Weekly News 2nd Dec 2013

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL REPORT: The following is a report from the recent meeting the Dunamaggan Parish Council: (1) The Advent Penitential services will take place on the weekend of 21^st/22^nd December; (2) There will be no Carol Service this year; (3) Pascal Grace was congratulated on his appointment as Chairperson of the Southern Deanery Pastoral Council which represents 14 parishes; (4) It was decided to hold the mass of welcome & family and the Mass of Healing at the Grotto this May during the Lourdes Pilgrimage; (5) New members would be welcome on the Parish Pastoral Council. If you are interested or know of others who would be suitable you are asked to contact Ned Kirwan, Chairperson, Pascal Grace, Secretary or Rev. Nicholas Flavin; (6) It was agreed that a Canopy should be purchased so that the altar area would be covered for outdoor masses. (7) The times for Christmas masses was discussed. (8) The Child Protection coordinator of the Diocese visited the parish recently.

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CHRISTMAS CARDS: the Christmas card-games continue this Thursday and every Thursday at Coolagh Hall for prizes of hams and hampers. You are most welcome to come along to try your hand at the hugely entertaining game of 25’s. This particular card-game, at this venue, is continuing for over thirty years. Billy Maher, Chairman of the Coolagh Committee said the game is going well with a great crowd coming from a wide area. The Christmas raffle will be held on the last Thursday before Christmas for prizes totalling €900. Tickets at €5 are available from any Coolagh Committee member.

Progressive 25’s continue as usual on each Sunday night in St. Eoghan’s Centre, Kilmoganny at 8.30 p.m,. The usual game will take place on Christmas night at 8.00 p.m. In Guinan’s, Windgap the Windgap G.A.A.  monthly game takes place at 9.00 p.m. sharp.

THE HISTORY OF DUNAMAGGAN next meeting will take place on next Tuesday 10^th December at 8.00 p.m. in St. Eoghan’s Centre, Kilmoganny. The group would like to receive information re old field names from the area.

KILMOGANNY POST OFFICE REOPENS: The post Office in Kilmoganny, which serves customers from a very wide area including, Hugginstown, Newmarket, Kells, Dunamaggan, Tullahought, Windgap, Knocktopher and other surrounding areas reopened last Monday at 11.00 a.m. having been closed since a fire destroyed the premises on August 29^th. There were a very large number of locals present for the re-opening with the eldest citizen from Kilmoganny, James Walsh, cut the ribbon for the re-opening. He was also the first person to be served in the Office and Katie Leahy, Carricknatha was the second person served. Tea and refreshments were served in the main hall of St. Eoghan’s Centre to all who attended the opening. Post Mistress, Jackie Kenneally, expressed her delight that the office was open and serving the community again.

SOUTHERN CHAMPIONS: The Dunnamaggin U 21 hurlers were crowned Southern Champions in a crisp Piltown, last Saturday, when they defeated the fancied Kilmacow side on a score line of Dunnamaggin 1 – 12, Kilmacow 1 - 06. This game was a repeat of last year’s final in which Kilmacow were victorious and they were bookies favourite to retain their title but Dunnamaggin had other ideas.

The game opened in brisk fashion with Kilmacow pointing from the throw in and having all the play up front. William Phelan then stepped up to take his first of many frees on the 5^th minute mark to level matters. Kilmacow then pushed in front with another point before Paddy Delaney levelled it from play. The game was dominated by frees and breaks in play with Kilmacow adding two further points to William Phelan’s three from frees for Dunnamaggin. This left the score at Dunamaggin 0 - 5 to Kilmacow 0 - 4. As the game headed for half time, so did the real turning point when unsung hero of the game Conor Long got in a vital flick in the Dunnamaggin defence to stop what seemed  a certain goal for Kilmacow. This was followed up immediately by some very vigilant goal keeping from Andrew O’Dwyer when a dangerous dropping ball off the posts seemed to be heading to the back of the net but was well cleared with the help of Conor Long. William Phelan pointed again from a free just before half time to send the sides in at the break: Dunnamaggin 0 - 6 Kilmacow 0 - 4.

Dunnamaggin hit the ground running when Anthony Kearney pointed from play immediately from the restart. The Dunnamaggin Half Back line of Aaron Doherty, William Phelan and Paul Kirwan really started to impose themselves on the game and were allowing nothing to go through and anything that did, was getting mopped up by the skilful Eoghan Kearney at full back. Captain Peter Kenneally got his name on the score sheet after a good delivery from William Phelan to Anthony Kearney who laid off the ball to Peter Kenneally. William Phelan pointed again after being fouled to put four between the teams and the upset was on. Then when a Dunnamaggin player was fouled on the 20 meter line up stepped William Phelan to take the free which the majority of supporters though he would slot over the bar but the Co. Senior panellist had other ideas and rattled the net. It was now Dunnamaggin 1 - 9 to Kilmacow 0 - 5. Ray Cody was now introduced for William Bergin. Captain Peter Kennelly added to the Kilmacow problems with another point. Kilmacow were shaken and the game started to turn into a scrappy affair and there were a number of flare-ups. Kilmacow were not about to go away and pointed from play and worked a good ball across from the right hand side which was well finished to the Dunamaggin net. It was now Dunnamaggin 1 - 10 to Kilmacow 1 - 6 and there were still ten minutes to go. Michael Costello came on for the ever improving John Fitzpatrick. Dunnamaggin continued to hold the Kilmacow attack as William Phelan stepped up again to point two more frees to bring his tally to 1 - 9 and see the game out. Panel:- Andrew O’Dwyer, William Moylan, Eoghan Kearney, Conor Long, Aaron Doherty, William Phelan, Paul Kirwan, Andrew Fitzpatrick, Michael Cody, Ronan Coffey, John Fitzpatrick, Peter Kenneally, Paddy Delaney, Anthony Kearney, William Bergin, Michael Costello, Ray Cody, Adam Kenneally, Paddy Power, Jack Brett, Jason Doherty. Mentors: Kenny Moore, Noel Hickey, Denis Lahart.

The U 21 B Hurling Final between Dunamaggin and Bennettsbridge will take place in Nolan Park on this Sunday at 12.30 p.m.

SHRUGHAWADDA PLAYERS WAKE IN THE WEST written by Michael J. Ginnelly and directed as usual by Michael Dowling was an outstanding success. It was the twelfth performance by the Shrughawadda Players since 2005. It played to full houses on each of its four nights. The play is a hilarious comedy centring around the wake of Tom Healy, a corpse, played magnificently by Mick Keegan who showed that excellent acting does not require words or much movement.  Pete Dunne in the role of Dr. John once again showed his versatility as did Biddy Hawe in her role as Mary. Lorraine Kearney as Joan once again showed her excellent stage presence. Caroline Doran as Margaret with her superb display brought the house down with laughter. Aoife O’Neill as the old woman Rose once again demonstrated the great range of her acting ability with a performance which would be difficult to surpass. T.J. Mills, as Martin in his stage debut for the Shrughawadda Players performed to their very high standards and we look forward to his next stage role. Martin O’Shea as Barney once again gave a top drawer performance and Eamon Murphy as Fr. Cassidy gave an excellent performance not only in his mastery of Latin. Overall the Make-up was excellent and the casting superb. Michael Dowling once again demonstrated that he is a Director of the highest calibre and the Shrughawadda Players once again responded to his direction. The set design was by Sheila Woods with William & Willie Kearney and Joe O’Shea as stage builders. Stage management was in the hands of Alycia Kearney and Jackie Kenneally. Ciaran Moore was excellent in control of the lighting. Marie Kelly and Suzie Hickey looked after the front of House. Complementary tea was served during the interval. Once again John Kelly and his team ensured that the Centre was laid out and ready for patrons each night.

KELLS HANDBALL CLUB, ALL-IRELAND SILVER WINNERS: Kells Junior 40 x 20 Interclub team qualified for the All-Ireland Semi-Final, which took place in Kingscourt (Cavan) on 23^rd/24^th November. In the All-Ireland Semi-Final they faced St. Brigid’s (Curraghboy, Roscommon) in a marathon contest lasting four hours and ending on a scoreline 112 – 109 in favour of the Kells lads. This victory set them up for a Final appearance against a young Brackey (Tyrone) team. In the Final, despite the fighting spirit of the Kells team the Tyrone boys proved too strong and took victory on a scoreline 102 – 84. Although they had to settle for silver in the final this was a great campaign for the Kells club who last year won the All-Ireland Junior B 40 x 20 Interclub title and earlier this year also won the Junior B 60 x 30 Interclub title. The junior team members were Diarmuid Burke, Anthony Martin, Brendan Burke and Ger McGrath. Congratulations and very well done to them all.

THE DUNAMAGGAN PARISH DINNER DANCE was held in the skyline suite, Hotel Kilkenny on Saturday evening last. A large crowd attended, representing the many community groups in the parish of Dunnamaggin, such as Dunamaggan, Kells and Kilmoganny. James Rossiter, PRO for Dunnamaggin GAA club, welcomed all who attended and paid tribute to the many community groups and the great developments that have taken place in the parish or are in progress in the three vibrant villages since the last parish dinner dance in 2011.  On the night the achievements of Noel Hickey were also acknowledged.  These include not only a record nine County All-Ireland Senior Hurling medals but also achievements in Football and for the Dunamaggan Club and his school. Noel Hickey’s achievements are as follows: 9 All-Ireland SHC (2000, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08, 09, ‘11, 2012); 11 Leinster SHC (2000 – ‘03,2005 – ‘11); 6 NHL(2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2012); 4 Walsh Cup(2005 2006, 2009, 2012); 3 All-Stars (2000, 2003, 2008); 1 Young Hurler of the year(2000); 2 Railway Cup (2002, 2003); 1 All-Ireland U 21 (1999); 1 Leinster U 21 HC (1999); 2 Leinster MHC (199, 1998); 1 Kilkenny SHC(1997);1 Kilkenny IHC (2000); 3 Kilkenny U 21 HC A 1996, 1998, 1999); 1 Kilkenny MHC A(1995): 1 Agricultural Colleges All-Ireland SHC (Kildalton 1999); 1 Leinster Colleges SHC S (Coláiste Eamonn Rís, Callan (1998),1 Kilkenny IFC (2009), 1 Kilkenny SFC (2000).

A short DVD clip was played on the night reliving some of Noel’s performances and Noel spoke at length about his career during a Q & A session with James Rossiter. He received a standing ovation as he was called to the stage. Noel received three separate presentations on the night. The first were two framed photographs taken by the sports photographer Ray McManus which were presented by Malachy Hogan who relived some of his fondest memories of Noel. Malachy, as only Malachy can interacted with the crowd. The second was a caricature painting depicting Noel at the gates of the Hurling club in his No.3 jersey which was presented by Ray Cody Snr. The Third and final presentation was a presentation Hurley which had all Noel’s achievements to date on the handle and the crests of Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny and The Hickey family on the bas was made by Johnny Cahill. A great night was had by all.