Perhaps, it was the feeling engendered by the upcoming All Ireland Hurling Final or maybe it was because of the fine weather but in the opinion of many, last weekend’s festival of under 12 hurling in Mullinahone was the biggest and best hurling festival of them all.
Our festival began life as a four team local under 10 tournament in 2002 with Callan, Ballingarry, Mullinahone and I think St. Patrick’s taking part. Over the years, the tournament has grown and grown until it has become simply enormous. Last weekend over 700 young hurlers from all over the country descended on “the little village”. This coupled with about 300 mentors and parents meant an influx of over a thousand people. The blaze of colour had to be seen to be believed.
The festival began with a Parade of all the competing teams up Carrick Street and via Kickham Street to the GAA Sportsfield. Here the festival was declared open by Christy Cooney Uachtaran of the GAA. It is possible that this may be the last of the festival in it’s present format as next year, it is proposed that there will be no official competition at under 12 level in the GAA. This new ruling has it’s advocates and it’s critics.
While many GAA people regret the passing of GAA Championships at South Tipperary and County level, that have existed since the early 1970’s, more say that at this age, most of the Championships are played for by adults, while the boys and girls merely play a match. Originally GAA Competition was at under 15 level in Schools before it moved into the remit of the Clubs in the mid 1950’s. Then, we had the switch to under 16 and under 14 when under 12 arrived in 1970. B and lower grade Championships arrived in the middle 1980’s.
Now the most modern thinking is for the development of skills and go games, but all that is debate for another day. While the parade was the highlight for many the mass on Sunday morning with the home and visiting teams taking part dressed in their club colours was the highlight.
Five of the teams who took part were from Ulster and it was strange to hear so many clipped Northern accents reading at Mass. The ceremony was completed by the singing of Mullinahone native John McCormack. The visiting squads from Derry, Tyrone, Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan were kept in local homes when they arrived on Friday night. I have been hearing oceans of praise from many people as to how well behaved all the visiting young people were. It is good to hear for a change so many good news stories concerning the next generation.
The local Juvenile Club who put a huge effort into the organising of the festival are grateful to all those who helped them out but especially to those parents and households who threw their homes open to welcome the visitors in the true tradition of Knocknagow. The parade was led through the streets by the Carrick on Suir band.
The hurling itself on three different pitches was of excellent quality.
Thanks to Mullinahone AFC and Eamon Green/Micky Keating in this regard. As darkness fell the winners of the Cup were Clonmel St. Mary's who defeated Kevin Lynch's of Dungiv
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en in Derry in an absorbing final. In the Shield final Dungannon Eoghan Ruad of Tyrone and Fermoy of Cork agreed sportingly and properly to share the Shield when they finished level after extra time in their final. Perhaps, this is a blueprint for the future and all young teams taking part should agree to draw in event of being level in the final. After all, it is this hell bent on victory attitude that GAA officialdom objects to at under age level. In our festival, do not all those who take part receive the same medals?
At under 10 in ground hurling Piltown were the winners with Fermoy the runners up. In the under 10 shield Skeheenarinky (Ballyporeen) were the winners defeating their relative neighbours Fermoy in the final. Because the weather was so kind it is doubtful if the 700 young hurlers ever enjoyed such a day of hurling before.
The thanks of the parish must go to the officers of our Juvenile Club, to our Senior Club officers who backed them up to the Chairman of South Tipp Senior Board and the Chairman of South Tipp Bord na nOg. All have one thing in common, they are Mullinahone people. No wonder another Mullinahone native could describe the area on TG4 on Sunday night as "Baile na hIomana".
Local Lotto Results: The last draw took place on Monday August 23rd. The numbers drawn were (10, 12, 13, 22). There was no jackpot winner but four shared the Match 3 prize of €160. Our congratulations to Mary Madden-Sawyer, Maura Morris, Button and Tom Ryan. Next draw will take place on Monday September 6th when the jackpot could be worth E2,500. Definitely a healthy sum for anybody to help them take part in a celebration. However, to win you must first be in.
Hard luck ladies: Hard luck to our Junior Ladies Football team which lost their County Final in New Inn on Sunday. They played well but unfortunately, were not good enough on the day. There will be other days. It was a pity that the final clashed with two other GAA events. Unfortunately, this must have cost us support. The team was sponsored by S and N Repairs. Thurles Sarsfields were their opponents in the final.
Perhaps, in their next campaigns we'll hear a little bit more of who is playing in the different grades and how they are getting on.
Droichead Family Resource Centre Callan: Autumn Courses A registration evening will take place on Thursday Oct
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ober 20th from 7pm until 9pm for the following courses: Healthcare Support Fetac Level 5, Occupational First Aid, Occupational Refresher, Paediatric First Aid, Computer Applications (Fetac Level 4), Beginners Computer Applications (Fetac Level 5), Manual Handling, Safety and Health at work (Fetac Level 3), Pilates, Aerobic exercises, Beginners Yoga. Places are limited, therefore, a minimum of E25 deposit must be paid at the registration evening. All courses will be held in the Friary Complex in Callan.
Fab Fitness: Are new Fitness classes starting mornings in Community Centre, Mullinahone to suit people dropping children to school/playschool whether you want to improve fitness levels, muscle tone or lose weight, these classes are designed to suit all levels of fitness as everyone works within their own range. For those who wish to they have the option to weigh in and stay for a chat about healthy living with some valuable tips and sound advice. Starting Monday September 6th at 9.40am E49 for 7 weeks. More details, contact Bridget (Biddy) O'Dwyer, NCEF Drangan, phone 087 6410352.
Fundraiser: Do support the Golf Classic at Slievenamon Golf Club on September 3rd and 4th. The Classic is being run in aid of the Treasure Centre Cameroon. This Centre is being run by Sr. Eileen O'Brien, Cloneen. Sr. Eileen is a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary. Entry fee is E30. All donations are very welcome. More details from 086 2319623.
Fitness Classes Ladies Fitness Classes are back. They began on August 31st at 8pm in Mullinahone GAA Sports Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm. Cost is E7 per session or E89 for 20 nights or E49 for 10 nights.
Gift vouchers available also at a reduced rate. All fitness levels catered for. For details, phone Andrew at 087 2920757. Also, personal training and exercise routines available at extremely good prices.
Parish Newsletter Copy for newsletter required in Meehans Shop before 6pm on Thursday evenings.
Anniversary masses next weekend Saturday Sept. 4th 8pm Eddie and Mary Jo Phelan, Kickham Street
Sunday Sept 5th 11.30am Anniversary Paddy and Mary Scott, Graigue
Well done lads: Congratulations to our Under 21 hurlers. On Sunday they defeated Killenaule in the replayed South Tipp Under 21A Semi-final. This was a good display from our young team. We had to start without Richie Morrissey who was injured. Best wishes to Richie for a speedy recovery. The final score in the replay was Mullinahone 4-15 Killenaule 3-5. We now await the winners of Moyle Rovers and Ballingarry who will play the other Semi-final this week.
Our panel on Sunday was Alan Walsh, Chris Horan, Niall Cronin, Joseph O'Meara, Ciaran O'Shea, Brian Treacy, Keigh Mullally, Eoin Fennelly, Eddie Phelan, Denis Connolly, Sean Curran, Niall O'Brien, Nigel O'Brien, Cathal Horan, Danny Luttrell, Kevin Walzer, Gary Cronin, Eoin Egan, Diarmuid O'Halloran, Brian O'Halloran.
The weekend in general had poor results for our hurlers. On Saturday night, our juniors lost out to Newcastle in the South Tipperary Championship. However, before we come down on the lads like a ton of bricks, we should consider the following. The margin of defeat was only a goal 2 - 12 to 1 - 12. We also played Newcastle's number one team. Back in the late 1980's we were delighted when we ourselves were able to beat Ballingarry's second string with our best team. Our junior panel has been depleted by the hasty promotion of some players to senior status for only a few minutes of play. This was hardly a wise hurling decision by the team's mentors. Overall, we should be quite pleased with how well our juniors competed. Back in 1987, we felt quite down when our best team (our juniors) lost to Ballingarry's second string i the first round of the South Tipperary Championship.
At the time, this was the weakest Adult competition in the weakest hurling division in the County and we lost out in the very first round. On Sunday in Fethard, our minors lost to St. Mary's in the "A" Championship semi-final by 2 - 20 (26) to 3 - 12 (21). Our side was much younger and lighter than Mary's and it was also their first year for some time to be playing in the "A" Competition. When we fell twelve points behind early in the second half, our lads could have thrown in the towel and we can be quite pleased that they didn't cave in so easily but battled on to the end.
It was left to our under 10's at the bottom of the hurling scale to rescue the weekend. On Sunday our under 10's travelled to Ballingarry for the Ballingarry Fun Day and Hurling Blitz. Despite several players being unavailable, due to holidays, Mullinahone put up a great show. In the first game, we defeated our hosts Ballingarry by 7 - 2 to 1 - 2. This was a super performance by all of the team. We played our second game straight away and we narrowly beat Killenaule by 4 - 2 to 1 - 2. In their third and final game, Mullinahone played St. Patrick's. With five minutes to go, we were two points down but we then scored two goals late in the game and went on to win by 3 - 3 to 1 - 2.
This left our team as the best in the tournament with three wins. Well done to the panel and to the mentors who were in charge of them. Our panel of players was Jack Lonergan, Sasha Kavanagh, Alice Browning (Capt.), Cathal Brett, Michael O'Shea, Martin Kehoe, Matthew Thompson;, Oisin Drennan, Baylea Grace, Eanna Ryan, Dylan St. John, Cillian White, Elie Freeman, Daire O'Brien, James O'Connell and Ellie Dyson. For further details of the Under 10's, please contact Neil Thompson at 086 1022064. Looking forward to the future.
Our Under 21's play their long delayed Semi-final against Killenaule in Fethard on Saturday evening next at 5pm. While some of this group have been receiving bad press recently, Saturday evening next presents them with a chance to redeem themselves. A win would be more than welcome so our supporters are asked to travel in numbers to urge them on.
Our Under 12’s are preparing for their South Tipp Final. The game seems to have been put back a few days, but preparations are well in hand and we look forward to a good show. Hopefully, our Seniors are making serious preparations for their first round game in the County qualifiers Sunday next against Waterford will make that picture a lot clearer. Meanwhile, best of luck to Eoin and Paul and also to Paul Kelly now on the road to recovery.
Kickham Country Weekend
The 28th Kickham Country Weekend has come and gone. Once again, the weather for the weekend was very kind. The weekend was officially opened on Friday night by John Lonergan, the former Governor of Mountjoy. In a most entertaining opening, John spoke of and lamented the passing of the old Irish Country values and way of life, where people cared about each other. He spoke of difficult times being an opportunity to resurrect some of these pre Celtic Tiger values. Many of these older values of caring went right back to the days of Kickham and Knocknagow.
An informative lecture followed on the diaryist Humprey O’Sullivan with strong Kerry roots who wrote of life in the Callan Mullinahone area in pre famine days. Proinsias O’Drisceoil certainly raised some interesting points.
On Saturday night, Brendan O’Cathaoir lectured on Rev. John Barry, Champion of the Poor. Buried at Cashel, Fr. Barry had the misfortune to tread on the toes of two famous bishops. His story recounted by Brendan made an absorbing lecture and offered an alternative view on the internal workings of the 19th Century Catholic Church. The life of John Barry certainly requires further study. Historical Callan and Kells was toured on Saturday afternoon with Joe Kennedy as tour guide. Of interest to locals is the fact that the old churches at Modeshill and Kilvemnon both belonged to the Prior of Kells in a time when County boundaries were much less important than they are now. Church organisation in Ireland was also much different in those days going back nearly 700 years. Sundays Mass, wreath laying, oration and poetry reading also went well but, we’ll wait until next week for a fuller account. There was some discussion over the weekend of transferring the date of the Kickham Weekend of the August Bank Holiday weekend, but that is a matter for another day.
Tractor Road Run:
On Saturday week, 21st August, a convoy of vintage tractors and assorted vintage modes of transport will leave Mullinahone at 12 noon for a trip around Slievenamon. They will return to Mullinahone that evening.
The next day, Sunday, there will be a vintage day in Mullinahone. Locals will be able to step back in time and see how engines and machines worked 50-100 years ago. There will also be a host of different stalls and sideshows.
Thanks to the Slievenamon Vintage Club the past will be brought back to life on 21st and 22nd August.
Further details from Terry O’Brien on 086 0834381 or Ned Cronin on 054 648277. Local Lotto
The last draw took place on Tuesday August 3rd due to the bank holiday on August Monday. The numbers drawn were: (6, 12, 17, 20). There was no jackpot winner, but three people shared the Match 3 prize of E150. Congratulations to Monica Lawless, Ann Pollard and Michael Hicks. Next draw will be on Monday next August 16th when the jackpot could be once again over E2,000 (E2,050 in fact). However, if you wish to win, you must first be in.
If Tipperary win on Sunday next, the jackpot would certainly enable you to have a good All-Ireland weekend. If we lose against Waterford, then you could use the jackpot to console yourself. Either way, you are a winner.
Parish News
Our ceremonies last weekend were flavoured by the presence of many visitors in connection with the Kickham Country Weekend. The month’s mind mass of Annie Hickey of Ballyduggan will be said on Saturday evening next August 14th at 8pm.
Anniversary Masses next weekend
Sunday August 15th 9.30am Anniversary Ciss and Denis O’Brien, Kylothea and Michael Tobin
Sunday August 15th11.30am Anniversary Ned O’Dwyer, Clashbeg and Nonie Chandler.
May they all rest in peace.
Community Council Draw
All cards for the new draw need to be returned by August 15th so that the draw for 2010/2011 can take place. The new draw will take place on Monday August 23rd and there will be two monthly draws that night. In order for the draws to take place, all cards need to be returned immediately.
Good Advice
In view of recent events, it is no harm to remind people that handbags visible in cars when these cars are parked are a temptation to watching thieves. Other valuables such as cameras or mobile phones are a similar temptation but cash and credit cards are an even bigger temptation to the casual thief who will seize the opportunity if such items are visible or if the parked car is unlocked. Readers are also asked to take note if they see any persons or even vehicles hanging around cars not their own. The eyes of the general public also protect the general public. Like Frankie Byrne on radio on the Jacob’s programme many years ago “the problems we discuss today may not be yours but they could be some day”. In the interests of all, including yourself, “Be vigilant”.
County Colours
We are only one step from the All Ireland Hurling Final. Householders and Tipp supporters are asked to put up the county colours ahead of the Waterford Semi-final in Croke Park on Sunday. Well done to those who have already done so. There are a number of fine displays in the village and it’s environs. Good also to see the faith percolating around the countryside. A win on Sunday should see a burst of blue and gold blooming next week.
Until then, we’ll have to tolerate the blue and white. Some black and amber has been visible for the last four years. However at the moment, Waterford are our big problem.
Mount Carmel Monthly Draw May Results
E300 Mary Brennan, Knockagla ss
E200 Siobhan Dunne, Briarsfield
E100 Margaret Maher, Jamestown
E30Mary Brennan, The Lough House
E30Catherine and Philip Bonque
E30Michael and Mary Egan, Castleview
E30Joan O’Neill, Rice Park
E30Fr. Philip O’Halloran, Green Lane
E30Rita O’Neill, Blackstaff
E30Catherine Power, Prologue
E30Mary Grace, Riversfield
E30Breda Bolger, Mullinahone
E30Kathleen Maher, Newtown Next Visitors
The next major raft of visitors to Mullinahone should be here on Saturday August 28th when the great Under 12 hurling tournament will take place. There will also be a ground hurling Under 10 Tournament.
Preparations are well in hand as the Parish welcomes it’s young visitors from North, South, East and West. Over 600 visitors are expected in the village that day. We expect the place to be a riot of colour as most of the young people will be wearing their Club or County colours. Roll on August 28th.
