25 YEARS A GROWING: Skough Hill Playgroup held their 25th birthday celebration in Tullahought Community Centre recently. The evening consisted of a show by ‘Reco’ the magician, followed by balloon art for all the children. Very Rev. Fr. Nicholas Flavin presented certificates to mark the occasion to all the children currently attending the playgroup. Refreshments were served and a great time was had by parents and children alike. The group caters for preschool children aged three and four years of age serving a group of schools in the surrounding area that includes Windgap, Owning, Newtown, Templeroum, Kilmoganny, Piltown and Carrick-on-Suir. The group set up by Joan O'Gorman has seen a whole generation pass through its facilities with young children from the first students now joining the group. Thanks are extended to Fr. Flavin and the Parish Council for the use of the Community Centre and also to all who helped in any way to make the celebrations such a memorable occasion.
CLASH OF TITANS: A host of the top inter county hurling stars will line out in the Michael Lyng Intermediate Hurling Championship game in Windgap on Friday evening in the forth round game between Dunnamaggin and Graigue Ballycallan . Amongst them in the Green and Gold of Dunnamaggin will be nine times All Ireland senior medal winner and prince of fullbacks Noel Hickey and his brother Canice. They will be joined by more All Ireland Senior medal winners in the current county senior hurling goalkeeper David Herrity who gave man of the match displays against Galway and Dublin recently and current senior panellist and defender William Phelan. Facing them in the sky blue of Graigue Ballycallan will be eight time All Ireland Senior medal winner and current Sunday Game analyst Eddie Brennan who graced every pitch in the country with his speed and goal scoring abilities. Eddie will be joined by six times All Ireland Senior medal holder and top class defender in James Ryall. Adding to the allure of the game between the two sides who won Senior County titles in recent years and have graced the senior grade is the single league point separating the sides on the league table. With only one other round to be played in mid August before the knockout stages commence both club sides will not lack the drive and determination to be victorious. On the night a large crowd is expected and a team programme will be available as spectators will want to see the names of the rising stars and the players who keep the games going in their clubs week in and week out.
CLUB NEWS: Windgap juniors travel to their sister club in Galmoy to play the home side in the JJ Kavanagh Junior Hurling Championship on Saturday evening. The sides last meeting in the championship saw Galmoy record a victory at home. On Saturday evening last the Junior "B" side collected two points in their league clash against Carrigeen in Windgap.
PLAYGROUND: A meeting took place on Friday evening to sign the contract with Kilkenny County Council for the new playground. The next step is the agreement and signing of an eight year lease on the site of the playground between the local Windgap Development Association and the Diocese.
GARTH BROOKS: A fine crowd turned out for the Garth Brooks Tribute Night organised by senior Camogie team members Laura Walker and Ciara Molloy in Powers of Tullahought on Saturday night. At the event a presentation of a new Club Camogie top and flowers was made by Senior Captain Joanne Cody to Claire Grace on behalf of the her team mates following her success in winning a bronze medal at the recent Ladies European boxing championship. Prize winners n the raffle for new club gear and club funds were 1st prize of a hamper Mary Cody, 2nd Rachael Freany, 3rd Gearoid Grace.
CAMOGIE: The U-12 girls contested their first league match in Glenmore on Tuesday evening last. Although they played very well, they were defeated by Glenmore, who were a much stronger team. The Windgap Team was: Laura Davis, Niamh Walsh, Aoibheann Holden, Sontae Jackson, Emily Culleton, Amy Kinsella, Heather O, Brien, Jessica Enright, Cliodhna O’ Shea, Emer Dunphy, Roisín Foley, Rachel Doherty, Orlaith O’ Shea and Nathania Jackson. The U-10 girls took part in a three team blitz in Thomastown on Saturday morning last. Their first match against Thomastown was a very close affair and ended in a draw. They played Bennettsbridge in their second match where there was a great display of skills by both teams. This was a heart stopping game, with every member of the team putting in a great effort. At half time the teams were level, but the girls went back out in the second half and gave everything which resulted in a very impressive win. A special thanks to Thomastown for the great hospitality afforded to us on our visit. Windgap Team: Nathania Jackson, Emer Barron, Orlaith O’ Shea, Victoria O’ Brien, Denise Foley, Ali Kenedy, Sara Gleeson, Megan Fallon, Sarah McCoy, Sarah Cullen, Niamh Enright and Ava O’ Brien. Notes compliments of Joan O'Gorman. At intercounty level Denise Gaule and Laura Walker liined out for the Senior Team that had a good win over Tipperary and Catherine Foley was a member of the Intermediate side who also had a good win over Waterford.
LOOP WALK: Recent weeks has seen the reopening of the Kilmacoliver Loop Walk. Starting at the well and lake in Tullahought village its six kilometre route travels over roadway, lanes, fields and through a young deciduous plantation. On the route panoramic views Kilkenny, Waterford and Tipperary can be seen with views as far as the Galtees, Devils Bit and Mount Leinster on fine days. Created by the Local Development Association and the Tidy Towns committee in partnership with Leader it is one of the hidden gems of the area.
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 [email protected] by Sunday evenings at 6pm. For all the local news visit the parish website windgap.ie