Weekly News 2nd Sept 2013

02 September 2013

MEETING OF PARISHIONERS: All parishioners in Dunamaggan are invited to a meeting in St. Leonard’s Hall, Dunamaggan on Thursday 12th September at 8.00 p.m. The meeting is an opportunity for parishioners to give their views on any pastoral matters and activities within the parish of Dunamaggan.


 PARISH NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE!!!!!!


ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONS: The Aghaviller Under-11 Hurling team won Kilkenny's 1st All-Ireland of 2013 in thrilling fashion at the Community Games National Finals in Athlone on 18th August last. This makes an incredible total of 4 out of the last 5 All-Ireland finals titles for the Ballyhale / Carrickshock / Dunnamaggin combination.   Following the introduction of a new backdoor system, the semi-final on Saturday was a repeat of the Leinster final. The Kilkenny & Leinster champions faced the reigning Offaly and All-Ireland champions Shinrone/Coolderry for the second time this year. After conceding the first point, Aghaviller took a firm hold of the game. The Kilkenny boys scored 5 points in a row to lead by 4 approaching half-time. Darragh Walsh was leading the attack superbly with Dylan Carroll and Shaun O’Keeffe on the wings also scoring some great points from play. The midfield pairing of Denis Walsh and Killian Corcoran were dominant, with Denis also punishing any Offaly infringements through his excellent free-taking. However, as half time approached, the Offaly side landed a sucker punch when a long-range shot took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net. True to form, Aghaviller responded instantly and landed a great point to lead by 0 - 6 to 1 - 1 at half-time.  They continued where they left off in the 2nd half with another early point. The half-back line of Padraig Lennon, Mason Byrnes and Jack McGuirk were snuffing out any Offaly attacks. Then Aghaviller put themselves in the driving seat when a lightning fast passing move from Eoin Crowley to Shaun O’Keeffe to Shane Fennelly was rifled to the net by Aidan O’Neill. Two more points from Shaun O’Keeffe and Denis Walsh put them 8 points clear midway through the 2nd half. Offaly then produced their renowned never-say-die attitude and went hunting in packs to get themselves back into the game. But Dara Mason, who was excellent all weekend, stood firm at full-back and was ably assisted by the two tenacious corner backs, Jimmy O’Neill and Tomas Barron. Some fresh legs were needed and Adam Long and Colin Fitzpatrick entered the fray to produce some outstanding clearances from defence. Oisin Doyle also worked tigerishly after being introduced at corner forward and was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet. In the dying minutes, Offaly were awarded a 20-metre free. Ryan Grace in the Aghaviller goal, who was otherwise brilliant, was unsighted and the ball finished in the net. Shortly afterwards, the game ended on a scoreline of 1 - 9 to 2 - 1 and Aghaviller were through to the final on the following day. The final saw them facing a Galway combination - Claregalway / Lackagh / Carnmore. They had beaten a strong Clare team (Scarriff / Bodyke / Ogonnelloe) in their semi-final and were expected to be formidable opponents. Just as in the semi-final, Aghaviller got off to a bad start when Galway scored a freakish goal. A long high ball that looked like a certain point dropped under the crossbar to give Galway a goal and a dream start. But star goalkeeper Ryan Grace was completely unfazed. He continued with his top class puck-outs and pulled off a string of excellent saves later in the game. As the first half went on, Aghaviller settled and Dylan Carroll scored a great point to get them going.  Aghaviller followed up with some further points to draw level before a long range free for Galway put them clear again. Midway through the half, full forward Eoin Crowley, who had been threatening in front of goal all weekend, got his just reward when he goaled with an unstoppable ground stroke. The sides were level. As in the first half of the semi-final, Aghaviller started to exert their dominance and racked up 4 points in a row with some excellent scores from Denis Walsh, Shaun O’Keeffe and Aidan O’Neill to lead by 4 at the break, 1 - 5 to 1 - 1.  However, Claregalway weren’t going down without a fight and tore into Aghaviller for the 2nd half. They scored an early point to bring it back to a one-score game. The Galway team’s size advantage in several positions was beginning to tell and the Aghaviller backs were coming under severe pressure. Despite trojan work at the back by Jimmy O’ Neill and Tomas Barron, a scrappy goal for Galway from close in tied up the game. Galway then sensed victory and started dropping balls in around the square to land the killer blow. It was in this spell that the spirit of this Aghaviller team truly came to the fore. From the full-forward line all the way back to the goalkeeper, the chasing, hooking and blocking was a joy to watch. A lesser team would have folded but the Kilkenny side held out. Their spirit was epitomised by Darragh Walsh who, after suffering a nasty hand injury in the first half and being replaced by the excellent Colin Fitzpatrick, was back on the field for the 2nd half. Shaun O’Keeffe was drafted back into defence and put his body on the line to keep Claregalway out. Padraig Lennon at centre-back made a string of clearances to help turn the tide, ably assisted by Jack McGuirk and Mason Byrnes on the wings who were putting in huge efforts. Denis Walsh and Killian Corcoran at midfield started to torment the Galway defence again and a couple of frees came their way. With less than ten minutes to go, Denis Walsh pointed a 20-metre free literally from out on the side-line and Aghaviller had their noses back in front.  Still Claregalway were creating chances, and one free brushed against the left-hand post and dropped wide. The umpire had a ‘hawk-eye’ moment and put the flag up for a point before the referee correctly waved it wide. The Galway side continued to press, but when Padraig Lennon took a heavy blow after clearing his lines a free was awarded where the ball landed, 40 metres from the Galway goal. Composed as ever, Denis Walsh slotted it over the bar. Moments later, the full-time whistle sounded with the final score 1 - 7 to 2 - 2, a two point victory for the Kilkenny team. If ever a game could have gone either way, this was it and well done to a fantastic bunch of boys, who got their just reward for all their hard work throughout the season. The Aghaviller panel for the season, which started with the Kilkenny Community Games finals back in April is as follows: Joe Fitzpatrick, Jimmy O’Neill, Denis Walsh (Captain), Dylan Carroll, Conor Denny, Shaun O’ Keeffe, Darragh Walsh, Aidan O’Neill, Colin Fitzpatrick, (Dunnamaggin), Mason Byrnes, Padraig Lennon, Jack McGuirk, Eóin Crowley, Adam Long, Shane Fennelly, Ryan Grace, Oisin Doyle, (Carrickshock), Dara Mason, Tomás Barron, Killian Corcoran (Ballyhale). Coaches - Denis Walsh, P.J. O’Keeffe, John Walsh & Declan Lennon.


 


SCHOOLS REOPEN: The pupils of the parish of Dunamaggan returned to their respective schools last week. The pupils of St. Leonard’s School, Dunamaggan were greeted with the site of the absent pre-fab which had served as a class room/learning support room/ and resource room during the past 11 years. It has now been replaced by purpose built rooms and a new office. The new extension was designed by local man Brendan Moore and constructed by local building firm Springwell Development. The Dunamaggan school extension was one of three school extensions which Pat Long of Springwell development successfully completed for the new school year.


 


POST OFFICE DESTROYED BY FIRE: On last Thursday evening 29th August 2013 Kilmoganny village underwent a traumatic experience. The quiet village was aroused around 7.30 p.m. in the evening to the sou8nd of explosions. Smoke poured into the sky and gas cylinders exploded and missile like objects, on fire, were propelled as far as St. Eoghan’s School on the Kyle road and also to various properties in-between. The real miracle was that not one human person received any physical injury. Within a short time of the outbreak of the fire being discovered the post office and shop along with the residential building were ablaze. At least four fire fighting tenders attended. It was past midnight before the premises was declared safe and people were allowed return to their homes near the now shell of a building.


The local community were shocked by the event but nevertheless gave assistance to the Geraghty and Kenneally families. Local Doctor Pat Crowley was present to give any assistance required. The electricity was cut off from about half of the village but nevertheless Biddy & Jimmy Hawe made their home a place of welcome and comfort for all effected by the tragic events. Dunphy’s Bar which was not affected by the electrical black-out provided a regular supply of boiling water as many neighbours assisted in the provision of food. The local community spirit displayed during the tragic events was exemplary. Yet in the midst of the trauma postmistress Jackie Kenneally and her staff arranged for the payment of pensions and other social welfare payments to be made through Callan Post Office on the following morning. This thoughtfulness demonstrated the professionalism and dedication to service of Jackie Kenneally and her staff.


It is the fervent wish of all that normal services will again resume as soon as possible.


 


KELLS HANDBALL CLUB: In the Leinster 60 x 30 Juvenile Semi-finals in the Boys U 13 Singles Eoin Brennan (Kells) defeated Carlow (Dinny Farrell ), in the U 13 Doubles Colin McKenna (Kells)/Robert Dowling (Mothel) defeated Offaly (Jack O'Brien/D J Cooke) , in the U 14 Doubles Conor Murphy (Kells) and Ciaran Cooney (Clogh) defeated Offaly (Anthony Kilmurray/Josh McCloskey), in the U 16 Doubles Roy Cullen (Kells)/Dylan Caulfield (Kilfane) defeated Offaly (James Murphy/Raymond Nolan).


In the Leinster 60 x 30 Juvenile Finals in the U 13 Singles Eoin Brennan (Kells) was defeated by Todd Hynes (Wexford), in the U 13 Doubles Colin McKenna (Kells)/Robert Dowling (Mothel) defeated William Murray-Byrne/Michael Curran (Wexford), in the U 14 Doubles Conor Murphy (Kells)/Ciaran Cooney (Clogh) defeated Patrick Browne/Joseph Stewart (Meath), in the U 16 Doubles Roy Cullen (Kells)/Dylan Caulfield (Kilfane) were defeated by Thomas Hall/Daniel Kavanagh (Wexford),.  In the Girls U 15 Doubles Aoife Walsh (Kells)/Caoimhe O'Shea (Windgap) and in the Girls U 17 Doubles Sarah Molloy/Karen Walsh (Kells) are Leinster champions.


In the Adult 60 x 30 All Ireland semi-finals of the Junior B Doubles Diarmuid Burke/Brendan Burke (Kells) defeated Darragh Ruane/Gearoid Hughes (Mayo). Congratulations and well done to all.