GARTH BROOKS: Windgap Camogie Club are holding a Garth Brooks Tribuate Night in Powers of Tullahought on Saturday 5th July. All support would be greatly appreciated.On the playing fields the under fourteens have two matches this week against Slieverue and Clara.
1947 RECALLED: The big hurling matches of 1947 were recalled when local followers returned in numbers to Tullamore for the replay of the Leinster Senior Hurling semi-final against Galway on Saturday evening. Sixty seven years previousely the journey to the All Ireland Hurling semi final took much longer and was in a Ford V8 with five in the rear and there in the front. On that day Pat Sheas car was piloted by Pat Cahill of Rogerstown with Nicky Hawe, James Hawe, Dan Phelan, Tommy Murphy and Patsy Norris of Graigue, Sean Ryan and Jimmy Phelan of Roseneanney all on board. Having seen a late Terry Leahy point give Kilkenny a one point win. The group with Tom Phelan on board then travelled to see the all Ireland final with Cork in Croke Park where Terry Leahy again produced the last score in a single piint win. Amongst this weekends travellers were the local junior hurlers who travelled by bus to Kilkcormac to play the home side Kilcormac Kiloughey in a challenge game. Fed and watered after the game they then travelled to Tullamore to lend their support to the county side who qualified for the Leinster Final with an excellent performance. Many of the side will continue the tradition when they travel to Croke Park on Sunday as Kilkenny attempt to reclaim the Bob O'Keefe Cup from the holders Dublin.
CLUB NEWS: Windgap juniors played Mullinahone in a challenge game in Callan CBS pitch during the week. Thanks are extended to Noel, Simon and Eamon for the collection and distribution of match tickets for Kilkennys games to club members in recent weeks. Club player Niall Walsh is a member of the extended county minor panel that play Dublin in the Leinster minor final in Croke Park on Sunday.
PLAYGROUND: The dreams of previous generations to improve the environmental and recreational facilities in the area were given a boost when the news of the first tranche of funding for the Playground in the village was announced by Kilkenny County Council. The site identified almost fifty years ago is close to the school, hall, handball, hurling, camogie, football, badminton and racquetball facilities. Described by the potential funders as being one of the most central and beautiful locations is adjacent to car parking the lake and amenity walk. The announcement has been widely welcomed and is thanks to the dedication and persistence of a very small group who swam against many tides to achieve a community dream.
PEACOCKS: The sight of a pair of peacocks strolling the country roads in the past fortnight initially brought sounds of disbelief when they were encountered. The fully grown colourful cock and hen who are believed to be from the Kilmoganny area were first seen in Lamogue. Having crossed country they then appeared in the towns lands of Tullahought, Kilmacoliver, Poulrone and Knockeen where they spent the best part of the week strolling the roads picking at wild flower and grass seeds and roosting in the local trees. The scene brought traffic to a slow crawl as the birds moved to the grass margin and kept a watchful eye on the passers-by
LOTTO: This weeks winning numbers were 8, 11, 13, 28 and bonus number 24. Frank O'Brien was the most recent winner. Next weeks prize fund is €11,600.
TIDY TOWNS: Work was carried out by Kilkenny County Council on the blocked shore that has seen ongoing flooding of the road by the lake in Tullahought.
GRAVEYARD MASSES: The annual graveyard Masses take place in Killamery on Wednesday 30th July, Tullahought on Thursday 31st and in Windgap on Friday August 1st. All the masses commence at 7.30pm.
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publication with a name and contact number to windgapnotes@gmail.com by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news visit the parish website windgap.ie