Kilkenny Observer 3rd September 2021

EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer FREE EDITION

Friday 03 September 2021

School Finances Voluntary money crippling families  See page 10

Tel: 056 777 1463 E: sales@kilkennyobserver.ie W: kilkennyobserver.ie

Darker Days How to deal with September blues  See page 18

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EVERY FRIDAY

The Kilkenny

Observer Booster jabs on the way A MAJOR factor in the easing of the remaining restrictions in time for the Government’s October 22 deadline will be booster vaccinations Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the shots would be administered in the “coming weeks” as he unveiled a map for the easing of restrictions over the next two months.

He said Ireland now had “one of the most determined and comprehensive vaccination programmes in the world”, which, along with public sacrifice, meant more people were protected here than in most other countries.

“We have weathered many storms, we’ve borne many ordeals, we’ve faced down

many threats and we have seized many opportunities,” he said. In eight weeks, all restrictions will be lifted, apart from the requirement to wear a mask in healthcare settings and retail outlets and on public transport.

Mr Martin also warned the health service was facing a “very difficult winter” from

the combined threat of Covid and other respiratory viruses such as colds and flu.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said October 22 should not be viewed as Freedom Day but the first day of a “new normal”.

The news comes as new figures show two Border counties with the highest incidence of the disease over

the past fortnight, Monaghan and Donegal, also have the lowest vaccine uptake.

The HSE said it had already begun additional advertising campaigns Meanwhile, a new Covid strain, named Mu, has been designated a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

More people died in agriculture in the last decade compared with any other economic sector.

Of the 495 work-related fatalities in Ireland between 2011 and 2020, a total of 208 occurred in agriculture, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) review of work-related deaths.

Full report, Page 10

No ban here on one-off homes There are no plans to ban the development of one-off housing, Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan has said.

One-off housing plays a small but important role in accommodating the growing population in Kilkenny and the Government can give a firm commitment that are no plans to restrict this development.

Full story, Page 6

Picture: Dylan Vaughan

400 jobs coming at State Street

Mania, and they call it puppy love

South East has more homeless

FOUR hundred new jobs are to be created in Kilkenny by global finance company State Steer as it sets up a new specialist team to provide technology infrastructure and cyber security services to support group operations globally.

State Street already employs about 2,000 staff in Kilkenny, Dublin, Drogheda, and Naas.

The company said it had selected Ireland for the new jobs mainly

PETMANIA Kilkenny has launched the Puppy of the Year Competition for 2021.

Adorable pooches have just three weeks to be in with a chance of becoming Petmania Puppy of the Year 2021. Log on to www.petmania.ie/poty and complete the entry form.

Once all entries have been verified, people can vote for their favourite puppy.

NEW figures from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage show there are 33 people homeless in Kilkenny.

The Department report defines homeless persons as persons being ‘accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities’.

In the South East Waterford

due to the availability of relevant and skilled technology talent from universities and third level institutions.

It also needed to have a location outside the US for time zone support purposes.

The new unit will be located at IDA Ireland Business and Technology Park in Kilkenny where State Street already employs about 600.

The Kilkenny

Observer UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET, KILKENNY, R95 VHY7

Covid update, Page 14

Farm deaths top accidents

Butler besties: Catherine and Aidan Roycroft who, with friends of Butler Gallery, celebrated the first annual summer party at Butler Gallery’s new home since relocating last year to Evans’ Home.

For what’s on and ways to get involved with Butler Gallery see www.butlergallery.ie

EVERY FRIDAY

Mu, or B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia and has mutations suggesting it could be even more resistant to vaccines.

But this is not conclusive, and scientists said more studies would be needed to assess this new variant.

recorded the highest number of homeless people (64), Kilkenny and Carlow were tied second-highest (33 each) while Tipperary (28) and Wexford (22) complete the regional list.

Family homelessness was also recorded, but on a regional basis only.

Figures reveal that 18 families across the South East are currently homeless.

Gunman held

A man in his 50s, arrested in a Carlow hotel for possession of a handgun, has been detained

by Gardai in connection with the fatal shooting of 19-yearold Conor O’Brien in Enfield, Co. Meath on the evening of Thursday, August 26.

INSIDE Marianne Heron .................................P12 Covid Update...................................... P14 John Ellis .............................................P16 Health & Science ................................P18 Travel & Leisure .................................P19 Picture Special ..............................P30-31 Food & Drink.......................................P32 TV & Streaming .................................P33 Gerry Cody .......................................36-37 Sport................................................P40-47

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GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE TEAM

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One in three tradespeople don’t wear sunscreen WITH temperatures set to stay high for September, new research from Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants, reveals that a third (35%) of tradespeople don’t apply sunscreen when working outdoors.

The research of almost 700 tradespeople into their sun protections habits reveals that, despite 54% spending up to four hours working outside each day, a quarter believe they don’t need to wear sunscreen.

Almost half (41%) claim they shun the factor 50 because they don’t burn easily, while a further 14% say they sweat a lot while working so don’t see the

point in applying it!

It seems that even those who are applying sunscreen are not applying it often enough. A third only apply sunscreen once a day while 27% say they try and put on SPF twice a day.

In general, it is advised to apply sunscreen every two hours.

According to recent CSO figures up to a quarter of skin cancer death in Ireland are among workers in the construction, outdoor and farming sectors. Chadwicks Group is reminding those working outdoors to protect themselves from the sun.

The builders’ merchant has teamed up with Dr Clodagh

O’Shea from Beacon Face & Dermatology to provide some top tips on how to stay safe in the sun.

ably achieve a mean sun protection factor (SPF) of between 20% and 50% of that expected from the product label because they do not apply enough product.

Remember, 30ml (a shot glass) of sunscreen is required for the whole body

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Check the rating: When choosing a sunscreen, ensure it is at least SPF 30 and has a

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star rating of at least 4.

Apply generously: Most people prob-

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Look for key ingredients: If you are working outside for long periods of time in wet or windy weather conditions, it is best to choose a “physical sunscreen”. This type of sunscreen works by sitting on top of the skin to deflect damaging UV rays away from the skin. Look for ingredients such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide in the list of ingredients to determine if the sunscreen is physical. Physical sunscreens offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

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Waterproof v. water resistant: There is no such thing as ‘waterproof sunscreen’. However, if a sunscreen is described as ‘water-resistant’, this means the SPF is still effective after 40 minutes of water immersion.

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Make it part of your daily routine: Most importantly, sunscreen should be worn every single day of the year, no excuses!

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Put on your marathon shoes for women’s refuge THE virtual Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon will run on September 19 next and runners are wanted!

Ambassador Siobhan Donohoe, sponsored by The Kilkenny People newspaper, and friends want you to join their group — The Kilkenny Active Dolls — in the fun by walking or running

while raising vital funds for Amber Womens Refuge.

“We did the mini marathon for the first time last year and to be honest I was glad it was virtual because I had just taken up running during the lockdown,” says Siobhan.

“This year my trainer Sonia Co-

ady and I want to widen our virtual group ‘The Kilkenny Active Dolls’ and raise funds for Amber Womens Refuge.

“Already we are have recruited runners from nearby Bennettsbridge and Ballyhale to as far away as Dubai with Global Elite Tower Runner Gretta Cositgan

(originally from Kilkenny) signing up.”

Lisa Morris, Manager, Amber Womens Refuge, said: “Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a 43% increase in the amount of women and children reaching out to domestic abuse services for support. This has

put extra pressure on already stretched local domestic abuse services like ours.

“Every cent counts and we’re so grateful to Siobhan and the Active Kilkenny Dolls Group for choosing Amber as their service to support in the VHI virtual Mini Marathon. Every cent raised will

directly support local women and children living with or fleeing domestic violence and abuse.”

Women’s Mini Marathon are introducing an event app. You will be able to use the app when you’re doing your 10k walk or run between September 17 and 19 to track and log your time.

‘No plans’ to halt one-off houses here, says Phelan 60 Irish still in Kabul IRISH citizens and residents stranded in Afghanistan — believed to number 60 plus — will be allowed to leave by the Taliban, the Irish Government has said.

A joint statement issued by about 100 countries, including Ireland, Britain and the US, said assurances had been received from the Islamic fundamentalist group which now controls the country that “all foreign nationals and any Afghan citizen with travel authorisation from our countries will be allowed to travel outside the country”.

“We are all committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employ-

ees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk, can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan.

“We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries.

We note the public statements of the Taliban confirming this understanding,” the statement said.

About 60 Irish citizens remain in Afghanistan along with 15 others who have the right to live in Ireland.

The Irish evacuation mission led by Rangers has already secured the rescue of 26 citizens.

THERE are no plans to ban the development of one-off housing, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy John Paul Phelan said one-off housing plays a small but important role in accommodating the growing population in Kilkenny and Carlow, and Government can give a firm commitment that are no plans in place to restrict this type of development.

“There has been much discussion recently on the issue of one off housing and rural planning and reports this type of development will be banned from next March, which is untrue as the Minister for Planning and Local Government Peter Burke TD has already stated. Fine Gael’s plan is to revitalise our rural communities,” he said.

“The Government acknowledge that there will always be demand for one off housing in Kilkenny and Carlow and there remains capacity within our National Planning Framework to allow for people who live and work in the countryside to build their homes close to their families and workplace.

“One-off housing is a small aspect of the current national housing supply but there will always be demand

for this development with a design and planning framework in place which is sustainable, well managed and well regulated,” he said.

Deputy Phelan said around 85% of all one-off housing planning permissions were granted each year. Before permission was granted, these houses were held to high environmental standards with percolation, effluent disposal, sight lines and house design all being taken into account.

“All local authorities including our own in Kilkenny and Carlow look for a social or economic reason to grant permission, such as working in rural areas or family ties here.

“Kilkenny and Carlow county councils are independent planning authorities and all local authorities continue to adjudicate on planning matters in relation to new housing within their jurisdiction, in line with their statutory housing policy.

“Government currently has a range of policies in place to ensure there is compact growth in rural Ireland and to breath new life into our towns and villages in Kilkenny and Carlow.”

Eels found in water in neighbouring counties SMALL eels were discovered in a treatment plant which supplies drinking water to around 10,000 people in Carlow, Kildare and Wicklow, an audit by environmental watchdog has found.

A report by the Environmental Protection Agency reveals inspectors found “silvery creatures approximately 20 centimetres long”

during a visit on June 23 last.

The inspection took place at the Carlow North Regional Public Drinking Water Supply located in Rathvilly, Co Carlow.

The audit was carried out after cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite that can cause major illness including nausea and diarrhoea, had been detected in a water

sample taken from the plant on May 11.

Inspectors from the EPA found eels resting on top of filters located in the plant which the environmental watchdog said highlighted how water extracted from the River Slaney for drinking supplies is not adequately protected against contamination.

“The presence of eels in the filters indicates that the intake screens are not effective enough in protecting the drinking water treatment process,” the EPA said.

It found the detection of cryptosporidium at the plant was properly notified to various authorities including the HSE to determine the risk to public health.

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News Opinion

The Fact Of The Matter PAUL HOPKINS

When the cup of tea was your only man WHEN my father would get, in that wonderfully old-fashioned sense of the word, vexatious — het up over nothing — my mother would say to him: “Sit down there EK and I’ll put the kettle on.” And he would say to her: “You know, your problem — you think the world begins and ends with a cup of tea.” She probably did: she thought it a panacea for all ills, whereas for him the world was a darker place, where he spent a lifetime dealing with his demons.

I am reminded of all this because of a report that sales of kettles have dropped off in traditionally tea-mad Ireland (and Britain too) — about a million in the last few years, despite a rise in sales for small kitchen appliances.

Putting the kettle on for a ‘cuppa’ has been a standard of us all since long before the electric kitchen appeared. But sales of the kettle have fallen

in favour of other devices, such as coffeemakers and built-in hot water taps, says a report from global research firm Intel.

It seems we are increasingly discarding the benevolent brew — drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water, says nutritionists because of its antioxidants — in favour of the burgeoning skills of the barista.

The massive growth of coffee shops and increased sales in coffee makers is evidence of this. (There was a woman once on our road who had to seek treatment for her coffee addiction which found her most days crawling up the walls. Mind you, she had eight children but her husband was a pharmacist, so they should have known better.)

It would be hard to imagine a world without tea. The drinking of it, despite my father’s protestations, plays

such a central part in our lives: it is a universal phenomenon with millions the world over enjoying their cuppa on a daily basis. While the Eastern world has been using tea for more than 4,500 years, for most of that time the heady brew was unknown in this neck of the woods.

Tea was only introduced into the West a relatively recent 400 years ago. Discovered in China, the drinking of the boiled leaves has since exerted a profound influence on societies throughout the world, so that there are still to this day unique ceremonies in various cultures which entail social etiquettes concerning the preparation and drinking of tea as well as customs regarding how, when and where to drink it.

Tea has always accompanied and even influenced the unfolding of key historical events — to wit the Queen

of England’s annual garden party, and the sipping of such when Michael D went calling before this time of the corona virus.

While we may be drinking less of your common-orgarden brew, it seems, says the same research, that flavoured Chinese teas such as Jasmine and Rose Petal in the last decade or so have hugely influenced an acquired taste for concoctions such as apple and lemon, strawberry (yuck!) and kiwi tea as an alternative to your bog-standard brew.

While I need my two cups of good coffee in the morning to get my engine fired up, I am partial to green tea and all the goodness it entails and have also in the last decade discovered the pleasures of rooibos tea, indigenous to South Africa. In that country, get this, ants are used to help harvest the small seeds used to make the rooibos tea.

In the 1930s Benjamin Ginsberg, a Russian immigrant, was the first person to develop rooibos as a product, paying local villagers to collect the seeds, a shilling for a matchbox full.

One Khoi (the original Bush people from the Kala-

‘Tea has accompanied the unfolding of key historical events ...

”

hari Desert) woman came back with her matchboxes more often than anyone else — many, many times a day. Eventually, she divulged her secret: one day, she had noticed a certain type of black ant carrying the seed back to its colony. Breaking open the nest, she discovered an ant granary full of seed. And so commercial rooibos cultivation took off, but it probably wouldn’t have been possible without the painstaking industrialism of the tiny ant.

I wonder what my late mother would have made of all this?

In her latter years when I’d pop in unexpectedly and then enquire if she had eaten, she would say: “I’m grand — I had a cup of tea and a bit of bread ‘n’ butter.”

I guess with age comes a lessening of appetite but for the cuppa there was still some sympathy...

Capping suckler cattle is unfair BY: DEPUTY KATHLEEN FUNCHION SINN FEIN TD FOR KILKENNY CARLOW PLANS by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to prevent suckler farmers from increasing their herd sizes through the proposed Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme will severely hamper farming families ability to earn an income.

Speaking on the proposed scheme, the Carlow Kilkenny TD said: “This is a nonsensical proposition by Government. Irish suckler farmers produce some of the most environmentally sustainable and natural beef in the world, many of it produced right here in Kilkenny.

“Sinn Féin believes that measures should instead be introduced to restrict the production of feedlot beef.

“It’s ludicrous to penalise traditional farming families who are producing such a high quality product. Instead these enterprises should be supported and capitalised upon to enhance family farm incomes for those who have been operating on the margins for far too long.

“Sinn Féin are committed to supporting farming fami-

lies and have long advocated for a protected geographical indicator (PGI) status for Irish suckler beef, the delivery of such a scheme would we believe guarantee higher incomes for suckler farmers in Kilkenny.

“The environmental credentials of Irish suckler beef are so strong that a dedicated PGI could deliver a real premium for farmers. Capping the herd in Ireland is illogical when we see other countries starting to ramp up their beef production.

“I am also concerned that younger farmers will be adversely affected if the Government are inflexible with the ref reference year.

Young er farmers are more environmentally aware then ever before, a n d instead o f being i n centivised a n d

encouraged to produce a sustainable and environmentally friendly food product they are being penalised.”

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Farm work kills more past decade MORE people died in agriculture in the last decade compared with any other economic sector, according to the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (FSPAC). Of the 495 work-related fatalities in Ireland between 2011 and 2020, a total of 208 occurred in agriculture, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) review of work-related deaths in agriculture in Ireland 20112020.

The FSPAC is an advisory committee to the board of the HSA and has just published its latest Action Plan for 2021-2024.

The committee is made up of representatives and experts from a variety of relevant agriculture organisations and is tasked with improving occupational health and safety in the sector.

A total of 51% of the victims were aged 65 years or older, while 21 were aged under 18. 7

Agriculture is a high-risk industry, where most are selfemployed and predominantly work alone. Workers are potentially exposed to many dangers, such as large animals, heavy machinery, and liquids such as slurry and gas emitting materials.

The aim of the new Farm Safety Action Plan is to reduce the level of fatalities, serious injuries and ill health in the agriculture sector. The FSPAC has

identified five critical areas for attention: behaviour, education and training; health and vulnerable persons; tractors and high risk machinery; livestock handling; and buildings and working at heights.

Welcoming the new plan, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English TD, said: “This Action Plan is ambitious and achieving the objectives will be

important in our drive to lowering fatalities and serious injuries in the agricultural industry.

“I would encourage all farmers and business operators in this industry to avail of and use the existing resources including extensive HSA guidance and the Farm Safety Code of Practice.”

According to the HSA’s Review of Work-Related Deaths in Agriculture in Ireland 20112020, work-related fatalities

were more frequent in spring and summer, with the highest number happening in July (34, 16%). This pattern may be related to the intensity of farming activity during spring and summer.

Work-related fatalities involving children were most common during the summer, particularly August (five, 24%) and July (four, 19%). * Read the Farm Safety Action Plan on https://www.hsa.ie

Deadline looms for artists’ €2.5m bursary

School voluntary money ‘crippling families’ cash’ SCHOOLS needing to rely on voluntary contributions from families to fund the basic necessities can cause considerable financial strain to families, according to Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion TD The party has asked families to get in touch and share their experiences about how these costs are affecting them.

Ms Funchion said: “In the next week, thousands of families were getting ready for the return to school. With this, comes the annual requests for voluntary contributions.

“Year on year, families are being crippled by requests for contributions of very often well over €100 or €200 a child, and even as much as €300-400 in some cases.”

She said these were huge sums for families to be expected to pull together in a matter

of weeks and put serious strain on families’ finances.

“We know that in reality, these contributions are voluntary in name only. In some instances, students and families can be denied certain services and extra-curricular activities and they can face stigma.

“When added to the costs of uniforms, of school books and of school transport, this represents a very significant and unfair financial burden on families.”

The Sinn Fein TD said Vincent De Paul had warned that they were receiving hundreds of phone calls from parents every day who were anxious about these expensive costs. This was unacceptable and must change, she said.

“This is happening because the Government doesn’t fund our schools properly and they are forced to seek these contri-

butions,” said Ms Funchion.

“It shouldn’t have to be this way. Schools shouldn’t be so underfunded that they have to seek contributions and fundraise for basic things like keeping the lights and heating on. Sinn Féin wants to bring an end to the need for voluntary contributions.”

Her party wanted to hear families experience with voluntary contributions – how much the had been asked for this year? Or, more generally, what were a family’s experiences of back to school costs?

“Our spokesperson on Education, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, wants to hear about your experiences and what needs to change. Get in touch with him at donnchadh. olaoghaire@oir.ie or on social media, and tell us your story about the real costs of the return to school.

THE Arts Council has issued a special call to artists, practitioners and arts workers who have never before received a grant to apply for its Agility Award, and boosted the budget for the scheme by a further €2.5 million to ensure more people can benefit.

The agency for funding and developing the arts said the original budget for the Agility Award, introduced as a rapid response to the pandemic, was €5.6 million. However, with thousands or artists and arts workers facing extraordinary challenges making a living due to the public health restrictions, almost all of this budget was awarded in the first two rounds. To date in 2021, a total of €5.4m has been awarded to 1,153 artists through the Agility Award.

The additional funding means that hundreds of artists will receive the grant of up to €5,000 in the weeks ahead.

“It has been really inspiring to see the creativity and ambition behind the applications received for the Agility Award,” said Arts Council Maureen Kennelly. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to fund even more applications than originally anticipated, and to be able to broaden our relationship with artists by encouraging applications from any artist or arts worker who may not have been funded previously by the Arts Council.”

The deadline for the award is 17:30 on Thursday 9 September 2021. New applicants must first register at http:// onlineservices.artscouncil.ie/

Witnesses sought to border road fatality GARDAI are investigating a single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at Mainstown, Carrick on Suir, close to the Kilkenny- Tipp border, on Monday evening, August 30.

The driver of the vehicle, a male aged in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Tipperary University Hospital where a post-mortem was carried out.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.

Gardaí are particularly appealing to any road users

who were travelling between Faugheen and Carrick on Suir between 9:00pm and 9:30pm on Monday evening, and who may have camera (dash cam) footage to make it available.

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Opinion

It’s time we retired old-fashioned retirement AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON

IS it time to retire retirement? Attitudes to age and retirement can seem more than a little old fashioned in the light of longevity. Just think about it, if Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas, who died aged 103 recently, had retired aged 65 he would have spent 38 years in retirement or almost half an average lifetime. At least he could afford to retire.

Pensionable age became one of the surprise top voter concerns during the February 2020 Election. The fuse which ignited the row was the anomaly where pensioners who retired at 65 suffered the indignity of having to apply for job-seeker’s allowance until State pensionable age at 66.

Much heat but little reasoned debate was generated as political parties offered to turn back the clock and return pensionable age — 66 and due to rise to 67 next year and now deferred pending the deliberations of the Pension Commission — back to 65.

But it turns out that this may not be what a majority

of those around retirement age want. Standard Life’s recently published survey found that 52% of those surveyed didn’t want to retire, they wanted to continue working. And money wasn’t the main reason for this. A sizeable proportion wanted to avoid boredom (41 %) others wanted the social contact and involvement offered by work (37%). And who can blame them, as it’s really not great to suddenly find yourself on the wrong side of a grey employment ceiling. Far from being over the hill, you are ready to climb the next one.

So, if people want to continue working why not let them do so and drop retirement contracts which oblige many workers to leave at 65 and drop mandatory retirement, something which has already happened in the US and UK? Those who continued working wouldn’t need to draw their pensions, saving the State a sizeable amount, it would save employers money too – it costs around €40,000 to replace key employees. It might keep continuers in good health, too, as those who stay on at work live longer on average than retirees.

Having a one-size-fits-all retirement age ignores signif-

icant questions around age and different types of work.

We don’t age equally and your biological age maybe a better indicator of how well you are ageing rather than the number of candles on your birthday cake. Some of us are younger biologically speaking than our chronological age and others, sadly, are not.

Attitudes to continuing to work after traditional retirement age also depend on the type of employment. Those doing manual labour, in

boring jobs or poor health, more prevalent in those lower down the socio-economic scale, are more likely to want to stop working. (All of which could explain why Sinn Fein want the retirement clock turned back for their supporters.)

Those with interesting, rewarding work are more likely to want to continue working.

Ever notice the way that creative types – actors, artists, writers and musicians – all continue working to a ripe old age? Maybe that is what

keeps them going: look at film star director and Clint Eastwood (91), broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough (95) and Edna O’Brien (90) all still creating and contributing.

So much has changed since the Old Age Pension was introduced here under British rule in 1908 for those over 70 (the weekly rate was between 10p to 25p). At that point the average life expectance was around 52 years. It was believed that the brain stopped developing at a

certain age whereas, thanks to neuroscience, we know that brains retain their plasticity and their performance can be improved into late age but, equally, that use it or lose it applies.

It seems, given the findings of that Standard Life survey, that many people around retirement age want a choice about continuing work, with lives where they can carry on contributing and being involved.

They should be given the dignity of choice.

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Recovery is a journey ANDREW MCDONALD HYPNOTHERAPIST

RECOVERING from poor mental health is dependent on learning a whole new range of life skills. Once the crisis period of whatever condition a person has been suffering is over, steps need to be taken to ensure improvement continues. This doesn’t necessarily mean never struggling with mental wellness in the future.

Often it can be about learning to identify triggers which affect our minds, put steps in place to avoid them, or to lessen their effects if they are unavoidable, and ensuring any further difficulties are minimised so that getting back to normal afterwards is as quick and easy as possible.

Many people assume that mental health is something that only people who struggle with things like depression and anxiety have.

In fact, we all have mental health. The fact that someone doesn’t have, for example, heart problems, doesn’t mean they don’t have car-

diac health. All it means is that their heart is medically well. They still need to take steps to ensure that wellness continues and to minimise the risk of this situation changing. Exercise, good diet, avoiding things like smoking and excessive drinking all contribute to keeping a person’s heart in good shape. Mental health is no different.

Unsurprisingly, many of the same things which keep our hearts, and other organs, well and maintain our physical health, also help our brains and therefore our mental health to function at an optimal level.

Exercise, for example, benefits us both physically and mentally. So does avoiding smoking and keeping alcohol consumption at sensible levels. That last one can, in fact, very quickly become a vicious circle. People suffering from depression and anxiety may overdrink to relieve symptoms. However, as excessive drinking feeds into increasing depressive and anxious feelings, the person may end up feeling worse and drinking even more to compensate thus leaving them feeling even more depressed and anx-

ious.

I mentioned triggers a few paragraphs up. Actually, these underpin what is known as a Wellness Recovery Action Plan or WRAP. Many people who have accessed services to help with mental health will be familiar with these terms.

Basically it’s a blueprint of where the person has come from, what they have learnt helps to get them feeling mentally well, what deteriorates their mental health and what they and others can do for themselves to get them back on the road to recovery as quickly and easily as possible. If you find yourself in this situation, a WRAP is well worth doing and if you are currently accessing a mental health service and this plan hasn’t been mentioned to you, be proactive and ask about it. It’s a great way to outline new life skills you have learnt, ones you want to learn and how you want to use them to ensure your mental health continues to improve.

Recovery is a journey which requires learning and using many new skills.

Organising them in a plan which you can easily refer to is a big help!

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News

Low-cost anti-depressant may help battle virus, finds Irish scientist A LOW-COST anti-depressant has been shown to significantly reduce the rates of serious illness caused by Covid-19, in a study by an Irish scientist, funded by entrepreneur Patrick Collison.

Treating patients early with the antidepressant – fluvoxamine – can cut hospital admissions by up to 30 per cent, researchers in Canada, led by Dubliner Prof Ed Mills, found.

Prof Mills says the drug could be a “game-changer” for poorer countries with low vaccination rates and lacking access to more advanced Covid-19 treatments.

Fluvoxamine, a generic medicine often used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder, costs just $4 in the US, he points out. In contrast, a course of monoclonal antibodies to treat Covid-19 costs $2,100 and must be administered by a doctor.

Prof Mills and his team at McMaster University in Ontario treated 738 Brazilian Covid-19 patients with fluvoxamine, while another 733 received a placebo, this year.

They tracked patients for 28 days to determine their health outcomes and if they still needed hospital treatment.

Researchers found about a 30 per cent reduction in events among those receiving fluvoxamine compared to those who did not.

The trial of fluvoxamine formed part of a larger Together trial that started in May 2020, aiming to test potential Covid-19 treatments

in the community.

This trial tested eight drugs, including hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, but only fluvoxamine had a positive effect on Covid-19.

“Fluvoxamine is the only treatment that, if administered early, can prevent Covid-19 from becoming a

life-threatening illness,” said Prof Mills. “It could be one of our most powerful weapons against the virus and its effectiveness is one of the most important discoveries we have made since the pandemic began.

“In addition, this cheap, easily-accessible pill is a massive

New figures show 2,337 on PUP in Kilkenny will be hit by cuts LARGE numbers of people in Kilkenny are still receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and will see their incomes plummet due to cuts planned by the Government on September 7, Sinn Féin TD for Carlow Kilkenny, Kathleen Funchion TD, has warned.

New figures published by the Department of Social Protection reveal that 2,337 people in Kilkenny are still receiving the PUP. “It is clear that the pandemic is not over,” said Ms Funchion (pictured). “Up to 2,337 people in Kilkenny are still receiving the PUP as many workers are still unable to return to work as their sectors remain closed under public health restrictions.

Despite this, the Government is insisting on ploughing ahead with planned cuts to the PUP on September 7.

“The cuts and the plan to transition people from the PUP to Jobseekers must be scrapped. These cuts are punishing people who cannot return to work and will hit young workers hardest.

“For many workers, their PUP will be slashed by €50 week. For others, their income will plummet even further if they are transitioned to the Jobseeker’s rate,” she said.

“This will particularly affect workers aged 18-24, as the maximum Jobseekers they can receive is capped at €112.70 a week. As Jobseeker’s Allowance is means tested based on entire household income, young people living at home will receive even less.

“The Government’s planned cuts are a slap in the face for those who are employed in sectors that have not yet been given a date for re-opening. This is about the core principle that while workers are prevented

from going to work due to public health restrictions, they should continue to receive the financial supports they need.”

Ms Funchion said Minister Humphreys and Minister Varadkar continued to be silent on this issue and were refusing to be upfront with workers about why they are insisting on continuing with these ill-timed cuts. They owed it to the many workers in Kilkenny affected to be upfront about what they were doing and why.

“I am again demanding that the Government urgently cancel the cuts. Workers in Kilkenny and across Ireland must not be unfairly punished by this government while their sectors remain closed.”

boon to public health, both in Canada and internationally, allowing hospitals to avoid expensive and sometimes risky treatments.”

From Skerries, Prof Mills left Ireland at 18 and has worked around the world in clinical research.

Having organised clinical

trials for drugs against HIV and other viruses, he recognised at the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic that it posed a similar challenge.

“I think people who grew up as I did in the Ireland of the 1970s and 1980s can relate to what not having resources for health can be like.”

He says Mr Collison, the billionaire founder of online payments company Stripe, approached him last year with the idea of funding research into the potential of traditional drugs to fight Covid-19.

“These drugs are already in the pharmacy, known to be safe and they are usually cheap, so their potential for use in developing countries is huge.”

“His aim was to get good treatments for Covid to the kind of places that can’t afford monoclonal drugs. And by giving answers within days, his philanthropic foundation has turned medical research funding on its head.”

Prof Mills and his team are due to submit their findings to a medical journal for peer review. They have also submitted their research to the U.S.-based National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organisation.

Billionaire Collison is the co-founder and CEO of Stripe, which he started with his younger brother, John, in 2010. He won the 41st Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in 2005 at the age of 16.

Call, again, by St Luke’s for pregnant women to get jab PREGNANT women in Carlow and Kilkenny should get their Covid-19 vaccine, the General manager of St Luke’s Hospital has said, adding only a third of pregnant mothers had taken up their jabs.

Anne Slattery said most of the 13 people being treated for the virus locally had not had their jabs yet.

Clinical Director Prof. Gary Courtney originally made a similar call on earlier after a couple of mothers and young children tested positive for the virus.

Ms Slattery said it was really important that pregnant women take the vaccine when they were advised to.

“The numbers of pregnant women who are vaccinated is not as high as the general population. And from our own counting of the numbers here in the hospital, it’s roughly about a third of mothers that come in are vaccinated and the remaining two- thirds are not yet.

“But we would be strongly encouraging women – particularly after they deliver – that they would get vaccinated, and again it’s to protect both themselves and their child and everybody in the home.”

She told KCLR’s The Way It Is that pregnant women could be hit harder than others by the virus if they did not get vaccinated.

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News

Additional 143 community jobs welcomed A TOTAL of 143 additional places on Community Employment (CE) and Tús schemes in Kilkenny and Carlow, has been welcomed by TD John Paul Phelan.

The approval for an additional 91 places on CE schemes and 52 places on Tús schemes locally reflected a key commit-

ment in Pathways to Work – the Government’s ambitious new employment services strategy, Deputy Phelan said.

‘Pathways to Work’ was all about giving people the tools and opportunities they needed to secure employment, deputy Phelan said.

“Our Community Employ-

Honour for care home struck down

by Covid-19 RESIDENTS of a Kilkenny nursing home who died from Covid-19 have been honoured and are fondly remembered by those who cared for them in their final days.

Frontline staff have also been included in a touching tribute.

The coronavirus struck Gowran Abbey Nursing Home last winter, just weeks before residents were due to be vaccinated. Thirty-one residents and 17 staff members contracted Covid-19, Six residents subsequently died.

HIQA inspectors who visited the nursing home last May said that, while the staff were traumatised, they had remained committed to providing care to the residents.

The inspectors spoke to residents and staff on their visit and said that staff were emotional when talking about the exposure to critical events such as death, fear of being infected, infecting their families and its

consequences on their own health. However, they had learned how to work closely together and support each other.

Staff of the nursing home told inspectors that when residents passed away, they were never left alone. Staff accommodated families to stay with them, providing them with necessary PPE equipment.

“The staff stayed committed in honouring all residents who sadly passed away in the centre during the pandemic and all frontline staff working through the pandemic. They had created a ‘Memory tree’ with the names of these residents written on hearts hanging from the tree. They keep a battery-operated candle in front of the tree in memory of these residents and front-line staff.”

Inspectors recognised some examples of good practice in the management of Covid-19, in their overall report.

ment and Tús schemes are central to that strategy – providing a vast range of work experience, skills development and mentoring for people who are longterm unemployed.

“This additional allocation of places for CE and Tús schemes in Kilkenny and Carlow will assist people who are out of work

as well as enhancing local communities who have been negatively impacted by Covid-19. As we emerge from this pandemic, we are determined to support our citizens who find themselves out of work in every way possible.”

In terms of Community Employment, the additional places

will be allocated to the following schemes in the region: Kilkenny: Cloghmuckalee CES – 3 places Community Childcare Training CES – 5 places Freshford Area CES – 2 places Klikenny Amarach Nura CES – 5 places

Kilkenny Carers Support Services Company – 9 places Kilkenny Voluntary Bodies Company – 2 places Noreside Resource Centre – 4 places Ossory Parishes Ltd – 3 places St Canice’s Community Employment Training CLG – 25 places

We’re open! Martin Slattery (Head of MarketPlace Operations), Patricia Hattersley (Branch General Manager, Musgrave MarketPlace), customer Mary Walsh and Michael McCormack (MD, Musgrave MarketPlace) at the unveiling of a new food emporium

SE boost as Musgrave opens food emporium MUSGRAVE MarketPlace, Ireland’s leading wholesale supplier has unveiled a new Food Emporium at Musgrave MarketPlace, Waterford, Kilbarry Road Junction following a €1 million upgrade.

The transformation of the Waterford branch into a state-of-the-art Food Emporium forms part of a €13.6m total investment in the Musgrave MarketPlace Food Emporium concept to date, as it continues to modernise wholesale on the island of Ireland.

This branch unveiling in

Waterford follows branch upgrades in Cork, Limerick, Galway, Dublin’s Ballymun and Robinhood, Duncrue in Belfast and Derry.

The upgrade of the Waterford Food Emporium features a range of new and innovative updates to assist foodservice and retail customers access the information and products they need.

These include: • A designated meat cutting service alongside expanded areas for fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen foods.

• A state-of-the-art food

demo area to showcase the Musgrave MarketPlace offerings for customers.

• Open every day.

Michael McCormack, Managing Director, Musgrave Wholesale Partners said: “The opening of our newly revamped Waterford Food Emporium is hugely exciting for the local community in Waterford and beyond.

“We have invested €13.6m in our branches to create Food Emporiums within Musgrave MarketPlace which not only offer a first-

class customer experience but also redefine the traditional cash-and-carry.”

The reimagined Musgrave MarketPlace Waterford, located in Musgrave Business Park, has been designed with the customers at the forefront, serving local hotels, bars, restaurants, retailers and SME’s in the Waterford region.

As well as adding hundreds of new products to their current range of over 9,000 products, the branch now has expanded chilled, frozen and fresh produce aisles.

Back to school primary pupils look now to their Europe PRIMARY school pupils through the county and around Ireland are being challenged to get creative in how they learn and think about Europe through the Blue Star Programme, whuch is co-ordinated by European Movement Ireland.

Since the beginning of the programme in 2011, 36 schools in Kilkenny have participated of almost 1,100 overall across the country.

The Blue Star Programme teaches primary school children about Europe

through creative activities and projects that complement the national primary curriculum.

Each participating class carries out projects on history, geography, the institutions of the EU, culture and creativity with a European twist. Teachers and their classes can be creative and tailor their projects to their own individual needs and interests.

Conscious of the ongoing challenges posed by Covid-19 that face schools, teachers and pupils returning this September, the Blue Star Programme

Pre-pandemic: them Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the launch of Blue Star in 2019

team will offer participating schools continued support and a fully-flexible, curriculum-friendly programme with additional online resources and activities.

Teachers, parents, guardians, carers and the whole school community are encouraged to get involved in Blue Star Programme projects, creating an awareness of the EU and European cultures that reaches far beyond the school walls and out into the wider community.

Speaking about the opening of registration for the Pro-

gramme, Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne TD said: ”Blue Star is an exciting project that allows our children to learn about, and get creative on, our European identity and culture.

“I am honoured to support the Blue Star Programme and have seen the enthusiasm that our young people are bringing to the programme. I am really hoping to visit some participating schools in person as soon as it is safe to do so, and I encourage as many as possible to register and get involved”.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

News Your Money

Protection for you and your family

BY JOHN ELLIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR

LIFE can be unpredictable, so we insure our homes, cars and even our holidays and phones, so doesn’t it make sense to protect those you love in the event that something happens to you and you can’t provide for them?

By planning in advance the type of protection you and your family might need in the future, you can ensure that you will be financially secure if faced with life’s difficult uncertainties.

Should you have your own business, does it not makes sense that you would want to protect your source of income in the event of sickness or accident?

There are different types of business protection, depending on the type of cover you need but broadly speaking, it will ensure that your business continues to run if you or key employees suffer from serious illness or die.

There are different types of plans to cover various needs.

Mortgage Protection is a ded-

icated type of life insurance. It helps to clear your outstanding mortgage if you die, or if selected, if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness, within a specified term. The cover

reduces over the term of the plan, broadly in line with your outstanding mortgage.

Decreasing Term Family Protection is a cost-effective form of life cover from Aviva

Life and Pensions that ensures you have more life cover when your family is younger and your requirement for life cover is higher. It’s designed so that the sum insured will decrease

in a straight-line basis over the term of the contract at a lower monthly premium Term Protection plans brings you an agreed level of cover life that remains constant over an agreed term. If you die or become ill during this term, your family will be provided for financially. It may make sense to avail of this cover for your key working years, when you have dependents who rely on your income.

Pension Term is life insurance that covers the period up to retirement, usually 65. If you die during this term, your family will receive a payment to ensure they do not suffer financial hardship. There is tax relief available on the premiums you pay under this plan.

Whole of life cover is an insurance plan that lasts for your whole lifetime and is not limited to a specific term. If you pass away this policy will provide a lump sum payment to your family. This plan can also be used to protect your loved ones from the burden of inheritance tax.

Be careful here and make sure the plan is literally whole of life with a guaranteed premium and not a contact that is priced low in the early years and becomes prohibi-

tively expensive as you grow older.

People are living longer than ever before. As a result, the chance of being diagnosed with a serious illness at some point in your life is greater.

Many illnesses that were once thought incurable can now be treated successfully.

However, this can lead to additional expenses while you recuperate.

This is where Serious Illness cover comes to the fore. It pays out a tax-free, cash lump sum if you are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.

The premiums for this type of cover can be expensive so a product produced by Zurich Life Cancer cover can help you financially, should you contract cancer, for a lesser monthly premium, giving you one less thing to worry about and letting you concentrate on the main thing – getting better Your financial broker will complete a fact find with you and from the information provided will produce a “needs analysis report” which will outline the areas you need to address. Then and only then do decide the type of contract required.

John@ellisfinancial.ie

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Science & Wellbeing

How to deal with the anxieties that September brings ...

HAVING spent much of our year in lockdown desperately looking forward to Summer and the possibility of freedom, Summer now seems all too short. Already we’re facing the usual overwhelming sense of September, and everything that it includes.

Many of us have real fears about going back to the workplace and we aren’t even sure we want to return full-time.

Many parents and guardians are now facing the huge financial burden of children back to school and the inevitable stress of juggling school, work and home life.

Many without children have money worries of their own, after the relief of lockdown finally lifting and Christmas

already on the horizon. And of course, Winter is coming, with short days and dark cold nights ahead of us. Is it any wonder we feel overwhelmed at the very thought of September, and even moreso while living in these times of uncertainty.

With a combined 30 years of clinical experience under their belts, Yvonne Barnes-Holmes and Ciara McEnteggart at Perspectives Ireland show us how to deal with the anxieties that September brings: 1. MAKE A LIST AND PRIORITISE Have you ever been kept awake at night because there is simply so much to do in the days and weeks ahead? Thinking things through like this often works,

because it helps you prioritise what needs done first, second, third and so on, and to think about ways you can get through each. But lying awake at night doesn’t work for all of us, because we can just as easily find ourselves going over the details again and again, with neither sequence nor solution.

So, let’s begin with the simple fact we should all accept: you cannot jump multiple hurdles at the same time, and trying to will only exhaust you. Instead, make a list of everything you need to do and form it into a sequence that prioritises what needs done first, second, third and so on. Use this list to structure the days and weeks ahead and as you tick each item off your list, you’ll see that the big

hurdles are being jumped, one by one.

2. ESTIMATE THE TIME NEEDED Proper timing is the key to success with a sequence of tasks, making sure that you never underestimate the length of time a given task will take. Transfer your list directly to your calendar, clearly allocating the time needed for each item, so you know where you’re at with your list at any point in time. This will help keep you on track and not get stuck at any one thing, at the cost of others. For example, it takes at least a couple of days to prepare two children to go back to school, this simply can’t happen in an afternoon when you consider uniforms, shoes, books,

haircuts, etc.

And it will take multiple rounds of a few hours if you’re going back to the office. You might need to buy new clothes, get your car serviced, renew your travel pass, or plan how you organise your daily lunches and shop for them. Each item may seem small but together they can overwhelm you easily.

3. ESTIMATE THE COSTS Try to estimate all of the costs associated with each item on your list and write down the approximate date for when this cost needs to be paid and place these costs into your calendar, so you’re ready for them and they never come as a surprise.

For example, it’s never too early to make a budget for Christmas

and write down how you plan to fulfill this budget between now and Christmas.

4. YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING YOURSELF Look at your list and consider where you could delegate items to someone else or where you could ask for help. You might be tempted to think “It’s easier if I do it myself”, “I would be quicker doing it”, or “I don’t want to burden other people, they have enough to do’’. But these thoughts will actually keep you overwhelmed and make it less likely that you will get everything done, without considerable costs to yourself.

5. RECHARGE OVER THE WINTER MONTHS The summer of 2021 has been a time for catching up on the things we missed across the previous 18 months. Undoubtedly, we’ve enjoyed that, but making the most of it has probably left us tired just as we begin the September rush. So, if we didn’t recuperate over Summer, how can we get some energy back? This year, instead of dreading the autumn and winter months, use the dark evenings to recharge and get back some of that “me time” you enjoyed during the lockdown. Use this time to do the things you enjoy, the things that really recharge your batteries. For example, watch your favourite show on Netflix in the evenings, spend a little longer cooking your favourite meal, or take a long bath once a week.

Whatever you do, make sure it is something that serves you and gives you the energy you need to meet all the challenges you face.

* If you would like to learn more about taking time out for yourself, Perspectives Ireland will be hosting a therapeutic wellness retreat at Carton House this October, which is designed to help you recognise the person that you have become, and show you what needs to be added for you to be the best version of yourself. You can sign up for the retreat on their website www. perspectivesireland.ie.

Why you don’t need to take 10,000 steps a day FITNESS tracking devices often recommend we take 10,000 steps a day. But the goal of taking 10,000 steps, which many of us believe is rooted in science, in fact rests on coincidence and sticky history rather than research.

According to Dr I-Min Lee, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and an expert on step counts and health, the 10,000-steps target became popular in Japan in the 1960s. A clock maker, hoping to capitalise on interest in fitness after the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, massproduced a pedometer with a name that, when written in Japanese characters, resembled a walking man.

It also translated as “10,000-steps meter,” creating a walking aim that, through the decades, somehow became embedded in our global consciousness — and fitness trackers.

But today’s best science suggests we do not need to take 10,000 steps a day, which is about five miles, for the sake of our health or longevity.

A 2019 study by Dr Lee and her colleagues found that women in their 70s who managed as few as 4,400 steps a day reduced their risk of premature death by about 40%, compared to women completing 2,700 or fewer steps a day. The risks for early death continued

to drop among the women walking more than 5,000 steps a day, but benefits

plateaued at about 7,500 daily steps. In other words, older women who completed

fewer than half of the mythic 10,000 daily steps tended to live substantially longer than

those who covered even less ground.

Another, more expansive study of various ethnicities likewise found that 10,000 steps a day are not a requirement for longevity. In that study, people who walked for about 8,000 steps a day were half as likely to die prematurely from heart disease or any other cause as those who accumulated 4,000 steps a day.

The statistical benefits of additional steps were slight, meaning it did not hurt people to amass more daily steps, up to and beyond the 10,000-steps mark. But the extra steps did not provide much additional protection against dying young, either.

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Travel & Leisure

A guide to eating in Italy 1. EAT LOCAL BY REGION Italy has 20 distinct regions that date back to the days before the Kingdom of Italy became a country. Many of these regions, like Campania and Tuscany, are famous around the world while others live under the radar. Not only do these regions have their own customs and histories, but they all have distinctly unique food cultures.

While it’s it’s human nature to want to eat pizza in Italy regardless of the region, the better move is to quickly research each region’s top food before you arrive. You’ll then be practically guaranteed a memorable dining experience whether you eat pesto in Liguria or orecchiette in Puglia.

2. SHOP AT LOCAL FOOD MARKETS Food markets are a key element of Italy’s food scene. Most Italian cities have one major market with more sprinkled around the neighborhoods. This is where locals shop for vine-ripened tomatoes and freshly caught fish. It’s also where intrepid food travelers can learn a lot about a city’s local food products while nibbling on tasty tidbits.

Our favorite Italian markets

include Mercato delle Erbe in Bologna, Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio in Florence, Mercato Albinelli in Modena, Mercato Testaccio in Rome and Mercati di Rialto in Venice. We’ve also heard great things about A’Piscaria in Catania and Piazza delle Erbe in Padua.

3. EAT PIZZA WITH UTENSILS... USUALLY If you visit Italy without eating pizza, did you really visit Italy?

We’re kidding, sort of. That’s how prevalent pizza is in Italy.

But not just one kind of pizza.

Hailing from Naples, Neapolitan Pizza is always served as individual whole pies with the diner usually responsible for cutting it into slices. While locals use a knife and fork to eat this type of pizza, we like to eat our pies with a hybrid method that involves folding each slice after we cut it with our utensils. We honed this skill after years of eating pizza, of course.

Rome has two main styles of pizza – Pizza al Taglio, which is typically cut into slices and sold by weight, and thin crust round pies called Pizza Romano. Further south, the Mediterranean island of Sicily specializes in Pizza Siciliana which can be rectangular and/or stuffed except when it

isn’t. Then there’s fried pizza called Pizza Fritta, another Neapolitan specialty.

4. MAKE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS If you wander around any Italian city, particularly during high tourist season, and pass a plethora of restaurants with touts at the doors and menus translated into 10 different languages including Chinese, you have to wonder “who eats there?” Well, we’ll tell you who – people who really don’t care about food or... those who fail to plan in advance!

You don’t have to make reservations super far ahead for most restaurants in Italy.

In some cases, you can walk into a popular local restaurant a couple days before your planned meal, have a pleasant conversation with the host and walk away with a reservation.

It’s so simple yet so important to do.

5. DRINK YOUR MORNING COFFEE STANDING AT THE BAR Order your coffee and pay at the register. If you want a typical espresso, just say “uno caffè per favore.”

Take the receipt to the barista at the bar. The barista will likely give you a cup of water right away at no additional charge.

(If you prefer sparkling water, like us, say you want Aqua Frizzante.)

Drink the glass of water, preferably sparkling, to cleanse your palate.

Add sugar to taste once the coffee arrives.

Drink the coffee at the bar. If you ordered food, eat the food at the bar too.

Leave a small optional tip if you’re satisfied with the service.

Thank the barista (Grazie!) and leave.

6. EAT A BIG LUNCH The adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day doesn’t apply in Italy where most breakfasts pair coffee with a cornetto or other pastry. This is a country where the real food action occurs during lunch.

Italians often linger over their midday meals, eating multiple courses, sipping wine and ending on a sweet note.

7. GET CREATIVE WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR If you think that you know traditional balsamic vinegar based on the balsamic vinegar that you’ve purchased at the grocery store – think again.

Authentic balsamic vinegar is a Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP) product that can only be produced in Emilia-Romagna. And, unlike

the grocery store version made with vinegar, sugar and additives, traditional balsamic vinegar has just one ingredient – grape juice.

Balsamic vinegar producers age that grape juice for at least a decade but preferably for more than a quarter century. The fermentation and maturation process may take years of patience but the end result it a luxury product that’s a worthy splurge.

8. HAPPY HOUR DINNER WITH APERITIVO If it’s 5pm in Italy and you find yourself walking around Bologna’s Quadrilatero, through Naples’ Piazza Bellini or in Rome’s Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, you’ll notice tables filled with ‘pre-gamers’ holding bright orange Aperol Spritzes in their hands. Most likely, they’re also munching on a range of appetizers – from nuts and olives all the way to platters filled with a large assortment of salumi and cheeses.

In other words, it’s aperitivo time in Italy.

More than just a ramped up version of the ‘happy hour’, Italy’s aperitivo is a time to connect with friends as the sun goes down while enjoying special meats like culatello in Parma and porchetta in Rome as well as great local cheeses

like Moden’s aged parmigianoreggiano, Florence’s sheepy Pecorino Toscano and Napoli’s fresh, creamy slightly tangy balls of mozzarella di bufala. If you’re so inclined, it’s entirely possible to turn an aperitivo session into an early dinner.

9. ORDER WINE AT EVERY MEAL We exaggerate when we say to order wine with every meal since we don’t typically drink wine in the morning.

However, we stand by this recommendation when it comes to drinking wine every time you eat lunch and dinner in Italy.

This tip may seem excessive.

However, you don’t need to worry breaking the bank or becoming intoxicated when you order wine at most Italian restaurants. Many offer a vino della casa (house wine) that’s both local and inexpensive with options to order by the glass or carafe in addition to by the bottle.

10. EAT PASTA AS A FIRST COURSE PRIMO At restaurants, the primi section is the place to look for pasta on an Italian menu. Primi translates to ‘first courses’ which is the time of the meal when Italians eat a small-ish serving of pasta unless they’re in the mood for risotto or soup.

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Community Group

Communist Romania and the meaning of the 23rd of August

BY LIVIA POP

PART ONE In Ireland, the national day is celebrated on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, a day full of celebration, good cheer, joy and parades prepared in advance by participants, who put soul and love in what they do, across the country.

In Romania, the national day is celebrated on December 1, The Great Union Day. On this day, back in 1918 the three regions of Romania, Transylvania, Moldova and Tara Romaneasca, united into one for the first time in history.

But.... it was a time a long time I could say, from 1948 until 1989, the year in which the Romanian Revolution took place and when our people ended a totalitarian and dictatorial communist regime, when our national day was celebrated on August 23. In 1944, at this time, Romania, this until then had fought alongside the German army, being forced by circumstances to conclude an alliance with them, turned its

weapons and began the fight to liberate the Romanian territory.

It should have been a celebration of joy and victory and the fact that a dark period in world history, that of World War II, was beginning to end. However, this holiday was confiscated by the communist regime and became an opportunity to glorify and praise the communist leader and dictator of that time, Nicolae Ceausescu. He had visited communist countries in Asia, China and North Korea, from where he came back in love with the greatness and amplitude of the performances staged in honour of the communist leaders.

Magnificent parades, propaganda materials, labour demonstrations, military marches

or homage shows were just some of the events organized in the “Golden Age” (as the communists called it at the time) to celebrate August 23rd. Prepared a few months before, the activities dedicated to the day when Romania turned its weapons against Nazi Germany and joined the United Nations Coalition turned into a tribute to the much-loved leader, Nicolae Ceausescu. Every enterprise, factory or workshop mobilizes an army of people, took care of the execution of the propaganda panels that had to be carried on the arms at the parade.

These huge wooden panels were wrapped in red cloth over which were cut letters of polystyrene or white cardboard. Each

institution had dozens of such banners on which were directly sewn slogans dedicated to the Communist Party and its leader.

Pupils, students and even kindergarten children were taken out of school and went to rehearsals. And, when the summer vacation came, it did not exist until around the 23rd, every day, a few hours were spent repeating for the big holiday. Dressed in patriotic uniforms and under the scorching sun of the summer months, they had to parade in bands or form words of praise in stadiums again and again, so that everything would be perfectly set up. No one was exempted from the tiring rehearsals for the shows much loved by Ceausescu. Everyone feared that

if missing, their names were immediately blacklisted. There was no excuse, everyone had to be present! The parade began at 9 o’clock in the morning. From the factory yard the workers started lined up, by categories, and each of them had to carry at least one flag in his hand. Leading workers who stood out in the field of labour opened the column and had the “honour” of carrying portraits of Nicolae and Elena Cesau escu or large flags.

The column that lined the city boulevards was extremely well organized. It was usually formed in five or seven rows and a certain hierarchy was observed.

Representatives of large factories with tens of thousands of employees opened the column, followed in order of importance by the rest. There have been years in which allegorical, freshly painted trucks, dressed in flags, and carrying, for example, seamstresses with sewing machines, who worked directly when passing in front of the official tribune, have been used. Not everyone could climb there, in the tribune. It was reserved for party leaders, the directors of the big factories, the state security police officials. The

ceremony lasted no more than two, three hours and the participants synchronized impeccably for the people who gathered along the main street of the cities to see their friends or relatives enlisted in columns, but only the party activists responsible for organizing the parade knew that it took loads of energy and strong nerves for those parades to happen. Along with the workers lined up at the big factories, at the refineries, most of the actors in the parade were students from the city’s middle schools and high schools. However, it was a peak moment of the parades that was watched with interest, when the Romanian Army soldiers marched with the combat equipment, a component much loved by children and young people.

Every year, the most magnificent of events took place in stadiums, where everything was calculated with mathematical precision. Here, people were arranged in such a way that they became real living puzzles, creating perfect paintings from banners.

In next week’s Instalment we will look at what was each year’s biggest event

pect of financial abuse is someone you know well and depend upon. The Twilight Community Group urges people to consider if they are potentially the victims of financial abuse in the following circumstances: • Someone else has access to your accounts without your full permission • You feel pressured to allow someone else access to your accounts • Someone else makes decisions about your money without speaking with you first • You feel you have lost all control over your money • Your money is being spent by someone else for things other than your bills, clothes, food, etc.

• You feel pressured to give money to someone else

Begin Together fund will be holding coffee Information mornings for our seniors on a monthly basis (Covid Pubic health Guidelines permitting) The Charity’s Life coaches and representatives from the Bank of Ireland, Credit Union , Sage Advocacy , Solicitors and our Community Garda will discuss the topic of Financial wellness in a very informal , non-judgemental way during the Protecting, Assisting Senior Services (PASS) 12 month programme . Anyone who has attended a Twilight Seniors event are aware of the relaxed fun atmosphere of these events. Our coffee mornings will be just same with Games and informal chats with your piers but of course the Twilight Fun Bingo games, held weekly prior to Covid, will be part of these coffee morning events Date and venues to be confirmed.

Community Group

Let’s Protect, Assist Senior Services (PASS) IN our last seniors Column, we spoke about the Abuse that can and has been afflicted on our seniors. One such abuse is Financial Abuse Ireland has an aging population and within this cohort of the population there appears to be a hidden problem of financial abuse. The abuser may

be the single person most relied upon, they may be a family member and highlighting the abuse may cause all sorts of family disputes.

Demands from family members for money are among the issues that arose in new research on elder financial abuse in a survey from Age Action and

Ulster Bank. In addition, almost 50pc of bank officials have dealt with elder financial abuse.

The survey asked 493 Ulster bank customer service staff about their experience of elder financial abuse. 45pc of respondents had dealt with suspected elder financial abuse cases, almost all of whom had dealt with

at least one case in the previous 12 months. 68pc of the Bank’s respondents were familiar with elder financial abuse, rising to 75pc among those with 10 years or more experience These are very worrying statistics Several solutions to this serious problem. One maybe to set up a third-party authority, which lets you select someone to do your day-to- day banking for you without making them a joint account holder.

An alternative is to consider setting up a power of attorney.

This is a legal arrangement that permits another person to act for you in certain areas, such as financial matters. The appointed person should be someone you trust. They can be appointed with enduring power of attorney, which allows that person to manage your affairs if you lose your capacity It is also important to take time to make a will to reflect your wishes as to what you want to happen to your money and property on your death.

Remember that a will, will only become effective from death, so you can change your will at any point Financial abuse can be subtle, building up slowly over time, so that the abused person may not realise that what is happening is unfair and possibly illegal. The situation can be complicated by the fact that the person you sus-

The Twilight Community group as part of the Bank of Ireland

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News

Business webinar takes first steps on export journey ENTERPRISE Ireland, in association with the Local Enterprise Offices, has launched its second Export Compass Series to help companies explore ways to overcome the present economic challenges, by understanding overseas business cultures, building digital capabilities for selling, and developing customer, distributor and

partner relationships.

The webinar workshops will take place between Tuesday, September 7 and Tuesday, October 5.

Featuring interviews with Irish companies who have successfully exported, Local Enterprise Office and overseas Enterprise Ireland staff, the series will address the key ingredients

to a successful export strategy: 1. What is the basis of your export plan? Where in the world might you export to?

2. Who is your ideal customer?

Culture and doing business in other countries 3. How to win export customers in a digital world 4. How to finance your export plan

5. Roundtable Q&A with exporting companies and advisors Attendance is complimentary for all micro and SME companies that are taking their first steps on their export journey.

Keelin Fagan, Head of Central Services Exporter Development & Core at Enterprise Ire-

land, said participants would finish with a clear idea of the right place to look for support with their export plan, and how to reap the many rewards available in the export market.

Emmet Dunne, Managing Director of web design agency Kooba, will be speaking during the series. “From the first day Kooba set up an office in

Germany, it has been a steep learning curve.

“We are looking forward to sharing this experience and the learnings from our export journey with the businesses attending the series,” he said. *See www.enterprise-ireland.com/ExporterDevelopment

Farmers are furious over nitrates bid, says Rushe FARMERS are furious with Department of Agriculture proposals for the next Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and its management of the review process, IFA Deputy President Brian Rushes told the Kilkenny Observer.

“IFA will not allow farmers livelihoods to be put at risk because the Department has mismanaged the review process, which has resulted in a five-month delay in the consultation process. This is too important an issue for Irish farmers,” said the IFA Deputy President.

Compliance with existing regulations must be met before additional blanket regulations are imposed on farmers whose incomes are already under threat with the proposed reduction in CAP payments.

“Failure by department officials to ensure compliance has meant that all farmers are now being asked to adhere to over the top regulations,” he said.

IFA Dairy Chair Stephen Arthur said: “The cost of implementing proposals relating to

additional slurry storage and soiled water storage will be in the region of €30,000-€50,000 for an average dairy farmer.

“The real insult here is that many of these measures will do little to improve water quality. The proposals are flawed,” he said.

IFA Environment Chair Paul O’Brien said the department was trying to shoe-horn in conditions that extend beyond the remit of the nitrates regulation itself.

“By including measures such as the compulsory use of low-emission slurry spreading equipment, the Government is trying to renege on its responsibility to support farmers in the low carbon transition.

Measures that are included under the Nitrates regulation are not eligible for grant aid,” said Mr O’Brien.

Brian Rushe concluded: “We are encouraging all farmers to engage with the consultation process. We cannot let the department away with bringing in such outrageous regulations.”

Miriam’s wedding day was put on pause ...

KILKENNY camogie star Miriam Walsh had to cancel her wedding to her fiancé Noel due to the lockdown last year.

The couple had set a date for the famous Langton’s Hotel in Kilkenny last November but the tight restrictions in place at the time meant that they had to shelve their plans.

But Miriam wasn’t upset about the news and she said they are not in any hurry to walk down the aisle.

And she wanted her whole family there with them when the time comes to get hitched.

Miriam told RSVP Magazine: “We decided to put it off for now because my family is too big and we would never have cut the numbers to under 100. We were supposed to get married in Langton’s back in November and I wanted to stay focused on Camogie because we didn’t know what way the lockdown would go.”

Vicky Phelan unsure of next step in treatment VICKY Phelan has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her daughter on her 16th birthday and has sworn she “won’t miss another birthday because of treatment”.

This comes as he CervicalCheck campaigner said she was considering whether or not to begin new clinical trial in the US or come home to her family in Kilkenny.

Vicky has shared an emotional video to update followers

about her health and treatment.

“To all my followers, my sincere apologies for not posting a video update in so very long.

I’ve been an emotional basket case since I left to go home at 2 the beginning of July,” Vicky writes.

“The main points from my almost six minute long spiel are that my scan results were actually quite good considering that I have had NO treatment for two months. I have NO

new tumours and only a small increase in one of my existing tumours.

“Unfortunately, it is in the large tumour mass and not one of the smaller tumours.”

She said she had not yet made a decision about what treatment plan she was going to go on next and briefed followers on her feelings about the options available.

“My gut is telling me NOT to start the new clinical trial at Na-

tional Institutes of Health (NIH) for lots of reasons. It’s a Phase 1 trial so has not been tested on humans; there are currently NO other patients enrolled so I would be the first patient and I don’t want to stay here for another six months away from my kids,” she notes.

“I am looking at a couple of other options before I make my mind up. I will post another update once I have made a decision.”

Car park plan for new cinema rejected PLANS for a new car park at Kilkenny newest cinema have been rejected.

Kilkenny Council Council refused permission for City Cinemas Limited to develop a temporary car park with 62 spaces on Barrack Street.

City Cinemas applied for planning approval for the car park at the end of June.

In their application, the company said the proposed development would “consist of the provision of a new temporary car park for a period of up to

five years, containing 62 car parking spaces; minor alterations to the existing vehicular entrances off Barrack Street; provision of signage to the southern gable elevation of 14 Barack Street; part removal of existing boundary fencing to

provide pedestrian access to the adjacent cinema site; together with all associated site and ancillary works.”

The local authority has confirmed is has refused the application.

An appeal is expected.

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Ashwagandha What’s it all about?

CLAIR WHITTY

ASHWAGANDHA is an interesting herb and one of my favourites. It’s classed as an adaptogenic herb which means that it can help the body to adapt and cope with stress of any kind that it has to deal with.

In Ayurvedic medicine it’s traditionally used for strengthening an exhausted nervous system. This is probably one reason why it is fast becoming a popular herb that peri menopausal women all over the world are choosing.

By the time most of us reach this stage of our lives we are frazzled and the nerves are possibly in shreds. We can be exhausted, irritable, and experience low mood. The possible lack of sleep due to hot flushes, stress, overthinking, and worry doesn’t help.

Hormonal imbalance can

play havoc on our endocrine system. Ashwagandha’s ability to help calm and relax, and at the same time energise makes it the perfect choice during this stage of a woman’s life.

Other properties include: Anti-inflammatory for pain especially if it’s associated with stress. It’s Immune modulating and is used to support a weakened immune system.

It’s classed as a reproductive tonic helping both women and men, it is reputed to be a good aphrodisiac. And also helps increase sperm production and motility. It can benefit all muscle tissue and is used traditionally as a heart tonic, lung tonic, as well as for increasing muscle weight and tone in convalescents.

Sporty and active people may also like it, it’s classed as an anabolic muscle builder, which means that it helps to build and maintain muscle.

Ashwagandha is extremely popular for people who are stressed due to a busy lifestyle, job or both. Or if you’re feeling

anxious, worried, or you overthink things, it can help you relax and feel focussed.

Especially useful for exams or periods of worry about medical issues.

Jayne recently chose Flora Stressveda for stress when she was facing her end of year exams. She said it was brilliant, she said she felt relaxed, calm, and said she could focus clearly on the questions in front of her. Flora Stressveda is a unique blend of KSM-66 Ashwagandha with B Complex. Jayne felt better with more energy and focus, and less stressed too, Jayne gives Stressveda the thumbs up.Hope you find it as good as she does.

If you have any health questions why not call into see us at Market Cross Shopping Centre, give us a call on 056 7764538, send us an email info@ naturalhealthstore.ie or take a look at our online shop at www.naturalhealthstore.ie

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New poems I

N 2019, ‘The Kilkenny Involvement Centre’ published a book of poems with the wonderful title ‘Poems from a Kilkenny Laneway’.

The ninety page publication features forty poems with contributions from members at the centre as well as work from Kilkenny’s wider writing community.

In conjunction with The Involvement Centre, The Kilkenny Observer newspaper will reproduce these poems over the coming weeks.

The Kilkenny Observer is delighted to promote this project and we hope you enjoy the poems.

Week nine sees poems from Emily Nikken, Eoghan O’Driscoll; and Martin Ó Faolain

Rain and Sunshine

In Search of Brendan Behan

Rain, rain go away Go abroad for the rest of the day We could do with the sun, fed up with the rain Let the rain go to Spain In Spain it is too hot, here it’s too cold We are never happy, young or old.

The sun is amazing Gets us off to the beach T-shirts and shorts, depends on the heat I always say we are great at complaining Whether the sun is shining or it is raining.

Winter’s going away took these long weeks Like a drunk who has had enough A reluctant departure, I am looking for you Brendan Behan, first in books then out On these your streets, I too was left to wish For the price of a pint, a few fags for company The only prison I was in was one I created That all I had to do was to open the door Yet for a long time I could not even do this To awake again to the dry mouth that only a pint Will cure, no prophet sage but poet to the early house We hear of the night’s takings, the dead we knew The dead we didn’t, now out into the dawn I am walking down the North Circular Road To Russell Street just to see where Brendan Behan Was born, the tenement long torn down

Emily Nikken

Eoghan O’Driscoll

Ode to a Maid I crossed John’s Bridge tonight, As the light drained from the sky.

The castle looked majestic and noble, And the river looked deep, natural, and wise beyond telling.

The whole scene was so beautiful, It reminded me of you.

They say when you fall in love, The love songs suddenly make sense.

Now, they speak to you.

I know what they mean.

Now everything beautiful I see, reminds me of you.

Martin O’Faolain

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

Feature

1939 CHAMPIONS Back : Peter Blanchfield, Paddy Phelan, Paddy Grace, Paddy Larkin, Terry Leahy, Jimmy Walsh, ( captain) Billy Burke, Jimmy Kelly.

Middle: Mick Dalton (trainer) Jimmy O Connell, Jack Gargan, Seanie, O Brien , Jimmy Phelan, Bobby Hincks, Mick Oaks, ( trainer) Front: Mattie Power, Jim Langton, Jack Mulcahy.

(Photo courtesy ‘The Stripy Men’, GAA book)

LEFT: A committee meeting from the Home Rule Club show Matt Gargan Captain of the cricket Team and Club chairman

The Gargan family, stone carving tradition, Kilkenny hurling and cricket with the Home Rule club The Gargan family have been involved in stone carving in Kilkenny for many generations.

COMPILED BY GERRY CODY IT is possible that the founding member of the firm learned the art of stone carving at the famous Colles Mills at Maddoxtown about 1800.

The family lived in Flood Street, later renamed Parnell street.

Examples of their skilful work can be seen in many graveyards in county Kilkenny.

One of the most famous members

of the family was Matt Gargan.

When he died in March 1936 the heading on the obituary in The Kilkenny People was “Death of Matt Gargan, one of Kilkenny’s Greatest Hurlers”. The following is an extract from the obituary. ‘ Born in Walkin Street, Matt Gargan was one of the most outstanding hurlers Kilkenny produced and played with the famous Kilkenny team of the 1904 – 1913 period,

when they won no less than seven All-Ireland titles.

He carried on business in Friary Street with his two sons, Matt and Joe, as a monumental sculptor and executed many fine specimens of attractive workmanship.

EARLY SIGNS SHOWED GREAT PROMISE He showed early promise of becoming a hurling star while attend-

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Feature In the 1912 All Ireland final, Gargan played a major role in Kilkenny’s win.

The following extract taken from The Stripy Men book by Joe Cody.

“After a concerted attack Cork carved out a goal chance. A Sensational save by John T Power kept his side in the game.

Kilkenny were now hurling well.

Thanks to their characteristic Stamina, they began to exert a greater influence.

On 43 minutes, Matt Gargan got possession and shot for goal. The ball bounced and deceived goalkeeper Andy Fitzgerald, ending up in the net. A soft goal, perhaps, but one that saw Noreside ahead for the first time” Matt was also well known as a footballer . Five of his sons played hurling, the most notable being Jack who was on the Kilkenny team that won the 1939 All Ireland final.

Yet another quote from the 1939 final thanks to ‘The Stripy Men’, “Jack Gargan, in a clash just before the interval, broke his thumb and had to leave the field. He was replaced by Bobby Brannigan. So it was that Kilkenny retired at the break leading by six points, 2-4 to 1-1.”

Matt Gargan served as president of the Home Rule Club and played cricket for many years. As a batsman he helped the Home Rule Club win many games and was noted as one of the best bowlers in the county.

CARRYING ON THE FAMILY TRADITION Today, the Gargan’s continue the business of sculptors at Friary Street and would be widely recognized throughout the county and country as the best in the business.

Established over one hundred and sixty years ago, in the same premises, Gargan’s

Matt Gargan, Monumental Sculptor captured as he designs a headstone at Friary Street

specialise in quality memorials in natural stone types, as well as the renovation of headstones and cutting inscriptions.

It looks like the tradition will carry on for quite some time to come.

NOTE: A side note to the above, and an interesting fact is that The Home Rule Club had its own cricket ground on the Hebron Road in Kilkenny. Ossory Park housing estate is now built on this field.

Sources: Michael O’Dwyer, St Rioch’s Graveyard book, (2007), The Stripy Men, Gaa book (2008), Tom Reade, Frank Gargan.

The Gargan family from left: Frank, Matt and Adam.

Frank and Matt are grandsons of Matt Gargan and Adam is a great grandson

Wellington Square which availed of the Gas light scheme.

Photo: jbs photos Kilkenny

Matt Gargan …. one of Kilkenny’s greatest hurlers

ing CBS Kilkenny. He played with Erin’s Own Club at the age of sixteen, and had as team mates Paddy Lanigan (neighbour) Dan Kennedy, Jack Lennon and Dan Stapleton.

He was a member of the Erin’s Own team that won the county championship in 1905 and in the same year he was selected to play for Kilkenny.

He was on the Kilkenny team until he retired from the game in 1913, at the early age of 27, after winning six All Ireland medals. He had previously played for Waterford while serving his apprenticeship to the stone cutting trade.

GARGAN GOAL SEALS GAME

1911-1912 Champions Back : Pierce Grace, John T Power, Dick ‘Droog’ Walsh, Jack Rochford, Denny Brennan, John James Brennan, Matt Gargan.

Middle: Dick Grace, Dick Doherty, Jack Keoghan, Sim Walton, Paddy ‘Icy’ Lanigan, Jimmy ‘the wren’ Kelly, Pat Clohesy, Dan Kennedy Front : Dick Doyle, Mick Doyle, Eddie Eddie Doyle, Jack Anthony.

Missing, Tom McCormack ( Photo courtesy ‘The Stripy Men’, GAA book)

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Community Group

From east to west

female in 2006.This, however, has changed more recently with the gender balance becoming more equal. Women, are likely to join male partners who went to Ireland first to get established there, particularly if there are children present, as migrating together is often perceived as too risky Polish immigrants are the largest group of migrants in Ireland and are a very sizeable community of around 200,000 members.

As many as half a million have at some stage lived and worked in Ireland since EU accession.

The opening of the Irish labour market to migrants together with the favourable economic conditions in the country compared to Poland were the major reasons for the rapid increase in numbers, although other factors, particularly the English language, also played an important role. Polish immigrants, whilst often being highly educated, tend to fill lower skilled occupations, and are concentrated in sectors that are characterised by lower pay and status. The public discourse about Polish people is generally very positive and per-

ceives them as quite well integrated but focuses on their work ethic and usefulness for the Irish economy. Yet there is some evidence that the Polish community lives quite separate lives from the Irish mainstream, with a certain level of residential segregation.

The availability of Polish shops, media, entertainment and services and the concentration in certain sectors in terms of work would allow Polish people to interact relatively little with Irish people if they do not wish to, but there is no clear evidence to what extent this is the case.

Through the Twilight Community Group integration policies and their new International Cultural House and the Polish consulate based in the Centre will work together to put programmes in place for the Polish community.

With the Groups introduction of the facility for the Community to have a weekly Polish Community Video broadcast informing all the diaspora and local Kilkenny Community Groups of activities that will be of interest to all age groups.

Kilkenny. Ann, Margaret, Tom, Theresa and members of this non-profit making organisation, reach out the hand of friendship to us. This group provide us with care, networking, motivating, advice and offer us a shoulder to cry on.

At a time of loneliness and fear they bring us HOPE. They tried to make our life comfortable.

Unfortunately, restriction in the system put a limit to assistance the group could offer.

Looking back at those early days in Kilkenny, all I could say to those lovely angels is Thank You for being there for me, I will be forever grateful to you all.

The provision centre like the Ormond hostel is the abode where an asylum seeker is allowed to live while his/her asylum is being processed. This is a time of anxiety, depression, fear, uncertainty and racism.

Here three or four adults from

different religion, ethnics, nationalities, ideologies were kept in the same room to live together for days, weeks, months and sometimes for years. It’s an Institution where people are isolated and there is no social inclusion. It is a lost opportunity because among them are auto-mechanic, electricians, plumbers, hairdressers, IT professionals that could be contributing to the society, but their talents are wasted. I think asylum seekers should be allowed to use their skills to give something back and to help their new community.

Access to third level education would help asylum seekers get away from provision centre and help with social inclusion.

Allowing asylum seekers to train and to work would make life much better. After going through chaos to get to Ireland we would like to be able to help our new country.

Gdansk airport, Poland

FEW Poles lived in Ireland before their country gained EU membership in 2004, but this rapidly changed, with increasing numbers moving to Ireland soon after accession. Inflows peaked in 2006 but remained relatively high until the recession. Within only a few years, Polish immigrants became an important presence in Ireland, and are likely to remain so even if some may choose to return or move elsewhere.

Various factors have been cited to motivate Polish people to come to Ireland. The main push factors are linked to the process of economic and political transition in Poland that was accompanied by falling living standards and rising unemployment in 2003. The goal of Polish migrants was earning and saving money to provide better futures for them and their families back in Poland Pull factors that led to Ireland

becoming a popular destination for Poles who were willing to migrate are largely since Ireland was one of the few countries to allow immediate access to its labour market after Poland’s EU accession. Polish people indicated a high willingness to migrate to Western European countries for work, but Ireland did not feature significantly as a destination country Ireland’s decision to open its labour market must therefore

be considered as a decisive factor.

A further important pull factor was the favourable economic climate in Ireland with relatively high wages and easy availability of work, as well as the better conditions within workplaces.

Polish immigrants are relatively young and more likely to be male (CSO, 2008). Out of all immigrant groups, Poles had the most one-sided gender distribution, with only 36 percent being

Community Group

Ireland: A safe haven

MICHAEL IBRAHIM NIGERIA in 2001 was a country in turmoil. Religious and political fighting meant that the

country was no longer safe. In fear of my life I fled the persecution. After much disruption and many long journeys, I eventually arrived in Ireland.

Along with other asylum seekers we were taken to a hostel in Dublin. We met staff from the Justice Department to complete all the necessary paperwork that would allow us to stay in Ireland. After few days we were sent to Kilkenny.

Others were sent to Carlow, Waterford and Cork.

Leaving Carlow our driver announced that the next stop would be the Marble City

Kilkenny. My heart beat faster with excitement when he mentioned Kilkenny.

The previous day, the security officer in the hostel in Dublin has told me positive things about Kilkenny. I will never forget his final remark, “what you throw into Kilkenny is what Kilkenny throws back at you” Tears ran down my cheeks as I thought I am all alone with strangers. I a stranger, from a strange place, arriving in a strange place.

Flashing back to where I was fleeing from I felt a sense of

freedom., I was a bit frightened of the unknown, but I remember thinking “at least the bus hasn’t been attacked by men with guns and people taken out and beheaded or stoned to death”.

I cried for a while on the bus and there was nobody to comfort me. Everybody on the bus were a little scared and all were in an uncertain period of their life. At that moment, I remembered the saying of the security guard and I made up my mind to throw good at Kilkenny and I prayed Kilkenny throw good back at me. I was brought back to reality by the driver announcing, “Kilkenny Ormond Hostel”.

I had arrived at my first home in my adopted country.

Refugee support group. The Kilkenny Asylum seekers and Refugees support group are groups of angels sent to refugees and asylum seekers in

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Picture special Karen and Zara Hughes

Mark and Andy Close

Wayne and Callum Leahy

Kilkenny Motor Club Show Kilkenny castle

Mary and Padraig Keegan with their dog Leo enjoying Kilkenny motor clubs show in the caatle park

Hugh and Veronica Swan with their dog Maggie

t u o b A Out &

WITH

y n n a D art Lah

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Picture special

Keith Murphy checking out a vintage engine

Niall McGrath chairman of the Kilkenny motor club

Kilkenny Motor show club member Con O’Mahony

Lyndon Brannigan and Rachel Owens

Paul, Orla, Hazel and Matt O’Gorman

Alastair Forbes, Betty and Paddy Farrell and Tom Phelan

Brian Lacey and Stephen Harper

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Dine Me Food & Drink

Come

The search for a nice Chenin

With

Easy fish pie recipe Preparation and cooking time Prep:15 mins Cook:45 mins Ingredients • 1kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and halved • 400ml milk, plus a splash • 25g butter, plus a knob • 25g plain flour • 4 spring onions, finely sliced • 1 x pack fish pie mix (cod, salmon, smoked haddock etc, weight around 320g-400g depending on pack size) • 1 tsp Dijon or English mustard • ½ a 25g pack or a small bunch chives, finely snipped • handful frozen sweetcorn • handful frozen petits pois • handful grated cheddar

Method

STEP 1 Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6.

STEP 2 Put 1kg potatoes, peeled and halved, in a saucepan and pour over enough water to cover them.

Bring to the boil and then simmer until tender.

STEP 3 When cooked, drain thoroughly and mash with a splash of milk and a knob of butter. Season with ground black pepper.

STEP 4 Put 25g butter, 25g plain flour and 4 finely sliced spring onions in another pan and heat gently until the butter has melted, stirring regularly. Cook for 1-2 mins.

STEP 5 Gradually whisk in 400ml milk using a balloon whisk if you have one. Bring to the boil, stirring

to avoid any lumps and sticking at the bottom of the pan.

Cook for 3-4 mins until thickened.

STEP 6 Take off the heat and stir in 320g-400g mixed fish, 1 tsp Dijon or English mustard, a small bunch of finely snipped chives, handful of sweetcorn and handful of petits pois. Spoon into an ovenproof dish or 6-8 ramekins.

STEP 7 Spoon the potato on top and sprinkle with a handful of grated cheddar cheese.

STEP 8 Pop in the oven for 20-25 mins or until golden and bubbling at the edges. Alternatively, cover and freeze the pie or mini pies for another time.

Apple & blackberry crumble Preparation and cooking time

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5.

Tip 120g plain flour and 60g caster sugar into a large bowl.

Prep:10 mins Cook:25 mins Serves 4

STEP 2 Add 60g unsalted butter, then rub into the flour using your fingertips to make a light breadcrumb texture. Do not overwork it or the crumble will become heavy.

Ingredients • For the crumble topping • 120g plain flour • 60g caster sugar • 60g unsalted butter at room temperature, cut into pieces • For the fruit compote • 300g Braeburn apple • 30g unsalted butter • 30g demerara sugar • 115g blackberries • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon • vanilla ice cream, to serve

STEP 3 Sprinkle the mixture evenly over a baking sheet and bake for 15 mins or until lightly coloured.

STEP 4 Meanwhile, for the compote, peel, core and cut 300g Braeburn apples into 2cm dice.

Method STEP 1

STEP 5 Put 30g unsalted butter and

30g demerara sugar in a medium saucepan and melt together over a medium heat.

Cook for 3 mins until the mixture turns to a light caramel.

STEP 6 Stir in the apples and cook for 3 mins. Add 115g blackberries and ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, and cook for 3 mins more.

STEP 7 Cover, remove from the heat, then leave for 2-3 mins to continue cooking in the warmth of the pan.

STEP 8 To serve, spoon the warm fruit into an ovenproof gratin dish, top with the crumble mix, then reheat in the oven for 5-10 mins. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

CHENIN is grown mostly in the centre of the Loire Valley, the east where the grape changes to Sauvignon Blanc tending to have a more continental climate with later budding that does not suit Chenin. The same goes for the western region around Nantes, where the cooler conditions suit Melon de Bourgogne (Muscadet) more.

The chalky limestone soils of the centre, part of the Paris Basin, also suit Chenin and are part of the reason why there is a large sparkling wine industry based around Saumur.

Château de l’Aulée, Crémant de Loire Brut Classic 2020 Loire, France, Sparkling White, Cork, 12.5% abv Made from 100% Chenin Blanc, quite a rich colour to this, with a touch of copper to the green, and plenty of toast, nuttiness and autolytic richness on the nose, Cox’s pippin fruit and touches of preserved lemon.

The palate has a mouth-filling style, with abundant fruit sweetness and I’d guess a relatively high dosage, lots of apple here - again nutty English apples, a little bit of phenolic grip like lemon peel or melon rind, and a finish where the inherent sweetness is balanced by good acidity.

Frédéric Mabileau, Chenin du Puy Saumur Blanc 2016 Loire, France, Dry White, Cork, 13.5% abv Sadly, Frédéric Mabileau was killed in September 2020 in a micro-light accident. The 49-year-old vineyard for this wine was picked selectively when the berries were fully golden in colour. It was fermented in large foudre with natural yeasts, and aged in foudre for 16 months.

It has a gorgeous nose of crushed almond, butter, mint and ripe red apple, almost Meursault-like and very appealing. Creamy and yet juicy on the palate, that crispness of acidity defines this, layered with ripe but not too sweet fruit and that light butteriness, it is a treat to drink.

Domaine Cady, Anjou Blanc Cheninsolite 2018 Loire, France, Dry White, Cork, 14.0% abv Harvest for this cuvée takes place in October, with well-ripened, fully mature grapes, so a touch of sweetness would be expected. It is vinified in oak barrels where the wine ages on fine lees for 11 months.

In practice the wine is sweet only in terms of fruit ripeness, a certain weight to the texture too, but clean and bright Chenin aromatics running from apple into firm peach, a little lusciousness on the lips before very good acidity kicks through. Could work with aromatic Chinese food this one.

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

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TV & Streaming

Slick, smart, sexy: Money Heist, S.5

5

that are worth a binge

With both Nine Perfect Strangers and The White Lotus airing in the same month, it was inevitable that parallels between them would be drawn.

Both are about an assortment of privileged characters gathering at an exclusive holiday retreat to reassess their lives. They’re also both intensely character-driven, with an interesting mystery lingering in the background. But only one has Nicole Kidman’s Russian accent.

On Amazon Prime.

Dead To Me is another dark comedy with murder, tension and family secrets.

The story follows Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini as Jen and Judy, two women who become unlikely friends after bonding over their grief at an emotional support group. The two band together to try and solve the hit and run murder of Jen’s husband, but one secret may tear them apart.

On Netflix.

THERE’S something about Money Heist about that has captivated audiences around the world. It’s slick, smart and sexy, not to mention clever enough to release its final season while the series is still on a high.

Fans will undoubtedly be disappointed to say goodbye to Money Heist, known as La Casa De Papel in Spanish, when Season 5 is released on Netflix in two parts. Nonetheless, they can rest assured that it will be given the explosive, heartbreaking and hopefully triumphant ending that it deserves.

Season 4 of the dazzling

crime drama created by Álex Pina ended with The Professor (Álvaro Morte), the mastermind of the heist at the Bank of Spain, in a perilous position, as his hideout was discovered by police inspector Alicia Sierra (Najwa Nimri), who doesn’t have a merciful bone in her body.

While the other members of the gang celebrate the successful operation to help free Lisbon, aka Raquel (Itziar Ituño), from the police so that she can enter the Bank of Spain, they’re unaware that the man in charge of their operation is now in a seemingly inescapable situation.

That isn’t the only challenge that they’re up against. While the Money Heist gang have been able to hold their own against the police and rogue hostages, this season, they’re faced with the full force of the army, raising the stakes higher than they’ve ever been before.

While it is extremely satisfying to watch The Professor’s carefully calculated plans fall into place, one of the most exciting aspects of Money Heist is when the exact opposite occurs.

How will Tokyo (Úrsula Corberó), Denver (Jaime Lorente), Rio (Miguel Herrán) and Stockholm (Esther Ace-

bo) react when they find out that the man who always has everything figured out is in the lurch? Can they work out their next steps on their own? Or are they doomed to fail?

Season 5 opens with The Professor in a vulnerable state, at the whim of a woman who will go to any length to achieve her aim of thwarting the heist and watching his demise, all with an evil glint in her eye.

He has to trust that the other members of the group can take charge without his assistance… and boy does it make for a tantalisingly gripping watch.

One more for the horror fans ONE of the entertainment trends during the Covid-19 era that’s been somewhat baffling is the popularity of horror movies and shows on Netflix. You’d think that people would want an escape from anything that reminds them of bleakness and despair.

You know, given that we’re still in the midst of a once-ina-century health crisis that’s

killed more than 4.4 million people, according to the official numbers, in a relatively short time span. But the horror genre hits keep coming for Netflix subscribers. The Fear Street trilogy. A Classic Horror Story. Blood Red Sky. And now we can add The Old Ways to that list.

The Old Ways is the #6 title on Netflix’s Top 10 movies

list. This film was just added to Netflix after premiering in October 2020 at the Sitges Film Festival in Spain. Briefly: The main character (played

by Brigette Kali Canales) is a Mexican-American journalist named Cristina Lopez. She visits her hometown in Mexico to do some reporting for a story on witchcraft. Unfortunately, a local gang kidnaps

her. And it gets a whole lot worse for her from there.

Check it out. Meanwhile, here’s one more interesting fact about the movie. It’s garnered such a favourable reception, that (at least as of the time of this writing) it has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. Specifically, a 100% critics score, based on 16 reviews.

Leigh Bardugo’s original novel was a smash hit, but Shadow And Bone the series makes the cast more diverse, adds a subplot and brings forth some of the book’s messed-up romantic politics in a thoughtful and entertaining way.

Casting Ben Barnes as the Darkling, long thought to be the ultimate fancast, is only the very, very good-looking cherry on top.

On Netflix.

Sweet Tooth is more of fairy tale told from the perspective of one of the other side effects of the apocalypse — a human-deer hybrid named Gus whose father sheltered him from the worst of the world until shelter became untenable. Gus’s journey through the world he barely knew existed is a beautiful coming-of-age story on Netflix.

The Chair isn’t without its flaws, but you do get a lot for a little with this smart drama comedy from creators Amanda Peet and Annie Julia Wyman. Set on the campus of the fictional Pembroke University, Season 1 follows English department head Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) as she grapples with a scandal involving her fellow professor and love interest (Jay Duplass). Choppy pacing and some muddled messaging around cancel culture make this an imperfect, yet worthy binge, clocking in at six episodes in just three hours. On Netflix.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

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Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news CLOTHES COLLECTION Good quality clothes for recycling can be dropped to O’Loughlin Gaels GAA Club at any of the juvenile training times - Thursdays 6:30pm, Saturday & Sundays at 10:30am. All money raised will be used towards juvenile training equipment. Please Support

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE The mobile library is returning, following an absence of eighteen months. It will visit Clara from 12.1512.45 on September 10th, October 8th, November 5th and December 3rd.

Membership is free. Just bring ID. The staff look forward to meeting all the locals. Enquiries to Library Reception 7794160.

FEILE FOOTBALL The Clara U15 football team bowed out in their first game of this year’s competition when they met Muckalee in Dunmore on Saturday.

The Clara boys were champions of Feile when it was last held two years ago and they held their own here for a long time but Muckalee proved too strong in the second half and eventually won out 2-6 to 1-1. The Muckalee lads showed how good they were by progressing all the way to the final, where they found Thomastown too strong.

Team - Sean Cooke, Daniel Ryan, Philip Carrigan, James Cody, Conor Hoyne, David Barcoe, John Bergin, Tommy Delaney, Dillon Cummins, Joe Power, Luke Lawlor, Hugh Kelly, Bill Kealy, Liam Carrigan, Sean Byrne. Subs used - Ori Phelan, Conor Galvin, Tom Murphy, Tom Boyle.

FEILE CAMOGIE CHAMPIONS Epic game is a term not used too often in relation to underage camogie/hurling matches, but for the players who took part and the supporters who cheered them on last Saturdays Div.3 Camogie Feile Final was an epic match.

Clara played Young Irelands in Thomastown on Sat 28th Aug. From the start Young Irelands attacked in numbers and quickly took a lead which Clara could not claw back in the first half. The Clara girls did steady themselves, took their own scores and went to the half time break down 0-6 to 2-5. We’ve said before these Clara girls don’t give up but few could have expected what came next. Clara, as usual, fought back in the second half to get within one point of Gowran 1-8 to 2-6. Gowran then went on a burst scoring 2-1 in a lethal 3 minute spell. Clara were down by 8 points and you’d be forgiven for thinking it was over. Fortunately the Clara girls don’t think that way. Inspired by their three U15’s, captain Katie Agar and Joanne Comerford in the attack and Rachel Brickell stunning in defense, Clara fought back again.

Scoring two impossible goals from frees from outside the 21m line, Joanne led the attack to finish normal time level, 3-10 to 4-7. Cue extra time. First period of extra time, Young Irelands again took the lead with a well worked goal. Second period, Clara for second time levelled and then for the very first time took the lead with minutes to go. 1-1 to 1-0. Another twist and in the final seconds Gowran equalised with a point. Drawn game. 5 45’s each to decide a winner. Up stepped the aforementioned Katie, Joanne and Rachel plus Lucy Boyd and Sarah Dunne. Under huge pressure for both groups of girls, Clara converted 3 45’s to Gowran’s 2. Clara victory but a horrible way for Gowran to lose. Both squads deserve huge credit for such an entertaining, nail biting match,

Feile Champions 2021

but huge credit especially to Clara for never giving up and earning such a hard fought win. Clara team - Katie Agar(c), Ava Kenny, Joanne Comerford, Rachel Brickell, Orla Carrigan, Katie Boyd, Maria Hogan, Caragh Brennan, Onagh Fitzgerald, Sarah Dunne, Ceola Leamy, Pia Langton, Lucy Boyd, Katie O’Connell, Jessica Brennan, Aisling Hayes, Aoibhe Callery, Danica Tervit-Krueger, Faye Morrissey, Aoibheann McDonald, Moya Kelly, Amy Bergin, Lucy Kealy.

COUNTY CAMOGIE It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for the Clara girls involved with county teams. Commiserations to Mary O Connell who played on the senior team that lost to Cork in heartbreaking fashion in the All Ireland semi final at Croke Park on Sunday. Mary gave her all and scored a superb goal to give Kilkenny a second half foothold in the game but a late late point by 14 player Cork secured them a place in the final. An injured Aisling Curtis was also part of this extended panel. Hard luck girls.

The Kilkenny Intermediate team qualified for a final meeting with Antrim by virtue of a 0-13 to 0-9 win over Meath in Nowlan Park on Saturday. Claire Nolan was on this squad.

The Kilkenny minor camogie team had a memorable two point victory over Galway after extra time in Abbottstown on Saturday.

This game finished 3-21 to 1-25 in favour of the Kittens. A stirring comeback from six points down was completed when a last second goal forced the game to extra time and it was the Kilkenny girls that summoned the most energy to take the tie and set up a final meeting with Cork in Limerick next weekend.

Star of the show was Sarah Barcoe of Thomastown, whose father Brian is a former county senior championship winner with Clara.

Laoise Nolan and Emma Shortall started, Rachel Whelan and Gráinne Glynn both came on, and Katie and Keara Ryan were also in the squad.

Well done girls and good luck in the final.

CLUB LOTTO There was no winner of this week’s Club Lotto dated August 24th Numbers drawn were 4, 11, 22, 24 Bonus 09 Next weeks Jackpot (Aug 31st) will be €6,400

Play Now at www.oloughlingaels. com/lotto Promotors Draw: 1. Theresa Trehy c/o Eileen Kinchelle 2. Nuala Coyne c/o Eileen Kinchella 3. Luke Greene c/o Paddy Green 4. Joe Parson c/o Dinny Tyrell 5. Dan Butler c/o Hugh Mahon 6. Ann Tobin c/o Michael Monagle 7. Eileen O’Brien c/o Esther Maher 8. Luke Leydon c/o Online 9. Nigel Leydon c/o Online 10. Barry Delaney c/o Online CHAMPIONSHIP MATTERS It’s a big week for all of our teams as Championship gets underway.

The training is done and the players are ready to go. We ask you all to support all our teams. Fixtures will be updated on ckub social media: A big thanks yo our team sponsors. Pat Carrolls Ballybought Street with our adult Teams and McCarthys Eurospar look after our Juvenile Teams.

Championship Schedule: Wed. Sept 1st : u15 A v Young Irelands at St. Johns Park 6pm.

Fri Sept 3rd: U13 B v Graiguenamanagh at St. Johns Park 6pm Sat Sept 4th: Seniors v Graigue/ Ballycallan at John Locke’s park 12:30pm Sun Sept 5th: Minor A v James Stephens at St. Johns Park 3pm Intermediates v Carrickshock at Danesfort 5:30pm.

Best of Luck to all our teams GIVE RESPECT GET RESPECT We wish all our teams and mentors the very best of luck as they move into the business end of the season - the Championships. Our juvenile teams all start their championships from Sept 1st and our Senior and Intermediate teams begin the league/championships on the weekend of Sept 4th.

It is important to the club that standards set out by the GAA’s Code of Behaviour are upheld. In simplest terms that common decency when playing, mentoring and supporting is maintained. No foul or abusive language shall be directed to match officials, opposing players or indeed our own players while at our games. Leave the instructions to the coaches. Keep it simple - be supportive and positive at all times.

That way we can all get the best out of our games.

Give Respect Get Respect.

O’Loughlin’s U9’s who played Mooncoin in the Go Games last week.

Many thanks to our host. The lads had a ball.

Sponsors: Eurospar Ireland

EMERALDS GAA CLUB Mega Bingo: Every Sunday, 6pm at Urlingford GAA pitch. Gates open at 5pm. Single books and 1 sheet €10.

Double books and 2 sheets €15.

Extra jackpot sheet €3 or two for €5.

Please support.

Piltown tickets: Are available from the usual sellers or any committee member. Total prize fund of €115,000. First draw takes place on September 28.

EMERALDS URLINGFORD & GRAINE LOTTO August 23 prize fund was: €4,300.

Jackpot: €2,300.

Numbers drawn: 1, 4, 5 and 16, bonus no 17. No winner and no match three winner.

Promoters prize: B. Tobin.

Five lucky dips of €20 each: Sheila Kelly, Paula Scott, Sean Power, Mary McCabe, The 2 of Us. Next draw takes place on August 30 in the Clubrooms. Results next week.

URLINGFORD ON THE MOVE WALKING TRACK Works are commencing shortly for Urlingford on the Move’s new Community Walking Track in Emeralds GAA Clubgrounds, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny.

The walk way consists of: Walking surface, lighting, fencing, wheelchair friendly and own access gate.

Our vision is to provide a facility in Urlingford where everybody has the opportunity to be welcomed, to participate, to grow and be inspired to continue with a lifelong engagement in our community.

Urlingford on the Move have been successful in raising funding from various sources but there is still a shortfall, therefore we need and value your support.

You can support this wonderful amenity by donating €20 on their GoFundMe page https://gofund. me/84e0e081 for your chance to win one of three prizes, 1st: €2021; 2nd: €200; 3rd: €50 Donate €50 - three chances to win; donate €100 - seven chances to win a prize.

Envelopes have also been distributed to households in the locality, please return these envelopes to the Post Office.

For the next three weeks the Split the Pot is for the Walking Track so please support, thank you.

MILL FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE Courses for September 2021: Health Care QQI Level 5: We are recruiting new learners for the Health care QQI Level 5 course commencing in September 2021.

Pathway to Employment Course, QQI Level 4: We are also recruiting for the Pathway to Employment QQI Level 4 course which will be commencing in September 2021.

Please contact Sue for more information on these courses and application forms on 056 8838466 Outdoor Coffee Morning: The management and staff at the Mill FRC would like to thank everyone,

and qualify for the final held in we enjoyed a great morning in the Clara at the weekend. They met beautiful sunshine.

Danesfort who had topped their The Mill Allotments: The Allotments group and it was a hard fought and Community Garden are open victory captained by very capable to the public from 9am to 6pm Beth Keoghan. Danesfort were Monday to Friday each week. dangerous right up to the final Community Bank Savings: whistle but the local girls worked Community bank savings are hard to the very end to secure their available at the Centre. Please victory. Well done to each and contact the Centre for more every player and their dedicated information on opening an coaches. The Club is bursting with account. pride Senior Alert: If you need to apply for Team; K.O’Connor, K.Burke, a Personal Alarm, please contact E.Daly, E.O’Connor,E. Sue or Josephine on 056 8838466.

Martin C.Hickey, B.Keoghan, Counselling Services: Teenagers ADermody, C.Hickey, T.Kenny from age 12 upwards, adult and Landers, M.Killeen, C.Dermody, family low cost counselling services A.Whitty, M.Bolger G.Cleere, are available, please contact Sue Subs – M.Dermody, L.Ryan,E. for more information or to make an Dalton, C.Nolan, R.Campion, appointment on 056 8838466.

A.McCarthy, A.Gibbons, S.Hickey, Appeal for Clothes Donations: M.Phelan, S.Hickey and C.Flynn Any clothes donations would be Management – L.Cleere, M.Flynn, appreciated in aid of teen addiction E.Hickey, M.Hickey, MMcCarthy and and general counselling services.

P.Murphy.

Donations can be left into the Centre. Contact Sue on 056 8838466 KILKENNY TEAM Services that the Mill FRC provides Congrats to local girl Sinead to the public are: Family Support; Farrell Kilkenny Street who was One to One Support; Drop in IT on the Kilkenny Intermediate Support - computers / laptops Camogie side who qualified & mobile phones; Senior Alert; for the All Ireland final at the Community Savings; Room Rental; weekend. Sinead was between Social Welfare, HSE, Tax, Garda the posts for the winning side. & Government Forms & advice St.Lachtains/Lisdowney were well on completing all forms; Internet represented on the Kilkenny Senior Access, Printing & Photocopying, side at the weekend who were Emailing, Scanning, Typing Service, beaten by Cork by the narrowest of CV / Cover Letters; Homes for the Margins in the All Ireland semifinal Elderly. on Sunday with Ann Dalton on the bench after coming out of URLINGFORD ARMS SPLIT THE retirement POT Draw takes place every Sunday WEDDING evening in the Urlingford Arms Congratulations and best wishes Hotel. Last Sunday’s share of the are extended to Mark Kavanagh pot was €551 and was won by Barna Freshford and Elaine Murphy Rachel Meaney, well done Rachel! of Callan who were married on For the next three weeks, half the Friday last. Reception for family pot goes to Urlingford on the Moves and friends was held in Langton’s Walking Track and the other half Hotel. The couple who are both could be yours. So don’t miss out, well known in the village are wished get your envelopes in businesses all the very best in their married life in town or from any member of the together Walking Track committee.

URLINGFORD / GRAINE TIDY TOWNS DEFIBRILLATOR GROUP Freshford tidy towns committee In case of emergency, call: 085 continue to do tremendous work 2726396. around the village. With entry having gone in for the Supervalu URLINGFORD NEWS Tidy Towns competition the Anyone wishing to submit committee meet each Wednesday news items, club events, evening at 7pm on the Green. They announcements etc can do so by are always looking for helpers so if emailing urlingfordnotes@gmail. you have an hour to spare why not com. If you have any photos you go along and help keep the village wish to include, please forward looking well. them to the email address.

CAMOGIE CHAMPS Congratulations to St.Lachtains U15 camogie girls and their management who were crowned John West Feile na Gael div 2 champions on Saturday last. The feile blitz was held on the previous weekend with the girls working so hard to beat all three opponents

SYMPATHY Sympathy is extended to John Joe Connolly of Ballylarkin and all his family on the recent death of his sister Lil Connolly in Uk. Burial of ashes took place in Freshford cemetery on Sunday last.

SOCCER With all quiet on the field of play, the season is hoped to resume shortly

St Lachtains U15 Camogie crown John West Feile na Gael Division 2 Champions

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

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Community & GAA Notes and run fairly to schedule this year.

As well as boys underage The Club are intended to enter girls soccer teams also in U9s and U11s . For U11 – born in 2011/2012 and for U9 those born 2013/20114. Anyone interested should get in touch with the Club on facebook page or freshfodtownfc@gmail.com Going forward the Club hope to have U9, U10, U11, U13, U15 and U17s with registration opening in the coming week or so. So keep an eye out on the Clubs facebook page for updates.

WORKS Works are taking place this week and for next few weeks at Kilkenny Street, Freshford with a stop and go system in operation. Traffic will be disrupted for next few weeks during day hours.

BIRHDAY Special birthday wishes are extended to Ricky Burke of Nuenna Court, Freshford who celebrated his 21st birthday during the week. He is wished all the best on his coming of age.

HERITAGE St. Lachtains Church Musuem and Arts centre was given a grant recently and has had work done on the first phase of the accessibility and display project funded by The Heritage Council. These projects was part of their Heritage week entry.

National Heritage week took place recently and the museum at the Church was open all during the weeks for visitors. A good number of people visited the centre during that week.

GAA News St.Lachtains Intermediate hurlers face into league /championship action next weekend as they face Young Irelands of Gowran in the opening round of the league in Canon Kearns Park, Castlecomer with throw in at 4.30pm on Saturday. All support would be greatly appreciated. All players and supporters are asked to wear the St.Lachtains GA colours in support.

MEMBERSHIP As the Club get closer to the start of the Club season there is still some outstanding membership.

Membership must be paid to be in line for tickets to local club games.

PILTOWN DRAW Piltown tickets are now on sale and can be purchased from any committee PARISH NEWS Mass continues in St.Lachtains Church each Wednesday morning at 9.30am and each Sunday at 11am with a limited number of 50 people. Mass also in Tulla church on Saturday evenings at 8pm with numbers limited to 25 due to social distancing requirements.

During lockdown the church has always been open for private prayer each day It is however most important that we continue to wear masks, main social distancing and sanitise our hands and it is very important that you do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid 19.

The Parish the internet and phone lines are now back in action following the line upgrade and the office hours have returned to the normal schedule.

NOTICES The parish newsletter is available

of racing action. This year the event will be headquartered in Kilkenny, with a new opening stage in Callan. This is the 35th year of women’s International stage racing in Ireland. The race is compliant with covid rules, and ensures that all competitors, officials and all interested parties have the safest and best possible experience at the event. All new opening stage, with a 13km circuit finish in Callan, which will offer spectators two chances to view the race from the cordoned off streets. The race circuit is Kilkenny City, Danesfort, Stoneyford, Knocktopher, Kilmoganny, Skaugh, Coolagh and Callan. All welcome to cheer on all the riders and give a big Kilkenny welcome to the brave participants.

on their website every week and also on the website you are free to pay your dues and make donations or any other contributions and you can find out more about it on the website or feel free to contact Jennifer in the Parish Office.

Please note community notices for the parish newsletter should be left in or emailed to the Parish Office by 11am on Thursdays.

As part of the 1400 year celebrations plans are being put together for a montage of photographs of the Church and Parish’s through the years. If you have any photographs that you think would be appropriate for such a display please call or get in touch with the Parish Office. The plan is to copy the photographs so be assured all original photographs will be returned to its owner.

MASS CARDS Special printed parish cards are available at the Parish Office or from Annette at Tulla Church signed

by Monsignor Kennedy. You can contact the Parish office on 056 8832843 or by email – freshfordd@ ossory.ie.

MASKS With covid restrictions still remaining with us the wearing of masks and social distancing etc is most important It is still as important as ever to stay safe and we are reminded about wearing our mask at all times in all shops, and crowded places and on public transport. You are reminded also that Masks can be purchased locally while supporting a very worthy charity. Washable face masks are being made locally and are available at Dooley’s Electrical shop at The Square, Freshford with all proceeds being donated to the Charity ALONE. Alone manage a national support line and additional supports for older people who have concerns or who are facing difficulties relating to the outbreak of Coved 19. Professional staff are available to answer queries or give advice and reassurance where necessary.

The support line is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. You can call them on 0818 222024. If you are experiencing a personal crisis are unable to cope and need support text HELLO to 50808.

Amber Kilkenny Women’s Refuge; If you need confidential support or information relating to domestic violence you can call their helpline on 1850424244 or 056 7771404 or email info@amberwomensrefuge.ie GROW Are you struggling with anxiety or depression or finding life difficult or feeling isolated at this time GROW is there to help you. Their Mental Health support Groups are free and confidential and open to all no referral or booking is needed. For more information on same you can contact Mary on 087 284342

DUNNAMAGGIN DEVELOPMENT GROUP Thank you to everyone who came to our fourth market in Madges Garden last Sunday August 29th.

While we had all the usual activities Café and BBQ last Sunday also had a vintage theme to it. Afternoon Tea was served in the marquee and a Best Dressed competition was won

by Theresa Weekes, part of the prize was a photo shoot by local woman

Captain Willie Bergin of Dunnamaggin GAA Club

Cyndi Cliffe. Congratulations to Theresa and to all the ladies who took part and a special thank you to 2018 Kilkenny Rose Helena Hughes who judged the competition.

Velma Byrne had a name the teddy competition on her stall and apple pressing took place during the day. The sun shone again, the village hummed with activity and the day was just fabulous. We hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as we did. The next market will be held on September 26th - so stick the date in your diary - it’s an event not to be missed.

DUNNAMAGGIN GAA: Junior F Co.Champions The Dunnamaggin Junior F team made history on Saturday last when they defeated Piltown in Hugginstown in the Co.Final. This was the first time in its history that Dunnamaggin had fielded a third team in the Club championship and to win it out on the first occasion is a fantastic achievement. Dylan Carroll opened the scoring in the first minute with a point from play but Piltown responded immediately with one. Kieran Bergin added a free and nearly immediately after Jason Doherty rattled the net which was quickly followed up by a point from play from Shaun O’Keeffe to push the lead out to 1:3 to 0:1 a great start and we were still only 6 mins in. Piltown got a point back but further points from Conor Long, Kieran Bergin and Shaun O’Keeffe pushed the lead to 1:7 to 0:2. Piltown were rattled but were very much in the game and with some very big strong players on their inside forward line they were giving our fullback line of Shane Kelly, Kieran Buckley and Ger Coffey loads to do. One such ball did get them a point they badly needed but immediately Jason Doherty got his second goal of the day when he was on the end of a high ball in.But just at the water break Piltown got more reward from the high ball in to work a goal to the net to leave the sides 2:7 to 1:6. Colin Fitzpatrick wasted no time at the resumption when he pointed from the first ball in only for Piltown to cancel it out with one of their own.

Colin Fitz and Conor added further points but Piltown cancelled them out with ones of their own. This was turning out to be a fiercely contested battle with some super

hurling of a very high standard.

Conor added a further point from play but Piltown were starting to chip away at Dunnamaggin’s lead, mainly from placed ball and they had got it back to 2:10 to 1:8 at the half time whistle.The third quarter was a ferocious affair with Piltown really bringing the game to Dunnamggin but the Dunnamgin lads were hurling really well as a team and outscored their opponents narrowly 5 point to 4 to put the sides in 2:15 to 1:13 at the water break. The intense heat in Hugginstown on a glorious day for any co final to be played was starting to tell on both sides but there was no dip in quality or intensity in the Hurling. Piltown got 3 unanswered points straight after the resumption to cut the lead to 2 points, the worst one ever to have in hurling. But up popped Jason again to put 3 between the teams. Kieran Begin traded scores with Piltown with placed balls to halt any further narrowing of the gap and there was huge relief when the ref finally blew the whistle. Dunnamaggin Junior F Champions. FT: Dunnamaggin 2:17 Piltown 1:17 Panel:- Sean Carroll, Ger Coffey, Kieran Buckley, Shane Kelly, Darragh Walsh, William Bergin (C), Jimmy O’Neill, Conor Long, Jamie McLoughin, Shaun O’Keeffe, Kieran Bergin, Colin Fitzpatrick, Jason Doherty, Dylan Carroll, Roy Cullen, John Ruane, Derick O’Carroll, Patrick Keaneally, Greg O’Donnell, Dan O’Neill, Ian O’Dwyer, John Walsh. Management: Bob Doherty, William Kearney, Gerry Carroll, Ciaran Moore Photo attached of Captain Willie Bergin with the Junior F Trophy LOCAL LOTTO DRAW Local Lotto Draw for 23rd August 2021 Winning Numbers : 5, 13, 15.

No Winner. Draw for 5 x € 30. Sinead ( Kathleen Kirwan ),Jim Mccormack ( Jim Mccormack Kells ),Roy Ellis ( Niamh O Donovan ),Ed & Maeve Moylan ( James Moylan ),Dane Labser ( Petes Shop ) Jackpot 30 August € 1,900. The draw takes place in St. Leonards Hall Dunnamaggin every Monday @ 9.00 pm. All welcome.

Ras na mBan is the Premier women’s cycling event in Ireland.

It will run for five days from the 8th to the 12th September with six stages - a total of over 400km

WINDGAP CAMOGIE FEILE FINAL -Disappointment for our U15 girls who put in a massive effort in the Division 1 Camogie Feile on Saturday evening in Palmerstown against Tullaroan/ St. Anne’s.St Anne’s/Tullaroan proved to be strong opposition but great credit to Windgap Girls who never let their heads drop against formidable opposition. The team and management would like to thank Pat Moore and George Moore of Pat Moore Dairy Services Ltd and Delaval who sponsored a team jersey for the team. Thank you also to Denise Gaule, this year’s Feile Camogie Ambassador who gave the girls their training jersey at a light training session ahead of the Feile games.The Windgap 2021 Camogie Feile panel consisted of Jenny Saunders, Emily Freaney, Ria McCormack, Chole Drennan, Laura Doyle, Ava-Lily O’Neill, Niamh Enright, Eleanor Hayes (Captain), Ciara O’Shea, Ona Kennedy, Caoimhe Power, Cathy Power, Lauren Enright, Aisling O’Shea, Alaina O’Shea, Megan Kenneally, Ava Phelan, Roisin Cronin, Tamara Whelan, Kate O’Brien and Moya Egan, with a management team of Michael Saunders, Valerie Doyle, Marieanne Hayes and Niamh Bambrick.

Well done to our u10’s who played a blitz in Windgap on Saturday morning against Carrickshock and O’Loughlin Best of luck to club players Sontae & Nathania Jackson who will part of the Kilkenny Minor panel in the All Ireland final against Cork in LIT Gaelic grounds Limerick on Sunday 5th September at 5pm.

And also to Gillian Costello who is part of the Kilkenny Intermediate panel who will face Antrim in Croke Park on Sunday 12th September.

Commiserations to Denise Gaule & Michaela Keneally on the Kilkenny senior panel defeat by Cork, well done to both ladies on a valiant effort. Congratulations to Windgap’s Ona Kennedy who won the Kilkenny Community Games U14 Long puc county title.

The event took place in Piltown on Saturday and is the first gold medal of 2021 for Windgap, Tullahought and Coolagh Community Games.

Ona’s brother Tadgh came 2nd in the boys U12 long puck. Windgap Camogie: THE STORYTELLING SERIES The Storytelling Series - Free Communications Training for Community and Voluntary Groups The Storytelling Series is an exciting FREE training series which will enable us all to feel confident about communicating our value! Public awareness is vital to maximising the work we do, and this series is all about amplifying our impact.

Whether you’re a large charity or a voluntary group with limited time and no budget, this training is open to you!

Pitching to Press: How to Get your Story Out There with Claire Brennan (BBC, Irish Daily Mirror, Donegal Post) | Wednesday, 22 September, 11.00am - 12.30pm Making Videos: Basics of Scripting & Filming with Jack Deacon (spunout. ie) | Wednesday, 29 September, 11.00am - 12.30pm Making Videos: Basics of Film Editing with Tommy Flavin and Kevin O’Regan (The Reelists) | Thursday, 30 September, 11am – 12.30pm Easy Graphic Design with Canva with Ronny Hermosa (Canva, Fair Trade Connection) | Wednesday, 13 October, 10.30am - 12noon How to Be a Spokesperson for your Organisation with Eleanor Kelly (UCD Innovation Academy, Open Society Foundations) | Wednesday 20 October, 11am – 12.30pm.

All workshops are delivered online and are free of charge. Any queries, please email Claire McGowran: claire@wheel.ie.

RECOVERY COLLEGE SOUTHEAST Recovery College Southeast is offering workshops to improve your mental health in September.

All are free but you need to book.

See their timetable at https://www. recoverycollegesoutheast.com/ workshops.html or call them on 086 1746330 Teac Tom - Quilt Raffle!

Teac Tom is continuing to provide its supports and services to those affected by or bereaved by suicide throughout the summer. We have seen an increase in the numbers of people contacting us via our 24-hour helpline and through our social media channels. As people feel safer, we are getting some walk-ins again. However, to facilitate everyone and ensure compliance with the guidelines, it is still better to call first to make an appointment (056-7796592). There is a very special fundraiser being held at the moment by the South Midlands Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society. They made and quilted a beautiful ‘You’re a Star’ quilt that will be raffled in early September in aid of Teac Tom. Tickets can be purchased at www.idonate.ie/ raffle/irishpatchworksociety Many thanks to all involved for their tremendous support!

BRONZE SCOTT MEDAL Congratulations to Det. Sgt Joe Young on the award of the Bronze Scott Medal for bravery recently. Joe is a Sergeant in Cork but originally from Corstown, Kilmanagh. It was a very proud day for his parents, Ann and John Young, his extended family and the whole parish. The award was for an incident that occurred in 2005 in Cork.

MOBILE LIBRARY The mobile library is returning, following an absence of eighteen months. It will visit Kilmanagh from 10.55-11.40 on September 8th, October 6th, November 3rd and December 1st.

Membership is free. Just bring ID. The staff look forward to meeting all the locals. Enquiries to Library Reception 779 4160.

SOCCER NEWS Fixture : Saturday, September

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Community & GAA Notes

Kilkenny GAA clubs and Community news 4 - K&DL Under 12 Schoolboys League: River Rangers v Evergreen 10.30am MOUNT CARMEL GOLF CLASSIC RESULTS 1st Prize Teresa O Neill, Helena McCormack, Orla McCormack, Brigid Mullins. 106 pts.

2nd John Ryan, John Proctor, Michael Dempsey, Coleman Loughnane 98 pts.

3rd Jim Wellwood, Mick Foley, Tony O Driscoll, Kevin O’Driscoll 97pts.

4th Ena Kennedy, Margaret T O’Shea, Ailish Carey, Mary Croke.

97 pts.

5th Richie Condon, Johnny Kennedy, Roland Komar, Peter Ryan. 97pts.

6th Declan Dowling, Ned Sweeney, Geoff Bibby, Bobby Sweeney. 97 pts.

7th Michael Kavanagh, Sean O’Neill, Jim O’Connell, Roger Kennedy. 96 pts 8th Billy Walsh, Jack Drew, Sean Millea, John Millea. 95 pts.

Non GUI Michael Walsh, Ciaran Colclough, Jack Holmes, Jordan Burke. 95 pts.

Best Ladies: Anna Corr, Stella Tennyson, Eilish Ahern, Claire Henriques. 94 pts.

Visitors Pat O Keeffe, Niall Brett, Mick Waugh, Alan Joyce. 95 pts.

Best Team Over 250: Mick Mullally, Tommy Phelan, Michael Comerford, Bernie Lyons.

Ladies Nearest The Pin: Mary Lanigan Gents Nearest The Pin: Tony O Driscoll Ladies Longest Drive: Bernie Lyons Men Longest Drive: Cathal Byrne Raffle Results : 1st Load Timber: Anna Starr 2nd George Foreman BBQ: Eamonn Maher 3rd Pembroke Hotel Dinner Voucher: Betty Lanigan 4th 6 Months Membership Ormonde Hotel Leisure Centre: Eleanor Feeley 5th Club House Hotel Meal Voucher: Ger Woodcock 6th John Murphy Butcher Meat Voucher: Michael Walker 7th Pat’s Hair Salon Voucher: Michael Power 8th Jackie’s Hair Salon Voucher: Denis O Leary 9th Keoghs Bakery Voucher: Eddie Cunningham 10th Bobby Lynch Woodturner Wooden Bowl: C Hennessy 11th Bottle of Baileys: John Healy (Cork) 12th Bottle of Spirits: Paddy Corkery 13th CD Selection & KCLR Mug: Pierce Barry Many thanks to all who supported this worthy fund raising venture.

RAS NA MBAN Ras na mBan is the Premier women’s cycling event in Ireland.

It will run for five days with a total of six stages to a total of over 400km of racing action. This year the event will be headquartered in Kilkenny, with a new opening stage in Callan. This is the 35th year of women’s International stage racing in Ireland. The race is compliant with covid rules, and ensures that all competitors, officials and all interested parties have the safest and best possible experience at the event. All new opening stage, with a 13km circuit finish in Callan, which

will offer spectators two chances to view the race from the cordoned off streets. The race circuit is Kilkenny City, Danesfort, Stoneyford, Knocktopher, Kilmoganny, Skaugh, Coolagh, Callan. All welcome to cheer on all the riders.

KILMANAGH NOTES Anyone wishing to submit news items, events, announcements etc. can do so by email only to elanigan18@gmail.com. If you have any photos that you would like included, please send as an attachment.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICE The mobile library is returning, following an absence of eighteen months. It will visit Gowran from 11.35-12.00 on September 10th, October 8th, November 5th, December 3rd AND Goresbridge from 11.20-12.00 on September 22nd, October 20th, November 17th and December 15th. Membership is free. Just bring ID. The staff look forward to meeting all the locals.

Enquiries to Library Reception 7794160 GOWRAN PITCH AND PUTT Gowran Scratch Cup takes place on Saturday, 4th September. Entry fee is €10. Please contact 086 3796495 by text with name and registration numbers to book a time.

Well done to Michael Holland and Jack McShane who played in the National U16 Strokeplay. Both played well with great second rounds after getting to know the course in the first round. Jack just missing out on a prize in the U13section GOWRAN AC Well done to Rachel Gardiner and James Kelsey who participated in the Templemore Throws Festival.

Rachel won the Shot U16 which was great considering she was stepping up in age and also came 2nd in the Discus. James came 3rd in the Discus and in his first competition won the U14 Weight for Throw event. Well done to both representing the club so well.

GOWRAN PARISH Mass is being streamed every morning on Gowran Parish Facebook page, masses this week Gowran Sunday at 11.30.am, Monday at 9.30.am, Wednesday at 9.30am, Thursday at 9.30.am and Friday at 9.30.am.

Volunteers required for two hours each week in Gowran Abbey Nursing Home for Men’s Shed and Art and Crafts. Volunteers apply to Jenny at Gowran Abbey Nursing Home.

SPORTS ROUN-UP – MICHAEL O’LEARY Heartbreak For FEILE Girls Clara 4-11, Young Irelands Gowran 5-8 After Extra-Time, Clara win 0-3 to 0-2 on a ‘45 free-taking shoot-out The Gowran Girls will most certainly look back on tonight’s (Saturday) Feile Final as one that got away.

They led by 7 points during the firsthalf, by 8 points during the Second Quarter & by 3 points at Half-Time

of a 10 minute Extra-Time (2 Periods of 5 Minutes).

However, Clara deserve enormous credit for their fighting spirit throughout in this brilliant epic contest, & they were a constant threat even when the Gowran Girls had built up those sizeable leads.

Clara got the opening two points of the match, before Young Irelands responded with an opportunist goal from Alex Brennan by the first Water Break to lead 1-2 to 0-2.

The Gowran Girls continued that momentum throughout the Second Quarter with Julie Lennon leading the way.

Wearing the No.1 Jersey but playing outfield, Lennon added two further points including one from a ‘45, while she also soloed through the heart of the Clara defence to fire home a Superb goal.

Young Irelands led 2-5 to 0-4, but Clara finished the half strongly with 1-2 without reply, as they trailed 2-5 to 1-6 at the interval.

The margin was halved to a solitary point shortly after the restart (2-6 to 1-8), but Young Irelands replied with further goals from Julie Lennon & Alex Brennan to give them a 7-point free. 4-6 to 1-8, before Lennon pointed a free to free to extend the advantage further. 4-7 to 1-8.

The Gowran Girls appeared to be in control, but they didn’t score for the remainder of the match in normal time as Clara scored 2-2 without reply to snatch a draw & force ExtraTime. 4-7 to 3-10 Despite relinquishing a commanding lead, Young Irelands will have been relieved to have held on for Extra-time, as defensively they were under constant pressure.

Two Periods of 5 Minutes each of Extra-time beckoned, & it was Young Irelands who grabbed a hold of proceedings as a Chloe Pitt goal gave them a 5-7 to 3-10 lead at the interval.

However, Clara emphasized that never say die attitude & an equalizing goal from a free left the contest up for grabs. 5-7 to 4-10.

Clara added a point from play to take the lead, before the Gowran Girls grabbed a last gasp equalizer to force a ‘45 free-taking shoot-out.

Unfortunately, they lost out by the narrowest of margins in the cruellest of circumstances following an epic contest.

Anna & Roisin Brennan along with Aine Delahunty fought tenaciously in a defensive unit, that constantly had to deal with the pace of a slick & skilful Clara attacking Division.

Despite been plagued by injury, Julie Lennon (2-5 0-1 free 0-2’45) did her utmost to lead the attacking charge, while Alex Brennan, Jayne Farrell & Chloe Pitt worked trojanly without always getting the rewards their efforts merited.

SEMI- FINAL DELIGHT FOR GOWRAN GIRLS It was a wonderful start to the Weekend for the Inter-County Teams as both the Intermediate & Minor Teams qualified for All-Ireland Finals.

The Intermediates reversed the result from their League QuarterFinal last gasp defeat to Meath, as they won out 0-13 to 0-9 with both Ciara O’Keeffe & Tiffany Fitzgerald performing prominently.

Ciara scored the very first point

of the match as Kilkenny led throughout for the duration, & they will now play Antrim in the All-Ireland Final on Sunday 12th September, & similar to the Meath game, Kilkenny will be looking to reverse the result on the Northeners having lost to them in their opening group encounter.

Meanwhile, Kilkenny Minor CoCaptain Sarah O’Donnell scored a wonder point near the Sideline at a vital stage, as they overcame Galway 3-21 to 1-25 after extra-time following a pulsating epic contest.

They will play Cork in the decider next Sunday Evening in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick at 5pm following the Rebelettes 0-15 to 1-11 win over Dublin.

Unfortunately, there was heartbreak for Steffi Fitzgerald & the Kilkenny Senior Squad as they lost out to Cork by a solitary point (0-15 to 1-11) in the All-Ireland Senior SemiFinal on Sunday.

Cork finished with 14 players & they will now play Galway in the All-Ireland Final on Sunday 12th September.

CHAMPIONSHIP FEVER SWINGS INTO GEAR The Club Championships are starting to hot up with several games across the various Grades over the next few months.

It’s an action-packed week for Young Irelands with 6 Teams in action including three Juvenile Teams playing in Quarter-Finals.

First up, On Wednesday Evening, the U-15s are away to O’Loughlin Gaels at 6pm in Johns Park having already played them twice this season.

They were well beaten by O’Loughlins in the Group Stages of the Leaguel, but they will take great heart from their victory against the City Team in the Feile Competition last weekend.

The U-15 B Team who impressed greatly in the League winning all bar one of their matches are away to John Lockes of Callan on Thursday at 6.45pm in the first round of the Championship, while on Friday, the U-13s are at home to Danesfort at 6pm in the A1 Championship Quarter-Final in a repeat of the recent League Final that the Gowran Boys won convincingly.

Meanwhile, at the same time the U-13 13-a-Side Team are away to near neighbours Blacks & Whites in Tom Walsh Park.

On Saturday Afternoon at 4pm in Castlecomer , the Intermediates

James Stephens Double Feile Winners Hurling & Football 2021

start their League Championship campaign against St. Lachtains of Freshford, while the week concludes next Monday Evening at 6pm with the Minors in Championship Quarter-Final action at home to Dicksboro in a repeat of last year’s County Final. Wishing all the Young Irelands Teams all the very best in a huge week for the Club

UNDER AGE HURLING Great to see Palmerstown and James Park buzzing this evening with our youngest hurlers back in the Boro! Well done everyone involved. Parents are advised to download Clubzap to follow the Covid Protocols. Please see relevant clubzap groups for training schedules.

JUNIOR B The junior B hurlers had a great win over Conahy Shamrocks on Sunday in UPMC Nowlan Park in the county final. 3-18 to 2-10. A huge congrats to the players and team management. Rob Crotty accepted the cup as team captain.

MINOR HURLING A fantastic display of hurling over 65 minutes was enough for Dicksboro Minor Team to win the Kilkenny Honda Centre Roinn A League Final yesterday in UPMC Nowlan Park against a very strong Naas team.

Dicksboro ran out 1-19 to 2-11 winners at the final whistle. Both teams had some good moments in the game as Dicksboro lead at half time 0-10 to 0-08 showing how close the sides were matched.Both teams showed some impressive long range shooting in front of a very large attendence in UPMC Nowlan Park. Championship awaits now for both clubs in the coming weeks as Dicksboro face a strong challenge Monday week in Gowran V Young Irelands.

FEILE FOOTBALL Hard luck to the u15s who lost to James Stephens in the U15 Feile Football on Saturday.

CLUB LOTTO Dicksboro GAA Club LOTTO Results August 23rd 2021 Nos: 30– 8– 26– 18 Jackpot: €4100– not won Draw Prizes – €50: Patty o Neill c/o P and J Cody €25 each Kate Mcgarry c/o online €25 each Jim Mcgarry c/o himself €25 each JosephineButlerc/o online €25 each Patrick Murphyc/o online Promoters prize - Paddy Grace Next week’s (Sept 5th) Jackpot – €4,200 We are encouraging every Dicksboro family to support the Clubs Fundraising efforts by signing up to the Club Lotto. https://dicksborogaa.com/ categories/lotto/products MEMBERSHIP REGISRATION Registration is now due and should be in place prior to resumption of play. This needs to be paid before entering the pitch. https://www. dicksborogaa.com/membership_ products CAMOGIE SPONSORSHIP Dicksboro GAA & Camogie Club is delighted to announce the renewal of the PRL sponsorship of Dicksboro Camogie. PRL have been a great supporter of Dicksboro over the years and the continuation of their generous sponsorship will help ensure that we continue to develop our Club and promote our games.

PITCH SIDE BUSINESS ADVERTS Should your business want to arrange an advertising hoarding at our Club grounds click here for details: https://www.dicksborogaa. com/products For any queries contact any committee member. https:// www.dicksborogaa.com/contact (Camogie contact runai Ted Carroll (086) 837 6544).

Pictured from left to right: Catherine Peters (Chair), Ciara Phelan, Aobha O’Gorman, Gary Brennan (PRL), Ciara O’Shea, Lucinda Gahan & Ted Carroll (Secretary)

We welcome all GAA Club and Community notes for publication in The Kilkenny Observer email to sales@kilkennyobserver.ie

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

News Sport

Golf

member of our club and a sponsor of Ladies golf.

We acknowledge her commitment and are grateful for her ongoing support. The format for Emer’s competition was Stroke. The course was in outstanding condition and the ladies thoroughly enjoyed the event. Many thanks to our ground staff who keep the fairways and greens in superb shape.

Results: Joan Brennan 71 (b9) Maria Downey 71 Margaret O ‘ Keeffe 72 Bessie Brophy 73 (b9)

NOTES

Lady Presidents Prize With the weather favorable to golf the scoring was very high on Lady President Marie O’Riordan’s Prize to the ladies on Thursday last.

Bridget Holohan emerged as a popular winner with 43 points.

There was a large turnout and a great atmosphere outside the clubhouse for the presentation of prizes. Lady Captain Anna thanked Marie for her support and great work on behalf of the Lady Members throughout the year .

Lady President Marie was clearly delighted at such a successful event.

She paid tribute to her family and also thanked the committee and the wider club for their support throughout the year.

Results: 1st Bridget Holohan 43 pts 2nd Ena Kennedy 42pts Best Gross: Rita O’Neill 28pts 3rd Bernie Lyons 42pts 4th Teresa Phelan 42pts 5th Miriam Fennelly 41pts Junior Prize: Niamh Cunningham 41pts

36+index Ann Needham 40pts F9 Patsy Murphy 23pts B9 Eileen McGrath 22pts Past President: Jean Grace 39pts Committee Prize Anne Croke 38pts 9 Hole Winner Teresa Walsh 22pts 2nd Melanie O’Brien 20pts Beginners Prize 1st Suzanne Edwards 2nd Wazzie Kenneally Well done to all.

Tuesday 24th August Categorie Prizes Div 1 Breda Ryan 35pts

Div 2 Ena Kennedy 37pts Div 3 Sheelagh Foster 43pts Div 4 Ann Needham 32pts 9 Hole S/F 1st Anne Phelan 19pts c/b 2nd Caroline Healy 19pts Thursday Sept 2nd Ann O’Shea will hold her Senior Captains Prize CASTLECOMER GOLF NOTES Ladies News Our ladies competition last week was kindly sponsored

by Reidy Foley Nolan Solicitors, Parliament Street, Kilkenny. For many years Emer Foley has been a

The Mixed Scramble continues every Friday from 5.30 - 6.30 p.m.

The event is proving popular with the members, especially those who are new to the club. It is a fun way to meet up with old friends and form some new friendships. Thanks to Seamie Brennan and Honoria Fogarty who spearhead this initiative.

Results: Net 25 Helen Murphy Catherine Campion Michael Pedini The next round of Singles Match play and Plate must be played by September 12.

All concerned are asked to adhere to closing dates.

Midland Alliance Monday September 20 is the first outing for the Midland Alliance. The venue is Newbridge GC. Those is the handicap range 19- 30 should contact Patricia

Doheny directly if interested in joining the group.

Noel Leahy is currently giving lessons each Wednesday at 6 p.m. Lady Captain Patricia has been in contact with those ladies who are interested in getting instruction on the basics of golf to include address, swing and putting.

Mile buiochas to Noel and Patricia.

The Cullen Cup Team managed by Maureen Norton and Seamus O’ Connor had Ballinascorney GC Rathfarnham as their opposition on Saturday August 28. The team was unlucky to lose this Quarter Final. Great credit to managers and players for dedication and commitment to the club.

Congratulations to Eillen Healy on winning the 3T’s Competition in Borris GC Thursday August 26 with a fantastic score of 42 points, also L.V.C. Helen Murphy (7th) 36 points and Breda Phelan (best f9) 22 points.

Another great performance by the Castlecomer Ladies at Athy GC Solheim Event hosted recently.

Featuring in third place in a large field of teams were Eileen Healy, LC Patricia Brennan, Bridget Kealy and Ellen Phelan. Well done ladies!

9 hole singles Results: Maureen Holohan 18 pts Terri Hackney 16 pts

Improve speed on the pitch EOIN EVERARD

THIS article is for our runners and hurlers who think just doing a lot of sprinting will make you fast. WRONG. Becoming quick is much more complex than that.

We are training students to have degrees in strength and conditioning because there is so much science behind what you have to do to get quick, strong, powerful AND STAY HEALTHY. First step in getting you quicker, understand that speed does not come down to one thing. What stage of running are you struggling with? What do I mean? Well is it the first 10 metres that your man gets away from you, is it from 10 to 20 metres that other players are catching up or is it that your all out speed is not up to scratch? Maybe it’s all three!! I will answer how to work on all these questions (even if it is all 3). The first thing to recognise is that these 3 categories require

different training to improve.

Slow off the mark (0-10 metres): This requires that you work on acceleration.

Off the mark speed is all about FORCE. How much force can you push into the ground. How much force can your muscles generate.

This requires that you get strong. Split squats, heavy squats and single leg deadlifts are good exercises to use here. The goal is to get your muscles to produce more force. Think about it like a car. This first stage is all about how much horse power you have. If you don’t have much horse power then it will be difficult to get your car to go fast.

Maximum speed (10-20 metres): In a 100m sprint this is phase is longer but for a match example this is generally seen running 10 to 20 metres. This portion is not about strength, you should have good strength from the last phase. This phase is about power, which is the ability to use your strength quickly. Your foot is only on the ground for split seconds and so you

need to be able to generate force quickly. Think about our car, we might have a lot of horse power in the engine but if that horse power does not spin the wheels quickly then the car will not be that fast. To improve your power I recommend weighted squat jumps. Get into a squat position holding 2 10kg dumbbells, try jump as high as you can.

Another great thing to do here is push a car (or sled at 12.5% your bodyweight if you have proper equipment) for 10 seconds. Both of these get you using the strength you have quickly.

This will really improve your maximum speed capacity.

Finally maintaining speed: This is about putting it all together. In this phase it is about being specific. You should not really use weights in this phase.

Instead do lighter sled runs, try to bound across a pitch or do 10 single leg hops each side and then into a sprint. You need to teach your body how to use the new strength you have given it.

In conclusion to improve

your speed first you have to improve the capacity of the engine (maximum amount of strength you can generate). Then you have to

improve the engine power output so that all the cylinders fire at once (generally through jumps with weight). Finally you need

to make sure all the power from the engine converts to speed on the road. For more tips and training visit everardpilates.com

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Hurling

Sport

Mooncoin Captain Conor Brophy receives the cup

Mooncoin vs Dunnamaggin J.J. Kavanagh and Sons Junior A Champ Final Venue: UPMC Nowlan Park - Full Time score: Mooncoin: 0-21, Dunnamaggin: 1-16 BEAUTIFUL Sunday evening with sun shining throughout.

Little wind.

1ST HALF 0 min (44 secs): Dunm point from play, No 13 (Adam Fitzpatrick) 1 min: Dunm point from free, No 12 (Denis Walsh) from long range free 2 min: Moon point from play, No 10 (Adam Croke) after winning breaking ball on his wing and splitting the posts 4 min: Dunm point from free, No 15 (Bill McCormack) 8 min: Dunm point from play, No 12 (Denis Walsh) from his own wing 13 min: Dunm point from play, No 10 (Luke FitzPatrick) 14 min: Dunm point from play, No 15 (Bill McCormack) brilliant point over the shoulder, running away from his own goal, sailed over the bar 15 min: Moon point from free, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) 15 min: Moon point from play, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) following a hand pass from Adam Croke who made a great run from midfield WaterBreak: Mooncoin: 0-3, Dunnamaggin: 0-6, with Dunnamaggin doing most of the hurling with four different scorers, Mooncoin holding in.

18 min: Dunm point from play, No 20 (Eddie Dunne) 19 min: Moon point from play, No 14 (Stephen Wall) 20 min: Dunm point from play, No 13 (Adam FitzPatrick) 22 min: Dunm point from free, No 12 (Denis Walsh) 23 min Mooncoin keeper Donnacha Hogan (No 1) saves

from close range from a shot from No 13 Adam Fitzpatrick, after Dunnamaggin passed the ball brilliantly up through the lines.

24 min: Moon point from free, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) 26 min: Moon point from play, No 15 (Danny Purcell) 27 min: Dunm point from play, No 10 (Luke FitzPatrick) from the wing 28 min: Moon point from play, No 10 (Adam Croke) brilliant point by catching the ball from the puck out and then sending it over the bar 28 min Moon point from play, No 10 (Adam Croke) another from croke after winning the ball from the break following the puckout of his last point.

29 min GOAL Dunm from play, No 12 (Denis Walsh); following great build up play and pass from No 15 (Bill McCormack) 31 min: Moon point from play, No 13 (Lee Treacy) 32 min: Moon point from play, No 14 (Stephen Wall)

HALF TIME SCORE: Mooncoin: 0-10, Dunnamaggin: 1-10 2ND HALF 2 min: Moon point from play, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) scoring from mid field 2 min: Moon point from play, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) another beauty from the middle of the park 6 min: Moon point from free, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) – Level game 7 min: Moon point from play, No 7 (Seamus Kearns). A monster point – inspirational – from the wing back from his own half, following a pass from the towering James Delahunty (No 17) who had just come on the pitch in place of Oisín Henebery and immediately made his presence felt.

11 min: Moon point from free (65), No 8 (Ethan Ryan) 12 min: Moon point from free, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) 14 min: Moon point from free, No 8 (Ethan Ryan) WaterBreak: Mooncoin: 0-17, Dunnamaggin: 1-10,

Mooncoin now dominating, Dunnamaggin haven’t scored since halftime, Mooncoin have scored 7 without reply.

16 min: Dunm point from play, No 8 (Paddy Delaney) from mid field 18 min: Moon point from play, No 13 (Lee Treacy) 20 min: Another great save

by Mooncoin No 1, Donnacha Hogan, denying No 12 (Denis Walsh) 21 min: Moon point from play, No 19 (Ryan Croke) who had just came on in the second half.

24 min: Dunm point from free, No 12 (Denis Walsh) 26 min: Moon point from play, No 10 (Adam Croke) – brilliant point, after pick pocketing the Dunnamaggin puck-out, he hop-lifted the ball into his hand before turning and splitting the posts.

27 min: Dunm point from play, No 8 (Peter Kenneally) – could have been a goal but deflected over the bar by Mooncoin No1. Dunnamaggin putting huge pressure on

Mooncoin goalmouth .

28 min: Dunm point from play, No 12 (Denis Walsh) 31 min: Dunm point from free, No 12 (Denis Walsh) 32 min: Dunm point from free, No 12 (Denis Walsh) 33 min: Moon point from play, No 14 (Stephen Wall) Full Time score: Mooncoin: 0-21, Dunnamaggin: 1-16 Mooncoin had great mix of old and new heads. The evergreen Ethan Ryan dragged them into the game when they needed it most – his free taking was also near perfection.

He was ably helped by centre back, Conor Brophy who definitely played a captain’s part throughout. The younger contingent on the Mooncoin team caught the eye, none more so than Adam Croke, who was skill and determination personified. Stephen Wall popped up with important scores when required. The Mooncoin backs as unit deserve great praise, aside from the aforementioned Brophy, Seamus Kearns and James Aylward held their own, especially when the chips were

down, and Nicky Henebery was always solid at fullback.

It should also be said, that considering the losing margin of just two points, Mooncoin would not have survived to earn their victory, without the assistance of their young goalkeeper Donnacha Hogan, who made two, if not three, exceptional saves.

After a blistering start, it looked like Dunnamaggin could have ran away with this game during the early stages.

Denis Walsh was exceptional throughout and fought to the very end. His colleague in the forward line Bill McCormack also looked very sharp. Patrick Delaney was in great form in midfield, covering every blade of grass and chipping in with a point to boot. Ian Walsh, the immense centre back, was a rock in the Dunnamaggin defence, with most of the Mooncoin scores coming from the wing to bypass him.

Scorers: Mooncoin: Ethan Ryan (0-9), Adam Croke (0-4), Stephen Wall (0-3), Lee Treacy (0-2), Séamus Kearns, Ryan Croke, Danny Purcell (0-1 each) .

Dunnamaggin: Denis Walsh (1-7), Bill McCormack, Adam FitzPatrick, Luke FitzPatrick (0-2 each), Eddie Dunne, Paddy Delaney, Peter Kenneally (0-1 each) Teams: Mooncoin: Donnacha Hogan, Ryan ‘Froggy’ Carroll, Nicky Henebery, Liam Henebery, James Aylward, Conor Brophy (C), Séamus Kearns, Ethan Ryan, Seán O’ Dwyer, Adam Croke, Máirtín Gannon, Oisín Henebery, Lee Treacy, Stephen Wall, Danny Purcell Dunnamaggin: Andrew O’ Dwyer, Paul Kirwan, Aaron Doherty, Jack Brett, Brian Farrell, Ian Walsh, Andrew FitzPatrick, Patrick Delaney, Eddie Dunne, Luke FitzPatrick, Peter Kenneally (C), Denis Walsh, Adam FitzPatrick, Anthony Kearney, Bill McCormack.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

Camogie news

Sport Cork captain strikes late to see lee-siders home, 0-15 to 1-11

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

THERE will be no O’Duffy cup return to Kilkenny next month.

Despite a secondhalf comeback, Brian Dowling’s side fell to a late point from Cork captain Linda Collins.

While many had earmarked Kilkenny as favourites for the semi-final tie at headquarters, the rebels desire to reach their first final in three years was evident.

It was a rip-roaring affair, that could have gone either way, but over the course of the near 65 minutes, Cork probably just about deserved their victory.

Cork got off to a great start when late inclusion, Saoirse McCarthy hit a fine point from the left from about 30 metres out. Kilkenny responded by driving down the field and creating a great goal chance, but Piltown forward, Aoife Doyle saw her goal-bound effort smothered by Cork keeper Amy Lee. A telling intervention by the opposition’s numero uno.

The cats eventually got off the mark around the fifth minute, with a pointed free from the ultra-reliable Denise Gaule.

Both sides probed a little, wary of each other’s attacking threat.

The deadlock was then broken Cork’s Chloe Sigerson hit a wonderful score from past the Kilkenny ‘45. The rebels moved two ahead when Enniskeane’s Orla Cronin popped over the first of her frees in the 10th minute.

Just ahead of the first waterbreak, Kilkenny number 12, Katie Power hit a cracking score from over the shoulder, to reduce the deficit to the minimum. This was building to be a very close encounter.

When play resumed, Cork wasted little time in building on their one-point lead. Midfield star, Katrina Macky and Orla Cronin raising flags to move the Leesiders three ahead.

Kilkenny would go almost 13 minutes without a score, before St Martins Katie Nolan

and Aoife Doyle combined nicely to get a much-needed score. However, Cork responded in kind, with the impressive Sigerson pointing to leave the score 0-6 to 0-3 in the rebel’s favour. The Cork supporters were sensing revenge, following their sides loss at the same stage in

the competition last season.

Both side’s number 10’s exchanged points before Kilkenny wing-back Kellyann Doyle, who was a major doubt for the clash, hit a fine score having taken a nice pass from Clara’s Mary O’Connell. The stripey-women’s attempts to build any momentum was being halted by the concession of a number of frees.

Chloe Sigerson hit a monster effort from just inside the Cork half, before the deadly Cronin struck another to leave the rebels leading 0-9 to 0-5.

Paudie Murray’s team were not done for the half yet, and that dammed Sigerson hit another point, her fourth of the game to leave the challengers five ahead at the short whistle. Cork were playing with a great desire, hunger and intensity. Kilkenny were in trouble.

Kilkenny emerged from the interval needing to play like champions. They got off the mark in the second period, thanks to a free from Windgap’s Gaule. Cork’s defence, led

by Pamela Mackey were steadfast, Dowling’s side were struggling to find the space to create scoring opportunities.

Once again, Orla Cronin responded with a free, her fourth placed ball of the day.

Not to be outdone by her Cork counterpart, Denise Gaule hit another good point from a free to leave just three between the sides.

Then came the best passage of play that Kilkenny produced on the day. Tullaroan’s Miriam Walsh took a great pass from full-back Claire Phelan, before off-loading to the on-running Mary O’Connell who rifled to

Semi heartbreak for camogs as rebel’s win by one

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

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Camogie news the back of the, giving the Cork keeper no chance. The rebels were shaken. Gaule popped over another free – midway through the second half, the teams were tied. Game on!

Cornin and Gaule again trade frees, with just over 10 minutes remaining, a place in the final against Galway was certainly up for grabs. For the first time since the 27th minute, Kilkenny took the lead, again Denise Gaule, 2020 player of the year showing un-airing accuracy from the placed ball. From the resulting puck-out, the cats gained possession, the ball found its way to Katie Power who fired over her second point of the day – the black and amber now led by two, 1-11 to 0-12.

As throughout the proceedings, placed balls were proving to be vital for both teams. Orla Cronin hit her sixth free of the day, once again only the bare minimum separated the sides. That wasn’t to be Cronin’s last strike. Cork lifted the intensity again, in search of an equalising score, they poured forward and during an ensuing melee, Cronin tangled with cat’s midfielder, Grace Walsh. Cronin appeared to make contact with Walsh’s helmet and push her back to the ground. Westmeath whistler, John Dermody consulted with

his linesman and Cronin was shown a straight red card. Cork down to 14, but crucially level, as Fiona Keating’s point stood, despite Cronin’s indiscretion.

Just like their group game with Galway in Callan earlier in the championship, Kilkenny couldn’t make use of their numerical advantage, and deep into stoppage time, Cork captain and substitute, Linda Collins took a pass, and under no pressure pointed to reclaim the lead for the rebels and take what was to be the winning score. The grip on the O’Duffy was gone. Season over.

Scorers for Kilkenny: D Gaule (0-7 frees), M O’Connell (1-0), K Power (0-2), K Doyle and K Nolan (0-1 each).

KILKENNY: A Norris; M Teehan, C Dormer, D Tobin; K Doyle, M Farrell (Capt), C Phelan; G Walsh, D Gaule; M Walsh, K Nolan, M O’Connell; S Fitzgerald, K Power, A Doyle.

Subs: L Murphy for S Fitzgerald (38), N Deely for M Teehan (48), M Kenneally for A Doyle (55).

Scorers for Cork: O Cronin (06, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45), C Sigerson (0-5, 0-1 free), S McCarthy, K Mackey, L Collins and F Keating (0-1 each).

CORK: A Lee; P Mackey, L Coppinger, M Cahalane; L Hayes, L Treacy, S McCarthy; H Looney, A Thompson; C Sigerson, F Keating, C

O’Sullivan; A O’Connor, O Cronin, K Mackey.

Subs: L Collins for C O’Sullivan

(50).

Referee: John Dermody (Westmeath).

>> SHERRY SAYS...........

WITH a rebel yell the Kilkenny faithful cried no, no, no!

So that’s it, the senior team’s exploits are over until next season. They huffed and puffed against a hungrier Cork side.

The pain of previous defeats at the semi-final stage appeared to be the driving force behind the Leesiders matchday motivation.

In Chloe Sigerson, player of the match, Cork played with greater intensity of the course of the match. Orla Cronin was accurate from placed balls, a la Denise Gaule, should her red card stand, the Enniskeane forward will be a huge loss to her county’s challenge against opponents and bookies favourites Galway.

Enough about the rebels. Kilkenny, well it wasn’t to be their day. Our camogs have brought us much joy over the past 12 months, an O’Duffy cup and a league title, but perhaps not a full 60-minute performance this season. There have been times this season, when they have been down, and somehow shown great resolve to get over the line, but in Croker last Sunday the well ran dry.

After the match, manager Brian Dowling spoke of possible changes ahead in the county camogie set-up, possible retirements and that. Let’s hope when all involved have time to take stock and reflect on the season, they will see that this panel of players has more to give.

A special word for Kellyann Doyle, having watched her sustain the shoulder injury against Wexford, I couldn’t have imagined her lining out against Cork. That’s the spirit and desire this group has, there’s no I in team.

I sincerely hope that Dowling & Co dust themselves down, enjoy the autumn and winter with their clubs, and are ready to drive on in 2022. To all concerned with our senior ladies, thanks for everything – see you all next season.

‘Look Who’s T alking’

Player Name: Ke llyann Doyle Club: Piltown Position: Wing Ba ck / Midfield Sporting highlig ht so far: Coming back aft cruciate for a se er doing my co year and getting nd time last pitch for the semback onto the getting to play thi-final and after a really touge all-Ireland the club all-Irela h year or 2015 will always nd we won in be one of my favourites.

If you could only life, who would listen to 1 singer or band for the rest of your you choose?

ABBA Pet hate: Bad drivers who Best Holiday De don’t know the rules of the road Florida and woulstination done & to do: d love to visit Gr eece Sporting Idol & w hy : Usain Bolt, really he was able to pe admire his mindset and determ inat rform at that high level for so man ion and how If you had to de y years Determined, sarcscribe yourself in 3 words: astic, Grace Walsh lookalike

Party of 6

You are allowed the 6 chosen gu to invite 6 famous people for dinner.....name ests & reasons fo • 1. Princess Dian r inviting! a – wo ul d lo ve • 2. Chris Evans to hear her story • 3. Meryl Steep – It’s Americas ass…

– be ca us e she’s iconic • 4. Patrick Dem • 5. Barack Obampsey – because its McDreamy…

• 6. Sally Pearso a – Seems like a cool guy n watching growin– She’s an Australian athlete I us ed to love g up Team mates!

• Best trainer • Worst trainer Miriam Bambrick, she’s always up for a laugh - Ka the pitch with he tie Nolan, she can’t even remem r ber who’s on • Queen of styl • Best Taste in e - Collette Dormer mus tunes on the wa ic - Aoife Doyle / Aoife Norris al ways have good • Worst taste in y to training • Most difficult music - Michelle Teehan op cause it’s so hard ponent - Denise Gaule, she is ha rd to know what sh e is going to do wi to mark th the ball

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

Camogie news

Sport Antrim await in Croker clash

Sarah Crowley Niamh Leahy

BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE

Kilkenny 0-13 Meath 0-9 KILKENNY’S Intermediate camogs are through to the AllIreland final on Sunday 12th September after a hard-fought win over Meath in UPMC Nowlan Park last Saturday.

John Scott’s team will now face the Saffrons of Antrim in their bid to be crowned champions.

Young Ireland’s Ciara O’Keeffe opened the black and ambers account in the first minute, slotting over a fine point from play. Not to be outdone, Jane Dolan equalised for the Royal County with a point from a 45m free.

The undoubted attacking star of the team’s championship run to date, Sophie O’Dwyer pointed a similar score for the cats in the 4th minute, before Ratoath’s Amy Gaffney and Jane Dolan raised the white flag for Meath to put them a point ahead by the 9th minute Kilkenny arrived at the water break leading by 0-4 to 0-3 after the sides had been level three times. The Noresiders then showed their quality and intent with fine scores from James Stephens O’Dwyer and O’Loughlin Gaels Danielle Quigley. On the short whistle, the home side had built a 4-point lead, with the scoreboard reading 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.

When proceedings resumed, the pattern followed a similar pattern to the first half, with both sides keeping the scoreboard ticking over via placed balls. O’Dwyer hit her seventh score of the day, while Dunboyne full-forward Sinead Hackett pointed to try and keep the Royal County in touch.

As the second half developed, Kilkenny appeared to be int total control, and never seemed in any real danger of relinquishing their lead.

Thomastown forward, Eva Hynes then got in on the act, striking over a nice point, before yes, you guessed it – Sophie O’Dwyer took her personal tally to eight, with a 7th free of the day to extend the cat’s lead. When the second water break arrived, Meath knew that they would probably need to raise a green flag to get back into the game, however, some great defending ensure that Sinead Farrell’s net wasn’t troubled.

Naturally, Sophie O’Dwyer hit another fine score, to finish the day with nine points, and despite the best efforts of Jane Dolan from placed balls,

Royal’s rumbled as Cats reach final

Tiffany Fitzgerald

The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

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Camogie news

Sophie O’Dwyer

Sarah Walsh

her side never really rattled Kilkenny during the semi-final clash.

Limerick referee Kevin O’Brien then blew the fulltime whistle and the Kilkenny players celebrated – John Scott had steered his side into the All-Ireland Final for the first time in six years on a score line of 0-13 to 0-9.

Kilkenny Scorers – Sophie O’Dwyer (0-9, 8f), Ciara O’Keeffe (0-2), Danielle

Quigley, Sarah Walsh (0-1 each) Kilkenny – Sinead Farrell, Niamh Leahy, Roisin Phelan (Capt), Ciara Murphy, Sarah Crowley, Leann Fennelly, Tiffany Fitzgerald, Laura Hegarty, Ciara Phelan, Eva Hynes, Sarah Walsh, Ciara O’Keeffe, Sophie O’Dwyer, Hannah Scott, Danielle Quigley Subs – Maria Doheny for Eva Hynes, Jennifer Leahy for Laura Hegarty, Caoimhe Dowling for Hannah Scott.

>> SHERRY SAYS...

Thank God! the semi-final heartbreak of 2021 broken!

Firstly – A big shout out to our minor camogs, who came through a gruelling battle with Galway in Abbotstown on Saturday to claim a place in this weekend’s final with those darn rebels in Limerick.

Following on from this wonderful victory, John Scott’s team managed their semi-final clash with Meath with sublime control. Yet again James Stephens shooter, Sophie O’Dwyer hit another 9 points, to go along with the other 19 already in her pocket from this year’s championship.

The defence stood firm, and negated the Royal County goal threat, Mullinavat’s Leann Fennelly and Tullaroan’s Ciara Murphy rock solid.

The challenge facing our intermediate camog’s in Croker for the title, will be the Ladies of Antrim. In a clinker at Clones, the Saffrons got the better of Galway to secure their final berth.

Our ladies will need to fire on all cylinders to secure title against their opponents, but with the talent in both panels, glory will hopefully be gained.

Leann Fennelly

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

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O’Loughlin’s charity camogie match

Sport

All images: Danny Lahart

O’Loughlin’s charity camogie match in aid of Kilkenny home care team SATURDAY August 28th was a day that will live long in the memory of O’ Loughlin Gaels Camogie Club participants.

Following on from the hugely successful Mamogie initiative which started earlier this year, it was the turn of the Mums and Chums to take centre stage for a change. An immensely enjoyable evening was had by all, as two competitive teams had an opportunity to display the skills honed by coaches Sheamie Cummins and Stephen Hogan all summer.

It was hard to believe that many of

the eager skilful participants had never played camogie until recently, as there were many moments which drew gasps and claps from the crowd.

Guest referee was Seán Cleere, who ensured that the match ran smoothly and enjoyably.

The camogie league and championship cups were on hand for photographs, and after much debate, Mammies of the match were announced- Richelle Guilfoyle and Deirdre Breen.

The Mamogie charity match was preceded by an underage camogie blitz,

and followed by long puck competition.

All players and spectators availed of this opportunity to donate to the Home Care Team, in memory of Teresa Magnier.

Teresa’s daughter Jodie and husband Roy Lindsay are valued club members, and were on hand to witness the goodwill shown to the Home Care Team, who provide such an invaluable service in the community.

Well done to Orla Skehan for organising the event, and all others who contributed to the smooth running of this special event.

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O’Loughlin’s charity camogie match

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Memoriams/Miracle prayers

News Planning notices

Planning notices KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL We, Damien & Lorraine Phillips intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for planning permission for a Proposed new two storey rear extension, renovations to existing dwelling and all associated site works at 12 Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny. This dwelling is in an architectural conservation area. 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 9.00 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. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

KILKENNY COUNTY COUNCIL I, Patrick Nolan intend to apply to Kilkenny County Council for Planning Permission to upgrade existing septic tank and percolation area to a wastewater treatment system and polishing filter and all associated site works at Brownstown, 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.

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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 September 2021

Motors Classifieds

Classified section To advertise your business in our classified section call in or telephone: 056 777 1463, or email: accounts @kilkennyobserver.ie

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Classifieds Motors

NOW OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS 9.30am to 12.00pm

CAR WASH – 056 7726289 TYRE BREAKDOWN SERVICE

Glass & Glazing Services Window + Door Repairs Units, Hinges, Locks Repaired or Replaced Mirrors Cut Toughened Glass/Security Glass All Domestic & Commercial work undertaken

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

A prayer to the Blessed Virgin

PADDY MURRAY 1ST ANNIVERSARY

JOHN SEAN CURRAN 6TH ANNIVERSARY

MARY O’DONNELL 8TH ANNIVERSARY

With loving thoughts of Paddy, late of 3 Cathedral Square, Kilkenny whose anniversary occurs on September 4th.

In loving memory of John Sean Curran, late of Connolly Street, Kilkenny whose 6th anniversary occurs at this time.

In loving memory of Mary, late of 10, Lord Edward Street, Kilkenny whose anniversary occurs on 3rd September 2021.

We thought of you today But that is nothing new We thought of you yesterday And will tomorrow too

Your needs in life were simple Your love for your family true In our hearts you will live forever Because we thought the world of you You always had a smile to share Time to give and time to care A loving nature, a heart of gold One of the best this world could hold Never selfish, always kind We cherish the memories you left behind

Your loving husband John, daughters Patricia and Caroline, sons-in-law Gary and Kevin, grandchildren and great chandchildren

We think of you in silence And make no outward show For what it meant to lose you Only those who love you know Remembering you is easy We do it everyday It’s the heartache of losing you That will never go away.

Sadly missed by Margaret, Martina, Sharon Sinéad & Padraic, Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren, Extended family & friends.

As we knell and pray for you Mary, my love Rest In Peace

(never known to fail).

O most beautiful flower 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

Anniversary Mass on Sunday 5th September at 11.30 in St. Canice’s Church.

Always remembered and sadly missed by Your wife Mary, son John, grandson Jack, daughters Martina and Mary Nora and son-in-law Darren.

Anniversary Mass 5th September at 10.00am in St Canices Church, Kilkenny.

Anniversary mass will take place on Sunday September 5th in St.Canices Church at 10am.

The Miracle Prayer

BRIDGET O’DONNELL Also remembering her daughter Bridget Whose 3rd anniversary occurred earlier this year.

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

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Memoriams / Miracle Prayers

TO PLACE YOUR NOTICE IN THE KILKENNY OBSERVER IN MEMORIAM DEATH NOTICE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCES OFFICE AT UNIT 7, FRIARY STREET (Straight across from the Friary Church)

The Miracle Prayer

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.L

The Miracle Prayer

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.L

The Miracle Prayer

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.L

CALL TO US AT THE OFFICE AT ANY TIME Monday – Friday 9.30am to 5.30pm (We are open during lunchtime) Bring the picture and the verse, we can scan the picture and return it to you while you are at the office.

EMAIL TO accounts@kilkennyobserver.ie Email the picture and the verse to us accounts@kilkennyobserver.ie and include your telephone number.

We will call you to confirm and you can pay by card over the phone.

BY PHONE 056 7771463 You can also place your notice by phone.

We can take the verse from you over the phone and the picture can be sent by WhatsApp. PLEASE NOTE All pictures and verses will be held on file for future years

The Miracle Prayer

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.L

The Miracle Prayer

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.W

The Miracle Prayer

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.F

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