Termonfeckin
CONTACT ME
“New email address” nicholasduff66@ or contact 087-2486472. Any news or interesting items welcome in this column, births, birthdays, engagements, weddings, sports/ social/special events etc. Please have all information to me by 10pm on Thursday evenings.
IRISH INTERNATIONAL PITCH & PUTT OPEN AT SEAPOINT.
Seapoint Pitch and Putt Club is honored to be hosting the 2018 Irish International Pitch & Putt Open this weekend.
The Club would like to thank Irish Life, the main sponsor and all the sponsors of the event. The Club takes great pride in presenting this wonderful course to the Nation. The location of Seapoint Pitch & Putt Club is what makes it such a unique facility. A Links Course, it has always been an eye-catching course with very high maintenance standards regularly maintained. It is often said that Seapoint could host a Championship 365 days a year.
The Irish International Pitch & Putt Open was inaugurated in September 2009 at the Royal Meath Pitch & Putt Club in Clonee after many years of desire amongst the Pitch & Putt Community, not only in Ireland but also on the continent for such an event to be held in a country considered a ‘hotbed’ for the sport. Ireland has been a leading proponent of the game since it started to become organised at both European and International level, currently in possession of both the European and World Cup titles. The European Pitch & Putt Association (EPPA) was formed in the year 2000 with FIPPA (Federation of International Pitch & Putt Associations) formed in 2006. Numerous countries across the continent such as Great Britain, Holland and Catalonia have entered with even an entry from Australia in a previous staging! The event is generally held over 54 holes with the first 36 holes on Saturday followed by a closing 18 holes on Sunday. The first staging saw dual Mens and Ladies events with Deerpark’s Damien Fleming the inaugural winner of the Mens event as Chrissie Byrne of Kildare won the Ladies event.
This year’s staging in Seapoint will be the sixth in total as the introduction of an U-16 section adds a new dimension to the event and really makes it a game for ages with the different categories in play. Close to 150 players will head to Termonfeckin this weekend for the Irish International Open as Seapoint becomes the first north-east venue to play host to the event. Over 33 international players mainly from Iberian countries along with the Netherlands comprise the International field. Seapoint Club itself has in excess of 30 entries with further entries from Louth clubs Cement, Channonrock, Collon and McBride.
There are just under 20 women entered with seven coming from the host club, Noeleen Bedford, Christina Carroll, Mary Coyle, Marlo Everitt, Bridie Hanratty, Concepta Maddick and Ann Ward. Current Irish Ladies Matchplay and Strokeplay holder Ger Ward of Portmarnock is likely to garner interest as will that of the Inaugural Winner of the event, Chrissie Byrne and also a former National Strokeplay winner in her Dublin club-mate Sheelagh Elmes. Ward was victorious here in the National Ladies Matchplay Final two years ago as she bids for another major success on Seapoint turf.
Leading the international challenge for the Ladies event will be Holland native Esther De Schiffart along with Catalonia’s Abby Nachshon and Munster Senior Strokeplay winner Mary Murray of Rocklodge in Cork is also entered. For the Men, the only three players to ever win the event are all entered in Deerpark’s Damien Fleming, St Annes’ Frank Dineen and Castletown’s Eamon Gibney. Dineen is the current holder having won in his native Cork at Rocklodge in 2016 but Fleming enters as the Irish Senior Strokeplay Champion having won in Glenville in Dublin last month.
Multiple Irish Matchplay and Strokeplay winner Ray Murphy of St Annes awaits his first Irish Open title as another former multiple winner of both those events in John Walsh of Collins. Some other recent national winners are also amongst the field in Larkspur Park’s Michael Kirby (Intermediate Mens), Athgarvan’s Frank Ryan (0-55’s Senior Mens) and Riverdale’s Sean Minogue (0-55’s Intermediate Mens) and the local challenge is also likely to be strong.
Club native Pat Greene holds three National 0-55’s Senior titles and his local knowledge could well be a big factor in his favour as Mark Millar of Cement joins the aforementioned Murphy and Walsh as a former Irish Senior Strokeplay and Matchplay winner, the Strokeplay success coming as recently as 12 months ago at the Hillview course in Clonmel. Ian Donnelly is a former Leinster Champion and George Beardsley from the McBride club is also likely to contend over the weekend. Another member of the McBride club Sean Goggin is a former National Matchplay Finalist and Padraic Sarsfield should feature as well in the course of the event.
A former European Strokeplay winner, Bellewstown’s Ian Farrelly is also entered as is another former national winner in Ryston’s Sean Harkins with William Buckley Jnr of Erry (Irish Strokeplay, 2003) and Seanie Bellew of Castletown, others to have won national honours in their time playing Pitch & Putt, the latter having won a National U-16 Matchplay title last year.
The first ever Juvenile event has nine entries headed by National Strokeplay and Matchplay winner Evan Carry of Castletown, (captain of the Irish U-16 team that will play Catalonia in an International Challenge the Tuesday following the event). Seapoint is represented by brothers Luke and Eoin Murphy with Luke also a part of the Irish side that will face Catalonia alongside other players. A good mix of youth and experience across the respective fields for this year’s staging with plenty to get excited about. It will be interesting to see if local knowledge or international experience determines the winner but there are plenty of possible contenders along the Termonfeckin links when the action gets underway. Looking forward to a great weekend of Pitch & Putt.
FLEADH CEOIL.
The Fleadh Cheoil na Heireann has come and gone but what an event it was. It was great to see everyone enjoying themselves and helping to maintain Irish culture and heritage. One man who certainly played his part is John Mc Evoy whose love of traditional music and dancing had Bolton Square bouncing and swinging last Wednesday night. Following a performance by the Sandpit Set Dancers to the music of local band Triskell, John became “Fear an Ti” and made his mark. It was a sight to behold. Well done to all the local contributors to this amazing event. Pairc Naomh Feichin was also an official campsite for the Fleadh and it was great to see so many availing of this facility for the week and using the shuttle bus service. The campsite also included a shop provided by Malachy and Joan Mc Grane (The Feckin Shop) and Sarsfields Pub, the Chord Road, Drogheda also established themselves there. On having a look around the campsite and seeing visitors arrive, not to mention traditional music blaring from campervans and caravans, they were certainly here for a great time and we hope they enjoyed there stay.
CEMETERY SUNDAY.
The Service of Blessing in both Parish Cemeteries took place on August 12th. Again both Cemeteries were in excellent condition and this is due to those who work all year round to maintain them and also to those whose loved ones are laid to rest there. Thanks also to the Stewards who looked after parking and traffic movements in the vacinity of both Cemeteries. Fr. Duffy was the celebrant and the Rosary was recited by Gerard Corrigan. In the Old Cemetery, Fr. Duffy thanked all involved saying it was his first time to officiate at the Blessing of the Graves in Termonfeckin and it would also be his last as he was taking up the position of Parish Priest in Lordship/Ravensdale. Fr. Duffy said he enjoyed his year in Termonfeckin and was made feel very welcome. We wish him well in his new Parish.
ANNIE MEEGAN R.I.P.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family, relations and friends of Annie Meegan (nee Bellew), Blackhall Road, who died recently. Requiem Mass was offered in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Funeral in the Old Cemetery.
ST. FECHINS LOTTO.
There was no winner of the Lotto. The numbers drawn were 2, 5, 16 and 17. The winner of €100 was Ann Burke. €20 winners were Barbara Murphy, Laura Mc Glew, Kevin Flanagan, Tommy Duff and Jane King. The jackpot is now worth €1,200 and is sponsored by Madden’s Centra, Termonfeckin.
MACRA NA FEIRME.
Termonfeckin Macra na Feirme will have a Bowling night in Funtasia, Drogheda on August 22nd at 7 30 for a bit of craic and to see who has the skill for the upcoming county bowling competition. New members are welcome to attend. The Club will also be hosting a new members night in September. Details to be announced. If you are interested in learning more about Termonfeckin Macra, simply like and contact the Macra Tearmann Feichin facebook page or contact Aoife on 087 -6262197.
SEAPOINT GOLF CLUB.
Friday night 9 hole Social Golf continues until September. Contact the PRO Shop on 0419881066 or on line at Seapointgolflinks.com Don’t forget that the Professionals Prize (David Carroll) takes place on Sunday August 26th. The Restaurant is currently under new management and is proving to be a great success with members and visitors. It is available for private parties/christenings and special occasions.
ADORATION.
Eucharistic Adoration takes place on Monday evenings from 7-8pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Why not come and spend some quiet time in the presence of the Lord.
BALSANTER.
Contact 086- 2747474 to report any suspicious activity. If you would like to join up to BALSANTER, application forms are available in Maddens Centra, Mc Grane’s XL and both Parish Churches.