Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet every Monday night in Ballyduff N.S and the results of the latest game are as follows:
1st: Kate Hayes and Sean Hennessy
2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.
3rd: Theresa Phelan and John Fitzpatrick.
4th: Peggy Murphy and Elizabeth Mooney.
GAA Lotto
The numbers drawn in the latest lotto draw were 4, 7, 14 and 16. There was no winner of the jackpot and the three lucky dip winners of €50 each were Fergus Dunne, Tyrone Costello and Michael Phelan. The next draw will take place on October 8th and will have a fantastic jackpot of €8,450. Tickets cost €2 or 3 for €5 and are available from committee members and will be on sale on Saturday October 7th at Centra.
New Little Princess.
We send our heartiest congratulations to Brian and Laura O Leary who recently welcomed their beautiful baby daughter Phoebe into the world. Phoebe is of course a very lucky little lady because she has big brother Cathal and big sister Chloe ready and willing to show her the ropes. I had the pleasure of meeting baby Phoebe in person and I can tell you all she is a real little beauty. We wish this happy little family the best of everything in the future.
Station Masses.
The annual Autumn station masses are beginning this week and I will carry a list of them in these notes so keep an eye out for your area. On Tuesday October 3rd the station mass for Stonehouse, Lacka Road and Whelansbridge will take place in the home of Declan and Breda Finn at 8pm. On Thursday October 5th the mass for Ballygarron, Ardeenlone, Lisahane, Shanbally, Ross, Kildermody, Kilmagemogue and Carriganure Lower at 7.30pm. On Friday October 13th the mass for Adamstown, Matthews Cross and Ballyduff East will be in the home of Bridie Power at 8pm.
Choir Performance
St. Nicholas’s choir will perform at the Sunday morning mass on October 8th. A reminder that the choir rehearse every Monday night in the church from 8pm to 9.15pm. Any adults interested in joining are very welcome to come along or contact a member of the choir.
Clothes Collection
Ballyduff AFC would like to thank everyone who has brought along their unwanted clothes, bed linen, towels, curtains, shoes, bags, soft toys. There is still time for you to drop your bags off at the club house any weekday evening. If you need items collected please contact Jenny on 086-8605930. All money raised from this fundraiser goes to the continuing development of the club.
County Champions.
Congratulations to the Under 13 Ballyduff/Portlaw hurlers who became county champions when they beat An Ghaeltacht by two points. Well done to this spirited and talented team and well done to all their supporters who are all very proud of them.
Croke Park Honour
Heartiest congratulations to Carriganure lady Fiona Laffan who travelled to Croke Park as part of the Waterford All Ireland ladies football team of 1992 who were honoured during the All Ireland football games and Fiona tells me that they were treated like royalty and were given a day to remember. Fiona who was Fiona Crotty at that time played a vital role in the 1992 team and of course it was double celebrations for the Crotty family on the day as her sister Marie also played on the team. We are very lucky to now have Fiona inspiring and coaching future players as she coaches the girls in Ballyduff GAA club.
Flying High.
Congratulations to Ballyduff man Paul Sheehan who recently completed a skydive at Kilkenny Aerodrome. Paul took to the air to raise money for Waterford Hospice. We are all aware of the vital work being carried out by this charity and of the wonderful care and support they give to patients and their families. Paul handed over a cheque for €1,078 which the charity were delighted to receive.
Fundraiser
Ballyduff lady Anne Coe(nee Fenlon) contacted me to let me know about a fundraising night she is arranging on Saturday October 14th at 9pm in The Cotton Mill, Portlaw. The fundraiser is in aid of Lilly who is a 3 year old girl who suffers from a condition called Cystic Hygroma which causes her tongue to swell which affects her breathing. If there are any musicians or singers out there willing to volunteer their time or anyone willing to donate a spot prize, all help would be appreciated.
Community Alert.
The first meeting after the Summer break of our community alert group was held last week. In attendance were community guard Tom Daly and Seargant Alan Kissane who again praised our garda text scheme which has proved very successful. They also informed us that there is now a 24 hour service in Kilmacthomas Garda Station. Also present were members from the Portlaw, Dunhill and Kilmacthomas groups. Invited guests on the night were historian Julian Walton who spoke about the history of Curraghmore and our own local author Karen Power who spoke of her entry into the world of novel writing. The group will meet again in a few weeks and they have asked that we spread the word about the group and encourage our neighbours and friends to attend.
Reunion of Champions.
On Saturday October 7th at 9.30pm in The Clodagh Lounge, Portlaw there will be a special celebration and reunion night of the 1977 Portlaw team who were crowned Senior Hurling County Champions in that year. Of course three of that team emigrated down here to Kilmeaden to live and so we are delighted to see them being honoured. Of course I do have a personal reason for mentioning this as my own dad Noel O Sullivan was part of the team as was Paddy Henebry of Stonehouse and of course not forgetting the late great Tom Cheasty. We look forward to a special night with music by Noddy and light refreshments served.