GAA LOTTO
Ballyduff Gaa club held their last lotto draw of 2024 and the numbers drawn were 4, 6, 10 and 26. There was no winner of the jackpot. There were six lucky dip winners of €50 each were Michelle O Donoghue, Davy/Annie Gahan, Valarie Walker, Paula Gahan, Maurice Harris and John Fitzgerald. The first draw of 2025 will take place on Sunday January 12th with a jackpot of €12,500. The club would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and every good wish for 2025. They thank everyone for their wonderful support throughout the year and look forward to your continued support in 2025.
RECENT WEDDING
On Friday December 6th Ballinameela Church was the setting for a beautiful wedding. The proud groom Shane Fitzgerald from Kilmagemogue, Portlaw waited eagerly for his bride Kate Curran. Kate looked absolutely stunning as she arrived at the church to meet her handsome groom. The couple exchanged vows in a warm and relaxing ceremony conducted by Canon Brendan Crowley with proud parents John and Bernie Fitzgerald and Mairead Curran watching on. I have no doubt that Kate’s dad Jimmy was watching his little girl from the Heavens above.
The new couple, their family and guests then made their way to the Garryvoe Hotel where they were wined and dined in elegance and treated to a wonderful weekend of celebration. We wish this very popular couple every happiness for their future together and we hope they enjoy their first Christmas as a married couple.
CAMOGIE TRIALS
Congratulations to Ballyduff Lower camogie Club players Trudie O Reilly and Aisling Counihan who recently competed in the U14 County Camogie Trials and have been chosen as part of the U14 Camogie County Development squad for 2025. The club are very proud of the girls and are thrilled for them to get the chance to play at county level. This is a fabulous achievement for the girls and we wish them the very best of luck.
HURLING LEAGUE
Ballyduff GAA Lower have announced the start date for their boys Winter League. It will begin in January for boys from U11 to U16. It will take place over 4 weeks at the ball hall in Kildermody and more details will follow in these notes and on their Facebook page, so stay tuned.
BALLYDUFF AFC
Ballyduff AFC grounds is a very busy place with lots of activity happening on and off the pitch. The club would like to inform their members that a Re-Turn bin has now been installed at the clubhouse. You are urged to drop off any bottles and cans that have the Re-Turn logo. By doing this you are not only helping the environment but you will also be helping your club. All of the funds raised will be used for the club’s fundraising project.
The club have also installed a new boot cleaner which can be used after games to remove any mud from your boots before returning to the clubhouse or to your car.
The club are also hosting a fundraising scrap metal collection. You are invited to drop along to the club grounds any day between 10am and 9pm and drop off your old scrap metal, car parts, old washing machines, dishwasher or dryers, lawn mowers, bikes etc and all for free of charge. Please do not include any timber, plastic, glass, tyres, TV’s, paint tins etc. CCTY cameras are in operation in the club grounds.
CHURCH NEWS
As we enjoy the season of Advent we look forward to the beautiful season of Christmas. As we prepare outwardly for the holiday ensuring that we have everything we need and we also need to have ourselves prepared inwardly. A special Christmas Penance Service will take place in St. Nicholas’s Church on Wednesday December 18th at 7pm. Christmas Eve mass will be at 8pm and on Christmas morning at 10am. The annual Christmas collection will be taken up over the Christmas season.
CHRISTMAS WISHES
As the writer of these notes, I Linda Spillane would like to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and every best wish for the New Year.
I really love where I live and truly enjoy writing our local notes each week and feel it is so important to tell people about what is going on in their area. I thank all who contribute to the community notes and look forward to your continued support in 2025. There are new people moving into our community every day and it is important to tell them about all the wonderful groups, organisations and events that take place in our area