28/03/2011

Post date: Mar 29, 2011 11:41:50 AM

John Farrell RIP.

On Sunday the 20th of March 2011 John Farrell of Grantstown Donaskeigh went to his eternal reward after a long illness bravely borne . The committee and membership of Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickham GAA Club extends their deepest sympathies to his heartbroken wife Sheila and family on their loss. We also offer our condolences to his brothers and sisters, extended family, relatives, neighbours, former team

mates ,and friends at this sad time.

What can we say about John in such a few short lines that will do justice to his memory?

From a very early age it was clear that this young boy had not only skill in abundance but also possessed strong mental discipline and that very necessary trait, the will to win. He was fortunate at that time to be growing up with some of the best hurler's ever produced by the Kickham club and when they all combined on one team they were a very powerful force indeed. At thirteen years of age, he made his debut in goals for the 1943 club’s minor hurlers and after moving out the field in following years, he won five West medals in a row to 1947 when he was rewarded with selection to the County Minor where he played a starring role at centrefield in the all Ireland winning team of that year. They had a good victory over Galway in the final. John’s own club team mate John Joe Mc Cormack played at full back on the day. The team also included such future Senior greats as John Doyle, Paddy Kenny and John O’Grady. The Kickhams Senior team had already benefited from Johns talent as he had joined the panel in 1946. From then until 1960 he was an ever present and important member of the greatest and most successful club hurling team the West Tipperary division had seen before or since, winning twelve West senior medals

and John was there for each and every one.As his playing years were drawing to a close John became involved in the day to day running of the Club , he served as Chairman from 1959-1961 and was a manager and selector on various teams during the years to the end of the 90s. When the West team of the Milleniumn was announced he was selected in the midfield berth beside the legendary Bill O’Donnell. At the awards ceremony Seamus King in his citation speech said of John”He was a fast striking player, moving the ball into the forward line in the shortest possible time.He was equally adept at striking it on the ground or in the air and had perfected the art of doubling or pulling on the ball at an early age .His dedication and commitment to his club was second to none and his selection on this team came as no surprise to anyone who watched him play”. As a mark of respect to a true Kickham great the club provided a guard of honour on the evening of his removal to Donaskeigh church. On the day of his burial in Kilfeacle Cemetery his good friend Jack Crowe MCC gave a touching and at times humourous

oration at his graveside which was followed by a resounding round of applause. It was a final and fitting salute to a West Tipperary GAA and Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickham great who’s likes will not be seen again. Ar Dheis De go raibh a anam

Memberships.

We are again asking all players, mentors and supporters to please pay up their membership fees for this year.The day to day running of any club in these times is an onerous one and surely the very least that should be done by indiduals is to pay their membership to help maintain the status quo. Those players that have been injured over the years can testify how important it is to be insured, especially when

surgical intervention is necessary. Please contact Margaret Hayes, Michael Shanahan, Richard Moloney or any Club Officer ASAP. Thank you.

U/21(B) Football.

Our U/21 footballers had a great win over favourites Aherlow in the West semifinal in New Inn on Sunday last. Aherlow were a very strong team with a sprinkling of County players but our lads played out of their skins for the entire game and were deserving winners on the score 2-10 to 1-10. We now play GoldenKilfeacle in the West F inal in NewInn on Saturday evening at 6pm. We really need your support for

this one so please travel and shout your Parish on.

Minor (B) Football.

Our minor footballers play Emly/Teacys in the West Championship in Dundrum on Wednesday next the the 30th of April @ 6.30pm.

Website

We have updated our website www.kdkickhams.tipperary.gaa.ie We will continue to include up to date results & fixtures for all clubs teams as well as all other club activities. Why don’t you take a look and let us know what you think. Tell family & friends that may be away and would like to keep up to date with club happenings.If you spot any errors let us know and we can correct them.

Kickham gearbags now in stock.

Kickham Gear bags, togs and socks are available in all sizes from juvenile to adult and can be purchased from Sean Breen at 062-71131 /087 -2646441 or Paddy Fitzgerald @ 087-9370958. It would make an excelent Christmas present.

KICKHAM JUVENILE NOTES.

Training U/12 & U/16

Training for our U/12 teams continue every Saturday morning in the field @ 11.00 sharp. All players to bring 2 euro. U/16 training continues in the Canon Hayes Complex every Wednesday night from 8 to 9pm. Again all players to bring 2 euro.

Knockavilla/ Donaskeigh Kickhams Camogie Club Notes.

Memberships due.

A timely reminder to any players that may not yet have renewed their membership to please do so as soon as possible by contacting any club officer.

KNOCKAVILLA COMMUNITY COUNCIL NOTES

Table Quiz

A big thank you to all who helped make the primary school's table quiz a success last friday night.

Knock Pilgrimage.

The annual pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on the 24th and 25th of May. For details, booking etc contact any of the following, 062-76191, 062 71448, 062 71367, 0504-42936.

Knockavilla graveyard

Tipperary S.R. County Council wish to announce that the purchase price for a grave space in the new graveyard in Knockavilla for 2011 is now priced at €600. This price is also subject to a VAT rate of 13.5% which brings the final price to €681.

Knockavilla /Donaskeigh Youth Club.

Knockavilla/Donaskeigh Youth Club continues every Friday night in Knockavilla Community centre from 7 pm to 8.30pm. The first few weeks have been great fun for all concerned. The club is open to 8-12 year olds attending primary school.