20-03-2004

Lots To Entertain At Drama Festival

It will soon be time for Mountmellick’s great annual event, the eight night-long drama festival.

Organised by the Pioneer drama group with main sponsor Mountmellick Credit Union, this is an occasion which draws audiences from far and near with the very best in Ireland’s amateur drama groups on stage. Each play opens at 8.30pm in the concert hall.

The festival kicks off on Thursday, March 18, with Breffni Players from Carrick-on-Shannon staging John B. Keane’s highly popular The Playboy of the Western World.

Silken Thomas players from Kildare return to Mountmellick for another visit on Friday, March 19, with Marie Jones Woman on the Verge of HRT.

Another Kildare county group, the Moat club from Naas, take to the stage on Saturday, March 20, with The Hunt for Red Willie by Ken Burke.

Sunday, March 21, sees the staging of another old favourite, Juno and the Paycock by Sean O’Casey, performed by Estuary Players, Dublin.

Another favourite on Monday, March 22, will be the staging of John B. Keane’s Sive by Kilmuckridge Drama Group from Wicklow.

Carlow Little Theatre returns to Mountmellick on Tuesday, March 23, with Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus.

On Wedneday, March 24, Tinahely Drama Group from Wicklow stage Bernard Farrell’s 44 Sycamore.

On the final night, Thursday, March 25, Thurles Drama Group present Belfry by Billy Roche. This is also adjudication night when the winners of both the open and closed section will be announced and they go forward to the all-Ireland heats.

Season tickets for the festival are 30 for adults with tickets for individual nights being 7. Family and student rates are also available.

Juvenile Soccer

Mountmellick Utd’s under-11s have won the East Midlands Schoolboys League. The team has 13 players and each of these lads has given a powerful performance throughout the season. The boys played Tullamore on Saturday, March 6, in their final game of the league and finished with a 3-1 win. Well done to all the lads and the best of luck in the cup. Team: Mark Dowling, Robert Byrne, Anthony Mullins, Gary Donoher, Craig Caffrey, Sean Gorman, Niall Donoher, Eoghan Riordan, Tom Strong, Patrick Keating, Eoin Hogan, Daniel McGuirk, Simon Smith.

Girls Soccer

Soccer training for girls aged 14-17 years will take place in Smith’s field on Saturday mornings at 11am.

Kilcavan GAA

The club will hold a presentation night in the Court Hotel, Tullamore, on Friday, March 19.

Community Care Whist

Results from February 25 - top score, Mary Gowing; 1, Nellie Thompson; 2, Kathleen McHugh and B. O’Brien; halves - 1, Alice McRedmond; 2, Betty Srahan. Results from March 3: top score, Lily Pierce; ladies - 1, Ann Mahon; 2, Tina Lalor; gents - 1, Tom Kearns; 2, Denny Kelly; halves - 1, Jane Brennan; 2, Babs Hipwell.

Old School Whist

Results, March 4 - top score, F. Conroy; ladies - 1, M. Gorman; 2, B. Kennedy and L. Pierce; gents - 1, J. Clooney; 2, T. Jacob; halves - 1, A. Walshe; 2, V. Hutchinson; best of three games, S. Duff; hatching, D. Kelly; lowest score, R. Wilkinson. The committee appreciates your continued support every Thursday night in the old school, Pearse Street.

Bridge Results

February 19 - N/S: 1, H. Meade and B. Hourigan; 2, K. and R. Horan; E/W: 1, P. Storey and A. Flynn; 2, V. Turley and A. Rochford; February 26 - N/S: 1, P. Sheils and J. Sheedy; 2, B. and M. Rochford; E/W: 1, Srs. Madeleine and Rosarii; 2, M. Ryan and A. Higgins. The president’s prize starts on March 11. Players are asked to be seated by 7.45pm.

Citizen’s Info

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

Grow Group

A Grow group meets each week in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experience depression or anxiety attacks or who is in need of company, do come along. You will have an opportunity to meet others, share problems in confidence, get support and make new friends. All are welcome. Meetings take place in the MDA, Irishtown, at 3pm every Monday

Comhaltas News

Music classes continue each Tueday evening in the sports complex with various classes from 6.45 to 9pm with music teachers Brian and Fiona Ryan. Irish day is being held on Monday, April 5, in the sports complex from from 10am to 2.30pm. Admission is 2 for members who show membership cards and 8 for non-members. This year, Mountmellick Comhaltas will again host the Laois fleadh on the June bank holiday weekend. Tickets are being printed to be sold to raise funding for the fleadh, so all help and support in selling tickets or any other preparation for the fleadh would be appreciated.

Rock Juvenile GAA

Training has resumed for all players at under-10, 12, 14, and 16 levels at the Rock pitch at 5pm on Saturday evenings. New players in the parish are always welcome and any players or parents seeking more information can contact John Allen, juvenile coach, please note that training for under-8s will begin this month.

Any parents who are interested in getting involved with underage teams should note that there is a foundation course taking place on Saturday, March 20, from 10am to 1pm and on Wednesday, March 24, from 7.30 to 9.30pm at The Rock. This course is open to all and details can be had from John Allen at the above numbers.

Juvenile GAA

Training days and times: U-8, 10 and 12 football is on Thursdays from 7 to 8.15pm starting on Thursday, March 25. The u-12 football league starts on Saturday, March 27. U-12 hurling is on Wednesdays from 6.30 to 8pm and on Sundays from 11.30am to 1pm. U-14 football and hurling is on Mondays from 7.30 to 8.30pm. The u-14 football league starts on Sunday, March 28. U-16 football on Wednesdays at 6.45pm and Sundays at 11am. U-16 football county trials are at 10am in Park/Ratheniska on Saturday, March 20. Note: All players in all grades must have registration paid to the club prior to any league matches.

AFC Fundraiser

Last week, Kevin Healion won the jackpot of 1,820. Winners of 15 each were: Leona Guinane, Eoghan O’Riordan, Ursula O’Malley, Deirdre Gorman and Robert Wilkinson.

The Rock GAA News: The senior team had their second game in Div. 1 of the league against Emo on Saturday, March 6, with the Rock coming out winners 1-9 to 0-7. Scorers for The Rock were: Paul Dunne 1-3, John McDonald 0-3, Brian Moss 0-2, Dave Murphy 0-1. Training for senior and junior players continues on Tuesdays at 8pm and on Fridays at 8pm.

Sarsfields LFC: Under the umbrella of Mountmellick’s GAA presentation night held in the Heritage Hotel on Saturday night, February 28, hosted their presentation of awards and medals. Chairman Jim Halley complimented the minor teams which won the Laois titles in 2002 and 2003, bringing the first four-in-a-row of Laois championship wins in the club’s history. He also paid tribute to the seniors on reaching their first ever final and also the u-14s who reached the league and championship finals. He thanked team train-ers Eugene Quigley, David Hayden, Mary Hyland, Mags McEvoy and Michael O’Loughlin, each of whom received presentations for their work with the club. The players were presented with their medals by Laois County Board secretary Michael O’Loughlin.

Senior Panel

Caroline Bermingham, Mary Hyland, Niamh O’Loughlin, Deirdre Halley, Lisa O’Reilly, Grace Weston, Patrice Deffew, Emma McEvoy, Ann Marie Hourigan, Aoife Cleary, Ciara O’Loughlin, Olywn Farrell, Claire Conlon, Aileen O’Loughlin, Emer O’Loughlin, Fiona Whelan, Grace O’Neill, Fiona Halley, Rachel Farrell, Sandra Lawlor, Nicole Dunpy, Martina Wall.

Minor Panel

Caroline Bermingham, Mary Hyland, Deirdre Halley, Grace Weston, Patrice Deffew, Emma McEvoy, Mags McEvoy, Aoife Cleary, Fionnuala Cleary, Claire O’Loughlin, Olwyn Farrell, Clare Conlon, Fiona Whelan, Aileen O’Loughlin, Rachel Mullen, Emma Hayden, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Rachel Farrell, Nicole Dunphy, Martina Wall, Laura Quigley, julieann Culleton, Lucy O’Loughlin.

Club training for players over 14 continues on Tuesdays and Fridays in Acragar. Training for under-12s is on Sundays at 11am.

On Sunday, March 7, four players featured prominently on the Laois senior football team that overcame Tyrone in Longford in the Suzuki National League. They were Grace Weston and Mags McEvoy, both of whom started in defence, and Ciara O’Loughlin and Emma McEvoy who came on as subs.

Fundraiser

Naomh Aine pre-school held a successful Kellogs breakfast morning for parents and children on Wednesday, March 3, and 300 was raised for Childline. We wish to thank Glanbia, Connolly Meats and Costcutters for their generosity towards the event.

GAA News

Congratulations to the Tynan family, Kyletelisha, who won 1,000 in the Laois County Board fundraiser. In the ACFL Div. 4, Mountmellick juniors travelled to Rosenallis on Sunday, March 7, and, after a gallant comeback in the second half, were beaten 3-6 to 2-5. This was an encouraging performance and if they continue to train in large numbers, then they can progress. Training for all adults on Tuesday and Friday nights.

Welcome

The business community are happy to welcome the opening of a new video/DVD rental outlet at Sarsfields Street. This shop unit had lain idle for quite a long time and it is good to see business at that end of the town.

Sympathy

News of the death of Patrick Ruschitzko of Dublin Road, Portlaoise, at his residence on Thursday, March 4, was greeted with sadness. Paddy was a much respected and popular man, well known to many, particularly in the GAA. Removal took place from his residence to St Peter and Paul’s Church. Requiem Mass was celebrated followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to his wife Margaret, son Paul, daughters Patricia (Lynch) and Maura (Reddin), family, relatives and friends.

It was with regret that the community learned of the death of Annie Delaney, Derryguile, on Saturday, March 6. Annie was one of the area’s older members of the farming community and her passing is mourned. Removal took place to St. Joseph’s Church. The sympathy of the community is extended to Annie’s family, relatives and friends.

Glass Bottles

MEG are delighted to announce that outlets for glass bottle recycling are available at the Statoil station, Irishtown.