By Tom Aherne

Sophie Hennessy, goalie and Roisín Ambrose, midfield from the Old Mill Club were members of the Limerick team that defeated Derry 2-7 to 0-12 in round 2 of the All-Ireland Ladies Junior Football Championship at Kinnegad on Sunday last, July 18 They lost to Antrim  5-10 to 2-7 in round 3 at Coolvin, Westmeath on Saturday July 24. Sophie, Róisín (1-2) started, and Iris Kennelly was introduced in the second half. They play Carlow in their final group and need a win to progress to the semi finals.

Saint Kieran’s defeated Askeaton by 0-17 to 1-11 in the West junior hurling league playoff at Mick Neville Park on Saturday, July 17. The final was played at Feenagh on Friday night last and after a ding dong game, needing extra time, they lost by one point to Rathkeale 1-20 to 0-22. The sides were level at 0-9 each at half time and still level at the end of normal time 1-13 to 0-16. It was an encouraging display with the introduction of younger players to the panel this year, adding pace and enthusiasm.

TEAM: John Greaney, James O’Connor, Paudie McCarthy, Edward Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Jack Ben Harnett, Cathal McEnery, Eoin McEnery, Mossie Shine, Kaelan O’Connor, Mike Flynn, Cormac Mann, Donie Nolan, Johnny McCarthy, Anthony Mullins. Subs Aaron Heffernan, Sean Ryan, Eoin Burke, Tom McMahon. Craig MacInnes, and Lorcan Murphy from the Saint Kieran’s club were members of the Limerick team that beat Tipperary 2-9 to 1-9 in the opening round of the Munster Minor Football Championship in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Wednesday, July 21.

Newcastle West defeated Patrickswell  3-6 to 1-7 in the Limerick U-16 A Camogie Cup County final at Croagh on Saturday, July 17. Molly Murphy, Glenastar was full back, and her father Michael was a backroom member. Kate Foley, Old Mill was centre field.

The next Limerick GAA Club draw will be held on Saturday, July 31, during the Limerick Live Sports Show from 10-11am. The top prizes each month are €10,000, 2nd prize €3,000, 3rd prize €2,000, 4th prize €1,000. The exclusive 5th star prize is a Dilusso bathroom. There are  four prizes of €500, four prizes of €250, and 17 prizes of €100. The total prize money given out each month is €21,000. The Saint Kieran’s GAA Club would welcome new members, and subscription can be paid through the Club force App.

The West Limerick 102 fm Gaelic games review programme airs each Monday evening  from 8-9pm. Presenter Pat O’Donovan is joined by Mike Barrett and Con Warren.

The annual Milford Care Centre’s Harvest Fair  has been cancelled for the second year due to the continuing Covid-19 pandemic. It was cancelled last year for the first time in its 35-year history and as a result it is a very challenging time for the charity. The chief executive Mary O’Brien is encouraging people to support Milford by doing some fun filled virtual activity to replace the purchasing they might have done at the Harvest Fair.

West Limerick 102 fm will broadcast a series of programmes to mark this year’s Heritage Week from Saturday August 14 to Sunday August 22. Last year presenter, Shirley O’Regan, marked the occasion with a number of short stories from people which were well received by the listeners. People interested in participating this August are asked to get in contact with Shirley at 102fm, on 069-66200.

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, July 19. The numbers drawn were 4, 6, 16 and 18, and there was  no  winner of the €3,600 Jackpot.  Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Mary Nash Lisbane Shanagolden, John O’Mahony c/o Patrick Mullins, Bridget Dalton c/o Greaney’s, Teresa McMahon (Online) Paudie Kennelly c/o Josie. Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €3,700. People can play online using club force on the club’s Facebook page, with 6pm on Monday evening the deadline. The tickets are also on sale at the usual outlets, and all support will be appreciated. 

Creeves Celtic  held their split the pot draw on Monday, July 19. Congratulations to Aisling Coleman who won €100. The weekly  entry fee is €2, with €1 going to the club and the other €1 to be paid out in prize money each week. The envelopes to place your two euro in plus details, are available at  Hanley’s Food Store Creeves,  and from committee members.  People can also sign up by standing order for €9 per month. The  draws are held on Monday nights, and all support will be appreciated.

Congratulations to Ann Falahee, Newcastle West, who won €500 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, July 23. The tickets cost €2, or 3 for €5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloney’s Carrigkerry, and Denis Greaney’s Shop Ardagh) or from the radio station. All support will be appreciated.  A number of exciting new programmes are in the pipeline for later in the year. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.

Looking back over the parish notes from July 1993 I came across the following: Paddy Murphy principal of Kilcolman National School from 1958 retired on June 25. A presentation was made to the Knockaderry native by the children and staff, and he was wished well on his retirement.  Margaret Barry was appointed the new principal. Esther Sheahan, national teacher in Coolcappa school and John Stack, Broadford were married in Ballingarry Church on July 5. Saint Kieran’s shot back into the limelight by defeating Western Gaels  3-8 to 1-9 to regain the West Senior Football Championship  after a seven year wait at Askeaton on July 4.

The Ardagh Festival weekend concluded with Paul O’Connor elected Mayor of Ardagh. The fine weather  for the opening parade and open air entertainment  was a major plus for its overall success. Louise Hannafin from Knocknaboha was selected as Miss Carrigkerry, and Anne Phelan Feohanagh was selected as Miss Ardagh  as finalists in the Lady of Desmond Contest final on July 22. Mary Flynn from Rathreagh, Ardagh took part in the mini marathon in Dublin and raised £400 in aid of Sudan.

Athea Intermediate League Champions

By Damien Ahern

U14 Girls
Best of luck to our U14 team who play Oola in quarter final in Oola Thursday night 29th

U15 Boys

Athea 1-11  St Senan’s 0-09

We had a hard fought win on Monday last in foynes. We were very tight in numbers with only 1 sub available. We trailed by 5 points (0-8 to 0-3) after a lacklustre first half.

We put in a massive  2nd half out scoring our opponents by 1-8 to 0-1.

This was a great team performance, with some great displays from Tomas ahern, Ciaran Hunt, Jack Sexton, Alex Quinn and Jim Ahern.

Team: Tomas Ahern, Sean Twomey, Ciaran Hunt, Calum Buckley , Louis  O Sullivan, James Hunt, Evan Curry,  Jack Sexton, Rory Cleary, Alex Quinn, Jim Ahern, Timmy O Keeffe and Jamie Quinn.

U16 Girls

Next match is away to Pallasgreen on Monday 16th August in the quarter final.
Best of luck to the team and management in their preparation for this.

Ladies Adult League
Well done to our adult team in Round 4 of the league. They defeated Groody Gaels in Coolcappa Friday night to consolidate their position on the top of the league table. One remaining game v Ahane – Sunday 8th August in Ahane. League final will be played on the weekend of 21st/22nd August.

County Intermediate League Final 

Athea 2-18 Monagea 1-14

All roads lead to Newcastle West on Saturday evening on a very warm summer’s evening where Athea contested the County Intermediate League final against Monagea, a team that we had beaten in the West Final just nine days earlier in Abbeyfeale. To reach the final both teams beat their opponents in the semi-finals last Tuesday. Athea beat Kilteely Dromkeen on a scoreline of 0.09 to 0.07. Monagea beat Croom by 1:08 to 0:10 points.

It was Monagea who got off to a faster start with two points from play by the sixth minute. We responded with a goal by Andy Ahern on the 10 minute followed by points from Brian O Connor and Sean Ryan before Monagea’s Tom O Callaghan pegged one back to make it 1:02 to 0:03 at the water break.

In the second quarter Monagea again started fast with a goal by Kieran Brouder followed by two quick points to leave us three down by the 22nd minute.  Points from Kevin Murphy, Sean Ryan  and Denis Greaney drew us level by half-time.

In the second half we fell a further three behind before we registered our first score,  a fine long range point from TJ Hunt who had come on for Jason Kelly. Jamie Collins came on for TJ Doherty and made an immediate impact with his piercing runs and good mop up play. Monagea added two further points before Kevin Murphy and Sean Ryan reduced the deficit to 2 points before the second water break on a scoreline of 1:10 to 1:08.

In the final quarter, Martin Chawke and Jack O’Connor came on for Mike Reidy and Brian O’Connor. Martin registered a point in the 54th minute which was quickly added to by the impressive Kevin Murphy to level the game in the 56th minute. Jamie Baynam edged Monagea ahead in the 59th minute before Kevin Murphy got us back level. We had plenty of opportunity to kick on but had four wides in the last 10 minutes. The game ended in a draw in normal time 1:11 to 1:11 leading the game into Extra time.

By now the low sun had disappeared behind the houses as Athea sprung Mark O’Connor and Gerard Ahern in extra time. Monagea kicked two points from both midfielders before Gerard with two points either side of  Mark’s fisted point left us 1 point in front at the end of the first period of extra time.

In the second period we upped the tempo with points from Mark O Connor and Sean Ryan before Gerard Ahern scored a goal after a well placed pass to him from Sean Ryan. Wing backs Shane Mulvihill and Dylan Griffin added points. Monagea scored a consolation point to narrow the gap to seven points, The game ended on a scoreline of Athea 2:18 to Monagea’s 1:14.

There were fine individual displays by Monagea’s Kieran Brouder, Tom o’Callaghan and Jamie Baynam however Athea’s substitutions brought power and experience when it was most needed and put daylight between the teams particularly in the second period of extra-time.

There were great celebrations afterwards as Dylan Griffin lifted the cup to bring County Silverware back to Athea. Great credit is due to the Management under Eamon McElligott, Mike Ahern and Roger Ryan with Patricia Lynch as Physio.

Team:

Kieran Hartnett, TJ Doherty, Tommy Quaid, Podge Reidy, Shane Mulvhill 0:01, Denis Greaney 0:01, Dylan Griffin (C)0:01 , Jonathan Fitzgerald, Mike Reidy, Mark Reidy, Sean Ryan 0:04 , Andy Ahern 1:0, Brian O’Connor 0:01, Jason Kelly, Kevin Murphy 0:04

Athea – Limerick Intermediate League Champions 2021

Subs:

Jamie Collins for TJ Doherty, TJ Hunt 0:01 for Jason Kelly, Jack O Connor  for Brian O’Connor, Martin Chawke 0:01 for Mike Reidy,

Extra Time Subs: Mark O Connor 0:02 for Mark Reidy, Gerard Ahern 1:02 for Andy Ahern

Tuesday July 27th 

U12 Girls vs Gerald Griffins in Athea @7:45pm

Thursday July 29th 

U13 Boys vs  Shannon Gaels in Athea @7pm

U14 Girls vs Oola in Oola

Captain Dylan Griffin pictured with his proud grandfather Gerry Griffin

By Marian Harnett

PROLOGUE:  Summertime:  High hills bring hopeful thoughts and happy hearts make helpful deeds. Now is the time to gather flowers where friendship plants the seeds. The time for looking up old friends and going on the spree. For a trip along the river or an outing to the sea.(Abbeyfeale Parish Newsletter.)

A SOUND TOWN: Huge congratulations to Noreen Nash Cotter N.T. whose letter to Today FM won Abbeyfeale a place in the final of the competition to find Ireland’s Soundtown. The overall prize is €10,000 to be spent on a community project and every month a town is chosen to enter the final and Noreen’s effort was chosen as this month’s winner. This is the letter she wrote to the programme: “Dear Alison, Somebody told me about the “Sound town competition” and suggested I enter Abbeyfeale. I hope I do it justice. Seo é mo scéal:  I am 47 and have lived in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick for pretty much most of my life. In years gone by it was a lively market town and I have great memories from my youth of carnivals, pubs, concerts, dancing, craic and general fun. However time and circumstances brought change and like a lot of rural towns, Abbeyfeale suffered. It has been sad to see business premises close down, remain empty and buildings become derelict. It seemed to set off a negative spiral and a general downbeat feeling in the town. One of our lowest points was when a local sweet shop that generations knew and loved, closed down due to the sad passing of it’s cherished owner in December 2020. Shortly afterwards came the announcement that Bank of Ireland was pulling out. And so it seemed the downward trend was going to continue. But then a little bit of magic started………Two young primary school teachers, Robert and John Browne, both Abbeyfeale natives and proud of their birthplace and heritage, approached my husband, another friend and myself to help do something for the local community. And so, “ An Siopa Milseán” was born!  The way it happened was a strange co-incidence. At the time my brother-in law Billy Cotter was trying to preserve as a museum, his uncle’s grocery shop on New Street, which was established in 1920. Sadly the building is in such a bad state and needs so much work, the character of the shop would be lost and it proved impossible to preserve. However we have managed to salvage many old display items from Lifebuoy soap to paraffin lamps to old Christmas selection boxes. We brought up the old counter, which I’m sure would have many tales to tell. We also saved the weighing scales and it’s lovely to see parents and grandparents now having sweets weighed for their children on the same scales they eagerly watched in their childhood. All five of us have full time jobs, but for weeks we spent evenings and weekends getting things sorted and finally on Easter Saturday, a day of hope, and after a blessing from our parish priest Fr. Tony, we opened our doors.   When you walk in, it’s like stepping back in time and it’s lovely to hear both adults and children gasp when they see the siopa unfold before them. As a “community shop” we have given local bakers and producers an opportunity to sell their produce and the community is indeed supporting them by buying their products. I think COVID has taught us all about the value of supporting local. Some people said the “siopa milseán” was a life-line for them during lockdown. They looked forward to the chat with our wonderful Mary. Sometimes they needed that more than the bread or milk they were buying. Local schools have been amazing and made many trips. All are welcome in “An Siopa Milseán”. There’s a place for everyone, whether you’re in your designer sunglasses looking for a caramel latté or grabbing a cold drink in your wellies on the way to the bog! And Abbeyfeale is just like that, inclusive and welcoming. We have seen many families relocate to our town from other countries and as a teacher in St. Mary’s Boys School, Abbeyfeale, I see how these families have been welcomed. That makes me very proud of my homeplace. To say that the success of the “Siopa” has gone beyond our wildest dreams is an understatement but that’s down to the amazing community of Abbeyfeale and surrounding areas. They have come out in huge numbers to support us and that is why I’m nominating Abbeyfeale as a sound town. We have amazing people living here who volunteer with our rugby and soccer clubs, Fr. Casey’s GAA, The Town Park Committee, The Tidy Town’s Committee, Abbeyfeale Community Council, youth clubs, choirs and many more.  This weekend we were fortunate to see the opening of the Limerick Greenway. It’s great to see the Abbeyfeale community give the same support to other local initiatives like The Barnagh Greenway Hub and Locomotion Bike Hire.  I know that as a community we will all pull together and put Abbeyfeale back on the map. Winning €10,000 would be fantastic to help us to do this and get more community projects over the line. We have many more ideas.  I hope my “scéal” has given you some idea as to why I think Abbeyfeale deserves to be nominated a sound town. And if nothing else that it has shown there is always hope. And that when a few people with varying skills unite with an idea for improving a community, anything is possible. Churchill said  “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”. We have many givers in Abbeyfeale. Míle buíochas, Le gach dea-guí,  Noreen Cotter & “An Siopa Milseán” team.

ANOTHER COINCIDENCE:  The following poem which appeared in the Abbeyfeale Parish Newsletter this weekend was written by Noreen Nash Cotter’s mother Anne Nash and just goes to show that it wasn’t off the stones that Noreen licked her letter writing skills:

I’M GOING OUT IN THE SUN TODAY
I’m going out in the sun today
And I don’t care if the cobwebs
Are doing a two hand reel on the fittings
Or if the wash up reaches so high
It makes a hole in the ceiling
See if I care
There’s much to enjoy and lots to share
For I’m going out in the sun today.

I don’t want to meet glum faces 

CONGRATULATIONS to Athea on winning the West Intermediate League Final against Monagea.