Bridge News.
The results of the bridge game played on Monday January 15th are as follows:
1st: Kate Hayes and Michael O Donovan
2nd:John Fitzpatrick and Sean Hennessy
3rd:Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney
4th:Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche.
GAA Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 2, 11, 22 and 26 and there was no jackpot winner. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Catherine O Neill, Senan Cooke and James Barry. The next lotto draw will take place on January 28th and will have a brilliant jackpot of €9,350. Tickets are just €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available from club members and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday January 27th.
Tidy Towns
The AGM of our local tidy towns committee will take place on Friday January 26th at 7.30pm in Ballyduff Community Centre at 7.30pm. New volunteers are needed badly to secure the continuation of this group. If you are interested in helping to keep your community and area clean and tidy please come along to the meeting and show your support. The present committee have been doing a fantastic job and their work needs to be continued to ensure that our area is kept in mint condition.
Ballyduff Soccer Club
Our local soccer club are still on the lookout for a CE worker for the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. If this is something that may interest you please contact Paddy Kirk on 087-2764883 and he will tell you all about what the job entails.
Kieran Lyons.
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Lyons family on the recent death of Kieran Lyons. Kieran was a native of Portlaw but spent many years living in Kildermody,Kilmeaden. Kierans funeral mass and burial took place to Ballyduff church and we extend our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Portlaw Musical Society
Our neighbours in Portlaw are getting ready to stage their 38th production which this year is Sleeping Beauty. This years producer is Damian Walsh who of course runs his stage school Starstruck in Ballyduff community centre. The Panto cast will take to the stage from Thursday February 1st to Saturday February 3rd at 8pm nightly and a matinee performance on Sunday February 4th at 3pm. Tickets cost €12 for adults and €8 for children and will be on sale in Portlaw community centre from January 25th to January 31st from 5pm to 7pm excluding Sunday. Phone booking on 086-0519210 will only be available on January 31st from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Panto time is always a great night out so pick up a ticket and treat yourself to a great night out and watch out on stage I’m sure you will spot a few familiar faces from the Ballyduff/Kilmeaden areas!
Community Alert.
Our local community alert group held a very informative meeting last week. It was great to see such a big crowd turn up. Two ladies from the college in Waterford gave the meeting a report on an independent study they had carried out in connection with agricultural rural crime. The most common types of crime carried out they told us was theft, vandalism and trespass. Many of these crimes they told us were never reported for different reasons with one of them being that they had no access to a local garda station which is of course a problem in rural areas.
Garda Alan Kissane was also present and informed the group that our local text alert scheme is one of the strongest and most successful schemes in the county. He urged people to take personal pride and responsibility in their property and belongings. If you see something suspicious or something that just doesnt feel right to you then please call your local guard. The Garda station in Kilmacthomas is now a 24 hour station and Garda Kissane has asked me to give you the following numbers so that you can have them ready to use if necessary. The mobile numbers are 086-8581043 or 086 8581044. The number for Kilmac station is 051-295630 and Tramore is 051-391620. Please write down these numbers and keep them by your phone.
The community alert group will meet again on February 20th so watch this space for details.
Awards Night
My family and I travelled to Lawlors Hotel in Dungarvan on Friday January 12th to watch my dad Noel O Sullivan pick up The Jack Furlong Award which is given to someone who has given a lifetime service and committment to the GAA. I may be a little bias but I believe this award was justly deserved. My dad has always been involved with Gaa . He won numerous medals and trophies as goalie for Portlaw for many years and was part of the great Portlaw team of the 70’s who brought great glory days to the club. Daddy picked up the referees whistle 57 years ago and is still refereeing today. He is also very involved in many other aspects of the GAA and if theres a match being played anywhere in the county chances are that you will spot my dad there. Why does he do it I wonder well I would say it is genuinely out of love for the game and the association.
To receive the award on Friday night was indeed a true honour for him and made all the more special because 25 years previous he watched his dad Sonny O Sullivan take the same award. I’m sure grandad was watching from his seat in heaven and was very proud. I think I can speak for my family when I say we too were very proud and enjoyed watching our dad being recognised for his committment and dedication but of course I’m sure I don’t have to tell any of you that behind every good man is a great woman and so my mother Nancy always should be recognised. She has been a GAA widow for many years and made sure the home fires were kept burning, the gear was kept clean and us children were kept in line. Thank you to all the organisers of the awards who gave us a great night to remember.
GAA News.
There will be a meeting on Tuesday January 30th at 7pm in Ballyduff Community Centre for anyone who is interested in becoming a coach for the nursery and academy group of the club. Anyone who is interested in helping out with these amazing and enthusiastic bunch please come along. Coaching courses for anyone interested will begin in February.
It is a big year for the club with the construction of the new ball wall due to commence. The club have received part funding from the Government for this but will be relying on the generosity of the community to help raise the remainder. They wish to thank you all for your continued generosity and support to the club.