Fermoy was in fine voice in April 1993, having secured four All-Ireland titles at Slogadh 93. The folk section of the St Patrick’s Church Choir, Cor Eaglaise Naomh Padraig, won two titles in the national competition, winning both the U26 Two Part and Three Part sections. Equally, Colaiste an Chraoibhin Secondary School had double success - Cor Colaiste an Chraoibhin winning the Four Part U18 section, while Cor Soisearach Colaiste an Chraoibhin took the U15 One Part section. Present at the event in Dundalk was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Michael D Higgins.

A major crackdown on the open burning of waste, particularly of plastics, was highlighted as a front page story in The Avondhu in April 22nd, 1993. Having received several calls from the public, it was clear that both the business and private sector was using such methods to avoid paying for the ‘normal’ disposal of waste i.e. paying a rubbish tag fee. Chairman of the Fermoy environmental watch group, Jim Phelan, condemned the practice saying “it was against the law and yet this open and uncontrolled burning of waste continues”. While campaigner for a cleaner environment in Mitchelstown, Michael Keane, claimed that a number of businesses and individuals were constantly burning rubbish in their back yards, with “the smoke and fumes from the fires, not alone a nuisance to the general public, but also a health hazard.”

There was “no fish kills on the Gradogue River despite media reports” according to Cork County Council’s acting deputy county manager, Michael O’Brien, claiming newspaper reports were false. He was responding to an enquiry made by Senator Joe Sherlock at a Northern Division meeting, who was brandishing a report from a daily newspaper, where it was reported that 10,000 fingerlings were at risk. However, following a detailed investigation, there was no such evidence of a fish kill, with the council ‘quite satisfied’ on this. Deputy Ned O’Keeffe commented that they were sent “on a wild goose chase” and that there was a “witch hunt” in the area concerned, on industries and intensive farmers. He commented that the discolouration in the river came from a large section of bank falling into the river.

April 1993 headlines in brief: A drugs find in the Moorepark/Lisnasallagh area of Fermoy, found a quantity of cannabis resin concealed in a vehicle, with a street value estimated in the region £100-£200, resulting in 2 temporary detentions and a file being sent to the DPP. Talented 18 year old Loreto Fermoy student, Therese O’Keeffe from Ashgrove, Ballyhooly, represented Ireland in the U18 hockey Home Countries International, with the Irish team securing mixed results in the event held in Dublin. While 13 year old Castletownroche girl, Susan Harding, from Ballydoyle, was selected as best in her section amongst thousands of entries in the Sports Journalist of the Year Competition, the Nagle Rice, Doneraile student winning £150 plus a trophy. Vandalism to a centrepiece historic monument, located on Lismore’s Main Street, was condemned - built in 1872 to the memory of Ambrose Power, archdeacon in Lismore for 40 years, one of its three ornate carved stone spires was pulled to the ground. Fermoy FC were defeated in the final of the Munster Senior Cup at Turner’s Cross, with Cork City victorious on a 3-1 scoreline - Fermoy's John Lawlor scored the ‘game’s best goal’ however, while Cork’s scorers were Dave Barry and Pat Morley (x2).

Shanballymore U21 footballers had reached the North Cork final, defeating a ‘well prepared’ Grange outfit in Mitchelstown, on a scoreline of 2-9 to 2-2. Richard Burke goaled for Shanbally’ in the first minute and they led at half-time 1-5 to 0-2. Kenneth Barry’s effort, from all of 30 yards, found the net in the second half, leading to the club reaching a North Cork final for the first time at this level. Grange had the misfortune of missing a penalty in either half! Final opposition would be the winners of Ballyhooly v Araglin. Team: N Roche, S Sheedy, K Sheedy, B Morrissey, M Burke, J Burke, P Flynn, A Barry (0-3), P Burke (0-5), R Burke (1-0), J Butler, B Enright (0-1). Subs: J Irwin for J Butler, K Barry (1-0) for S Sheedy, D O'Regan, D Butler.

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