Blackwater

ACTIVE RETIREMENT

The group had a Christmas night out in Blackwater Lodge on December 14, a great night out, with good company, good food and dancing.

There is a Meet and Greet afternoon on January 14 at 2.30 p.m. in Blackwater Lodge. All current members, or any person interested in joining, are most welcome. Renewal of membership fees (€20) can be made on the day. Active retirement is open to all persons aged over 55 years.

GAA NOTES

Massive congratulations to Eoin Byrne (Garryvadden) and Tina M Rainsford (Newport, Tipperary) who got married recently in Clare. Also to Declan O’Leary (Garryvadden) and Mary Donoghue (Inch) who also got married on December 27 in Blackwater.

The 2018 AGM was held recently in Levers Bar, Blackwater with an attendance of about 30 club members. Aoife Roche club secretary was first to speak and thanked everyone for the past year. Unfortunately no silverware this year but she was hopeful for 2019. The junior footballers finished fifth in the group while the intermediate hurlers also finished fifth, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season. Keith Barrett, club treasurer reported the club to be in a healthy state currently with a profit reported over the year. Liam Buttle Club chairman reiterated what his fellow officers had said and thanked the management and his fellow committee members for the year past.

The club membership was confirmed for 2019 and is payable to any committee member. Club player €150. Club player and partner €160, €70 for student, €60 for non-player. €70 for non-player and partner. Officers elected as follows.

Patron Fr Brendan Nolan. Vice-presidents Tom Carroll, Mike Carroll, Larry Whelan, Seán Ormonde, Jim Murphy (The Moate), Jimmy Whelan. President Tomy Whelan. Chair. Liam Buttle. Vice-chairman Owen Murph. Secretary Aoife Roche. vice-secretary Declan O’Leary. Treasurer Keith Barrett. Vice. treasurer Paul Murphy. PRO Declan O’Leary. Registrar Eimer Whelan. County Board Rep Eddie Rowe ASAP Office Aidan Whelan. Irish Officer Dean Wright. Ground co-ordinator Eddie Rowe. Healthy Club Officer Aidan Whelan.

Committee Members: All of the above, Lar Leacy, Richard Blake, Denis Carroll, Dessie O’Brien, John Whelan, Pad O’Connor, Ger Corrigan, Denis O’Brien, Gerry Murphy, Mick Lillis, John Roche, Peter O’Brien, Owenie Leacy, a representative from ladies’ football and rep from camogie tbc. Management Intermediate Hurling Mattie Flynn O’Connor, Ger Corrigan. Junior Football Eamon O’Leary, Michael O’Leary, John Broderick, Paul Redmond. Junior B Hurling TBC Under-20 Hurling and Football Dean Wright and Denis O’Brien.

The Heroes retained the Michael Murphy Parish League on Stephens Day but only after they were given the scare in their semi-final clash with the Fenians, winning after a free taking competition which went to sudden death. Inch Road Nigglers put in a strong second half to defeat Island Rangers which meant for a third year in a row, it was the same final pairing. From the first minute you always felt that Heroes were going to retail their title and went on to win eight points to five. A large crowd witnessed the day which has now become a permanent fixture on the Christmas calendar.

Last parish notes question: who scored a deflected goal from 30 yards to win the junior county football semi-final in 1979 against Kilrush? Answer Michael O’Leary. Next question: What Blackwater player was honored on the team of the century in Warwickshire?