The Premier Newspaper March 31

Athletics stalwart wins Volunteer in Sport Award

Niall O’Sullivan of Clonmel AC, who has dedicated the last 51 years of his life to athletics has been rewarded by The Federation of Irish Sport.

Niall was the County Tipperary recipient of the Volunteer in Sport Award at a ceremony held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown earlier this week where, the contributions of the band of volunteers across the country who give their time to Irish sport and physical activity every year was celebrated.

A founding member of the club, Niall was an accomplished athlete in his running days and since then has held almost every role

at the club. Niall is a go to man for anything to do with athletics not just in Tipperary but also around Munster. He has a wealth of experience and has helped so many athletes to reach their full potential.

Over the years, Niall has made sure that club traditions have stayed in place while also innovating to make sure that the members have the best opportunities that they can. Niall’s dedication and loyalty to the club and the sport is what sets him apart from the rest.

Throughout December and January members of the public, sports clubs and governing bodies

were invited by the Federation of Irish Sport in partnership with the National Network of 29 Local Sports Partnerships to nominate an individual whose contribution to sport and physical activity in Ireland has made a real difference to their community, club or county. Following a shortlisting process by the Selection Committee, the judging panel consisted of 9 individuals drawn from sports administration, academia, the volunteer community and media, and included former Director General of the GAA, Paraic Duffy, RTÉ broadcaster, Marie Crowe and Declan Jordan, Senior Lecturer in Economics at UCC.

Jamie O’Flaherty

NIALL O’SULLIVAN NAMED THE 2022 COUNTY TIPPERARY RECIPIENT OF THE FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT VOLUNTEERS IN SPORT AWARDS

Niall O’Sullivan from Clonmel Athletic Club, Tipperary, centre, alongside from left, Athletics Ireland Chief Executive Hamish Adams, Sport Co-ordinator at Tipperary Sports Partnership Valerie Connolly, John Last, Clonmel Athletic Club and Director of Participation for Athletics Ireland Rachel Ormrod during the Volunteers in Sport Awards at The Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

‘Wig Wam Glam Band’ tribute stars at the Cashel St. Patrick’s Day Parade. L to R: Dylan O’Gorman-Ryan, Norah O’Brien, Kate Savage and Megan Kelly. Photo: Joe Kenny

Dead horse dumped near Carey’s Castle

Walkers along a popular Clonmel scenic walk were shocked to discover the remains of a dead horse at the side of the path last week.

As our photographs show the body of the horse was left at the side of the beauty-spot path with their legs tied together.

A local woman who came across the distressing sight on the walkway that leads to Carey’s Castle said the images will remain with her for life and whenever she closes her eyes the ‘poor horse’ is

the first image to come into her mind.

The incident comes just weeks after a man was charged with nine offences contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 including failure to protect the welfare of animals following a multi-agency search operation that resulted in the rescue of 15 dogs and three horses by the ISCPA in Clonmel last December.

Neglect

Neglect is the most common type of animal cruelty seen in

veterinary hospitals. The question we must ask is whether the neglect warrants a criminal charge. Some forms of neglect may be corrected by client education, and some are clearly criminal, with any scenario in between. It is difficult for a prosecutor to prove intent, so evidence must be collected to document the animal’s condition.

On this occasion, it is believed the animal died elsewhere and was dumped on the pathway leading to Carey’s Castle. An investigation into the incident is underway.

When I saw these pictures I was horrified, and felt disgusted as to why someone could leave an animal in this fashion, let alone leave it at the entrance to a historic castle where the general public would regularly use to exercise and walk their dogs.

It beggars belief. The person or persons that are responsible for this inhumane act are certainly not animal lovers. They might pretend to be, but in my view they are certainly not.

Anyone that cares for horses/ ponies wouldn’t leave their animal in this state. Our messenger box at Clonmel Stories 2 was full with pictures of this poor horse and people voicing their opinion. All angry as to why this animal was left for dead. ‘Absolutely shocking scene on such a public area that is used everyday by so many families’, one member said. Another said, ‘hind legs tied together absolutely scandalous’. Post after post all voicing their disgust at the way this animal was left isolated. I also know that some visitors from the Waterford area, who are preparing for the Spanish Camino, encountered the dead horse much to their upset. This walk was recommended by a friend of mine and he was disgusted to learn of this incident after he recommended the walk. This isn’t an isolated incident, there has been many many incidents like these where animals are left in a visible place for one reason and thats so that the council can get them removed quickly, that’s my opinion.

This is not the first time we witnessed this sort of carry on, and it won’t be the last. I wonder do these people know that we have facilities to bring these animals. We have a few knackeries around this location where they charge a small fee to dispose of animals in a more humane fashion at a cost of around €120. Now that would be the correct way of disposing animals, and this is what we need to let whoever is responsible for this outrageous behaviour know.

We had another incident out in Ardfinnan where there were two donkeys dumped in the duck pond about three weeks ago.

I think that all animals should be microchipped so they can be traceable. There needs to be greater enforcement of the microchip so that all animals can be checked, all farmers, landowners and stock keepers are regularly checked to see if animals are chipped. This needs to apply to all owners of animals not just a select few. That way all animals that are left the way they were at Carey’s Castle can be traced.

Liam O’hEachtighearna

EDITORIAL

Email: editor@thepremiernewspaper.com

Animal cruelty

It was heartbreaking to see the images of the dead horse left to rot at Carey’s Castle last week.

It isn’t the first time that these images have been sent to us or posted on social media and it’s vital now that further progress may be forthcoming in the bid to make life more bearable for the furred and feathered creatures that share this island with us, including the many abandoned horses that die on the roadsides.

In our last edition, law enforcement had charged a man with nine offences including failure to protect the welfare of animals following a multi-agency search operation that resulted in the rescue of 15 dogs and three horses by the ISCPA in Clonmel last December. Lets hope a similar result will be forthcoming should the culprit involved in this latest act of cruelty be identified.

Yours Sincerely

Jamie O’Flaherty

18B Dudley’s Mills Coleville Road, Clonmel

Telephone: 052 61 24894

NEWSDESK

Email: editor@thepremiernewspaper.com

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Tipperary LGFA’s Aishling Moloney opens Lidl’s new Clonmel store

Tipperary LGFA player and Lidl LGFA brand ambassador, Aishling Moloney joined the team at Lidl Clonmel, located on Queen Street, to officially open the new store last week.

The retailer has created 25 new jobs at the store, bringing the existing team at Clonmel Queen Street to 45 employees.

The new store has a spacious layout featuring high ceilings and wide aisles. It will also provide increased natural light for customers and employees with glass fronted glazing, LED lighting and an energy efficient system provided by 100% green energy.

Meanwhile, the grounds will provide ample customer car parking with EV charger

points. A new addition to the store will see Lidl Clonmel introduce bike and scooter charging facilities for customers and the community to avail of.

As part of the opening, Lidl Clonmel gave a number of complimentary vouchers to the first customers through the door on the morning alongside offering huge savings on middle aisle favourites including a 50’ 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, Espresso Machines, Stand Mixers, Food processers and much, much more.

“We are really excited to open our new store in Clonmel. Our team have been working really hard behind the scenes to get the store up and running, so customers

can shop our great range of quality and affordably priced products,” said Lidl Clonmel store manager, David Holba. “We’re delighted to welcome customers through our doors to experience the brand-new store including larger aisles, higher ceilings and a bakery area with freshly baked breads and pastries, one of Lidl’s most popular features,” he added.

To mark the opening of the brand-new store, the store team at Lidl Clonmel donated €500 in Lidl vouchers to local charities C-SAW and Cancer Care.

Lidl’s newsest Clonmel store will open daily: Monday –Saturday 8:00am – 10:00pm, and Sunday 9.00am –9:00pm.

Aishling

Lidl’s

Clonmel, Queen Street store alongside Dermot Ryan, Lidl Sales Operations Manager and David Holba, Lidl Clonmel Store Manager. Photo: Dylan Vaughan.

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The Premier Newspaper supports the work of the Press Council and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code of Practice, or contact the Press Council, at 01-6489130, email info@presscouncil.ie

Tipperary LGFA and Lidl LGFA brand ambassador, Aishling Moloney officially opened Lidl’s new Clonmel, Queen Street store alongside Dermot Ryan, Lidl Sales Operations Manager and David Holba, Lidl Clonmel Store Manager. Customers can now shop Lidl’s renowned range of high-quality products at affordable prices in the brand-new state-of-the-art store. Lidl has created 25 new jobs at the store bringing the existing team in Clonmel team to 45 employees.

Pictured at the store opening on Queen Street, Clonmel at a presentation of a cheque for €500 to C-Saw were from left Joe Leahy, C-Saw; Dermot Ryan, Lidl Sales Operations Manager; Tipperary LGFA and Lidl LGFA brand ambassador, Aishling Moloney and David Holba, Lidl Clonmel Store Manager. Photo: Dylan Vaughan.

Cllr. John FitzGerald

Moloney officially opened

new

The Lidl staff pictured at the new store on Queen Street, Clonmel. Photo: Dylan Vaughan.

The brand-new state-of-the-art Lidl store at Queen Street, Clonmel. Photo Dylan Vaughan.

Happy Easter from all at Kare Plus

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POETRY CORNER

For this week’s poem I was going to review W.B. Yeats “An Irish Airman Foresees His Death” but then my daughter asked me to do her favourite poem, “Dolce Et Decorum Est” by Wilfred Owen (1893 to 1918). Liking poems about death obviously runs in the family and as all fathers will tell you, and much to all mothers dismay, what your daughter wants your daughter gets.

“Dolce Et Decorum Est” or to give it its full title “Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori.” means “it is sweet and honourable to die for one’s country”. The poem is set in the nightmare that was the trench warfare of the First World War. Owen was a soldier fighting on the front line and this poem is a first-hand account of a gas attack on his troop. Many people consider it the most important poem written about that war. Ironically, W.B.Yeats was not a fan of this poem and excluded it from an Oxford Book of Modern Verse which he was editing. When asked why, he said this, “I excluded Wilfred Owen because I consider him unworthy of the poets’ corner of a country newspaper”. It was a stupid statement but then again a man that believed in magic was never going to like reality. Many people, the British Government included, disliked Owen. He told the truth that they didn’t want told. When war broke out in 1914 a lot of poets rejoiced. They looked forward to the war with the same joy that Pat The Baker looks forward to seeing a weather forecast predicting a week of snow. German poet, Ernest Stadler said that “bullets raining down would be earth’s most glorious sound” He was killed in October 1914. English poet, Julian Grenfell wrote home declaring “I adore war”. His poem “Into Battle” anticipates the joy of combat. He was killed in May 1915.

At the time when this poem is written, the British government and media have undertaken a huge propaganda campaign to get young men to enlist and fight. The English soldier was promoted as, the clean-limbed, tall, handsome young man marching off to war for King and country. Wilfred Owen’s poem is very much an anti-recruitment poem written at a time when such sentiments were not popular.

The trenches on the Front Line in the First World War were often water-logged, rat-infested and freezing cold places. It was from these trenches, that soldiers were asked to charge across No Man’s Land to kill the enemy soldiers in the other trenches, all to gain a few yards of territory. Owen was a soldier fighting on the front line and this poem, “Dolce et Decorun Est”, is a first-hand account of a gas attack on his troop.

Dulce et Decorum Est Wilfred Owen

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;

Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots

Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime...

Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,

The poem can be divided into three sections. The first section describes the brutal conditions the solders had to endure on the Front Line. The middle section is the Gas Attack itself and then in final section we deal with the consequences of that attack.

At the point when the poem opens, Owen and his troop have done their stint in the trenches and they are walking away towards their “distant rest”. Straight away in the opening lines Owen turns the glamorous image of war on its head. He presents us with soldiers that aren’t upright, young men marching gleefully off to war. Instead they are ‘Bent double like beggars under sacks/knockkneed coughing like hags”. Later in the opening stanza Owen doubles down on the unglamorous image by telling us how tired the soldiers are after completing their duties on the front line. “Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots. But limped on, blood-shod”

By the time you arrive at the second section of the poem, the Gas Attack, you are aware that this poem is not for the faint hearted. “GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling. Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time” However, one soldier is still crying out and doesn’t get the gas mask on in time. He is left “flound’ring like a man in fire or lime” and as Owen watches his comrade dying through the glass of his own gas mask it appears that the soldier is drowning ‘under a green sea’.

In the third stanza, which is only two lines long, Owen tells us that the image of this man’s death will haunt his dreams for the rest of his life. Then the imagery in the fourth stanza is chilling and horrific. No Hollywood movie or Netflix documentary could depict the horrors of war better than Owen does when he gives us details of the solders death. Owen addresses those who glorify war and asks them to imagine walking “Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face……….. and “hear, at every jolt, the blood come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues”. Those few lines are, in my opinion, probably the most powerful lines of poetry ever written.

Owen finishes the poem by telling those who are still trying to promote the war, that if they had seen what he has seen, then would not be telling their children “The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori”

Wilfred Owen was killed in action in France on 4th November 1918, one week before the Armistice/ He was just 25 years of age.

As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood

Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum estPro patria mori.

Three former mayors. Cllr Niall Dennehy, Cllr Richie Molloy and Hubert Burke, at Clonmel Town Hall on St Patrick’s Day.

Guttering repairs at low cost

Nutrition Column - Your Easter Eggs Revealed – How To Make An Eggcellent Choice

By Laurann O’Reilly

With Easter just around the corner, shop and supermarket shelves are overflowing with so many varieties of Easter eggs for both adult as and children, which may be hard to resist. A little bit of indulgence is allowed of course, it’s also important to understand the nutritional quality and content of these beautiful eggs to prevent the dreaded sugar crashes as well as those additional calories.

Here nutritionist Laurann O’Reilly and owner of Nutrition By Laurann guides us through some of the most popular easter egg brands to help you make an ‘eggcellent’ choice.

Important Notes:

- Here we are comparing just the chocolate eggs, however many of these eggs also include additional sweets and bars which aren’t included in the nutritional information below.

- In order to compare the eggs below, the value per 100g has been taken, however each egg may be different in size.

- The average serving size should be approximately 25g for adults and less for children.

- The Easter eggs have been listed in order of energy or calories, however some are higher in fat whilst others are higher in sugar.

The Eggs

1) The Mars Egg: This doesn’t include the two Mars bars that come with this egg.

Per 100g: 448 Calories, 17g Fat, 60g Sugar (12 teaspoons)

2) The Twix Egg: This doesn’t include the two Twix bars that come with the egg

Per 100g: 493 Calories, 24g Fat, 49g Sugar (10 teaspoons)

3) The Celebrations Egg: This doesn’t include the bag

of 8 Celebrations sweets which come with the egg.

Per 100g: 495 Calories, 25g Fat, 55g Sugar (11 teaspoons)

4) The Maltesers Egg: This doesn’t include the pack of Maltesers that comes with this egg

Per 100g: 504 Calories, 25g Fat, 53g Sugar (10 ½ teaspoons)

5) The Smarties Egg: This doesn’t include the Smarties sweets included with this egg

Per 100g: 522 Calories, 27.5g Fat, 61.5g Sugar (just over 12 teaspoons)

6) The Toffee Crisp Egg: This doesn’t include the two Toffee Crisp bars included with the egg.

Per 100g: 523.7 Calories, 28.2g Fat, 50g Sugar (10 teaspoons)

7) The Flake Egg: This doesn’t include the 3 Flake bars which come with the egg

Per 100g: 524 Calories, 28g Fat, 58g Sugar (11 ½ teaspoons)

8) The Terry’s Chocolate Orange Egg: This doesn’t include the Terry’s chocolate orange bar included with the egg

Per 100g: 524 Calories, 29g Fat, 58.8g Sugar (almost 12 teaspoons).

9) The KitKat Egg: This doesn’t include the two chocolate bunnies that come with the egg

Per 100g: 529 Calories, 29g Fat, 60g Sugar (12 teaspoons).

10) The Yorkie Egg: Keep in mind this is before the two Yorkie bars which are also included

Per 100g: 530 Calories, 29.2g Fat, 60.4g Sugar (over 12 teaspoons)

11) The Quality Street Egg: This doesn’t include the bag of Quality Street sweets that are included with this egg.

Network Ireland Tipperary March Summary

It’s been an exciting year so far for the Network Ireland Tipperary branch with the election of their new president Joanne O’Herlihy who is doing an incredible job so far. The network would also like to offer a huge thank you to the previous president Laura Bourke for her dedication and hard work throughout the year.

The network also recently celebrated International Women’s day in the stunning Carton House Hotel Kildare, with a collection of other Network Ireland branches. This was a huge success and provided the opportunity to meet other amazing women in business from throughout the country.

A huge thank you to Caroline Reidy of the PR suite who provided a valuable and inspiring talk at the most recent network meeting. The next Network Ireland Tipperary meeting takes place on the 25th of

April in the Anner Hotel Thurles, with the incredible Lorna Butler of PDC Coaching speaking on the night. The Network Ireland and Tipperary branch ‘Business Women of The Year Awards 2023’ applications are also now being accepted, with some fantastic categories.

If you are a female business owner based in Tipperary, the awards are open to all Network Ireland Tipperary members, so it’s a great incentive to join the network.

There are many other benefits of joining the Network Ireland Tipperary branch as it not only provides female business owners with networking opportunities but offers a range of helpful talks, events and business mentorship to name a few.

For more information contact: tipperary@ networkireland.ie

Per 100g: 530 Calories, 29.2g Fat, 60.4g Sugar (over 12 teaspoons)

12) The Rolo Egg: This doesn’t include the two tubes of Rolo sweets included with this egg.

Per 100g: 530 Calories, 29.2g Fat, 60.4g Sugar (over 12 teaspoons)

13) The Dairy Milk: This doesn’t include the two Dairy Milk bars which come with the egg.

Per 100g: 534 Calories, 30g Fat, 56g Sugar (just over 11 teaspoons)

14) The Freddo Egg: This doesn’t include the freddo bar which comes with this egg.

Per 100g: 534 Calories, 30g Fat, 56g Sugar (just over 11 teaspoons)

15) The Roses Egg: This doesn’t include the bag of Roses sweets that are included with this egg. Per 100g: 535Calories, 30g Fat, 56g Sugar (just over 11 teaspoons)

16) The Aero Peppermint Egg: This doesn’t include the two Aero bars that are included with this egg. Per 100g: 535.5 Calories, 30.3g Fat, 59g Sugar (almost 12 teaspoons).

17) The Crunchie Egg: This doesn’t include the two crunchie bars which are included with this egg. Per 100g: 536 Calories, 31g Fat, 56g Sugar (just over 11 teaspoons)

18) The Cadburys Mini Easter Egg: This doesn’t include the mini egg bag which comes with this egg.

Per 100g: 537 Calories, 31g Fat, 56g Sugar (just over 11 teaspoons)

19) The Wispa Egg: This doesn’t include the two Wispa bars included with this egg. Per 100g: 544 Calories, 32g Fat, 55g Sugar (11 teaspoons)

20) The Lindt Lindor Egg: This doesn’t include the

Lindt truffle sweets included with the egg. Per 100g: 539 Calories, 31g Fat, 55g Sugar (11 teaspoons)

21) The Galaxy Truffle Egg: This doesn’t include the 6 Galaxy Truffle sweets included with the egg. Per 100g: 548 Calories, 34g Fat, 53g Sugar (10 ½ teaspoons).

22) The Ferrero Rocher Egg: This doesn’t include the 8 Ferrero Rocher Sweets included with the egg. Per 100g: 625 Calories, 46.4g Fat, 41.8g Sugar (just over 8 teaspoons)

The Verdict: The Highest in Energy/Calories: The Ferrero Rocher Egg.

The Highest in Fat: The Ferrero Rocher Egg. The Highest in Sugar: The Smarties Egg When choosing your egg opt for that which has the lowest sugar and a lower quantity of fat where possible my winner is the Twix Egg.

How To Enjoy Your Egg

- Avoid having the whole Easter egg in one sitting and spread it out throughout the week. - Avoid multiple easter eggs as they contain high levels of energy, fat and sugars – limit it to one egg per person if possible and a much smaller egg for children.

- Have a healthy meal before enjoying a small portion of your Easter egg to avoid filling up on the egg first.

- To avoid unwanted weight over the Easter period try get moving as much as possible whether it’s a brisk walk, running, cycling, swimming or a run around the playground for the children. Wishing everyone a healthy and Happy Easter!

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St. Patrick’s Day 2023 Parades from around the county

Rockwell Rovers Ladies Football Club entry in the Cashel Parade. Photo Joe Kenny

St. John The Baptist Girls’ School in Cashel’s entry in the Cashel Parade. Photo Joe Kenny

Knockavilla National School’s ‘Happiness Together’ entry in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cashel. Photo: Joe Kenny.

Lila and Richard Black waiting for the parade to pass in Clonmel. Photo John D Kelly

Grand Marshall John Casey and the Mayor Pat English lead the parade in Clonmel. Photo: John D Kelly

DR2 Dance putting on a high energy dissplay at the viewing stand in Clonmel. Photo: John D Kelly.

St. Patrick’s Day 2023 Parades from around the county

Cashel Tidy Town’s entry in the Cashel St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo Joe Kenny

Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, Tipperary group in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cashel.

Photo Joe Kenny

Ballybrado organic Farm in the Cahir St. Patricks Day Parade.

Watching the parade at the Main Guard. Photo: John D Kelly.

Sonic Fitness Gymnastics giving a disply at the viewing stand in Parnell Street, Clonmel. Photo: John D Kelly

St. Patrick’s Day 2023

Parades from around the county

The Indian commmunity entertaining the large crowds on O’Connell Street Clonmel. Photo John D Kelly

Tj Slattery, Cllr Richie Molloy, and Oishin Molloy pictured at the parade in Clonmel.

Flip N Twist Gymnastics won a prize in the Cahir St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Cahir Camogie Club pictured at the St. Patrick’s day parade in Cahir.

Sean, Marie and Fiona of Cards By Marie picked up a prize from Judge Siobhan Caplice on St. Patricks Day in Cahir

Photographed at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cashel are L to R: sisters Hope and Eve McGrath, with their friend Lauren Hickey-Murphy. Photo Joe Kenny

Photographed at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cashel are L to R: Louisa Chaptell, Raidín O’Sullivan and Amy Hall, all from Cashel Town. Photo: Joe Kenny.

The Wobbly Circus entertaining the crowds at the Tipp Town St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo Martin Quinn

A glamorous stilt walker entertaining the crowds at the Tipp Town St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo: Martin Quinn

St. Patrick’s Day 2023 Parades from around the county

Children from Knockavilla National School taking part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cashel. Photo: Joe Kenny

Local boys waiting for the start of the Cashel St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Photo Joe Kenny

Some of the large crowd that turned out to view the parade in Parnell St. Clonmel. Photo: John D Kelly

Noel Sharpe, formerly from Fethard, with his son Will Sharpe at the Cashel Parade. Photo Joe Kenny

Amelia Whelan at the parade in Clonmel.

Taking part in Cashel Parade are L to R: Kitija Staune, Patrycja Filipska and Anastasia Szczuryk.

Photo: Joe Kenny

Dancers from the LDAC (Lawrence Dance Academy, Cashel), taking part in the Cashel Parade. Photo Joe Kenny

St. Patrick’s Day

With probably one of the most colourful parades to date all roads led to Cahir for the St. Patrick’s Day parade last Friday that left Cahir Business Park on the Tipperary Road spot on time on the day. With new additions in the entries this year Cahir was treated to a riot of colour and beauty as the theme of ‘Biodiversity’ took precedence and imaginations were let loose on the day.

The weather although damp early that morning held for the duration of the parade and huge crowds of people lined the streets to watch it pass by. A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in what was a great parade yet again. Firstly thanks to Tipperary County Council for sponsoring the parade again this year, thanks also to Cahir Development Association for administering the event, Andy Moloney for putting in the hours, and Council Outdoor staff for their kind assistance. Thanks to Cahir Community Gardaí for the support and especially Superintendant Kieran Ruane & Inspector Mark Allen

for attending along with Senator Garrett Ahearn, Deputy Mattie McGrath & Cathaoirleach Cllr

Michael Anglim & Cllr Mairín

McGrath, Nellie Williams

Financial Controller with CDA and thanks of course to our 2 judges Siobhan Caplice of ‘Cahir Arts’ and Marianne Burke. Thanks also to Red Cross support.

Thanks also go to Dalton Transport for the stage and Cahir House Hotel for chairs and tables, the hardworking parade stewards, John Quirke Jewellers for the children’s medals along with our MC Gerry Duffy. Thanks to Paul Lafford for sound & music and last but not least thanks to all those who promoted the event before and after with Stevie O’Donnell of Tipp Mid West Radio, Cahir News live streaming, Brendan Kerin’s videoing and Cahir Correspondent Maria Taylor along with freelance photographers. We are grateful to Cahir Comhaltas for providing entertainment afterwards too. It goes without saying that all those who participated in the parade

Maria’s Walk this Saturday

The walk will take place on this Saturday April 1, 2023 in aid of South East Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA). Gathering

From 10.30am at the Cahir Castle Car Park walk starts at 11.00am. We will walk to the Swiss Cottage and back. All support is welcome to help provide funds for this invaluable volunteer service.

SEMRA provides a search and rescue service for those who find themselves in difficulty on the upland areas and mountains of

made it a fun day out with many people making a huge effort this year, it was a memorable parade and we look forward to 2024!

Prizes awarded for the Parade are as follows: Best Community Float: First Prize (Perpetual Cup) went once again to Cahir Tidy Towns Group, Second Prize went to Galtee Archery, Best Commercial Float: First place Cards by Marie, Second Prize Ballybrado Farm, Most Entertaining Entry: First place went to Cahir Majorettes, Second Prize went to Charles Kickham Brass Band, Best Youth Prize: First place went to Cahir Playground and Second Prize went to Flip N Twist Gymnastics. Most Unique Attempt First place went to St. Martha’s Nursing Home and Second Prize went to Johnny Cummins. Any Prizes not collected can be collected from Cahir Business & Training Centre from this week. Thanks to everyone once again and well done to all involved in a fantastic St. Patricks Day Parade in Cahir.

Coláiste Dún Iascaigh & Cahir Tidy Towns plant a Choill Bheag in the Town Park

LEAF Ireland is delighted to be working with Tipperary County Council, Coláiste Dún Iascaigh and the Cahir Tidy Towns group to plant and care for 200 native trees in Cahir Town Park (Inch Field) as part of the An Choill Bheag initiative. An Choill Bheag is an initiative of LEAF Ireland and the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce. This An Choill Bheag project is kindly being funded by Tipperary County Council.

Back in January, Transition

Year students from Coláiste Dún Iascaigh had an introductory day where they carried out soil tests, surveyed the biodiversity and mapped the area to be planted.

The students returned in February and planted 200 native trees of mixed variety, in the town Park. Planting these native trees, not only helps address the climate and biodiversity emergencies but

also creates an outdoor classroom for the students and community to explore as the woodland matures. During Tree Week 2023, the students returned to care for the recently planted trees, the area was mulched to suppress the grass growth and retain moisture in the ground. A final visit will take place over the coming months where the students will be shown how to care and look after this new habitat. Educational signs will also be put in place.

Rachel Geary from LEAF Ireland (EEU) said: “Woodlands and forests are critical habitats for the health of our planet. Not only is it important that we educate students about the importance of these habitats, we need to create new habitats for people and wildlife and ensure students have the skills to protect and maintain them after we have completed the projects.”

Cllr Andy Moloney of Tipperary County Council and the Cahir Tidy Towns group said “the town is lucky to have the Inch Field and the involvement of An Taisce tree planting project. The Inch Field won a prestigious Green Flag Award last year and will strive to retain that honour this year and the introduction of An Coill Beag forest in the corner of the field is to be welcomed. This meets our sustainable development goals and we can never plant enough trees. It’s also a chance for our younger members to be involved in something that they can look back on in the coming years with pride and a sense of achievement in doing their bit for the environment.

Thanks go to Rachel and Niamh for coordinating the project with the council officials and Colette O’Shea TY teacher & the TY students of Coláiste Dún Iascaigh.

the South East of Ireland. The area of operation includes, but is not confined to the Galtees, Knockmealdowns, Ballyhoura, Comeragh, Slievenamon, Blackstairs and Slieve Bloom ranges. SEMRA is a 24/7 service provided by volunteers and is available 365 days a year. On average the team respond to 3040 incidents per year.

Local lady Maria Seery who was rescued herself recently and has organised this walk said “I

Cahir Social and Historical Society

The Society was delighted to host a lecture by Paul Buckley in Cahir House Hotel last Wednesday March 22. Entitled “Tell Me A Story” the talk was based on the contributions of primary schools in the Cahir Area to the Schools Folklore Collection in the 1930 when Paul collaborated with Sandra Cunningham on a related project that led to the publication of ‘Tell Me A Story’ / ‘Inis Scéal Dom’ last year. Paul’s lecture focused on a number of stand-out themes from this research.

As usual it was another very well attended event on the night and

local historian Paul Buckley gave a very detailed presentation based on the contributions of primary schools in the Cahir area to the Schools Folklore Collection in the 1930s and made reference to some of the stories from the “Tell Me A Story” book that was published last year and Mary O’Donnell was acknowledged for her contribution to the book. A very interactive audience made the talk all the more enjoyable. This is the Societies last lecture of the current season and it’s been great to see people coming back in such numbers.

Cahir Active Retirement

Our next meeting is on Wednesday April 5 in Cahir House Hotel at 2.30 pm. Guest Speaker on the day is Deirdre O’Connor from ALONE, a topic we are all well aware of today. To comply with advise from Health Service CEO, we are ready to get out and about again with an evening outing to the Everyman Palace for dinner and theatre is

March 26, and there is a 4 night break to Donegal on May 1 with return coach, accommodation and meals all inclusive. We have four more weeks in our Music and Movement ETB class to bring us to April 11. There will be no Class on April 4, because of the Easter Holidays. Further information is available from 086 0507545.

wish to thank SEMRA(South East Mountain Rescue Service), SARDA, (Search & Rescue Dogs Association), An Garda Siochana, Coast Guard Helicopter 115, Conor Tobin and his team on quads & bikes, my family, my friends and my neighbours who searched tirelessly to find me. My family and I will be forever grateful to you for not giving up until I was found. The Cahir Community is fortunate to have people like you”.

Cahir Park AFC 50/50 Draw

Our weekly Draw took take place live at 3pm last Friday and the winner of the €370.00 pot was Darragh Conway. Well done to Darragh! Tickets can be purchased online or through local businesses and the Draw is done live every Friday night at 8pm. So there is a winner every week. Thank you to all ticket sellers, all our sponsors and everyone who buys tickets, we appreciate your support

Cahir GAA Club Draw the Joker

The Joker Draw was held in The Hill Bar last Sunday, March 26. The Jackpot of €8,800 was not won. €100 was won by Gearoid o’Connor, €50 Each won by Johnny McMahon & Rachel O’Donnell, €30 won by Micheal & Yvonne Fahy and €20 won by David Ahern. Next Draw will be held on this Sunday April 2 in No 22. The Abbey, Jackpot will be €9,000. Support is appreciated. Thank you.

Community Lotto

There was no winner of the Draw that took place last week on Wednesday March 22, 2023. The Draw was witnessed by Marie Casey. The numbers drawn were 1, 3, 7 & 31. The 4 Lucky Dip winners winning €25 were Bridget English, Cahir Day Care Centre, May O’Gorman, Cahir Day Care Centre, Lena Lonergan, Ballydrehid and Liam Butler, Lisava, Cahir. Congratulations to all winners. The next Lotto Draw will take place on today Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in the Social Welfare Office at 12 noon with results the next week. The Jackpot is €2,500 and we wish everyone the best of luck in the Draw. Tickets are available in the Enterprise Centre and in local shops too.

Cahir Social and Historical Society

The Society was delighted to host a lecture by Paul Buckley in Cahir House Hotel last Wednesday March 22. Entitled “Tell Me A Story” the talk was based on the contributions of primary schools in the Cahir Area to the Schools Folklore Collection in the 1930 when Paul collaborated with Sandra Cunningham on a related project that led to the publication of ‘Tell Me A Story’ / ‘Inis Scéal Dom’ last year. Paul’s lecture focused on a number of stand-out themes from this research.

As usual it was another very well attended event on the night

and local historian Paul Buckley gave a very detailed presentation based on the contributions of primary schools in the Cahir area to the Schools Folklore Collection in the 1930s and made reference to some of the stories from the “Tell Me A Story” book that was published last year and Mary O’Donnell was acknowledged for her contribution to the book. A very interactive audience made the talk all the more enjoyable. This is the Societies last lecture of the current season and it’s been great to see people coming back in such numbers.

Coláiste Dún Iascaigh TY students with Rachel Geary and Niamh Ni Dhúill of Leaf Ireland and TY Teacher Colette O’Shea last week planting in Inch Field

Unit 1B, Gurtnafleur Business Park, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

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1 - What is the capital city of New Zealand?

2 - What year did the popular soap Coronation Street first air?

3 - What was the most streamed song of 2022 in the UK?

4 - Which chemical element is represented by the symbol Au on the Periodic Table?

5 - What is the official currency of Sweden?

6 - What is the smallest planet in the solar system?

7 - Which tennis Grand Slam is played on a clay surface?

8 - Which city hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics?

9 - Which actress played Monica Geller in the popular series Friends?

10 - How many Harry Potter books are there?

11 - How many wives did Henry VIII have?

12 - What is the biggest animal in the world?

13 - Who painted the Mona Lisa?

14 - What is the smallest US state by area?

15 - How many Olympic gold medals has Sir Mo Farah won?

ANSWERS

Where am I?

Can you name where this castle is?

SPOT the difference

Can you spot the 12 differences?

ANSWERS

them -

Where am I? - Carrigeen Castle, Cahir, Tipperary.

Name them!

How many of these faces can you put a name to?

Name

Niall Dennehy, Sr. Eileen Fahey, Brian O’Donnell, Benny Tynan and Michael O’Donoghue.

5 - Swedish Krona,

Liam Lynch Centenary Commemoration Fermoy

Acommemorative pipe band parade to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of General Liam Lynch will take place in Fermoy on Easter Sunday 9th April.

The parade will begin at the Commandant Michael Fitzgerald Monument, on Courthouse Rd, and proceed through the town to the Republican Plot, in Kilcrumper Cemetery.

Twelve pipe bands are scheduled to take part in the parade, along with the Fermoy Concert Band and re-enactment groups, with three of the bands travelling from the United States and one from Argentina.

The parade is part of a weeklong of activities beginning with a commemorative concert in Fermoy on April 1st, two exhibitions, the publication of a souvenir booklet, and the launch of an O’Neill’s commemorative jersey.

On the day of the commemoration, the main oration will be given by Kerry historian Tim Horgan of the National Graves Association, with Deputy Mayor of Cork Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien speaking on behalf of the Liam Lynch National Commemoration Committee and Cork County Council.

It is expected that several thousand people will attend the commemorative event, and people are advised to travel early as there will be traffic restrictions

and delays through the town.

WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE

General Liam Lynch was one of the most successful leaders in the War for Independence, where he commanded the 2nd Cork Brigade, and later the 1st Southern Division of the IRA. When a split occurred over the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Liam Lynch was voted as IRA Chief of Staff and led a nine month campaign against the Free State Army, until his eventual death on the Knockmealdown Mountains on the 10th April 1923.

During the War for Independence Liam led the first attack against the British Army since 1916, when he along with hungerstriker Commandant Michael Fitzgerald and several leading officers of the Fermoy Battalion ambushed seventeen British soldiers on their way to Sunday service in the Wesleyan Church (where Fitzgerald’s monument now stands).

Approximately twenty-five Irish Volunteers overpowered the British military forces on the September 7th 1919, resulting in the death of one soldier, and the wounding of Liam Lynch, who was shot in the struggle.

The Volunteers had just six revolvers between them, with most Volunteers just carrying short clubs, which resulted in hand-to-hand fighting before the British troops surrendered.

In the aftermath several

leading members of the Fermoy Battalion were arrested, including Fitzgerald, who later went on hunger-strike and died in Cork Gaol on the October 25th 1920, in a hunger-strike that also saw the deaths of Mayor od Cork Traolach MacSuibhne and Joseph Murphy, a Cork City Volunteer.

MALLOW

AMBUSH

RAID & NADD

Liam oversaw the development of the Flying Column in North Cork, with local columns operating in each of the seven battalion areas of his brigade. Along with Ernie O’Malley, a training officer in the IRA at the time, Lynch successfully took Mallow Army Barracks in a morning attack, which secured a huge number of rifles, revolvers and a large quantity of ammunition of his Brigade.

In the aftermath of the Mallow raid, several buildings in the town were destroyed by the British Army, and a number of Volunteers arrested, with many of their homes being burnt in the following month.

During a roundup centred around Nadd in mid-Cork, Liam successfully evaded over a thousand British soldiers, moving his column westward, although four Volunteers were executed by the English after their arrest.

ANGLO-IRISH TREATY

When the Treaty was signed in 1921 and ratified by the Dáil in January 1922, Liam led an

estimated 80% of the Volunteers in an IRA convention which broke from the State with the objective to uphold the Irish Republic declared in 1919.

He worked with the leadership of the new emerging Free State Army to arm the nationalist population in the six-counties and directed a campaign against Crown Forces there which resulted in the Battle of Pettigo in late May 1922.

In the aftermath of the June elections and the attack on the Four Courts by the Free State Army, Lynch led a guerrilla war against the new State for over nine months, which saw that deaths of hundreds of IRA Volunteers and Free State soldiers, many who had commanded the army in the war against English occupation in the two preceding years.

DEATH ON KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS

With a growing number of Free State executions, a meeting was called for a meeting of the IRA executive in April 1923, to discuss the possibility of calling a cessation of activities which Lynch strongly opposed.

Staying at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains the night before the planned meeting in Araglin, the Free State Army in a coordinated search that comprised of over a thousand soldiers started combing the area, forcing the Volunteers to make an escape up over the mountain

slope.

A group of Free State soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Laurence Clancy, whose two brothers had been killed fighting the Black & Tans, engaged with Lynch’s small column of soldiers, which resulted in Lynch receiving a severe injury which led to his capture and death later that evening when moved to Clonmel town.

With the death of Lynch, the IRA elected a new Chief of Staff Frank Aiken, who called for a dumping of arms in May 1923, which ultimately ended the Irish Civil War and a copper fastening of partition.

COMMEMORATION FERMOY

The commemorative parade in Fermoy will honour the 1,800 Volunteers, Cumann na mBan, and Fianna Éireann members killed between 1916 – 1923, many whose anniversaries were

never marked due to the Covid Lockdowns.

The three Irish-American pipe bands taking part in the parade are the County Cork Pipe Band, New York, which were set up in the 1930’s by members of the IRA who had fought with Liam Lynch, including the Wickham brothers who had played with the Cork Volunteer Pipe Band. Additionally, the New Hampshire Police Pipes and Drums, NH are travelling, along with the Sword of Light (named after the Gaelic League’s newspaper), New York, who had in recent years travelled to Ireland to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

One Irish-Argentinian band, the Eamon Bulfin Legacy Pipe Band are also travelling to the event, having been forced to cancel a trip in 2020 to mark the 100th anniversary of the killing of Cork Lord Mayor Tomás MacCurtáin.

Officers 1st Southern Division, IRA Convention 1922

Pictures -The Premier Flashback with Joe Kenny: 1994

Anthony Ahearne and Gay Burns from Garrymore, Clonmel, pictured holding their 8 1/2 pound trout which they caught at The Weir, Clonmel, on June 17, 1994.

Celebrating their 50 anniversary on June 26, 1994, members of Fethard Macra Na Feirme club marked the occasion with their entry in Fethard Festival Fance Dress Parade, which also won the ‘Best Group’ award.

Martin Browne pictured with his wife and daughter after hearing of his election to the Cashel Urban District Council in the first count. L to R: Moire McNamara, Laura, Martin and Annette Browne

Pictured left organising the firewood which was used in the ‘Fulachta Fiadh’ ancient cooking demonstration on Midsummer’s Night, Tuesday, June 21, 1994, are Fethard Historical Society members. L to R: Jonathan Gilpin, Johnny O’Connor, Martin Heffernan and Martin O’Shea (front).

Dr. Sean McCarthy pictured after topping the poll in the Cashel Urban Council election count on Friday, June 10, 1994. Photographed at the count were L to R: Mary Jo McCarthy, Sean McCarthy, Catriona McCarthy and John Doyle.

Photographed at the official opening of the Clonmel Arts Centre’s photographic exhibition held at the ‘Jagged Edge’ bar Clonmel on June 25, 1994 are L to R: Jenny Power, Mossie Power; ‘Dick’ Walsh; Ronnie Fitzgerald and Margaret Fitzgerald.

Pictures -The Premier Flashback with Joe Kenny: 1994

Grangemockler supporters and athletes photographed at the County Community Games Finals held in Roscrea on July 3, 1994.

Members of the choir who sang at the Marian Year Anniversary Mass held at Old Bridge Clonmel on June 6, 1994

Enjoying the River Festival in Carrick-on-Suir on June 5, 1994 are L to R: P. J. Slater, Vincent O’Neill and Stephen Lonergan, all from Carrick-on-Suir.

Sara-Jane Nolan, Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir, and Ashley-Jane Barry, Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir, pictured at the River Festival held in Carrick on June 5, 1994

Parents and members of Clonmel’s Gaelscoil coordinating committee pictured outside the old Grammar School, Irishtown, Clonmel, on July 14, 1994, where it is planned to open a new Gaelscoil Cluain Meala.

Carrick-on-Suir supporters and athletes photographed at the County Community Games Finals held in Roscrea July 3, 1994.

Staying in a toxic workplace is never worth it. Emotions that arise from a toxic work environment seep into every aspect of your life and no job is worth that kind of misery. Bullies are not just in the school playground; they are also adults in offices with nice titles who think they have the right to break the spirits of others so they can feel better about their miserable lives. A toxic work environment will devalue your attributes and the contributions you bring to the table. When you lose your sense of value, you become disconnected from your true self. Toxic work environments are the leading cause of stress, anxiety, and depression. Stress, which is also known as the silent killer,

is one of the leading causes of potentially lethal pathologies, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and suicide. But sometimes we do not see how toxic our environment is until we break free from it. Here are 7 signs you may be working in a toxic work environment.

Hostile environments which can include management turning a blind eye to discrimination, harassment, bullying, and nepotism. High pressure environments with excessive demands that lead to stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression.

Culture of fear where employees are afraid to speak up due to fear of punishment or retaliation. Where minority groups or women don’t feel heard or safe.

Micromanagement style meaning employees are not trusted to do their job, leading to low self-esteem and motivation which can seriously impact self-confidence.

Poor communication in an organisation can lead to employees feeling unvalued or unheard.

Unrealistic expectations, when goals and targets are set too high, creating a feeling amongst employees like they have been set up for failure.

No work-life balance, working long hours with little time of, leading to stress and burnout.

Just because someone has a good CV doesn’t mean they are the right person for the job. Don’t overlook someone’s values, attitude, and personality when hir-

A walk on the wildside

Everybody’s Friend with Rupert Butler

From the minute you step from the back door he is there watching, being inquisitive, being nosey. He will follow you around the garden, never leaving you out of his sight in case some treats may be in the offering. He will check every hole you dig, every leaf you turn and every blade of grass you cut. He is the ultimate foreman.

Robins are fearless in their interactions with us humans, sometimes to the point of being reckless. I remember a time many moons ago when I had to abandon digging my veggie patch for fear of decapitating my little friend. I couldn’t turn a sod without the hole being inspected, sometimes several times in the hope that some worms or similar were lurking within.

Every morning my resident Wagtail and himself have a standoff of sorts on my patio as both search every crevice available for morsels that have been left behind by the doggies. They have a love, hate

relationship. They will forage together in harmony until one finds something tasty and then a row usually ensues.

Robins are fiercely territorial throughout the year, with both males and females guarding their chosen patch with both song and presence. Nests can be in a variety of locations with mine preferring some old cavity blocks that have long since passed their sell by date.

I am fully convinced that my residents have placed a tracker of some sort on my wellies because the minute I go outside I am being watched and followed. They have recently taken to joining me in my tunnel which is great as they might rid this enclosure of some of its least desirable occupants, of which there are many.

In mythical terms visits from Robins are said to be a sign that loved ones that have passed are watching over you. There are others that are less enticing so we will stay with the above.

Robins are friendly, inquisitive to the point of nosiness and amusing. In this respect they are typically Irish.

ing. Equally when you are going for an interview, be sure to interview the interviewer and make sure you get a true sense through your questions and their answers what the company’s values are and what their attitude is towards their employee’s wellbeing and how they look after their workforce and how do they nurture their culture?

If you are in a workplace where there is no room for growth, your boss only looks out for his/her own interests, you have no support from management, your gut is telling you it’s not right, there is high employee turnover, unethical behaviour, a non-inclusive culture and office gossip is plentiful then you are in a toxic work environment and you might want

to consider protecting yourself, your mental health and jump ship! Leaving a toxic work environment is an act of bravery, not defeat. Remember go where you are celebrated, not tolerated. If someone treats you like an option, leave them like a choice.

You cannot heal in the same environment where you got sick – after leaving a toxic work environment or a toxic team or a toxic team member there is a period of decompression that you go through. There are bad habits you must unlearn, trust that needs rebuilding, and acceptance of the closure you never got as well as overcoming the fear that your next job will be the same. But with time, the healing will begin, and you will begin to see

that there is peace and positivity and healthy work environments.

To conclude it is normal to be stressed about work, it is normal to not want to go to work sometimes, and it is normal to look forward to time-off work. However, it is not normal to cry frequently at or about work. It is not normal to have increased anxiety because of work and it is not normal to feel out of control in your life because of work.

Whether you are in a job and looking for a career change, unemployed or feeling a bit lost in your career, knowledge is power so for more career advice follow @To_whomthismayconcern on Instagram or check out my website WWW.TOWHOMTHISMAYCONCERN.COM

“When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which the flower grows, not the flower.”

THE PREMIER NEWSPAPER

Cumann na nBan in Tipperary attracts large audience

A large number of local history enthusiasts braved the inclement weather on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 to attend a lecture by Dr. Noreen Higgins, on ‘Cumann na nBan in Tipperary (1914-1923)’, with special focus on Fethard and Rosegreen area. The event was hosted by Fethard Historical Society in the local ICA Hall on Rocklow Road, Fethard.

Michael Mallon, Chairman, Fethard Historical Society, opened the proceedings by welcoming those present. He then introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Noreen Higgins-McHugh, Tipperary historian who has written extensively on the Tithe Wars and is the author of the genealogy guide ‘Tracing Your Tipperary Ancestors’. She is currently researching the story of the Tipperary women who were involved in Cumann na mBan from its inception onwards.

Noreen delivered her lecture with her usual verve and the accompanying slideshow offered a comprehensive overview of the history of Cumann na mBan. She

began by giving the background to the formation of Cumann na mBan which in effect was the women’s response to Eoin MacNeill’s founding of the Irish Volunteers. A meeting chaired by Agnes Farrelly at 4pm on April 2, 1914 in Wynn’s Hotel Dublin marked the foundation of the organisation which at that time comprised mainly middle-class women. Its stated aims were to, “advance the cause of Irish liberty and to organise Irishwomen in the furtherance of this object”. Interestingly, the women had to provide their own military style uniform with most of them opting to make them themselves. The distinctive Cumann na mBan brooch comprised a rifle surmounted by the inscription ‘C na mb’ in ornate Celtic lettering. Cumann na mBan members were involved in the 1916 Rising but while some prominent women like Countess Markievicz bore arms and engaged in the fighting, most women worked as Red Cross Volunteers, couriers or provided food for the men. Famously, it

was Cumann na mBan member, Elizabeth O’Farrell, who carried the white truce flag as she accompanied Pádraig Pearse when he surrendered to the British. Interestingly, Noreen’s research leads her to believe that no Tipperary women were involved in the 1916 Rising. Cumann na mBan was involved in the War of Independence and a majority of them opposed the Treaty leading to their support for the Anti-Treaty side during the Civil War. Cumann na mBan also played a hugely influential role in successfully opposing conscription when the British authorities tried to introduce it in 1918.

Noreen pointed out that the women of Cumann na mBan had two distinct types of duties Military and non-Military. Military duties included intelligence work, transportation and concealment of arms, ammunition, and dispatches, facilitating target practices, and taking care of weapons. Non-Military duties comprised

providing First Aid, dissemination of propaganda, drilling, providing safe houses, campaigning in the 1918 elections, fundraising, sending letters and food parcels to prisoners and providing funeral escorts during the War of Independence. She also gave facts and figures relating to the Cumann branches in Fethard, Rosegreen and Cashel.

Noreen’s research is ongoing, and she is currently painstakingly working her way through the enormous amount of material contained in the Military Service Pensions Applications now available online. The Cumann na mBan applications for military service pensions contain firsthand accounts of the work carried out by the women and the activities in which they were involved. However, not all Cumann na mBan women applied for pensions and so the records are incomplete.

Noreen finished her fascinating lecture with a promise to return to Fethard when her book on Cumann na mBan is published.

Photographed at the talk by Dr. Noreen Higgins in Fethard are L to R: Terry Cunningham, Mary Hanrahan, Dr. Noreen Higgins, Patrick O Donnell and Will Smith.

Photographed at the talk by Dr. Noreen Higgins in Fethard are L to R: Mary Healy, Maureen Maher and Anne O’Donnell.

New owner remodels popular Clonmel store

Many pet shops look the same, so it is refreshing to enter a shop that reflects the owner’s philosophy and passion.

If you should ever find yourself in Clonmel, passing through with a little time to spare, then, treat yourself to a visit to Clonmel Outdoor and Pets at 2 Abbey Street. The first thing you can’t help but notice, is the well presented and colourful facade of the shopfront, where the delightful and imaginative window display just draws you inwards. What keeps you there, is the quality, diversity, selection and value of its stock. A miscellany of beautiful things to make the customers linger.

As owner Darren Carroll explains. “We like to create a warm relaxed atmosphere, where it becomes a pleasure to visit and browse with no obligation to buy.”

Darren believes passionately in being ‘hands on’. “I like to pay attention to detail and give a personal service.”

And Darren would certainly know, he has worked at the store for 39 years before taking over the reigns from previous owner Pat Morrissey.

“We try to cater for everyone. Our pet section is fully stocked.

We have an aquatic section, reptile section, we cater for dogs, cats, small animals, wild birds, pet birds, tortoise, bearded dragons, geckos, chameleons and snakes. We also have a large quantity of clothing, rain gear, jackets, workwear, coats, hillwalking boots, fishing tackle, archery equipment, socks, hats, gloves, schoolbags, rucksacks, leather belts and wallets, and a wide range of branded flasks and other equipment.

Darren’s advice and direction proves very helpful in selecting presents for family and friends or choosing gifts for work colleagues.

It is wonderful to have a local shop that caters for pretty much everything and Darren along with his store manager Dean Hogan take great care and go to great lengths to source items that they would be very happy to use, wear or receive themselves.

“We listen to and appreciate feedback from our customers, for example, we are aware of the growing trend towards green, organic and natural” says Darren.

Such a wonderful shop, I would defy anyone who enters the premises to leave without making a purchase, or two, or too many. It is a challenge but such a pleasurable one.

FARMING

Full Impact Assessment Needed for Proposed Nature Restoration Law

Addressing the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action on Nature

Restoration Law and Land Use

Review this week, IFA National Environment Committee Chair Paul O’Brien said the proposed regulations must not have a detrimental effect on Irish agriculture and rural Ireland. The proposed regulation allows for Ireland to include areas of peat extraction sites to achieve these targets, as well as drained peatlands under land uses other than agriculture such as forestry, up to a maximum of 20% of overall target.

“The regulation has the potential to remove significant areas of land from agricultural production. Ireland’s National Inventory Report 2022 estimates that there are 330,000 hectares of drained grassland on organic (peat) soils,” Paul O’Brien said.

Under the proposals the potential impact on drained agricultural would be to restore 100,000 hectares of this drained grassland by 2030 increasing to 231,000 hectares by 2050. This represents 7% of the utilisable agriculture area under grassland.

“The lack of clarity with regard to what is meant by “restore” or “satisfactory levels” as well as the potential impact on farmland and production is a source of serious concern for farmers and rural communities, particularly in the midlands and west, where this soil type is more prevalent,” he added.

The change in policies will have a direct impact on demand for land, which is currently being experienced through the Nitrates Action Programme and banding within dairying.

“This has had a disproportionate impact on the more financially vulnerable sectors, such as tillage,

as they cannot compete and justify paying the higher rental prices. This is contrary to Government policy under the Climate Action Plan which proposes to increase the area under tillage,” Paul O’Brien said.

The IFA National Environment Committee Chair also called for the Government to carry out a full economic impact assessment in order to measure the farreaching consequences for Irish agriculture.

“It is vital a full impact assessment is undertaken to quantify the area of farmland that will be affected to ensure the proposed targets are realistic and fair and are not detrimental to the continuity of farming in Ireland. This will provide an estimation of the economic impact and social burden of the restoration measures, as well as the cost of compliance,” Paul O’Brien said.

Deepening Crisis in Sheep Sector Requires Urgent Action

IFA Sheep Chairman Kevin Comiskey said the crisis in the sheep sector is deepening as prices continue well below last year’s levels.

He said prices this year are still 70c/kg behind last year with input costs on sheep farms showing no signs of reducing.

“Last year’s margins of just €7/ ewe as presented by Teagasc at the national IFA Sheep meeting in Athlone at the end of January clearly highlighted the extent

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of the problems on farms in 2022. With prices running almost €16/lamb behind last year’s levels, sheep farmers are facing into a critical situation if urgent action is not taken by the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue,” he said.

Kevin Comiskey said the Minister convened the Food Vision Sheep Group over a month ago to put forward proposals to address the crisis in the sector.

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“The sector is in crisis. Sheep farmers need immediate direct supports to offset the enormous input cost increases experienced on farms and the unviable prices returned from the market place.” Sheep farmers supports must be built to €30/ewe to sustain this low-income vulnerable sector that contributed over €475m in export value to the national economy last year – an increase of 17% – while at the same time having their margins slashed by

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Warranty - 10 Years

over 80%. Store lamb finishers must also be directly supported for the vital role they play in the sector and particularly for hill sheep farmers.

Kevin Comiskey said it is understandable that it takes the Minister’s officials time to put in place a scheme for sheep farmers, but what is not acceptable is the length of time it’s taking the Minister to outline his intentions in relation to supporting sheep farmers in this crisis.

Two weeks ago, the Minister told us he had instructed his officials to look at what supports could be provided. It’s now time for the Minister to come forward with his proposals.

The IFA Sheep Chairman said there is a significant fund of money available to the Minister in the Brexit Adjustment Reserve which must be utilised or it will be lost. The sheep sector, more than most other sectors, is impacted by the negative effects

of Brexit and must be supported through this fund.

Kevin Comiskey said Minister McConalogue has had more than enough time to make his mind up on how he plans to support sheep farmers in this crisis.

“The time for talking is over. We must hear now from the Minister what his intentions are and how he proposes to support sheep farmers at this critical time,” he said.

FETHARD: Joe Kenny

National Stud and Japanese Gardens

In association with Coolmore Stud, Sixth Year students from Fethard Patrician Presentation Secondary School enjoyed a trip to National Stud and Japanese Gardens recently. Set in 850

acres of green rolling hills, it presented the students with an opportunity to interact with the workings of a stud farm, which included a tour of the stud and horses.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for Tuesday, March 28, 2023, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 7, 12, 19 and 34. We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150: Chrissie O’Meara. One Lucky Dip winner received €100: Deirdre O’Meara.

The next draw takes place on Tuesday, April 4, when the jackpot is €18,400. The funds raised are used to promote sport in the local community.

Fethard

Easter Services for the Church of Ireland

Friday, April 7 – Good Friday: Cahir, St Paul’s Church, at 8pm. The Way of the Cross – The Very Revd Dr R MacCarthy)

Sunday, April 9 – Easter Day: Fethard, Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, at 9.30am. Holy Communion – The Ven. J Murray Clonmel, Old St. Mary’s at 11am: Holy Communion – The Ven. J Murray.

Tullaghmeelan, Knocklofty Parish at 12 noon. Holy Communion –The Very Revd Dr R MacCarthy.

Social Dancing in Fethard Ballroom

Fethard Ballroom continues its social dancing on Sunday, April 2, to the music of ‘Finbarr Dennehy Band’.

All are welcome to come along and enjoy a great night’s entertainment and social dancing from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes.

For further information or for booking the Ballroom, contact Eileen Coady, Tel: 086 0776420.

Augustinian Abbey Fethard calling ‘All Sinners’.

As part of the Easter celebration a service of General Absolution will take place in the Augustinian Abbey, Fethard at the weekend masses on Saturday, April 1, and Sunday, April 2. All who wish to participate are most welcome including those who wish to avail of the Sacrament of Reconciliation on live-stream.

& Killusty Community Games

Community Games Art and Handwriting medal winners attending Killusty NS. Back L to R: Oliver O’Flynn, Tristan Byrne, Kate Gaule, Aobhnait Ryan, Zoe Thompson, Hazel Holohan, Callum O’Flaherty. Front L to R: Gus O’Flynn, George O’Flynn, Ted Purcell, Kaiden Power, Charlie O’Flynn, Olivia Feery, and Rowan Holohan.

Congratulations to our winners in the Swimming events: to Eoin O’Donnell, Slanestown who was winner of a gold medal in the

Students from Patrician Presentation supporting Daffodil Day in Fethard on Friday, March 24.

boys’ U14 Freestyle event, and to Toby Hayes, Drumdeel, who was winner of a silver medal in boys’ U14 Butterfly event. Eoin will represent Tipperary at the National Finals in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, on Saturday April 13. We wish Eoin the very best of luck. Results of Area Handwriting Girls U10 – 1st Hazel Holohan, Killusty Boys U10 – 1st Ted Purcell, 2nd Gus O’Flynn, 3 Charlie O’Flynn Girls U12 – 1st Zoe Thompson, 2 Aobhnait Ryan, 3 Alina Petlenko

Boys U12 – 1st Tristan Byrne, 2nd Sam Walsh, 3 Fionn O’Meara. (Sam and Fionn are pupils of Holy Trinity NS. Other medallists are pupils of Killusty NS).

Results of Area Art

Boys U8 – 1st Charlie O Donnell, 2nd Gus O’Flynn, 3rd George O’Flynn

Boys U10 – 1st James Sheehan, Fethard, 2nd Rowan Holohan, Joint 3rd Kaiden Power & Charlie O’Flynn

Boys U12 – 1st Tristan Byrne,

2nd Collum O’Flaherty, 3rd Sam Walsh.

Boys U14 – 1st Oliver O’Flynn, 2nd Gavin Tyrell, 3rd Leon Kane.

Girls U8 – 1st Sophie O’Donnell, 2nd Maria Makhynya, 3rd Olivia Feery

Girls U10 – 1st Angelina

Shabrat, 2nd Hazel Holohan, 3rd Veronica Demchuk

Girls U12 – 1st Chelsea Rosemary Sugrue, 2nd Alena Petlenko, 3rd Kate Gaule

Girls U14 – 1st Kelly Quinlan.

Parish Church Lotto Jackpot won!

24.

St.

Vincent de Paul - Help First Communion expenses

The Fethard conference of St Vincent de Paul would like to ask anybody who needs assistance with First Communion expenses to contact us on any of these mobile numbers as soon as possible: 085 8086099; 086 8443622; 086 8588118; or 086 1940016. Please text your name and address and we will

get back to you well before the Communion. We would also like to thank all shoppers who put some of their cash change into our collection boxes in the local shops we really appreciate your generosity, and it is a very valuable help to our work.

Thanks again!

Congratulations to Mary Morrissey, who won this week’s Lotto Jackpot of €3,950 on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The numbers drawn were 7, 11, 17 and 21. Next week’s Jackpot for Thursday, March 30, will be €525. We are delighted with the support shown for our Parish Lotto, it is a fundraising initiative that is of great benefit to the parish. Please pass the word on and invite friends and family to take part. You can help in a real, practical way and, who knows, you might also be lucky. I hope that the €2 per line option will allow everybody to contribute. Work has commenced to repair

the parish church organ Work has commenced to repair the parish church organ. This organ was built by Telford circa 1884. There has been little, if any, maintenance on the organ in our lifetime so it is a considerable undertaking to repair it. It is a testament to Goldie and Denise’s ability that any sound has come from it in recent years. We will use some of the proceeds of the parish lotto, offertory collections and donations to complete the repair work. We hope that this organ, when it is fully refurbished, will continue to enhance our masses, funerals and celebrations for many more generations to come.

The group are photographed above at a bridge in the Japanese Garden, that were created over one hundred years ago by a master Japanese horticulturist. Thank you to Coolmore Stud for supporting this trip for the students.

Fr. Iggy O’Donoghue OSA photographed nwith some of the students from Patrician Presentation Secondary School before they set out to help with ‘Daffodil Day’ collection in Fethard town on Friday, March

U8 Art winners from Holy Trinity NS: L to R: Charlie O’Donnell, Angelina Shabrat, Ms MaryKate MacGabhann (teacher), Maria Makhynka, and Sophie O’Donnell.

Medal winning boys L to R: Fionn O’Meara (Handwriting), Sam Walsh (Art & Handwriting), and James Sheehan (Art).

DUNDRUM: Sean Breen

NOTES FOR THE PAPER

If you wish to put in local notes please send same to rangerbreen@ gmail.com no later than 6pm on the previous Sunday night

KICKHAM GAA

INTERMEDIATE HURLING

Our Intermediate’s kicked off their County Hurling League Division 3 campaign Sunday 19th of March with a one point loss to Ballingarry in tough conditions. Final score was Kickhams 1.08 Ballingarry 0-12. They will be out again when St.Marys come to Dundrum this Saturday evening.

Time TBC.

JUNIOR HURLING

Our Junior Hurlers kicked off Patrick’s day in their respective County Hurling League Division 5 game with a 3 point loss to Ballylooby/Castlegrace on the score1-13 to 1-16. They make the trip to Carrick to play Carrick Swans this Sunday at 12pm.

FIXTURES:

Wednesday 29/3

U17B Football South/West League vs Killenaule in Killenaule at 6:15pm.

Thursday 30/3

U15A Football vs Arravale Rovers in Dundrum at 6:15pm.

Saturday 1/4

Co. Hurling league Div. 3 vs St. Marys in Dundrum-Time TBC

U17B Football South/West League vs Galtee Rovers/Emly in Bansha at 3pm.

Sunday 2/4

County Hurling League Division

5 vs Carrick Swan in Carrick at 12pm.

KICKHAM LOTTO

Last Monday night the Kickhams Lotto Jackpot was worth €6,000. Tickets are available in Butlers Centra, Quirke’s Garage, Heffernan’s Food store and from any committee member or online before 6pm next Monday. If unable to get to shops please support online with the following link: https://bit.ly/3cUNn3n

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

NOTES

ACTIVE RETIREMENT GROUP

We are hitting the road again with our active retirement group. We can tell you now that our first trip this year will take place on Wednesday May 3rd. There is a change of venue for our first trip. We are booked into The Japanese people Gardens and the National Stud in Kildare.

Our trip to Leinster House and Dáil Éireann will now take on Wednesday June 14th. We are taking names for both trips so please get your seat booked as soon as possible. We have to limit our numbers to both trips, so please don’t leave it too late to book.

Register your interest as soon as possible by contacting our committee, Helen Ryan, 0879046671, Darren Ó Néill, 0879579125 or Kieran Slattery, 0877934071.

We would love to see more male friends joining us on this trip and. Further details of the full itinerary will follow, and once again, due to the support we receive from our share the spoils

fundraiser and grant assistance from HSE, we hope to be able to subsidise some of the cost. Open to all our friends that travelled with us last year, and hope to see new faces.

“SHARE THE SPOILS”

Congratulations to Mary Ó Meara, Moyglass, our share the spoils winner last week, winning €375.Our weekly draw takes place tomorrow night, Thursday, March 30th. Envelopes are available in all the usual business in Dundrum, and from the dispenser boxes in Knockavilla and Donaskeigh villages.

KEEP SAFE AND WELL!

We would like to remind people that the security phones, with pendants etc. are still available for eligible people. This equipment offers a great sense of security and peace of mind, so if interested, please contact any member of Knockavilla community Council, or pick up an application form at the health centre, Dundrum.

DUNDRUM AC NOTES

COUNTY SENIOR ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The County Senior Road Championships were held on Sunday, March 26 in Templemore. It was a lovely spring day with the sun shining. We had 15 athletes competing. The women raced over 5km. Dymphna Ryan had a superb race to retain her title of Senior Champion in 17:26, 1 min 6 secs ahead of 2nd place. Next we had 5th Linda Grogan 19:43, Catherine Fogarty 20:33 and Mairead Julian 21:54. Dymphna, Linda and Catherine won Silver

GOLDEN KILFEACLE GAA & PARISH Marcella Collins

Huge success

What a fantastic day was had by a massive dancing crowd at our country music festival in Golden Kilfeacle GAA complex last weekend.

A great success with people travelling to Golden from West Cork, Kilkenny, Offaly, Limerick to name but a few.

Fantastic artists graced the stage and people danced from 1.30pm to 6.30pm.

Our twice yearly Country Music Dancing Festival is definitely

proving to be a huge hit.

Tidy Villages

Our first get-together to begin our parish clean-up is this Wednesday evening at 7pm. Meeting down church lane, bring gloves etc for weeding. Be delighted with extra help this year so please come along and give 1 hour of your time.

Daffodil Day

A brilliant total of €2,383.32 was raised in Gala shop Golden last Friday for Daffodil Day. Well done to Jenny Lawrence,

CLOGHEEN: PJ English

Chorcal Cainte

Every Monday Night for one hour in Burncourt Hall from 8pm to 9pm. Why not come along and join in the chat as Gaeilge. All welcome to attend.

New , Tai Chi Classes With Marie

Learn the ancient art of Tai Chi and Chi Kung using slow gentle movements and breath work to promote health, wellness rehabilitation. Starts Monday 17th April at 7pm, weekly classes.

Chi Yoga classes continue in Clogheen Hall every Thursday at

7pm.

Glengarra Flower and Garden Club

Flower Demonstration by Bertranda Delaney will take place on Thursday 30th March in Burncourt Hall from 7.30pm. Members €10 and visitors welcome €15.

Vee Rovers F.C.

Shanbally Youths under 16s kicked off their season at home to St Kevin’s on Saturday. Two first half goals to St Kevin’s Daniel Burke and Keelan Williams saw them with a 2-0 advantage at the

in the team event. The men raced over 10km. Kevin Moore had a fantastic run to claim Gold in 32:12 with a 57 secs lead on 2nd place. Next we had Eamonn Morrissey claiming Bronze in 34:35. Making their debuts for the club in a fantastic 5th was Tom O’Connell in a PB of 36:09 and 11th Jimmy Boland 37:03. These 4 combined to win Gold in the team event. Next we had 18th Colm Bradshaw 38:37, 20th Darren Allison 38:48 and 21st Gerry O’Neill 39:03. These 3 combined to win Gold in Section B of the team event. Next we had 25th Paudie Coen 39:56, 26th Patrick Ryan 40:22 and 27th John Ryan 40:47. These 3 combined to win Silver in Section B of the team event. Jim Halley was 32nd in 45:27. Huge well done to all. Great to see new club members with Tom and Jimmy. It was also a debut to this championship for Darren, Gerry and John.

SLOW / LONG RUNS

Group slow and or long runs are held every Saturday at 8:30am and Sunday at 9am in the Duck Pond, Marl bog. There is a 2km and 3km route, so suitable for whatever distance you want to complete. We go anticlockwise to the right from the car park. So go clockwise to the left of the car park if running late to catch up.

JUVENILE TRAINING

Juvenile training is held every Tuesday and Friday at 7pm at the track at Dundrum Community Centre. Children have to turn 9 years old by end of this year to be able to take part.

BALLYLOOBY/DUHILL Kathleen Moloney

Second night for Ballylooby National School Sports Field Fundraiser

In order to avoid disappointment another show will be held on Thursday March 30th in Duhill Hall @ 8:15pm. The show on Saturday night proved to be a huge success & well done to all who took part & involved, all in aid of our parish school sports field. Tickets from: Michael: 086-0251277, Lina: 087-1334104

Ballylooby/Castlegrace

Development Lotto

Result 21/3/23. Lucky no’s drawn 1, 17, 20 & 23. No jackpot winner, one match three: Sean Morrissey online Next weeks jackpot €3,900. The club extend their thanks for your continued support. Tickets available from usual outlets & clubforce.com-

Ballylooby/Castlegrace Gaa

Ballylooby Community Council

sponsors and members of the Community Council who make these events such a success with all their hard work and dedication.

Months Mind Mass

Months Mind mass for John McGrath, Outrath, Cahir and formerly of Clogheenafishogue, Ballylooby in St Kieran’s Church, Ballylooby on Saturday 1st April at 7.30pm.

Confirmation 2023

Congratulations to all the pupils from 5th & 6th class who received their Confirmation in Duhill Church on March 23rd Well done to all the parents, teachers, servers, choir, Fr. John & Bishop Alphonses & everyone involved getting ready for your special day.

Ballylooby/Castlegrace GAA

Nellie O’Connor & Ann Beattie for organising this very successful event.

Social Get-together

Martina and Breda are again organising our over 60s get together for Friday 31st March at 10.30am in Golden Kilfeacle GAA complex main hall. All over 60’s in our parish are invited to attend for coffee and chat.

Huge Concert

A fully seated concert will take place in Golden Kilfeacle GAA

complex main hall on Saturday 22nd April at 8pm. Take It To The Limit, Music of the Eagles. Tickets just €29.50. Available in Gala shop Golden Nellie O’Connor on 087 6228932

John O’Brien Obs Kilross on 087 8253139. Bar facilities on the night.

Featuring Johnny Brady, Simon Casey, Nigel Connell & The Sheerin Family Band. Get your tickets ASAP as this is going to be a sellout.

Ballylooby Community Council would like to extend their sincere thanks to all who attended our St Patrick’s Parade in the village on Sunday the 19th of March. We are very grateful that Gerry Duffy, our MC joined us on the day and assisted in the proceedings. Also we wish to thank our own DJ Willie for the great atmosphere before and after the parade. Thanks to all the participants, groups, clubs and floats who entered in the parade . We wish to extend our gratitude to Mitchelstown Transport for the use of the trailer for our viewing stand. Comhaltas and all their wonderful musicians and also to Avril Langton for the fabulous Irish dancing. Cahir News and Maria Taylor for capturing the footage. The Ballylooby Ploughing Association for the use of their marquee. All the public representatives that joined us on the day. Also to Sweet Things and Mar.Bella Pizza for joining us and providing the much needed treats. Lastly we would sincerely like to thank all our wonderful volunteers,

will host a Tipperary GAA Easter Camp on 4th to 6th April 10am to 1pm. Cost is €40 and must be booked through the link below: https://tipperary.gaa.ie/shop/2023easter-camps/

U 11

U 11 Football hosted their first Go Games blitz of the season on Sunday morning. Thank you to Kilsheelin and Ballyporeen for coming. All players displayed great skill and best of luck for the rest of the year. County Football League Division

3 Result:

Ballylooby/Castlegrace 1-15

Fethard 0-07

NEW: Tai Chi Classes with Maria Learn the ancient art of Tai Chi & Chi Kung using slow, gentle movements and breath work to promote health, wellness and rehabilitation.

Starts Thurs April 20th, 9:45am. Suitable for all abilities and fitness levels.

Yoga classes continue in Duhill Hall every Monday & also in Clogheen at 7pm. Chi Yoga (on the mat): 9:45am Chair Yoga: 11:15am New people are very welcome anytime. Contact Maria book: 086:1716595 / www.theinspiringmentor.com

interval . St Kevin’s pulled a goal back in the second half but a goal ten minutes from time by Jack Sullivan guaranteed the home side all three points.

Youths were away to Clonmel Celtic in the semi-final of the Tipperary youths cup at Ferryhouse.

Failure to convert two early chances, which they could regret later on, saw both sides reach half time scoreless . Two quick fire goals by Celtic early in the second half saw the home side get a grip on the game and they went on to add a

third near the end to book their place in the final.

Juniors - A much depleted junior side saw Vee Rovers play Bansha Celtic in a league fixture. Despite a battling performance where everybody gave their all, Bansha ran out 3-0 winners in the end.

Clogheen Notes - If you have notes for to be include in this paper, please forward them to or phone or text me on 087 798 4929 or drop them into the Vee Valley Fruit and Veg Shop Clogheen before 6pm Saturday.

Some audience members who watched this years play by Clogheen Drama Group I do not like thee Dr Fell.

FUZZ’D UP

Royal Irish Academy elects Pat Guiry as President

On March 16, 2023, at their Stated General Meeting, the Members of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) voted Pat Guiry MRIA as its 58th President for a three-year term. The Royal Irish Academy is Ireland’s leading body of experts in the sciences and humanities. Professor Guiry who is Full Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry and Director of the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology in University College Dublin, replaced the outgoing President Dr Mary Canning. Professor Guiry was elected to membership in 2013 and has been an active Member, serving the Academy on Council from 2015 to 2020 with specific roles as Science Secretary, a member of the Executive and Policy and Oversight Committees from 2016 to 2020.

Pat Guiry grew up in St. Johnstown, Fethard, County Tipperary and attended the Patrician Brothers Primary School and the Patrician Brothers / Presentation Sisters Secondary School in Fethard. He studied at University College Dublin (UCD), B.Sc. 1986 and Ph.D. 1990 with

Professor Dervilla Donnelly and was a visiting student in the group of Nobel Prize winner, Professor Sir Derek Barton FRS. He carried out postdoctoral research in asymmetric catalysis with John M. Brown FRS (Oxford University). He joined UCD in 1993 and is currently the Director of the Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology and Full Professor of Synthetic Organic Chemistry since 2006. His research interests include the design, synthesis, and application of novel ligands in asymmetric catalysis, natural product synthesis, and medicinal chemistry. He has supervised 59 Ph.D. students to graduation to date, worked with 24 postdoctoral fellows and supervised over 120 final year undergraduate project students. His work has been published in over 180 peerreviewed papers, review articles and book chapters. He was elected a Member of the Royal Irish Academy in 2013 and is an elected member of the UCD Governing Authority (third term) and of the Senate of the National University of Ireland (third term). He was the Science Secretary of the Royal

Students kept busy at St Mary’s Parochial School

For the final term of school last year, the senior pupils (3rd to 6th class) were very busy taking part in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP). This programme allows children to develop their entrepreneurial skills by researching, creating, marketing and selling their very own product. To begin our journey, we met with a local entrepreneur who is the owner of ‘The Cobbler’ shop in Clonmel town. He explained how and why he created his business and told us all about the necessary skills to use to be successful.

After this, we brainstormed various suggestions for products that we could create and sell. In groups the pupils pitched their ideas and showcased sample products to the ‘Dragons’ in a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style presentation. In true entrepreneurial spirit, everyone performed admirably well and adapted and overcame the

Irish Academy from 2016−2020 and is the President of the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland from 2019−present and President of the EuChemS Division of Organic Chemistry. He chairs the Board of the Young Scientist & Technology Ltd and is a Head Judge in the Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics category. He was recipient of the UCD President’s Teaching Award in 1999, the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland’s Boyle-Higgins Medal in 2014 and the Science Foundation Ireland Mentorship Award in 2020. A keen tennis player, with 19 Irish national titles to date, he represented Ireland in 2022 in the Austria Cup (ITF World Team Competition) in Florida.

The Royal Irish Academy (RIA)

The Royal Irish Academy, founded in 1785, is Ireland’s leading body of experts supporting and promoting the sciences and humanities. As an all-island independent forum of peer-elected experts we recognise world-class researchers and champion Irish academic research.

We make a significant contribution to public debate

and policy formation on issues in science, technology, and culture. We bring together academia, government, and industry to address issues of mutual interest

by providing an independent forum.

We lead important national research projects, particularly in areas relating to Ireland and its

heritage. We represent the world of Irish learning internationally, have a unique globally recognised library and are a leading academic publisher.

Three Rockwell students qualify for final of Generation Euro competition

difficulties that were presented on the day even when the electricity happened to temporarily go during the event!!

Once we had decided on the products to create and sell, the pupils conducted market research to determine the price to charge for their goods and busied themselves creating their products. As well as this, the children created posters to market the sale day. It was here where all the children’s hard work came to fruition as they sold their baked goods, handmade bookmarks and plushies. On the 14th of June we had a celebration over Zoom where RTE presenters, Dáithí O Sé and Miriam O’Callaghan; Kerry All-Star, David Clifford; Minister for Education, Norma Foley T.D., and CNN Correspondent, Donie O’Sullivan congratulated us on our hard work. It was a lovely way to finish off the school term. Well done to all involved!

The team made up of Padraig Duggan (Killenaule), Peter Heaney (New Inn) and Ronan O’Connor of Tipperary Town are one of only three teams nationwide that will compete in the Final to be held at the Central Bank of Ireland.

To qualify the Rockwellians (team name) had to negotiate an MCQ round which was followed by an essay whereby the students had to predict the ECB base interest rate on December 2023. The students seen below preparing their final presentation had to take inflation, current interest rates and the everchanging financial markets into consideration. Padraig Duggan from Killenaule said, ‘Our first aim was to get past the Round

1, while we were reasonably confident of that, our main goal was to reach the final. Now that we have achieved that, we aim to win it.’

Their economics teacher Pat Egan spoke of his pride when hearing the news but most of all his delight for Ronan, Peter and Padraig as they put in a huge amount of work both in evening study and at home. Preparations began on hearing the great news and will continue until they present their findings to a jury of economists including Deputy Governor of the Irish Central Bank, Sharon Donnery. With the winning team due to represent Ireland in the European Final in Frankfurt the reward is great.

Austin McQuinn

Some signs are secret, some manifest

Some signs are secret, some manifest is an exhibition of new work by Austin McQuinn specifically created for the doubleheight atrium and galleries of South Tipperary Arts Centre, in Clonmel. McQuinn’s new paintings on ash wood panels and found antique prints are intensely gesso- ed, collaged and inked to psychedelic effect. The 17 foot ‘Tower’ of discarded Aran sweaters in the Atrium signals the unique Norman architecture of tower houses in South Tipperary and echoes an earlier installation he created in Kilmainham Gaol

presenting sweaters as totems to make a new tribal or fetish powerobject for the Gallery.

In a challenging exploration of the traditional and the discarded, of biopower and queer energy, McQuinn will be artist-inresidence at the STAC Chapel in the former Kickham Army Barracks. He will create a twentyfour hour live-streamed live-art performance event, titled Imperial Lunatic. Following the cycle of the new moon rising, Imperial Lunatic will incorporate the artist’s body in series of repeating actions, video clips of volcanoes

and processions, percussion, medals, zigzags, tongues, and talc.

Austin McQuinn is an awardwinning visual artist and performance expert who lives and works in South Tipperary. His has had several solo exhibitions at Project Arts Centre, Dublin, Butler Gallery, Kilkenny and David Cunningham Projects San Francisco and most recently at The Source, Thurles where he first exhibited this new body of inked paintings and sculpture. His work is collected by The Arts Council and many public and private collections in Ireland and U.S.A.

Events

31st March – Opening of Some signs are secret, some manifest at STAC

22nd April - Imperial Lunatic a 24hr hour live-art installation/ performance at STAC Chapel.

25th April - In Conversation: Austin McQuinn & Fearghus Ó Conchúir Nelson St, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 W658 info@ southtippartscentre.ie www. southtippartscentre.ie

Professor Pat Guiry, chemist has been elected the 58th President Royal Irish Academy (RIA) for a three-year term.

Ronan O’Connor, Padraig Duggan and Peter Heaney from Rockwell College qualified for the final of the Generation Euro competition.

TAYLOR (3rd Anniversary)

Footprints In The Sand

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.

Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.

This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:

who died on 6th April, 2020

Aged 70 years

Rest in Peace

Have a heart that never hardens, A temper that never tires, And a touch that never hurts.

“LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”

The LORD replied:

“My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”

Vincent Morton Place, Clonmel formerly Ballinahinch, Cashel

Sadly missed by John and all your friends in Fennessy’s Hotel.

Town maintain title challenge with derby win

Clonmel Town maintained their title challenge with a big win at neighbours Clonmel Celtic on Sunday morning at the Bypass. Although Celtic will be disappointed with a big home defeat you have to credit Town who were simply too good on the day, as they continue to zone in on what they hope will be a first title winning season in over a decade. The visitors started on the front foot and looked sharp in the early stages, but despite having little to play for Celtic gradually settled into the game and matched their

rival’s intensity for the first half hour. Indeed, the hosts came closest to scoring when Darren Sweeney was freed following a good move but his shot was well saved by the away keeper. The league leaders finally hit the front in the thirty third minute when Stephen Kelly powered home a header from a corner, and the watching crowd felt that after going behind, Celtic needed to hold on until half time and hopefully regroup at the interval. But they were denied that opportunity when Town got a crucial second

just before the break, with Jamie Ahearne sweeping home a fine effort from just outside the box. The game was effectively over four minutes into the second half when Ashley Lasslett struck a brilliant effort from an acute angle to the top corner to put his side in complete control. The home side visibly wilted and faded and with fifteen minutes to the end Stephen Kelly got his second from close range, before Alan O’Donnell scored a free kick with the final shot of the game, to see the visitors run out convincing winners.

The home side knew that nothing less than three points against already relegated Vee Rovers was enough if they are going to climb away from the relegation trap door themselves, and they delivered with a good win on Sunday afternoon in Bansha. But they didn’t have it all their own way, and the first real chance of the game fell to the away side just before the quarter hour mark, when a shot from distance cannoned off the crossbar and went over the top of the goal to safety. That might have been the wake up call the home side needed however and they

began to dominate proceedings before opening the scoring in the thirty second minute, when a cross from the right hand side of the pitch was headed to the net by Daniel O’Dwyer. This was the only score of the first half and the hosts continued their control of the game in the early part of the second period, but they came up against some very stout defending by the visiting side. Rovers began to tire however and 18 minutes from time, Celtic were offered a gilt edged chance to increase their advantage when Tony Egan was fouled in the area, and Daire

Tipperary Cup, 3rd Round Peake Villa 2 – 3 St Michael’s (AET 2 -2)

Two of the “big beasts” of the TSDL faced off in the quarter finals of the Tipperary Cup at the weekend when St Michael’s travelled to Thurles to take on Peake Villa, and they put on a great show of football for the expectant watching crowd. Unfortunately for the home side, there was a sense of déjà vu to the proceedings, when for the second time in a week, they exited a cup by a single goal in five after bringing the game all the way to extra time. The hosts started brightly and created the first good chance in just the third minute when Ronan McGuire was through on goal, but his effort just cleared the crossbar. With the quality on show from both sides

it wasn’t going to be long before a goal came, and when it did just three minutes later, it went to the visitors, with Ed O’Dwyer finding the net. Villa then lost Keith Cahill through injury in the 16th minute, but they responded positively, by scoring the goal of the game eight minutes later, through a Mikey Wade free kick that gave the Saints netminder no chance to keep out.

Dale Loughnane also went close for the home side two minutes before the break, but his shot went just wide of the post. It looked like the sides were going in level but the visitors stunned the home crowd when they broke quickly down-field and created an opportunity for Ashley Kelleher, who made no mistake to send his

Egan subsequently made no mistake from the penalty spot. Three minutes later they assured themselves of the points when Daire Egan scored his second and his sides third with a delicious curling effort beyond the reach of the Rovers keeper, from all of 25 yards out. The win now draws them level on points with Cashel Town, and Bansha have a number of games to play, but they will face tougher tasks in trying to claim the points they will need to propel themselves to safety and further participation at the highest level in the TSDL.

side into half time in front. The second half saw the home side chase the game trying to break down a good Michael’s defence and it looked like the visitors were going to hold out, until deep in time added on, Dale Loughnane came up with an equaliser with a fine finish to send the game to a further 20 minutes. But the hosts were dealt a blow only four minutes in when they didn’t clear their lines after an attack and John O’Brien scored to put the Saints back in front at three goals to two. Try as they might to extend the game beyond that, the hosts simply couldn’t pick the Saints defensive lock a third time, and bowed out of the cup, albeit with their heads held high.

Clonmel Celtic 0-5 Clonmel Town

Bansha Celtic 3 – 0 Vee Rovers

TSDL Premier League

The Hockey Zone

Clonmel young guns come out on top in thrilling final

The Water based pitch in Garryduff Sports Centre, Cork on St. Patrick Day was the venue for the Division 3 Girls U16 finals between Ashton and Clonmel. There were many supporters from both teams in the stand with lots of flags and banners in evidence to add to the occasion.

Both teams had come through the qualifying round with close games. Clonmel’s last game ended a draw, but they won 2-0 on “shuttles” (where players take on the keeper in a 1v1 to try and score within 8 seconds). Goal Scorers on the day were Grace Dalton and Lucile Coudray a Belgian exchange student who has played with the girls over the last 3 months.

Clonmel were almost at full strength with a panel of 16. The return of star midfielder Rebecca Curran, after injury, was a welcome addition to the team.

Clonmel started more confidently, coming off a run of good form, the team were well gelled and eager to build on recent positive performances. Led by Captain Verona Madigan, they found space up the wings and quickly gained circle entries against a very good Ashton scramble

defence. Verona linked with Rebecca Curran in midfield who in turn fed Grace Dalton at the circle edge with accurate passes.

Mia English at Centre Forward got some strong shots on target. However, the Ashton Goalie was in fine form and pulled off some fantastic saves. Zoe O’Gorman at left wing took up some great positions at the Ashton back post. Unfortunately, her shots drifted off target or were saved by the excellent Ashton keeper.

The Clonmel press was very effective at turning over Ashton position and keeping them pinned in their own circle. Sorcha Kennedy and Síofra O’Loughlin were particularly effective at turning over Ashton possession to turn defence into attack. At the other end Maria O’Connor in the Clonmel goal was only a spectator.

Ashton only managed one circle entry in the first quarter, as Clonmel’s back line of Ali Hunter

Verona Madigan, Alice Everard and Gracie Cooney stopped all attacks well outside their circle. The first quarter whistle sounded with Clonmel well in control of the fixture.

The second quarter was much the same with Clonmel unable

to finish multiple chances on the Ashton goal. Lucy O’Neill joined the forwards to give the hard-working Mia English a rest. Clonmel managed to win a couple of penalty corners, but a desperate Ashton defence cleared the danger each time. The first half finished 0-0.

The 3rd quarter saw a more even game with Ashton managing to beat the Clonmel press a few times and attack the Clonmel Circle. They even managed to win a penalty corner on one occasion, but the threat was dealt with by the Clonmel’s defenders. The game ebbed and flowed at a more even pace with Ashton growing in confidence and Clonmel unable to finish multiple chances down the other end. Emily Hackett was introduced from the bench for the last quarter to play the right wing forward position. She managed a lovely pass into the waiting Zoe O’Gorman, but alas the shot just went wide.

The breakthrough finally came form a turnover by the Clonmel defender Alice Everard who slipped a pass to Gracie Cooney in Midfield. Gracie, beat her player just inside the Ashton half and looked up to see an

unmarked Grace Dalton in the Circle. A perfectly weighted 40m pass was controlled and then slotted home for the first goal of the game. Clonmel were ecstatic, but Ashton were not going to roll over. The last five minutes saw some very strong counter attacks by Ashton coming close on 2 occasions. The spectators were now fully into the excitement as Ashton managed several strong counter attacks. Ciara Ryan who

was now in goal for Clonmel had to make a couple of tricky saves as the ball whizzed across her goal. The final whistle finally came and an ecstatic Clonmel got to lift the cup, in what was a trilling final. Clonmel Team: Maria O’Connor, Ali Hunter, Verona Madigan, Gracie Cooney Alice Everard, Rebecca Curran Sorcha Kennedy, Síofra O’Loughlin, Zoe O’Gorman, Mia English, Grace Dalton, Ciara

Ryan

Lucy O’Neill, Naraa Kuzaj, Molly O’Riordan, Lydia Ó Dwyer, Emily Hackett.

Ashton Team Fiadh O’Leary, Freya Ní Stonchuit, Aibhe Geany, Julie Murphy Abbey Moynihan, Leah Power, Abigail Walshe, Eadaoin O’Connell, Jenny McCarthy, Lola Coughlan, Ava Gough, Rebecca Long, Jenny O’Brien, Ava Burgess, Olivia Ryan, Anna Espey.

Extra Time with Ronan Quirke

Join Ronan on Extra Time every Monday night at 7pm on TippFM

I have been interviewing players and managers of various sporting codes for long enough now to know how guarded they become when a microphone is put in front of them. In fact, even a casual conversation can be tempered by the fact that they regard you as a journalist (which I am not) even if there are no recording devices present. Frank and brutal honesty are rarely present in these conversations for fear of disclosing something that they shouldn’t. A fear perhaps of giving ammunition to the opposition or worse still, annoying the manager. Managers in all codes have become adept in the art of speaking at length and saying nothing. If you are to ever glean anything noteworthy from a player or a manager then you have to either wait until they retire or else interview them for longer than 5 minutes. But 5 minutes is about all you get under the tunnel after a game or over the phone the following Monday night. But once in a while you get a small glimpse of the life of an elite inter-county athlete. And it can come from an unexpected source. Recently, the Tipperary GAA Twitter feed published quick fire questions and answer interviews with two of our senior intercounty hurlers; Conor Stakelum from Thurles Sarsfields and Barry Hogan from Kiladangan. Now, most of the questions are intended purely as a bit of fun, for example whether the hurler prefers Batman or Spiderman. Nothing really incisive here nor is it intended to be. But every once in a while you get a small vignette that may prove inciteful. For example, when Stakelum is asked to name a player to watch in 2023, he answers, John McGrath.

Now everyone knows what John

McGrath is capable of, he had been around for long enough and has won two All Ireland’s with Tipp. But this split second answer from Stakelum might tell us two things. Firstly that McGrath has fully recovered from the Achilles injury suffered last year (already known) and two, that he is flying in training (something new). The latter you would never hear from another source. In between a fun question about Stars in their Eyes, comes a tiny insight into the training camp in Tipperary. Or else I am reading too much into an off the cuff answer.

But the second Q & A with goalkeeper Barry Hogan has something else entirely in it. He is asked when he last took an alcoholic drink. He pauses for a few moments before answering ‘New Year’s Eve’. Now the question was probably put with the best of intentions. It perhaps served to underline to the audience the sacrifices that players make in order to play senior hurling for Tipperary. And this column is not intended as a criticism of either Barry nor the Q & A forum that was published on Twitter. But I would have preferred if Barry had answered, ‘that’s none of your business’. Because it shouldn’t be in the Tipperary public’s interest to know anything about the private lives of players. And socialising and perhaps having a drink in the process forms part of a player’s private life.

It all feeds into the fear intercounty players must have if they do head out for a night, perhaps a social drink or two, nothing excessive, just the normal part of being a twenty something year old. A fear perhaps of being seen, being judged, and then perhaps a voice from the side-line

The Life of a Modern Inter-County Player

if you happen to have an off day during a game. Are we asking too much of our amateur players? Or perhaps a better question is, are we holding them to a higher standard that those we hold professional players to?

Ireland won their fourth ever rugby Grand Slam last week. We are all, collectively, delighted for them. We wouldn’t begrudge them a celebratory drink or two if that was what they wanted. Social media posts soon emerge of the players turning up at Garry Ringrose’s house as he didn’t feel inclined to go out for a third day/ night on the trot. So the players all turned up at his place, with bottles of beer in hand. And we have no problem with any of that. All perfectly understandable, a bit of fun. But consider this, it is less than a fortnight to the next round of the European Champions Cup. Almost all of the professional players with bottles of beer in hand will have a huge game in less than 10 days. If our amateur intercounty hurlers were seen with bottles of beer in hand 10 days out from the first round of the Munster Championship game against Clare, there would be uproar.

Professional rugby players letting their hair down 10 days out from a huge game with their provinces, not a word (nor should they be). Hurlers in the same boat, deemed unacceptable.

Take the European football championships of 2016. Ireland had to beat Italy in their final pool game to qualify for the next round. They duly obliged and would meet France four days later. It was a memorable win on a very big stage and there was understandable joy and relief. The following day, the front page of the national

All go for Tipp trio

After Saturday’s defeat to Kilkenny in Pilltown Drom-Inch trio of Mairead Eviston, Caoimhe Bourke and Eimear McGrath had to dash quickly to Dublin where the 2021/22 and 2022/23 AIB Camogie Club Championship Teams of the Year, Provincial Players of the Year and overall Players of the Year were being honoured in a special ceremony at Croke Park.

Drom-Inch keeper Caoimhe Bourke picked up her award for 2021/2022 Munster player of the year while both Mairead Eviston and Eimear McGrath were named on the 2022/2023 AIB Club team of the year while Mairead who captained Drom-Inch to Munster success was awarded 2022/2023 Munster Player of

newspapers had photos of the players celebrating in the dressing room. All very understandable. But wait a sec, some of the players had bottles of beer in their hands. An out-cry? Nope, not a word, nor should there have been. Contrast that with a dressing room photo from a Tipperary team if we were to win a round robin game in the championship with perhaps a decisive game the following Sunday. A bottle of beer in a player’s hand would lead to meltdown in the county.

Professional players with a pivotal clash in four days having a celebratory beer, no problem. Amateur players not having a drink so far this calendar year, right and proper, the least we can expect. Duplicitous? Absolutely. Go a little further afield and the situation is the same. In December 2008, Liverpool had just thrashed Newcastle 5-1 and for the first time in an age emerged as premier league title contenders. That night, their captain Stephen Gerrard was arrested and charged with assault casing actual bodily harm after an incident in a nightclub. Liverpool were about to embark on a very busy run of fixtures that always happen around the New Year, pivotal if the club were to remain as title contenders. Whilst there was understandable criticism of the player for getting involved in a nightclub fracas, there was no comment on the fact that a professional athlete was having a drink with his friends in the middle of a busy playing schedule.

Contrast that action with a GAA inter county player? It just would not go without comment.

The life of an intercounty player is hard. The training is hard. The sacrifices are hard. Increasingly, players are stepping away at

younger ages. Perhaps COVID impacted this generation more that is fully understood right now. Perhaps we ask too much of them. We expect them to make some sacrifices to play intercounty, but they are adults. It isn’t as if they are going to consume vast amounts of fast food and expect that they can perform at this level. Most of them are counting macros in their diet and adopt a professional approach to game preparation. Nor will they consume vast amounts of alcohol and expect to perform. But there has to be a balance between allowing these players live a life commensurate with their peers and play intercounty at the same time.

Imagine if a player did decide to go for a drink with their partner on a Sunday night. Would they spend the evening wondering how many eyes were on them, counting how many drinks they were having? Wondering if or when this might appear on social media. That isn’t a social life, that’s a prison, not only for the player, but for their partners too.

And then it is hard to escape the fact that the normalisation of alcohol abstinence during the intercounty season might lead to a pressure valve being realised when the season ends, and that isn’t normal either. When the late Liam Kearns was our football manager, one of his backroom team was the physio Ian Dowling. Dowling was a former Munster rugby winger and perhaps his rugby tradition brough some unique insights into a GAA dressing-room. We had some great days with that team culminating in an AllIreland Semi-final. After some notable wins over luminaries like Galway in Croke Park, Dowling

VERY Ireland Division 2B League

Tipperary 1-15 (18)

Wexford 2-08 (14)

would bring some beers into the dressing room to allow those who wanted one to enjoy a celebratory drink without the glare of a media often hostile to such an approach. It didn’t do them any harm. And probably galvanised the group, there was some singing etc. But is speaks to our collective attitudes that this could only be done away from cameras and microphones. I’d like to see our best intercounty players playing for Tipperary for as long as they are able and for as long as they want to. I’d hate for them to have to choose between having a life worth living and having an intercounty career. And I should stress that it isn’t just about alcohol. It is about a social life, relationships, maintaining friendships. If they cannot have the latter three things then why would you play intercounty? The fact we even need to ask a player when they last had an alcoholic drink goes to the heart of the matter. We may as well ask them, when did you last have a night out? And that certainly is none of our business.

HURLING HANDPASSTHROWBALL

Finally, one small matter struck me reading the match program at the recent under 20 hurling game in Cusack Park between Tipp and Clare. The Limerick referee, Eamon Stapleton, was asked a few questions for a small article in the program, one of which was, ‘what one rule in hurling would you like to see changed’. His answer, ‘the handpass, because the current rule has become unenforceable’. One wonders when the GAA will get around to listening to the opinions of the very people who are tasked with enforcing the unenforceable. Don’t hold your breath.

the Year. Congratulations to all three players on a wonderful achievement.

Tipperary’s second team recorded their first win of the season with a hard earned and well-deserved victory over Wexford in the county camogie grounds in the Ragg on Saturday. With the aid of the wind Tipperary started brightly. Aoife McLoughney starting her first game of the year immediately had an impact with two well taken frees to put Tipperary into the lead. Tipperary were playing well and enjoying plenty of possession but on the 10th minute against the run of play Wexford opened their account with a goal by Cathy O’Connor. Tipp responded with a point from play by Thurles Sarsfield’s Aoife Dwyer. Dwyer’s point from play was the first of 3 points in a row for David Sullivan’s side as they opened up a 2 point lead 5 points to a goal with 17 minutes played. Two minutes later the lead was back to one thanks to a pointed free from Wexford’s Oonagh Doyle. Tipp

finished the half very strong with 4 points in a row. Sarah Madden pointing twice either side of an Aoife McLoughney point from play. While in injury time Aoife nailed another free to give Tipp a deserving lead at the break 9 points to 1-1. Things were looking even better for the home team when a minute into the second half, halftime substitute Ciara McKeogh found the back of the net. Tipperary’s joy was short lived as almost from the puckout Wexford got in for a goal of their own. The goal gave Wexford a lift and with the advantage of the wind they began to take the game to Tipp and eat into the lead. Three points in succession (2 frees from Doyle and a Grace Roche score from play) made it 1-9 to 2-04 with 12 minutes played in the second half. Tipp needed a score to settle again and Jean Kelly duly obliged. The Annacarty attacker’s pace and energy was instrumental in all

that was good about Tipperary’s play. Aoife McLoughney had another point form play as in an entertaining second half both sides continued to exchange scores. As the clock ticked towards injury time Oonagh Doyle pointed a free to leave a goal in it 1-13 to 2-07. Again Tipperary went on the attack with Sarah Madden and Jean Kelly splitting the posts to ensure victory. A late Ciara Butler point reduced the deficit but in the end Tipperary were full value for their 4 point win.

Tipperary: Aoife O’Brien, Ellie Butler, Rachel Maher, Nessa Murray, Ciara Ryan, Lisa Cahill, Ciannait Walsh, Clodagh Horgan, Caroline Shanahan, Ellen Cunneen, Rachel O’Dwyer, Sarah Madden(0-03), Aoife Dwyer(0-01), Jean Kelly (0-02), Aoife McLoughney (0-08, 5 frees) Subs used: Ciara McKeogh (1-01), Katie Fitzgerald, Amy Callanan, Aisling Sheedy, Eimear Myles,

Finding a winner of the US Masters

As per usual at this time of the year, I’m going to try find the winner of the 2023 US Masters using trends and statistics to eliminate 87 players from the field which will leave just one man standing. (I know there may be 89 players in this year’s field. The Valero Texas Open hasn’t taking place at the time of writing and the winner of that event will get into The Masters field if he hasn’t already qualified, but as the winner of that event has never gone on to win The Masters, it is safe to eliminate him before we even begin.

To get the ball rolling and with some blatant plagiarism of Monty Python’s dead parrot sketch I’ll start with the bleeding obvious:

Bobby Jones won the very first Masters in 1934 but since then No amateur has ever won the Masters so the following 7 players are passed on. (All players are from the USA unless stated)

Sam Bennet, Ben Carr, Harrison Crowe (Aus), Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira, Matthew McClean (NIrl), Aldrich Potgieter (RSA)

Gordon Sargent.

Masters rookies won the first two US Masters in 1934 and 1935, but only one rookie has won since (Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979). Therefore the following 8 players are no more

Ryan Fox (NZL), Kazuki Higa (Jpn), Tom Kim (Kor), Kurt Kitayama, Adrian Meronk (Pol), Taylor Moore, Adam Svensson(Can), Sahith Theegala

No player who is competing on a Past Champions Invite has ever

won the Masters which means these 12 have ceased to be in the hunt for another green jacket:

Fred Couples, Sergio Garcia (Esp), Zach Johnson, Bernhard Langer (Ger), Sandy Lyle (Sco), Larry Mize, Jose Maria Olazabal (Esp), Patrick Reed, Vijay Singh (Fiji), Bubba Watson, Mike Weir (Can), Tiger Woods

19 of the past 20 Masters winners were all aged 40 or under; the last 40-plus winner Tiger Woods in 2018 but as we all know normal stats do not apply to the Big Cat. So with Tiger eliminated earlier, the the chances of the following three “auld” lads winning has now expired.

Phil Mickelson, Alex Noren (Swe), Adam Scott (Aus)

So straight away without much effort, we have eliminated 31 players who according to trends can’t win this year’s Masters. Now let’s get rid of a few more, 20 of the last 22 winners have made the cut in the previous year’s masters so cheerio to these 13 gentlemen who, in golfing terms, for this year at least, have gone to meet their maker:

Abraham Ancer (Mex), Sam Burns, Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Kyoung-Hoon Lee (Kor), Francesco Molinari (Ita), Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa), Thomas Pieters(Bel), Justin Rose (Eng), Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, Gary Woodland, Cameron Young.

10 of last 11 had been ranked in world’s top 30 so the chances of one of following 23players winning are bereft of life: Cameron Champ, Corey Conners

(Can), Jason Day (Aus), Harris English, Talor Gooch, Russell Henley, Mackenzie Hughes (Can), Si Woo Kim (Kor), Chris Kirk, Kevin Kisner, Jason Kokrak, Min Woo Lee (Aus), Keith Mitchell, Kevin Na, Mito Pereira # (Chi), JT Poston, Seamus Power (Irl), Charl Schwartzel (Rsa), Scott Stallings, Sepp Straka (Aut), Harold Varner III, Danny Willett (Eng), Aaron Wise.

Since the first Masters in 1935 only three men have defended their title, Jack Nicklaus (1965 & 1966), Nick Faldo (1989 & 1990) and Tiger Woods (2001 & 2002) so things are not looking good for defending champion: Scottie Scheffler

11 of the last 12 winners had previously shot 67 or better at Augusta so no doubt, much to the disappointment of many, this Offaly man’s hopes have run down the curtain: Shane Lowry (Irl)

7 of the last 10 winners had posted a Top 5 finish in a previous Masters which means we have to bid a fond farewell to the following 10 gentlemen:

Keegan Bradley, Patrick Cantlay, Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng), Tommy Fleetwood (Eng), Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Max Homa, Tom Hoge, Billy Horschel, Viktor Hovland (Nor), Joaquin Niemann (Chi)

The last 8 winners had posted a Top 5 finish in a PGA strokeplay event in the two months prior to arriving at Augusta so the dreams of these four golfers are off to join the bleeding choir invisible: Tony Finau, Dustin Johnson,

Collin Morikawa, Cameron Smith (Aus)

Although some dodgy putters have won The Masters, the sensible option is to look at the Strokes Gained Putting Stats (drive for show but for dough as they say). Without even setting the bar too high you’ll find that the that 9 of the last 10 winners been in the Top 100 of that particular stat entering Masters week which means the hopes and dreams of following are now pushing up daisies:

Rory McIlroy (NIrl), Will Zalatoris, Justin Thomas. That’s 86 players who according to the trends and statistics will not be putting on the green jacket in the Butler Cabin on Sunday 9th April. Personally I think that this will be Rory’s year while my editor has a sneaky feeling for Jason Day. However, our thoughts are not the purpose of this article so let us now take a look at the last three men left in the field who are:

Jon Rahm, Hideki Matsuyama & Sungjae Im. The last 10 winners have been in the top 50 in strokes gained driving coming into the Masters. Sungjae Im is 18th in Strokes Gained Driving while Jon Rahm is 47th.

However, Japan’s favourite son and the 2021 champion is ranked 97th in Strokes Gained Driving so it’s with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to:

Hideki Matsuyama And then there were two. Scrambling is probably the most important stat to examine at Augusta National and to

emphasise the importance of scrambling we need only look at last years Masters where the field missed an average of 6 greens per round meaning their chipping had to be spot on. The scrambling stats for the two remaining golfers show Sungjae Im ranked 18th in Strokes Gained Scrambling (getting up and down 67% of the time) and John Rahm ranked 47 (getting up and down 64% of the time)

I’m sure readers will shake their

heads in disagreement now but based on the importance I am placing on scrambling I now have to eliminate player No 88:

Jon Rahm

All of the above means that we now have just one man left standing and so dear readers, I present to you winner of the 2023 US Masters, from Cheongju in South Korea, the man who was 8th in last year’s tournament and second in 2020, the one and only: Sungjae IM

CLONMEL GOLF CLUB

Men’s Notes

Weekly Notes and Round Up: Clonmel Golf Club 2023 Results from Friday 18th to 26th of March. The Results are in from a rain delayed CYP Final. Winning Team. Team J. Joe O’Shea(28Pts), Billy Lambe(26Pts), Mikey Power(24Pts), Mick O’ Connor(23Pts). Total (78Pts). Second Place.

Team H. Mathew Power (26Pts) Conal Murphy (26Pts) Des Morrissey (24Pts) Billy Bergin (NR) Total (76Pts) Best

Score not on a winning

Team Richie Whelan (27 Pts) Well done to all the winners and thanks to all the entries over the last ten weeks or so and as always thanks to Alan Maher and all the team in Maher’s Londis on the Cashel Rd. without

them it would not be the total success it was!

Up Coming Fixtures: The Hub 9 Hole is ongoing and seems to be gathering Momentum remember the Winner will be playing golf in Clonmel Gc Free of Charge 2024. The Tom Lambe Easter Hamper, which has changed from when previously advertised as an 18 Hole competition but will now be a 15 Hole competition starts tomorrow Sat 25th of March and runs until Friday 31st of March.

The Bulmer’s Open Singles Commences Saturday 1st of April and week 1, will run for the week until Friday 7th of April then normal timetable for Bulmer’s...

Paddy Murray Cup Qualifier (Top 16)

CAHIR GOLF CLUB

Captains Drive-in

Sunday - 2nd April

Best wishes to Captains

John Hughes and Mary Lyons, Junior Captain Carthach Leahy and President Paul Adamson for a very enjoyable weekend. May your drives be long and straight, may you all enjoy a wonderful year ahead of successful golf for yourselves and for the Club.

Entry Sheet in ProShop for the 4-person Scramble next Sunday to honour Captains and President. An evening of fun and joy to follow.

Condolences

There was sadness in the Club when the death of Frank Mullins was announced.

Frank was a longstanding member and played golf daily in Cahir Park up to Winter of 2022.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his family

and friends and Golfing partners.

There was further sadness when the death of past member, Breda Foley (nee McGrath), was announced.

Breda was held in high regard and made many contributions to Ladies Teams, including the Ladies Minor Team in 1999 which won Munster and Breda was also part of the winning 2005 Miele All Ireland Fourball Team.

Sincere sympathy is extended to the Foley and McGrath Families. May the souls of Frank and Breda rest in peace.

Ladies

Ladies Results

Following a stop start week of golf due to poor weather conditions, the Ladies played a 9 Hole competition during the week of Monday 13th to Sunday 19th March.

The result was decided on countback with both

SLIEVENAMON GOLF CLUB

A cold wet week which tested the patience of the most ardent golfers and played havi with our competitions. Our Ladoes Sunday/ Tuesday Competition had to be cancelled and our poor Seniors were left disconsolate, with their faces pressed up against the windows at the hailstones peppering the Course

commences 8th to 14th of April. Donoughmore Cup (POY) Qualifier (Top 32) commences

15th to 21st of April. Spring Medal (POY)

*30th of April Blue Tees Sponsored by BOBF flooring. Course information:* Please use sand from sandbags provided at the 1st, 6th and 13th tee boxes to repair divots on fairways. As always please repair pitch and plug marks on greens. Handicap: Please see attached Note Regarding returning score cards Also Posted on the Handicap notice board. If you have any queries regarding your handicap, or the world handicap system etc. Please send email to clonmelgcmenshc@ gmail.com and men’s golf will revert asap

Ladies scoring 19 pts.

Congratulations to the winner, Breda Keating (H/C 18) and in 2nd, Imelda Fitzpatrick (H/C 24).

Bánór, The Skin’s Shepherd, Matchplay This very generously sponsored Matchplay is in the final stages. Presentation of Prizes is deferred, again because of recent poor weather conditions. All matches are now to be completed by 7th April. Best wishes to everyone.

Ladies Interclub Competitions

Entry Sheets and timetables are on the noticeboard in the Ladies locker room for all of the Interclub matches. Please put your name down for the competition(s) best appropriate to your Handicap Index.

Cahir Park Golf Club

Classic 2023

Purpose: Club

Teams 2023: Note the Munster area finals will be held in Clonmel GC on the 1st & 2nd of July 23. News on Team captains and selector TBC. Cillian O’Donnell heads up the Pierce Purcell Team 2023. Best of luck Cillian! BTW If you wish to be considered for the Pierce Purcell 2023 team see sheet on men’s notice board in hall. Larry Tobin and his team are putting the finishing touches to our JB Carr team to play Ballykisteen GC in Ballykisteen on April 12th and then onto Dundrum GC to Play Dundrum in the Fred Perry on or before May the 3rd.

Clonmel Seniors The season is starting for the Clonmel Seniors on this Thursday, 30th

Development. Save the dates: Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May. Very kindly sponsored by Morrison BMW, Cahir.

3 Person Team. Champagne Scramble. €165 per Team including food. Shotgun Starts. Prizes for Best Men’s Team, Best Ladies Team and Best Mixed Team. Entry and Re-entry allowed.

A Classic with A difference

All of the Teams that play will have their Score Card entered into a Grand Prize Draw on the final evening of the Classic with 3 Major Prizes for each Team on offer.

Sponsorship Board and Tee Box Sponsorship opportunities

Please support your Club. Everyone participating has the opportunity to win a

March. Draws take place in the Clubhouse from 9.45am. Anyone over 55 years is eligible so come along and join in, all welcome.

12 Hole Champagne Scramble - €5 entry fee. Outings will take place on the second and last Thursday of each month.

CLUB LOTTO

Draw took place on Saturday 25th March 2023 with a Jackpot of €4,300. Number drawn: 08,09,22,26.

No Jackpot winner. No matched-three winners Jackpot €4,400 on Saturday 1st April 2023 Tickets at €2 each and three for €5. Also available to purchase online, QR codes, Facebook.

Vouchers available for

all kinds of gifts and presents. Quick Pick Lotto available shortly.

MEMBERSHIP

RENEWALS 2023

Renewal of membership subscriptions is due on 1st April 2023. All invoices have been issued to members by email and Juniors by post. If you have not received an invoice or wish to have one printed, please contact Aine in the office on 052-6124050.

Early payment of fees and confirmation of renewal would be appreciated as we need to establish our membership numbers with Golf Ireland by 1st April. Green fee tickets available (for eligible categories) for payment by 1st April and payment is due by 30th April. For

payment by standing order, please contact the office to agree a schedule of payment.

NEW MEMBERS 2023

If you are looking to join the club, please contact the office for details of rates.

This offer is open to new members and past members who have not renewed their membership within the last 5 years. Golf Ireland fees not included. Terms and conditions apply so for full details please contact Aine at the office on 052-6124050 or download an application form from our website www.clonmelgolfclub. com.

WEBSITE Please visit: www.clonmelgolfclub. com and check out our new website which has been kindly sponsored

by The Emigrants Rest/ The Hub/SportsTax. All weekly notes are included here.

LADIES NOTES

Another bad week for weather and unfortunately the weekly competition was cancelled.

Fixtures

12 Hole on going Club

Competition continues to 1st April and the Easter Hamper will conclude on Sunday 2nd April.

Easter Hamper ends Sunday 2nd April. Due to unprecedented weather conditions the Spring League will be extended by one week and will now close on Friday 7th April.

Monday Matchplay will continue for one more week – last date is Monday 3rd April.

Major Prize. Find the GolfBall Result of Find the Golfball Saturday 25th March. Envelope drawn, Pauline Mulcahy, her number was 6, not a winner. Pauline receives €20. Next week’s draw will take place on Sunday April 2nd following the Captains’ Drive In. On account of the day that’s in it, an extra €120 has been added to the prize fund, we now play for €800.

Men Results

Weekend 9 Hole Open Singles Stableford

Saturday 18th March to Sunday 19th March 2023

Category 1: David Leonard (5) 16 pts

Category 2: John Hughes (13) 19 pts

Category 3: Denis Browne (15) 20 pts

Category 4: James Hickey (23) 21 pts

Ladies Golf The Down Syndrome

Tipperary Golf Competition was a huge success, raising a total of €3231. Many thanks to everyone who helped and participated. The results of the 9-hole 2-ball better Ball was as follows; in 1st place Larry Shanahan & Diarmuid O’Connor with 28pts, in 2nd place Thomas Quealy & Daniel Quealy with 27pts & in 3rd place Joe Murphy & Colin Ryan with 26pts. The Ladies Committee would like to thank both the Ladies & Gents club for their generous support for

this very worthy cause. This week will kick start our weekly competitions for the season with a 15-hole competition to ease us into our 18-hole qualifiers which will be starting soon. Some of the ladies played on Sunday and they can play on Wednesday also. Tuesday morning is continuing with a singles format.

Next week April 2nd will see our first 18 hole and they can also play this on Wednesday 5th April. Tuesday April 4th we have a 9 hole qualifier and Thursday April 7th we have the Thursday evening social

golf starting up again. You can put your name on the BRS from 5 O’ Clock onwards.

Seniors Golf

The results of last week’s 9-hole competition; in 1st place John Graves with 22pts, in 2nd place Pat O’Gorman with 19pts (B6), in 3rd place John O’Donovan 19pts, in 4th place John Ryan (Con) 18pts (B3) & in 5th place Peter Silke with18pts. All the participants also played in the 2-ball competition, raising funds for the Down Syndrome Tipperary, which was organised by the Ladies Club.

last Wednesday. With great ingenuity and dexterity, our Gents managed to complete their Weekend Singles Competition, with Andrew Kelleher squelching home in 2st place on 48, and Damien Leen winning Gross on 28.

Fortunately the rain didn’t stop the

renovations currently underway in the Clubhouse, where the planned new cafe is almost complete. No name has been decided upon yet. “Thanks a z latte” and “Brewed Awakening” are in contention, but the jury is still out. It will certainly be a welcome addition on these wet and stormy days.

CO TIPPERARY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

The winners of the Down Syndrome Tipperary competition played at Dundrum and organised by the Ladies Club of Co Tipperary Golf & Country Club. Left to Right Louise Horgan (event organiser) Diarmuid O’Conner & Larry Shanahan (winners of the Two-Ball competition, Thomas Quealy (Representing the team in 2nd place), Joe Murphy (Representing team in 3rd place) & Captain Jacinta Coman.

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