GAA News, Fiona Honoured and Mass Bookings

Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club played their latest bridge game on Monday September 16th and the results were as follows:
1st: Joan Hartrey and Kathleen Collins

2nd: Peggy Murphy and Anna Ryan

3rd: Kate Hayes and Nano Fitzgerald.

4th: Mary Prendergast and Mary Kennedy.

 


GAA News

Our Junior footballers ran out easy winners in last weeks Eastern Final against John Mitchells. Some lovely scores and good team play brought this match to an early conclusion and it was brilliant to see such a great crowd there to support the lads.

The club would like to congratulate their LGFA chairperson and coach Fiona Laffan who was honoured at half time in the ladies All Ireland final. The club are worried that the GAA will be giving an apartment up in Croke Park soon . They hope that family and her family had a great day.

Our U8 hurlers gave a phenomenal display of hurling last week in WIT at the U8 hurling blitz. Everyone played great games with some good wins and lots of fun had. Well done also to all who came out to support the boys.

The U9 girls had a great day recenly in Mount Sion and were delighted to be invited. There was some super games and the girls came away with some lovely silverware and they met a few legends also. Thanks to all the supporters who cheered them on.


AGM Date

The AGM of the Ballyduff Community Hall Redevelopment committee will take place on Thursday September 26th at 8.15pm in the community centre. All are welcome to attend this meeting. If you are interested in helping out with the general running of the hall and in the future fundraising and plans for the hall please come along and lend your support.


Fiona Honoured

The 1994 All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Championship Final was the 21st All Ireland Final and a day to remember for our own Fiona Laffan. Fiona Crotty as she was then took her position as corner forward for her County team.At that stage Fiona was bidding for her 14th All Ireland medal in all grades. Joining her on the day were 16 more of her team mates from her beloved Ballymacarbry club including her sister Marie, so it was indeed a very proud day for John and Ann Crotty watching both their daughters excel in a sport they loved so much.

I mention all this because this winning Waterford team were honoured during the recent ladies football All Ireland final. Each of the ladies received a beautiful medal recognising their dedication and committment to their sport. We are delighted here in Ballyduff to now have the benefit of Fionas experience as she coaches our young ladies and also chairs the LGFA committee. Of course Fionas legacy will long live on through her daughter Makayla as she now displays the same great skill and passion for the sport. We congratulate Fiona and hope that she continues to share her drive and talent for the sport with the young ladies of our parish. Of course with 17 members of that winning Waterford team being from the Ballymacarbry area, Fiona may have the recipe for the secret potion.


Mass Bookings

We have now taken the bookings for anniversary masses for the months of October, November and December. If you missed the bookings there is no problem you can still book a mass by getting in touch with me Linda Spillane on 087-9838392.

Silver Dawning, What a Success and Change of Date

A Silver Dawning.

It is hard to believe that our local drama group Dawn Players will this year celebrate its’ 25th season. The group first took to the stage with their production of Brian Friels play “Lovers” in 1995. At the moment Dawn Players are reading through some scripts to find the perfect play for their silver jubilee production.

The group are always interested in welcoming new members so if you would like to take to the acting world or help out backstage or front of house then they would be delighted to hear from you. To express your interest please contact Karen on 086-1590939.


Bridge News

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge group played their latest game on Monday September 9th and the results were as follows:
1st: Breda Cowman and Sean Hennessy

2nd: John Fitzpatrick and Patsy Roche.

3rd: Mary and Anne Kennedy.

4th: Margaret White and Mary Prendergast.


GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 5, 16, 17 and 20 but there was no jackpot winner. The three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Nano Fitzgerald, Benny O Connell and The Sweep Gang 2. The next draw will take place on September 22nd and will have a whopping jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs.

Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and are available from all committee members and will be on sale at Centra on Saturday September 21st. Choose those four little numbers carefully and you could get your hands on that fantastic jackpot.


What a Success.

The Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor Club recently held their annual tractor run in aid of The Solas Cancer Support Centre and as alaways it was a huge success. Although the weather wasn’t as favourable as other years, the crowds still arrived to show their support for this great cause. In Haughtons last week the club handed over a cheque for €5,522.85 to representatives from The Solas Centre. This was an absolute fantastic amount and the club are very grateful to all who supported them. A big well done also to the very hardworking committee who stage this very enjoyable event every year.

 


Change Of Date

The AGM of the Ballyduff Community Centre Redevelopment committee will take place on Thursday September 26th at 8.15pm in the hall. All are invited and welcome to attend this meeting and lend your strengths and talents to the running of the hall and fundraising and planning for the future of the hall. As you know our community centre is the centre point of our area with lots of weekly activities taking place and it is important that we all work together to keep it going from strength to strength.


GAA News.

Our U11 footballers had a tough game against Na Gaeil and this group have done very well with 2 wins out of 3 so far and are developing very nicely especially as most of them were not playing anything this time last year.

The U10 hurlers had a great game against Ballygunner. Starting off a bit sluggish, the lads really found their feet then with some super scores in what was a close game in the end. A big thank you to the Ballygunner club who were super sportsmen and give great priority to kids development. It is always a pleasure to host them.

The U9 footballers continued their winning ways in the league with wind over DLS and Rathgormack. With great skills and athleticism on show they still have a 100% record in this league which is phenomenal.

Our Sympathy, Youth Drama and Hall AGM

Bridge News.

A big welcome back to the Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club who have returned following their Summer break. The results of their game played on Monday September 2nd are as follows:
1st: Peggy Murphy and John Fitzpatrick.

2nd: William and Ann Tobin.

3rd: Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche.

4th: Sean Hennessy and Nano Fitzgerald.


Our Sympathy.

We send our deepest sympathies to Helen Harris, Knockaderry on the ecent death of her beloved father . Mr. Patrick Coady was a resident of Ardmore Park in Ballybeg. His funeral mass was celebrated in St. Saviours Church Ballybeg and burial took place in St. Otterans Cemetery. We offer Helen and all her family our condolences and hope that they will find comfort in their memories.


100 Years Young.

We send warm birthday wishes to Mrs. Joan Hallissey, William Street, Portlaw who last week reached the tender age of 100. Joan who is a resident of Mooncoin Residential Care Centre celebrated her big day surrounded by her loving family and friends. Joan made a little trip back home to Portlaw in recent weeks and caught up with some of the locals. I was delighted to hear that Joan enjoyed her birthday and that she is in such good health.


Youth Drama

Each year Ballyduff Youth Drama stage an excellent show and this year is no different. Commencing on Monday September 9th from 6.45pm to 8.15pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. All boys and girls from 5th and 6th classes are invited to come along and join in the fun. Remember that you don’t have to be attending Ballyduff NS or from the area. If you are interested in joining this group it is important that you express your interest asap as places are limited. To register your name please call Helen on 087-6493657.


Back To School

A big welcome back to the pupils and staff of Ballyduff NS who returned to school last week. We extend a warm welcome to all the new children in Junior Infants and their families. We hope that they enjoy their time in the school. We wish everyone a very happy, safe and enjoyable year.

 


Ballyduff AFC.

As you are all aware we have a fantastic soccer club here in Ballyduff and it has members of all ages. It is a hive of activity many nights a week with all age groups enjoying the game. As parents we all play a pivotal role in supporting childrens participation in sport. In order to progress and ensure the future of these teams help is needed. The club really need new coaches and referees to come forward and help maintain the vibrancy of he club. If you feel you could help out then please contact Paddy Kirk or Joanne King.

 


Hall AGM

Ballyduff Community Centre will hold their AGM on Tuesday October 1st at 7.30pm in the community centre. All are invited to come along and maybe get involved with the running of the hall, help with ideas for future fundraising and plans for the hall. A community centre is a vital part of every parish and it is important that we help in any way we can in making it a success.

 


GAA News.

The U11 footballers recorded a great win over Tramore on a score line of 8-3 to 4-4. Although they started off a bit shaky they fought back well and produced some great scores. A big well done to all the supporters on the line who really cheered the team on.

Well done to Rory Dobbyn, Sean Fitzgerald and Jack O Donnell who lined out with the U15 county hurling team last week and also to Billy Cuddihy who played on the U14 hurling team in the Tony Forristal tournament.

Huge congratulations to the Ballyduff U12 LGFA team on their recent great win over Old Parish on a scoreline of 3-5 to 1-2. That win secured them a place in the County Final against Abbeyside which will have taken place when these notes are issued. I hope to attend the game and so will give you a full report next week.

Well done also to the U8 and U10 girls from our academy section who recently travelled to Mount Sion to play challenge games. The girls played really well and great fun was had by all.

Our intermediate hurlers dug deep and came out with a one point win over Butlerstown. It was a very close game and they showed great resiliance to get over the line. They will meet Dunhill in the semi final on the weekend of September 27th/28th.

Golden Couple, Take to the Stage and School Celebrations

GAA Lotto

The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 2, 16, 18 and 27. There was no winner of the jackpot but the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Fergus Dunne, Benny Carberry and The Sweep Gang 2. The next draw will take place on September 8th and there will be a fantastic jackpot of €12,500 up for grabs.

Tickets cost just €2 each or three for €5 and are available from all committee members and will be on sale outside Centra in Kilmeaden on Saturday September 7th. The only job you have is to choose those four numbers carefully and then work out how you will spend that jackpot.

 


AGM

The AGM of Ballyduff Community Centre will take place on Tuesday October 1st at 7.30pm in the community hall. All are welcome and encouraged to attend and lend your support and talents to the running of the hall, future fundraising for the hall and ideas and plans for the future. If you feel that this is something you could give some time to and ensure the continued success of our community centre then head along to the meeting and hear what is involved.


Birthday Boy
Big birthday wishes to the very popular Ross Kavanagh of Ardeenlone who recently celebrated his 40th birthday. We all know that Ross is a very quiet, unassuming guy who doesnt like any fuss or attention so he celebrated with a few dignified quiet drinks in his local Haughtons and then continued the birthday celebrations the next day with the three lovely ladies in his life, his wife Siobhan and his two beautiful daughters Eve and Sarah. Of course it was double celebrations for Ross as he not only celebrated his birthday but he also celebrated 13 wonderful years of marriage to Siobhan. We wish Siobhan and Ross many more happy years of wedded bliss and we hope that Ross has many lovely memories of his 40th birthday( when his memory comes back that is!!!)


Golden Couple

It’s hard to believe that well known couple Mickey and Elizabeth Barry recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They must have got married not long after their Confirmation day. The couple celebrated with family and friends in Kilmeadens own Milestone Coffee House. We wish this happy popular couple many more years of wedded bliss and happy days spent with their children and beloved grandchildren.

 


Sympathy

We extend our deepest sympathy to Michael Hearne, Kildermody on the recent death of his sister Kathleen Halley late of Kilcaragh, Grantstown. Kathleens funeral mass took place in the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly and she was laid to rest in Carbally cemetery. We pray that she now rests in gentle peace and we hope that her family will find comfort in their memories of her.

 


Take To The Stage

Are you aged 5 and up? Do you like to sing and dance? Star Struck Theatre School will hold classes every Monday and Wednesday evening from 5pm to 6pm in Ballyduff Community Centre. Drop in and check out what its all about.


School Celebrations

St. Declans Community College in Kilmacthomas is ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary in style and have a great day of celebrations planned. Of course the school is in the very lucky position of being situated so close to our beautiful Greenway and so will hold an anniversary cycle “Back To Kilmac”. There will be two meeting points on the day, you can join at Kilmeaden Train Station or Durrow. Cyclists will leave the starting points in groups between 10.30am and 11.00am. There will also be activities around the school with an official welcome at 1pm. Celebrations will continue on into the night with The Renegades performing in Kierseys at 9pm. There are sure to be lots more activities going on so keep an eye on their facebook page “St. Declans CC 50th Anniversary Cycle “Back to Kilmac”.


Your Notes

Get the news and latest happenings from your club and organisation out there by contacting me and I will let people know through these notes. Tell the world about all the wonderful occasions in your family, births, engagements, marriages, birthdays, cat having kittens whatever takes your fancy. You can email me on spillanelinda2017@gmail.com or call or text on 087-9838392 or indeed we’ll go way back in the old days and have a chat.