by Tom Aherne
COUNCIL ELECTION: The Limerick City and County Council Local Elections will be held on Friday June 7. A total of 12 candidates will contest for the 6 available seats with all the 6 sitting councillors all seeking re-election in the Newcastle West area. A local person Pat King from Carrigkerry will contest this area as an Independent Ireland candidate. He is the Supervisor of the Carrigkerry Athea and Old Mill community employment scheme and widely known in sporting circles. A past player with Villa Rovers, Old Mill and Carrig Celtic in soccer and St Kieran’s in football he is currently a Desmond League referee. He has been the driving force in committees in putting in place Carrig Celtic grounds, Carrigkerry Playground and presently Carrigkerry Sensory Garden.
Pat possesses a hard-working attitude who likes to get things done, rather that talking about getting things done. He has been disappointed by the lack of action from elected representatives and successive governments and feels it’s now time for new people and fresh ideas to step up and address the rural issues being ignored. Its Pat’s first time entering the political arena and his motto is the 3, C’s Choices, Chances and Changes. In life you must make the choice to take a chance if you want to make a change. His goals are simple and very achievable, and he is asking the general public to give him a chance to implement his ideas if elected. We wish him well in his quest to become a county councillor.
KATELYN HAYES: Congratulations to Katelyn Hayes Knockfinisk, Carrigkerry who has been awarded the Duais RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta sna Meáin for achieving first class on the MA I gCleachtas Gairmiúil sna Meain. This unique Irish language programme is offered in partnership with RTE and includes significant periods of experiential learning in RTE’s Irish language studios in the Connemara Gaeltacht and on their Donnybrook campus. She has been a participant on the field playing Gaelic games, Camogie and soccer with several local clubs. Coming from a very sporting family Katelyn is currently working as a production coordinator with RTE Sport and as a co-commentator on Ladies Gaelic Football with Galway Bay FM.
DONIE MURPHY: The death has occurred of Donie Murphy Ardlaman, Rathkeale and Newbridge Sales and Spares at UL. Predeceased by his parents Dan and Mary, brother Maurice and sister Molly. Reposing was held at his home on Tuesday May 28, from 5.30 to 8pm. The Requiem Mass was celebrated at St Kyran’s Church Coolcappa at 12 noon on Wednesday and the burial was in the adjoining cemetery. Sympathy to his wife Eileen, son Paul, daughter-in-law Charlene, granddaughters Serena, Ruby, Sophia, brothers Pat, Mike, Vincent, sisters Kate, Margaret, Martina, sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. May he rest in Peace.
SYMPATHY: Sympathy to Jerry, Jane Collum and family Creeves on the death of Jerry’s brother Tom Collum Phibsboro Dublin and formerly Ardrine Castlemahon on Saturday May 18. Tom was laid to rest in the new cemetery Clouncagh on Thursday May 23. Sympathy to Lisa, Jerry Donovan and family Kilcolman on the death of Lisa’s father Tom Downes Kilbeha Askeaton on Tuesday May 22. Tom was laid to rest in Beagh Cemetery on Thursday May 23. May they both rest in Peace.
CUP FINAL REFEREE: Congratulations to Pat King Carrigkerry who refereed his 2nd Desmond Cup Final on Friday evening last in Mick Hanley Park. Ger O’Connor from Creeves Celtic was one of his officials. Broadford United defeated Rathkeale 2-0 before a large attendance on a lovely sunny evening.
RACING SUCCESS: Congratulations to Ardagh native Paul Mullins whose horse Crowsatedappletart recently won the D Pack of Knocklong Handicap Steeplechase at Greenmount Park Patrickswell. The value of the race was € 10,500.
CAR WASH: Congratulations to Moloney’s Daybreak Carrigkerry and those who opened a new car wash on Saturday June 1. It’s a very popular venue for shoppers from the locality and from the passing customers who avail of their many services. The staff are very welcoming and courteous and continued success to all involved.
GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s lost to Mungret/St Pauls in the West Junior B Football League Final played at Askeaton on Monday May 27. They trailed by 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time. TEAM Con Enright, Ben Cussen, Ian Mackessy, Patrick Ambrose, Sean Long 0-1, Anthony Mullins 0-1, Cillian Heffernan 0-1, James O’Connor, Mikey Long 0-1, Jack Sullivan, Donie Nolan 0-1, Jack Mulqueen, Anthony Molyneaux 1-2, Oisin Ryan 0-2, Kevin Meade 0-3. Subs Michael Murphy, Conor Woulfe 0-1, Mike Upton, Brian O’Neill, Luke Corrigan, Shane Lynch, Dan Duggan, Ray Cahill, Eamon Ambrose, Oisin Commane. Limerick masters football team lost to London by 3-7 to 1-9 in Rusilip London on Saturday May 25. John Doyle from the St Kieran’s club is a member of the panel.
SOCCER NEWS: The Desmond League season has concluded, and the honours have been decided. In the Premier Division Creeves Celtic finished fourth after challenging for the title from their opening win. They finished on 23 points, 9 behind winners Glin Rovers. In Division 3 Carrig Celtic finished runners-up to Breska Rovers B and gained promotion. Kilcolman Rovers finished third on 22 points 6 behind the winners. In the Ladies League Kilcolman Rovers defeated Janesboro 2-1 at home to progress to the Premier League Cup Final. Charlotte Lynch and Gillian Musgrave scored their goals.
FÉILE FUNDRAISER: St Kieran’s Under 15 hurling team will represent Limerick in the 2024 Féile na Gael C Finals on Saturday June 22. The club are seeking donations to help cover the cost of their Féile journey. Any support will be greatly appreciated towards the cost of gear, transport and general expenses.
LOTTERY DRAW: The Ardagh Development Association and Saint Kieran’s GAA joint weekly lottery draw took place on Monday May 27.The numbers drawn were 4,6,12,25, and there was no winner of the € 5,300 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received € 40 each Donnacha Harnett Ballinabearna, Sandra Murphy Ardagh, Podge Balfe Newcastle West, Robyn O’Brien Ardagh, Bernie O Flynn Ardagh. Next week’s Jackpot will be € 5,400. 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. Both organisations wish to thank all the people for their continued support.
RADIO DRAW: Congratulations to Johnny Mackessy Knockaderry, who won € 225 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday May 31. The tickets cost € 2, or 3 for € 5 and they are available from volunteers, in local shops, (including Moloneys Carrigkerry, and 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.
SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Dara Noonan who won € 515, in the May , Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge on Friday May 31 . 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.
SUNFLOWER DAYS: The National Sunflower Hospice Movement Sunflower Days for 2024 are Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8. People can get involved by volunteering, supporting or dedicating a sunflower in memory of a loved one online. All the local funds raised will go to Milford Care Centre Limerick.
SCHOOL REUNION: The annual St Catherine’s Convent Newcastle West reunion will be held in the Longcourt Hotel on Saturday June 8 at 3pm. The first reunion was held in 2022 and it was a very enjoyable occasion. All previous students and teachers are invited to attend.
FÉILE FUNDRAISER: Old Mill Ladies Under 15 football team will represent Limerick in the 2024 Féile na Gael in Moyle, Tipperary on Saturday June 29. It will be the third occasion for the club after competing in 1998 and 2014. The club are seeking donations to help cover the cost of their Féile journey. Any support will be greatly appreciated towards the cost of gear, transport and general expenses.
CHARITY MATCH: Creeves Celtic are holding a charity match on Saturday June 22 in aid of Milford Care Centre. People can donate to raise funds for this very deserving cause on their Facebook page.