Our Sympathy, Confirmation Time and Aviva Dreams

Bridge News

The Ballyduff/Portlaw bridge club meet in Ballyduff NS every Monday night and the results of their game played on Monday May 27th are:
1st: Sean Hennessy and Kate Hayes.

2nd: Geraldine McMahon and Nano Fitzgerald.

3rd: Mary Cummins and Mary Prendergast.

4th: Beth Spollen and John Fitzpatrick.
This very generous group invited Dermot Dooley from the Touching Hearts charity to their meeting where they presented him with a cheque for €500 which is greatly appreciated.


Our Sympathy

We extend our deepest sympathy to JJ and Mary White, Gortaclode on the death of their beloved daughter Breda. Breda Quigley was living in Kilhile, Arthurstown and her funeral mass took place in St. James Church, Ramsgrange followed by burial in the new cemetery. We offer our sympathies to all of Bredas family especially her parents JJ and Mary, her sister Helen, her husband Joe and daughters Nicols and Lisa. We pray that Breda now rests in peace and that her heartbroken family and friends may find comfort in their memories of her.


Beautiful Baby Boy.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Ms. Lorraine Ryan and her husband James who recently welcomed their baby son Luke into the world. Ms. Ryan is part of the teaching staff in Ballyduff N.S and we send heartiest congratulations from all the staff, students and parents. We hope baby Luke will come to meet us all soon and we wish him and his parents every good health and happiness.


Confirmation Time

On Thursday May 30th Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan confirmed the 5th and 6th classes from Portlaw National School and we wish each and every one of them the very best and hope that they all enjoyeda wonderful day with their family and friends. We pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will continue to guide and protect these young people in their futures.

 


Free CPR Training

Yes you did read that right, our local GAA club have very kindly organised free CPR training for the club and community. This training will take place on Friday June 7th in Ballyduff Community Centre. The times arranged are 5pm, 6.30pm and 8pm. If you are over 18 and are interested in taking part in this life saving opportunity please call Brian on 087-2486423 to register. Places are filling fast so please ring today.

 


GAA News

As always our local GAA club is a hive of activity with all the different age groups taking part in games both at home and away. Congratulations to the U14 LGFA team who beat Abbeyside 7-09 to 4-04 in a very exciting game at home. This win brings them through to a county semi final and we wish them the very best of luck.

The academy section of the club had a fantastic day out to Butlerstown recently with 53 children from the club taking part in lots of matches against the host club. They all enjoyed the games and abig thank you to all the parents.

The U12 lady footballers had a great win in the first round of the championship against Erins Own. A big well done to the girls for all their great work and also to their coaches and parents for their brilliant support.

In the U9 hurling league Ballyduff bounced back with an entertaining win over Clonea on a score line of 3-2 to 1-2. There was some brilliant play all over the field especially against the wind in the second half. The great support from the sideline also helped greatly.


Aviva Dreams!

I was delighted when I heard that a group of young ladies from our local soccer club were off to The Aviva and wanted to make sure that I gave you an accurate account of the days happening so I sought the help of a young expert friend of mine Laura Carlin. Laura and her sister Emma were part of the group who headed off and of course they have soccer running through their blood and the piece that Laura put together for me was full of such passion and enthusiasm I decided that I should just include it exactly as written so please enjoy:

During the Easter holidays Ballyduff AFC held a camp called the Aviva Soccer Sisters. Lots of clubs throughout the country held this camp too. Every club that held the camp was entered into a draw to take part in the Aviva soccer sister dream camp at the Aviva Stadium. Three teams from Munster, Leinster, Ulster and Connacht were picked out of a hat and fortunately Ballyduff was picked to go. We organised a bus to bring us to and from Dublin.

Finally the 29th of May arrived. Everyone met at the Ballyduff school park at 1.30pm. The 10 children and 7 adults were soon on the bus and on their way to Dublin. Near the Aviva stadium the team stopped for a quick snack and then it was on to the stadium. The girls were shocked to see such a huge stadium and the cameras were straight out for the photos. We got to the stadium and registered and the FAI gave every team a mentor and Ballyduff’s mentor was called Mia. Mia plays for Bohs ladies in Dublin at the momntedent. Mia brought the girls to the dressing room that the Irish Soccer and rugby teams use. They were so big they even had two jacuzzis in them. The girls got changed and made their way out onto the pitch. The games were 15 minutes long. We drew our first game but won the other three. After the fourth match the teams were presented with medals and a club plaque and there was a chance of a group photo with Cara the school girl mascot and then it was time to head back to Ballyduff. The girls all had a brilliant time and will treasure the memories forever.

I thank Laura very much for this informative account of their day and I know that all in Ballyduff AFC are very proud of the fine representation made by these girls on behalf of their club and coaches. I am also quiet certain that from the heavens above a very proud Frankie Carlin beamed down with tremendous satifaction as both a grandad and a proud Ballyduff AFC man.


Star Struck Production.

Star Struck Theatre school who hold classes in Ballyduff Community Centre are ready to bring their production to the stage. Consisting of boys and girls from our community their production of Beauty and the Beast promises to delight the audience. They will take to the stage on Wednesday June 5th and Thursday June 6th at 7pm. Tickets will be on sale at the door at the following prices, adults €10, children €8 and a family ticket(2 adults and 2 children)for €30. Come along and treat yourself to a night of fun and song.