AROUND THE DISTRICTS
Blackwater ACTIVE RETIREMENT
There is an outing on December 5 to the Craft Fair in the RDS – travel by public transport, departing Wexford at 9 a.m.
The AGM is being held on December 10 at 2.30 p.m. in Blackwater Lodge, all current members and those who are interested in joining, are most welcome to attend. cost €5, per person for refreshments on the day.
Our Christmas night out is on December 14 in Blackwater Lodge, dinner and dancing – cost €30 per person (will be part subsidised for members). If interested in any of the above, contact Margaret on {087} 6703242 or Kate at 087 2840457.
GAA CLUB NEWS
The under-16 hurlers are finishing the season strong as they qualified for the George O’Connor hurling tournament final with a tough one point win in Merasheen, winning 2-09 to 2-08 against St James. The grass was long, slightly wet weather and it was cold, winter hurling which typified some of the play at times but our lads stuck to there task well till the end. James had only 14 players so the game was played at 14 a side.
We missed a few early chances and it was James, who had the first two points on the board. We didn’t get off the mark till the 13th minute when the excellent Kealan Fikentscher made a brilliant run from midfield to point. This seemed to settle us and we had two more quick fire points with Johnny O’Toole and an Adam Murphy free putting us into the lead. Two more Adam Murphy frees and then Kealan again had us with up by four, although we had Brian Og to thank with a number of good saves in the goal. With seven left, the James full back line was finally breached, Séamus did well to win the puc out, fed Adam Murphy and he gave the goalie no chance to have us leading by seven. James though responded well and had a goal of their own and started to take over and they notched a second goal with only a few minutes left to leave it back to two. Adam Murphy though just before the half time whistle, won a high ball in turned the full back and lofted the ball over the goalie who had come out of his goal. Unfortunately while Adam was taking the shot he received a hand injury which he had to be substituted.
The second half though it was James, who started to get on top whittling away at our lead and with 10 to go the sides were level at 2-07 a piece. Again Brian Og was called into action clearing the ball off the line on one occasion. James pressure finally told as they moved in front but credit to our lads who finished the stronger scoring the next two points with Pad O’Connor, moving out of his centre back role to the forwards pushing our lads over the finish line with a couple if minutes to go. We hit a few wides in extra time but James also had a couple of opportunities to level the game but couldn’t get past a determined full back line.
The annual general meeting of the adult club takes place on December 14 in Levers Bar, Blackwater, starting at 8.30 p.m. Nominations forms have been posted and emailed so make sure and have your say.
Congratulations to ex club member Declan Sinnott and his wife Siobhán on the birth of their baby girl. Declan now currently resides in Rathgarogue.
Congratulations to Johnny O’Toole and the Kilmuckridge school on defeating New Ross CBS in the county final.
The following officers were elected for ladies’ football for the 2019 season. Chair. – Aideen Sutton, secretary – Paul Cullen, treasurer – Anna Berry, Registrar – Josephine Molloy, PRO – Lizzy O’Brien, Children’s Officer – Aideen Sutton
From now on I am going to try and have a teaser about something to do with the club and I’ll give the answer the following week, just for a bit of fun. This week’s question, what Blackwater hurler scored two goals against Clongeen in a 2004 hurling league final even though both goals were illegal and stated so by the referee, but were given on a technical loophole?
Crossabeg DIARY DATE
The annual general meeting of St Killian’s Athletic Club will take place in Crossabeg school this evening, Tuesday, December 4, senior members and parents are most welcome. Please note change of date.
CHURCH NEWS
Saturday next, December 8, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception and Mass will be celebrated in Crossabeg church on Saturday morning at 9.30 a.m. The usual Saturday evening Mass will be offered up at 7 p.m. A Penitential Service will be held on Wednesday, December 12, at 7.30 p.m. Prayer Meeting every Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. in the Parochial House.
ATHLETICS
It has been a busy couple of weeks for some of the senior athletes from St Killian’s AC but there will be no let up with some important races coming up over the next couple of weeks.
Niall Sheil had a really strong run in Swansea where he came second in his Irish team in the Home Nations international cross country championships. The English team were very strong and took gold with the home team, Wales taking second. Unfortunately the Irish team was pipped by Scotland and had to settle for fourth place overall.
Brian O’Shaughnessy travelled to Kilkenny recently to take on the infamous Stook 10 Mile. Anyone, who has competed in this race before will remember this one has hills that seem to go on forever in this race. It is always a popular and competitive race and Brian showed his metal and dug deep to have a great performance to finish in seventh place in a time of 61min 50sec for the gruelling 10 mile course. Super stuff and well done to both.
Last weekend was really busy with the ever popular Waterford Half taking place on Saturday and the club had a number of athletes taking part. On Sunday our friends in SBR hosted the intermediate county cross country championships. Results on these events in next week’s issue. We hope all athletes achieved their goals.
55+ CLUB
The local 55 + Club meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The annual Mass will be celebrated in Kyle Forge on Tuesday, December 11,
CHRISTMAS FAIR/ COFFEE MORNING
The annual Christmas baking and coffee morning fundraiser, organised by local lady, Annis Kehoe, will be held in Kyle Forge this coming Saturday, December 8, commencing at 10 a.m and continuing till 2 p.m. Annis will have plenty of cakes, puddings, tarts, mince pies, jams, bread, and vegetables on sale. If you wish to pre-order, contact her at 087 2426146. There will also be a raffle with great prizes on offer.
This year Annis has chosen the local Crossabeg-Ballymurn community centre at Garry william to benefit from the fundraiser. With a lot of focus and support on fundraising for the centre lately, we hope that the parish will continue that trend and get behind Annis and help make the occasion a profitable and enjoyable event. This is a great sociable day out in the cosy setting of the Forge with refreshments served.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
The annual Christmas party for the senior citizens of the parish will take place at Ferrycarrig hotel on Sunday next, December 9, dinner will be served at 5.30 p.m. Members of the organising committee are busy preparing for the event and to help offset the costs, tickets have been on sale throughout the parish. Thanks to all who have given so generously.
ITEMS FOR COLUMN
Send in your news items to redcow2@eircom.net or text to 086 1980775. A reminder to send in notes by Thursday night of each week for inclusion in the following Tuesday edition of the Wexford paper.
Over the Water CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
A very special Carol concert takes place on Sunday, December 16, at 6.30 p.m in Castlebridge Church. An array of local community groups will be performing, including Castlebridge Gospel Choir, ICA Guild, Bridge Singers, Bridgeens and Castlebridge national school children, and they will entertain with well known Christmas songs. There will be music, storytelling and also maybe a special appearance by Santa himself. There will be a raffle on the night and admission is €10 per family. All proceeds will go to the church Roof Fund.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGM
The Castlebridge Community Development Co-Op annual general meeting will be held in the Reading Rooms, Castlebridge, on Tuesday, December 11, commencing at 8 p.m.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The annual general meeting of Shelmalier Coiste na nÓg will take place tonight, Tuesday, December 4, in Hollymount at 7.30 p.m.
DEVELOPMENT LOTTO
Results of the Curacloe United Development lotto draw for Sunday, November 25, The numbers drawn were 14, 17, 23 and 26. There was no jackpot winner and one match-three winner, Diarmuid Doolan, Snr, Sandy Lane, Curracloe, who won €450. The weekly draw takes place every Sunday night at 9 p.m. and tickets are available from committee members.
CARDS
Weekly winners of partners 45 in Hotel Curracloe were Kathleen Murphy and Larry O’Shaughnessy. Cards continue every Thursday at 9 p.m.
TENDERS INVITED
Invitation to Tender for essential external repairs to St Ibar’s (RC) church in Castlebridge. A scope of works for mainly roof repairs has been prepared. Expressions of interest from building/ roofing contractors are invited in writing only. Letters should be forwarded to Joe Fox, Mahon and Fox, St Iberius House, Commons Street, Wexford, no later than Wednesday, December 12, The proposed works are to be carried out in early 2019.
SCREEN SCHOOL NEWS
The parents’ council have produced a wonderful school calendar which is going on sale this week. All proceeds will go towards updating kitchen equipment in the school, as well as supporting the fund to provide more interactive whiteboards in the classrooms. If you would like to purchase a calendar, please contact 053 9137142. It could be a great stocking filler.
All are busy in school working on Christmas plays and parents will be invited in to see them before the holidays.
The junior classes are engaging with the Aistear programme (integrated learning with play) at the moment. They are ‘blasting off to space’ and ‘exploring under the sea’ this month. Check out Twitter and Facebook or the school blog to see some photos of the classes in action.
Date for your diary: The school will celebrate Grandparents Day on Thursday, February 7, The school look forward to welcoming all grandparents to the school that day.
Enrolments have started coming in for September 2019. If you would like information about the school or an enrolment form, please contact the school at 053 9137142 or email screen.ns@gmail.com.
CURRACLOE SCHOOL NEWS
The last bingo session before Christmas took place on Sunday, December 2, last in Curracloe school. Many thanks to all supporters. The sessions will resume again in the New Year.
Congratulations to recent split-the-pot winner, Clare Rose Curran, who won €111.50c. The next draw takes place tomorrow, Wednesday, December 5, The weekly envelopes (€2 each) can be purchased in the local businesses in Curracloe or at the school.
The Christmas concert will be held on Wednesday, December 19, at 1 p.m. All are welcome to go along to the school hall and get in the festive mood.
There will be two Christmas raffles in the school during the month. The main raffle (for adults) will be held after the Christmas concert on Wednesday, December 19, and the children’s raffle will be held the following day at 1.30 p.m. The staff wish to thank all who donated prizes to the raffle, particularly their main sponsors, Patsy Roche (a trailer of logs) McCauley’s Chemist (hamper) Hotel Curracloe and Kehoe’s Agri and DIY Blackwater (vouchers) Seán Doyle (P & R Fitness voucher). A big thank you also to all the ticket sellers.
Thanks to Noreen Hearne, who is the main organiser. Shane Dunphy and Carmel Harrington visited the fifth and sixth classes to see some of their Literary work and to share their experience with them as authors.
SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY
The annual Christmas party for the senior citizens of Screen and Curracloe will take place on Sunday next, December 9, and will be held in Hotel Curracloe, commencing at 2.30 p.m. This gathering has always been an enjoyable event and the organising committee hope to see as many as possible in attendance.
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
The following are the Mass times for Christmas in the churches. Christmas Eve Vigil Mass will be celebrated in Curracloe church at 5 p.m., in Screen church at 7 p.m and in Castlebridge church at 9 p.m. Christmas Day Masses are as follows: – in Curracloe church at 9.15 a.m, in Castlebridge church at 10.30 a.m and in Screen church at 11.30 a.m. A happy and peaceful Christmas to all parishioners.
HANDBALL CLUB NEWS
Castlebridge Handball Club has been running their annual turkey tournament for the last two weeks and have entries in the beginners, senior and ladies categories. The Beginners tournament fixtures begins with the semi-final (1) tonight, December 4 at 7 p.m. and features Stanley Keane/Mark Doyle vs John Kelly/Colm Flanagan. semi-final two takes place on Friday, December 7, at 7 p.m and features Declan Hearne/Dermot Mythen vs Declan Flanagan/ Mark Flood. All finals take place on Saturday, December 8, Time to be confirmed. Keep an eye on Facebook page for more details of all three tournaments. Juvenile training continues every Monday night, 5.45 – 7.45 p.m and ladies only training from 7.45 p.m. to 8.45 p.m.
The winner of last week’s Bingo Bonus Ball draw was No.42, David Kenny. The club intend to run a winter league for adults and Beginners after Christmas. If interested you can email the secretary.castlebridge.handball@gmail.com or message Facebook page. The Facebook page is Castlebridge Hbc, All information re tournaments, live streaming etc can be seen here.
ITEMS FOR COLUMN
Items are always welcome for the Over the Water column. Send to redcow2@eircom.net or text to 086 1980775. All items must be forwarded by Thursday night for inclusion in the following weeks paper which comes out on a Tuesday.