On Friday, December 11, 1998 the LEADER group presented a second employment grant to local man Dominic O’Brien who had set up Hillside Recycling in Killicane, Mitchelstown. Dominic started his business in 1996 and had expanded his operation, employing two people and servicing areas such as Cashel, Clonmel, Cahir, Cork city, Midleton, Mallow, Charleville, Mitchelstown and Fermoy.
The County Waterford Arts Office awarded the inaugural Tyrone Guthrie Centre Regional Bursary Award for Waterford County to writer Mary Kearney from Ballyduff Upper, County Waterford. The prestigious award enabled Mary to spend two weeks during 1999 at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig.
With the time for New Year resolutions approaching, the example of Mitchelstown man Pat Brennan, was a source of inspiration to many. After an educational lapse of some 30 years, Pat decided to return to the books. None of it would have been possible without the support, advice and financial assistance of the Ballyhoura Development Plan. Impressed by Pat’s enthusiasm for the world of academia, his local Ballyhoura office were more than pleased to row in behind him.
The St Colman’s College, Fermoy production of ‘Godspell’ played to packed houses each night in December 1998 and audiences were enthralled by the verve and colour of the musical. From the highly charged opening number ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord’, sung with assurance by David Barry, the pace of the show never slackened and the energetic enthusiasm of the cast was complemented by an excellent orchestra. With musicians of the calibre of Aidan Duggan, Billy Murphy, Brian O’Reilly and Oran O’Reilly ‘in the pit’, the quality of the accompanying music was excellent.
36 girls from the local youth clubs at Ballylanders, Glenbrohane, Glenroe and Knockadea took part in a soccer blitz held by Ballylanders Macra in Anglesboro Hall. It was a great night’s entertainment enjoyed by participants and spectators. A Knockadea team consisting of Mairead Kelly, Kathleen Coffey, Kathy Coffey and Anna Fraher came through to take the honours. Mairead Kelly won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ Award. The other teams members involved, were: Ballylanders YC – Karen Buckley, Margo Cleary, Breda Coleman, Cathy Connolly, Sandra Connolly, Melissa Frewen, Samantha Hartigan, Fiona Hickey, Susan Mansell, Michelle Murphy, Catriona Ryan, Elaine Ryan, Mandy Sheehan and Fiona Upton; Knockadea B team – Eileen Coffey, Eileen Keane, Maire Keane and Denise Walsh; Glenbrohane YC – Bridget Coscoran, Louise Fenton, Mary McCarthy and Lisa McInerney; Glenroe YC – Anne Marie Coffey, Marie Coffey, Anne Conway, Sarah Lee, Susan Lee, Mary O’Sullivan, Catriona Sheedy and Amanda Tobin.
Two wins on the spin including a 4-3 win over Valley Rangers, moved Kilworth Celtic’s junior team into a challenging position in the Red House League in December 1998. Darian O’Donoghue was in great form and opened the scoring after 20 minutes, showing a good finishing touch when played in on goal. The Celtic back four were holding solid as Valley came more into the game, but their resistance was eventually broken when Valley equalised on the 30 minute mark. Paul Doyle restored the Celtic lead approaching half-time, but the league leaders responded once more to make it 2-2 at the break. Celtic were soon back in front when Diarmuid ‘Motty’ McCormack, in Beckham-like style, curled a finish to the top corner and Paul Doyle made it 4-2 when he got on the end of a corner kick to flick home. However, it was a nervy finish for Celtic when Valley reduced the score to 4-3, but defenders McCarthy, Howard, Walsh and Kearney stood firm to ensure all three points.
Park United’s impressive run in the FAI Junior Cup continued when they beat Killumney 2-0 to reach the 6th round of the competition. On a soft pitch played in constant rain, the Mitchelstown side started the better but couldn’t break down a resolute Killumney defence, despite having a good opportunity in the first-half through Ned Finn. However, as conditions deteriorated in the second half, Park eventually got the all important breakthrough goal that their dominance deserved. Tony Lambert’s cross deceived the home goalkeeper when it lodged in a pool of water and the ever alert Ned Finn pounced to open the scoring. 15 minutes later it was 2-0 when Aidan McNamara scored, another beauty from a tight angle. As Killumney went in search of a goal themselves, they found Park’s keeper Alan Griffin in top form, ably assisted by the back four of Mullally, Conroy, Cleary and O’Brien.
