WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES 23rd. November 2014
SECURITY THE BIG ISSUE: The arrival of the long evenings and the increasing robberies, has brought into sharp focus, that personal safety and the security of homes and property is the big issue for every member of the population. Absent, although never far away from minds over the summer months, the return with a vengeance of robberies has created a siege status with a “Lock Down” mentality. Despite the proliferation of Alarms, Alerts, Security Companies and Cameras, many businesses have been broken into on numerous occasions as the list of residences and properties being raided continues to grow. The sad result for many residents, particularily those living alone or away from other houses, sees the option of going out socially, to town or to public events becoming more seldom and almost a non-runner.
SCHOOL ROBBED: A week after the celebrations of the visit of the McCarthy and Irish Press Cups and the successful fundraising Tractor Run to the recently refurbished and expanded school, disaster struck on Thursday evening when the school was broken into. The target of the thieves, who spilt blood after they came in contact with the glass they broke, appeared to be laptops and I Pads. In addition, the fire extinguishers were discharged wildly, adding to the mess that was created. Adding to the disappointment of the robbery for the staff was the timing, just after tea that left the alarm blaring when the indoor hurling was in full swing in the nearby Community Centre. As a result of the damage, all classes were suspended on Friday to allow a clean-up and forensic investigations to be carried out. The robbery followed a similar one at a school near Mullinahone the previous night.
UNSOCIABLE BEHAVIOUR: Another residence, that was unoccupied at the time was broken into and robbed in the Kildrummy area recently. In another case, a white van that weaved almost ploughing its way through the wide well-manicured roadside grass margins on the Carrick road out of Tullahought. Further on it met a lucky end when it crashed into a signpost on Skough Hill. On its way it had come close to crashing into and mounting a low bank that overlooked a huge drop into the valley below. The immobilised vehicle was removed before midnight to make the series of bad bends safe for other road users.
MORE ROBBERIES: Sunday’s topics consisted of news of four more cars broken into at Piltown Mass on Saturday evening, a break into Crehana School and a reported break into another residence in the Windgap area. The recent events have identified delays in the advance warning system for local residents. In some incidents, that were tracked across a wide area and others dialled to monitoring stations the messages were not relayed in time those concerned or the general public. For young and old alike the weekend question was will the robberies ever be stopped.
CARD RESULTS: The Windgap Hurling Club progressive card drive resumed in Guinans Bar and Lounge on Friday last. The winners who shared first were PJ Barron and Mary Guinan, Dean Madden and Patrick Foley. The Table Prize was won by Eamon Saunders and Pat Moore. Other winners were Nicky Landy, Dean Madden, Paddy Barron, and John Walsh. The next game takes place on Friday 5th December at 8.45pm. All are welcome.
GAA AGM: The Annual General Meeting of Windgap Hurling Club will take place in the Club Rooms on Friday 12th December
IRISH NATIONALS: Windgap hosted some of the games in the adult 40x20 Handball Nationals at the weekend. In the Finals played in the alley on Sunday, the Golden Masters A Singles Final saw Michael Dowling (Kildare) overcome his fellow countyman Padraig Maguire. In the second final on the bill, the Emerald Masters Singles saw Benny Doyle (Wexford) defeat Pat Funchion from nearby Kells. Local interest saw Eamon Purcell overcome George Miller (Mayo) in the Golden Masters B singles. In the next round he had a great battle with Paul Cassidy (Monaghan) who eventually won out the competition when he defeated Michael Quinn from Armagh in the final. The club would like to thank everybody that helped out in any way to make the weekend a great success for both players and spectators alike.
TRACTOR RUN: The annual tractor run for Windgap National School funds on Saturday1ast took in Cuaile, Kilmoganny, Tullahought and Skough. It included almost fifty tractors of all types and vintages.
BRIDGE: Winners at the weekly game at the Bridge Club in Killamery were 1st. Catherine Burke and Helen Lanigan. 2nd. Kitty Meagher and Rita Houlihan. 3rd. Sarah Crowley and Elizabeth Lanigan. 4th. Mary Lonergan and Josie O’Gorman. Best Gross: Stella Tennyson and Peggy Vaughan
MC CARTHY CUP VISIT: The McCarthy Cup and the Irish Press Cup visited Windgap National School on Friday last. The cups were brought by Kilkenny All Ireland Senior Player TJ Reid and local All-Ireland winning panellist Niall Walsh and members of the local Hurling Club. On the visit the players were greeted and introduced by headmistress Margaret Lowry. The players then spoke to and answered the student’s questions. With the numbers in the school having grown to one hundred and five students there were children from numerous parishes and counties present. Staff members present included, Margaret Lowry, Deirdre O’Shea, Ann Malone, Carmel Smith, Deirdre Caudwell, Vanessa Irish, Jean Smith, Bríd O’Gorman, Brian O’Halloran, and Sinead Millea. Amongst the staff was Fran Ryan, whose son Billy was also a member of the victorious minor panel.
BOXING NEWS: Clare Grace recorded a unanimous win in her opening bout against Romanian Cristina Stanca at the AIBA World women’s Elite championships in Jeju, South Korea. The win came at a cost, as a cut over her left eye deemed her medically unfit to box Guluzar Kara of Turkey in Wednesdays tie. Rated at number ten in the World, at the start of the tournament Clare’s win looked set to see her rise through the ranks as she had already defeated her second round opponent.
ST STEPHENS DAY WALK: The annual Windgap Development St. Stephens Day Walk takes place from the Club rooms at a time to be announced. After taking in the circuit of the amenity walk it hits for open country by the site of the new playground which should be completed by that time.
SCÓR NA NÓG: Ciara Nic Gabhann (Ciara Smith) as Bearna na Gaoithe won first prize in the Solo Singing event at the County Scór na nÓg finals held in the Set Theatre recently. Other participants from Windgap were. The Leinster semi-finals of the competition will take place in Ballymore, Co Westmeath on December 13th.
DEVELOPMENT AGM: The AGM of Windgap Community Development will take place on Friday 19th December in the GAA Club Rooms at 8pm. Updates and Nomination Forms availability and return dates to follow.
CAMOGIE: On Sunday morning the under twenty ones recorded a good championship win over Danesfort. They now play the winners of Clara or Young Irelands in the "B" Final on Sunday next.
CLUB NEWS: The under Galmoy Windgap under twenty one hurling team were due to travel to Carrigeen to play Slieverue in the first round of the County Championship on Saturday last. However following heavy overnight rains and an unplayable pitch the game was postponed for a week.
LOTTO: This week’s winning numbers were 1, 3, 8, 12 and bonus number 23.They brought no local winner. The most recent match three winners were Margaret Doyle and Tommy Walsh.
HANDBALL: Recently appointed juvenile Handball Trainers for the forthcoming season were Gerard Doyle, Shane Doyle, Michael Grace, Ann Foley, Pat Foley, Michael Hayes, David Jackson and Jimmy Purcell
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 and photos visit the local website windgap.ie