CARRAIG NA BHFEAR AC JUVENILE

- Munster senior cross country for Carraig na bhFear on Sunday -

The Munster senior and junior cross country championships take place in Carraig na bhFear this coming Sunday, January 17th, on the lands of Gerry and Nuala Finneran, commencing at 1pm sharp.

Getting the show underway at 12 noon will be the Munster inter county juvenile relays. So an action packed programme for all cross country enthusiasts to savour on Sunday next, where all roads lead to Carraig na bhFear, for Munster cross country action at its best.

Carraig na bhFear Athletic Club would like to thank most sincerely Gerry and Nuala Finneran who have kindly given the use of use of their land to host the championship.

All club personnel who are available are asked to turn up at the venue to help the club in the smooth running of the event. For further enquiries contact Ger Foley on 086-3317710 or Ann Atkinson on 086-1025420. For those travelling to the championships, the venue is directly across from the GAA pitch, just at the end of Carraig na bhFear.

Juvenile track and field indoor training starts on this coming Tuesday night, in The Sacred Heart College Sports Hall, commencing at 7.45pm.

So anyone interested in taking up the very enjoyable and rewarding sport of athletics where you’re bound to make many new friend for the future, contact Ger Foley, Anne Atkinson, Frank O’Halloran or Noreen Murphy on the night and become a member of one of the top athletic clubs in Munster - Carraig na bhFear AC. “See ya there”.

PARK UNITED SOCCER

- Maybe? Maybe not? -

That is the predicament for all fixtures again this weekend. If it isn’t flooding, it’s frost and now we have snow to contend with it already looks doubtful that this weekend’s fixtures will go ahead after the cancellation of all last weekend’s games again, the league now find themselves in the scary position of having a 10 week back-log!

SUPERDRAW

All tickets sold or unsold are now due back to the club treasurer immediately. We urge all sellers to put a final push on sales as this is another main source of fundraising.

LOTTO

Our 2nd lotto draw for 2010 took place at Paul Roche’s Bar on Monday last. The numbers drawn were 7-11-21-23. There was no jackpot winner and 11 people matched three numbers: see lotto results elsewhere. Next week’s jackpot is €1,300 and we thank you all for your continued support.

ASTROTURF

We thank all our loyal users of this complex for their understanding of our decision to close this facility all last week and some of this week. The club’s intention was safety at all costs and that was the reason for the closure.

Hopefully now the worst is behind us and we can all get back playing the game that we have all become accustomed to.

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 16th Premier league: Park United A v Blarney St. Athletic, Brigown Park, at 2pm. Youths div.1: Kanturk v Park United, Gurteenard, 2pm. Sunday, January 17th County Cup 1st rd., Coachford B v Park United B, Carrigadrohid, 10.45am.

MITCHELSTOWN GOLF CLUB (1910 - 2010)

- Drive-in rescheduled for Sunday -

The annual drive-in for the president and captains for 2010 is now scheduled to take place this Sunday, January 17th. This was originally to take place on January 1st. However, the event had to be cancelled, due to the weather.

The usual scramble will take place in conjunction with the drive-in and draws for playing partners will take place 9am and 12 noon. An updated course message will be available from early on Sunday morning and this can be checked by ringing 025/24231.

Assuming that the golf goes ahead as planned, members should note that a social evening will follow the completion of the scramble and all are welcome. The officers of the club wish to take this opportunity to extend best wishes for 2010 to all the members and their families.

KEARY’S SPONSOR SPRING LEAGUE

The annual spring league will take place again this year. The club is grateful to Keary’s of Little Island who have agreed to continue with its sponsorship of the competition. Many thanks Paudie.

The entry sheet for this event is posted on the notice board in the hallway and the first round is scheduled to take place on February 5th, 6th and 7th. Members interested in participating are requested to put their name on this sheet.

CUPS AND SHIELDS

Those interested in playing in the Pierce Purcell and Jimmy Bruen shield teams are requested to enter their names on the relevant sheets provided on the notice board in the hallway. Preparation for these events will commence in February with the South East league.

JIMMY HITS THE BIG EIGHT ‘O’

The club will mark a special occasion on Saturday night (Jan 16th). Jimmy Walsh is celebrating his eightieth birthday and the club has organised a party for him in the clubhouse.

Over the years Jimmy has become known as the ambassador for the club and the face most visitors remember when they return to the club. Always the smiling face to greet people. Always the cheerful voice on the phone. He has become an institution. All are welcome to attend and a special night of music and song is guaranteed.

Congratulations Jimmy and happy birthday. We all hope that you enjoy this special occasion. You have earned it.

SOCIETY BOOKINGS

Societies wishing to book the course for 2010 should contact Joanne in the office by ringing 025/24072 or by ringing the club mobile number 086-8263089, as soon as possible. Society bookings for our centenary year are ahead of schedule to date.

MITCHELSTOWN LADIES GOLF

Nollaig na mBan
On Wednesday afternoon, 6th January 2010 the ladies arrived at Mitchelstown Golf Club to find the course covered in a beautiful blanket of frost.

The planned golf competition did not take place due to the awful weather conditions but this did not dampen the spirits of the lady members who turned up in large numbers to celebrate Nollaig na mBan and the first centenary event for the ladies.

A warm welcome with a glass of mulled wine, a big fire, an excellent meal, music, song and games made for a fantastic evening’s entertainment. We would like to thank anyone who helped in any way to make the afternoon the success it was.

By popular demand the next celebration is planned for St Valentine’s Day, Sunday, 14th February 2010, golf followed by a meal and social evening.

LARRY O'KEEFE FURNITURE LADIUES CENTENARY SPRING LEAGUE

This year’s spring league is being generously sponsored by Larry O’Keeffe Furniture, Mitchelstown. The league will commence on 3rd February for six weeks and finishing on the 10th March.

Ladies interested in participating should ensure that their name is on the entry sheet in the ladies locker room on or before Sunday, 24th February or contact the competition secretary Ita Luddy or any committee member. The Spring League draw will take place in the clubhouse on 26th January 2010 at 8.00pm.

FIXTURES

Weather permitting there will be a ladies weekly competition on 20/01/10. Open Weekend: Friday, 22nd January - open singles, Saturday, 23rd and Sunday, 24th January - Fourball, any combination followed by the presentation of prizes on Sunday, 24th January at 6.00pm.

Ladies and gents open singles Wednesday 27/01/2010. Tee time bookings can be made online at www.mitchelstown-golf.com or by phoning the club-house (025) 24072.

KILWORTH SQUASH CLUB

- Munster closed tournament coming soon -

MUNSTER CLOSED SQUASH TOURNAMENT

You may recall the success Kilworth had at the Munster Open last October when the Kilworth representatives put in a very strong performance. This is an opportunity to repeat and even improve on those performances. Richie O’Brien finished in 4th place in section E. Conor Cooney improved two spots on his No10 seeding in section C. Trevor Slattery ended the tournament in 3rd place in section C. Pa Hanley won the section C while Garth Littlejohn had a great run and finished in 4th place in section B. Again, we would encourage all players to take part. There are great friendships to be made and playing these tournaments provides great experience too. This tournament has been brought forward and will now take place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5th-7th February in Cork. So, get your practice in by playing your club and Munster league matches. There’s only 24 days left.

MEMBERSHIP

As of yet, there are still very few memberships handed in. As you are aware, the membership subs play a crucial role in the running of our club. Undoubtedly, for many, it is just a case of not meeting committee members to pass this on. So, alternatively, memberships can be put into an envelope marked with your own name and handed into the letter box at 10 Cois Coillte, Kilworth (Conor Cooney’s house), if you are finding it difficult to meet any committee members. Adult membership is only €50, family membership is €80, Students (secondary and third level) is €20 while juveniles (U16s) cost only €10 for the year. If you don’t already have a key for the front door, we can provide you with one for the paltry sum of €3. Membership fees can be handed in to any committee member. Thanks again for your valued support.

CLUB WINTER LEAGUE

If you have not yet started to play your league games, then please start as soon as possible. From the score chart, it is obvious that very few games have been played to date. We would ask you all to play as many as you can over the coming two weeks. With only 17 days until the cut off date, you have a game about every 3 days in order to get all of your nine games completed before the cut off date of 25th January, 2010.

CONTACTS

If you are interested in joining or have any queries please contact Trevor 086-947 7210 - trevor@slatterytravel.ie or Conor 086-823 9754 – conor.cooney@arup.com. Our website is now up and running. The website address is http://sites.google.com/site/kilworthsquashclub/.

DIVISION 2

On Wednesday night, 13th January, our first team play Sundays Well at home. Currently we are in 5th place on 45 points but are only 11 points off second place so our deceptive courts may provide an opportunity this week for us to make up some lost ground and finish in a reasonable position. Highfield are already running away with the league on 82 points and are unlikely to be caught at this stage.

DIVISION 4

Our division 4 team are back in action this Thursday night, 14th January, when they take on Kilbrin at home. Kilworth won this 16-4 in the first round and would be hoping to repeat that performance. Kilworth have a 16 point lead over nearest rivals Sunday’s Well who have 119 points, and Midleton at 115 points. Kilworth’s bye next week gives both of these teams an opportunity to close in. Full report next week.

FACEBOOK

We would invite anyone else that even has just a passing interest in squash to make contact with us and we’ll be delighted to get you up and running, regardless of what level you play (or even if you have never played).

ST. JOHN’S BOXING CLUB

- Boxing club turn their attention to Ballyhooly -

Fermoy based St. John’s Boxing Club have identified a nearby village as the perfect location to recruit new members. Officials within the club say that the village of Ballyhooly ticks all the boxes as regards a nursery for aspiring young boxers.

According to the president of St. John’s B.C. Pa Flynn, Ballyhooly was a centre of boxing excellence in the 1970s and 80s and he’s hopeful that interest in the sport can be reactivated. The high profile boxing supreme also has personal reasons for homing in on Ballyhooly.

“I started my boxing career in Ballyhooly and have fond memories of my time there, the village was also closely associated with John Mahon and it’s our intention to hold this year’s Munster boys and girls championships in the refurbished community centre in Ballyhooly”.

Pa went on to say that he has plans to stage a forthcoming tournament in memory of John Mahon.

“On Friday 12th February – 4 years to the day since John died – St. John’s Boxing Club will put on a fight night featuring local boxers and a team from Birmingham in England, this will take place in Colaiste an Chraoibhin” Pa told The Avondhu.

Pa and other members of St. John’s Boxing Club attended a fundraising head shave and waxing night in the revamped Avondhu Bar last Friday. The club is grateful to everyone who helped out or supported in any way.

CASTLETOWNROCHE G.A.A.

- Good turnout for AGM inspite of bad weather -

Given the atrocious weather conditions on Sunday last, there was a fine turnout at our annual general meeting. Many topics were discussed and overall it has to be said the meeting went off smoothly enough.

Chairman, Tom Barrett was first to address the members and he thanked all those who helped in the running of the club in 2009. He thanked the players for the fine effort they put in and wished them well for 2010 in their quest for that elusive North Cork title.

Tom expressed gratitude to those who made it possible in completing our new dressingrooms and stand. He also thanked everyone who had made donations big and small to this project over the last few years. Tom finished his address, wishing the club success in 2010.

Next up was secretary Bobby Hazelwood and as per usual, Bobby gave extensive detail of the club’s activities in 2009. Once again, Bobby expressed satisfaction and joy on the completion of the above mentioned developments at our club grounds, thanking local parish priest Fr Pat Scanlan for blessing and conducting the service at our club day in May of last year.

Special thanks also went to our referee Dan Relihan and to Willie Magner who stepped in at the last minute to referee the Stevie Burke tournament game late last year. Bob also wished the club well in 2010 where he hopes that major honours will come our way.

Treasurer, Dave Butler gave a very professional and detailed account of the club’s finances in 2009. Given the economic meltdown, the club finished the year in good enough financial condition and praise must go to all involved here as the challenge was huge to say the least.

Dave, stressed that 2010 will offer an even bigger challenge and hoped that all those who have supported the club in the past, will continue to do so in the future.

Our club president and stalwart Jim Hogan presided over the election of officers for the coming year.
These are as follows: Life President: Jim Hogan; Vice Presidents: Rev Fr Pat Scanlan, Peter O’Callaghan, Davy Murphy, Tom Ryan, Moss Shanahan, Hilary Noonan, Seamus Batterberry, John Browne (Castlewidenham); Chairman: Tom Barrett; Vice Chairman: Tony O’Sullivan; Secretary: Bob Hazelwood; Treasurer: Dave Butler; Assistant Treasurer: Brian Magner; P.R.O.: Tony O’Sullivan; Registrar: Dan Relihan; Reps to North Cork Board: Tom Barrett and Cha Murphy; Field Chairman: Willie Magner.
Teams for 2010: Hurling – Premier Junior A – Junior B Two, Football – Junior B One (Abbey Rovers). Trainer: Hurling – Barry Hazelwood, Football: To be decided. Selectors: Hurling – Dave Relihan Snr, Tony O’Sullivan and Barry Hazelwood. Football - Brian Magner, Dan Relihan and coach. Hurling – Junior B – Hilary Noonan, Cha Murphy, Brian Magner.