There was huge relief in Ballyporeen, as baby John Donal O’Brien, who had been kidnapped from Erinville Hospital in Cork less than 24 hours after his birth, was returned safely to his parents. Gardaí had returned the newborn after tracking the culprits down to Midleton Park Hotel.
Tom Leahy, Ballyhooly discus thrower and Paralympian, secured a gold medal in the discus event at the Sydney Olympics in October 2000. A civic reception would be held in his honour once back on home soil.
In Fermoy, the passing of Frank ‘Yankee’ O’Sullivan was marked by his funeral procession by horse and carriage according to his wishes, to Kilcrumper cemetery, Fermoy. His was the first such funeral to cross Fermoy bridge since 1950, the carriage led by two black horses bearing black plumes.
Kilworth couple Thomas and Betty Pierce were amongst 42 lucky winning couples set to jet off to Paris with TV and radio personality, Marty Whelan, for a four-day trip.
Gardaí were appealing to the public to be wary of fireworks, following an episode where a Charleville man was taken to hospital after a fire cracker exploded in his pocket, causing serious injury.
The force were also busy all over the district. In Fermoy, an alleged rape at Waterloo Lane was investigated, while also in the town, a man bought 400 cigarettes with a stolen credit card. In Fermoy too, a lady’s handbag was stolen from her shopping trolley. In other noteworthy incidents, Anglesboro NS suffered vandalism and the theft of money, while on the same night there were two failed attempted robberies in Galbally and Ballylanders.
Six weeks after Ballyduff saw the installation of a ‘state of the art’ phonebox, locals were up in arms. It didn’t work, “since day one”! Locals were embarrassed for the tourists in the area, as the village was also, unfortunately, a bit of a black hole for mobile reception. Shops were dismayed as phone card sales “plummeted”.
Cappoquin man Trevor Mason was racking up the miles, as he had his sights on a PB in the New York Marathon. Cost had kept the runner from taking part to this point, with a price of £400 cited for the equally popular London Marathon. Elsewhere in the west Waterford town, Minister for State Noel Davern opened the new Enterprise Park, blessed by Fr Arthure.
The Mitchelstown Business Association’s AGM revealed they had lost 35 members. To meet the £3,000 cost of Christmas lights, membership was increased regardless from £50 to £65. One member declared he wanted a list of the businesses who had left, as he would “refuse to support them.” Elsewhere, a special feature on Mitchelstown businessman Dick Fitzgerald and The Broadway shop in the town, paid homage to the Fine Gael councillor.
A new look Mac’s Bar opened in Fermoy in 2000, with senior bar staff Liam Mannix and Genevieve Fanning overseeing the Karaoke 96FM semi-final.
A special pull-out on weddings provided some sage advice, telling readers that, “The bride to be must never make all the decisions”. The jury’s out on whether this advice applied to the wedding, or the rest of their lives! Other advice included helping your mother buy her dress, shopping for your trousseau, and the couple-to-be were advised to start window-shopping for their new home together.
Watergrasshill’s Hill Albion wouldn’t want to be too sensitive, as an article paid testament to their “dismal performance” against Albert Rovers! The writer didn’t hold back, stating he was glad the new jerseys couldn’t be worn, as they would have “deserved better”. However, the village’s U16 boy’s hurling team were better received, making it into the Premier county final over Eire Óg.
The Glanworth Juvenile GAA boys’ team played Churchtown in what sounded like an entertaining game. The PRO told the readership that it was a match played in atrocious weather, with a referee who didn’t know what was in store. There was no line markings, the grass was six inches high, and to compound matters, the boys had to play after dinner. The boys unfortunately lost the match.
Skeheenarinky hurlders made history with back to back titles winning the South Tipperary junior hurling crown. The men, captained by Rory McLoughlin, beat Cahir to claim the cup. Man of the match was Eamon Maher.
St Catherines Camogie Club, Ballynoe, advanced to the county final, having beaten Bandon in the junior B semi-final.
While in Lismore, the golf team of Brendan Landers, John Faherty, Brian Shanahan and Brian O’Gorman won the West Waterford Golf and Country Club Classic.
Fanahan McSweeney AC had three nominees for Skittles Awards in 2000. The club put forward Tanya Murphy, Margaret Aherne and Karen Considine for the local awards.
