John has a lot to celebrate
Following a two year course in Waterford Institute of Technology John Quirke of Clonagoose has been awarded a certificate from the Institute of Professional Auctioneers.
This will enable John to conduct auctions and house sales as an auctioneer and house agent. Aged 30, John is a past pupil of Mullinahone N.S.

He later attended St Kieran’s College before completing his third level course in business in Dublin.

John returned home in 1997 to manage the family business Quirke’s Furniture Warehouse.
He is married to Linda and they both live in Kilkenny from where John travels to Mullinahone each day.

To mark John’s achievement a surprise party was held on Saturday in the Castle View Lounge. John intends setting up an office in Clonagoose.

Hurlers Win – On Saturday in Littleton two goals in each half were sufficient to give Mullinahone a relatively comfortable win over Upperchurch / Drombane in the county senior hurling championship.

Unlike the previous week when Eoin Kelly was the scoring hero, this time it was Pat Croke and Niall Curran who scored a brace of goals each and gave improved displays on recent outings.

Mullinahone were forced to make two changes to the previous week’s side, both at corner back, because of absentees.

The backs generally defended well and no goal was scored against them until the last minute by which time full back Paul Curran had been substituted.
However a better forward line could have caused the locals trouble with Pat Shortt in Particular doing damage.

At midfield Alan Curran gave much more help to Paul Kelly this week. Up front Brian O’Meara played well as he did also when moved back into a defensive role.
Late in the game 17 year old Donal Cody made his debut in senior championship hurling. John Leahy appears to be settling in well in goal and perhaps a whole new career could be opening.

The group results on Saturday night put Mullinahone in the driving seat in their group. With their win over Upperchurch, and Brackens drawing with Galtee, the position is that Brackens and Drombane are now out of the championship.

The locals final opponents Galtee are the only ones who can overhaul them but Mullinahone’s scoring average is 29 points superior to theirs. The game with Galtee will be on the weekend of August 7. In the meantime a football game or two should keep the lads busy.

Team – John Leahy, Andy Lonergan, Paul Curran, Noel O’Shea, Ky Vaughan, Edward O’Brien, Philip O’Shea, Alan Curran, Paul Kelly, Kevin Bolger, Niall Curran, Brian O’Meara, Stephen O’Brien, Eoin Kelly, Pat Croke. Subs – Donal Cody, Michael Luttrell.

Concert ’59 – Last week we left the programme for the grand variety concert of March 1959 after 15 items and we still hadn’t reached halfway.

There was value for money in those days but to continue with act 16 and the Hogan brothers banjo and accordion. We think that these may have been John Joe and the late Denis or maybe it was the late James Hogan, who was a lovely singer, and one of his brothers; Irish dance with Biddy Greg, Tommy Bolger, Kitty Gregg and Tommy Healy was item 17; 18 was Jimmy Hogan - song; 19: Tin Can Band; then came Modern Tunes (from 1959); 20 Question Time (an inter-primary schools quiz, team and individual which took two nights to complete and yet we were only half way; 21 duet Joe O’Gorman and John McGuire; 22 Irish dance - Stella Honey, Esther Bolger and Frances Bolger; 23 song John McGuire; 24 accordion Joe O’Gorman; 25 dance Helen Hawe; 26 duet Stephen Ryan and Paddy Cahill; 27 song - Stella Honey; 28 accordions Paddy Cahill, Stephen Ryan, Jimmy Madden; 29 song - Kathleen O’Connor; 30 mouth organs Paddy Cahill, Bernie Rochford, Jimmy Madden; 31 song – Kathleen O’Connor; 32 dance - Bolger sisters; 33 banjo - John Hogan; 34 mouth organ - Ray O’Sullivan; 35 song - Josie O’Connor; song - Josie O’Connor; 37 dance - Frances Bolger; 38 song - the Gregg sisters; 39 song - John Fitzgerald; 40 chorus.
The show concluded with a general rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.

Lotto – The local lotto draw was held on July 5. Numbers: 1, 8, 12, and 26. There was no jackpot winner but Deirdre McGrath won the match three prize of e150.
Next draw is on July 18 and the jackpot could be e2,500.

After some weeks of confusion it has been decided that the lotto draw will be held each Monday except on bank holidays or in exceptional circumstances when it may be deferred to the following night.

Golf Society – A note from Richie Needham brings news that the next golf society outing is on Saturday in Carrick, 3.30pm.
This is a three ball open scramble. A draw for the society’s matchplay competition will be made for paid-up members.

Planning – The rush for planning permissions and developments in Mullinahone continues. Little wonder that there is confusion over what is being proposed to be built where.
Last week local radio added to the local confusion when a proposal to the planning office in a wrong name was read out.

To sort out the confusion Tipperary Co Council S.R. has given notice that it is intending to carry out a development of 12 houses and six sites at Mullinahone. Entrance to this development is expected to be started before the end of July.

There is no development planned in Mullinahone by Michael O’Gorman.
A proposed development by Lance Vaughan of 17 houses is being validated by the planning office. A decision is due on August 18 and all observations must be with the planning office by the last week in July.

To see all this development in the village area is very welcome. Market forces will dictate whether all the proposed houses are built and sold. Of interest to the general public in the area is the provision of water and sanitary services.

We have been told that the sanitation unit on the Carrick Road is capable of dealing with a greatly increased workload. This may be true but we also know that the water supply to Mullinahone village and environs is at breaking point.

The pipes are 50 years old and subject to regular breaks and leaks. Reservoir capacity is too small and subject to leaks. We know that a new water system is being planned for the Fethard area but if that is not installed before 100% more housing and hugely increased water demand then there will be water failure in the homes of the current residents.

As mentioned by a local county councillor we must have infrastructure before we have a building boom. It is time to set the new water supply scheme in motion.

Minor Hurling – The minor hurlers had their third championship outing in Ballingarry during the week.

They played St Patrick’s Gaels but even after a competitive display for three quarters of the game they remain pointless with a number of problems still unsolved.

The inability of many forwards to take scores was obvious in the latest game.
The two remaining games in this competition are against Carrick Swans and Killenaule and it now looks as if a semi-final place is beyond the locals.

Because the team is young some would say that they should not be playing in ‘A’ competition this year and that the decision to put them there should have been appealed.
Others will answer that the better players will only improve by competing at the top level. The team began last weeks game with a number of changes from the previous week.

Team – Niall Cronin, Joe O’Meara, John Murphy, Alan Walsh, Kevin Walzer, Shane O’Brien, Niall Mullally, Donal Cody, David Hennessy, Sean Quirke, Adrian Doheny, Eddie Phelan, David O’Meara, Ned Tobin and James Mockler. Subs – Eoin Egan, Ciaran O’Shea, Tom Collins, Richie Morrissey, Damian Hickey. In spite of recent results it is encouraging to see a good strong panel available for selection.

The Gun Club will shortly hold its clay pigeon fundraiser. As this is the club’s main source of income annually they will be requesting sponsorship from as many local businesses and enterprises as possible.
The club has contributed to all local charities and causes in the last number of years and are now asking for support.
All members will be asked to help with traps. The shoot in May was a resounding success due to excellent help.

Anniversary – The anniversary Mass for the late Frank O’Meara will be celebrated in St Michael’s Church on Friday at 8pm.