FETHARD GAA CLUB NOTES
SENIOR FOOTBALL
On Thursday 28th March, Fethard had a very easy win over Ardfinnan in the County League played in Fethard. Final score: Fethard 2-18, Ardfinnan 0-3.
On last Sunday 2nd April we had a victory over Cahir in the County League. Final score: Fethard 0-13 (0-9), Cahir 1-5 (1-2). Team: Paul Fitzgerald, Stephen O'Donnell, Cian Maher, Martin Ryan, Willie Morrissey, Michael Quinlan, Miceál Spillane, Aidan Fitzgerald (0-1), P.J. Ahearn, Conor McCarthy (0-4), Brian Burke (0-3), Jimmy O'Meara, Kenneth O'Donnell, J.P. Looby (0-2), Kenneth Byrne (0-1). Subs Brendan Brett (0-2), Colin Allen, Michael Ahearn and Tommy Gahan (not used). Our final game in this competition is against Moyle Rovers at the end of April. Our first South Championship game takes place on Friday 14th against Ardfinnan in Clonmel at 7pm.
JUNIOR FOOTBALL
In the 'Munster Club Junior Football Champions 99 Tournament' we played a drawn game, on 1st April, against Croom (Limerick Champions) in Mitchelstown. The match started 35 minutes late and the pitch was very heavily sanded which burned a lot of legs. The final score was Fethard 0-10 (0-6), Croom 0-10 (0-4). Team: Miceál Sean McCormack, John Kelly, Michael Ryan, Michael Carroll, Kenneth Browne, Michael Ahearn, Keith Woodlock, John Hurley, P.J. Ahearn, Colin Allen (0-3), Shay Ryan (0-1), Glen Burke (0-4), Karl Maher (0-1), Kenneth Byrne, Brendan Brett (0-1). Subs: Alan Phelan and Conor O'Donnell. Also on the subs panel were Michael Fitzgerald, John O'Meara, Paul Hackett and David Morrissey. The replay of this much awaited game takes place on Sunday 16th April at Foiloch, Mitchelstown.
INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL
On Tuesday 4th we play Mullinahone in Mullinahone, report next week. On Tuesday 18th April, we play Killenaule in Fethard at 7.15pm. Please come along and support.
UNDER 21 FOOTBALL
The most eagerly awaited replay against Ardfinnan takes place on Sunday 9th April at 3.15pm in Clonmel. Best of luck to all concerned.
HURLING
We welcome our manager, Angus Ryan, and his selectors who met all the players last week. Training takes place every Thursday at 7.30pm sharp at the GAA field.
The Intermediate League is due to commence on Monday 24th April and the Championship proper is due to commence mid May.
UNDER 21 HURLING 'A'
Training will take place on Thursday nights and over weekends for the next two weeks in preparation for playing Killenaule in the South semifinal.
JUNIOR HURLING
The League started last Sunday morning, 2nd April, in Cloneen. Quite a large number of players did not turn up for this game but there is plenty of opportunity ahead now that training has commenced. We lost that game on a scoreline: St. Patrick's 1-14 (0-3), Fethard 2-8 (1-5). Team: Conor O'Donnell, Gabriel Horan, John Kelly, Liam Treacy, Michael Costello, Michael Carroll, William Delaney, Garrett Byrne, Ciarán Treacy (0-6), Owen Doyle, Peter Nolan, Kevin O'Donnell (1-0), Miceál Sean McCormack (1-0), David Flanagan (0-2) and Carol Gahan. Subs used: Philip Croke, Philip Prout, Peter Carroll. Other sub not used was Paddy Cooney.
JUVENILES UNDER 16
Our first game take place on Monday 3rd April, away to Ardfinnan. Report next week. On Monday 10th April we play at home to Cahir at 7pm.
JUVENILE UNDER 12
On Thursday last we played Swans winning 2-4 to 1-2. Team: Ed Sheehan, Pat Holohan, Stephen O'Meara, Liam Ryan, Christopher Sheehan, David Prout, Richard Gorey, Tomas Gilpin (0-1), Eoin Doyle (9-1), David Conway (1-0), Seamus McLean, Paul Walsh, Alan O'Connor, Peter Gough (1-0), Owen Condon (0-1). Sub: Declan Doyle (0-1). Next game away to Clonmel Óg on Thursday 6th April at 6.30pm.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL
Application Forms are now available for anyone requiring Assistance with Communion/ Confirmation Expenses. These application forms are at the rear of both the Parish and Abbey Churches. These forms should be returned as soon as possible to any member of the Saint Vincent De Paul.
The annual senior citizens trip to Carne Co. Wexford takes place on June 24th , please give names to any member or Rita Kearney as there are a limited number of places available.
Please note our meetings are now held on the first Wednesday of every month in the Tirry Community Centre at 6.30pm. Should anyone require assistance before any meeting please contact any of the below listed committee members: Denis Burke, Fr Sean Ryan, Vincent Doocey, Peggy Sullivan and Lynn Cummins.

COMMUNITY LOTTO
A meeting was held to discuss the running of a Community Lotto for the benefit of the whole community was held in the Tirry Centre on Monday 27th March. The meeting was attended by two Jim Campion and J.J. Kavanagh who run a Community Lotto in Urlingford and have raised over £500,000 for their community since it commenced eight years ago. Valuable information on how to run a Community Lotto was received from their experience. The Lotto is expected to be launched this coming weekend and the organising committee has yet to be finalised. The committee who will look after the distribution of proceeds are: Fr. Ben O'Brien OSA, John Whyte, Agnes Evans, Jimmy Connolly and Kathleen Kenny.

KERRY MAN
The self made Kerry Millionaire Bill Fuller is figuring very prominently in International media reports of a murder trial in America. Mr Fuller has put up $300,000 dollar bail for Sandra Murphy an Irish American actress accused of murder. Paddy O'Flynn, Burke Street and USA was Mr. Fullers Manager in Ireland during the 60's when he looked after his Irish Ballroom interests in Dublin and Tramore.

ST. RITA'S CAMOGIE CLUB
On Sunday last our players were victorious in the club's first match as an intermediate side. Their spirited and determined performance against a skilful Moycarkey team justifies this transition. Fethard were plagued by injury and despite fielding an under strength team emerged as victors. The team line-out was Jean Morrissey, Sandra Maher, Edel Fitzgerald, Imelda Spillane, Nora O'Meara, Aisling O'Riordan, Mia Treacy, Bernie Horan, Niamh Sheehan, Marie Holohan, Caroline Fitzgerald, Audrey Conway, Laois O'Connell, Kay Spillane and Fiona Conway.
Our next league match is away on Saturday 8th April against Knockavilla. All members of last year's panel which won both the Junior Championship and League titles are requested to be in the Sportsfield on Sunday 1st April at 12 noon for photographs as both cups have been recalled by the County Board.
At our recent AGM the following officers were elected: President: Canon James Power, Chairperson: Joe Keane, Vice-chairperson: Imelda Spillane, Secretary: Emma Fitzgerald, Treasurer: Sharon Lawton, PRO: Mia Treacy, Youth Officer: Ailish Sheehan, Trainer: Liam Treacy, Selectors: Liam Treacy, Pat Sheehan, Sharon Lawton. The committee includes all of the afore mentioned plus Martha Sheehan, Niamh Sheehan and Stephen Fitzgerald.

BADMINTON
Fethard Badminton Clubs 5th Division team have qualified for a play-off against Killenaule in the 5th Div League County Competition. Team: James Dorney, Thomas Dorney, Val O'Dwyer, Maria Nevin, Breda Ryan and Mary Nugent.
The 3rd Div team have reached their Division County League semi-final in which they play Hillview on April 11th. Team: Pat Ryan, Ger Browne, Jim Connolly, Catherine Morrissey, Fiona Lawrence and Marie Nevin.
Well done to Jim Connolly and Catherine Morrissey who qualified for the 2nd Division County Mixed Final. Pat Ryan and Mairead Perry (Galbally) qualified for the 4th Final and James Dorney and Mary Nugent who qualified for the 6th Division Final.
Congratulations to Catherine Morrissey who was a member of the Tipperary team who won the All Ireland (Class 4) title in Galway last weekend.
Mr Austin Stack founded Fethard Badminton Club in 1946. Mr Stack was a Secondary School teacher from Co. Kerry. His original intention was to have the club operating as a social club playing friendly matches with neighbouring clubs then scarce on the ground. With the club soon producing outstanding exponents of the game like Cly Mullins, Jimmy McCarthy, Sean Henehan, Pat Walsh-McCarthy, Betty O'Donnell Holohan the social idea was quickly knocked on the head.
County and Inter-County Club Competitions were regular won by Fethard competitors in the fifties. Cly Mullins and Jimmy McCarthy were the first Tipperary Players to win Munster Single titles and indeed the last until the advent of the Fogarty Brothers Cashel. Cly and Jimmy were never coached, they played completely on natural ability and neither took up the game until there twenties. Pat Ryan is the current driving force behind the revival and the current success of Fethard badminton. It's great to see Pat and his Badminton Stalwarts carrying on the great Fethard badminton sporting traditions.

FETHARD MACRA
Best wishes to Fethard Macra drama group who take part in the All Ireland semi-final of the Dublin City Talent Competition in Ovens, Co. Cork, on this Saturday night.
The Fethard entry is an original comedy sketch "Challenged Times". Written by Fethard Macra member Chris O'Riordan. The comedy is a send up of the RTE National Universities Challenging Times Quiz programme.

WREXHAM GUEST
The Fethard man with whom Jimmy Ryan stayed with in Wrexham is Paddy "Fonger" Fitzgerald formerly of the Green and St. Patrick's Place. Now an infrequent visitor to his native town, Paddy sends his best regards to all in Fethard who still remember him.
He recalled many of his boyhood exploits in Fethard to Jimmy. He has special fond memories of his rabbit hunting expeditions with his boyhood companions of the Green. Needless to mention rabbit hunting with terriers and lurches, a great sport, is a pastime unknown to present day youths.

SQUARE RENOVATIONS
Stage one of the Council's renovations of The Square is still causing much local controversy. Some Main Street residents not business people have made personal approaches to the powers that be with regard to the restricted parking space available outside their premises when the project is completed.
They met with a very favourable response, and one in particular was particularly impressed with the courtesy and co-operation shown by the contractors carrying out the work.

RACING NEWS
Congratulations to local trainer Michael Croke, Barrettsgrange on his good winner Savile Row at Thurles on Thursday last. Many local punters did not let the Fethard winner go unbacked at Thurles when it paid gracious 35 to 1 odds on the tote.
P.J. Colville, Spitalfield, quickly made amends to having no joy at the Cheltenham Festival by riding three winners during the past week. First victory was aboard Francis Crowley trained "Sackville" who won the EBF Hurdle at Navan on Saturday in a rousing finish from Lord of the Turf, Charlie Swan and Supreme Schemer Ruby Walsh. P.J. then went on to complete a double at the Island Hunt Point to Point, Camolin, Wexford on Sunday winning the Mares Maiden on "Montana Maid" and the 5&6 Y.O. Maiden on "Sidewinder" both trained by David O'Connor.

COMMUNITY GAMES
The County Finals of the U/14 Juvenile Quiz and the Cross Country which will involve boys and Girls relays U/12, U/13 and U/14 will both take place this Friday evening in Thurles commencing at 7pm.
Enquiries to Chairman : Joe Keane 052 31719 or Sec. Mrs Phyllis Grace or direct to Gerard Carew, Leught, Thurles at 0504 22558. Fethard's David Sullivan qualified for May week-end at Mosney from Cross Country event last year.