GRANGE FERMOY ATHLETIC CLUB

- Carrig Court athletes in the prizes at Murphy Memorial 4 mile road race -

SENIORS

The annual Murphy Memorial 4 mile road race, under BHAA rules, was held at Inniscarra on Sunday, 25th November last. The weather on the day was very humid and warm, which was quite unusual for this time of the year, but no one was complaining as the rain held off for the race.

Last year only 189 athletes lined up for the challenge, but this year as with every BHAA race on the 2007 calendar, Inniscarra saw a record turnout with 249 athletes lining up to take on the very hilly course, which is probably even worse than Donoughmore. In spite of the ups and downs, a very fast finishing time was achieved by an unregistered athlete, Liam Reale, and he certainly flew around the course finishing in a fabulous time of 19.54.

However, in compliance with BHAA rules, Liam had to step down from 1st place as he was not registered with the BHAA but he took this with good grace and received a very nice prize as compensation. This meant that Ravis Zakis, a very well known runner in local circles, took the 1st place in a time of 20.49, followed by Wieslaw Sosnowski another popular athlete, in 2nd place.

Carrig Court Health and Leisure Club fielded a good entry, with Tim Murphy leading the team home and finishing 4th overall, with back-up from club-mates Gary O’Sullivan who finished in 9th position in a time of 22.27 and Brian O’Connor, 19th overall, clinching first place in the A category team prizes for Carrig Court with a total of 23 points. Also putting in a great run on the day was Carrig Court’s Shane Maher, who has put in some very fast times this year, and here was no exception, and saw him finishing well up the order in a time of 24.22.

Club veteran Tony Dunne was unfortunate to finish just outside the prizes in his O/65 category, against some stiff opposition. It was a pity that team manager Maurice Tobin was unable to run on the day, as there might well have been two team prizes for the men to bring home. Well done guys on a stunning performance. The women’s race was almost a foregone conclusion, with Linda O’Connor of Musgraves taking 1st place in 25.32, the ever popular Mary Sweeney of Private Hospitals a close 2nd and Linda Geary of Bank Of Ireland finishing 3rd.

Linda Geary works at the bank in Fermoy and is a familiar figure, having taken 1st place in the Fermoy Road Race in June this year. Carrig Court Health & Leisure Club women competing at Inniscarra were Mary Fitzgerald, who ran a great race and veteran Maggie Dunne, who won the O/60 category. These two fine athletes were pleased to take 2nd prize in the grade B team category.

Thanks once again to Sean Lomasney of Carrig Court for his sponsorship and thanks to the BHAA who put on a well organised show, as usual. If any company or firm in Fermoy wants to enter a team for the BHAA races, January is the time to get your entries in. Interested parties can contact Kevin Cummins on 021-4292509. 2008 Cork City Marathon Preparations for the 2008 Cork City Marathon are now well underway.

The marathon was a huge success this year, despite the very hot weather. It’s anticipated that the number of athletes taking part will possibly double for next year’s event. All aspiring marathon runners have plenty of time to train, as the date has been set for 2nd June.

Entries are available online at www.corkcitymarathon.com. Any runners interested in training with the Grange Fermoy Athletic Club athletes are invited to contact Maurice Tobin on 025-32101, after 7pm, as he has details of times and venues for training.

LISMORE GOLF CLUB

- Poor weather takes it’s toll yet again -

JOHN MCGRATH SECURES HIS CHRISTMAS FEATHERS

The continuing poor weather effected the scoring again this week. Some people seem to take the windy and wet conditions in their stride with the lure of those feathers keeping them going in trying conditions.

This week’s winner John McGrath finally secured his Christmas feathers after weeks of being the nearly man with a creditable score of 26 pts winning off the last 6 holes from new member Alan Mahoney (14). John will be holding his head aloft in Cappoquin this week after getting lots of mocking for shooting 30 points last week and coming nowhere. Well done John, you can have the last laugh this Christmas.

John’s win was due to a fine finish of 6 consecutive pars. In third place was Declan Glavin (10) who secured his second bird of the winter season with 25 points. This was all the more impressive as he had a domestic cut from his previous win.

On Saturday last the Aghern Society had their annual Christmas outing here in the golf club. A great day was had by all despite the arctic like conditions. The winners of the 3 person champagne scramble were club president Pat Bennett, Donal O’Leary and Anthony O’Regan with a massive score of 99 points.

Next weekend we are having the clash of the Saturday morning golfers versus the Sunday morning men. The top 10 – 15 scores from each day will decide who will have the bragging rights for the festive season. So everyone is expected to bring their ‘A’ game with them next weekend.

It is believed that Dave and Michael are busy getting transfer requests in with certain people to secure their services for the respective teams. On both days Bernie and the crew will be providing food for the players so get your name on the time sheet early to avoid losing out on 2 good days golf.

On Sunday next we will be getting an early visit from our friend from the North Pole. Santa is scheduled to fly in around 2.30 with the party going on until about 5.30. Admission is €5 so we hope to see a good crowd on the d

RESULTS

Monday, 3rd December – Sunday 9th December ’07 - 12 hole stableford by Centra 1st John McGrath (11) 26 pts L6 2nd Alan Mahoney (14) 26 pts 3rd Declan Glavin (10) 25 pts.

FIXTURES

Monday 10th – Sunday 16th December 12 hole stableford sponsored by Centra Tee Reserved Saturday 15th from 8.45 to 9.30 and also from 12 to 1.

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES & SPRING LEAGUE

All outstanding turkey winners prizes will be given out next Sunday at 6.00 so all winners are expected to attend. The list of winners is currently posted on the notice board. The entry sheet for the Spring league is currently posted in the clubhouse.

The league is scheduled to start on the 7th of January so please put your name down as soon as possible.

Contact details: Phone 058-54026: E-mail: lismoregolfclub@eircom.net

Website: www.lismoregolf.org

- Lismore Ladies Golf Club -

RESULTS

1st Margaret Morrissey (19) – 21 pts B.3

FIXTURES

Mon 10th Dec to Sun 16th Dec 9 Hole S/F. Open 3 Ball Scramble Mon 17th – Sun 23rd.

TALLOW G.A.A. CLUB

- Long awaited replay -

MINOR COUNTY FINAL REPLAY

This is a long running saga but we are going to have another go at settling the title on Sunday. The replay was originally fixed for Walsh Park last Saturday. Given the state of Walsh Park, at the best of times and the forecast we had for last week, that was never going to happen.

Finally, it was switched to Ballygunner but on Saturday morning there was a further twist to this tale when Ballygunner was either unavailable, unplayable or possibly both. The club’s group txt system was in overdrive relaying the changes to players and supporters alike. Kill was to be the new venue and the txt messages were sent again. Our lads were well up for it as the team bus pulled out around 11.30.

By the time they reached Camphire Bridge the show was cancelled. The game is re-fixed once again for Sunday in Walsh Park at 1.30. The forecast is good for the week but I expect conditions underfoot to be very soft and messy. The system whereby county finals are rotated on a yearly basis between the Fraher Field and Walsh Park is a reasonable enough one.

Tallow team will have a good distance to travel regardless of where it is. In the event of a draw, as in this situation, the board could be a bit more flexible in appointing the new venue. We didn’t expect the game to be brought to Ardmore or Cappoquin but bringing it to a more centrally located ground that would have been playable makes sense to me. Incidentally, both pitches in Tallow were playable on Saturday which is a tribute to the work done by the club in recent times.

Before we get a flood of requests, they are closed for the winter, although I’m sure the chairman would have made an exception for the county final. Back to the game! Selectors Fin McCarthy, Paudie Tobin and Liam Aherne have put in a lot of work with this squad. The players themselves have responded well and were chomping at the bit for the game last Saturday.

We hope they keep that motivation and focus for Sunday. You have worked too hard for this to let it slip now boys. It’s a 1.30 throw-in at Walsh Park but keep your mobiles turned on. I know it’s a long trip but we hope you make the effort to travel and support them. They deserve that at least.

COMHBHRON

Tallow GAA Club extends sympathy to the Beecher family on the sad passing of Mick Beecher. Ar dheis lamh De go raibh se.

LIONS CLUB CHARITY EVENING

Your support would be very welcome on Saturday night at the Corner House for this very worthy cause. The Lions Club do tremendous wok especially around Christmas time.

Sunset Sound will provide the music and you can help by even purchasing a raffle ticket on the night. Bridie always provides the best of hospitality so a good night is guaranteed.

CLUB MEETING

This will be the final club meeting before the January AGM so we urge all committee members to make a special effort to attend on Thursday night. It’s an 8.30pm start in the clubrooms at Pairc Eamonn de Paor and the chairman assures me you won’t be delayed too long.

EMOTIONAL MOMENT

Congratulations to the Watercork syndicate, especially Colin, Joe and Pa on their big win last Saturday. Ye kept it quiet enough lads.

LOTTO

3/12/07 - Numbers drawn 7, 8, 9, 10. No jackpot winner. Consolation prizes to: Colin Sice, Paudie Tobin, Helen Hampton, Nora O’Brien. Promoter Johnny Curley. 10/12/07, jackpot €1,900. Results next week.

SPONSORS

Tallow Area Credit Union.

GLENROE G.A.A. CLUB

- AGM on 30th December -

The annual general meeting takes place on Sunday, 30th December at 5pm in the Community Hall, Glenroe. The nomination/motion forms have been circulated to all club members and must be returned to the club secretary by Friday next, 14th December.

CHRISTMAS CARD GAME

The progressive 45 Christmas card game takes place on Thursday, 20th December at 8:45pm in the Community Hall, Glenroe. There will be plenty of spot prizes given out on the night.

LOTTO

The numbers drawn in the Lotto draw on Thursday last were 5, 10, 16 and 17. There was no winner of the jackpot which now rises to €18,400 for the next draw on Thursday, 20th December.

Congratulations to the following lucky dip winners:- €30 each – Helen Davern, Doneraile (B Moloney); Shane O’Kelly, Ballyferode (G O’Kelly); Darren Falvey, Dromcollogher (G O’Kelly); Paul Dalton, Duntraleague, Galbally (L Sheehy). €20 each – Nicholas Dineen, Ballyferode (G O’Kelly); Martin O’Connor, Galtee Veneer, Ballylanders (D Sheehy); Hannah O’Kelly, Ballyferode (G O’Kelly); Paul and Miriam O’Sullivan, Glenroe (Pa Joe McCarthy).

LIMERICK G.A.A. DEVELOPMENT DRAW

The final draw in the Limerick GAA Development Draw for 2007 takes place on Friday, 14th December in An Poc Fada Bar, Ballylanders.

BRIDE ROVERS G.A.A. CLUB

- County convention on Saturday -

Breaking with tradition the convention of the Cork County GAA Board takes place on Saturday evening, December 15th. The convention will be held at Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 7pm. For most people the highlight will be the senior hurling championship draws for 2008.

The name of Bride Rovers will go into the hat again along with 15 other club sides, 2 colleges and the divisional sides. Since we won the intermediate hurling championship in 2003 the senior hurling championship first round draws have paired us with Na Piarsaigh, Sarsfields, Newtownshandrum and St Finbarrs.

Newcomers to the SHC this year will be Carrigtwohill. The only contest at Co. convention is for development officer where Araglin’s Michael Lyons is one of the 3 candidates. The situation regarding the Cork hurling and football senior teams for 2008 will of course be cause for much debate.

LOTTO

At O Coileain’s on last Tuesday night, December 4th the lotto jackpot stood at €5,600. The four numbers drawn were 9, 12, 19 and 27 and no one had that combination. This meant that the lotto at Denis Barry’s on Tuesday, December 11th the jackpot was €5,800.

Winners of €30 were: Donie Healy, Kildinan, Ladies Football Club, Tom Hegarty, Bartlemy, Danny Murphy, Carrignavar, Margot Fitzgerald, Main St, Rathcormac. Tickets at €2 each available from local businesses and club members. You can buy a yearly ticket for €90

CLUB SHOP

Now is the time to buy that ideal gift for Christmas from the Bride Rovers GAA Club Shop. New club hoodies, jackets and polo-shirts are now in stock as well as replica jerseys, shorts and socks.

The club shop will be open on Saturday, December 15th and on Saturday, December 22nd from 12pm to 1pm on both days in the club rooms at Pairc na Bride. For further enquiries on all club gear contact Liam Barry at (087) 6893829.

FERMOY G.A.A. PITCH AND PUTT CLUB

- Governing body meeting held -

At our recent meeting the following officers were elected for the coming year. Chairperson, for the second year in succession, John O’Keeney, thanks John and the best of luck. Captain JJ Quirke. JJ has a wealth of experience in pitch and putt and will be one of the great captains!

Lady captain, Theresa O’Keeffe, like J.J, Theresa knows the game inside out and the ladies will be well looked after for the next twelve months! Vice Captain for the ladies is Ann Heffernan, bit of a dark horse this time but Ann will have plenty of help, she comes from a strong pitch and putt family! The new Registrar is Kevin Cronin and judging by his knowledge of the rules of the meeting, the club will be in safe hands for a while now!

Competition secretary for the fifth year in a row is Kevin Doyle, we owe Kevin a great debt of gratitude for this, a lot of us don’t realise the amount of time Kevin puts into the job and usually this time is when most of us are at home or elsewhere socialising, sincere thanks Kevin! Joe Lillis remains as PRO but is being offered a lucrative contract to take up a new position!

LOTTO

The jackpot still evades capture! This week it will be worth a whopping €16,600. The numbers drawn were: 2, 8, 10 and 21. The six lucky dips went to: Vincent Grogan, c/o Albert’s Bar; Brid Rice, c/o Brian Shinnick; Shane Geraghty, c/o John Linehan, Kathleen Egan, c/o The Clubhouse; John B. Casey, c/o Bosco Creed; Tadhg Daly, c/o The Long Bar.

Next draw for that huge jackpot will be at Charlie Brownes on Tuesday, December 11th.

THE CHRISTMAS HAMPER

The competition for a Christmas hamper will take place on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December. Times on Saturday, 10am, 12 noon and 2.30pm and on Sunday at 8.45am and 10am. The final of the Credit Union league will be held on the same Sunday at 2.15pm, presuming the weather allows.

Newsflash! The Hamper competition will now begin on Friday afternoon (14th) at 2.30pm. You will need to be on time to finish in daylight, don’t forget, it’s over 36 holes strokeplay.

CREDIT UNION LEAGUE

After five tough weeks with bad weather, the teams to go through are C, E, F and G. It was really tough luck for team B, they lost out by a single point. The winners had a fantastic score of 670 points over the five week period, that’s 134 points per week or 44.66 points per individual, that’s consistency for you!

The team scores were: (C 670 points), (F 666 points), (joint 3rd E and G 662 points) (B 661 points) (D 638 points) and a 633 points). The best individuals for the last week were: Gent Des Quirke with 48 points, Dessie’s Christmas wish is to become a scratch player as soon as possible! Best lady (not for the first time) was Liz Ducey on 46 points.

The gross was taken by who other than John Cahill on a fabulous score of 49 points and he was playing off a plus 2 handicap, this converts to 13 under par on a wet and windy afternoon, congrats to John on a great score.

CREDIT UNION FINAL

The final of this competition takes place on Sunday next December 16th. This will be a shotgun start and everyone involved must be on their allocated tee box at 2.15pm sharp. Any latecomers will be disqualified, please be there. Following are names and tee boxes.

Tee Box 1: Paul Doyle, Jimmy Quinn and Daithi Sexton. Tee Box 2: Declan Freeman, Michael Cahill and John Richards. Tee Box 3: T Daly, Jim Bartley and Jim Doyle. Tee Box 4: Dessie Quirke, Christy Kennedy and Tom Ryan. Tee Box 5: T O’Keeffe, S Quirke and Ann Heffernan. Tee Box 6: Mark O’Keeffe, Joe Lillis and Kevin Cronin. Tee Box 7 Ger O’Keeney, Norma Buckley and A O’Connor.

Tee Box 8: Liz Ducey, Nell McCarthy and David O’Keeffe. Tee Box 9: Barry Doyle, Tom Egan and Jim Noonan. Tee Box 10: Eamon Joyce, Kevin Doyle and Noel Doyle. Tee Box 14: Brendan Cronin, John O’Keeney and Mike Howard. Tee Box 17: K O’Keeffe, Lily Harrison and Tom O’Sullivan. Don’t forget, be on your tee at 2.15pm sharp.

It would be remiss of me if I didn’t mention a few people who received awards recently for their efforts to make Fermoy a tidier town. Nell O’Keeffe got an award for her beautiful window boxes and this was well deserved. Nell who will now have the title “Nell of the golden roses” is also a very experienced pitch and putt player and does a good job at this as well!

Joe Lillis got an award for the front garden, this prize was by default as Joe now had to come clean and admit that his better half who maintains the garden and all he does is supervise, So the prize must go to Phil! Well done to both, long may you bloom!