Owners of new homes in the Manor housing estate in Clondulane voiced their frustration over what they saw as unnecessary delays in the sewerage treatment plant upgrade for the village. 23 homes in the first phase of the scheme were 50% completed, but were to remain unoccupied until the new plant to service the village was complete.
Mitchelstown was at risk of losing its Christmas lights, as ESB requirements for new power points and wiring, added considerable costs to the annual operation. Independent contractors were also required to install the lights, which was previously done on a voluntary basis.
A substantial quantity of fireworks were seized in Rathcormac by Fermoy Gardaí, having been on sale at the local car boot sale. Gardaí were asking parents in the area to be vigilant in the lead up to Hallowe’en, describing fireworks as ‘highly dangerous and volatile’.
The approach to Hallowe’en also saw concerns raised regarding the accumulation of a ‘huge’ amount of bonfire debris on council property on Pike Road in Fermoy. Measures were sought to secure the derelict site on the old railway line, in a bid to prevent bonfires being set alight.
Fermoy Leisure Centre was in debt to the tune of €57,000, a figure which was revealed at a meeting of the Town Council in 2005. The debt was understood to go back 10 years to the refurbishment of the centre.
Viewing the Property page in The Avondhu 21 years ago, showed that the housing market was much more affordable; new three and four-bed homes in Páirc na gCapall in Kilworth, for instance, were on the market priced from €210,000 for a three-bed mid-terrace house. A four-bed semi-detached home in the development was priced at €255,000. The homes were part of a phase of 54 units being developed in the village.
New homes were also on the way in Fermoy, as the nationwide voluntary housing group, Respond, were planning to build a substantial community housing complex beside The Meadows in Duntahane.
It was proposed at a meeting of Fermoy Town Council to extend the pay parking areas in the town within the coming year. Councillors warned of potential ‘uproar’ over the extension of pay parking, with areas, such as in front of the town park and at Brian Boru Square, on the list.
The dressing rooms and pitch at Shanballymore GAA Club were targeted by vandals 21 years ago. Windows were smashed, locks cut, chutes damaged and the cover of an ESB box was broken.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) were reviewing the long-term future of Doneraile Court, having taken over responsibility for the Park at the end of 2004. It was hoped that the house would be brought back into everyday use.
Centenary celebrations at Bishop Murphy Memorial School in Fermoy came to a close, with a gala concert at the school bringing together the region’s top performers, including Fermoy Concert Band, soprano Sarah Barry, Mitchelstown tenor Eric Nolan, the school choir, and one of Fermoy’s newest bands, Concord Brass.
In sport – Glenville National School, for the second year in a row, was shortlisted in the Small School of the Year category in the Cumann na mBunscol / Roadstone GAA Awards, a prestigious award for schools involved in Gaelic games.
The Statoil FAI Junior Cup dominated the soccer scene in west Waterford, with an entry of 624 teams. As The Avondhu went to press in October 2005, the last three teams from the WW/EC Junior League were preparing to open their campaign in the competition.
Boxing was the talk of the town in Fermoy, as the local club hosted a 15 bout tournament in Loreto Secondary School sports complex.
Ballyduff Minor B hurlers were finally crowned the Western champions in Waterford. They faced Cappoquin in the Western final replay in Lismore – after the teams had twice previously battled it out, only to end in draws. The win was finally secured however, on a scoreline of 4-12 to 1-6, with Ballyduff champions.
Mitchelstown girls were on the mark, laying claim to the U14 North Cork title, following a replay against Banteer in Liscarroll, which they won 3-8 to 1-3. The teams lined out 10 months on from the initial championship match.
Garryspillane Senior hurlers took pride of place in Limerick, after securing the County Senior hurling title in the Gaelic Grounds, defeating Kilmallock 2-15 to 2-12, with captain David Ryan lifting the cup on the day.
Finally, Ballygiblin/Mitchelstown tasted success in the U10 Street League, taking the Fox and O’Rourke Perpetual Cup after the final in Ballygiblin.
