03-07-2004

Third green flag for St. Joseph’s GNS

St. Joseph’s GNS, Mountmellick celebrated the awarding of their third Green flag on Thursday, June 17. To celebrate the occasion the school enjoyed an outdoor concert given by the No. 1 Army Band.

Invited guests included St. Patrick’s BNS, St. Paul’s NS, representatives of Mountmellick Community School and members of the community. The band played theme songs from the Simpsons, Friends, Flintstones and Coronation St., much to the delight of the young audience. There was something for the adults too with a delightful version of “New York, New York” and “When the Saints go Marching in”.

As the children got into the mood they bobbed and swayed to the music. Members of the band demonstrated the various instruments. The celebrations concluded with the formal raising of the Green Flag. This honour fell to Fr. Noel Dunphy to the Board of Management.

St Mary Nunan, school principal, thanked Michael John O’Mahony of An Taisce and Lynda Meredith of Laois County Council for attending.

The flag was raised to the fanfare of a trumpeter from the No. 1 Army Band. The school would like to thank Mr Byrne of Costcutters for his sponsorship of the tea and coffee and refreshments for the band.

There was great disappointment on Monday morning, however when the students and teachers realised that the Green Flag had been stolen. They would appreciate its return to the school as it symbolises their achievement after time, work and dedication.

Summer Camp

A Summer Camp commences on Monday, July 5th at Naíonra Naomh Áine, Garoon, Mountmellick and continues throughout the summer. The camp is available to children aged three to seven years, from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. For further information please contact Mary Culleton.

Tennis Club Summer Camps

Mountmellick Tennis Club will be running three tennis and multi sport camps for 4-6, 6-12 and 12-18 year olds. These will be run during July and August. Activities will include tennis coaching, co-ordination games, multi sport tournaments and lots more. For an application form call Bryan.

Knock

The Diocesan pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Sunday, July 4. To book a seat please contact John Dowling or Ollie Kelly.

Mountmellick Community Games Results

The presentation night for boys and girls who won medals in the Mountmellick Community Games will be held in the Town Hall on Tuesday, June 15 at 8.30pm with their parents in attendance.

Boys u12 600m - 3rd David Kelly. Long Jump u14 - 2nd, Robert Byrne. Boys u8 80m - 2nd, David Pedro. Girls u12 100m - 2nd, Jeanine Murphy. Girls u14 100m - 2nd, Gemma Deegan. Boys u16 100m - 1st, Davin Boyle. Boys u12 600m - 3rd, Rory Hyland. Girls u10 200m - 3rd, Ciara Murphy.

Girls 800m - 3rd, Amy Mooney. Discus u16 - 1st, James Flannery. Boys u16 1500m - 2nd, Dean McGurk. Boys u12 relay - 2nd, David Kelly, Hughie Nevin, Rory Hyland, AN Other. Girls u14 relay - 1st, Leanne Murphy, Jeanine Murphy, AMy Mooney and Sabrina Dempsey.

Mountmellick Juvenile Hurling

Mountmellick’s young hurlers played two games in two days recently and came away with two wins. The first game against Slieve Bloom/Ballyfin on Wednesday June 16 was a very experimental game against Slieve Bloom/Ballyfin’s second team.

Mountmellick started with their top players and in what turned out to be a practice match, we were able to give some u10s a run in a blue jersey for their first time. All of the under 10s played very well in their first competitive match - Eoin Quigley, Connor A Dunne, David Garty and Gerry Quinn, with a well taken goal. The future looks good with these lads!

The second match was a very different affair. Clonad were the visitors this time and were travelling very confidently as they were unbeaten so far in the league. Mountmellick got stuck in form the throw-in and went ahead with a great goal. Clonad replied with a point and it was end to end stuff.

Both teams missed chances. Clonad scored a goal. Mountmellick replied with a point to leave the sides all square at half time. Still all to play for.

At the start of the second half, Mountmellick got two great goals and it seemed as if Clonad were starting to grumble, but they got down to work and pulled one back with six minutes to go. Mountmellick were still up by a goal when Gavin Conroy sent over a very sweet point out on the wing. Mountmellick were up by 1-1 with two minutes to go. Clonad pulled a goal back in injury time and after what seemed like an eternity the final whistle sounded to the great relief of all the Mountmellick supporters.

In what was one of the most exciting games of hurling played in Acragar for a long time, great credit must go to both teams. Mountmellick showed great guts, determination and pride in the blue jersey. It would be impossible to pick out anybody in particular because every Mountmellick player gave his all in covering, hooking, blocking and harassing. Well done lads, keep it up.

Panel

Mark Dowling, Thomas Keating, Keith Dunphy, Jamie Dunne, Michael McDermott, James Quigley, Luke Reidy, Patrick Keating, Eoin Hogan, Conor C Dunne, Laurence Kenny, Gavin Conroy, Redmond McEvoy, Jack Dempsey, Joseph Keating, Conor A Dunne, Adam Murphy, Eoin Quigley, Eoin Keogh.

Cemetery Masses

Clonaghadoo’s annual cemetery Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, July 4th at 4pm. A general clean up will take place on the preceding week. Your co-operation would be appreciated.

Grow Group

A Grow Group meets each week in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experienced depression or 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 take place in the MDA, Irishtown at 3pm every Monday. For further information please contact Harriet.

Laois Citizens Information Service

The above is in attendance every Wednesday at MDA Irishtown from 10am to noon or else may be contacted at the Portlaoise office at 0502 21425. Anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problem are welcome to attend.

Retirement

Fr. Joseph Whittle has retired as curate in our parish. Fr Joe came to Mountmellick in September 1994 and has since endeared himself to everyone he met. With always a happy greeting, a friendly word and joke, he quickly became a friend to all, both young and old found a kinship with Fr. Joe.

Fr. Joe had spent many years in Laois, as principal and teacher at the Salesian College, Ballinakill. He had studied in England and Italy and as a Salesian priest he worked in Ireland, Scotland and America. Now a new phase starts in his life with his retirement to his native Dunlavin. All in the parish wish him the very best in his retirement.

Fr. Conor O’Reilly will be replacing Fr. Joe and will arrive in Mountmellick on Sunday, August 15. Fr. Conor is from Portarlington and was ordained on June 17 2001. Since then he has been curate in Askea parish in Carlow town. The people are looking forward to welcoming Fr. Conor to our parish.

There was a welcome for the news that Fr. Thomas Dooley who worked as curate in Mountmellick for many years is now appointed as parish priest of Portarlington. He is wished all the best in his new role.

Town Crest

Mountmellick Town Council have kindly given Mountmellick GAA Club the use of the official town crest which will now be used on all new playing gear and club leisure wear. The crest was formally handed to the club at a function in The Hollow Bar on Friday, June 25. Club track suits with the new town crest can be ordered from any of the officers.

Well Done

Well done from all in Mountmellick GAA Club to the Laois footballers on their great win over Meath. Jarlath Challoner of Mountmellick Club was a member of the Laois panel and all are wished the very best in the Leinster final.

Well done to Gary Donoher from Mountmellick Juvenile Club who was representing St. Patrick’s BNS on the Laois team who played Carlow in Croke Park on Sunday, June 20, both his club and his school are very proud of him.

GAA Summer Camp

This year’s Leinster GAA Summer Camps will soon be up and running all over the province. Mountmellick’s camp will be held from Tuesday, July 20 to Friday, July 23 from 10am to 2.30pm each day in Parc Acragar. Application forms are now available from all schools and from Laois GAA Office, 3 New Road, Portlaoise, contact Ciaran Muldowney.

All children from 2nd to 6th class are catered for with a strong emphasis on enjoyment and full participation by all who attend. Mountmellick’s is a combined camp with football, hurling and camogie cater for, along with visits from guest players.

The fee is 35 per child with family reductions. Each camp participant will receive a jersey, socks, shorts and a sports bag. They should bring a packed lunch each day and suitable gear such as tracksuit or shorts (depending on the weather), a hurley and helmet are essential for hurling and camogie.

Art Workshop

Laois County Council is organising an arts in Mountmellick from Monday, July 12 to Friday, July 16 with two separate sessions, one from 10am to 12.30pm and one from 2pm to 4.30pm. These workshops are for children aged from 7 to 12 years. Siobhan Keogh is the art teacher leading this week or creativity and art appreciation.

For application forms, contact the Arts Office, Laois County Council, Aras and Chontae, Portlaoise or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie