Seamus is given a Civic Reception by Waterford City and County Council

The achievements of local man Seamus Power in 2016, the highlight which was no doubt getting to represent Ireland at this year’s Olympic Games at Rio De Jinerio in Brazil was recognised recently when he was given a civic reception at the Civic Offices in Dungarvan by the members of Waterford City and County Council with its Mayor Cllr. Adam Wyse officiating.

Seamus made history on the night as he became the first person to be given a Civic Reception in Dungarvan since the amalgamation of the City and County Councils in June 2014.

At the reception Cllr Adam Wyse made reference to the controversies surrounding the inclusion of gold at the games for the first time in about 100 years and the decision of some of the games most high profile players to stay away citing the Zika Virus for not travelling.

Cllr. Damien Geoghegan who proposed that Seamus be given such a reception reflected on Seamus’ career to date.

“It was a very proud moment for all Waterford people to see you step forward and take your place and represent your country at the greatest sporting event on the planet” Cllr Geoghegan told Seamus and those present.

Cllr James Tobin who seconded the motion to give Seamus a civic reception wished Seamus success in his career and told Seamus that Waterford people would have special memories of the Rio 2016 games for “the right reasons”.

A number of other Councillor’s spoke including Independent Laurence ‘Cha’ O’Neill who said he enjoyed following Seamus’ progress and described him as an ambassador for Waterford. Cllr. O’Neill told those present that his Grandfather who was a two time Mayor of Waterford City and he hailed from Touraneena. “They must be doing something right in Touraneena” Cllr O’Neill said.

Seamus thanked those in attendance and said that the reception was unexpected, but that he appreciated it.

Seamus received his early education at Saint Mary’s Touraneena National School and upon completion of his education there moved to Saint Augustine’s College.

After his Leaving Cert he won a scholarship to East Tennessee State University where he graduated with a first class honours degree in accounting.

Before picking golf as his chosen sport to pursue a career in, he was also a very good hurler, footballer, handballer and racquetball player, winning honours in all games, and could have proved to be just as successful in any of them as he is currently at golf.

Local winners at G.A.A. Awards Night

There were a number of local winners at the Local Bar Sponsored Waterford G.A.A. Awards Night which was held on Saturday night last at Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan.

There was no surprise when it came to the Adult Hurler of the Year Award as Austin Gleeson who helped Waterford win the Under 21 Munster and All-Ireland Finals was named the winner. The Mount Sion man also won the National Hurler of the Year Award, the National Underage Player of the Year, Award, and an All-Star Award as well as being named on the Under 21 Team of the year.

The underage Player of the Year award was won by Jack Prendergast from Lismore as he impressed in helping his side win Western, County and Munster Intermediate Hurling titles in the past year.

The football winners came from The Nire Club.

The Adult Footballer of the year was won by Thomas O’Gorman who guided The Nire to the county senior football final a few weeks playing at Full back. He also impressed while helping The Nire reach a third Munster Senior Club Football Final, where they lost out recently to Dr. Crokes from Kerry. The underage Player of the Year was won by Dylan Guiry who is regarded by many as one of the finest football prospects coming through within the county.

Ballyduff Lower who beat Saint Mary’s in the Junior Hurling County Final won the Club of the Year. It was a very good year for the Ballyduff/Kilmeaden based club as they won the East and County Junior Hurling Championship and reached the Munster Final where they lost out on Sunday last to Mayfield from Cork and also won the Eastern Junior Football Final but lost out to Colligan after a replay in the County Final.

The Affane/Cappoquin Club won an award for the development of their Club Grounds.

Former Waterford and Mount Sion hurler Pat McGrath, father of Ken won a Hall of Fame award.

Dungarvan’s Jim Dee won the Jack Furlong Award, presented each year for service to the G.A.A. for his untiring work as team secretary to the Waterford Senior Hurlers over a long number of years. The popular Dungarvan man served as secretary while Gerald and Justin McCarthy, Davy Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan and Derek McGrath was team manager up to the time he retired from the position.

Ballygunner Club Man Pat McCarthy won the Seamus O’Brien Award for administration within the G.A.A.

Sean Power who managed the Waterford Under 21 team in 2016 was awarded a Special Achievement Award for guiding Waterford to Munster and All-Ireland Glory.

Affane/Cappoquin Club Man Eddie O’Shea and Bonmahon’s Mossie Landy won awards of Special Merit for their work within the G.A.A.

Patricia Walsh (Junior) from Lackendarra was presented with a Special Recognition Award for serving as Secretary to the Féile na Gael Competition which was successfully staged in Waterford and Tipperary in 2016. Patricia is one of the hardest workers the G.A.A. in Waterford has having filled a number of positions at Club Level with Colligan and Saint Patrick’s as well on County and Western Boards at Adult and Bord na nÓg Levels. She is currently the Secretary of the Western Board.

Another local winner was Monnie Hallahan who was presented with a Special Recognition to Culture Award. Monnie has been long associated with the Different Scor competitions. He has trained many teams including from Sliabh gCua to win County, Munster and All-Ireland set dancing competitions and was himself a part of the First Sliabh gCua team to win a score All-Ireland back in 1972.

Earlier this year Monnie announced that he was stepping down as trainer to the set teams but has since been talked back into continuing.

The Chairman of the judging committee was Brendan Tobin.

November Novena of Masses

Envelopes for the annual Novena of Masses celebrated in Touraneena and The Nire have been distributed and should be returned to Fr. Connie as soon as possible. Those that may not have got an envelope and who wished to have relatives, friends or neighbours remembered can have them included by putting a list of names and an offering into any envelope.

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser

A fundraising night in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will take place this Saturday evening at Quill’s Bar, The Pike. Music on the night will be provided by Out The Gap. All support on the night is greatly appreciated.

Na Déise Ladies Football Club Fundraiser

In addition to the table quiz at Deckies Bar this Friday evening, Na Déise Ladies Football Club are asking for your support with another fundraiser they have. The Club will be selling Modeligo Lotto Tickets at the Dungarvan Shopping Centre. The club ask that you support them if you are in the area. Your support will ensure that young girls and the ladies of the area who want to play football can do so.

Na Deise Ladies Football Club Table Quiz

A Fundraising table quiz in aid of Na Déise Ladies Football Club will take place on Friday November 4^th in Deckies Bar, Modeligo. Tables of four cost €20. Your support on the night would be appreciated. The quiz gets underway at 8pm

Pilates classes

Pilates classes will start next Tuesday (November 8) for six weeks in the Ballymacarbry Community Centre from 6-30pm for one hour. These classes are a great way to keep fit and stretch your muscles especially of you are a runner or into physical exercise. If you are interested in joining the classes please contact Helen on 087 7910454

Badminton Club Table Quiz

A Fundraising table quiz in aid of Touraneena Badminton Club will take place on Friday November 11^th in Hanrahan’s Bar. Tables of four cost €20. Your support on the night would be appreciated. The quiz gets underway at 9pm

No joy for Saint Mary’s in County Final for second year in a row

A dominant first half performance by Ballyduff Lower while playing with the aid of a strong wind at their backs, helped then secure a first County Junior Hurling Championship in 19 years at Fraher Field on Saturday afternoon last against a battling Saint Mary’s side.

Saint Mary’s went into this game without Kevin Sheehan in their side after he was dismissed late on in their Western Final win over Tourin two weeks earlier and his loss was a huge one for the Touraneena side but the common consensus was that while he was a loss, on the day his inclusion would still have resulted in the same outcome, but maybe with the final score much closer.

Former Waterford hurler Jack Kennedy on the day produced a man of the match performance and caused the Saint Mary’s defence all sorts of problems operating at centre forward.

However as the game went on his influence began to drop as Saint Mary’s dropped a player back to play in front of him and in doing so help cut the amount of ball that went his way.

It was the Touraneena side that opened the scoring inside a minute of the game starting with a point from an Eoin Kearns free.

The newly crowned Eastern Champions however soon got into their stride and Colman Power quickly levelled matters and once Declan Cheasty pointed after three minutes the side in red and white never looked back.

Brian Power followed up a pointed free before Jack Kennedy gave Eoin Cummins a perfect pass for his sides first goal on eight minutes.

Bryan Power put Ballyduff Lower six points up after 11 minutes and it was starting to look even at this stage that it was not going to be Saint Mary’s day for the second year running.

Jack Kennedy hit two points in quick succession for his side to stretch their lead and then went from score getter to score provider as Jack Lyons split the posts on 19 minutes.

Jack Kennedy had a shot for goal come crashing off the crossbar and waved wide by the umpires, an attempt from the press box looked as if it had gone over the crossbar.

Jack Lyons again pointed on 25 minutes to stretch Ballyduff Lower’s lead. The winners had their run of successive scores broken soon afterwards when Jack Power pointed from play for Saint Mary’s on 26 minutes.

Ballyduff Lower however would go on to increase the lead they had at the break (1-10 to 0-2) when Brian Power and Declan Cheasty pointed.

With the wind at their backs in the second half, Saint Mary’s came out all guns blazing and hit an early point from Eoin Kearns.

Brian Power cancelled that score out with another pointed free. After this Saint Mary’s enjoyed their best period, but it was goals that Saint Mary’s needed and they never really looked like coming their way.

Eoin Kearns put over a hat-trick of scores and younger brother Mike hit one to leave seven between the sides after 39 minutes.

Cormac Dunphy broke Saint Mary’s run of scores on 44 minutes and a minute later his side all but secured the win as Eoin Cummins found Jack Lyons who gave John Patrick Fitzpatrick no chance from close range.

Saint Mary’s in the time that remained refused to throw in the towel and Eoin Kearns put over four more points.

Ballyduff Lower: Michael Atkins; Martin De Paor, John O’Leary, Marcus Millea; Paul Kennedy, Calum Lyons, Bryan Power; Colman Power, Brian Power; Jack Lyons, Jack Kennedy, Cormac Dunphy; Dylan Reade, Declan Cheasty, Eoin Cummins. Sub: Ross O’Shea for Dylan Reade.

Scorers: Jack Lyons 1-2, Brian Power 0-4 (4f), Eoin Cummins 1-0, Declan Cheasty, Cormac Dunphy, Jack Kennedy 0-2 each, Colman Power, Bryan Power 0-1 each.

Saint Mary’s: J.P. Fitzpatrick; Tom Tobin, Sean Fitzpatrick, Conor Tobin; Dermot Tobin, Denis Coffey, Johnny Ahearne; Owen Barron, Stephen Coffey; Eoin Kearns, Brendan McGourty, Jack Power; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Mike Kearns, Jason Sheehan. Subs: Kieran Barron for Stephen Coffey (25), JJ Coffey for Jason Sheehan (HT), Jack Skehan for Jack Power (38), Dean Cliffe for Kieran Barron (53).

Scorers: Eoin Kearns 0-9 (9f), Jack Power, Mike Kearns 0-1 each.

Referee: Alan Kissane.

Modeligo are Under 16 Div.2 County Camogie Champions.

Our U16 Camogie squad travelled to Dunhill GAA Grounds on Saturday, October 15th last to face Lismore in the "B" County Final.

This game was the third meeting of these sides in this campaign, & despite the poor weather forecasted for the day, conditions were ideal for this final.
The game itself was a very close battle between the two sides in the opening exchanges.
Lismore took an early lead before Mary Kate equalised with a free, Lismore added a second before Máiréad levelled again but a goal from Niamh put daylight between the sides before the break.

Modeligo made a couple of positional changes during the course of the game which seemed to make the difference. Mary Kate Curran switching with Angela Walsh from Centre-back to midfield suited both players as they were both dominant in their changed positions.

Máiréad O'Brien roamed out into open play from her corner forward position which meant Modeligo won the greater share of the lose ball in the middle third of the pitch & this benefited Shauna Power at full forward as the steady supply of ball led to numerous chances which yielded a total of 3-2 from play.

As the game went on, our girls gradually started to get the upper hand & goals from saw Modeligo run out convincing winners in the end.

Credit is due to Lismore as they battled to the end & were kept in contention for a long period by some fine saves by their 'keeper Kelly Ryan, while Mary O'Brien worked tirelessly at midfield.

Understandably, there were scenes of unbelievable excitement at the final whistle as a year of hard work had brought its reward.

After the game, Modeligo captain Niamh Reddy accepted the trophy on behalf of all involved from Waterford Camogie Board Chairperson, Ita Murphy.

The achievement of these girls to win the U16 "B" title this year is just outstanding & great credit is due to each one of them for their efforts as they have written another chapter in our clubs history. It also cannot go without mentioning the successful year in general that our Camogie club have had, contesting 3 county finals & winning 2, as well as participating in the Féile Competition & also fielding a Minor side for the first time, so I think it's fair to say congratulations to all involved on their success with these brilliant groups of girls.

Modeligo Panel: Rhona Drohan, Tara Hickey, Anne Marie O’Brien, Isobel Sheehan, Aoife O’Byrne, Mary Kate Curran, Aoife O’Donovan, Aoife Dee, Angela Walsh, Gillian Whelan, Tara Fraher, Lydia Troy, Mairead O’Brien, Shauna Power, Niamh Reddy, Cathryn O’Brien, Emily O’Mahony, Kate Hickey, Jessica Burke, Áine Walsh, Tess Curran, Ellen O’Byrne, Lauren Flynn.

Modeligo scorers; Shauna Power (3-2);  Mary Kate Curran (1-2); Niamh Reddy (1-0); Máiréad O'Brien (0-1).

Saint Mary’s and Ballyduff Lower all set for County Final Clash

The first of the big Adult hurling county finals takes place this Saturday afternoon when Ballyduff Lower and Saint Mary’s clash in the Junior Final at Fraher Field.

This promises to be an entertaining game between two sides with a nice mix of youth and experience.

Both sides have slipped back from the levels they were at a few years back, but would appear to be on the right road to getting back to where they were.

It is not so long ago that the newly crowned Eastern Champions were playing in the senior championship.

However, after a number of well-known players decided to move clubs things began to slip somewhat.

However, some of their better known players notably Jack Kennedy and John O’Leary returned to the club and this year are a stronger outfit as a result.

In their 1-20 to 0-9 victory over Ballydurn last Saturday, Jack Kennedy was their star player hitting 1-7 for his side, 1-6 of which came from play.

Brian Power at centre field also impressed hitting 0-8, all but two of which came from placed balls.

Along with Jack Kennedy at centre forward, Paul Kennedy at wing back will count amongst the sides most experienced players.

They also have some up and coming players in Calum Lyons at centre back while in attack Dylan Reade and Cormac Dunphy will play either side of Jack Kennedy while Jack Lyons will also be a threat on the edge of the Saint Mary’s square.

Reaching this stage of the competition is nothing new to the Touraneena side.

Just twelve months ago they made the journey to Walsh Park to play Fenor in the County Final.

On the day, in what was of the more lively games played in 2015 they were the better team for much of the game but in the end Fenor finished the stronger of the two sides hitting some late scores to secure victory.

Much of the side that contested the final twelve months ago for Saint Mary’s will be in action again this weekend.

But they will have to plan without Kevin Sheehan who was sent off late on in their recent Western Final win over Tourin at Walsh Park.

Like Ballyduff Lower the Touraneena men have a nice blend of youth and experience.

John Patrick Fitzpatrick is likely to be the oldest player selected. He was a member of the Waterford minor team that contested the All-Ireland Final against Galway in 1992 and went on to play a number of times at senior level for the county in the years that followed.

Younger brother Aidan who came on for Kieran Barron for the last twelve minutes of last year’s final is a regular in the team this year in his familiar number 13 shirt and has hit some vital scores for the side this year including in the Western Final win over Tourin.

Their first cousin Sean whose father Declan played for the county in the late 1970’s and early 80’s is at full back while Denis Coffey who played for the county when Justin McCarthy was in charge is the sides centre back.

The youth in the side is provided by the Tobin brother Tom and Conor at Corner back and older brother Dermot at wing back. Owen Barron has impressed in the other wing back position while brother Eoin and Mike Kearns are vital in attack as will Jason Sheehan.

Brendan McGourty has joined the panel this year and has helped strengthen the side.

This is a game that could well prove to be an evenly matched affair.

Both sides going into the game will believe that they can win.

Ballyduff Lower having played senior in recent years and having had the chance to play more competitive championship games this year and with big wins over Tramore (2-24 to 0-5) in the Eastern Semi Final and Ballydurn (1-20 to 0-9) in the Eastern Final will mean that they will go into the game as favourites.

Saint Mary’s on the other hand were made work hard to beat Abbeyside (2-14 to 1-13) in the Western Semi-final and then against Tourin (2-18 to 1-17) in the western final.

Sometimes having to work hard outweighs having an easy victory and helps build up fighting spirit in a team.

Many might make Ballyduff Lower favourites for this game, but the hunger that Saint Mary’s have to make up for last year’s disappointment could well stand to them.

Sliabh gCua Lotto reaches €1700.

There was no winner of the jackpot in the Sliabh gCua Weekly Lotto on Sunday evening last. The numbers drawn were 6 – 15 – 21. The jackpot this Sunday is €1,700 and the drawing of the numbers will take place at Hanrahan’s Bar. The €20 winners on Sunday last were Danny Thompson, Tom Condon, Mike Sheehan, J.P. Walsh and Thomas Keane. The €20 promoters prize was won by Tom Gleeson.

In supporting the Sliabh gCua Weekly Lotto you are supporting the Sliabh gCua Community Centre and the Sliabh gCua/Saint Mary’s G.A.A. Club. Tickets cost €2 and can be got from Committee members of both groups as well as at Dunne’s and Hanrahan’s Bar, Johnny McGrath’s Shop at Beary’s Cross and from Nuala in the Post Office.

Captain Eoin Points the Way for Saint Mary’s.

Saint Mary’s retained the Western Junior hurling Championship on Sunday afternoon last when they overcame the challenge of Tourin at Fraher Field.

When the sides met in the 1977 final at the same level, it was the side in red and white that emerged winners by a small margin and this game between arguably the best two sides in this division in 2016 was expected to be just as tight.

Such expectations proved correct as the game went right to the wire. With a few minutes to go it looked as if the game could well need a second outing between the two sides to find a winner to see who will play Ballydurn or Ballyduff Lower at the same venue in a few weeks’ time in the county final.

But in the closing minutes after having numbers cut to fourteen after Kevin Sheehan was ordered off on a straight red card, it was Saint Mary’s that showed the greater hunger.

It was the local side that got off to the best start in this game as Eoin Kearns who once again had a fine game her, playing the Captain’s roll as it should be that got the score board ticking over with a brace of points both from frees inside three minutes of the game starting.

Darragh Wilkinson who proved to be Tourin’s top scorer on the day opened his sides account with a pointed free, which was followed with a similar score from Eoin Kearns on nine minutes.

Sean Meaney and Kevin Sheehan swapped scores by the eleventh minute and at the half way point in the opening half Saint Mary’s stole a march on the side relegated from the Intermediate grade last year when an effort from Jason Sheehan out near the sideline appeared to have gone all the way to the net, and when Eoin Kearns followed up with another pointed free to give Saint Mary’s a 1-5 to 0-2 lead, things were looking good for the reigning champion.

However it was Tourin that finished the half the stronger of the two sides, as they restricted Saint Mary’s to just two points.

Points from Darragh Wilkinson and Sean Meaney made it a four point game and when Darragh Wilkinson put over another free on twenty two minutes the games only goal to this point is what separated the sides.

Eoin Kearns and Darragh Wilkinson traded scores to keep just three between the sides with four minutes of the half remaining, after which Niall Fives, Darragh Wilkinson and David O’Brien all landed points to draw the sides level.

On the half hour mark Eoin Kearns once more edged Saint Mary’s in front with another free, but the sides would go to the dressing rooms all square when David O’Brien landed a point in first half stoppage time.

Saint Mary’s as they did in the opening half began the second half the stronger of the two sides.

Eoin Kearns and Darragh Wilkinson traded early points after which Eoin from another free and Aidan Fitzpatrick split the posts to give Saint Mary’s a 1-10 to 0-11 lead with thirty five minutes played.

Tourin took the lead for the only time on thirty nine minutes when they rattled the Saint Mary’s net. From the back of the stand it looked as if Tom O’Brien was the player that got the final touch on the ball but those closer to the action claimed it was another player but were not certain.

The lead however was a short lived on as almost straight away Aidan Fitzpatrick finished to the net to give Saint Mary’s a 2-10 to 1-11 lead with nine minutes of the second half played.

Another brace of scores for Eoin Kearns followed after which Kieran Barron who came on at the break for Dean Cliffe  found the range to give Saint Mary’s a five point lead with the game now in its final quarter.

Tourin however would hit the next four scores in a three minute spell, Darragh Wilkinson putting over a brace and David O’Brien and Niall Fives hit one each to leave just one between the sides with nine minutes to go.

Saint Mary’s however stepped up a gear or two and hit the next five points in a row, Eoin Kearns putting over four, bringing his tally for the afternoon to fourteen and Brendan McGourty playing his first western final with the club also got on the score sheet.

In the middle of this run of scores Kevin Sheehan was ordered off by referee Timmy Organ, which will keep him out of the upcoming County Final.

Tourin hit the last two scores of the game through Jack Leahy and Darragh Wilkinson, to move to within four of Saint Mary’s who will know that things could have been even closer had John Patrick Fitzpatrick not made a very good save near the end to deflect the ball out for a ’65.

Saint Mary’s: John Patrick Fitzpatrick; Conor Tobin, Sean Fitzpatrick, Tom Tobin; Dermot Tobin, Denis Coffey, Owen Barron; Kevin Sheehan, Stephen Coffey; Brendan McGourty, Eoin Kearns, Dean Cliffe; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Mike Kearns, Jason Sheehan. Subs: Kieran Barron for Dean Cliffe, Jack Skehan for Stephen Coffey. Rest of the Panel: John Hallinan, Johnny Ahearne, John Queally, David Whelan, Jack Power, Daniel Flynn, Jonathan Carroll, Darragh Tobin, JJ Coffey.

Scorers: Eoin Kearns 0-14, Aidan Fitzpatrick 1-1, Jason Sheehan 1-0, Kevin Sheehan, Kieran Barron, Brendan McGourty 0-1 each.

Tourin: Colm Bennett; Brian Leahy, Daniel Leahy, Mark Landers; Brendan Scanlon, Shane Fives, Jack Leahy; Sean Meany, David Leahy; Sean Leahy, David O’Brien, Niall Fives; Darragh Wilkinson, Tom O’Brien, Daniel Dransfield. Subs: Owen Leahy for David Leahy, Daithi Wilkinson for Daniel Dransfield. Rest of the panel: Niall Leahy, Brian O’Donoghue, Donal McGrath, Kevin Leahy, Cathal Wilkinson, Lorcan Murphy, Peter O’Grady, Thomas McGrath, Darragh Fives, Mark McConnell, Ed Molumphy, Shane Dunne.

Scorers: Darragh Wilkinson 0-9, Tom O’Brien 1-0, David O’Brien 0-3, Sean Meaney, Niall Fives 0-2, Jack Leahy 0-1.

Referee: Timmy Organ (Abbeyside).

Set Club Cake Sale

The Sliabh gCua Set Club will hold a Cake Sale and Coffee Evening this Thursday evening (October 13) between 6pm and 8-30pm in the Sliabh gCua Community Centre. Your support on the evening would be appreciated.

Saint Mary’s contest Western Final this Sunday

Sunday is a big day for the Sliabh gCua/Saint Mary’s G.A.A. Club as they take on Tourin in the Western Junior Hurling Final at Fraher Field, the game having a 3pm throw in.

Both sides qualified for Sunday’s final after narrow wins over Abbeyside and Collagen in the semi-finals recently at the same venue.

Tourin were the first side to qualify for the final when they staged a late fight back to beat a fancied Collagen side 5-8 to 1-18.

On the night Tourin were first out of the traps as Jack Leahy hit 1-1 for them inside five minutes of the game starting. The side that played intermediate last year hit further goals through Tom O’Brien and Darragh Wilkinson in the first half but it was not enough to send them to the dressing rooms trailing 3-3 to 1-10 at the break.

Tourin failed to score in an 18-minute spell between the 40^th and 58^th minutes at which point they trailed 1-17 to 3-6 but in the two minutes of normal time that remained plus just over four added minutes they did enough to win the game as David O’Brien and Daniel Dransfield hit late goals to win the game.

Saint Mary’s in the second semi-final were always on top. Eoin Kearns put in a man of the match performance hitting 1-10 and also saved a late penalty to secure his sides passage to this Sunday’s final.

On the night Saint Mary’s had good performances from Kevin Sheehan, Jason Sheehan, Owen Barron, Denis Coffey and Sean Fitzpatrick and will feel that if they can repeat that sort of performance they can retain the title they won twelve months ago.

Going on their performances to Saint Mary’s will go into this weekend’s game with the favourites tag around their necks.

The side coached by Maurice Geary look to be well balanced, with a nice blend of youth and experience.

The neutrals will all agree that Saint Mary’s should be favourites, but Tourin will be doing their best to get back up to the intermediate ranks at the first time of asking.

Inter county players Shane and Darragh Fives are part of their set up and are quality players. Darragh played no part in their semi-final win because of injury and Shane left the field with an injury after just 18 minutes. At this point it remains to be seen what part they will play this weekend.

Another member of the Fives clan is Niall who is also a fine hurler and is likely to start for the side in red and white stripes in the middle of the field.

They also have quality players in Brendan Scanlon and Jack Leahy again members of families which have long links to the Tourin club while another family that with Tourin connections are the Wilkinson’s and who will be well represented on the day.

These two clubs contested the Western Final nearly four decades ago (1977).

On that day it was Tourin that won a close fought game 4-8 to 3-10.

Expect this weekend’s game to be as close, but let’s hope the final result will be in Saint Mary’s favour.

Badminton Club News

Badminton has started back in the Community Centre and a call out has been made to all players from times past in the area as well as any new people interested in getting involved to do so.

Training will take place on a Monday night in the community centre at 8pm and cost just €2 per night.

Juveniles from sixth class and upwards are invited to get involved and should get in contact with Regina Carroll on 087 2800724 for details of when coaching takes place.

The club are holding a table quiz at Harahan’s Bar on Friday November 11 and are asking for as much support as is possible on the night.

All-Ireland Champions visit Saint Mary’s Touraneena National School

Members of the Waterford All-Ireland under 21 winning team visited Saint Mary’s Touraneena National School during the week and were greater by pupils and staff. Members of the team also visited other local schools in the area this week.

Community Centre Car Park

There was a good turnout for a special meeting arranged to discuss progressing with the upgrade/ resurfacing of the community centre car park. The car park is an important facility for all large events in the village and is also shared with the National School.  A committee under the chairmanship of Tom Power has been established to deliver the project and an application for funding has been prepared and submitted to Waterford City and County Council. Some local fundraising activities will be arranged over the coming months and the committee would be delighted with any offers of assistance, monetary or otherwise.

Village Improvement

It's been another busy year for the Village Improvement volunteers and further progress made on a number of fronts. It's been 5 years since the group was set up and it's only when you look back at the village in 2011 that you appreciate how much work has been done.  This is actually possible thanks to the wonder that is Google streetview which shows how the village was in c2008.

Once of the main projects this year was the construction of the 3 new village entrance features and signs which were made possible by the group's fundraising efforts, donations and funding from the County Council.  The group are particularly grateful for the craftsmanship of stonemason Denis Hogan and the local workers who lent a hand in preparing the ground and preparing the flowers. The sign has again raised the matter of the different official spelling of “Tooraneena” and the common spelling - “Touraneena”.  It was decided to graciously accept the official signs but there might be a call for a plebiscite on whether to adjust the second “o” in due course. 

The Village Improvement group also managed to purchase a new tractor lawnmower which will ease the workload on the large open space area at Cois Broe which had been cut by our members Maurice and Ber.  The flowers on the school bank and the planters through the village been beautifully nurtured over the summer.  A big thanks to all those who helped this year and hopefully next year will see the same again.

The Village Improvement committee was well represented on the Sliabh gCua 1916 Commemoration Committee which arranged the 3 new flagpoles and a plaque in the village.

Saint Mary’s advance to Western Final for second year in a row

Saint Mary’s are through the Western Junior Hurling Final for the second year in a row after they overcame the challenge of Abbeyside at a wet Fraher Field this evening.

Eoin Kearns proved to be the hero for Saint Mary’s hitting 1-9, 1-2 of which came from play and also saved a fifty eight minute penalty from Eoin Kiely after he stood between the posts in place of John Patrick Fitzpatrick for the one on one strike from twenty one metres.

Saint Mary’s were on top throughout this game and were unlucky not to have hit a point from Kevin Sheehan inside the first minute of the game with an effort that went narrowly wide.

Saint Mary’s however were not long more waiting to get the scoreboard in operation as Eoin Kearns put over a brace of frees on two and six minutes.

Eoin Kiely pulled back a point for Abbeyside from a free on six minutes, but points from Aidan Fitzpatrick and Kevin Sheehan both on seven minutes had daylight between the sides on the score board.

Abbeyside hit the next two scores of the game, the first from Eoin Enright on ten minutes and Eoin Kiely put over his second free of the evening two minutes later.

A brace of Eoin Kearns points, the first from play, the second from a free gave Saint Mary’s a 0-6 to 0-3 lead with seventeen minutes gone and it was starting to look good for Saint Mary’s.

Eoin Kiely and Eoin Kearns swapped a brace of frees each to keep Saint Mary’s three in front with twenty two minutes played, but Abbeyside made it a two point game (0-8 to 0-6) six minutes from the break when Eoin Enright split the Saint Mary’s posts.

A minute later, Saint Mary’s opened up a substantial lead when the ball came in from the bank side of the field towards the country goal and Eoin Kearns collected and placed a bullet of a shot high into the roof of Seamus Ryan’s net.

The same player landed a sixty five for Saint Mary’s two minutes from the break to leave six between the sides, but that lead was halved in the first minute of added time when Tiernan Murray beat John Patrick Fitzpatrick from close range.

Leading 1-9 to 1-6 at the break, Saint Mary’s came out the stronger of the sides at the start of the second half as Eoin Kearns from a free on thirty two minutes and his brother Mike a minute later hit a second goal for Saint Mary’s to give the eventual winners a 2-10 to 1-6 lead.

Eoin Kiely landed a brace of placed balls for Abbeyside by the fortieth minute with Kevin Sheehan landing one for Saint Mary’s in between to leave the two goals from the Kearns brothers the difference between the sides.

In the next ten minutes Abbeyside were the most profitable with the chances they had in front of goal as Eoin Kiely landed a brace from play and Eoin Enright hit one to leave their side trailing 2-11 to 1-11 with fifty one minutes showing on the clock. During this time Abbeyside were somewhat unlucky not to have hit a second goal but David Sweeney saw his effort come crashing off the crossbar on forty four minutes and the ball was subsequently cleared by the Saint Mary’s defence.  

Eoin Kearns and Jason Sheehan opened another five point lead for Saint Mary’s which was cut by one when David Sweeney put over the Saint Mary’s crossbar with fifty four minutes played.

Owen Barron restored a five point lead for Saint Mary’s three minutes from time, but within seconds it looked as if Saint Mary’s were going to have to fight very hard to get something from the game as referee Tommy O’Sullivan awarded Abbeyside a penalty.

Eoin Kearns who won a Dr. Harty Cup Medal playing in goal for Colaiste na Déise some years back made the long track back the field to stand between the posts for the penalty which had some in the stand asking was it allowed, which of course it is, and he did brilliant to put Eoin Kiely’s strike from twenty metres which looked to be going into Eoin’s left hand corner of the goal out for a sixty-five which the Eoin Kiely made no mistake with in splitting the uprights.

No further scores were registered in the one added minute at the end of the half for stoppages and so Saint Mary’s advance to the Western Final for the second year in a row, where they will take on Tourin who will surly go into the final as favourites having played Intermediate last year, and who in the curtain raiser beat a fancied Colligan side in the first of the semi finals.

Saint Mary’s: John Patrick Fitzpatrick; Conor Tobin, Sean Fitzpatrick, Tom Tobin; Dermot Tobin, Denis Coffey, Owen Barron; Kevin Sheehan, Stephen Coffey; Brendan McGourty, Eoin Kearns, Jack Skehan; Aidan Fitzpatrick, Mike Kearns, Jason Sheehan. Subs: Kieran Barron for Aidan Fitzpatrick (27 minutes), Dean Cliffe for Jack Skehan (Half Time), John Ahearne for Denis Coffey (49 minutes).

Scorers: Eoin Kearns 1-9 (0-6 frees, 0-1 ’65), Mike Kearns 1-0, Kevin Sheehan 0-2, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Jason Sheehan, Owen Barron 0-1 each.

Abbeyside: Seamus Ryan; Stephen O’Connor, Gavin Breen, Mickey Coleman; Conor McCarthy, Patrick Lynch, Diarmuid Henley; John Elsted, David Sweeney; Richie Ryan, Eoin Enright, David Hickey; Eoin Kiely, Laurence Hurney, Tiernan Murray. Subs: Kevin Dwane for Laurence Hurney (43 Minutes).  

Scorers: Eoin Kiely 0-9 (0-5 frees, 0-2 ‘65s), Eoin Enright 0-3, Tiernan Murray 1-0, David Sweeney 0-1.

Referee: Tommy O’Sullivan (Cappoquin).

No joy for Na Déise in Co Final

There was no joy for the second year running for the Na Déise Ladies Football Club as they went under to Dungarvan in this years Junior ‘A’ County Final at Kilmacthomas on Sunday morning last.

Twelve months ago, Na Déise looked as if they were going to take the title against Comeragh Rangers second string team at Fraher Field, but the side from the East of the county struck for a number of late goals to deny the local side from playing in the Munster Club Championship.

Expectations were high for the Na Deise side heading into this game as they had many of the players that were involved twelve months ago and were also able to call on some exciting young prospects coming through from the area within the game.

But it was not to be, as the side in Green and Yellow went under to a very strong Dungarvan side on a score line of 4-4 to 2-10.

The Old Boro side who were beaten in a County Intermediate Camogie Final the previous day with some of the same players involved, started the game well and at the break lead 2-3 to 0-3, the goals for Dungarvan coming from two of their exciting young players, Dawn Power and Lauren McGregor.

Na Déise started the second half the better of the two sides and when Clodagh Ryan kicked an early 1-1 it left just two points between the sides.

Dungarvan however hit back with goals from Lucie O’Shea and another from Lauren McGregor who played senior football for Waterford this year and it looked as if they were going to win the game rather easily.

However, Na Déise refused to throw in the towel and hit 1-5, the goal coming from Abbie Dalton without response had Na Déise well in contention as they drew level (4-4 to 2-10) with just over five minutes to play, but Dungarvan converted two late frees to win the game by two points.  

But the third goal that Na Déise needed failed to arrive as time ran out. Na Déise for the second year running had to settle for second best, but this is an exciting young team with plenty of experience also in the team and they will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the championship this time next year.

Na Déise Panel of players was: Helen Walsh, Maria O’Donovan, Ann Marie O’Brien, Emily O’Mahony, Nicole O’Byrne, Katie Buckley, Linda Foley, Mary Kate Curran, Marguerite McCarthy, Bronagh Condon, Abbie Dalton, Trisha Kiely, Michelle Walsh, Clodagh Ryan, Mary Kate Morrissey, Emma O’Neill, Shauna Power, Sarah McCarthy, Kate Whelan, Hannah Burke, Aoife O’Byrne, Aoife O’Donovan, Catherine O’Brien, Mairead O’Brien, Anne McGrath.

Dungarvan Panel: Katie Ferncombe, Anne Marie Tutty, Emma Gildea, Louise Hyslop, Katie Hayes, Shauna Coakley, Aisling Baumann, Lauren McGregor, Dawn Power, Lucy O’Shea, Richael Hayes, Zoe Barry Ferncombe, Maura Gallagher, Clodagh Tutty, Clodagh Curran, Shanise McCarthy, Shauna Ferncombe, Ciara Hurley, Becky Hurley, Niamh McCombe, Aoife Nagle.

Olympian Seamus is honoured locally

Two nights to honour local Olympian Seamus Power were held last week.

The first night was held at the West Waterford Golf Club in Carriglea.

Kieran O’Connor was MC at the event held at the West Waterford Gold Club and guided those present through a series of interviews which highlighted the promise of an aspiring young sports man from an early age.

The talent that Seamus had was clearly see from a very young age. Like his father before him from a young age Seamus looked to have a promising future as a hurling goalkeeper and a forward of the class of his uncle Kieran Power in football.

He was also an outstanding racquetball player and represented Ireland in the sport and won many honours over a short few years. He was also a keen handball player but it was at golf that he would choose to try and leave his mark most.

While he was being interviewed by Kieran O’Connor, Seamus told those present that although he loved Gaelic Games and Racquetball, he knew that Golf was very different and that he loved it from an early age.

Seamus told Kieran O’Connor that “in golf it was me against the course and I played on many different courses and I loved plotting my way around them”. He recalled his days as a student at St. Augustine’s College and how the college at the time had a very good Golf team and was fortunate to win national honours with the college.

The following evening Seamus was a special guest to the Sliabh gCua/St. Mary’s G.A.A. Club grounds at Kirwan Park where he was honoured with a presentation on behalf of the Sliabh gCua/St. Mary’s G.A.A. Club and the Naomh Brid G.A.A. Club.

While on home from America recently for the wedding of his brother Willie, Seamus also returned to Saint Mary’s Touraneena National School which he attended for eight years winning honours playing Hurling, Football and Handball for the school.

Sliabh gCua Lotto reaches €1,400

The jackpot in this weeks Sliabh gCua Weekly Lotto is €1,400. Tickets costing €2 are available from committee members of the Sliabh gCua/St. Mary’s G.A.A. Club and the Sliabh gCua Community Centre. Tickets can also be got in Dunne’s and Hanrahan’s Bars as well as at Johnny McGrath’s Shop at Beary’s Cross and at the Post Office. Supporting the local lotto you are supporting both the local Sliabh gCua/St. Mary’s G.A.A. Club and the Sliabh gCua Community Centre.

Sliabh gCua Weekly Lotto

The Jackpot in the Sliabh gCua Weekly Lotto on Sunday night was not won. It means that this Sunday’s Lotto jackpot will €1,200. Tickets cost €2 and in playing you are supporting the Sliabh gCua Community Centre and the Sliabh gCua/Saint Mary’s G.A.A. Club. The draw will take place in Dunne’s Bar.