SCHULL

ONCE again the Little Way has taken large strides in the second part of 2007 and continued on its journey of generous donations to many, well deserving causes, a great many of them close to home. This has all been enabled by the kindness of those who donate the goods to the shop and those who buy – so it’s charitable giving by team effort. Those who benefited from the ultimate in recycling were as follows: Schull Development Association, €1,000; SDA Tidy Town, €1,100; Holy Ghost Missions, €220; St Gabriel’s Hospital, €5,000; Schull Community Care, €2,000; Concern, €400; Peter’s Pence, €200; SMA Africa Project, €1,000; Baltimore RNLI, €100; Marymount Hospice, €100; Skibbereen Youth Project, €100; Rath National School, €100; Mental Health Unit, Bantry €1,000, Family of Ingus Zembalis, €500; Simon Community, €1,000; Fr Morris Foley, €500; Aware, €100; Operation Christmas Child, €700; Fields of Life, €300; St Vincent de Paul, €1,000; Cope, €1,000; St Matthias Restoration Fund, €300; Bantry Co-Action, €500; Prodon Mission, Peru, €500; Shoe Box Charity, €200; Scoil Mhuire National School, €3,000; Christmas Support, €225 and the Pontifical Missions €1,348.60. No doubt 2008 will see many more calls on the generosity of the Little Way so –don't even think about e-bay – if you are in Schull, it is the Little Way.

COPE THANKS The organisers of the Christmas swim for the COPE Foundation wish to thank all those who took part and the huge audience that descended to the pier and fields along the harbour to cheer on those robust people who took to the sea. Running for more years than one cares to remember the choice of the Christmas swim as the main fundraiser for COPE was an imaginative one and it has become very much part of the Christmas tradition in Schull and is a joyous event. Alow-key fundraiser this is the one event of the year that attracts support for their good work. The organisers also wish to thank Jack Good for his usual liquid support for the swimmers, his remedial tincture bringing the blood flowing back warmly into their veins. Also to Bertie ‘Santa Claus’ Moran, who chivvies up the spectators as he tootles up and down the town urging them pierward. It was also great to see the stalwart swimmer Pat Moynihan maintain his unbroken record of participation since the very beginning of the COPE Christmas swim and of course, there must be mention of octogenarian, Donal Newman, who puts us all to shame with his one swim of the year in the December briny. The brothers Hayes, Niall and Paddy again were the mainstay of the fundraising effort. Niall roamed more distantly than ever with his collecting bucket and Paddy broke all records – 20 per cent up on last year with his pierside bucket collection. Thanks indeed to everyone and good wishes for the New Year with the hope that next year's COPE swim will be as successful as ever.

SALSA
Well, its billed as the sexiest dance on earth so how could anyone turn down the opportunity to learn to salsa this winter. Beginner level classes to get you going and advanced for those who have already learned their early moves. You don’t need to be a couple to join and it is advertised as a great way to get fit and it is all happening at the Parochial Hall from 8-9 and then 9-10 on Tuesday 22nd January. Registration takes place 15 minutes before the music starts. For more information on the course of eight weeks at a cost of €80; please call 085 1416953.

BUNRATTY Utd.
Last Sunday in the Beamish Cup the juniors gave a glimpse of their abilities with a hard fought win away to Togher Celtic. Liam Hegarty scored twice and Seamus Kelleher added the third in a make or break match sponsored by Centra. The game was played in poor conditions and the lads played very well to ensure a safe passage into the last 16. Next up is Bay Rovers in the league. The under-18s continued with their great form of late, and recorded their fourth win in a row when they beat Riverside Athletic 6-0. Jonathan Martin and Ger O’Callaghan scored twice and Daniel O’Callaghan and Daniel O’Driscoll scored one each. This follows on from a 7-1 win over Harbour United U18s over Christmas. Daniel O’Callaghan and Daniel O’Driscoll both scored hat tricks and Jonathan Martin completed the high scoring game. They have scored an amazing 22 goals in their last 4 games conceding only 2. They are third in the league, behind two very strong teams, Drinagh Rangers and Togher Celtic. In the under-14 cup the exceptional form of the under- 14 squad continued when they travelled to neighbours Ballydehob to play the first round tie. The lads showed why they are turning into such a good team with a 7-1 win. Sean Evans scored 3 goals, Brendan Goggin scored 2 and Eddie Goggin and Adam Collins one each. The squad was Diarmuid O’Callaghan (capt.), Sean Kelleher, Brendan Goggin, Edward McCarthy, Sean Sheehan, Eddie Goggin, Paudie Hegarty, Josh Lenz Liptich, Daniel Morgan, Gavin McEntaggart, Sean Evans, Paudie Scully, Cathal Newman, Adam Collins. Next Saturday the under 12s get back to action after a quiet Christmas and they face a difficult assignment at home to Drinagh in the first round of the Cup on the same day the under-16s travel to Bay Rovers for a cup tie. Anyone interested in further reading, there are two superb websites offering information. For schoolboys - www.westcorkschool-boysleague.com and for men’s/ladies soccer - www.westcorkleague.com.

BALLYDEHOB

THE sad news of the unexpected death of Fr. Michael Nolan Parish Priest of Enniskeane and former P.P. of this parish on Monday last was the source of much grief to his many friends and parishioners in this locality. During his ministry here, Fr. Nolan in his own kind and unassuming way helped many in their hour of need as well as setting in train the establishment of the parish’s first Parish Assembly. His death at such an early age is a great loss to the diocese and especially to his family. Sympathy is extended to his sisters, Patricia and Catherine, their families, the Bishop and priests of the diocese and his wide circle of friends.

LOCAL LOTTOS The New Year didn’t produce a jackpot winner in either of the local lottos at the weekend when Gabriel Rangers drew 16, 18 and 20, and Community Council chose 4, 8 and 32. Lucky dip winners in the GAA draw included €50, Ginny, c/o The Black Sheep; €40, Brigid Murphy; €20, Paddy Houlihane, Mutley Herman O’Brien, Diarmuid O’Donovan and Gerard O’Driscoll. In the Community Council lotto the consolation prize winners included €50, Denis Lynch, €20 Florrie O’Mahony, Dinky c/o Kitty O’Mahony, Deirdre O’Donovan and Andy O’Sullivan. The respective jackpots have been increased to €1,000 and €1,600 and the next draws will be hosted by An Tigán and Nell Levis.

ICA Early readers of this column are reminded that the 2008 meetings of the local ICA guild will commence on tonight Thursday, January 10, at 8.30pm, in the Community Hall. The first guest of the year is local chef, Chris Hedges, who will give a demonstration of Festive Cooking. All are welcome and refreshments will be served.

GABRIEL RANGERS An early reminder that Gabriel Rangers will be celebrating their victories of 2007 on February 9, in the Harbour View Hotel. Tickets should be available shortly and as space will be limited please place your order without delay. Playing activity is still at a standstill, of course but the Management Committee, is beavering away behind the scenes to have everything in order for the new season. At the time of writing, it has not been decided yet when the club’s grounds will be re-opened for full activities.

SOCCER A hat-trick of goals from Colin O’Brien ensured victory for Ballydehob FC in the Beamish Cup on Sunday. Opponents, Lyre, had taken a 2-0 lead but a virtuoso performance from Colin put his team into the next round. The Premier League continues on Sunday with league leaders, Skibbereen visiting Ballydehob. Games between these sides are always worth watching. DOCTORATE Congratulations to Janette Walton, Shanavagh, who was recently conferred with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nutrition at University College Cork. Dr. Walton, who is only daughter of Roger and Gay Walton, received her early education in St. Matthias’ N.S. and Midleton College. Amember of the academic staff at UCC, she has just completed a study of teenage nutrition and is now working on nutrition in adults.

GOLEEN

A GREAT SUCCESS is the way to sum up this year’s Goleen and District Community Council Dinner dance which took place in the Harbour View Hotel, Schull last Saturday night, where up to 220 people attended from all over the Mizen Peninsula. This year the Community Council were delighted to co-fund with the Goleen GAA the cost of the dinner dance tickets for the Goleen minor team who won the West Cork championship final recently. Chairman of the Community Council, Paul O’Sullivan, welcomed all. He spoke of the work that the Community Council had accomplished in recent times. Our Community Centre, rural transport, broadband, and even bend straightening, just to name but a few of the achievements. Paul said that some of the members were retiring and wished the incoming Community Council the best in the future and he hopes they will get the great support that the outgoing Community Council have got. Paul welcomed the special guest, Aaron O’Driscoll of West Cork leader who is in charge of running the Rural Workers Scheme. This scheme has got great work done in the parish over the past years. Aaron spoke highly of the way the Rural Workers Scheme is working with Goleen with every worker putting in the hours and getting some great work done in all areas. She said she looks forward to working with the Community Council in the coming year. Eamonn Sheehan spoke on behalf of the Goleen GAA club and welcomed Andrew O’Sullivan, captain of the Cork under- 21 hurling All-Ireland winning team. Andrew presented medals to the Goleen minor winning team who won the West Cork championship final recently and to the manager Tim Sheehan. Following this a presentation was made to the retiring members of the Community Council who were Maureen Newman, Paul O’Sullivan, Denis Downey, Joe Hurley, Anthony O’Callaghan and Con O’Driscoll. After this Colum Cronin played out hours of enjoyable music with over 100 people on the dance floor at times soaking up the great atmosphere of a very enjoyable night for all.

RURAL TRANSPORT
The West Cork Rural Transport continues to provide a great service to the Community over the past few months on Tuesdays and Fridays going from Goleen to Bantry and on Thursday night it continues to bring people from the Mizen Peninsula to Goleen for bingo night. This service is going very well as many are availing of its service on Friday nights leaving Bantry at 6pm via Ballydehob, Schull to Goleen Community Centre for table tennis training, leaving Goleen at 7pm via Toormore, Lowertown, Schull, Ballydehob taking people to the cinema in Bantry. From there, it brings people to bingo in Durrus and then back to Goleen to collect and bring people to cards. From there it brings back those training table tennis then on to Bantry. On Saturday night it’s a mass service for those who avail of it so there is something for everyone with the evening rural bus service. If you would like to travel you can do so by ringing 027-52727 and book your seat.

LOTTO
It’s off to a good start for 2008 as the lotto was won on Saturday night last by Laura O’Driscoll of the Lakelands, Goleen, with numbers 9, 10 and 18. Well done Laura, a deserved winner of the €850 jackpot. The lotto this weekend is in the Lobster Pot, Goleen, and the jackpot will be €700.

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SOURCE: SOUTHERN STAR