By Tom Aherne
WEDDING WISHES: Congratulations and best wishes in the future to Michael Flynn, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry and Karen Moore who were married at St. Ita’s Church, Kilmeedy on Friday, June 30. They held their reception in the Heights Hotel Killarney.
RETIREMENT WISHES: Teresa Lawlor (Egan, Ballinvullen, Coolcappa) recently retired as Principal of Croagh National School. She started teaching there in 1989 and was principal for the past number of years. She received presentations from the Parents Association and the Board of Management. The esteem in which Teresa was held was very evident from the tributes paid to her at her final day teaching there. Wishing her well in the next chapter of her life.
OSKAR’S LAUNCH: The launch night for the St. Kieran’s GAA club Oskar’s was held in Neary’s, Ardagh on Thursday, June 29. Anticipation was evident among the excited attendance before the big announcement. Chairman David Woulfe opened proceedings and brought people up to date following the previous two nights to introduce and audition for the event. Colm, from the Kevin Roe Productions, was present and he announced the 7 films chosen for the show, as well as the various parts people will play in each film. The films are Peaky Blinders, Veronica Guerin, The Snapper, Fr. Ted, The Field, Calendar Girls, Bridesmaids. Big performances will be expected from all actors, especially those (ideal fits) chosen for the main parts in each film. A total of 76 people will be involved and each film group will be given team leaders to help fundraising, source costumes and select locations for filming. The Oskar’s promises to be a great event for the St. Kieran’s GAA club and wider community culminating in the Gala night in the Devon Inn Hotel on Saturday, November 11. Contact Deirdre on 087-9509218 for more details.
STARLETS: The summer edition of the Green and White magazine is now available from the usual outlets. The 48-page edition contains the usual interesting features and photographs from Limerick GAA. Two local ladies feature in a then and now page along with Doon and Limerick hurler Adam English. Their photographs and achievements from 10 years ago and recently are included as follows.
Ten years ago, Iris Kennelly was making waves on the Cumann na mBunscol Luimnigh scene as captain of her school football team at Ardagh NS and as captain of the West Limerick team that won the Larkin Shield in 2013. In March 2022 the TUS Mid West and Limerick star was honoured with the Croke Park/LGFA Player of the Month award. In 2023, Iris was named on the Yoplait HEC Rising Stars team following a string of fine performances for Ladies HEC champions TUS Mid West.
Róisín Ambrose, Captain of the Limerick Ladies senior football team, was presented with a Lidl Ladies NFL Div 4 Team of the League (2023) Award at Croke Park. Róisín plays with the Old Mill club and is a former Primary Game player. She played in the Larkin Shield with West Limerick in 2011 while a pupil in Ardagh NS.
GAELIC GAMES: St. Kieran’s defeated Oola by 1-5 to 1-4 in Group 1 of the County Senior Football Championship at Mungret Gaelic Grounds on Saturday, July 1. They were lucky to get the win against a wasteful Oola side who finished with 13 players, after sending offs in the 20th minute and in injury time. An Anthony Mullins goal helped them to lead by 1-3 to 0-3 at half time. Team: Craig MacInnes, Aaron Heffernan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Anthony Mullins 1-0, Michael Shanahan, Brendan McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Darragh Treacy, Sean Ryan, Kevin Meade, John Hayes 0-1, Eoin McEnery, Alan Daly 0-2, Seamus Mangan, Adam Lacy 0-1. Subs Dylan Moloney 0-1, Johnny McCarthy, Anthony Molyneaux, Cormac Mann. In round 2 St Kieran’s play champions Newcastle West at Askeaton Gaelic Games on Friday, July 7 at 7.30pm.
SOCCER NEWS: Congratulations to Creeves Celtic team and management who defeated St. Ita’s by 7-2 in the Desmond Under 14 Boys Division 2 League Playoff at Killeaney AFC grounds in Knockdown on Saturday, June 24. Conor O’Dwyer 3, Michael Lynch 2, Ben Hough and Cillian Greaney got their goals.
MASTERS FOOTBALL: John Doyle from the St. Kieran’s club is a member of the Limerick Masters football team/ panel. Limerick defeated Westmeath by 3-13 to 2-12 in the All-Ireland Championship at Mullingar on Saturday, June 24. Limerick have won two and lost two of their matches to date.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Sinead Dundon who won €500 in the June, Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge on Friday, June 30. Tickets to enter the draw are available from committee members, club managers, at Neary’s Ardagh, Inver five crossroads Rathkeale and the Thatch Newbridge. All support will be greatly appreciated.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday, June 26. The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 20, 24,and there was no winner of the €13,400 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received €40 each: Mary Harnett, Coolacokera, Ardagh, Frank Moore, Carrigkerry, John Murphy c/o Neary’s, Ardagh, David Conway, Cahermoyle, Olga Mills, New Zealand c/o Neary’s. Next Monday night’s jackpot will be €13,500. 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.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Sean O’Sullivan, Shehanagh, Ardagh who won €300 In the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday, June 30.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. The station can be contacted at 069-66200 if people have news of interest to the West Limerick area.
GROTTO ROSARY: The rosary will be recited at Cahermoyle Grotto every Wednesday evening at 6.30pm until further notice and all are welcome to join in.
HERITAGE WALK: St Kieran’s Heritage Association are holding a loop walk to Larkin’s Bridge, Clounagh on Wednesday, July 5 at 8pm. Commencing from Ardagh car park by the Cooleybrown road and returning by the Greenway to the Station House. It is a flat stretch of countryside with lots of flora and fauna to observe along the way and all are welcome.
FLAG FLOOR: The weekly music and set dancing session, returns on Tuesday, July 11, and continues for the summer months at the Flag Floor, Glensharrold, Carrigkerry. A first right turn past Carrigkerry village on the Glin Road will get you to the old-style farmhouse. From the Glin/Ballyhahill road first left after Carrig Celtic FC Grounds. From Athea first left after the church on to the Glin Road. There is no Eircode, but the venue is just past V9439N9. The session continues each Tuesday from 9pm to 11.30pm,) teas are served, admission is €5, and all are welcome.
SCRAP METAL: St. Kieran’s GAA club will be holding a scrap metal collection on Saturday, September 23. In advance of that date the club have sourced a skip for people who may want to dispose of unwanted scrap metal. If they wish to do so they can contact any officer of the club to finalise the arrangements.
MUNSTER FLEADH: The Official Opening of Fleadh na Mumhan 2023 will take place on Sunday night, July 9, in the Dúchas Centre, Tralee. Chairman of the Munster Council of Comhaltas, Tadhg Ó Maolcatha, will officially open the Fleadh. The Official Opening will be followed by a family concert featuring a selection of some of Kerry’s most talented musical families, Ó Cathasaigh Family (Dingle), Angland Family (Glenflesk), Enright Family (Lixnaw), Laide Family (Ballydonoghue-Lisselton), Joyce Family (Ballybunion). Also featuring special performances by Jimmy Hickey, Jonathan Kelliher, Greta Curtin and Space U12 Ladies Set Dancers. A great night of entertainment is promised as we officially launch Fleadh na Mumhan 2023 in style. All Welcome!
TRALEE WALK: On Thursday July 13 from 12 noon to 2pm as part of the Munster Fleadh events, a walk will be held to discover the stories of Tralee, from its medieval roots to the bustling and vibrant town it is today as local historian Grace O’Donnell will bring you on a fascinating walking tour of historic Tralee.