Jack is a relative newcomer to the "noble art of self defence" having only taken up boxing last September. He is a member of Callan Boxing Club where he was trained by Jimmy Walsh.

Although he is a newcomer to the sport, Jack is soaked in boxing tradition. His father, Johnny and his late uncle, Mick Shelly were both quiet successful boxers at a high level. Jack also received help in his preparations for this assault on the national title from family friend Michael Quirke, who was involved in boxing in Mullinahone for many years.
Jack qualified for the national finals by winning the Leinster title in Newbridge last month. Four other regional champions also qualified for the All-Ireland championships as well as Jack.

Jack got a bye to the semi-final in which he faced a lad called Ward from Roscommon, who had been very impressive in winning his quarter final. However Jack was in top class form, and having given his opponent two counts in round one, the referee stopped the contest in Jack's favour.

In the final, Jack faced I Whitehead from the Bracken club in the Dublin region. He began well but was still behind at the end of round one on the computer. Round two was much better for Jack and his bus load of supporters from Callan and Mullinahone were quite convinced at the finish that Jack was the new champion.

They were right but it turned out to be much closer than anybody expected. The computer had Jack ahead by 28 to 23.
Jack became Callan's first National Champion in 60 years since Johnny Donovan won a title.
Jack's weight under 48kg has proved lucky for Mullinahone boxers over the years. Robbie Ryan won a title for Mullinahone Boxing club in this class at the weight and Stephen O'Brien won the Boy 2 Championship also at the weight.

We salute Jack and congratulate him on his win. We are also glad to see that Jack won the title on his own merits and that he didn't wait around to be strengthened up by the power of the Holy Spirit on Confirmation day. Again well done Jack on bringing a national title back to "the little village".

Confirmation Day – The administration of the sacrament of Confirmation in Mullinahone took place yesterday (Tuesday) at a special Mass in St Michael's church at 11am. The sacrament was conferred on 54 local young people by the archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dr Dermot Clifford.For some years past, the sacrament is conferred in Mullinahone every second year. This year it was fine and sunny.

In the weeks leading up to the Easter holidays our local schools were very busy preparing for Confirmation. Then we had a fortnights break for Holy Week and Easter and it was back to school just the day before Confirmation. This early date was most awkward for all concerned but like many obstacles that schools have to overcome this one was also surmounted.
Those who were confirmed from St Oliver Plunkett's school, Poulacapple were Sarah Murray, James Vaughan, Jedd Bates, Sean Burke, Brid Lyons, Ciara McDonald, Luke Brabazan, Keara Murray, Kieran Morris, Colin Byrne, Charlotte Devin, Catherine Foley and Anna Lyons. Scoil Mhuire Kilvemnon's Confirmed were Sarah Holland, Mikaela Horan, Stephen Carroll, Daniel Freeman, Christopher O'Brien, Marie Lyons, Luke O'Brien, Shane Egan, Paul Grayson and Seán Bermingham.

The biggest number came from St Michael's NS Mullinahone: Teresa Dunne, Hilary Guiry, Laura McGrath, Jacinta O'Grady, Jack Shelly, Conor Vaughan, Richard Walsh, David Walzer, Neil Reilly, Eirn Connolly, Olivia Gallagher, Liam Hicks, Kerrie Lawlor, Patrick O'Halloran, Ciára Walsh, Lucy Woodside, Colum Fullbrook, Jack McCarthy, Luke Mullally, Roberta Reilly, Killian Skarka, Niall Walsh, Sean Walzer, David Dunne, Niall Brennan, Eilis Fitzgerald, Aaron Hayden, Tyler Hicks, Kevin McGrath, Michaela Reilly and Jessica Watson.
Congratulations and best wishes to each and ever one of the 54.

LOCAL LOTTO JACKPOT – The local lotto jackpot was not won on April 10 when the weekly draw took place. Because of the Easter Bank Holiday on Monday, the draw was held over until Tuesday night as is the custom.
The winning numbers were 1, 12, 18 and 24. While we didn't have a jackpot winner, two lucky punters shared the match 3 prize of e150. Congratulations to Pat Gahan and Michelle Scott.
The jackpot next Monday night April 23 could reach e5,000 so if you want to win then be sure to be in.

GOLF SOCIETY – The next local Golf Society outing has been fixed for April 28 in Carrick-on-Suir. The fee is only e35 and this includes a three course meal. If any golfer is interested in the society's singles match play, please contact Peter Ryan at 085 1740782 or Johnny Kennedy at 087 6409284 on or before the same date. Further details next week.

KNOCKNAGOW – The members of the Knocknagow Social club and some of their friends are off to visit Ballingarry club tomorrow (Thursday). The bus will leave the car park at 2pm.

A DROUGHT – People have certainly noticed the fine weather since the start of the month. In fact when the first 15 days of April turned out to be fine we had an official drought. This state of affairs happens often then one supposes and not always in Summer.
By the way where are the swallows and has anybody heard the cuckoo? A lady who lives in the parish has seen returning swallows but not in Mullinahone. While signs of Summer have been seen, the weather has remained at times chilly. Growth is quiet slow.
There is quite a blaze of white bushes to be seen in the area. These are black thorn or sloes where the flower comes before the leaf bud. The mayflower or whitethorn comes later. In the case of the hawethorn or whitethorn or sceach the buds appear first and then we have the white flower generally in May.

FOOTBALL – Our minor footballers had their second game in the South Tipperary Championship in Kilsheelan on Friday evening last.
Despite going down rather heavily to the combination team the previous week, we had a bigger panel on duty against Clonmel Commercials on Friday evening.
Clonmel had a big win themselves the previous week so the omens for Mullinahone were not good.
In spite of playing into the breeze in the first half Clonmel built up a lead of 0-6 to 0-0. During half time Mullinahone made a number of changes and continued to defend stoutly. Even a Commercials goal didn't break their resolve and a Niall O'Brien goal brought Mullinahone back into the game.
When Kevin Walzer converted a penalty, we were well back into the game but two late points saw Commercials win by 1-8 to 2-2.

This was an improvement on our first game and gives us some hope for future games, the first of which goes ahead against Ardfinnan this weekend. Kevin Walzer, who had played with Tipperary minors against Kerry during the week, caused plenty of problems for Commercials when he moved into space.
Our man of the match though must have been Seán Quirke, who defended stoutly even when the team wasn't going well. Even at the top level we can expect to win games if our midfield can supply our forwards with a decent supply of the ball.

We lined out Alan Walsh, Nigel O'Brien, Niall Cronin, Ciaran O'Shea, Thomas Collins, Sean Quirke, Keith Mullally, Eddie Phelan, Joseph O'Meara, Brian Treacy, Kevin Walzer, Niall O'Brien, Chris Horan, Eoin Egan, Andy Needham. Subs used: Sean Curran, Danny Luttrell and Richie Morrissey.

SENIOR HURLING – Our senior hurlers' participation in the county league came to an end on Saturday evening last when we went down in Borrisoleigh 2-15 to 1-13. Being out of the league before the start, we continued with experimentation, trying out a number in various positions.
We stayed with Borris until well into the second half, with Pat Croke getting most of our scores, mostly from frees. He got most assistance from Donal Cody, who scored two points from play before his half-time departure. Three of our points came from line balls, two from Pat Croke and one from Vincent Doheny.
As in our last game against Drom, we were there or there abouts for a long part of the game but faded out in the last quarter.
With Killenaule looming up on the horizon and the national league over for our players, we lined out: Seán Foxe, Shane O'Brien, Dermot Hackett, Kyran Vaughan, Edwin O'Meara, Brian O'Meara, Philip O'Shea, Niall Curran, James Connolly, Adrian Maher, Pat Croke, Aidan Maher, Donal Cody, Alan Curran and Niall Kelly.