09-10-2004

Intermediates defeated in final

Hard luck to the intermediate footballers as they were defeated by Timahoe in the county final on Saturday evening, September 25.

The team management and the players have put in a huge effort all the year and qualified for the final undefeated in all previous games.

Mountmellick started well and were unlucky not to have scored an early goal. They led by one point at the interval and the battle for supremacy began in earnest in the second half. With less than ten minutes remaining the sides were deadlocked at eight points each.

Timahoe then added two points and Mountmellick battled to the end but could not make a break through the opposing defence and time ran out. It was a bitter disappointment for all involved but they can be proud of their achievement in contesting the final in gallant fashion. The huge support from the town was very much appreciated and will surely encourage all the players to bounce back next year.

Mountmellick GAA Club would like to thank Larry O’Loughlin, Michael Dowling and Brian Dempsey for their outstanding preparation of the team over a long drawn out campaign. Hopefully they will look on this as unfinished business and take the players the extra mile next year. Thanks to Niamh O’Loughlin for her dedication to all club members.

Thanks to all who generously sponsored the team for the final and thanks also to our local supporters who flew the flag and provided encouragement on match days. Thanks to Fr. Dunphy for his kind wished in the dressing room before the match.

It was a big day for Mountmellick GAA Club in O’Moore Park on Saturday as the youngest team in the club, the u10 footballers also played in the final of the development league. They recorded a great win over Portlaoise in the grade 1 finish on Saturday morning and everyone returned again in the evening for the intermediate final. It was a memorable day for the club despite mixed fortunes.

Comhaltas News

Music classes have resumed and timetables have now been set out for the different classes. They are held in the Community Sports Complex behind the Community School each Tuesday night.

The music tutors are Brian and Fiona Ryan. All abilities are catered for ie. beginners, intermediate and advanced and all instruments.

Class times range from 6.15 to 9pm. There are still vacancies available in each class. For further information please phone secretary Margaret C Culliton or assistant secretary Joan Culleton or chairperson Brian Furlong.

Comhaltas AGM

Mountmellick Comhaltas AGM will take place in the Methodist Hall beside Glanbia on Friday October 8th at 8.30pm. All members and parents of pupils are encouraged to attend.

Blood Donors

The mobile unit of the Blood Transfusion Services Board will attend at St. Patrick’s BNS, Davitt Road on today, Wednesday, October 6 from 4.30 pm to 8.30pm. Blood is urgently required every day in our hospitals and all donors are asked to attend. Please also encourage your family and friends aged 18 years and over to come along also.

Mountmellick Women’s Group AGM

The above AGM is being held on Thursday, October 7 in the Methodist Hall at 8.30pm. All ladies welcome. Come along and bring a friend.

Mountmellick Soccer Club

Mountmellick United played the first ever match on their new grounds at Connor Davis Park on Saturday last, September 25. The under 12 boys defeated Rathcoole boys in the National Cup. A great team performance with goals coming from Pat Keating and Danny McGuirk, Mark Dowling, Niall Donoher and a hat trick for Gary Donoher.

Team for Mountmellick: R. Byrne, C. Caffrey. J. Quigley, M. Collins, A. Mullens, S. Burke, G. Dohoner, D.

McGuirk, N. Donoher, P. Keating, M. Dowling, D. Kelly, S. Smith, O. Riordan, D. White, L. Kenny, S. Gorman, J. Allen, T. Strong, A. Tuohy, O. Hogan.

Castlebar Cemetery Rosary

The Rosary will be recited every Sunday evening at 7pm in Castlebrack cemetery for the month of October. All welcome.

Sinn Fein News

The Willie Brock Sinn Fein Cumann held its monthly meeting in Mountmellick Town Hall on Thursday, September 16. Among the previous month’s activities reviewed was the attendance at the Columbia Three fundraiser in Naas by Cumann members.

Jazz Ballet Classes

The above classes are being held every Wednesday in Mountmellick Macra Hall. Under 10’s from 5 - 6pm and 10 years and over from 6 - 7pm. Contact Michelle at for details.

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 offic. Anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problem are welcome to attend.

Grow Group

A Grow Group meets each week in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experiences depression or anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company to 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 on Monday. For further information please contact Harriet.

Community Care Whist

Top score: Babs Hipwell; ladies, 1. Rita Fitzpatrick; 2. Sister Madeline; gents, 1. Sheila Duff and Tom Gowing; halves, 1. Betty Srahan and B O’Brien; 2. Norah Conroy and Paddy Dolan.

Top score, B O’Brien; ladies, 1. Ann Mahon; 2. Tina Lalor; gents, 1. Denny Kelly; 2. Betty Coffey; halves, 1. Veronica Kearns; 2. Thomas Patrick Kearns,.

Top score, Tom Gowing; 1. Babs Hipwell; 2. Mary Gowing, Norah Conroy, Rita Fitzpatrick; gents, 1. Alice McRedmond; 2. Fran Tobin; halves, 1. Violet Bryan; 2. Tom Kearns.

Old School Whist

September 28: top score, m Gowing; ladies, 1. N Thompson; 2. V Bryan and B O’Brien; gents, 1. J Delaney; 2. J Clooney and F Conroy; halves, 1. M Ryan; 2. V Kearns; best of three games, M Goran, K Kavanagh, E Moran; hatching, W Sherlock; lowest score, K Donovan.

The committee appreciates your continued support every Thursday night in the Old School, Pearse Street.

Mountmellick United AFC Fundraiser

No jackpot winner. 15 Eoin Meehan, F Quigley, Damian Crossan, Mick Conlon, Sara Dempsey.

Mountmellick GAA Fundraiser

No jackpot winner. €50 Denis Delaney, €20 Bridie Conroy, James Charles, We 3, Bernard Conroy.

Mountmellick Sports Complex

The games room is now open every evening at 7pm.

Collins 22 Society

A meeting of the Collins 22 Society will take place on Saturday, October 16 in Hotel Kilkenny. There is a lifetime membership fee of €20. Membership forms are available from John Fitzgerald.

Fine Gael

The Oliver J Flanagan of Fine Gael held a meeting on Friday, September 24. The chairman Larry Ryan welcomed everybody. Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Willie Aird was guest speaker. His inspiring talk was greatly appreciated by the attentive audience. Paddy Buggy gave a detailed account of the recent visit to Beal na Blath.

Councillors Bobby Delaney and Rosemary Whelan reported back to the meeting. The branch expressed grave disappointment at the lack of Gardai in the town. Councillors Delaney and Whelan expressed their need for a playground for the children in Mountmellick. In this day and age other towns have this safe alternative.

The disgraceful state of the footpaths in many areas of the town were discussed and many other problems experienced by the residents at present. The branch stated time and time aga in that Fianna Fail with their large majority for the last number of terms of office of the Town Council and County Council seemed to have no interest in improving the town of Mountmellick, state of roads, footpaths, minor house repairs etc.

The relief road is a huge issue for Mountmellick that will have to be addressed immediately. Charlie Flanagan gave a very interesting and helpful talk to the branch and spoke at length on current national and local issues - Ballyfin College and the inner relief road. He promised to help the branch in any way possible. The branch wishes Dave Conroy a speedy recovery and look forward to having him at the next meeting.