HIVE OF ACTIVITY: Over a busy weekend Windgap played host to the All-Ireland Junior B doubles Ladies and Men’s Handball Finals on Saturday as Dublin players recorded a double with wins over Roscommon in the ladies and Monaghan in the men’s. Other activities were the visit of Galmoy and Mullinavat under fourteen hurlers on Friday and Dicksboro and Glenmore handballer's for the Community Games and the Tullaroan Senior Camogie side on Sunday. Adding to the sense of occasion on Saturday was the underage hurling blitz.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CHANGES: The Draft Tipperary Renewable Energy Strategy which will be incorporated into their County Development Plan as Variation No. 3. was released for public consultation on Friday 22nd April. In the Draft it is proposed that the southern side of Carraigadoon hill and Curraghadobbin hill overlooking the village of Faugheen would be zoned unsuitable for Wind Turbines.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES SURPRISED: However it is also proposed that the northern side of Carrigadoon overlooking the villages of Ahenny and Tullahought which has been zoned unsuitable for Turbines since 2006 would be removed from this classification and will once again be open for Wind Turbine development. This area covers the wooded hillside of Carrigadoon over Ahenny and follows the ridge to include Clashnasmuth, Curaheen, Rathclarish, the area from where the setting sun lights up the western chamber at Knockroe. The views west into Tipperary from Tullahought on the Kilmacoliver, Skough road which are protected in the Kilkenny Development plan would also be impacted by this development
Local communities were taken by surprise with this development as there were 120 submissions from the area for the first round of consultations of this process calling for the protection of the Knockroe Passage Tomb and the Ahenny and Kilkieran High Crosses.
LINGAUN VALLEY: Ironically this development comes at a time when the Kilkenny Leader group and a wide range of community groups are trying to put a package together to have the historical sites of the area along the Lingaun Valley included in Bord Failte's "Irelands Ancient East" initiative. While getting the Faugheen side of Carrigadoon hill and Curraghadobbin hill zoned unsuitable for turbines is essential for the protection of the High Crosses and the Knockroe Passage Tomb it is also essential to have the hills overlooking Ahenny and Knockroe protected.
PUBLIC MEETING: The local community and residents on both sides of the Kilkenny, Tipperary border are invited to make further submissions to have the area protected and a public meeting will take place in Newtown School on Wednesday 4th May at 8pm. It is being co-ordinated by the Ahenny Action Group, Coshel Conservation Group, Suir Valley Environmental Group, Faugheen against Pylons, Ballyneal Environmental Group. The Tipperary Co. Co. Draft Renewable Energy Strategy can be viewed in their Clonmel and Nenagh offices and is also available on the Council website. The closing date for making submissions is 23rd May 2016.
HALL DEVELOPMENT: Over thirty members of the community, local clubs, organisations and stake holders attended a presentation of the new plans in the parish Hall. Drawn by Aidan and Dominic Lavelle they were presented in 3D format by Aidan. The presentation was introduced by Brian O’Rourke the secretary of the Windgap Community Development Group.
GARDEN PARTY: A fundraising Garden Party is being held in St. Josephs Home Kilmoganny on Sunday 1st from 2 – 6pm. All are welcome to attend an support.
HURLING NEWS: In Slieverue on Sunday evening a thirteen pint first half turnaround was not sufficient to collect the league points as the wind assisted home side recorded a 3-15 to 1-17 win. Behind 1-3 to 0-3 early in the first half a run of 1-10 without reply saw Windgap lead 1-13 to 1-3 approaching the break. However a scoring run of four late pints that was continued after the break saw Slieverue go on to lead by three points. In an exciting rally Windgap had it back to one with a draw looking as the likely result. In the end a late goal proved to be the deciding score at the final whistle. See sports pages for the full match report.
HURLERS DRAW: A prize fund of €110,000 including four cars is on offer for the annual Hurlers Co-Op Draw. Tickets cost €50 and can be purchased from any committee member or player or online on kilkennygaa.ie and selecting Windgap as the benefitting club.
CAMOGIE NEWS: In Windgap on Sunday morning the Senior side defeated Tullaroan in the All County League. Ahead 3-3 to 0-3 at the break and with both sides short their County Players Tullaroan’s four to Windgap's one proved crucial as the young Windgap side had to survive a visitors rally as they held on to win by 4-5 to 2-8. The side was Amanda Power, Julie Walsh, Phena Heffernan, Elaine Power, Claire Kirwan, Elaine O’Shea, Ciara Molloy, Deirdre Purcell, Caoimhe O'Shea, Eimear Moylan, Catherine Foley, Caitlín Moore, Aisling Foley, Margaret Purcell, Kathy Long. Subs: Power, Aine Dunne.
HANDBALL: In the All Ireland Junior B doubles Ladies and Men’s Finals hosted in Windgap on Saturday Dublin players recorded a double with wins over Roscommon in the ladies final and Monaghan in the men’s.
GALMOY WINDGAP: For all the Galmoy Windgap news compliments of Jerry Drennan and Galmoy GAA visit https://www.facebook.com/galmoy.gaa
TIDY TOWNS: Planting continued in Tullahought over the weekend whilst the dumping of builders materials following a painting job took place near the viewing area on Skough Hill. In Windgap the local committee met Councillor Pat Dunphy, John Paul Phelan TD and representatives of Kilkenny County Council with a view to creating a plan to improve the area over the next two years.
LOTTO RESULTS: Numbers 8, 10, 19, 20 and bonus number 22 were drawn. Next week’s prize fund is €10,550. Tickets at €2 are available from any club member.
NUACHLITIR: Notices for the weekend Masses can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped into the Parochial House by Thursday evening. Fr. Fergal’s Mobile number is (085) 8830756.
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 windgap.ie