‘A cult hero’ was how Eddie Moroney from Lisvernane was described, having become a commentating sensation, shooting to fame worldwide following his colourful commentary on a Tipperary county final between ‘the Aherlow lads’ and the ‘Nenagh/Eire Og boys’ back in 1992. The U21 game was captured on video by Jim Gubbins from Ballyporeen on a desperately cold January day in Littleton, with Eddie’s ‘effing and blinding style of commentary’ having viewers in stitches. The video was not available in local shops, however Jim’s wife, Geraldine informed The Avondhu “There is hardly a day goes by that we are not asked for a copy of it”. A true legend…
An update on the musical recital from the top of Galteemore by members of the Fitzgerald Memorial Band. Members of the local FCA unit were tasked with getting the somewhat heavy and cumbersome instruments to the summit for the hour long performance, which took place in the presence of a ‘large entourage of supporters’. Tunes such as ‘The Banks’, ‘Slievenamon’, ‘Limerick You’re A Lady’ and ‘The Rose Of Tralee’ drifted down the slopes, in the band’s efforts to raise much needed funds for the purchase of new instruments, uniforms, etc. Jackson’s Pub hosted the after-show entertainment, with certificates being presented to participants, while Galtee Stompers Jazz Band kept spirits high. Confirmation of entry into the Guinness Book of Records was awaited.
Glanworth Macra, a club established in 1973, had arranged a busy schedule of events as part of a Macra exchange programme, for a 25 person group of farmers from Eastern Holland. Set to travel to locations such as Kinsale, Dungarvan, Blarney and Tramore, the club were encouraging locals to make the visitors most welcome, who were staying with host families as well as B&Bs in the area.
‘New Age’ travellers were after relocating to a new encampment in Clogheen forest, having been previously ‘locked-in and later released’ from Coillte lands at Ballyhooly. However, they had now been requested to ‘immediately vacate their illegal occupation’ by Coillte, who also owned this land in County Tipperary, with The Avondhu informed that the company were ‘considering legal steps to ensure their departure’.
A Kildorrery man was praised by gardai ‘for his civic spirit’, having single-handedly detained a would-be fuel thief near the local national school. Noticing two young men ‘acting suspiciously’, he observed them entering the rear of the school grounds where they interfered with a diesel tank. Upon challenging them, they fled, however he caught up with one of individuals, detaining him until Garda Harry Walsh from Mitchelstown arrived on the scene.
For the fourth year running, a Dairygold cheese production plant won the Irish Quality Association (IQA) National Hygiene Award in the milk processing category. The process cheese plant in Mitchelstown won the accolade in 1992 and 1993, while the pre-pack plant won it in 1994.
The cause of a fire at a mature section of Kilworth Forest in June 1995 left Coillte officials baffled. The section effected was almost 40 years old, with some 30 acres being destroyed. Only for the prompt reaction by rescue services, with members of the public informing the relevant bodies of the outbreak, ‘the damage could have meant total devastation to the 3,000 acres,’ according to Coillte’s area manager, John Greehy. Three fire brigade units, with assistance from Army personnel, forestry workers, contractors and a helicopter contracted from Irish Helicopters in Cork (spraying the area with a 90 gallon container) fought the blaze for several hours.
Avondhu U16 hurlers turned in a marvellous display to record a 0-17 to 0-10 victory over Imokilly in the Munster hurling championship final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh – scorers for Avondhu were Ben O’Connor (0-9), Paul Gould (0-3), Liam Dorgan (0-2), Ian Curtin (0-2) and Martin Finn (0-1).
In brief – For just £275 + VAT, one could have a new NEC 9A hand portable mobile phone, on sale through Farrell Motors in Fermoy. An approved agent for Eircell (‘Linking people not places’), the deal included two batteries, a mains charger and an in-built Flexi Aerial. An end of year party held at Kilross National School saw pupils bid farewell to long serving teacher, Kathleen O’Byrne, who was retiring. However, the family tradition was set to continue, as her daughter Helen Looby, was posted as a teacher to Kilross in 1985.
