Lá Na gClub
A word of thanks to Joe Flynn who paid a visit to the club on Sunday May 10th and for putting his 1948 Munster and All-Ireland Minor Hurling winning medals on display in the Sports Hall. Joe who was the goalkeeper on that Waterford Minor team also shared his memories of that special year. To all who contributed medals, trophies and photographs we say go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.
BALLYDUFF UPPER GAA MEMBERS & PLAYERS ANNUAL SAINT STEPHENS DAY CHARITY EVENT
On Saint Stephens Day 2008, over 35 Ballyduff Upper GAA members & players took to the Community field in Ballyduff and played an exciting soccer match as a fundraiser in aid of St.Carthages House. Team captains were John Twomey and Gerome Quirke and they set out their teams in a strategic yet creative manner. Some of the most influential players on the day included Brian "Usain Bolt" Kearney who tormented the opposing team with numerous runs on the wing deep into their defence. On the other team, Kevin "the van" Martin was a rock in defence and rumours are rife that he was approached afterwards by scouts from the former management staff of the Ballyduff Upper Soccer Club. In the end it was Gerome Quirke's team that had the final say when Jamie "High Ball" Kearney scored late into the second half to seal a 2-1 victory. John Twomey gave a great display of skill and played a true captains part as he scored his team’s only goal. Although both keepers, Diarmuid Flynn and Derek Daly had made numerous excellent saves, it was the clinical finishing of Johnny Barry and Jamie "High Ball" Kearney that made the difference on the day.
Overall the total amount of money raised for charity was €280 and this will go to St.Carthages House Lismore. Many thanks to all the players who were involved in this event and also to James Scanlon who had the hard task of refereeing such a match. This annual charity event organised by the Ballyduff GAA Members & Players has gone from strength to strength each year and rumours exist that next years charity event may involve a trek to base camp Mount Everest.
St. Carthages House Fundraiser
Ballyduff Drama Group will hold a fundraising concert in aid of St.Carthages House Lismore on Tuesday January 6th in St.Michael's Hall. Music will be by Loudest Whisper.
South Eastern Cancer Foundation Run for Life
On Sunday October 19th Tommy Byrne took part in the Run For Life, a ten mile road race in Waterford City in aid of the South Eastern Cancer Foundation Solas Centre. This event was organised to raise funds for the new Cancer Support Centre for cancer patients and their families in the South East. Tommy raised a total of €1,520 and he would like to thank all those who supported him and gave so generously to this fundraiser
The Becky and Oisín Fund
Becky McGlone and Oisín O’Gorman are two children from Lismore who are currently receiving treatment in hospitals in Dublin. Ballyduff GAA Club will host a table quiz in aid of this fund on Tuesday October 28th in An Sibín at 9.30pm. Teams of three or four can participate with an entry fee €30 per table. There will be cash prizes for the winners and some excellent raffle prizes also. So come along and have a fun night out and support this worthy cause.
Sympathy
Sympathy is extended to the Fives family Abbeyside on the death of Greg Fives last week.
All-Ireland Hurling Finals – The Ballyduff Connection
On Sunday next September 7th 2008 when Waterford participates in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling final for the first time since1963, it will mark another important milestone in what is already a proud history for Ballyduff Upper GAA Club. Our small club in the west of the county will have four of the players on the panel, Tom Feeney, Stephen Molumphy, Patrick Kearney and Adrian Power and also a selector Maurice Geary. This is the highest representation of any club in the county and a testament to the great work which has been done at juvenile and adult level over the years.
The players have to be commended for their dedication and commitment to reaching the highest level and rightly so, but tribute must also be paid to the many people who coached them from primary school right trough to adult grade when Croke Park and All-Irelands were but a distant dream. It will be with a deep sense of pride and satisfaction that they will watch as these players from the little village run out in Croke Park on Sunday.
It is not the first time however in which players from the club have featured in All-Ireland Hurling finals. Jack Feeney played on the Waterford senior team beaten in the 1938 All-Ireland Senior Hurling final by Dublin and his more famous brother Mick was a member of the panel when Waterford won their first Senior Hurling title in 1948. Mick who had played minor hurling for Waterford for five consecutive years unfortunately missed out on a place on the starting fifteen because of a serious injury picked up in the first round against Clare. In 1974 Liam Power father of Adrian played in the All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Final along with Mossie McNamara when Waterford lost out by the narrowest of margins to Kilkenny in Thurles and in 1992 Tom Feeney played in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling final when Waterford were beaten by Galway. As recently as 2007 Ballyduff players featured in an All-Ireland final when Tom Molumphy, Mike Molumphy and Patrick Kearney played on the Waterford team defeated by Wexford in the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling final which was played in Nowlan Park.Also no strangers to All-Ireland finals are Stephen Molumphy who played on the St.Colmans All-Ireland College championship winning sides in 2001 and 2002 and Adrian Power who won an All-Ireland medal with Cork Vocational colleges in 2005.
Many others from the club have donned the White and Blue of Waterford throughout the years with perhaps the two most well known being Mossie Walsh who won an All-Star in 1980 and Seamie Hannon who captained the county senior hurlers in 1983.
To Tom, Stevie, Adrian, Pa and Maurice we send our best wishes on Sunday and mingled with the shouts of Up the Deise you are sure to hear the local rallying call C’mon the Village.
Deise Development Draw
Thomas Molumphy winner of €2,000 and the Flynn Family Ballinlovane winners of €150 in the July draw which was held in St.Michael's Hall Ballyduff.
Sean McDonagh, winner of €250 voucher in June Draw
Waterford Senior Hurling
We would like to extend our best wishes to Maurice Geary on his appointment as a selector with the Waterford Senior Hurling team.
Primary Game
Well done to Cian Leamy (football) and Michael Kearney (hurling) who played in the primary games prior to the Munster senior championships matches v Clare recently. Congratulations to the girls’ mini-sevens team from the school that won their county final recently and went forward to represent the county in the Munster finals which were played in New Inn. Well done to their coach Catherine Kenny and to all the teachers in Scoil Naomh Mhicíl for the excellent work they are doing to promote hurling and football in the school.
Deise Development Draw winner in April draw was Brigid Scanlon who won €3,000.
Congratulations to Jackie and Donal Hannon on the birth of their daughter.
Blackwater Community School won the Munster U-15(B) Hurling Championship on Wednesday April 16th 2008. Jamie Hannon, Kevin Casey, Cailean Dunlea and James Daly from Ballyduff were on the panel. Jamie was corner back, Kevin(0-1) and Cailean on as subs in second half.
Ballyduff Drama Group have qualified for the All-Ireland finals which will be held in Athlone in May.
Deise Development Draw 2008
The first draw in the Deise Development Draw for 2008 will took place on Friday last March 28th in Lawlors Hotel and we had two prizewinners with Caroline Kenneally receiving a €250 voucher and Mary Connery €150. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have responded to our fundraising letter by either purchasing a Deise Draw ticket or taking up one of the other options. The proceeds from this years draw are being used to fund the new floodlights the installation of which has been completed ahead of schedule thanks to the hardworking field development committee.
Sympathy
We extend our sympathy to the Keane family Cloonbeg on the death of Jerry Keane last weekend.
Annual General Meeting
The 2007 A.G.M. of Ballyduff Upper Adult GAA Club was held on Saturday night last February 2nd in St. Michael’s Hall. A large attendance which included many players from all grades was welcomed by Club Chairman Maurice Geary.
Treasurer Pat Flynn once again delivered a comprehensive account of the club finances and thanked those who supported the weekly lotto throughout the past year. He thanked all our sponsors for their support during the year and everyone who contributed to the training fund in the run up to the County Senior Hurling Final in November. He also complimented all members of the Deise Development Draw as this had provided funding to complete the building of the stand, the provision of new goalposts and netting behind the goal at the dressing room end of the field. Returns from the draw had allowed the commencement of the drainage of the field and it is hoped to finish this work shortly. He asked for continued support for both the weekly Lotto and Deise Draw as we begin the next phase of the field development which is the installation of a new floodlighting system and this work will commence in the coming weeks. Pat also complimented Justina Flynn for her assistance during the year. Club secretary John Jackson gave a very detailed report on club activities in 2007. He complimented the senior panel and management team on their success in the County Final and Munster Senior Hurling League, stating that Ballyduff were the first Waterford club to win this competition. At inter- county level we were represented by a record number of players with Tom Feeney (S.H.), Stephen Molumphy (S.H.), Pa Kearney (S. I. & U21H), Tom Molumphy, Mike Molumphy, Adrian Power (I.H.), Jamie Kearney (U21H) and Shane Kearney (M.H.) and he congratulated them all on their respective successes during the year. He congratulated Stephen Molumphy on winning an All-Star and Brendan Hannon on winning the WLR-Granville Hotel Player of the Month Award for November.Finally he thanked his fellow officers and all team managers and selectors for their efforts throughout the year.
Chairperson Maurice Geary gave his address and expressed his satisfaction at the big attendance at the meeting and especially with the number of players present. Speaking about his fellow officers he complimented Secretary John Jackson on the hard work he had done during the year and also for his very comprehensive and detailed report and Treasurer Pat Flynn for his excellent management of the club finances. Geraldine Power was thanked for doing first aid and Doctor Breffni Hannon who was team doctor. He congratulated Mike Walsh on his achievements as manager of the Waterford Intermediate Hurling. He thanked all his fellow officers for their work throughout the year especially Seamie Daly and the field development committee on completing the building of the dugout in the field. He paid tribute to all members of the back room teams for the work they had done with the various teams in 2008. He reflected on the sadness felt at the passing of Larry Farrell and more recently the tragic death of John Quirke who had played such an instrumental role in the clubs first Senior Hurling Victory in 1982. He wished a long and happy retirement to Pat Flynn our main sponsor for many years who has now retired from business. He asked for a commitment from all eligible players at U21 level as this panel is very limited this year. He complimented the Juvenile club on their continued hard work in promoting our games under the stewardship of Chairman Mike Leamy.
Officers elected for 2008
Patron Fr. Patrick Condon.
President Dr. T.A. O’Donovan.
Vice - President Jerry Hurley.
Chairperson Maurice Geary, Vice-chairperson Seamie Daly.
Secretary John Jackson, Assistant secretary Eugene Flynn.
Treasurer Pat Flynn, Assistant treasurer Mike Leamy.
PRO: David Flynn.
Membership Officer: Eugene Flynn.
Hurley Officer: Tommy Byrne.
Committee including officers is Mike Kearney, Stephen Molumphy, Ger Hickey, Manus Geary, Pat Hannon, John Casey, Jim Hannon, Billy Feeney, Mike Walsh and Fergal Hickey.
First Aid Officer:
Geraldine Power
Team Managers for 2008
Senior Hurling: Maurice Geary.
Junior Hurling: Seamie Daly.
U21 Hurling: Donal Hannon and Ger Hickey.
Junior Football: Pat Murphy.
John Quirke
It was with a sense of shock and profound sadness that we learned on Friday last January 25th 2008 of the death after a short illness, of John Quirke at the age of 48. A past player with the club John was a member of the first senior hurling championship winning side in 1982 and was honoured only a week ago at the club social for his achievement. From a family with a long and proud tradition in the club, John also played senior hurling with Waterford and will be sadly missed by all whose lives he touched. His coffin draped in the colours of his native Ballyduff and his adopted Castlelyons was borne through the village from his home by members of both clubs. A guard of honour was also provided by Ballyduff and Castlelyons GAA Clubs and his colleagues from Glanbia to St.Nicholas’ Church in Castlelyons on Monday 28th and afterwards to Castlelyons Cemetery. Paying tribute to "Big John" as he was affectionately known, in an oration at his graveside Maurice Geary Chairman of Ballyduff GAA Club described his extraordinary wit and detailed some of his exploits both on and off the field, including his great pride at scoring 3-1 against Cork in a National Hurling League game in Fermoy. To his wife Betty and son James, his mother Biddy and his sisters Gretta, Myra and Breda and extended family we extend our deepest sympathy. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a Anam.
Congratulations to Manus and Liz Geary on the birth of their son Ross on Thursday January 24th 2008.
Ballyduff Adult GAA Club AGM
on Saturday next in St.Michael's Hall at 8.30pm
Club Social
We held our social and Medal Presentation on Friday night last January 18th in the Park Hotel Dungarvan. It was a very successful event with all who attended having an enjoyable night. Club secretary John Jackson, who was MC on the night, ensured in his usual fashion that everything ran like clockwork. Jimmy O’Gorman Chairman Munster Council, who presented County Senior Championship, Munster Senior League Div 1 and County Hurling league Div 2 (2005) medals to the 2007 team. Club treasurer and sponsor for many years Pat Flynn gave a framed team photograph to each member of the 2007 championship winning panel. The 25th anniversary of our first senior hurling championship title win in 1982 was marked by making a presentation to the members of the panel and these were made by Pat Flynn Chairman Waterford County Board. Gerry Hurley presented a memento to Tom Feeney, Stephen Molumphy, Patrick Kearney, Tom Molumphy, Mike Molumphy, Adrian Power, Tommy Byrne, Seamus Hannon and Seamie Hannon in acknowledgement of their achievements with their respective successful Waterford County Senior and Intermediate winning teams in 2007. Club Chairman Maurice Geary made a presentation to Michael Walsh who was manager of the Waterford Intermediate championship winning side and to Stephen Molumphy in recognition of his Man of the Match and All-Star Awards with the Waterford Senior team last year. A special presentation was made to Pat Flynn who has retired from business and also as main club sponsor by Maurice Geary and Kathleen Geary made a presentation of a bouquet of flowers to Pat’s wife May. Speakers on the night were Jimmy O’Gorman Chairman Munster Council, Pat Flynn Chairman Waterford County Board, Paddy Walsh Chairman Western Board and Club Chairman Maurice Geary. We wish to thank the Park Hotel and staff for the excellent meal and service provided. We also express our thanks to Cheers who provided the music, for their contribution to a wonderful night’s entertainment. To all who assisted with decoration of the function room with the club colours and with the various presentations on the evening we say go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.
Ballyduff Wren Boys who raised €2,175 for St. Carthages Home in Lismore on St.Stephens Day 2007, making a presentation to Mary Fenton-Morrissey who accepted on behalf of management and staff of St. Carthages.
Congratulations to Tom Molumphy and Paula Dunne who announced their engagement recently.
Sympathy is extended to the following:
The Beecher Family Ballyduff on the death of Margaret,
to the Leamy Family Flowerhill on the death of Liam and
to the Walsh Family Ballyduff on the death of Joan.
Larry Farrell R.I.P.
It was with profound sadness that we learned last Thursday November 29th of the death of Larry Farrell, Marian Terrace. Larry or Lar as he was more popularly known played for the club in the 40s and 50s, with perhaps the highlight of his playing career being a member of the team which won a historic Junior Hurling and Football County Double in 1953. He served as an administrator with the club in the 50s and was an officer on the Western Board in 1955 and represented the board at county level that year. He was also a keen musician, loved to play his accordion and passed his love of music on to his family, with his daughter Siobhán going on to become the clubs first Scór winner in 1978 when she won the solo singing competition at the county final of Scór na nOg. To his wife Sheila, son Michael, daughters Bernadette, Siobhán and Mary we extend our deepest sympathy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Congratulations to Colette Martin on winning €3,000 in the November Deise Draw. This was the final draw for 2007.
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Congratulations to Diarmuid and Carmel Flynn on the birth of a baby girl last week. Well done to Kevin Martin who refereed the County Junior Hurling Final (Intermediate Section) on Saturday last.
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Ballyduff Village has won first place in a National Pride of place Competition which it entered in July this year. The results were announced in Westport Co. Mayo on Friday night November 10th.
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Congratulations to John and Edel Twomey on the birth of their baby boy recently.
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Brendan Hannon goal earns County Final place.
A goal from a free in injury time from twenty five yards out by Brendan Hannon, secured a win by the narrowest of margins for our senior hurlers over Abbeyside, in the county semi-final at Fraher Field on Saturday last October 13th. As the game entered added time very few present would have given Ballyduff any chance of securing a draw let alone a victory, against a very good Abbeyside team who had come from behind to lead by three points. However with the team refusing to accept defeat, a point from Jamie Kearney reduced the difference to two points and then came that dramatic last minute winner from Brendan to secure a first county final appearance since 1998.
GAA All Stars
Congratulations to Stephen Molumphy on receiving an All Star nomination and we wish him the best of luck on October 17th when the winners are announced. Best wishes also to neighbours Aidan Kearney (Tallow) and Dan Shanahan (Lismore) and to all the Waterford nominees.
September Deise Draw winner Marie Lane €1,000.
August Deise Draw winners Kevin Condon €1,000 and Rebbeca Harris €150.
Pat Flynn Hardware
We would like to pay a special thank you to Pat and May Flynn who closed their shop for the last time on Saturday last July 28th and to wish them both a long and happy retirement. Pat and May who owned the local hardware shop have provided an outstanding service to the local community and beyond over the past thirty years. This service with a personal touch and a great interest in their customers will be sadly missed by all those who have had the pleasure of dealing with them during their time in business in Ballyduff. To their excellent and courteous staff Ellen Daly, Richard Higgins, Gerry O’Donovan and John Flynn we say go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.
Father Michael Cullinan who has been Parish Priest in Ballyduff for the past seven years has been transfered to Lismore. His successor is Father Patrick Condon
All-Ireland Quarter Final Best of luck to Stephen Molumphy, Tom Feeney and Seamie Hannon in the All-Ireland quarter-final in Croke Park on Sunday.Munster Intermediate Hurling Final
Congratulations to Tom Molumphy, Mike Molumphy, Adrian Power,Patrick Kearney,
Best of luck to Patrick Kearney who is in the fifteen to start against Limerick in the Munster U-21 game against Limerick on Wednesday July 11th and to Jamie Kearney and Seamus Hannon who are also on the panel.
Congratulations to Stephen Molumphy (0-2), Tom Feeney and Patrick Kearney who were also on the panel on their success in the Munster Senior Hurling Final against Limerick. Also congrats to Seamie Hannon who is a selector. We would like to wish them the best of luck in the quarter final.
Community Council Website
The local community council has reactivated their website and you can access it by clicking on our links button.
Visit to St.Michael's National School
On Wednesday June 20th Stephen Molumphy, Patrick Kearney, Seamie Hannon and adult club chairman Maurice Geary visited the local national school with the National League Trophy. Many of the children had photos taken with the players and Seamie Hannon which we will include in our photo section later.
Munster Senior and Intermediate Hurling
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Well done to Stephen Molumphy, Tom Feeney, Seamie Hannon and the Waterford Senior Hurlers on reaching the Munster Final. The final score in the semi-final was Waterford 5-15 Cork 3-18.
Well done also to Mike Molumphy,Tom Molumphy, Adrian Power and team manager Mike Walsh and the Waterford Intermediate who have also qualified for the Munster Final. The final score in this game was Waterford 2-17 Clare 1-13. Mike Molumphy scored 0-1.
Club Sponsor Announces Retirement Date
Pat Flynn who is our club sponsor and also sponsor of our website has announced that he will be retiring on July 28th 2007. We would like to extend our best wishes to Pat and his wife May on their retirement and to express our thanks for their kindness, courtesy and support over the years.
Club Sponsor Retires
Maura Lindsay proprietor of Lindsay’s Bar who has been one of our sponsors for many years has retired as of Thursday May 31st. The unique atmosphere in Maura’s generated by her quiet unassuming manner will be sadly missed, as everyone was greeted with a friendly and warm welcome at all times. We would like wish Maura a very happy and enjoyable retirement and to thank her for her courtesy and kindness over the years. To staff members Liz Flynn and Bridie Feeney we say go raibh mile maith agaibh and wish them both well for the future. Club chairman Maurice Geary and Secretary John Jackson both made presentations to Maura to mark the occasion as a thank you for her generous sponsorship and support of the club. Over the years Maura’s was one of the regular spots for all local supporters after a match both club and county, and the scene of many a sing-song, with the occasions of Club County Final victories and Waterford’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship victories over Tipperary and Cork in 2002 and 2004 respectively surely ranking with the best of them all. The craic enjoyed on those and other nights in Maura’s will live long in the memory of all who were present. The closure of Lindsay’s Bar is undoubtedly the end of an era and unfortunately marks another sad chapter in the village which has already seen the closure of the Post Office and the local Glanbia Branch in the past fourteen months.
Deise Development Draw
We had two winners in the May draw, David O'Donoghue Shean (Promoter Noel Hayes) who won €150 and Richie and Mary Walsh (Promoter David Flynn) who won €250.
Official opening of new stand
On Sunday last May 20th the new stand in the community field was officially opened by Jimmy O’Gorman Chairman of Munster Council GAA who complimented the club on providing such a fine facility and for the voluntary work done by the club members. Other speakers on the evening were Anthony Walsh, Secretary Western Board and Pat Flynn, Chairman County Board. Maurice Geary chairman of the adult club also spoke and thanked the guests for attending on what was a special night for the club. He praised the field committee under the chairmanship of Seamie Daly for the work they had done in completing the stand, which has seating accommodation for three hundred patrons and will be of great benefit to the club and community.He thanked the family of the late Dave Barry, Garrybrittas for the sponsorship of the seating in the stand. He also thanked his fellow officers John Jackson, Secretary of the adult club who organised the opening and ensured that everything ran smoothly on the evening, and Pat Flynn Treasurer of the adult club for the work they are doing for the club. Rev. Fr. Michael Cullinan blessed the stand, John Jackson did a reading and prayers of the faithful were read bySenior Hurling Tournament Sponsored by
Following the opening of the new stand we played reigning
Friends of Foroige Award
Congratulations toBallyduff Foróige Club have successful night at county awards night.
On Saturday April 21st Lawlors Hotel hosted the second Foróige Youth Awards. The Purpose of the Youth Awards is to recognise members of Foróige who have made a positive contribution to their club, community and Foróige in general.
Club member of the Year Award
Kayne Cunningham from Ballyduff Upper Foróige Club
The Friends of Foróige Award went to Ann Geary form Ballyduff Upper who was nominated for her great support offering her services on many occasions to collect and drop members to events, and she also assisted with supervision at their stay awake fundraiser for Child Aid
Leader of the Year
Eilish Flynn from Ballyduff, nominated for her dedication to Ballyduff Foróige Club since its foundation ten years ago, was the winner of the Leader of the Year Award. Eilish, who is very popular among the members and relates to them very well, has always been the guiding light of the club placing the needs and interests of the members as a priority each year. She not only turns up to the weekly club meetings, she is also actively involved at county level being the current treasurer of Waterford District Council. She has recently been re-elected to the National Council of Foróige having represented
Club of the Year Award
There was intense competition for the Club of the Year Award with Ballyduff Upper Foróige Club coming out on top here. This club which is based in theScór Na bPáistí County Final Results
Ceol Uirlise Competition Winners
Hannah Landers, Fiona Ahern, Jessica Tanner and Liadán Dunlea. Set Dancing Winners Claire Dooling, Lucy O’Brien, Vanessa Daly, Shauna Barry, Jamie Ahern, Seamas Hyland, Paul Martin and Sean Geary.
Congratulations to Stephen Molumphy, Tom Feeney and Seamie Hannon and the Waterford senior hurlers on winning the National Hurling League title against Kilkenny on Sunday April 29th.
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On Monday April 9th Justin McCarthy and Seamie Hannon teamed up to participate in a local long puck competition hosted by Ballyduff Community Council to raise funds for the purchase and redevelopment of the Carnegie Library. This facility is intended for use as a social centre for the senior citizens and the youth of the community when completed. Stephen Molumphy our senior hurling captain along with many other players from the club took part.
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We had four entries in the
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