JUNIOR "B" LEAGUE FINAL:
On Friday evening the Junior "B" team picked up the club's first trophy of the season after a tremendous battle with Lisdowney in the All-County junior "B" league final in Canon Kearn's Park, Castlecomer. Played in pleasant summer sunshine, the Village had to battle all through to claim the trophy against a well prepared and determined Lisdowney team who doggedly refused to concede defeat and made the city men fight to the end for their reward. The 0-14 to 0-11 final score was, in truth, achieved courtesy of an all out team effort, but, the experienced, Anthony Lawlor, with his personal tally of 0-10 was very much the hero of the hour. The score at half time was 0-7 to 0-3 in favour of James Stephens, thanks to a sterling defence in which Eamon Fennelly, Shane O' Neill and John Connick held sway over their opponents, while the half-back line in front of them, the Meehan brothers, John and James together with Damien Phelan gave little away while under continuous pressure from the lively Lisdowney forward line. Playing in the centre field position, Cormac Connolly, contributed three valuable points from play over the hour. Captain, Ian Hayes and his forward colleagues, especially Maurice Harkin, Niall Tyrrell, Andy Parsons and Hugh Lane worked tirelessly to create openings and win frees for Anthony to convert. However, despite their dominance they could not put their dogged opponents away, resulting in goalkeeper, James Walton having to make match saving stops in the closing minutes of a high class competitive fixture, worthy of a final occasion, to ensure a well deserved victory and claim the first trophy of the year for the club to take back to Larchfield. A fine achievement for all involved and well done to Eamon Tyrrell and his management team of Paddy Butler, Sean Doyle and Aodhan O' Ruairc
JUNIOR LEAGUE:
On Tuesday evening the club's Junior team registered a quality 0-15 to 0-12 victory over a strong, Ballyhale Shamrocks team on their well prepared home ground in Ballyhale. Trailing by 0-8 to 0-4 at the break the young Village men put in a storming second half performance to outscore their opponents 0-11 to 0-4 and deservedly claim the league points on offer. After a slow start, particularly in the first half, the team was driven into action by a powerful display from half backs, Shane Campion, Luke Hickey and John "Lefty" Comerford who blotted out the Shamrocks attack, so dangerous and effective in the first 30 minutes of the game. The inside men, Shane Donohoe, Paddy Duggan and Ben Lahart also played their part in a tight defence, while, the hard working, Anthony Lawlor, Richie Hayes and Harry Wallace put in a tremendous effort over the hour. Matt McWey and Jake Scanlon, opened the scoring early in the second half, but Shamrocks rallied with three points in succession to increase their advantage. However, with the Village defence now on top, the forwards saw plenty of the sliothar, and with leading attacker, Micky Drennan causing havoc in the Shamrock's defence, scoring 3 points from play and winning a number of frees which the accurate, Jake Scanlon duly dispatched between the posts - 0-9 in total, "the tide" soon turned in James Stephens favour. With the game nearing the end, the final result was very much in the balance, Shamrocks made their final assault on the James Stephens goal, pressing netminder, Gavin Costigan into action, to make a spectacular double save and preserve the Village side's 3 point lead, denying the home club a share of the league points. Well done, to the team and management team.
BIRTHDAY SEASON:
Happy days in the Tyrrell family household in recent weeks. Club president, Liam Tyrrell enjoyed a surprise 70th birthday celebration, organised by his wife, Ann and daughters, Fiona and Grainne, in the company of their extended family and friends in Langtons Hotel on Saturday week. The happy event was made all the more celebratory following the club's victory over The Rower-Inistioge earlier that evening. This year, 2016 also sees Liam notch up his 50th year of service to the club from his playing days in the 1960's -- unfortunately cut short due to a serious knee injury - straight through to the present day where he serves as club president and county board delegate, since 2015, succeeding his cousin, the late, Sean Tyrrell. In between he has held office as club secretary from 1970 to 1985 and succeeded the late, Bill Cody as chairman from 1986 to 2000 -- a truly proud record of sterling service. Meanwhile, Liam's son, Brian and his wife, Ann (nee Doyle) announced, all the way from Sydney, Australia, the arrival of their "first", a healthy son, Sean Patrick. Brian was a member of the club's 1994 All-Ireland Feile winning team against St. Finbarr's (Cork) in Limerick and the minor football championship winning side of 1998, before emigrating some years later.. Happy days, indeed, with more to come !!!!
BIG, BIG BIRTHDAY:
Hearty congratulations to star forward of the 1950's and '60's, Phil "Fess" Brennan, St.Fiacre's Place who celebrated a very significant birthday in recent days. Along with his wife, Mary and family, the happy group enjoyed a celebratory dinner in Langton's Hotel before adjourning to the clubrooms to continue the festivities. Fess was a key member of the club's 1955 Junior championship winning side, being described as "a thorn in the Ballyraggett's side" having scored 3-4 in their semi-final clash. He also went on to score 1-0 in the county final, against Knocktopher, to help reclaim senior status for the club, which it has proudly retained to this day. Fess ended his career on a high in 1970, having played wing forward, the previous year, on the club's senior championship winning side against The Fenians in 1969 - the club's first senior title in 32 years. Continuing the family tradition, Phil's son, Philip won Kilkenny senior championship and All-Ireland club medals with the club in 1981/2 seasons. Continued good health, Phil for years to come.
LEBANON PEACEKEEPER:
Travelling, last week, to Lebanon with the Irish Army's Peacekeeping Force was rising club star defender, Robbie Hayes, Robertshill, Kilkenny. Robbie joins his clubmate, James Hennessy on the Lebanon / Syrian border for the 6 month tour of duty in the troubled Middle East. We wish them well in their peacekeeping and humanitarian mission and especially a safe return in 6 months time.
PRESENTATION CHOIR:
Huge congratulations and commiserations, at the same time, to The Presentation Convent choir on their outstanding performance on Thursday night's, Britain Got Talent Show on TV3. Singing for a place in the final of the competition, the 62 girls and their leader, Donegal based, Ms Veronica McCarron gave a beautiful rendition of the hymn, Ave Maria, worthy of advancement to Saturday night's showpiece finale. Prior to the voting announcement, leading judicator, Simon Cowell even predicted that the final could be a competition between "the two choirs". However, good fortune deserted them as they finished in 4th place in the nationwide text pole that followed the show. Nevertheless, their melodious performance was both a credit to The Presentation School, their conductor Veronica McCarron and, of course, the girls themselves.
RELAY FOR CANCER:
Relay For Life Kilkenny is inviting local communities to come together and relay as a group for 24 hours at the Watershed on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th July in remembrance of those who passed away from cancer . Relay is a community event and welcomes people of all ages and levels of fitness. All proceeds will go to the Irish Cancer Society. For more information contact 087 2925805 or e-mail relayforlifekilkenny@gmail.com.
COMPUTER COURSE:
A 4 week computer course for beginners/improvers starts in Loughboy Library on Friday morning 3rd June from 11a.m to 1p.m. Contact 056-7794176 to book a place.
KNOCK PILGRIMAGE:
The St. Patrick's parish annual pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Thursday 23rd June. The day's fare costs €15.00. Tickets and more detailed information re departure times etc., are available only from the reception at the Parish Centre.
DIARY DATE:
The annual Foulkstown cemetery mass will take place on Thursday evening, 28th July at 7.30p.m.
SAMARITANS:
The Carlow / Kilkenny branch of The Samaritans will hold an information evening in Butler House on Wednesday evening (tonight), 1st June, at 7p.m. Why not come along to get more information if you are interested in volunteering for this very noble cause.
WIDOW'S ASSOCIATION:
The National Widow's Association hold their monthly meeting on the 1st Thursday of every month in the Club House Hotel at 2.30p.m...
MUSIC:
The Kenny Ryder Band returns to the club stage for the weekend's musical treat.
LOTTO:
This weeks numbers were 4, 5 &10. There was no winning ticket, so next week's jackpot increases to €1,200. The consolation winners were Anne Tyrrell, Flighty Joe, Liam Tyrrell, Michelle O'Brien and Breda Brennan.
