20-09-2003
Fine display from Mountmellick
LJL Major Division A
Mountmellick Utd A.............................................. 4
Tullamore B ...........................................................1
Mountmellick travelled to play Tullamore ‘B’ last Sunday and in fine sunshine, turned in a very workman-like display and came away with all three points.
Mountmellick began the brighterand controlled the game for the opening ten minutes without ever really threating the home side’s goal.
Mountmellick went into the interval 1-0 up after an excellent long ball from Niall Lynch was controlled instantly by Hibbits and finished to the net.
Ten minutes after the break Paul Lee doubled Mountmellick’s advantage when he got on the end of an excellent four man movement and just five minutes later Hibbits got his second when he latched on to the rebound of Mark Parkinson’s well struck shot to tap in from three yards.
With 20 minutes to go a weak Tullamore free-kick decieved Martin Forde in the Mountmellick goal to close the gap to 3-1 but unlike a week earlier Mountmellick held on to their 3-1 lead and with time almost up substitute Kieran Conroy set up Mark Parkinson for the game’s final goal.
Mountmellick were quite happy with this result as they were missing some players through injury.
Mark Turner, Ray Farrell, Keven Healion and R Hibbits were best for Mountmellick.
Mountmellick: Martin Forde, A Reddin, N Lynch, R Farrell, P Murphy, M Turner, J Kerry, R Hibbits, M Parkinson, K Healion, P Lee. Subs: L Collins for Healion, M Goodwin for Hibbits, K Conroy for Lee.
Snail-slow Mountmellick still awaits relief road
The inner relief road project seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace, declared Cllr Patrick Bowe at Mountmellick Town Council monthly meeting last week. He claimed: “We were promised it would be finished by 2003.
Cllr David Conroy: “There hasn’t been a shovel full of soil turned for the relief road.”
Deputy Co Manager Declan Byrne: “Every effort is being made to progress the relief road. It is being dealt with at the highest level in the Co Council. It is being pushed as best as possible. It is complex and there are various issues that have to be overcome.”
Replying to Cllr Denis O’Meara, the Manager said people had a right to object to the project if they wished to do so.
Cllr Michael Gormley: “How close are we to CPO (compulsorily purchase order) stage?”
Manager Byrne: “I will give up an update report on that at the next meeting.”
Cllr Conroy wondered had the case for the relief road been made to An Taoiseach and the Environment Minister when the cabinet met at Emo Court?
Chairman Paddy Bracken: “I was not invited to the cabinet meeting.”
Manager Byrne: “The opportunity was availed of by the Co Manager and Council officials to brief the Taoiseach on projects in the county. The relevant Ministers are fully briefed on the Mountmellick relief road.”
Earlier, Cllr Conroy had urged the Co Council to purchase property that was for sale in The Square. He maintained: “This is an ideal opportunity for the Council to provide off-street parking. It’s an opportunity that should not be lost.”
Cllr Marc Connolly said if plans for the relief road had gone ahead as scheduled land would have been opened up for parking.
Cllr Bowe: “If there is land available, and if it can alleviate even part of the (parking) problem, it should be purchased.”
Littered Mountmellick needs machine
Litter. Straw. Dirt. Cllr Helen Hanson’s description of Mountmellick’s streets at the Town Council monthly meeting last Thursday night (Sept 4).
“I have never seen them as bad for a long time,” she complained.
Cllr Marc Connolly stressed the need for more litter bins in the town, and he hoped the County Council would buy some from its increased environmental funds.
Cllr Michael Gormley thanked the Co Council for cleaning the streets during the Mardi Gras Festival.
He went on: “I have not seen any (street-sweeping) machine back in town since then. I cannot understand why it cannot be in the town a few mornings a week. We have a serious problem with litter bins because domestic waste is being put into them.”
Chairman Paddy Bracken: “Last year the mini-sweeper came to Mountmellick once a week. That has stopped. It is up to us to call on the County Council to provide that sweeper at least once a week.”
Cllr Gormley: “We are calling on the Co Council meeting after meeting and getting nowhere.”
Cllr Patrick Bowe: “One of the street cleaners is on holidays and the other is out sick.”
Chairman Bracken: “There’s a holiday relief worker this week.”
Cllr David Conroy: “The litter bins are on the small side and do not seem to be emptied often enough.”
Cllr Denis O’Meara: “At the moment we have nothing only a litter-strewn town. That’s about the size of it.”
Cllr Tony Kirwan: “The litter bins would want to be emptied every day. They are being vandalized.”
Adopted unanimously was Cllr Gormley’s proposal, seconded by Cllr Hanson, calling on the Co Council to send the street-sweeping machine to Mountmellick on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Hospice Coffee Evening
A coffee evening in aid of Laois Hospice is being held in Moody's, Irishtown on Thursday, September 18 from 7.30 pm. Everyone is welcome along.
Irish Dancing
Irish dancing classes have restarted on Fridays in the Owenass Hall. Beginners -5 pm to 6 pm; advanced group 1 -6 pm to 7 pm; advanced group 2-7 pm to 8 pm.
Contact Leona.
Mother and Toddler Group
The mother and toddler group meets each Thursday at 10 am in the Methodist Hall (at rear of Methodist Church). All parents and toddlers welcome.
Mountmellick Macra
All members are asked to attend the club's AGM on Friday, September 19 at 8 pm sharp in the Macra Hall, Patrick St. New members.
Set Dancing
Set dancing for the winter months will begin in St. Mary's Hall, Clonaghadoo on today Wednesday, September 10 at 8.30 pm. Beginners and experienced dancers welcome. Tutor - Maureen Culliton.
Bingo
Bingo continues in the Owenass Hall each Sunday night at 8.30 pm. Come along and bring some friends and enjoy a great night out with great prizes.
Luggacurran Road Race 10K
Congratulations to Ann Kavanagh who came first in the vets and second in the overall race. Congratulations also to Tom Gunning who came second in the vets. Well done from all in Mountmellick Athletic Club.
The club thank all who subscribed to their recent church gate collection and thanks also to all those who helped with the collection.
Mountmellick Tennis Club
The coaching programmes for the autumn continue as normal on Wednesdays and Sundays. Adult's tennis will now take place on Saturday mornings during September.
Anyone interested contact Bryan.
Bridge
Bridge will resume at the usual time in the Town Hall on Thursday, September 18 following the summer recess.
Old School Whist
Results, September 11: top score, K Kavanagh; ladies, 1, E Moran;p 2, R Carwood; gents, 1, J Delaney and D Kelly; halves, 1, B Kearney; 2, V Hutchinson; best of three games, K McHugh; free pass, R Cole.
The committee appreciate your continued support every Thursday night.
Mountmellick CCE
The Mountmellick branch of CCE are returning to music class on Tuesday, September 23 at 6.45 pm in the convent extension. People are asked to turn up at their normal times. New members are very welcome. Contact Margaret.
A committee meeting is being held in the Methodist Hall on Thursday, September 18 at 9 pm. It is important that all committee members attend.
Community Care
The monthly social will be held in ICA Hall on Thursday, September 18. As this is the first social since July a good attendance is expected. There will be a committee meeting at the same venue at 7 pm on the same night.
ICA
The Federation meeting is being held in the GAA Centre, Portarlington on Thursday, September 25.
PTAA
The regional AGM is being held on Wednesday, October 1 in ICA House, Mountmellick at 8.30 pm.
Cake Sale for Uganda
A cake sale will be held in aid of Selfhelp - Uganda in the Owenass Hall on Friday, September 26 from 9 am to 11 am. Your support would be much appreciated.
Grow Group
A Grow Group has begun in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experiences depression, anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company do come along.
You will have an opportunity to meet others, share your problems in confidence, get support and make new friends. All are welcome.
Meetings will take place in the MDA, lrishtown at 3 pm every Monday. For further information please contact Harriet.
Laois Citizens Information Service
The above is in attendance every Wednesday at MDA Irishtown from 10 am to 12.30 pm or else may be contacted at the Portlaoise office. Anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problem are welcome to attend.
Intermediate Football Mountmellick
Mountmellick qualified for the semi-final of the Intermediate Football Championship by beating Courtwood by 0-9 to 0-4. Scorers for Mountmellick were Jarlath Challoner 0-5, Dara Hanlon 0-2 and Niall Lynch 0-2.
Mountmellick Comhaltas
The branch will resume classes on Tuesday, September 23 at 6.45pm. Musicans are asked to turn up at the normal times. New members are welcome to come and learn under the tutorage of Robert Gleeson.
The branch would also like to congratulate all those who took part in the recent All-Ireland Fleadh, and to Shane Furlong, Mairead Furlong and Maria Ging who took second place and two thirds respectively.
Church Gate Collection
St. Joseph’s G.N.S. Parent’s Council will be holding their Church Gate Collection at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church on Saturday and Sunday September 20 and 21. All support would be appreciated.
A.G.M.
St. Joseph’s G.N.S. A.G.M. will be held on Thursday, October 16 at 8.00pm in the school hall. All parents welcome.
Football
Well done to Mountmellick’s Intermediate Footballers as they put in a powerful display against Courtwood on Saturday last to qualify for the county semi-final. Having being beaten by Courtwood earlier in the campaign and forced to go the long route. Mountmellick were in a very determined mood and never looked like loosing.
Playing with the wind in the first half the town side kicked some crafty points and led by 0-6 to 0-3. A great second half saw them keeping courtwood scoreless till near the end. Final score Mountmellick 0-9, Courtwood 0-4. Well done to all concerned.
U-14 Football: Mountmellick’s U-14 Footballers have qualified for the ‘A’ Semi Final after a hard earned win over Tinahinch last week. Fielding a very understrength team the Mountmellick side produced a great second half performance to win by 3-8 to 4-3. Good luck to the lads on Friday night next as they play Stradbally Parish Gaels.
U-10 Hurling: Sixteen teams from all over Laois took part in the annual Garda Sponsors Tournament at Pair Acragar on Saturday last. Once again this was a great success with over 300 young hurlers taking part in glorious weather in excellent conditions. Thanks to all who contributed.
Committee Meeting: Mountmellick GAA Club will hold a committee meeting in the club house at Acragar on Wednesday night next at 8.30pm. All members to attend.
Computer Training
Places are available on the following courses at the Mountmellick Development Association ECDL Advanced Word Processing, starting Tuesday, October 7 from 7.30pm - 10pm, special introductory offer.
Sage Computerised Accounts course, starting Thursday, October 9 from 7 - 10pm. City and Guilds Diploma Certification, widely used accounts package in business nationwide.
For further inquiries contact Imelda Burke, Mountmellick Development Association, Irishtown, Mountmellick. Email: imelda@mdasiltd.ie
