APRIL 1999

CLAREGALWAY 1999 FESTIVAL OF DRAMA AWARD WINNERS
Results of Claregalway Drama Festival -

Best of luck to Compántas Lir when they travel to Derry for the All-Ireland Confined later this month

Hugh Farrell, Festival Director.

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The Cub year started off in October 1998, with 15 Cubs and 7 Leaders. Our first meeting consisted of a Hike, from the Community Centre to Gortatleva and back. It gave the Cubs a chance to use their torches!, and was a nice gentle reintroduction to the Cub year.
With an exciting new programme beginning this year, there was great enthusiasm among both Leaders and Cubs, the Leaders having undertaken a weekend of training before commencing the programme.

This year the weekly meetings are taking place in the Community Centre which is a great advantage, as there is loads of space for games, and our very own Den, where we can store and display our handiwork, photographs and achievements. A big Thank-you to the Community Centre Committee for this facility.
The weekly meetings continued with games and Arrow work (projects which earn Arrow badges). After a few weeks, we saw 5 of our older Cubs moving onto Scouts, and we welcomed 10 new Cubs into the Pack.

These new Cubs attended the meetings and learned what Cubs is all about, as they completed their Tenderfoot, or training period.
On November 7th., we had our first real Outing of the year, with a trip to Portumna Forest Park, for a day of Orienteering. 19 Cubs from Claregalway attended on the day, and we joined up with other Cub Packs from the Danann District. A great day was had by all.
As usual, we had an outing at Christmas, and , because of it's success last year, we again went for Bowling and Laserquest where we had a full house.
1999 now, and , the Leaders having met and planned the programme until Easter, we headed back to our weekly meetings again. On February 1st. the new Cubs had their Investiture, an official welcoming Ceremony. The Cubs parents attended and watched as their Cub was welcomed into the Cub pack. Afterwards, they were "treated" to a medley of Cub songs, ably led by Conall.

The next big venture was a District Cub sleepover hosted by Claregalway on the night of February 12th. the Cubs (totalling 121) began arriving at 9.00p.m. , and our Scouts showed them to their bases for the duration. There followed a selection of games, a disco, party pieces and hot chocolate with marshmallows. Then it was decided to try and get the Cubs to settle down for the night!! Some Cubs had decided that this sleepover would be the exact opposite, and were determined to stay awake all night. They failed!, although some of them only drifted off at about 7.30a.m.!! It was in fact 4 of our Leaders who got no sleep that night, with 3 of them heading out for a walk at 6.30a.m.

At 7.45a.m. the Cubs began waking up, and so it was time to prepare breakfast. The Cubs had cereal and toast, followed by a selection of fresh fruit. After a big tidy-up, the Cubs headed off home at 9.00a.m. tired but happy.
The food for the visiting Leaders for the sleepover was donated by the Claregalway Cubs parents, so a huge Thank-you to the parents for their generosity. It made our job a lot easier.

On our final night before the Easter holidays, we went out on another Hike, this time doing the full circuit of Gortatleva, the Rock Road, and back to the Centre along the Oranmore road. It was very easy to pick out the Cubs who were not used to walking after this excursion!!
Our next big project will be a clean-up of the Graveyard on Monday April 26th. from 7.00p.m. - 8.30p.m., as part of an Taisce's anti-litter campaign which runs for the month of April. Anybody who would like to join us on this occasion and do their bit for the community will be most welcome.
We will continue our weekly meetings between Easter and summer, and will of course have our annual cycle, a few more outings and we are planning a big end-of-year outing for the Cubs.

To anyone who has supported us along the way since our beginnings back in 1991, a big thank-you, and long may it continue.

Patricia Carton. (for the Cub Section).

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SPECIAL NEWS

Congratulations to Sean Walsh, Cahergowan, his grandson David, granddaughter Linda, son Jarlath and son-in-law Dave, who all celebrate birthdays in April.

Congratulations also to Averyl Farrell, Cregboy, who celebrates her 18th birthday on the 7th April. Continued good luck on her nursing studies in Sligo.

Birthday wishes to Fiona O'Neill, "Knockdoe View", Kilcahill, Claregalway, who was 13 on the 3rd April. Hope you had a lovely day Fiona.

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CLAREGALWAY AMENITY GROUP

Claregalway Amenity Group held their A.G.M. on the 23rd March 1999 in Claregalway Leisure Centre.
Like the Leisure Centre A.G.M. the turnout was very disappointing. Our Group represent Claregalway and without back-up and support, how do we survive? We have provided an essential service to Claregalway with bottle banks, etc. and we are amazed at how people use them. At this point in time, the banks are overflowing and we, as a group, are extremely disappointed. Dunleavey's kindly supplied us with their site to facilitate these banks and we feel responsible but also disheartened at lack of support from at lack of support from YOU, the public. Do we continue to exist, or do we abandon our purpose?

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The U-14 hurling season began on the 23rd of January, with an excellent turnout of boys and girls for the indoor hurling coaching sessions in Claregalway and Carnmore. The purchase of the Nuri indoor hurleys have been very successful judging by the improvement in skill levels of both the boys and the girls.

We are participating again this year in the Larry Carroll Tournament organised by the Turlouhgmore Juvenile Hurling Club. The four teams are Carnmore, Turloughmore, Annaghdown and Abbeyknockmoy. The top two teams qualify for the final.

Our first game of the season was against Turloughmore. This game played in Coolarne was always going to be a close affair and Carnmore aided by the breeze in the first half led by 1-4 to 1point at half-time. Carnmore defended brilliantly in the second half and held out for a 1 point victory with a scoreline of Carnmore 1-4, Turloughmore 1-3. With outstanding performances from Barry Hanley, Geoffrey French, Jerry Giles, Paul Doolin, Barry McCartan, Eoin Feeney and Trevor Casserly.

TEAM J.Giles, E.Glynn, P.Doolin, K.McDonagh, B.Hanley, R.Dillon, G.Moran, C.Murray, D.Leonard, G.French (0-1), P.Dolan, T.Casserly (0-2), E.Feeney (0-1), B.McCartan (1-0), T.Noone, subs used E.Cooney, M.Shaughnessy, D.McDonagh.

Our second game in the tournament was against Annaghdown played in Creggs which Carnmore won with a scoreline of Carnmore 2-4 Annaghdown 0-1. Best players on the day were Thomas Walsh, Shane Fox, Sarah Fox, Enda Cooney, Alva McHugh, Rory Dillon, Ciaran Murray .

TEAM J.Giles, A.McHugh, R.Dillon, K.McDonagh, B.Hanley, P.Doolin, S.Fox, G.French (0-1), C.Murray (0-1), Shane Fox (1-1), P.Dolan, T.Casserly, E.Cooney, B.McCartan (1-0) and T.Walsh (0-1) subs used M.Shaughnessy, A.Noone, D.McDonagh, C.Fox, A.Kenny, B.McKiernan.

Our third game in the tournament was against Abbeyknockmoy in a winner take all on Friday evening 2nd of April. With a lot at stake - the points for the tournament and for the championship on the line!

On St. Patrick's Day 12 'Brave' Adults took the U-14 panel of 35 boys and girls to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Club Finals. On the sunniest St. Patrick's Day for years or first stop was at Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club, where we played 2 challenge games. Kilmacud Crokes 'A' team proved too strong for our 'A'team and won on the scoreline of Kilmacud Crokes 4-5 Carnmore 2-2. The 'B' game was a lot closer with the final score reading Kilmacud Crokes 2-3 Carnmore 2-0.

A TEAM T.Noone, A.McHugh, P.Doolin, K.McDonagh, B.Hanley, R.Dillon, C.Fox, E.Glynn, C.Murray, G.Moran, G.French (1-1), T.Casserly (1-1), S.Fox, D.Leonard, J.Giles.(B.McCartan injured).

B TEAM L.Kenny, R.Talbot, M.Shaughnessy, J.Talbot, G.Kenny, L.McHugh, E.Feeney, B.McKiernan, B.Cumskey (1-0), E.Cooney, A. Kenny, M.Fox (1-0), S. Fox, A.Noone, D.McDonagh.

The very impressive Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club provided chips, burgers and drinks after the match which were enjoyed by all. We are looking forward to their return trip in June or Sept. From there it was on to Croke Park to watch the two Club Finals.( we won't mention the score Pat!)

On the way home we stopped in Supermacs Athlone, where the Kennedy brothers from Loughrea had a hot meal efficiently organised for our arrival.

We arrived at Carnmore Pitch at 10 o'clock with 12 exhausted adults and 35 energetic party animals and 1 contrary bus driver!

I would like to add that the boys and girls were outstanding ambassadors on behalf of the Carnmore Hurling Club, and thank everyone involved in making this day such a success.

We played Athenry in a challenge game at Cregmore as a final warm-up game before the championship. Result Athenry 2-4 Carnmore 0-1.

TEAM J.Giles, D.Fox-McDonagh, R.Dillon, D.Leonard, B.Hanley, P.Doolin (0-1), Sarah Fox, G.French, C.Murray, Shane Fox, P.Dolan, G.Moran, E.Feeney, M.Shaughnessy, A.Noone subs used C.Fox, A.Kenny, R.Talbot.

The Draw was made for the U14 Championship.

The top four teams qualifying for the quater-finals.

Fixture information is listed below, and as always parental support is much appreciated and a real boost to the team.

Rd 1 Carnmore v Padraig Pearses 27-03-99 11.00 Ballymacward

Rd 2 Carnmore v Abbeyknockmoy 02-04-99 6.30 Coolarne

Rd 3 Carnmore v Sarsfields 08-04-99 6.30 Kilconierion

Rd 4 Carnmore v Liam Mellowes 12-04-99 6.30 Renmore

Rd 5 Carnmore v Cappataggle 17-04-99 12.00 Carnmore

Rd 6 Carnmore v Oranmore/Maree 26-04-99 6.45 Ballyloughane

Rd 7 Carnmore v Kilbeacanty 01-05-99 11.30 Kilbeacanty

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As with any Championship it's vital to win your first game and last Saturday, the team (less the girls on the team who were playing in their own championship game in Craughwell, and we would like to wish Packie, Frank and the girls every success.) We went by bus to Ballymacward to play Pearses, on a very sunny Saturday.

Pearses started off the scoring with a goal but Trevor Casserly replied instantly with Carnmore's 1st goal. Pearses replied without hesitation with a goal of their own . Carnmore's centre forward Geoffrey French put the ball in the top corner of Pearses' net for Carnmore's 2nd goal . The half time the score was 2-2.

Carnmore and Pearses both upped their game in the second half but the heat and the pace began to take it's toll. Pearses scored the first pint of the second-half and Carnmore's full forward, Paul Dolan put the ball in the Pearses net for Carnmore's third goal to lead by 2pts. Within minutes Pearses replied yet again with a goal of their own and tensions were starting to run high with only a point between the teams with seven minutes left. Then a Paul Dolan block put the ball over the bar for a point, Pearses umpire questioned the point but Referee Benny Wade and umpire for Carnmore Barry McCartan, were insistent and the point stood. Carnmore's Trevor Casserly replied with another point which no one could dispute which left the score (3-2 to 3-1). Enda Cooney with a lovely strike hammered home another goal but the umpire spotted a foul with the forwards and the goal was disallowed. Barry Hanley drove a long range free, deceiving the goalie for Carnmore's fourth goal. The final score line reading Carnmore 4-2 Pearses 3-1. Pearses were a very strong side with very impressive midfielders and half forwards. Carnmore's best players on the day were Con Butler, Tomas Noone, Rory Dillon, Paul Doolin, Barry Hanley, Paul Dolan, Gerry Moran, Shane Fox.

TEAM J.Giles, T.Noone, R.Dillon, D.Leonard, B.Hanley (1-0), P.Doolin, G.Moran, C.Butler,C.Murray, Shane Fox, G.French (1-0), T.Casserly (1-1), K.McDonagh, P.Dolan (1-1), E.Feeney subs E.Cooney M.Shaughnessy, D.McDonagh, A.Noone, B.Cumiskey.

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We played our second championship game in Coolarne against Abbeyknockmoy, on Good Friday. It started out as a beautiful summers evening as both teams settled into their game. Carnmore's Geoffrey French got the scoring underway with two excellent points from play, in fact Carnmore's only two scores in the first half. As rain clouds started gathering, Abbey with the wind at their backs scored a goal and a point. Ten Minutes into the first-half the flood gates opened and Abbey scored another goal. While the hailstones came down Rory Dillon, Sarah Fox and Tomas Noone kept Abbey to a five point lead, with solid defending, to leave the half-time score Abbey 2-1 to Carnmore's 2 points.

Under terrible hurling conditions, the second-half got underway. It was vital for Carnmore to get some early scores, and after good work by Paul Dolan, Trevor Casserly blasted home Carnmore's first goal. Within minutes Barry McCartan added a second to put Carnmore in the lead. Carnmore now lifted their game and Thomas Walsh and Trevor Casserly scored two more goals. Paul Doolin with a side line pass from Geoffrey French put the ball over the bar to leave the score Carnmore 4-3 Abbey 2-1. Abbey came back with a goal of their own but their fate was sealed when a goal by Paul Dolan secured victory for Carnmore that did not look likely at half-time. Final score Carnmore 5-3 Abbey 3-1

This hard earned victory gave us two more championship points and secured us a place in the Larry Carroll final. Carnmore's best performers on the day were Rory Dillon, Sarah Fox, Tomas Noone, Ciaran Murray, Thomas Walsh, Paul Dolan and Trevor Casserly.

TEAM J.Giles, T.Noone, R.Dillon, D.Leonard,Sarah Fox, P.Doolin (0-1), G.Moran, C.Butler, C.Murray, T.Walsh (1-0), G.French (0-2), T.Casserly (2-0), P.Dolan (1-0), B.McCartan (1-0), E.Feeney subs K.McDonagh for Paul Doolin injured, Shane Fox, E.Cooney, A.Noone, B.McKiernan, A.McHugh, C.Fox, and A. Kenny.

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We are looking forward to playing in the Larry Carroll final on Easter Monday against Turloughmore in Cregmore Pitch.

Looking forward to your support at the remaining games, Sarsfields, Liam Mellowes, Cappataggle, Oranmore/Maree, Kilbeacanty.

.

U14 MANAGEMENT,

Tomas Grealish, Gerry Dillon, Declan O'Brien.

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The Committee of the Leisure Centre are anxious to make sure all golfers in the parish are aware that Sat.17th April is the date for their golfing fund-raiser .The venue is Tuam Golf Club and the competition itself will take a different form from last years AM/AM. This time, teams of two ,[£40 per team] will compete in a two ball scramble.
An excellent table of prizes is guaranteed including televisions sets, bicycles, mobile phones, hampers, etc.
It is hoped that all who participated last year, or gave their financial support ,will be in a position to do so again.
Committee members are, at present, approaching all possible sponsors and are being very well received .For this they are very grateful.
If you can help either by entering a team ,or providing sponsorship, please contact any of the committee members listed below. Your support will help provide the necessary finance for the drainage and surfacing of the car park at the Centre. I am sure that everyone who uses the facility, will agree that this improvement is vital.

Tournament Committee

MARY REIDY 091 798887
GEAROID HARTIGAN 091 798236
MARTIN CASSERLY 091 798176
JIMMY MORAN 091 798047
HUBERT NEWLL 091 798771
GERRY MORAN 091 798510

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CLAREGALWAY BADMINTON CLUB

JUNIOR BADMINTON
The U11 and U17 County Championships took place on Sunday 20th March in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club.
In the U.11 Competition, Mark Loughlin was the star of the day. He played extremely well to win three gold medals. He won the boys singles, the boys doubles with Gregory Hehir and the mixed doubles with Nicola Newell of Claregalway. Congratulations Nicola. Nicola and her partner Mary Dillon won the girls doubles . The girls singles was won by Lorna Dillon. Congratulations to Lorna and Mary. In fact, well done to all the Claregalway U11 children who played some really very exciting games.

The U17 competition had an extremely small entry, especially among the girls. However, John Keane managed to run a very enjoyable and closely contested Round Robin for those who turned up on the day.

The boys singles was won by Christopher Keane, in a very exciting three-set-final against Ross Forde. The boys doubles was won by Ross Forde and Paul Loughlin. Cathy Casserly and Ross Forde beat Christopher Keane and Maria Moran in the mixed doubles final. Due to lack of female entrants, there was no girls singles or doubles competition.

The presentation of prizes took place at the Under Age Disco which was held in the G.L.T.C. on Friday, 26th March. This function was very well attended by the Claregalway contingent, and a very enjoyable night was had by all.

SCHOOLS BADMINTON

Congratulations to Ross Forde and Christopher Keane on their All-Ireland Schools Gold Medals. They were members of St. Mary's College U16 Schools Team who were victorious at the All-Ireland Finals held in Gormanstown on Sat. 27th March. Well done boys, you did your school and your club proud.

OVERSEAS COMPETITION
John Forde is once more "on the 'Badminton' road". This week-end, he is competing in a major competition in Nottingham, in what is probably his last U17 outing. John is a member of the Leinster Team, which is seeded Number 2, in an entry of 34 teams. This is an indication of the calibre of team that John is playing with, and everyone associated with badminton in Claregalway is proud of Johns achievements. The decline of underage Badminton in Galway is reflected in the Report on the County Championships above. This situation puts the level John has managed to achieve, both Nationally and Internationally, into considerable perspective. Has any local athlete, in any field, achieved so much, virtually alone? Certainly not in recent times. Well done John.

SENIOR BADMINTON
Co. League Finals
These finals book place in the Galway Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday, 19th March. Claregalway were beaten by Galway Lawn Tennis Club in the Division III final. Congratulations on having reached the Finals, and perhaps better luck Next Year.

Badminton Team (runners-up in finals):
Back Row (l to r): Niall Hartigan, Paul Casserly, Brian Casserly, Liam Hyland
Front Row (l to r): Mary Cawley, Carmel Joyce, Helena Coyne, Deirdre Flynn
Missing from picture - Rita Burke

Cathy Casserly is a member of the Galway Lawn Tennis Club Team who won the Division II Final. This team will go on to compete in the Connacht Finals on l7th April. Good Luck Cathy.

Senior Badminton continues to take place on Tuesday Nights in the Leisure Centre.
All are welcome.

Mary Casserly

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