by Tom Aherne

SYMPATHY WISHES: We extend sympathy to Ann and Pat Sheedy and family Rooskagh on the death of Ann’s father  Thomas Sheehan, Court Kildimo, peacefully at St John’s Hospital Limerick on Saturday June 29. Reposing was held at St Joseph’s Church Kildimo on Tuesday July 2. from 5.30 to 7pm. The funeral mass was celebrated on Wednesday at 12 noon followed by burial in Kildimo  Cemetery. Sympathy also to son Anthony and all extended family members. May he rest in Peace.

DEBRA IRELAND: The Debra Ireland Kerry Challenge 2024 took place on Friday May 17,Saturday 18, Sunday  19. Eamon O’Kane, Pat Toomey, Mike Histon and Joe Carrig  from the Creeves/Shanagolden area  participated in the 3-day 75 K Hike in the Dingle Peninsula. They were blessed with  good weather and over 100 people took part. All the participants raised  funds to ease the suffering of children suffering from E.B. or Butterfly Disease. The local quartet are to be complimented for raising € 19, 837.

GAELIC GAMES: St Kieran’s defeated St Senan’s by 3-14 to 0-10 in Round 1 of the West Junior B Football Championship played at Ballyhahill on Tuesday July 2. They led by 2-8 to 0-5 at half-time. TEAM: Con Enright, Michael Murphy, Ian Mackessy, Ben Cussen, Mike Upton, Johnny Mc Carthy, Cillian Heffernan, Jack Sullivan 0-2, Donie Nolan, Fionn Gleeson 0-1, Cathal Mc Enery, Jack Mulqueen, Luke Corrigan, Oisin Ryan 2-2, Anthony Molyneaux 0-5. Subs Shane Fitzgerald 0-2,  Oisin Commane 0-2, Shane Lynch, Dan Duggan 1-0, John Byrnes.

St Kieran’s defeated Newcastle West by 1-9 to 2-3 in  Round 1 of the County Minor A Football Championship at Newcastle West on Wednesday July 3. They led by 0-6 to 1-2 at half-time. TEAM: Cian Mulcahy, Ben Cussen, Conor Mc Mahon, Chris Kiely, Jack Dowling, Sean Long, Mikey Kelly, Jack O’Sullivan 0-3, Charlie Mc Mahon 0-1, Brian Sheehan 1-0, Oisin Ryan 0-1, Eoghan Sheehan, Luke Corrigan 0-2, Oisin Commane 0-1, Tadhg Dineen. Sub Cathal Daly 0-1.

St Kieran’s defeated Monaleen by 3-14 to 2-9 in Round 2 of the County Senior Football Championship played at Adare on Saturday July 6. They  trailed by 1-6 to 1-4 at half-time but dominated the second half to finish deserving  winners. TEAM: Ray Noonan; Michael Shanahan, Diarmuid Mulcahy,  Darragh McMahon, Mossie Shine, Brendan Mc Carthy, Anthony Mullins, Liam Kennedy 0-1,  Darragh Treacy,  Cormac Mann, John Hayes 2-1, Michael Long, Alan Daly 1-6, Adam Lacey, Eoin McEnery 0-3,  Subs: Aaron Heffernan, Sean Long, Dylan Moloney 0-3, Killian Heffernan.

SOCCER NEWS: Carrig Celtic defeated Newcastle Town Reserves 3-1 in the Richard Hogan Cup semi-final played on Sunday June 30. Seanie King 2, and Ray Brouder scored their goals. They play Feenagh in the final on Saturday July 6. Kilcolman Rovers lost 1-0 to Moyross United in the Munster FA Women’s Junior Shield Final played at Carrig Park Fermoy on Sunday June 30.

LADIES FOOTBALL: Limerick defeated Kilkenny by 6-15 to 0-6 in the Ladies All-Ireland Junior Football Championship played at Mick Neville Park Rathkeale on Sunday June 30. Róisín Ambrose  captain scored 1-4, and  Sophie Hennessy panel  member from the Old Mill club were members of the team.  Limerick will play Fermanagh in the semi-final on Sunday July 14. Old Mill represented Limerick in the Division 2 Féile Peil na Nóg finals in Tipperary on Saturday June 29.

COMMUNITY GAMES: St Kieran’s members participated in the County Community Games  Finals held in Mungret  on Saturday/Sunday June 29/30. Well done to all the competitors, coaches, volunteers  and parents involved in promoting the sport throughout the year.

SPLIT THE POT: Congratulations to Michael Shanahan who won € 515, in the June , Creeves Celtic FC Split the Pot monthly draw held at the Thatch Newbridge on  Wednesday July 3 . 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 July 1.The numbers drawn were 3,12,25,27 , and  there was no  winner of the € 5,800 Jackpot. Congratulations to the five lucky dip winners who received  € 40 each: Ita Dineen Ardagh, Sam King Carrigkerry, Abbie Ahern Rooskagh c/o Moore’s, Seamus Ambrose Ardagh twice winner. Next week’s  Jackpot will be € 5,900. 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 Mai Wall Shanagolden, who won € 290 in the West Limerick 102fm 50/50 draw, held on Friday July 5. 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.

FLAG FLOOR: The weekly music, singing and set dancing session,  for the summer months at the Flag Floor Glensharrold, Carrigkerry  continues on Tuesday’s from  9pm to 11.30pm,teas are served,  and all are welcome for a good night’s entertainment.

OLD RECTORY: The Old Rectory Ballywilliam Rathkeale is open to the public from May 1 to November 30. The opening hours are on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm. It will be open also during Heritage Week from  Saturday August 17 to  Sunday  August 25. The admission is € 8 and additional information by calling 087-8269123.

BALLYHAHILL SCHOOL: The 150th anniversary of Ballyhahill N.S. will be celebrated on the weekend of July 12 to 14. A weekend of celebration and music is planned for this milestone. The committee would appreciate photos, pupils’ names, class lists, memorabilia memories etc. See their Facebook  page Ballyhahill N.S., 150th Anniversary.

CEMETERY MASSES DATE: Mass will be celebrated, at Reilig Mhuire Askeaton on Sunday July 14 at 3pm.

CROSSROADS CÉILÍ: Taylor’s Cross will be playing for a Céilí in the Abbey Hall at the Crossroads Festival in Clarecastle County Clare on Sunday July 14 from 9pm. Admission € 10. Mike Dunne formerly from Clounleharde, Ballyhahill is a member of the organising committee.

FLEADH CHEOIL: The Munster Fleadh Cheoil takes place in Thurles from Monday July 15 to Sunday July 21. Competitors from the six counties assemble at the annual event to test their skills at the numerous competitions. A great week of music, song, dance and  storytelling will ensure to  highlight our Irish cultural traditions.

CLOTHES COLECTION: Kilcolman NS are holding a fundraising clothes collection on Wednesday July 19. Bags of clothes, shoes, bags, belts, bed linen(no duvets or pillows) can be dropped to the school shelter any time before this date. A total of € 440 was received from the last clothes collection. Thank you for your continued support.

RADIO AGM: West Limerick 102 community Radio will hold their Annual General Meeting in the Longcourt Hotel Newcastle West on Tuesday July 23 at 7.30pm. All community and voluntary organisations in the West Limerick area are asked to send a representative to represent them. All who are interested in its future are asked to attend and a number of positions on the board are to be filled.  All are welcome to attend and become involved in the station that provides so much enjoyment to the listeners.

VINTAGE DAY: Carrigkerry Playground and Sensory Park  fundraising vintage run and family Day will take place on Sunday August 4. Registration at 12.30pm at Moore’s Bar Carrigkerry. All tractors, cars and motorbikes are welcome to participate. A children’s vehicle run will be held at 1pm. Lines are currently on sale at € 5 for a raffle with 8 prizes on offer. 1st  prize: Overnight stay, dinner, breakfast at the Woodlands Hotel for two people. 2nd prize: XBOX Series S.  3rd prize: Two tons of ash firewood (Con Keane). 4th  prize: € 100 Black Diamond Photography. 5th prize: Brouder and Murphy fitted kitchens. 6th prize: ”Green Finger” Fencing and Tunnels € 100.  7th prize: M and K Interiors. 8th prize: € 50 Lisa Daly Voucher. The draw will take place in Moore’s Bar later that evening. There will be a family fun day also, plus  Disco and BBQ and live music in the bar. All support appreciated.