Running Queen.
Huge congratulations to local lady Sharon Flynn who recently took part in and completed the Chicago marathon. Sharon is a regular sight running along the roads or Greenway and of course makes it look so easy and I know that she enjoys it very much. Sharon puts great determination and committment into her training and thoroughly deserves every success. We hope Sharon is celebrating her great success and having a well deserved rest.
GAA News.
The U10 hurlers had a great win in their group beating Ballygunner 3-3 to 2-1. This was a really pulsating game with some lovely scores and a great all round team effort. A big thank you to all the brilliant supporters and of course all our good friends in Ballygunner who are always a pleasure to host.
It was hearts in your mouths stuff in Dunhill with Ballyduff coming out as winners and Eastern Champions on a scoreline of 0-13 to 1-8. The lads really dug this out with a great performance and some lovely scores and a super penalty save by Adam Carroll. Man of the Match was Emmett Power. A big thank you all the supporters and of course John Carey and his team. It is great to have some silverware back to the club and now all eyes are on the county final.
A wonderful day was had by all at Tom Cheasty Park when 80 of our academy boys and girls rounded off their season with a mini All Ireland. A great day of fun was had by all with prizes for everyone. A big thank you to all who provided goodies for a great spread which was polished off fairly quickly. Huge thank you to the coaches who put in tremendous effort all through the year.
The club sends big congratulations to clubmen Keith Millea, Cian Bolger and Jack O Donnell who are part of the Waterford U16 football panel who will take part in the Fr. Manning tournament. Your families and club are very proud of you.
Johnstown Gent.
We were all saddened to hear of the death of Brendan Cullinane, Johnstown. Brendan always was a man of the land and was at his happiest when walking the land or tending to livestock. His great love of nature was evident to all and of course this was equalled by his great devotion to his faith and his respect for everyone and everything on Gods earth. Brendan was a great lover of all sports and in younger years was a very talented squash player. His grandson Darragh now follows in his grandfathers footsteps showing exceptional talent for the game of squash and winning many prizes and I’m sure this brought great delight to Brendan.
Brendan also had the great gift of music running through his veins and was one of those true musicians who could make an instrument sing. It was only fitting that a recording of Brendan playing that beautiful piece of music “The Coolin” on his beloved violin was played as he left the church for his final resting place.
Brendan had many interests but his first thoughts were of his wife Patricia and children and grandchildren. Having spent the last few months of his life ill, Brendan was able to remain at home in his beloved Johnstown. This was down to the wonderful care he received daily from his wife Patricia, she most definetly took her wedding vows very seriously and never complained or moaned she was happy to see Brendan happy and content in his surroundings and visited by those who loved him.
Brendan has now gone to his final reward where pain and sickness is no more and if you listen very carefully to the heavens you will hear that great trinity of Brendan, Paddy Crowley and Paddy Joe Larkin fill the heavens with heavenly music, actually I wouldn’t be surprised if they have persuaded the angels to form a set dancing group already.
We send our heartfelt sympathies to Patricia, Richard, Valarie, Louise, Sheila, Eleanor and Jennifer, grandchildren, his sister Elizabeth Barry and her husband Mickey and all his extended family and many many friends. We pray that he now enjoys the peace and comfort of heaven. May he rest in gentle peace.
A Little Lady
We were also saddened this week to hear of the death of Patricia(Pat) New of Knockaderry. A true family woman who was at her happiest when surrounded by family. She was a loyal and devoted wife to John and a warm and supporting mother to her sons Sean and Michael and daughters Ann Marie, Paula and Claire. Of course she was very proud of each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and would delight in telling you about them when you met her. A great lover of nature and the outdoors she was always surrounded by animals especially her beloved dogs. She had a warm friendly nature and was a wonderful neighbour and friend to many. She bore the cross of illness with great dignity and strength over the past number of years and I’m sure that her family can now draw strength from the fact that pain is no more and she now enjoys the rewards for her good deeds and her devotion to her faith. Once again we offer our condolenses to her family and friends. May her sweet soul now rest in peace.
Alannahs Success.
While I have already written about the sad passing of Brendan Cullinane, I’m sure that he would want me to tell you all about the great success of his grandaughter Alannah Cullinane, Johnstown. Alannah who is a Transition Year student recently took part in an essay writing competition aimed at young adults all over Ireland. The theme for the essay was “Gender Equality”. Alannah made a huge impression and last week received an email from European Parliament member Sean Kelly informing her that she had been chosen to join him in Brussels as part of his Meet Your MEP Programme 2019. During this trip she will see the workings of the EU and the work he puts in as our MEP. The group of 20 students and their chaperones will travel to Brussels in November for this two night trip.
What a fantastic opportunity for Alannah and a just reward for all her hard work. I know that both her grandads will be beaming with pride from the heavens and between them both word will be spread. We wish Alannah a safe and wonderful trip and her parents Richard and Carmel and brother Darragh will be excited to hear all about her experience on her return . Congratulations Alannah you should be very proud of yourself.