"Child is Father of the Man":-

The name has all the magical sound and mythical qualities of the Scottish village of Brigadoon which by tradition appears for one day every one hundred years or the Anglo American land of Gloucamara which begorrah is a country overrun by the little people. But our own place Mullinahone is different because it is real. The famous poet William Wordsworth in his Poem My Heart Leaps Up coined the enigmatic phrase - the child is the father of the man. He could have been writing about the village of Mullinahone but he probably wasn't. The name first appears in written form in 1551 as "Monnehowne". It was a place or venue where inquisitions or trials took place. These could have been held in the old monastic castle (erected by the Knights of St John) at the back of Lonergans in CarrickStreet. The name first appears as that of a settlement of nine cabbins in 1665-1667. This settlement was just across the river from that of Killaghy (a much bigger settlement of 21 cabbins). Today both settlements form the modern village of Mullinahone and not Killaghy when ancient size would have dictated otherwise. The old settlement was referred to as Moninehoan. The parish of Mullinahone came into existence in the 18th century as the Catholic Church was re-organised as the penal laws were relaxed. From 1772 it was joined with Drangan until it became a separate entity in 1826. Maybe a return to that state is written in the future as the 21st century unfolds. This leaves us with the question - What is the meaning of Mullinahone? It is definitely based on some Irish words. Some say Muileann na Habhann - the mill of the river. This is rather unlikely. The modern translation is Muileann na hUamhan - or the mill of the cave(s). This is possible. The old Gaelic scholar and hedge school master John Dunne of Poulacapple advocates Muileann Naomh Eoin or the mill of St John with the Naomh part lost in pronunciation down through the years. I tend to believe John Dunne especially because of the location of the old monastery of the Knights of St John built in the late 13th century in the townsland of Mullinahone. This building is now a heritage site at the back of Lonergans in Carrick Street. There are other interpretations of the meaning and pronunciation of Mullinahone but I don't think that any of them are likely to be the true one. Much of the above information on our place can be gleaned from that treasure house of local knowledge Mick Larkins "Mullinahone: Its Heritage and History". The name Mullinahone became immortalised around the country about a century ago with the publication of CJ Bolands The Two Travellers which concludes - And I wouldn't care much for Sierra Leone if I hadn't seen Killenaule; and the man that was never in Mullinahone shouldn't say he had travelled at all.

Affairs of State:-

The GAA's resolution of motions on rule 42 on Saturday will have brought great joy to local GAA figure John Vaughan who has long campaigned at county board level for the opening of Croke Park. On the presidency the new president elects wife Mairead once taught in Mullinahone NS as Mairead O'Connor. We are always connected with the news.

Mullinahone Soccer Club:-
Youths win First leg of Cup Final:

Last year the Mullinahone under 18 soccer team made history by winning the Tipperary Youths division two cup final. It was a tremendous achievement by Tommy Forristals team and a credit to his managerial skills. This year with the help of James Carroll, Tommy has once more led his team to the final. Their opponents Moyglass United, a club with a very strong tradition in underage football have had some great tussles with Mullinahone over the years. The first game in a two legged final was played in Moyglass last weekend. Mullinahone emerged from the difficult away leg with a tremendous one nil victory thanks to a fine goal from Kevin Bolger. This win sets the team up for an eagerly awaited decider at home on Saturday the 30th April. It was a great performance by the lads but a pity that only a few loyal supporters were there to urge them on. The coaches of this team and of the other teams within the club devote a lot of time to the training and development of young players and it can be disheartening come match time to stand on an empty sideline. Cup final appearances don't come around too often for small clubs but when they do it would be nice to have the kind of support which the occasion and team deserve.

The youths squad consists of many local players who appear regularly on Mullinahones football and hurling teams together with a sprinkling of talent from neighbouring parishes. Our two All-Ireland masters hurlers John McCormack and Jackie Bolger have sons on the team. Mikey Egan is the son of South Tipperary Chairman of Bord NaN'og DickEgan. Dick was goalie throughout the seventies and eighties for St Michaels soccer team and holds the unique distinction of having served a term as chairman of both the local soccer and GAA clubs. Kevin Quirke is a grandson of Mick Quirke who played many years with Mullinahone and Tipperary.

As Croke Park opens its doors, now is your chance to sample other codes nearer to home. The soccer pitch on the Callan road would be well worth a visit to have a look at these lads in action. Mullinahone Soccer Club hold a table Quiz in McInerneys on Thursday next 21st April at 9pm. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Training for U12's, U14, U16 and Juniors continues on Tuesdays at 6.30pm and Saturday at 11am. Training for under 10's will commence on Saturday 14th May at 11am.

Registration is now due and will be collected next Saturday. U12, U14, U16 and U18 - EU27. Juniors EU37.

U12's will play Moyle Rovers on Saturday 23rd April at 11am in Mullinahone. Your support would be much appreciated.

Ladies Football:-

The U12 championship is now well underway and Mullinahone have already two victories behind them. They played Moycarkey on 12th April and were outright winners with a score of 8-4. Thier next opponents were Aherlow, whom they played on the 16th April, the score on this occasion was 0-4 to 3-6 to Mullinahone. This is a great start and hopefully a sign of things to come.

The U16's started thier championship campaign on Saturday 16th April. They travelled to Aherlow who were their opponents for this first game. The half time score was Mullinahone 1-2 to Aherlows 1-1. The scores for Mullinahone coming from E. Brennan, Liza O'Halloran and Jennifer O'Brien. This was a very close contest and unfortunately Aherlow went on to win by 2 points. Final score Aherlow 3-3; Mullinahone 2-4.

Chiropodist:-

Our visiting chiropodist will pay her monthly visit to Mullinahone on Monday next April 25th. She will be in the Knocknagow Community Centre on Monday morning from 10am onwards.

The Big Match:-

On April 12th Scoil Mhuire Kilvemnon played Kilcash NS in Mullinahone. Both teams played very skillful hurling but in the end victory went to the visitors 6-6 to 3-2. The school would like to thank referee Martin Cody and all the parents who provided transport to the game. The Kilvemnon team lined out Taylor Duffy, James Carroll, Brian O'Riordan, Gary Cronin, George Browning, Chris O'Brien, Michael Brennan, subs Natalie Horan, Jack Dorban, Fred Dorban, Paul Gayson, Sean Bermingham, Steven Carroll, Daniel Freeman, Michaela Horan and Sarah Holland. Better luck next time.

Match of the Day:-

The Mullinahone under 12 footballers were involved in a very competitive South Tipp -12B football championship this year. Eleven clubs are involved and this means ten league matches but unfortunately Carrick Davins seen to have withdrawn. So far Mullinahone have defeated Kilsheelan /Kilcash and Carrick Swan before losing at home to Ballyporeen. On Thursday last the team lined out against neighbours St Pats. in Cloneen. Mullinahone won this game with the forwards in fine form. This win leaves Peter Morrisseys lads in a good position to qualify for the semifinal with games to come against Ballingarry, Killenaule, Ardfinnan and Ballylooby. The teams next outing is on Saturday afternoon next against Ballingarry. It is an away match. The Mullinahone team which did duty in Anner Park last week was Richard Walsh, Niall Kennedy, George Browning, James Hogan, Colin Fitzgerald, Cillian Skorka, Luke Mullally, Eoin Fennelly, Cathal Horan, Denis Connolly, Gary Cronin, Stephen Quirke, Jack Shelly, Diarmuid O'Halloran, David Walzer, also Conor Vaughan, Keith Guiry, Sean Walzer and Robert Reilly.

Josephine O'Reilly RIP:-

Interred in St Michaels Cemetery, Killaghy during last week was Josephine O'Reilly of Dublin. Josephine was originally Josie Power of Killaghy Street. Josie married the late John O'Reilly of Daingean Co. Offaly and Clondalkin, Co. Dublin. John passed away in 1987 at the age of 68 and is interred in St Michaels. Josie is survived by her daughters Mary and Breda to whom we extend our sympathy and by her son in law Tommy Bradshaw. May the soul of Josephine O'Reilly nee Power rest in peace in her native Mullinahone.

Apostolic Work:-

The annual display of Callan Apostolic Work Society will be held on Saturday next April 23rd from 7pm to 9pm in the Parochial Hall Callan. The display will also be held on Sunday April 24th in the Hall from 10am to 4pm. All are welcome.

History Against:-

As Mullinahones senior hurlers set out on the championship trail which they hope will bring them their fourth South Tipp senior hurling title in a row they would do well to reflect that history is against them. The four in a row championships hasn't been achieved for nearly twenty years. Swan won their fourth title in a row in 1986. Prior to that Carrick on Suir won three 3 in a rows 1965/67, 1971/73 and 1975/77 but no four in a row. Davins also won 6 titles in 7 years and 4 in 5 years twice but never 4 in a row. Back in the 1940's Swan again did the deed as part of a 5 in a row 1944/48 and 6 in 7 years and Killenaule with different clubs did the 4 in a row between 1940 and 1943. As we look forward to the first step of the championship ladder a semifinal clash with local rivals Ballingarry a thought strikes that a win would put us into the final and a chance to draw level with Ballingarry on the South Tipp role of honour with 8 championship wins in senior hurling but the path is paved with perils.