Designed
and Maintained by Niall Farrell
© Nuacht Chláir
Hello again
from JPK. Hopefully we finally have a heat-wave to enjoy this Summer.
We can dress you up in summer clothing at JPK Country Boutique and if
the sun will allow, we can provide a riot of summer colour to invade our
gardens.
At JPK GARDEN CENTRE we have a great selection of Summer Bedding Plants, Herbaceous Perennials, Hanging Baskets, containers of all descriptions, (oak barrels, concrete containers, terracotta etc.) We have a comprehensive range of trees and shrubs (beautiful colours of copper, silvers, greens) to suit all garden types. Fertilizers, composts and chemicals are available to keep your garden looking good. We now have a comprehensive selection of Aquatic Plants. Last but not least, our variety in fountains range from oak barrel to ornate concrete.
JPK COUNRY
BOUTIQUE would like to thank everyone for coming to our Fashion Show
and also the people who helped out behind the scenes. It proved a great
success in launching our new range of Danish Spring/Summer Collection.
We are very pleased with it, as this is the only outlet in Galway that
houses this Collection. Items range from ladies combat trousers, jackets,
skirts, not to mention our lovely sky blues, mint greens and fresh white
colours in tops, linen suits and sleeveless jackets.
For that dressy affair, we have designer knitwear that you can "dress
up" or "keep casual". It is that kind of knitwear that
catches the eye and stands out in a crowd. We also have unusual knitwear
in cottons and wool. It is unusual in Design and Colour combinations.
The cotton and wool that is used in each garment is hand woven so you
can feel and see the quality.
Finally, we have opened our COUNTRY CAFÉ. While you are pondering over that gift or shrub, why not sit back and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or a cool drink and absorb the friendliness and craic at JPKs.
Open 7 Days
(incl. Bank Holidays)
Tuam Road, Claregalway, Co. Galway
Tel: 091-799103. Fax: 091-798326.
Claregalway
Skin Care and Aromatherapy Clinic
Facials
At this Clinic all facial treatments involve a thorough cleansing of the
skin followed by a proper indepth analysis before the treatment begins
to allow me to decide, with you, which treatment would be the most appropriate
for your skin type. Steaming may be used as necessary.
Sothys Institute Treatments - Whatever your individual skin type,
every skin reacts to the passage of time by ageing. To respond efficiently
to this need, Sothys have devised their own "Institute Treatments"
combining carefully selected active products with high-performance methods
of treatment.
For further information contact:
EVELYN
KITT, Kiniska, Claregalway
(091)798485 or (087) 6783733
May is the month when temperatures rise and the day length increases. The growth rate and workload springs into overdrive. The bare earth of the spring has disappeared and in every corner of the garden plants are shouting for attention 'feed me, trim me, plant me out, stake me', so start now! May can also be a relatively dry month and this dry weather can be combined with late frosts, so be warned! Take care planting out the summer bedding plants - harden them off to the weather and don't let anything dry out in a drought spell.
GREENHOUSE - Your greenhouse becomes a hive of activity now. You can use it to start off and grow on all your seedlings and seeds. You can also plant it up with tomato plants. Varieties available are Moneymaker, Gardners Delight, Red Alert (Cherry) and Tumbler. Also try green peppers and cucumbers. All the various lettuces can also be sown inside with scallions, beetroot, etc.
GRASS - now that the grass is growing, it is important to cut it at lease once a week or 10 days. You can still put out your 3:1 lawn weed and feed on the lawn. This has all the general fertilisers that will feed your lawn, in a slow release form so as not to double your cut overnight. It also has sulphate of iron that does two jobs - kills the moss and gives the grass a dark green colour, and lastly it has two different weedkillers that will kill most of the weeds in the lawn. For those that have compost heaps and want to keep them as organic as possible, don't put the grass clippings on the compost heap until the lawn has been cut at least three times after carrying out any treatment of hormonal weedkillers on the lawn.
HEDGES - you can give evergreen hedges their first clip of the season now. Slope the sides so that the top is narrower than the base. This will allow light to get to the lower branches and then the hedge will have leaves/foliage almost to the ground. Before you start, check that there are no birds nesting in the hedge. If there are, delay cutting until the young have flown.
VEGETABLES - in the vegetable garden, mould the soil around the shoots of the early potatoes. This will help kill any germinating seeds, improve the weight of the crop and they will be easier to lift at harvesting time. If there is a chance of frost, cover the young growth completely to protect it from the cold. Weed growth also picks up momentum in the month, so keep them in check with a hoe. You can also use a pre-emergence herbicide (Linuron) for weeds with crops such as potatoes, carrots, parsnips and parsley. This a good month for sowing seeds of vegetables, including parsley which likes soil temperatures to germinate. You can also sow transplants from sections now with various cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, beetroot, scallions, onions, various lettuces all available.
APPLE TREES - apple trees will need spraying for apple scab disease if they are not resistant varieties. Pear trees are usually free from scab diseases. You can control scab by spraying with any systemic fungicide. Check currant bushes, raspberries, strawberries for greenfly, as apart from the damage they do, they also carry viruses. An organic way of getting rid of greenfly is to use washing up liquid with tepid water, spraying the top and underside of the foliage. You can also use bread soda and tepid water solution as an organic fungicide. Gooseberries will be the first fruit of the season. Pick the fruits young before they become full of seeds.
BEDDING PLANTS - the bedding plants for the summer season are beginning to come on stream. All the usual varieties are available - pansies, antirrhinums, lobelia, alysum, salvias, marigolds, godetias, stock, begonias, busy lizzy, petunias, ageratums, etc. Plus a huge selection of surfinia petunias and some new double busy lizzy and patio and trailing plants.
HANGING BASKETS- how to plant up a hanging basket in four simple steps: -
1. Place the basket on a bucket, which will help to keep it steady. With moss or a bought liner, line the basket, packing moss firmly in place. It is easier to use if you moisten it lightly.
2. Use a multi-purpose compost to fill the basket, gently firming it down, but not packing it. A lot of people add Swellgel or Basketmate which is a water retention crystal (turns into a gel) and helps retain moisture, not drying out as easily.
3. Remove well watered plants from their pots, plant the centre working outwards, firming the plants in place as you go.
4. Water the basket evenly and hang in a greenhouse or well-lit sheltered place for about two weeks so that plants can establish.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR THE MONTH - keep all forms of styrofoam packing material, for example hifi, tv and fast food boxes, for breaking up to mix in compost or to place in pots before filling them with compost. The styrofoam opens up the compost to allow air in to the roots and provides very good drainage and you are recycling material!
If you get your chimney cleaned, hang on to the soot for your vegetable garden. It contains some nitrogen fertiliser and other minerals, especially sulphur. Both are necessary in producing healthy growth. Traditionally, soot was applied to the ground to be used for onions. A domestic chimney can produce a few kgs of soot and will be enough to apply to about ten square metres. Onions benefit from nitrogen and sulphur directly but they also benefit from increased soil temperatures. Being black in colour , soot radiates back less of the sunshine that falls on the soil surface. A raising of temperature of a couple of degrees is possible and that aids onion develpoment. While soot has been used with onions, it can also be used for other vegetables. It woul.d benefit leafy vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, spinach - plants that effectively use nitrogen.
Lastly, a few plants to beware of in the garden, particularly if you have young children. Daphne Mezereunn and P. Laurcola can cause skin allergies and are toxic if eaten. The berries are very poisonous. Lily of the Valley, although delicate in appearance should never be eaten as they are tgoxic. Heleborous are said to have a nauseous taste and results can be fatal if eaten. H. Poetidrus is the most poisonous when eaten and the shiny berries are again very tempting to children. Ligustrum ovalifolium (privet) has very unpleasant smelling flowers followed by black berries. This plant is toxic when eaten. The berries of Taxus Bacatta (Yew) are poisonous to animals and humans. Some of the euphorbia family can also cause skin allergies, particularfly if you come in contact with the sap.
So that's it for now, happy gardening and husbands beware if you see any of the above plants have been bought by your wife or in your dinner!!!
Bosco McDermott,
Jnr.,
Glynns Garden Centre, Lydican.
Carnmore
Patrician Brother honoured in Carrickmacross
A respected
Patrician Brother who is originally from Carnmore has been honoured for
a lifetime's work with a County Monaghan marching band.
Brother Gregory Fox, whose family still lives close to Claregalway, was
recently awarded with the 2000 Co. Monaghan/Bank of Ireland Rehab Hall
of Fame award.
He was honoured with the award for his work with the highly acclaimed
An Ló chan Linn Youth band which he founded in Carrickmacross more
than two decades ago.
This year, he spent St.Patrick's Day with the band in the U.S.,where they
performed in the annual parade in New York.
According to the citation for this most recent award, "his arrival
put Carrickmacross on the map academically, musically and in the field
of sport".
"The band has brought great honour and recognition to Carrickmacross",
the citation continues.
In the sporting
realm, he brought juvenile hurling and football titles to all age groups
with Carrick Emmetts Club. He has also involved himself to a huge extent
in the local Community Games scene -he was secretary of the Co. Monaghan
community Games between 1996 and 1999.
He is a frequent visitor to the home of his brother Jodie Fox at Carnmore,
and is said to be delighted with this most recent honour.
ALL IRELAND BADMINTON LEAGUE FINALS
Sunday 8th
May marked a major success for Claregalway Division 3 League Team. They
represented Connacht at Division 4 Level (Connacht Teams go down a grade
at National Level Competition) in the All Ireland League Finals, in the
Galway Lawn Tennis Club.
Claregalway played brilliantly to defeat Blackrock from Cork, but were
overcome by an extremely strong team from Clara in Offaly. We are very
proud to take home Silver Medals, and congratulations to all team members
for their effort and dedication in playing their games since last October,
and in fact over the years. Most of this team have been playing together
since they were 14 years of age. Well Done!
Team
Members. Paul Casserly, Fionnuala Glynn, Niall Hartigan, Mairead Glynn,
Liam Hyland, Caroline Mooney.
Sub: Mary Forde
Heartiest
Congratulations Cathy Casserly, Christopher Keane and John Forde, who
also competed in the same All Ireland Finals last Sunday. Cathy starred
on the Division I and Division III teams from the Galway Lawn Tennis Club,
who both won the Gold Medals.
Cathy won 6 out of the gruelling 7 games which she played at the highest
possible level.
Well done Cathy. Both John Forde and Christopher Keane played very prominent
roles in the Division I and Division III victories respectively Congratulations
Lads. All three players are products of the Claregalway Galway Junior
Badminton Club. and hopefully are an inspiration to all the strong young
players coming up through the ranks.
Compántas
Lir - 4th in All-Ireland Drama Finals
Vincent Moran
took the Best Actor Award, while Compántas Lir also won the Best
Costumes and Best Set Awards at the All-Ireland Drama Finals in Ballyduff,
Waterford last week. Their production of "An Ideal Husband"
by Oscar Wilde came in 4th place overall and the group were also nominated
for awards with Liz Hession nominated for Best Actress and Maura Kavanagh
for Best Supporting Actress.
Vincent Moran of Lakeview played Viscount Goring and the award is long
overdue to one of the group's most outstanding actors. The costumes and
set were exquisite with the set built by Regis Goulding, John Whelan,
Malachy Noone and John Brennan. The costumes were splendidly created by
Mary Duggan and Ann Moran.
Founded in 1983, the group have been regular participants in the All-Ireland
Confined Finals. They are looking into the possibility of further staging
of their award winning production.
JPK GARDEN
CENTRE-COUNTY BOUTIQUE - FASHION SHOW
It was indeed
a rare and wonderful treat to attend the Fashion show in JPK's garden
centre recently. Upon entering the newly renovated premises, one was immediately
bathed in a very relaxing atmosphere, surrounded by exotic plants and
parasols - all cleverly situated in the new County Cafe, where one could
relax with a cup of coffee and view the plants all around. Situated close
by is the Country Boutique which stocks the most beautiful linen and cotton
clothes with complimentary scarves, etc. - definitely worth a visit!
Approx. 60 people attended the Fashion Show which was expertly compered
by Martina Coen. The background pulsing music provided the atmosphere
for the show with models Michelle, Margaret, Rhona, Fiona, Mary all doing
a splendid job. The two male models Kenneth and Aidan surpassed themselves
on the catwalk! They should consider going professional after this debut!
The applause for all models was deafening. Ticket lady Noreen Murphy (well
known to us all) was on hand to help out -missing no one on her route!
What would we do without her at all - she has, as they say "the knack".
A lot of
interest has been expressed in the garden centre which has a great selection
of plants, shrubs, etc. Check advertisement for further information.
This enterprising business venture is the brainchild of the dynamic trio
- Bridget Kearney, Sinead O'Brien and Richard Kearney. Bridget has vast
knowledge and experience in the garden centre, having operated it for
several years. Sinead brings her love of fashion to the garden centre
with the Boutique and Richard also has years of gardening experience.
We wish all three of you success with this novel venture.
Josette.
SPECIAL
NEWS
Belated happy birthday to Moya Dunleavy, Cahergowan, who celebrated her
third birthday on the 28th April .
Welcome to the Gallagher family, who recently moved to Gortatleva.
Get well wishes to Eimer Mooney, Cahergowan, who is in hospital at the moment. Hope you are out and about soon Eimer.
Happy birthday wishes to Jamie Place, Cregboy, who was five on 6th May.
Best wishes to all those making their Confirmation on the 6th May and also to those who are making their First Holy Communion on the 27th May.
Good luck to students
undertaking exams in College. We hope 'Prayer
for Exams' will be of some benefit to you.
LORD,
I COME BEFORE YOU IN NEED. EXAMS ARE APPROACHING AND I AM WORRIED.
GIVE ME COURAGE TO FACE THE COMING WEEKS CALMLY.
CONCENTRATE MY MIND ON MY STUDIES. HELP ME TO USE MY TIME WELL.
MAY I READ EACH QUESTION CAREFULLY, IDENTIFY WHAT IS ASKED AND ANSWER
WELL.
WHEN
THE RESULTS COME, MAY I BE SATISFIED THAT I DID MY BEST.
MAY WHATEVER PATH I CHOOSE IN LIFE BRING ME HAPPINESS AND GIVE ME OPPORTUNITIES
TO BETTER THE WORLD.
AMEN
CLAREGALWAY
LEISURE CENTRE
On the 29th April, the Annual Golf Classic to raise funds for the Leisure Centre, was held in Tuam Golf Club. Although the day was disappointing weather-wise, thankfully it did not keep the golfers at home. There was a good turnout of teams, thanks mainly to the dedicated efforts of the Golfing Committee. Presentation of prizes took place in the Summerfield Bar ( a special thanks to Tom and Julie McKenna, main Sponsors) on the evening of the Competition. There was a big turn-out and 11 teams prizes were presented. Congatulations to the winning team Jimmy Moran, Tommy Moran, Gearoid Hartigan and James Giles. This team brought in an excellent score on the Friday evening, (100 points), and they had to "sweat it out" throughout the entire day on Saturday, but their score held good and everyone was delighted to see the local team cycle off into the sunset on their beautiful bicycles (1st Prize). All joking aside lads, well done.
Result
of the Competition:
1st Team Jimmy Moran, Tommy Moran, Gearoid Hartigan, James Giles
2nd Team Frank Small, David Small, Noel Murphy, Paddy Darcy
3rd Team Declan Shaughnessy, Kieran Shaughnessy, Jim Cloonan, Frank
Starkin
On behalf of the Leisure Centre Committee, Tony Clarke thanked all those involved in the running of the Competition, particularly the special committe;- Jimmy Moran, Gearoid Hartigan and Martin Casserly, and the generous sponsors. Everyone's contribution was greatly appreciated.
Mary Casserly,
P.R.O.
The local Track and Field competition for Claregalway/Lackagh will be held on Sunday 14th May at Turloughmore Community Centre at 2.00 p.m. sharp. Toddlers to U17's will have the opportunity to participate. Schools will be notified of events. Notices will also be posted in the Community Centres and shops in the area. This has always been a good family day out.
The County Finals of the Cross Country was held in Renmore on Sunday 16th April. Congratulations to all the Boys and Girls from the U12 andU13 teams who competed from the Claregalway/Lackagh area. They all performed very well. A special congratulations t o Darina Costello, Julianne Harrington, Robert Duggan and Shane Brennan who qualified to compete in the National Cross Country Finals in Mosney in May. Athletics training continues for all interested on a Thursday evening from 6.00 - 7.00 at Claregalway Community Centre.
The County
Final of the Art Competition was held in Newtownsmith on Saturday, 29th
April. Again, congratulations to all the Boys and Girls aged U8, U10,
U12, U14 who competed from the Claregalway/Lackagh area. A special congratulations
to Eithne Brennan who was awarded the Silver medal in the U10 Girls.The
County Finals of the Basketball were also played in te months of April.
Congratulations to the U13 Girls who reached the final and were awarded
the Silver medal.They were defeated by Oranmore/Maree. Congratulations
also to the U16 boys team who reached the final. After a tough match,
they were also awarded the silver medal. They were defeated by Moycullen.
Congratulations to the children from the Junior Badminton Club in Claregalway
who competed in the final of the Badminton Community Games on 29th April.
They were defeated by Maree, and the best of luck to the winners as they
go forward for the Connacht Final.
The Senior
Hurlers have shed their winter cloaks and are in serious training for
the forth-coming championship under the guidance of their Manager, Johnny
Duggan, selectors Johnny Greaney and former senior player Sean Newell.
This year, the trainer is no less than Joe Reilly who in 1992 and 1993
guided them to the two County Finals. They are grouped with Sarsfield,
Mullagh, Loughrea, and Craughwell.
In the League
series, they have had wins over St. Thomas, Moycullen, Toureen (Mayo)
Mullagh and Abbeyknockmoy.
The Carnmore minor hurling team played the first round of the County Minor A Hurling Championship on Easter Sunday at Craughwell. They beat Portumna, last year's minor champions, with a brilliant display which resulted in Carnmore scoring 4-6 to Portumna 0-17. They did not have the same success on the following Wednesday evening when at a very wet and water-logged Craughwell pitch, they were beaten by Tommie Larkins on a scoreline of Tommie Larkins 2-12, Carnmore 0-9. They have two more group games to play, Athenry and Ahascragh-Fonenagh. Their mentors Declan Walsh, Murty Killilea, John Noone, Gerry Dillon have been putting them through their paces over the last number of weeks and will be keeping the pressure on to come out of the group.
The panel
is -
Derek Cooney, Andrew Flanagan, Paul Kilgannon, Rory leonard, Thomas Moran,
Gary Dillon, Joe Garrett, Martin Kelly, Anthony Watso, Joe Flaherty, Dermot
Casserley, George Hanley, Paul Francis, John Paul O'Connell, Cathal Hynes,
Jimmy Noone, Damien Fox, Conor Glynn. Kenneth Murphy, Geoffrey French,
Paul Dolan, Paul Doolin, Con Butler, Martin King, Alan Feeney, Liam Greally.
The lads
send best wishes for a speedy recovery to Rory Leonard who was injured
in their first match.
Claregalway
Amenity Group
SOME FACTS ABOUT LITTER ARE:
- litter is unsightly, it spoils the beauty of our surroundings.
- litter is widespread in the countryside as well as in streets and towns;
black plastic silage wrappers and discarded fertiliser bags have become
very obtrusive in the countryside.
- litter is a health hazard: disposable nappies and the remains of picnics
cause particular problems; litter can be a breeding ground for vermin
which can cause outbreaks of disease e.g. Gastro-enteritis and salmonella.
- litter is a threat to human safety; broken glass, tins, scrap etc. Can
cause minor and major injuries especially in recreational areas such as
beaches and parks where children may be barefoot at play.
- litter is a threat to wildlife: birds, animals and fish can be injured
and killed by plastic bags, polystyrene beads, disposable plastic can
holders, steel rings from beverage cans, oil, indigestable pellets, supermarket
trolleys.
- litter costs money: approx. £ 13 million is spent annually by
local authorities on litter removal and street cleaning.- it costs on
average nine times more to sweep litter from streets than to collect it
at the doorstep.
- litter affects tourism and industrial development programmes: approximately
5,000 written complaints about litter are made to Bord Fá ilte
each year by visitors.
- an occupier of land which is not a public place is required by law to
keep the land free of litter which is visible from a public place (Litter
Act, 1982).
- local authorities are employed to make bye-laws requiring occupiers
to keep certain surrounding areas free of litter: bye laws made by Dublin
County Council, for example, require householders, shopkeepers and other
occupiers to keep the area immediately in front of their premises clean
and litter free.
WHAT CAN
I DO?
If you wish to contribute to the protection and improvement of your local
environment, you might take a three-step approach - think, look and act.
All three are important. Action is the most important.
First THINK. Do I value my surroundings? Do I have a sense of pride
and respect for my house, my garden, my street, my farm, my locality?
Does it matter to me if they are untidy and neglected? Do I make the things
worse in any way by what I do? A little thought along these lines will
help you to clarify your own attitudes and may help you to identify some
aspects of your own behaviour which could do with change.
Next LOOK. How does my house look? How does my locality look? Does
it contain eyesores which I no longer notice because I see them every
day? Does my area convey a message of care and pride or neglect and dereliction?
Look for litter blackspots, derelict sites, abandoned cars, unsightly
rubbish collections, streams and rivers clogged up with bicycles, bedsteads,
supermarket trolleys and other articles. Look for potential for improvements.
I'm sure many of you can identify with the above article. If so,
Then ACT. You can JOIN US on the Amenity Group. Best results are
achieved by community effort. Claregalway is crying out for a face lift
but we need YOU to help us achieve this. New members always welcome. As
the adage goes "many hands make light work". Contact any member
of the committee:-
Josie Concannon (798183); Josette Farrell (798430); Sean Harte (798726);
Rose Kavanagh (798266); Larry King (798067); Celia Lennon (798081); Vincent
Lyons (798374); Seamus O'Connell 798245.
P.S. Sincere
thanks to the small number of people who turned out for the Clean Up on
Easter week. Despite the inclement conditions, much was achieved as we
managed to fill the County Council truck with rubbish.
If each townland got together for an hour or two any evening, it's amazing
what could be achieved. ANNETTE WOODS (Litter Warden) is available
to offer help in disposing of refuse. Contact her during normal working
hours (9 a.m. To 5 p.m.) at (087-2473092.
Josette.
Congratulations to Maria Griffin, Catherine Fleming, Niall Farrell, Padraic Quinn, David Kenny, Gerard Kirrane, Mary Kelly and Aine Skelly who won the U-15 Co. League B.
Congratulations to Christopher Keane on reaching the Singles Final in Dublin in the Easter Tournament.
Mark Loughlin and Ian Steven also played in the U13 Leinster Open tournament. Both players played very well and enjoyed the tournament.
The County Community games badminton was held in Claregalway on Saturday, April 29th. Our team won Silver medals. They were beaten by Maree who now represent Galway in the Connacht Final.
Team members
Paul Loughlin, Maria Griffin, Thomas Walsh, Catherine Fleming, Niall Farrell,
Aine Skelly, Gerard Kirrane, Orla Fahy
Schools
Badminton
Congratulations to Declan Griffin, Cahergowan who was a winner in the
All-Ireland schools Badminton.
Congratulations to Maria Griffin and Catherine Fleming, winners of Gold
medals in the Inter Schools Badminton.
On March the 12th, the Club organized a trip to Sligo to play matches against the All Star Club there. This day was a great success. 99 members travelled and several parents and coaches accompanied them. The matches went well for us and in the afternoon the children had the chance to see a National League game between Sligo Dairies and the Dublin Club Tolka Rovers. This trip is one of the highlights of our season and we would like to thank everyone who helped out on the day.
The Claregalway
club was host to the Under 11 Girls Galway League. This was held on the
8th of April with clubs from Maree, Oranmore, Moycullen and Barna along
with Claregalway taking part. Maree (A) were the winners of the semi-final
against Barna and Claregalway came to the final by beating Moycullen.
The final was a close game with Maree (A) emerging as the winners by a
narrow margin. The Claregalway team was captained by Darina Costello,
with team members - Eithne Brennan, Clare Corrigan
Sinead and Niamh Diskin, Aine Lyons, Fiona McLoughlin, Louise Noone, Michelle
Quinn, Natasha Tannion, Brenda Fenton, Julianne Harrington.
In the Community Games matches the U16 team from Annaghdown (which has all Claregalway Club members playing for the team!) played Moycullen and won the game, going into the next round to meet Glenamaddy in the quarter finals, unfortunately in this match they were beaten by 7 points.
The U15 boys and girls teams competed in the Galway league on the 15th of April, playing Beagh. The boys team lost after a close match and the girls won by two baskets in the final minutes of the game. Well done to all.
A day long tournament has been organized by two of the Under 18 boys. Kieran Moran and Emmet Hartigan have got clubs from Limerick, Ballinrobe, Castlebar and Moycullen to compete. Congratulations to the lads for showing the initiative to organize things for themselves and we are sure it will be successful. The only games left to play this season are in the U15 Galway League and the Community Games.
Sarah Mooney,
P.R.O.,
CLAREGALWAY
G.A.A. CLUB
Intermediates overcame refereeing adversity at Renmore on Monday May 1
to run out narrow winners over St.James by 1-12 to 1-10. In a hard and
closely contested encounter, an early goal by Adrian Moran got Claregalway
off to a good start but thereafter we were never more than a couple of
points ahead. This win follows up on the second round win against Clifden
at Claregalway after losing out earlier to Carna/Cashel. Future fixtures
are: May 15 away to Oughterard; July 23 at home to Salthill; September
17 at home to St.Michaels; October 1 away to Lettermore.
Congrats to Anthony Monaghan on his selection for the County U-21 team that won the Connacht title against Mayo at Tuam.
Junior B's beat Moycullen in Claregalway by 2 points on Friday April 28.
Minors beat Salthill in the Co.League by 3-6 to 0-8 in Claregalway on April 19. Team panel: Brian Donoghue, Robert Raftery, Andrew Flanagan, David Raftery, Michael Barry, Kieran Moran, Stephen Cunniffe, Tomas Moran, Aidan Kearney, Niall O'Shea, Martin Kelly, Brian Loughlin, Colin Deeny, Dara O'Malley, Gary Dillon, Paul Kilgannon, David Walshe, Michael Maguire, Conor Glynn, Damien Foy, Barry McGrath, Anthony Watson, Alan Greaney, Dermot Hession, Val Baynes.
Congratulations to Brian Donoghue on his selection for the Co. Minors who rounded off a good run in the Connacht League with a last minute win over Mayo at Milltown to clinch the League title.
JUVENILE
FOOTBALL
Féile Peil na nÓ g
Claregalway was one of the venues for this year's Féile played on Saturday April 29. On a miserably wet day, Claregalway were out of luck and Cortoon won through the group games and beat Headford in the ¼ Final. They later lost out to Killanin in the semi-final. Thanks to Hugh Farrell, Damien Stephens, Enda O'Connell, Comán Duke, Gerry Kearney and Tony Stephens for help on the day.
Sunday mornings at Claregalway Club Centre 11.00am to 12.30 pm is the place to be for all U-12, U-10 and U-8 footballers. Each age group is coached separately. So, parents and all, come along and join in. Details from Gerry Moran, Tel. 798510; Jimmy Gavin Tel. 797037; Cormac Evans 798150.
Club Officers 2000: Chairman Sean Dunleavy; Vice-chairman Paul Concannon; Hon.Secretary Kevin McNamara; Hon. Treasurer Robert McNamara; Assist. Treasurer Tom Newell; PRO Sean Flanagan; Team managers: Intermediate and U-21 P.J.McGovern; Juniors Michael Prendergast.
Juvenile
Football Committee Officers: Chairman: Mick O'Connell; Vice-Chairman:
Cormac Evans; Hon.Secretary: Damien Stephens; Assist. Secretary:
Comán Duke; Hon.Treasurer: Pat Coen; Delegates to Coiste
Peil na nÓg: Tony Clarke and Padraig O'Malley; Team managers
- Minors Sean Flanagan; U-16 Pat Coen;
U-14 Padraig O'Connell.
Sean Flanagan
Osteoporosis - An important issue in women's health
In the past 25 years various social and economic changes have resulted in a major alteration of the role of women n society. In tandem with these changes has been the emergence of improved health care services for women. Consequently women are now living an average 25 - 30 years after the menopause. The quality of life during these years is an important and sometimes neglected issue. Fortunately most women are now becoming more conscious of health issues generally, and of the need to keep physically and mentally healthy in order to enjoy the later years of their lives.
Osteoporosis represents one of the more serious health risks affecting women after the menopause. Most Irish women will experience the menopause between the ages of 45 - 55 years. During this time there is a decline in the production of the hormone oestrogen by the ovaries. Oestrogen is an important hormone, which has a number of functions in the body. One of these functions is to keep bones strong and healthy. As many women can now expect to live well into their 80's there is in the post menopausal years an increased risk for several diseases associated with this decline in oestrogen levels. Osteoporosis is one of these diseases.
Osteoporosis is a thinning of bone associated with an increased risk of fractures, bone pain and bone deformity in severe cases. Before the menopause oestrogen plays a significant role in maintaining strong and health bones. However after the menopause as oestrogen levels decline women become more at risk, so while osteoporosis can affect all women it is much more common after the age of 50 years. Osteoporosis develops slowly over time. Therefore many women may not be aware they are sufferers until they begin to experience bone pain and as time progresses develop brittle bones and loss of height. While it can affect any bone the most common sites of fracture due to osteoporosis are the spine, wrist and hip. Even moderate osteoporosis can have adverse affect on quality of life, impairing mobility and leisure activities. In severe cases fractures of the spine can lead to spinal curvature known in the lay terms as "dowagers hump".
Preventing osteoporosis
While some women are more at risk because of early menopause or family history, nevertheless there are a number of risk factors over which women have control. Simple lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, stopping smoking and ensuring an adequate dietary intake of calcium are helpful in preventing osteoporosis. Bone densitometry scanning is now easily available in the Galway area, and can be used to identify people who are at risk of developing osteoporosis, as well as those who have established disease. Your doctor will be able to arrange screening and subsequently discuss the findings with you. A treatment programme tailored to your individual needs can then be started.
Hormone replacement therapy is an effective treatment for all menopausal symptoms. It also helps prevent osteoporosis and heart disease. Not every woman can avail of HRT. Your doctor will advise you on your suitability and of the benefits and risks of this treatment option.
Like most health care issues awareness is the first step to prevention so be aware of the risks that you face. If you are unsure visit your doctor and discuss with him or her, the health risks more relevant to you. Do not be afraid to ask questions and if necessary prepare a list and take this with you when you visit your doctor. Try to start making simple changes yourself. For example, look at your current level of exercise and the quality of your diet and see how they can be improved. In addition consider screening for other conditions such as high cholesterol, cervical cancer, breast cancer and high blood pressure, and arrange to avail of current screening services in your area. If you don't know where to start ask your doctor for information on the choices available to you.
Unfortunately
many Irish women do not realise they are at risk from osteoporosis as
well as other diseases more common in the menopausal years such as heart
disease and breast cancer until it is too late. If you start in time you
can greatly improve your chances of early detection and indeed of avoiding
these diseases altogether through lifestyle changes, preventative health
measures and screening. Taking responsibility now for your own health
is the first step to ensuring a happy and healthy life in your later years.
Dr.Mary Conroy
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