SENIOR LEAGUE: Like the rain and hail storm that preceeded this third round senior hurling league fixture, in Nowlan Park on Saturday evening, Dicksboro's relentless work rate and constant pursuit of the men in Red & Green earned them two valuable league points following their 1 -12 to 0-11 victory. Both sides were matching scores right up to the 22nd minute when a series of forced errors in the James Stephens defence released the sliothar on the edge of "the square" and which was gratefully dispatched to the nett by an alert Dicksboro forward, Andrew Gaffney for what turned out to be the telling moment in the game. Quality points from play from Conor Browne, Ray Cody and Eamon Sheehy along with the unerring free taking of Eoin Larkin kept The Village men in touch , 0-7 to 1-5 at the break. Giving some early hope of a revival of fortunes, Eoin Larkin opened the scoring within minutes of the resumption, only to be followed by three Dicksboro points in quick succession to dampen supporter expectations, once again. A snap shot from close range on 19 minutes by the unlucky substitute, Tadhg O'Dwyer "skyed" over the bar for a point, which reflected the misfortunes of The Village men on this occasion. Throughout the game the James Stephens defence, marshalled by Jackie Tyrrell, ably assisted by Tomas Keogh and Luke Hickey, in particular, gave little away to their opponents, but the attack with the exception of Eoin Larkin was well held by a tight marking Dicksboro defence. A total return of four points in the second period was never going to be enough to win the day and so Dicksboro ran out deserving 1-12 to 0-11 winners.
SUMMER CAMP: Applications are available for The Village Summer Camp which runs from Monday 8th to Friday 12th, August at the club's new grounds, Pairc Sheamuis Stiophain. The camp is for 6 to 13 years olds, both male and female, and will involve the full range of Gaelic sports, hurling, camogie, Gaelic football and Rounders. The concept is all about inclusiveness and fun. The camp is being co-ordinated by senior panellist, Shane Campion (087-2124816) and fellow senior players, David Walton, David Hennessy, Matt Ruth, Jack McGrath and Niall Mullins. Application forms are available from any of the above or from coaches at the weekly training sessions
CAMOGIE:: Congratulations to The Village contingent of Jennifer Leahy, Anna Doheny, Lucy McGrath and Hannah Larkin members of the Kilkenny U-14 camogie squad who performed with distinction at the Leinster Camogie Blitz in Portlaoise over last weekend.
LEBANON DEPARTURE: Best of luck to former under-age star, James Hennessy, Waterford Road, a member of the Irish Defence Forces who departed, with his company, on Tuesday last, for a six month tour of peacekeeping duty on the Lebanon / Syrian border. James is the son of former All-Ireland winner and All-Star hurler, Joe Hennessy and his wife, Breda. We wish him well and a safe return in six months time from that troubled land.
KNOCK PILGRIMAGE: The parish pilgrimage to Our Lady's Shrine in Knock will take place on Thursday 23rd June. Details to be announced later.
ACTIVE AGEING: To quote Caitriona, Loughboy Library manager "why not join the staff of Kilkenny Sport & Recreation Partnership for an exploratory discussion on active ageing as it's never too late to enjoy the benefits of exercise. Start living life and experience an improvement in health and well-being". To start with participants will be taken through a series of gentle chair based exercises for all abilities.
KNITTING CLUB: The Knitting Club continues on Wednesday morning at 10a.m, Knitters will work on simple knits or if preferred, get stuck onto a bigger joint project, all for charity.
CIORCAL GAEILGE: The Irish conversation group meets each Wednesday mornings at 11a.m., in Loughboy Library. New members are always welcome to join at any time. Upcoming events planned by An Ciorcal include the monthly writing workshop on Friday night, 27th May from 6 to 8p.m. Then on Tuesday 31st May they are heading for "the great outdoors", meeting, as a group at 10.15a.m, in Bennettsbridge for a walk, cois amhain go Cill Choinnigh. Phone Lucia 087-2823823 or Carmel
087-0565582.for further information.
GOSPEL CONCERT: A free Gospel concert of music for healing and hope will take place in The Black Abbey on Saturday evening next, 28th May at 7.30p.m, Performers include Mark Anthony Henry, The Kilkenny Gospel Choir, In Caelo Choir and Aengus McNally. A festival Mass will be celebrated the next day, Sunday 29th May in St.Fiacre's Church at 12 noon.
MUSIC: The Works are on stage on Saturday night in the clubrooms.
LOTTO: Congratulations to Joan Kerwick who won the jackpot of €1,800 in Tuesday night's draw. Joan's numbers were 15, 20, 21. Joan is a long term social member of the club with her late husband Christy who passed away last year. Enjoy the bit of good fortune, Joan
