By Tom Aherne

The death has taken place of Mary O’Dwyer,(nee Gilsenan), O’Connor Park, Ardagh,  peacefully at St John’s Hospital, on Wednesday August 31.Wife of the late Jimmy O’Dwyer, late of Croom. Her requiem Mass was celebrated at St Molua’s Church Ardagh on Saturday, September 3, at  11.30am. Burial afterwards at Calvary Cemetery Newcastle West. Sympathy to her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends. May she rest in Peace.

Sending best wishes to all the Leaving Certificate  students who received their results on Friday, September 2. Best wishes in your chosen career paths through life in the future.

Congratulations to Maretta, Aisling and Emma Baker who won €526 in the August twelfth  Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held on Wednesday, August 31. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, club managers, at Neary’s, Ardagh,  five crossroads, Rathkeale and the  Thatch Newbridge. All support will be greatly appreciated.

St Kieran’s Heritage Association are recommencing their monthly meetings at the Parish Hall, Ardagh on Wednesday,  September 7, at 8pm. After two and a half years of little action due to the pandemic it is time again to resume activities. After a wonderful sunny summer people may have more time on their hands now,  as we welcome the Autumn months.  Heritage is all round us and most people are involved in some area of it. By joining the association, you can bring your  own passion and ideas to a wider group to promote and work  on. All are welcome both old, current  and  new members. Looking forward to meeting you all again. From John O’Sullivan, Chairperson.

A new CD in aid of Friends of St Ita’s titled  Autumn Melodies will be launched shortly for people to enjoy and to support the work the Friends continue to do at Newcastle West Community Hospital. The CD is produced by locals Theresa Doyle McMahon and Siobhán Doody. The launch of the eagerly anticipated CD will take place  at the Longcourt House Hotel on Friday, September 23 at 8pm. Entry is free and the CD will be for sale on the night. There are songs to suit every taste on the CD all from local artists. The artists featured include Siobhán Doody, Theresa Doyle McMahon,  Michael Enright, Brian Hartnett, Emmet Scanlon, Michael Nash, Fr. Tim Curtin, Canon Tony Mullins, Fr. Liam Enright. A great night of entertainment is promised and all support will be appreciated.

St Kieran’s drew with Ballysteen 1-8 to 2-5 in Round 4 of group 2 of the County Senior Football Championship at the Bog Garden Rathkeale on Sunday, August 28. The teams were level at three points each after a low scoring first half. St Kieran’s looked winners leading by four points entering time added on only for Ballysteen to draw level in an exciting finish. The result sees St Kieran’s advance to the last six. The final group match against Adare  will decide first and second places. TEAM: Ian Mackessy, Mossie Shine, Johnny McCarthy, Mike Shanahan,  Kevin Meade, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Brendan McCarthy (Captain), Liam Kennedy 0-1, John Hayes 0-1, Jack Ben Harnett, Darragh Treacy 0-1, Sean Ryan, Seamus Mangan, Anthony Molyneaux, Dylan Moloney 1-3. Subs Noel Callanan 0-1, Adam Lacey, Cormac Mann 0-1, Shane Fitzgerald,  Anthony Mullins.

St Kieran’s lost to Ballysteen by 3-8 to 1-11 in Round 2 of the West Junior B Football Championship at the Bog Garden Rathkeale on Saturday, August 27. They trailed by 1-4 to 0-4 at half time. TEAM: Ray Noonan, Eamon Ambrose, Cillian Heffernan, Darragh McMahon, Conor Kelly, James O’Connor, Brian O’Neill, Dan Geraghty, Mikey Long, Tom McMahon, John Doyle, Kevin Guina, Conor Woulfe, Darragh O’Connor, Aonghus Gannon. Subs Liam Upton, Evan Donovan.

St Kieran’s defeated Ballybrown by 3-17 to 2-7 in Round 3 of the County Junior Hurling Championship at Askeaton on Friday, September 2. They led by 1-14 to 0-5 at half time and kept this  advantage until the final whistle. TEAM: Cillian Ambrose, Diarmuid Mulcahy,  Paudie McCarthy,  Aaron Heffernan, Jack Ben Harnett 0-3,  Brendan McCarthy, Cathal McEnery, Anthony Mullins, Mossie Shine 0-2, Mikey Long 0-2, Darragh Treacy 1-3, Cormac Mann, Ian Mackessy 0-5, Johnny McCarthy, Eoin McEnery 2-1. Subs Danny Collum, Sean Ryan, Shay Greaney, Edward Fitzgerald.

Darragh Fitzgerald and Gavin Thompson were member of the Limerick squad who won the Under 14 Tony Forrestal Hurling Tournament North Shield at Abbotts town on Saturday, August 27. Eoghan Sheehan was a member of the Limerick squad that won the Under 15 John Doyle Plate at Toomevara on the same afternoon.

Congratulations to the Old Mill Under 16 lady footballers  who won the county championship defeating Cappagh by 4-10 to 4-8 in Ballysteen on Monday, August 22. Old Mill lost to Monagea by 3-10 to 1-7 in Round 3 of Group 1 of the County Senior Football Championship at Old Mill on Wednesday, August 24.

Carrig Celtic lost 4-0 away to Dromore Utd in Division 3, Group A, of the Desmond League Cup on Sunday, August 24.Creeves Celtic had a bye.

The fourth music, song and set dancing night was held on Tuesday, August 30, at the Flag Floor Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. The largest crowd to date attended and  enjoyed the great entertainment, tea and chat on offer. Special guests included members of the Ardagh/Carrigkerry Comhaltas dancers who won All Ireland titles at the recent Fleadh Cheoil in Mullingar. They gave an exhibition of step dancing that was really enjoyed by all present.  Five sets and waltz’s  were danced, songs were sung and stories told and a lovely tea and treats served. The entertainment continues  on Tuesdays from 9pm to 11.30pm over the coming weeks. There is no Eircode  but the venue is just past V94 39N9. Teas are served, admission is € 5, and all are welcome.

The Gortadroma dump will be closed to the public from Monday, September 5, to Monday September 12, to carry out essential maintenance. It will be  open to the public on Tuesday, September 13, and Wednesday, September 14, from 9am to 3pm.

Knockpatrick Gardens in Foynes is open each day during the month of September  from 2-6pm. All funds raised will be donated to Milford Hospice Limerick and support appreciated.

The West Limerick branch of the Mental Health Association of Ireland will hold its annual general meeting at Maple Lodge Gortboy Newcastle West on Tuesday, September 13 at 8pm. New members are most welcome.

Céilí dancing classes for school children will resume in Carrigkerry Community Centre on Friday, September 16, at 6.45pm and all are welcome.

The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery   draw took place on Monday, August 29. The numbers drawn were 2,10,15,26,and  there was  no  winner of the €9,200 Jackpot. Congratulations  to the five lucky dip winners who received  €40 each: Pat Moran, Ardagh (Online), Deirdre Ambrose (Online), Tom Harnett, Ardagh, Cormac Behan (Online), Mary Harnett, Ardagh. Next Monday night’s jackpot will  be €9,300. 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.

Congratulations to Donal McAuliffe, Main Street, Abbeyfeale, who won €340 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw held on Friday, September 2. The tickets cost €2, or 3 for €5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys,  Carrigkerry and Denis Greaney’s Shop Ardagh) or from the radio station. All support will be appreciated. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.

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