Dundalk Leader 15th June 2016
10
News Dearbhla crowned Blue Jean Country Queen
in Brief
Darts league winners celebrate
The final round of darts has been thrown in the Dundalk and District Darts league, with 26 teams and over 200 players spread across four divisions and all but one of the four divisions have been decided with just the Third Division requiring a play off to decide the winner. In the Premier Division it was newcomers Courtneys A that won with last year’s winners The Avenue Eagles coming second. The first Division was won by The Lumpers who finished just two points ahead of The Fane in second place. Division Two was one by Fergusons and Johnny Masons where runners up. Division Three finished up with both The Barleycorn and The Stags Blue finishing level on points and level on sets won. A play-off will now be required to determine who will be the winner. The play off will take place on June 30 in the Bodhran, the big gap is to allow players of both teams to attend the European championships in France.
Dearbhla O’Connor, 19, from Dromiskin was crowned the Blue Jean Country Queen in Athboy, Co. Meath at the end of a fun packed Festival weekend Dearbhla, a member of Fane Bridge Macra, beat off competition from 26 girls from all over Ireland and overseas to take the title. As a result she became the first girl from the Wee County to win the competition and received €1000 worth of prizes sponsored by Athboy Credit Union. She was crowned on the Sunday night of the June Bank Holiday weekend in the Festival’s Marquee at the Darnley
Dearbhla O’Connor celebrates her victory
Lodge Hotel much to the delight of her many Louth supporters. Celebrations continued on Monday night in
Cluskeys, Little Ash where members of Fane Bridge Macra hosted a homecoming party. Dearbhla is an
exceptionally talented musician and sports person and wowed the crowds with her rendition of ‘Travelin’
Soldier’ on Saturday afternoon. Kicking off Friday night, when the Queens were interviewed on stage in front of an enthusiastic audience, the fun and craic flowed until Monday afternoon as live music was still playing throughout the town of Athboy, the home of the festival. Speaking after her win, Dearbhla said it was an amazing feeling to have been crowned the Blue Jean Country Queen and is really looking forward to the year ahead and being part of the 30th anniversary celebrations next year.
Man allowed to keep his clean record
A MAN who paid €250 to the Maria Goretti Foundation was allowed to leave court with a clean record after pleading guilty to a public order charge. Brian Ruddy of Castlehill, Carlingford, was arrested for his own safety on May 11 this year after Gardai found him highly intoxicated and unsteady on his feet at Market Square, Carlingford. Defence Barrister, Irene Sands, stated that aside from a drink driving conviction ten years ago, the defendant was of good character and had co-operated with Gardai on the night. She added that the 38-year-old had been a carer for his father who has passed away, and his income came from his inheritance. She stated that on the night he caused no disturbance to anyone else and offered the money to the Maria Goretti Foundation. Judge Conall Gibbons accepted the contribution to the charity and dismissed the case under the Probation Act.
Call to support Eric’s mountain trek Eric Beggs from Dundalk, along with the help of his local community is organising the Cooley Mountain Trek in aid of Irish charity Fighting Blindness. This is the fourth year of the event which has grown in popularity since it began in 2013. It is just one of the many activities that Eric has organised over the years to help find
treatments and cures for blindness through research. Kevin Whelan, Chief Executive with Fighting Blindness said; “Eric has been a tireless campaigner and supporter of Fighting Blindness for many years – he has a fantastic talent for getting people in Co. Louth involved and we are very grateful for Eric’s efforts on our behalf”
The Cooley Mountain Trek will take place on Sunday, July 3 and includes a long walk (12km) for the more advanced walker and a short walk (6km) suitable for families. The 12km walk begins at 11am and the 6km walk at 12pm. Buses will be available at 10.30am for the long walk participants and at 11.30 am for the short walk participants to
transport people from the Newry end of the Lisdoo car park to the event starting point at Lumper McArdles, Ravensdale. Refreshments and entertainment will be provided after the event. The Cooley Mountain Trek, kindly supported by Bar One Racing, EK Fuels (Dundalk), Anchor Tours, Moffet Engi-
neering, The Lisdoo Steak House, Fyffes and Park Racing Ardee. It promises to be a great day of entertainment for families and serious walkers alike. Entry fee on the day is €20 for adults and €5 for children (refreshments included). For more information please contact Eric Beggs on 086 319 3675 or visit www.FightingBlindness.ie