Quiz a boost for playground fund
ON FRIDAY night I headed for Kennedy’s Bar, where a fundraising table quiz was taking place for the Kilkerley Playground Association, who are a group of parents raising €100,000 to build a playground for the kids in the area beside the Community Centre.
The group have already received a grant for nearly €65,000 from the Towns and Villages Renewal Scheme and this was the start of their fundraising drive with the work on the scheme scheduled to start at the end of February.
The main organisers of the Playground Association are Ken Babington, Peter Kelleher and Bronagh McGee, who, along with a very active committee, wanted to thank the councillors and businesses for their gracious donations to the scheme.
So after this I decided to have a look round to see who were going into battle on the night and met committee member Niall McEntegart from Hackballscross, who was with wife Gillian and he was having a laugh with Martin Quigley also from Hackballscross, who told me he was there to support a very good cause.
Making my way over to one of the tables I then caught up with Thomas and Leona Mulholland from Donaghmore, who told me that where they live is actually the D4 of Kilkerley! They were awaiting the arrival of their secret weapons Margaret and Leona Murphy from Barrack Street to help them in their quest and then said their team name was the Joe Sheridan’s. Nope, went completely over my head that one.
Seated close by were Olive and Loretto Sharkey from Kilkerley, who told me they were looking forward to taking part, and winning!
After this I headed over for a chat with Raymond, Mary and Robert Brennan along with Roisin Carolan all from Kilkerley. They said they were out to celebrate sister Yvonne Brennan in New York’s engagement to Meath man Eoin Dolan and if they had time, they’d fit in a couple of rounds from the quiz too.
Not too far away I then caught up with father and daughter Frank and the delightful Dara Ryan from Kilkerley, who were then joined by Frank’s sister and husband Rose Marie and Pat McEntegart from Point Road, who assured me they were going to be an Ace Team and win all round them.
Seated close by were Ciaran and Bernard Mulholland of Kilkerley Community Group making a presentation to Ken Babington of Kilkerley Playground Association . Siobhan Kirk from Kilkerley, Jim Harris and Ciara McCabe both from Lis Na Dara and Michelle McCabe from Ardee, who were having a laugh together and were looking forward to a challenging evening.
I then headed over to the rowdy table where I caught up with my old friend Paula Harrison from Quality Street, the overall winner of the De La Salle Strictly (along with her dance partner of course) and she was with Justine Smythe from Blackwater Court, Ciaran Hartigan from Newry, Kerry McManus from Warrenpoint, John McKevitt from Killeavy, Aisling Moley from Culloville, Katriona Cosgrove from Ard Easmuinn, Mary Gray from Carrick Road and Yvonne Gallagher from Newry, who are all from the De La Salle Primary School and were celebrating the fact that they were looking at a week off for the mid term break and wanted to wish the organisers all the best with their fundraiser.
Making my way to another table I then got taking to Frankie, Margaret and Daniel Watters from Thomastown and Mary Hoey from Hackballscross, who were there to support the cause and were very deft at hiding their respective dorsal fins.
Seated close by were a group, who included Martin Murnaghan from Cooley, Cllr Maria Doyle and husband Frank, who were awaiting the arrival of their 4th member Roisin Duffy from Kilkerley. Another hotly tipped team I thought, seeing that Maria and Martin are niece and nephew of the inimitable teacher Bernard Murnaghan also from Cooley, who set me on the right path back in 4th class in the Friary!
Not too far away I met teacher in Kilkerley NS Catherine Donnelly from Knockbridge, who was with Patricia and Michael Hayes from St. Ronans Terrace, who were looking forward to the night and told me they certainly hadn’t come to make up the numbers and were going to leave as winners.
Finally, I headed towards the snug where I caught up with a group who included Ann and Richard Sheehy from Newtownbalregan, Marie Mullan from Avenue Road with Joe McArdle from Greenacres, my old mate Oliver and Patricia McShane from Newry, Karen and Robbie McArdle from Donaghmore, Ellie and Adrian Fegan from Kingswood, Ciaran Mullan from Avenue Road and Aoibhín Sheehy from Seafield Lawns, who I hoped were going to split into teams,else they were going to be one helluva force to be reckoned with on the night! Aisling Fahy and Deirdre Kenny .