Appropriately enough, Ned O’Keeffe performed the official launch of Ogham magazine in Ballindangan Community Centre. The local TD who rose from the local Fianna Fáil cumann to become Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, was an obvious choice for the part. In the magazine, Minister O’Keeffe made his own contribution entitled ‘One of our own’, where he gave a rare glimpse of his formative years, his early education, and the strong influence his father had on him.
Bartlemy Horse Fair
Organisers could reflect on another successful horse fair in Bartlemy. Comparing the 1998 figures the previous years, the results made for pleasant reading: the number of horses was up, the number of trade stands was up and most importantly, the number of sales was up. 1st prize of a pony foal went to Dinny Clifford, Leamlara. 2nd prize of £50 went to Kieran Cotter, Robert Street, Mitchelstown and 3rd prize of £25 was won by Bertie Murphy, Coolagown.
Perfect weekend for Fermoy rowers
Three Munster title wins for Fermoy Rowing Club completed the perfect weekend on the River Blackwater. Pale bodies which had given up hope of ever being tanned were exposed to the unseasonal sunshine that beamed down on Barnane during the two day event. For the duration of Saturday and Sunday, the vicinity of Ashe Quay became a mini village inhabited by rowers from all over Ireland. The locals gave a good account of themselves, taking three titles in all. The women junior 16 quad served up a wonderful performance to take one of the titles. This achievement was matched by the men’s junior 15 double sculls. To complete the triple crown of local victories, the men’s junior 15 quad came home first to capture another Munster title.
Cllr O’Keeffe elected
Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe was elected as chairman of the Mallow Area Committee, the governing body with responsibility for the roads of North and some of East Cork. He replaced Fine Gael councillor Conor O’Callaghan, who had held the post for the previous 12 months. In an understanding between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, the chairmanship was rotated on a yearly basis between the two main parties.
Masts irritate locals
The use of Kildorrery as a centre for masts and telecommunication dishes was beginning to irritate those living in the village. Given its strategic location and elevated geographical position, it was becoming the norm to keep adding to the already over-crowded masts that dominated the landscape. Residents felt that they had now taken their fair share and would like to see future masts situated away from the village and other centres of population.
K.O. blow for Fermoy boxing
Boxing fans in the chamber of Cork County Council appeared few and far between after a request for a site for the Fermoy club was turned down. The stricken club had asked for assistance after the youth club, which they were using, went under construction. However, according to county manager Theresa White, the council had no role to play in providing the club in Fermoy with a site or a premises. Fermoy UDC had previously reacted in similar fashion when they too were asked to help the club.
Moving of bus stops protested
A petition with the names of 50 people living on or near MacCurtain Street, Fermoy was presented to Cork County Council accompanied with a letter of protest over plans to move the bus stops. Fermoy’s Traffic Management Committee had suggested that traffic flow would be improved if the bus stops were moved further away from the junction of MacCurtain Street with Pearse Square. A compromise put forward by UDC chairman, John Dunlea to proceed with the Traffic Management Committee’s proposals for a trial period of six months was rejected by members. The proposed changes were shelved until future discussion took place.
Red Cross presentations
At a Red Cross presentation night, Fr Donal Leahy and Angela Davern were presented with 25 year long service medals and certificates in recognition of their valued service to the society. Fr Donal Leahy was branch chairman with the Fermoy/Conna Branch, while Angela was branch secretary.
In Sport
Mitchelstown’s Park United broke their hoodoo of never beating Greenmount since achieving Premiership status, when Joe O’Brien’s juggernaut sealed a 1-0 victory at the ESB Grounds in Cork. A superb team performance was needed and John Cleary and the rest of the Park defence were in outstanding form. Chances came and went, before Dave O’Connor’s flick on was laid off by Eddie Walsh to Joe O’Brien, who raced into the box and from the tightest of angles, let fly, leaving a hapless ‘keeper with no chance.
