Tipp Echo March 12 - 2025 by tippecho.ie

Event for AONTAS Adult Learners Festival

Tipperary Education and Training Board (ETB) proudly celebrated the AONTAS Adult Learners Festival with a vibrant “Walk & Talk” event on Wednesday, 5th March. This annual gathering, centred around this year’s theme of “Connecting Communities”, truly brought people together in an inspiring morning of activity and camaraderie.

The event kicked off at the Tipperary Further Education and Training (FET) College campus at Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, where the onsite gym was abuzz with energy as over 120 adult learners and staff assembled to mark the occasion. Emphasising diversity and well-being, the celebration combined walking, engaging conversations, and refreshments, including fresh fruit and water, promoting a healthy and inclusive lifestyle. Special thanks to Value Centre, on King Street in Clonmel, who generously sponsored bottled water. Participants represented a diverse range of learning courses offered across Clonmel and its surrounding areas. These full and part-time courses cater to various needs

and interests, including Adult Literacy, Men’s and Women’s Health and Fitness Groups, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Childcare, Healthcare, and Horticulture, among many others.

The festivities began with an invigorating warm-up session led by the enthusiastic Biddy O’Dwyer, setting the tone for the day. Following this, the group

embarked on the much-anticipated annual walk along the picturesque Suir Blueway, reinforcing the festival’s theme by fostering connections and celebrating lifelong learning.

Tipperary ETB extends heartfelt gratitude to all who participated and contributed to the success of this event, highlighting the power of education in building stronger, more connected communities.

ETB staff and learners heading off on their ‘Walk & Talk’ event on March 5.

ETB staff members heading off on their ‘Walk & Talk’ event on March 5.

ETB learners photographed before heading off on their ‘Walk & Talk’ event on March 5.

ETB

Talbot Hotel Clonmel, Friday 4th April 2025

Bagatelle & Friends – Celebrating the Legacy of Liam Reilly

Ticket Price 3 Course Dinner & Concert Ticket: €67

Dinner Time: 6.30pm

Ticket Price Concert Only: €32

Doors: 8.30pm Show Time: 9pm

Tickets Available: From Hotel Reception on a cash only basis

Job Advert

Job Advert Project Worker

Project Worker

Service: Mitchel Street

Location: Thurles, Co Tipperary

Duration: Indefinite Duration Contract

Location: Thurles, Co Tipperary

Hours: 24 hours per week

Duration: Indefinite Duration Contract

Published: 10th March 2025

Hours: 24 hours per week

Application Closing Date: 23rd March 2025

Published: 10th March 2025

Application Closing Date: 23rd March 2025

WIN 2 FREE tickets to Bagatelle & Friends

Tipp Echo Partners with Platinum Events for Exclusive Concert Ticket Giveaway

In an exciting collaboration, Tipp Echo has joined forces with Platinum Events to offer music lovers an extraordinary opportunity to attend the much-anticipated Bagatelle & Friends concert at the Talbot Hotel on Friday, April 4th. This partnership will give away two free tickets every week for the next three weeks, creating an excellent chance for fans to experience a night filled with nostalgia and captivating live performances.

Bagatelle, a band that has

The first reference we can find to Bagatelle is an advert in October 1978 for “Bagatelle - ex-Boulder Band.” This caused us to look further back as the Boulder Band were pop-

maintained a cherished place in the hearts of Irish music fans since the late 1970s, is celebrated for their timeless hits such as “Second Violin,” “Leeson Street Lady,” and “Summer in Dublin.” Their rich musical history and ability to resonate with audiences have made them a staple in the Irish music scene. The upcoming concert is set to be an unforgettable evening where fans can revel in both classic favorites and newer material, creating a perfect blend of old and new.

ular in Dublin night spots. The Boulder Band first got mentioned in the papers a year earlier in July, 1977 as they were about to appear in RTE’s summer show, “Hello Summer.” The

The concert will take place at the Talbot Hotel, a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere and excellent acoustics, enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

Doors will open at 8.30 PM, allowing guests to settle in and enjoy the ambiance before the show, which kicks off at 9 PM. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to their music, this concert promises to deliver an exhilarating performance that will have everyone singing along.

To enter the ticket giveaway,

show would end up being panned by critics, but the band were given a favourable review. The line-up at the time included ex-members of the Elastic Band, John O’Brien (guitar),

interested individuals can simply email competition@ tippecho.ie and put Bagatelle in the subject line. With only a limited number of tickets available, participants are encouraged to act quickly and stay tuned for the latest updates.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the magic of Bagatelle and Friends live at the Talbot Hotel this April. Grab your friends, enter the giveaway, and get ready for a night of memorable music and great company!

NOVAS is a not for profit organisa tion and Approved Housing Body. We work with single adults, couples and families who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. We provide a range of support services and accommodation. We have over 300 staff, and more than 30 services in Limerick, Dublin, Clare, Kerry, Cork and Tipperary including residential homeless services, social housing and community based services for tenancy sustainment, homelessness prevention, mental health and recovery.

NOVAS Mitchel Street is a 5 bed Low Threshold Supported Accommodation in Thurles for males and females over 18 who are homeless. The role is situated in the Mitchel Street project, with outreach as part of the role This role includes day and evening work (8-hour shifts), weekend work (8/15 hour shifts) and Sleepover shifts. We provide 24/7 support. Shifts will include weekends and bank holidays. As part of the work, we complete domestic duties such as cooking and cleaning. We are striving to prepare our clients for independent living and work closely with our partners to find long term suitable accommodation. There is also an element of outreach support which we provide in the community; this include s house visits, meal and transport provision.

NOVAS is a Trauma Informed practice organisation and the principles of collaboration, diversity, respect and trust are embedded in our way of working together. Our services are provided through support of our partners in local government through the Local Authorities, HSE, and other donors and funders

Desirable Skills and Knowledge (Please see Job Description for complete Person Specification)

 A minimum of Level 7 Ordinary Degree or higher (National Framework of Qualifications) in Social Care or another allied health profession.

 Experience in working with people who are homeless or other social care groups.

 Administration skills for record keeping and report writing and computer literacy.

 A minimum of Level 7 Ordinary Degree or higher (National Framework of Qualifications) in Social Care or another allied health profession.

 Ability to provide services that foster and enhance the dignity, development and independence of the individual.

 Experience in working with people who are homeless or other social care groups.

 Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.

 Administration skills for record keeping and report writing and computer literacy.

 Understanding of the needs of vulnerable people who are homeless.

 Knowledge of and a commitment to equal opportunities.

 Ability to provide services that foster and enhance the dignity, development and independence of the individual.

 Garda Vetting will be sought for this role.

 Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.

 Understanding of the needs of vulnerable people who are homeless.

We offer a competitive benefit package including 26 days annual leave pro rata, acc ess to further education supports and contributory pension

 Knowledge of and a commitment to equal opportunities.

 Garda Vetting will be sought for this role.

If you would like to work for, an application form and job description can be found on the careers section of our website www novas ie/work-for-us. If you require any further information or wish to submit a completed application form, please email recruitment@novas ie

We offer a competitive benefit package including 26 days annual leave pro rata, acc ess to further education supports and contributory pension

Paul Fairclough (drums), Ken Doyle (bass), and Marion Byrne (vocals and sister of folk singer Anne Byrne); and with them was Breda Maher (wife of songwriter Mick Maher).

The Mercantile Bathroom & Tile Company are excited to offer a full Supply fit & service. Whereas we are happy to work with your Builder & tradespeople if you require we have partnered with experienced Tilers & Plumbers to help you realize your

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Carrick-on-Suir project recognised at National Awards for Innovation and Excellence

A Nature-based Solutions project delivered by Tipperary County Council Carrick-onSuir Municipal District and the local community, was recognised at the 2025 Business Post National Property Awards held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin last Thursday. This prestigious awards ceremony celebrates and champions both individuals and organisations from across the entire property industry through nominated categories.

The project, known as the “Bog Field Nature-based Solutions project” is located on the outskirts of the Carrick-on-Suir and is one of the first of its kind

in the country. The project incorporates new thinking in the application of Nature-based Solutions and public amenity placemaking to provide a better environment for everyone including nature.

“By incorporating Nature-based Solutions such as swales and ponds, the project filters out pollutants from the adjacent road on the Waterford side of the town. The new Water Action Plan for Ireland strongly supports the use of Nature-based Solutions to protect water quality, biodiversity and provide greater resilience in the face of climate change challenges such as increased flood risk.

At the 2025 Business Post National Property Awards held at the InterContinental

O’Connell LAWPRO, Cllr. David Dunne Carrick

ret Keegan LAWPRO, Fintan Towey DHLGH, Fran Igoe LAWPRO.

To do this and at the same time provide an attractive amenity supported by Tirlán is a

credit to all involved. This area is adjacent to the River Suir which is a Special Area of Conserva-

The “Bog Field Nature-based Solutions project” located on the outskirts of the Carrick-on-Suir and one of the first of its kind in the country, was recognised at the 2025 Business Post National Property Awards held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin last Thursday.

tion with rare fish such as the Twaite shad and European smelt spawning locally in Carrick-onSuir” said Dr. Fran Igoe, regional coordinator with LAWPRO.

The project delivered by Tipperary County Council and supported by LAWPRO and the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage, is a community-based project working with the Carrick-onSuir Lions Club, the Municipal District and Tirlán.

Fintan Towey Assistant Secretary Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage stated that “DHLGH are delighted to support this project which aims to assist in the protection of water quality in Carrick-on-Suir, providing multiple benefits for all to enjoy.”

Cllr David Dunne of Carrickon-Suir Municipal District said that “The Bog Field in Carrickbeg had been unused and derelict and had also become a location for anti-social behaviour, with individuals lighting bonfires at the site. The completion of the Nature-based Solutions

at the Bog Field has created an Amenity and Biodiversity area that can potentially be utilised by the community in Carrickon-Suir now and long into the future”

Brian Beck Director of Services Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District stated that “The Bog Field project in Carrickbeg provides measures to improve water quality as well as managing water quantity during storm events. This project will benefit the local community and contribute towards the actions set out within Tipperary County Council’s Climate Action Plan 2024-2029. I would like to commend the staff within the Municipal District for the delivery of this worthwhile project.”

Commenting, Lynda Connor South-Eastern regional director at IFI, said “The River Suir is an important Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for twaite shad, salmon, and lamprey species. Inland Fisheries Ireland always welcome any improvements that protect and benefit fish and their habitats”.

TALBOT HOTEL (Clonmel) honoured among Munster’s ‘Best Wedding Venues’

THE TALBOT HOTEL CLONMEL has been recognised as one of the premier wedding venues in Munster, following its nomination and selection as a finalist at the prestigious 2025 Weddingsonline Awards in Kilkenny.

Regarded as the pinnacle of the Irish wedding industry, the Weddingsonline Awards celebrate excellence, honouring the finest wedding businesses in the country across various categories. This year, the Talbot Hotel Clonmel proudly stood among the elite, securing a spot on the shortlist for ‘Best Wedding Venue in Munster.’

The remarkable recognition is a testament to the hotel’s dedication, passion, and commitment

to delivering exceptional wedding experiences.

Over the past three years, the Talbot Hotel Clonmel has undertaken an extensive refurbishment programme, enhancing its facilities to provide a magical setting for couples on their special day.

From its elegantly redesigned ballroom to a luxurious bridal suite, every aspect of the hotel has been meticulously curated to ensure unforgettable moments.

Michael Boyle, General Manager of the Talbot Hotel Clonmel, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievements: “To be recognised and shortlisted as one of the best wedding venues in Munster is a true honour. This wouldn’t be possible without our incredible staff, the wonderful

couples who trust us with their weddings, and everyone who supports us along the way. A huge congratulations to our entire team on this fantastic achievement. Here’s to many more beautiful weddings and unforgettable memories at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel.”

With a reputation for excellence, impeccable service, and stunning wedding spaces, the Talbot Hotel Clonmel continues to be a top choice for couples seeking a dream wedding venue. This latest accolade only reinforces its position as a leader in the wedding industry, promising many more breathtaking celebrations in the years to come.

Congratulations to all the team in the Talbot Hotel Clonmel on this fantastic acknowledgement.

Hotel in Dublin last Thursday were (from left to right): Eamonn

on Suir Municipal District, Ben O’Keeffe Tipperary Co. Council, Tom Brennan LAWPRO, Marga-

Demand for Health Check Initiative Justifies Wider Rollout FARMING IN FOCUS TIPPERARY

IFA, CROÍ and the Department of Agriculture have presented the findings of the pilot Health Check Initiative which took place in Autumn 2024.

Minister for State at the Dept of Agriculture Michael HealyRae officially launched the report at the Cillín Hill Mart in Kilkenny, which was one of the locations that offered free health checks to farmers.

The topline outcomes show that the pilot initiative exceeded its targets and identified that demand exists for a wider rollout of the service to rural communities.

Delivered over 1,200 health checks in 16 locations, exceeding the target by 22%

Nearly 50% of participants presented with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol levels

Farmers valued opportunities to discuss mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety and depression

Farmers appreciated the convenience and accessibility of onsite health checks and related services.

Among the recommendations are the establishment of a national Health Check Pro-

Minister for State at the Dept of Agriculture Michael Healy-Rae (second left) officially launched the report at the Cillín Hill Mart in Kilkenny, which was one of the locations that offered free health checks to farmers.

gramme; a centralised digital platform offering continuous health education; expansion of holistic services; and a stakeholder forum to raise awareness of farming-related health issues and increased risk factors.

IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Teresa Roche acknowledged the commitment that everybody gave to the project. “We had a short timeline to mobilise our network and get the message out. I would like to thank our partners in the Depart-

ment of Agriculture and CROÍ for their support in raising the awareness among farmers of minding your health.”

“The success of the Health Check programme was evident in the sheer demand. At some locations, queues extended beyond capacity. We can build on this momentum and develop ongoing preventative programmes,” she said.

Mark O’Donnell CEO of CROÍ said “The response to this pilot shows the real need for ac-

cessible health checks in rural communities. Cardiovascular health is key to overall well-being, yet many risk factors go unnoticed. With 80% of premature cardiovascular disease being preventable, early detection and early treatment is essential. The high rates of elevated blood pressure and cholesterol identified in this pilot highlight why regular heart health checks matter”.

“CROÍ is committed to working with our partners to expand this initiative so more farmers can access the checks and support they need to protect their heart health and overall well-being.”

Irish farmers paying a ‘crippling’ 3% more than European counterparts on loans and financing

ICMSA Farm Business Committee Chairperson, Pat O’Brien, is urging financial institutions to reduce interest rates for farmers as crippling rates are disincentivising investment and threatening generational renewal. The Farm Business Chairperson said that Irish farmers are often being charged up to 3% more for finance by Irish pillar banks than their continental counterparts, despite the sector’s positive repayment record.

Mr. O’Brien said that while Irish farmers are competing at European market scale for their produce, they often don’t have access to typical European rates for borrowings and are stuck paying rates not on par with other countries.

Mr. O’Brien described it as frustrating for Irish farmers to see their European counterparts paying interest rates of between 3.25% and 5.5% in Spain for example, and 3.5% to 4% in France.

A recent ICMSA members’ survey showed that over 45% of participants are paying between 5% and 6% of an average inter-

est rate on farm debt, while over 12% are paying between 7% and 8%.

“Young farmers – like all farmers – are keen to invest in their enterprises and start their careers in the best possible position financially, but it is very difficult for them to do so if they are struggling to get approved for finance and, when they do get approval, they face interest rates of anything up to 6% and beyond,” Mr. O’Brien said.

“It is also an issue that farmers over the last number of years – due to the impact of weather and geopolitical events – have needed speedy access to finance, however the turnaround from when they first get in touch with the bank and receive the monies is far too lengthy and onerous a process”, said the ICMSA Committee Chairperson.

ICMSA is meeting with pillar banks in the coming weeks to relay farmer concerns on a number of issues including the need for competitive interest rates to be applied, and also the need for speeder decision-making and approval by banks.

ICMSA meet Minister as farming enters ‘critical period’

Speaking after leading a delegation of ICMSA national officers to meet Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine, Martin Heydon, the President of ICMSA, Denis Drennan said that the meeting had gone into detail on the issues facing Irish farming and the wider agri sector in the critical upcoming period.

Describing the remainder of 2025 as a critical period, Mr Drennan said it was difficult to remember a time in Irish agriculture when so much was at stake. We simply had to this this right if Irish agriculture – and the rural communities that depended on it – were to have the positive future that their efforts and skill merited and to which they were entitled to aspire.

Listing the EU Vision for Agriculture, Nitrates, BTB and trade issues, Mr. Drennan said the issues facing farmers are vast, but progress was possible. He said the Minister and Government must immediately set out their plans on how they intended addressing these issues and how farm families can earn an income comparable to other sectors of the economy and so ensure the next generation of farmers will freely choose the role.

On the EU Vision for Agriculture, Mr. Drennan told the Minister that the positive sentiments and feelgood ‘vibes’ must be turned into real actions through simplification and protecting strengthening the position and margins of farmers in the food supply chain. An increased CAP

budget post 2027 will be critical in this regard, the ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ strategy of the last twenty years had not worked and never would work.

On Nitrates, the retention of the Derogation with practical and sensible rules is an absolute requirement and the delegation told the Minister that the Government simply cannot continue to load more and more

LEFT: ICMSA president Denis Drennan (right) greets Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine, Martin Heydon

regulations on farmers. In fact, a full review of existing rules should be carried out and ineffective rules should be removed. Farmers completely accepted the need to protect and improve water quality, but that could and should be done in a way that did not that did not obliterate farmers, said Mr. Drennan.

Turning to TB, the Minister was told of the massive concern

amongst farmers in relation to TB levels and the failure of Department to address it. Farm families are suffering badly because of this failure and the Department needs to put a comprehensive and evidence-based plan in place immediately while treating affected farm families with the fairness and respect that they deserve.

On trade issues, ICMSA was very clear with the Minister that the Government cannot accept the Mercusor agreement and token commitments on sustainability and short-term compensation cannot be used as excuses to accept the agreement.

On farm schemes and their administration, Mr. Drennan said that the delays in ACRES were just unacceptable and very

demoralising and financially challenging for the farmers involved – the Minister should instruct the Department to issue the payments immediately. On TAMS, the reference costs needed to be updated immediately and fast-track approvals for slurry storage should be put in place so that works can commence in April. The question of the Govt’s commitment on exempting slurry storage from planning permission was also touched upon.

Income volatility had been widely accepted as a key impediment to attracting the next generation into farming and Mr. Drennan said that the commitment made in Budget 2025 on volatility must be delivered in Budget 2026.

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Tom Wood announced as Cashel Person of the Year

There was plenty of congratulations going around Cashel this week, when it was announced that former County Councillor Tom Wood was named the Cashel Lions Club Person of the Year for 2025. Tom will be presented with the accolade at a prize giving ceremony in Halla na Féile on Thursday evening at 7:30pm. While the full extent of Toms career in Cashel will be written in a future profile piece, among Tom’s many contributions to life in Cashel is the fact that he has published a number of books on the history of Cashel. Last September, he published ‘Graveyard Inscriptions’, which is a record of all the names on the headstones in three of the graveyards in Cashel. This was a labour of love and the culmination of almost five years’ work, including the time Tom spent often alone during the Covid years. What the work did do however is answer many questions about the extent of Cashel’s families over the centuries, and turn up many more. When the book was published, it was widely sought by anyone with a genuine love of the history of the town, something that Tom has always held dear to his heart. He will join a long list of illustrious winners of the coveted prize, and no doubt he will see it as a signature honour among the many he has gained over forty years representing his home town in Urban and County council chambers, along with the work he did on the Rock of Cashel, and the many local organisations he contributed to. He will be well worth the honour.

Cashel Town in talk of the

By Liam Browne

Crowds pack in to raise funds for Knockavilla mother, Fiona Dunne

A crowd of hundreds packed the village Hall in Knockavilla last Thursday night to witness a concert that was arranged to raise funds for a local mother, who is currently receiving medical treatment in the UK.

Fiona Dunne, a young mother of two received the bad news of a cancer diagnosis last year. She was told that she had two different types of cancer, in the eye and in the liver, and while

she can get the treatment for her eye in Dublin, she would have to travel to Brighton in the UK for the treatment on her liver.

This of course meant that she would have a massive financial headache, and because of that, her family friends and the local community rallied around and set up a GoFundMe page to help defray some of the costs. But as well as that, they felt they wanted to do more, and with the

help of Knockavilla Community Council, the idea of a local concert took shape.

Musicians from around the Knockavilla, Dundrum and surrounding areas, were asked to perform, and every one of them did so, without asking for a penny for their services. That concert took place over three hours last Thursday night. And what a night it was.

From the beginning, the young traditional musicians took to the stage and they got the crowd warmed up. Followed on by performances of song and dance from the likes of Anthony O’Connor and Lorcan Kennedy on guitar, Emer Lowth on vocals, Maura O’Brien on violin and the Burgess School of Dancing, set the first half scene.

More performances from the inimitable Dee Morrissey, who got the crowd jiving in the back, before two excellent female guitar players and singers in Michelle Slattery and Aoife Butler finished the night. Well almost, Dee, Michelle, Aoife and Lorcan came out one more time for the encore. By the end of the night,

St Patrick’s Day Parade ready to wow

Preparations are entering their final stage for this years St Patricks Day Parade in Cashel, with most of the organisation done, but with organisers still calling for groups to consider entering the parade. The resumption of the parade after being cancelled last year, is down to the hard work of the committee who are resolute in making the day one to remember for people in town and from the surrounding areas.

One of the big changes to the Parade is that it will take place on Sunday, 16th of March, rather than on the 17th. This was done to encourage groups from outside Cashel to join in, and still allow them to participate in a second parade in their home town. It seems to have worked, with a large number of entries already signing up. It was also done to ensure that people who wanted to come into town, could do so, and also go to a parade in their own home town on Monday, 17th. So the hope is that people will travel from Tipperary town, Cahir, Clonmel and all around West Tipperary, giving a boost both to the parades numbers, but also to the businesses in Cashel on the day.

The parade itself will begin at 2pm, and march along the traditional route of Ladyswell, Friar Street, the Green and Boherclough Street, before coming up Main Street past the viewing stand at Bank Place. It’s expected to take about an hour and a half. But that won’t

be the end of the afternoon, as the street will remain closed until half five, with live music being played from the viewing stand after the main parade finishes. The only thing the organisers haven’t been able to organise yet, is the weather, but here’s hoping for some sunshine and a great day for all who join in the fun.

Tom Wood has been named as the Cashel Lions Club Person of the Year for 2025 and will be presented with the accolade at a prizegiving ceremony in Halla na Féile on Thursday night

Some of those who took to the stage on the night.

Fiona Dunne, a young mother of two who is undergoing treatment for cancer at this time. almost eleven and a half thousand euros was raised, and everyone went home not just energised from the music, but also in knowing they were helping Fiona in her fight.

The Cashel driver & the Blueshirts General

THE BLUESHIRTS have a famous, some say infamous role in Irish history. Many people proudly remember parents or grandparents’ membership of the quasi-political force, right up to the present day, while other often spit the term as an insult to political rivals. In recent years, the coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has become a mainstay in Irish politics, one that would likely have been looking upon aghast by the founders of the two big Irish political parties over the last century. But many may not know, of the Cashel connection with the Blueshirts famous leader, General Eoin O’Duffy.

Eoin O’Duffy was an Irish revolutionary, soldier, police commissioner and politician. O’Duffy was the leader of the Monaghan Brigade of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and a prominent figure in the Ulster IRA during the Irish War of Independence. He had been an early member of Sinn Féin and was elected a Teachta Dála (TD) for Monaghan in the Second Dáil in 1921, supporting pro-Treaty Sinn Féin in the split of 1922. In 1923 he became associated with Cumann na nGaedheal. He was appointed as the second Commissioner of the Garda Síochána in 1922, the police force of the new Irish Free State, serving until 1933. In 1924, during the Irish Army Mutiny, he was appointed as General Officer Commanding of the Irish Army, holding both roles until 1925.

In February 1933 General O’Duffy was sacked as Garda Commissioner by Éamon de Valera. Turfed out of the Phoenix Park depot and deprived of his former privileges, O’Duffy became a private citizen after 11 years in the high-powered role. He was soon sucked into the vortex of politics, and became the leader of the Blueshirts, the moniker given to the Army Comrades Association, in July of that year. The Blueshirts’ new chief embarked on a barnstorming tour across Ireland but was often met with stiff resistance. The role of his private driver therefore, became an important one. It required someone loyal, hardy and capable of doubling as a bodyguard in times of trouble. In the 1930s O’Duffy had two drivers: Robert Butler and Thomas Jolly. Their lives illustrate the twists

and turns of involvement in the short-lived Blueshirts, which some feared would shake the foundations of Irish democracy.

Robert Butler was born in 1906 in Cashel. He began his career with a local engineering firm in 1923, followed by a two-year stint in the National Army, beginning in 1924. In 1931 he worked as driver to Dean Innocent Ryan of Cashel. His Blueshirt involvement began in 1932. On 22 August 1933, the Fianna Fáil government banned the Blueshirts, on foot of a ban a week earlier of a planned march to Leinster Lawn. By September the anti-Fianna Fáil opposition, composed of Cumann na nGaedheal, the Blueshirts and the National Centre Party, had merged to form Fine Gael, with O’Duffy as its inaugural leader.

Autumn 1933 saw violent clashes nationwide between Blueshirts and republicans. Butler and another Blueshirt were alleged to have assaulted a local Cashel republican, John Cullagh, in September. By then Butler seems to have been employed by O’Duffy as his personal chauffer. He moved in with the general at his address at ‘Farney’, in the south Dublin suburb of Greygates, Mount Merrion. In October O’Duffy was struck on the head with a hammer at a public meeting in Tralee. Butler made a deposition to a commission set up to investigate the alleged inactivity of the Gardaí during the incident.

O’Duffy’s political career nosedived in September 1934 following a split inside the Blueshirts and Fine Gael over his increasingly erratic and extreme style of leadership. In the minority, Butler remained loyal to O’Duffy and continued to act as his driver. When O’Duffy announced the formation of an Irish brigade to fight for the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War, Robert Butler and his elder brother William were early recruits. They departed for Spain via Liverpool in November 1936. In February 1937 William Butler wrote to his mother, claiming that among the Irishmen ‘there is an unwavering belief in the certainty of the Spanish insurgents’ triumph over the forces of Anarchy and Communism’.

Following his return from Spain in June 1937,

Robert Butler continued to live with O’Duffy despite seemingly leaving his employment. He married at St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, in August 1938, with his address given as ‘Farney’, Mount Merrion. By then he was employed as a ward master in the South Dublin Union.

The onset of the Second World War saw O’Duffy engage cautiously with Dublin’s pro-Nazi underworld. In November 1941, the German spy Hermann Görtz (known to have held meetings with O’Duffy) was captured by the Gardaí and imprisoned initially at Arbour Hill. In notes from jail, he pondered how best to escape. In one such note he mentioned ‘one possible communication route … a man who was at one time General O’Duffy’s driver (Butler) and who is a corporal here’. He concluded by noting that he had received a ‘mysterious note’, which indicated ‘that the general may be willing to help me’. Görtz’s schemes came to nothing, and he remained under lock and key. He committed suicide in 1947.

O’Duffy was apparently disappointed in Butler for planning to emigrate to England. On a return trip to Ireland shortly after O’Duffy’s death in

November 1944, Customs in Dublin told Robert ‘Your boss is dead’, to which he replied ‘I’ve only just left him’, referring to his employer in England. ‘Not that boss’ was the response from the Customs officer, indicating that Butler’s connections to the late General O’Duffy were common knowledge.

In England Robert Butler lived an ordinary life as a motor mechanic, becoming a father and grandfather. On a return trip to his home town in August 1990, the local newspaper reported that the 84-year-old former chauffeur to O’Duffy, then living in Northampton, was ‘home on holidays’, as it detailed his history as a driver for O’Duffy, ‘who played a prominent role in the national life in Ireland in the 1930s’, and how he ‘also served in the Irish contingent with General Franco’s Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War’.

Relatives of Butler recall that in his post-war life in England he was a firmly patriotic Irishman but lived a largely apolitical existence. Slight allusions to his past life included a habit developed in his old age of using the Spanish sí to answer in the affirmative. Butler died in 1997 and his ashes were scattered at the Rock of Cashel.

Blueshirts leader, General Eoin O’Duffy. The original uniform, hence the name.

Cashel born Robert Butler, who was a driver for General Eoin O’Duffy during the 1930s. INSET: Leaders of the Army Comrades Association (Blueshirts) circa 1934.

If you have a story, news of an event or you know something that we would be interested in. Email info@tippecho.ie or call 052 61 48800

Story behind songs performed at Martin Quinn’s recent book launch

by Martin Quinn

At the launch of my book ‘Tipperary Talks’ recently, some of the students from St. Ailbe’s School participated on the two songs that were performed on the night.

The songs were, ‘The Tipperary Waltz’ and ‘The Valley of Sweet Aherlow’.

‘The Tipperary Waltz’ was composed by Patrick Bergin. Bergin is an Irish actor and accomplished musician and singer, perhaps best known for his leading role opposite Julia Roberts in ‘Sleeping with the Enemy’.

His father often spoke about meeting Dan Breen and asking him what it was like to kill a man. That is what prompted Bergin to include Dan Breen in the words of song. Patrick Bergin and Simon Casey performed the song in Tipperary Town for the Tipperary International Peace Award presentation to the former President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos.

‘The Valley of Sweet Aherlow’ was written by Fr. Patrick Coughlan. Born in Bansha in 1918, it could be said that he never left his native place in that he sang of Tipperary no matter where he went. He came as a boarder to Rockwell College and entered Kilshane in 1936 and was subsequently ordained in 1946.

During his years in the scholastic, he received profession-

Town Tipp through A trip

with Martin Quinn

al tuition in painting, and the walls were soon embellished with his murals and canvases. He also tried his hand at songwriting and had one of his compositions shortlisted for the National Song Contest in 1972. His song titled ‘Bualadh bos’ reached the final and was performed by The Farrells. Sandie Jones, singing ‘Ceol and Ghrá’, was the winner of the contest.

Fr. Paddy submitted a number of compositions to artists, with Larry Cunningham recording one of his songs. He wrote the song ‘The Valley of Sweet Aherlow’, which was recorded by Kathleen Fitzgerald. He was very musical and his violin was never far from his reach, as his confreres living beside him could attest. He died on 24th October 1977, aged 59 years. He was buried in Kimmage.

I was delighted to have the St. Ailbe’s students join with me in performing the songs on the night and I want to thank the students and particularly Ms. Siobhán Hall for her great assistance. I made a small presentation to Ms. Hall and to the students (as per the attached photo) in appreciation of their involvement.

My book ‘Tipperary Talks’ is available in the following outlets so far; Joe Whelan’s Store Tipperary Town, O’Connell’s Shop Bansha, Moroney’s Bar and Grocery Lisvernane and Bookwork Bookshop Thurles.

Proud moment at Norbert will lead the Tipps in NYC Parade

Shronell native, Norbert Hennessy, who is now domiciled in New York, was back on native soil recently.

While he was ‘home’ he met up with the CEO and the Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, and presented them with a copy of the 150th Anniversary Souvenir Journal of County Tipperary N. & B. Association of New York. Norbert is the current President of the Association.

Sinead Carr, CEO of Tipperary County Council and Cllr. Declan Burgess, County Cathaoirleach, will travel to New York for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and march with the Tipperary delegation which will be led by Norbert and his visitors from Tipperary.

A GREAT HONOUR FOR NORBERT AND WEST TIPP

It is a great honour for Norbert to be President of the Association and to be leading the parade as a proud son of West Tipperary.

Norbert told me that he is delighted to have the opportunity to welcome the CEO and the Cathaoirleach to New York.

“I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet with the CEO and the Cathaoirleach during

my visit home to Tipperary, and to discuss arrangements for their visit to New York. Our distinguished guests will receive

the

We look forward to have good discussions with them during their stay here”

Patrick Bergin Fr Patrick Coughlan

St. Ailbe’s Principal Ruaidhri Devitt, Teacher Siobhán Hall, Martin Quinn and St. Ailbe’s students are pictured following a presentation at the school.

County Cathaoirleach Cllr Declan Burgess, Norbert Hennesy and County CEO Sineád Carr, pictured at County Buildings, Clonmel.jpg

Céad Míle Fáilte from the County Tipperary N. & B. Association of New York, and from the people on New York during

parade.

concluded Norbert.

If you have a story, news of an event or you know something that we would be interested in, email info@tippecho.ie or call 052 61 48800

Bansha Agricultural Show is set to benefit from Minister’s announcement re show grants

The Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced an investment of over €1 million to support 123 Agricultural Shows right across the country.

As part of the initiative, each show will receive a grant of between €4,260 and €11,410 depending on their size. This funding will support the work of each of the 123 show committees as they prepare for the upcoming show season. The funding announced brings the total allocated to our Agricultural Shows since 2018 to over €5.3 million. The shows in the area to benefit are as follows; Bansha Agricultural Show - €8,350; Clonmel Show - €10,700; Dualla Show - €4,700; North Tipperary Agri Show (Nenagh) - €8,350; Cappamore Agricultural Show - €9,205.

The Minister said that Agricultural shows are a key component of life in rural Ireland. “I am delighted therefore to announce this investment of

€1 million to support 123 Agricultural Shows right across the country. Although farming practices have changed, agriculture is still the backbone of life in rural Ireland and plays a vital role in our national economy. The agricultural show as we know it has so much to offer, not just in terms of the competitive element, but also as a platform for local businesses, local farmers and for local craft and artisan food producers.

BEST DAY OF THE YEAR

“The local show is also one of the best days of the year for meeting neighbours and friends. Community events across the country like the Agricultural Shows would not be possible without the ‘Meitheal’ that is so evident in rural Ireland. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the show committees, the many dedicated volunteers and stewards, sponsors, local businesses and organisations that each do their bit to ensure their local show is such a success,” added Minister Calleary. Some of the large attendance at a Bansha Show in recent years.

Ormond Octaves are coming to Thurles

A memorable night of song and music is in store when the Ormond Octaves choir perform in the Cathedral on Friday 2nd May. The choir of over 80 members has thrilled audiences in packed churches and halls all over North Tipperary since it was founded by Musical Director Niamh Ryan in 2008. Don’t be surprised if the powerful voices of the 80-member choir literally raise the Cathedral roof (and we do need a new roof!!!) The mingled sounds of the four-voice ensemble of men and women are a pure joy to behold.

All proceeds to the Cathedral Re-roofing Project. Tickets (€25 Donation) available in Thurles Parish Centre (0504 -22229), Bookworm, Liberty Square (0504 22257) and Holycross Parish Centre (0504 43124).

Recently Deceased

Prayed for at all Masses in Thurles parish at the weekend were the following who have died:

Seamus Mackey, Gleann Rí, Holycross. Maura Armstrong née Shanahan, Gurtahoola, Drombane.

Johanna (Hannie) Noonan, née Barry, Clonpet, Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperay.

Carmel Kilcoyne, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo. Mary Dunne, Reading, U.K., formerly Birr, Co Offaly. Sr. Juliana Purcell, Presentation Convent, Hospital, Co. Limerick.

It’s The Real McCoy returns

Moyne Drama Group will reprise their production of It’s the Real McCoy with two encore performances on March 15th & 16th at 8pm. Tickets available for €15 at the door.

Proceeds to Thurles Town Parks, Suir Haven, Cameo Care, and Moyne Community Hall. For bookings, text 0894511170.

Easter Raffle

Tickets now available in the Parish Centre for the Thurles Easter raffle – all proceeds to the Cathedral Reroofing Project. Variety of great prizes. (Tickets €2 each or 3 for €5).

Brigid’s Crosses

€256.00 collected for Milford Hospice through the sale of St. Brigid’s Crosses. All support was greatly appreciated by the John Paul 2 Programme Students, Templemore.

Confirmation

Congratulations to all the young people of the parish who received the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Cathedral last weekend and to all their parents and teachers.

A big ‘Thank You’ to all who helped make these ceremonies so meaningful and special – Teachers, Stewards, Musicians and Singers, Meg & Jim, Cathedral Flower Group, Parish Office Staff and all who prepared the Cathedral Grounds.

Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross will take place in Bóthar na Naomh Church every Friday evening during Lent commencing at 7.00 p.m All are welcome to come along and join in the pray

A big thank you to the Thurles Cathedral Choir

Thurles Cathedral Choir have made a very generous donation of €5,663.00 to the Cathedral Raise the Roof project following their Gala Concert last December. The concert proved another great success and the choir’s great work has resulted in a boost to the fund which is being set aside to replace the ailing roof of the building.

Well done to all concerned.

Eye onThurles

By the Cathedral Townie

National award for local auctioneers

Congratulations to the team at Sherry Fitzgerald Gleeson based at Cathedral Street, Thurles who were awarded Countrywide Member of the Year 2025 at the Sherry Fitzgerald Conference in the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny!

This is a huge achievement for the team,

and they are very proud of the achievement.

“It’s a testament to our dedication, hard work, and commitment to delivering the very best service to our clients and community. A huge congrats also to our very own Eamon J Ryan who reached the final three out of hundreds in the Customer Service award.

A massive thank you to our incredible team, our loyal clients, and the wider Sherry FitzGerald network for their continued support. Here’s to another fantastic year ahead,” the Sherry Fitzgerald Gleeson team said this week.

There was exciting news for the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles from the Helix in Dublin where the Regional Finals of Junk Kouture 2025 took place. Ursuline Thurles had two designs sent through to the National Finals. Entitled, Presence Pitch Player and Chrysalis, this is a fantastic achievement following on from the success of Vision Zero at the World Final recently where Tara, Caitlin and Christina scooped the Sustainable Development Goal accolade.

CROKE CUP FINAL 2025: THURLES CBS V PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY

Best of luck to Thurles CBS in Croke Cup Final

All roads lead to Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day as Thurles CBS Secondary School’s senior A hurling team go in search of Croke Cup glory to cap a magnificent season.

With the prestigious Dr Harty Cup already in the trophy cabinet, the Thurles boys will seek to bolster their haul of silverware significantly and double their count of Croke Cups – the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior A hurling title.

And the school is calling on all possible sup-

port to get behind the boys in their historic bid.

“I would say that we are probably the best supported school in Munster and the Harty just has something that everybody in Thurles loves. We are looking forward to what will be a very special occasion on St Patrick’s Day in Croke Park and there is great excitement in the school and in the clubs involved. We hope that we will have great support in Croke Park because in a stadium like that every voice counts.

We hope that past pupils who might be living in Dublin, might just come along and cheer us on - it would mean a lot to the lads,” said Manager of the side Niall Cahill. He added: “There is a lot of hurling work going on in the school. The Fitzgerald Cup team won last week and our senior B team members are playing games as well at the moment. So, the lads at the back end of the panel are pushing hard and that really drives on the squad. They have totally bought into the whole thing

and I suppose it is that sense of unity which really gives me so much satisfaction. Those boys will be part of the team photo on the pitch in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day and they will then be brought into the stand, but they are with us and they will be the Harty players of next year. We are conscious of that and our work with them is as important as anything else,” Niall said.

Best of luck to all the players and the management team.

Thurles CBS de-

feat Nenagh CBS in Fitzgerald Cup

Thurles CBS Secondary Schools U17 hurlers retained the Fitzgerald Cup in impressive style in Fethard last week against Nenagh CBS. For the second year running the school entered four teams into the competition with over 75 boys playing each year. Captain Euan Murray accepted the cup from Tom Maher of the Tipperary County Board. The Fitzgerald Cup victory means all three county hurling trophies have been won by the school this year - Corn Uí Chatháin 1st year and Croke Cup Under 15 – an incredible achievement. Congratulations to the management for working tirelessly to ensure such a high level of participation at this age grade and to ensure every one of the boys receives their county ‘A’ medal. Well done to all the players involved.

Coláiste Mhuire students stand alongside a dear friend

A beautiful act of solidarity blossomed within the fifth-year students of Colaiste Mhuire CoEd in Thurles when 15 students shaved their heads to stand alongside a dear friend facing illness.

This touching gesture of support ignited a wave of compassion throughout the school. Shortly after, another student (Ben) asked Ms Bergin to do the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’. This gave Ms Bergin the idea of a fundraising opportunity.

As a result thirty teachers/ staff took part in an ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ whereby students were kind enough to pour the water! An overwhelming €6,639.65 was raised from the school community - an incredible feat. When the school asked Cormac where he’d like the funds to go, he immediately suggested Suir Haven, a vital resource for cancer support,

expressing that even a small contribution would make a difference. This achievement is the

result of a collaborative effort by the teachers, students, parents/ guardians, school management and wider school community. Thank you to all for the very generous support.

Booking Office Opens for TMS Hot Mikado

The booking office is now open for Thurles Musical Society’s upcoming show, Hot Mikado.

Almost sixty stage trotters have been busy since early in the New Year getting ready for this show stopper and they are edging ever closer to the curtain rising on their 2025 production, exactly 25 since they last staged the hit show – a show which won them the Best Overall Show accolade at the annual AIMS awards.

Under the guidance of Director, Oliver Hurley; Musical Director, Mary Rose McNally; and Dance Captain Siobhan King; the cast and chorus have been put through their paces and as the starting line approaches, they are polishing the show to ensure that the audience will really enjoy the experience.

And, joy is what it is all about. Full of side-splitting comedy, lively dance, precise choreography, brilliant music and fantastic lyrics, Hot Mikado is one of those shows

which will leave the audience with a really warm feeling inside while at the same time ensuring that the toes will be tapping away for the night.

Booking is now open at www.GR8events. ie and there will be an opportunity to book locally at Bookworm, Liberty Square, Thurles in the coming days also.

So, book your tickets now and come to the Premier Hall from March 25-29th to join in the fun.

The Thurles CBS Fitzgerald Cup panel who won last week and will all be in Croke Park on Monday next, St Patrick’s Day, to cheer on the senior team as they go for Croke Cup glory against Athenry

Back row, from left to right: Denis Quinn (Principal), Lisa McCarthy (Parents Association), Laura Cunneen, Katie Carr, Miriam Bergin (Teachers), Clare Wallace (Deputy Principal), Micheál Lowry (B.O.M.)

Front row: Gary Bannon, Cormac Bannon (5th year Student), Anna Ryan & Mary Ryan Maher (Suir Haven Cancer Support Centre), Annie Donnelly (5th year Student) & Micheál Purcell (5th year Student)

Bunscoil Na Cathrach

celebrate World Book Day

Many different outfits (and some very similar too!) were on display at Bunscoil Na Cathrach last Wednesday, 5th March to celebrate World Book day. There was fantastic effort put in by many students to dress up as their favourite book character and there are obviously many avid readers among the students. It’s great to see that book reading is still a favourite practice for so many. As usual most of the teachers also went to great lengths to dress up as book characters which caused many a giggle among the students and there was a great atmosphere in the school on the day. Well done to everyone, what a great way to celebrate a wonderful hobby.

Cahir Social and Historical Society

The Society’s final lecture of the 2024/25 lecture season will take place at 8pm on Thursday, March 20 in Cahir House Hotel. Society Chairperson, PJ O’Meara, will give a talk entitled ‘Continuity and Change: 4 Cahir Townlands from 1375 to 1975’.

In this talk PJ will look at the town lands of Ballymacadam and Newtownadam through a historic lens, addressing topics such as the impact of the Land War, the Church and Post-World War II Modernisation on this locality.

He hopes that this talk will lead to others sharing their research on their own neighbourhoods.

Admission is €5 for Members, €7 for Guests and Admission is free for students.

Community Lotto

The Community Lotto Draw took place on last Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in the Social Welfare Office at 12 noon. Draw was witnessed by Marie Casey and the Jackpot of €3,700 was not won. The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 14 & 32.

The four lucky Dip winners winning €25 each were Tony Vincent, Clonmore, Cahir, Gary O’Mahony, Lismahon, Co. Meath, Pat Lonergan, Day Care Centre, Cahir and John Duggan, Avondale Court, Cahir. Congratulations to all.

The next Draw will take place on today, Wednesday March 12 in the Social Welfare Office at 12 noon. The Jackpot will then be €3,800 and results will be published next week.

Tickets are always available in the Enterprise Centre and in local shops too. We wis h everyone the best of luck in the draw. This Lotto supports Cahir Development Association Community Projects.

Cahir Town in around the

By Maria Taylor

St Patrick’s Day Parade - Still time for final preparations

All roads lead to Cahir with just a few days to go now to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on this Bank Holiday Monday, March 17.

We are calling on all groups to let us know if they have any special requirements as we want to make sure there is no clashing of music and also to facilitate the smaller children’s groups that may not be able to walk the full course to ensure the smooth running of the Parade.

This year the parade will once again

start on the Tipperary Road at the business park at 12 noon. The Theme for the St. Patrick Days Parade this year is “a Celebration of our Heritage, Culture & Diversity”.

There is still time to plan your float and promote your group, so prepare your outfits! Text or call Andy on 086 360 9110 to book your slot. There will be music on the stage before the Parade from 11.30am to entertain everyone and we will have our compare

Gerry Duffy to announce the line up of parade entries. There will be musical entertainment from Cahir Comhaltas after the parade at Cahir Tourist Office Plaza also and of course there will be prizes in several categories up for grabs for those who make that extra effort on the day. So it’s time to get your outfit, float or group ready for our National Saint’s Day parade. We hope everyone has a wonderful St. Patricks Day in Cahir; all we need is the weather!

Flower & Chocolates Exhibition now showing at Cahir Arts

Last Friday March 7 the latest exhibition in Cahir Arts opened with ‘Flowers & Chocolates’ by Norman Stevenson debuting to a sizable crowd. This ‘Flowers & Chocolates’ is an unconventional take on a familiar theme and presents a collection of fine art photographs capturing the delicate beauty of wilted and withered flowers, paired with a series of hand-sculpted chocolate pieces that recreate iconic objects in astonishing detail.

The floral portraits range from wildflowers and florist’s blooms to the artist’s own orchids. Through subtle lighting techniques, the images highlight the rich textures and fading colours, revealing an overlooked allure that emerges beyond their prime. These flowers, often discarded once their initial vibrancy fades, are instead seen here as subjects of quiet elegance and intricate beauty.

Complementing the photos, the artist has meticulously sculpted a series of chocolate

pieces that defy expectations. With remarkable precision, each sculpture mirrors every detail of its real-world counterpart, prompting viewers to question whether they are truly made of chocolate. The chocolate pieces are for display only and not for

sale, though the artist accepts commissions for special events and occasions. For enquiries, contact hello@norman.ie.

About Norman Stevenson

About the Artist - Norman Stevenson is a visual artist with a background in industrial de-

sign. With over two decades of experience in innovation and design, he now applies his expertise to creating art that re-imagines form, texture, and light. To learn more about him and his work, visit www.norman.ie.

Cahir Tidy Towns - The outdoor gym equipment has arrived!

The Group had applied for a grant towards extra outdoor gym equipment for along the Swiss Walk and we are delighted to see that it has arrived, and the council has agreed to install it along the walkway. This is a huge asset to those that use it as part of their daily routine.

We have also applied for funding for a children’s carousel but it could be a long shot.

Efforts are under way to get the river bank wall reconstructed at Walpoles canal and also funding has been sought for the carving of the tree stump inside the Inch Field.

Thanks to ABP who presented €1,500 towards our can collection last Friday morning. We plant trees from these profits, and this is all part of a commitment from ABP Food Group and Cahir

Tidy Towns Group to enhance the tree population in Cahir.

Our Cahir Youth Tidy Towns group has had their first meeting of the year and we are delighted that Olivia Darcy was elected Chairperson. Olivia is currently on the national executive of Comhairle and her expertise with the group can only help to promote a very vibrant club who will compli-

ment the senior Tidy Towns Group and will be a huge asset in the months ahead. They will be involved on St. Patrick’s Day and anyone interested in Youth Tidy Towns should contact Olivia or Andy through the FB page.

This week we express sympathies to Marie Moloney on the death of her brother JJ Lyons. May he rest in peace

At opening of ‘Flowers & Chocolate Exhibition was Michelle Fogarty, partner & Exhibitor Norman Stevenson with Sipobhan Caplice of Cahir Arts and supporter Neasa Greene

Bunscoil Na Cathrach pupils Siobhan Abby & Farrah dressed as their favourite book characters on World Book Day last week

Cahir Park B Team

Last Sunday, March 10 our B Team were away to Burncourt in the Peter O’Reilly Cup Quarter Final. Final score was Cahir Park B 2, 1 Burncourt Celtic

Cahir Park B had to dig in deep to secure their place in the Peter O’Reilly Cup semi final beating local rivals Burncourt Celtic with a late winner. The match started well for the away team, creating some very good openings without taking their chances. That changed when good approach play from Padraig Farrell and Jack Buckley set up inform striker Hishem Birem to finish from close range. Cahir Park had further chances to stretch their lead before the break but Burncourt Celtic held out.

Into the second half Burncourt started brightly and got their rewards when a defensive mix up at the back for Cahir Park let in Pa Ryan who finished well. A scrappy last 30 minutes ensued and just when extra time looked most likely, up popped 17 year old Cahir striker Leigh Murphy, who finished calmly past the on rushing Burncourt keeper, to seal Cahir Parks place in the next round. Well done to the Team and Management.

Youths Division 1- Cahir Park 2 - 2 Clonmel Celtic

Cahir Park hosted Clonmel Celtic in their last league league game of the season last Tuesday under lights. The game started off at a fast pace with both sides looking to make an early breakthrough but neither side dominating. Oisin Power for Cahir was the main danger with a number of chances in the first twenty minutes but couldn’t find the net with the Celtic keeper making a couple of good saves. Celtic also had their chances but missed the target on a couple of occasions. The breakthrough came on 37 minutes when Cahir were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Josh Davey stepped up and struck the ball past the Celtic keeper to make it 1-0 to the home side. Cahir had a chance to make it 2-0 three minutes later when an Oisin Power header struck the post from a corner. However Celtic cleared their lines and on the counter attack it was Cillian FItzgerald who

Cahir Park AFC

found the equaliser to make it 1-1 at half time.

Celtic started the second half strong and came close to going ahead on 48 minutes only for an outstanding goal line block from Tadhg Browne when the ball was heading to the back of the net. Celtic was on top and a fine strike from Cillian Fitzgerald again from the edge of the box gave them a 2-1 lead on the hour mark. The momentum started to swing after this and Cahir Park grew back into the game and a long goal kick was pounced on by Keelan Darcy who knocked the ball past the Celtic keeper to make it 2-2 on 74 minutes. The last 15 minutes was a frantic affair with both sides going in search of the winner and the game could have gone either way at this stage with good attempts at both ends but both sides had to settle for a share of the points.

Cahir Park Youth Bs through to Cup Final!

Last Saturday, March 9 our Youth B team took on Two Mile Borris in the Tipperary Youth Cup Semi Finals at home. Cahir Park took the lead in the first 15 minutes with a good through ball from John O’Regan to David Halpin who slotted it in near post on the left hand side. Two Mile Borris

equalised 20 minutes later with a cross that wasn’t cleared by the defence and scrambled into the goal. Score was 1-1 at half time. 10 minutes into the second half David Halpin scored from outside the box with a quick pass from Liam Cleary to put Cahir Park back in front. Two Mile Borris kept the pressure on Cahir with constant attacks which eventually paid off with a ball played across the box to an open player who equalised again and the score was then 2-2. With 5 minutes to go Cahir Park were awarded a penalty which John O’Regan slotted into the right hand side of the goal to make it 3-2. Cahir held on to the lead for the last five minutes and it ended 3-2 to Cahir Park. Well done to the Team and Management. On we now go to the Cup Final!

Token of Appreciation for twoCahir Park Youth players

Last week Cahir Park Junior Team Management and Committee presented our 2 Youth Players Callum Butler Buckley and Sami Laaksonen with a token of appreciation to acknowledge their achievements for being selected to represent Munster last weekend in the FAI Youth Interprovincial tournament in Limerick.

First Team Manager Chris

Cahir GAA Club

SYMPATHY

Everyone in Cahir GAA was saddened to hear of the death of our Honorary Life President Patsy Lonergan on last Friday morning. Patsy was one of our most ardent supporters over many years and never missed a Cahir match.

Higgins told the two lads that the club was proud of their achievements over the season and the dedication both players have shown towards the club and soccer. Chris also thanked the parents for their support and commitment to the lads who have made huge strides in their development and on everyone’s behalf wished them both well in the Munster Youth games taking place last weekend. Well done lads we are proud of you. Cahir Park 50/50 Draw Did you know can enter our weekly 50/50 draw online? Scan the QR code or the link on our FB Page to enter with a single or weekly recurring entry. The 50/50 Draw is on every Wednesday night with a cash winner every week! Congratulations to Kay Fitzgerald who was last week’s 50/50 Draw winner. Winning ticket was sold by Cahir Business & Training Centre. Thank you to all our ticket sellers, all our sponsors and everyone who buys tickets; we truly appreciate your support of our Club. We remind everyone that there is a cash winner every week. Tickets can also be purchased from Committee, online, through local businesses or through our Cahir Park AFC App under the fundraising header.

While unable to attend games during the last year, he would ring his good friend Noel Guthrie a number of times during the game to get the score and see how Cahir were doing. Much of the development of Cahir GAA pitch was done on a voluntary basis over the years and Patsy took the lead in this, inspiring others to get involved.

He was particularly proud of our GAA field entrance gates which he designed, constructed and fitted with Noel. Other work included the ball stop nets, score board, flood light poles, gates and fencing. No job was too difficult and Patsy would find a way of doing it. We are forever grateful to Patsy for all his work and support for the Club over many years and we extend our sincere sympathy to Brigette and all the Lonergan family.

DRAW THE JOKER

Last Sunday March 9 in The Shamrock Lounge and there was no winner of the €6,000 Jackpot and other winners were €100 Bernie Long, €50 Mary White, €50 Deirdre Tierney, €30 Joe Bray and €20 Gavin McLoughlin. This Sunday March 16, 2025 the Joker Draw will take place in The Galtee Inn. Jackpot will be €6,200. Thank you to all for your support.

SENIOR FOOTBALL

Cahir Footballers commenced their League Campaign this weekend against Clonmel Commercials played in the Sportsfield in Clonmel. Full Time Score Cahir 2.5, Commercials 2.16.

DIVISIONAL NEWS

Well done to Luke and David who played with the Tipperary U15 County Footballers this weekend and had a good win v Laois

SCOR SINSEAR

Erin O’Regan represented Cahir GAA and South Tipperary at the County Final Scór Sìnsear on Friday night in Clonmore. Erin entered in the Amhranaoicht Aonair section; unfortunately Erin fell short on the night to Katie Shanahan, Borrisoleigh who won the competition. Well done Erin, thank you for representing the club.

SCHOOL HURLINGCOLAISTE

Huge congratulations go to Coláiste Dún Iascaigh Cahir hurlers who captured the U17B County Hurling title and captained by Euan Magee. Final score: CDI 3-15, Abbey 2-12. Well done to the Team and in particular to the Cahir GAA boys.

TIPP SUPPORTERS CLUB

PRESENTATION

Congratulations to John Quirke who was one of the recipients of an award at the Tipperary Supporters Club Night last week. John received the award in recognition of all the trophies and awards that he has sponsored over the years. Well deserved John.

Liam Cahill Tipp senior hurling manager presenting John Quirke with special recognition award with members of Tipp Supporters group at Awards Night

On Saturday last Cahir Park Youth B Team won their Tipperary Youth Cup Semi Final at home to Two Mile Borris

Senior Infants on World Book Day last week in Bunscoil Na Cathrach

Junior Infants on World Book Day last week in Bunscoil Na Cathrach

Recollections from 2014 with Joe Kenny

Photographed at the Presentation Convent Clonmel Class of 1974 Reunion held at Minella Hotel on April 26, 2014 are L to R: Stacy Lambe, Jennifer Meehan, Breda Hallinan, Eileen Tobin and Margaret O’Dwyer.

Veterans photographed on February 28, 2014, at the IUNVA (Irish United Nations Veterans Association) new meeting house at the Railway Station, Clonmel. Back L to R: Teddy O’Brien, Liam Mackey, Junior Slattery, Johnny O’Callaghan, Bob Farrell. Front: L to R: Michael Haslam, Leonard Devine, Paddy Hackett and Richard Purcell.

Ann Marie Crotty and Helen Walsh photographed after having their heads shaved / dyed by Jeri Cronin of Bizaar Salon on February 15, 2014, at Clonmel Park Hotel in aid of Irish Cancer Society’s ‘Shave or Dye’ fundraising campaign.

‘Clonmel Says No’ protesters setting off on Saturday, March 1, 2014, for their weekly non political march from Clonmel’s Gordon Place Car Park in Clonmel. The group’s aim is to bring austerity issues experienced by the people of Ireland to the fore.

Members of the Purtill Family photographed in front of the Billy Purtill Stand that was unveiled before the Paddy Purtill Cup Final between Cullen Lattin and Wilderness Rovers in Cahir Park. on May 11, 2014. The late Billy Purtill was a son of Paddy Purtill Cahir.

Peake Villa team who lost 1-0 to Cashel Town in their premier league game played in Cashel on February 2, 2014. Back L to R: Seamus Woodlock, Sean Wade, Jamie Morrissey, Ted O’Connor, Stephen Carroll, Michael Butler, Mattie Stakelum, Gordon Carey, Tony Ruth, Danny Hickey. Front L to R: Padraig Dwyer, Adam Garreth, Kevin Croke, Noel Kent, Michael Ryan, Jody O’Mahoney, Shane Dunne and Dale Loughnane.

Recollections from 2014 with Joe Kenny

Pupils from the Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, who were overall winners in the Ireland’s Fittest Girls School, in Aviva Healthcare’s 2014 School’s Fitness Challenge, photographed above on May 9, 2014.

L to R: John Moroney (Carrick-on-Suir) and Jack Brennan (Tullarone) photographed at the Official Opening of Michael Hogan GAA Park, Grangemockler, on May 11, 2014

Photographed at the Official Opening of Michael Hogan GAA Park, Grangemockler, on May 11, 2014 are L to R: Orla Meagher, Colleen Kennedy and Caoimhe Lyons.

Junior Infants from Ss Peter and Paul’s Boys School Clonmel preparing their costumes on March 14, 2014, in time for St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Back L to R: Eoin Cooney, Patrick Phelan, Wojciech Ozom, Eric Mlynarek, Szymon Rynski, Gavin Mahoney. Front L to R: Jack O’Dwyer, Wojciech Smusz, Patrick Coupette, Dan Shanahan, Darragh Maher and Alex Judge.

Photographed at Ulick O’Connor’s one man show ‘The Poetry and Wit of Oliver St. John Gogarty’ performed at the Abymill Theatre, Fetrhard, on February 28, 2014, are L to R: Jane Lanigan, Robert Lanigan and Louise Curling.

Photographed at the Presentation Convent Clonmel Class of 1974 Reunion held at Minella Hotel on April 26, 2014 are Back L to R: Ann Egan, Helena Crowley, Ann Walsh, Gerri Daly, Sheila Creed, Mary Walsh, Lucy Enright. Front L to R: Deirdre Fahey, Paula Hallinan and Lena Ryan.

Tipperary students visit Kolkata (India) with the Hope Foundation

On January 30th, 15 students from Rockwell College, accompanied by teachers Shane Looney and Ms. Mollie Ní Shúilleabháin, embarked on a week-long educational and cultural journey to Kolkata. The trip, in collaboration with the Hope Foundation, aimed to immerse the students in the challenges faced by the city’s most vulnerable communities. The group, joined by students from St. Angela’s College Cork, St. Anne’s Tipperary Town, and Dunamase College Port Laoise, explored the impact of the Hope Foundation’s initiatives in the region.

Founded in 1999 by Maureen Forrest, the Hope Foundation works tirelessly to improve the lives of children and families in Kolkata’s slums. The foundation operates schools, crèches, and children’s homes, offering education, healthcare, and emotional support to some of the city’s most disadvantaged communities.

During their stay, the Rockwell College students visited several Hope Foundation projects, interacting with children and witnessing the foundation’s life-changing work. They toured schools and crèches, including the flagship school, where they played games, interacted with students, and gained insight into their lives. The students also explored some of Kolkata’s famous landmarks, including the Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge.

However, it was their visit to the slums that left the most profound impact, where they walked through narrow alleyways and saw the stark realities of life there.

STUDENTS DEEPLY MOVED

The students were deeply moved by the resilience and positivity of the children they met, despite the difficult circumstances they face daily. Reflecting on their experience, students Beatrice Byrne, Ada McGarry, Mollie Meagher, and Róisín Heffernan shared:

“We learned so much about the culture of India and the harsh realities that so many people face in the slums of Kolkata. It really put our own worries into perspective. From the first day to the last, we visited schools, crèches, and children’s homes. We saw firsthand how the Hope Foundation is positively impacting the lives of children in Kolkata. This was the highlight of our trip.”

Before departing, the students attended a pre-trip talk by Denis Leamy, Goodwill Ambassador for the Hope Foundation, who shared valuable insights into the foundation’s work and prepared the group for their experience.

His talk helped the students understand the importance of their mission and the positive change they would witness.

A heartfelt thank you goes to travelling teachers Shane Looney and Mollie Ní Shúilleabháin, whose dedication and support ensured the trip was both safe and meaningful for all participants.

Upon their return, the students expressed gratitude and a renewed commitment to supporting the Hope Foundation’s vital work. This experience not only broadened their cultural understanding but also inspired them to continue advocating for those less fortunate and to support the foundation’s mission of providing hope to those in need.

The Hope Foundation’s work in Kolkata remains as crucial as ever, and Rockwell College students are proud to continue their involvement in such meaningful projects.

Back row, left to right: Richard Mazur (Cashel), Jacob Mulhall (Clonmel), Seán Cahill (Emly), Cian O’Mahony (Clonmel), Paddy Corcoran (New Inn). Middle row: Mr. Looney (Travelling Teacher), Daisy O’Keeffe (Powerstown), Bella Barry-Swann (Cashel), Mollie Maher (Boherlahan), Róisín Heffernan (Cashel), Eva Linehan (Castletown), Ms. Ní Shúilleabháin (Travelling Teacher), Denis Leamy (Hope Foundation Goodwill Ambassador). Front row: Beatrice Byrne (Carrick-on-Suir), Ada McGarry (Clonmel), Suzanne Kerry (Clonmel), Kate Downey (Clonmel), Layla Brett (Carrickon-Suir).

PLANNING NOTICES

Tipperary County Council

I, Michael Morrissey, intend to apply to the above authority for planning permission to construct a vehicular entrance, new driveway and all associated site development works at No. 5 Connolly Park, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

PLANNING NOTICES

Tipperary County Council

“Further Information” or “Revised Plans” Under planning referance number 24146, Paul Slattery intend to apply for planning Permission for construction of additional bulk milk storage and pasteurisation unit, underground waste

water tanks and PERMISSION for RETENTION of existing agricultural storage unit and all associated site works at Rathfalla, Nenagh, Co. TipperaryThat significant further information/ revised plans in relation to the application have been furnished to the Planning Authority, and are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Authority during public opening hours, and A submission or observation in relation to the significant further information/revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper and site notices by the planning authority.

PLANNING NOTICES

on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Twin Hearts Meditation

We South Tipperary Farm Relief Services intend to apply to the above authority for Retention Planning Permission for (i) Existing Signage as well as Planning Permission to (ii) Construct a new storage building (iii) Extend the existing front car park (iv) Erect new signage – and all associated site development works at Carrigeen, Industrial Estate, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the Planning Authority

FURTHER INFORMATION

Under Planning Reference Number 2461071, We, Waterford & Lismore Diocesan Trust intend to apply to the above Authority for Planning Permission to create a burial ground - and all associated site works at Saint Mary’s Church, Townparks, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. Significant further information in relation to the application has been furnished to the planning authority and is available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the authority during its public opening hours. The significant further information includes (i) The altering of the application red line boundary, (ii) A Hydrogeological Assessment & (iii) Retention Planning Permission for an Existing Car Parking Area.

A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice and site notice by the planning authority.

Do you own commercial property that you are finding challenging to rent?

Clonmel Arts Studios Group (CASG) is looking for a temporary communal studio.

Allowing artists temporary use of commercial space can have advantages for both parties. Vacant commercial space can be vulnerable to vandalism or suffer serious deterioration from unnoticed leaks and unchecked dampness. Artists acting in a caretaking role would detect and notify the owner of such conditions, thereby averting possible long-term damage and preventing the space from becoming an eyesore or a potential danger to the public.

An art studio can enhance the ambience of commercial space, making it more appealing to potential tenants. Supporting local artists contributes to the cultural vibrancy of the community and helps build a positive image for the owner of commercial space as being a supporter of art and community focused entities. People are often appreciative of businesses that contribute to the local arts scene, which can translate into customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth.

Commercial owners may be eligible for a waiver of property rates Tipperary County Council in recognition of their contribution to the local arts scene.

If you would like to explore this possibility, please contact CASG members: Kate Somerville 087 718 5309 or Brigid Teehan 087 9149494

Clonmel Arts Studios Group is a pilot project between local artists, Clonmel Borough District Council, Tipperary County Council’s Arts Office and South Tipperary Arts Centre. CASG has an excellent track record with over 4 years in their first studio in Hughes Mill, Clonmel. References can be provided.

https://mckscharity.ie/

Tipperary

Community gears up for day of fun and excitement

Final plans are being put in place for what promises to be a wonderful day of music, friendship, fundraising and craic on the streets around our town.

Changing the date of the annual parade was seen by some as a strange move but the committee, along with the brilliant people in Explore Carrick-on-Suir and the council have worked together to host a day that hopefully will live long in the memories of all who attend.

Entries through the QR code for the parade have come in quick and fast and the final touches on the festival aspect of the day are being ironed out.

A wonderful special “Strongman Competition” is being run by AJ Cronin in the festival area of the Town Hall Carpark and all proceeds from the event will go to Special Olympics Ireland.

Lar Corbett’s hurling wall will be in situ in the carpark also for all the aspiring young and not so young hurling enthusiasts to show off their skills.

The organisers are urging as many as possible to come along on the day and witness just what our brilliant town has to offer.

Panduit Carrick Wheelers to honour Pat Nugent on St Patrick’s Day

Every St Patrick’s Day Panduit Carrick Wheelers hold their past members’ memorial race. The cup called The Carrick Wheelers C.C. Members Memorial Cup is dedicated to a past member who had served the club with distinction in the past. This year’s race will be run in memory of the late Pat Nugent, formerly of St John’s Terrace in the town.

Going back almost five decades Pat served as a motor bike marshal and a race lead car driver. In the 1980s Pat took the reins of the club in the role of team manager. With this role came the responsibility of getting the teams to their races, a role that thanks to Pat’s love of engines and

high-powered cars always got the riders in place in plenty of time.

As well as team manager Pat also served as vice chairman and chief steward, both roles carried out with true dedication and a burning desire to see his beloved team prosper.

This year’s cup will be presented to the first rider past the finish line in the C2 category by Pat’s daughter Marie.

Pat’s long service to the club and in particular his dedication to the safety aspects around all the races hosted by the club have ensured his place in the annals of the team’s history and it is fitting that they remember him on this very special race day.

Mini Mollerans spring back!

St Molleran’s GAA Club are inviting boys and girls, aged between 5 and 10 years of age to come along on Wednesday nights between 6:30 and 7:30 pm for an hour of fun, games and friendship.

The club, based in the fantastic Cul Na Muc grounds, has come a long way since its first foray into Waterford GAA back in 1942, when they had no clubhouse, no field and no juvenile teams. Training took place in Paddy Sheehan’s field across from O’Hickey Place and that was the spot where many generations of players learned their skills and proudly donned the maroon and white with pride.

Many can recall changing into their training gear behind the small wall that ran along the length of the field and waiting for cattle or sheep to be moved off the field before training started.

These humble beginnings were where club and county stalwarts like Sean Reade, Jimmy Flynn and Frankie Doherty honed their skills and are a far cry from the state-of-the-art modern facilities that the club now boasts.

For the past number of years, the club has dedicated Wednesday evenings to teaching a whole new generation the skills, enjoyment and passion of our native games, creating a new lineage of players who go on to play for their club and represent their eastern divisional side and indeed county side with pride.

Starting back on Wednesday next, 19th March, the club is hoping to see more new faces and anybody looking for more information can contact Shane on 0879706843.

Carrick-on-Suir AC invites new members to join the club

Carrick-on-Suir Athletic Club has announced that it is open to new members who wish to try their hands at athletics.

Training takes place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m. behind The Sean Kelly sports complex on Pill Road.

The club is in the later stages of organising their annual flag day which takes place this year on Saturday, 12th April.

On the competition side of things Sophie Foster and Laura Dowley were out last weekend in Nenagh at the under 12/14 Munster championships.

In the under 14, 60 metre hurdles Sophie reached the semi-final and missed out by the slimmest of margins (0.6 seconds) for a place in the final. Sophie also proudly represented the club in the under 16 hurdles.

Laura qualified for the final 8 in the under 14 shotputt out of a field of 20 competitors, throwing very close to her personal best in the process. She also represented the club in the girls under 14 long jump.

A great weekend for both girls who have a bright future in track and field and it’s only a matter of time before Munster titles come their way.

The late Pat Nugent in whose memory this year’s St Patrick’s Day Cycle Race will be held.

Carrick-on-Suir AC members Sophie Foster and Laura Dowley who competed in Nenagh at the under 12/14 Munster championships.

Raheen College and Gaelcholáiste

Chéitinn students

embark on exciting Erasmus+ Journey to Austria

STUDENTS from RAHEEN COLLEGE and GAELCHOLÁISTE CHÉITINN secondary schools in Clonmel participated in an Erasmus+ mobility with a week-long visit to Austria at the beginning of February. Erasmus+ is a dynamic initiative that fosters international collaboration by enabling students and teachers across the European Union to learn from and with one another.

As an Erasmus+ Accredited school since 2024, CTI Clonmel has secured access to funding opportunities until 2027, allowing students and teachers to engage in valuable cultural exchanges. This year’s project focuses on fostering a multicultural and multilingual environment, reflecting the growing diversity within our school community.

STRENGTHENING EUROPEAN CONNECTIONS

In 2022, students from Eurogymnasium Leoben spent a week at CTI Clonmel, sparking a desire among Irish students to visit Austria in return. Following the school’s Erasmus+ Accreditation in 2024, plans were set in motion for a mobility programme to Leoben. A group of 29 students and five staff members embarked on this educational adventure with the aim of enhancing cultural understanding and forging friendships across borders. The visit also sought to encourage students at CTI Clonmel to embrace second-language learning and support diverse peers within the school community.

AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY TO AUSTRIA

February 2, 2025: The journey began with a flight from Dublin to Vienna, followed by a two-hour bus ride to Leoben in Styria, Austria.

After a late arrival on Sunday night, students attended school at 9:30 am - later than the usual 7:45 am Austrian start time. The group received a warm welcome from the principal and teachers of Eurogymnasium Leoben and attended a presentation on the Austrian education system. Divided into three groups, students participated in workshops alongside their Austrian peers. Activities included cooking Kaiserschmarrn, a traditional dessert. As Austria is in the midst of its ball season, students also had the

chance to practice waltzing to The Blue Danube, a key skill for Austrian debutante balls. The day concluded with German language lessons and conversations with Austrian counterparts.

Students collaborated on the ‘See the Big Picture Project,’ overseen by Clonmel native, Desmond Doyle.

This is an initiative that connects people through art. Paired with Austrian students, they worked together to design murals reflecting their views of the world.

The murals were completed in school, with students proud of their creative results. Later, the group visited a Holocaust memorial before heading to the slopes for a traditional Austrian pastime - sledding. The experience also highlighted the effects of climate change, as students observed a significant reduction in snowfall compared to previous years.

A guided historical tour of Leoben was led by Austrian students, who had prepared a map of key landmarks. At 10 am, the Mayor of Leoben hosted a reception at the Town Hall, offering insights into citizenship and European identity. That evening, students attended a performance of Les Troyens by Berlioz at the Graz Opera House - a significant cultural experience, especially for those studying music at Leaving Certificate level.

On their final day at Eurogymnasium Leoben, students bid farewell to their Austrian friends at a closing ceremony, where they received Erasmus+ certificates. Some students even performed a song to mark the occasion. In the afternoon, the group attended a traditional Austrian dance club to further immerse themselves in local culture, even performing an Irish céilí to compare dance traditions.

The final day was spent exploring Graz. Students climbed 260 steps to the Schlossberg and enjoyed an exhilarating ride down the world’s tallest indoor slide. The trip concluded with some free time for shopping before flying home on February 9.

A special thank you to Desmond and Maeve Doyle for their invaluable support in making this Erasmus+ mobility a reality. This exchange has strengthened cultural ties, expanded students’ perspectives, and laid the foundation for future international collaborations. We look forward to welcoming our Austrian friends to Ireland in the

near future!

Students enjoyed a day of fun in the mountains (left), attended a performance of Les Troyens by Berlioz at the Graz Opera House (right), and overall enjoyed a busy yet thoroughly enjoyable time of cultural and historical experiences during their week-long stay in Austria

Students and staff from Raheen College and Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn (Clonmel) on their recent exciting Erasmus+ journey to Austria

Tipperary’s learned outlaw Geoffrey Keating to be remembered

HBY TOM HENNESSY

IGH

IN THE PURPLE SOLITUDES

of the Glen of Aherlow a middle-aged man sits at the mouth of a heather screened cavern. There is no sound to be heard save for the eerie shriek of an eagle swooping heavenward from Galtee Mór, or the distant murmur of a mountain torrent. Below in the depths of the Glen stretches the dense primeval forest that made Aherlow the chosen refuge of the outlawed.

This man in the cavern is Seathrún Céitinn, and his” crime” was to attempt to save and collect the ancient manuscripts of Éire, and to copy them.

A strange outlaw is this dignified scholar, as he sits copying from some tattered manuscript. In the same Glen, Dinny Lacey, Dan Breen and other patriotic men and women of the Gael would also seek refuge from the same tyrannical rulers that had forced our “outlawed priest” to go ‘on the run’ generations previously.

All these years later in his native Tipperary Geoffrey Keating is still a revered man. Like many revered heroes over the years since his death the folklore and legend surrounding Seathrún Céitinn has been passed from generation to generation. The townland of Burgess is one kilometre from the final resting place of Seathrún Cétinn and on 26th

August, 1990 it was here that the local community, led by Fr. Michael Farrell, PP of Bally Looby and Duhill, unveiled a large monument to honour ‘Tipperary’s outlawed Priest’.

According to Patrick Lynch (1787-1818) Geoffrey Keating was born around 1570, near a small village called Burgess. Tomás O Suilleabháin states in an essay published in London in 1722 “Geoffrey Keating was born 10 miles southwest of Clonmel, near Burgess.” He received his early education in Ireland, which was not easy as in those days. Queen Elizabeth’s armies were continually devastating large tracts of the country with ‘fire and the sword’. Most of the Irish seats of learning had disappeared.

In the North the O’Neill and the O’Donnell maintained the old native civilisation, and in the southwest, Gerald Earl of Desmond enjoyed a precarious independence in defiance of the ‘Queens law’. Geoffrey may have studied at a bardic school run by the Mac Graith family in Burgess. In the late sixteenth century, Catholic students who wished to become priests were not permitted to study in Ireland. Geoffrey Keating spent some years at the University of Rheims in northern France. He was awarded the highest level of theological degree and became a Doctor of Divinity. Later Geoffrey taught theology at Bordeaux.

In 1610 Geoffrey Keating returned to a changed

Patients in Tipp can now access all their health

information in new HSE app – Michael Murphy TD

The recent launch of the new HSE Health App gives Irish patients easy digital access to their health information and helps them navigate the health service more easily, a Fine Gael TD has said.

The app, launched by Fine Gael TD and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, is now available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

Deputy Michael Murphy described the launch as “a game-changer in how people in Tipperary will engage with their health information, offering a seamless and secure way to access key health services and personal records at their fingertips.”

KEY FEATURES

Key Features of the HSE Health App include:

• Digital versions of Medical, GP, Drug Payment Scheme, and European Health Insurance Cards

• Vaccination recordsCOVID-19 & Flu

• Details of reimbursed medications and a safe place to store personal medication lists

• Information on HSE services, including Emergency Departments and Injury Units

Ireland. Gaelic Ireland had gone down in blood at the fatal Battle of Kinsale. Just a few years had passed since the ‘Flight of the Earls’, and it seemed as if English supremacy and tyranny would never be challenged again. In 1613 he is a priest in the Lismore diocese.

These were dangerous times for a Catholic Priest in his native land. These were the days ‘law placed the same price on the head of a wolf as on that of a priest’. It didn’t take long for government spies to notice Fr. Keating with one reporting that there was “in the diocese of Lismore Father Geoffrey Keating, a Jesuit, a very good preacher”.

The story is told that following one his sermons Geoffrey was forced to ‘go on the run’. As with many an outlaw of the British in Tipperary the people sheltered Geoffrey, and he had many ‘Safe Houses’ that gave him refuge. Eventually Fr. Keating according to legend and folklore spends twenty years in a cave in Aherlow from where he ventures in various disguises to travel all over Ireland to castles and monasteries, wherever he has been told of a manuscript dealing with ancient Ireland may be found. These he then copied laboriously in his mountain hideout.

How the end came for Geoffrey Keating is uncertain, but tradition has it that on one of his expeditions in disguise, Geoffrey was put to the sword by a band of Cromwellian soldiers. In Cillín

Crime increase demands urgent response from Justice Minister

Chiarán, at Tubrid a plaque placed there in 1644 commemorates Seathrún Céitinn. Fr Keating’s memory and name lives on as he has left us his writings but more than that to all of us who love our country and Gaelic heritage, he is revered for the risks he took in tyrannical times and the suffering he endured to save our history and document it.

TALK AND WALK ON SATURDAY

We are honoured next Saturday, 15th March to have Dr Bernadette Cunningham the author of ‘The World of Geoffrey Keating’ to give a talk on Geoffrey Keating. The day will start with a walk from Tubrid (E21FT97) starting at 11 am (where Geoffrey Keating is buried) to Burgess where he was born.

There will be Traditional Music and Poetry at the Monument in Burgess and refreshments in Duhill after Dr.Cunninghams talk.

SEACHTAIN NA GAELIGE

Next week is Seachtain na Gaelige so take a few hours and immerse yourselves in our Gaelic culture and heritage and join us for’ Siúl agus Labhairt’ here in South Tipperary. There will be parking at Tubrid (E21FT97) for those who wish to walk the 1.5 km to Burgess,and limited parking at the monument reserved for wheelchair/Elderly.

Great news for Agricultural Shows across County

Tipperary

• Maternity service appointment access for expectant mothers

Speaking on the launch of the app, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill emphasised: “This app is just the beginning. We are committed to expanding its capabilities to give people better access, control, and convenience in managing their health. By embracing technology, we are making healthcare more accessible for everyone.”

Deputy Michael Murphy added: “The HSE Health App will continue improving, with ongoing updates in 2025. These will include access to public hospital and screening appointments for public patients, as well as new self-care tools for quitting smoking and managing chronic conditions.”

The HSE Health App is free to download from the HSE website, Google Play, and the App Store by searching “HSE Health”. It is available in both Irish and English, with step-bystep guidance provided for easy setup.

For further details, visit www. hse.ie.

• Health & Wellbeing resources, including easy access to the HSE’s health guides

10% INCREASE IN BURGLARIES, WITH 9,981 REPORTED CASES LAST YEAR.

Labour’s Justice Spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has slammed the Government’s failure to tackle the rising levels of crime in communities across Ireland, following the publication of the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) crime figures.

Deputy Kelly said:

“Figures published today by the CSO highlight what Labour has been highlighting for some time—crime in our communities is rising, yet there has been no proactive response from the Minister for Justice.

“The saying is true—prevention is the best cure. It is clear that an increase in community policing is needed to tackle the rise in burglaries and related offences. Criminals are exploiting the lack of Garda presence, and ordinary people are paying the price.

“Meanwhile, trust between frontline Gardaí and the Of-

fice of the Garda Commissioner has broken down. The Minister cannot wash his hands of this crisis while communities experience rising crime rates. Our Gardaí are overstretched and under-resourced, yet the Government refuses to address the serious concerns raised by both Garda representatives and the public.

“The Minister must make a statement to the Dáil to outline to communities what this Government is doing to protect them this. People need action, not excuses.”

There was great news for Agricultural Shows across Tipperary with last Saturday’s announcement of an investment of over €1 million to support 123 Agricultural Shows right across the country, according to South Tipperary TD, Deputy Michael Murphy.

The funding announced brings the total allocated to our Agricultural Shows since 2018 to over €5.3 million.

The Department of Rural and Community Development will work with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to administer the 2025 scheme.

Tipperary Show allocations as follows, Clonmel Agricultural Show €10,700

Dualla Show €4,700

Bansha Agricultural & Industrial Show €8,350

Cappamore Show €9,205

North Tipperary Agricultural Show €8,350

The funding announced last weekend brings the total allocated to our Agricultural Shows since 2018 to over €5.3 million.

Deputy Alan Kelly, Labour Party Justice Spokesperson

Deputy Michael Murphy, TD, Fine Gael

Thurles boys crowned county football champions

There were jubilant scenes in Coolmore Dr. Morris Park last week as the 1st year Gaelic Football team from Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed won the 1st Year B County Football Final against Carrick-on-Suir CBS.

For the neutral, this transpired to be an excellent game of football with 15 on 15 playing an open expansive game that exhibited all the skills with high fielding, blocking, long kick passes and points taken from distance.

Carrick stormed into a rapid two-goal lead but this was clawed back following a Dylan Considine point and Michael O’Reilly goal. Very little separated both sides throughout and with two minutes remaining Moyne/Templetuohy’s JP Moore latched onto a Jack Ryan pass and rifled the O’Neill’s ball to the top corner to put daylight between the sides,. Hats off to a brilliant group of students who have trained hard every week under the charges of Mr. James Moloney and Mr. Seán Craddock.

The final score read 6-7 to 5-5 for Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed. Scorers for CMCO were: Dylan Considine (1-05), Michael O’Reilly (1-0), Brody Lyons (1-1), Ryan Ferncombe (1-0), Lorcan McLeish (1-2), JP Moore (1-0). Outstanding on the day also for Coláiste Mhuire were Danny Reddan, Oisín Cooke, Jack Ryan, Ben Healy, Jack Mockler, and Kyle Kelly.

BELOW: Well done to the Coláiste Mhuire (Thurles) school choir who competed in the mixed voice category at the Limerick Choral Festival. They performed two beautiful songs ‘10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)’ and ‘Go the Distance’, and came second! An amazing achievement in such a high standard competition. Maith sibh!

Congratulations to the Coláiste Mhuire (Thurles) Musical Group who represented CMCO at the Tipperary ETB Talent Show held at Coláiste Dún Iascaigh Cahir. They performed two songs from their recent musical ‘Mary Poppins’ with Grace Maher reprising her role as Mary and Tomás Max returning as Bert. The audience was capti-

vated by their energetic singing and choreography.

22 ACTS - 10 SCHOOLS AND MORE...

The event featured 22 acts from Tipperary ETB’s 10 Post-Primary schools, as well as Tipperary FET College and Music Generation Tipperary.

The diverse performances included Irish

Music, Dancing, Rock Bands, Musical Theatre, Magicians, solo singers, and more, showcasing the incredible talent within our county. Well done to all involved

Well done in particular to Ms. Helen Wallace, Ms. Eimear Lowth and Ms. Caoimhe Geaney who commit so much of their time to mentor the students.

CAMOGIE:

The Coláiste Mhuire (Thurles) under 15.5 girls enjoyed a great day out at the Tipperary Camogie Blitz in Clonmel Óg GAA Field recently. They played very competitive games against Scoil Ruáin (Killenaule), CTI Clonmel, and Comeragh College (Carrick-on-Suir).

Great performances by all the girls especially Aimee Igoe, Amelie Nuvoloni and Katie O’Dwyer who delivered outstanding displays.

LIAM COMPETES AT ALL-IRELAND CROSS COUNTRY:

Coláiste Mhuire (Thurles) second year student Liam Carroll competed against the finest of runners from all over Ireland at last Saturday’s 123.ie All-Ireland Cross Country Championships in Galway. Liam is a superb athlete who participates in numerous sports in Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed and excels in them all!

News from the Community

Ballingarry

Our New Co. Councillor: On Friday night last 7th March, Amy Goldsboro was selected at a Fianna Fáil Co-Option Convention at Knocknagow Community Hall, Mullinahone, after which she will be co-opted onto Tipperary County Council to fill the council seat held by her mother for 11 years. This makes the young Ballingarry lady the youngest member of Tipperary County Council and one of the youngest councillors in the country.

More than 70 Fianna Fáil members from across the Carrick Electoral Area attended the convention that was contested by 21-year-old Amy and former Carrick-on-Suir councillor Sylvia Cooney-Sheehan, who was seeking to make a political comeback after an 11-year break from political life after she had bowed out of local politics in 2014 having failed to secure a seat in the election to the new unified Tipperary County Council.

The convention was chaired Kilkenny Fianna Fáil T.D. Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere with South Tipperary Fianna Fáil PRO Paudie Taylor acting as convention secretary.

After being declared the winner, Amy Goldsboro said; “I would like to thank all the Fianna Fáil members from across the area for their overwhelming support and I look forward to working very closely with you all very soon”. Senator Imelda Goldsboro thanked the Fianna Fáil members for their strong support through the Local Election, General Election and Seanad Election in recent months and also for their support for Amy.

BALLINGARRY G.A.A. & CAMOGIE CLUB

GAA Lotto No’s: 15-16-17-19. No Winner. €40 each to: Richard Ivors (snr), Boulea; Margo O’Connell, Kilsheelan; Eamon Dalton; Ann Toghe, Ballincurry; Jonathan Lawlor. Next Draw: Tuesday 11th Mar. 2025 for €20,000.

The Jackpot remains at €20,000, while a new Jackpot is growing by €200 per week. Well done to Jack Cahill who was part of the Thurles CBS team, scoring 6 points, who defeated Nenagh CBS in the Fitzgerald Cup A hurling final in Fethard Town Park on Thursday 6th March. Last week at the Garda College Templemore, trainee Garda Dylan Walsh was headed into attestation week and was looking forward to his graduation on Friday 7th March. Dylan spoke about enjoying his training, his time with his colleagues on the winning Ryan Cup team and managing his Garda train-

ing along with training with the Tipperary Senior Hurling team. We wish Dylan all the best when he starts work in the Kildare division on St. Patrick’s Day. WIN A HOUSE!!

In association with Tipperary GAA. Ballingarry GAA Club is selling tickets for this draw. Tickets are €100 and if you buy a physical ticket through the club, €30 goes back to the club for development! If you are interested in buying a ticket, please let Áine (086 089 2032) or Pat (086 326 3231) know. Main draw for the house takes place on St Patrick’s weekend 2025. This is your last chance.

CHURCH OF THE ASSUMPTION MASS TIMES

Mass Times: 9.30am Monday to Friday; 7.00pm Saturday evening and 10.00am Sunday morning. Catholic Radio programme “Radio Maria” available on TV channel Saorview 210. Parish Radio: 107.5 FM. Anniversaries: Sat. 8 March: Ann O’Shea, Coalbrook; Dick O’Shea, Kylenahone 1st Anniv; James and Annie Heaphy, Coalbrook. Sun. 9 March: Maureen Harvey (Nee Barron), The Cross, Ballingarry; Benedict Harvey, The Cross.

FIRST CONFESSION

On Wednesday evening of this week, our girls and boys of second class will celebrate the Sacrament of Confession (their 1st Confession) in the parish Church with their families. What do you remember about your First Confession? Nowadays it does not take place in the Confessional Box, but rather it is celebrated on the Sanctuary in public view and it is individual. May the Good Lord bless each of them.

BALLINGARRY ALBION FC:

Thanks to all players and parents who attended our registration night last Tuesday. We were blown away with the numbers and loads of new faces which was great to see along with all returning players from last season. It leaves the club in a very strong position to re-enter all teams from last season with the possibility of entering some new teams. At present we are looking for any players born in 2011 & 2010 to potentially fill an U/15 team to go along with our returning U/16 team. If anyone fits the above age profile, please get in contact asap as we need to finalise numbers in the next week or so. Also all non-competitive teams are still taking players. We do need some coaches for our non competitive U/8 & U/7 teams, so if anyone would be interested in helping out please get in touch. A final thanks to everyone for trusting us to provide an enjoyable foot-

ball environment for your kids as we continue to build our ever growing club here.

PRES. SECONDARY SCHOOL, BALLINGARRY:

This year, Presentation Ballingarry’s 3rd Tractor Run will take place on Sunday, March 30th, with registration from 12pm. All monies raised will go directly to “The Irish Cancer Society.” The students chose The Irish Cancer Society as the recipients of this year’s fundraiser as very few families escape being touched by this illness and they wanted to support the work and research being done by this society.

This is a most enjoyable day out for all the family and we want to make this year’s Tractor/ Vehicle Run the biggest yet, so please come along and support this event in whatever way you can. Special thanks has to go to: students Bill Cahill and Sean Barrett for spearheading this year’s event with Ms. Regan and to past pupil Fiachra Maher for his enthusiasm and sponsorship of all the road signage and for erecting many of the signs. Thanks also to CM signs for sponsoring Tractor/Vehicle stickers. Thanks to Dillon McQuire for his involvement in putting up the signs and to Principal Ms.Cahill and Deputy Principal Mr. Holden for their constant support. We look forward to seeing everyone on the day. Daffodils will also be on sale. Tea/ coffee and treats will be available, thanks to the Parents’ Council.

Save the date and see you all on Sunday, 30th March.

SINCERE SYMPATHY

We extend our sincere sympathy to Bernadette Fitzgerald and the extended Lyons family on the death of John Joseph (JJ) Lyons, Clinton, Massachusetts and formerly Ballyluskey, Drangan, who died unexpectedly on February 23rd 2025. Predeceased by his beloved parents Maurice and Kathleen Lyons and his sister Helen, J.J. is very deeply regretted by his loving

siblings: Catherine (McCormack), Maurice, Marie (Moloney), Rita (O’Connor), Philip, Bernadette (Fitzgerald), Geraldine (Butler), Josephine (Meagher), Paul and Noel. JJ is also survived by his loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, god children, nieces, nephews, relatives and many dear friends. His mortal remains arrived at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Drangan, on Wednesday morning 5th March at 10.45 am for Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial took place immediately afterwards in the Assumption Graveyard, Drangan. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé”.

BALLINGARRY ALBION

Old Bridge v Ballingarry Albion: We travelled to Clonmel on Sunday to take on Old Brodge in Ferryhouse. We got off to a disastrous start conceding a penalty inside 4 minutes after a mistake at the back but luckily the penalty was off target. Both sides had many chances throughout the first half but all to no avail. Half time: Old Bridge 0-0 Ballingarry Albion. After the first half produced no goals, the second half was the complete opposite with the teams combining for 6. We opened the scoring on 52 minutes, but we were only ahead for three minutes when Old Bridge when equalized. The home side then took the lead on 60 minutes after a long free kick was headed on and finished well through a crowd of bodies. The next 10 minutes were action packed with both teams flying into tackles and looking dangerous in attack.

We introduced Eoghan Pollard who gave an injection of pace to our attack down the left hand side. Being a goal down seemed to spur the team on and we played our best soccer of the game in this period as we played at a fast pace with some lovely passing of the ball. The combination of Keith Cleere, Ian Ivors and Eoghan Pollard was starting to work well as we created a couple of half chances but we did take one of these chances in the 80th minute when a looping cross by Ian was brilliantly headed home by Riain O’Callaghan at the back post with 10 minutes to go.

Every point is crucial at this time of the season and both teams went all out to win and in the 88th minute Ian Ivors arrived onto a clearance and struck a great volley from 20 yards out to beat the keeper and give us the lead late on. With only minutes left Old Bridge fired bodies forward and forced some corners but we caught them on the counter attack when Stephen Holohan did well to win the ball in his own half and raced down the wing and laid a great ball across to Eoin Burke who cut inside his man and was fouled in the box which Stephen stepped up to and fired home to give us a 2 goal cushion.

Again the home side pushed to get a late goal back but our defence led by Jack Pollard held out for the three points. Full time: Old Bridge 2-4 Ballingarry Albion.

Just four games to go now in the league and we’re right in the mix.

Sologhead

Tommy Fitzgerald

ACE OF HEARTS DRAW

The €3300 Jackpot for Monday night, March 3, was not won while the following took the runners-up prizes, €50 to Kathleen O’Dwyer Limerick Junction (first name drawn), four €25 spot prize winners Betty Rea Gurthdrum, Shelia O’Brien Monard, Gillian O’Brien Online and Claire Hogan Cullen. The seller’s prize went to Nicholas Lonergan and the Jackpot increased to €3400 for last Monday night, March 10.. ST NICHOLAS FC

The winner of their 50/50 fundraiser and €200 on Thursday, March 6, was Pat Rusell of Sologhead and the free Christmas Draw entry for €1000 went to Mason Maguire Tipp Town. Christy O’Grady.

In last Sunday’s Tipperary Cup tie played at Bohertrime St. Nicholas’s guaranteed their place in the next round with a thrilling 2-1 AET victory over Killenaule with goals by James Scanlon and Michael Maguire.

SOLOGHEAD GAA

Sologhead got competitions underway on Saturday last with the first round in the Co. Football League against Borrisokane and the North Tipp side made the clubs first ever visit to Sologhead worthwhile with a 3-14 to 2-8 victory.

Next round is against Killenaule this Sunday, March 16, in Killenaule, throw-in is 12 noon.

The Annual Road Hurling Tournament which was cancelled due to bad weather on St. Stephens Day will now take place on St. Patricks Day at Bohertrime commencing at 12 noon. All Poc Fada enthusiasts are invited to come along and show off your skills.

MONARD NS

A reminder that Monard NS will hold an Open Day in the school on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 1.30pm to 3pm. The school looks forward to meeting prospective pupils and their parents / guardians on the day.

BEST WISHES

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh and to anyone in the parish who may be ill in hospital or indeed may be recovering after surgery or illness at home, we also send you our best wishes and with springtime and the days getting longer we look forward to seeing you out and about in the near future.

LEFT: The Sologhead team defeated by Borrisokane in last weekend’s first round of the County Football League.

Jimmy Maher

Cllr Amy Goldsboro, Fianna Fáil, has been co-opted to Tipperary County Council for the Carrick-on-Suir Electoral Area

News from the Community

FETHARD NEWS

Fethard’s Sami Laaksonen chosen for FAI Youth Interprovincial tournament

Congratulations to Sami Laaksonen, Knockelly, Fethard, who was chosen to play for Munster in the FAI Youth Interprovincial Tournament consisting of three games over last weekend against: Leinster FA at Jackman Park on March 7; against Ulster FA at Pike Rovers on March 8; and Connacht FA at Jackman Park on Sunday 9.

On Saturday evening, the full Munster FA Youth Squad were presented with framed certificates by Munster Football Association Chairman, John Buckley, to acknowledge their representation of the province at the FAI Interprovincial games. Cahir Park

Youths players Callum Butler Buckley and Sami Laaksonen were among the 20 chosen for the Munster squad, who were a credit to their clubs, leagues and families over the weekend. Cahir Park FC Manager, Chris Higgins, said that the club was proud of Sami and Callum’s achievements over the season and the dedication both players have shown towards the club and soccer. Chris also thanked the parents for their support and commitment to the lads who have made huge strides in their development, and on everyone’s behalf, wished them both well in the Munster Youth games taking place.

32 years of Social Dancing

As Fethard ballroom celebrates 32 years of social dancing this weekend we have great nights of social dancing arranged. Peter Bourke will provide the music on Sunday night, March 16, and on Monday night, St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, for our anniversary night, we have Checkers providing the music. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a terrific night’s social dancing on either night, from 8.30pm to 11.30pm. Admission is €10, which includes tea and cakes and raffle.

Daffodil Day ‘Walk/Run’ at Fethard

Local Sports Clubs, in conjunction with Fethard Daffodil Day committee, have organised a Daffodil Day Walk/Run 5K to take place on Friday, March 28, starting at 7.30pm at Fethard Town Park, in aid of Irish Cancer Association. All are invited to take part and support this most worthy cause.

Killusty National School now enrolling

Killusty National School are now enrolling for September 2025. For further details contact the school on Tel: (052) 6132314, or by email at: killustyns@gmail.com or visit our website at www.

Fethard Ladies Group

The recently formed Fethard Ladies Group is growing in popularity with a broad selection of the community and organise a variety of outings, trips, social coffee / tea mornings and welcome new members to join and get involved. For further information about joining the group contact Kay Neagle on her Facebook page or any member of the group.

The Clothes Rack, Charity Shop, Fethard

The Clothes Rack has been supporting local charities since 2010 and appreciate your contributions and support since then. Unfortunately, we can no longer accept bags of clothing for recycling as we cannot dispose of them.

We are still glad to receive good quality items for resale in our shop on Main Street, Fethard.

Our business hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10am to 12 noon, and from 2pm to 4pm. Do drop in and you might grab a bargain or two!

New Tipperary GAA Commemoration Committee

On Saturday, March 15, the New Tipperary GAA Commemoration Committee will gather to pay homage to the former GAA club at the monument erected at Noan East between Ballinure and Laffansbridge.

This is a simple ceremony with a few kind words in remembrance of the personnel of the area who kept the flag flying from

by Joe Kenny

The death has occurred on Friday, March 7, 2025, of Clem Murphy, Kilnockin, Fethard, E91 F2H4 and formerly of O’Callaghan Strand, Limerick. Clem passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Predeceased by his infant sister Mary. Beloved husband of Barbara and cherished father of Alix, Lauren and MJ. Son of the late Michael John and Eithne Murphy. Always in the hearts of his brother Michael and sister Eithne.

Deeply missed by Alix’s husband Conor, Lauren’s husband Colin, Michael John’s partner Hareem, as well as his adored grandchildren Maya, Henry and Hamish.

He will be fondly remembered by his sister-in-law Terry and brothers-in-law Gerard, Oliver and Brian.

Funeral Mass took place on Sunday March 9, in Holy Trinity Parish Church, Fethard, followed by burial in Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Cemetery. May he rest in peace.

The death occurred on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, of Patrick Keane, Norfolk Massachusetts US, and formerly Knockelly, Fethard, peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.

Predeceased by his loving wife Bridget, his parents Tom and Alice, his brothers Sean, Thomas and Michael Keane, his sister Margaret Stanton and grandson Patrick Miner.

Patrick will be sadly missed by his daughters Caroline, Marion and Margaret, his sons David and Michael, his brothers Joe and Jim, his sisters Maureen Keane and Theresa Sayers, his sons-in-law Bill and Domenic, daughter-in-law Ran, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, his sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Patrick’s funeral mass took place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in St. Jude’s Church Norfolk MA followed by burial in Highland Cemetery, Dover, Massachusetts. May he rest in peace.

its foundation in 1946, to its demise in the early sixties, due to the ‘one club one parish’ rule. The ceremony will conclude with a prayer. So if you feel like coming along at 2pm the committee will be delighted to welcome you – you never know who you might meet there! Tiobraid Árann Abú!

Parish Church Lotto Draw Results

There was no jackpot winner in the Parish Lotto on Thursday, March 6, 2025. The numbers drawn were 2, 18, 20, and 22. The winner of the weekly draw for €30 was Robert and Margaret Phelan.

Next week’s Jackpot for Thursday, March 13, 2025, will be €5,000.

GAA Sports Development Lotto Results

Fethard GAA Sports Lotto draw results for March 4, 2025, are as follows: the numbers drawn were: 9, 18, 23 and 26.

We had no Jackpot winner and one Match 3 winner who received €150: Margaret Lalor. One’ lucky dip winner received €100: Eoin Whyte. The next draw takes place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, when the jackpot is €30,000.

The late CLEM MURPHY, Kilknockin, Fethard

The late PADDY KEANE, Massachusetts, USA & Fethard

Sami Laaksonen, has been chosen to play for Munster in the FAI Youth Interprovincial Tournament

News from the Community

Bansha/Kilmoyler

GALTEE ROVERS

ST. PECAUN’S LOTTO

There was no jackpot winner in last week’s Bansha Kilmoyler Sports Lotto draw. This week’s jackpot is €21,500.

Last week’s €20 lucky dip winners were: John Callanan, Andrew O’Halloran, Mairead Ryan and Kay McCarthy.

Seller’s prize €20: Catherine O’Connell. Tickets, €2 each or 3 for €5, are available locally and online via Clubforce and Galtee Rovers social media pages.

Burncourt

Burncourt Community Council presents two Yoga Options with Maria King Wellness starting on March 12.

Wednesday, March 12, 10am - Chair Yoga -Four Weeks Monday, March 24, 8pmYoga -Five Weeks

Phone Maria 0861716595 for more information and booking.

BURNCOURT DRAMA

Burncourt Drama will take to the stage on March 21 and 22. Two nights of hilarity guaranteed with a number of short pieces new and old.

“A Night of Comedy”-featuring “The Mirror”-the intrigue of the Looking Glass,”The Election” – some social commentary,”The Schoolroom”-may-

GALTEE ROVERS

The County Football Leagues commenced last weekend. In Division 2, on Friday night, in New Inn we were defeated by Rockwell Rovers on a score of 4-14 to 1-7.

The Division 4 tie against Killenaule was not played.

This weekend we play Boherlahan Dualla in Division 5 Group 1 of the County Hurling League. Well done to our players who were on the Tipperary Under 20 Football panel that

Pat and Marie’s Golden Wedding Anniversary

hem, “The Hospital”- skittish Ward Romance and “It’s All About Time” – one boy’s quest to learn the Time. Refreshments served- BYOB. Booking at Maureen Creed’s Shop or Breeda 0876967661. €15

REVOLUTIONARY WOMEN OF TIPPERARY 1914-1923PRESENTATION

An Evening with Noreen Higgins McHugh will take place in Burncourt Community Hall on Friday, April 4. Noreen will present her new publication “Revolutionary Women of Tipperary 1914-1923” with a talk and slide show. This book tells the story of Cumann na mBan, the womens nationalist organisation in Co. Tipperary and

Kilsheelan/Kilcash

GAA - WIN A HOUSE

Tipp Co. Board are offering the opportunity to win house in Cashel worth €350,000, draw to be held very soon. Tickets can be purchased from the club with 30% commission to your club.

KILSHEELAN UNITED FC

Peter O’Reilly Cup Quarter

Final: Kilsheelan United FC ‘B’ 1-3 Tipperary Town FC ‘B ‘

Tipperary Cup 3rd Round: Kilsheelan United FC 2-3

Cashel Town FC

50/50 DRAW

Congratulations to Eugene Corcoran on his winnings in the 50/50 draw. Eugene netted him-

Urlingford

EMERALDS URLINGFORD & GRAINE LOTTO

March 3 prize fund was €4,300. Jackpot: €2,300.

Numbers drawn: 10, 12, 14 and 27, bonus number 28.

One

Five

self €389, well done Eugene. Our next draw is weekend of 22nd March.

Big thank you to all who attended our registration morning on March 8th. For anyone wishing to register or enquiring re training p.please get in touch with any committee member or make contact through our social media platforms.

COFFEE MORNING

A huge thanks to all who attended the coffee morning organised in Kilcash Community Hall on Sunday morning last in aid Anthony Roche, well done

defeated Limerick, last Saturday, in the Munster Championship. They have home games against Clare and Waterford on the next two Saturdays.

GALTEE ROVERS ST PECAUNS MEMBERSHIP

Membership for 2025 is now due. There are various membership options available and members can register online via Foireann or by contacting any committee member. Anyone using the club’s facilities needs to be registered as a member.

Urlingford National School are now accepting enrolments for the 2025/2026 school year.

Enrolment Packs are available from school office between

part of east Limerick during the revolutionary years, to 1914 to 1923, answering many of the questions about this women’s organisation.Refreshments served.

SYMPATHY

Our deepest condolences to Caitriona Mulcahy, grandchildren Cian and Teagan, son -in-law Kevin on the death of Caitriona’s mother Ann. We sympathise with all of Ann’s family , relatives and friends. May Ann’s soul rest in peace in the comfort of God’s Heavenly Kingdom.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK.

“March is a tomboy with tousled hair, a mischievous smile, mud on her shoes, and a laugh in her voice.”-Hal Borland.

Ballylooby/Duhill

BALLYLOOBY/ CASTLEGRACE GAA

Result: 4/3/25. Lucky numbers this week 1, 4, 27 & 28. No Jackpot winner. Next week’s prize €3,400. No match three winner, four lucky dips: Neil Proven, Alice Fleming, Bridget Coffey & Anne O’Brien

to all who helped with the organising of this worthy event.

SYMPATHY

Deepest sympathy is extended to the O’Halloran family on the untimely passing of Clarette, to her partner Noel, her sons Christopher and Eoin, brothers John and Aidan, sister Rosaleen and the extended O’Halloran family we offer our deepest sorrow. May Clarette rest in peace. Condolences to Rita O’Connor and the extended Lyons family on the untimely passing of Rita’s brother John Joseph who passed away unexpectedly in the USA. R.I.P.

The club extend their thanks for your continued support. Tickets available at usual outlets & clubforce.com-Ballylooby/ Castlegrace1 GAA

GAA REGISTRATION

Registration is now open for the coming year, closing date 23/3/25

Please use the Foireann.ie website to access your account and pay the membership fee or contact: Ml. Burke on 0862707603

BUSY WEEKEND IN DUHILL

On Saturday March 15th

Geoffrey Keating remembered & on Sunday morning March 16th the Annual Daffodil Day will be held. We would appreciate any help we can get for both days. Thank you in advance.

GEOFFREY KEATING REMEMBERED

8.30am and 3pm Monday to Friday or by calling 056 8831512 or by emailing urlingfordns2020@ gmail.com or by postal enquiry. from the school.

Enrolment Forms are also available from Micks Pre School and Angelas Pre School in Urlingford.

Saturday, 15th March 11am. Siúil agus labhairt.(walk and talk) faoi Seathrúin Ceitinn(about Fr.Geoffrey Keating) Meet at Tubrid Church/ cemetery and walk 1.5k to the Seathrún Ceitinn Monument at Burgess.

Talk by Professor Bernadette Cunningham. Some musician’s

and singers will entertain those present at this special occasion. After the talk, everyone is welcome to Duhill Hall for a cup of tea/coffee.

DAFFODIL DAY

On Sunday, March 16th we are holding our annual Duhill Daffodil Day Coffee Morning in Duhill hall after 9am mass to 12noon. All welcome, lovely cake sale, daffodil day merchandise and fantastic raffle!

Together, as part of (TeamDaffodil) we can fund life-changing research, support patients and families, and ensure our crucial free services continue for years to come.

Please help to make this year’s Daffodil Day the best yet?

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE ON SUNDAY NEXT

Ballylooby Community Council’s St Patrick’s Parade will take place on Sunday next, 16th March at 12 noon. Please come along and enjoy the ceol agus craic.Teas coffee and food available. Dress your float and come along.

Sunday 16th March at 12.noon

All floats welcome.

Contact any member of the Community Council for more info.

IRISH SPEAKING CLASS

Irish Speaking Class will return this Friday March 14th at 7:30pm.

SYMPATHY

We extend our sympathy

to the O’Donnell family andfriends Cappoquin on the passing of Helen who was a member of our Ciorcal Cainte and attended the group up to recently. May she rest in peace.

PILGRIMAGE

Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration National Pilgrimage 2025.

Pilgrimage Day Sunday April 6th 2025

Bus leaving from Cahir at 7:30am on Sunday 6th. Further information contact John: 0863168451.

WELL DONE BALLYLOOBY NATIONAL SCHOOL

Congratulations to Ballylooby NS Who are through to the County Final in the FAI Schools Competition

BEN CAREY U20

A big well done to Ben Carey and his Tipperary Team mates who got their Munster Under 20 Football Championship off to great start yesterday with victory over Limerick

SYMPATHY

Sympathy is extended to Michael, Tony, Conor and Marie O’Brien, extended family, many friends and dedicated Staff of the Irish Wheel Chair Association on the unexpected passing of their brother Pat.

He was laid to rest in Ballylooby Cemetery after his funeral mass in the nearby St. Kieran’s Church on Thursday on 6th March 6th. May he rest in peace.

Michael Barry

Breeda Fitzgerald

Declan Geoghegan

Kathleen Moloney

Congratulations to: Pat and Marie Reidy, Ballylooby Parish, whom celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends on Saturday last, 8th March.

YOGA - YOUR CHOICE

match 3: Ben Ahern.

lucky dips of €20 each: Tommy Neary, Luke Kelly, Joe Ryan, Geraldine Mullins, Donna Moriarty. Promoters prize: P. Kavanagh. ENROLMENTS

Valerie Carey

News from the Community

Gortnahoe/Glengoole

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Glengoole Wednesday 10am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 10am to 1pm. The rosary is recited before Mass in Glengoole every Saturday evening.

SACRAMENTAL DATES

First Holy Communion for the school children in the parish will be held on Saturday 17th May at 11am.

TROCAIRE BOXES

Trocaire boxes are available in the porches of both Churches. Please take one home with you as well as one for a neighbour who cannot attend Mass.

Please support Trócaire in their work of helping communities and families impacted by climate change. A little can make a great difference.

MEN ON THE MOVE

Classes every Monday 11:1512:15 in MFRC to book a place please contact Alice 0831014313.

SENIOR SOCIAL GROUP

Every Wednesday afternoon 1pm-3pm. This includes 2 course meal followed by tea/ coffee and live music, with transport to and from the centre available. Please contact Alice Teehan on 083-1014313 for further information.

CASHEL & EMLY PILGRIMAGE

June 13th - 18th. Pilgrimage

Director: Rev. Jimmy Donnelly. Bookings and Enquires: Contact Joe Walsh Tours @ info@ joewalshtours.ie or 01 241 0800. Assisted Pilgrims only, please contact: Very Rev. Joe Tynan, PP: lourdesassistedpilgrimage@ cashel-emly.ie or 087 222 5445.

GORTNAHOE BINGO

A special St. Patricks weekend bingo will be held this Saturday evening at 4.00pm with doors opening from 3.00pm. Over €4,000 in prize money on offer including a special €500 game and a St. Patricks weekend special game for €800. There will be

Templederry

MASSES FOR THE COMING WEEK

Wednesday, March 12th. Mass in Templederry Church at 7 pm.

Friday, March 14th. Mass in Killeen Church at 7.30 pm.

Saturday, March 15th. Mass in Templederry Church at 7 pm.

Sunday March 16th. Mass in Curreeney Church at 10 am. Mass will be celebrated in Templederry Church on March 17th, St Patricks Day, at 7 pm.

TEMPLEDERRY PARISH

OFFICE

The Parish Office will be open as usual each Wednesday and

Thursday from 11 am to 1 pm.

People may book Masses, Weddings etc etc or request information from The Parish Records. Please call 0504/52988. 087/6564933 or email templederryparishoffice @gmail.com during the opening hours .

SCOR NA bPAISTI AREA FINAL

The Area Final of Scor na bPaisti took place in The Kenyon Centre Templederry on Sunday last where Portroe, Kiladangan and Templederry Clubs took part. Well done to all the competitors for a great

BRIDGE CLUB

February 17th, 2025

1st - Pat & Nora Butler

2nd – Kitty O’Sullivan & Seamus O’Dwyer

February 24th, 2025

1st - Dick Tarrant & Mary Liston

2nd - Kitty O’Sullivan & Seamus O’Dwyer

BADMINTON CLUB TEA/ COFFEE EVENING

Grange and Newcastle Badminton Club will hold a Tea/ Coffee Evening in Newcastle Community Hall on Wednesday nigh March, 26th 2025 from 7pm to 9pm. All proceeds will go towards trophies for primary and secondary school members.

Your support would be greatly appreciated.

GRANGE COMMUNITY

SPRING CLEAN-UP

The 2025 Annual Community Spring Clean-up by the GDA Tidy Village Group takes place this year from Friday, 14th March to Monday, 24th March. All members of the community can help in the Spring Clean-up by removing any litter or weeds and maintaining the grass verges in their area.

Any litter collected must be put in special An Taisce bags which are available from Noreen Doheny (087 6964975) or any Tidy Village volunteer or through the school.

The collection by the Council of the An Taisce litter bags will take place on Wednesday, 26th March. Bags should be left at the school or at the Village Green before 11 amon Wednesday, 26th March. All help appreciated.

We will be meeting at 10 am in Grange village on Saturday, 15th March and Saturday, 22nd March to do some litter picking and other tidying of the village. COMMUNITY NEWS FOR TIPP ECHO NEWSPAPER

Community Notes can be sent to doheny18@gmail.com or call Sophia Doheny on 087 435 1336.

hampers and Split the Pot on the day. It will be a great afternoons entertainment for all on the bank holiday weekend.

TUESDAY BRIDGE

Bridge is being played each Tuesday night in Gortnahoe Hall at 7.30pm. If you would like to join or find out more information please contact this number 089 434910

SPLIT THE POT

Congratulations to Fr James Walton, Gortnahoe who won €198 in the Split the Pot draw last Sunday. Envelopes are available in Cahill’s Gortnahoe, Hogans Grange and at the usual outlets, you can also Revolut to 0876777220.

For the month of March Split the Pot will be in support of the Prayer Garden beside Gortnahoe Church.

The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated.

Join us for the Tidy Towns AGM on Tuesday, 25th March at 8pm in the NICC. Tidy Towns is dedicated to enhancing our community’s environment through clean-up initiatives, beautification projects, and promoting sustainability.

We’re excited to welcome everyone, especially new members, to share ideas and help promote our village. Your involvement makes a difference!

25 CARD DRIVE, OLD KNOCKGRAFFON SCHOOL

Winners at the cards recently were Angela Barrett / Eileen Howley with 15 games and in second place Pat O’Rourke / Willie Crosse with 13 games each.

Table prizes to Eddie Grant / James Ryan and Cathy O’Gorman / Phill O’Connor. Well done all. Cards start at 8.30pm sharp and all are welcome. Tea

and refreshment afterwards.

BUS GOING TO KNOCK

National Pilgrimage Day on Sunday, 6th April from 10.30am to 5pm. The Bus will be leaving Cashel church at 7am.

If you’re interested in joining this special pilgrimage, please contact Margaret Carrie on 087 0568216 or 052 62551 for more information.

TIPPERARY GAA EASTER

CAMP

For: children aged 5 to 13 years Cost: €40 per child Dates: 15th – 17th April OR 22nd –24th April Times: 10am-1pm Where: Various Venues, please see club list below. Free Football and Sliotar for every child! Plus a €5/child rebate to your club!

Join now on tipperary.gaa.ie

We can’t wait to see you there!

ROCKWELL ROVERS GAA

CLUB LOTTO

Lotto draw results from Sat 8th March’25, numbers drawn -

Cappawhite

FUNDRAISER

day’s entertainment and the very best of luck to all those going forwards to the North Final in Portroe in two weeks time.

KILLEEN SINGING AND MUSIC NIGH

The Killeen singing and music night will take place in Kennedys Pub Killeen on this Wednesday night, March 12th at 9 pm All are welcome.

TEMPLEDERRY GAA LOTTO

Last week’s draw was held in Kennedy’s Killeen and there was no winner of the Jackpot.

This weeks draw is in Youngs, Latteragh and the jackpot will be €4,800

In conjunction with survivor Siobhan Morrissey, following her life-saving brain tumour surgery, as publicised on recent Virgin Media documentary ‘Brain Surgeons,’ Ryan’s Centra, Cappawhite are fundraising for Beaumont Hospital Neurosurgery with a float and bucket collection at Cappawhite’s St Patrick’s Day Parade, supported by Cappawhite Community Council.

Running in conjunction with it is a raffle. Tickets are on sale from now, both in the shop and around the community at €5 per ticket, with the draw being

held at 1pm after the Parade at Centra. So show your support and let’s turn ‘Cappawhite Blue for Beaumont’ PARADE

It’s back on Bank Holiday Monday, 17th March - Cappawhite Patrick’s Day Parade! Contact Tadhg and keep an eye on our social media for more details!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Cappawhite schoolchildren will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday, 17th May 17, and Ayle schoolchildren will receive their First Holy Communion on Saturday, 24th May.

03, 08, 22,26 - No winner.. Lucky Dips - Tommy & Mary Julian, Maria Seery, Jo Lonergan and Noreen McGrath to be entered into March’s lucky dip draw with a chance to win €500. Sellers - Michael Purcell, Sandra English & Rockwell Rovers x2 in seller’s draw with a chance of winning €100.

This week’s jackpot is €9,000 - thank you for your continued support.

CUL CAMP 2025

The Easter Cul Camp is set to take place from April 15th to 17th, 2025 (Tuesday to Thursday). This fantastic event promises fun, learning, and teamwork for all participants. Don’t miss out on the chance to develop your skills, make new friends, and enjoy a great time outdoors. For more information and to secure your spot, please visit: https://tipperary.gaa.ie/tipperary-gaa-easter-camp/

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation will be administered by Bishop Kieran O’Reilly to 46 children from Ayle and Cappawhite schools here in Our Lady of Fatima Church at 11.30am on Friday, 4th April.

AYLE SCHOOL

Clothes Collection Monday, 24th March. Clothes, pairs of shoes, bags, belts, and curtains are welcome. No duvets or pillows Drop off at Barry’s farm. E34 HX34 BINGO Bingo continues every Friday night in the Community Centre. Great Prizes. All are welcome.

Margaret Kennedy

Grange

Sophia Doheny

New Inn

Sandra English

Richard Dunne

Ena Ryan (B)

TIDY TOWNS AGM

John O’Dwyer of Templemore AC receiving an International Achievement Award. Making the presentation Mossie Woulfe, Munster Athletics Chairperson. Congratulations to John.

News from the Community

Drangan/Cloneen

SCHOOL ENROLMENT

ST. PATRICKS NATIONAL

SCHOOL DRANGAN

St Patrick’s Junior N.S Drangan are now accepting applications for September 2025. Enrolment packs are available from Drangan Playschool and the school office. Please email office@dranganns.ie or phone 052-9152278.

DRANGAN TIDY TOWNS

Drangan Tidy Towns Annual Fundraising Table Quiz in Barry’s Archway Bar on this Friday, 14th March at 8 pm. €20 per table. Raffle on the night. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

SPRING CLEAN

Our annual Spring Clean took place on Saturday last, 8th March.

We thank all who helped on Saturday last. For those who were unable to help out last Saturday we ask you to do a local clean up on your own road on a suitable day.

We also appeal to people not to throw litter on the roads and if you see litter on your road please pick it up.

DRANGAN-CLONEEN

COMMUNITY GAMES

Join Drangan & Cloneen Community Games for a funfilled table quiz on Friday, 28th March at 8pm in Barry’s, Drangan. This adults-only event is the perfect chance to test your knowledge and enjoy a great evening of trivia and laughter. All proceeds go to Drangan & Cloneen Community Games. Come along and support a great cause while having a fantastic night. We hope to see you there.

On Sunday, 9th March, our swimmers had an impressive showing with five solo entries and one relay entry. One of our girls secured third place in the U14 breaststroke. The U13 relay team also made a strong impression, finishing in an impressive second place. Well done to all the swimmers for their hard work and great results.

COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Our Junior Footballers began their league campaign last Sunday when they made the trip to Emly. We ran out winners on a scoreline of 5-14 to 0-10.

Team on the day was: Tony O’Brien, Jack Meagher, Bill Cuddihy, Cian Crannitch, Aidan Fitzgerald, Ciaran Mockler, Keith Morrissey, Conor Duggan, Eoin Ryan, Ryan Crannitch, Cathal Mahoney, Sean Fitzgerald, Danny Broderick, Conor Brett, Charlie Noonan, Brian O’Halloran, Finn Madigan, Eoin Fitzgerald, Willie Cleere, Micheál O’Brien. Both our Junior Hurling

the clubforce website or to Treasurer Marcus O Halloran. Fees for the 2024 season are as follows: Adult Player - €60 Student Player - €40 Non-Player - €30.

Membership fee for Juveniles players will remain at last year’s price of €35 and should be paid to Juvenile Club Treasurer Julie O’Halloran before training or matches commence.

Registration for both adult and juvenile players, members, coaches and selectors should also be completed on GAA Foireann website.

teams begin their County League action this Sunday. First up in Division 5 we take on Fethard in Cloneen at 12 then at 3 also in Cloneen we take on Holycross in Division 4.

GAA LOTTO

Results from Tuesday, 25th February. Numbers Drawn were 5, 9, 18 and 20. No jackpot winner and six ‘Match 3’ winners. They were: Carol Fleming, Bernie Holohan, Mary Brett, Colm Dunne, D, E & F Browne Cloneen and H & C O’Dwyer who won €25 each. Congratulations.

Second Chance lotto for €1,000, numbers drawn were 12, 13, 23 and 28. No winners. Next draw will be on Tuesday March 25 for a jackpot of €14,200. Don’t miss out, play online or in your local shops, pubs, garages or hairdressers and it could be you.

CLONEEN SQUASH CLUB

Membership details are available on www.cloneenhall.com

‘Join the Squash Club Internal club league under way for the next four weeks. See our Cloneen Squash Club Facebook page for all information.

WELL DONE DAITHI

Well done to Daithi Hogan who scored 2-2 as he helped Tipperary to victory over Limerick in the Munster under 20 football championship last Saturday in Rathkeale.

Daithi will be in action again with the County Under 20 footballers on this Saturday when they play Clare in Semple Stadium Thurles at 2 pm, and again on Saturday week , 22nd March when Waterford visit Clonmel for a 2 pm throw-in.

Oran Gahan is also a member of this panel but has been sidelined for the last few weeks following an operation for appendicitis. We wish Oran a speedy return to action.

GAA ADULT & JUVENILE

MEMBERSHIP FEES

Players must have paid membership before they train or play matches. Senior club membership can be paid online through

All coaches and anyone involved in both adult and juvenile teams must pay membership and also be registered on Foireann.

UNDER 13 FOOTBALL

On Saturday last our under 13 footballers travelled to Cahir where they suffered a 3-4 to 0-6 defeat at the hands of Cahir.

EASTER GAA CAMP

St. Patrick’s Juvenile GAA club will host an Easter Camp for Juvenile players on Tuesday, 15th April, Wednesday 16th April and Thursday 17th April from 10 am to 1 pm each day. Entry is open to boys and girls aged 5 to 13. Cost per child is €40 for which each participant will receive a sliotar and a football.

Registration is now open for our Easter Camp UNDER 15 FOOTBALL

On Sunday last our under 15 footballers defeated Ballyporeen by 8-5 to 6-9 in Anner Park Cloneen.

The team was: Rhys Davies, Liam Richardson, Eoin O’Brien, Jack Slattery, Paddy O’Brien, Turlough Moroney, Aidan Morrissey, Jack Gleeson, James Egan, Darragh Fitzgerald, Tom Butler, Jack Ryan, Mikey O’Brien, Robbie O’Brien, Billy Purcell, Eddie Hayden, Daniel Lee, Mason Moynihan, Joshua Lawrence.

U13 FOOTBALL FIXTURES

Sat March 15 in Anner Park

Cloneen at 10.30 St. Patrick’s V Kilsheelan-Kilcash

Sat March 22 in Anner Park

Cloneen at 10.30 St. Patrick’s V Carrick Swan

U15 FOOTBALL FIXTURES

Sun March 16 in Anner Park

Cloneen at 1.15 St. Patrick’s V Kilsheelan-Kilcash

Thurs March 20 in Clerihan at 6.00 Clerihan V St. Patrick’s.

COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE

DIVISION 4

Sun March 16 in Anner Park

Cloneen at 3.00 St. Patrick’s V Holycross-Ballycahill COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE

DIVISION 5

Sun March 16 in Anner Park

Cloneen at 12.00 St. Patricks V Fethard

Moyne/Templetuohy

MOYNE DRAMA GROUP

Due to phenomenal demand the group will stage two more performances of “It’s the Real McCoy” this Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th March at 8pm. Tickets €15 available at the door. The group plan to donate these proceeds to Thurles Town Parks, Suir Haven, Cameo Care and Moyne Community Centre. A show not to be missed.

HALL OF FAME AWARD

Congratulations to John Flynn of Moyne Athletic Club who was honoured with the Hall of Fame Award at the Tipperary Athletics Star Awards in the Horse & Jockey last Friday night. John has been involved with Moyne Athletic Club since he ran cross country as a juvenile in the 60’s and continues to provide coaching and leadership to the club. A thoroughly deserved award.

MOYNE TEMPLETUOHY PARISH FORUM

The AGM of the parish forum will be held in Templetuohy Community Centre on Wednesday, 19th March at 8.30pm. All are welcome.

BRUCKANA WIND FARM

The 2025 Community Gains Scheme is now open. For further details, please visit www. bruckanawindfarm.ie. Closing date is Monday March 31st at

5pm. Further details, if needed, can be got from Dominic Everard on 087-9044127.

TIPPERARY SCÓR

Congratulations to the Moyne-Templetuohy GAA Quiz team of Tom Collier, Diarmuid Fogarty, Jim O’Meara and Joe Kennedy who won the County Final of Tráth Na gCeist last weekend. The group will now represent Tipperary in the forthcoming Munster final.

MOYNE ATHLETIC CLUB

National success continues for the club with Ber Spillane producing three pb performances at the National Masters Track & Field Championships in Athlone on Saturday last in addition to winning three national bronze medals in the 60mts, 200mts and 400mts.

At County level, Orla Healy was crowned County Novice Road Champion on Sunday last in Dualla with the ladies’ team finishing third which included Edel Delaney, Lisa Quinlan and Caroline Fogarty.

The men’s team just missed out on the bronze medals by two points but well done to Aaron Moore, Jake Bowe, Harry Hogan, Pakie Bowe, Brian Carroll and Jodie Sweeney on their performances.

Sharon Cantwell and Eileen Ely took on the Bohermeen Half

Borrisoleigh Active

Social Club

The March monthly meeting was held last Wednesday night and there was a good turnout. Lots of ideas up for discussion so it looks like it’s going to be another busy year ahead.

TALK FROM AN GARDA SIOCHANA

This Friday, 14th March from 2 to 4pm in the Community Centre Borrisoleigh, we will have a member of An Garda Siochana attend.

Marathon with Sharon finishing in a pb of 1.26.44 and Eileen in 1.31.05.

Congratulations also to Alana Spillane, Caoimhe Slevin, Muireann Casey and Grainne Daly on their performances at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships

GAA, CAMOGIE, LGFA

The lotto jackpot will be €7,500 this week. The lucky dip winners last week were Kate Carroll, Ger & Aileen Geehan, Dan Taylor, Billy Collins, Tim Brosnan and Jack Guilfoyle. Membership is now due for all clubs and all players are asked to register asap.

A non-player can register by paying €20 through ClubZap or to any committee member. Well done to the intermediate football team on the win over Clonmel Óg on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-6.

Best of luck to the Intermediate hurlers who are out this weekend against Boherlahan-Dualla.

TEMPLETUOHY COURSING LOTTO

This week’s jackpot is €17,800. Lucky dip winners of €25 last week were Pat Gleeson, Templetuohy, Caoimhe Carmody, Templetuohy, Darragh Fleming, Fermoy and David Moloney, Templemore.

Sergeant Ray Moloney will be discussing all aspects of Safety. All members are welcome. Later that evening a group will head to Brú Ború in Cashel to see Patrick Feeney in concert. Bus will leave Shanahans Centra car park at 6.30 pm.

ANNUAL 45 DRIVE

Our annual 45 Drive takes place on Saturday, 5th April at 8 pm in the Community Centre Borrisoleigh. Prize fund €1,000. Tickets are €10 and are available from members of the club. All support would be appreciated. There will be a raffle and a draw for a non players prize.

Nicholas Moroney

Eibhlis Purcell

St Patrick’s Daithi Hogan had a fine game for Tipperary U20 footballers v Limerick in Rathkeale on Saturday last.

Eibhlis Purcell presenting the Best Juvenile Cross Country trophy for to Dundrum AC members Niall Quirke, Albert Maher and Cian Fahey

News from the Community

Two-Mile-Borris, Littleton Gerry Bowe

CROKE CUP.

Thurles CBS travel to Croke Park on Monday next, St. Patrick’s Day, to play Presentation College, Athenry in the All Ireland Croke Cup colleges final.

Two-Mile-Borris have three players on the team. We wish Jack Hayes, David Costigan and Killian Cantwell and all involved best of luck in the final.

All three players are members of the Moycarkey Borris GAAClub.

DAFFODIL DAY

Friday, 28th March is Daffodil Day. Volunteers are needed at various shop stations in the town of Thurles to do two-hourslots. Also donations of daffodils greatly appreciated. Contact Bernie Walsh on 086-3848898.

Your support very much appreciated.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASSES.

St. Kevin’s Church, Littleton Monday, 17th March at 9 am. Mass live streamed on www. churchservices.tv /littleton St James Church, Two-MileBorris on Monday, 17th March at 10 am.

St. Peter in Chains Church, Moycarkey on Monday, 17th March at 10 am. Radio link 105.1.

On St. Patrick’s Day we will be praying at all the Masses for family members who are living abroad.

Please take a card with you as you leave the Church and write the names of those of those who have left home and then place same in the box in the church porch marked St.Patrick’s Day.

LATE MAURA ARMSTRONG

The death occurred on 27th February of Maura Armstrong (nee Shanahan) Gurtahola, Drombane. (five days short of

Golden/Kilfeacle

BRIGID O’DONNELL IS MAIN FESTIVAL SPONSOR

Our Queen of the Suir 4-day Festival is now just 12 weeks away and we are delighted to announce our main sponsor for the event is Brigid O’Donnell of Brigid O’Donnell Solicitors, Cashel Co Tipperary

We so appreciate Brigid’s support this year especially as she was our main sponsor again last year.

Brigid will again be one of our judges and will present the winning cheque of €500 to our 2025 Queen of the Suir.

We are looking forward to another ten ladies entering this fun event.

If you know of anyone who might like to enter or would like to sponsor a Queen please message our Golden Kilfeacle Gaa page ! Our Festival runs from Wednesday, 28th May to Saturday, 31st May, ie, the June Bank Holiday weekend.

GOLDEN/KILFEACLE GAA

CLUB LOTTO

THE GAA Club’s lotto jack-

pot now stands at a whopping €22,700

Tickets just €2 are available locally and online at our new link https://goldenkilfeaclegaa. clubforce.com/products/lotto/ golden-kilfeacle-gaa-club

Your support is massively appreciated

WALKING TRACK

A little notice to anyone using the GAA walking track. Membership is now due for this! It’s just €20 for the year to use this excellent facility

Payment to any GAA club officers

Shane, John Michael, Pj or pay online at our new link https://goldenkilfeaclegaa. clubforce.com/products/lotto/ golden-kilfeacle-gaa-club

PILATES

Pilates classes continue in the GAA Complex with Lauren and Malbay Mindfulness

Interested in joining?? Contact Lauren on 089 9486792 For info

GYMBELLE LIFTS

Caroline Hosford Fitness continues with her GymBelle

Holycross/Ballycahill

her 100th birthday).

Predecaeased by her husband Jimmy, infant son Patrick Joseph, parents Denis and Nora, sisters and brothers.

Mother of Martina (Heffernan ) Clover, Two-Mile-Borris.

Her Requiem Mass was celebrated on Sunday, 2nd March at 1 pm in St. Mary’s Church , Drombane followed by burial in Upperchurch Cemetery.

Deeply mourned by her daughters Marian (Heffernan) Celbridge, Martina (Heffernan), Two-Mile-Borris, sons Denis, John, Michael, Seamus and PJ, sons-in-law Donal and Martin, daughters-in-law Eileen, Mary, Noreen, Anne and Michelle, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister in law Betty (Australia), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

May she rest in peace.

Lifts classes in the GAA Complex

If you might like to join please contact Caroline on 087 935 1745

TIMBER AUCTION

Our hughly successful and much awaited timber auction will take place once again this year with Michael Fitzgerald

On Friday, 30th May at our Sports & Family Evening in our Golden Kilfeacle GAA field.

A general auction will also take place on the evening. Donations of items would be very welcome for this auction!!

DOG SHOW

Trish Noonan will once again host our Annual Dog Show at our Sports & Family evening on Friday, 30th May

This event is one of our most popular events!

More information to follow in the coming weeks

BINGO

Our gaa club bingo continues every Thursday night at 8pm in Golden Kilfeacle GAA complex. Over €2,500 in prizemoney given out each night

ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS

A special Mass will take place in Clogheen church on Monday 17th March at 11 am.

La fhíile Padraig sona dhuit.Fr James.

FR SHEEHY’S GAA CLUB

Results

FBD County Football League Div 3: Fr Sheehy’s 1-17 Ballylooby Castlegrace 1-9

U13B Football: Fr Sheehy’s 4-9 Grangemockler Ballyneale 0-5

U13D Football: Fr Sheehy’s 4-7 Mullinahone 3-2

Fixtures

Saturday March 15, FBD County Hurling League Div 5, Fr Sheehys v Killenaule In Killenaule at 4.45 pm.

Sunday March 16, Minor Football league Div 1, Knockmealdown Gaels v Aherlow/ Lattin Cullen in Lisvernane at 12

FR SHEEHY’S GAA CLUB LOTTO

The numbers drawn in our most recent lotto were 1, 13, 23, 26. There were no jackpot or ‘Match 3’ winners.

There were five lucky dips whow won €30 each

Patricia Hickey Online

John & Sharon Fitzpatrick Abbeyside

Con Normoyle Clogheen

Michael Moroney Mountanglesby

Pat Condon Bohernagore

Next week’s jackpot will be €4,950 and the draw will be in The Market Stone Clogheen.

Thanks for your continued support.

Newcastle Muintir na Tire

Community Council are holding their AGM on Wednesday night, 19th March at 8 o’clock, in the Community Hall.

The Community Council would welcome representatives from all groups using the hall facilities, to show their support by attending on the night.

They would especially welcome people with fresh ideas for the hall and community to attend.

COFFEE MORNING FOR DAFFODIL DAY

The Community Council would welcome your support when they host a Coffee Morning on Saturday, 29th March, between 10am and 12 noon, in the Community Hall, Newcastle, in support of Daffodil Day.

A raffle in conjunction with the Coffee Morning will also be held and tickets will be on sale shortly in the local shops. Some lovely prizes on offer.

Newcastle Badminton Club are holding a Tea/Coffee Evening on Wednesday, 26th March from 7 to 9pm in the Community Hall, Newcastle. All proceeds will go towards trophies for the upcoming primary and secondary schools Tournament. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

FUNDRAISING COOKERY DEMONSTRATION

An Naíonra Chaisleáin Nua are holding a cookery demonstration on Tuesday 8th April in Newcastle Community Hall from 7pm. All proceeds will go towards the New build. Tickets are €10, and are available from the local Shops and the Naíonra.

OUTDOOR TOYS

If anyone is willing to contribute outdoor garden toys in good condition from a clearout for the Naíonra Chaisleáin Nua, please contact Mary or Joanne. Míle buíochas.

Mass will be celebrated in Ballycahill Church on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm during Lent.

Mullinahone girl Sophie Quirke was diagnosed with B Cell, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on 6th January, 2023, aged just seven. Sophie got through two years and three months of daily oral chemotherapy, monthly IV and tri- monthly trips to theatre for spinal chemo, lumber punctures and bone marrow biopsies.

After over two years of treatment and an end date in sight of 7th March, 2025, the family received the cruelest blow. When on February 26th during a routine lumbar puncture cancer cells were found to be present in Sophie’s cerebral spinal fluid and bone marrow.

With just one week to Sophie ringing the bell, the family’s world was once again torn apart. As Sophie is still on active treatment, the relapse puts her in the high risk category and her best chance is to receive a bone marrow transplant.

However, unfortunately this treatment is no longer available in Ireland, and Sophie will have to travel overseas for this life saving treatment. The process will take 6-18 weeks in isolation in hospital, following a threemonth period of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation.

The entire community and beyond have come together to wish Sophie the very best of luck in her journey ahead. Sophie and her family will be in all our thoughts and prayers.

LOCAL LOTTO RESULTS

Last week’s lotto draw took place on Monday 3rd March. The numbers drawn were 5, 26,27,28, there was no winner of the jackpot worth €2,750. Four match 3 winners each received €40. Congratulations to Nellie Cahill, Rita Curran, Tony Moran, Vicky Maher. Lotto tickets can be purchased in all local businesses and from committee.

SPLIT THE POT

The weekly split the pot drawn took place last Wednesday evening 5th March. The lucky winner Tommy Maher received €145. Envelopes can be purchased for just €2 in all local businesses.

COMMUNITY GAMES TALENT SHOW

On Thursday evening last, and an array of talent from the parish of Mullinahone was on show in the Community Centre. Irish dancers, hip hop dancers, singers, actors, musicians etc, were all showcasing their talents in a bid to represent Mullinahone in the Community games. The judges on the night had some hard decisions to make, such was the high standard of talent before them. Wishing all the best of luck.

CAPTAIN NED

Congratulations to Ned O’Meara who was announced as captain of the Tipperary Minor Football team for 2025. A fantastic achievement and wishing Ned and his team the very best for the year ahead.

Marcella Collins

Miriam O’Shea

Mullinahone

Sinead Moore

MUINTIR NA TIRE

BADMINTON CLUB

BEST WISHES SOPHIE

In Memoriam

Flaherty (5th Anniversary)

Helen Glenconnor Cross, Clonmel

In Memoriam Power 4th Anniversary

In loving memory of Helen Flaherty, Glenconnor Cross, Clonmel who died on 18th March 2020.

Your life was one of kindly deeds, a helping hand for others needs, Sincere and true in heart and mind, beautiful memories left behind.

Sadly missed and much loved by your husband Bernie.

Helen’s Anniversary Mass will be held at St Mary’s Church, Irishtown, Clonmel on, March 18th at 10am.

Eileen, 3 St Martin’s Place, Ballymacarbry Formerly Glenegad Road, Old Bridge.

We miss your smile, Your joking ways. The things you used to say And when old times we do recall That’s when we miss you, most of all.

Softly in the morning you heard a gentle call, you took the hand God offered and quietly left us all.

We know you walk beside us, Mam and when our lives are through we pray that God will take our hands and lead us straight to you.

A silent thought, a secret tear, Keeps you memory ever near.

In our hearts forever xxx

Sadly missed by Nuala, Margaret, Patricia, Mary, sons-in-law Tom, Austin, Martin and all your extended family.

TIPP ECHO

• Memorial Cards

• Memorial Bookmarks

• Photos (Can Source Frame)

Each order handled with care and attention.

PaddyO’Brien GrandpaJoe

East Lane, Mitchell Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

Eileen Power

Saints beaten in FAI Junior Cup

North End wore down the dogged resistance of St Michael’s in a tough physical dour encounter at Cooke Park. In the early stages John Peare broke down the right and cut in but fired his effort wide of Kuba Ben’s goal. A Jimmy Carr cross following a free kick went across the area as Saints responded.

On three minutes Ed O’Dwyer

won a ball and played in Colin Bargary but his effort went wide of Maguire’s goal. Jimmy Carr was brought down on the right wing and from the resultant free kick, Shane Ryan’s free was mishandled by Maguire and Ed O’Dwyer was on hand to bundle the ball home to give Saints a 1-0 lead. On 17 minutes the always dangerous Eoin Rhodes sent in a cross from the right, but the danger was cleared. Paul Murphy then found Robert Kane, but he delayed the shot and the Saints defence regrouped to avert the danger. Russell Quirke then picked up a ball on the left and with Maguire off

his line saw his second effort go wide of goal. On 25 minutes Colin Bargary found Ed O’Dwyer on the left flank who cut in, but Maguire gathered his effort on goal. North End’s Rhodes got in on the left, but Donagh Hickey was on hand to guard the goal and clear in the six yard box. Kuba Beben had to be sharp off his line on 32 minutes to come out on Niall Connolly before Jimmy Carr and Shane Ryan did well to clear danger as the half came to an end and Saints went in a goal to the good at Cooke Park.

Jimmy Carr went close with a header on 52 minutes from a

Russell Quirke corner kick. On 57 minutes Saints went agonisingly close when Jimmy Carr got in a cross from the left and Ed O’Dwyer’s header hit the crossbar and went over. Donagh Hickey did well to head away a cross from Todd Hynes. Craig McCabe was booked for a heavy challenge on Colin Bargary on 62 minutes which sae Bargary receive treatment. Another left wing cross from Hynes on 66 minutes saw John Peare’s glancing header go wide of goal. Then on 67 minutes North End levelled when a free kick landed on the head of Eoin Rhodes who

headed past Beben to make it 1-1. The goal energised North End and a cross on 76 minutes from Paul Murphy saw Reese Murphy head just wide of goal. Saints dug in and a curler from Ed O’Dwyer went just wide of Maguire’s goal. Kuba Beben came out late on to gather a free kick and seemed to pick up an injury before extra time in Cooke Park.

On 97 minutes substitute Darby Purcell got a half volley on a left wing cross, and it went inside the far post to make it 2-1 to North End. This was a huge blow to Saints who to their credit threw everything at North End but left

gaps at the back in the process and Kuba Beben did well to thwart Rhodes who broke clear as the first period of extra time came to an end. On 109 minutes Cillian Coonan failed to get a clearance on a long ball for Rhodes who proceeded to beat Beben and seal a 3-1 victory for North End. North End were well organised and strong and had more options than Saints from the bench and they ran down the clock well after edging in front. Saints will be down after this loss but will bounce back with a domestic league and cup double to chase in South Tipperary.

Peake Villa were back to the domestic front on Sunday afternoon, where they entertained Clonmel Town in the Tipperary Cup.

Villa lost Evan McCormack in the second minute to a nasty injury in what was a typical cup tie, and like any cup competition, it was a very tight affair. Both defences played very well in the first half and were well on top. Villa created the best of any half-chances in the first half, but they went in 0-0 at the break.

The second half saw the game open up more. The visitors broke the deadlock in the 54th minute when Monsur Emiabata scored. This woke the home side up, and they equalised in the 58th minute when a Keith Cahill free kick was met by the head of Sean Condron.

It looked like the game was going to extra time, but Clonmel Town were awarded a free kick in the last minute that ended up reaching the 6 yard box and after a few rebounds the ball fell to Ian Healy who tapped in to win it at the death for Clonmel.

This was a disappointing result for a Villa team after the heroics in Limerick last week.

A sweetly struck effort from Robbie Byron on 55 minutes was enough to settle this tie that sees Bansha Celtic advance to the Tipperary Cup Quarter final at a sunny Clonmel. It’s been a tough season for Bansha who look to be on their way to Division 1, but they took full advantage of a flat Clonmel Celtic performance. Celtic had the better of the opening stages but didn’t create enough clear openings as a rather uneventful first half finished level. Celtic came

forward, the visitors scored with the last kick of the game through Dean Moore to secure their passage into the semi-finals.

Miggles Maguire

heads St Nicholas into next round

Killenaule got off to a dream start scoring in the 2nd minute when a cross was turned in for an own goal.

St Nicholas got on top in search of an equaliser, but Killenaule defended bravely with Michael Bolger producing some great saves. On the 36th minute St Nicholas equalised when James Scanlon got through on goal and finished well.

St. Nicholas continued to press in the 2nd half but couldn’t find the goal with more great saves from Bolger and excellent defensive blocks from Thomas Delaney and Keith Hanrahan. Extra time was more even, and penalties looked on the cards until a Brendan Collins cross was headed home by substitute Michael Miggles Maguire with two minutes of extra time remaining.

A disappointing result for Kilsheelan’s B side as they exited the Peter O’Reilly Cup at the quarter-final stage.

The visitors started the game on top and were awarded a penalty after ten minutes. However, the spot kick was brilliantly saved by Luke Keyes in the Kilsheelan goal.

The breakthrough came just four minutes later, as Dean Moore rifled an effort home from 15 yards for Tipp Town.

The visitors doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half despite Kilsheelan starting the half stronger, as Dylan Moore found space at the back post to give Tipp Town a 2-0 goal. Kilsheelan continued to battle, and after Tipp Town were reduced to 10 men for a straight red card offence, pulled a goal back with 20 minutes to go when Brandon Landers’ free kick was deflected into the back of the net.

The home side piled the pressure on in search of finding an equaliser, but as they pushed bodies

Cashel will wonder how the game finished like this after spurning a number of very good chances

RESULTS

Saturday March 8th

Youth

close early in the second half when Andrew Brown crashed a header against the Bansha bar, and the rebound was cleared off the line. The home team were rocked on 55 minutes when Robbie Byron connected with a corner kick to fire a fine effort home from the edge of the box. As expected, Celtic immediately upped their effort in response and were unlucky on a number of occasions not to draw level with Julian Kerton hitting the post and a Jack Purcell effort was just over after a fine solo run. With something to hold onto Bansha battled hard and held firm to record a welcome win.

in the first half they somehow went in 3-0 down with goals from Michael Hickey penalty Brian Delahunty and an own goal.

Cashel pulled one back in second half through Jak Hayes to leave the final score 1-3 at full time

TSDL Division 1

3-1 Vee Rovers Peake Villa 5-0 Two Mile Borris Wilderness Rovers (Abandoned) Powerstown Cullen Lattin (OFF) Galbally

TSDL Division 2 Cashel Town 1-3 Moyglass Old Bridge 2-4 Ballingarry

Saturday March 15th

Youth League Division 1 Clonmel Celtic v Clonmel Town 2.30pm M Corrigan

Youth League Division 2

Cahir Park v Galbally Utd 2.30pm - M Chapman

Cashel Town v Mullinahone 2.30pm - M Freiberg

St Michael’s v Shanbally Utd 2.30pm - M Haide

SC&K Utd v Cullen Lattin 2.30pm - P Keane

Sunday March 16th

Premier League

Clonmel Town v Peake Villa 3pm - M Chapman, M Duffy, J Lyons

Cahir Park v Two Mile Borris 12pm - M Jordan

Clonmel Celtic v Cashel Town 3pm - P Keane

Division 1

Tipperary Town v Galbally Utd 3pm - J Maguire

Powerstown v Cullen Lattin 12pm - M Corrigan

Peake Villa v Wilderness Rovers 12pm - J Lyons

Division 2

SC&K Utd v Suirside 12pm - M Duffy

Ballingarry v Old Bridge - 3pm - N Coughlan

St Michael’s v Cashel Town 3pm - M Haide

St Nicholas v Moyglass 12pm - M Freiberg

Division 3

Cahir Park v Dualla 3pm - B O’Donoghue

Burcourt Celtic v Donohill & District 11.30am - G Ward

Mullinahone v Killenaule 12pm - G Maher

SC&K Utd v Rosegreen 3pm - A Butler

Tipperary Town v Clonmel Celtic 12pm - J Maguire

Saturday March 22

Youth League Division 1

Peake Villa v Clonmel Celtic

Youth League Division 2

Cashel Town v St Michael’s

SC&K Utd v Cullen Lattin

Shanbally v Mullinahone

Cahir Park v Galbally

Sunday March 23

TSDL Premier League

Clonmel Town v St Michael’s

Peake Villa v Bansha

Cashel Town v Two Mile Borris

TSDL Division 1

Cullen Lattin v Galbally

TSDL Division 2

Suirside v Old Bridge

SC&K Utd v Cashel Town

Ballingarry v St Nicholas

TSDL Division 3

Donohill & District v Mullinahone

Rosegreen v Cahir Park

Dualla v SC&K Utd

Tipp Town v Burncourt Celtic Killenaule v Clonmel Celtic

(AET)

052 61 48800

the week in SPORT

CLONMEL

MEN’S NOTES

An improvement to the weather has led to an improvement in competition entries with some teams taking full advantage and climbing up through the leaderboard. It’s still all to play for and plenty of time to improve you and your team’s scores on the current league table with a full report to follow next weekend.

As well as improving your team’s score there is also the chance to win the weekly highest score prize so be sure to enter for your chance to win.

It’s also the time of year where we will shortly be commencing trials for the Men’s Inter- Club competitions so anyone that’s interested in representing the club across the Junior Cup/Jimmy Bruen/Pierce Purcell etc , I will be posting lists on the notice board where you can enter your name and contact number and we will set up a WhatsApp group re-organising suitable days for team trials and I would encourage as many people as possible to put their names forward and experience the enjoyment of competitive golf representing your home club.

The Clonmel Golf Club Classic is also starting to generate traction with members so anyone looking to book in a team over the course of the two days Friday 16th and Saturday 17th May please feel free to let myself/Aine or Pat know, and we can get your times booked in.

FIXTURES:

Alan Maher Spring League will finish on holes 1-3&1018 this Friday at the end of the week’s competition and begin on the first 12 holes from Saturday 15th March . There is also a club Fourball going to run over the bank holiday weekend which is also going to play over Holes 1-12.

RESULTS:

Congratulations to Mr. Andrew Gartlan on winning last week’s top score prize with a great score of 30 points, very well played

CLUB LOTTO

Kindly sponsored by Europlan Group

Lotto draw took place on Sunday 8th March with a Jackpot of €4,400.

Numbers drawn: 04-09-2124. No Jackpot winner. One matched-three winner – Fergal Condon.

Next Draw takes place on Saturday 15th March with a Jackpot of €4,500.

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.

MEMBERSHIP 2025

All invoices have now been issued to members by email. If you did not receive your invoice or are unable to open the link, please contact Aine at the office. Please note that Members who pay their membership by 31st March 2025 will receive Green fee tickets (certain categories).

Offer available for new members joining from now up to 31st March 2026. If you are considering joining a club, why not give us a call. Full details please contact Aine at the office on 0526124050 or download an application form from our website www.clonmelgolfclub.com.

LADIES NOTES:

Results:

Well done to the winners of the 12 Hole Weekly Competition - Saturday 1st and Wednesday 5th March:1st: Liz Barlow 25pts c/b, 2nd: Betty Lonergan 25pts. Congratulations also to Liz Barlow who came 3rd and Ann Boyle 5th in the Junior Alliance in Dundrum last Monday, 3rd March. It was a beautiful day and over 50 ladies played in the event.

Fixtures:

Spring League – 12 Hole Singles Stableford kindly sponsored by Laharts Skoda continues.

It was great to see the return of some good weather last week for golfing and the ladies returned to the fairways to improve on their individual scores which will help boost their team’s overall score. Plenty of time to get more cards in!

Weekly Club Competition: 12 Hole Singles Stableford - Saturday 8th and Wednesday12th March. Booking via BRS.

The Easter Hamper sponsored by Whelan’s Butchers, Oakville continues - 12 Hole Singles Stableford - can be played any day of the week. Combined best two scores to count.

Holes in play: 1-3 & 10-18.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:Friday 16th & Saturday 17th

May: Clonmel Golf Club Classic – 3 Person Champagne Scramble.

If you wish to book a tee time, please contact Aine or Pat or any of the committee and we will book you in.

Monday, 31st March: Our Club is hosting the Junior Alliance event which had previously been postponed. Tee times will be reserved for participants on that morning.

The intention will be to move to the first 12 Holes (1-12) from Saturday, March 15th. This will be confirmed closer to the time.

CO. TIPPERARY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

TABLE QUIZ

On Friday night last, March 8th, we had our Annual table Quiz, one of our major fund raisers for the ladies’ club. Once again it was very well supported by all our members and friends with 25 teams competing.

Philip Ryan did a wonderful job as MC for the night, with Flan McGlinchey, Marie O’Connor and Margaret Ryan setting the questions and putting us through our paces. It was a great evening and a fun night with a prize for best team name “Never too old to score!” going to Rosemary Shannahan, Gina Shannahan, Geraldine Ryan and Ger Anglim.

It was closely fought quiz but in the end the winning team was made up of Pat Ryan, Oisin Slattery, Michael and Sinead O’Grady. There was a tie for second place which was decided by a tie breaker question. In the end the team in 2nd place was Owen Graves, Hugh Maher, Cormac McConigey and Tara Dirilgen.

Thanks to all who attended, contributed to the raffle, to the ladies committee and those who helped out on the night. Thanks to the Men’s committee who picked up the tab for the food, The Ladies Club raised over €1955 on the night and your generosity is greatly appreciated.

Tuesday morning singles

Our Tuesday morning singles competition had some great scoring, the winner after countback was Siobhan Landers on 22 points. The lucky dip winner was Shelagh Marshall.

Winter League

Our Winter League first round finished on Sunday 9th March. Because of poor weather last month it was decided that there is no semifinal, but the top four teams will play in the Final. They have two weeks to play 13 holes.

Well done to Siobhan

Our 9-hole competition finished on Sunday and saw some great scores. In 1st place Siobhan Landers with 20+24=44. 2nd Kitty Byrne 22+21=41 & 3rd Rochelle Keane 23+19=42. New competition

There is a new competition which included 13 holes to break us gently into our 18-hole competitions coming soon. It’s the St. Patricks 13-hole competition., You can play as often as you like with the score to be entered into the computer. Best of luck to all.

MEN’S GOLF:

Midweek 9-hole Golf week 19 winners; in 1st place Greg Marchall with 23 points, in 2nd place Aidan Murphy with 21 points. Best Gross Oliver Carr

with 20 points Gross.

The Two’s winners David Burke, Andrew Heffernan & John Buckley, each received €20.

Midweek 9-hole Golf week 20 winners; in 1st place Ross Whelan with 24 points, in 2nd place Eamon O’Dwyer 21 points. Best Gross Thomas Moran 21 points. Two’s winner; Declan Ryan received €60.

Midweek 9-hole Golf week 21 winners; in 1st place John

Ryan (Con) with 23 points, in 2nd place Gerry Maher with 21 points. Best Gross Dermot Keating with 17 points Gross.

Tow’s winners; Andrew Burke & John Ryan (Con) each received €30.

SPRING LEAGUE: The Spring League has been extended to St Patrick’s weekend. Ensure you have four rounds in by then. There has been lots of good golf played so

far.

SENIORS

Noel

In 2nd place

GOLF: The result of last week’s 15hole Champagne Scramble; in 1st place Tommy Moloney, Pat Leahy &

McGuire with 88 points.

John Grogan Diarmuid O’Connor, John O’Donovan and Liam Treacy with 86 points. In 3rd place John Ryan (Con), Dave O’Sullivan, Charlie Gaffney & John Graves with 85 points.

County Tipperary Golf & Country Club winners of the Table Quiz fundraiser organised by the Ladies Club. Back row, from left to right: Michael O’Grady, Pat Ryan and Oisin Slattery. Front row, from left to right: Lady Captain Marie Graves and Sinead O’Grady.

Co Tipperary Golf & Country Club team that came in second place in the Table Quiz fundraiser organised by the Ladies Club. Back row, from left to right: Owen Graves, Hugh Maher and Cormac McConigey. Front row, from left to right: Lady Captain Marie Graves and Tara Dirilgen.

MEN’S GOLF

Results

Adult Junior Scramble played on Sunday, 9th March and kindly Sponsored by Linda Harris

Winners: Eoin Ahearne, Imelda Fitzpatrick, Tom Halpin, Liam Butler – 32.0

2nd: Declan Walsh, Luke O’Donnell, Fiona Noonan, Patrick Quaid – 33.3

3rd: Sean Maher, Will Burke, Rian O’Keeffe, Sean Seamus Maher – 33.4

Junior Fundraiser

A reserved parking space was up for grabs in our fundraiser for the Junior Golf section. Pauline Mulcahy was the winner. You won’t have to look for a space for a year!

Many thanks to all who supported our draw by buying tickets and to MNTS Signage, who donated the sign for the parking space.

Find the Golf Ball Draw

The latest draw took place on Saturday, 8th March. The envelope drawn belonged to Brendan Halpin, but he wasn’t the jackpot winner. However, he still picks up €20.

His number was 12.

Next week’s jackpot will be €660.

Many thanks to everyone who supports the weekly draw!

LADIES

Senior Ladies - 4th March

The winners, with 62 points, were Eleanor Carroll, Kathleen Noonan, Catherine Coyne, and Breda Delahunty. Well done, ladies!

Ladies 9 Hole S/F (24th Feb2nd March)

Winner: Nora Noonan (H/C 34) – 21 pts (C/B)

2nd: Chris Noonan (H/C 28) –21 pts

3rd: Caitlin Fitzgerald (H/C 15)

– 18 pts (C/B)

4th: Anne Walsh (H/C 37) – 18 pts

Ladies Meet & Greet Champagne Scramble

Thursday, 13th March – Shotgun start. Be ready at 10am for a 10:30am start.

Maximum handicap index: 36

Draw for playing partners: Wednesday, 12th March

Entry Sheet: In Ladies’ Locker Room Entry Fee: €7

The winning team in the Adult Junior Scramble played at Cahir Park Golf Club on Sunday last, 9th March. The winning team comprised of Eoin Ahearne, Imelda Fitzpatrick, Tom Halpin and Liam Butler with a score of 32.0

The team who finished second in the Adult Junior Scramble played at Cahir Park Golf Club on Sunday last, 9th March. The team comprised of Declan Walsh, Luke O’Donnell, Fiona Noonan and Patrick Quaid with a score of 33.3.

The team who finished third in the Adult Junior Scramble played at Cahir Park Golf Club on Sunday last, 9th March. The team comprised of Sean Maher, Will Burke, Riain O’Keeffe and Sean Seamus Maher with a score of 33.4.

COUNTY TIPPERARY ATHLETICS AWARDS

Albert Maher, Niall Quirke, Jesse Julian and Cian Fahey, Dundrum A.C. Boys U/14 XC Relay 1st – Munster Gold Cross Country Relay Championships achievers with Ann Fagan, County Secretary

Dundrum A.C. Women Club Team Masters Cross Country 1st – Munster Gold XC Master Championships achievers Dymphna Ryan, Linda Grogan, Catherine Fogarty, Karen Coughlan, Emily Leahy, Laura McCarthy Armstrong, Mairead Julian with Ann Fagan, County Secretary.

Cara Ryan, Clonmel A.C. receiving the SIAB Combined Pentathlon trophy from John Flynn, President Tipperary Athletics

Matt Alexander, Coolquill A.C. receiving the European Masters Road Championships, European Masters Cross Country Relay Championships trophy from Mossie Woulfe, Munster Athletics Chairperson

Moyne AC Girls U/17 4x 400m Relay 1st & 3rd - Munster Gold & National Bronze Track & Field Championships achievers Emma Delaney, Dearbhla Gleeson, Niamh Cleere, Kate Delaney with Ann Fagan, County Secretary.

Owen Fanning, County Chairperson, presenting the World Indoor, World Relay & European Track & Field Championships, Olympic Games Trophy to Rev Fr Bobby Fletcher, P.P., New Inn who received it on behalf of Sharlene Mawdsley, Newport A.C. who was in Netherlands for the European Indoor Championships. Fr Fletcher was the first to identify her athletic potential after she joined Newport AC at the age of eight years. He was pastor at Newport at that time and chairman of Newport AC.

Ann Fagan, County Secretary with Caoimhe Quinlan & Aisling Costigan, Moyne A.C. Girls U/9 Long Jump 1st – Munster & National Gold Track & Field Pairs Championships achievers.

052 61 48800

Thurles man wins Munster Squash championship

In an electrifying display of skill and determination, 27-year-old Karl McLoughney from Thurles clinched the recent Munster Squash Championship title at Highfield Squash Club in Cork city. This victory marks a historic milestone as it is the first time that a Tipperary player has ever secured the Munster title.

Karl’s journey in squash began at the young age of 11 at the Thurles Squash Club facilities located at Thurles Gold Club. Under the expert guidance of club coach Gerry Connaughton, Karl honed his skills and nurtured a passion that would eventually propel him to the pinnacle of the sport in Munster.

“His dedication and hard work over the years have truly paid off,” noted Gerry, following Karl’s comprehensive win in the final against local Highfield member Martin Joseph McDonnell. Connaughton’s commendation also highlighted Karl’s relentless drive and commitment, which has earned him a high national ranking.

Although Karl now resides in Denmark - working remotely for Thurles-based fitness equipment company RPM Power - he continues to sharpen his game by training at a local club in Aarhus, home to some of Denmark’s best squash players. This transnational commitment to excellence underscores the blend of local roots and international exposure that defines Karl’s sporting career.

Thurles Squash Club is delighted with Karl’s success and

invites enthusiasts of all ages to experience the thrill of squash.

“Squash is one of the world’s fastest and healthiest sports, offering a unique combination of mental and physical challenge,” the Club remarked. Nearly 200 players, both men and women, are already reaping the benefits of this dynamic sport at the club’s facilities at Thurles Golf Club in Turtulla, Thurles.

For those interested in joining a community that values skill, fitness, and camaraderie, Thurles Squash Club welcomes new members. Further details about membership or squash training can be obtained by emailing info@thurlessquash. com or calling Gerry Connaughton at 087 263 4313.

Karl McLoughney’s triumphant performance not only sets a new benchmark for Thurles Squash Club but also serves as an inspiring reminder that with perseverance and passion, historic achievements are within reach.

National U20 gold for Clonmel AC’s Emer Brennan

It took a significant personal best time of 2 minutes, 12 seconds for Emer Brennan to secure her first national title at 800m on Sunday last in Athlone International Arena, and how. Lying in 4th place, and 30 metres adrift with 200m to go, the chances of a medal, never mind the ultimate prize, looked a forlorn hope. As she approached the final bend Brennan had sneaked into third, and with renewed hope, showed a devastating turn of pace to swing into the home straight upsides the leader. In moving past, Emer had overtaken two reigning age grade national champions, and a sixth place finisher at the recent National Seniors, to claim the title, and a four second PB in the process. Brennan closed out the last lap in 30 seconds, as good as anything seen at the Euros in Apeldoorn.

It was some way to celebrate your 17th birthday, as cake and parties were forgone on Saturday, to give it her all on the highest stage. It was fitting that her great friend and fellow Presentation Secondary School TY student, Niamh Clarke was there to celebrate Emer’s victory. Niamh had another fine performance in the 3,000m Racewalk, after a slew of recent personal bests over a range of distances. Both girls work incredibly hard at their sport, as anyone who witnesses them on the dark wintry nights at the TUS Arena in Clonmel will attest to, and it’s fantastic to see their efforts rewarded. There will be highs and lows in the years ahead, but Sunday was certainly Emer’s day, and will be cherished in the Brennan household for a long time to come.

A great weekend for the younger female members of the club was capped off with the announcement of Cara Ryan as the juvenile county star award winner for Tipperary by Athletics Ireland. Another tremendous achievement.

AC’s Emer Brennan who won her first national title on Sunday last when taking the Under 20 800 metres championship in a PB of 2:12:80, a full 17 seconds faster than this time last year.

BELOW: A happy Emer and Niamh Clarke post race in Athlone on Sunday last.

County Novice Road titles for Orla Healy and Matthew Ryan

All roads led to Dualla community centre last Sunday for the County Tipperary Novice Road championships with the women competing over 4k and the men over 6k. Both races were on an out and back course. The Clubs are to be complimented on getting their members out competing with forty-one competing in the women’s race and seventy-four competing in the men’s race, brilliant entries. Conditions were ideal for both races with summer like weather the order of the day. The routes were relatively flat with a good incline meeting the athletes on their return to the village where they finished the last 300m on the Community walkway.

WOMEN’S RACE

The women’s race got underway shortly after noon. Right from the start Orla Healy of Moyne AC and Laura Earley of Fethard AC set the pace. As they approached halfway Orla increased the pace and soon went clear with Laura in 2nd place while the chasing pack was led by Edel Roche of

Fethard AC and Mary Keane of Dundrum AC. Orla made every stride on the return journey a winning one when coming home to a very convincing winner in 11 mins 2 secs. This was a brilliant performance by Orla who was 2nd in this event last year and no doubt she was very determined to go one better, which she did in style. Then we had Laura Earley also running very well and like Orla she improved on her bronze medal last year when winning the silver this year in 11 mins 32 secs. The tussle for the bronze medal was decided on the homeward trip with Edel Roche finishing 3rd in 11 mins 43 secs. For the record Mary Keane of Dundrum was 4th 11.50, Catherine Fogarty Dundrum AC was 5th 12.05 and Paula Hendriksen of Fethard AC 6th in 12.14. With three to count on the inter club front, Fethard were winners on eleven points with Laura Earley, Edel Roche and Paula Hendriksen. Dundrum won the silver medals with Mary Keane, Catherine Fogarty and Emily Leahy who was 7th 12.17. Moyne AC

fresh from their exploits on the Munster scene won the bronze medals with their team of Orla Healy, Edel Delaney 10th 12.52 and Lisa Quinlan 12th 13.02.

For the record Fethard AC were winning this title for the very first time in recent years, great credit to all involved.

MEN’S RACE

The Men’s race also saw a fast pace from the start with the early pace set by Jamie Moloney of Nenagh Olympic and the eventual Champion Matthew Ryan of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC. It was on the homeward run that Matthew made his move and soon opened up a commanding lead, a lead he held all the way to the line to win convincingly in 19 mins 23 secs. This was a brilliant performance by Matthew who has been putting in good performances recently. Jamie also ran very well to win the silver medal in 20 mins 3 secs. The bronze medal was won by Conor Keating who made his move inside the last 2k in 20 mins 34 secs.

For the record Mark Corcoran Nenagh Olympic AC was 4th

20.50, Liam Shanahan Thurles Crokes was 5th in 20.59 with Christopher Aylward Clonmel AC 6th in 21.20. In the team event, Clonmel packed very well with Christopher Aylward, Patrick Davoren 7th 21.34, Nigel O Flaherty 8th 24.41 and Joey Feery 14th 22.03 to win the gold medals. The silver medals were won by the Thurles Crokes quartet of Liam, Denis McCullagh 9th 21.45, Shane Moloney 15th 22.10 and making a welcome return to competitive we had John Russell 16th 22.13. Moycarkey Coolcroo AC won the bronze medals with their team of Matthew Ryan, Conor Keating, Paul Bowe 31st 23.33 and Donie Bergin 36th 23.54. Clonmel were regaining this title for the first time since 2021. At the presentation of the awards, the County Chairman, Owen Fanning, thanks Dualla Ballytarsna Boherlahan AC for organising a very successful promotion of the Sport. He thanked the Clubs for supporting these Championships and it augurs well for the rest of the road season.

Munster men’s senior squash champion, Karl McLoughney

ABOVE: The first three men home in the County Novice Road left to right - Jamie Moloney Nenagh Olympic, Matthew Ryan Moycarkey Coolcroo AC and Conor Keating Moycarkey Coolcroo AC. BELOW: he first three women home in the County Novice Road left to right - Edel Roche Fethard AC, Orla Healy Moyne AC and Laura Earley Fethard AC.

LEFT: Clonmel

Four off and hardly a foul blow - Tipp slay Cats

Can Thurles CBS top the Harty with Croke Cup?

IF YOU HAD BEEN told prior to throw-in that four red cards would be brandished in the Allianz National Hurling League tie between Tipperary and Kilkenny in UPMC Nowlan Park, you could probably be forgiven for thinking that a bloodbath and outright war was on the cards. But, such is the nature of the modern game that yellow cards and red cards are given out like snuff at a wake. And you know, referee Sean Stack was actually right on the money with each call - the dismissal of Tipperary’s Alan Tynan being the most debatable of the four. Memories of Richie Hogan and Cathal Barrett’s clash in the All-Ireland final of 2019 came flooding back when Tynan held his hands up as he pleaded his innocence - had Stack not taken action of the red variety, he would have had a baying ensemble of Cats roaring from the stands. As it turned out, by the time he had lofted the red for the third occasion, they were braying anyway.

Tipperary have claimed significant scalps in this league campaign -away victory in Salthill; away victory in Nowlan Park; home victory against the All-Ireland finalists Cork come to mind immediately. And, despite hitting 2-25 against Kilkenny’s

1-19 in front of 9,563 spectators, Liam Cahill’s men still have plenty of improving to do. Kilkenny were left in the game for a long time - there were only four points in it with ten minutes to go, and remember Kilkenny were down to 12 at this stage, against 14 Tipperary men.

Granted the Premier lads accounted for seven of the final nine scores of the game as Kilkenny tired, but TJ Reid’s frees had kept them in the match and they showed that they were not prepared to fold up the tent and go home just yet. Eventually, Tipp got the job done and another significant victory in Kilkenny was achieved.

Coming off the back of the All-Ireland minor success last year when numerical disadvantage was our lot, it just seems that Nowlan Park might not be as difficult a place to visit as in days of yore. We have enjoyed some good days in the venue and Sunday was another one.

The victory should be taken with a strong dose of reality though -Tipperary had far closer to a championship starting side on show than Kilkenny and we also looked to be further down the road in terms of preparation. So victory, while extremely welcome, should not see us running

away to book the Croke Park Hotel for All-Ireland weekend just yet.

Next up for Tipperary is a Banner visit to FBD Semple Stadium - the Clare lads suffered a big defeat at the hands of Cork, just when it seemed they had turned a corner.

Kilkenny go to Limerick to play out that postponed game and if results go as expected, it could be a Tipperary vs Limerick league final - two weeks before we play in the championships first round. Now that would be a predicament. Cork will have something to say about that scenario too though. Watch this space.

Croke Cup final in Croke Park

Thurles CBS will descend on Croke Park in search of the Croke Cup on St Patrick’s Day and with the hopes of all of Tipperary for company. Victory in the All-Ireland Colleges Senior A Final would be a marvellous addition to their Dr Harty Cup success - the two former GAA Patron’s cups standing side-by-side in the school would be a sight to behold.

The Thurles lads will have to bring their best

performance to HQ if they are to win through - a showing similar to the semi-final one in Banagher against Claregalway will simply not suffice. The cutting of the loaf is in their own hands now - bring their A game and they will create the environment to achieve success.

Football Matters

A fine victory by the Tipperary U20 footballers against Limerick gives much cause for positivity as they kick off their campaign. Next up for them is a clash with Clare this coming weekend while the senior footballers will lock horns with a rampant Wexford side away in the sunny south east. Getting something from this game will be a challenge, but Tipp tend to do better when expectations are not elevated.

Some more tweaks to the football rules may be in the pipeline, we are told - having attended club games at the weekend, there is still a lot of confusion about the current ones, never mind altered ones. Interesting times ahead.

More from THE VIEW anon. Don‘t miss it.

Tipp Under 20s boss it in Rathkeale

Munster U20 Football Championship

Phase 1

LIMERICK 0-6 TIPPERARY 3-8

Tipperary opened their account in Phase One of the Munster U20 Football Championship, with a classy performance against Limerick in Rathkeale on Saturday last.

You can’t always divide a game of football into four quarters and often when you do that division owes more to convenience than fact, but this game fell nicely into four parts.

The first was Limerick’s. They were playing intelligent football and put over a couple of nice points including a two pointer. The second was Tipperary’s and in that period their all-round teamwork was deeply impressive. The third quarter was evenly contested but the final quarter or what is known as the championship quarter was completely dominated by Tipperary.

Wind assisted, Limerick started the brighter and had an early two pointer from Evan Curry. When Tom Lloyd put them 0-3 to 0-1 up after 10 minutes, even Old Moore himself couldn’t have predicted that this would be their last score of the first half. In those early ex-

changes Limerick were doing well in the final third of the field but as soon as the Tipperary back line settled, that area for Limerick became Indian territory. Then in the 15th minute of the game came the all-important score. Paddy O’Keeffe ran onto a neat pass from Dylan Cotter, skipped around two defenders and offloaded to Daithi Hogan who was standing on the edge of the square for an easy finish. From here until half time, this talented Tipperary team revealed their true selves. They moved the ball quickly by hand and foot and they respected possession when they had it. Points from Charlie King, Jamie O’Keeffe, Joe Higgins, Paddy O’Keeffe and Hogan ensured that they went for the tea break with a 1-5 to 0-3 lead and the knowledge that they would have the aid of the fresh wind breathing in their backs in the second half. No doubt during the break the Limerick management and players knew that their best hope lay in a blend of fire and adventure that might rattle Tipperary but for whatever reason they could not

summon up either.

In the opening exchanges of the second half they won a plentiful supply of possession only to waste it in a manner that would make the Prodigal Son look like a miser and in the odd moments when they did manage to hold on to the ball their shot selection was bordering on irresponsible.

In the 46th minute their house collapsed and they spent the rest of the afternoon scrambling in the rumble. There seemed little danger when Tipperary goalkeeper Robbie McGrath gained possession 65m from the Treaty goal. He picked out Dylan Cotter with a kick-pass. The Thurles Gaels man off-loaded to Paddy O’Keeffe who once again he danced around two defenders before firing a rocket off the bottom of the crossbar and into the front of the net. That goal put Tipperary 2-6 to 0-4 and such was Tipperary’s dominance that even with quarter of the game still to be played, the good size crowd which populated the homely stand in Rathkeale knew that this game was over. However, unlike their boxing counterparts, Gaelic Football referees can’t call a halt to an uneven contest. From here to the time referee Chris Maguire signalled full stop, Limerick must have felt like King Canute trying to stop the tide. Their infrequent ventures into

the Tipperary half of the field almost always ended in a defensive turnover providing the launchpad for another Tipperary attack. This was the case in the 56th minute when good work in defence from Emmet Bonner and Shane Ryan saw them set JP Mbokha Tansia free and himself and Daithi Hogan combined like salty chips and mushy peas for Tipperary’s third goal. Paddy O’Keeffe added the final point of the afternoon to give Tipperary a well deserved 11 point victory. It was the least they could have won by and if manager Niall Fitzgerald was to nitpick after the game, he would point to his side not being ruthless enough in a game they dominated.

In goal, Robbie McGrath didn’t have much to do but what he did do he did well. Full back Eoghan O’Connell once again gave the impression that he could mind mice at a crossroads while his outriders, Emmet Bonner and Billy Tierney were as alert as larks in the morning.

Centre back and captain, Charlie King was in majestic form. His was builder and hod carrier all in one. His wing men Killian Butler and Jamie O’Keeffe launched more attacks than Trump and Vance in the Oval Office.

At midfield, Darragh O’Connor and Joe Higgins struggled in the air mainly due to the magnificent

fielding abilities of the Limerick midfielders but they had their measure in the trenches and both showed some classy touches.

Under the new rules of Gaelic Football the half forward line have to be both artists and maintenance men. The three C’s in Tipperary half-forward line Cotter, Carey and Charles performed their maintenance duties expertly but later in the season against either Kerry or Cork they will have to channel their inner Di Vinci. This may be especially true now that the inside forward line of Daithi Hogan, Paddy O’Keeffe and Tommy O’Connor have announced themselves to the world.

All three were as sharp as a tack and between them they accounted for 90% of Tipperary scores. One suspects against Clare next Saturday in Clonmel, these three might have extra bodies sitting in front of them.

PS: On my way into the field in Rathkeale last Saturday I ran into John and Sadie O’Connell. As usual they proved to be alarmingly good company. Sadie has been taking photographs at Tipperary football for the past number of years. The Tipperary Football Board could do worse than make her the official photographer of Tipperary Football. It is always nice to have a library of photographs to look back on.

TEAMS AND SCORERS

Scorers for Limerick: E Curry 0-2 (1tp); D Hynes 0-2 (0-2 frees); T Lloyd; T Ryan (free) 0-1 each. Scorers for Tipperary: D Hogan 2-2 (0-1 free); P O’Keeffe 1-2; C King, J O’Keeffe, J Higgins, B Carey (free) 0-1 each.

Limerick: Cian McGrath; Cian O’Sullivan, Cathal Mangan, Paddy Downey; Tom Lloyd, Tommy Ryan, Jack Butler; Tadhg Hourigan, Brian O’Callaghan; Bobby Smith, Tom Ryan, Evan Curry; Diarmuid Hynes (C), Michael Fahy, Padraic Phelan.[Text Wrapping Break]Subs: L Walsh for Fahy, B Griffin for Smith (both half-time); M Kilbridge for Downey (41); A O’Shea for O’Callaghan (47); C Boyle for Hourigan (56).

Tipperary: Robbie McGrath (Galtee Rovers); Emmet Bonner (Galtee Rovers), Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore Castleiney), Billy Tierney (Clonmel Commercials); Killian Butler (Moyle Rovers) Charlie King (Ballina), Jamie O’Keeffe (Clonmel Commercials); Joe Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), Darragh O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials); Thomas Charles (Clonmel Commercials); Ben Carey (Ballylooby Castlegrace), Dylan Cotter (Thurles Gaels); Daithi Hogan (St. Patrick’s), Paddy O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers), Tommy O’Connor (Kilsheelan Kilcash).

Subs: S Ryan for T O’Connor (52); JP Mbokha Tansia for Higgins (56); C Ryan for King, D Hogan for Charles, J Power for P O’Keeffe (all 59).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)

Ballinveala looks to latch the Bolt on the Unraced Stake

GREYHOUND RACING at CLONMEL TRACK

Friday Night, March 7

The opening round heats of The E.M. Mechanical N2/NBallinveala Bolt trained by Graham Holland from Golden continued his winning run in the E.M. Mechanical N2/N3 Unraced Stake at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium on Friday night last. Winning the previous week, he left it late before snatching it on the line, but in the second semi-final he led from the front and dominated throughout to win by four and a half lengths in 28.56. This showing puts him in pole position for next week’s final.

Good Thunder who was just pipped by Ballinveala Bolt the previous week showed very quick feet from traps in the opening semi-final and maintained a strong gallop to win by a length and a half in 28.89. Borna Show who caught the eye the previous week in the final heat, lost his feet somewhat in the opening semi-final but finished very strongly behind Good Thunder.

One of two bitches qualifying for next week’s final, Beechwood Rose shared the early lead with Ballinveala Bolt and ran on strong to finish second and depending on trap draw will be a real danger in the final. The second lady Awful Hurry, and Bushpark Boy, will be finishing very strongly. Should there be and congestion up front in the decider they will be primed to pick up the pace on the run-in.

It all which makes for a fantastic final this coming Friday night.

Killenaule trainer Jennifer O’Donnell continued her fine run with youngsters when The Other Rafa finished strongly on the outside to take the opening race on the night in 29.16.

Clonmel’s Pat Egan took the second race with Purple Cashout who picked off the two leaders on the run-in when clocking 29.80. 92 year-old Johnny Barrett from Mitchelstown, always a very prominent supporter of Clonmel Greyhound Stadium, pulled off the opening sprint with Free Hunter who has been absent from the winner’s podium for quite a while but dominant this sprint in 16.60.

Eric Keane from the Wilderness Clonmel took the final race on Friday night with Oakland Sally as she hugged the inside to drive past the long-time leader and win in 29.67. This was just her fourth start she has now two back-to-back wins to her credit and is certainly heading in the right way.

Sunday Night, March 9

Fethard trainer David Flanagan continued where he left off from the Sunday before as Poker Queen, owned by The Poker Gang Syndicate, made it three wins on the trot after a trap-to-line win. Her early pace was her winning key proving just a tad too much for Popular Sparks who tried in vain to catch her on the run-in in 29.21.

Clonmel’s Kevin McLean had his very experienced runner Knockboy Boris holding a very strong line and repelling all challenges when winning his 15th race in 29.09 in the fifth race of the night.

Michael Spillane’s Strideaway Kid, wearing his preferred red sheet, showed fantastic railing at the opening bend to squeeze to the front and lead down the far side. Maintaining a very strong gallop he landed his seventh career win. The winner was adding to his impressive victory up the field during the winter.

A lady in super form of late with five wins from her last six starts is Gavin Sullivan’s My Lil Shazza. On Sunday she blew from traps and destroyed her opposition to win by seven lengths in a fantastic 28.49. She is a lady well worth keeping an eye on during the summer months.

Paddy and Hazel Hickey from Fethard were all smiles when Thorney Thistle made the ninth race a trap-to-line show in 29.07.

Imelda O’Dwyer from Cashel took the penultimate race of the night with Windmill La La. Having been led early on, she finished well from the second last bend to win for trainer David Hickey in a time of 29.27.

Rounding off a very entertaining night Master Dylan O’Hanlon from Mooncoin had My Dylans Shadow back to winning ways with a rail hugging finish in 29.13.

IGB AWARD FOR BRENDAN ROGERS

One of Clonmel’s Track Directors Brendan Rogers was away from the Stadium on Sunday night as he was attending The IGB Awards night as he was receiving a special award for his enormous work in re-homing retired greyhounds. Brendan personally picks and matches the greyhound for the homes and to date his work is very fruitful with greyhounds retiring into loving care and comfort not just here in Ireland but in Italy and all over Europe. This much-deserve award is a recognition of Brendan’s terrific work thus far. All at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium join in congratulating Brendan on this national award.

The Fethard Flanagans with Poker Queen

Ballinaveala Bolt was the winner of an EM Mechanical N2/N3 Stake semi-final for the Purtills. The winner is pictured here with handler Michael Fletcher and trainer Graham Holland.

Well-known dog trainer Paddy Hickey shares a happy moment with Gerard and Maurice Organ, after Paddy had won yet another race with Thorney Thistle

Purple Cashout provided Paddy Egan with a winner at Clonmel Greyhound Stadium at the weekend when winning in a time of 29.80

Good Thunder with Marie Kennedy after winning a semi-final in the EM Mechanical N2/N3 Stake at Clonmel