Celebrating Killusty FC’s 40th Anniversary
To say our 40th anniversary dinner dance was a success would be the understatement of the year. It was a fantastic night, filled with nostalgia, music, song and dance. To see so many former players there was great, and even more heartening was the amount of support we received from friends and relations, who travelled from near and far to be with us on this special night, not least our old colleague Ciaran Kehoe, who travelled from the wilds of Tramore.
They say a week is a long time in politics, well 40 years is a fair achievement in junior soccer. This statement was brought home by both our guest speakers, Richard Power, Hon. Treasurer of the TSDL and Billy O’Donoghue, representing the referees association. While many teams have gone by the wayside, the little village of Killusty is still there. We have a number of people to thank for making it a success, firstly our hard working committee, especially Sarah and Shay, who did such sterling work and the Clonmel Park Hotel for their excellent service and help on the night. The brilliant Pat Marnane band, who got lads sweating that hadn’t sweated in years, in fact I thought we were going to need oxygen for some of them after the Siege of Ennis.
Thanks to DJ Kumar Mehta who rocked us into the early hours, also to our sponsors Mick and Marie Smyth, The Well Bar, and to everyone who gave prizes for our raffle also Joe Kenny who put our old photos on disc format, although I thought Joe could have done a bit better on the old air brushing! Finally to all of you who took the time and effort to be with us, we were delighted to see so many of you there, thank you one and all.

Killusty Pony show AGM
Noel Byrne, the Chairman, welcomed a very good attendance to the 46th Killusty Pony show AGM in the Tirry Centre. After asking the assemblage to remember specially Dinny Walsh and Mrs Callie Poole, a former judge at Killusty, both of whom had died since this year’s show, he thanked all those who helped to make the show so special this year.
With the exception of one heavy shower, the day was nearly perfect and no-one could be blamed for that shower. It was remarked that the photographer’s booth was a great addition as people could get lasting reminders of the great day out. Entries continued high and the success of so many local ponies against All-Ireland competition was noted. The younger stewards had been particularly commended by the judges on the day and it was good to see a significant number of them at the meeting. The accounts showed a healthy balance in these days of recession and the sponsors were thanked for their continuing support
As Betsy O’Connor was retiring as secretary after 25 years, it was necessary to elect her replacements. Mrs Lorraine Thompson (Morrissey) will take on the job of secretary while Pat Culligan will shoulder the responsibilities of the treasurer. Noel Byrne will remain as chairman and Donie Slattery will take over as field manager. The position of PRO remains to be filled but will be addressed at the next meeting.  Betsy O’Connor remains available to advise if needed.
The only matter arising under ‘any other business’ was a request for a larger dog show ring which attests to the popularity of that event at Killusty Pony Show. After the business of the meeting was concluded a presentation (most unexpected) was made to Betsy O’Connor.  Accompanying the presentation of a lovely picture frame and vouchers to Chez Hans, Christopher Horsman remembered Betsy’s first Killusty Show meeting when he serenaded her with the ‘Black Velvet Band’ (since adopted by Tommy Bowe as his theme song) and Judy Butler read the minutes of the first ever meeting of Killusty Show.  After further reminiscences, the meeting adjourned to avail of refreshments to celebrate another very successful show.

Fethard Players stage ‘Any Number Can Die’
Fethard Players are currently in rehearsal for a comedy play, ‘Any Number Can Die’ by Fred Carmichael, which will be staged in the Abymill Theatre from 6th to 11th November inclusive.
This hilarious comedy is a take-off of the mystery plays of the late twenties. Four ingenious murders take place on an island mansion as a pair of elderly detectives set to work on their first case. The storm, the unexpected guests, the missing fortune, the inventive mystery, all add to the excitement of a truly fine play. An evening full of laughs and merriment. Booking now at O’Flynn’s, Burke Street, (052) 613 1254 or 087 1338961.

Fethard & Killusty Community Lotto
The numbers drawn on 21st October were 17, 18, 22 and 25.  We had no Jackpot winner and no ‘Match 3’ winner so the following tickets drawn received €50:
Johanna Bradshaw, Drumdeel, Fethard;
D. O'Brien, c/o Tom Purcell;
Christy Devitt, Strylea, Fethard.
The three following Lucky Dip winners received €50 each:
Eileen White, Drangan;
Mike Purcell, Burke St., Fethard;
Pat Brett, Drumdeel, Fethard.
Next week’s Jackpot continues at €10,000 and the Jackpot sellers prize is €1000.
You can now also play our lotto online from your own computer by visiting www.fethard.com/lotto.

Died Recently
The death has occurred on Saturday 24th October of Mr Joey Fogarty, Congress Terrace, Fethard. Interment took place in Calvary Cemetery.

Praying for the souls in Purgatory
The Rosary will be prayed in the following cemeteries during November.
Please encourage the members of your family to come to these cemeteries to pray for all our families laid to rest in many of our country areas.
Sunday 1st November: Parish Church at 3pm and Holy Trinity Church at 3.30pm.
Sunday 8th November: Abbey Church at 3pm and Everardsgrange at 3.30pm.
Sunday 15th November: Calvary at 3pm and Peppardstown at 3.30pm.
Sunday 22nd November: Rathcoole at 2.45pm, Tullamaine at 3pm and Redcity at 3.30pm.
Sunday 29th November: Killusty (after Mass), Kiltinan at 3pm and Kilmaclugh at 3.30pm.

Fethard Athletic Club
Last Sunday we travelled to Thurles to take part in the County B Cross Country Championships at Thurles Crokes Complex. In the boys under-12 race the following five boys stepped up to the line: Mark Heffernan, Larry Gleeson, James O'Connell, Evan Murphy and Dean Kenny. Evan Murphy led the race for more than halfway and then hit the wall, ending in the middle of the pack. No luck for team medals.
Amy Hayes finished in the top ten in the girls under-10 race and got herself into the medals. Our girls under-14 team of Megan Hayes, Roisín Gleeson, Ciara Tillyer and Cliodhna O'Connor gave a great display of running but failed to make a top team spot on this occasion. Our two under-10 brothers, Connor and Criostóir Hayes, had a good run but were out of the medals also.
All these athletes were competing in championship running and were up against more experience athletes, so well done to everyone and especially the parents who travelled. Our next outing will be the relays in Moyglass later in the month.
Training continues on Monday and Thursdays from 7.30pm to 8.45pm. Newcomers very welcome. Adults who want to just walk should also come along to the fully lighted community field on these nights. All are welcome.

St. Vincent de Paul
The local conference of St. Vincent de Paul wish to advise anybody in financial need with a son or daughter attending a third level college/institute that they may be able to offer some financial assistance. Application forms, which will be treated with the strictest confidence, can be had from Denis (052) 6131852, Josie (052) 6131354 or Vincent (052) 6131698 and returned as soon as possible to the secretary or any member of St. Vincent de Paul Fethard.

Fethard and Killusty Community Games
The Annual General Meeting of Fethard and Killusty Community Games will take place in the Tirry Community Centre on Thursday 12th November at 8pm. It is some time since a proper AGM was held and with many new families in the area we hope to give the committee a facelift. It is now almost 25 years since the games were last revived in Fethard back in 1985 and we are delighted to report that we enjoyed considerable success over the years.
It has come to our attention that children of many of our former competitors are now participating and we would make a special appeal to those parents who had such wonderful times to come along and share some memories at the AGM along with new faces.
We want to continue to provide our children with the opportunity to participate in sporting and cultural activities and enjoy healthy lifestyles. There are approx 40 events now on offer with something to suit everybody. The only regulation is that one must reside in the parish and be under the age specified on 31st July 2010. Further information may be had from the community games office at (052) 6131906.

Fethard Bridge Club
On Wednesday 21st October we played for Hallowe’en prizes and the results were:
1st Gross: Anna Cooke and Bernie O’Meara;
2nd Gross: Kay St. John and Rita Kane;
3rd Gross: Frances Burke and Breda Walsh;
1st Nett: Kathleen Kenny and Eileen Frewen;
2nd Nett: Carmel Condon and Brendan Kenny;
3rd Nett: Betty Walsh and Brigid Gorey.
On Wednesday 4th November we play for prizes sponsored by Frances Burke and Breda Walsh and Wednesday 11th November is a charity night. Anyone looking for a partner contact Berney Myles at 6132038

Fethard Rugby Club
Our undefeated U15s travelled to Waterpark on Sunday and came away with lots of tired and sore bodies but with their unbeaten run in tact on a score line of 12-7. Joss Murray opened the scoring for Fethard following a great back line move to dive in at the corner. Jimmy Feehan stepped up to place the ball virtually on the side-line, and the kick that followed would do justice to the ‘O'Garas’ of this world as the ball split the posts to give Fethard the 7 point margin. A lapse of concentration and a few missed tackles allowed Waterpark in for a soft try under the posts which they duly converted to tie at the break.
Fethard under the brilliant captaincy of Gerard Gorey upped their performance in the second half, particularly the forwards, who were bossed a bit in the scrums but more than made up for this disadvantage through great tackling and rucking with David Hayes putting in a great performance winning ‘dirty-ball’ constantly. Luke Keating and Joey Purtill were also firing on all cylinders. Our hooker Cathal O'Donnell put in a great display finding his men in the lineout with great precision. Jack McCarty and Gerard Gorey were dominant in this area.
Fethard repulsed attack after attack from Waterpark with Kieran White pulling off a great try saving tackle on a much bigger opponent. Thomas McGabhain was moved out to the wing and had a great game there carrying the ball and retaining it to give his team mates a bit of a breather. With five minutes remaining Jimmy Feehan broke from the back of the scrum to touch down for a match winning score. This was a trilling game of rugby and Fethard were well deserving of their victory.
Our under 19s hosted Dungarvan and bounced back from their trouncing in Waterpark the previous week to deservedly win by 20-12. Fethard got off to a great start when the quick thinking Jack O'Connell broke the gain line and touched down for a well taken try within five minutes. The convert was narrowly missed.
Dungarvan used their big pack to launch attack after attack on Fethard and despite great defensive work they broke to score under the post. The try was converted giving Dungarvan the lead. The Fethard forwards were coming to terms with their bigger opponents at this stage and had Dungarvan on the back foot yielding two kickable penalties, Ben Walsh converted one of them to take the lead by the narrowest of margins. Fethard were now motoring and a great back line move saw Shane Kavanagh cross for Fethard’s second try. Ben converted pushing the score out to 15-7 at the break.
Dungarvan started the second half with purpose but the Fethard defensive line stood strong with our hooker Kevin Hayes out sprinting the Dungarvan winger to touch down for a 22 drop out, in what looked like a certain try for Dungarvan. Fethard’s use of their scrum-half Conner Kavanagh as their catcher in the line-out paid huge dividends as he disrupted Dungarvan’s line and won all of Fethard’s.
It was from this platform that Fethard attacked down the open-side with Kevin Hayes straightening drawing the Dungarvan defence, executing a brilliant pop-pass to release the onrushing Johnny Fleming who dived over the remaining cover for a great try. Fethard looked to be coasting at this stage but Dungarvan fought back and were rewarded with a try leaving the score at 20-12 at the finish. This was a much improved performance from this Fethard team with Robert Hall and Andrew Kelly being especially effective in the forwards while Andy Walsh and Kieran Power put in great defensive work.

Community Field Development
The committee are delighted to announce that the contract for the construction of the club house has been awarded to Mr Tom Anglim of Kilknockin Construction who will commence the build in the coming weeks, with a target completion date of April 2010. This is an exciting development for all sports people who use the community field as it will provide them with top of the range facilities.

Kathleen Ryan, Fethard
I am looking for information on my late grandmother, (born c.1914) Kathleen Ryan, from Fethard, Co. Tipperary, who left in the 1930s to work in Lawlor's Hotel, in Naas, Co. Kildare. Here she met and married Edward ‘Ned’ Gaul, a local taxi owner. Kathleen Gaul, nee Ryan, died giving birth to my mother, Kathleen Gaul, on St Stephen's Day evening, 1940.
The Leinster Leader of 4th January 1941 reported: "Deep regret has been aroused by the death, which occurred on Friday last, of Mrs Kathleen Gaul, wife of Mr Edward Gaul, Rathasker Road, Naas. Deceased, a young woman of twenty-six years of age, had been ailing for only a short period, and her demise came as a great shock to the people of the town and district.
She was a native of Co. Tipperary, and prior to her marriage, had been engaged on the staff of Mrs Lawlor, Nas Na Riogh Hotel. A very quiet and unassuming girl, she was liked by everyone, and her death at such an early age has aroused sincere sympathy amongst all classes. The funeral, which took place to St. Corban's Cemetery, on Monday, was large and representative, amongst the mourners being her husband, Mr. Ed. Gaul, and members of deceased's family from Tipperary to all of whom the deepest sympathy is extended on their very sad and irreparable loss."
Any information would be much appreciated.
James Durney, 52 Morell Drive, Naas, Co. Kildare. Email: james.durney@yahoo.ie  Tel: 045 896265