Ballyduff
LOCAL LINK
The new local Link service started on December 10 It runs on Tuesdays and Fridays. Leaving Clologue at 9.45 a.m. travelling through Ferns and Ballyduff to Gorey and returning from Gorey at 1.30 p.m., traveling back through Ballyduff and Ferns to Clologue. Free travel pass is valid, under-5s free. Single €3, return €6. Important thing is that it’s a demand response service so needs to be booked by 3 p.m. the day before by ringing Local Link at 053 9196276 or 053 9296279.
FERNS BFRIENDLY
Are you or do you know an older person living alone in the Ferns or surrounding areas including Camolin, Ballyduff and Clologue? Would you like to receive a free weekly phone call from specially trained and Garda Vetted local volunteers from Ferns Bfriendly. This service offers friendship and support to older people living in these areas as well as providing security and helping clients feel safer at home.
DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Thanks to everyone for your continued support in 2019 and wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and healthy, happy 2020 from all in Ballyduff Development Group.
LOCAL NOTES
If you have anything you would like included in your local notes please contact 087 8274447 before 7 p.m. on Thursday evenings. Wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and every happiness in the new year. two special sellers’ prizes, also €40 each, went to Martina Murphy and Jim Donohoe. Tickets for the first draw of the New Year, can be had from all committee members, local businesses and online, by following the link on the club’s Facebook page.
GAA NEWS
The under-14 hurlers ended their busy season with a great win in the final of the Martin Storey Tournament on Sunday, December 8, beating Ballyhogue by 2-4 to 0-6 in a thrilling game in Oulart.
SOCCER NEWS
The under-16s, a player short, travelled all the way to Ballymitty to take on Corach in their first game of the season on Saturday, December 7. In a pacey game, they dominated the first half, but could not convert possession into scores. Their defence was superb and although the game was tied 0-0 at the break, our lads might have been a goal or two ahead. Early in the second half, Fionn Walsh gave them the lead and Corach then attacked unremittingly for 15 minutes. Attack after attack was repelled with James de.
Lacey starring, till inevitably, Corach forced a corner. Another corner resulted from this and then another. But on the third corner, goalie, Éanna Swords, leaped high, grabbed the ball and sent a long range pass beyond midfield to Fionn Walsh, who raced on and scored his second goal of the game. Well done to the 10man team and manager Philip ‘Cha’ Byrne on a great 2-0 result.
The under-12s also won, beating Taghmon by 4-2. Luke Foran got two goals while Rónán Sweeney and Aaron Carthy added one apiece.
The under-14s made it a hattrick of wins for the club, beating Glynn-Barntown by a cricket score. Although, through illness, they two only had 10 players, they dominated the game from the start. Callum Byrne was superb in defence with Michael Kehoe and James O’Leary helping to make sure that our goalie was idle throughout. Seán Óg Gilbride netted five times, Alex Keegan grabbed a hat-trick, Jack Ellix got a brace and Abram O’Neill, Oisín Kirwin and Ciarán Murphy got a gaol each. Well done to all.
CHRISTMAS IN ST CORMAC’S CHURCH.
There will be a Penance Service in St Cormac’s on Sunday, December 22, at 7.30 p.m.
The Vigil Mass for Christmas will be at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24. There will also be a Midnight Mass at 12.00 midnight this year and the Mass on Christmas Day morning will be at 10 a.m.
MINISTERS OF THE WORD AND EUCHARIST.
On Saturday, December 21, at the 8 p.m. Vigil Mass, Aodhagán Swords is due to read with Olive Burke helping distribute Communion. Mary Gilbride is the reader at the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday morning, December 22, and Kathleen Kehoe is on duty as Minister for the Eucharist.
At the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve at 8 p.m., Catherine Whelan is reading and Leila Breen will be reading at the 10 a.m. Mass on Christmas Morning. The Ministers of the Eucharist assisting at the Christmas Masses are as follows: Ann Whelan, Christmas Eve Mass; Noeleen Hennessey, Midnight Mass; Gay Gahan, Christmas Morning Mass.
On St Stephen’s Day, Monica Gahan will be assisting as Minister for the Eucharist.
PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP
There was tremendous excitement at the parents and Toddler Group in Boolavogue Hall on Wednesday last, December 11, when Santa Claus himself called in for a visit. He brought joy, blessings, presents and laughter to the assembled company and especially to all the good boys and girls there. And he even stayed for photographs, despite his very busy schedule at this time of year.