CAHIR NOTES CAHIR POST OFFICE It was so nice to find Henry Reidy, Cahir Postmaster, on my doorstep on Monday morning, as things do seem to have worked out the best for everybody, after a long and worrying period when it looked as if we might loose the PO here in Cahir.  Henry sends the following message: “I would like to thank yourself and all the people of Cahir and surrounding districts for their continued support of Cahir Post Office as a valued service in our town.  Since I took over the Post Office contract last Aprill, it has been a very busy seven months. Our new Post Bank on demand deposit a/c  has been a huge success, with over half a million Euro deposited through Cahir PO since May ’07. “My wife Joanne gave birth to our fourth child, a healthy baby girl (Siobhan) last Friday, so hopefully I will now be able to focus on Post Office business during the busy pre-Christmas pressure! “Together with a valued staff, I shall endeavour to keep ALL QUEUES to a minimum, and to maintain a very high standard of service throughout.  A Very Happy Christmas and Good Health to all for 2008.  Thanks again. Henry Reidy, Postmaster” I am sure everyone joins me in wishing you, Joanne and the rest of the family, as well as all your hard-working staff, a peaceful and happy Christmas and another successful year ahead. AWARD-WINNING CHOIR The award-winning Wexford-based Chamber Choir “Valda” will be singing in Ballyporeen Hall on Saturday 15th December at 8:15pm.  So go along and enjoy a magical evening of traditional carols, new material and some of Valda’s favourites from their wonderful repertoire. Tickets at €10, which includes a glass of wine and homemade mince pies, can be acquired from Hannah on 086 j366 7453 or Deirdre on 087 137 5817. CRAFTS AT THE GRANARY CAR PARK Cahir Farmers’ Market, which trades on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, will host a variety of local craft stalls during their normal market on Saturday 8th December. Included will be ceramics, potters, wood turned products, Christmas cards – indeed many a Christmas present can be sourced direct from local craftspeople who will be present. Then, on Saturday 15th December, they will hold their Fifth Special Christmas Market, which is always fun. Lots for the kids, free face painting, a colouring competition, food tasting at the stalls and Christmas Carols with Cahir Choral. Also, Santa says he should be able to fit in a visit. The reindeer will be resting up for their Christmas travels, so he will come in one of his vintage cars. Cahir is always worth a visit. It is a great local Market and has eleven regular stallholders, who sell their produce at the Market each Saturday.  There are three confectionary stalls, one fruit, two vegetable & potatoes, pate, pork and bacon, fish, and organic meat and poultry. Also, Dan Butler from Burncourt is offering his excellent Christmas Trees at the Market during December. Cahir Farmers’ Market is now in its fifth year of trading, thanks to the quality of its produce and especially thanks to the people of Cahir, who are great supporters. The Market will re-open in 2008 on Saturday 12th January. CHRISTMAS PRESENT! Here are two pieces of good news that I have just received from The Bell, IN Pearse Street.  Norma is returning from her holidays this week, and Bar Food will resume from next Thursday, 6th December. Norma will be cooking all the favourites from the old menu and will also be introducing a few new specials to tempt our palates. Also, I hear that Mike Real is due to return in the first week of the New Year after his three months exploring Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong, and we are promised the opportunity to sample some exciting new menus on his return. To mark the occasion of the first Christmas since the summer renovations, The Bell is delighted to offer a Christmas discount of 20% off all meals to those who produce the voucher on this page of South Tipp Today this week. AEREAL PHOTOGRAPHS Has anyone had aerial photographs of their homes taken recently?  A concerned reader has missed the visit from the photographer, and badly wants to contact him to place an order for prints. If you can help, please ring me at the number below. COFFEE MORNING There will be a Coffee Morning in Grange Community Hall from 10:30am to 1pm this Saturday. The funds raised go to Sr Ethel Normoyle, who work with the poorest in the township of Port Elizabeth, in South Africa and are specifically intended to help build a hospice for children who are AIDS victims. Unfortunately, Cahir Choral will be in Limerick singing to raise money for St VdeP on Saturday, but we have sold lots of raffle tickets instead of being present. The first prize is an amazing Hat Box of Lancome Beauty Products worth €250! CAHIR OUTREACH GROUP For the Chernobyl Children’s Project, the Group is sponsoring its annual Shopping Trolley Raffle in SuperValu and Spar this weekend, Friday 7th and Saturday 8th December.  Your continued support for this very worthy cause is greatly appreciated. HAPPY BIRTHDAY STELLA! Stella Ryan celebrated her 70th birthday with her family during the week. They all love her very much and wish for many, many more with them. I have also received a card asking me to say Happy 70th to Stella, with fondest wishes from her family and friends. I would like to join with these wishes too, Stella. SANTA ARRIVES Santa arrived in Barnora Community House on Saturday 1st December to 60 excited children.  Many thanks to Cahir Garda, who helped Santa to get there. Also to Spar and SuperValu who provided Hampers for the Draw. Special thanks to Maureen Ryan, Bernie Long, Lilly Maher and Teresa Power, who prepared for Santa, and also for The Man himself, who by now is back at the North Pole, getting all the children’s lists ready. And of course thanks to Christine Orea, who did Face Painting. Remember, be good and go to bed early and Santa will come. Any photo not collected can be got from Bernie at No 55 Barnora. Merry Christmas to all. (How about sharing some of the photos with readers – if they are dropped in to me, I will take good care of them and will e-mail them to the paper.MC) CHRISTMAS AT THE COUNTRY MARKET Even though I arrived down at the Community Hall rather late last Friday, there were still some lovely Christmassy things available, and there will be more every Friday until Christmas. Helen’s Crafts makes lovely gifts (I particularly liked the decorative bags for bottles- so much nicer than the usual paper or card ones) and she has quite a selection available. Right next to her was Caroline, whose fresh and dry flower arrangements are stunning – as well as the more traditional sprays, there were one or two with a more modern touch which I really liked. Gay’s honey and gift baskets are very desirable, and of course Francesca’s cards and jewellery are lovely. And you can have your card personalized very easily – just ask! LATE SEAN KELLY HOLIDAY GROUP The Sean Kelly Holiday Group held their Annual Reunion  Dinner and Party Night in Cahir House Hotel recently. The Chairman of the Group, Mr Liam Ryan, thanked all who attended the function and especially those who traveled for their holidays. The Travel Agent for the Group, Michael Bowe, Thurles, was present on the night and has some hot spots to offer the Group for the coming year. The Chairman thanked the new management and staff of the Hotel for the beautiful meal that was served.  Finally, a minute’s silence was observed for all the Deceased members of the Group. May they Rest in Peace. CHURCH GATE COLLECTION The annual collection for the St Vincent de Paul Society will be held this weekend, 8th and 9th December. Please give generously. The main source of income is from this collection and the proceeds from their shop in Barrack Street.  As Christmas is coming, donations of good quality clean clothes would be very welcome. Please hand them in to the Shop. Make a child happy by donating any toys you may not want. Either leave them under the Christmas trees on the Altar or hand them in at the Shop in Barrack Street. CAHIR PARK LADIES’ SOCCER CLUB In their second season in the Tipperary Ladies’ Soccer League, Cahir Park performed very well, with some excellent results. The Park was Runner-up in The Shield. The following players participated throughout the season: Patricia Healy, Lynda Sullivan, Louise Carroll, Niamh Hearne, Julie McMahon (Captain) Sinead Tobin, Catriona Nagle, Sinead O’Donnell, Claire Carroll, Stephanie Elliott, Elaine Devereaux, Ann-Marie Noonan, Alison Lonergan, Edith Carroll, Patricia Hickey, Doominique Hallinan, Ann O’Brien, Jennifer Grant, Margaret O’Brien, Natalie Pinto, Noelle Fitzgerald, Nicola Armitage, Aoife Casey, Clara Fahy. The Management and Coaching Staff included Eamonn Elliott, Jimmy Lonergan, Michael (T) Ryan, Joe Murphy, Shyane Ryan, Betty Elliott, Lena Lonergan. The Sponsorship Ag;ent was Joe Hally. The Team Sponsors are Ladrigan’s Spar. Cash donations were received from Rosie O’Donoghue-Collins and others. The Roll of Honour Trophies for the season:  Top Goalscorer – Claire Carroll; Goalkeeper of the Year – Patricia Healy;  Player of the Year - Jennifer Grant.  A special mention to the team’s loyal supporters. Congratulations to the Cahir Ladies’ Minor Gaelic Football team on retaining the County Championship and to ~Alison Lonergan and the Cashel Camogie Team on winning the All-Ireland Club Championship. (Ger very kindly ends his report by thanking the paper for publishing the match reports - but of   course there is no mention of one Ger Hawkins!) CAHIR CAMOGIE Once again, last Wednesday evening, we were entertained by fantastic competitive camogie from our young girls taking part in the tournament. First on the floor were Roisin McCarthy's Rascals and Dervla Buckley's Divas. The Divas got off to a bad start in the competition the previous week and were intent on making amends this week.With Rebeka O Dwyer out sick from the Divas' team, Lauren Murphy ably stood up to the challenge to replace her. Eileen Flannery was sick on the Rascals team and her place was taken by a very good upcoming player, Alana Donaghey. Ciara O Neill was goalminding for the Rascals in the first half and for a relatively new-comer to camogie, she played with great tenacity and had some fantastic saves. However, Dervla was on fire and was sending ball after ball in to her forwards and eventually a lovely strike from the hurley of Emily O Donovan saw the first goal on the score board. Referee Emma Buckley called time on the first half and these fit young lady's left no time lingering around before we had the second half under way. Again great goalkeeping from the Divas' Katie Noonan kept the Rascals at ba, while at the other end of the field Jessica Coffey romped home another goal for the Divas. Emma Quirke was working very hard in the back line for the Rascals and an excellent ball on to Andrea O Donnell saw their team register their first goal of the night. Roisin McCarthy was taking her captain's role with great responsibility and fantastic efforts by Alana Donaghey saw many near misses for the Rascals in the second half. Lauren Murphy then broke the Diva' defence and sent the third goal for her team to the back of the net. the final score: Dervla's Divas 3 Roisins Rascals 1 With Ashling McCarthy in charge of the second game, we had Niamh's Knights and Emma's Angels on the floor, both with their full teams. The Knights' Rachel O Donnell was on target with the game only seconds old, scoring a fine goal from the center of the field. Despite gallant efforts from the Angels' goalie Tori Downey, The Knights' captain Niamh Murphy soon added to their tally with another well-taken goal. Shauna Burke, for the Angel, was working hard and was rewarded with a fine goal that left the Knights' goalie no hope of stopping. By half time the Knight' Rachel O Donnell and Lauren Noonan had put three more goals on the score board. With the second half only minutes old the Angels' captain Emma O Donnell had added to her team's tally but again was answered by Lauren Noonan of the Knights. Super play by the Angel' Orla Cashman saw her score a fine goal while, also for the Angels, Sarah Burke was playing some great camogie in the back line. After a quiet spell from the Knights we saw Emma O Donnell of the Angels again score another fine goal but fine defensive work from the Knights' Sophie Sheehan and Lauren Murphy meant that that was to be the last score for the night for the Angels. Further goals from the Knight' Lauren Noonan and Rachel O Donnell saw their team win with a strong margin of 10 goals to 4. Roll on next week for more exciting games! COLAISTE DUN IASCAIGH NEWS French Quiz. On Tuesday 20th November, 5th Year and Transition Year students took part in a French Table Quiz in Villiers School, Limerick. Sixty-four team took part, and questions on general knowledge were asked and answered in French. The students thoroughly enjoyed the day. Well done to them on their performance. “Philadelphia Here I Come”. Sixth Year students accompanied by M/s Fennessey and Ms Byron attended the Second Age Theatre Company’s production of “Philadelphia Here I come” on 20th November. The play was directed by Alan Staffort. It proved to be an escellent production and the students really enjoyed a very dramatic and powerful portrahyal of Brian Friel’s wonderful play. CAHIR ACTIVE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION Here are the results for the cards played on Friday 30th November:  1st with 10 games – Betty Collins, Willie O’Donnell; Joint 3rd with 9 games – Ted Dillon, Lexie Sheehan, Peg Reidy, Margaret Quinlan, Bob Condon, Paddy O’Halloran. The Lucky Table:  Keiran O’Brien, Joe Ahern, Josie Quinlan. The Raffle was won by Tim Morrissey and Anne Hanrahan. The next game takes place this Friday 7th December at 8pm and all are welcome to enjoy this friendly gathering. Refreshments will be served, as usual. VICIOUS ATTACKS ON CAHIR GARDAI CONDEMNED Deputy Mattie McGrath is calling on the general public to give every assistance to An Garda Siochana. The Deputy makes this call in the wake of a recent vicious attack on a Cahir Garda who was on patrol in the Clogheen area. The Garda, traveling in a Patrol Car, stopped a suspicious black Hyundai Accent carrying three men at Bohernagore, between Clogheen and the Vee, on 22nd November. As he approached the car, one of the passengers got out of the car and struck him on the upper shoulder with an iron bar. Another man pushed the officer into a road-side dike and he was held down by two of the masked group while the third removed the keys from the patrol car.  They then jumped back into the Hyundai Accent and sped off in the direction of Lismore. The car didn’t appear to have any registration plates or had plates that were covered in dirt. Deputy McGrath also wishes to compliment two members of the South Tipperary Traffic Corp who successfully apprehended and arrested two people recently. Unfortunately, again both Gardai were injured during the incident and he wishes them both a speedy recovery.  “It is incumbent on every citizen to support fully An Garda Siochana as they go about their duty, maintining law and order, and I especially encourage Community Alert Groups  / Neighbourhood Watch and indeed every individual to be extra vigilant during the winter months, watching out for each other. I urge people to report anything suspicious to their local Gardai”, Deputy McGrath stated. POULMUCKA FF CUMANN The Poulmucka Fianna Fail Cumann held its AGM recently in Moloney’s Bar. There was a great attendance and it was a very successful meeting. Cllr Andy Moloney, on being elected to the Council, had to vacate his position as Secretary and this has been filled by Mr Michael Barrett, contin uing the tradition of his late father. Mr Larry Molan was the successful candidate as Vice-Chairman. Mr Patie Quirke remains on as Chairman. Many positions were unchanged. Mick Quinn is the new Youth Officer and Martin Moloney is a newly appointed sub delegated. They would like to thank Deputy Mattie McGrath, Cllr Michael Anglim and Cllr Andy Moloney for their attendance and contribution to the Meeting. A special thank you to John and Bridget Moloney for the refreshments provided on the night. New members are always welcome. CAHIR DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY LOTTO Another week has gone by without a Jackpot winner, so the total going on to the draw this week is €4,750. Last week’s draw was witnessed by Lena Phelan, and the following numbers came up:  4, 14, 22 and 26.  The five Lucky Dip winners, each of whom received €30, were: Jean English, Beech Park; Mary O’Grady, Old Road, Cashel; Paul Taylor, The Bella Rd, Clogheen; Joe Devereaux, Grangemore; The Hennessy Family, Ballydrehid. This week’s draw takes place at noon on Wednesday, and tickets can be purchased up to that time from the Business & Training Centre. All the profits from the Community Lotto go to the Duneske Leisure Complex. KNOCKGRAFFON OPEN COURSING CLUB The Quirke Cup, in honour of the late Jimmy Quirke, was run to a final last Sunday. The Final, between Andy O’Dwyer;s Andy’s Best and Paddy Flannery’s Clerihan Gypsy, will be cojcluded next Sunday. McCarthy Cup. The following is the draw for the McCarthy Cup presented and sponsored by John McCarthy, Lavally Engineering Co.  Judge – D Farrell. Slipper – M Grimes. Miss Sideways  v  Donierosco Tree Top Rosie  v  Sundowner Knocknaboha Mucka v  Kiladerry Moon Ballingeary Bob  v  Rabra’s Bell Lobnama Lucky  v  Knocknaboha Joe Inis Mor   v Flankers Cool Good Man Eddie  v  Pine Hope Donegal Jet   v Smokey Jim Res:  Tree Top Jenny and Confident Cousing. Meet at Ballingeary School at 12 noon, Sunday 9th December. Mass for deceased members will be held in St Michael’s Church, Clerihan, on Friday 7th December at 7:30pm. READERS NEWS & VIEWS Please feel free to contact me with news or opinions. But please, PLEASE, make sure there is a contact phone number if you drop something in:  10 Market Yard / 086 840 5020.