Greetings one and all

Dear Editor, Spring is in the air, the daffodils are blooming all around us and St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner - a great day for Irish people all over the world - a great day for the shamrock. No doubt things will be different this year because of the virus but people can still celebrate at home with their families.

On that note can I extend greeting for St Patrick’s Day to some of my favourite people. They include ‘Áish’ Murphy (GAA), Christiano Kennedy (Fermoy FC), Liam Clancy (ex-St Catherines great), Jim (O’) Connell (our valued caretaker), Gerry Stack (now domiciled in Lismore), Matt Hegarty (sportsman supreme),

Jimmy Noonan (Fermoy FC), Cyril Maguire (referee) and Toppy Lawrenson (long-time pal).

Readers will know I have many heroes (and heroines) but I always say ‘local is best’. Greetings then to Tomás Cavanagh who, through his Tomar Trust, has given (and continues to give) a helping hand to people and communities all over Ireland; international rugby stars Mike Ross and Leah Lyons, Jimmy Mangan (horse trainer, Conna) and his charming jockey and racing pundit daughter Jane; Finola Neville (St Catherine’s heroine), Breda and all the Clancys (Ballytrasna - my next door neighbours for many years); Richie Linehan (Ballymurphy - my multi-skilled workmate for many years), Jas Cummins (former GAA star from ‘The Harbour’), Kay Moroney (Winners Enclosure, Conna) and Fr Eamonn Barry to name but some.

Of course there are many more, but I count myself so lucky to have known and met some really genuine people (of the fairer sex) who continue to support me so I would like to take the opportunity to send St Patrick’s Day greeting to the following: Mary, Nuala, Bernadine, Theresa, Betty, Carol, Breda, Teresa, my niece Jacqueline and my friends in the Long Bar - Imelda, Fiona and Nora.

Four gents I would also like to include here who are also in my list of heroes and they include Tommy ‘Swift’ O’Sullivan (Barrack Hill), Brian Clancy (Emmett Street native), Bun Harty who I am sure will celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style ‘across the water’ and Brian O’Reilly who, no doubt, will be celebrating in warmer climes.

While wishing them the best, can I also extend congratulations to my nephew Noelie McAuliffe (Castlelyons) and his friends Jeff Daly, Eoin Cody and Padraig Clancy (all Fermoy) of the Garryowen GAA Club who won the football sevens in Melbourne, Victoria (Australia). There are over 10,000 Irish in Melbourne (pop. 5 million). Noelie was/is a popular member of the Castlelyons GAA Club in both hurling and football and is a truly decent lad. Come back to stay Noelie! In the meantime however, I say to Noelie and his pals (who never lost their ‘Irishness’), celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style, work hard and enjoy the GAA over there!

May the blessing of St Patrick be with each and every one and with the staff of TheAvondhu who are so good and helpful to me.

Old friends are best! Yester- me, Yester-you, Yester-day. Yours sincerely, Tom McAuliffe, Cluain Dara,

Fermoy.