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Paul Hopkins

Paul Hopkins

THE producers of James Bond have been chatting about potential actors who could be the new James Bond and Idris’ Elba’s name has apparently been mentioned.

No Time to Die marks Daniel Craig’s last outing as James Bond. Some 15 years have passed since Craig rst played 007 in Casino Royale, and throughout that time debate has raged over the new James Bond — with everyone asking who should be the next James Bond?

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Plenty of names have come and gone in the discussion, as was the case before Craig himself was selected to succeed Pierce Brosnan in the role, and we could yet see a late contender nd themselves in the right place at the right time.

As we’ve seen in discussions of the o cial Bond theme song, it’s really di cult to please absolutely everybody, but here are some of the leading candidates to be the eighth big screen Bond.

Right, so when it comes to talent, it’s hard to look past Tom Hardy. If you were casting for 100 roles which t his age and gender pro le, Hardy would be on the shortlist for 90 of them before you knew anything else about the character. e question isn’t whether he would nail it, because obviously he would, but rather whether he’d feel as though Bond is too constrictive a role for him to take on.

Henry Cavill has had a few false dawns with ‘big’ roles in the past, most notably failing to turn Superman into career-de ning role it might have been for others. However, this actually works in his favour from a Bond perspective: when watching Cavill as 007, the Man of Steel star won’t feel as though he’s in the wrong role quite as much. Also, and this is important, he looks great in a suit.

And so to Idris Elba. It feels like Elba would have been a frontrunner had Craig bowed out before No Time to Die, but the window may have now shut for the 47-year-old. at said, after taking the last few years to work on some smaller projects (also Cats, but we don’t need to dwell on that), there’s every chance the Londoner could be coaxed into a role which he has been linked with as frequently as Wesley Sneijder has been linked with Manchester United.

With Lucifer coming to an end, Tom Ellis will have a space in his diary to play James Bond. e only issue is his age — he’s 42 at the moment and, realistically, the next movie will be around 2025. We reckon he would do a great job, though, and it would be great to see another Welshman in the role, after Timothy Dalton.

Our own Jamie Dornan already has the sadistic nature of James Bond nailed, having played a serial killer in e Fall and Christian Grey in the 50 Shades movies. But he can also play the action part as well and he’s a fantastic actor. It would also be great to see another man from Ireland to take on the role of James Bond Next up, Richard Madden. He came to prominence thanks to his role as Robb Stark in Game of rones, but it was Bodyguard and Rocket Man where he truly showed o his acting chops. He’s still young, (mid 30s) and is Scottish, so will de nitely be on the Broccoli’s hit list.

Meanwhile, Tom Hiddleston has a strong pro le outside the Bond franchise and, with him having ‘done’ Marvel, this may be the best (or even only) opportunity to snap him up. His slate looks busy but not irrevocably so, giving him time to polish o his to-do list before moving onto a big franchise role, and he’s easy to picture as 007. He turns 40 in 2021, though, and the studio may prefer someone younger. 677 750 Out of everyone on this list, Dan Stevens has perhaps had the most varied career so far. First seen in Downton Abbey, he has since shed some pounds and starred in the fantastic Marvel show Legion, featured in a couple of great horror movies and was last seen in the Net ix Eurovision movie. He’s got the physique, charm, acting chops and humour to be a brilliant Bond.

Love it or hate it, Bridgerton has been a massive success for Net ix and certainly put Regé-Jean Page on the map as the next James Bond. He’s superb as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings. At 31 he’s the perfect age to play Bond in myriad movies

One of the more recent favourites, Sam Heughan wowed us all in Outlander and has the acting chops and looks to be the next James Bond. He’s Scottish so would be walking in Sean Connery sized boots. At 40, he’s a good age to be playing Bond and he’s already put on a tux for spoof e Spy Who Dumped Me - not a movie we would recommend but Heughan makes it nearly watchable

Ten in the line-up to play the next Bond 5

sci-fi great to stream right now

If e 100 (2014-2020) looks like your standard teen drama, prepare to have your expectations exceeded. ere’s a reason this post-apocalyptic series scored seven seasons: e 100, streaming on YouTube, brings rich world-building and moral dilemmas that push the stereotypical characters into unique, compelling places. e 100 in question are a generation of juvenile detainees sent to Earth to determine whether it’s habitable post-apocalypse. 100 percent give this one a go.

Germany’s answer to Stranger ings deliberately takes its time before stepping into completely compelling and original places. A sci- noir, Dark (2017-2020) folds time travel, conspiracies and estranged families into a generationspanning story kicked o by a child’s disappearance. If those kinds of meticulously crafted layers are what you’re after in your storytelling, settle in. All three seasons of Dark’s meditative look at time travel and its e ect on human nature are waiting to hit you at full force. On Net ix.

Net ix cancellations don’t get more criminal than the axing of e OA (2016-2019). is wildly unique story follows Prairie Johnson, a young blind woman who returns after being missing for years, now with the ability to see. She claims to be the “original angel” and convinces a small group of locals to listen to her impossible story, involving abductions and great escapes. e OA is the kind of grounded sci- that catches you and its heroes completely o guard when it introduces its fantastic concepts. Watch the rst two impeccable seasons on Net ix and pray the third is picked up elsewhere.

e reboot of the 1965 series of the same name propels us forward to 2046, two years after humanity nds itself on the brink of extinction. e talented Robinson family head out with a crew to colonise a new planet. Aside from inescapable family drama, they face strange new environments and an odd alien robot that befriends young Will. Mystery, heart and a memorable villain in Parker Posey’s Dr. Smith give Lost in Space plenty of fuel to lift o (seasons 2 and 3 are markedly improved over season 1). Also on Net ix.

Yeah, Gong Yoo from Squid Game’s in this. What else do you need to know? is South Korean sci- mystery on Net ix follows a crew of astronauts on a mission to an abandoned research facility on the moon. eir target: a sample of an unknown substance for unclear purposes. Betrayal, government lies and personal secrets send this addictive space journey into a tailspin.

MINOR HURLING Clara followed up on their first round win over Bennettsbridge by dishing out a bit of a beating to visitors Naas on Monday of last week. However it must be stated that Naas were short their contingent of county minors - 9 in total - so the Clara task was made a lot easier. However you can only beat what is put in front of you and this game was as good as over by hal ime when Clara led 1-10 to 0-2, having played against the breeze on a cold evening in Clara. By that stage five of the six forwards as well as midfielder Conor Hoyne had scored. The only forward that hadn’t scored was Tommy Delaney and he was probably the busiest of them all, with a great work rate and energy about his play. He created a lot of opportunities for other players with his bustling style, and was just unlucky on the day that the scores didn’t come for him. Cian Kelly in the goal dealt comfortably with any high balls that came his way and his puck outs were spot on. Corner backs Alex McDonald and James Cody were well on top of their markers. Ben Crow was his usual reliable self at full back. Zach Lawlor was outstanding at centre half and his wing backs Ben Murphy and Philip Carrigan gave nothing away. Hugh Kelly got better as the game went on and staked a claim for a permanent spot. Conor Hoyne took the game to Naas with his probing runs and his free taking was impeccable. The half forward line of Ned Langton, Sean Carrigan and Harry Boyle contributed 0-9 from play between them. Joe Power scored an opportunistic goal and a superb point, Luke Lawlor set up numerous scores and Tommy Delaney’s contribution has been well covered. Clara won the second half 0-11 to 1-1 to take the final score to 1-21 to 1-3. A good score with a lot of chances missed also so work still needed. Team - Cian Kelly, Alex McDonald, Ben Crow, James Cody. Ben Murphy, Zach Lawlor 0-1, Philip Carrigan. Conor Hoyne 0-9,0-6f, Hugh Kelly. Ned Langton 0-2, Sean Carrigan 0-3, Harry Boyle 0-4. Tommy Delaney, Luke Lawlor 0-1, Joe Power 1-1. Subs used Eoin Corr, John Bergin, Bill Kealy. Sean Byrne, Bill Kealy, Orí Phelan, Tom Boyle, Conor Galvin, Tom Murphy, Daniel Ryan, Dillon Cummins (inj.). FEILE Clara U15s were in fine form on Sunday at the Féile. They lost narrowly at the semi final stage to Dunnamaggin. They had earlier recorded notable wins over John Lockes of Callan and Dicksboro. COUNTY Well done to Rory Glynn who played for Kilkenny minors in Enniscorthy on Saturday, as the Cats recovered from a bad start to claim a 2-17 to 2-12 in their opening championship game. Wexford, who had already beaten Dublin in their opener, raced from the blocks and were 2-3 to 0-1 ahead a er eight minutes. But Kilkenny never panicked and by half time had regained parity at 2-7 each. An early second half burst from the Cats saw them create a lead that they would never relinquish and they won despite not hitting top form. Next up for them is Dublin in Nowlan Park on Saturday at 12pm. HANDBALL On Sunday in a busy weekend of sport for Rory Glynn, he travelled to Conna, County Cork to play for Kilkenny in the All Ireland final against Cork. This was a team event of three U16s and three U17s, with the combined score at the end deciding the winner. Rory and his partner, fellow O Loughlins man Luke Hanrahan, won their two games 15-6, 15-10 to place Kilkenny in a strong position. There were frayed nerves for a while in the next game when Ronan O Brien (Windgap) and Éanna O Kee e (Kilfane) trailed their Cork opponents 8-1. But the two lads recovered brilliantly to win 15-10. This ensured a Kilkenny win as they were now 19 points to the good with only a game remaining. Although Mikey Stynes (Talbots Inch) and Evan Doyle (Windgap) lost the last game 15-9, Kilkenny still took the title on a 54-41 score. Well done to all the lads and to the team management of Frank Manogue and John Morrissey of O’Loughlins.

URLINGFORD AND GRAINE COMMUNITY TEXT ALERT Invitation to all householders, to subscribe to Text Alert 2022. €10 per phone or €20 per household (up to 3 mobile numbers). Community alert continues to address issues in our community: Anti-Social Behaviour; Vandalism; Drug Activity; Robberies. Payment options: Subscribe online, transfer to BOI: IBAN IE20 BOFI 9061 4482 3579 42, include your name and phone numbers with transfer details. Door Collection: Committee members will collect envelopes this week. Thank you. Please support us in the Split the Pot for the next four weeks. Envelopes are available in participating businesses in town. EMERALDS GAA CLUB Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 4pm at Urlingford GAA pitch. Gates open at 3pm. Single books and one sheet €10; Double books and two sheets €15. Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5. Please support. EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO April 4th prize fund was: €7,300. Jackpot: €5,300. Numbers drawn: 16, 21, 23, 24, bonus no 13. No winner and no match 3 winners. Promoters prize: John Minogue. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Pat Peters, Ciara Sheehan, D. Tynan, Christy O’Reilly, Pat Walsh. Next draw takes place on Monday, April 11th in the Clubrooms. Results next week. MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Easter Ra le: Please support our Co ee Morning and Easter Ra le on Thursday, April 14th from 11am-1pm. Ra le tickets are available in the Centre, €2 per strip or 3 for €5. BTEI Healthcare Course QQI Level 5: Healthcare QQI Level 5 course places available for new programme starting September 2022. Please contact us if you are interested in completing this course. Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine. Counselling Services: Includes One-to-One, Family & Teens, aged 12+. General Counselling: Bereavement, stress, anxiety & depression. Other counselling services available: Drug, substance and gambling addiction. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment. Appeal for clothes donations: Any clothes donations would be appreciated in aid of our counselling services. Donations can be le into the Centre, please call before dropping o . Contact number for the Centre 056 8838466. URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE POT This week’s winner of Split the Pot was Mary Walsh who won €415. Congrats Mary! Tickets €2 on sale in participating businesses in town, in aid of Urlingford and Graine Community Text Alert for next week’s draw. Be in it to win it!! URLINGFORD / GRAINE DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP In case of emergency, call: 085 2726396. URLINGFORD NEWS Anyone wishing to submit news items, club events, announcements etc can do so by emailing urlingfordnotes@gmail.com. If you have any photos you wish to include, please forward them to the email address.

MARGARET WALL R.I.P The people of Freshford and surrounds were shocked and saddened to hear of the unexpected death of Margaret Wall (nee Campion) late of Sart, Freshford and formerly of Woodview. She was predeceased by her husband Jerry and mother Phyllis. Margaret who was only in her 50s was a devoted wife and mother. She worked for many years in local BC manufacturing in the village where she was well liked and respected. Her funeral mass took place on Monday in St Lachtains Church Freshford followed by burial in St.Lachtains Cemetery. She is deeply mourned by her husband Eamon, daughters Emmer and Megan, sister Helen, brothers Terry Michael and John Joe, Mother in law, father in law, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces nephews and extended family, work mates and friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended. EASTER COMMEMORATION The annual Easter Commemoration will take place on Sunday next 17th Aprail a er 11am mass. This is an annual event held by the local Fianna Fail group with the raising of Tricolour and music and song plus readings will be performed. All are welcome. In addition memorabilia will be on display in the Community hall. A Cabaret will take place in Kavanaghs on Saturday night next as part of the celebrations IONAD LACHTAIN CHURCH ARTS AND HERITAGE CENTRE The committee is pleased to announce that the centre will be open at weekends from March 25th onwards. Opening times are 11.30am to 4.30pm every Saturday and Sunday. While visiting, take time to view the Prendergast (nursing) and Barnaville (print) Collections in the museum. The displays include a famine pot and a unique Freshford Cavalry medal dating from 1796. The cra shop has also been updated and a wide selection of local cra s is available to purchase including knitted garments and toys, wood turning, paintings, soaps and local literature. All your gi s can be delivered in Freshford souvenir bags with an accompanying Freshford souvenir greeting card. You will find a gi to suit most occasions at the cra shop. SPLIT THE POT The weekly split the pot draw took place in Farrells last week and the lucky winner was Ellie Butler who won €113. Tickets are just €2 and the winner gets half of the takings. The draw is held each Wednesday and boxes and envelopes can be found in Kavanaghs Bar, Mace, O’Shea’s corner shop, Girls& Guys Hairdressers, Oasis Creche, Freshford Creamery, Freshford Butchers and Prague House. This month’s proceeds are going to Freshford Community Café. The Committee would ask you to please support this fund raiser. SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to Richie Britton, Bootstown on the recent death of his sister-in-law Joyce Britton late of Greenshill Kilkenny. Funeral mass took place in St.Canices Church Kilkenny followed by burial in St.KIERANS CEMETERY. CAFE Great work is being done presently on Freshfords new Community Café. Work has commenced on the premises at Buncrussia Street Freshford and the volunteers are making great progress at present. The subcommittee are most grateful for the very generous donations of building materials from local families and businesses and greatly appreciate all the materials, time, labour, advice that has been given and they say that they are well on their way to having a fabulous community café by the community and for the community. Anyone that would like to donate item or give their time or expertise would be most welcome SOCCER Freshford Town had no games at the weekend. The Junior side were defeated by table toppers St.Canices in their last league game and with just one more game le in the league now . The training sessions for U8s continue each Saturday morning (weather permitting) from 12noon to 1pm at the Sportsfield at Woodview and all boys from 5-8 are most welcome to come along and join in DARTS The final of the B league took place on Friday night last in Kavanaghs when Kavanaghs 1 took on Kavanaghs in a home tie. Kavanaghs 1 came out winners with Ollie Colclough getting the player of the night. John Paul Kavanagh made the presentation and Peter O Shea thanked all that took part and helped out SPRING SERIES OF TALKS Threecastles Community Hall Committee are at present holding their Spring Series of informative talks and Co ee morning as well as a” movie” night. The series consists of three talks, a Co ee morning and one “movie” night. The Committee are hoping that local people as well as the public from Kilkenny City and County will come along to our Community Hall, Tulla Road, to hear very interesting information as well as being able to catch up with friends and neighbours and be entertained at the “Movie” night. The first talk titled – “Fire Safety in the Home” took place on Wednesday 30th March. This talk was given by Jason Bowden, Station O icer, and other members of the Freshford Fire Brigade and was very informative for all of us to stay safe at home. “Waste and Recycling at Home” is our second talk which takes place on this Wednesday 6th April at 8pm. This talk will be given by Bernadette Moloney, Environment Awareness O icer, Kilkenny County Council. We are all probably recycling but we can always learn how to manage our waste and recycle better. “Magical Memories at the Movies” takes place on Saturday 9th April at 8.30pm. This will be a night to remember as the renowned videographer Tommy Butler, from Freshford, will show hours of footage from events, hurling matches, shows, school pantos and lots more which he has recorded over years and years. You will enjoy recognizing familiar faces and reliving memorable events. (This is the only event that will have a charge of 5euro.) “Easter Social Co ee Morning” is on Monday 18th April from 11am - 1pm. This is a chance for everyone to enjoy a chat and a cuppa in our Community Hall. We will also have a ra le so you might even go home with a prize!! “Discovering the Archaeology of Threecastles” is our third talk and this will be given by widely acclaimed archaeologist Coilin O Drisceoill, on Wednesday 11th May at 8pm. Coilin has vast experience in successful “digs” both locally and nationally. Everyone is welcome to come along to one or all of these events. Refreshments will be provided at each of the talks and “movie” night. We would love to see you there and be sure to let other people know about our Spring Series. For further information contact Brenda Cooper Phone 0871369253 COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford /Three castles Community Alert Group held their AGM on Friday 25th March in Freshford Community Hall. (full report next week} If anyone would like to join the text alert group, it is 10 euro per phone number. New members are always very welcome. The group wish to thank everyone who has joined for their continued support. Also if any elderly would like to avail of getting a personal alarm system put in their home by Pobal. Please contact any of the committee members to discuss, John Bergin 0862592535, Jacinta Power 0877658672, Mick Cormack 0863535293 or Anna Morrissey 0858277965. NO LIBRARY Another big loss to the village is the recent withdrawal of the mobile library. The service which was running every 2nd or 3rd Tuesday for the past number of years has now been withdrawn due to declining numbers.You can avail of other libraries or have special home delivery service if you wish by contacting Kilkenny County Library. GAA St.Lachtains GAA Club run an Easter Camp this year. THE CAMP runs this week from Monday the 11th April to Thursday 14th April at St.Lachtains GAA Grounds. from 10am to 2pm each day and will accommodate boys and girls from 6-13 years. Great fun is guaranteed with top quality coaches.. For more info you can contact Eoin on 087 6191381 , Paugie on 087 9692153 or Michael on 085 1283075. The Junior B hurlers started their year on a winning note as they welcomed Tullogher Rosbercon to Pairc Lachtain on Sunday last. In a tight game throughout the local side ran out winners on a final score of 0-15 to 0-13, Team: J.Burke, J.Hickey, LKennedy, P.Campion,C.Donnelly, S .Dawson, P.white, P.Donnelly, C.Ra er, E Lander, P Killeen, C.Power, D.Killeen, C.O;Leary, C.Leahy Subs= S.Burke, M.Burke P.Maher and M.Durnan. The U15 side also had success on Sunday morning last when they faced neighbours Fenians and Emeralds in a group based format. St.Lachtains were successful in winning both their game and going through to the next round of the competition. The Clubs shop is open and 2022 range is soon to be uploaded onto the O’Neills club shop. Details can be found on St.Lachtains Social media pages or by O’Neill’s sportswear& searching for St.Lachtains Gaa. COMMUNITY ALERT Freshford/Threecastles Community Alert held their AGM recently. This was the first AgM since the Covid restrictions. The attendance was small due to covid numbers still being high. The following o icers were elected for the forthcoming year: Chairman John Bergin, Secretary – Jacinta Power, Treasurer – Mick Cormack PRO – Anna Morrissey. Anyone wishing to still join the Text alert scheme or have a personal alarm installed can contact any one of the Committee PARISH NEWS Attendance at indoor settings are now back to full capacity and attendance at Mass back to normal too. Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and on Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm. The Easter ceremonies take place in St Lachtains church on Thursday and in Tulla church on Friday with vigil mass on Saturday evening. Notices The parish newsletter is available on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact Jennifer in the Parish O ice. Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be le in or emailed to the Parish O ice by 11am on Thursdays. Parish o ice hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 1pm. Mass Cards Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish O ice or from Annette at Tulla Church signed by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish o ice on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ossory.ie. Contact Mongr Kieron Kennedy. PILGRIMAGE Pilgrimage to Lourdes will be held from 9th to 13th May 2022. Staying at 4 star Hotel Astrid the trip costd €645 pps – single room supplement payable. Accompanied by spiritual director. Includes return direct flights from Dublin to Tarbes, coach transfers breakfast lunch and dinner each day, full religious programme, services of a Marian pilgrimage guide, mass daily and spiritual activities, all taxes and travel insurance. For more details contact C.Flynn on 089 4638769. SQUASH Best wishes to local squash enthusiast Pat Morrissey who is o to Galway this month to represent Ireland in the Home Internationals. Pat would like to thank local businessman Damien Lennon THM on his generous sponsorship of the Over 40s Ireland team. Freshford Squash Club welcome new members anytime for

squash and the gym. MACRA NA FEIRME Macra na Feirme are looking to establish a new club in the Freshford area. Macra na Feirme is an organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35 who are interested in getting involved in sports, travel drama, debating or just want to meet new people and have some fun. To be a member of Macra you must join a Macra club in your area. This will open the door to new fiends and new activities. There are hundreds of clubs across Ireland bursting with activity who always welcome a new face. For more information please contact Training and Development O icer – Michael Wall on 0868359891 or email him at mwall@macra.ie HELP FOR ALL Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life di icult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342 If you can’t cope and need support text HELLO to 50808. SAMARITAN - Whatever you’re going through a Samaritan will face it with you – available 24 hours a day 365 days a year – Freephone 1161Alone is available for older people who need support and you can call them on 0818 222024 (8am to 8pm) AMBER KILKENNY WOMENS REFUGE – is available for confidential support relating to domestic violence - call them on 1850 424244 (24/7) or on 056 7771404 or email into@amberwomensrefuge.ie.

LOCAL LOTTO Results for April 4th ,Winning Numbers : 3,10, 31, No WinnerWinners of Draw for 5 x €30 Maura & Katie ( Petes ),Sonny Butler ( Pat Butler ),William Hughes (Anne Hickey ),Pierce Costello ( Larry Costello ),Aine Lahart ( Larry Costello) Jackpot next week € 1,300. Draw on Monday April 11th in Delaney’s, Kells at 9pm. All Welcome. COMMEMORATION The Annual Captain Pat Walsh Commemoration will go ahead on Easter Sunday, April 17th following the 11:00am mass in Dunnamaggin. Parade, re-enactments groups, orations, street music, Irish dancing and much, much more on the day in what promises to be a great community day in our village. DUNNAMAGGIN DEVELOPMENT GROUP Join us on Easter Sunday April 17th for our first Market of the year. We have lots in store for you .Come and enjoy our Market Stalls in Madge’s Garden a er the Pat Walsh Commemoration. Have a cup of tea from our Café while the kids enjoy some Easter Arty fun at our kid’s tent. Or why not pick up a map and see if your family can find all the cheeky bunnies hiding around Dunnamaggin in Our Easter Egg hunt (€2 for one child or €5 per family ). Why not take Easter o from Cooking and enjoy our BBQ and some yummy cakes from our café. We will also be holding a Ra le -3 Fab Prizes to be won. All new stall holders welcome (contact Gwen 0834544484 ). DUNNAMAGGIN LFC Dunnamaggin Ladies Football Club - EASTER Ra le tickets available in Bobs Shop Kells €2 each three for €5. All proceeds to the Dunnamaggin Ukrainian Appeal. KILMOGANNY TIDY TOWNS Kilmoganny Tidy Towns will host a Fashion show TODAY April 15th in St Eoghan’s Centre at 8pm. Clothes modeled on the night will be sold from which a donation will be made for Ukraine. Queries to Alycia Kearney 051 648118/087 6757490 ; Jackie Kenneally 051 648138/087 9953532. ROSARY Rosary at The Grotto Baurscobe, Dunnamaggin will take place the first Monday in May. KELLS HANDBALL REPORT The Kilkenny U12/13 40 x 20 Team 6 are the new All Ireland Champions 2022. The Team consisted of Kells players Conor Manogue, Jake O’Neill, Lorcan Mahony, Darragh McCormack, Steve Hoyne and Mattie Corr and Windgap players Shane Doyle and Jack Egan. The Team defeated Laois in the Leinster Final and overcame Tyrone in a hard fought All Ireland Semi Final. They came up against Galway in the Final and showed great determination and skill. They put on a great display of handball and became the All Ireland Winners 2022. The Kilkenny U14/15 40 x 20 Team 6 defeated Laois in the Leinster Final and reached the All Ireland Final but were unfortunately defeated by Clare in the All Ireland Final 2022. The Team were Daniel Hayes Darwich, Timmy Corr, (Kells), Rian Dowling, Dan Carroll, James Kenny (Talbots Inch), Dan McCormack (O’Loughlin’s), Padraig Egan (Windgap) and Cian Doherty (Kilfane). Congratulations and very well done to you all, your families, coaches and clubs for all the hard work. DROICHEAD FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Droichead Family Resource Centre on West Street in Callan o ers a variety of services and has a number of community groups running each week. Babies and Bumps is a group for expectant parents and those with under 1s and runs 11.30am – 12.30 pm on Mondays. Contact Jess on 085 8564950. Callan Men’s Shed at Droichead FRC meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 11am – 4pm for members. New members are always welcome for more information please contact Droichead Family Resource Centre. A Women’s Group meets every Tuesday from 10am-12pm and have some spaces available. Upcoming activities include Smart Phone Photography, Gardening and Cookery. Contact Jess on 085 8564950. Our low cost Counselling and Play Therapy services are now taking new referrals. If you or your child is struggling with any issues and you’d like support we may be able to help. Contact Olive on 056 7755660. Did you know that there is a low cost typing and photocopying service available in Droichead Family Resource Centre? For more information and to keep up to date with all of the services , supports and community groups available at Droichead Family Resource Centre follow us on Instagram and facebook or call the centre on (056) 7755660. LOCAL ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY PLANS An Invitation to participate in an important workshop “Ensuring that the new Local Economic and Community Plans (LECPs) are Truly Sustainable”. As the review of the first 6 year LECP comes to an end, processes are already underway to create the new 6 year plan for 20222027. Steering Groups have been set up in most Local Authority areas and these will oversee the development and implementation of the plans. LECPs are intended to support sustainable development at local authority level. In so doing, for better or worse, they guide the expenditure of very large sums of money. They should also form the local element of the national development framework and support collaboration to increase the quality of life in our communities. This has never been more important as we look to support a sustainable recovery from the impact of the pandemic and prepare for the growing impacts of Climate Change. However the quality of the plans and the sustainability of the outcomes will depend on the quality of engagement with their development and implementation. It is hoped that this workshop will initiate greater understanding of the importance of these plans, and a greater local engagement with them. Date: Wed 27th April 7.30-9.00pm. Please register in advance at this address: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIsd-trDkjHdE2RWK_hzKZIV24u7T0ntjQ IROUTE CONFERENCE Integrated rural and urban transport evolution Do people living in rural Ireland have the same right to access public transport as those living in cities? How vital is a properly functioning public transport service quality of life in Rural areas ? This conference, organised by Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (KLP), Kilkenny County Council and Ring a Link, will hear from National & International speakers and aims to ask challenging questions around the basic human right to have a properly functioning public transport service. Date: May 5th, from 8.45am to 17.30pm in the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. To book your place click go to the link, https://www.eventbrite. ie/e/integrated-rural-urban-transport-evolution-iroute-conference-tickets-166805392419 KILKENNY AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY GATHERINGS Kilkenny Age Friendly Older Peoples Council would like to hear from you. It is important that we hear the voice of all older people throughout the county and to ensure that we are doing so we are holding a number of Age Friendly Community Gatherings where we invite older people to come along and let us know what they see as the issues that are relevant and important to them. These Community Gatherings will be run at the following locations and dates: Urlingford FRC, 6th May 2022. Ferrybank Community Centre, 20th May 2022 Castlecomer Community Hall.15th June 2022. Mullinavat Community Centre. 30th June 2022. Graiguenamanagh Hub. July 2022 tbc. Please come along and bring some friends. It will start with Registration Tea/Co ee at 9.15 and finishing at 12.30/1pm. If you would like further information please email agefriendlycounty@ gmail.com or text 0876210589. TIDY TOWNS COMPETITION 2022 Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, in association with the Managing Director of SuperValu, Mr. Ian Allen, has launched the 2022 SuperValu TidyTowns competition. This year again we see some new and exciting special awards with great prizes and all groups are encouraged to consider entering some of these awards. These include an award on Bat Conservation, redesigned awards on climate action and air quality and the continuation of the Young Persons in TidyTowns award. The closing date for receipt of entries for this year’s competition is Friday 20th May 2022. Full details of the competition are available on www.tidytowns.ie. KILMOGANNY BRIDGE CLUB Bridge results for 31/03/2022: Joint 1st: Mary Delany & Philip Brennan. Joint 1st: Rita Townsend & Jackie Kenneally. 2nd: Margaret Duggan & Margaret Grace. Bridge results for 7/04/22: 1st: Emer Wallace & Tereasa Leahy2nd: Betty Cuddihy & Mary Dunne. 3rd: Mary Lonergan & Kathleen O’Shea Bridge is every Wednesday night at 7.30pm in St. Eoghan’s Centre, Kilmoganny. All welcome.

GOWRAN PARK Racing takes place on Wednesday 13th, first race goes to post at 4:30pm. Tickets now available online, www.gowranpark.ie Save 33% by booking online. Children go free for the Easter break. THE KILKENNY COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL The festival is back this year in Gowran Park, and it will take place on Sunday 3rd July featuring a host of top-class Country Singers. Performing on the day will be Mike Denver, Cliona Hagan, Robert Mizzell, Trudi Lalor, Jimmy and Claudia Buckley with backing band The Conquerors. Tickets now on Sale and for further information, check out kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie or email kkcountrymusic@gmail.com GOWRAN FESTIVAL OF SPEED The festival is taking place on Sunday 21st August. Tickets available online, www.gowranpark.ie GOWRAN HOUSE Gowran House is back open again displaying all things social and living history. Several items on display are in context to the village. Open for visits most Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm till 5pm. Check Gowran House on Facebook for opening details. SPORTS ROUND UP - MICHAEL O’LEARY FEILE BOYS REACH SEMI FINAL The Young Irelands U-15s Boys reached the Semi-Final of the County Roinn A John West Feile competition following two games in quick succession on Sunday Morning.Gowran hosted the Group involving Young Irelands, Erins Own Castlecomer and O’Loughin Gaels and they won both of their matches.Their first game was against Erins Own, and they won 1-5 to 0-3 having led 1-3 to 0-2 at half-time. Shortly a erwards, they hosted O’Loughlin Gaels and won 2-6 to 0-4 to set-up a Semi-Final clash against James Stephens which was played in the MW Hire Centre, Dunmore. James Stephens led 0-3 to 0-1 at half-time, before taking control in the Second Half as they ran out 2-11 to 0-1 winners. The Village defeated Dunnamaggin 2-10 to 0-3 in the Final. Well done to the Young Irelands Boys and Management on acquitting themselves well in the Feile and very best wishes in the months ahead in the League and Championship. MINORS MAKE IT TWO FROM TWO The Young Irelands Minors made it two wins from two last Tuesday night with a convincing 4-15 to 2-8 victory away to Danesfort.They hosted Erins Own Castlecomer (Tuesday) in Gowran at 7pm. Meanwhile, the Minor B Team are scheduled to host Carrickshock (Holy Thursday) in Gowran also at 7pm. PRIMARY SCHOOL COMPLETE HAT TRICK OF VICTORIES The Gowran Primary School Hurling Team made it a hat-trick of victories following a 5-4 to 3-2 victory against St. Patricks De La Salle last Wednesday. They are top of the table a er three rounds of matches and are the only team with a 100% record.

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro Club LOTTO Results April 10th . Nos: 7–2– 15 – 18. Jackpot: €8,959 – not won. Draw Prizes – €50: Phil Hogan c/o Himself. €25 each Paddy Taylor c/o Tommy Hackett. €25 each Terence Meade Wilson c/o Online. €25 each Dave Kenny c/o T and J Knox. Co op draw ticket Anne Kerwick c/o Anne Kerwick Promotors prize Paddy Maher . Next weeks draw €9,100 17th of April 2022 SENIOR FOOTHBALL Well done to our Senior Footballers who defeated St Martins in Muckalee in the League semi final. 2-07 to 0-09. Our lads are in championship action on Friday night against O Loughlins. JUNIOR A HURLING Our Junior A hurlers got their campaign o to a winning start against Tullaroan in Palmerstown. KILKENNY MINOR HURLING Well done to the Kilkenny Minors on Saturday they defeated Wexford in their Leinster campaign. Well done to the 3 Boro hurlers on the team with Mikey, Evan & team captain Tom involved. U15 HURLING The u15s were unlucky in the feile loosing to Clara by one point. Our lads won their first game against John Lockes. U13 FOOTHBALL Boro boys narrowly miss out against a strong St Lachtains outfit in the U13 Roinn C Football Semi Final at James Park.It was a game of two half’s as St Lachtains went into a strong lead with 4 goals in the first half playing with a strong breeze. Two well taken goals by Boro forwards Reece O’Neill and Conor Hughes complimented by two frees from full forward Finn Butler. Half time score was 2-2 to 4-2 to the visitors. The Boro introduced four subs at half time and this proved to be a decisive move as the Boro scored a goal within minutes of the restart through Conor Hughes’ second of the day. This was followed by well taken point from Andrew Browne and the Boro boys had all the momentum at this point.Heavy pressure was sustained well by a gallant St Lachtains defence but with 3 mins to go a penalty was awarded to the Boro, up stepped Dara Kavanagh and rifled the ball to the top le corner, rattling o the inside of the post and out! and the Boro were denied a late equaliser. Freshford held on for a deserved win. 3-3 to 4-3. Well done all and best of luck to Freshford in the Co. Final. A great entertaining contest. Dicksboro: Rhys Duggan, Paddy Duggan, Canice Power, Shane Keys, Billy Wyse, Fionn Conlon, Cian Ormond, Tadhg Maher, Rohan Galvin, Reece O’Neill (1-0), Joe Osborne, Andrew Browne (0-1), Jacob Thekkekara, Finn Butler (0-2, 2f) Conor Hughes (2-0), Max Egan, Danny Hayes, Harry Butler, Michael Ormond, Dara Kavanagh, Ciaran Treacy PALMERSTOWN CLUBHOUSE REOPENED Dicksboro Clubhouse Bar has reopened from 8.30pm every Thursday going forward. Thursday nights is Lotto Draw and Cards Night. All are welcome out for a social drink, a chat and if there is interest, a beginners cards table. We are o ering a particular welcome to all of our senior citizens members, it’s been a di icult past two years and we would be delighted to see you out to the club for a chat. We have a selection of non-alcoholic beers, barista co ee and all the usuals. CALLAN GOLF NOTES The good weather truly showed the hardwork of the club’s greenskeepers over the past few months as the course is in perfect condition just in time for the summer months. A reminder that the bar and restaurant is back open for all members and guests from 10am to 6pm every day. GENTS SECTION Saturday 26th March Men’s Open Singles Stableford Results. Overall Winner: Joe Murdock (28) 45pts. Division1: Dylan Kealy (11) 42 pts. Gross: Paul Madigan (02) 36 Pts. Division 2: Barry Hudson (28) 43pts. Congratulations to Joe Murdock who had a Hole In One on the 16th. Wednesday 30th March Men’s Open Single Stableford Results. Overall Winner - Craig Wall (24) 44pts. Runner Up - Dave Dooley (7) 39pts Gross - Darren Comerford (3) 35pts LADIES SECTION The Ladies Junior Alliance was held at Callan Golf Club in ideal weather conditions on Monday March 28th. Out of a field of 75 Ladies it was good to see Callan Lady Member Bridget Holohan taking the top prize. Great praise went to Tommy and green keepers also to Sr. Ena Kennedy and her team of helpers for making the day so successful and enjoyable by all. RESULTS: 1st Bridget Holohan, Callan 31pts. 2nd Kathy Mitchell, Borris 29pts. 3rd Deirdre Reid, Waterford 26pts. 4th Mgt Rossiter, New Ross 25 pts c/b 5th Martina Naughton, Kilkenny 25pts. 6th Joan Reid, Carrick- on- Suir 25pts 7th Betty McGrath, Callan 25pts. 8th Emer O’Bren. Borris 24pts. Tuesday 29th 15-hole s/f 1st Maria Gorey (22) 30pts c/b. 2nd Betty McGrath(18) 30pts c/b.3rd Marie O’Riordan (25) 30pts c/b 9Hole s/f. 1st Jean Grace (17) 22pts. 2nd Maura Holden (18) 20pts Thanks, and appreciation goes to Rose Brophy for organising the social golf every Friday throughout the winter months. Now with the evenings lengthening the Social Mixed organised by Catherine Dore and Shiela Kirby will begin on Friday April 8th at 5pm. As the name implies this is one of the most sociable events in golf and very beneficial for improving your game. Playing o full handicaps, the fee is 3 euro and please have cash as no cards accepted for this event. LOTTO Callan Golf Club Week 8 Lottery Results. 31st March 2022. JACKPOT €1,950 Drawn Numbers 3,7,11. JACKPOT - No Winner. Lucky Dip Winners €30 each: Jimmy O’Brien, Brian Gallery and Carmel Condon. Sellers – Joe Cuddihy, Ann O’Shea and Club Shop. Next week’s Jackpot April 6th 2022 – €2,050. Thank you for your support.

Hurling matters

Sport

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Leinster GAA Senior Hurling Championship 2022 Westmeath vs Kilkenny

Saturday April 16th 6pm TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar

AND just like that....... Championship hurling has arrived. e beauty of a shortened, condensed season is that there’s no time wasted. e Allianz League is now rmly in the rearview mirror, and attention is now focused on the Leinster Hurling Championship 2022.

First up for the black & amber is the challenge of Westmeath, on their own patch tomorrow evening. e Lake County have achieved their number one aim this season – a speedy return to division one of the Allianz League. ey will see this as vital as the county seeks to establish themselves as a genuine hurling county.

Manager Joe Fortune assumed the reigns of the senior hurlers back in September and has managed to get the team back on track, following Dubliner Shane O’Brien’s resignation a couple of months earlier. e Enniscorthy native has built up an impressive coaching CV over the last 15 years and has secured provincial honours for Dublin at both minor and U21 level. Possibly one of his biggest achievements came at club level, when he led Ballyboden St Enda’s to the Dublin senior title in 2018, before losing the provincial nal to our own Shamrocks Ballyhale.

Following a winless 2021 league campaign, Fortune has overseen Westmeath’s return to the top table at the rst time of asking, following a decent league run which culminated with a resounding division 2A nal win over Down at Semple Stadium. at league nal victory won’t have gone unnoticed by Brian Cody and his backroom team. e star of the show that day was former Galway hurler, Davy Glennon. An All-Ireland winner with the Tribesmen in 2017, Glennon has added real quality to the Lake County since his switch in 2020. e Mullagh club man hit 3-1 in his sides league nal annihilation of the Mourne men. Glennon was also instrumental in Westmeath’s Joe McDonagh Cup triumph last year, notching 0-5 in the nal and earning a place on the team of the tournament.

Glennon has plenty of support in the Westmeath attack, especially in the shape of Raharney’s Killian Doyle, who hit 1-11 in the title win earlier this month. Doyle is deadly accurate from the placed ball and will punish any indiscretions from the opposition.

In their ve groups games in Division 2, Fortune’s team won 3 and lost 2 of their ve group games. Defeats to Carlow and Down were unexpected, but the maroon’s secured wins over Kerry, Meath and Kildare, before defeating the kingdom again in a league semi- nal. is set up a second meeting with Ronan Sheehan’s Down, who had actually nished top of the league table, in the title decider staged in urles.

In the games lost, Westmeath struggled for goals, whereas in their victories, goals came a little easier. Five in the league nal came on the back of 4 against Meath and 7 over two games against Kerry. ere are certainly goals in the team, and the Cats will need to be on their guard when they take to the Cusack Park pitch.

In defence, Tommy Doyle has been deployed at the edge of the square to good e ect, and they will need a good shift from him and the likes of Darragh Egerton, Jack Galvin and Robbie Greville if they are to remain competitive against their more illustrious opponents tomorrow evening. Last year’s captain Cormac Boyle and Kevin Regan have been motoring along nicely in mid eld, and will be keen to try and at least break even in the engine room battle.

Along with Glennon and captain Killian Doyle, Joey Boyle has looked sharp during the league, while the vastly experienced Derek McNicholas, now in his 19th season with the Lake County, will look to shakeup the Kilkenny defence. As mentioned previously, the free-taking of Killian Doyle will be crucial to Westmeath’s championship campaign, and the Noresiders will be keen not to give Clare whistler Rory McGann too many opportunities for captain Doyle to raise white ags from the placed ball.

So, what of our boys? Well, the league campaign had a little bit of everything across the games. e highlight of the Allianz xtures was undoubtably an impressive win over eventual league winners Waterford. e Deise already had one foot in the nal before they rocked up to Nowlan Park, but this

Along with Glennon and captain Killian Doyle, Joey Boyle has looked sharp during the league, while the vastly experienced Derek McNicholas, now in his 19th season with the Lake County, will look to shakeup the Kilkenny defence. As mentioned previously, the free-taking of Killian Doyle will be crucial to Westmeath’s championship campaign, and the Noresiders will be keen not to give Clare whistler Rory McGann too many opportunities for captain Doyle to raise white ags from the placed ball.

So, what of our boys? Well, the league campaign had a little bit of everything across the games. e highlight of the Allianz xtures was undoubtably an impressive win over eventual league winners Waterford. e Deise already had one foot in the nal before they rocked up to Nowlan Park, but this

When Saturd ay comes!!!

Cats seek to conquer Cusack Park

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