30-10-2004

NCBI table quiz

There will be a table quiz tonight (Wednesday) for NCBI (National Council for the Blind of Ireland) and the Laois Centre for Independent Living in the Mellick Inn at 9.30 pm.

Ron Lalor is quiz master on the night. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Comhaltas AGM

Mountmellick branch held its AGM last week. The secretary’s report reminded everyone of the very busy year just ending, which saw the branch hosting the Laois Fleadh in June and Echoes of Eireann in November 2003.

Members participated in the new county competition, the Credit Union day concert and other functions providing music for Mass on a few occasions.

The branch also organised an Irish day to help prepare members for the comhra competition. The music classes, in the capable hands of Brian and Fiona are very successful and numbers have increased again this year.

The chairman thanked the committee for all the hard work, the parents for their co-operation and of course, the children, all of whom are doing so well. He wished everyone a very successful year ahead.

Officers for the coming year chairperson Brian Furlong; vice chairperson, Mick McCann; secretary, Mary Bridget Culleton; assistant secretary, Margaret Culliton; treasurer, Donal Williams; assistant treasurer, Gabriel Hogan; youth officer, Valerie Culleton; auditor/Irish officer, Mary Culliton; delegate to the county board, Joan Culleton and Brian Furlong; joint pro’s, Mary Culliton and Brian Furlong; committee members Mick Fitzpatrick, Breda Culleton, James Hyland, Peter Culleton.

The branch hosted a wonderful session of music in the Macra Hall on Sunday October 17 from 2 pm to 6 pm with an attendance of at least 55 people, about 40 of whom were young musicians from Clonaslee, Camross, Spink and Mountmellick.

It was a most enjoyable afternoon for both players and audience. The committee thanks everyone who came and look forward to the next big session which will be held in Clonaslee.

PTAA

The regional dinner dance is being held in the Hazel Hotel on Friday, November 19. Ticket holders please phone 0502 24160 for Brother Bosco, Mountrath before November 12 for hotel number for meals.

Comhaltas Awards

Each year Laois County Board of Comhaltas select a person to honour for outstanding commitment and contribution to the promotion of Irish traditional music, song and dance over the years in Laois. This year Mountmellick’s Mary B Culliton has been selected for this award.

Mary B is a long time member of Comhaltas and was one of the founder members of Mountmellick branch in 1992. Mary is the current County Board Irish Officer. She also holds the position of Irish Officer in Mountmellick branch and is a very active member of same.

The award night is on Friday, November 12 M B Culliton chaired the meeting. Business of the meeting was discussed and dates to remember are Irish night in Eamon An Cnoic on Saturday October 23; flower arranging in the same venue on October 25.

A talk on healthy eating will be available for the next meeting. Votes of sympathy were passed with Elsie Perry on the death of Nick and also with Annie Kelly on the death of her brother Michael Gorman.

Set Dancing

Winter set dancing in St Mary’s Hall Clonaghadoo on Wednesdays at 8.30 pm. All welcome.

Jazz Ballet Classes

The above classes are being held every Wednesday in Mountmellick Macra Hall. Under 10s from 5 pm to 6 pm and 10 years and over from 6 pm to 7 pm. Contact 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 office. Anyone who would like help with tax problems, social welfare entitlements, health, housing or any related problems are welcome to attend.

Grow Group

A grow group meets in Mountmellick. If you are someone who experiences depression or anxiety attacks or who is simply in need of company of come along.
You will have an opportunity to meet others, share your problems in confidence, get support and make new friends. All are welcome.
Meeting take place in the MDA, Irish town at 3 pm on Monday. For further information please contact Harriet.

Mountmellick GAA News

U-21 football Mountmellick and Kilcavan combined to take on Emo Portarlington in the u-21 A football championship in the Heath on Saturday evening, October 16. They were slow to start and allowed the opposition to get some early scores with wind advantage. At half time the parish team were behind by 0-6 to 0-2.

In the second half the tempo of the game was upped when Shane Conlon crashed home a great penalty the comeback was on. Bernard Rochford added a second goal and with Shane Conlon kicking some top class points the game ended in a deserved draw. Final score 2-5 to 0-11.

This was a good display by the lads when they eventually settled down and had belief in themselves. Hopefully they can go one better in the replay (check fixtures).

Team: Ross Morrissey, David Henehan, Ciaran O’Mahony, Eddie Conroy, Mick Lawlor, Mark Turner, David Ryan, Darragh Hanlon, Michael Bermingham, Paul Stapleton, Shane Conlon 1-5, Declan Conroy, Bernard Rochford 1-0, Oliver Dickson, Donnacha O’Mahony, Cormac Hannon, Laurence Oxley, Lee Collins, Joe Ward.

Sarsfields ladies football

Saturday and Sunday, october 16 and 17 were busy days for many of the Sarsfields players as the u-16s won the Offaly county board u-16 tournament and the following day picked up two points against Portlaoise in the minor championship.

The Offaly u-16 tournament proved to be a highly entertaining and useful competition for under age players in both laois and Offaly over the summer and autumn. For Sarsfields, the win was the result of a big effort and commitment from the players.

The final was a thrilling affair as Mountmellick and Edenderry, two very skillful outfits, gave everything they could muster in an all out effort to bring home the silverware. Sarsfields had the advantage of a great start as Rachel Mullen netted twice in the opening half as they faced the strong wind. Edenderry fought back before the break to leave just a single point between the sides at the change over Sarsfields 2-3, Edenderry 1-5.

Sarsfields piled on the pressure in the second half with goals from Aine McEvoy and two brilliant shots from Claire O’Loughlin finally putting the game beyond the reach of the Offaly girls.
Siobhan Fitzpatrick and Aine McEvoy were outstanding in the middle of the field and dominated for long stretches, especially in the second period. In defence, Jenny McEvoy, Carol Whelan, Amy Greham and Laura Quigley were solid throughout while in the attack Claire O’Loughlin and Rache Mullen topped the scoring charts ably assisted by Sarah Williams and Emma Hayden. Final score Sarsfields 5-8, Edenderry 2-7.

Team: Lisa Guinane, Carol Whelan, Jenny McEvoy, Therese Weston, Amy Grehan, Laura Quigley, Jules Culleton, Aine McEvoy 1-1, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Emma Hayden, Claire O’Loughlin 2-3, Sarah Williams 0-1, Rachel Mullen 2-2, Joanne Scott 0-1, Michelle O’Loughlin and subs Rachel Williams, Gemma Bergin, Rosemaire Bermingham, Ashling Dunphy, Ashling Walsh, Caroline Lynch, Helena Carroll, Megan Kearney.

In the Laois minor championship on Sunday, October 17 against Portlaoise, Sarsfields came from a two point half time deficit of 0-6 to 1-1 to win by 1-10 to 0-6. In a game dominated by the down field wind, Portlaoise had the better of the exchanges in the opening half, but Sarsfields, with the introduction of Amy Grehan and Patrice Deffew, gradually got on top and emerged comfortable winners in the end.

Corner forward Clare Conlon was in excellent form and picked off eight unanswered second half points. Others to shine were Lisa Guinane, Aine Gorman, Mary Hyland, Mags McEvoy, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Claire O’Loughlin and Emma Hayden.

Team: Lisa Guinane, Jenny McEvoy, Mary Hyland, Aine Gorman, Jules Culleton, Laura Quigley, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Ruth Conroy, Emma Hayden 0-1, Claire O’Loughlin 0-1, Aoife Cleary, Clare Conlon 0-8, Mags McEvoy, Rachel Mullen and subs Amy Grehan, Patrice Deffew, Sarah Williams, rachel Williams, Rosemarie Bermingham.

Mavericks Halloween Fancy Dress Party

The above party takes place in Horan’s Harbour Bar on Saturday October 30 in aid of St Vincent’s Hospital Mountmellick. Music by Double L Disco. Admission 8 per head or 15 per couple. Music from 9 til late. Come along and support a worthy cause.

St Joseph’s GNS

The annual parents council AGM was held on Wednesday October 13. Before the meeting there was a short interesting talk by Catherine Coleman on “parent to parent courses” which cover alcohol and drug abuse.

The parents council is a voluntary organisation of parents giving their time to your children. Last year the parents Council funded maths equipment and musical instruments for the children as well as providing fun and entertainment sponsored walk, sports day and childrens table quiz.

Sr Mary thanked the outgoing committee for all their support during the year and wished the incoming council well. The following people were elected: chairperson, Jack Deegan; secretary, Claire Dempsey; treasurer, Aisling Delaney.

The council would like to thank everyone who attended and look forward to working with the new committee for the coming year.

Late Frances Conroy

There was deep shock at the news of the sudden death of Frances Conroy of Manor Road on Monday October 18. Frances was well known to many in the area, having worked in Whites supermarket and also as a carer and being a member of Mountmellick Pioneer Drama Group, her passing is sadly regretted.

Removal from St Vincent’s Hospital Chapel of Repose to St Joseph’s church took place on Wednesday evening. Requiem Mass was celebrated at noon on Thursday with burial afterwards to St Joseph’s cemetery.

Frances is mourned by her brother Martin, sisters Sheila, Anne and Theresa, family, relatives and friends to whom the sincere sympathy of the community is extended on their bereavement.