Mullinahone.net

Many Mullinahone supporters travelled to Holycross on Saturday last with dreams of the great days of 1988 and especially 1989 in their minds. Twenty years ago, we won junior and under 21 A hurling titles at this venue. Then there was incredible excitement and support. On Saturday last there was much less excitement and support was much more muted, even if the colourful and well made messages of support from Toddy Mac and erected on the roadsides into the village strove to rally support. Our Junior B hurlers had done very well this year to win a South Tipp title and to advance to the County Final with a hard won win over Golden. Our opponents on Saturday were the form team of the Championship. Along the way, they had overcome Toome in the North (not an easy task in any grade) and highflying Thurles Sarsfields in the Semi-final. Our hopes of victory nosedived when news broke that an injury to Brian O'Meara would keep him out of the final. It was a huge blow.

The fifteen who lined out were: John Murphy, Joe O'Meara, Martin Costelloe, Richie Cahill, Ciaran O'Shea, Noel O'Shea, Richie Neary, James Maher, Adrian Doheny, Bill Tobin (capt), Kevin O'Meara, Richie Morrissey, Declan McNamara and Danny Luttrell who replaced Brian in the published line-out. A strong wind blew towards the road goal as referee Denis Curtis got the game going. Mullinahone faced that strong wind in the first half and for the first 10 - 12 minutes, a combination of poor shooting by Templederry and good fortune kept Mullinahone in the game. Just as supporters began to hope that we could hang on until half-time, Templederry got their game together and in the lead up to half-time, they scored twelve points to our one. At times, they scored twelve points to our one. At times, they couldn't miss from any angle or distance. At the break, we were led 0 - 15 to 0 - 4 and things looked very black.

However, in the early second half, things improved and a Danny Luttrell goal helped us cut the lead down to five points. It seemed to be the time to send on John Leahy while Templederry were rattled, but we hesitated and two quick goals were conceded and the chance was gone. Leahy did come on and after fielding a high ball he scored one lovely point, but it was too late. Also introduced into the game were Niall Mullally, James Connolly, Dan Croke and Shane Aherne. Substitutes who were not used were: Larry Needham and Noel Leahy. In the end, we lost out by 2 - 19 to 1 - 12. Even allowing for the two goals we managed to win the second half 1 - 8 to 2 - 4, but these two slip ups were fatal. Even though we lost, we got a great run from this team and by reaching the County Final, Bill Tobins side went a step further than any club junior B hurling team went before. Our thanks to Manager Michael Scott and to his selectors Martin Knox, John Langton and Pat O'Connor (The Kerryman).

When they look back on their County final, both James Maher and Martin Costelloe can be well satisfied with their performances while others to show up well were; Richie Cahill, Noel O'Shea, Richie Neary, Richie Morrissey and Danny Luttrell. Well done to the whole panel on prolonging the GAA season so long.

Swine Flu Vaccine
The Swine Flu Pandemic (H1N1) Vaccine Programme is now swinging into action. It is hoped that the high risk categories in the local community will be vaccinated shortly. It is important to get an idea of how many people will need to be vaccinated and actually wish to have the vaccine. If you are under 65 and have one of the following chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic renal disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological disease or if you are immune suppressed i.e. on medication like steroids for arthritis or if you are in household contact with such persons and you want to be vaccinated, please contact the local surgery on 052 9353287. Indeed, if you are confused by swine flu and all the medical jargon, you could do no better than to contact your local health centre. If you require further information, you can access www. swineflu.ie or HSE flu on 1800 94 11 00. Depending on the level of interest and vaccine availability, special vaccination clinics will be organised locally to deal with the anticipated demand. Again, our local Health Centre number is 052 9353287.

Local Lotto
The last draw took place on Tuesday October 27th. Numbers drawn were (2, 10, 11, 12). There was no jackpot winner but we did have a Match 3 winner of E150. Congratulations to Nicole McInerney. Next draw will take place on Monday November 9th when the jackpot could be worth E3,000. However, if you are not in, you wont win. It is time to be planning how to finance the Christmas Budget before Budget 2009 cuts down on our options.

New Play for new Venue
On Saturday night week, a new Play "We once sang like other men", comes to Mullinahone. The Play will be performed by the Mend and Make Do Theatre Company in the intimate setting of Croc an Oirs Seomra Ceoil. It promises to be a unique occasion and the first in a series of events planned for Croc an Oir over the coming months. Tickets are limited and are selling fast. The coming Play will be a return visit to Mullinahone for author John McKenna. During the summer, John facilitated a very successful creative writing workshop in Croc an Oir in the shadow of Slievenamon. The next writing workshop goes ahead on the weekend of November 20th - 22nd down in Ballycullen. Time readers to get your pencils sharpened for the workshop but before that get the spectacles polished for the play.


Reflection
There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.

Graveyard Prayers
November prayers for those interred in the parish graveyards will begin on Sunday next November 8th. Fr. McGrath will begin in the cemetery attached to St.
Michael's Church at 2.30pm and then in St. Michael's Cemetery, Killaghy at 3pm.

On the following Sunday November 15th, Kilvemnon, Inch St. Kieran (Isertkieran) and Modeshill will be visited. The proposed times are Kilvemnon 2.30pm, Isertkieran 3pm and Modeshill 3.30pm. May they rest in peace.

Broadband Ahoy
Last week we informed you that broadband was not as far away as some people thought. This week, we can update you with the news that the local Eircom landline service is to become broadband ready on Thursday November 11th. After that barring accidents, it is all systems go.

Parish News
As noted, November Prayers in local graveyards begin on Sunday next November 8th.

Anniversary Masses next weekend
Saturday November 7th8pm Months mind Johanna Sheehan, Ballydavid
Sunday November 8th 9.30am Anniversary Patrick Purcell, Kickham Street
11.30am Anniversary Phyllis, Michael and John Dunne,Ballyduggan.
First Communion Day is Saturday May 15th 2010.

Community Council Draw
The October Community Council Draw resulted as follows:
E150 Lena Saunders, Coolagh, E70 Phyllis Costelloe, Cloneen, E25 Mullinahone Gun Club, E25 Ann Ryan, Ballydavid and E20 Kevin Keating, Clonagoose.

Thank you all
A big thank you to everybody on behalf of Andrew Cashman, Johnny Kennedy and Declan McNamara for sponsoring them in the recent Kilkenny half marathon. A sum in excess of E2,200 was raised. This support as always was greatly appreciated.

Ladies Club
The Christmas Party arranged by the Ladies Club has been booked for the Ormond Hotel, Kilkenny on Friday December 11th. The cost of the night is E45 and E25 of this is due immediately. Please drop in either the deposit or the whole amount to Rosie Walzer if you are interested in going. Club membership of E10 is also now due.

Well done
Well done to Tony Nolan and John Vaughan who had the Mullinahone GAA banner present at the official opening of the Michael Hogan Sports Centre in Grangemockler on Sunday morning. As one of the only six Tipperary Clubs who were involved in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday 1920, it was most important that Mullinahone be represented at the official opening. Well done to both John and Tony on their grasp of the importance of local GAA history.