High Achievers honoured in Coachford

At a packed function in Hogans Bar, Coachford last Saturday night 22 individuals and groups were honoured for their achievements in Sport, community work, and industry. The achievers came from diverse areas and had excelled in different fields and were honoured by Aghabullogue, Coachford and Rylane Community Council for the huge contribution that they had made to the community and the honour they had brought to the parish.

Chairperson of the Community Council, Deirdre O’Donovan welcomed everyone to the awards and said “The people that have been chosen for tonight’s awards have brought distinction to themselves, their families and their community. All of them started with a belief, a vision and a goal for themselves.

All of the nominees work hard in their chosen area. Some of them train for hours on end, some of them show leadership and work at  bringing  people along with them, others work at planning for the future but all of them do what they do, not to achieve awards or recognition but to be the best that they can be.

We are in no doubt that the ceremony tonight is seen by all those nominated as a bonus rather that a goal. Our nominee’s first battle is with themselves, they must first believe that they can achieve their goals; they must then get up every time they get knocked back and get stronger with each new hurdle that they come up against. The great mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary said “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

The nominees here tonight have conquered their own mountains and have reached new heights in their lives. It is our privilege to honour them here. Our achievers come from diverse areas and have excelled in different ways. We have people who have achieved their goals in sport, community involvement and in industry and innovation.

It is important for us as a community to take pride in your achievements, to be proud of you, to boast to those who will listen to us about the great and wonderful people that we have living among us”.

There were five Lifetime Achievement Awards presented on the night.

• Judy Greene Coachford was presented with a lifetime achievement award for the many years spent organizing and looking after the local Brownies and also for her work for other groups in the community.
• Dermot O’Leary, Coachford who retired recently as Postmaster received a Lifetime Achievement award for his work in the community, his years as a trustee for Coachford Community College, his vision and for his charity work.
• Olan Sexton, Rylane was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Rylane Bowling club for over 30 years
• Matt Martin, Coachford was presented with a lifetime achievement award for his years of work in the Community Council, the establishment and running of the Community House, his involvement with Coachford AFC and for his years of service to the community.
• Pat O’ Leary of Coachford and Aghabullogue  was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for teaching the children of Aghabullogue National School for 35 years and for his lifetime of dedication to education in the community.

Three local shops, (Cremins Aghabullogue, Kathleen’s Coachford and Crowley’s Rylane) were given achievements awards for their support of other local businesses, their support of local charities, organisations , schools and clubs and were honoured for their commitment  and contribution to their community.

There were a lot of winners in the sports category. The two soccer clubs in the parish (Coachford and Rylane) picked up awards for the very successful seasons that they have enjoyed in the past 12 months. Coachford AFC were also honoured for the huge developments undertaken at their grounds and the commitment into schoolboys football teams. James Flanagan was honoured for his achievements in Taekwando, Gordon Mangan for his commitment to underage Gaelic Football, the Dennehy children, Angela, Patrick and Tim  for their achievements in national and international equestrian Eventing. The juvenile trainers of Aghabullogue Camogie club were honoured for their dedication to the training of the young girls of the club and for their success. Catherine Murphy was honoured for her achievement in representing Irelandat the World Transplant games, bringing home gold and silver medals and for promoting organ donation.

In the community section, Anthony Greene was honoured for his work for the Historical Society, Drama group and Coachford National School’s Board of Management. Michael O Riordan, Coachford received an achievement award for his work with various charities and for his helping of the less fortunate of the parish and Nicola Doherty was honoured for her fundraising Munster cycle for the charity, Brainwave by cycling 300km in one day and raising over €4,000.

Tom Healy Aghabullogue was honoured for his development of the Hunter Trials course at Clonmoyle, his tireless work for the Aghabullogue Hunt Club, his contribution to the equestrian world and contribution to the local community.

Deirdre O Donovan thanked all those who had received awards and thanked them for their huge contribution to the community. She appealed to all those present to get involved in the community if they’re not so already. Deirdre went on to thank the sponsors, the community Council and the hosts for the evening, John and Siobhan Hogan.

Coachford Lights up for Christmas

Who is Pairc Ui Rinn named after? Name the last three Ministers for Finance? What nationality is Pope Francis? These are just some of the type of questions that may be asked at the Coachford Christmas lights table quiz which will take place on Saturday November 16^th in O’Callaghan’s Bar at 9.00pm. This is the second year that the village will be adorned with a large tree and some Christmas lights. The lights were a huge success last year and really added to the festive spirit around the village and the fundraising this year is to add to the lights and hopefully a bigger tree. Collection boxes are in all the shops and pubs in the village during November so people can also donate through these.

Market

The Coachford Farmers Market takes place this Saturday from 10.30am to 1.00pm . Fresh produce, gorgeous coffee and cakes, Jams, cheeses and much more will be on offer.

Monday D-Day for Sciath na Scoil  footballers

Coachford National School are busily preparing their boys team for the Sciath Na Scoil Football Final which takes place on Monday November 18^th in Pairc Ui Rinn. The boys will play Gaelscoil Midleton at 1.00pm. The boys defeated Canovee, Enniskeane, Ballinspittle and Ballygarvan to get to the final and will be hoping for huge support from parents and friends next Monday in Pairc Ui Rinn.

Flower Club

The Coachford Flower Club are holding a night in Griffins Garden Centre on Wednesday November 20^th at 7.00pm. The night will consist of a Buffet meal, a raffle and a talk by Margaret Griffin all for only €15. Non members are very welcome and tickets can be obtained from Marian on 021 7334813

Coachford Players win again

The Coachford Players picked up the winners trophy in the confined section at the Cork One Act Festival at the weekend. The group performed the play ‘Nine’ to a very appreciative audience and impressed the adjudicator, Declan Hassett. Anthony Greene picked up best Director and Diane Searls won the award for best actress. The group came third at the Haulbowline theatre festival. The next and last outing for the players is this weekend in Rossmore when they will take to the boards on Saturday night. We wish them the very best of luck.

New Headmaster.

Congratulations and best wishes to Cornelius McDonald who takes up the position as the new Principal of Aghabullogue National School.

Winning Weekend for Coachford AFC

As well as being honoured at the Community Council Achievements Awards, on the field five of the six teams from Coachford AFC secured victories last weekend. Most of the games were played in atrocious weather conditions but that did not seem to dampen the skill and enthusiasm of the players. The Premier team enjoyed a wonderful and important victory over Park United by 2 goals to nil. The under 13s  14s and Under 16s won their cup games and the B team won their league game. Unfortunately the under 12s lost 1-0 after extra time in their cup clash. This weekend the Premier team play Pearse Celtic away on Saturday at 2.00pm in the league. The B team take on Ballinhassig in Carrigadrohid at the same time. In Schoolboys soccer the Under 12s take on Ballincollig on Saturday in Carrigadrohid at 10.30amand at 11.45 the Under 13s play Buttevant at the same venue. On Sunday the Under 14s travel to Douglas to take on Tramore in the league at 1.15pm.