CAMOGIE STAR: Lining out at left half forward in Kilkenny’s win over Clare in the Irish Daily Star National Camogie League Final in Thurles on Sunday Club player Denise Gaule with six points was awarded the player of the match award.
SENIOR CAMOGIE: A historic moment was celebrated at the All County League game held in Windgap on Saturday evening where the home side reversed the result of last years championship tie when they had a 1-9 to 2-4 victory over the Rower Inistioge. With the local side behind 1-2 to 0-2 at the break, the second half saw them fall further behind as the visitors went 2-4 to 0-5 ahead. Playing away from the village and into the Callan goal a revival saw them add four points on the trot to leave just a point between the sides as the clock ticked down. In the end a late goal gave them the league points on a 1-9 to 2-4 scoreline. The side saw a mother and daughter partnership line out at senior level in the club for the first time when goalkeeper Kathleen Purcell was joined by her daughter Deirdre at left half forward. The full side was Kathleen Purcell Julie Walsh, Mikaela Kenneally, Aisling Foley, Eimear Moylan, Catherine Foley, Niamh Bambrick, Susie Dunphy, Phena Heffernan, Deirdre Purcell, Joanne Cody, Anne Marie Phelan, Jane Walker, Niamh Phelan. Terri Mackey. Substitutes Caoimhe O'Shea, Becky Lomax, Gemma Long, Amy Murphy, Donna Weekes, Emily Murphy.
JUNIOR HURLING: The championship trail hits Windgap on Sunday when neighbours Piltown strengthened by the return of players who were not available last year visit to play the home side in the second round of League Championship. Despite their proximity the respective parish’s population trends have taken diverse paths over recent years. Despite this the usual intriguing and competitive tie is expected. On Saturday evening the Junior B hurling side had two points to spare over Graiguenamanagh in their game played in Fr. Tierney Park in Graiguenamanagh.
INTER COUNTY RIVILARY: Following Kilkenny's last minute extra time point victory over Tipperary in the Allianz National Hurling League final in Thurles in Sunday the old rivals line out at under twenty one level in the opening of Michael Hogan Park in Grangemockler on Sunday evening at 6.30pm. Located on the left bank of the Lingaun river that divides both counties and their respective provinces, the game marks the official opening of the new facilities and is sure to attract a fine crowd. The opening of the new park takes place at 6pm and it is to honour its native son who lost his life whilst playing for Tipperary Footballers against Dublin.
YOUTH CLUB ACTION: Friday saw the newly formed Senior and Junior Youth Clubs gather in Windgap to enhance the landscaping be weeding, planting flowers along the flower bed at the main road and at all of the village nameplate signs. In addition Flower pots were provided and planted in front of the Community Centre and at the main entrance to the village graveyard and Grotto where the gates leading up the steps to the hillside are over looked by an elaborate arch and its mid span lantern
JUVENIELE CAMOGIE: The U-12 girls had a great start to their season when they travelled to Graiguenamanagh on Saturday last to compete in their first blitz. Windgap won two out of their three games defeating Carrickshock and The Rower Inistioge in two very competitive games. After putting in an excellent effort in their third game they were defeated by a stronger St. Fiacres side on the day. The Windgap side was: Heather O' Brien, Niamh Walsh, Aoibheann Holden, Rachel Doherty, Roisin Foley, Emer Dunphy, Jessica Enright, and Cliodhna O' Shea, Tara Hayes, Maya Buijs, Sontae Jackson, Amy Kinsella and Abby Nolan. U-10 & U-12 training every Monday 5.45 pm - 7.00 pm and every Saturday from 2.45pm to 3.45pm. New members are most welcome.
HURLERS CO-OP DRAW: Supporters from near and far can support Windgap GAA Club by purchasing tickets from the local committee members or players or by going online, by visiting kilkennygaa.ie and select Windgap GAA Club whilst making a purchase. The Prize fund is €110,000 including that includes five cars.
BREAKFAST SETTING: An early morning of grass frost, bright sunshine and clear blue skies dissected by the soaring flights and almost celebratory flights of the returned house martins set the scene for an event with a difference in Windgap on Easter Sunday morning. It all added to the euphoria of the arrival of twelve fluffy drown ducklings that were hatched by their wild parents at the lake in Tullahought a couple of days earlier. From eight o’clock, the fragrance of cooking sausages and puddings being prepared for the communities first Full Irish Breakfast wafted their way from the Parish hall out into the village street.
SETTING THE SCENE: Inside the hall the hard work of the previous days was to be seen as its newly built tables were laid out in a banquet style for the occasion. Warm and colourful its walls and tables were covered in decorations and flower arrangements in the Easter colours. On the stage a remeberance tree was also provided by the youth club. By the kitchen an array door an array of stainless steel containers were used to keep the food at the perfect temperature, Just inside it a frying pan big enough to cook rashers off of a whale was being prepared. Elsewhere car parking stewards and carloads bearing food and acouplements were arriving. The fundraising brainchild of Nicholas Hawe, he was assisted by a team of cooks, waiters, waitresses and volunteers of all ages too numerous to mention. The group using the GAA Club Rooms as a back up kitchen had the show was quickly on the road.
TIDY TOWNS: Following the clean up of the Tullahought area the previous week the main Carrick on Suir Road to Callan and the motorway in Knocktopher between Billy Hawes Cross and the Slatequarries continues to be heavily littered by passing vehicles. Elsewhere the hope is the Kilmacoliver Loop one of the most popular of the Kilkenny walking trails is to re-open.
DOUBLE WIN: The under fourteen boys and girls of Windgap Hurling and Camogie Clubs recorded a double in Windgap on Thursday night week when the boys defeated O Loughlin Gaels and the girls had a victory over Lisdowney
BRIDGE: Winners at the Killamery Bridge Club game held in The Olde House were 1st. Mary Lonergan and Josie O'Gorman. Best Gross: Margaret Comerford, Pat Arrigan. 2nd. Catherine Burke and Helen Lanigan, 3rd. Elizabeth Murray and Kathleen O’Shea
RE-CYCLING: There was a great turnout of materials for recycling at the WEEE Ireland free re-cycling day held at the Car Park in Windgap on Thursday week.
CLUB NEWS: Last Weeks Winning Numbers Lotto Numbers were 6, 11, 21, 27 and Bonus number 3. The numbers brought a match three cheque to Eamon Doyle. This Weeks Prize fund is €8,450.
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
http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/e-paper