01-05-2004

Same Old Story

Mountmellick Pioneers are proud to announce the return of the ‘Same Old Moon’ in the concert hall on Friday, May 7, at 8.30 pm.

The proceeds are in aid of the oncology unit in the Regional Hospital Portlaoise, your support for this very worthy cause would be much appreciated.

Thanks

The teachers and children of St. Joseph’s GNS would sincerely like to thank everybody who helped them achieve a total of €7,470 tokens in the Building for the Future competition. A special word of thanks to Sean Bennett, Camira and people who had no connection with the school but who left in tokens. In the end the school had a huge surplus which they passed on to other schools in the locality.

By collecting these tokens they will now receive a new TV for the school and are now able to enter the project entitled ‘My Favourite Building’. They have chosen St. Joseph’s Church. If you have an information or photographs or postcards, etc. which might help please contact Ms Jackie Hyland at the school. Everything will be well taken care of and safely returned.

Aer Arann Walk

Peter Culleton and Robert Delaney would like to thank all those who supported them in their recent walk in the Aran Islands. The walk was in aid of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children.

Juvenile GAA

Mountmellick U12 hurlers played their first game in the league last week, when going down to Kyle in a very exciting game. Mountmellick were very slow to settle and were well down at half time but showed great team spirit in the second half to turn the game around. They had most of the play but unfortunately the scores didn’t come. Everyone played their part in a very intense second half. Score-Kyle 2-5 Mountmellick 2-0. Thomas Keating, Keith Dunphy, Eoin Hogan, and Conor Dunne starred for Mountmellick. Team: Jack Dempsey, Thomas Keating, Keith Dunphy, Eoin Hogan, Luke Reidy, James Quigley, Patrick Keating, Michael McDermott, Mark Dowling, Conor Dunne, Redmond McEvoy, Jamie Dunne, Laurence Kenny and Gavin Conroy.

Hurling training is on Sundays from 11.30 am to 1 pm and on Wednesdays from 6.30-8 pm.

Mountmellick’s U16 hurlers had a busy time and recorded two good league wins against Ballinakill and Colt. With more and more of the footballers taking to hurling like ducks to water this team are enjoying their game and getting results.

Team: Jason Hogan, Brian Whelan, Gearoid Hanrahan, Sam Barraclough, Ciaran Rochford, Eoin Gorman, Darren McDermott, Diarmuid Flaherty, John O’Loughlin, Colm Coss, Conor O’Shea, Shane Shortall, David Tynan, Michael Carroll, Kevin Donoher, Shane Carter and Brendan Lawlor.

Mountmellick’s U16 footballers continued their unbeaten run on Sunday, August 18 when they took on Graiguecullen at Parc Acragar. After a slow start in which Graiguecullen took an early lead, the home side eventually got their noses in front and led by 1-4 to 1-2 at half time.

The second half was a titanic battle with both sides giving their all and Mountmellick got a just reward for their tenacious defending and well taken scores. Final score Mountmellick 1-8 Graiguecullen 1-4.

Team: Conor O’Shea, Darren McDermott, Gearoid Hanrahan, Brian Whelan, Ciaran Rochford, John O’Loughlin, Jason Hogan, Diarmuid Flaherty, David Tynan, Colm Coss, Gary Kirwan, Shane Carter, Eoin Gorman, Kevin Donoher, Donnacha Hanlon, Michael Carroll, Ronan Dempsey, and Colm Hanlon.

Congratulations to John O’Loughlin, Conor O’Shea and Jason Hogan who were part of the Laois U15 panel who travelled to Carbery in Kildare to take part in the Leinster Council run blitz. Laois had a great day out defeating Meath and Dublin and drawing with Kildare.

Annual Sinn Fein Collection

The local Cumann would like to thank all those who supported their recent house to house collection. Your support is greatly appreciated.

GAA Games

Mountmellick’s intermediate hurlers began their championship campaign on Saturday, April 17 when they began their championship campaign on Saturday, April 17 when they played Abbeyleix in Mountrath in terrible weather conditions. Despite being short some of the regulars they battled bravely in the elements.

They were in a good enough position at the interval with four points on the score board to Abbeyleix’s five. They were unfortunate to concede two goals and were unable to break down the opponents defence near the end. They lost on a score of 2-7 to 1-5. They put in a big effort on the day but alas it was not enough.

Team: Donie O’Mahony, Alan Coughlan, Ray O’Connor, Ciaran O’Mahony, Michael Bermingham, Mark Rochford, Patrick Murphy, Darren Young, John McEvoy, Bernard Rochford, Adam Challoner, Ken Young, David McKane, Tomas Gormley, Paul Stapleton, Keith Clinton, Ross Morrissey, and Ciaran McGuirk.

In the ACFL Div. 4 Mountmellick recorded a good win over Courtwood with a score of 0-8 to 0-4.

Congratulations to Mountmellick footballer Mark Turner who won an All-Ireland medal with Carlow VS when they defeated Trinity College in the Div. 2 colleges football championship by 2-12 to 3-8. Mark played at midfield and played a big role in this great victory.

Comhaltas

Mountmellick hosted a County Irish workshop recently. Nearly 40 children from many parts of Laois attended. The programme which was conducted in a fun way included songs, dance, games, poetry, art and practice comhra (in preparation for the Laois Fleadh).

This workshop was run by Barbara Tynan, Margaret Culliton (secretary Mountmellick CCE), Anne O’Neill (art) and Mary Culliton (Irish Officer, Laois County Board). During the day the county secretary Breda Dunphy visited the workshop. The idea of forming a new music group in CCE Laois is being considered. This group would cater for a young adults aged from 16 to 25 years old, who would be available to provide music of a high standard for important functions. Local branch secretaries will be delighted to hear from interested people.

Sarsfields LFC

The juniors first game of the championship proved to be a very disappointing affair as they went down to R and C Gaels by 5-9 to 1-1 in Clonaslee on Sunday, April 18. Made up mainly of U14’s and U16’s the team battled bravely for most of the match but failure to take advantage of numerous scoring opportunities was severely punished by the opposition. In the end the Clonaslee side ran out easy winners. Sarsfields next game is today, Wednesday, April 28, in Acragar.

Team: Lisa Guinane, Karen Joyce, Martina Wall, Jenny McEvoy, Juliann Culleton, Michelle O’Loughlin, Gemma Bergin, Carol Whelan, Siobhan Fitzpatrick 1-0, Emma Hayden, Rachel Mullen, Ciara Dunphy, Rosemarie Bermingham, Maria Murphy, Nicole Dowling 0-1, and sub. Meghan Kearney.