Bridge News.
Our local Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club enjoyed their annual Summer party last Monday. They started off the night brilliantly with a lovely meal in The Sweep bar and restaurant. It was then back to the school hall for their weekly game of bridge and the results were as follows:
1st: Peggy Murphy and Mary Prendergast.
2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Breda Murphy.
3rd: Anna Ryan and Ann Tobin.
4th:Mary Shanahan and Michael O Donovan.
Mass Thanks.
What a beautiful sunny evening we had for our annual graveyard mass. A great crowd attended in the sunshine to offer their prayers for all who are buried in our graveyard. As always the graveyard looks beautiful and Fr. Mick gave special praise to Michael(Jnr) Power for taking such great care of the grounds all year through. A special mention must also go to our very hardworking sacristan Ann Nolan who does such tremendous work day in and day out. The choir added beautifully to the mass with some very well chosen hymns.
I was delighted to see so many people come to the community centre afterwards for a cuppa and a chat. A big thank you to all those who gave me a hand on the night and to all who donated buns and cakes. It was a lovely evening and a great show of community support.
GAA Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 1, 11, 17 and 25. There was no jackpot winner but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Tommy O Brien, Margaret Power and Paul Dunne. The next draw will take place on Monday July 16th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €11,000 on offer. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 for €5 and are available from all committee members and will also be on sale outside Centra on Saturday July 14th. Get your ticket early and choose those four numbers wisely.
Time To Tee Off.
Our local soccer club will swap their soccer ball for golf balls when they head off for their annual Golf Classic on July 20th and 21st. This is always a very popular day out with a game of golf on the beautiful Waterford Golf Course followed by a delicious meal. A team of 4 costs €120 so book your team in. For more information please contact Paddy Kirk.
Junior Cul Camp
Ballyduff GAA club will host a Junior Cul Camp for boys and girls under the age of 6 from July 23rd to 27th in tandem with the GAA Cul Camps. The camp will run from 10am to 1pm at a cost of €25. If you think your child would be interested you can register and pay with camp co-ordinator Brian Hearne.
Tractor Run
The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Club will host their annual tractor run on Sunday July 22nd. There is always a fine display of machines on this run and they will leave from Haughtons at 1pm and take in a beautiful scenic route. All money raised on the day will go to the Solas Cancer Support Centre so if you would like any more information please call 087 2216589.
Fantastic Success
We send our heartiest congratulations to Jake Bagge, Adamstown who travelled recently to Gyor in Hungary with the Estonian team to take part in the European U18 championships. Jakes mam Ave is Estonian which makes Jake eligible for the team. The championships were hugely successful for Jake as he returned home the winner of both the 800m and the 1500m. Jakes parents Ave and Ivor are hugely proud of his achievement as I am sure all the family are.
Walk and Talk
Our local nursery and academy section of Ballyduff GAA club like to do their bit to help promote positive mental health. With this in mind they will host a walk and talk event on Saturday July 14th leaving from Haughtons at 11am. They will travel along our lovely greenway and take in the nice scenery enjoying each others company. Sponsorship cards are available from any committee member or you can simply donate on the day. This is the only fundraiser this group have all year and use the money raised to give this talented little group of players a nice trip out. This is a lovely community event so come along and join in the fun. Light refreshments will be kindly provided by Gerry and Margaret O Connell who are fabulous supporters of the juvenile section.
Popes Visit
Some people have been enquiring about how to get tickets for the Popes visit. Tickets for the final mass at the Phoenix Park are available online at www.worldmeeting2018.ie/tickets
Birthday Girl
We wish a very happy 70th birthday to Eleanor O Brien, Ballyduff Village who celebrated her big day recently. Eleanor was surprised by all her buddies in our local choir with a lovely birthday cake and a very tuneful Happy Birthday. I’m sure her husband Jim and all the family will have made sure that she was spoiled well and were on hand to help her celebrate.
GAA News
Our young teams have been very busy of late and the future of the club is certainly looking bright. The U7 hurlers travelled to Ballygunner and played some very competitive games. A great crowd of supporters showed up and were treated to some brilliant hurling.
The U8 footballers hosted a blitz and welcomed teams from Roanmore, Rathgormack and St. Mollerans. There was some fantastic skill on show with the Ballyduff lads coming out on top. Ballyduff were delighted to welcome some new players who are really looking forward to playing some more games. The supporters were on hand again to cheer the team on and thanks also to Cathal for refereeing the games.
The U13/14 hurlers were also in action recently. The U 13’s had a great win over Passage while the U14’s went down to a very strong Ballygunner side. Both teams played at a very high level and gave the very best of themselves.
Your Notes
Keep in contact with everyone over the Summer months through these notes letting everyone know what is going on in your club or organisation. Send birthday wishes, congratulations, condolences, thanks, wish the cat well whatever you like. You are welcome to contact me on 087 9838392 or spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or as I have said before stop me for a chat( I’m an expert at that). Look forward to hearing from you