MEMORIES FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sonny McNamara and Garett Quirke, both Waterford County Council employees, were pictured putting the finishing touches to the Lismore town park fountain in May 2002, before its opening later in the month. The project was costing €100,000 and would include a fountain, bridge, gazebo, obelisk and floodlighting.

A number of groups in Fermoy came together to take out a large ad, thanking the candidates of the general election and their staff for keeping the town a poster-free zone, thus helping them in their drive for success in the IBAL National Litter League.

Speaking of elections, Fine Gael were not shy in voicing their disdain for the ‘Bertie Bowl’ in an election advert.

21 years ago, a front page picture in The Avondhu showed dignitaries at the unveiling of the John Anderson sculpture at Fermoy Town Park alongside his descendent, also named John Anderson.

Meanwhile, the runup to the World Cup 2002 was evident, as manager Mick McCarthy appeared in adverts for Cavanagh’s Electrical promoting widescreen TVs.

Past pupils of Curraghagalla National School were looking forward to their school reunion; about 300 people were expected. Elsewhere, Fermoy prepared to host a delegation from Ploemeur to mark the 20th anniversary of their twinning; the celebration in 2001 had had to be cancelled due to Foot and Mouth disease.

An underground cable in Mitchelstown was ‘deliberately cut’, leaving about 1,000 customers in both the town and nearby Fermoy without a landline, and disabling security systems for several businesses. Drug seizures were reported in Fermoy, €600 worth of ecstasy and an undisclosed amount of cannabis resin, while a concrete fence erected in Ashfield Estate, Rathcormac had to be removed following repeated acts of vandalism. In Fermoy, the Garda Station continued to hold items recovered in a raid, and gardaí asked anyone who’d been recently burgled to check with them regarding their items.

In Kilworth, John Cotter served his last pint as proprietor in the family business, Cotter’s Bar. Four generations had had the pub since 1881, and John decided to take ‘a few years break’. The best of luck was wished to new overseers Michael Donnellan and family.

A letter in The Avondhu begged people to step away from using weedkiller, pushing for the health of plants, animals and humans. In another letter, a dispute between the salmon anglers and the coarse anglers over the weir in Fermoy rumbled on, as the author claimed one salmon angler had killed nearly 400 salmon the previous year.

Kilbehenny’s Gerry Conway was part of the victorious National Rehabilitation Centre’s team at the Inter Spinal Games in Glasgow. Competing in the indoor bowls and air rifle shooting categories, his success with the

rifle was attributed to his FCA experience. In related news, a variety concert was to be held in The Firgrove Hotel in aid of the Gerry Conway Caring Fund.

St Colman’s, Fermoy defeated St Kieran’s of Kilkenny to make it twoin-a-row in the All-Ireland Colleges senior hurling championship. Played in atrocious weather conditions, the Fermoy side were captained by Maurice O’Brien from Garryspillane and registered a tally of 0-11, versus 2-4 from the Kilkenny side. A tense finish saw the local College side hold out to record their 4th

All-Ireland senior hurling title. Scorers were: Andrew O’Shaughnessy 0-3 (frees), Patrick Kirby 0-2 (0-1 free), Paul Kearney 0-2; Richard Relihan, Eamon Condon, Stephen Molumphy and Aidan Kearney 0-1 apiece.

Local ladies Joan Gallagher, Pauline O’Dwyer, Barbara O’Sullivan and Linda Walsh were pictured with Cllr Frank O’Flynn before their performance in the Dublin mini marathon; they were running in aid of the Breast Cancer and Gynaecological Units in the South Infirmary and Victoria Hospital.

Elsewhere in brief

- local publication, ‘Fermoy Once A Kingdom’ by Brian Clancy, was launched in Fermoy Community Centre by author Michael Barry. Renowned Irish violinist Catherine Leonard was due at Lismore Castle. Elsewhere, two new candidates were announced for the Festival of the Galtees, namely Tom O’Donoghue and Davina Mulcahy.

The girls of Ballygiblin NS won their indoor camogie blitz under captain Elaine O’Brien, while Emer Hayes of Corrin View in Fermoy won gold and silver medals in swimming

in the Munster Special Olympics in Mallow. Crean’s Bar in Fermoy took the 2002 C&C Shield in darts, while in St Fanahan’s College, the best female sports star was Joanne Hennessy who played county finals in hurling, camogie and football with the school. The best male was Bill Sheehan.

Shanballymore GAA entered Micky Curry into their Hall of Fame. Kilbehenny FC were the 2002 McCarthy Cup champions following a win over Mitchelstown Celtic, and finally, John Milward won the Irish Life Competition at Castlelyons Pitch and Putt.

West Waterford racing fans in Ballynoe, Linda Condon (back right) from Tallow, with members of the Troy family, Olive, Mary, Rachel and Niamh, soaking up the sunshine at the point-to-points in Ballynoe in 2002.

Senior students from St Fanahan’s College, Mitchelstown, who held a very successful fashion show at The Firgrove Hotel, 21 years ago.

Brian Clancy (left), author of ‘Fermoy Once a Kingdom’ with Michael Barry who launched the book in Fermoy Community Youth Centre 21 years ago.

L-r: James Murphy, along with John Sheehan (Ballynoe) and Patsy Lane (Conna) planning their next move at the point-to-points in Dromahane in 2002.

Gary Mahon (Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and Fermoy, Co Cork), winner of the Karaoke competition at Mac’s Bar, Fermoy, receiving his prize from proprietor, Noel McCarthy (left) and Barry O’Neill, representing sponsors Guinness. Head chef at Charlie Browne’s Bar and Restaurant 21 years ago, Gary performed 2 songs - ‘Rockin’ Robin’ and ‘Run Around Sue’ - much to the delight of his adoring fans.

Crean’s Bar, Fermoy, who threw some outstanding darts to capture the C&C Shield in 2002. The victorious team that defeated The Fir Tree, Watergrasshill in the final included: Aidan O’Mahony (capt), John McCarthy, Alan O’Mahony, Denis McCarthy, Patsy Flood, Richie Crean (manager), Noel Doyle, Emmet Hull, Justin Murphy and Mark Gallagher.

Fr Donal Roberts (with cup) and a band of delighted St Colman’s, Fermoy supporters, savouring the moment after the secondary school were crowned All-Ireland Colleges senior hurling champions, following a win over St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, l-r: Fr Tony O’Brien, Gus Kelleher, Denis Ring, Mick Dolan, Cllr Frank O’Flynn and Fr Denis Kelleher.