Local News 28th November 2008

HALL OF FAME WINNER
LAST Saturday evening was a momentous occasion for Shanagolden man Tom Madigan when he travelled to Dublin with his wife Kay to accept the Hall of Fame award at the gala ladies All-Star football banquet at the Citywest Hotel. For Tom it is fitting reward for the trojan work that he has put into the sport, travelling the length and breadth of Ireland over the last quarter of a century. Yet this involvement happened somewhat by chance. Tom explains: “Two of my daughters won gold medals for Gaelic football at the Community Games in Mosney 24 years ago. Sometime later I met Timmy Woulfe and the late Derry Kelleher who were toying with the idea of putting a structure in place for ladies football in the county. So we decided to give it a try and it blossomed from there and today we have twenty four clubs affiliated across the county”. From there, the now retired Shanagolden farmer immersed himself in the organisation of the sport and this led a stint as Munster Council Chairman. “I could not have held that position without the support of my wife and family. Many evenings I was pulling out to a meeting around 5pm when there were seventy cows to be milked, but my family stood by me, other than that I could not have done it”.
Tom has a long association with Gaelic Games and is a through and through St. Senan’s man and is the proud holder of county, minor and junior medals. He is very happy with developments in the club especially with the new playing facilities that he describes as second to none”. We have a very good senior team at present, up to four of them are on the Limerick panel. We lost the county semi-final narrowly a couple of weeks ago and we were beaten in the county final two years ago. Our players are drawn from Shanagolden, Foynes and Robertstown”.
Tom is happy and proud about the growth in popularity of ladies football. “A lot is being done in the schools and it is paying off. It takes young girls away from the temptation of drugs. All the girls involved in ladies football are ladies to the backbone and you would be proud to be involved with them. The growth is just phenomenal. We have a ladies team in St. Senan’s and they have reached two county finals and are within touching distance of bringing a county back to the parish”.
After a quarter of a century, still ambitious? elicits a very definite yes; “Before I meet my maker, I want to see a Limerick girl raise a trophy in Croke Park”.

COMMUNITY COUNCIL CARDS
The results of the card games are as follows: First prize on 10 games to John O’Malley and Josie Finucane, second prize to Mai Naughton and Peggy Lynch. The table prizes went to Dick Gleeson, C. Lynch, Eileen Carrig and Anthony McMahon. The raffle was won by Pat Heavener, Peter Donovan, Eileen Carrig, Bridie McManus and P. Hastings. The winners of the lottery tickets were Johnny Carroll and Nancy Danaher. Cards are held every Friday night at 9.15pm sharp and all are welcome.

SHANID COMHALTAS GROUP
The above group hold their music lessons every Thursday night from 7pm to 9pm in the card playing room, Shanagolden. All musicians are welcome, young and old, so come along and learn to play good music.

LOTTERY RESULTS
The lottery draw was held for a jackpot of €12,550. The numbers drawn were 11, 12, 16 and 17 and there was no winner. The lucky dip winners were €50, Tom Geoghegan, Ardagh. €40 Joan O’Sullivan, Foynes. €30 Jim Kennedy, Ballingarry, Kathleen Sheehy, Croagh, Paudie Reidy, Athea. 10 free tickets to Ann Lenihan, Abbeyfeale. This week’s draw will be for a jackpot of €12,700.

ROSARY
The Rosary will be recited in Mount Pleasant Graveyard every Sunday for the month of November at 2.30pm.
The Rosary will be recited in Reilig Mhuire every Sunday afternoon during November at 3pm.

RACE NIGHT
Shannonside Football Club would like to thank everybody who supported the race night which was held the Shannon House, Foynes on Friday night last. A huge crowd turned up and a great night’s racing was had.

PADRE PIO
Reminder to Padre Pio devotees that the Padre Pio devotions take place the second Friday of each month in Foynes Church 7.30 to 8.30pm.

PARISH RETREAT – IMPORTANT
The annual parish retreat in Ardfert will now take place on the original date of Saturday, November 29. Please give your name into the sacristy as soon as possible. Apologies for the confusion.

REMEMBRANCE MASS
St. Ita’s Community Hospital will be holding a Remembrance Mass for deceased patients/residents in the Hospital Chapel on Sunday, November 23 at 3pm. Family members and friends are invited to attend.

DAY OF RECONCILLIATION
Day of Reconciliation – Meditation in the Desmond Complex, Newcastle West with Fr. Pat Murray, S.C.A. on November 29. Theme: “My Unique Identity and Essential Activity”. For booking phone Catherine Ambrose on 069-77562.

MONSTER 45 DRIVE
A monster 45 drive will be held at Raheenagh Community Centre on Tuesday, November 26 at 9pm. There will be €2,000 in prizes with numerous spot prizes. Admission is €10 and refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend.

ROSARY AT CEMETERIES
Annual November Rosary continues to be recited in the three cemeteries of our parish each Sunday during the month of November; at the Famine Cemetery 3pm, Calvery Cemetery 3.20pm and Churchtown Cemetery 3.40pm. All welcome.

SHANNONSIDE FC
U12: St. Ita’s conceded home advantage due to the bad weather conditions, and switched their match away to Shannonside AFC in Barrigone.
Score 6-3 to Shannonside.
Team: Adam Russell, Darra Fennessy, Andrew Madigan, Richard Hayes, David O’Connell, Darren Lawlor, Sean McSweeney, Vincent O’Connell, Sean Finucane, Eoghan McSweeney, Dale Danaher. Subs: Jack Murphy, JD Lenihan, Cian O’Donnell and Christopher McDaid.
Shannonside under-12’s maintained their unbeaten run to Creeves last Saturday morning. The final score was 5-1 to Shannonside. Andrew Madigan had a superb game in defence and put in his man of the match performance.
Team: Adam Russell, Vincent O’Connell, Dara Fennessy, Andrew Madigan, David O’Connell, Darren Lawlor, Sean McSweeney, Richard Hayes, Sean Finucane, Eoghan McSweeney and Dale Danaher. Subs: Jack Murphy, Simon Curtin, JD Lenihan, Thomas Moroney and Christopher McDaid.

LOTTERY DRAW
The following are the numbers drawn for the weekly draw, 7, 9, 22 and 23. There was no winner. Lucky dips went to Paula Fitzsimons, Mary Moroney c/o Carrie, Pauline and Monica, Woodvale and Pat Griffin.
Next draw on Monday, November 17 at Kerry Bar with a jackpot of €3,700.