25-09-2004

Tracksuits ready for collection

People with club tracksuits ordered please contact club secretary Catherine Bishop to collect.

U14 Hurling

Mountmellick u14 hurlers bowed out of the B championship at the semi-final stage after being edged out by Castletown in a very competitive tie. Mountmellick started well and led by two points at half time despite playing against the wind.
However a resolute Castletown team fought back thanks to two quick goals and held out for a two point victory.

On the night Patrick Joyce had a good game in goals. James Quigley and Robert Dowling and Eddie Melia were excellent in the backs. Of the forwards, Karl Donoher, Sean George and Shane Dowling caught the eye. Final score: Castletown 2-5, Mountmellick 1-6.

Panel: Patrick Joyce, James Quigley, Robert Dempsey, Robert Dowling, David Whelan, Eddie Melia, Robert Cashera, Sean O’Driscoll, Paul Delaney, Karl Donoher, Sean George, Gary Dowling, Patrick Keating, Shane Dowling, Daryl Malone, Ronan Bishop, Eoin Hogan, Rachel Williams and Aisling Dunphy.

Intermediate football: Well done to Mountmellick’s footballers who have qualified for the county final by virtue of their win over Courtwood on Wednesday night last. The town side got off to a good start as Shane Conlon kicked over three early points. Courtwood then got off the mark and matched Mountmellick for the rest of the half with the Blues leading by 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval.
The second half was evenly contested until Mountmellick hit a purple patch with Willie Whelan scoring a top class goal followed rapidly by another cheeky effort by Tom Minehan. Courtwood battles bravely but Mountmellick ran out deserving winners by 2-13 to 0-11.

We can now look forward to the final and hope that the lads can keep up the momentum. This was a good team performance with the substitutes playing their part.

Team: Donal O’Mahony, David Ryan, Darren Young, Ciaran O’Mahony, John Lawlor, Willie Flanagan, John Lawlor, Darragh Hanlon, Jarlath Challoner, Niall Lynch, Gordon Lalor, Mark Turner, Donnacha O’Mahony, Shane Conlon, Willie Whelan, Tom Minehan, Tom Gormley, Keith Payne.
Mountmellick GAA Club ask everyone to fly blue and white flags to show their support for the team in the final. They play Timahoe on Saturday, September 25 in O’Moore Park. Good luck lads.

U16 hurling

Mountmellick’s u16 hurlers completed the double when they added the league title to the championship one that they captured a few weeks ago.

They played St. Fintan’s Colt in Parc Ratheniska on Saturday. Colt were first to open the scoring with two points but once Conor O’Shea fired home a good goal Mountmellick went on to dominate the remainder of the game.

As Diarmuid O’Flaherty went on a scoring spree, they produced the good form that deserted them for a lot of their championship campaign. The backs were out first to cut off all threats of attack, the midfield was once again the driving force and the forwards worked tirelessly.

Captain Niall Gorman collected his second cup of the year from juvenile chairman Andrew Broderick.
Team: Sean O’Driscoll, Eddie Melia, Gearóid Hanrahan, Sam Barra-clough, Darren McDermott, Niall Gorman (captain), Brian Whelan, John O’Loughlin 0-3, Diarmuid O’Flaherty 3-4, David Tynan, Eoin Gorman 0-3, Colm Coss, Michael Carroll 0-1, Conor O’Shea 1-2, Jason Hogan, Kevin Donoher, Shane Carter, Shane Dowling 0-1, Paul Delaney, Sean George.

Tae-Kwon-Do

The above classes have resumed on Monday nights at 7.30pm. Beginners welcome. Contact Pat or Shane for information.

Community Childcare

Childcare places are available at Sonas. To register your child for any of the services or to view the centre.

Museum

Various classes will take place in the museum over the coming months including creative writing, basket making, calligraphy, art, music and Mountmellick Work (embroidery). We will shortly have a display of recent acquisitions in our museum. If you are interested in any of the above activities, please contact Mountmellick Museum, MDA.

Jazz Ballet Classes

Classes are held every Wednesday in Mountmellick Macra hall - under-10s from 5 to 6pm and 10 years and over from 6 to 7pm. Contact Michelle.

Citizen’s Info

Is in attendance every Wednesday at 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 experienced depression or anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company 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.

Parent and Toddler Group

The group will resume meeting on Thursday morning, September 16, in the Methodist Church Hall.
Evening Classes

Laois VEC has published the brochure for this year’s evening classes in Mountmellick’s Further Education Centre located in the old VEC school in Harbour Street (opposite Turley’s.) There will be six courses available.

The subjects, duration and costs are: information technology (20 hrs, 80); woodwork (20 hrs, 80); early childhood education FETAC level 2 (40 hrs, 160); child development FETAC level 2 (40 hrs, 160); caring for children FETAC level 2 (35 hrs, 140); early childhood programme FETAC level 2 (40 hrs, 160).

Enrolment takes place on Monday, September 20 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The co-ordinator is Ms. P. Cullen.

There are other courses available in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Rathdowney, Clonaslee and Laois School of Music. Details of these are available from Laois VEC at Ridge Road, Portlaoise.
NUI Certificate in Disability Studies

An NUI Maynooth 100 hour certificate in Disability Studies will take place in MDA over the coming months. The course will commence in late September/October. For further information contact Storm Powell at MDA Irishtown, Mountmellick.

Computer Training Courses

The following courses commence in September at Mountmellick Development Association IT Training Centre.

Absolute Beginners - Tuesday, September 7. Microsoft Office (inter-mediate level) - Friday, September 10.

ECDL Level 1 (night class) -Thursday, September 23. ECDL Level 1 (morning class) - Wednesday, September 29. ECDL (advanced word processing) - Wednesday, September 22.
Internet and Email - Monday, September 13. PC Maintenance -Tuesday, September 7. Computerised accounts - Monday, September 20. Junior and senior infant pupils - Thursday, October 7.
One to one training is also available in any of the above courses. For further enquiries contact Imelda Burke.

Comhaltas

Music classes have resumed in the community sports centre behind the community school every Tuesday evening from 7 to 9pm. The musical tutors are Brian and Fiona Ryan. All categories from beginner to advanced are catered for. Existing and new members are welcome. For further information contact secretary Margaret Culliton at 44901 or assistant secretary Joan Culleton.

Speech and Drama

Develop your child’s confidence and communication skills through vocal exercises, mime, improvisation, storytelling, role play, public speaking, poetry and plays. Students are prepared for the Irish Board of Speech and Drama, Grade, Acting Medal and communication examinations. They also put on a Christmas show for family and friends. These classes are being held in St. Patrick’s BNS on Tuesday evenings, beginning on Tuesday, September 28. For further information please contact Anita Donoher, AIBSD, LIBSD.

Macra AGM

Mountmellick Macra recently recalled another satisfactory and successful year at their AGM. During the year, the club hosted and won numerous competitions, held their annual panto, increased membership and, most significantly, opened the new extension to their hall. The newly elected officers for 2004-’05 are: President, Alice McCann; chairman, David Connolly; vice-chairman, Ray Burke; secretary, Anne Marie Hourigan; treasurer, Ann Clarke Rochford; assistant treasurer Michelle Murphy; PRO, Rosemary Whelan; assistant PRO, Mary B. Culliton and Gemma Dunphy. The officers attended their annual training weekend in Limerick last weekend. Anyone interested in joining Macra is asked to contact any of the above committee. Not only does the club offer different sporting and acting activities, it is a great social outlet and is a way to meet new friends. Due to the adverse weather conditions, the club was forced to cancel its annual field day, planned for the Mardi Gras weekend. It will be held at a later date.