While the Gaels of Watergrasshill bemoaned the fact that Killeagh claimed the spoils in the East Cork junior hurling final in September 1995 by the slimmest of margins, the villages of Ballyhooly and Kilworth were preparing bonfires to welcome home their respective hurling heroes. Ballyhooly, captained by Ger Roche, saw off the challenge of Ballyclough at Castletownroche on a scoreline of 0-15 to 1-10, being largely dependent on the accuracy of their placed ball scores from sharpshooters Dave Relihan and Kevin McCarthy. Meanwhile, Kilworth regained the junior A hurling crown over Charleville at Killavullen, winning on a comfortable 11 point margin, 3-14 to 1-9. Noel O’Brien steered his troops to victory, the goal scorers being Pat Shanahan, Sean Carey and Will O’Donoghue.
The very first ticket in the Mitchelstown Lotto, was purchased by Cork hurling and football star Denis Walsh, as the draw was launched in The Firgrove Hotel in September 1995. Established to drive funds for the ambitious Mitchelstown Community Leisure Project, all that one needed to win weekly was pick the correct four numbers from 1 to 25. The jackpot would begin at £1,000 and organisers told The Avondhu that the support of the community as a whole was vital if the overall project was to come to fruition. By September 1995, £40,000 had already been raised through various fundraising initiatives.
Watergrasshill Community Council received final planning permission for an extension to the local community centre. The plan envisaged a centre capable of holding a basketball court, indoor football or badminton, while also capable of hosting concerts, as a new stage formed part of the project. Plans were already well advanced for the clearing of the site and erection of a steel structure at the rear of the existing hall.
The West Waterford town of Lismore was celebrating, having been crowned with an award at the National Tidy Towns competition at a ceremony held at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin. The Endeavour Award, which recognises the town that has improved its performance in the competition to the greatest degree, was due recognition of a tremendous years work, or “the icing on the cake” according to Rose Dowd, chairperson of the town’s Tidy Towns committee. This, following an award in the international Entente Florale competition the same year. A massive 16 mark leap was achieved by Lismore, rising from 181 to 197 points. Overall winner from 1994, Galbally in County Limerick, achieved a score of 205, only 5 marks less than 1995 overall winner, Glenties, Co Donegal.
Alan and Jenny Ho presided over the official opening of a new Chinese restaurant in Upper Cork Street, Mitchelstown – the Riverview Restaurant. Natives of Hong Kong and living in Ireland for 15 years, the family also owned two restaurants in Clonmel.
Munster MEP Brian Crowley delivered the oration at the 1995 Liam Lynch Commemoration ceremony in Kilcrumper cemetery. The theme of the oration was the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland, with particular emphasis on the impasse which existed over the decommissioning of arms. This was an issue Mr Crowley felt ‘should be put aside’, believing there should be talking and dialogue without preconditions.
Some motors for sale in the Classified section of The Avondhu in September 1995 – A bargain 1988 Mazda 626 saloon, electric windows and power steering £3,750; 1981 1.3 Opel Kadett, £250 o.n.o.; a 1985 petrol Hi-Ace minibus, 99,400 miles, max passengers 8 adults and driver – £2,500 o.n.o.; a Volvo 340, 1983, in need of exhaust.
In brief – Karen Hales from Renny, Ballyhooly, claimed an All-Ireland silver medal in gymnastics in the U14 age category. Watergrasshill meat processors, Agra Meat Packers, received grant aid to the tune of £285,000 for the modernisation of their beef processing facility, one of only three companies in the beef processing business to benefit from the FEOGA marketing and processing grants announcement by Minister Ivan Yates TD.
