, Jerry O’Connell, c/o Reen’s Bar, Nora Cronin, Ardagh, Conor and Eoin McNamara, Askeaton and Maurice Harnett, Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be €12,600 and the draw will be held in Neary’s Bar.

Congratulations to Saint Kieran’s who defeated Newcastle West by 0-8 to 0-7 in the West Senior Football Championship Final played at Tournafulla on Saturday last November 17. They dominated the opening half playing with wind advantage and the fall of the field to lead by seven points to two. They still led by four points entering the final five minutes, and withstood severe pressure to take their first title since 1993. Johnny McCarthy received the McNamara Cup from West Board Chairman Johnny Walsh, and thanked all involved. Brendan McCarthy received the Man of the Match award from Pat O’Donnell. TEAM Rob Bradley, Paudie McCarthy, Johnny McCarthy, Kevin Meade, Liam Kennedy, Brendan McCarthy 0-1, Anthony Mullins, Darragh Treacy, Jack Ben Harnett, Sean McSweeney 0-3, Anthony Molyneaux 0-1, Noel Callanan, Killian Enright 0-1, Seamus Mangan 0-2, Niall O’Shea, Subs Ray Cahill, John Doyle, Donal Nolan. Management Noel Broderick, Kieran Madigan, Michéal  Reidy, and Paul Woulfe.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Athea/Mountcollins by  2-13 to 2-3 in the West U-21 A Football Championship Semi Final at wet and windy Mick Neville Park on Wednesday November 14. They dominated from start to finish playing a good brand of free flowing football. They led by 2-6 to 0-0 at half time, after playing with the elements. They will meet the winners of St Senan’s or Shannon Gaels in the final fixed for Friday November 23. TEAM Robert Bradley, John Shanahan, John Byrnes, Daniel Barrett, Eoin Burke, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Anthony Mullins, Liam Kennedy 0-2, Darragh O’Connor, Liam Upton, Killian Enright 0-1 John Buckley, Stephen Lyons, John Hayes 2-6 Dara Breen 0-2, Subs Dylan Moloney 0-1, Michael Murphy, Kevin Guina, Eoin McEnery 0-1 Eamon Ambrose.

Carrig Celtic defeated Shannon Olympic from Clare 2-1 at home on Sunday November 11. Seanie King and Raymond Brouder scored the goals, and they will be away to Tipperary opposition in Round 5 of the FAI Junior Cup on December 2. Creeves Celtic lost 2-1 away to Glantine, (who replaced them as table toppers) in Division 2 of the Desmond League.

Congratulations to Mike O’Mahony and Mike Young who were prize winners at the Flag Floor card game held on Wednesday, November 7. Congratulations also to Sean Moriarty and Maria Carrig who were prize winners at the card game held in Monagea Hall on Wednesday November 7.

West Limerick 102fm presents their Winter Concert at the Longcourt House Hotel, Newcastle West on Wednesday November 28 at 7.30pm sharp. The doors will open at 6pm and the admission is €15. The concert will feature some of Irelands best entertainers including Paddy O’Brien from Waterford, Marion Kirby from Caherconlish, Muriel O Connor and Fran Curry from Cashel and formerly of the Bards, Glen Flynn from Tullamore, Traditional Group from West Limerick, Eddie Carey from Newcastle West, Dermot Lyons TG4 Glór Tire Finalist, and that fine singer Willie Relihan from Churchtown in Cork. It promises to be a Night not to be missed similar to previous concerts.

The Noonan family from Templeglantine  will be switching on their Christmas  lights for charity on Saturday, November 24 at 4pm.