Bridge News.
The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club played their latest game of bridge on Monday September 3rd. The results were as follows:
1st: Kathleen Collins and Patsy Roche.
2nd: Breda Cowman and Mary Kennedy.
3rd: Ann Marie Brown and Mary Prendergast.
4th: Ann Cox and Margaret White.
5th: Geraldine McMahon and Joan Hartley.
What A Success.
On Sunday July 22nd the Kilmeaden Vintage Tractor club held their annual tractor run in aid of the Solas Cancer Support Centre. This was a great day from start to finish and a very enjoyable day was had by all. I was present recently at Haughtons when the group presented the cheque to representatives from The Solas Centre. A fantastic amount of €5,906.72 was raised and the group are very grateful to everyone who contributed to the fund and took part in the fun on the day. May I also say a big well done to the organisers who always put such a huge effort into this event and make sure that everyone has a wonderful day.
Needles To The Ready.
Our local knitting and crochet group will return to their group on Tuesday September 18th at 10am and are inviting you all to come along and join them. No experience is needed as all levels are welcome. If you would like some more information please contact Jeni on 086 8163101. If you fancy some nice company, nice chat while knitting or crocheting some beautiful items give Jeni a call and she will fill you in on all the details.
Great White Motor Run.
On Sunday September 16th the Airport Business Park will be awash with white vehicles. This unique event is being run in aid of the fantastic charity Touching Hearts and lots of fun and laughter is guaranteed. Registration will begin at 12 noon with an entrance fee of €20 per vehicle. The run will begin at 2pm. All entrants will also be entered into a draw for an amazing helicopter flight for two. There will also be a raffle for some brilliant prizes and a delicious barbeque.
A added attraction for the young children coming along to the event is a small vehicle run in the business park before the main event. They are asked to bring along their bikes, trikes, tractors, scooters or any vehicle with wheels and join in the spirit and fun of the day.
This is a unique and special event in aid of a great charity and promises to be a day to remember so get your vehicle sorted or come along as a spectator and join in the fun.
Soccer Club News.
Ballyduff AFC have asked me to say a big thank you to Donal Hickson of Centra Kilmeaden for his sponsorship of a full set of gear for the U14 girls team. His generosity is much appreciated.
The academy section of the club are also back in action. The U5/6’s train on Mondays at 6.30pm and the U7/8’s are on Wednesday at 6.30pm. New players are always welcome so just come along and join in.
A Gentleman Supreme
We were all very saddened to hear of the death of a most cherished parishioner Billy Heffernan recently. Billy lived in the very heart of the village, in the shadow of our church which was very important to him. A native of Fethard in Co.Tipperary he never forgot his roots especially when it came to the hurling but was also a great supporter of the Ballyduff and Waterford teams.
Having spent many years as a painter and decorator, he then ran the famous Heffernans shop with his wife Maureen. He kept a beautiful home and an immaculate garden. He showed me on a couple of visits the wonderful array of plants and flowers he had and told me how he loved the days while working in the garden that he would hear the children in the school out playing on their lunch break.
A quiet unassuming gentleman with a friendly smile and a chat for everyone is how I will remember Billy and we shall miss him from our community. Ar Dheis De Go Raibh Se.
County Final Awaits
Congratulations to the Ballyduff LGFA U12 team who have made their way into the County Final. Last week they made their way through following a great win over St.Pats with a final score of 3-5 to 2-4. A big thanks must go to all the parents and supporters from both Ballyduff and Portlaw who came out and gave brilliant support to the girls. They now have a chance to rest their voices and build up the stamina to cheer again for the County Final on September 22nd.
Get Moving!
If you are looking for some get fit ideas for the Autumn/Winter months then why not get along to Ballyduff Community Centre on Tuesday and or Thursday nights at 7.15pm and enjoy an hour of kettlebell workouts, cardio workouts and weight and resistance training classes. These workouts are for all levels and if you would like any further information please contact Emmet on 087 6635236.
GAA Success
Ballyduff GAA club are certainly enjoying some exciting time with the intermediate hurlers displaying great skill and determination to overcome Ballygunner in the quater final with a final score of 2-20 to 1-16. They now go on to meet Clonea in the semi final in Waish Park on Saturday September 15th at 4pm. This promises to be a great game and it would be great to see a big crowd there to cheer on the team and support them in their quest to reach the final.
Home To Rome.
We are all in awe of the amazing achievement of father and son duo Arthur and Jordan Curry as they arrived home from their cycle from Ballyduff to Rome. They took on this task not only for personal reasons but also to raise some much needed funds for Waterford Hospice. They arrived back to a heroes welcome on Thursday September 6th and their community and friends came out in force to show their admiration and pride. Well done to the guys for taking on such a challenge and showing such selflessness and courage to raise funds and awareness for such a fantastic charity.