Events
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES November 7th 2022
FIELDFARES RETURN: The first spell of wet weather brought the first inclination of Winter as a large flock of migrating Fieldfare Thrushes brought new sounds, colour and sights to the area on October 26 th as they fed on the abundant fruits and berries from the summer season. Normally associated with imminent harsher weather is has proved very different since then.
LINGAUN VALLEY INVITE: The Lingaun Valley Tourism Group is holding their AGM in Ballyneale Hall on Thursday 24th November at 8pm. Following on from their project of erecting signage around the valley they are inviting all who are interested in safeguarding and promoting the heritage of the area to come along and hopefully get involved in future projects. For a flavour of their work check out www.lingaunvalley.ie
ROADS AND RUBBISH: The last tidy up of the local roads in conjunction with the end of Tidy Towns season saw on-going rubbish being dumped by passing traffic on every single road. The items include cans, bottles and fast food wrappers. The proposed provision of the long awaited recycling bins in Windgap will hopefully raise the recycling profile, reduce the dumping of recyclable materials and enhance the villages Tidy Towns submission.
LADIES FOOTBALL: Four titles over two years at County and provincial level have seen Mullinahone qualify for the All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final following their win over Monagea of Limerick in Mallow on Sunday. The game will be against the champions of England or Ulster on the weekend of Nov 26 th . At the game one of the Windgap brigade of players Molly Walsh had the privilege of collecting her sides second provincial Cup as the club has moved straight from junior through intermediate to the senior grade.
COOLAGH CARDS: After a three year break owing to the pandemic the Coolagh Christmas card games return to Coolagh Hall on Thursday November 17th at 8pm. All are welcome to attend and participate for the traditional popular games of 25. In addition the Coolagh Christmas Raffle will be held in conjunction with the card games and tickets available from any Coolagh committee member. The draw is the only fundraiser for the maintenance of Coolagh Hall, Graveyard, Coolagh Cross and surrounds during the year.
GALMOY WINDGAP: Galmoy and Windgap’s Hurling Season came to a close in the JJ Kavanagh and Sons U-21 B Hurling Championship Quarter Final played on Saturday week. In it the Rower Inistioge recorded a 1-16 to Galmoy Windgap 0-16 after the half time score stood at 0-12 to 0-9 in favour of the combined team. The sides were Rower Inistioge: Dan Mulholland, Thomas Cullen, Ruaidhrí Delaney, Mark Flood, Joseph Mulholland, Cathal O Neill, John Grace, Eoin O Brien, Edward Prendergast (0-10, 0-6 frees), Fiacra Farrell(1-0), Jack Gilsenan (0-2),Tiernan Morrissey, Tom O Callaghan(0-1), Michael Moffitt, Sean Bolger (0-3). Sub: Conor Bolger for Michael Moffitt. Galmoy Windgap: James Purcell, Jack O Shea, Pauric Foley, James Darcy, David Sherman(0-1), Sean Purcell (0-1), Gearóid Phelan, Callum Lonergan, Adam O Shea (0-1), Matt Delaney (0-1), Billy Drennan(0- 9,0-6frees), Sean Barron, Killian Enright, Jack Doyle(0-2), Billy Power (0-1). Subs: Niall O Brien for Sean Barron, Evan Doyle for James Darcy, Mark McCoy for Billy Power. Referee: Peter Burke (Emeralds).
POST PRIMARY CAMOGIE; The Leinster Junior A Post Primary Schools Camogie Sevens took place recently at St James’s Park when just three teams took part. All were from Kilkenny, namely Loreto Kilkenny, Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny and Coláiste Abhainn Rí Callan. In the final Coláiste Abhainn Rí overcame Loreto Kilkenny by three points which saw them qualify for the All-Ireland Sevens in Dunganny Co Meath. In that final the Callan girls played St Pats Maghera whom they beat 4-5 to 3-5.They lost out to Ursuline Thurles 3-8 to 2-2 and they were leading Presentation Athenry 2-2 to 0-0 when the game was abandoned due to an injury to an Athenry player. The All-Ireland Final saw Coláiste Abhainn Rí face Ursuline Thurles with the Thurles girls prevailing by seven points. The Coláiste Abhainn Rí Panel was Jenny Saunders Ciara O Shea. Caoimhe Power- Aisling O Shea- Eleanor Hayes Windgap, Aisling O Sullivan, Lauren Hartley, Caoimhe Kelly John Lockes Rachael O Meara-Mullinahone Molly Conroy, Tara Cody, St. St. Brigid's Ballycallan Aileen Gleeson Danesfort, The mentors were Noelle O Driscoll and Margaret Power. Report compliments of Jerry Drennan
ANNUAL REVIEW: The Tullahought Tidy Towns group met on Wednesday last to review their results in the national tidy town’s competition. At it all were well pleased with the increase of eleven points from last year, the retention of the silver medal and county commended award and the winning of the Pollinator Award for small towns in the South East Region. It was felt that the judges report was comprehensive and fair and provided guidance on issues that should be addressed, with surprise expressed that the visit was in early July and much later than in previous years. Looking ahead it is hoped to have the village car parks surfaced before Christmas and plans are being made to begin work on a famine memorial. With the arrival of darker evenings it is hoped to able to continue the maintenance work with a walkabout of the village to access and prioritise what needs to be done taking place on Saturday 26th at 10am. Recent isolated instances of flash flooding caused by blocked drains have again drawn attention to the state of disrepair of the road surface through the village which was commented on by the Tidy Towns judge back in 2019. A resolution of this issue is outside the scope of tidy town’s volunteers but the resurfacing of the road would greatly enhance the village. The meeting was held in the inner room of the Community Centre and it was noted how much warmer it was following the recent insulation of the roof space. The painting of the lower section of the room’s walls has been completed by the villages FÁS worker during the wet weather with a major clean-up of the centre being on-going. Thanks are extended to all involved in the voluntary work in the Village and on the Centre in recent months.
CROSS COUNTY QUIZ: The Lingaun Valley Tourism Group is holding a fundraising Table Quiz in Powers of Tullahought onThursday 1st of December, further details to follow.
GUN CLUB SURVEY: Following the commencement of the shooting season on November 1 st . bag returns for pheasant, deer and duck gizzards are requested for the National Association of Regional Game Council Gun club survey.
YULEFEST: Events for inclusion in the Yulefest Kilkenny schedule, for 2022 that takes place from November 25th - December24th can be submitted by email (info@yulefestkilkenny.ie) by Monday the 14th of November 2022.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES October 31st 2022
COMMUNITIES DAY IN THE SUN: Friday was a rewarding day for the eighty hundred and eighty two Tidy Towns communities across the country when the Super Valu Tidy Towns results were announced in the RDS in Dublin. In the annual competition Kilkenny had twenty five entries as in 2021, with Thomastown and Johnstown joining and Urlingford and Goresbridge were taking a break. Linked together across the county bounds where the annual litter clean up between the villages takes place, the entrants increased by eight to forty two entrants, with Carrick-on-Suir and Grangemockler as the newcomers. The extended local group working together in the area now sees Callan, Windgap, Tullahought, Kilmoganny, Ahenny-Clashnasmuth, Faugheen and Owning along with near neighbours Dunnamaggin, Kells, Balleyneale, Kilcash and Mullinahone
SILVER FOR TULLAHOUGHT: With greatly improved points across the board there were Three Awards for Tullahought with a National Silver Medal, The South Eastern Regional Pollinator award and a Kilkenny Commended awards won. It was added to locally when Kilmoganny were presented with the County Endeavour Award and Castlecomer with a new major award. In County Kilkenny Tullahought were joint table toppers with Listerlin, Inistioge and Kilmoganny with eleven points, Paulstown and Kilkenny City and Freshford on ten with Dunnamaggin, Windgap, Kells, Callan and Droichead Benéid following in order to eight. Across the river the Lingaun River Balleyneale led in Mullinahone, Ahenny- Clashnasmuth,
Faugheen and Kilcash. Representing the Tullahought Community at the ceremony presented by Anne Cassin were Richard Walsh Kathleen Duggan, Mary Walshe, Aidan Lavelle
EATING AND DRINKING: The annual reports provide eating and drinking of ideas and highlight tips for locals and volunteers
alike everywhere. In particular, as it the first time that the judges have visited the areas over the past three years. The 64th year
of the competition saw the third highest number on record as Super Valu extends their sponsorship to 2027. The following is a
quick local synopsis, the full reports for the country are available on tidytowns.ie
HIGHLIGHTS IN WINDGAP; The great work since you re-entered the competition in 2015, was reflected in your recent Endeavour Award and being showcased in Pride of Place which is something you should all be extremely proud of. It is wonderful to see the joined-up thinking between Tidy Towns, the Community Development Group, and involving New volunteers and new families as well as the Men’s Shed. I would like to congratulate you on the house and lands opposite the church that were in NAMA and the repairs to the Old Glanbia building that are welcomed. The sculpture is very nice and a lovely connection to an older way of life that is now reflected in a piece of public art. The League House looks well with its new coat of paint as does the Scoil San Nioclás. The playground looked really well, a great mix of structured and natural play elements. Also, a special mention to the Community Centre, well done too on the funding and repair the Grotto and I very much
enjoyed the poetry on your Village Loop Walk. Well done on removing invasive species near the Grotto, the generous donations
from the public with regard to the two polytunnels, that is also a wonderful learning initiative for students on where vegetables
come from and then getting to bring the fruit of their labour home. The pond is an excellent habitat to have locally, as wetlands
are decreasing globally and is also an asset with many people visiting it. On adjudication day Windgap was litter free, well done!
On your annual litter pick (An Taisce Spring Clean?) it was a great success in collaboration with Callan, Tullahought and Kilmoganny. The reuse of old paving is a great idea and a classic example of the Circular Economy as is the Horse & Cart sculpture. Local residents show their support by keeping their homes to a high standard. Maintenance of the school, GAA grounds and playground all looked wonderful on the day of inspection. All approach roads looked well. Keep up the wonderful work
HIGHLIGHTS IN TULLAHOUGHT; I loved your application cover as it gave me an instant sense of anticipation before I got to visit in person as did your online video – Tullahought Church! Lots of local actors deserving an Oscar! Your willingness to advise and mentor other groups is what the Tidy Towns is all about, and it was great to see this mutual recognition in other submissions. Your work in maintaining planters, signs, benches etc., is imperative as we maintain and get the most out of historical initiatives. The old milk churns making colourful planters were a wonderful, thoughtful addition to the streetscape –showcasing a connection to an older way of life whilst the other churns were also delightful and the way you used the white plastic to simulate flowing milk was ingenuous. Your nativity scenes looked great and were no doubt a welcome addition at Christmas Time. All your signage was clean and welcoming; the church is a central feature in the village (great to see the old bell still in operation!). Your Kearns Bridge work was excellent, at the 1916 Commemoration seeds planted by Skough Hill Playgroup were a lovely way to include others and placing their names with their thumb prints was a thoughtful addition. Your
involvement in the Winter Bird Survey and Green Bee programme is excellent, well done to the local farmers for their participation in REAP and declaring a wildlife reserve. It is also great to see you making the most of social media to share information on biodiversity – I really enjoyed your murmuration and the Butterfly video! The wildlife area at ‘The Watering Place’ packed so much in, with your Pollinator Awards and the Quern Stones, Your ingenious traffic cone trolley made me smile and supporting your local GAA to collect scrap metal. The surplus produce stand is a great are and road verges are managed in a sustainable manner to allow for safety and biodiversity. There is a fantastic community spirit in Tullahought
TIDY TOWNS MEETING: Tullahought Tidy Towns are holding a meeting of all those interested on this Thursday at 7.30pm to
review the Annual Report and to make plans for 2023. All are welcome, as are thoughts or from near and far on
tullaghoughttidytowns @gmail.com
NATIONWIDE: Tullahought Community were delighted to appear on RTE Nationwide's programme hosted by Blathnaid ni
Chofaigh from Ennis on Friday evening when Mary Fanning and Des Carolan recording and filming in Tullahought were shown. The show covered a wide range of entrants large and small from rural to river to seaside also included Kilkenny and Tulloghers Listerlin-Mullinaharigle, Tipperary’s Kilsheelin, and Wexforsd's Rosslare and Kilmuckeridge when they all get three minutes of their beloved areas in the Sun.
WALKING OFF: The 11thh Heritage and Folklore walk around the Lingaun Valley led by Walter Power and Mairtín Doheny takes place from Nine Mile House to Kiltrassy on Saturday was postponed owing to the inclement weather. The 5km walk will be rearranged from the graveyard in Ninemilehouse going to Kiltrassy. It will continue a fortnight later from Kiltrassy to Garryricken and then head back towards Bearna na Gaoithe. All are welcome.
VACCINES AND BOOSTERS: Flu vaccines and Covid booster vaccines are available at Kilmoganny Health Centre for eligible patients of the practice. Please phone 051 648007 to make an appointment.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES August 24th 2021
BLOOD AND BANDAGES; On All Ireland Hurling Final weekend when the team colours of Red and White were one of the pairings that had world wide prominance the local wearers in Windgap excelled as they competed in Division 1 of both the National John West Hurling and Camogie finals and also contested the Junior C Hurling County semi-final.More anon.
JOHN WEST CAMOGIE FÉILE; Saturday last saw the U15 John West Camogie Féile take place in Kilkenny. In it Windgap were drawn in the Division 1 group along with James Stephens, Glenmore and St. Brigids. In the games that were excellently hosted by the Glenmore Club the girls fought hard in their first game against James Stephens, which gave them a great platform going into their remaining two matches. They next moved on to play Glenmore at 11am and came out victorious.
In their final game against St. Brigids, the girls knew they needed a draw or a win to be able to progress to the Division 1 final. Having led by six points at half time and went on with some outstanding team play to secure a comfortable win as the final whistle sounded.The girls now go on to play Tullaroan - St.Anne's in the Féile Final that is set for Saturday next the 28th of August at 6.30pmin a venue yet to be confirmed.
The Windgap 2021 Camogie Féile panel consisted of Jenny Saunders, Emily Freaney, Ria McCormack, Chloe Drennan, Laura Doyle, Ava-Lily O’Neill, Niamh Enright, Eleanor Hayes (Captain), Ciara O’Shea, Ona Kennedy, Caoimhe Power, Cathy Power, Lauren Enright, Aisling O’Shea, Alaina O’Shea, Megan Kenneally, Ava Phelan, Roisin Cronin, Tamara Whelan, Kate O’Brien and Moya Egan, with a management team of Michael Saunders, Dermot O’Shea, Valerie Doyle, Marieanne Hayes and Niamh Bambrick. Report compliments of Valerie Doyle
HURLING JOHN WEST FÉILE; Galmoy Windgap competed with the Top Guns of Dunnamaggin, Dicksboro and James Stephens in the Kilkenny Division 1 National Féile competition held in Palmerstown on Saturday morning.With the Kells Road side going on to be the eventual out right winners over Erin’s Own, Windgaps final “Shield” game of the day saw them go down to St. Martins by three points. Team to follow next week.
JUNIOR C CHAMP: From the starting position of being in the relegation final last year the Junior C sides amazing strides saw them travel to play the home side in the county semi-final in Piltown on Thursday evening. In the game played in dull damp conditions under lights Windgap’s courageous play and a fine final total of 3-11 fell short of qualifying for a place in the UPMC Nowlan Park final. After a slow start a Blade O’Gorman goal had the sides tied 1-1 to 0-4 early on. Following it, the side were five points adrift at the first water break and had reduced it to three 1-9 to 1-6 at half time. With Jack Doyle being the most impressive player on view, the difference was quickly down to two points, with a Michael Power rasper of a goal leaving five points in it 2-14 to 2-9 at the second briseadh uisce. After it Piltown’s third goal opened a match winning lead as the defence led by Peter Landy in goal battled well whilst under constant pressure following the introduction of Piltowns high numbered subs. In the final minutes a Peter Hennessey goal and Michael Power and Tommy Fleming points left the final score at 4-18 to 3-11. The Windgap side was Peter Landy, James Mackey, Shane Walsh, Darren Walsh, Eoin Cody, Sean Purcell, Conor Lonergan, Peter Hennessey, Jack Doyle Josh Price, Adam O'Shea, Zak Kennedy, Blade O'Gorman.,Michael Power, Gary Lyons, and Substitutes Ger. Purcell, Thomas Fleming, Sean Barron,Vincent Purcell Conor Foley, Killian Doyle, Patrick Moore, Karl McCoy and Cillian Doyle
A DAY IN DUBLIN: HATS SCARVES OR HEADBANDS; Homelessness and the contradictory boarded up buildings and business premises were one of the lasting memories of a leisurely stroll around the main thoroughfares of Dublin on All Ireland Hurling Final Day. It was a day when the Covid restricted attendances reduced the match traffic volumes and visitors to the City. They were assisted by the non-existence of the GAA Club busses, unloading the veterans of many All Ireland journeys and the excited juveniele stars of the future, many of whom would be attending their first memory making final. Across the Northside and Southside travel arteries, the team colours congregated at the numerous watering and eating establishments.with the red and white colour wearers of so many types of attire that included Munster Rugby, Barrys Tea and their many red and white club jersies includingSeandún were the liveliest, With few calls for “anyone buying or selling a ticket” or “hats, scarves and headbands” the return of the crowds was celebrated in a different type of way. On the return journey to An Lár which was shared with the celebrating Shannon-siders, one got the opportunity to watch top class Volleyball and four a side Basketball tournament in the Park in Mountjoy Square. With both sides playing into the one basket the scene gave a different atmosphere to the Park where match day picnics would normally be shared. However despite the great occasion,the skills of the players and the intensity of the match,it was the visible imbalance of lives being lived that will be long recalled.
FR. BENNY’S RETURN: Garryricken and Windgap native Monsignor Benny O’Shea an Sagart Paróiste of Rotting dean and Wooding dean Parish and the Vicar General of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton covering Sussex and Surrey excluding the London boroughs celebrated Sunday morning Mass in Tullahought at the weekend. Home for his first break since the Covid crisis Monsignor Benny who has also served in Lima was educated in Windgap National School and later in St. Kierans College.
A keen follower of Kilkenny Hurling and a very good golfer he will play a few rounds, meet up with old friends and celebrate Saturday evenings Mass in Windgap Church during his short break.
GOOD NEWS: Other good news in the area is the feasibility work being carried out on a potential Men’s Shed and the provision of additional visitor Viewing Places at both ends of the parish overlooking the Lingaun Valley.
INTERCOUNTY CAMOGIE: The Minor, Intermediate and Senior Kilkenny Camogie panels are all through to the All Ireland semi-finals next weekend. Best of luck to our players Nathania and Sontae Jackson on the Minor, Gillian Costello on the Intermediate and Denise Gaule and Michaela Kenneally on the Senior panel. Congratulations to Denise on her Player of the match award in the quarter finals against Wexford in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday. At club level the seniors travelled to Mountrath to play the home side in a challenge game.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES August 17th 2021
INSIDE OUT & UPSIDE DOWN: A new You Tube video entitled "Tullahought Church - Inside Out & Upside Down" explores St. Nicholas Church and its history. It has been produced by Tullahought Tidy Towns forHeritage Week and can be seen on the National Heritage Week Website and the Tullahought Tidy Towns, Facebook, Twitter and website pages.
HIDDEN GEM: The “Inside Out & Upside Down video has revealed a hidden gem of construction craftwork that had disappeared from public view over fifty years ago,Set in a panoramic landscape, the church is the third known in line, with the first being recorded in 1346. Even though it was a long time ago, it was still over 3,000 years after the construction of the burial tombs at the Coshel in Knockroe and on the top of Baunfree, Kilmacoliver Hill.
The video of the present church opened in 1885 includes historical clips and shows the underground crypt and the ornate stain glass windows. Also the most remembered part that was the internal high pitched wooden roof that fell foul and disappeared to the modernization phase that followed the second Vatican Council. With the exterior of the church being almost untouched for ninety years, the only alterations were the removal of the belfry that sat atop its western gable, work on the windows and the addition of twelve cut limestone buttresses to support the roof.
After Vatican 2 concluded in Rome in 1965, many liturgical and structural changes were implemented worldwide and the local Church became part of a three point Diocesan plan in the village. The first part was to knock the two roomed school building across the road that is now the areas Community Centre. It was then to be replaced on the vacant site,with a wooden Church. The final part was to be the knocking of the existing Church to provide a car park.
After the plans were revealed, the local community cried halt to the destruction of the imposing structure that was built almost within living memory, to cater for the increasing slate cutting community in the Slatequarries and Ahenny. Following negotiations with Fr. Garret Phelan PP in 1972,concessions were accepted on a complete internal refit.
With them the roof was lowered and the timber work hidden, out went the ornate wooden alter rails and the high altar and steps on the Western Gable where the priest said Mass with his back to the people. Above the beloved circular stain glass window that bathed the church with beams of soft coloured evening light went away to Wexford and the two stain glass windows on the front gable were hidden away.Also falling to the builders sledge was the attached sacristy that gave access from the rear of the church to the altar and the glass roofed conservatory style waiting room that also catered for the sutan and surpliced altar boys on Mass days. As it fell, it filled the underground basement that had served as a place of refuge for the pursued in the country’s more troubled times. Out too went the combined public and choir gallery that sat above the beautiful ten foot high wooden stain glass panelled entrance porch.Internally the church was denuded of all the statutes of the popular saints,the wooden confessional boxes and alcoves and the tall confraternity poles that occasionally lined the aisle.Today the church sits on a concrete car parking slab following the removal of the yew trees that also lined the graveyard and the wrought iron railings that created the gravel lined privet and boxwood hedge paths to the church, the sacristy and the Coach house that hosted the priest’s horse and trap.
Nowadays a popular compact venue for all of the Church celebrations the Covid limited attendance at the 9.30am Sunday morning Mass is often surpassed by those standing and seated in the car park and along the roadside as they listen to the words of an tAthair Fearghail O’Fearghaill PP on the outdoor speaker.
The video filmed and narrated by the father and daughter team of Richard and Claire Walsh involves the community members in period dress with the backround music being provided by the church organist John Delaney. Thanks to the teams initiative the history and heritage of their Teach an Phobail and its hidden gems has been recorded for future generations. For many now gone and still living it is hoped that amajor lottery windfall would help restore the internal wooden roof to public view. https://youtu.be/XeC9wayFR9g
JUNIOR C CHAMP: The 15th of August would normally see the locals looking south towards Tramore however owing to Covid and the Iverk Junior C Hurling quarter final the heritage village of Clogh in the north of the County was the focus for the traditional holiday. The challenge was playing Cloneen in their splendid facilities that have been since the last visit being enhanced by a double sided Shay Murtagh hurling wall and precast dugouts. Having started well and missed a number of goal chances the visitors led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the first water break and were 1-8 to 0-9 behind at halftime. Playing with the breeze into the dressing rooms and handball alley end on the restart, the fine travelling crowd on the bank had a quick reason to cheer. It followed a well worked attack that saw Blade O’Gorman goal and Josh Price set up Jack Doyle point to go two ahead. In a ding dong competitive battle the Jim Lyng trained home side rallied to tie the game at 1-10 apiece at the second briseadh uisce. After referee David Hughes restarted the final period the visitor’s hit a golden vein and added 2-2.The points came from Jack and Adam Doyle and Michael Power on the goals,the firstfrom a penalty won by Ger. Purcell and the second a Peter Hennessey assist. Despite the scoring burst Cloneen rallied again and laid siege to the well-defended Windgap goal as they held out for an exaggerated3-15 to 2-11 win. The Windgap side was Peter Landy, Sean Barron, James Mackey, Darren Walsh, Eoin Cody, Sean Purcell, Conor Lonergan, Jack Doyle, Peter Hennessey, Josh Price, Michael Power, Zak Kennedy, Gary Lyons, Adam O'Shea, and Blade O'Gorman. SubstitutesVincent Purcell, Ger. Purcell, Thomas Fleming, Conor Foley, Killian Doyle, Patrick Moore,
COUNTY CHAMPIONS: Congratulations to Windgap U14 girls who defeated John Lockes in the Gaeltec League Championship final in Clara on Tuesday evening. Behind 2-1to1-6 at the break the side went on to build up a six point lead before alate Callan rally saw it reduced to four points on a 5-4 to 1-12 scoreline. The Windgap side was Jenny Saunders, Chloe Drennan, Emily Freaney, Moya Egan, Laura Doyle, Caoimhe Power, Alaina O'Shea, Cathy Power, Caoimhe O'Shea, Kate O'Brien, Ona Kennedy (1-0), Rachel Cullen, Lauren Enright (2-0), Aisling O'Shea (1-3), Ava Phelan, Ellie Brazil, Kate Kelligher, Shona King, Abby O'Neill, Ella Saunders, Hauna Hayes, Jessie White, Tamara Whelan, Roisin Cronin and Anna Miller.
O’DUFFY CUP: A big thank you to Michaela Kenealley, Denise Gaule and Catherine Foley who visited Windgap juvenile Camogie players training session on Monday evening with the O Duffy cup.
LOCAL VOLUNTEERING: St Patricks, a residential and day service for adults with intellectual disabilities in Kilkenny has a lovely new role for two gentlemen volunteers to assist a staff member in the Callan/Windgap area for just one hour a week. For further detail please get in touch with the Volunteer Centre or info@volunteerkilkenny.ie or Call 0892584946
MOUNT CARMEL GOLF: The annual Golf Classic in aid of Mount Carmel Supported Care Home is taking place on the weekend of the 27th and 28st of August in Callan Golf Club. For further details contact John Healy, 086 1664256, Margaret Maher 087 9606440, Fergus Keane 087 38143.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES August 10th 2021
HERITAGE WEEK: Tullahought Tidy Towns have been busy over the past number of weeks filming and producing a short You Tube video for Heritage Week 2021.
The Video entitled "Tullahought Church - Inside Out & Upside Down" explores Tullahought Church and its history. As we go to press the project has been submitted to the Heritage Week organisers for approval.On approval the video will then feature on the National Heritage Week Website and will also be uploaded to the Tullahought Tidy Towns Facebook and Twitter Pages and will also be accessible on their website. The National Heritage Week runs from 14th to 22nd of August. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeC9wayFR9g
OLYMPICS: Exactly fifty years ago at the height of the local inter county Cold War between Kilkenny and Tipperary, when hurling, football and handball were the only games on offer a boxing club based in the coach house beside the church in Tullahought was being mooted. It was the dream of a successful amateur boxer and the post primary school bus driver to The Mercy and Presentation Convents and the CBS and Vocational Schools in Carrick on Suir Jim Drohan. It came shortly after the Sonny Liston verses Cassius Clay world heavyweight championship fight, when many locals would have set their clocks to listen to the radio in the early hours to the fights from Miami Beach and the Madison Square Gardens.
Years after when Castlecomer’s Mick Dowling blazed the bantamweight trail and was followed by the Clones cyclone Barry McGuigan, Michael Caruth, Darren O’Neill and Katie Taylor the little villages Clare Grace went on to take European bronze medal.
In recent weeks the clock was set again by another generation to see the Irish Olympic team and Clare’s former teammate Kelly Harrington battling her way to a memorable gold in the Tokyo Olympics final.
Way back then as the church in Tullahought was being modernised the floor of the coach house designed for the priest’s horse and trap was much lower and would have allowed access for a boxing ring.Having never come to fruition, one often wonders whatever interest and potential the former Carrick Swan hurler spotted for the sport in the locality.
Nowadays the coach house exists as a storeroom, the cold war is over, Clare’s weight was not included in the London Olympics program and the locals still rise early to tune in. This time it was on a grey and windy Sunday morning to witness the arrival of the gold medal winning star from Portland Row.
ALL COUNTY LEAGUE FINAL:It was a long trip home on the wet and windy Carrick Road out of Mooncoin after the local side went down to Piltown in the final of the JJ Kavanagh and Sons All County Junior Hurling League Final. In the game played on Thursday evening the side found themselves three points down at the first water break and were tied 2-7 to 0-13 at the half time whistle. Resuming with the slope into the Church goal, the sides remained tied 2-10 to 0-16 at the second briseadh uisce. On the resumption a slicker and fitter Piltown side added two quick goals to set up a 2-19 to 3-11 victory.
WHAT IT MEANS: The regular calls arrived to preview and review Kilkenny’s hurling scene from John Furlong a lifelong convert to the game. Of Laois and Mayo parents John was born into a sporting family in Londonand is a weekly reader of the Kilkenny People. Organising his holidays in conjunction with the provincial and All Irealnd fixtures, those he could not attend were seen with some of the Thomas McCurtain’s hurlers in the Irish Centre in Ilford. Retired and currently unable to drive John viewed the game with a neighbour from Cork and still extols the virtues that brought him to Kilkenny Hurling and why the dedication and attitude of the players and manger is universally attractive. Disappointed on Sunday he said the side were magnificent “will have another day” and signing off wondered “What about the minors on Friday night”
CAMOGIE NEWS: The minors are set to play against Ballyhale in Ballyhale in the third round of the Gaeltec minor league on this Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. It was another great weekend for the club players at county level with Aisling O Shea, Caoimhe Power and Ona Kennedy in the U14 squads and Eleanor Hayes on the U15 squad.Elsewhere Sontae and Nathania Jackson were on the minor panel that defeated Wexford in Thomastown on Sunday by 2-13 to 1-7. Along with Gillian Costello on the Intermediate panel who defeated Cork they await the outcome of the draw on whether they progress to quarter or semi-finals.
CLUB NEWS: The annual Hurlers Co-Op Draw tickets are available from Club members or online on kilkennygaa.ie where the link to Windgap can be selected. The Junior C team will play Cloneen in the championship quarter final in Cloneen on Sunday morning at 11.30am
GALMOY WINDGAP: After a busy league season in all grades Galmoy Windgap hosted minor league table toppers Kilmacow in their last game in Windgap on Monday evening.With both sides short their county panellists the home side opened an early 2-2 lead and led by a point at the second water break before going down in the final minutes. The under fifteens play their final league game against Mount Leinster Rangers in Windgap on Wednesday evening
PARENTS COUNCIL: On the two year elections rota Shamie Landy, Tony Lanigan and George Moore replace the outgoing chairperson Eamon Saunders, Treasurer PJ Barron and Noelle Egan. They join Mary Egan, Marie O’Brien and the current Runaí Ciara Quigley
MOUNT CARMEL GOLF: The annual fund raising Golf Classic in aid of Mount Carmel Supported Care Home is taking place on the weekend of the 27th and 28th of August in Callan Golf Club. This event with an array of prizes takes on a more sign cant role this year as last year’s classic was cancelled because of the Covid-19 Pandemic and
The fee per team of four is €80 and if you are interested in entering a team, sponsoring a team prize, making a donation, or purchasing raffle tickets please contact John Healy, on 0861664256, Margaret Maher 0879606440 or Fergus Keane 08738143.At the end of the event there is the opportunity of availing of a three course meal for an additional €15 per person
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
OUr Heritage Week 2021 video on the history of Tullahought Church can be viewed at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeC9wayFR9g
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES August 3rd 2021
DRIVING ON: With the local pubs reopening,the arrival of Post Point Services in the local Glanbia Branch in Windgap has added to the list of positive developments in recent years. They include the new playground and walks in Windgap and Tullahought. Also Walsh’s New Shop, the new Community Centre and Tea Rooms, the conversion of the medical center to a residence, the commencement of restoration work on the listed creamery building, a proposed mobile mast and a broadband hub in Tullahought.
In addition the cross border Lingaun Valley Tourism venture and the local Tidy Towns group’s enhancements have brought renewed life and vigour to the once declining area.
NEW POSTAL SERVICES: Following the loss of the Post Offices in Ahenny Windgap and Kilmoganny there was a great welcome for the return of a modern postal service to the area with the announcement of An Post,Post Point services being provided in Glanbia Windgap’s progressive branch.With the old switchboards that supplied the only communications to the outside world being replaced by modern technology, the new service will be supporting and providing postal services in thirty two rural communities across the conties of Wicklow, Wexford,Kildare, Carlow,Kilkenny, Laois,Offaly, Tipperary and Waterford. In Windgap it will include a full range of services including the option to Pay Your Gas and electricity bills, Buy National Stamps, Mobile Phone Top-Up, Lottery Tickets, Scratch Cards and alsopurchasing One4All Gift Cards. In addition Windgap Castlecomer, Ballyhale and Glenmore are among eighteen branches that will also provide Parcel postage and Post-Pre Paid Gift Bags and Boxes. Other Communities in Kilkenny also benefiting with the new postal services in their Glanbia branches are Bennettsbridge, Freshford and Piltown.
Looking after the customers’ needs that include every conceivable item in the farming line along with household goods is local hurling centre back and Ballygown native William Phelan along with the team of Craig Lonergan from Fethard, Ballyhale’s Dean and Darren Mason and Harry Walsh from Dunnamaggin. To check for further information or to arrange a drop off point for courier deliveries call 051 648203
HURLING OLYMPICS: All roads lead through Skough,Owning and Piltown and onto the N24 that now bypasses Fiddown and Turkstown before going through Riverquater and Skelpstown to Mooncoin on Thursday evening for the David and Goliath battle of Windgap and Piltown for the JJ Kavanagh and Sons All County Junior Hurling League Final. The surprise packet of their group, the local side went down to Graiguenamanagh along the way, whilst their neighbours lost no game in their larger seven team group. The All County Junior Hurling League that includes the Carlow Senior Clubs commenced in 1995 under the auspices of the Northern and Southern GAA Boards. Its victory rostrum sees Mount Leinster Rangers top the medals table with six gold medals whilst the Blacks and Whites, Galmoy, Conahy Shamrocks,O’Loughlin Gaels and Lisdowney have two apiece.In addition nine other clubs have had their names inscribed on the John Joe Hennebry Cup with Naomh Eoin from Carlow being the current holders from 2019. Of the participants Piltown have reached the elusive final on five occasions whilst Windgap’s only appearance was in 2007. On that occasion they went down by two points to Mount Leinster Rangers who were on their second leg of winning six successive Carlow Senior Hurling titles,that led to Leinster and All Ireland Intermediate titles, a Leinster Senior club title that culminated with an All Ireland Senior Club Hurling Final appearance against Portumna in Croke Park on St. PatricksDay in 2014. With no All County League held in 2020 Piltown and Windgap last met in a Covid limited Junior League final on the 23rd August 2020 when the Suirsiders had a 1-21 to 2-11 victory.
THEY’RE GREAT MEN: An overheard commentof a Sunday morning conversation a fortnight ago summed up the local feeling after Kilkenny had retained their Leinster Senior Hurling Championship the previous evening. Having shared the National Hurling League title in the interim, best wishes are extended to the team and management as they travel to Croke Park on Sunday to play in the All Ireland semi-final against a high flying Cork side. The game will see the largest amount of supporters travelling to the game in almost two years.
CAMOGIE NEWS: The U12’s played a blitz at O’Loughlins on Saturday morning where the girls did very well in their three matches. At county level Sontae and Nathania Jackson were part of Kilkenny minor panel that played Waterford at the Waterford Institute Arena on Sunday. The match ended in a draw with the side playing Wexford in Thomastown on Sunday next.
JUNIOR C WINS: In the first round of the Iverk Produce Junior C Championship Windgap recorded a good win over John Lockes in Windgap on Friday evening. The local side was Peter Landy, James Mackey, Shane Walsh, Darren Walsh, Sean Barron, Sean Purcell, Connor Lonergan, Eoin Cody, Peter Hennessy, Josh Price, Michael Power, Adam O'Shea, Blade Gorman, Gary Lyons, and ZakKennedy. The subs included Gerry Purcell, Tommy Fleming, Vincent Purcell, Karl McCoy, Brendan Power, Pa Moore and Cillian Doyle.
CLUB NEWS: Club players involved with the Kilkenny Hurling Development squads in recent weeks included at under sixteen level Jack O Shea, under fifteen Cian O Rourke, Eoin O Shea and Conor Doyle, under fourteen Padraig Egan and John Power with the under thirteen’s
GALMOY WINDGAP: The combined side had two players in Galmoy’s David Sherman and Calum Lonergan on the recent Leinster Minor Championship winning Kilkenny minor side. It continues the great run of players from the Galmoy Windgap teams featuring on county teams in recent times.
BADMINTON: With the on court activities of Tullahought Badminton club being Covid closed for almost eighteen months there was great interest in the Olympic finals when the un-seeded Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu of Indonesia won the women's doubles and their countries gold medal for the very first time
CYCLING TEAM: Manning the Bicycle Hire Centre in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms in Windgap are local volunteers Ciara O’Shea, Eleanor Hayes, Jenny Saunders, Niamh Enright, Michael Freaney, George Culleton, Evan Doyle, Noah O’Shea, Mate Dullard, Eoin O’Shea and Darragh Doyle, The contact number for booking along with all the safety gear, route maps and electric or normal bicycles is 051 626944.
HURLERS DRAW: The annual Hurlers Co-Op Draw tickets are available from Club members or online on kilkennygaa.ie where the link to Windgap can be selected.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES July 26th 2021
LINGUAUN VALLEY APP: The Launch of Lingaun Valley App featuring Killamery High Cross's, Kilkieran High Crosses and Knockroe Passage Tomb took place on Thursday last.
Organised by Kilkenny Leader and hosted by Lingaun Valley Tourism at Kilkieran Cottage with guest speaker Dr Muiris O Sullivan.The gathering was also addressed by Declan Rice Kilkenny Leader, Frank Walsh Chair Lingaun Valley Tourism, Stephen Barnes Waterford Institute who developed the app with funding from Kilkenny Leader and Kilkenny County Council and Fidelis Docherty Chairperson Kilkenny County Council.
Amongst the attendance were Lingaun Valley Tourism Group members Frank Walsh, Martin McCarthy, Tony Musiol, Richard Walsh, Pat O’Gorman and Robert Duggan, local Councillors Tomás Breathnach and Joe Lyons and members of Tipperary Tourism.
To virtually visit the initial sites in the Valley download the free Lingaun Valley Heritage AR (Augmented Reality) Google App to your phone
SLÉIBHTE EAGSÚLA: Very early on a beautiful Sunday morning,hills and mountains played a key role ar fúd an domhain asan Ecuadorian and an American cyclist battled it out on the slopes of Mount Fuji for the Olympic cycling Gold medal, whilst the first of the pilgrims from the parish had already reached the top of Croagh Patrick for the Reek Sunday pilgrimage..Nearer home the pitch located between the peaks of our own Bearna na Gaoithe was being prepared for a high noon All County Junior Hurling League showdown with Graignamanagh who were traveling from the shadow of Kilkenny’s highest peak Brandon Hill.
As a brave Richard Carapaz left the USA's Brandon McNulty with six of the races two hundred and thirty four kilometres to go and take gold, the Graig men coached by James Hickey from Mount Leinster’s Rangers came out on top by two points after an exciting game. .
Following Windgap’s successful JJ Kavanagh and Sons All County Junior Hurling League campaign the side with only the one loss have qualified to face neighbors Piltown in the final on Thursday week at a time and venue to be confirmed, whilst the Reek Sunday challenge remains as it has being Covid extended to the whole month of July.
HAY AND HARVEST TIME: As the early harvesting was completed, the weekend observations and reflections continued on the Horse drawn hay rake flower display in Tullahought.
Whilst fondly recalled by the senior members of the community they added the reality of the labor intensive, weather dependent activities that would be described as hardship in modern farming terms. The recollections on the display featuring the ride on hay rake that was not as prominent as the tumble one featured on the common denominators of the horse and man.
Kitted out from the head back with a winkers, collar and hames, straddle for the shaft pulled ride on rake, the straddle was replaced by a dromáin, longer reins and drafts the “hauling chains” for the tumble rake. In the meadows Horse Flies bore their name as they quietly landed stung and sucked blood often turning a quiet trusty steed into a flighty one. The large and agile insects saw the activities of the females bite one and all to obtain the high protein blood required for their successful reproduction.
Snaring as the towing of tram cocks was called and Sugan making to tie down the tram cocks that preceded the humble hemp twine was another task recalled by many of the church goers on Sunday morning. It involved using a short piece of wire that was twisted and skilfully fed with loose hay to make an even sturdy hay rope.
Now a much admired heritage attraction and a practical pollinator the universal opinion was a day in the hay field was only fit for the memories.
CAMOGIE NEWS: Windgap Club had a number of club players on the county sides this weekend with Jenny Saunders, Ciara O Shea, Aisling O Shea, Caoimhe Power and Ona Kennedy on the Kilkenny U14 side. Eleanor Hayes was on the County U15. At adult level Gillian Costello was on the Kilkenny Intermediate panel with Denise Gaule and Michaela Kenneally being on the Kilkenny senior team who defeated Westmeath.
At Club level Windgap’s minors were defeated in the first round of the minor league by St Martins in Muckalee on Wednesday evening, with the U10’s playing in a blitz in Piltown on a beautiful sunshine Saturday morning against Piltown Mooncoin & Ballyhale.
GALMOY WINDGAP: The side played three league games in the past week with the minors overcoming Hot off the ropes from Jerry Drennan is the Monday evenings report from the Kilkenny Honda Centre Minor Hurling League Roinn B. Galmoy/Windgap made the long journey to Páirc Na Ratha tonight short four first team players and despite their best efforts had to give best to a strong Glenmore outfit Glenmore 1-18Galmoy/Windgap 0-12.
The hosts were backboned by Ciarán Vermeer and the impressive Colm Roche, who both lined out for the victorious Kilkenny Celtic Challenge team on Saturday last. Indeed the spine of the Glenmore team was very solid throughout. Galmoy/Windgap did their best all through with Michael Freaney, Colman Moloney and Billy Power doing well and Conor Doyle trying hard up front.
Glenmore lead 0-9 to 0-6 after a finely balanced first half. Colm Roche hit eight of those first half Glenmore points, three from play, and gave an impeccable display of free taking over the hour. Daniel Hanrahan and wing back James Purcell each struck the target twice during that opening half for the visitors.
Conor Doyle closed the gap to two points with a 33rd minute free but Glenmore then hit a purple patch with 1-5 in quick succession. Roche hit 0-4 with Cathal Sheehan also adding a minor before Patrick O Connor Forristal hit the game’s only goal in the 44th minute,1-14 to 0-7.Conor Doyle converted five last quarter frees but Glenmore were always able to reply as they took a deserved victory on this occasion.
The last and final league game for our minors will be in Windgap on Monday August 9th v Kilmacow.
Glenmore: Paul Brophy,Christopher Hennessy,Ciarán Vereker,Seán Dollard,Shane Duhig,Thomas Mullally, Darrach Vereker, Declan Murphy(0-1),Cathal Sheehan(0-1),James Connolly(0-1),Colm Roche(0-15,0-9 frees),James Reid,Jason Cody,Patrick O Connor, Forristal(1-0),Oisín Mullally. Galmoy/Windgap: Eoin O Shea ,Darragh Doyle,Colman Moloney,Michael Freaney ,James Purcell(0-2), Jack O Shea, Evan Doyle,Billy Power,Cian O Rourke, Killian Enright(0-1) , Daniel Hanrahan(0-2), Ronan O Brien ,Shane Lomax ,Conor Doyle(0-7frees), Noah O Shea.Subs Used: P J Delaney, Fionn Lonergan, Referee:Gavin Quilty (Slieverue)
BICYCLE HIRE: The new Bicycle Hire Bookings continue in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms and on 051 626944.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES July 19th 2021
HAYDAYS: A flash back to olden times and “a day in the meadow” has become a realitywith the appearance of a horse drawn hay rake as the base for a floral display in Tullahought. Organised by Breda Horgan and the Tidy Towns committee its presence has evoked pleasant memories and a new experience for visitors from near and far.
HAY MACHINE: The horse drawn rake made of iron was one of two types of rakes that mechanised some of the farmers work in the hayfield. Always associated with long scorching hot summer days, the gathering and turning of hay was a laborious task, when every swart had to be turned and returned with a pitch (two liar) fork to ensure its even drying. Carried out over a couple of days, the operation saw a whole family or a team of men and women and children starting up and down the field with the heavier swart’s around the headlands that were in the shade of the ditches. After the hay was deemed to be dry enough or nearly good enough if rain was imminent it was gathered into ranks for the making of small cocks that were later amalgamated into trams. Here the rake was a huge labour saving asset as it criss, crossed the field gathering the loose hay into parallel ranks.
With two types of horse drawn rakes the more basic tumble rake consisting of up to seventeen four foot parallel spikes that slid on two curved runners along the top of the ground. Curved at both ends and sharply pointed the crucial angle of contact to the ground was constantly adjusted by the horseman by a wooden handle, that was then used the tip over the load and on he went for the next lot. Pulled by a single horse it was universally seen as both a skilful and dangerous operation carried out by an experience horseman who followed the rake on foot. Requiring constant observation, co-ordination and on-going reaction to the uneven surface or in the event of the horse stopping suddenly it could see the man or animal spiked if the rake stuck in the ground or tumbled accidentally.
The hay rake on display in Tullahought was the Rolls Royce version with two massive four foot diameter wheels, it was designed to allow the operator to be seated on top of it,with a set of levers to set the angle of the two dozed curved teeth for collection and also to drop the load of gathered hay.A crucial part of the rake operators work when the cocks or trams were made was to have a tidy field that was akin to the honor of a straight furrow for the ploughman.
In the days gone by the traditionally lighter meadows,that only benefited from farmyard manure and bag-stuff the forerunner of 10.10.20, biodiversity abounded with and abundance of wildlife and wild flowers as the joyous singing from unseen skylarks could be heard from high above, On terra firma it was essential that an eye was kept out to spot and remove the occasional dog-root, buachalán or thorny thistle.
Hard days in the meadow were akin to “a day in the bog” in turf country where the welcome break for refreshments consisted of brown bread, sandwiches tea in a bottle and maybe a Marietta biscuit. Time was marked to the minute by the position of the sun and assisted by the calling of the midday and evening angelus bells. Equally important was keeping an eye on the horizon, locally Slievenamon for its color, cloud formation, changing breeze direction that could forecast imminent weather changes.
In days before sun-cream reduced the farmer’s tan, a flat peaked cap turned to suit the wearer was the normal apparel whilst a rare Si Gaoith and swarming bees were the only other possible distractions to the task in hand.
BRINGING IT HOME: After the hay or hay cocks were made into trams and left for a while to settle the next task was bringing them into the farmyard. Building trams was an art in itself with many styles from the diameter of the base to the height with the sides trimmed to throw off the rain. The finish was the crucial part with a well put together sop of hay designed to go on the top to prevent the rain going down through the tram cock. Tied down to itself with two twines that required adjusting as the tram settled, stones were used in places to keep a constant strain on them. Pre the proliferation of tractors and the square bale, trams were taken home by a specialised hay cart that could be tilted, backed into the base of the tram which would be pulled onto it by a winch. The more common way was to sleigh it home behind the horse, a task that raised plenty of dust off the dry ground and created soogans made from loose pieces of hay. On arrival in the farmyard a reek of hay was built out in the open if a shed was unavailable. Another art form that included great co-ordination by the pikers on the ground and the man or men on top building a solid secure and waterproof bench of winter fodder. Associated with it were the longer handled piking fork and the Hay Knife that was used to cut a section of the reek for feeding when required.With most of the rakes being built by Ransomes Sims and Jefferies in Ipswich and Pierces of Wexford the surviving ones have provided an insight to other long hot summer days
CAMOGIE NEWS: Windgap senior camogie panel went down to Thomastown in Thomastown on Sunday morning. The side play Clara in the fourth round of the Michael Lyng motors senior league next Sunday. In the All Ireland under sixteen final Ali Kennedy had a great game in goal for the Kilkenny side who went down to Cork by two points.
GALMOY WINDGAP: The side played three league games in the past week with the minors overcoming The Fenians in Johnstown on Monday evening, the under fifteens going down to Dunnamaggin in a thriller by 4-14 to 3-14 on Wednesday evening and the under thirteen’s under team manager Alan Hearne defeating James Stephens B in Windgap on Friday evening For all the details see Jerry Drennan’s match reports in the Sports pages.
CLUB NEWS: Windgap recorded a good win over Mooncoin in the All County Junior Hurling League on Thursday evening in Windgap with the Junior C side playing Danesfort in a challenge game in Danesfort at midday on Sunday.
BICYCLE HIRE: The new Bicycle Hire Bookings continue in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms and on 051 626944.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES July 12th 2021
COMHGAIRDEACHAS: Best wishes are extended to all the communities that have entered this year’s Supervalu Tidy Towns competition. In particular those in the local parishes of Windgap, Dunnamaggin and Callan who provide six of Kilkenny’s twenty three entries to date.They include the veteran entries of Callan, Kells and silver medalists Tullahought with award winning Windgap and newcomers Kilmoganny and Dunnamaggin. The pocket of active communities looking after and improving their areas spreads across directly the Lingaun Valley into County Tipperary with near neighbors Ahenny/Clashnasmuth and Faugheen entering for the first time where they are joined by, Kilcash,Clogheen,Ballingarry, Drangan,Mullinahone and silver medalists and former national winners Kilsheelin.
ONE ALL DRAW: After fifteen years playing together at juvenile level Galmoy and Windgap adult hurlers played a one all draw when the sides met in two league games in the past week. The first outing was in the All County League in Galmoy on Thursday evening when the visitors took the spoils with Galmoy coming from behind to level the series in the Junior C League on Saturday evening. In between both clubs playing as Galmoy Windgap lined out in three separate competitions at juvenile level. In them the minors overcame Danesfort in Windgap on Monday, the under fifteens going down to John Lockes in Windgap on Wednesday evening with the under thirteen’s recording a win in Glenmore on Friday evening.
In the adult games Windgap’s junior side opened the scoring against a well below full strength Galmoy side. Despite this the sides were tied on five occasions with the lead switching before Windgap took a four points half time lead. After the home side reduced the lead to a single point after the restart two injuries allowed Windgap go on to build up a match winning lead.
On Saturday evening it was straight for some supporters from the All Ireland minor hurling Final in Portlaoise to the Junior C league game in Galmoy where the home side opened the scoring. Thanks to a Windgap scoring spree that included 1-1 from Gary Lyons the visitors were eight points up at the end of the first quarter before Galmoy retook a two point lead by half time. With the sides tied with ten minutes to go the fitter and more determined Galmoy side ran out winners.The results will see Windgap Juniors play Mooncoin in a top of the table clash in Windgap on Thursday evening whilst the Junior C team has completed their league games with two wins and two losses. Marking the occasion was the unveiling and use of Galmoy’s new electronic scoreboard that went on to record the final result as Galmoy 3-12 to Windgap’s 3-8.
CAMOGIE NEWS: Congratulations are extended to the County under 16's who are through to the All Ireland Final after defeating Tipperary in Banagher on Sunday last and especially to our two club members Ali Kennedy and Denise Foley.
The Senior Camogie Team were defeated by Muckalee in the second round of the League on Sunday and play Thomastown in Thomastown on Sunday next the 18th of July. The under fourteens are through to the Gealtec League Semi Final, which will be played against Mooncoin tonight Wednesday 14th July in Windgap All support welcome.
AG IMIRT PEIL: Keeping up the football tradition of the Slatequarries, Lamogue and Cotterstown are the local ladies Gaelic footballers. They include Mollie Walsh and Catherine Foley who line out with Mullinahone and Julie Walsh in the blue and white of Gael Òga in Dublin.
UNSOCIABLE BEHAVIOR: The remains of slabs of empty beer cans were scattered along the main Callan to Windgap road between Coolagh and Seskin with bags of rubbish being left at nearby field entrances.
VOLUNTEER CENTRE: Kilkenny Volunteer Centre is providing a Garda E-Vetting service for local non-profit organizations on vetting@volunteerkilkenny.ie Current volunteer opportunities are available in Reception/ Research/Presenting in Community Radio with St Candice’s Credit Union looking for members living in the common bond area who are interested in becoming Committee Board Members. If interested, please contact info@volunteerkilkenny.ie call 087 1165658 or register on www.volunteerkilkenny.ie
CLOTHES COLLECTION: A Clothes Collection organised by the Camogie Club will take place next Thursday 15th July at 4pm. As this is the only fund raiser we can do at the moment Ann will arrange the collection details if you have any clothes please contact the Club Chairperson Ann Foley on 086 3699542.
BICYCLE HIRE: The new Bicycle Hire Bookings continue in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms and on 051 626944.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES July 5th 2021
WELCOME BOOSTER: Hurling, with a Leinster Senior Championship game, for the ages, provided the nation with a huge lift in the Covid restricted times in Croke Park on Saturday evening.The epic, end to end battle with Wexford lasted well over one hundred nail biting minutes that included all of the skills and passion of bygone days and brought the game to extra time.
Watched and listened to across the world, the mixed and ever changing emotions of the limited ten present capacity attendance were audible as they spread far and wide. With many mixed emotions at the final whistle, great credit was extended to all involved in the memorable game, as the result saw Kilkenny advance to the Leinster Final and Wexford have another championship date.
SPORTING STAR Taking time off from his legendary road running former Windgap hurling star Brenan Cronin was to be seen putting in the high speed laps on the softer grass surface on the Windgap pitch on recent Saturday afternoons. Still a club member and follower, the versatile sportsman spent his youth playing soccer that was bookended with Kilmoganny's Glen Rovers and Iverk in Piltown. In between, with Templeorum United, it was Roy of the Rovers stuff when as a fourth division side they qualified for the final of the McCalmount Cup. Played in Tennypark the injury hit side eventually went down 2-0 to EMFA before they went on to League of Ireland status as Kilkenny City.
In more recent years Brendan and his sister Anne and the late Joe Grincell ran with Clonmel Athletic Club before founding the adult running club in Carrick-on-Suir. In hurling Brendan followed his uncle Phil Cronin onto the Windgap team and played his first game with football team mates Pat Walsh and Michael O’Shea and the under twenty ones under Nicky Hawe against the Emeralds in Urlingford. Facing David “Stoney” Burke the later Mooncoin and Wexford goalkeeper.
Following it, the side reached the U21B South Hurling Final in 1982 against John Lockes having beaten Carrickshock in the semi-final in Piltown where one of the clubs greatest ever supporters was another uncle Joseph.
With his first love being Windgap Hurling Brendan’s recollection of scores games and events between 1981 and 1990 is phenomenal. Lining out at right half forward and wearing no 13 in the clubs last Junior county final win against Danesfort in 1986, his speed, skill, ball winning capacity and forward play attracted the attention of the County selectors as his career peaked after beating Tullaroan in Callan in the 1987 Intermediate championship. Having went on to play senior with Carrick Davins he added two South Intermediate Hurling Titles.
Over his career,Brendan amassed awards in all three disciplines and collected half a dozen Tipperary Veterans titles over 5 and 10k and has participated in the Dublin and Cork Marathons whilst also fundraising for St. Brighids Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. Amongst his soccer highlights was winning the summer fives competition held alongside St. Pauls Church in Piltown with a squad that included the extended Cronin families from Ballygown, Tullahought Baunreigh and Clashnasmuth.
Currently the caretaker in the Owning House retirement village, the sixty year old defies his age and provides an inspirational figure with a wave and a smile as his running style sees him float along the roads of the Lingaun Valley.
NUACHT ÓN GCLUB: On Friday evening the maroon and white clad senior hurlers from Ballingarry visited Windgap for a challenge game. Led by the former Windgap trainer Donal Shelly and Derek Hogan the thirty three strong panel started well in front of a good crowd. Having given a run to many of their extended panel referee Pat Dunphy's final whistle gave victory to the home side. Windgap hosted Threecastles and secured the two league points in their 3rd Round JJ Kavanagh as Sons Junior C League tie in Windgap on Sunday morning. See Mary Morgan’s match report and photos in the sport pages.
GALMOY WINDGAP: In the fourth round of the minor league Galmoy Windgap snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Windgapon Monday evening. Playing Danesfort the side found themselves six points behind 5-5 to 0-14 at the three-quarter way stage when Danesfort netted their fifth goal. With just two subs MichaelFrayne and Noah O’Shea the combined sides rally started when a Michael Frayne goal set the team up to score 2-6 without reply for a 2-20 to 5-5 victory. The match referee was John Kennedy. See Jerry Drennan’s match reports in the Sports Pages
NUACHT CAMÓIGIOCHTA: The Senior Camogie league got off to a great start for Windgap with a super win on Sunday 4th July at 11am in Windgap against St Lachtains/Lisdowney with a final score of 7-8 to 2-10. The Panel were Catherine Foley, Sarah Doherty, Laura Foley, Molly Walsh, Margaret Purcell, Niamh Bambrick, Aoife Power, Eimear Moylan, Deirdre Purcell, Claire Grace, Mandy Power, Elaine Power, Caoimhe O Shea, Joanne Cody, Ciara Molloy, Nathania Jackson, Eimear Smith, Orlaith O Shea, Sarah Grace, Emer Barron and Gillian Costello. The game provided a seniordebut for three of the younger players in Orlaith O Shea, Eimear Smith and Nathania Jackson. Scorers were Catherine Foley 2-4 Nathania Jackson 2-0 Sarah Grace 1-0 Orlaith O Shea 1-0, Eimear Smith 1-0. Molly Walsh, Caoimhe O Shea,Laura Foley, Niamh Bambrick 0-1 each. The next Match is verses St. Martins in Muckalee on Sunday next at 11am.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Liathróid Laimhe Wall Ball One Wall County Championships continued in Windgap during the week. The results sawEddie Bourke O’Loughlins defeating Eamon Purcell Windgap in the Masters AFinal and Simon Walsh Windgap defeating John McGuire of Galmoyin the Masters B decider.
BUS SERVICE: The Local Link Bus Service from Windgap and Tullahought to Carrick-On-Suir service continues to operate at 50% capacity from Monday to Saturday. Also available are services on every Thursday from the South Kilkenny area to Dunne’s Stores in Kilkenny. To book a seat please call 1890 424141 or 056 7715912 Monday to Friday 09.00 to 16.30pm.
TIDY TOWNS: With Windgap and Tullahought having entered this year’s Super Valu National TidyTowns competition the focus has moved to keeping the village’s spic and span.
BICYCLE HIRE: The new Bicycle Hire Bookings continue in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms and on 051 626944.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES June 29th 2021
WINDGAP WAS BUZZING:
Windgap village was full of life and activities at the weekend, with the hosting of the One Wall Handball County Championships, a visiting Motor Caravanning Group, the playground and Camogie and hurling activities.
CARAVANNING SUCESS: Windgap welcomed a new era over the weekend when the Tea Rooms and Community combined to support the visit of a motor caravanning club to the village. Located beside the new community centre the visiting caravans and vintage cars added variety and colour to the area.As part of the trip, the visitors from Cork, Limerick and Dublin got a guided tour of the village,supported the Tea Room breakfasts and dinners and then visited the historical and heritage sights of the Coshel, Ahenny and the Slatequarries. With the evening highlight being the open air camp side sing song and session with the visiting and plethora of local musicians organised John Ryan and Mark Dwan.
At it, wheel barrows of logs, fed sparks to the heavens before they cleared to reveal a star studded sky. As the smell of wood smoke wafted beyond the socially distanced seating circle, the old reliable and new tunes and songs from across the country got an airing.Thrown in too were links to the Yorkshire coal miners and another “Bearna” back around Scartaglen.
Finishing up as the Strawberry Moon rose over Coolhill the visitors were out early and back on their bikes,with some visiting the Túr Amharc and attending Sunday morning Mass in Tullahought. The feedback was of a terrific experience from all sides.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS: Liathróid Laimhe made its return outdoors on Saturday when the annual Wall Ball (One Wall) Handball County Championships commenced. The competitions were played in ideal conditions at the hurling wall in Windgap, where the competitors weren't long getting back into the swing of things as many of the games were close as the timer rang out. Played on a league only basis congratulations are extended to Aoife Holden of Kilfane who won the Ladies, Emmet Landy Windgap the Mens B and Seán Purcell Mens who won the Mens C after a count back on aces after he tied with Shane Walsh in their individual game. Among the participants were Marie Walsh, Aoife Dowling, Margaret Purcell, Aine Dunne, Catharine Foley Caoimhe O’Shea Anthony Martin, Emmett Landy, Sean Foley and Darragh O’Shea, Shane Walsh, Adam O’Shea and Sean Purcell, The action continues over the next week with the Masters and Mens Open grades.
NUACHT ÓN GCLUB: Windgap traveled to Urlingford to play the Emeralds in miserably wet conditions in the All County Hurling League on Thursday evening. A rerun of the last year’s championship ties in Kilmanagh the visitors playing into the road and clubhouse goal led by four points at half time. With the home side short Aidan Fogarty amongst many others the visitors ran out winners by eight points by 2-14 to 0-16.Best for Windgap was Emmett Landy and Sean Purcell and the subs were Adam O’Shea, Sean Barron, Shane Walsh, Peter Landy and Gary Lyons.
In scenic Dr Tierney Park in Graiguenamanagh on Sunday the Junior C side recorded a three points win with the assistance of a strong second half breeze into the country goal having being 1-8 to 1-5 behind at the break. The subs were Niall O’Brien, Gerry Purcell and Brendan Power. Making his debut at the games was Sonny Purcell the parish’s youngest person who was present with his mother Aoife as they watched his father Vincent line out at corner back. See Junior Board PRO Mary Morgan’s match reports in the Sports Pages
GALMOY WINDGAP: Three competitive sides represented Galmoy Windgap during the week. The under thirteen’s commenced their league in Galmoy on Friday against St Martins. With just sixteen players available they faced a much stronger Muckalee side that are fielding two teams. After a poor start they competed very well and rolled back a ten point deficit at the first break to eight at half time and three at the final whistle.
The under fifteens played a see saw high scoring game St. Patricks of Ballyragget in Galmoy on Wednesday evening. Having being seven points behind early on the combined side were six up at the break and six behind at the second break. As the scoring rate continued the referee called time with the score at 6-20 to 4-16 in favour of St. Patricks.
In Castlecomer on Monday evening the minors showing great determination to record a fine win over Erin’s Own. Led in the early stages, the side built up a seven point lead only to see an Erin’s Own comeback with ten minutes to go. A well saved penalty by Eoin O’Shea saw the ball was despatched down field for an additional point that proved valuable as Erin’s Own added a further brace of goals. See Jerry Drennan’s match reports in the Sports Pages
NUACHT CAMÓIGIOCHTA: Well done to Ciara O'Shea and Aisling O'Shea who played with the Kilkenny under fourteens against Tipperary in Tullaroan and Ona Kennedy and Caoimhe Power who played with Kilkenny at the same level against Offaly in Birr.
TIDY TOWNS.Work has gone online with the submission of the entry forms for this year’s Super Valu National Tidy Towns competition that are due in on this Friday July 2nd.
BUS SERVICE: The Local Link Bus Service from Windgap and Tullahought to Carrick-On-Suir service continues to operate at 50% capacity from Monday to Saturday. Also available are services on every Thursday from the South Kilkenny area to Dunne’s Stores in Kilkenny. To book a seat please call 1890 424141 or 056 7715912 Monday to Friday 09.00 to 16.30pm.
VOLUNTEERS: The Newly established Kilkenny Volunteer Centre www.volunteerkilkenny.ie is recruiting for Welcome Volunteers - Ambassadors for the Summer. The Volunteers will be required to do a four hour shift on a Thursday to Sunday for July and or August on locations along the Medieval Mile. If you love Kilkenny and are passionate about helping visitors around the city please get in touch. Call 087 1165658 or email info@volunteerkilkenny.ie Full Training will be provided.
BICYCLE HIRE: The new Bicycle Hire Bookings continue in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms and on 051 626944.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES June 22nd 2021
ALL STARS DAY: Sunday was an All Stars day at Windgap GAA pitch when the Camogie Player of the Year and All Star Denise Gaule and her fellow scoring forward of the National Camogie league winning team Mickealla Kenneally attended the senior Camogie challenge game against Piltown. Having just left the grounds JJ Delaney the Hurling player of the Year in 2003 and multi All Star donned the number twelve white and blue Fenians jersey as his side had a comfortable victory over the home side in the Junior C League game. Also present were former Camogie All Star Catherine Foley who lined out with the Camogie side and Hurling All Star Kieran Purcell with his grandsons who watched the hurling game.
On the pitch, stars of the past present and future participated in the weekend training and games.
COMHGAIRDEASCHAS: Congratulations are extended to the Kilkenny Camogie team and Management on their great comeback and win over Galway in the National Hurling League Final win in Croke Park on Sunday evening. Playing key parts were the clubs Denise Gaule with six points and the hard working Mickealla Kenneally with two. Joining them with Windgap connections were Kelly Anne and Aoife Doyle daughters of Noelle and former Windgap hurling star Gay. With Aoife scoring 1-2 the goal was reminiscent of her father’s strikes over the years in the red and white jersey. Elsewhere Niamh Sweeney plays for our sister club in Galmoy and Aoife Prendergast is the granddaughter of the former creamery manager John Prendergast.
CRAFTS QUERY: a number of queries have arrived to see if the wide range of crafts on display at the successful Christmas craft market are available during the busier summer weekends. With the Tea Rooms back in operation and the new bike hire service adding to the footfall with the playground, heritage sites and the popular walks in Windgap Tullahought and Kilmacoliver. All that is required to enhance the visiting experience and assist those interested in viewing the crafts and supporting the local craftspeople is a secure Saturday or weekend display area.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: The month long photographic competition organised by the Windgap Tidy Towns group draws to a close on Wednesday 30th of June.The event with an adult and juveniele section is limited to items that can be seen on or from the pathways of the Bearna Breac and Village Loop Walk. Entry forms are available in Walsh’s Shop in the Village.
BICYCLE HIRE: Bookings for the new Bicycle Hire centre based in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms can be arranged by calling in to the Tea Rooms or ringing 051 626944. Full equipment for all ages and abilities and route details are available onsite.
JUNIOR TEAMS: After Windgap Juniors saw themselves 0-10 to 0-5 behind at the break against Blacks and Whites in the All County Hurling League game played in Windgap on Thursday evening the side recovered to record a 0-14 to 0-11 victory wind assisted in the second half.
On Sunday afternoon the Junior C team with a panel of just sixteen who lost Carl McCoy to a serious first half injury were led 2-8 to 0-5 by the Fenians at the break,before the northern side ran out 4-14 to 1-6 winners. The team was Adam O'Shea, Vincent Purcell, Shane Walsh, Kieran Purcell, Josh Price, Seán Purcell, Peter Landy, Jim Power, Carl McCoy, Eoin Cody, Michael Power, Gary Lyons, Blade O' Gorman, Ger. Purcell, Pa Moore and Seán Barron substituted for Carl McCoy to whom best wishes are extendedfor a speedy recovery.See Junior Board PRO Mary Morgan’smatch reports in the Sports Pages
GALMOY WINDGAP: Having being 2-2 to nil down after just four minutes against Clara the U 13B side fashioned an amazing team effort to come back and win in Clara on Wednesday evening with Conor Doyle adding 3-11. On Monday evening the minors had a one point victory over The Harps from Laois. Having being behind at the break 0-9 to 1-4 at the half time break the sides were tied at 1-9 at the three quarter way stage before they ran out 1-14 to 1-13 winners. For all the details see Jerry Drennan’s match reports in the Sports Pages
PEIL: So close and yet so far was the Windgap football story as their quarter final victors Carrickshock went on to defeat Barrow Rangers to reach the 2020 county final. In the Hugginstown based club men led by 0-7 to 0-2 before being caught on the post by Graigue ballycallan. The victors joy of winning as Brendan Joyce collected their first county football trophy since 2003 were shared by their football board delegate of forty years John Power from Foxcover and lifelong supporters and former Graig and Ballycallan players that included Joe Ronan, Michael Dermody and Jack Ronan .
Similar scenes were witnessed when Ned Kirwan and Shane Kelly lifted the Intermediate and Senior Football County trophies for Thomastown and Mullinavat on the same day. In these unusual times the 2021 competition offers the local side a chance at the end of the year to go the whole way and win a football title
NUACHT CAMÓIGIOCHTA: The Club had a wonderful weekend of Camogie Games when the senior girls played their first challenge match of the season against Piltown. Afterwards their Manager Niall and Selectors Bob, Mick and Chloe were delighted with the sides work rate. The county under sixteen’s with Ali Kennedy and Denise Foley on the panel won their match against Wexford whilst the Club was represented in Croke Park by Denise Gaule and Michaela Kenneally who lined out for the Kilkenny Senior Team on Sunday evening.
TIDY TOWNS. Work is on-going in Windgap and in Tullahought on Tuesday evening on both the new floral arrangements, grass and litter management. With the entry forms due in on July 1st all are welcome to assist.
UNSOCIABLE BEHAVIOUR: Two hanging baskets disappeared from the walls of a private house in the village on Sunday evening. Local CCTV is being checked out
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES June 15th 2021
AR AIS ARÍS: The return of the fine weather and competitive games at all levels; even with limited attendances was widely welcomed. With the partial return to normality a weekend review of the activities in the three villages of Windgap, Tullahought and Killamery in the parish, saw one shop, one pub, the Tearooms, the creamery store and with a broadband outage not enough juice to stream Sunday Mass.
BICYCLE HIRE: A new Bike Hire Pilot Scheme commenced on this Monday June 14th in Windgap. The local hiring hub that has been organised in conjunction with Kilkenny Leader, Cycle Kilkenny Bike Hire and the Lingaun Valley Tourism group will be based in The Lakeside shop and Tea rooms in Windgap. In addition to offering a choice of standard and electric bikes for full or half-day hire and all necessary equipment, including helmets and high-vis vests and maps. The overall plan is to open up the Valleys historic and scenic areas for visitors of all abilities and interests to explore with maps being included by Tommy Enright and Daniel O Mahony of Lingaun Valley Tourism committee.
The contact number in the Lakeside Shop and Tea Rooms booking centre is 051 626944. Full details of all loop routes and hub facilities can be found at trailkilkenny.ie/kilkennybikehire
FOOTBALL: Carrickshock eventually proved much too strong in the Junior Football quarter final played in Hugginstown on Tuesday evening. The side under trainer Paul Cahill were well in it at the half time break on a Carrickshock 0-3 to Windgap’s 0-2 having played against the breeze on a damp misty evening. After the side exchanged points on the restart the first turning point came with a Carrickshock goal from Kevin Farrell. Two further points before the water break saw them extend their lead before two Windgap replies directly after it balanced them out. The final period of the game saw the home side playing smart fast football take over with three points on the trot with the highlight being two great saves by Mitch Corrigan in the Windgap goal. With Windgap on an all-out attack Brian Drennan added a second breakaway goal to leave the final score Carrickshock 2-8 to Windgap 0-5.
The Windgap side was Michael Mitch Corrigan, Peter Landy, James Mackey, Shane Walsh, Adrian Landy, Emmet Landy, Sean Foley, William Phelan, Darragh O’Shea, Cian Ryan, Pat Grace, Jim Power, Josh Price, Eoin Cody, Peter Hennessey, Luke Ward, James Culleton, Ger. Purcell, Pa Moore, and Alan Hearne.
CLUB NEWS: The Windgap Junior C side played an outstanding Carrick Swans team that were preparing for their 2020 Covid postponed South Tipperary Junior Final in a challenge game in Windgap on Friday evening. The Gerry Grace coached side showed lots of skill, speed and movement for their forthcoming tie with Grangemockler. The Windgap team who make their League debut against the Fenians in Windgap on Sunday next at 2pm was in goal Peter Landy, Luke Ward, Shane Walsh, Vincent Purcell, Ger. Purcell, James Mackey, Conor Lonergan, Michel Power, Peter Hennessey, Carl McCoy, Jim Power, Blade O’Gorman, Zak Kennedy, Josh Price, Brendan Power, Eoin Cody, Alan Hearne,
JUNIORS: Windgap Junior travelled to Carrigeen to play Waterford’s Erin’s Own on Sunday morning where they recorded a four point win with just the bare fifteen players. The side under the Management team of Paul Cahill, Eamon Murphy, Phillip Lonergan, Kenneth O’Shea and Alan Hearne was in goal Peter Landy, David Doyle, Pat Power, Darragh O’Shea, Sean Foley, Emmett Landy, Pat Grace, Séan Power, Cian Ryan, James Culleton, William Phelan, Paraic Foley, Blade O’Gorman, James Mackey and Shane Walsh.
GALMOY WINDGAP: The glory days of Galmoy and Windgap’s fifteen years amalgamation at juveniele level that saw the side’s minor team qualify for the last two minor A semi-finals take a step back as they have only four players up to age on this year’s panel. The squad sees Galmoy with three-quarters of the senior players in David Sherman, Daniel Hanrahan and Callum Lonergan with Killian Enright representing Windgap whilst the Northern reps have no fourteen year old player in their club or on the panel. Lining out in the B league, the side went down 3-25 to 0-16 to James Stephens in their first challenge game. On Monday evening the side played the Emeralds in the Kilkenny Honda Centre Minor Hurling League Roinn B first round tie in Urlingford. In a game where they showed tremendous spirit they found themselves seven points behind at half time with the Emeralds going fifteen points ahead before a late rally saw the final scoreline Emeralds 2-18 Galmoy Windgap 2-10
The Galmoy Windgap side was Eoin O Shea, Cian O Rourke, David Sherman, Colman Moloney, James Purcell (0-1), Calum Lonergan (1-3), Evan Doyle, Billy Power, Ronan O Brien, Killian Enright, Jack O Shea, Niall Drennan (1-4), Noah O Shea, Daniel Hanrahan (0-1), Conor Doyle. Subs Used: John Dermody (0-1), Michael Freaney, Shane Lomax and P J Delaney. Full match report in the sports pages compliments of Jerry Drennan.
CAMOGIE FINAL: Kilkenny with an inspirational Denise Gaule and Mickealla Kenneally on board qualified for a National League Final tilt with Galway when they defeated Tipperary at the death in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday. The side were five points behind in the fifty fourth minute when Denise struck for her second goal and went on to wrap up the 3-12 to 0-19 victory with two late frees in her match total of 2-8.
REMOTE WORKING: Kilkenny County Council and the local Community Development committee are investigating the provision a remote working hub in Tullahought Community Center.
TIDY TOWNS. Work continues in Windgap throughout the week and in Tullahought on Tuesday evenings and all are welcomeCLUB TRAINERS. The story of our club trainers is to be continued an tseachtáin seo chughain ….
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES June 8th 2021
DEVELOPMENT PLAN: At the bottom of the population ladder in County Kilkenny behind Galmoy and just ahead of Tullaroan great interest has been taken in the Draft County Development Plan. With the trio of parishes averaging well over thirty per-cent behind the next lowest populated parish the focus on single rural dwellings and group housing to sustain the present the existing communities schools, shops and clubs has increased in recent days.
With the proposed plan being published in the coming weeks further submissions can be made to the amendments.
CLUB NEWS: Depending on the outcome of Windgap’s Junior footballer’s quarter final game verses Carrickshock in the 2020 championship in Hugginstown this Tuesday evening the upcoming fixtures with Covid limited attendances are. A possible football semi-final on Saturday 12th verses Barrow Rangers that will be followed by The All County Junior League Group B game against Blacks and Whites on Thursday 17th. The Junior B side make their debut against the Fenians in Windgap on Sunday 20th at 2pm. The season will also bring a new Twitter Feed operator for the games as they take place.
GALMOY WINDGAP: The hurling season opened for the combined Galmoy Windgap teams with a useful minor challenge against James Stephens in Larchfield on the Bank Holiday Monday evening. The sides were locked together 0-10 to 1-7 at the interval, but James Stephens pushed on for a deserved win where referee Paul Cahill was in charge of the whistle.This was a good preparation game for the opening League encounter of the campaign which sees Galmoy/Windgap take on The Emeralds in Urlingford on Monday next June 14th.
In the various league games being played under Covid guidelines the Galmoy/Windgap Minors play in the Roinn B League Group B with the first round on Mon Jun 14th at 7pm in Urlingford. In the U-15 Fixtures Roinn B League Group B side has a bye 1st Round the and play St Patricks in Rd 2: Wed Jun 23rd at 7pm in Galmoy. In the U-13 Roinn B Leaguethe first Roundgame takes place on Fri Jun 18th v St Martins at 7pm in Galmoy.
TIDY TOWNS. Part of a series of recycled farm and household implements two new flower planting arrangements using ladies bicycles have been added by Breda Horgan at the Coach House.They join churns, wheelbarrows, buckets, baths, watering cans and a plough as ornamental planters.On Saturday the door and windows of the Coach House beside the Church in Tullahought were painted.
In olden times it was used for stabling the priest’s horse when he arrived from the parochial House in Windgap to say Mass. Also painted and planted with flowers were the church seat planters, with summer flowers also set at the Community Centre, church and car park. Elsewhere the shrub and flower bed below Egan’s was tidied up with Powers Pub getting a painted facelift in preparation for Mondays re-opening.Work continues on Tuesday evenings and all are welcome
CLUB TRAINERS: Whilst looking forward to the new season’s activities, the seventh look back on the adult team trainers in the club brings us back to the mythical village of Knocknagow and the “Homes of Tipperary”. The book written by Charles Kickham was the most popular Irish book in the late 19th and early 20th century and was published in serial form over three years from 1870 and as a book in 1879. Based around Mullinahone the home place of our next trainer, the story about land and love is set against backdrop of evictions, absentee landlords and their vicious land-agents. It featured the legendary hero Matt "the Thrasher" O’Donovan the sportsman who faced down Captain French in a hammer throwing competition. From the “little village” the modern hero was one John Leahy an all-round sportsman with a winning attitude who brought hurling in the staunchly football area from the very bottom to the very top of the senior pile in Tipperary. At the height of his inter county hurling career and having played handball in the new alley in Windgap,John ventured West over the border and across the main road in Killamery to train Windgap. Having brought a huge profile to the Club, attendances at training, confidence levels and performances grew. Over his two years with the club his gentle demeanour, firmness, topspin and unexcitable presence on the side-line, left their mark, with his support for the local community continuing under many guises to the present day. Having played senior inter county hurling for fifteen years it started an era when the Tipperary senor hurling team sheet was decorated with the previously unknown Mullinahone Club name as family names that included the Leahy’s,Kelly’s, Currans and O’Meara’s made their mark for the county. Although Johns side seldom played Kilkenny at senior championship level, the rivalry was intense and competitive with John winning three All Ireland senior hurling medals, four National Hurling League titles,three All Star Hurling awards an under twenty one Hurling All Ireland and a McGrath Cup Senior Football Title. With the green above the red of Mullinahone’s jerseys John was the Player Manager in the Clubs momentous Dan Breen Senior Hurling County Title breakthrough when they defeated Thurles Sarsfields after a replay in 2002. Following his time in Windgap John also trained Carrickshock, Danesfort and Carrigeen, has moved into triathlons and works with the Health Board in Kilkenny. The story of our club trainers continued an seachtáin seo caite ….
OUT AND ABOUT: Walkers and cyclists and day trippers took advantage of the fine weather around the Lingaun Valley to visit the Bearna Breac and Village Loop in Windgap, the Kilmacoliver Loop in Tullahought along with the High Crosses in Ahenny the Coshel in Knockroe and the Slatequarries, with recent visitors coming from as far away as Cork and Clare.
BRUSCAR: Not to be seen again until it’s chopped by the hedge cutters in the autumn, rubbish is still being thrown from passing vehicles onto the local road side margins and ditches. Whilst it is disappearing into the long grass efforts by residents to keep their roadside margins tidy by mowing them has seen bags of rubbish being broken and scattered about.
ONLINE DRAW; The results Windgap Community Development Limited Online Lotto draw for the Community Centre next week.
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES June 1st 2021
ROLLING ALONG: A good news week in the area includes the planned opening of a hire business and a weekend Caravan event taking place in Windgap. Also the expansion of the Kilmacoliver Loop Walk, advanced discussions taking place with the various mobile providers for the new mobile mast, the successful online fundraiser for the Community Center and the return of hurling,football and Camogie matches
CYCLING RETURNS: A key part of life in previous generations that has seen a resurgence during the Covid lockdown is cycling. Along with “Shanks Mare” a horse and cart or pony and trap as a means of transport,it is set for a major return in the area with the opening of a bicycle Hire Centre in Windgap. Part of Kilkenny Leader and the Lingaun Valley Tourism Committees development plan for the area, it will join half a dozen similar operations across county Kilkenny.
The rollout follows the work of the Lingaun Valley cycling subcommittee in drawing up suitable routes along the maze of roads across the rolling countryside. With many of the South Tipperary cycling routes already in place along the western bank of the River it is sure to rekindle the great cycling stories of Sean Kelly’s training spins and of those to events like the All Irelands in Croke Park. The additional cycle hire centers include Castlecomer,Thomastown,Graiguenamanagh, Rower-Inistioge areas.
FOOTBALL FIRST: Windgap’s first game in any code in almost nine months will see the Junior footballers take on Carrickshock in the 2020 championship quarter final in Hugginstown. The match with Covid limited attendances will take place on Tuesday next at 7.15pm. An important game it will set down a marker for the season ahead. All of the clubs fixtures along with a brief history, drone map of the pitch, plus an interactive Google Map can be found on the new Kilkennygaa.ie website on the Clubs section under Windgap.
WINDGAP FOUNDATION: Last week’s reference to a Tidy Towns blog query from a great grandnephew of Fr.James Brennan who built the Grotto in Windgap, has thrown up a local gem from down under. It has come to light that Peter’s great grandfather and Fr. James brother Daniel named his house at Mount Street in Coogee in Sydney“Windgap”.After his death, the house was sold to a non-profit organisation to support people with intellectual disabilities.The foundation then took its name from the house ‘Windgap’ and is still going strong in the Southern and Eastern areas of Sydney.The Windgap Foundation is a not for profit organisation and started when a group of parents banded together to provide education for their children who had been denied access to the standard education system. The group, supported by many local politicians, councils and community members has extended into every area of community care and support that can be seen onhttps://www.windgap.org.au To assist Peters queries on the Grotto, his unknown American Cousins who recently visited the area and his ancestors around Dysart Glebe in Muckalee Parish on the main Kilkenny Road out of Castlecomer,please contact Richard Walsh on tullahoughttidytowns@gmail.com or call 087 9963355
KILMACOLIVER LOOP: The popular Trail Kilkenny walk having featured in the National Papers, on RTE and numerous books and walking publications is set for expansion. The 6km trail described as being located in beautiful, rolling, pastoral countryside commences on the Long Pavement in Tullahought. From there it travels uphill along roads and laneways with the most regular highlights noted being the wildflowers and the old homestead. Also a fresh water spring at a very high level and great views from the summit including those of a circle of standing stones believed by Dr. Muiris O’Suilleabhain the renowned Coshel archaeologist to be a 5,000 year old megalithic tomb and a young woodland that includes oak, larch, cherry beech, and birch on the return journey. The new plans include a mini loop at the lower level and adding an extension to it close to the summit.
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: A summer of activities has being organised for adult and juvenile visitors to the Bearna Breac and Village Loop walks in Windgap. Organised by Windgap Tidy Towns group and commenced on the 1st of June with a Photographic Competition. The event will run for a month from the 1st until the 30th of June and is limited only to items that can be seen on or from the pathways of the Bearna Breac and Village Loop Walk. Entry forms in Walsh’s Shop with the results being announced at the end of October.
EXAMS: Mass will be celebrated for all Students doing the Leaving Cert Exam in St Nicholas's Church in Windgap on Saturday 4th June at 7.15pm. All Students are invited to attend.
OUT AND ABOUT: The improvement in the weather saw the whitethorn and bluebells come into full bloom with a focus on the first cut silage. Elsewhere a family of Herons took up occupancy out in the open in a reseeded field, with two of them standing sentry like on the sides of a new concrete cattle trough whilst a third observed from a distance. Often erroneously called “Cranes”after their cousins that are extinct in Ireland with over three hundred years.
FOXGLOVES; Thanks are extended to Joan and the staff and children from Skough Hill Playschool for the foxgloves that they grew from seed and have been planted in the beds near the 1916 monument in Tullahought. The Tidy Towns group held their most recent meeting in the Car Park on Saturday morning with work continuing every Tuesday evening at 7pm. All are welcome. Next week an update on the new flower planters in the village.
MÍLE BUOICHAS Windgap Community Development Limited extend thanks to the sponsors and supporters of the Online Lotto draw for the Community Centre. Full details and results next week.
CLUB TRAINERS: Whilst looking forward to the new season’s activities, the seventh look back on the adult team trainers in the club has being deferred owing to additional items. An seachtáin seo caite for certain we return to the “Homes of Tipperary”
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
WINDGAP TULLAHOUGHT NOTES May 22nd 2021
SBWRIEL, SGUDAL: Just across the pond in North Wales, the caretakers of Snowdonia’s National Park are tackling one of Ireland’s greatest purges by means of an online survey.
The opening question on their iconic Snowdon mountain survey (Snow Dune or Snow Hill) in Saxon or 'Yr Wyddfa' in Welsh,meaning the grave of the violent giant Rhita Gawr who was killed by the local King Arthur reads “WHY DO YOU DROP YOUR LITTER”In the Welsh language litter-rubbish is called Sbwriel, Sgudal in Scottish,Bruscar in Irish and the universal question remains “Why do we drop our litter”?.
MOAT OR MOTTE: A visit to Callan's brand new walkway around the Motte and its sister walk across Bridge Street in the Abbey Meadows proved to be a revelation. Their settings surrounded by housing, local business’s historical features and Church spires are located alongside the famed Abhainn Rí with wild flowers, trees and birdsong defying the almost urban setting. With something for everyone in seating, footpaths, picnic tables and historical information plaques, it quickly came to light that our raised residential and defensive Moats in Tullahought and Kiltrassy were unrelated to the extensive Motte and Bailey in Callan.
Amongst the great timelines of the town since it was founded by Edward Marshall in 1207 were the arrival of the Augustinian’s and Cromwell. Its history also includes the eras of Edmund Rice,Humphrey O’Sullivan, John Locke and James Hoban and on Sunday 12th of August 1962 the Moat Carnival run by the handball club opened with the final of the 1961 Junior Hurling Tournament between Windgap and Clara. Sure to be a crowd puller (result and match report unknown) it was followed by marquee dancing on top of the Moat to the sound of the El Dorado Showband from Drogheda.
In the electrification era the main raffle prizes throughout the two week festival week were fridges, washing machines and TV’s. Well worth a visit and easy stroll to see and enjoy Callan from the inside and riverside,the unique aroma of freshly made bread wafting from Keoghs family bakery since 1838 is reason enough.
CLUB TRAINERS: Whilst looking forward to the new season’s activities,the seventh look back on the adult team trainers in the club has being deferred owing to additional items.An seachtáin seo caite we return to the “Homes of Tipperary”
SPORTSFIELD: Still going strong the inclement weather has seen the Sportsfield in Tullahought return as a bone dry, sheltered mecca for training. On Friday evening the junior hurlers trained and were followed by the minors on a beautiful Saturday evening under Dermot O Shea, Adrian and Emmet Landy and Pat Walsh. On Sunday morning it was the Senior Camogie squad at 9am and the juniors at 11 with the full list of the Windgap pitch bookings being transferred there to protect the main pitch until the weather and ground conditions improve.
NEW RAILING: Over two evenings in the past week the new railing at the wildlife area in Tullahought was completed. Many thanks are extended to all who assisted in many ways in removing the old one and replacing it.Also for the work carried out elsewhere on the flowerbeds and the growing of plants for them.
END OF MAY: An end of May Rosary will be recited in Windgap Grotto on Sunday next May 30th at 3 pm. It provides an opportunity to see all the improvements that have being carried out by the Tidy Towns group at the Grotto over the past number of months and will also celebrate the repairs to and the return of the statue of St. Bernadette.
AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION: A recent query from Australia read..... I discovered an interesting entry in your Tiny Towns blog when you mentioned the visit from a grand nephew from the United States of the creator of the Windgap Grotto, Fr James Brennan, and P.P.The query came from another great grandnephew of Fr James who is very interested to learn more about his work. The main reason is for Peter to get in contact with their long, lost relatives in America to learn more of their family history.To assist please contact Richard Walsh on tullahoughttidytowns@gmail.com or call 087 9963355
GREAT SUPPORT: Thanks are extended by the Windgap and Tullahought Tidy Towns Groups to the Kilkenny County Council team under CEO Colette Byrne for the Amenity and Grotto Grant that will enhance their work for the National Super Valu Tidy Towns Competition with the entries to be submitted by the 2nd July this year.
LOOKING GOOD: A feature of the Kilkenny GAA Year Book was the sales levels in Windgap where it was available in Walsh’s shop for the first time. Also the panoramic picture of the club grounds that was taken and is available from Andy Ryan Photos in Callan
OUT AND ABOUT: The heavy weekend rains saw the normally high soaring Buzzard take to terra firma. Standing elegantly and graceful in the same field as grazing animal’s,it appeared to be observing and listening for movement before it would make a quick dash of up to ten yards to pick up a morsel of food.
MIDDLE DEANERY: A memorial Mass will be celebrated in St Mary's Cathedral Kilkenny on Friday 28th May at 7.30pm. It will be celebrated for the Dead of the fourteen parishes in the Ossory Middle Deanery who died since the Covid Pandemic was declared and where Funeral mass attendance was restricted due to public worship guidelines. There will be a sapling tree present for each Parish on which will be hung the names of those who died and will be read during this time. The trees and labelled names will be returned to each parish for a parish Commemoration.
The Windgap Parish Commemoration Mass will be celebrated in Windgap on Saturday 29th May at 7.15pm where the tree will be planted on the grounds, and representatives of each deceased person will be invited to attend.
EXAMS: Mass will be celebrated for all Students doing the Leaving Cert Exam in St Nicholas's Church in Windgap on Saturday 4th June at 7.15pm. All Students are invited to attend.
NOTES: Contributors and Clubs are invited to email items for publicationwith a name and contact number to windgapnotes@gmail.com by Sunday evenings at 6pm
The Tullahought Tidy Towns group are participating in the Birdwatch Ireland 2019 Garden Bird Survey which we do annually. To participate in the survey visit Birdwatch Ireland at