Perhaps, it was the feeling engendered by the upcoming All Ireland Hurling Final or maybe it was because of the fine weather but in the opinion of many, last weekend’s festival of under 12 hurling in Mullinahone was the biggest and best hurling festival of them all.

Our festival began life as a four team local under 10 tournament in 2002 with Callan, Ballingarry, Mullinahone and I think St. Patrick’s taking part. Over the years, the tournament has grown and grown until it has become simply enormous. Last weekend over 700 young hurlers from all over the country descended on “the little village”. This coupled with about 300 mentors and parents meant an influx of over a thousand people. The blaze of colour had to be seen to be believed.

The festival began with a Parade of all the competing teams up Carrick Street and via Kickham Street to the GAA Sportsfield. Here the festival was declared open by Christy Cooney Uachtaran of the GAA. It is possible that this may be the last of the festival in it’s present format as next year, it is proposed that there will be no official competition at under 12 level in the GAA. This new ruling has it’s advocates and it’s critics.

While many GAA people regret the passing of GAA Championships at South Tipperary and County level, that have existed since the early 1970’s, more say that at this age, most of the Championships are played for by adults, while the boys and girls merely play a match. Originally GAA Competition was at under 15 level in Schools before it moved into the remit of the Clubs in the mid 1950’s. Then, we had the switch to under 16 and under 14 when under 12 arrived in 1970. B and lower grade Championships arrived in the middle 1980’s.

Now the most modern thinking is for the development of skills and go games, but all that is debate for another day. While the parade was the highlight for many the mass on Sunday morning with the home and visiting teams taking part dressed in their club colours was the highlight.

Five of the teams who took part were from Ulster and it was strange to hear so many clipped Northern accents reading at Mass. The ceremony was completed by the singing of Mullinahone native John McCormack. The visiting squads from Derry, Tyrone, Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan were kept in local homes when they arrived on Friday night. I have been hearing oceans of praise from many people as to how well behaved all the visiting young people were. It is good to hear for a change so many good news stories concerning the next generation.

The local Juvenile Club who put a huge effort into the organising of the festival are grateful to all those who helped them out but especially to those parents and households who threw their homes open to welcome the visitors in the true tradition of Knocknagow. The parade was led through the streets by the Carrick on Suir band.

The hurling itself on three different pitches was of excellent quality.

Thanks to Mullinahone AFC and Eamon Green/Micky Keating in this regard. As darkness fell the winners of the Cup were Clonmel St. Mary's who defeated Kevin Lynch's of Dungiv

en in Derry in an absorbing final. In the Shield final Dungannon Eoghan Ruad of Tyrone and Fermoy of Cork agreed sportingly and properly to share the Shield when they finished level after extra time in their final. Perhaps, this is a blueprint for the future and all young teams taking part should agree to draw in event of being level in the final. After all, it is this hell bent on victory attitude that GAA officialdom objects to at under age level. In our festival, do not all those who take part receive the same medals?

At under 10 in ground hurling Piltown were the winners with Fermoy the runners up. In the under 10 shield Skeheenarinky (Ballyporeen) were the winners defeating their relative neighbours Fermoy in the final. Because the weather was so kind it is doubtful if the 700 young hurlers ever enjoyed such a day of hurling before.

The thanks of the parish must go to the officers of our Juvenile Club, to our Senior Club officers who backed them up to the Chairman of South Tipp Senior Board and the Chairman of South Tipp Bord na nOg. All have one thing in common, they are Mullinahone people.
No wonder another Mullinahone native could describe the area on TG4 on Sunday night as "Baile na hIomana".

Local Lotto Results:
The last draw took place on Monday August 23rd. The numbers drawn were (10, 12, 13, 22). There was no jackpot winner but four shared the Match 3 prize of €160. Our congratulations to Mary Madden-Sawyer, Maura Morris, Button and Tom Ryan. Next draw will take place on Monday September 6th when the jackpot could be worth E2,500. Definitely a healthy sum for anybody to help them take part in a celebration. However, to win you must first be in.

Hard luck ladies:
Hard luck to our Junior Ladies Football team which lost their County Final in New Inn on Sunday. They played well but unfortunately, were not good enough on the day. There will be other days. It was a pity that the final clashed with two other GAA events. Unfortunately, this must have cost us support. The team was sponsored by S and N Repairs. Thurles Sarsfields were their opponents in the final.

Perhaps, in their next campaigns we'll hear a little bit more of who is playing in the different grades and how they are getting on.

Droichead Family Resource Centre Callan:
Autumn Courses
A registration evening will take place on Thursday Oct

ober 20th from 7pm until 9pm for the following courses: Healthcare Support Fetac Level 5, Occupational First Aid, Occupational Refresher, Paediatric First Aid, Computer Applications (Fetac Level 4), Beginners Computer Applications (Fetac Level 5), Manual Handling, Safety and Health at work (Fetac Level 3), Pilates, Aerobic exercises, Beginners Yoga. Places are limited, therefore, a minimum of E25 deposit must be paid at the registration evening. All courses will be held in the Friary Complex in Callan.

Fab Fitness:
Are new Fitness classes starting mornings in Community Centre, Mullinahone to suit people dropping children to school/playschool whether you want to improve fitness levels, muscle tone or lose weight, these classes are designed to suit all levels of fitness as everyone works within their own range. For those who wish to they have the option to weigh in and stay for a chat about healthy living with some valuable tips and sound advice. Starting Monday September 6th at 9.40am E49 for 7 weeks.
More details, contact Bridget (Biddy) O'Dwyer, NCEF Drangan, phone 087 6410352.

Fundraiser:
Do support the Golf Classic at Slievenamon Golf Club on September 3rd and 4th. The Classic is being run in aid of the Treasure Centre Cameroon. This Centre is being run by Sr. Eileen O'Brien, Cloneen. Sr. Eileen is a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary. Entry fee is E30. All donations are very welcome. More details from 086 2319623.

Fitness Classes
Ladies Fitness Classes are back. They began on August 31st at 8pm in Mullinahone GAA Sports Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm. Cost is E7 per session or E89 for 20 nights or E49 for 10 nights.

Gift vouchers available also at a reduced rate. All fitness levels catered for. For details, phone Andrew at 087 2920757.
Also, personal training and exercise routines available at extremely good prices.

Parish Newsletter
Copy for newsletter required in Meehans Shop before 6pm on Thursday evenings.

Anniversary masses next weekend
Saturday Sept. 4th 8pm Eddie and Mary Jo Phelan, Kickham Street

Sunday Sept 5th 11.30am Anniversary Paddy and Mary Scott, Graigue

Well done lads:
Congratulations to our Under 21 hurlers. On Sunday they defeated Killenaule in the replayed South Tipp Under 21A Semi-final. This was a good display from our young team. We had to start without Richie Morrissey who was injured. Best wishes to Richie for a speedy recovery. The final score in the replay was Mullinahone 4-15 Killenaule 3-5.
We now await the winners of Moyle Rovers and Ballingarry who will play the other Semi-final this week.

Our panel on Sunday was Alan Walsh, Chris Horan, Niall Cronin, Joseph O'Meara, Ciaran O'Shea, Brian Treacy, Keigh Mullally, Eoin Fennelly, Eddie Phelan, Denis Connolly, Sean Curran, Niall O'Brien, Nigel O'Brien, Cathal Horan, Danny Luttrell, Kevin Walzer, Gary Cronin, Eoin Egan, Diarmuid O'Halloran, Brian O'Halloran.

The weekend in general had poor results for our hurlers. On Saturday night, our juniors lost out to Newcastle in the South Tipperary Championship. However, before we come down on the lads like a ton of bricks, we should consider the following. The margin of defeat was only a goal 2 - 12 to 1 - 12. We also played Newcastle's number one team. Back in the late 1980's we were delighted when we ourselves were able to beat Ballingarry's second string with our best team. Our junior panel has been depleted by the hasty promotion of some players to senior status for only a few minutes of play. This was hardly a wise hurling decision by the team's mentors. Overall, we should be quite pleased with how well our juniors competed. Back in 1987, we felt quite down when our best team (our juniors) lost to Ballingarry's second string i the first round of the South Tipperary Championship.

At the time, this was the weakest Adult competition in the weakest hurling division in the County and we lost out in the very first round. On Sunday in Fethard, our minors lost to St. Mary's in the "A" Championship semi-final by 2 - 20 (26) to 3 - 12 (21). Our side was much younger and lighter than Mary's and it was also their first year for some time to be playing in the "A" Competition. When we fell twelve points behind early in the second half, our lads could have thrown in the towel and we can be quite pleased that they didn't cave in so easily but battled on to the end.

It was left to our under 10's at the bottom of the hurling scale to rescue the weekend. On Sunday our under 10's travelled to Ballingarry for the Ballingarry Fun Day and Hurling Blitz. Despite several players being unavailable, due to holidays, Mullinahone put up a great show. In the first game, we defeated our hosts Ballingarry by 7 - 2 to 1 - 2. This was a super performance by all of the team. We played our second game straight away and we narrowly beat Killenaule by 4 - 2 to 1 - 2. In their third and final game, Mullinahone played St. Patrick's. With five minutes to go, we were two points down but we then scored two goals late in the game and went on to win by 3 - 3 to 1 - 2.

This left our team as the best in the tournament with three wins. Well done to the panel and to the mentors who were in charge of them. Our panel of players was Jack Lonergan, Sasha Kavanagh, Alice Browning (Capt.), Cathal Brett, Michael O'Shea, Martin Kehoe, Matthew Thompson;, Oisin Drennan, Baylea Grace, Eanna Ryan, Dylan St. John, Cillian White, Elie Freeman, Daire O'Brien, James O'Connell and Ellie Dyson. For further details of the Under 10's, please contact Neil Thompson at 086 1022064. Looking forward to the future.

Our Under 21's play their long delayed Semi-final against Killenaule in Fethard on Saturday evening next at 5pm. While some of this group have been receiving bad press recently, Saturday evening next presents them with a chance to redeem themselves.
A win would be more than welcome so our supporters are asked to travel in numbers to urge them on.

Our Under 12’s are preparing for their South Tipp Final. The game seems to have been put back a few days, but preparations are well in hand and we
look forward to a good show. Hopefully, our Seniors are making serious preparations for their first round game in the County qualifiers Sunday next against Waterford will make that picture a lot clearer. Meanwhile, best of luck to Eoin and Paul and also to Paul Kelly now on the road to recovery.

Kickham Country Weekend

The 28th Kickham Country Weekend has come and gone. Once again, the weather for the weekend was very kind. The weekend was officially opened on Friday night by John Lonergan, the former Governor of Mountjoy. In a most entertaining opening, John spoke of and lamented the passing of the old Irish Country values and way of life, where people cared about each other. He spoke of difficult times being an opportunity to resurrect some of these pre Celtic Tiger values. Many of these older values of caring went right back to the days of Kickham and Knocknagow.

An informative lecture followed on the diaryist Humprey O’Sullivan with strong Kerry roots who wrote of life in the Callan Mullinahone area in pre famine days. Proinsias O’Drisceoil certainly raised some interesting points.

On Saturday night, Brendan O’Cathaoir lectured on Rev. John Barry, Champion of the Poor. Buried at Cashel, Fr. Barry had the misfortune to tread on the toes of two famous bishops. His story recounted by Brendan made an absorbing lecture and offered an alternative view on the internal workings of the 19th Century Catholic Church. The life of John Barry certainly requires further study. Historical Callan and Kells was toured on Saturday afternoon with Joe Kennedy as tour guide. Of interest to locals is the fact that the old churches at Modeshill and Kilvemnon both belonged to the Prior of Kells in a time when County boundaries were much less important than they are now. Church organisation in Ireland was also much different in those days going back nearly 700 years. Sundays Mass, wreath laying, oration and poetry reading also went well but, we’ll wait until next week for a fuller account. There was some discussion over the weekend of transferring the date of the Kickham Weekend of the August Bank Holiday weekend, but that is a matter for another day.

Tractor Road Run:

On Saturday week, 21st August, a convoy of vintage tractors and assorted vintage modes of transport will leave Mullinahone at 12 noon for a trip around Slievenamon. They will return to Mullinahone that evening.

The next day, Sunday, there will be a vintage day in Mullinahone. Locals will be able to step back in time and see how engines and machines worked 50-100 years ago.
There will also be a host of different stalls and sideshows.

Thanks to the Slievenamon Vintage Club the past will be brought back to life on 21st and 22nd August.

Further details from Terry O’Brien on 086 0834381 or Ned Cronin on 054 648277.
Local Lotto

The last draw took place on Tuesday August 3rd due to the bank holiday on August Monday. The numbers drawn were: (6, 12, 17, 20). There was no jackpot winner, but three people shared the Match 3 prize of E150. Congratulations to Monica Lawless, Ann Pollard and Michael Hicks. Next draw will be on Monday next August 16th when the jackpot could be once again over E2,000 (E2,050 in fact). However, if you wish to win, you must first be in.

If Tipperary win on Sunday next, the jackpot would certainly enable you to have a good All-Ireland weekend. If we lose against Waterford, then you could use the jackpot to console yourself. Either way, you are a winner.

Parish News

Our ceremonies last weekend were flavoured by the presence of many visitors in connection with the Kickham Country Weekend. The month’s mind mass of Annie Hickey of Ballyduggan will be said on Saturday evening next August 14th at 8pm.

Anniversary Masses next weekend

Sunday August 15th 9.30am Anniversary Ciss and Denis O’Brien, Kylothea and Michael Tobin

Sunday August 15th11.30am Anniversary Ned O’Dwyer, Clashbeg and Nonie Chandler.

May they all rest in peace.

Community Council Draw

All cards for the new draw need to be returned by August 15th so that the draw for 2010/2011 can take place. The new draw will take place on Monday August 23rd and there will be two monthly draws that night. In order for the draws to take place, all cards need to be returned immediately.

Good Advice

In view of recent events, it is no harm to remind people that handbags visible in cars when these cars are parked are a temptation to watching thieves. Other valuables such as cameras or mobile phones are a similar temptation but cash and credit cards are an even bigger temptation to the casual thief who will seize the opportunity if such items are visible or if the parked car is unlocked. Readers are also asked to take note if they see any persons or even vehicles hanging around cars not their own. The eyes of the general public also protect the general public. Like Frankie Byrne on radio on the Jacob’s programme many years ago “the problems we discuss today may not be yours but they could be some day”. In the interests of all, including yourself, “Be vigilant”.

County Colours

We are only one step from the All Ireland Hurling Final. Householders and Tipp supporters are asked to put up the county colours ahead of the Waterford Semi-final in Croke Park on Sunday. Well done to those who have already done so. There are a number of fine displays in the village and it’s environs. Good also to see the faith percolating around the countryside. A win on Sunday should see a burst of blue and gold blooming next week.

Until then, we’ll have to tolerate the blue and white. Some black and amber has been visible for the last four years. However at the moment, Waterford are our big problem.

Mount Carmel Monthly Draw

May Results

E300 Mary Brennan, Knockagla
ss

E200 Siobhan Dunne, Briarsfield

E100 Margaret Maher, Jamestown

E30Mary Brennan, The Lough House

E30Catherine and Philip Bonque

E30Michael and Mary Egan, Castleview

E30Joan O’Neill, Rice Park

E30Fr. Philip O’Halloran, Green Lane

E30Rita O’Neill, Blackstaff

E30Catherine Power, Prologue

E30Mary Grace, Riversfield

E30Breda Bolger, Mullinahone

E30Kathleen Maher, Newtown

Next Visitors

The next major raft of visitors to Mullinahone should be here on Saturday August 28th when the great Under 12 hurling tournament will take place. There will also be a ground hurling Under 10 Tournament.

Preparations are well in hand as the Parish welcomes it’s young visitors from North, South, East and West. Over 600 visitors are expected in the village that day. We expect the place to be a riot of colour as most of the young people will be wearing their Club or County colours. Roll on August 28th.

July 12th is one of the best known dates in Irish history being the anniversary date of the famous Battle of the Boyne. This year the history of July 12th was over-shadowed in Mullinahone by the death on that date of Annie Hickey nee Healy of Ballyduggan. Annie was only 70 years of age at the time of her passing which took place rather unexpectedly at her home though she had been in poor health for the last ten years. Few knew now seriously ill Annie really was because she was a great woman for keeping the good side out. She loved meeting people and she was invariably in good form when speaking to them. Always laughing and joking, people liked meeting Annie, because meeting her made them feel better. Now sadly, that wonderful gay lively personality is gone for ever and we are all the poorer. To ad to the gloom of Annie’s passing, word came through from Effin in Co. Limerick during Annie’s reposal of the unexpected death there of Annie’s youngest sister, Bridget Fleming, (nee Healy). Bridget was only 59 years of age. Both sisters were born in Beaverstown to the late Tim and Ellen Healy. Annie grew up there and then moved to Dublin for some time. Once, while home on holiday, she met her future husband, Seamus Hickey. Both went to London to work but returned to Mullinahone to get married. They went back to England but eventually returned to Mullinahone for good about thirty years ago with their two children. Annie in particular, was delighted with this, as she loved Mullinahone and the way of life there. The now Hickey family quickly became part of the local community building a house in Ballyduggan. For Annie, it was as if she had never left Mullinahone. In later years, Annie became very attached to the local Knocknagow Retired Peoples Club and loved going to their meetings and on their outings. Annie loved community gatherings. Perhaps it was this that led her in her youth to join a community of nuns for some years.

This fact was unknown to her husband and children and only emerged during the days of her funeral. Some people are good at keeping secrets, while others are less so. Annie’s remains reposed at her home and were then brought to St. Michael’s Church for her funeral Mass. Chief Celebrant at her Mass was her first cousin Bishop Seamus Freeman of Ossory. Bishop Seamus was assisted by Fr. Breen P.P., Ballingarry who was doing holiday duty for our own Fr. McGrath and also Fr. Celsus Tierney, Holycross who was once a curate in Mullinahone. A strong sense of family and religion could be felt during Annie’s Funeral Mass with her cousin the bishop saying the Mass and readings being taken by her two cousins Sr. Josephine Healy and Sr. Anna Mary Healy. Annie would have liked that. The white pall was place don her coffin by her son John and her daughter Theresa. The responsorial psalm was sung by John McCormack (keeping up the local tradition) with Kevin Hickey on the organ.

The prayers of the faithful were recited by Margaret Delahunty (cousin) John Brett (nephew) Katie Slattery (grand niece) Mary Freeman (cousin) Niamh Lanigan (grandniece) and Bernie Hickey (sister in law) while the offertory gifts were presented by her sisters Ellen Brett and Mary O'Connell.

After Mass, Annie's remains were interred in St. Michael's Cemetery, Killaghy, with a very large congregation present. Similar and even larger numbers attended both the reposal and the funeral mass, tributes indeed to Annie's universal popularity. The chief mourners were Annie's husband Seamus Hickey, her son John and her daughter Theresa, her sisters Sr. Josephine Healy, Mary O'Connell, Ellen Brett and her brothers, Simon Healy and Philip Healy. Annie is also survived by her two aunts Biddy Freeman and Statia Hurley, cousins, in laws and extended family. Her passing will also be regretted by her many friends and neighbours. To all, we extend our sympathy. Annie was a unique personality and we are unlikely to see her likes again. May she rest in peace. Annie's month's mind mass will take place in St. Michael's Church at 8pm on Saturday August 14th.

Kickham Country Weekend:
The 28th Annual Kickham Country Weekend will take place in Mullinahone this coming weekend August 6th – 8th. The weekend will be officially opened on this Friday evening August 6th at 7.30pm, following a cheese and wine reception by John Lonergan, former governor of Mountjoy Prison. John is a native of Bansha, Co. Tipperary and when he retired as Governor of Mountjoy earlier this year, he caused quite a stir. John is a brilliant speaker and always well worth listening to. The first history lecture of the weekend. "The Diary of Amhlaoibh O'Suilleabhain" follows at 8.30pm. The lecture will be given by Proinsius O'Drisceoil PhD. The diary (a famous one) was written by a Kerryman Humphrey O' Sullivan who came to Callan in the early 19th Century, almost 200 years ago and wrote about the local area. Saturday afternoon brings the bus tour of historic Callan, Kells and Kilkieran at 1.30pm. The tour guide is Joe Kennedy of the Callan Historical Society. Joe is well known in Mullinahone and has Mullinahone connections. The second lecture that night at 8.30pm is called "Rev John Barry – Champion of the Poor". Fr. Barry was a Tipperary man who worked among the poor in Canada and the USA. The lecture will be given by Brendan O'Cathaoir PhD.

Sunday August 8th has the Annual Anniversary Mass for C.J. Kickham and his first biographer James Maher. The Mass is at 11.30am and will be followed by an oration at Kickhams Grave and the laying of wreaths on both Kickham's Grave and on that also of James Maher. The orator will be William Hayes of Lisheen Publications, Roscrea. The final official event of the weekend will be the poetry reading and musical interlude in Killaghy Castle Walled Garden by kind permission of Pat and Marie Collins.

Guest poet is the famous poet and writer Michael Coady of Carrick on Suir. The poetry reading gets underway at 3pm while poetry of a different kind will begin in Croke Park at 4pm. This event which we hope the weather will allow to be an open air one will bring the 28th Annual Kickham Country Weekend to a close.

Parish News:
The local parish newsletter has moved into it's 9th year of publication. Last weekend, Volume 9 issue no. 1 appeared. We can now look back on eight years of successful newsletters, thanks in the main to the work of it's editor Paul Meehan of Carrick Street. While Paul is the Editor and Production Manager et al, it is your newsletter. Keep a good thing going by supplying Paul with the news of the Parish in written form in plenty of time each week. The newsletter will only be as good as you make it. There is an old saying "It is no use crying over spilled milk". The same is true of the newsletter. Persons in charge of organisations should take note that they should bring news of the doings of their organisations to the Editor in time for publication. Don't be leaving it on the long finger and then being too late. Latest time for info for the newsletter is 6pm in Meehan's Shop on Thursday evenings. This week a thank you to all who contributed to the diocesan priests collection (summer). If you missed contributing, you can still do so and same will be much appreciated.

Anniversary Masses next weekend
Sat. Eve. August 7th 8pm Anniversary Margaret and Rody Curran, Kilvemnon
Sunday August 8th 9.30am Anniversary Michael Walsh, Carrick Road
11.30am Memorial Mass Charles Kickham and Maher.
Sat. Eve August 14th, 8pm Months Mind Annie Hickey, Ballyduggan

Local Lotto:
The last Local Lotto draw took place on July 26th. The numbers drawn were (6, 18, 22, 24). We had no jackpot winner but four shared the Match 3 prize of E160. Congratulations to Liam Gahan, the Curran Boys, Michael Scott and Jordan Denn. Next draw will be on Monday August 9th when the jackpot could be worth E1,900. However to win, you must first be in.

Building from the bottom:
Last week, we told you how our under 12's have qualified for the South Final against Killenaule. This looks as if it might be the last year of Under 12 Championships which have been going on since about 1972 or so. It would be a bonus to win the last one. At minor level (under 18), we play the South Tipperary Semi-final this weekend. As we go to press, we are not aware of the opposition or the venue. The last day out our minors were surprised and run very close by Knockmealdown Gaels. Maybe it was a good wake-up call. Our seniors have returned from their trip up North. They now face the qualifiers in the County Championship.

Well done to Mairead Luttrell who appeared live on TG4 with the Tipperary Ladies footballers winners over Meath on the Bank Holiday.

Mullinahone Playground
A message from Frances Cashman of the Mullinahone Playground Committee:
"On Saturday and Sunday July 24th and 25th, the Mullinahone Playground Committee held a cake sale. We would like to thank all the people who came to buy our goods. This is our first fundraiser in aid of raising money to build a much-needed Playground facility for our community. There was great interest in setting up our committee and we are happy to say that we are heading in the right direction. The cake sale raised over €500. There will be other fundraisers in the future and we hope that with everyone's support, that we will be nearer our goal of having a playground in our lovely village. We would like to thank all the volunteers who gave of their time and their baking skills to the event.