Jim Plunkett honoured with Cathaoirleach’s Award
Muine Bheag recently honoured a County Leitrim man who the community has accepted as one of its own. Jim Plunkett, Royal Oak Road, Muine Bheag, was the worthy recipient of the Town Council Cathaoirleach’s Award at a ceremony held in the Estoria Restaurant on June 17th. Jim was the choice of outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Denis Foley, as this year’s recipient. Each year the sitting Cathaoirleach nominates someone who has made a major contribution to the community. “When I first mentioned the Award to Jim his reaction was typical of the kind of man he is, a modest and unassuming person, and he was reluctant to take centre stage, preferring a background role. However with the encouragement of his wife Lily and daughters Carmel and Mary he agreed.”
Jim came to work in Fenagh in l949. He later moved to Bagenalstown to work in Connolly’s and he began his football career playing for Muine Bheag in 1950. He married his wife, Lily, (a Leitrim girl) in l961 and they set up home in Muine Bheag
Jim was Manager of the Wholesale Department in Connolly’s until his retirement in 1994 and he was very popular in his job and in the community.
“When I was considering who I would give the award to, I made up my mind after attending the 2009 Intermediate Football Final in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow. St. Andrew’s was playing. It brought back great memories of the 1970s and the great success St. Andrew’s had during that period. They won the Minor U21 Championship, Junior and Intermediate and reached 2 Senior Finals. One man who made a huge contribution to that success was Jim Plunkett.
He joined the Club in the early 70s when it looked like St. Andrew’s was facing disbandment. He was secretary of the club during that period and he was a great judge of talent, courage and commitment. He was a very efficient secretary and made sure the club never wasted any money. He attended all the matches and training sessions and he expected all the selectors and players to have the same commitment. When Jim came to work in Muine Bheag he was a very committed and talented player. There was a great bond between players and officials that has lasted to the present day and I am so glad to see so many of them here tonight”.
Cllr. Foley paid tribute to some players, selectors and officials who had gone to their eternal reward – the late Mick Mullins, Billy Murphy, Jim Butler, Pat O’Brien, Bill Tobin, Jim English, Willie O’Connor and the untimely death of John Mitchell.” The Cathaoirleach asked for a minute’s silence for all those who were involved with St Andrew’s and were no longer with us.
On making the presentation to Jim, Cllr. Foley said he should look back with pride on his achievements with the club and reminisce on the good days and good times that they all had with St. Andrew’s over the years.
In accepting the presentation Jim said “ I very much appreciate this honour and thank Cll. Foley for his kindness. My work in St. Andrew’s Football Club through the years gave me great pleasure and satisfaction. It was an honour to be associated with the group of lads in the club and I am always very glad to meet them. The happiest days of my life were spent in Muine Bheag.”
Community Games Success
Young people from the parish of Bagenalstown enjoyed tremendous success in the Community Games competitions over the weekend. They are Leinster champions in four categories; Pitch & Putt U-16 champions, Girls U-13
Basketball champions, Boys U-10 Gaelic football champions and Boys U-12 soccer champions. This was truly a great achievement.
In recognising the achievements of so many young sportsmen and women, Caithaiorleach of Muinebheag Town Council, Cllr. Liam O’ Brien, congratulated all those involved on their success; ” It is a wonderful achievement when Bagenalstown can boast not one but four Leinster champions. I would like to congratulate all the boys and girls on their success and wish them well in the All-Ireland finals in Athlone in August. I would also like to pay tribute to the many coaches and
volunteers who give so generously of their time and resources. They are the lifeblood of the many sporting organisations we are lucky to have in the Bagenalstown area.”"
Bereaved
Deepest sympathy to Mrs. Kitty Shaughnessy, Donore, on the death of her sister Margaret Black, Sandymount, Dublin and to Mr. Tony Carton, Kilree Cottages, on the death of his sister Mai Wythe, England.
Bagenalstown Swimming Club
Adult swimming lessons on Friday July 16 at 6pm.
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Bagenalstown Red Devils
Bagenalstown Red Devils is the official Manchester United Supporters Club. The new season is approaching and the club is now accepting new membership and membership renewals. The committee will be in The Red Lion on Friday, July 16 and Friday, July 23 between 8pm and 9pm.
One United is the official Manchester United Supporters Club membership and provides members with added benefits such as applying directly for tickets and discounts when visiting Old Trafford. The Bagenalstown Red Devils heavily subsidise One United membership for those joining through their club. Existing members are requested to only renew their One United membership through their local branch. Members who join One United are exempt from the standard club membership fee. The club actively promotes the joining of One United as it strengthens the club’s position within the Manchester United membership system.
Membership Fees Full Price Subsidised
(Before 23/7/10)
One United Adult (New) €41.00 €31.00
One United Senior (New) €35.00 €25.00
One United Junior (New) €29.00 €19.00
One United Adult (Renewal) €37.00 €27.00
One United Senior (Renewed) €32.00 €22.00
One United Junior (Renewed) €29.00 €19.00
Standard Club Adult €10.00 €10.00
Standard Club Junior € 5.00 € 5.00
One United membership will be subsidised by €10.00 per person for those who join on or before 23rd July 2010. Full price applies after this date. New members are most welcome to join. Please note that Old Trafford no longer offer One United Family Membership.
Family trip to Old Trafford
The club has organised an annual family trip to Old Trafford and this year’s game is against Spurs on October 30. This two night trip will depart on Friday and return on Sunday evening (If game is changed to Sunday will depart on Saturday and return Monday evening). The total cost of this trip is €249 for adults and €199 for children sharing. This includes pick up and return to Bagenalstown, ferry crossing, two nights hotel B&B and guaranteed match tickets. The club is also hoping to organise a tour of Old Trafford and the Museum, which will be funded by the club and also allow some shopping time at the Mega Store.
To help ease the financial burden on families the club will be subsidising each child place to the tune of €50.00, the normal price is €249. The club has 50 places available so please don’t miss out on this opportunity. Places will be offered from Friday August 6 and a €100 non refundable deposit secures your place, €50 deposit per child sharing. This trip is open to members only, with the following exceptions: Parents/guardians of a junior member; spouse/partner of a member; care assistant for any person with any form of disability, a guest of the club.
The club would like to take this opportunity to thank all members for their continued support. For more information please contact any member of the committee or phone club secretary on 085-1152298. Alternatively you can log onto the club website at www.bagenalstownreddevils.com or email.
info@bagenalstownreddevils.com
Ballinkillen Hurling Club News
The community field day which was hosted by the Hurling Camogie Club, National School and Ballinkillen /Lorum Community Centre on July 4, proved to be a great success. A big thanks to all who helped, especially the young people who helped out on the day, and Vincent Hughes who did trojan work coordinating the event.
The Ballinkillen minors lost out narrowly to Naomh Eoin in their opening game. The seniors, despite an encouraging performance, came out at the wrong end of a 2-11 to 1-11 scoreline against MLR.
Club Development Draw
The 4th County Board Club Development €100.00 ticket draw took place on Monday, July 5. The Club had 2 winners,
John Rothwell, Ballywilliamroe €200.00, sold by Paddy Salt Murphy, Ger and Sorcha Foley, Ballyloughan €150.00, sold by Kathleen Gaul. In the corresponding local draw the following won: Seanie Murphy, Rathwade €100.00, seller Paddy Salt Murphy; Pat O’Neill, Tolerton, €50.00, seller Paddy Salt Murphy; Cian Meaney, Ballyloughan €25.00, seller Tommy Dowling, Julie Michael, Curranree €25.00, seller Tommy Dowling. The last County Board draw will take place on August 2. Best of luck to all club supporters.
Going to College?
Co. Carlow VEC invites students/parents to the following information sessions on student grants: 14 July Lord Bagenal Hotel 10 a.m: 15 July Killerig Resort Hotel 2 p.m. For further info contact Co. Carlow VEC on phone: 059-9138560
E-Mail: info@carlowvec.ie
087 994 8505
