Today marks an emotional day for the local community and beyond with the closure of Reddans Post Office - The local business has always been a massive supporter of our club both financially through sponsorship and fundraising and through weekly sales of our club lotto. Indeed the association with the club is both on and off the field - In 1952 the family opened their shop and the Post Office arrived in 1953 when Mickey Reddan became Post Master - Mickey lined out in goals for the Bridge. The next generation included hurlers Junior & Tony while the 3rd generation of John, Declan and Michael had lots of success in the club colours.
In the early years the Reddans also ran a Petrol Pumps in front of the shop and it was often a meeting place for supporters to get a lift to games as cars filled up with fuel for trips to Ennis, Tulla and Thurles - As time went on the telegrams to the Post Office often informed players of their call up for county duty while the introduction of the Telephone exchange acted as a gateway for communication into the village and was often to tell lads they were no longer needed by the County! In later years it became a focal point on Sunday mornings for people to gather and discuss matches happening later that day and the shop was a hive of activity on mornings when Clare were playing Tipp with visitors looking for any nuggets of inside info Patsy may have picked up from her home village of Loughmore Castleiney.
With the introduction of the first lotto machine in the village in the 90's people entered the shop dreaming of becoming a Millionaire - Indeed they have famously sold lotto Jackpot winners as part of the National Lottery as well as our own club Lotto Jackpot winners - For those not lucky enough to win the lotto everyone left Reddans Post Office with a smile on their face - The grown ups after hearing a funny Joke from Post Master Tony while the youth smiled as Pasty quietly passed them some free sweets from the shop. Following Tonys passing Patsy and Kate have continued to run the business but today they will close their doors for the last time after 74 years in business. We wish the family of Patsy, John, Kate and Michael along with Reddan sisters Ann and Kathleen the very best of luck for the future - You will be truly missed from all in Sixmilebridge GAA and beyond.
Best wishes to our Minor club sponsor Jamie and the team in Centra who open the new Post Office on Monday Main picture above shows Mary Corbett presenting Patsy & Kate a small token of appreciation from all in the club.
