Fethard Foróige Club
The Fethard Foróige club has been running for three weeks now. The preparation for the club however began along time ago, back in October 2006. The Fethard Community Youth Project held an information evening for the all those interested in the Project, from that there was a number of adults willing to give some of their time to establishing a Foróige Club. Thanks to these people and the members of the I.C.A the club could go ahead.

There are currently over 420 active Foróige clubs in operation all over Ireland. Foróige clubs are purposely structured youth development groups made up of young people from the local community. They enable young people to experience democracy by electing their own club committee and managing and operating the club in co-operation with adult leaders. Foróige clubs normally consist of less than 30 young people, aged 12-18 years, and voluntary adult leaders. There are a number of Foróige Clubs in the South Tipperary region including Drangan, Clerihan and Fethard. It is hoped that we can arrange inter-club events with these neighbouring communities in the future.

The Fethard Foróige Club is held on Friday evenings from 7 to 8.30pm and the Club currently has 20 members. On behalf of the Project and Foróige I would like to thank all the adult volunteers: Nicola Lonergan, Lorraine Morrissey, Leona Doyle, Pamela Daly, Michael Moclair and Eilish Burgess, who contributed their time and energy to establish this club and give the young people of Fethard something to do and somewhere to go.

Volunteers needed for Fethard Youth Project
The Community Youth Project in Fethard has been a great success. We now have five after school youth groups up and running and are continuously working hard to establish more. The Project continues to meet the needs of young people in the Fethard area however we need further support from the community.

Adult volunteers are vital to the growth of the Project and we would greatly appreciate anyone who could lend some of their free time to become an adult volunteer. It doesn't matter whether a volunteer wishes to give 1 hour a week, 2 hours a week or 1 hour for 5 weeks, your spare time is essential to the survival of the Project and giving young people in the Fethard area something to do. If you feel you can offer some time or simply wish to find out more please call Suzie on Tel: 086 2485977.

Life’s Too Short to Cry
‘Life’s Too Short to Cry’, is the published memoir of a former resident of Fethard, Mr Tim Vigors, DFC. In his latter years, he was a well-known bloodstock agent. Prior to that, he started Coolmore Stud, which he later sold on to Vincent O’Brien and John Magnier.  This memoir deals with his early life and his passion for hunting and flying.

Though born in England, the family were of Anglo Irish descent, and moved to Tullamaine outside Fethard when Tim was a boy. He was put on a horse as a toddler and remained passionate about horses and dogs all his life.

As a teenager, he joined the RAF. He almost failed to get his wings after two years of training as one of the final exams was a science paper, which he knew he couldn’t pass. So he took a chance and invited his science teacher for a pint, where he asked him how relevant the scientific knowledge would be in the skies face to face with an attacking German Messerschmitt. The teacher agreed that knowledge of science would be the last thing on his mind and gave him a pass.

Shortly afterwards, he was defending the troops that were being evacuated from Dunkirk. His fantasies of flying were soon shattered as, day after day, young men he had trained with failed to return from their missions. He knew that his number could be up at any time so he and his fellow pilots partied hard when they had some down time.

Having played an important part in the Battle of Britain, he was then posted overseas to Singapore and Malaya (modern day Malaysia), where he came closest to losing his life. An attacking Japanese plane shot down his aircraft. The fuel tank exploded beneath him. He was badly burned and just managed to bail out. His parachute opened, but his descent was terrifying as the Japanese pilot turned and began shooting at him in the air. He was hit in the thigh, but still had the presence of mind to remember an old commanding officer’s advice, who had told him how to escape a situation like this one. It involved collapsing the parachute by climbing the rigging on one side and falling like a stone for a few thousand feet. Letting go of the rigging would then refill the parachute with air. He had to do this three times to escape his pursuers who then tried to finish him off on the ground.

The book ends in Java. The author had been on active duty in Britain against the German forces and in Asia against the Japanese. He had been awarded a DFC for his bravery in the skies over Britain. He was training young men to be pilots in Singapore, before he was shot down in Malaya. By this time, he was still only 20 years of age. Copies of the book are available in Newport’s or online from Amazon. It is a very worthy read. (VM)

Fethard and District Rugby Club
Our under 16s were away to Roscrea on Sunday last and played well below par but still came away with a comfortable win. Ben Walsh is back to his pre Christmas form. Carrying the ball into contact on numerous occasions, he crossed the line for our first try following a converted forward push from half way when our back three of Mathew Fitzgerald, Joey Kelly and Michael Power put the ball through at least four phases of ‘Pick and Go’ before Ben was released by William Power. Shane Kavanagh narrowly missed the convert. Despite dominating play in the entire first half we only had a five points cushion at halftime. The half time talk by the coaches was anything but complimentary as basic errors and poor support play and concession of silly penalties let Roscrea off the hook in the first half.

The team started brighter in the second half and our man of the match, Joey Kelly, was rewarded with a well worked try, with all the hard work again being done by Colm Dunne and Mark Fitzgerald. Shane Kavanagh started with the convert. The backs came more into the game with James Kelly putting in a Gordon Darcy type performance, particularly at breakdowns, where he won four rucks he had no right to win. James continues to improve with every outing and as one of his team mates commented, “James is brilliant, he never lets you down.”

James made at least six line breaking runs, always setting it up for his supporting players and one of these breaks led directly to Shane Kavanaghs first try, Fethard’s third. Shane added the points to leave the score at 19 points to 7. From the kick off, the ball was taken by Joey Kelly and our team rucked and mauled up to the Roscrea line where Mathew Fitzgerald was just held short of the line but a quick ball from William Power released Shane Kavanagh for his second try, which was nicely converted by Johnnie Moroney, which left the score at 26 points to 7 for Fethard.

Overall, apart from 4 to 5 players, this was a poor performance by a dominant Fethard side. Our forwards were often slow to the breakdowns and out backs were less than clinical in their defence. Our final league game is against Galbally and we will need to beat them comprehensively to win the league title, so you all need to up the effort and two nights on the training field is essential to prepare for the cup competitions starting next weekend.  Our under 18s are at home to Clanwilliam in the first round of the cup next weekend.

A very tough game against Youghal on Sunday for our Under 7s resulted in a great come back by the team with the help of Tommy Morgan, Harry Butler, Connie Cohen and Joe Carroll playing great Rugby. Tries by Darragh Harcourt, Jack Dolan and Joey Noonan secured a draw for us. Also commended for great play was Jack Ward.

The Under 8s had a nice victory in their match against Youghal. Once again this team worked very well together. Colm Hayde, Michael Gaynor, David Stocksbourgh and Luke Ryan showed great skill in tackling and ball carrying. A very enjoyable game to watch with plenty of ball recycling by the team, culminating in a good number of tries scored.

Community Field Development
We ask all our Community Field supporters, friends and parents to support this exciting development for all our Juvenile sports people. Ticket sellers for the confirmed draw will be calling during the week.

Table Quiz for Day Care Centre
Fethard & District Day Care Centre will hold a Table Quiz in Butlers Bar on Friday 2nd March at 9pm.Table of four will cost €24. Raffle on the night with lots of nice prizes. Please come along and support this great facility.

Fethard GAA Club News
The Senior Football County League goes back because of County Senior Hurling League starting this weekend.  Minor Football County League continues on this coming Sunday with Fethard at home to Rockwell Rovers at 12 noon.

Under 21 B footballers gave a fine display in Fethard on 24th February, against a very big and strong Kilsheelan fifteen and lost out on a scoreline, Fethard 1-8, Kilsheelan 1-13. Full match report on sports page. Team was: Glen O’Meara, Mike Kelly, Connie Flynn, Darragh Corbett, Niall Hayes, James Smith, Declan Doyle, William O’Brien, John Leahy, David Sullivan 1-0, Christopher Sheehan 0-4 (2f), PJ Morrissey 0-1, Paul Kenrick 0-1(f), Shane Walsh 0-2, and Edmond Sheehan. Subs used: Alan O’Connor, Liam Ryan, Jack O’Sullivan. Our best player on the day was Declan Doyle at wing back. We may have better luck in the loser’s section when we play Fr Sheehys at 4pm next Saturday 3rd March.

Lat week’s lotto jackpot €3,700 was not won. The numbers drawn were 9, 13, 14 and 21. We had one match three winner of €150 to Bridget Ryan (Loughcopple Killusty). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Jimmy Dalton, Coalbrook, Ballingarry.

This week’s Lotto Jackpot €3,800 was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 10, 11 and 24. We had one match three winner of €150 to Stephen O’Donnell (Derryluskin, Fethard). The €50 Lucky Dip was won by Josie Fitzgerald, Kiltinan, Fethard. We would like to thank AIB, Main St, for providing the tickets.

Hunting News
Rain may not stop play in hunting as in cricket, nevertheless, the heavy rain early last week certainly did not help matters. On Monday in Cahir Park in very heavy rain hounds found in the Park and hunted out to Rochestown where he got to ground. Drawing all the coverts in Rochestown estate they failed to find, which is most unusual. The second fox found was being hunted well when the modern bugbear of hunting, a strong electric fence, brought this run to an abrupt end.

Drawing across the road they found again and had a fast twenty minutes through Mr English’s and Myles, and on to Whytes where he got to ground. They failed to find again though drawing on in the rain until 3.30pm.

If the rain did not help matters, in Cahir it proved a worse hazard from Silverfort on Wednesday where they had a completely blank day. Hounds failed to find all day which had veteran followers failing to recall a day when hounds failed to find.

Thursday from Darcy’s Cross hound found in Ballynattin and ran by Moorstown Abbey towards the Fethard Rosegreen road. Turning left-handed here they ran by the Lagoons to the Cashel Clonmel road at Castleblake. Doubling back the fox ran to the Lagoons covert. Hunting him well in covert, hounds soon had him away at the lower end and running back towards Moorstown he got to ground in a drain.

Drawing Garraun, Walls held a brace. Hounds were quickly laid on the fox which crossed Garraun avenue to Barrettstown. Crossing the road he ran to the stables on the Fethard Barrettstown road, which he crossed. Hounds were now hunting well and running towards Prospect. Swinging right-handed they ran through Barrettsgrange down by Barrettstown Castle towards Redcity where once again a strong electric fence brought a very good run to a premature end.

Hounds, though hunting well with great cry in the big plantation at Walshes, Coleman, could not get their fox to leave and were stopped. A good day’s hunting in much better conditions.

With the White Heather
From Drangan on Sunday last, hounds quickly found in Mullally’s gorse. Their fox lefty covert immediately and was hunted over the Priestown road where he crossed and got to ground in the cliff on Mr Fred Daly’s.

Finding in the glen below Priestown bridge, they ran a nice circle through the flat country underneath and back to Priestown House where he got to ground. From Glenmuicaduibhe they hunted almost the same line to the Drangan Mullinahone road where they lost him. From the top of the glen they hunted over to the Dublin road and left-handed to the bridge where they were at fault.

The Ballylusky White Heathers will finish the season on Sunday next when they meet at Ballinard at 11am.

Fethard Open Coursing Club
Fethard Open Coursing Club will meet at the Ballroom car park at 10.30am on Sunday 4th February. The finals of the Dick Burke Cup, Cormack Cup and O’Donovan Cup will be run on this day. All members are expected to attend this final meeting of 2007.

Fethard Community Games
Closing date for entries in the Art and Model Making event at local level is Wednesday 15th March. All schools will be visited, including Rosegreen, Moyglass, Killusty and Lisronagh and entries will be collected. Entry fee is €2.  The County final will be held in Fethard Ballroom on Saturday 31st March, commencing at 1pm.

Fethard Ladies Football
There was a poor turn out for the AGM of Fethard Ladies Football Club despite constant appeals for help. Due to lack of interest a committee was not elected on the night. Junior teams have been entered in competitions but no entries have been made for the underage players as commitment cannot be given to these age groups without assistance from parents or other interested parties. If anybody has anything to offer even at this late stage please contact Joe at 086 2050727 otherwise the underage competitors will be left out.

Fethard Juvenile GAA Club
Training has now commenced for all ages of the Juvenile club and members are asked to note times and days of your training. New members are especially welcome. Parents are asked to please note that sometimes, due to unseen circumstances and events, these times and days may change and you are informed as soon as the club has been made aware of these changes. Matches had been planned for the weekend just gone but weather conditions did not permit the pitches to be played on so they were cancelled.

Membership fees are now due and are €15 per member. Please note that this membership is now due and members will not be insured to play unless this money has been paid.

The Juvenile Club congratulate Aidan Fitzgerald on winning the Intermediate Hurler of year award which was presented over the weekend.

The Juvenile Club is now selling tickets for the Community Field Clubhouse project and tickets are available from any committee member. This is a great opportunity to expand the community field and is a good cause for any club to get involved in. It is for the benefit for our children.

Training for under-6, 8 and 10s takes place every Saturday in the GAA field from 3pm to 5pm. Parents are asked to find out from one of the trainers what time the training finishes at due to the fact that on some Saturdays a match may be taking place in the GAA field and training has to finish early to accommodate the match taking place.

Any queries you may have, please phone our club secretary Caroline Sheehan at Tel: 086 1713502.

Fethard connection with Oscars
An American screenwriter with Fethard roots was among those nominated for one of the highest honours in the film world. Mark Fergus, son of Morgan Fergus late of Fethard and New York, and grandson of the late Guard Fergus, Cashel Road, Fethard, was nominated in the Writing (Adapted Screenplay) section along with Alfonso Cuarón, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata and Hawk Ostby for their adaptation of the novel,  ‘Children of Men’ for the big screen. The film has been described as a cross between ‘Blade Runner’ and ‘Casablanca’. Set in an England of the future, it is a love story set in a dark place full of illegal immigrants and infertility. The film has been critically acclaimed worldwide. The winner in Mark’s section was ‘The Departed’.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on Wednesday 21st February were: 3, 20, 26, and 28. We had no Jackpot winner and three ‘Match 3’ winners who received €50 each:

Sheila Dalton, Killenaule;
Fiona O’Donohoe, c/o J. O’Donohoe;
Suzanna Manton, Main Street, Fethard.

The three €50 Lucky Dip winners were: 

Nicholas Casey, Monroe, Fethard;
Des Martin, Fr. Tirry Park, Fethard;
Elaine Purcell, Burke Street, Fethard.

Next weeks Jackpot remains at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1,000.

Fethard Scouts
On the 18th February Fethard Scouts undertook orienteering training and a short hike in the ‘punchbowl’ in the Comeraghs, just outside Clonmel. The lads were getting in some training for the upcoming county Orienteering to be hosted by Cahir on 25th March. A great day was had by all, although the leaders in attendance, Mike McCarthy, Robert Phelan and Philip O’Donnell, did complain about having moss stuck down their shirts, pelted with mud and pushed into freezing cold mountain streams! Anyways, a great day was had by all, well done to all those who attended.