Kilkenny’s Sinn Féin TD
Kathleen Funchion has warned of a spike in arrears and disconnection figures as energy costs continue to cripple households.
New figures provided by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) reveal that there are now more than 400,000 households in arrears across the state.
Ms Funchion told The
Kilkenny Observer :
“Households are under huge pressure from the cost of living crisis. They need help and they need it now.
“The figures are shocking. They are the inevitable consequence of a government that fails to act, while allowing energy companies to run rough-shod over consumers.
“Between February and May there has been an in -
crease of over 10% in the number of households in arrears (364,131 to 405,997).
This means that there are now over 400,000 households in arrears across the state. Many of these households will be in County Kilkenny.
“Behind these staggering figures are the ordinary workers and families who are facing the deeply dis -
tressing situation of being unable to afford to live in rip-off Ireland. And due to the actions of this government, there is no light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.
“The reality is that energy costs have more than doubled in the last two years in Ireland. This is leading to insurmountable, unsustainable levels of debt for people that they simply cannot
overcome. It is patently clear that the Government has not done enough to protect workers and families from rip-off energy costs here.
“This is on top of people in Kilkenny already coming under huge pressure due to sky high rents, rising mortgage interest, huge grocery costs and childcare bills,” said the Kilkenny TD.
“The Government must get
A motion by Councillor John Coonan for an urgent review of cobbled paving in Kilkenny’s High Street has received unanimous support from councillors.
Cllr Coonan said: “This marks a significant milestone as my notice of motion regarding the review of the deteriorating cobbled paving along High Street has received unanimous support from the Kilkenny Municipal District. I am delighted
to see such strong backing for addressing the safety concerns and challenges posed to pedestrians and road users on this bustling thoroughfare.
“The deteriorated condition of the cobbled street area on High Street has been a growing cause for concern among our community. The potential hazards it presents to pedestrians, including those with disabilities, cannot be ignored. As one of the busiest streets in Kilken-
ny City, it is imperative that we take swift action to ensure the safety of all who traverse this important route,” Cllr Coonan said.
He said it was important to note that the deterioration of the cobbled street surface extended beyond High Street. Numerous laneways and side streets, such as William Street, New Building Lane, and Kieran Street, had also been impacted. It was evident that a compre-
hensive approach is needed to address the underlying issues affecting these areas.
“While cobbled surfaces hold aesthetic appeal, they bring forth challenges related to movement, stability, and waterlogging. Recognising the importance of functionality and safety, I have personally requested the Senior Engineer at Kilkenny County Council to conduct a thorough review and propose practical solutions
to grips with this deteriorating situation urgently. They must heed Sinn Féin calls to hold energy companies to account and to address Ireland’s rip-off energy bills. Without urgent and appropriate intervention, ordinary workers and families in Kilkenny will continue to suffer.”
See Special Report, Page 14
The price of new homes is rising three times faster than the increase in the cost of second-hand homes.
Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show new home prices were up by 11.5% in first three months of this year, compared with the same quarter last year.
See Page 6
Just over €10 million in funding for library services for Kilkenny and Carlow and has been welcomed by local Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan. The funding from dormant bank accounts was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD. Just over €10 million in funding for library services for Kilkenny and Carlow and has been welcomed by Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan
See Page 10
that prioritise the well-being and usability of our streets,” he said.
We can find inspiration in the successful transformation of Ormonde Street, a nearby thoroughfare that was once cobbled. It now stands as a beautiful public space and a true gem for pedestrians to enjoy. This serves as a reminder that positive change is possible, and we must strive to replicate such successes in Kilkenny City.
A major breakthrough in new anti-cancer therapies could simultaneously deplete tumours of energy and boost the body’s immune response against them. Tumour cells typically alter their energy metabolism and increase glucose uptake to support their rapid division and spread. This limits glucose availability for immune cells and therefore dampens the body’s anti-cancer immune response.
See Page 6
e people of Kilkenny and throughout the country might be asked to vote via referendum on the constitutional de nition of a family contained in Article 41, the Attorney General has told the Supreme Court.
Rossa Fanning disclosed to the seven-judge court that the possibility of putting the issue to a vote is “under discussion”.
It might be added alongside the referendum already proposed for November asking if the reference to ‘women in the home’ should be removed from the Constitution, he said.
Article 41 recognises the family as the “natural primary and fundamental unit group of society”, while 41.3 contains the phrase “marriage, on which the family is founded”.
A Citizens’ Assembly recommended in mid-2021 that the article should be amended to protect family life not limited to the “marital family”.
Mr Fanning’s disclosure came as the Supreme Court decided yesterday to adjourn constitutional appeals brought by a man and his three children so issues that were not argued in the High Court can be brought into the appeal.
Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell said a number of “very, very important” legal issues arise that cannot be appropriately dealt with as the case is currently format-
ted. e appeals brought by John O’Meara and his children, of Toomervara, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, concern the Minister for Social Protection’s refusal to grant him the
Widower’s (Contributory)
Pension following the death of Michelle Batey, who was his partner of more than 20 years and the children’s mother.
Ms Batey died in January 2021 after contracting Covid19 when she was recovering from breast cancer.
Mr O’Meara, an agricultural contractor, and his children,
who are suing through him, claim sections of the 2005 Social Welfare Consolidation Act are discriminatory in preventing him from receiving the pension due to not being married to or in a civil partnership with his late partner.
Last October the High Court’s Mr Justice Mark Heslin dismissed the cases, saying, among other things, that the payment is not a bene t for any child regardless of the marital status of their parents.
Further, he held, the marital status distinction underpinning eligibility for the pension was permissible and based on rational grounds and the State’s legitimate objective of supporting marriage and the family based on marriage as enshrined in Article 41.
Overall, the judge was not persuaded that Mr O’Meara, and in particular his three children, had been the subject of discrimination.
In appealing to the Supreme Court, the O’Mearas argued the case concerns perhaps one of the last examples of discrimination between marital and non-marital children in Irish law.
Marital children bene t from this state support while non-marital children do not, their appeal claims. is must change.
A major breakthrough in new anti-cancer therapies could simultaneously deplete tumours of energy and boost the body’s immune response against them.
Tumour cells typically alter their energy metabolism and increase glucose uptake to support their rapid division and spread. This limits glucose availability for
The price of new homes is rising three times faster than the increase in the cost of secondhand homes.
Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show new home prices were up by 11.5% in first three months of this year, compared with the same quarter last year.
This contrasts with the annual rise in the cost of existing homes of 3.5% at the end of the first quarter.
And the pace of new home price rises is picking up. At the end of last year, prices of new homes were up by 10%, and by 6.2% in the four quarters up to April last year.
The cost of second-hand homes had been rising at a much faster pace until recently, but higher mortgage rates, a jump in the cost of renovation work and higher-priced building materials has made it far more expensive to take on an existing dwelling.
A drastic lack of enough new homes to buy is likely to be contributing to the inflationary surge in their prices. Just two of 10 residential transactions in May were for new homes.
immune cells and therefore dampens the body’s anti-cancer immune response.
By searching for proteins that both regulate the metabolism of cancer cells and affect immune cells in tumours, a team led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) recently identified a potential target for therapies that
could simultaneously drain tumours of energy and boost the immune response against them.
For the research, which is published in Cancer Discovery, Keith T. Flaherty, MD, the director of Clinical Research at the MGH Cancer Centre and a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and his colleagues
developed a new computational tool called BipotentR that can identify targets that block immune activation and also stimulate a second userdefined pathway (in this case, metabolism).
When applied to gene expression data from patients with cancer who were treated with immunotherapy, as well as from cell lines and animal
Spanish Artist Pilar Cereto will unveil ‘The Mystical Experience’ exhibition, a journey into spirituality and mythical stories, at the Watergarden,
Thomastown, on August 11. The opening reception is from 4 to 6 pm.
Building upon her last exhibition, ‘Emergence’, Pilar explores mysticism with thought-provoking female figurative artworks.
Ms Cereto told The Kilkenny Observer: “Everything began with ‘The Storyteller,’ one of the largest pieces I made in this collection. Guided by my mark making process, ideas seemed to come alive. As the monster emerged within ‘The Story-
models, the tool identified 38 cancer cell–specific immunemetabolic regulators.
Artificial intelligence techniques showed that the activity level of these regulators in tumours predicted patients’ outcomes after receiving immunotherapy.
The topmost identified regulator, ESRRA (Estrogen Related Receptor Alpha), was
activated in immunotherapyresistant tumours of many types. Inhibiting ESRAA killed tumours by suppressing energy metabolism and activating two immune mechanisms involving different types of immune cells. ESRRA inhibition was safe when tested in mice, and its effects on energy metabolism were focused on cancer cells.
teller,’ I dug deeper into the stories it could tell.”
As she worked, colours danced before her eyes, compositions whispered secrets, and a spark ignited within her. “I felt compelled to explore mythical narratives and goddesses, researching Greek, African, and Irish goddesses, including ‘Étaín,’ The Irish Sun Goddess. Weaving their captivating tales into the fabric of my paintings.”
Pilar Cereto’s paintings serve as a gateway to a realm
where the divine and mortal interweave, where goddesses personify the profound mysteries of existence, and where they guide us through the harmony and chaos of the natural world.
Her painting style seamlessly blends realism and abstract elements, allowing her intuition to guide the final composition. Through the interplay of textures and the use of diverse media, her paintings employ bold and captivating colours that beckon viewers to engage
and explore each artwork. Despite her relatively new vocation, Pilar Cereto has already showcased her exceptional talent through various exhibitions. Her works have found their homes as far afield as California, New York, Georgia, across Europe and of course Ireland.
For more information and to explore Pilar Cereto’s portfolio, please visit her official website at www. pcereto.com.
Two men have pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Court to the attempted deception of a post office worker involving the pension of a deceased man last year.
The court heard that the incident happened on January 21, at Hosey’s Post Office on Staplestown Road in Carlow town.
Declan Haughney, 41, with an address at Pollerton Road in Carlow town, and his coaccused, 37-year-old Gareth
Coakley with an address at John Sweeney Park in Carlow town, asked to be rearraigned before their trial got under way in Carlow courthouse.
The two defendants pleaded guilty to attempted deception.
They had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge and to one count each of attempting to steal the €246 State Pension of Peadar Doyle, contrary to common law.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly told
the jury of nine men and ten women, who were sworn in yesterday, that their services were no longer necessary and he discharged the jury.
He said the “somewhat bizarre circumstances” of the case will be outlined before the court on Friday, when the sentencing hearing for the two men will take place.
The judge also said given the incident involved a deceased man, it was appropriate to consider a victim
impact statement.
He also granted an application from Counsel for Haughney, David Roberts BL, that a report on his client be prepared by the Governor of Wheatfield Prison. Haughney was remanded in continuing custody, while Coakley was also remanded in custody. Both men have been ordered to appear again before Carlow Circuit Court by next week.
e ominous cloud dissipates and the sun shines through, casting its summer light on the ancient, fractured gravestones in the rustic burial ground, long since not open to new residents, its church idle these decades.
We are gathered to scatter her ashes. Maureen Hopkins (nee Wright). A Glaswegian born to a single mother, in those days when such carried all its attendant stigmas. Placed into adoption in Dublin, and raised by the city’s Grand Canal, by the time she was 18 both her adopting parents were dead. Alone then, until she met Paddy Hopkins, my father’s brother, not long back from the war. ey fell in love, married and the rst two of their four children, my cousins Mark and Hilary, were born. e late 1950s saw Maureen and Paddy and the kids emigrate to California. Work back then was thin on
the ground, and the Fifties saw many leave Ireland for America and Australia in the quest for a better life.
My cousin Mark – a week older than me – was six when he left for America. He bequeathed me his battered old green tricycle with the reams of sticky plaster holding the handlebars together. It really was t for the bin but I treasured it until I outgrew it.
Paddy Hopkins’ going broke my father’s heart. It was many the emigrant’s tale. ey had been great pals, joined at the hip as it were. My father would regale me with tales of his and Paddy’s childhood days, those days of being joined at the hip. My father was a magni cent singer. Among his repertoire was Pal Of My Cradle Days.
In those years long before emails and WhatsApp, my father would spend most Sunday mornings, after Mass, writing long letters to his brother and then wait weeks
on end for a reply, saying to no one in particular: “No word yet from Paddy. I hope everything is alright.”
Maureen and Paddy worked bloody hard to make a life for their young family in America.
Fifteen years after they emigrated my father and I made the long-haul ight to California – Dublin to Shannon to Boston to Los Angeles – to stay with Maureen and Paddy and their, by then, four children.
It was my rst time on an aeroplane, a Boeing 747, the Jumbo Jet, the rst widebodied plane. It, too, was my rst time in America, in Californ-I-A with its palm-tree shaded boulevards of Sunset and Hollywood, its detached houses and parched, manicured lawns of Temple City and Burbank. e constant sunshine.
ey had McDonalds, they had multi-channel TV and Johnny Carson; they had Toyota cars, compact and
yellow in colour – to match the sunshine. Ireland in 1972 seemed dull by comparison. It was. Grey. Church-ridden. Boring, even. When the time came to come home, I did not want to leave. Maureen and Paddy made me feel their home was my home too. eir utter kindness still lingers to this day.
As the sun shines down on the old graveyard, there are 20 adults gathered – 16 from Los Angeles, four the Irish contingent – and Maureen’s six darling great grandchildren. We have come to scatter Maureen’s ashes on the old grave which is the resting place of Paddy, who died in 1997, and my grandfather, Old Ned Hopkins, who passed in 1959. Maureen died in August 2019. She was 97. Covid put paid to bringing her ashes home earlier.
A retired priest speaks, touchingly, and remarks on emigration and loss and how
all our spirits reside ultimately in one another. Mark speaks. Eloquently, about Maureen and Paddy. I say a few words on behalf of the Irish side of the family, recalling Maureen’s kindness.
I watch as Mark and his brother Eddie inter their
mother’s ashes. I look to Mark’s and Heike’s three adult children, Brian, Peter and Annie, their partners too. Eddie’s son Eric and his girlfriend. In their moment of nal, silent homage to Maureen. All wonderful, genial people, as I am to learn over dinner that evening. And I look to Mark’s six adorable grandchildren, so well behaved if even the concept of death and loss is somewhat alien to their young minds.
I see my cousin, down on a dodgy bended knee, bury the ashes. Son, father, grandfather. A gentle man in his time of sorrow. And the genetic whirlpool dances with delight in the sun-lit abandoned graveyard. Palpable. It runs through my blood. rough their blood. And I think that this – this moment, right now – is what it all comes down to. In the end.
‘A gentle man in his time of sorrow...
Most employers say they are open to offering compassionate leave to workers who suffer an early pregnancy loss, although the majority of employees feel they are not supportive.
Eight in 10 employers said they are open to giving the time off, according to a new survey by Excel Recruit-
Just over €10 million in funding for library services for Kilkenny and Carlow and has been welcomed by local Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan. The funding from dormant bank accounts was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD. The Library Is The Place programme is an ambitious new five-year strategy designed to support and strengthen our public library network.
“The Library is the Place contains 66 separate actions which will ensure our public libraries become multi-purpose social and educational spaces for all members of the community to enjoy,” Deputy Phelan told The Kilkenny Observer.. “I’m delighted to see [funding] set aside for both Carlow and Kilkenny. This money will be matched with local authority funds in both counties.
“The strategy was launched as Minister Humphreys officially opened Ireland’s newest library facility in Portlaoise, which received an investment of almost €7.5 million.”
Among the highlights of the Action Plan are:
• To develop every library in the country into a multipurpose education and social space for all members of the community;
ment. However, nine out of 10 workers said they do not believe employers are supportive of personal issues.
These issues include pregnancy loss, fertility issues, menopause and relationship difficulties.
Despite being open to offering special early pregnancy loss leave, more than
half of employers do not offer any compassionate supports to employees. A quarter said they offer bereavement counselling.
Eight in 10 employers said they will "facilitate leave” for parents after a miscarriage and early pregnancy loss, although eligibility for this differs across the board.
• Treble the number of ‘My Open Library’ facilities to over 90. These provide library access between 8am-10pm, 365 days per year;
• To provide every library user in the country with access to a book club;
• To increase visitor numbers and the amount spent on books in every library yearon-year;
• To ensure the further roll-out of Outreach Library
Services and mobile libraries with a particular focus on rural communities;
• 50% increase in authors’ remuneration through Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) Scheme;
• Rollout of the national “Skills for Life” umbrella programme with a focus on digital skills, financial literacy, sustainable lifestyles and environmental awareness;
• Increase the availability of
Four in 10 employers only offer early-pregnancy-loss leave on a discretionary basis, two in 10 offer it solely to female employees and two in 10 said it is part of all employees' contracts. A small number of employers offered relationship counselling, menopause support or fertility counselling.
"This survey would seem to suggest a degree of discord between how employers believe they operate when it comes to supporting their employees who are going through emotionally challenging times in their lives, and how the employees themselves feel,” said Shane McLave, managing
director of Excel Recruitment.
He said it seems that many employers are open and willing to provide support and leave where needed, but in the main, workers are not convinced. "My sense would be that employers have a long way to go in this regard,” he said.
Wearing a hearing aid can reduce mental decline by nearly a half in people who are at risk of dementia, according to a new study.
While hearing aids and audiological support services did not have any impact on cognitive decline over three years in a general population of older adults, treating hearing loss protected against cognitive decline in those at greater risk of dementia.
The findings of the first randomised controlled trial of its kind involving nearly 1,000 older adults from multiple locations is published in the medical journal The Lancet.
services and materials in the Irish language in every library facility
Launching the strategy Minister Humphreys said: “I’m delighted to officially open Ireland’s newest library facility – a €7.5 million state-ofthe-art project in the heart of Portlaoise.
“This facility is on the site of an old Department store. And now, it has been totally transformed ffor 21st century
use. I’m very pleased also to launch ‘The Library is the Place’ – our ambitious new strategy designed to support and strengthen our public library service over the next five years.
“Our libraries are at the heart of our towns and villages – with over 300 facilities nationwide. They are places that provide key services and cater for all members of the community. "
It adds to the growing evidence that addressing hearing impairment may be a critically important global public health target for dementia prevention efforts, although there may be a low awareness of the association in Ireland.
"These results provide compelling evidence that treating hearing loss is a powerful tool to protect cognitive function in later life, and possibly, over the long term, delay a dementia diagnosis,” said Professor Frank Lin, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, Maryland.
e June full moon is known as the strawberry moon because it coincides with the strawberry season. is year the midsummer moon was a startling shade of strawberry, nothing to do with fruit solidarity though. e colouration was due to smoke from the unprecedented wild res in Canada which had drifted down to Europe as well as veiling New York.
While wild res are a natural occurrence in hot dry seasons, this year they started early in Canada burning an area half the size of Ireland, giving rise to the term Pyrocane. is hurricane of re is exacerbated by human induced climate change and that blushing moon shining down on our green island is a reminder of the potentially apocalyptic nature of that change.
ere are smaller remind-
ers that all is not well with nature. Towards the end of April I waited in vain for the arrival of welcome visitors because the swallows and sand martins never came. e reason? eir local nesting sites are gone, lost to the sweep of development. We need more homes in Ireland but birds need theirs too.
I haven’t heard the Spring call of a cuckoo or the grating call of a corncrake for years. It’s hardly surprising, given that 63% of our bird species in Ireland are in decline, according to Birdwatch Ireland, with the average rate of decline world-wide 50%.
Ireland has 31,000 species of creatures but, despite our clean green image, many are under threat due to reduction of habitat and environmental degradation.
Among the Top 10 at risk are the Atlantic salmon and the curlew.
”O curlew, cry no more in the air, Or only to the water in the West;” wrote Yeats of the bird’s haunting cry. Soon that cry may be heard no longer in Ireland for the bird’s population has declined by 97% in 20 years.
e number of our pristine rivers is down from 500 to just 20, while 85% of EU protected habitats have unfavourable status according to the Biodiversity Working Group while half of our native plant species are in decline according to the Plant Atlas.
e European Court of Justice has just ruled that the Republic of Ireland has broken the EU Habitats directive EU nature laws by failing to protect hundreds of sites, nding that the
Government had failed to designate Special Areas of Conservation for 217 of 423 sites across the country.
e urgent question is what can we do both nationally and individually to halt this loss of biodiversity and the march towards extinction?
e problem is that we aren’t doing enough or acting e ectively. “We are still failing to protect habitats in 2023,” says Dr Florence Renou Wilson research scientist and lecturer UCD. “People talk about destruction of the Amazon forest, but we have done exactly the same in Ireland.” At national level the protective measures in Ireland’s fourth National Biodiversity plan have been criticised for lacking teeth and accountability. At EU level, the Nature Restoration Law,
which deals, among other things, with rewetting bogs, narrowly escaped defeat and passed last week in a watered down form ( sorry!) which hasn’t gone down well with farmers on the one hand or environmentalists on the other.
Among the criticisms are that the measures to protect habitats will increase the costs, increase food insecurity and that they are unfair to rural communities. e environmentalists’ argument is that we can’t a ord not to protect nature and that the decline in species like bees and pollinators will threaten food production.
It’s all too easy to point the nger and blame someone for failure to safeguard nature. But at the end of the day – and it will literally be the end of the day if we fail take more care – we all need
to become eco warriors and take responsibility. Restoring nature depends on us all not only nationally but how much individuals and local groups protect their environments and how much we are prepared to make the kind of changes which make a di erence.
Given a bit of consideration nature can be remarkably resilient. Witness the surprise appearance of a rare orchid on the lawns at Trinity College which reappeared when mowing was stopped there.
In my home part of the lawn has returned to meadow where butter ies bees and pollinators are dancing among owering grasses, plants like dog daisies and some species I have never seen before. Nature works, given half a chance.
to help feelings of relaxation and calmness with Vitamin B6 which contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity.
Cleanmarine MenoMin a combination of omega oils from Krill, B vitamins, Vitamin D, and Soya Iso avones, is a very popular supplement. Many women tell me that they like it because they simply feel better, feel less tired, and have more energy. It can help relieve intimate dryness too. Lorraine Keane, ambassador for MenoMin says that she feels so much better, and highly recommends MenoMin which contains Vitamin B12 which contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and biotin which contributes to the maintenance of normal mucous membrane.
If you are having hot ushes in the summertime, you could be left feeling exhausted, irritable, or drained. ey can a ect your sleep and cause untold stress as you twist and turn in the night trying to cool down.
A.Vogel Sage tablets is the rst supplement I think of for hot ushes and night sweats. It’s a one-a-day tablet. It varies from person to person how long it takes to work. Over the years I have seen women where it has
worked in a couple of days but others up to 6 weeks. A side bene t of Sage is that there is some research to say that it can help foggy brain and mental sluggishness, another common symptom of the menopausal journey.
Irish Botanica MenoFlash is my rst choice if you tell me that you have hot ushes or night sweats, and if you are not sleeping well, and especially if you tell me, you are feeling irritable, stressed, frustrated, or angry. MenoFlash is my rst choice in this instance.
It’s a combination of herbal remedies formulated to support your adrenal glands, and
If you are looking for something more comprehensive, then Meno Active the menopause super supplement from Revive Active is the one for you. Delivered in a single daily sachet and capsule format this supplement contains 31 active ingredients to support multiple systems in the body that are impacted by menopause including the nervous system, hormonal activity, brain function and energy levels. Uniquely this supplement contains 3 strains of live-friendly bacteria and 4 digestive enzymes, as well as 350mg of Omega 3 DHA, 4 plant extracts and 19 vitamins and minerals. Let us help you decide.
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e number of people who had their energy supplies cut o increased by 173% for electricity and 97% for gas in 2022 compared to 2021.
Figures released by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) also found that 10.8% of all electricity customers and 20.6% of gas customers were in arrears.
e total number of disconnections in 2022 was 2,498 for electricity and 990 for gas, compared to 912 electricity and 503 gas disconnections in 2021 – representing 0.1% of all electricity and 0.14% of all gas householders being disconnected.
And another 23,453 domestic electricity and 1,137 domestic gas customers fell into arrears between April and May of this year.
he CRU attributed the signi cant increase in disconnections in 2022 compared to 2021 to the disconnection ban that was in place from January until June 2022.
e CRU said the 2022 disconnection gures are still lower than before Covid.
Sinn Féin’s environment spokesperson Darren O’Rourke blamed “Government inaction on rip-o energy costs” for the increasing numbers of customers in arrears, and the sharp spike in disconnections since the ban was lifted at the end of March.
“Between February and May there has been an increase of over 10% in the number of households in arrears (364,131 to 405,997),” he said.
“ is means there are now over 400,000 households in arrears. at’s absolutely unacceptable. ese are obviously staggering gures, but these are not just gures –there are real people behind them. ese are the ordinary workers and families who are facing the deeply distressing situation of being unable to a ord to live in rip-o Ireland. And due to the actions of this Government, there is no light at the end of the tunnel.”
‘ e gures for domestic electricity arrears are particularly alarming. From February
Energy supplies cut off increased by 173% for electricity and 97% for gas in 2022
this year to the end of May, the number of households in arrears shot up by almost 30,000 to a staggering 240,791. It is easy to forget the magnitude of this number but that is nearly a quarter of a million households.’
ere are now 165,206 households in gas arrears – an
increase of nearly 25,000 from this time last year and an 81% increase from 2019, when 91,121 households were in domestic gas arrears.
“ e reality is that energy costs have more than doubled in the last two years in Ireland,” said Mr O’Rourke. “A bill of €600 would have been
unusual previously whereas now it’s become a common occurrence. is is leading to insurmountable levels of debt for people ‘It is patently clear the Government has not done enough to protect workers and families from rip-o energy costs here. It is most regrettable, but not surprising,
that the number of households being disconnected has sky- rocketed since the moratorium was lifted.”
He said that 153 domestic electricity and 215 domestic gas customers were disconnected in the two months to the end of May.
Karen Trant of the CRU said:
“It goes without saying that in 2022, the biggest factor in uencing consumer behaviour was the increase in supplier pricing.
“ ere is value to be had by switching supplier and we would encourage customers to avail of switching or renegotiating with suppliers.”
e ongoing energy crisis has prompted many consumers to negotiate deals with their electricity and gas suppliers.
One in ve customers renegotiated their contracts last year, the regulator for the sector said.
is is close to a 50% rise in the numbers doing a deal with their electricity supplier when compared with 2021, according to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
e gures show people who came to the end of a one-year discount deal got on to their supplier to get a new saving.
Despite the withdrawal of some of the more attractive discounts for switchers,
the number of households moving supplier has remained at the same level as
previous years.
e 2022 Energy Monitoring Report from the CRU shows almost 11pc of electricity customers were in arrears last year.
Among gas customers, almost 21% are behind with their payments.
e CRU insisted there is still good value to be had for those who switch or renegotiate with their suppliers.
is is despite discounts of up to 40% for switchers being withdrawn, with the best a customer can get now around 10%.
Customers who switched
to the best available discount tari or renegotiated every year for the last four years could have saved €1,607 on electricity or €1,266 on gas.
Dual-fuel customers could have made savings of €1,733 in the last four years by switching regularly.
e average price increase for domestic customers was 76% for electricity and 100pc for gas for a standard pricing plan between 2021 and 2022. is means a typical family is now paying around €2,000 a year for electricity.
A CRU o cial said: “Consumer switching rates were
robust in 2022, with 16% of electricity customers and 17pc of gas customers switching supplier.”
Karen Trant, CRU’s director of customer policy, protection and legal, said last year was another challenging period for energy customers in terms of price rises.
She said the wholesale price of gas was 80pc higher in 2022 compared with the average price in 2021 and 774pc compared with 2020. All suppliers announced price increases in electricity last year, due to the increase in wholesale electricity costs.
According to the oxford english dictionary a promise “is to tell somebody that you will de nitely do or not do something, or that something will de nitely happen”. At one time, a de ned bene t pension was such a promise; after 30 or 40 years of working industriously for the company you could expect to be rewarded for your hard work with a steady income till the day you die.
But times have changed and the ‘steady income’ courtesy of a de ned-bene t plan, is now a thing of the past for most private-sector workers. With pensioners living longer, the commodication of the workforce, bad investment decisions, market crashes, increasing bond yields, and the solvency position of many schemes, such guarantees are not what they once were. If you stay in the scheme, you may not, in fact, get the full pension promised. But if you forgo
the promised pension you still need to invest the money from the scheme in a way that will provide ‘a salary’ when you reach retirement.
Should you decide to take the transfer you could transfer the money to a Buy Out Bond (BOB). e biggest advantage being, from age 50 you can access the money whereas a DB scheme that does not meet the funding standard, sees early retirement, was such, not allowed.
Another advantage of the BOB is that when you decide to retire you can take 25% of the fund tax free, within certain limits, and, for those with larger transfer values, the 25% tax free lump sum may be greater than the lump sum entitlement under the DB scheme e balance of the money will be accessible and you will control the money through an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) option.
Should you die before retire-
ment, your spouse/partner will receive the full amount tax free thereby preserving the capital on death whereas in the DB scheme they will get a reduced ‘spouse’s pension’ upon death either before or after retirement
On the other hand, you may decide to stick with the scheme with a view to reviewing the decision later on because you believe the scheme to be sound and
it will pay out the deferred pension in full, as opposed to the BOB which might not reproduce retirement bene ts of equivalent value to the deferred pension. Or, again, you need a xed income in retirement and cannot accept the risks involved in an ARF providing uctuating and a not necessarily guaranteed retirement income. Even in a worse case scenario, should the scheme
be wound up on a double insolvency basis, where both the scheme and employer are insolvent, the Government may top up the transfer value to a minimum level if the standard transfer value available from the scheme is below that minimum at that time.
Which or whether it is a complex decision and before making such a decision you need to consider all options and question all advice from all sides. Most importantly, consider what other potential sources of regular xed income in retirement are going to be available to you, for example, State pension, or other private pensions?
Have you had the scheme reviewed and the current alternative transfer value o ered? Is there an enhanced transfer on o er, and, if so, is there a time limit on the acceptance of such?
Before you jump ship, getting a copy the scheme’s
latest actuarial valuation report is a must which will help to identify if the scheme is failing to meet the funding standard, and, if so, by how much. Does the scheme currently meet the funding standard? If not, is there a proposal, like a cash injection from the company, to make up the de cit? Are there other proposals on the table? Is your employer sticking to its commitments? Is the scheme on track to make up the de cit or has it veered o course? Are the trustees contemplating winding up the scheme or is there any proposal to impose a Section 50 reduction in bene ts? If so, by how much?
Questions, questions!
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Schooling in the 1930s and 40s was a di erent proposition from today’s sophisticated education system. Most children walked to school every morning, the poorer ones in their bare feet. It could be a long enough walk for the country kids, though they might be lucky and catch a lift with a farmer bringing his churn of milk to the creamery.
e classrooms of both primary and secondary schools were not like the modern colourful sanitised ones. ere was no central heating, an open re being the main source of warmth. e pupils had to help in collecting sticks to keep the re going for the day, especially in the winter months.
ere was no running water and the primitive toilets were outside the school buildings.
e creaky boarded oors had to be swept clean at the end of lessons, and there was no question of chewing-gum or bits of to ee clinging to any desk or being found on the oor.
Playtime
Convent of Mercy
sing, and participate in school concerts or pageants. Girls might also learn a little knitting or other needlework before leaving.
e teaching style was vastly di erent from that applied today, the use of corporal punishment being one of the principal “aids to learning” that have now passed into memory.
But the subjects taught in
primary school prepared pupils for either the next stage of their education in secondary, which relatively few of them reached because their families couldn’t a ord it, or for whatever life awaited beyond the school gates.
In their heads they carried with them from primary school a reasonable dose of English, Irish, History, Geography, Religion, and Arithmetic, the main subjects. Both boys and girls were also encouraged to
Children with learning di culties in large classes were often, sadly, neglected by teachers, with resulting literacy problems in later life. And others were a ected psychologically if not physically by the canings and leatherings they received in all classes. Most pupils in the 1940s had left school by the age of thirteen or fourteen.
Past pupils of Callan schools had mixed and widely varying memories and impressions of their school days when I interviewed them.
Martin Lynch of Newtown was grateful to his educators. He began his schooling in Callan in the early 1930s, and had a clear recollection of stepping
*Callan school pupils of 1928 in the picture are:
into his rst ever classroom. It was in the convent school, where every local boy and girl commenced his or her education as a child. To a child entering the convent, the nuns were towering but (to begin with) benevolent gures: the Superior, Mother Juliana, anked by Mother Kieran. ey quickly put the children at their ease, and got them started on the lifelong path of learning. Sisters Otternan, erese, and Patrick taught in Infants and Beginners School. Using slates to write on, the pupils got their rst taste of knowledge acquisition. Tentatively, the nuns guided them along, and soon their formative little brains were fully operational. ey quickly learned their ABCs and their One Two rees.
To be continued...
Front Row: Jim Walton, Joe McGrath, Eamon Teehan, Billy Clancy, Paddy (Rodney) Lennon, Nicky Murphy.
2nd Row: Jack Clancy, Billy Kirwan, Paddy McGrath, Tom Larkinn, Lory Morris, Paddy Finnegan, Jimmy Hoyne, Martin Brett, Perse Dermody, Jimmy Nolan.
3rd Row: Maurice Murphy, Kitty McGrath, Bridie Casey, Beeb Murphy, Johanna Kirwan, Bridget Morris, Lizzie Morris, Nick Larkin, Piery Gannon.
4th Row: Mary Hoyne, Bridie Hoyne, Kitty Lennon, Maureen Dunne, Beeb Walton, Maureen McGrath, Bridie Woodgate, Mary O’ Dea, Lizzie Finnegan, Peg Walton.
5th Row: Nellie Hoyne, Dolly Dermody, Moll Kirwan, Mary Boland, Kitty Hoyne, Jo Grady, Nellie Byrne, Bridie Walsh, May Finnegan.
6th Row: Dick Comerford, Paddy Woodgate, Billy Walsh, Mick Coonan, Mick Morris, Jackie Walton, Mick Clancy, Peter Kearney.
New research from the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston bodes well for victims of traumatic accidents in that it shows that damaged nerves can be regenerated with the application of a frozen needle under advanced imaging guidance.
The technique, called interventional cryoneurolysis, is performed by a radiologist and can offer hope to patients in persistent pain following a traumatic injury.
“The idea that we can induce regeneration of damaged nerves simply by placing a cold needle through the skin under imaging guidance is extremely exciting,” said the lead author of the study, J. David Prologo, MD, an interventional radiologist and Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. “This research answers the call from United States legislators and specialty medical societies to develop alternatives to opioids for the management of pain.”
Researchers at the America university treated eight patients with chronic nerve pain related to a prior trauma with CT-guided interventional cryoneurolysis. CT-guided cryoneurolysis uses imaging to place a needle and freeze damaged nerves, causing them to degenerate and lose function.
“What happens next is almost magical,” Prof. Prologo says. “If the nerve is exposed to the correct amount of cold, over the correct area, for the right amount of time, it will regenerate — replacing the previously damaged nerve with a healthy one.”
In this study, the average time from traumatic injury to the procedure was 9.5 years. There were no procedure related complications or adverse events, and all patients returned to their baseline
capture this idea of an underlying continuum that the VAS was devised.
The pain VAS is a unidimensional measure of pain intensity, used to record patients’ pain progression, or compare pain severity between paints with similar conditions. VAS has been widely used in diverse adult populations for example; those with rheumatic diseases, patients with chronic pain, cancer, or cases with allergic rhinitis. In addition to rating pain, it has been used to evaluate mood, appetite, asthma, dyspepsia, and ambulation, and it can be used as a simple, valid, and effective to assess disease control.
VAS can be presented in a number of ways, including:
Numerical rating scales, scales with a middle point, graduations, or numbers.
‘Box-scales’ consist of circles equidistant from each other (one of which the subject has to mark).
Graphic rating scales or Likert scales with descriptive terms at intervals along a line.
The most simple VAS is a straight horizontal line of fixed length, usually 100 mm. The ends are defined as the extreme limits of the parameter to be measured (symptom, pain, health) orientated from the left (worst) to the right (best). In some studies, horizontal scales are orientated from right to left, and many investigators use vertical VAS.
strength over time—confirming regeneration of the targeted nerve. In six of the eight patients, pain symptoms dramatically improved following regeneration —reflected as a collective decrease of 4.6 points in Visual Analog Scale pain scores.
Prof. Prologo believes that the interventional radiology skillset applied to nerve freezing has many applica-
Although not appreciated during his lifetime, few artists are as widely beloved as Vincent Van Gogh. The large body of work he left behind has since enthralled art lovers everywhere.
While the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam remains a top destination to see his work in person, there is now another way to experience the Dutch Post-Impressionist‘s masterpieces. The museum has just digitised 1,500 paintings and drawings by Van Gogh and made them available online for anyone to view.
This incredible array includes some of his most famous paintings as well as lesser-known pieces and even sketches. People can admire the vibrant depic-
tions of the French countryside which he is so known for, and also immerse themselves in the numerous studies Van Gogh made of people and nature.
The Van Gogh Museum makes it easy to filter art by time period, location, genre, and more. There is also an option to download any artworks that you like. Additionally, when you click on an image, you will find more information about when it was made and insight into Van Gogh’s process and life. The Van Gogh Museum boasts the largest collection of Van Gogh artwork in the world, but it’s nice to see the institution proving alternatives for people who cannot visit in person.
tions for treatment of complex pain.
“We are using this regeneration technique not only to manage nerve pain induced by trauma—but also for pudendal neuralgia, post mastectomy pain, post-surgical pain, and many other conditions historically managed with narcotics,” he says.
“Interventional radiologists can place these needles
safely in precise locations all over the body, allowing access to pain generators that were previously unreachable and giving hope to patients who struggle with pain.”
A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is one of the pain rating scales used for the first time in 1921 by Hayes and Patterson. It is often used in epidemiologic and clinical research to measure the
intensity or frequency of various symptoms.
For example, the amount of pain that a patient feels ranges across a continuum from none to an extreme amount of pain. From the patient’s perspective, this spectrum appears continuous as their pain does not take discrete jumps, as a categorisation of none, mild, moderate and severe would suggest. It was to
No difference between horizontal and vertical VAS has been shown in a survey involving 100 subjects but other authors have suggested that the two orientations differ with regard to the number of possible angles of view. Reproducibility has been shown to vary along 100-mm and along a horizontal VAS. the choice of terms to define the anchors of a scale has also been described as important.
You can start browsing Van Gogh’s art at https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/ en collection?q=&artist=Vincent%20van%2Gogh&pagesize=105.
1. Soak In e Architecture At Topkapi Palace
Topkapi Palace is an architectural marvel wellknown for its crescent shape and multiple outbuildings. e buildings have stood for hundreds of years with only minor renovations over time. Visitors will nd exhibition halls, a treasury, and plenty of opulent decorations at Topkapi Palace. Five courts give visitors a view into how Ottoman sultans lived in the 1800s, with park-like features amid the architecture. Tickets are bout €20.
2. Imagine e Past At e Hippodrome Of Constantinople ere might not be much
Airline and airport workers across the globe have a common denominator: their sta are demanding better working conditions and pay. is has resulted in numerous strikes and protests, leaving many airports and airlines struggling to meet sta ng needs. European air tra c control workers are adamantly working towards better conditions with plans to strike over the summer.
According to London’s e Times, strikes from the workers and organisers of Eurocontrol (the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation) could a ect one in three ights. at’s roughly around 12,600 ights a day expected to be interrupted.
Between July and August, it’s estimated that Eurocontrol will handle more than 30,000 ights daily. e looming air tra c control strikes are in addition to the ongoing strikes from
left of it, but viewing the Ancient Roman Hippodrome is another interesting thing to do in Istanbul. e Hippodrome was once the sporting centre of the empire, hosting chariot races and later accommodating up to 100,000 spectators. Many columns, obelisks, and statues are visible at the Hippodrome today, but some sculptures were relocated to Italy. e Hippodrome is an open-air museum and thus has no entrance fee.
3. Roman Aqueduct Of Valens e Roman Aqueduct of Valens is one of Istanbul’s top attractions, and yet another reminder of the city’s ancient past. Originally, the aqueduct
ran for almost 300 miles, growing into the largest water system of its era. Attached to the aqueduct system were also more than a hundred underground cisterns, one of which is still a major Istanbul tourist attraction today.
4. Go Underground At e Roman Basilica Cistern
Istanbul’s Ancient Roman Basilica Cistern is a unique attraction and the largest ancient Constantinople cistern. It features hundreds of marble columns, likely scavenged from other buildings of earlier eras, and is a breathtaking sight. Tickets start at around €15.
5. Gaze At (And From) e
pilots and other airline sta . Currently, Eurocontrol operation centres oversee 10 million ights a year, ensuring that planes can safely navigate European air space. At this time, there are no hard dates set in place for strikes. But, Union Syndicale Bruxelles, one of
Eurocontrol’s trade unions, has warned in a statement that “industrial action could take place” in the next six months.
Flight disruptions can include both delayed ights and canceled ights. ere may also be increases in wait times for security, ticketing
Galata Tower
For travellers who want to see more of Istanbul, such as via a birds-eye view, Galata Tower is the best tourist attraction to check out. e observation deck gives a view across Istanbul and lets visitors glimpse the Bosphorus. Tickets are €10.
6. Embark On A Sunset Cruise
It might sound like an o beat thing to do in Istanbul, but a cruise down the Bosphorus can make for some amazing memories. e Bosphorus Strait separates the Asian and European sides of Turkey, and it has long been an important waterway for Istanbul’s economy.
A cruise on a yacht at sunset ensures visitors have not only memories of Istanbul’s rich history but also a modern appreciation for all it o ers.
7. Hire A Tour
Guided tours are a great way to see many of Istanbul’s highlights, and tours can always be customised to travellers’ preferences. From food tours to Turkish baths to guided walks around various historical sites, there’s something for every taste (and budget).
8. Enjoy e Nightlife
After Dark In Istanbul
Just because the sun goes down, it doesn’t mean Istanbul goes to sleep.
ights for July and August ahead of the potential madness. Other airlines like Ryanair have reported canceling ights earlier in the summer due to strikes from air tra c control centres in France. With other industry complications like weatherrelated delays, mechanical issues, and technical mishaps, it is shaping up to be a summer of airport chaos for travellers.
It is always recommended to purchase travel insurance, especially for international travel.
Exploring the nightlife (safely, which generally means not solo and without carrying wads of cash) is an excellent way to see a new side of Istanbul, Turkey.
9. Tour e Palace Of e Porphyrogenitus e Palace of the Porphyrogenitus is open for public tours and o ers a glimpse into Istanbul’s Byzantine past. In ancient times, the Palace was the Emperor’s residence but later served various uses, such as being a brothel and a bottle factory. Fully restored, the Palace of the Porphyrogenitus is a museum today and welcomes visitors every day except Monday.
many hours are included in a ight disruption before payment is received? What are your passenger rights if you are traveling without insurance?
According to the website AirHelp, currently passengers a ected by airline strikes are entitled to compensation of up to €700. Passengers can enter their ight information into the eligibility checker to verify potential bene ts.
assistance, or baggage counters as airline sta work hard to provide up- to-date information to a ected passengers. To circumvent chaos, some airlines have resorted to preemptively canceling ights. One such airline, British carrier, easyJet has canceled 2% of their
Another great asset in European travel is AirHelp, a passenger rights advocate. Although typically governed by the same federal laws, every airline has its own rules and regulations regarding compensation for ight disruptions. Passengers usually wonder: When are you eligible for meal vouchers? Who pays for missed events and excursions due to canceled ights? How
If you plan on traveling to Europe in the coming months, you can monitor your ight status through your airline’s mobile app or website Flight Aware. Additionally, sign up for both e-mail and text noti cations. You can also use tools like social media to see in-real time events happening at any airport you may be utilising during your travels.
Both Twitter and TikTok are great sources of up-todate information from both airlines and fellow travellers.
As soon as the nal whistle blew and Kilkenny had defeated Clare in the All Ireland Hurling semi- nal, I lifted the phone. “How are you, Jimmy?”
“Good now. How are you, Gerry.”
“Not a bother and you know, of course, Jimmy, what this is about?”
“Tickets, I assume.”
“Spot on. And how are we xed?”
“We’re xed as we always are, Gerry, I’ll talk to my people and I’ll be in touch.” Jimmy, a great friend of mine, and I have been going to All Ireland Hurling Finals together for many years now, many of which we’ve lost and many of which we’ve won – won more than lost I’m pleased to say. Now I cannot explain why but there’s almost always an incident of some kind or other when I travel with Jimmy to
the All Ireland.
First o , there’s the case of the missing ticket. Jimmy, Judy his wife, and myself are almost at the turnstiles of the Hogan Stand. Jimmy puts his hand in his pocket to retrieve the ticket – but no luck. He proceeds to do the usual, searches frantically here, there and everywhere for the ticket, but still no luck.
Which is when he turns to his good wife, Judy. “Judy, have you my ticket?”
“I handed you your ticket about an hour ago,” says Judy. at’s when the panic sets in. And that’s when my thinking kicks in. Jimmy being a singer, not least at the famous Monday night session in Cleere’s Bar, likes to stop o with the buskers en route to the Hogan Stand. He also likes to join in – after which he’ll throw them a ve
euro note. Which is when I sprinted back to the buskers and was more than delighted, and relieved, to nd Jimmy’s ticket, alongside the ve euro note he’d tossed to the boys, in their guitar case. en there was the parking incident. Now Jimmy and I have a system whereby we park, away from the hustle and bustle near Croke Park; we park in an almost empty car park on the south side, outside of which there’s a Luas stop. Having parked up we duly hop on the Luas which brings us close to Croke Park. is particular All Ireland Sunday, however, although the car park, which holds maybe 800 or 900 cars, is almost empty, Jimmy parks right beside another car. We get out of Jimmy’s car, gather our match paraphernalia (and lamb sandwiches, compliments of Judy) and are walking
away when the door of the other car opens and an agitated gentleman announces
that Jimmy has scraped his car! The car in question I have to say was, not old, but ancient. Be that as it may the incident almost led to fisticuffs but for the diplomatic intervention of Jimmy’s son who was with us on the day, who calmed the waters and we all went our separate ways.
Finally, there was the year we lost to Tipperary. As if being beaten by Tipp wasn’t bad enough, to add to our woes, for love or money, we could not flag down a taxi. And then, out of sheer frustration, and exhaustion, Jimmy flagged down a youngster pedalling along on his ‘rickshaw’, our thinking being that ‘half a loaf is better than no bread’ or rather a ‘rickshaw is better than no taxi’. And in we hopped. Hopped! In we laboriously clambered what with Jimmy’s bad knee and
my dodgy hip. And away we went. Like the hammers of hell. This youngster (and God be good to his youth and strength) pedalled past cars, busses, taxis and pedestrians.
And when he could pass no more, he veered off the street on to the canal bank which was chock-a-block with pedestrians and careered in and out of those, frightening the livers out of Jimmy and myself who now looked like two cats who definitely hadn’t got the cream but who were fit to scream as we felt sure we’d keel over into the canal. We didn’t. And we arrived at our car park, safe and sound.
This All Ireland Hurling Final Sunday, I’m driving, I’m parking (well away from any car in the empty car park) and I’m also minding the tickets.
“First off, there’s the case of the missing ticket...
Kilkenny Amateur eatre Society (KATS) are presenting Patricia BurkeBrogans award winning Eclipsed the end of August this year and are mid-way in their rehearsal schedule as it is. However, quietly in the back ground is a fantastic team ensuring that every facet of the production works like a well oiled machine. May we introduce our production team:
At the helm as director and KATS chairperson, is Delia Lowery. She is a regular theatre maker in the south east, having performed with Barn Owl play ers, Kilkenny Musical Society (KMS) and Galway Univer sity Musical society (GUMS), David Hennessys Musi cal and Dra matic Society (DHMDS) and Happy Robot Productions. She has stage managed, been props mistress and special
e ects for various production teams, Lake Productions, KMS, Watergate Productions and this summer Asylum Productions “ e Local”.
Dee Gibney who has been involved in theatre in Kilkenny since 2007 will stage manage Eclipsed. Dee is well known both on and o the stage in Kilkenny, having performed with and stage managed with KMS, Barn Owl Players, Watergate Productions and Lake Productions.
Cliodhna Ryan will be taking on the role of assistant stage manager, having leaving cert she will join the Stage Management
recently completed her Lir Academy, to study and Technical eatre in September.
Clare Gibbs the stage.
is another lady who is well known in Kilkenny theatrical circles, both on and o Clare
is costume mistress for Eclipsed.
Siobhan Hegarty is the Set Designer for Eclipsed. An art teacher from Clonmel, Siobhan is applying her keen eye and eco friendly approach to the set design. Siobhan has worked with Lake Productions in the past, designing their sets, most recently on “Moll” with Ger Cody.
Gerry Taylor is the lighting and sound designer for Eclipsed. His expertise known across the isle of Ireland KATS are extremely grateful to have him involved in Eclipsed.
Sarah Bergin is KATS promotional guru, having joined the committee this year Sarah is responsible for KATS facebook page and Instagram page coming to life. She is also compiling the keepsake programme for the production.
Edwina Cummins who has previously chaired Kilkenny musical society is the producer and committee treasurer. She has appeared in musicals with KMS and plays with KATS and Barnowl players.
It’s a given that the aviation industry today is now safer and more e cient than in the past 50 years, thanks in large part to Airbus’s pioneering work in this area. e advancement of autopilot systems in recent years is among the most noteworthy developments because of the way they have changed the nature of the pilot’s job. Airbus has invested heavily in R&D in this area with the goal of increasing the autonomy of their aircraft. In this piece, we’ll take a look at the state of autopilot technology today, with a special emphasis on Airbus’s innovative Project Dragon y. e Airbus campus in Toulouse, France is massive, accommodating 28,000 employees and thousands of curious onlookers each year. Airbus conducts a lot of its R&D there as well, including on their Project Dragon y. Enhanced automatic landing, taxi assistance, and automatic emergency diversion were the primary goals of this experiment.
Project Dragon y’s dramatic breakthrough was the creation of an automatic emergency descent system. If the pilots need to concentrate on complex tasks or become incapacitated, this technology will take over. e plane can descend and land while identifying other planes, weather, and terrain under its command.
e system also enables the plane to communicate with ground control via radio using a synthetic voice generated by AI. e plane has to gure out everything on its own, like tuning in to airport messages from ATC and picking the best alternative landing spot. Two emergency descents were
Mike Pence has told the Associated Press in an interview that he supports banning abortions in cases where the pregnancy isn’t viable and the baby wouldn’t survive outside the womb, as in the case of extreme feotal abnormalities.
“I’m pro-life. I don’t apologise for it,” the former vicepresident and 2024 presidential candidate told the AP, also saying, “I want to always err on the side of life. I would hold that view in these matters because ... I honestly believe that we got this extraordinary opportunity in the country today to restore the sanctity of life to the centre of American law.”
Members of the medical community have criticised his comments, saying that abortion services can be critical for women facing pregnancy complications.
Pence, who was Indiana’s governor before serving as vice-president in the Trump administration, has been staunch in his support for sweeping abortion restrictions, citing his Christian faith and principles.
He has called for a nationwide abortion ban starting at least at 15 weeks of pregnancy but possibly sooner -- after six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant. He has supported the availability of abortion in cases of rape and incest and the pregnant woman’s health.
completed by Project Dragon y, and the aircraft safely landed in France thanks to the understanding of French air tra c controllers.
e use of various sensors to aid in an autonomous landing was also investigated in Project Dragon y. Conventional cameras, infrared cameras, and radar were all incorporated into this system. In order to model a wide range of climates, the team gathered data from all over the world. With the additional sensors, the pilot can keep a closer eye on the landing. e closer you
get to an object, the more heat an infrared sensor can detect, making infrared cameras useful even in cloudy conditions. e pilot maintains command of the plane at all times during the landing process, but technological aids such as audible alerts provide guidance on speed and direction. is technology is meant to reassure the pilot that they are headed in the right direction and will arrive safely at the runway. Especially at the busiest airports in the world, taxi driving can be the most di cult part of the job. e pilot re-
tains command of the aircraft at all times, while the crew receives audible warnings from the technology. e aircraft will sound an alarm and provide speed guidance as it approaches obstacles. In addition to reducing the pilot’s workload, this feature guides passengers to the runway as the plane taxis. Some may wonder if, in the future, passenger planes will need pilots at all, given the advent of such sophisticated autopilot technologies. Airbus is quick to note, however, that additional automation will be
implemented only when safety permits, and that the goal is not to do away with pilots altogether. Only if it was absolutely certain that doing so would ensure the safety of both passengers and crew members would fully automated aircraft be implemented. e likelihood of being involved in an air accident is extremely low, but the pilot’s ability to keep everyone on board safe is still paramount.
Autopilot systems have advanced technologically, but not all pilots are happy with the idea of a computer deciding
whether or not a ight lands safely. Two well-rested and trained pilots can make better decisions than any piece of automation on the ight deck.
Tony Lucas, president of the Australian and International Pilots Association, cited the two fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 Max in 2018 and 2019 as an example of the dangers of relying too heavily on automated systems. However, Airbus is committed to guaranteeing the safe and reliable introduction of new technologies, and pilots will always be at the centre of every ight.
the mother’s health. DeSantis also has not endorsed a federal abortion ban.
GOP candidates’ views on abortion are likely top of mind for evangelicals in Iowa, a critical bloc in the early-voting state in the 2024 primary. In stressing his strict views on abortion as he campaigns in Iowa, Pence could be aiming to get early momentum in the primary race.
During a three-day tour of Iowa last, he sought to differentiate himself from the former president regarding abortion. He criticised Trump for Trump’s characterisation of the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year as well as his lack of support for a stringent federal abortion ban.
“I take issue with the former president and with others who had suggested that the Supreme Court only returned that question to the states,” Pence said. “What the Supreme Court did was essentially return the question of abortion to the states and the American people.”
“I want to say from my heart, every Republican candidate for president should support a ban on abortion before 15 weeks as a minimum nationwide standard,” he said last month.
Former President Donald Trump also supports abortion bans with exceptions for cases of rape, incest and the life of the mother, he has said. Although Trump has suggested the federal government
should play a role “in protecting unborn life,” he has avoided backing a speci c federal abortion ban.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who trails Trump in early polls but is the No. 2 most popular
primary candidate so far, recently signed into law a sixweek abortion ban in Florida -- which Trump argued was “too harsh” -- including exceptions for unviable pregnancies and rape, incest and
“But for the president to be unwilling to commit to a minimum national standard and attempt to relegate this issue exclusively to the states I think is an example of shying away from the cause of life when we led the most pro-life administration in history,” he said.
Pence would ban abortion even where pregnancy is not viable
– are we all playing our part?
Following last weekend’s ABBAfest things take a jigs and reels turn with the visit of Stocktons Wing which will surely bring an enjoyable foot tapping and knee slapping evening. Local support act Burnchurch will get everyone in good fettle for Sunday’s big game with their especially composed record ‘It’s Coming Home’ e music programme continues each weekend during July and August. e line-up has something for everyone at the popular venue. Some events have already sold out so don’t delay.
Saturday July 22 Stocktons Wing with guests Burnchurch
Saturday July 29 Lyra with guest Ali Comerford (Sold Out)
Saturday August 5 e High Kings (Limited availability)
Sunday August 6 Big Generator presents Rock Rising
Saturday August 12 Lisa McHugh
Saturday August 19 e Stunning with guests e Donnys (Sold Out)
Saturday August 26 Cry Before Dawn
Tickets can be purchased on www.ballykee eamphitheatre.com
Bar facilities will be provided by O’Hara’s Brewery, e Bula Bus will satisfy any hunger pangs and Bernie’s Take Out will serve up delicious treats. ere will be a bus service from the Brewery Corner for each event.
Best wishes
By Kilkenny standards of recent decades
we are in a bit of a famine right now as regards winning All-Ireland senior hurling titles. Our last win was in 2015 against Galway (1-22 to 1-18) and although we have contested three finals since then (2016 v Tipperary; 2019 v Tipperary and 2022 v Limerick), we failed to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup back Noreside in those three years.
BY NICKEY BRENNAN
Brian Cody departed after the All-Ireland Final loss to Limerick in 2022 after twenty four years, amassing 11 All-Ireland
titles, 18 Leinster titles and 10 National League titles. That record will surely never be bettered, but for now getting hold of the Liam McCarthy Cup one more time is the focus.
Derek Lyng took over the reins from Brian Cody at the start of this year and the transition has been spectacularly smooth. Derek is after all an All-Ireland medal winner on
the field as a player and more recently as the manager of the successful 2022 U20 team. He is well qualified to assume the top managerial role in Kilkenny hurling.
Reaching the 2023 National Hurling League Final was a great achievement, but it was a chastening experience with Limerick running out comfortable winners in the end 2-20
to 0-15. Now those same Shannonsiders stand between Kilkenny and a 37th All-Ireland title. The holders will rightly be warm favourites as they chase a fourth title in a row.
There was a stroke of good fortune about Kilkenny’s recent Leinster Final victory over Galway. The game looked to have slipped away from the Cats, but what was so pleasing for supporters was the team’s desire to keep battling to the finish. Teamwork and that ‘never say die’ attitude were the hallmark of Brian Cody’s team. That attitude is now well engrained in Derek Lyng’s side also.
The semi-final victory over Clare was ultimately down to phenomenal team work, refusal to concede to their opponents and a spectacular acrobatic late save from Eoin Murphy. The victory was well deserved.
The current Limerick side can rightly be compared to the best Kilkenny team of Brian Cody’s era. A fourth All-Ireland title would confirm that status. The Shannonsiders conditioning, skill and team play has seen them overcome some challenging moments during this year’s championship campaign.
Galway asked plenty of
questions of Limerick in the first half of their semifinal, but leading up to half time and throughout the second half, the reigning All-Ireland champions were totally dominant.
I believe that Kilkenny are in a better place than this time last year. A year older and a year wiser. There is a phenomenal spirit in the squad and they are possibly the only county around that can match the physicality and hurling skill of their All-Ireland opponents.
Kilkenny got very close to victory last year with just two points separating the teams at the finish. Despite the eleven point league final loss some months ago, Kilkenny will see next Sunday’s final as the perfect opportunity to atone for that defeat.
Key moments can decide the outcome of big games and if Kilkenny get the lucky breaks they can annex a 37th title. Never discount a Kilkenny team on All-Ireland Final Day.
Nickey Brennan is a presenter with the sports team on Community radio Kilkenny city.
BY THOMAS KELLY
Formed in 1972, Shamrocks Ballyhale is a small club in south Kilkenny that has consistently produced top-quality hurlers for the county team.
e rst Shamrocks man to captain Kilkenny was Ger Fennelly back in 1979 and he brought great pride to the parish when he lifted the Liam Mac Carthy Cup following a comprehensive All-Ireland nal victory against Galway that same year.
Over the years, many big hurling names have come out of this small parish such as Frank Holohan, Henry She in and James ‘Cha’ Fitzpatrick, whilst families such as Fennelly, Reid, Cummins and Mullen have become synonymous with quality hurling and passion for the game.
Since its foundation just over fty years ago, the club has gone from strength to strength and this is due to the hard work, passion and dedication of the players and management teams and the loyal following of its unwavering supporters.
Indeed, it is this real sense of community that is at the heart of Shamrocks Ballyhale and has seen the club through di cult times, be it on the hurling pitch or in the community. e sense of comradery and community
extends beyond the con nes of the white lines of the hurling eld and whilst only a small few parish men may wield a hurl for Kilkenny, the entire community
wills them on to do so! With the All-Ireland fast approaching on this coming Sunday the 23rd of July, the anticipation and excitement pulsing
through the streets of Ballyhale, Knocktopher and Knockmoylan is mighty! With several Limerick natives now residing in the parish, friendly banter is
rife. While the black and amber colours around are undeniable, some dare to mistake the green and white of Shamrocks Ballyhale for Limerick ags!!! ey
are soon corrected!!
Shamrocks Ballyhale has an impressive six players involved with the Kilkenny panel this year: Eoin Cody, Darragh Corcoran, Adrian Mullen, Paddy Mullen, Richie Reid and TJ Reid. In the recent victory over Clare, Shamrocks men accounted for 1-19 of the 1-25 scored by the Cats, a fact that re ects the massive contribution of our club’s players to the county team. Indeed, Eoin Cody being awarded Man of the Match and TJ Reid’s 12 points, consolidating his position as the highest scorer of the Championship with 634 points, further illustrates the considerable impact of the Shamrocks Ballyhale players on the intercounty stage.
For such a small parish, it’s great to see so many quality hurlers coming through and judging from the hurling happening each evening with the underage teams, the tradition of cultivating quality players is sure to continue. For now though, all eyes are on Croke Park next Sunday and whatever the outcome against Limerick, the people of Ballyhale parish are sure to welcome home their hurling heroes with loud cheers and great pride!
omas Kelly is PRO for Shamrocks GAA club.
A small club making a big impact on the Kilkenny county scene
The group produced ‘It’s Coming Home,’ an adaptation of Skylar Grae’s Coming Home, with a hurlinginspired twist.
e group performed the song for RTÉ in Burnchurch Castle, surrounded by 200 members of their local GAA club.
e song has been very well received countywide and has garnered signi cant attention.
Burnchurch are a four piece group made up of two pairs of brothers and sisters, Sadhbh (vocals, ddle & piano), Síofra (vocals, ute & piano), Éanna (vocals, keys & pipes), and Ruairí (vocals, pipes & bass).
e band takes its name from their native towns land in Kilkenny, the place that shaped their artistic journey.
Coming from an Irish speaking family they draw inspiration from their native language, which they skilfully incorporate into their music.
e group has been immersed in music from a young age, as their Dad and uncles were members of Na Casaidigh and as children
they experienced many live gigs.
In recent years their cousins Sibéal rose to prominence with her rendition of ‘Mise Éire’ and TG4 Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana Maitiú Ó Casaide is a member of the Bonny Men band.
With the release of their rst song, Burnchurch won the 2FM Gaeltacht Tí competition. In 2021, when they composed the heartfelt song “She” which was recorded alongside Loreto choir and orchestra, and has become the o cial Loreto anthem for 80,000 students worldwide. Recently the band featured in the music for Disney’s Star Wars, with acclaimed 2D Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon.
As the band continue to make strides in their musical journey, Burnchurch are preparing for their debut album release later this year.
Packed with original songs that blend their Irish music in uence with a contemporary pop/rock sound, the album promises to be a testament to the band’s unique sound and immense talent.
e band’s ground-breaking music and uplifting live performances promises a bright future.
eir most recent release, ‘In is Life’ can be listened to on their Spotify and you can follow the group @burnchurchmusic on Instagram.
e Kilkenny Observer was delighted to be in attendance at the open training night at Nowlan Park last week. Ardán de Grás was packed with supporters as Derek Lyng and Michael Comerford put the players through their paces.
It was a wonderful occasion as we watched our hurling heroes do their sprints, take frees, hook and block. At the end of the session, the panel took time to greet the hundreds of youngsters who had turned up seeking autographs from their heroes.
All this, it must be remembered, two days after a massive game against Clare in the All-Ireland semi- nal.
A word of thanks to all stewards on duty who were so helpful and obliging. anks to John Byrne for accommodating e Kilkenny Observer.
Special thanks to the players who showed great patience as they signed autographs and chatted to adoring fans.
All at the Kilkenny Observer wish Derek Lyng, his backroom team, and the entire panel the very best in their quest to bring Liam home for the 37th time.
Photographer Pat Shortall was on hand to capture the occasion.
BY TRACY MILEA
Can Derek Lyng lead his Kilkenny squad to victory and bring back Liam McCarthy cup to the banks of the Nore?
It’s hard to believe that this year’s hurling championship is near an end this Sunday, with the burning question - Who will be crowned All Ireland Champions 2023?
There’s no motivation quite like revenge, particularly when it comes to GAA. The supporters of Kilkenny and Limerick will be hoping to settle a few scores in this eagerly anticipated All Ireland Final on Sunday. This Limerick team enter this Sunday’s All Ireland as defending champions and hot favourites. They are superb champions, rugged at the back, powerful all over, with a forward line stacked with genuine stars like Flanagan, Lynch, Morrissey and the maestro himself Aaron Gillane. But I have a sneaky suspicion that the Kilkenny Cats will have something to say and do about that on Sunday, espe-
cially after the gripping and heart stopping performance against Clare last week. What a game. Every Kilkenny supporter hit every ball in the dying minutes.
When Eoin Murphy brought off that brilliant save at the end, it was like the George Hamilton moment when he uttered that line ‘A nation holds its breath’. T+he whole of Kilkenny held its breath for a brief second. And roared. What a save.
What a complete team performance we echoed from the stand. Everyone had their part to play last Sunday from the panel, management and the back-room team. The Kilkenny supporters were buzzing leaving Croke Park and rightly so - we were worthy winners and heading into the All-Ireland final.
Kilkenny have waited patiently for twelve months to right the wrong from last year’s All- Ireland, when beaten narrowly by Limerick in the final. If we had another five minutes on the clock, we could have caught the reining All Ireland champions as we had them on the ropes and we did give them a fright. Leaving Croke Park we were naturally disappointed but immensely proud of the Kilkenny performance. Far beyond our own expectations.
This year Derek Lyng has brought a freshness to the
Kilkenny set up and it’s visible on the field of play. You can see an intensity and belief in the players this season. Derek isn’t afraid to make early changes either which has made a massive impact on all our games getting us across the line. The introductions of Kenny, Walter & Padraig Walsh, Buckley and Hogan has played a huge part in getting to the All-Ireland. Eoin Murphy has been outstanding between the posts all year. Our full back line is probably one of the fastest in the country with Mikey, Huw and Tommy and they will need all the pace they have to hold Gillane, Casey and Flanagan , who can be game changers in the blink of the eye. It’s great to see Richie Reid back to steady the half back line while Blanchfield hasn’t put a foot wrong all year. Deegan was outstanding in the semi-final and his distribution of the ball and attacking game caused huge problems for the Clare defence.
Conor Fogarty and Mullen take the hard hits at midfield creating space for talented forwards. This year Eoin Cody has been a revelation. For a young man to captain Kilkenny is a huge undertaking but not for Cody. His consistency all year, combined with his strength and composure is to be admired and applauded. But he is surrounded by master for-
wards in Phelan, Donnelly, Keoghan and Ryan all playing an integral part getting us to the final. Their movement and switching positions will cause problems for the Limerick defence. And the biggest headache for Limerick is our very own TJ Reid. What can I say about TJ that hasn’t been documented over the years.
TJ is the conductor of this team, orchestrating scores from impossible angles, his simple passes and work rate is second to none in the country and his free taking is impeccable.
So, all roads will lead to Croker this Sunday to take on the Mighty gladiators of Limerick. Can we stop them taking home their 4th title in a row? Only time will tell but the supporters of both sides will relish with anticipation this mammoth game on Sunday. I feel we have great chance and I hope to see Eoin Cody bring the Liam McCarthy home. Back to the Nore on its Marble Throne.
Tracy Millea is a former Camogie player with Kilkenny Senior and minor Camogie team, winning two Senior and two Minor all Ireland titles and numerous club championships with her Camogie club St.Brigid’s, Ballycallan . Tracy was an analyist with RTE’s Sunday Game for over ten years. n
2014 draw which Barry Kelly tried to award to Tipp.
BY EUGENE HOGAN
Ironically, the Cats are going for title number thirty seven on the 23rd July. Having grown up on the Johnswell Road, I have memories of hurling in various farmers’ fields and on the green in Newpark. One of the participants would have been Eugene Deegan, father of current stalwart Paddy. Also living in Newpark then was Paddy Grace, County Secretary for years and Grandfather to Tommy, Padraic, Shane and Grace Walsh. Some hurling pedigree there! I remember the queue of people lined up at Paddy’s ‘Esker’ house looking for the elusive “Golden Ticket”. I rarely saw anyone leaving disappointed. What a gentleman!
I’ve been lucky to make it home for many of the finals since Kilkenny’s great run began in 2006. I suppose the three that stick out for me, for different reasons, was the 2009 Win, the loss in 2010 and that brilliant drawn
The 2010 loss was hard as we had brought my late Father-inlaw, Mickey Power, to his first and last visit to the ‘new’ Croke Park, and we were obviously hoping to witness the historic “five in a row”. When it was obvious things weren’t going our way, I’ll always remember the look on his face as he asked my wife: “What’s happening Bid?”. I suppose like all of us, he had grown accustomed to success. I also remember him saying, “I hate the ‘Tipp’ lads but the girls are okay!” A character we miss every day
Obviously the build up to All Ireland game day is very different being in Chicago. Nowadays, thanks to GAAGO we can watch games in our own homes but for the big games a group of us will get together to watch. In my early years here there was only a couple of pubs showing the games and they would be packed with GAA people from all over Ireland. That made it a genuine setting for me and the craic and banter would be excellent. The gambling would be intense
and although I always bet with my heart I did ok. Initially on game day when we left the house for the match all decked out in Black and Amber we’d get some curious looks from our neighbours. But overtime they’d have words of encouragement for us and could guess how we did by the time we returned home. My other memory of the day was after the game coming out into the bright, blinding sunshine
and the outside world unaware of the great game we had witnessed. It really sunk in then that I was far from home. There’s not a lot of us Kilkenny folk in Chicago but rest assured that we will be together on July 23rd cheering on our heroes. Up the Cats!! Eugene Hogan is a Kilkenny man living in Chicago since 1987 and a great supporter of the ‘black and amber’. n
BY NIALL SHERRY
Preparation is key ahead of any major event. What is it they say: ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’.
Well for one Kilkenny player, it
isn’t just the small matter of an All-Ireland nal this weekend that he needs to prepare for, but possibly one of the other biggest days of his life so far – his wedding!
Yes, that is the situation that Cillian Buckley nds himself in this weekend. e long-serving Dicksboro player and his ancée Niamh Dowling are due to tie the knot 24 hours before the
Cats do battle with Limerick in Croke Park. e couple are believed to have planned their special day based on last year’s games scheduling, but it now means that Buckley will be otherwise engaged the day before this year’s showpiece decider.
Former Kilkenny netminder David Herity revealed the small mix-up while being interviewed on ‘O the Ball’ last month, the day after Cillian’s late goalscoring heroics had seen o Henry’s Galway and delivered another O’Keefe Cup for the Noresiders.
“He (Buckley) booked his wedding thinking the AllIreland nal was the same date as 2002,” his former Kilkenny team-mate said. “He’s after making a bags of it – and then to go on and score a goal (vs Galway) to put them within one game from having the worst night of his wedding, it’s interesting enough.”
To add extra spice to the occasion, Buckley’s best man is none other than fellow county man, Walter Walsh, who himself is due to tie the knot less than a week after Sunday’s nal to his ancée Vicky Holden.
Dicksboro clubman Buckley got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Niamh while on a romantic break in Co Kerry in 2020.
Meanwhile Walter will have a a few extra days to prepare for his big day, as it is scheduled for July 29th. It is believed that Secondary School teacher Walsh popped the question to Vicky while on a ski holiday in Andorra early last year.
Perhaps both players will take another All-Ireland nal in their stride as they will have other matters on their minds.
After all Cillian and Walter have 3 winners medals to their name from 2012, 2014 & 2105, while Tullogher Rosbercon’s Walsh was named MOTM for his stunning performance in the 2012 nal.
Let’s hope that both couples can enjoy their honeymoons basking in of All-Ireland glory.
Everyone at the Kilkenny Observer wishes Cillian, Walter and their ancées, Niamh and Vicky all the best for this weekend, but more importantly their nuptials and futures together.
Bobby was a huge loss to his family and community including the GAA. It was a very sad occasion. Speaking to many Kilkenny people at Bobby’s funeral naturally we spoke about the previous days match in Croke Park. I was struck very forcibly by the view of Kilkenny people that they could and should have won the match. ey were not happy. Despite being second favourites with the bookies. For me therein was the essence of Kilkenny’s years of success derived from total commitment, passion and dedication coupled with an expectation and hunger for
success every year. You set very high standards for yourselves.
Limerick is a proud sporting City and County. Soccer, Rugby, Gaelic Football and many others sports have a very strong presence across every community. Some say this impacted our hurling lack of success over the years. Were we ‘jack of all trades and master of none’? Who knows? Limerick FC in soccer have played on the European Cup stage; Munster Rugby have and continue to excel helped along the way by some Kilkenny people also but with a huge Limerick input. But the lack of success on the hurling eld hurt badly and cut deeply. You all know we lived in the hurling desert for almost 45 years since 1973 until 2018. Finally making it back to hurling’s holy grail following huge work by our Limerick County Board in re-establishing a strong pres-
The Monday after last year’s All reland hurling final attended the funeral of my late colleague and former TD Bobby Aylward in All Saints Church in Knockmoylan. Bobby was an outstanding Public Representative and passionate Ballyhale Shamrock’s and Kilkenny hurling man
ence of hurling in Limerick City and creating a new pipeline of players coming through. Roll onto 2019 and devastation again at the hands of Kilkenny in a dramatic last minute play missed by the referee and ofcials. e result stood and hurting from that we lived on into the Covid era winning in the 2020 and 2021 All Irelands. Last year securing a three in a row was and is immense. Not many teams can add this to their list of achievements.
For me the GAA is a stand out organisation, rooted in community giving people of all ages a great focus and place to belong and be involved. I played all sports growing up, my two teenage kids are the same and we all share the same view. e GAA is by far the best organised, give the most, and are moving with the times. GAA deserve all our support and help. Last year my son Conor playing Minor Hurling with our local Club Mungret St. Paul’s won the County Premier Division 1 Hurling title. is was one of the proudest days of my life. We last won the Minor title 29 years ago. On this journey through Conor’s underage years we travelled to and played in many Club tournaments in Kilkenny.
So here we go again, 12 months later and it’s a replay of last year’s nal. e two best teams in the Country will take the centre stage. Forget the National League nal of a few
months ago. Forget the list of achievements and history of who has won what. ere’s a title up for grabs. I wish Kilkenny all the best. You are the royalty of hurling. You have earned and deserve all your success and we have total respect for you. In my life time two teams, Kerry in football and Kilkenny in hurling failed at the last hurdle in the quest for the unmentionable and unspeakable.
We’ll be in Croke Park next Sunday supporting our Limerick Hurlers for a four in a row. And, with some luck on the day maybe we’ll then be in that unmentionable and unspeakable space for next year…!! We dare to dream - Hon Limerick.
Niall Collins is a Fianna Fail TD for the County Limerick Constituency & Minister for State at the Dept. of Further and Higher Education.
The history of hurling is not free from irony: for generations the ancient game was patronised by the landlords. ey kept teams of hurlers just as their counterparts in England kept teams of cricketers. ese men were not professionals: they were drawn from the legion of farm workers who were then needed to cultivate the vast estates.
e Act of Union did great damage to hurling. Dublin was no longer the capital city. Many of the landlords went to England. e ancient game declined. is tendency was not entirely true: there were some few who remained behind but the Famine further weakened the game.
ere were two kinds of hurling. One was called ‘mountain hurling’; the other was called ‘lowland hurling’. e former was played by men in the ‘idol times’, meaning between the end of October and the end of February. In those months there was not much work done on the land.
is kind of hurling was very like hockey: there was little or no lifting. Most of the time the ball was on the ground. It is easy to understand why:
men needed their hands for working with the spade and the shovel and the scythe and the ail.
Lowland hurling was signi cantly di erent. Mountain hurling was played with a kind of stick you would see in hock-
ey now; lowland hurling was played with a broad-bladed camán. is factor naturally made lifting a major part of
the game. When Michael Cusack sat down to formulate the rules for the new game, he delib-
erated for a very long time. When at last he made his choice, he came out in favour of the lowland game. It was
ollowing the 202 ll reland emi final win over Clare, The ilkenny hurlers will meet Limerick in the ll reland inal. n apt time to remember the words of ournalist Con oulihan and his thoughts on ilkenny hurling
form was taking over, still preferred to keep an element of ground hurling in their game. Almost inevitably, this form of hurling became less and less popular. Cork were the last county to employ the old game. Indeed there was a time in the 1930s when only one player in the Cork team was allowed to pick up the ball. at was Seán Óg Murphy. We see occasional ashes of ground hurling from O aly today. But the ball in the hand is favoured almost everywhere now. e reason is simple. Ball in hand, you have several choices: you can run with it; you can pass it; you can strike it. e choices are many.
If you drew a map of hurling in relation to the counties, you would see that it corresponded with a map showing the good land. us you will see that hurling dominates the eastern half of Cork while gaelic football dominates the western half. e same is true of Limerick and of almost every county.
I will say a last few words about mountain hurling. When Cusack used to play with his students in the Phoenix Park, his favourite advice was: ‘Tarraing é.’
much in the meantime. Hurling hardly existed at all. Did he succeed in reviving it? He did but only to a certain extent. We are back to our old friend irony. When Cusack took what he deemed the better elements of soccer and rugby, unknowingly he frustrated his plan to revive hurling.
He called the new game ‘Gaelic football’. It could not be called an ancient game because it could not be played until the invention of the pneumatic bladder. e new game proliferated and sprang up in every nook and cranny of the country. It was not too di cult to play and it was a far safer game than hurling. And it militated against the revival of hurling.
It almost wiped out mountain hurling and it also weakened the other form. Incidentally, it almost wiped out cricket, a game then played in a great many parts of the country.
competition was based on counties. ey had a great run in the early century, winning the All-Ireland seven times between 1904 and 1913.
It is not true every boy in Kilkenny is born with a little camán in one hand and a sliotar in the other. But they grow up with a knowledge that they are in a great tradition. Success breeds success. e young lads never lack for role models.
I rst saw Kilkenny play in the All-Ireland Final of 1937. To be honest I did not see them play. It was a very sad day for the Black & Amber. Tipperary overwhelmed them but at least I could say that I saw the immortal Lory Meagher. He was brought on late in the game when he could do little to salvage something.
I last saw Kilkenny play in the All-Ireland Final of 2008. On that day, under Brian Cody, they gave a display as near to perfection as is possible in human endeavour.
clear that he himself favoured mountain hurling on account of his background in Clare. But he knew that lowland
hurling would prove far more popular. And so, sometime in the late 1880s, he wrote down the rules that gave us the
game that we have today. Mountain hurling did not disappear completely: some counties, even though the new
When he set out from Kingsbridge on that fateful morning in 1884, he had two ambitions: he hoped to re-organize athletics and to revive hurling. Athletics was then in chaos; things have not improved
It was logical that hurling would become a great part of Kilkenny’s culture. It is a county where Nature has been bountiful. Almost all its land is fertile. e game never really died out there, having been so well fostered by the landlords.
e early All Irelands were really inter-club championships. Kilkenny were prominent then but they became even more so when the
Flow on, lovely river. Con Houlihan was an Irish sportswriter. Despite only progressing to national journalism at the age of 46, he became “the greatest and the best-loved Irish sports journalist of all”. He died on August 4 2012.
(This article was penned by Con for the publication “The Stripy men, and is reproduced here by kind permission of the publishers).
For Sunday’s nalists, it all started with the Provincials. Yes, of course we have the pre-season competitions and the Allianz National League, but the business end of the year starts with Leinster and Munster. It was very much a case of ‘as you were’ this season.
So, what about our boys?
2023 Leinster GAA
SHC Round 1
Kilkenny (0-29) V Westmeath (0-7)
UPMC Nowlan Park
Sat 22nd Apr 23
Referee: Chris Mooney
Derek Lyng got his rst provincial campaign underway with a home tie against Joe Fortune’s Westmeath. is game was the rst start of the season in the black and amber for the legendary TJ Reid. e Cats made light work of the Lake County’s challenge, cantering to a comfortable 22-point win. Surprise, surprise – TJ top scored for Kilkenny with 0-9, a tally which included four lovely points from play.
2023 Leinster GAA SHC
Round 2
Kilkenny (0-28) v Galway (1-25)
UPMC Nowlan Park
Sun 30th Apr 23
Referee: Johnny Murphy
Next up for the Cats was a mouthwatering clash with Mr. Henry She in’s Galway at UPMC Nowlan Park. is is the encounter that Gaels of both sides were looking forward to. is game would prove a suitable appetiser for what was to be the line-up for the provincial nal just over a month later. When TJ sent Kilkenny 3 clear in the 68th minute, it looked like bragging rights over one of Noreside’s favourite sons had been secured, but three late scores, including that injury time e ort from young sub Declan McLaughlin ensured the Tribesmen headed west with a share of the spoils.
2023 Leinster GAA
SHC Round 3
Antrim (3-20) v Kilkenny (5-31)
Corrigan Park, Belfast Sun 7th May 23
Referee: Shane Hynes
e Mayday bank holiday weekend saw Derek Lyng take his charges north to face the Sa rons in Corrigan Park. is game saw the sides go goal crazy, with eight majors being registered, 5 of which came from the visitors, including a rst half hat trick for Tullaroan’s Mossy Keoghan. TJ truck the other two goals for good measure. e Cats opening half total of 4-16 ensured they crossed the border with the points, despite Antrim putting up a much better showing after the short whistle.
into town and give Kilkenny their sternest test of the campaign to date. Again, TJ led the way scoring wise, but he had good company in the shape of Paddy Deegan and the impressive Tom Phelan, both men
hitting 3 points in a 6-point win over the boys in blue.
2023 Leinster GAA
SHC Round 5 Wexford (4-23) v Kilkenny (5-18) Chadwicks Wexford Park Sun 21st May 23
Referee: Colm Lyons
e nal game in the group stage saw the Cats make the journey to Chadwicks Wexford Park to face-o against e Yellowbellies. Nothing much to see here – just NINE goals and FORTY-ONE points. Derek Lyng’s charges were responsible for 5-18 of that huge total, but still left empty-handed. Captain Eoin Cody hit 3-1 in an electrifying display while Conahy Shamrocks Tom Phelan followed up his display against the Dubs with an eye-catching display hitting 1-4. e inspirational Lee Chin got a stunning point on 67 minutes to level matters, part of a personal tally of 1-10, while the winning scores came from Oisin Foley and sub Cathal Dunbar who secured the victory and ensured a seat at the top table for the Slaneysiders next
season.
2023 Munster GAA
SHC – Round 1
Limerick (1-18) v Waterford (0-19)
FBD Semple Stadium, Sun 23rd
April 23
Referee: Liam Gordon
First up for John Kiely’s 5-in-arow seeking Treaty side was the challenge of Davy Fitzgerald’s Waterford. Possibly closer than many thought, the All-Ireland champions got over the line by 2 points in urles. A missed penalty and a red card to Gearoid Hegarty early in the 2nd half ensured a nervy last 20-odd minutes for Limerick. At one stage, e Deise were just two points in arrears, but champions know what to do and in fashion the men in green hit four scores on the bounce and kept Davy’s charges at arm’s length to hold on for a tough victory.
2023 Munster GAA SHC – Round 2
Limerick (2-20) v Clare (1-24)
TUS Gaelic Grounds, 29th April 23
Referee: Colm Lyons
So, this is where the wheels fell o apparently. We all expected a titanic battle, and this proved accurate as Brian Lohan’s charges ended Limericks 11-match unbeaten run in the Munster championship by securing a 1-point win of in their own back yard. Substitute Aron Shanagher was the Banner’s hero, notching two classy scores in additional time to leave them two scores to the good so despite Seamus Flanagan’s late major, Clare held one and claimed a famous victory.
2023 Munster GAA
SHC – Round 3
Tipperary (0-25) v Limerick (0-25) FBD Semple Stadium, 21st May 23
Referee: Sean Stack
victory. Comfortable it certainly wasn’t, but Kiely’s charges dug deep and etched out the win that their faithful demanded. e game swung every which way and at stages, both teams may have sensed victory, but the game appeared to turn in Limerick’s favour when Dairmaid Byrne’s struck home a penalty after the lively Aaron Gillane was fouled. e champions shooting went a little astray and this allowed e Rebels back into the game. e Treaty hit 6 on the bounce, by a goal from TJ’s nemesis Patrick Horgan revitalised Cork. King of the long-range score Byrnes converted a ‘65 deep into stoppage time saw the home side win by the minimum.
2023 Munster GAA
SHC Final Limerick (1-23) v Cork (1-322)
TUS Gaelic Grounds, 11th June 23
Referee: Liam Gordon
So, Clare had topped the group and, in the process, got a con denceboosting win of their nal opponents at the same venue in round 2. Could they repeat this feat a second time in a condensed season? ey could and probably should have taken care of business again, but if you give Limerick a sni , they generally will smell blood and take advantage.
Clare started well, and actually held a 3-point lead at half-time, a goal from Mark Rodgers proving crucial in a frenetic opening period. Clearly on the back of some stern words from manager Kiely, Limerick took control during the 3rd quarter and looked to be well on the road to victory, thanks to an Aaron Gillane goal, but Brian Lohan’s men dug deep and fought back to keep the contest in the melting pot, but late scores from sub Cathal O’Neill saw the ‘green machine’ claim a 5th Munster title on the trot.
SHC Final Galway (2-26) v Kilkenny (4-21)
Páirc an Chrócaigh
Sun 11th Jun 23
Referee: Sean Stack
So, old foes Galway and Kilkenny would meet again in a repeat of last season’s provincial decider. Following their exciting group game encounter at UPMC Nowlan Park, supporters were expecting a right ding-dong battle in a bid to secure the Bob O’Keefe Cup, and those in attendance at headquarters were certainly not disappointed.
Forget about all the Ryan Tubridy stu – this was the real Late, Late Show. Cillian Buckley emerged as the unlikely goal-scoring hero for Kilkenny as his injury time major snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Two points down in the nal minute of additional time, the sliotar found its way to Dicksboro’s Buckley who only had one thing on his mind – goal and the Cats veteran ri ed his shot through the smallest of small gaps between Galway keeper Eanna Murphy and his left-hand post.
It was a sickening way for Henry She in’s men to lose the nal, as it appeared to all watching on that
Galway had done enough to secure a rst provincial title since 2018. But no team knows the old adage ‘It’s not over till the nal whistle blows “better than Kilkenny and the men in black and amber broke the hearts of the westerners with the latest of late, late shows. A stunning end to an incredible game that saw the Bob O’Keefe Cup return to Noreside for the 75th time and secure passage through to the All-Ireland semi- nal.
All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final Kilkenny (1-25) v Clare (1-22)
Páirc an Chrócaigh, Sun 9th July 23
Referee: Colm Lyons
Having lost out in an epic contest to Limerick in their provincial nal, Clare headed to headquarters to tackle Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny in a bid to get another crack at e Treaty in this season’s decider. For reasons only known to the Clare management team, they decided to play an extra defender against the Cats, and this didn’t have the desired e ect, as e Banner went in at the short whistle 5 points to the good. During the interval Brian Lohan reverted to what supporters expected and
threw Ian Galvin into the fray. Clare battled back and actually led brie y before Eoin Cody found the net. e Noresiders kept Clare at arm’s length, but it would take a spectacular save from keeper Eoin Murphy to ensure his side progressed to yet another Liam MacCarthy decider.
Limerick’s Road to Croker
We’ve been hearing it for the last few years; “Munster is where it’s at” “Nothing compares to the Munster championship” “Leinster doesn’t get close to Munster”.
On and on it goes. ere may be some merit in staging matches in more ‘provincial’ settings rather than the likes of Croke Park. Yes, I admit that Limerick vs Clare at the Gaelic Grounds was some game, some atmosphere. Perhaps people feel that the Leinster Hurling Championship is a bit like the big ball equivalent in that Kilkenny doesn’t really have any competition. Ask Derek Lyng or Cillian Buckley if it’s a forgone conclusion. Anyway, let’s look at Sunday’s opponents, Limerick. Munster certainly entertained hurling supporters and gave a little false hope that the ‘green machine’ was possibly not in tip top condition. More fool the doubters.
e wheels weren’t fully back on the Limerick machine when they made a second championship visit to FBD Semple Stadium to face the challenge of Tipperary. In another frantic encounter, e Treaty nished proceedings with 14 men, following the dismissal late on of classy corner-back Barry Nash. Deep into additional time, Tom Morrissey red John Kiely’s men in front, but there was still time for the home side to create one last chance, and they managed to engineer a placed ball which the reliable John McGrath popped over the posts to ensure e Premier County claimed a share of the spoils.
2023 Munster GAA SHC – Round 4 Limerick (3-25) v Cork (1-30)
TUS Gaelic Grounds, 28th May 23
Referee: James Owens
Coming into the nal group game on the back of a draw and a defeat, supporters packed into the Ennis Road venue knowing that Limerick’s bid to reclaim their Munster title needed nothing short of a home
All-Ireland SHC SemiFinal Limerick (2-24) v Galway (1-18)
Páirc an Chrócaigh, 8th July 23
Referee: James Owens
Galway started like a train. ey looked con dent in their plan, clearly Henry’s plan. With 25 minutes played in Croker, e Tribesmen were six points clear of the ‘green machine’. Had the Westerners totally derailed e Treaty’s plan for a tilt at 4-in-a-row All-Ireland’s? It certainly looked like that, but then their manager changed tact. ey left only one man near the Limerick goal and this was to be the catalyst for John Kiely’s men getting to grips with the Maroon-clad challenge.
By the time the short whistle sounded, the Galway lead was down to one. Limerick like the 3rd quarter of games and they turned the screw in this window again. An Aaron Gillane major was the signal for the tightening of the green grip, She in’s charges were suddenly four behind. Keeper Éanna Murphy kept going long with his restarts and his side was punished on many occasions. By the time James Owens sounded the full-time whistle, Galway were glad to be relieved of the burden of trying to halt the ‘green machine’.
Grant me O Lord, a hurler’s skill, With strength of arm and speed of limb
Unerring eye for the flying ball
And courage to match whate’er befall May my stroke be steady and my aim be true My actions manly and my misses few No matter what way the game may go May I rest in friendship with every foe
When the final whistle for me has blown And I stand at last before God’s judgement throne May the great referee when he calls my name Say, you hurled like a man; you played the game.
e Statue at e Canal Square in Kilkenny is a tribute to Kilkenny Hurlers. It was erected in May 2016. e Stripy Men have won the All-Ireland title on irty six occasions, and they will be aiming to increase that number this Sunday. e fourteen foot, limestone statue was sculpted by Barry Wrafter.
No doubting who Elvis is supporting!
nal, and judging by the reaction online since the appointment was announced, most Gaels appear happy at this decision!
BY NIALL SHERRY
Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling nal will be refereed by John Keenan. is will be the Wicklow whistler’s rst senior
While Sunday will be the Aughrim man’s rst senior decider, he has no shortage of big-game experience having efereed the All-Ireland Minor
Final in 2016, U21 All-Ireland
Final in 2018, Leinster Hurling
Final in 2019, and the Munster Hurling Final in 2022.
In this year’s Hurling Championship, John has refereed Antrim v Dublin in the Leinster Championship, two Munster championship games - Tipperary v Clare and Waterford v Clare, along with the AllIreland Quarter Final involving Galway and Tipperary. In the Allianz League, he refereed
Kilkenny v Cork and Waterford v Galway.
Sunday’s nal will be Keenan’s 22nd Liam MacCarthy game to referee since his rst in the All-Ireland series in 2014.
His umpires on the day will be Tommy Redmond (Tinahely) and Eddie Leonard (St Patrick’s), Paul Reville (Turin) and David Clune (Delvin).
His linemen on the day will
be Galway’s Liam Gordon and Wexford’s James Owens, and Liam will be the standby referee and the Sideline O cial will be Shane Hynes from Galway.
O cials on duty this Sunday:
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
Stand By: Liam Gordon (Galway)
Linesman: James Owens (Wexford)
Sideline: Shane Hynes (Galway)
Umpires: Tommy Redmond, Eddie Leonard, Paul Reville David Clune.
fourteen to senior level, we are competitive, and that’s a great place to be for a small duel county.
In the semi- nal Clare played a sweeper for thirty ve minutes against Kilkenny.
BY PHILIP WALSHWe also have the pain of having to share these thoughts knowing it could have been Clare facing Limerick.
Let’s get last Sunday out in the open.
Kilkenny deserved to win.
ey were far more e cient and their game plan was much better while their application of that plan was fantastic.
We, in the Banner, feel unlucky, but in reality we got what we deserved- a narrow loss. We will lick our wounds and come back next year.
Clare Hurling is in a great place at present. From Under
We are maybe three players short of being All Ireland champions, and our goal now must be to nd, develop and bring those lads on.
Make no bones about it, Limerick are there to be got and the team that gets them will be a team that has three main ingredients.
1: ey must have the right game plan.
2: ey must execute that plan for seventy plus minutes and 3: a team that can collectively perform above the sum of its parts.
I believe that team “can” be Kilkenny. I say ‘can’ because I’m still not convinced that it is possible for any team to do that for seventy minutes against this green machine.
In hindsight, that may have been fteen minutes too long. Many feel Brian Lohan should have made the switch to fteen on fteen in the rst half, and that might have changed the outcome of the game.
But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Limerick will hurl man on man from the rst whistle and that’s where the collective Kilkenny team will need to outperform the sum of that teams parts to win the nal.
People will ‘poopoo’ this, but for me, Limerick, unbelievably, has become about one man.
John Kiely has set the whole process around a game plan to service one man Aaron Gillane. Gillane is an enigma, a once in a generation talent. He is one of the best forwards I have ever seen and I have been attend-
ing inter-county hurling games since 1982.
It Is simple for Kilkenny. To win this match Gillane needs to score less than 6 or 7 points. If Kilkenny can shackle him for the seventy minutes, they will be All- Ireland champions. You will read lots about puck outs, half backs and half forwards, but this game revolves around one battle, and that is the Kilkenny defence marshalling Gillane e ectively for seventy minutes minutes. If he scores 1-8 to 1-12 I can’t see how Kilkenny will win the game. if he scores more than that,
Limerick will be champions.
Can this Kilkenny fullback line manage that task?
at’s the question, and for me the Jury is out on that.
Of course it’s possible, but on what we have seen from this championship, Kilkenny have leaked goals at a fair rate, and if Clare had been more e cient we would have surely got a couple more.
Gillane won’t sneeze at those chances.
So who will win? For me, it’s Limerick.
I would like to see Kilkenny as champions on All-Ireland day.
RIght now, this Limerick team
are a powerful unit, and they have got rolling at the right time.
Once they are rolling they are unstoppable.
Clare hurling people love Kilkenny, and see them as the benchmark in all that is beautiful in the game.
I would rate Kilkenny as the best traditional hurling county. And while I tip e Treaty County to take the honours, I wish all on Noreside the best of Luck.
Philip Walsh is Founder and Chief Reporter with e Clare Times Newmarket of Fergus, Co. Clare.
As Clare supporters, we have a unique insight into who might come out on top Sunday week in what is a repeat final of 2022 championship
As we head into another All-Ireland weekend where we will all be cheering for the Stripey men against last year’s champions, Limerick. Despite all last year’s hype about this great Limerick team, Kilkenny gave away 1-2 in the rst few minutes, but from then on, our Kilkenny heroes outscored the Treaty men by 3 points! So, let’s hope we outscore them over the seventy plus minutes rather than the sixty- ve minutes last year.
I have to admit, it still does not sit well with this old traditional hurling fan, having a Hurling AllIreland Final in July. It does not sit well with me and the lads that gathered for years in the corner house for a few pints of porter as we roared on the likes of Eddie Keher, Joe Hennessy, Nicky Orr and in the later years, the great Cody’s Giants. e rst Sunday in September has been the date of the All-Ireland Hurling Final since Cú Chulainn roamed the hills of Ulster. Born Setanta but renamed the ‘Hound of Culann’ after his heroic killing of Culann’s erce guard dog by using
his Hurley to slam a sliotar down the throat of the hound, whose place he took until a replacement could be reared. By bringing the big day forward, many other traditions were also lost. e great run into the big day. e colours of the day being worn by the school kids on the last week before the game. e school yards were awash with colour. is was the way since auld gods time. I remember the paper calling to the Lake school for the build up to the 1972 Final v Cork. e excitement and the buzz as I prepared for my rst trip to the ‘ eatre of Dreams’, Croke Park. Up at the crack of dawn and down to MacDonagh Train Station. e ask of tea and ham sandwiches my mother had made for the four of us as we jumped on the rst train with just two tickets for the Cusack Stand. Ah yes, the day my father, god rest his soul, lifted me and my brother over the turnstile. I recall sitting on his lap for the duration of the Minor and Senior Finals roaring my little lungs out for the black and
amber. Ah, cracker of a game!
Kilkenny coming from behind, in an eighty-minute game, to beat the Rebels from Cork. By moving the Final to July, we miss our Sunday afternoons by the wireless. Out in the sunny
garden, while reading the buildup in the Sunday papers. e summer talks of the great games to come and those that have gone and are now just memories of these great days of the summer. e games may come fast and frantic, but I preferred the slow burn of the hazy days of a long summer All-Ireland campaign.
It was all those traditional Sundays that kept the GAA spirit alive within me. e buzz that the young kids in all the Primary Schools county wide which can only increase their appetites for further participation with their local parish club, the life blood of the GAA Nationwide. I understand they want to give more time to the local championships, the All-Ireland Club Championships, but like all things in life, every action has a reaction. e reaction to this move is a few weeks of crammed GAA action, no time to digest the meals served up, and a famine for the Autumn when we all enjoyed the Final in September. Seems like it has to be a feast or a famine!
Kilkenny vs Limerick
Páirc an Chrócaigh
Sunday, July 23rd (Throw-in 3:30pm)
Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)
So, here we are again. Another All-Ireland senior hurling final for Kilkenny. Like last year, the opposition remains the same, the challenge remains as difficult as ever but the hope lives on. If you had asked the Noreside supporting faithful in 2015 if that would be the last dance with Liam MacCarthy for some eight years, they would have no doubt certified you as mad at best. But here we are,2023 and lots of water under the bridge since the County last secured the most sought-after title in hurling. The quest for All-Ireland title No. 37 this weekend will see
dominate. Like all top sides, Limerick has a sprinkling of stardust at the top end of the pitch. Step forward Aaron Gillane. The Patrickswell clubman is one of the best inside forwards in the game and rarely has a quiet game. Gillane has a bit of everything about him, he’s quick, nimble, good in the air and a ruthless finisher. Like TJ Reid, he tends to be more often than not, the top scorer for his side and is entrusted with placed ball duty on most
occasions. Now in his sixth season with The Treaty, Gillane will strike fear into the game’s best defenders and won’t be found wanting. So far in the years Championship, he has struck 3-42 in his sides drive to glory, and will be keen to see that total rise sharply on Sunday. Could this be a job for Mikey Butler? We’ll know shortly if his manager opts to pin the O’Loughlin’s defensive terrier against the Patrickswell man.
No.14 Seamus Flanagan will no doubt be a focal point for John Kiely’s side in the final. The Feohanagh
Castlemahon man is a physical threat and isn’t shy about roving out the pitch to pick up possession and fire long-range scores, especially over the shoulder ones. The bearded forward loves a goal and has four to his name in this year’s championship to date. The full-forward is deceptively pacy and a strong runner when afforded the opportunity to cover ground. I would imagine Huw Lawlor might bump into Mr. Flanagan during Sunday’s meeting.
One of last season’s stand-out men, Gearoid Hegarty hasn’t been hitting
I’m not poking the bear! Kilkenny acutely aware of the damage that the powerful St. Patrick’s man caused in the nal 12 months ago. at day in Croker he top scored for e Treaty, hitting 1-5 in an eye-catching display of pace, strength and skill. Hegarty is a real unit of a man and will need to be guarded by someone of a real physical nature, Paddy Deegan or David Blanch eld? e latter, if t, could well be given the task of shackling Hegarty.
it will be interesting to see who the Ahane man is detailed to pick up on Sunday. e half-back line for John Kiely’s side is the one that really sets the tone. Recently Declan Hannon has been missing, having picked up a knee injury in their Munster nal win over e Banner. At the time of writing, the Adare man is probably looking at a place in the 26 at best. His manager was cautious when speaking to the media recently: “We can literally a ord to take the full length of time to leave it happen because we don’t have to worry about him in terms of his preparation because he’s so experienced but, at the same time, you want to have a fully t panel of 26 players available on the day.” Should Hannon miss out from win over Henry’s say with a degree
the start, it could well be that the Limerick management put their faith in William O’ Donoghue again. e Na Piarsaigh man usually operates in
present and won’t fear whichever green jersey is detailed to pick him up in Croker on Sunday. Cody and Gillane are similar in that they don’t need much space to engineer a score. I love Eoin’s feistiness. He never gives up and will battle for any ball, no matter how much the odds may be stacked against him getting it.
but love to get sense. Byrnes is magni cent
GPS stats must be o the charts. It’s
Every team needs a Tom Morrissey. e Ahane man is perpetual motion. His owing locks can crop up anywhere on the pitch and he has an unbelievable work ethic. His not just work-rate and hunger that the half-forward is famous for, he is not shy in taking scores either and has 0-17 to his name in this year’s championship.
ow-in Cian Lynch (what hasn’t been said already about the lynchpin?) and Peter Casey and you have a dynamic, threatening and talented front six. Kilkenny legend Jackie Tyrrell once described Lynch as the conductor of the orchestra, he’s not wrong.
At the other end of the pitch, it all
starts with goalkeeper Nickie Quaid. One of the elder statesmen of this Limerick side, the E n clubman is a key component in this Treaty side. ‘Keepers are meant to be a little crazy by nature, but Quaid is Mr. Consistent, his distribution is excellent and like his opposite number, shot-stopping has become one of his key skills. I should add that Quaid is also a master of taking the sting out of a game, just ask Brian Lohan.
In front of Quaid is likely to be a trio of Mike Casey, Dan Morrissey and the roving Barry Nash. e
elder of the Morrissey boys, Dan is the anchor at the back for Limerick. e full-back tends to go about his business quietly, without fuss or much talk.
e big No.3 likes a battle, and
the engine room of mid eld but took a step back to play in the ‘6’ role during their semi- nal Galway. We can of certainty that ying up and down the wings for e Treaty will be Diarmaid Byrnes and Kyle Hayes. Both are solid defensively involved in an attacking in the air and is accurate from long range both from play and the placed ball. Hayes transformation since dropping has been a revelation. Another that falls into the ‘unit’ brigade,
into defence the Kildimo Pallaskenry man comes alive when he joins the attack, raiding from deep.
Derek Lyng will hope that his side can cause the Limerick defence enough problems that it distracts from their attacking potency. e two main scoring weapons for the Noresiders will undoubtably be TJ Reid and captain, Eoin Cody. e Shamrocks Ballyhale pair have again spearheaded the Cats scoring threat, amassing an impressive tally of 6-87 between them in this year’s championship. Both players really impressed in the semi- nal win over Clare and their chemistry is obvious. Eoin Cody is hurling really well at
While our captain is relatively new to senior inter-county hurling, TJ Reid is at the opposite end of the spectrum, but you wouldn’t know that if you witnessed many of his performances this season. You are as likely to see the ever-youthful TJ scrambling to gather possession inside his own 21-yard line as you are to see him chase down an opposition defender close to the other team’s posts. Along with his non-stop work ethic, Reid still has a keen eye for keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Let’s not forget that TJ is currently the all-time leading scorer in the history of championship hurling and he will hope that not only will Sunday see a 37th All-Ireland title arrive in the Marble City, but that he builds up a healthier lead over scoring rival, Cork’s Patrick Horgan. TJ top scored in last year’s nal but ended up on the losing side. How he would swap personal records for a team victory this weekend.
Martin Keoghan raised a green ag in the corresponding xture 12 months ago and will hope to be given a chance to replicate this on Sunday. Mossy will need to be at his menacing best if given the nod against Limerick. He will need to chase down and hassle the opposition defence as well as taking any chances that present themselves at headquarters. GraigueBallycallan’s Billy Ryan will also look to trouble the Treaty defence, his pacy intelligent runs tend to leave space for team mates to exploit. Don’t forget, Billy got our second in the previous nal.
omastown’s John Donnelly will look to give another all-action display and use his work-rate and physicality to good advantage against Limerick. One of his partners in the half-forward line recently has been Tom Phelan. His direct running style has seen the Conahy Shamrocks man notch 1-9, and he is becoming a key gure for manager Lyng in the Kilkenny attacking unit. It was great to see Adrian Mullen return to the fold last day out. Having su ered a nasty thumb injury in the defeat to Wexford, it had initially been thought that the former county captain may struggle to see any further action this season, but to his and the medical team’s credit, Mullen was back and hugely
in uential in the win over Brian Lohan’s Clare. His partnership with Erins Own’s Conor Fogarty in the engine room will be crucial to the hopes of a black and amber victory on Sunday. ese two players won’t be shy about getting stuck in when the going gets tough against the green machine at Croker. Let’s not forget Fogarty’s lung-busting run to get that superb block on Mark Rodgers goal-bound shot against e Banner. Such determination will certainly be required in the battle with Limerick.
Messrs. Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan and David Blanch eld will hope to link up again in the Cats half-back line. Richie’s ability to sweep and snu out danger will be evident, as will the physical and aerial ability of his ‘wing men’ Blanch eld and Deegan. Behind these three, we are likely to nd O’Loughlin’s duo Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor and e Sash’s Tommy Walsh. Will it be Butler vs Gillane and Lawlor vs Flanagan?
ese would be tasty duels, and ones that could swing the outcome of game. Tommy Walsh had a decent game against Clare and is growing into one of the hardest positions in modern –day hurling.
e last line for Kilkenny will see Eoin Murphy between the sticks. e Glenmore man is again producing All-Star winning performances this season. Murphy made some critical stops against Clare, but his nal divine intervention to deny Peter Duggan a certain goal, well, what hasn’t been said about this logicdefying save? Eoin would ideally prefer a less hectic day at the o ce, but as usual his restarts will be vital in Kilkenny playing the game on their terms, and not their opponents. Both sides possess quality individuals that they can spring from the bench. Rarely will a hurling match be won by just fteen players. You need 20+ to enable the dice to roll, especially in big games on big days.
For Kilkenny the likes of Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, Padraig Walsh and Cian Kenny can have a massive impact when fresh legs and minds are required. John Kiely normally calls upon Cathal O’Neill, David Reidy, Graeme Mulcahy and Adam English if his machine is mis ring. ere’s no doubt that this game could indeed be won from the bench.
e time for talking is almost over.
When Wicklow whistler John Keenan throw’s the sliotar in at 3:30pm on Sunday, we will collectively hope and pray that Derek Lyng’s men do themselves justice and end the right year wait for our old friend Liam. ‘Hon the Cats.
been yet.
BY DEREK DOOLEYWith a much shorter window of preparation for the big day, the frenzied scramble for tickets has seen swaps being done, Hill for Cusack, Davin for Hogan and those who don’t care a damn just as long as they get inside the gate of the hallowed stadium.
Limerick will justi ably don the favourites tag as they chase the coveted four-in-a-row. However, they are not likely to let that feat be the focus of their preparation. eir colossal physical stamina coupled with skill and ability has shown that they have the capability to railroad any opposition. Yet they have had some close shaves this season which might show that they could be caught but just haven’t
Kilkenny on the other hand, have gotten progressively stronger and possibly elded their strongest team to date in the Semi- nal against Clare. How will it go? Tight. Very tight. I anticipate that this will be a very physical battle. e opening 10 minutes will see some hard hits and intense statements of purpose. Match-ups will also be very important and I have no doubt that Derek Lyng will forensically look at this aspect of the game. A key aspect of this will be tying up, or at least restricting, Aaron Gillane and who better than Continent man Mikey Butler who has become something of a folk legend at this art. Last year, when David Blanch eld was introduced, he did a phenomenal job on the towering Gearóid Hegarty. I would hope the Bennettsbridge man will make the tness deadline for this encounter. Despite these match ups, we know that any Limerick player is capable
of scoring. Just look at the likes of Kyle Hayes and Diarmuid Byrnes who can contribute as much as any forward to the Limerick tally.
For Kilkenny, Eoin Cody probably played one of his nest games to date in the black and amber jersey, notching up 1-5 in the semi- nal. He will be a key target man for us. Since overcoming injury, Adrian Mullen has added considerable strength to the mid eld sector and he will worry the Limerick management. Our half forward line needs to contribute more than they did the last time if we are to have a serious chance of beating the Treaty men. I expect this will happen.
A worrying factor from the semi nal is that we were outscored 8 points to 2 in the 3rd quarter of the semi nal before Eoin Cody halted the Clare offensive with his well taken goal. We just cannot let that happen against Limerick.
A key feature of the Kilkenny
e ort in the last two games has been how Derek Lyng and his management team has used the bench to great e ect. ey are not afraid to make changes. e impact of Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, Padraig Walsh and of course Cillian Buckley who clinched a last second winning goal in the Leinster Final, has proved key to Kilkenny’s success. is will be crucial in the nal too. It will be a twenty-man e ort.
One feels that we could have got over the line in last years nal against Limerick. at wound still hurts. I imagine that that hurt was bottled on that day and will be unleashed on the 23rd of July. Also, an eight year absence of Liam Mac Carthy from the banks of the Nore has caused an immense hunger. ere is nothing as dangerous as a wounded and hungry Cat! Limerick beware!
Dooley is acting chairperson of Danesfort GAA club.
Following two fabulous wins in the Leinster Final and All -Ireland Semi Final respectively, we find ourselves once again making preparations for the road to Croker for ll reland inal day
You can’t beat the atmosphere at big matches and enjoying the banter with supporters from the opposing side.
What a Leinster Final and what a nish! My heart had just about recovered from that, and before I knew it we were back in Croke Pak facing Clare in the semi- nal. We knew it was going to be tough.
I’m sure there are but my gosh it takes some beating. e banter, the colour and the craic.
I grew up in in Larch eld in
Kilkenny . My parents were from Johnstown and Clamantagh. Both avid hurling fans and right up to when they died, they still supported their home clubs. ey would shout for the Village but not if they were playing the Fenians or the Emeralds. Tribalism at its best. I left Kilkenny in 1987 and have lived in Kildare since 1990. Luckily, they don’t meet
us in hurling matches, so my ve children have been reared to shout for Kilkenny in the hurling and Kildare in football. Changing nappies and other duties that came with rearing a small family in the early 1990s, stopped me going to matches. I would watch as many as I could on T.V. but it’s not quite the same as being there. Once my older ones got to be
big enough to bring to Croke park we made our annual trip for the semi- nal. I would go to the odd match in Nowlan Park. Now I go to most of the matches especially the ones in Nowlan Park. My eldest son comes with me now to most of the matches. He can be as fanatical as any Kilkenny born supporter!
And boy was it? Clare were out to pay us back for 2022 and to have another shot at Limerick after loosing to them in Munster nal. Kilkenny out to show what we are made of and to get another crack at Limerick after losing by two points in the All-Ireland last year.
e memories of 2009. Our four in a row was so special.
But in true swings and roundabouts, it was followed by the heartbreak of the following year. Another special one for me was the Galway drawn game in 2012. Truly, edge of the seat stu .
To be fair, you just can’t beat it.
I didn’t enjoy the Kilkenny v Waterford nal as I don’t like matches that are very one sided they don’t do either side any good.
All Irelands, like last year, when it’s close and tight are the best to watch.
e team played their hearts out, and I for one, came out of Croke Park sad that we lost, but
mighty proud of the game we played.
Can we do it this year?
I hope so. Our squad is strong, we have strength in the subs, we have a great mix of experience and youth. Limerick are strong too but we came so close last year, and they were to the pin of their collar. So this year the question on my mind is, have we improved on last year?
e answer: yes we have. e hooking and blocking. e accurate passing and scoring. Not to mention fabulous saves. Have Limerick improved? I’m not so sure.
But let us not be mistaken or under any illusion.
Limerick are good. In all aspects of the game.
Kilkenny will need to be ring on all cylinders. I feel it will be man on man marking.
All we can ask of our panel is that they give it all, like we know they will. We are ready as supporters to Fill Croke Park with the Black and Amber colours. After that I need to gure out what to do for the rest of the year …. Its very early to have the hurling over. Enjoy the game and Hon de Cats.
Kilkenny hurling supporter Connie Hempenstall lives with her husband Jimmy and ve children In Newbridge Co Kildare.
Underage teams have also reached the top of their group, participating in All Irelands in St Brendan’s Park, Birr and TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.
When one reaches an All-Ireland Final, there is always great pride, and nothing compares with wearing your County Colours and running out onto the pitch for All Ireland Final Day. Looking at it from the Camogie perspective, the level of commitment is second to none. It can be a di cult road to travel. e training, missing out on family gatherings, racing from work to make training:this is the dedication all sports people must have to achieve goals such as reaching a nal. But for all the commitment, the ‘blood, sweat and tears’, the end result in participating in that nal, and hopefully getting some silverware at the end of the year, more that makes up for everything.
Youngsters look up to County Players, in particular seeing them as the great ambassadors that they are.
e ‘open training night’ last week in Nowlan Park, saw hundreds of young people attend and get autographs from their
heroes. ‘Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí’ comes to mind.
ey want to be like them and follow in their footsteps, with the hope of running out onto the hallowed turf of Croke Park someday.
Kilkenny Camogie is very proud of all County Teams that have reached All- Ireland Finals in Senior, Intermediate, Minor, U17, U16, U15 and U14 .
We know the joy and the excitement that the county of Kilkenny is going through right now as we prepare to take on e Treaty County.
We understand the ‘faminelike’ feeling, not having brought Liam Mac Carthy back to Nore-side since 2015.
e expectation of reaching an All-Ireland in 2023 may not have been anticipated by many at the start of the season.
Change is tough.
Change in management and the introduction of new blood can take time.
at Kilkenny will challenge to bring their All-Ireland winning tally to thirty seven this coming Sunday is great credit to all involved. at is no accident. at is sheer willpower. And work. Tremendous work.
All at Kilkenny Camogie wish Derek, Management, Captain Eoin and Kilkenny Senior Hurlers the Best of Luck.
Aoife Lanigan is PRO for Kilkenny Camogie Board.
Over the past number of years, Kilkenny Camogie Senior and Intermediate teams have reached All Ireland Finals in Croke Park
Adrian Mullen holds off Séadna Morey as Eoin Cody gets possession
living Galwegian possessed an All-Ireland medal.
Yet, when I walked into my new workplace, four of the employees would go on to have 21 of them.
I met, and got to know AllIreland hurling winners all over the place in Kilkenny, and yet, you wouldn’t know it. ey carried on as if they never won anything.
e same applies to All-Ireland Camogie winners. e ladies having won a record 15 titles.
is is unbelievable, considering in other Counties men have built careers in punditry business and politics, on the basis of winning one or two All-Irelands.
One man went on to become Taoiseach, very much helped by winning 5 All-Irelands in hurling (O.K. one in football).
counties can say that?
Wales or the All-Blacks no longer are the forces they were in rugby. In the Premier League in Soccer, temporary success is achieved based on the money clubs have available to purchase players (usually from abroad).
But Kilkenny are ever present and this from a county that is twenty rst in size of the thirty two, by population.
It is no argument to say that Kilkenny just focus on hurling, at the expense of Gaelic football.
Kilkenny has plenty of success in other sports such as Golf, Rugby, Soccer, Athletics, and Swimming.
Now, to the Final.
BY JIM CRADOCKThis, on top of the block by Conor Fogarty in the rst half. Not forgetting Kilkenny having beaten Galway with a brilliant goal in the dying
seconds of the Semi-Final. I know ‘elite sport’ is decided on ne margins, but this is ridiculous
Kilkenny now head into their 52nd All-Ireland Final, 36 of
which they have won – more than any other County, of a total of 144. Unbelievable!
When I arrived in Kilkenny 50 years ago, having originally been raised in Galway, no
On that basis, we should have been looking to have 39 potential Taoiseachs from Kilkenny, as that is the number who have won 5 or more All-Ireland medals.
TO THE FORE
Since they rst won in 1904, Kilkenny hurlers have always been to the fore. How many
How many supporters thought they would be in this position after losing to Tipperary in the League in Nowlan Park, but here they are in another Final?
Anyway, here’s hoping. Good luck to Derek and the lads.
To echo my 3 year old grandson “Come on the cats”.
Jim Cradock is a Galway man who worked at Smithwick’s Brewery from 1973 to 2000.
hat a great win that was for ilkeny in the hurling semi final, and what a brilliant save by Eoin Murphy in the last minute to secure the victory for ilkenny. y general consensus, the greatest save ever seen in Croke ark
Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny are a much friendlier prospect in the betting markets, should you fancy punting on the ‘outsider’. Let’s not forget it is only a 2-horse race! e Cats are available at 5/2 with BoyleSports, a decent price if you fancy the Cats to topple the Treaty!
e main man..........
e All-Ireland nal is a stage for someone to shine. So, who will light up Croker on Sunday? Will it be someone in green, or black and amber? Limerick sharp-shooter Aaron Gillane leads the way in the betting to be named MOTM by the National Broadcaster. Kilkenny captain Eoin Cody, who won the accolade in the Cats seminal win over Clare at Croker looks a decent price at 10/1.
When Limerick pipped Kilkenny by a couple of points in last year’s nal, MOTM that day went to St. Patrick’s clubman and Treaty top-scorer that day, Gearoid Hegarty. If you fancy repeating that feat, you can get 8/1 on the manmountain.
As with all sporting events, there is always huge interest in the betting odds.
betting front.
It’s a team game.........
BY NIALL SHERRYis year’s All-Ireland decider is no di erent with many rms reporting brisk business on the
As you would expect Limerick are the bookmaker’s favourites to make it a 12th Liam MacCarthy title and a fourth on the bounce. You would need to have the
bank balance of a JP McManus to make any signi cant return on e Treaty this weekend. Most betting rms, including BoyleSports, have Limerick at 4/9 to emerge victorious on Sunday afternoon.
e top scorer in hurling championship history, TJ Reid is sitting at an attractive price of 10/1 to be deemed topman on the day.
To be named RTE MOTM, the betting is as follows:
Aaron Gillane 9/2
Gearoid Hegarty 8/1
Cian Lynch 9/1
Eoin Cody 10/1
Kyle Hayes 10/1
TJ Reid 10/1
Diarmaid Byrnes 14/1
Barry Nash 16/1
Seamus Flanagan 16/1
Tom Morrissey 16/1
Adrian Mullen 20/1
Darragh O’Donovan 22/1
Back of the net.......
If you think you can predict the game’s rst goal scorer (surely there will be goals??) the experts at BoyleSports reckon Limerick’s Aaron Gillane is again the man of this occasion. e Patrickswell clubman is 7/2 to make the net bulge before anyone else on Sunday.
If you want to hedge your bets, Gillane is even money to raise a green ag at any stage of the 70 minutes. Gearoid Hegarty, who notched John Kiely’s side’s goal in the 2022 decider is available at 12/1.
Again, Eoin Cody is the most likely of the Cats to register the rst major of the contest, best priced at 11/2. (Don’t tell Mossy!!) Should Kilkenny be awarded a penalty, you’d imagine TJ would step forward and strike it.
Well, e Shamrocks Ballyhale man is 15/2 to score the rst goal. Just for the record, Mossy who bagged the Cats rst major in last season’s nal, is 9/1.
Plenty of food for thought on the betting front and remember as always – gamble responsibly.
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 6 hrs
Serves: 6 (or 4 adults and four children)
Put the pork for these pulled pork tacos in the slow cooker in the morning, and you’ll have a family feast for dinner. Serve with cabbage, avocado and salsa.
Ingredients
• 1½kg boneless pork shoulder, rind removed and cut into 6 chunks
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 tbsp chipotle paste
• 1 orange, juiced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 432g can pineapple, juice only (save the chunks for the salsa, below)
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• grating of fresh nutmeg
For the pineapple salsa
• 432g can pineapple, drained
• ½ red onion, nely chopped
• handful of coriander, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 red chilli, chopped (optional)
To serve
Prep: 40 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Plus as least 2 hrs proving
Makes: 20
Enjoy this cheesy garlic tearand-share bread at a family dinner. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd at a barbecue, or as a side dish to a hearty casserole.
Ingredients
• 100g unsalted butter, softened
• 450g strong white bread our
• 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
• 1 tsp golden caster sugar
• rapeseed oil, for the bowl and tray
• 2 tbsp polenta or cornmeal
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 100g mozzarella, grated
• 50g cheddar, grated
Method
STEP 1
Heat 280ml water in a saucepan for a minute until warm but not
Prep: 5 mins
Serves: 1
If you’re a co ee fan, try this chilled nonalcoholic espresso and tonic on a warm day when you need a ca eine hit. Serve with ice and a zesty lime wedge.
Ingredients
•30ml espresso
•tonic water, to top up
•ice
•lime wedge, to garnish
Method
STEP 1
Brew 30ml espresso, then leave to cool slightly. Slowly pour over a large glass of tonic water with plenty of ice. Garnish with a lime wedge, if you like, before serving.
• 8-10 taco shells or wraps
• ½ red cabbage, nely shredded
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 100ml soured cream (optional)
Method
STEP 1
Put the pork in a large, lidded ovenproof dish with the remaining ingredients and mix well to coat. If you can, chill and marinate overnight.
STEP 2
Heat the oven to 140C/120C fan/ gas 1. Put the lid on the dish and cook on the middle shelf for 4 hrs. Check after 2 hrs and spoon over the juices. Check the meat is tender by pulling it apart with two forks. If it resists, cook for 1-2 hrs more.
STEP 3
Mix the ingredients for the salsa in a bowl and warm the tacos. Shred the pork and remove any fat or sinew. Serve with the
cabbage, avocado, soured cream and salsa.
RECIPE TIPS
PULLED PORK & BEAN ENCHILADAS
Mix some pulled pork with a drained 400g can of black beans and stu tortillas with the mixture. Pour over passata mixed with taco seasoning, grate over some cheese and bake until the cheese melts.
10 mins by hand, or 5 mins in a mixer, until the dough feels stretchy and smooth. Tip into a clean, oiled bowl and cover with oiled cling lm. Leave to rise for 1½-2 hrs, or until doubled in size.
STEP 2
Brush a large baking tray with oil and scatter over the polenta. Knock the air out of the dough. Pinch o small pieces (about the size of a walnut), then roll each piece into a ball and put on the baking tray. Leave a little space between each dough ball.
STEP 3
Prep: 10 mins
Serves: 8-10
Ideal for parties, this punch is easy to put together, simple to serve and lled with crowdpleasing fruity avours.
Ingredients
•300ml vodka
•200ml triple sec
•100ml lime juice
•50g caster sugar
•250ml pineapple juice
•250ml tropical juice
•ice
•125ml sparkling water
•few mint sprigs
•1 peeled and sliced kiwi
•1 orange sliced
too hot to stick your nger in (don’t burn yourself!). Remove from the heat, then add 50g butter. Combine the our, yeast,
sugar and 1 tsp salt in a large bowl or a tabletop mixer. Add the warm water and beat to make a soft dough. Knead for
Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cover the tray with oiled cling lm, then prove for 30 mins-1 hr until the dough has doubled in size and the balls are touching. Mix the remaining butter with the garlic. When the rolls are ready to cook, brush the tops with the garlic butter and scatter with the cheeses. Bake for 25-30 mins until the dough balls are cooked through. Leave to cool for 5 mins, then serve.
•handful raspberries or mixed berries
Method
STEP 1
Pour the vodka and triple sec into a large punch bowl. Mix the lime juice and sugar together in a glass or jug until the sugar has dissolved, then add that to the bowl.
STEP 2
Pour in the fruit juices, then add lots of ice and stir. Pour in the sparkling water, mint, sliced fruit mint and berries.
If you’re in the mood for a familyfriendly space adventure, Lost in Space is the right choice. A reimagining of the classic 1960s series, this show follows the Robinson family as they crash-land on an unknown planet while en route to colonise a new world.
1. e Harder ey Fall (2021)
is 2021 Western features the best of Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, and RJ Cyler. It is directed and written by Jeymes Samuel along with Boaz Yakin. e movie showcases a story where an outlaw discovers that his enemy has nally been released from prison. Watch the movie to witness how the two reunite and seek revenge.
2. e Power Of e Dog (2021) is Benedict Cumberbatch starrer is directed and written by Jane Campion along with omas Savage. e awardwinning lm also stars Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons. When it comes to the plot, the 2021 movie features the best of a high-handed rancher amid a war of intimidation against his nephew and sister-in-law. Watch the
movie on Net ix to witness how secrets are revealed.
3. Hell Or High Water (2016)
Another best Western on Net ix is Hell or High Water. Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Taylor Sheridan, this movie features the best of Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Je Bridges. is highly-rated crime drama showcases the best of a character named Toby who is a divorced father. Watch the movie to witness how he means to improve his life along with his ex-con shorttempered brother but ends up planning multiple bank heists.
4. Django Unchained (2012)
Another highly-rated Western on Net ix is Django Unchained. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino,
the movie features iconic performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, and Christoph Waltz. is starstudded drama follows a story of a German bounty hunter. Watch the movie to witness how he freed himself from slavery and his wife from a violent farm owner.
5. In a Valley of Violence (2016)
e 2016 movie is written and directed by Ti West. e lm features the best of Ethan Hawke, John Travolta, and Taissa Farmiga. When it comes to the plot, the movie features the story of a mystifying stranger who seeks revenge from the town’s local marshal.
6. Geronimo: An American Legend (1993) is historical Western drama titled Geronimo: An American Legend [pictured]
is directed by Walter Hill and written by John Milius and Larry Gross. Released in the year 1993, the movie is set in the late 1800s and features the best of Jason Patric, Gene Hackman, and Robert Duvall. When it comes to the plot, the movie showcases a story of an Apache warrior Geronimo.
7. e Professionals (1966)
e action drama features the best of actors including Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, and Robert Ryan. Directed and written by Richard Brooks along with Frank O’Rourke. e 1966 Western showcases a story of an infamous bandit who kidnaps a Texas millionaire. Watch the movie to witness how he rescues his wife amidst plenty of rugged adventures.
* All streaming on Net ix
With both writers and actors on strike, the future of Hollywood is at stake. Unlike back in 2007, this strike is di erent. It’s far more complicated than just wanting a bigger cut of the hit lms and TV shows that actors and writers helped create. A rapid shift toward streaming — coupled with the existential threat posed by AI — has created a canyon between what Hollywood writers and actors want and what the country’s largest media companies are willing to give.
For the rst time in 63 years, SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents actors and actresses across the lm and TV industry, has joined the Writers Guild of America
(WGA) on the picket lines.
e WGA voted to authorise a strike back on May 2nd after it failed to negotiate a new contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the group that represents companies like Amazon, Net ix, Warner Bros., and Paramount. In addition to proposals for better pay and working conditions, both the WGA and SAGAFTRA are seeking more protections for writers and actors who make content for streaming services.
e WGA argues that the minimum guaranteed residuals it agreed upon in its most recent contract with the AMPTP are still not as
much as what you’d earn making a show for broadcast television. Similarly, SAGAFTRA is demanding increased minimum pay rates to o set in ation and isn’t happy with the residuals that actors are getting for making content for streaming services, either.
A residual is a type of royalty that writers and actors earn when their work is reused on services, like streaming platforms or TV. Unlike when a show is released on a television network, writers and actors who work on shows for streaming services don’t get paid based on how many people view their content and the ads that
are aired alongside it. Instead writers get paid two set-in-stone residuals: one for a domestic release and another for an international release. is means they aren’t entitled to receive any extra compensation even if the show they help make is a Stranger ings-sized hit. At the crux of this issue are the streaming services themselves. Streamers have long kept their streaming data under wraps, much to the discontent of the people who actually make the shows that drive viewers to their service. While viewership data is crucial in guiding the writers behind the scenes, there’s currently no way for them to obtain that information.
Stranded light-years away from their intended destination, they must navigate treacherous terrain, encounter alien life forms, and unravel the mysteries of their new surroundings. e series features a stellar cast, including Toby Stephens, Molly Parker, Taylor Russell, Parker Posey, and Maxwell Jenkins.
In a dystopian future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies, known as ‘sleeves’, Altered Carbon is set in a world where the rich can live forever while the poor struggle for survival. Created by Laeta Kalogridis, this cyberpunk-noir series follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former elite soldier brought back to life centuries after his death to solve a murder. Starring Joel Kinnaman and later Anthony Mackie, this mind-bending series delves into themes of identity, power, and the dilemma of eternal life.
3. e OA
e OA is an enigmatic series that follows the life of Prairie Johnson, a young woman who resurfaces after a seven-year disappearance with mysterious new abilities. As she assembles a group of unlikely allies, they embark on a quest to unravel the truth behind her experiences.
e OA challenges the boundaries of reality. e series features Brit Marling in the lead role, supported by a talented ensemble cast.
Based on the critically acclaimed lm by Bong Joon-ho, Snowpiercer takes place in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world where the remnants of humanity survive aboard a perpetually moving train. is gripping series follows the struggle for power and justice as the residents of the train’s di erent social classes clash.
e story for the show is developed by Josh Friedman and Graeme Manson. With stunning visuals and a stellar cast led by Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs, Snowpiercer is a thought-provoking exploration of class struggle and survival in a desolate world.
5. Dark
If you crave a complex and intricate sci- mystery spanning over timelines, Dark is it. Set in the small German town of Winden, this mind-bending series explores the interconnectedness of time, unravelling a web of secrets and conspiracies spanning several generations.
With its atmospheric cinematography and a captivating ensemble cast, including Louis Hofmann and Lisa Vicari, Dark will keep you guessing until the very end.
Next Friday, Lucy Coogan will be playing for The Ireland U-20 Basketball Team as they are in European Championship action in Craiova, Romania. Lucy is a superb young talent who has been making great strides in recent years, and her inclusion in the upcoming Europeans is throughly deserved as she is rewarded for her talent, work rate and committment.
She has finished the first of a four year Sports Scholarship in Caldwell University in the United States, and she is getting the best of both worlds as she can progress and develop her Basketball career while combining her studies also.
Lucy represented Ireland in The European U-18 Championship last year in Bulgaria, and she acquitted
herself very well. She was Ireland's 2nd highest scorer as she averaged 15 points per game. Another personal highlight came in 2021 when she scored 29 points for Ireland in an 87-64 win against Hungary in The FIBA European Championships in The Czech Republic.
Lucy began her career with Kilkenny Stars where she blossomed under the guidance of Puff Summers who has been a major influence on her career so far. Lucy is only the second women's player from the Kilkenny Stars Club to receive a cap after her sister Ava was capped at U17 level in 2019. She has also played for the Ireland U-16s, and last year during the 2021/2022 season she had a spell playing for IT Carlow
in The Womens Super League where she was also combining her Leaving Cert studies.
She was then offered a four year Sports Scholarship to The US, where it was a perfect for her to progress her Basketball career by playing with and against World Class talent.
Ireland will begin their European U-20 Championship campaign next Friday Evening July 28th at 6.30pm Irish Time against Greece, followed by matches against The host nation Romania on Sunday July 30th at 4pm Irish time and Georgia on Wednesday 2nd August at 11am Irish time.
Wishing Lucy all The Very Best in Romania and in her Sports Scholarship Stateside.
ATHLETICS
Two Clara athletes took home gold from the recent All Ireland Juvenile Track and Field Championships in Tullamore. Both representing Kilkenny City Harriers, Pia Langton and Billy Coogan won the U17 800m and the U19 Steeplechase respectively. Billy was first up and won by a massive 30 seconds. In doing so Billy also eclipsed the previous championship best by all of 12 seconds. A serious performance.
An hour later Pia Langton eased to victory in her race in a time of 2.13, a time she has consistently run this season. Two exemplary displays from two up and coming young athletes. Continued success is wished to both.
U19 HURLING
Clara came up just short against Barrow Rangers in Clara in the second round of the Roinn C U19 league. However management were happy enough with the display and application of the home team despite the loss. They were again shorn of the services of some of their older players but stayed in the contest right to the end.
In fact it was Clara who led 0-11 to 0-6 at hal ime. A no nonsense first time delivery of the ball into the full forward line with the slight aid of a cross field breeze was reaping dividends and when scores weren’t registered Barrow Rangers were forced to concede frees. Conor Hoyne converted four of these and added two from play, as did Harry Boyle, and Luke Lawlor, Sean Carrigan and Tommy Delaney added one apiece to account for Clara’s first half total. All but two of the Paulstown tally had come from placed balls as the Clara backs and goalie Joe Power had coped well with the threat. The Rangers signalled their intent early in the second half by reeling o the first three points rather quickly. Conor Hoyne responded with a free but another Paulstown point returned the deficit to two points. Then Barrow Rangers took the lead with a somewhat fortunate goal from distance and another point from a free moved them two clear. Conor Hoyne closed the gap but the Rangers now had the bit between their teeth and a further two points followed by a goal moved them six ahead entering the final quarter.
However Clara never gave up the ghost and outscored their opponents 1-4 to 0-2 from there to the finish. David Barcoe was relocated from centre back to the half forward line and started to get his hand on some ball and win frees which were converted by Conor Hoyne. Tommy Delaney was another who was prominent at this point and when Dillon Cummins wrong footed the Paulstown netminder with a ground shot goal the margin was down to one.
A Barrow Rangers pointed free was answered in kind by Conor Hoyne but with Clara pressing hard for an equaliser time ran out for them and referee Colin Tobin drew a close to proceedings. Team - Joe Power, Alex McDonald, Zach Lawlor, John Bergin. Alex Firbank, David Barcoe, Ben Murphy. Conor Hoyne 0-12, 0-9f, Hugh Kelly. Tommy Delaney 0-1, Sean Carrigan 0-1, Luke Lawlor 0-1. Harry Boyle 0-2, Dillon Cummins 1-0. Sub Tom Murphy.
CÚL CAMPS
Clara hosted a very successful Cúl Camp last week with hundreds of kids having a ball despite the inclement weather at times. Children from Clara, Barrow Rangers, Young Irelands and further afield enjoyed themselves and were visited by KCLR on Friday. Well done to all the coaches and organisers who made the week such a great success.
THE SIDELINE CUT
Tickets for our All-Ireland preview show The Sideline Cut are selling fast. Available online at eventbrite.com and also in the club bar each evening. Special guests include Kilkenny and Graigue Ballycallan legend Eddie Brennan with Limerick’s Niall Moran of Ahane GAA. Kilkenny and O’Loughlin Gaels greats Brian Hogan, Mark Bergin and All-Ireland winning Kilkenny Camogie Manager Brian Dowling along with 2022 camogie All-Star Laura Murphy. Also we will have Sunday Game pundit and All-Ireland winning Galway Manager Cyrill Farrell
A ra le for All-Ireland Final tickets and a signed Kilkenny training jersey will also be on o er with ra le tickets sold at the event. This will be of huge interest to all hurling enthusiasts so please share to club and friends and get your ticket now. Limited tickets available.
CLUB LOTTO
There was no winner of Club Lotto (July 11th). Numbers drawn 13, 15, 20, 24 Bonus 27
Next week’s big prize will be €20,000. Play Now at www.oloughlingaels.com/lotto
Promotors Draw. 1. Joan O’Connell c/o D O’Connell. 2. Geraldine Casey. 3. Ths Hickey c/o B Murphy. 4. Geraldine Leahy c/o JJ Cullen. 5. R Woods c/o P Greene. 6. May Larkin c/o M Doran. 7. A Woods c/o P Greene. 8. Theresa Loughlin c/o Online. 9. Joe Leydon c/o Online. 10. Edwina Whearty c/o Online. Thank you for your continued support
ALL-IRELAND
All roads lead to Croke Park on Sunday for this year’s All-Ireland hurling final. We wish Mikey, Huw, Paddy and Conor the very best and look forward to great performances from them. Well done to them and their families as they’ve earned this accolade through years of dedicated commitment to their game. We wish all those travelling to support the team a safe and enjoyable weekend.
CAMOGIE
On Saturday a ernoon camogie’s Laura Greene and Danielle Quigley are looking to reach the Intermediate All-Ireland final when they head to Thurles with Kilkenny to take on Derry in the SemiFinal. The best of luck girls
VOLUNTEERS
O’Loughlin Gaels wish to thank all volunteers for their continued good work. More are needed to maintain standards so if interested in anyway please contact any committee member with your details. Volunteers for stewarding, grounds maintenance, co ee dock, umpiring, first aid etc. All new help welcome.
SUMMER CAMP
Looking forward to this!! Those who got places get ready for a great two weeks. Attend all your training and games in the meantime and be fully ready for two weeks of pure hurling.
Sponsors: McCarthy’s Eurospar, Newpark Shopping Centre
DIARY DATES
Summer Camp - July 24th to Aug 4th. Details available on clubs social media and team managers. Golf Classic - Aug 17th and 18th. Race night - August 25th. Tickets on sale through players and committee in the coming weeks.
LEAGUE WINNERS
Congratulations to St.Lachtains Junior F hurling team who were victorious last week in their league final when they overcame Windgap on a final score of 1-22 to 0-11. Well done to the players and management and all involved.
Team. R Dowling C Bowden, M Nolan, J Cantwell C Donnelly J Bowden J Hickey S Burke (capt) J Bergin S Kennedy C Hickey D Killeen C Leahy M Durnan B Dermody. Subs B Hughes D Burke J McCarthy.
Well done also to the Junior B team who had a 5 point win over a good Danesfort team at the weekend on a final score of 3-17 to 1-18 and are now through to a quarter final in a few weeks time. The U17 are wished all the best when they take on Callan in their final this week.
BEST WISHES
Best wishes to local man Darren Brennan who is part of the Kilkenny senior hurling team who play Limerick in the All Ireland senior hurling final on Sunday
FOOTBALL
Kilkenny Junior Footballers were very unlucky to lose out to New York in the all-Ireland Final on Sunday last at Croke Park. They were going for two in a row having won the competition last year and were narrowly beaten. Local man JJ Grace was a selector on the team
FIT4LIFE
Nuenna Athletics club have launched fit4life in the Freshford area. All abilities are welcome from walkers wanting company to runners training for marathons and everyone in between. Very experienced leaders are leading a program established by Athletics Ireland that caters for all experience and abilities. They meet each Tuesday morning and Wednesday evenings in Freshford GAA club. If you are interested please contact us on nuennaac@gmail.com or call Caoimh on 0874175550
BUS TO ALL IRELAND
Anyone wishing to travel by bus to the All Ireland on Sunday next should hand in their name to James Kavanagh by Thursday evening or contact him on 087 9700795
CABARET
A cabaret was held in Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club on Friday night last in aid of a young local girl. Aoife Cahill su ered life changing injuries following a tragic road accident. There was a huge turn out and it was a tremendous success and was a huge show of support for the family. In November, Aoife su ered life changing injuries following a tragic road accident. This was an opportunity for the local community to give support to Aoife as she continues on her road of recovery and rehabilitation. Anyone who didn’t make it to the event or get a chance to support the fundraiser can still do so online on the GoFundMe page or donate to any member of the committee..
SOCCER
Freshford Town Soccer Club held a very successful cabaret on Friday night last in Kavanaghs with music by Mama Mia and thanks to all those who supported the event. Winners of the ra le were; Hamper – Amine Farrell, Daltons Voucher – Michael Murphy, Dinner for Two – Courtney Burke, Freshford Town Zip Top – Rosie Webster, Bottle of Whiskey – Carol Nolan and Bottle of Wine –P.White
PLAYGROUND
Freshford Playground is now fully open and kids and families seem to be enjoying it. The long awaited playground which is situate at Kilkenny Road is looking well and is a great facility to the children and families in the village and surrounds. Much credit is due to the hard working committee who have worked so hard and kept on plugging for the playground over the past few years to achieve this outcome.
CAMOGIE
Two young local girls Saoirse Hickey and Mia Phelan were part of the Kilkenny U14 Camogie Develpment last weekend.
SUMMER CAMP
Freshfords longest running annual summer camp will be held again this year from the 31st July to 4th August at the GAA Grounds. This camp has been organised and run for almost two decades by local man JJ Grace and his aids. For bookings or more information please contact JJ on 086 8629666
ALL IRELAND FINAL TICKETS
St.Lachtains GAA Club say that anyone looking for Tickets for the all Ireland final should apply to Bryan or Sheila. Paid up members only
GRAVEYARD MASS
The annual graveyard mass will take place at Tulla Cemetery on Saturday August 5th at 7.30pm. People are asked to look a er their
family graves and make sure they are tidy and clean for the event
GRANTS
Cllr. Ml. McCarthy announced recently that funding of €10,000 had been granted for the Loop walk in Freshford for the replacement and relocation of existing map board stand and also for the installation of three age friendly benches.
He also welcomed €10,000 to the Gathabawn walk for resurfacing. The money was allocated under the 2023 walks scheme development fund
Funding was announced recently for the lighting of the proposed new walkway project in St.Lachtains GAA Club. The money has been allocated under the Committee Recognition fund and will be of great benefit to the community and surrounding areas.
LOOP CAFE
Loop Café is proving very popular indeed. The Cafe has been open for the 7 months or more is now open on Sundays from 11am to 4pm and is open each week from Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4pm. Serving some beautiful snacks and food from homemade scones, homemade soup and brown bread and lovely salads they have added some new delicious items to their menu. They served beautiful iced co ee also during the hot spell recently. This is a great addition to the village and the community value it and are proud that they now have somewhere to meet with friends for that co ee and scone. The group are looking for volunteers to help with the running of this community café and also more customers and community ownership so that the café is really a community café. The group thank all those who have supported the café since its opening. If you have a few hours a week to spare as a volunteer they would love to hear from you and if you don’t have a few hours to spare why not call in and support the local cafe and bring your family or friends and help support this amenity.
TIDY TOWNS
The Tidy town group are out again doing Trojan work and can be seen every Wednesday evening out around the village and surrounds. If you have an hour or two to spare or would like to help out please come along any Wednesday evening to the Village Green when they meet up
IONAD LACHTAIN HERITAGE CENTRE
Ionad Lachtain Church, Arts and Heritage Centre is open every Saturday and Sunday from 11.30 to 4.30. Gi s on sale to suit every occasion.
FITNESS SESSIONS
Fitness sessions Boxing/fitness sessions at Community Hall Freshford – Have you had a diagnoses of Parkinsons; Alzheimers or other neurological condition. If so maybe you are keen to get some level of fitness back or work on you balance or upper body strength. If so, these classes are just what you need. Classes take place each Tuesday from 11am to 12 noon - sessions cost just €10 each and are facilitated by a boxing coach. They will also give you the chance to socialise and meet other people for more information or to sign up please contact Brenda Cooper on 0871369253
PARISH NEWS
Mass is held in the Parish Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday morning at 11am.wiith Mass in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 7.30pm.
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 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 on that number or on 087 25235 21
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 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.
TRACTOR RUN
Great local Fundraiser for Blackrock Hospice and Dungarvan’s own Gerard Kelly - a fantastic day out organised by Patrick Kelly and Friends. Sunday 13th August, Thomastown GAA Grounds from 11am. Please lend your Support
GOWRAN PARK LADIES DAY
Ladies day takes place on the 29th of July. Partnering with MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre and Lyrath Estate. The Guest Judge on the day is the fabulous Coronation Street Star Tanisha Gorey. It’s guaranteed to be a fun-filled day of racing, fashion, and live music. Get your tickets here: https://www.gowranpark.ie/
EUROPEAN GOLD FOR YOUNG IRELANDS JUVENILES
Huge Congratulations to Young Irelands Juvenile Hurlers James, Eoin and Timmy Brennan who were part of The Ireland Junior Team that won Gold at The European Showjumping Championships in Gorla Minore in Italy over the weekend.
The Ireland Team were managed by Showjumping great James Kernan and they became European Champions out of 23 Teams competing. Congratulations on such a wonderful acheivement. INTERMEDIATES DOMINATE SECOND-HALF TO EMPHATICALLY DEFEAT VILLAGE
ST CANICES CREDIT UNION SENIOR INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE
DIVISION 1 SEMI
Young Irelands Gowran 1-28 --James Stephens 0-19 Young Irelands produced a very strong and dominant second-half performance as they emphatically overpowered James Stephens to run out comprehensive winners.However, at half-time James Stephens appeared to be in control as they led 0-15 to 0-10 following a dominant Second Quarter.
Both sides exchanged points early in the second-half, before Dylan Carey pointed three frees in succession to narrow the gap to just two points. 0-16 to 0-14. James Stephens pointed a free to stretch the advantage (0-17 to 0-14), but by the midway point of the second-half Young Irelands had drawn level thanks to points by Diarmuid Langton, Geo rey Brennan, Seamus Farrell and Ted Drea. 0-18 each.
The Gowran men turned the screw a erwards as they outscored the Village 1-10 to 0-1 for the remainder of the contest. Seamus Farrell put the Young Irelands men further ahead with a superb long distance point, and they put their foot on the accelerator as they took complete control a erwards.
Further points came from Jimmy Lennon with a superb e ort, Dylan Carey (0-4 0-2 frees), Padraig Naddy(0-2), Paddy Langton with a long distance free and Ted Drea. The final act came courtesy of a goal from a Dylan Carey penalty.
Overall, it was a magnificent Team performance by Young Irelands. Sean Farrell and Paddy Langton played starring roles in The half-back line, the industrious Seamus Farrell gave another towering display in midfield ably assisted by the hard gra ing Pat Farrell , while Ted Drea, Diarmuid Langton, Padraig Naddy and Dylan Carey excelled in giving leading performances. Young Irelands will play either Thomastown or Dicksboro in The Final.
YOUNG IRELANDS TEAM: Jason Brennan, Philip O’Donnell, Emmet Byrne, Sean Middleton, Patrick Brennan, Sean Farrell, Paddy Langton 0-4(0-3 frees 0-1’65), Seamus Farrell (0-2), Geo Brennan(01), Jack Brennan(0-1), Ben Phelan, Jimmy Lennon(0-2) , Ted Drea(0-3) , Killian Carey(0-3 0-2 frees)
SUBS: Diarmuid Langton (0-2), Gavin Manning, Dylan Carey 1-8(1-0 penalty 0-5 frees), Padraig Naddy (0-2), Charlie Fitzgerald JUNIORS LOSE OUT TO ST. PATRICKS
JJ KAVANAGH and SONS JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
Young Irelands Gowran 1-14--St. Patricks Ballyragget 3-11
In wet and blustery conditions that felt most like winter rather than mid-July, the Young Irelands Juniors lost out to St. Patricks Ballyragget in the opening round of the Junior A Championship on a disappointing night in Gowran on Saturday night. Playing against a very strong wind during the opening half, Young Irelands got o to an excellent start with a Ben Phelan goal in the third minute. The Ballyragget men replied with a point, before points from a long distance free by Paddy Langton and a closer range free by Ben Phelan put them four points ahead. 1-2 to 0-1 St. Patricks replied again with a goal to bring them level by the
midway point of the first-half(1-2 each), and it was score for score for the remainder as Young Irelands led 1-6 to 1-5 at half-time as Ben Phelan added four further points(0-3 frees) to give them the advantage by the minimum at the interval.
The highlight of that first-half was an amazing save by Jason Brennan who dived full stretch to deny St. Patricks a certain goal. It was one of the saves of the year. With the strong wind behind them for the second-half, Young Irelands were in a very strong position but unfortunately it didn’t work out that way. Instead, it was the Ballyragget men who were starting to dominate and they scored 1-2 without reply to put them four points ahead by the 40th minute. 2-7 to 1-6.
However, Young Irelands replied with two points from their half-back line courtesy of a Paddy Langton free and Bobby Brennan from play from long distance to half the deficit(2-7 to 1-8), before Daniel Manning with a point from play le just the mimimum between the teams (2-7 to 1-9) as the final quarter beckoned.
St. Patricks replied with a brace of points to stretch the lead to three points(2-9 to 1-9), before Young Irelands came back again with points from a Ben Phelan free and Gavin Manning with a superb e ort. 2-9 to 1-11.
With about 10 minutes remaining St. Patricks got their third goal that proved significant(3-9 to 1-11), and despite Young Irelands battling to the end with points from two Ben Phelan frees and long distance e ort by Paddy Langton, The Ballyragget men held on for a deserved triumph.
YOUNG IRELANDS
Jason Brennan, Michael Lennon, Sean Middleton, Martin Carter, Bobby Brennan (0-1), Paddy Langton (0-3 frees), Charlie Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Langton, Jimmy Lennon, Patrick Brennan, Gavin Manning(0-1), Ben Phelan (1-8 0-7 frees), Daniel Manning(0-1), Conor Fitzpatrick, Peter Hutchinson, Referee: Paul Hunston
JUNIORS F TEAM LOSE OUT IN EXTRA-TIME FOLLOWING
BRAVE EFFORT
JJ KAVANAGH and SONS JUNIOR F HURLING CHAMPION-
SHIP ROUND 1
Young Irelands Gowran 1-20 --Mullinavat 2-20
A er Extra-Time
An absorbing contest in Gowran on Sunday Evening saw The Young Irelands Junior F Team endure heartbreak a er extra-time as they lost to Mullinavat in the first round of The Junior F Championship.
Having trailed by 6 points a er about 40 minutes, Young Irelands fought back and a wonder goal from goalkeeper turned forward Davy Carter in stoppage time appeared to have given them victory, but a last gasp long distance Mullinavat free forced extra-time in which they emerged victorious.
The Gowran Men made a bright start, and they led 0-3 to 0-1 a er 10 minutes with points from Jack Blagri , Paul Kinsella and Davy Holland. Mullinavat replied with a goal(1-1 to 0-3) and a er Blagri pointed a ‘65 to level matters, Mullinavat replied again with a brace of points to lead by two points at midway point of first-half. 1-3 to 0-4. Both Teams exchanged points twice to remain level as superb e orts from a Jack Blagri free and Kieran Byrne near the sideline added to Young Irelands account, before Mulliavat finished the half with three consecutive points to lead 1-7 to 0-7 at half-time. The South Kilkenny Men added three further points to stretch their lead further (1-10 to 0-7), before Young Irelands responded with three consecutive points from Robbie Dunne, Blagri (0-2 free and ‘65) to halve the deficit (1-10 to 0-10). Mullinavat appeared to have taken control as they responded with a second goal to go 6 points clear (2-10 to 0-10), but huge credit to Young Irelands who fought gallantly in an attempt to retrieve the situation. Five consecutive points narrowed the advantage to just a solitary point with a few minutes remaining as Jack Blagri (0-3 0-2 frees), Thomas Drennan and Thomas Carroll all found the range to put Mullinavat on the ropes. 2-11 to 0-16. Mullinavat steadied the ship with a brace of points sandwiched in between another point from Thomas Drennan to lead by two points(2-13 to 0-17) as the match had entered stoppage. However, Davy Carter came up with a moment of magic that appeared to have given them victory, but almost immediately Mullinavat levelled from a long distance free and the match went into extra-time. 2-14 to 1-17. Both sides scored two 0-2 each in the first period of extra-time as the match remained deadlocked(2-16 to 1-19), with Jack Blagri pointing another free while Thomas Carroll also found the range. Davy Holland - who was reintroduced as a substitute in extra-time - struck over a brilliant individual point but The South Kilkenny men had the final say with three unanswered points as they closed out the game.
YOUNG IRELANDS: Davy Carter(1-0), CJ Delaney Tobin, Jack Glendon, Bailey Byrne, Dylan Doyle, Jonathan Dunphy. Kevin Quinlan, Jack Kennedy Byrne, Paul Kinsella (0-1), Thomas Drennan (0-3), Thomas Carroll(0-2), Jack Blagri (0-10 0-7 frees 0-1’65), Rob Dunne, Kieran Byrne(0-1), Davy Holland (0-2)
Referee: Brandon Power MINORS UNBEATEN RUN ENDS WITH HEAVY DEFEAT
Following a run of 7 straight victories, Young Irelands Minors unbeaten run ended emphatically with a heavy defeat against James Stephens. The writing was on the wall a er only 5 minutes as James Stephens had already scored two goals. The Village Boys extended their dominance a erwards and at half-time they led 3-13 to 0-3.
They maintained that control throughout that Second-Half as they added a fourth goal to run out 4-19 to 0-7 winners.
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR BOTH U15 TEAMS
The U-15 A Team lost 5-26 to 1-7 against John Lockes, while The U-15 13-a-side Team lost 3-14 to 2-4 against St. Martins.
SIX OF THE BEST FOR JUVENILES
Both The Young Irelands U-13 and Minor B Teams recorded emphatic victories as they scored 6 goals in their respective matches over the weekend.
The U-13s had a 6-10 to 1-6 win away to James Stephens, while The Minor B Team had a 6-15 to 2-5 win away to Mullinavat.
A Golf Classic was held at Gowran Park to help raise funds for The Kilkenny Team competing in next Sunday’s All-Ireland Final.
DONOHUE ON THE DOUBLE IN TRAMORE
There was a first ever double for Dick Donohue in Tramore. Firstly, he trained Magnetic North at 5/1 with Adam Ca rey on board to win The Tote Fantasy Claiming Race, before the double was complete when 11/1 shot Vischio landed the featured €15,000 Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Handicap with Graiguenamanagh Jockey
Mikey Sheehy on board.
KILKENNY VOLUNTEER CENTRE
Volunteer roles available.
Thomastown Credit Union
The Credit Union is a self-help organisation, and it o ers a safe place for members to save and for other members to borrow. The credit union is run by the members, which means that volunteers give freely of their time and expertise, holding governance roles as committee members and Directors. Thomastown Credit Union is looking for volunteers who are experienced in the following areas: finance, HR, IT, marketing, business management, customer service, administration experience along with an interest in the credit union. Volunteers must be living in the common bond area (Thomastown, Bennettsbridge, Inistioge, Ballyhale, Knocktopher and Stoneyford) and be a member of Thomastown Credit Union or interested in becoming a member. Training and support will be provided for all volunteers.
Tour de Kilkenny 2023 Amber Womens Refuge Volunteer
Marble City Cyclers will be hosting the 13th edition of the Tour de Kilkenny on 5th of August 2023. All proceeds from the event will be going to local charities including Amber Womens Refuge. They would love to hear from interested volunteers who can help out on the day of the event to support the riders. Volunteers are needed in Kilkenny Rugby Club on the day for various shi s to help give out refreshments to the riders.
Volunteer Singers/ Musicians for St. Josephs Care Home - Kilmoganny
Residents in St Josephs Supported Care Home would love a volunteer to visit weekly and to sing and perform music especially songs from their generation and youth. Residents also love the opportunity to have little chats in-between songs. The volunteer will need to be comfortable performing and have an interest in engaging with elderly residents in the care home.
Befrienders - Alone
Volunteers are needed in all parts of County Kilkenny. Can you make a di erence to someone’s life by visiting an older person living alone who may be experiencing isolation & loneliness and bring them friendship and company for an hour each week.
Training is given to all new volunteers. Generally, most older people require befrienders during the day time, although some evening volunteering can be facilitated.
Volunteer to do Nail Painting and Beauty with Elderly ResidentsPrague House, Freshford
Prague House Care Home would love the support of a volunteer who would enjoy supporting elderly residents to look and feel their best.
This role will involve helping to paint the fingernails of our residents but also to sit and engage our residents in friendly conversation.
All supplies will be provided (e.g. nail varnish). Volunteers will paint residents’ nails in the sitting rooms of the home. They are ideally looking for a volunteer who would like to come on-site once per week and can commit to 1 -1.5 hours per week.
For more information please contact Kilkenny Volunteer Centre0892584946 or see our website www.volunteerkilkenny.ie
SUMMER CAMP
Bennettsbridge Summer Camp 2023 takes place on 8th/11th August in the GAA Field. Some places still available. Age 5 – 13 years, cost €50.00.
Contact:- Cormac 087 9466257.
CHURCH NEWS
MASS TIMES
Weekly mass times. Wednesday 10.30am. Friday 10.30am
FRANCISCAN MISSIONARY SISTERS
The sisters will be speaking in Tullaherin and Bennettsbridge, this weekend, the 22nd and 23rd July respectively. A collection will be taken up outside the church inviting donations for the work of the sisters abroad.
GRAVEYARD MASSES 2023
Graveyard mass in Tullaherin for 2023 will be celebrated on Saturday, 29th July at 8pm.
Bennettsbridge Cemetery Mass will take place on Sunday morning, 30th July at 10.30am.
THOMASTOWN GRAVEYARD MASS
Graveyard Mass for 2023 in St Mary’s Graveyard, Thomastown, will be held on Friday, 4th August at 8pm. GAA
LOTTO
No winner of Jackpot. Numbers, 3, 5, 17, 21. Jackpot now €1,600.00. Consolation Prizes, Shangarry Syndicate, Archie Lucey, Bennettsbridge, Grace and Mollie McCarney, c/o Mandy, Moira Hackett, Bennettsbridge, Darragh McEvoy, Bennettsbridge.
TIDY TOWNS
Our Tidy Towns group continue to do great work around the village and last week some tidying of the various planters was carried out. Some weeding of the flower beds in front of the church was also looked a er.
VOLUNTEER CENTRE
The Kilkenny Volunteer Centre has a number of positions available in a wide range, includ-ing, Thomastown Credit Union, Amber Womens Refuge, Marble City Cyclers Tour de Kilkenny on 5th August. Volunteer Singers/ Musicians for St. Joseph’s Care Home – Kilmoganny, Befrienders, Alone Organisation, Volunteer to do Nail Painting and Beauty with Elderly Residents - Prague House,
Freshford.
For more information please contact Kilkenny Volunteer Centre0892584946 or see our web-site www.volunteerkilkenny.ie
GAA
ALL IRELAND FINAL
All at Bennettsbridge GAA wish the Kilkenny team the very best of luck on hurling’s biggest stage when they play Limerick in the All-Ireland final on Sunday. Special best wishes to our own David Blanchfield and to Seamus Moran on the back room team. Best wishes lads!
ALL IRELAND JUNIOR FOOTBALL FINAL
Hard luck to Bennettsbridge club men Kevin Blanchfield, James Carroll and manager, Christy Walsh who lost out by a single point to New York in the Junior Football Final in Croke Park last Sunday.
CLUB GAMES
Our two junior teams were in first round action in their respective championships on Sunday last. The junior B team defeated Fenian’s away while the junior E team defeated O’Loughlins at home. Well done to both teams. Our minor team defeated Mount Leinster Rangers while our under 15 team defeated Slieverue but lost out by a point to League leaders Burren Rangers. Our under 13 team had one victory and one defeat in the Lisdowney 7s. Please see the Kilkenny GAA website for upcoming fixtures
PILTOWN DRAW
The next draw has been postponed until next week, July 25th due to the All-Ireland. The two final draws will take place that night. In draw 3 we had three winners, Bernard Sheeran, Nuala McGrath and Carmel Ryan. Congratulations to the three winners.
FIELD DAY
The 2023 Field Day will take place on August 20th. Anyone wishing to help out or with any new ideas for the event please contact Andrea Flynn.
SPLIT THE POT
Well done to Adam Walpole who won 167 euro, Shane Hanley who won 30 euros and The Dobbyn bros who won 20 euro. Thanks for the continued support.
BENNETTSBRIDGE CAMP
Places still available for the 2023 summer camp between the 8th and 11th of August. Please see the clubs face book page for details.
CEMETERY MASS
A huge crown attended the annual Cemetery Mass in St. Kieran’s Cemetery, Johnstown recently and in spite of threatening rain
the evening proved lovely and sunny. Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Ollie Maher, P.P, Fr. Martin Tobin and Fr. Fergus Farrell, both of whom are natives of Johnstown. Music was provided by the Urlingford Folk Choir.
ST. KIERAN’S COMMUNITY HALL
The annual 500 Club draw for the upkeep of St. Kieran’s Hall will begin in September. The proceeds from this draw are vital for the upkeep of the Hall. The hall is undergoing much needed renovations at the moment and when finished will provide a centre for all kinds of activities in the village. It would be great if as many as possible would support this draw and promoters will be soon looking for your help. Draws are for six months and cost €10 per month.
SOCCER CAMP
Spa United AFC are hosting a soccer camp in the sports field from August 14th to 17th from 10am to 3pm. Open to boys and girls aged 5 to 14 years and all skills levels. UEFA qualified coaches. Fee €80 (siblings €10 discount). Free weighted football. To pre book scan QR code or find on line at coachingtrekkers.ie/camps.
KNOCK PILGRIMAGE
The last few seats le on the pilgrimage to Knock on Thursday August 3rd. If you wish to travel contact Margaret on 0568831217.
SPA DEVELOPMENT/FENIANS LOTTO....
The winning numbers drawn were 8,14,16,21, two match three J. Sweeney and Eugene Grehan jnr. Next weeks jackpot €20,000.
URLINGFORD ON THE MOVE COMMUNITY WALKING TRACK
Split the Pot: Thanks to everyone this week for their support with Split the Pot competition. €851 was raised this week and the lucky winner was Cathal O’Dwyer. Well done Cathal!
Split the Pot will be in aid of the Community Walking Track for the next three weeks. Please support by buying an envelope in local businesses in town or any committee member for just €2 or Revolut 086 379 9582 to enter. UOTM appreciate all your support.
Draw takes place on Sunday night in Urlingford Arms Hotel at 8pm approx. Be in it to win it!
EMERALDS URLINGFORD AND GRAINE LOTTO
July 10th prize fund was: €13,700. Jackpot: €11,700. Numbers drawn: 1, 5, 15, 30, bonus no 24. No winner and no match 3 winner. Five lucky dips of €20 each: Colin Ahern, Mia and Oliver McGahan, Tommy Kavanagh, Caroline Guilfoyle, G & N Burke. Promoters prize: Hayes’s.
MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE
Family Fun Day: Our Family Fun day is on August 20th. Lines for the ra le are being sold at the Centre and in shops around the town at €2 per line. 1st prize: Smart TV; 2 Samsung Tablet; 3 Food Hamper, and lots more.
Counselling Services. Our low cost counselling services, includes one-to-one, family and teens, aged 12+. General Counselling. Bereavement, stress, anxiety and depression. Other counselling services available: Drug, substance and gambling addictions. Play therapy is now also available. Age 5+. Please contact Sue for more information or to make an appointment.
Defibrillator: Please note that there is a defibrillator located in the Mill Family Resource Centre if and when it may be required.
Senior Alert: If you need to apply for a Personal Alarm, please contact Sue or Josephine.
Appeal for Clothes Donations: Any clothes donations would be greatly 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.
SET DANCING
Has finished for the Summer months. Dancing will resume in October.
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.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
Glengoole Wednesday 11am to 2pm, Gortnahoe Thursday 11am to 1pm
CEMETERY MASS
Following discussions with the priests in the combination group of parishes, it was decided that the cemetery masses for 2023 will take place in the churches at the weekend masses over the summer. 23rd July at 10.30am in Gortnahoe for Aglish cemetery, 30th July at 10.30am in Gortnahoe for Fennor cemetery, 6th August at 10.30am in Gortnahoe for Good Shepherd cemetery and Gortnahoe church yard and 13th August at 10.30am in Gortnahoe for Boulick cemetery.
VERY REV NICHOLAS JAMES IRWIN P.P.
On Monday 10th July, 2023 it was with great sadness that the parishioners of Gortnahoe/Glengoole parish learnt that their much loved Parish Priest of more than 11 years Fr. James Irwin had gone to his eternal reward. Fr. Jim passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his father Nicholas and sister-in-law Marian. Fr. Jim will be sadly missed by his loving mother Elizabeth (Betty), brothers and sisters, John, Ber, Ted, Ger, Ann, Liz, Michael, Martin and Eamon, their partners, nieces, nephews, aunt, cousins and extended family. On Wednesday evening last Fr. Jim’s funeral cortege travelled from the village of Ballynonty via Glengoole, Ballysloe and on to Gortnahoe and it was lovely to see all the parishioners on route bidding their final farewell to him. Fr. Jim’s remains were received at Gortnahoe Church by Fr. Tom Fogarty. Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly in the presence of Former Archbishop Dermot Cli ord and many Priests of Cashel and Emly Diocese o iciated that evening. It was also an opportunity for many parishioners and community to pay their respects to Fr. Jim and to sympathise with his family. Fr. Jim’s Requiem Mass was held on Thursday at 12 noon. The main Concelebrant was Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly. Co-celebrants were Bishop Martin Hayes, Archdeacon Eugene Everard, Fr. Christy O’Dwyer, Fr. Tom Fogarty and a friend of Fr. Jim’s, Fr. Gearoid from the Galway diocese. Many Priests from the Diocese of Cashel and Emly and beyond were also present. Sincere thanks to the parish pastoral team who organised the proceedings over the two days of his funeral in discussion with Fr. Jim’s family. The choir which included musicians and singers from the parish did themselves proud and greatly enhanced the ceremony with their well chosen hymns. Appreciation to the sacristan Eileen, the Readers,the O ertory Gi bearers, Ministers of the Eucharist, stewards, and the many volunteers who helped especially outside with car parking. A special word of thanks to the members of the pastoral team for organising the printing of the Mass Booklet at very short notice. There was a guard of honour from the Church to the Good Shepherd Cemetery representing all groups in the parish. A sincere thanks to the parishioners who prepared Fr. Jim’s final resting place in the Good Shepherd Cemetery. A er the burial refreshments were provided in Gortnahoe Community Hall and a sincere thanks to everyone who helped with the catering. Fr. Jim was a native of Carlow and lived for a short period in Tuam before finally coming with his family to live in Borroway in Thurles. He completed his secondary education in the C.B.S. Thurles and entered St. Patrick’s College Seminary. He was ordained to the Priesthood on 12th June, 1982. Fr. Jim administered in many parishes during his priesthood and was appointed Parish Priest of Gortnahoe/ Glengoole Parish on 10th February, 2012. He was also Diocesan Secretary to the Archdiocese a role which stretched back over 20 years. Fr. Jim was a man of deep religious faith. He was also very wise and knowledgeable and took great interest in current a airs. Fr. Jim had many health issues but he showed tremendous courage and dignity during his long illness. He kept working for both his Parish and Community against adverse odds. Fr. Jim will be sadly missed by his loving family, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, the Priests of the Diocese, his Parishioners whom he served so well and everyone with whom he came in contact. May Fr. Jim Rest in Eternal Peace. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
CASHEL AND EMLY PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK
The annual pilgrimage to Knock will take place on the 6th August led by Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly. Anyone that requires further information please contact the parish council.
CASHEL AND EMLY PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG
The pilgrimage will take place from Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th July. For information and bookings please contact Bridget O’Dea at 086 6792754.
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 4349106
GORTNAHOE BINGO
Bingo continues this Saturday night at 7.00pm with doors opening from 6.00pm and will continue each Saturday night at the same time. Over €2,660 in prize money on o er including a special €500 game. We look forward to the many visitors and family members home with their family, it will be a great nights entertainment for all.
SPLIT THE POT
Congratulations to last weekends winner, Carlo Webster, who won €308 in the Split the Pot draw. Envelopes are available at the usual outlets. Split the Pot for the month of July will be in support of the Gortnahoe Mast. The draw takes place each Sunday at 12pm in Gortnahoe Hall. Your support would be appreciated
JAMES WARD RIP
The death has occurred of James Ward, late of Derryvilla and Birmingham. The blessing of his ashes took place last Saturday evening at Glengoole Mass followed by burial in the old church graveyard Ballingarry. May he rest in peace.
CABARET
The Ballyragget/Ballyouskill Lourdes Invalid Fund is having a Cabaret on Sunday 27th August in the Wheel Inn Pub, Ballyouskill. Music by Wicklow Man, costing 6€ a ticket. Tickets are on sale from any of the Committee members or usual outlets. Your support of this local charity would be greatly appreciated.
GAA
St. Patrick’s GAA - the Junior A side had a victory in round one of the championship 3-11 to 1-12 over Young Irelands. The under 15 side defeated Dunnamaggin on a scoreline of 4-16 2-14, the minor side lost out to Thomastown 3-26 to 3-20. The GAA lotto continues to stand at €20,000, thank you to all for their continued support tickets are €2 each available locally or on line.
CEMETERY MASS
Cemetery Mass this Friday night in Rossconnell at 8pm and in Donaghmore on July 24th at 7.30pm.
FUNDRAISER
Well done and many thanks to all who donated and to those who attended the community event on Friday night last in the GAA Clubhouse for Aoife Cahill, who is recovering from life changing injuries following a recent car accident. It was a hugely enjoyable night, made more so by the huge attendance at the event.
BEST OF LUCK
The very best of luck to Tom Phelan who is part of the Kilkenny team who will play Limerick in the All-Ireland Final in Croke Park on Sunday.
Very best wishes also go to Roisín Phelan, Ellen Gunner and Emma Mulhall (and Danielle Morrissey who is part of the backroom team) who are part of the Kilkenny intermediate camogie panel who face Derry in the All-Ireland intermediate semi-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles, on this Saturday at 1.00 p.m.
HURLING
The junior B hurlers made a good start to their championship campaign when they had a big win over Emeralds in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Junior B championship in Jenkinstown on Friday night last. Conahy scored some fine points throughout the game and were deserving winners by 0-34 to 0-7. Mooncoin provided the opposition for the under-15 hurlers in their latest game in Jenkinstown in the Duggan Steel Roinn B League. The visitors were a strong and skilful team, with plenty of tall, strong players throughout the field. Conahy gave as good as they got in the opening half, but Mooncoin slowly but surely opened up a lead in the second half to eventually win out by 2-17 to 1-10.
TEAM: Neil Webster, Rory Dunne, Tadhg Hennessy, Bobby Dooley, Billy Rowe, Rory Rhatigan, Darragh Horgan, Ceirin Murphy, Rory Sherman, David Connery, Michael Lawler, Jack Rhatigan, Finn Sherman, Adam Morrissey, Brian Phelan, M.J. Buggy, James Byrne, Padraig Quinn, Camryn Kenehan.
The under-19 hurlers were also in action when they travelled to Callan to face John Lockes in the Revise.ie Roinn D League. This was Conahy’s first match in the league, and though they started slowly, they improved steadily as the game went on. However, the home side were too strong in the end, as John Lockes won out by 5-17 to 3-11.
TEAM: Tommy Mulhall, Killian Lacey, Conor Duggan, Conor Hennessy, John Kennedy, Kieran Brennan, Sean Dunne, Rob Ring, Billy Mulhall, Andrew O’Connor, Oisin O’Connor, Damien Cuddihy, Jake Dooley, Brooklyn Synott, Daniel Mooney, Eoin Dunne, Ben Duggan, Louis Todd.
GAA SUMMER CAMP
Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Bórd na nÓg will once again host a ‘Future Stars’ Summer Camp this year. It will take place in the Polo Grounds, Jenkinstown from Tuesday 1st August to Thursday 3rd August (inclusive). The Camps is open to Boys and Girls between the ages of five and twelve and will take place on each of the three days from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. (with a lunch break from 12.00 p.m. until 12.45 p.m. Detailed and quality coaching will be given to all participants and Kilkenny Inter-County Players will contribute to the coaching, subject to their availability. Registration can be done online via the GAA club website – www.conahyshamrocks.gaa.ie .
CLUB LOTTO
The numbers drawn in the Conahy Shamrocks GAA Club Lotto were 2, 14 and 31. There was no jackpot winner so the consolation prize winners were Eva Kennedy, Danny Webster, Donnacha
Bergin, Leahy Sisters and Damien Sheehan. The promoters’ prize winners were John Carroll, Teresa Dollard and Nora Delaney. This week’s jackpot now increases to €4,200.
CLUB LOTTO
Results 13th July 2023. Nos: 2 9 12 19. Jackpot: €10,700 Not Won Draw Prizes. €50: Jackie Cody c/o P and J Cody. €25 each Joan Knox c/o T and J Knox €25 each Jimmy Murphy c/o Jimmy Murphy. €25 each Anne Fitzpatrick c/o T O’Donoghue Hurlers Co Op Draw Tom Knox c/o T and J Knox. Promotors prize
Jimmy Murphy
Thank you for your continued support
SENIOR CAMOGIE TEAM
A massive congratulations to our Senior Camogie Team who won the Michael Lyng Hyundai Motors ACL League for 2023 in a wet and windy Danesfort Sunday a ernoon. The girls put in a dominant display throughout the entire match that saw them come out deserving winners against Thomastown. Well done to the girls and their management team.
KILKENNY CAMOGIE
On Saturday 22nd July, Kilkenny Intermediates take on Derry in the Semi Final of the Glen Dimplex Intermediate All Ireland Championship in Semple Stadium Thurles at 1pm. Best of luck to our club girls Niamh Phelan, Jane Cass and Katie Byrne.
U10 CAMOGIE
Our u10 girls played in the inaugural Kilmacud Crokez Saturday last with teams from 9 counties across the country. A great had by all despite the miserable weather. Thanks to the trainers and mentors for organising a great day for our young Camogie players.
KILKENNY GAA
We wish the Kilkenny Hurling Team and their Management Team the very best of luck for this years All Ireland Final Sunday at 3.30pm in Croke Park. Best of luck to our club players Cillian and Timmy. A special mention to Cillian who marries the beautiful Niamh on Saturday we wish you both a fabulous day and a fun filled future together.
MASS TIMES
Aghaviller Parish. Hugginstown: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9.30a.m.Vigil. Saturday 22nd. at 8.00p.m. Sunday 23rd. at 10.00a.m. Stoneyford: Wednesday 19th. at 7.00p.m. Vigil – Saturday 22nd. at 6.30p.m. Saturday 22nd. Feast of St. Mary Magdalene.
PRAY FOR
Months Mind Mass: Patricia Sheehan, Stoneyford. Mass in Stoneyford Church on Saturday 22nd. July at 6.30p.m. Anniversary Masses. Mary and Richard Aylward, Boolyglass; Mass in Hugginstown on Saturday 22nd. July at 8.00p.m. Johnny and Kathleen Maher, Boolyglass: Mass in Hugginstown Church on Sunday 23rd. July at 10.00a.m.
ROTA
Rota for next week-end. 22nd.and 23rd. July. (Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time)
Readers: Stoneyford: Saturday 6.30p.m. Catherina Roche. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m Catherine Dwyer. Sunday 10.00a.m. Noreen Kenneally.
Eucharistic Ministers: Stoneyford. Saturday 6.30p.m. Kitty Wallace. Hugginstown: Saturday 8.00p.m. Mary Cahill. Sunday 10.00a.m.
Ann Power
JUNE COLLECTION
The “June Collection 2023” for the support of the priests of the Parish and the Diocese will be taken up during the months of June/ July. Envelopes for this collection are available at the back of the Church. Many thanks to those who have already contributed.
CEMETERY MASS
Mass in Stonecarthy Cemetery on Friday 4th. August at 8.00p.m. Mass in Sheepstown Cemetery on Friday 11th. August at 7.30p.m.
SAFEGUARDING CONTACTS
Diocesan Designated Liaison Person: Ms. Kathleen Sherry Tel: 087 100 0232. Aghaviller Parish Representatives are: Teresa Broderick and Carmel O’Toole.
STONEYFORD CEMETERY COMMITTEE
The Committee would like to thank all who contributed to the collection for the upkeep and maintenance of the Cemetery at the recent Cemetery Mass. The amount collected was €400.00
YOUTH 2000 SUMMER FESTIVAL
Join young people between 16 and 35 this August at the Youth 2000 Summer Festival. The festival takes place in Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co Kildare. from Thursday 10th. August to Sunday 13th. August 2023. The festival includes inspiring talks, music, prayer, concert, workshops, dramas, share groups, reconciliation and healing service and Mass. Donation only and we have buses going from all over Ireland. For more information and to book your place go to www.youth2000.ie
LOTTO
Aghaviller Parish and Carrickshock G. A. A. Draw: Monday 10th. July 2023. Numbers: 18; 28; 12; 21. No Winner First 3 Numbers Drawn:
One Jackpot Winner: €7,100.00. Winner: Bridget Fennelly, Mullinahone. €200.00 Seller of Jackpot Ticket. Pat Dwyer, Croan. 3 x €15.00 (Sellers). Eilish Rohan, Tommy Murphy, Anne Power. DIOCESE OF OSSARY SAFE GUARDING AUDIT
The 2022 Diocesan Safeguarding Audit was carried out to reflect the period between November 2021 and November 2022. The audit is completed as part of our compliance with Standard 7 (Quality Assuring Compliance with the Standards) as set out in the Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016 developed by the National Board for the Safeguarding of Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland (NBSCCCI). Audit forms were distributed to every parish in October 2022. There was full compliance in return of the audit forms with all 42 parishes returning their completed forms. Overall, there appears to be a strong awareness and compliance with the requirements of safeguarding in all parishes.
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
Planning Permission is sought by Rita O’Keeffe for a new two storey house, with detached garage, provision of a new proprietary sewage treatment unit & percolation area vehicular site entrance, on site bore hole well water supply and all associated site developments works at Castletown, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Kilkenny. Planning permission was previously granted Ref. P.08/803 and for permission for extension of the appropriate period of planning permission Ref 13/358 was granted now expired by the applicant on this site. 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 the hours of 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4.00p.m. Monday to Friday (Bank Holidays and Public Holidays excepted) 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.
Signed: Gittens Murray Architects Ltd., No. 5 William Street, and Kilkenny. Tel No: 056-7753933. web:www.gmarch.net
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
I, Elizabeth Power intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain as follows: 1. extension to the side and rear of existing dwelling house, 2. domestic shed and carport, 3. domestic home office, 4. Planning Permission to install a secondary treatment system and polishing filter and all associated site works at Baunreagh, Clonmoran, Co. Kilkenny.
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 Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning 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.
KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL
I, Damien Lawlor intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Retention Planning Permission to retain existing domestic garage, domestic shed, entrance and all associated site development works at Jenkinstown Park, Jenkinstown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 C4V6.
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 Department, Kilkenny County Council, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny, during its public opening hours 9 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m. Monday to Friday, and a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the Planning Authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20.00) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the planning 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.
Further Information/Revised Plans: Ivan & Nioamh Phelan have submitted significant further information to planning application 22/786 which consisted of full planning permission to construct a 2 storey dwelling, garage, entrance, wastewater system, borehole, soakpits and all other associated site works at Curraghnadimpaun, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. The significant further information includes for revisions to the design of dwelling and also the relocation of the dwelling on site.
Significant Further Information/Revised Plans has/have been furnished to the Planning Authority in respect of this proposed development, and is/are available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the Offices of the Planning Authority during its public opening hours of 9:00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A submission or observation in relation to the further information or revised plans may be made in writing to the Planning Authority within a period of 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the revised public notices. A submission or observation must be accompanied by the prescribed fee of €20, except in the case of a person or body who has already made a submission or observation and such submission or observation 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.
In loving memory of Avril Ryan late of 89 Larchfield, Kilkenny, died July 21st 2021
We
In loving memory of Bella Scott, late of Walkin Street, Kilkenny, who died on July 22nd 2022
Just a prayer from your sisters who loved you
Just a memory fond and true
In our hearts you will live forever
Because we thought the world of you
Loved and missed everyday by your daughters, sons and relatives.
Granny
If roses grow in heaven, Lord
Please pick a bunch for us
Place them in our Granny’s arms
And tell her they’re from us
Tell her we love and miss her
And when she turns to smile
Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for a while
Miss you Gran your loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.
From your loving sisters Nancy, Mag and Mary
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.B.T.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.P.L.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.M.B.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted.
Never been known to fail. Must promise publication of prayer.H.D.
(never known to fail).
O most beautiful ower of Mount Carmel, Fruitful vine, Splendour of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, O Star of the sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to grant my request. (Please state request). There are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein you are my Mother. I place this cause in your hands (three times). Thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for three days and after this the request will be granted. This prayer must be published immediately. M.B.
Dear heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked many favours.
This time I ask you this special one (mention favour).
Take it dear heart of Jesus and place it within your heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour not mine. Amen.
Say this prayer three times for three days and your favour will be granted. Never been known to fail.
Must promise publication of prayer.M.D.
