Tommy Phelan cutting Hay as Tipperarys iconic mountain watches on.
MEMORABLE OCCASION: Great colour, buckets of atmosphere, Mediterranean weather and an idyllic hilltop setting all combined for a memorable trip to Clones for the renowned occasion of the Ulster Football Final. With the hay and silage making season in full swing in the North East there was no obvious effects of Brexit as the route from Virginia was a geographic lesson, winding through the hills and lakes of counties, Cavan, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Fermanagh again and then back into Monaghan. On a day when the population of the town increased twenty fold for the duration of the provincial football finals from its seventeen hundred residents it creates a sporting and cultural oasis unseen in large urban venues. From the height of the Diamond, busy after Sunday morning Service the crowds clad in red, white, green and gold mingled, chatted and flowed all the way down Fermanagh Street and back up Church Hill as all access roads led to St. Tiernachs Park. Set in a bowl over the brow of the hill, the playing arena is set into the rolling landscape and rises naturally on three sides. In doing so it created an amphitheatre with the famous hill terrace stretching way up over the uncovered side-line stand and enabled the spectators to looking down on the covered stand on the opposite side of the ground.
After Donegal survived a late Derry rally in the minor final the tension and anticipation visibly ratcheted up as holders Donegal and challengers Tyrone took to the field and paraded behind the blue and black clad St Michaels Scout Band from Enniskillen.
As recent household names showed their skills the McHugh’s, Lacey's, McGee’s, McBreartys, Murphy’s, Odhrán McNeillais and substitute Toye appeared to have enough done for the Tír Conaill men as the game was well into injury time. Having shadowed boxed and played defensively for most of the game, it then exploded like a sprint finish in the Tour or the Derby as who was in front at the finish line, was all that mattered. Getting the timing to a tee the Cavanagh’s, Harte’s and the bearers of the many Mc surnames who backboned the Tyrone men, it enabled the veteran Red Hand full forward Sean Cavanagh climb the steps to collect the Anglo Celt Cup, that had just slipped from Donegal hands and had eluded Monaghan and Cavan grasps as well.
As supporters mingled on the field, in the ground and around the town for hours, to let the heavy traffic get away, thoughts turned to the potential opposition in the semis and what team would be thrown up in the qualifier draws on Monday morning. A slight damper was the future of the occasion that may be shelved and centralized with the construction of a state of the art stadium at Casement Park in Belfast. Reflections also included thoughts on the Down Jubilee team the champions of 1991 that were presented at half time and had opened the gate for Ulster Teams on the Sam McGuire trail. As they left Clones that far flung evening led by McGraths McCartan's, Blaney's Carr's, Linden's and McHugh's to become national heroes when they went on to defeat a thought to be unbeatable Meath in the All-Ireland final.
Fed and watered and in no rush on the journey home, signage for lakeside fishing, triathlon events, country music and the sale of turf plots caught the eye as the nearest thing to a traditional Ulster says No sign, related to the environment, when No Fracking was requested. As the rural areas showing signs of long term emigration, an Indian Summers day in the middle of an Irish Summer, ensured a long term ambition was fulfilled as it was surely a day to remember.
STONE WALLING: Work resumed converting the new supply of the stone into boundary walls at the forge on Saturday week. Short Paraic Walsh, Dave Jackson, John Ryan and Dermot Houlihan from the team of masons that rebuilt the nearby Forge frontage the remaining team members Jimmy Coyne and Joe O’Shea were ably assisted by Noel Ryan, Nicky Hawe and the masons mentor Seamus Davis. With the joints to be brushed out over the weekend, the work continues on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings with a view to having it completed on Saturday. After a tidy up and some small landscaping are carried out the project will have transformed the street corner. Supplementing the seven hour day were copious supplies of tea, sandwiches and tarts supplied by the neighbours.
FLOWER POWER: This week’s good news Tidy Towns story includes the repair of the pier at the Church entrance in Windgap whilst across the road weeding work resumes at the Grotto on Tuesday. In the lower village there is more weeding to be carried out at the lake when whilst across the road a tidy up has commenced around the Hall. The extended fine weather has created a mini Wimbledon at the Tennis court as the newly erected Tennis net has attracted plenty of players. Following good work by Noreen Hayes and Kate Moloney work has commenced by KCATS on the Old School Building. In both Tullahought and Windgap villages flower displays of every type have added great colour and are well worth a Drive By.
DEFRIBILATOR SALE: We are holding our Annual Cake and Home Produce Sale on Friday, 5th August, after the Cemetery Mass in Windgap. We would greatly appreciate if you could support this very important event; by bringing cakes, home produce (jams, flowers, vegetables, eggs etc.) or by making a donation to the fund. Items for the sale can be left in to the tented area in the village on Friday from 6pm onwards. Raffle tickets for a Hamper and other prizes will be sold at the Cake Sale and the draw will take place after Mass. We will also hold a similar raffle after the Cemetery Mass in Tullahought on Thursday, 4th August. All support would be gratefully appreciated as the fund is providing training for a new group at present and 48 operators will need to do refresher courses before the end of 2016. Three of our Defibrillators are due to be serviced and pads will need to be replaced. We also intend to purchase a 5th Defibrillator shortly for the Killamery area. For further details please contact Joan O’ Gorman 086-1024892, Richie Walsh 087-9963355, Helen Hawe 086-8834042, Miriam Barron 087-7773233 or any member of the committee.
HANDBALL NEWS: At the newly inaugurated under thirteen 60x30 doubles competition hosted in Clogh and Talbots Inch, the finals were played in Talbots Inch. Having won the semi-final with a hard fought 11 to 10 win in the first game against Kilfane, Windgap’s Adam Doyle and Blade O’Gorman went down Kells in the final. All participants received medals with the semi and finalists receiving County playing gear. Windgap hosted the County One Wall handball Championships on Sunday. Report on the games in next week’s edition.
CAMOGIE NEWS: Following the defeat of Kilkenny Seniors by Galway on Saturday week the county championship and holiday and work plans of the club players has been thrown disarray with an All-Ireland quarter final to be fitted into the local fixtures list. The proposed changes have seen the postponement of the side’s next game against Muckalee. Best wishes are extended to Denise Gaule who is a member of the County side for an extended championship run.
GRAVEYARD MASSES: The annual cemetery mass took place in the Slatequarries on Thursday with the remaining ones taking place on Wednesday 3rd August in Killamery, Thursday 4th of August in Tullahought and Friday 5th of August in Windgap. All are at 7.30pm.
ST. BERNADETTE: With clean up preparations on-going at all venues for the annual graveyard masses hoped are still high to have the marble statue of St. Bernadette at the Grotto repaired and restored before the annual community remembrance event. De-capacitated a generation ago its repair has long being a wish of the community.
DRAWS: The winning numbers in this week’s Lotto draw were 2, 17, 25, 26, and bonus number 18. Next week’s prize fund is €7,650. The next Hurlers Co-Op Draw takes place on Tuesday next the 26th.
SUBMISSIONS UPDATE: Well over one hundred and fifty hard copy objections to the proposals by Dunoair’s to build eight wind turbines on the ridge stretching from Carraigadoon towards Slievenamon were lodged with Tipperary County Council. Additional submissions were made on line by the closing date on Monday 18th July.
CELEBRITY EVENT: Preparations are well under way for Kilmoganny Festival with everybody looking forward to the eagerly awaited `I’m not a Celebrity ‘event in Kilmoganny woods. The Launch is on Wed 27th of July at 8pm. Don’t miss it, lots of entertainment in store. 11 contestants enter the wood and stay there until Sunday 31st July unless voted out. Come and see them, vote for who you want to stay in. Only 1 euro a vote. Times of Trials and challenges as follows. Wed 7pm-: Champagne in Dunphy`s Bar, Kilmoganny. 8pm-Wed: Launch. Thursday-12noon; challenge, 5pm: Jungle Dinner, 8pm: Trial. Friday- 12noon: Challenge, 5pm: Dinner, 8pm: Trial, 9pm: Vote off. Saturday12noon: Challenge, 4pm: Trial, 5pm: vote off, 6pm: Dinner, 7.30: vote off, 8.00: Challenge. Sunday- 12noon: Vote off 12.30; Challenge 5.30: Trial followed by voting, counting of votes, and crowning of King or Queen of the Jungle. Irish Ceil night on Friday Night in Kilmoganny Hall at 9.30pm. Music by Danny Webster. Teas and Raffle also. Field Day on Sunday 31st in the new Sports Field in Kilmoganny commencing at 1.30. Thomas O`Shea hurling blitz at 2.00pm Wheel of Fortune, Bric a Brac, Numerous games for young and old, Barbecue, Tea Tent, Tug of War, Great nights entertainment in Dunphy`s Lounge later with music from 7-9.30 by Kiwi Paddy followed by the brilliant ‘Vegas Nights`
NUACHLITIR: Notices for the weekend Masses can be emailed to fearghus.ofearghail@dcu.ie or (085) 8830756 or be dropped into the Parochial House by Thursday evening.
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 and photos visit windgap.ie
After Donegal survived a late Derry rally in the minor final the tension and anticipation visibly ratcheted up as holders Donegal and challengers Tyrone took to the field and paraded behind the blue and black clad St Michaels Scout Band from Enniskillen.
As recent household names showed their skills the McHugh’s, Lacey's, McGee’s, McBreartys, Murphy’s, Odhrán McNeillais and substitute Toye appeared to have enough done for the Tír Conaill men as the game was well into injury time. Having shadowed boxed and played defensively for most of the game, it then exploded like a sprint finish in the Tour or the Derby as who was in front at the finish line, was all that mattered. Getting the timing to a tee the Cavanagh’s, Harte’s and the bearers of the many Mc surnames who backboned the Tyrone men, it enabled the veteran Red Hand full forward Sean Cavanagh climb the steps to collect the Anglo Celt Cup, that had just slipped from Donegal hands and had eluded Monaghan and Cavan grasps as well.
As supporters mingled on the field, in the ground and around the town for hours, to let the heavy traffic get away, thoughts turned to the potential opposition in the semis and what team would be thrown up in the qualifier draws on Monday morning. A slight damper was the future of the occasion that may be shelved and centralized with the construction of a state of the art stadium at Casement Park in Belfast. Reflections also included thoughts on the Down Jubilee team the champions of 1991 that were presented at half time and had opened the gate for Ulster Teams on the Sam McGuire trail. As they left Clones that far flung evening led by McGraths McCartan's, Blaney's Carr's, Linden's and McHugh's to become national heroes when they went on to defeat a thought to be unbeatable Meath in the All-Ireland final.
Fed and watered and in no rush on the journey home, signage for lakeside fishing, triathlon events, country music and the sale of turf plots caught the eye as the nearest thing to a traditional Ulster says No sign, related to the environment, when No Fracking was requested. As the rural areas showing signs of long term emigration, an Indian Summers day in the middle of an Irish Summer, ensured a long term ambition was fulfilled as it was surely a day to remember.
STONE WALLING: Work resumed converting the new supply of the stone into boundary walls at the forge on Saturday week. Short Paraic Walsh, Dave Jackson, John Ryan and Dermot Houlihan from the team of masons that rebuilt the nearby Forge frontage the remaining team members Jimmy Coyne and Joe O’Shea were ably assisted by Noel Ryan, Nicky Hawe and the masons mentor Seamus Davis. With the joints to be brushed out over the weekend, the work continues on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings with a view to having it completed on Saturday. After a tidy up and some small landscaping are carried out the project will have transformed the street corner. Supplementing the seven hour day were copious supplies of tea, sandwiches and tarts supplied by the neighbours.
FLOWER POWER: This week’s good news Tidy Towns story includes the repair of the pier at the Church entrance in Windgap whilst across the road weeding work resumes at the Grotto on Tuesday. In the lower village there is more weeding to be carried out at the lake when whilst across the road a tidy up has commenced around the Hall. The extended fine weather has created a mini Wimbledon at the Tennis court as the newly erected Tennis net has attracted plenty of players. Following good work by Noreen Hayes and Kate Moloney work has commenced by KCATS on the Old School Building. In both Tullahought and Windgap villages flower displays of every type have added great colour and are well worth a Drive By.
DEFRIBILATOR SALE: We are holding our Annual Cake and Home Produce Sale on Friday, 5th August, after the Cemetery Mass in Windgap. We would greatly appreciate if you could support this very important event; by bringing cakes, home produce (jams, flowers, vegetables, eggs etc.) or by making a donation to the fund. Items for the sale can be left in to the tented area in the village on Friday from 6pm onwards. Raffle tickets for a Hamper and other prizes will be sold at the Cake Sale and the draw will take place after Mass. We will also hold a similar raffle after the Cemetery Mass in Tullahought on Thursday, 4th August. All support would be gratefully appreciated as the fund is providing training for a new group at present and 48 operators will need to do refresher courses before the end of 2016. Three of our Defibrillators are due to be serviced and pads will need to be replaced. We also intend to purchase a 5th Defibrillator shortly for the Killamery area. For further details please contact Joan O’ Gorman 086-1024892, Richie Walsh 087-9963355, Helen Hawe 086-8834042, Miriam Barron 087-7773233 or any member of the committee.
HANDBALL NEWS: At the newly inaugurated under thirteen 60x30 doubles competition hosted in Clogh and Talbots Inch, the finals were played in Talbots Inch. Having won the semi-final with a hard fought 11 to 10 win in the first game against Kilfane, Windgap’s Adam Doyle and Blade O’Gorman went down Kells in the final. All participants received medals with the semi and finalists receiving County playing gear. Windgap hosted the County One Wall handball Championships on Sunday. Report on the games in next week’s edition.
CAMOGIE NEWS: Following the defeat of Kilkenny Seniors by Galway on Saturday week the county championship and holiday and work plans of the club players has been thrown disarray with an All-Ireland quarter final to be fitted into the local fixtures list. The proposed changes have seen the postponement of the side’s next game against Muckalee. Best wishes are extended to Denise Gaule who is a member of the County side for an extended championship run.
GRAVEYARD MASSES: The annual cemetery mass took place in the Slatequarries on Thursday with the remaining ones taking place on Wednesday 3rd August in Killamery, Thursday 4th of August in Tullahought and Friday 5th of August in Windgap. All are at 7.30pm.
ST. BERNADETTE: With clean up preparations on-going at all venues for the annual graveyard masses hoped are still high to have the marble statue of St. Bernadette at the Grotto repaired and restored before the annual community remembrance event. De-capacitated a generation ago its repair has long being a wish of the community.
DRAWS: The winning numbers in this week’s Lotto draw were 2, 17, 25, 26, and bonus number 18. Next week’s prize fund is €7,650. The next Hurlers Co-Op Draw takes place on Tuesday next the 26th.
SUBMISSIONS UPDATE: Well over one hundred and fifty hard copy objections to the proposals by Dunoair’s to build eight wind turbines on the ridge stretching from Carraigadoon towards Slievenamon were lodged with Tipperary County Council. Additional submissions were made on line by the closing date on Monday 18th July.
CELEBRITY EVENT: Preparations are well under way for Kilmoganny Festival with everybody looking forward to the eagerly awaited `I’m not a Celebrity ‘event in Kilmoganny woods. The Launch is on Wed 27th of July at 8pm. Don’t miss it, lots of entertainment in store. 11 contestants enter the wood and stay there until Sunday 31st July unless voted out. Come and see them, vote for who you want to stay in. Only 1 euro a vote. Times of Trials and challenges as follows. Wed 7pm-: Champagne in Dunphy`s Bar, Kilmoganny. 8pm-Wed: Launch. Thursday-12noon; challenge, 5pm: Jungle Dinner, 8pm: Trial. Friday- 12noon: Challenge, 5pm: Dinner, 8pm: Trial, 9pm: Vote off. Saturday12noon: Challenge, 4pm: Trial, 5pm: vote off, 6pm: Dinner, 7.30: vote off, 8.00: Challenge. Sunday- 12noon: Vote off 12.30; Challenge 5.30: Trial followed by voting, counting of votes, and crowning of King or Queen of the Jungle. Irish Ceil night on Friday Night in Kilmoganny Hall at 9.30pm. Music by Danny Webster. Teas and Raffle also. Field Day on Sunday 31st in the new Sports Field in Kilmoganny commencing at 1.30. Thomas O`Shea hurling blitz at 2.00pm Wheel of Fortune, Bric a Brac, Numerous games for young and old, Barbecue, Tea Tent, Tug of War, Great nights entertainment in Dunphy`s Lounge later with music from 7-9.30 by Kiwi Paddy followed by the brilliant ‘Vegas Nights`
NUACHLITIR: Notices for the weekend Masses can be emailed to fearghus.ofearghail@dcu.ie or (085) 8830756 or be dropped into the Parochial House by Thursday evening.
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 and photos visit windgap.ie
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