SCHULL

HEADSHAVING FOR CHARITY
O’REGAN’S BAR will be responsible for a lot of egg heads for the next week or so. In aid of the Irish Cancer Society, Mark McCarthy is calling all comers to exfoliate for charity on Saturday 25th. Sponsorship cards are available at the pub. Call 028 27530. A shorn Mark might be a good doppelganger for Trotsky, but the appeal is that Mrs. Doyle remains hirsute.

INSHORE RESCUE AGAIN
Early August is always a busy time in and around Schull Harbour and the rescue service was put through its paces this year. The crew was called out for no less than three yachts which hit the rocks at the mouth of the harbour in quick succession during the Offshore Yacht race on Tuesday 7th. The first two did not require assistance, but the rescue boat, under coxswain Denis Ryan, assisted by crew members Kenny Oates and Jackie O’Reilly, was required to tow a 42ft yacht off the rocks and transport an injured person to ashore. The callout was co-ordinated by launch authority Tom McDonald.

SUBARU DRAW
The rescue highlights the need for the ongoing support of the service and the fundraising continues. The draw for the Subaru Forester, sponsored by Denis and Mary Ryan, will take place at the Harbour View Hotel on Saturday, August 25th, at 6.00pm. All 300 tickets have been sold and Schull Community Inshore Rescue Service is extremely grateful for the kind sponsorship by the Ryans and to all the ticket purchasers who have made this fundraising exercise such a pleasant task. Funds raised will help defray the debt incurred for the construction of the new base on the northern foreshore of Schull Harbour. So the countdown begins for 6 pm on Saturday when the lucky ticket holder will learn his or her fortune.

DRAMA TOUR
The Schull Drama Group had such a successful run, playing to packed houses at each performance, with The Fat Lady Sings in Schull, that director, Brian Murphy and the Company are taking their one act comedy on tour. The short piece about the plots and plans of a local drama group will be heading west on Friday, 24th August, to the Parish Hall in Goleen at 8.30 p.m. The following Friday, 31st August, they travel to Glengarriff's Little Hall for an 8 p.m. performance. There will be a special showing for the patients and staff of St. Gabriel's Hospital, Colla Road, on September 7th at 3 pm. Finally, the group will pack the greasepaint and costumes in a waterproof bag and cross the channel to Cape Clear on Saturday, 15th September, where it will truly all be over when the Fat Lady Sings

BALLYDEHOB

WILLIAM Morris from Ballydehob will represent Carbery at the 2007 FBD Young Farmer of the Year Awards, which is run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA. William will be pitted against the country’s other top young farmers in the national final, which takes place in the Dundrum House Hotel on September 3rd and 4th next. The final adjudicating panel will include Willie Fahey (IFAC chief executive) Mairead Lavery (Irish Farmers Journal); Joe Healy (Farming Independent); and T. J. Maher (ex president Macra na Feirme). The aim of this prestigious competition, run by Macra na Feirme in partnership with the IFA, is to recognise and reward the top young farmers in the country. Entrants are judged according to a number of criteria including farm business initiative and innovation, levels of farm efficiency and enterprise quality, farm safety and environmental protection awareness, as well as agricultural knowledge and community involvement. William will be competing for the national prize of travel bursary worth €2,500 and €1,000 spending money.

HOUDINI-like, Ballydehob Festival,
escaped most of the bad weather, ensuring that the vital last two action-packed days at the weekend were run off without a hitch. Crowds took to the streets on Saturday evening to watch and participate in the fun. The events included the world turnip throwing championship and wheelbarrow races but certainly the dog races and pig races got the greatest cheer and provided high entertainment. Some of the leading dogs with the end line in sight decided to halt and settle some old scores while the pigs on spotting Connie O’Sullivan Butcher Shop decided to take a detour to avoid the perceived danger. From early on Sunday local and visiting families began to head for the Community Park for the various activities and shows being staged. There was something for everyone but young people from infants upwards had a particularly wonderful time. At nightfall the enveloping mist seemed to evaporate when the terrific fireworks display from the Twelve Arch Bridge got underway. As the display concluded and darkness again reigned the crowds headed for Main Street to listen and dance to the music of Art Supple and the Showstoppers. Art who was a star of the showband era of the 1960s belied his years with a performance to remember. Midnight had come before the bulk of the crowd had departed bringing the curtain down on another very successful Summer Festival. Thanks to all the sponsors, especially the main sponsors, Guinness and Martin Swanton Auctioneers, the helpers who ensured that everything ran off smoothly but especially to the organising committee who year after year, while other festivals are being abandoned, continue to stage a week of free entertainment for young and old, local and visitor alike.

FESTIVAL RESULTS
Baby Show, under-12 months, inquisitive baby: Maria Whelton; most contented baby: Safiya Taleb-Coakley; best dressed baby: Grace Sleap; best dressed/trendy baby: Dylan Barry; most sociable baby: Evan McCarthy; smiliest baby: joint winners Cian O’Brien and Molly Kelleher; most like parent: Shay Murphy; most energetic baby: Leona Harte; friendliest eyes: Marnie Cameron; most rosy cheeked baby: Ellen O’Donovan. Over-12 months: inquisitive baby: Tom Jenkins; best dressed/trendy baby: Lucy Cronin; most vocal baby: Charlie Healy; best head of hair and energetic baby: Mary Ann Hickey; most sociable baby: Nicola Healy; easiest to smile baby: Faye Healy; cuddliest baby: Keelan Kenny. Duck race: 1. Lisa Coughlan, Skaball Hill; 2. John Callanan, The Parade; 3. Kathleen Cronin, East End; 4. Donal McCarthy, Cappanacolly; 5. Paul O’Sullivan, Church Road. Pony Show: miniature: Frank Power, Bantry; 12.2: M. Walters, Caheragh; 13.2: Carol Seigne, Bawnakeane; 14.2 Niamh Carroll, Derryconnell. Donkey Show: Billy Ryan, Caheragh. World Turnip champion: Kevin Holland, Knockroe. Wheelbarrow race: Noel Camier and Bernadette Barry. Song contest: 1. Siobhan Heapes; 2. Mike McCabe; 3. Eileen Hickey; 4. Daniel Murphy. Charades: 1. Summer Salt; 2. Irish Whip. Dog Show: small dogs: 1. Anita Douglas, Monkey; 2. Pete Gillespie’s, William; 3. Grace Hickey’s, Bruce. Medium Dogs, 1. Linda’s, Lady; 2. Zoe’s, Arlu; 3. Fiona’s, Trey. Large Dogs: 1. Patricia Love’s: Zora; 2. Esther’s, Samara; 3. Gerard O’Sullivan’s, Bailey.

LOTTO JACKPOT
Congratulations to William O’Regan, Raheenroe, on winning the Community Council lotto jackpot of €1,400 at the weekend. William who bought the ticket from his father, Billy, correctly chose the winning numbers 25, 27 and 30. ‘Lucky Dip’ winners in this draw included: €50 Jessie McDonald; €20 Damien O’Driscoll, Denis Ryan, Paul Ryan and Adrian Keane. Meanwhile the Gabriel Rangers jackpot wasn’t won on Sunday night when the numbers chosen were 5, 10 and 12. Consolation prize winners in this draw were: €50 John Barry, €40 Bernie O’Regan, €20 Mary Daly; Liz Daly, Bernie Murphy and Caroline Davo. The respective jackpots are now €1,000 and €3,200 and the next draw will be hosted by Vincent O’Mahony and The Black Sheep.

LADIES FOOTBALL
Gabriel Rangers’ ladies will be in action in the senior football championship on Tuesday next, August 28th, in Bantry. Their opponents with whom they have had some epic encounters at different grades in recent years are Beara. Throw-in is timed for 7 p.m. This isn’t a game to be missed. After their comprehensive defeat of Dublin at the weekend Cork ladies are still on target for three-in-a-row senior All-Ireland titles. The next stage in that quest is the All- Ireland semi-final versus Laois which will be played on this evening, Saturday, August 25th, in Portlaoise, at 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on TG4. All associated with Gabriel Rangers wish Cork well and especially good wishes go, of course, to Nollaig Cleary, a vital member of the team’s set up.

UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP
It’s final day for the under- 21 hurlers on Sunday, August 26, when they take on St. Colums at Goleen. Another hurling trophy to add to those already won this year would be a welcome addition to the club’s achievements. Check local advertising for the throw-in time for this game. MINOR HURLING Ardfield proved to be too strong for Gabriels in their minor hurling championship semi-final game at Skibbereen on Friday evening last. Played in atrocious weather conditions it was a tribute to both teams that the final score was so high, 3-7 to 1-8.

SOCCER
Ballydehob relinquished their hold on the Carling Cup, won for the first time last year, when they were well beaten, 5-1, by Skibbereen at the latter’s venue last Saturday. A scoreless first half gave little indication of things to come on the restart. Early in the second half the home side took the lead but Colin O’Brien equalised soon after. However the dismissal of two Ballydehob players put Skibbereen firmly in charge and they went on to score four more goals to put the result beyond any doubt.

GOLEEN

AFTER two weeks of playing some brilliant soccer under all weather conditions, Lowertown ran out winners of this year’s festival soccer beating O’Mearas by four goals to two in an extra time thriller. The game swung both ways with Lowertown scoring two in the first half but O’Mearas, who had to see off the challenges of O’Sullivans of Crookhaven and the Lobster Pot bar to get to the final, were hungry to win this tournament and made their way back with two well taken goals to leave it two goals each at full-time. On a wet evening, both sides prepared for extra time but the more hungrier side started to take command with two smashing goals in the first period of extra time, the Lowertown side, who had beaten the Fastnet Bar and Rosies of Ballydehob holding off all pressure to pull off a memorable victory. The team with five O’Callaghans playing, Dominic, Kieran, Dan, Jer, John, Brian O’Donovan, Shane Sullivan, Kevin O’Sullivan, David Barnett, Michael Collins and manager Bernard O’Sullivan celebrated victory until the small hours of the morning. This was just one of many events during the festival as the week progressed. The art workshop and art exhibition continued daily with under-13 parish league and pub talent competitions drawing out the crowds during the week, all leading to the main weekend of the festival with Fancy dress competitions, disco, music in the street, announcement of Lord Mayor on Friday night, all due to the bad weather, taking place in the Parish Hall.

The winner of the Lord Mayor contest for 2007 was Declan Hodnett. We are now seeking a sponsor of a Mercedes for Declan’s busy year in office. On to Saturday where a historical walk by Pat McCarthy had a large turnout. Then there was judging of the art competitions and the ever popular children’s sports. This was followed by street entertainment all leading to the big event of the day, when a large crowd filled the streets of Goleen to see who would be this year’s winner which was Siobhan Quinn from Kealfadda representing O’Meara Bar, Goleen. On Sunday the main event of the day was the peddle carting competition for under 6, 8, 10 and 12s. The damp conditions did not turn the crowd away as they came in numbers to see all the races. As this was ongoing the pig roasting and barbecue was ongoing which was a great attraction for all. As the evening got damper and damper, the question was could the tug ‘o’ war competitions go ahead but nothing could dampen the spirits of those who made the effort to come and the large crowds spilled out of the bars to see just three teams pull one from Lissigriffin, one from Rathoora and one team from different areas pulled with the conditions. As the eastern end was extremely slippery it looked like the toss of a coin could win this competition but the Rathoora side ran out convincing winners, this year beating the Lissigriffin side. After this it was more music in the street and this drew a close to this year’s successful festival. The Goleen and District Community Council would like to thank all the volunteers for helping in any way. You may have cleaned the streets or stewarded the roadside or prepared the food and may have not seen anything going on but without you there cannot be a festival. So well done to the unsung heroes of all events.

MIZEN ROVERS GAA
The under-14 foootballers returned to Rath last Thursday for the replay against Timoleague. This time they made no mistake and playing good football were 3-7 to 1-3 up at halftime. In the second half there was no easing up as was the case in the first game and added a further 2-10 to Timoleagues four points. This was a good display all through the field with good movement and well constructed scores. The semi-final puts them against Oliver Plunketts. This game was fixed for Wednesday 22nd. Panel: Shane O’Leary, Ronan Kennedy, Daryl Connell, Keith Whitley, Sean Sheehan, Paudie Scully (capt), Conor O’Driscoll, Aaron Barry, Katie Scully, Chris Kennedy, Triton Wilkins, Aimee Greenway, Emily Little, Eibhlis Falvey, Eimear Sheehan, Cathal O’Sullivan. The parish league football finals were played on Monday 13th as part of festival week. Ciara Sheehan’s side beat Siobhan O’Driscoll’s side 3-6 to 2-6 and Eimear Sheehan’s team beat Katie Scully’s 5-4 to 4-4. Well done to all who took part and to the people who helped out with the teams, also the mam’s and dad’s for their support. Medals, trophy and shield were presented by Community Council chairperson Paul O’Sullivan. The hurling final has been deferred indefinitely. The under-12 hurlers are fixed to play championship on Monday 27th. Monthly meeting takes place as usual last Wednesday of month on Wednesday, August 29, at 9.30pm. Please attend and all finances from race night will be finalised.

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