Coachford News

Champions League tie for Coachford AFC
Coachford AFC play the first round of the Munster Football Association League Champions Trophy. The local boys will travel to Clonmel to take on the well fancied Tipperary side, Clonmel Town on Sunday at 3.00pm. The competition is open to teams who have won the top honour in their respective leagues in the 2012/13 season. Coachford AFC are the Cork AUL League Champions and will be one of only two teams representing Cork in this unique competition. Meanwhile the Coachford AFC  B team are at home this Saturday when they entertain Ballincollig in Carrigadrohid at 3pm in the league.

Coachford Festival is a huge success

The fourth annual Coachford Autumn Festival proved to be a huge success for all involved. The festival, organised by Broomhill Vintage Club saw huge crowds attend all the events throughout the weekend. Two hundred athletes turned up on Friday evening to take part in the inaugural Coachford 5 Mile road Race. The race was held in ideal conditions with the winner, Gavin Sweeney crossing the line in a very impressive 26 minutes and 12 seconds. The prizes were presented by local athlete Olive Loughnane. On Saturday early rain was blown away quickly and left an afternoon of beautiful sunshine just in time for the 54 High Nelly Bicycle riders to head off on their annual run. Aghinagh Comhtlas put on a wonderful show at the open air Ceili and the Dog Show was again filled with proud owners of beautifully prepared pooches. Jimmy Jazz Buckley was crowned Bachelor of the Festival in front of a huge crowd on Saturday night. Jimmy was one of 16 fabulous contestants who entertained, shocked and charmed the audience. Each contestant was put at ease by the excellent MC, Annette Dilworth Enright. Many of the contestants wowed the audience with their party pieces which included, songs, poems, kilt lifting, bagpipe playing and chainsaw tricks! Sunday saw a huge vintage and veteran car and tractor display. Over 30 Fordson Major Tractors turned up to be part of the major Gathering. The Old Time Threshing and Stream Engine display were the other highlights of the vintage show. Sunday afternoon saw the second ever staging of the ‘Agrilympics’ . This year’s event saw ten teams competing for the title and the perpetual trophy. The Cork Marts ‘STD’ team were crowned champions after a very close final. Other highlights of Sunday’s festival were the Egg throwing, the Bonny Baby, Yummy Mummy and Glamorous Granny competitions, the wonderful Model toy display and the over 40’s GAA match. Kids were entertained by the funfair, Children’s sports and the magnificent Balloon modeller. Tim O’Riordan of Natural Gas was a huge hit as he played all the favourites that he’s famous for. President Of Broomhill Vintage Club, Danny O’Riordan said  “ We are so delighted that this year’s event was such a success, the weather held up and the crowds turned out. The Village was busy, the children were happy and everyone seemed to have a good time. We promised that the festival would have something for everyone, and it did. The new events we added this year were great fun and brought a lot of variety to the festival. We are indebted to Aghabullogue GAA for the fantastic facilities put at our disposal and also for their cooperation and support. We are already planning for next year’s festival and part of that process is to review what worked and didn’t work this year. We are all looking forward to making the 2014 Autumn Festival an even better event”.

Aghabullogue Footballers in Semi Final

The Intermediate Footballers of Aghabullogue have reached the Semi Final of the County Championship having defeated Youghal last Saturday by 2.0?? to 0.?? . This is the first time the footballers have reached this stage since they joined this grade in 2005. The semi final is not expected to be played within the next six weeks. John Tarrant, selector said, ” We are delighted to be still in championship at this stage of the year and we are looking forward to finding out who our opponents are in the semi final. All the teams left in the competition are excellent football teams and we can expect a tough encounter whenever the game is played.” Meanwhile the Aghabullogue hurlers must wait until September 14^th to play Dromina in the relegation final to see if they can retain their Intermediate status for 2014.

FAI Soccer Summer Camp

A group of 69 children took to the pitches at the Coachford AFC’s grounds in Coachford to partake and enjoy the FAI Soccer Summer Camp. The Children ranging in ages from 6 to 12 spent the week learning the finer points of the game, developing their skills and making new friends. The children came to the camp from all over the area.

Soccer Season kicks off

The Coachford AFC premier team and B team have started playing games in the 2013/14 season. Both teams have suffered early defeats in cup competitions but it is early days yet. We wish them the very best of luck for the remainder of the season.

Soccer lotto

There was no winner of the €1800 jackpot in the  Coachford AFC Lotto. The numbers drawn were 5, 15, and 16. The lucky Dip winners were Neily Callaghan (€40), Pat Hayes, Pods, Karl Thomas and Jer Crowley (€20 each). Next week’s jackpot is  €2000 and the draw will take place  in o Callaghan’s Bar.

Ghosts, Graves & Generals for Heritage Week

The ACR Heritage Committee are hosting an event for National Heritage Week.

Anthony Greene will give a presentation on the good, the bad and the insignificant interred in Magourney & Christchurch Graveyards, Coachford on Saturday, 24th August at 2.00pm.  This promises to a be a very informative and entertaining talk on our ancestors and the people who lived in our community down through the years. The meeting point for the day is the Car Park at the National School which is very convenient to both graveyards. Remember this is an outdoor event so please dress appropriately for the weather. All are welcome to this free event.

Festival Time

It’s festival time and the organisers, Broomhill Vintage Club are finalising arrangements for what promises to be one of the best festival weekends in the event’s four year history. Chairman of the Vintage club, Tadgh Murphy said, “we are almost there, we think we have everything in place and all we are hoping for now is big attendances and good weather. We like to think that we have something for everyone at this year’s festival. Our new events are very exciting from the 5 mile road race on this  Friday  to the egg throwing on the Sunday of the festival. We are again very fortunate to have so many generous sponsors within our own community and from neighbouring parishes and towns. Without our sponsors it would be impossible to hold such a large festival with so many different events over the three days. Our Festival is first and foremost a fundraising effort. We want to raise as much money as possible for Suicide Aware and for other local groups. We also want to put on a good show and ensure that everyone enjoys themselves. I would ask you all to put your hands in your pockets over the festival weekend and support all the events and buy some raffle tickets also. We have reduced our entry prices for the show on Sunday from €8 to €5 and the GAA have reduced their prices for entry into the Bachelor of the Festival show on Saturday from €10 to €5. We hope that these reduced prices will encourage even more of the public to attend, enjoy and partake in this year’s festival.”

The Festival kicks off on Friday August 16th with a 5 Mile Road Race. Registration is from 6.00pm at the GAA grounds and the race starts at 7.30pm. Walkers are also welcome and their start time is 6.45pm. The Vintage show on Sunday will see a huge gathering of Fordson Major Tractors. The organisers of the festival are asking those who are entering the Baking competitions to have their entries at the grounds before 12noon.

Festival Music

There is a wealth of music scheduled for the fourth Coachford Autumn Festival

Pa Malley entertains in Hogan’s, The Village Inn after the 5 mile Road Race on Friday August 16th..Aghinagh Comhtlás play at the open air Ceilí on Saturday  from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. The Waterford comedy and music act,‘Bachelors in Trouble’ will entertain the audience during the interval at the Bachelor of the Festival competition and Millstreet band, ‘The Celts’ will play after the competition in the GAA Hall on Saturday August 17^th. Tim O Riordan of Natural Gas plays live in concert at the Festival on Sunday August 18th and O’Riordan’s Bar have Music on the Sunday Evening from 8.00pm

Appeal to road users

The organisers of the Coachford 5 Mile Road Race would like all road users to be aware that runners and walkers will be on the public roads around the village on Friday August 16th  from 6.45pm to 9.00pm. Motorists are asked to use caution, cooperate with  stewards and be patient. The organisers would also like if as many people as possible could come out and support the athletes.

Bachelors on the look out

The Coachford Autumn Festival Bachelor competition takes place on Saturday August 17th from 9.00pm. 16 brave bachelors will take to the stage to endear themselves to the audience and the judges. These men who come from Rylane, Aghabullogue, Coachford, Dripsey, Carriganima, Peake, Bealnamorrive, Ballincollig and Millstreet are putting themselves forward to raise money for Suicide Aware and other local charities. Annette Dilworth Enright will be the hostess for the night and she promises to do her utmost to bring the contestant’s personalities to the forefront so that the audience and the judges get an opportunity to get to know the men in the brief period that they will be on stage for. Some of the contestants will have party pieces prepared to entertain the audiences.

The winner of the title and the  €300  first prize will be picked by a combination of the judges decisions (which accounts for 60% of the marks) and the number of votes received from the public (which account for 40% of the marks).. Votes are only €1 each and can be purchased on the night or supporters can vote for their favourite bachelor by text up to Midnight on Friday August 16th.

The Coachford Tidy Towns have been working hard replacing the old plastic planters around the village with much nicer oak barrel planters. Chairperson of the group, Martha McCaffery said “ This is just one of the many projects we were committed to in 2013. We also planted the boat and this has really come on over the last few weeks and our scores in the Cork County Council Litter challenge were very encouraging. The black plastic planters served us well and were a great start for a group who had no finances. ” Martha also paid tribute to Tús worker, Martin Coughlan who finished recently. “ Martin was great to keep the village tidy and clean. He was always willing to tackle any project the Tidy towns asked him to do and he is really missed around the place. Let’s hope he is replaced soon with someone  with the same enthusiasm and commitment.”  

Ghosts, Graves & Generals’

The ACR Heritage Committee are hosting an event for National Heritage Week.

Anthony Greene will give a presentation on the good, the bad and the insignificant interred in Magourney & Christchurch Graveyards, Coachford on Saturday, 24th August at 2.00pm.  This promises to a be a very informative and entertaining talk on our ancestors and the people who lived in our community down through the years. The meeting point for the day is the Car Park at the National School which is very convenient to both graveyards. Remember this is an outdoor event so please dress appropriately for the weather. All are welcome to this free event.

Lovely Carrig—Long ago

The Killanardrish/Carraigadrohid Tidy Towns Association are hosting a  stroll through the beautiful village of Carrigadrohid as it was long ago as part of the Heritage week. Residents both past and present, neighbours and visitors are more than welcome to come along and experience a step back in time on Monday, August 19th from 7.00pm to 9.00pm

The organisers of the Bachelor of the Festival have set up a text voting system where supporters of the various contestants can vote for their favourite prior to the final on Saturday August 17th. Each of the 16 excellent contestants have a specific  three digit number assigned to them. All those wishing to vote have to do is text BACHELOR  followed by a space and then the three digit number to 57003.

T&C’s: Texts cost €1. Network charges may vary. A minimum of €0.69 will go to the Charity.

Service Provider Phonovation. Helpline 0818217100

****The text votes and those votes bought on the night of the show will account for up to 40% of the total marks. The Judges will award the other 60%

TEXT Voting Lines Close at Midnight on Friday August 16th

All proceeds to Suicide Aware and local charities

A large number of parents, supporters and club officials attended the Killanardrish/Coachford underage Victory Social  at The Lee Valley Golf and Country Club to celebrate with the U12s, 13s and under 16s. All the boys had very successful seasons and this was reflected by the number of trophies on display. Guest of honor on the night was Cork City player, Colin Healy who presented all the boys with their medals. Under 16 player of the year was awarded to Matthew Bradley. Liam Twohig picked up the award for the Under 13s and Luke Casey was given the honour for his perfomance with the Under 12s.  The Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland representative,Eddie Doyle presented Adam Murphy and Luke Casey with special awards to mark their representation on the Cork Schoolboys Under 12 team who captured the All Ireland title in May. Club Chairman, Pat O’ Sullivan thanked the coaches, players and parents for their huge committment during the 2012/13 season and said ” This was one of the most successful seasons the club has ever had. The large crowd that has turned out here tonight is testament to how much this success means to everyone. It is also noted that many of the senior players are also here tonight to pay tribute to the players who may, over the next few seasons will be taking thier places on the Premier team. We are a small club but we have continued to make our mark in the Cork Schoolboys league. We are extremely fortunate to have a number of people who work tirelessly in the background to ensure that our pitches, finances and day to day running of the club is always organised properly. I would like to pay special tribute to Olive O’Sullivan and  Kathleen Flannigan who do an awful lot of work in the non competitive leagues for the Under 8s and Under 10s.” The Chairman also reminded players that Registration for the 2013/14 season for all underage players takes place next Wednesday, August 7th from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. The FAI Soccer school takes place at the Glebe from Monday,August 12th to 16th and there are still some places left. 

News from Coachford Village – July 25th.

Agrilympics –  a new Sport

The Coachford Autumn Festival Agrilympics promises to be a hugely entertaining event. The Agrilympics, sponsored by O Donovan Engineering, Coachford takes place on Sunday August 18^th and will see teams of four competing against each other in three  timed farming related challenges. Each team must contain a member of the opposite sex. The teams will be asked to milk a cow (not a real one), push a small tractor over a short distance and roll up a reel of fencing wire. If you think you and your friends have what it takes to claim the top prize and be Agrilympics champions 2013 you can resister on line at http://coachford.wufoo.com/forms/agrilympics-team-registration-form/

Online for the Start Line

Entries for the Coachford Autumn Festival 5 Mile Road Race can now be done online atwww.eventmaster.ie . Entry for the race on Friday  August 16^th is €10 and there is no booking fee. The race which is approved by the Athletics Association of Ireland starts at 7.30pm and will take runners on a mostly flat circuit in and around the village. The race is sponsored by Sorrell Physical Therapy and Fitness and is expected to attract a large entry.

12 Available Men

The Bachelor of the Festival will see a dozen bachelors take to the stage at this years Coachford Autumn Festival in an attempt to be named as the most eligible Bachelor  and to bag the €300 cash prize that goes with the title. These 12 brave  souls will be interviewed by the excellent Annette Dilworth Enright as she attempts to give the audience a flavour of their personalities and endear them to the voters. The Bachelors, who have been nominated by local businesses and organisations come from all over Mid Cork and they  are eager to raise money for Suicide Aware and local charities. Festival Secretary, Peter Dineen said, “Some of these men are confirmed Bachelors while others are only just starting out in the dating game and the remainder may be in a relationship but are open to offers from available women!. We are again very thankful for all of those competing as they are putting themselves forward to raise money for charities. Votes are only €1.00 each and can be bought on the night.” The GAA club are providing the venue and the music and there will be full bar facilities available. Entry to the Bachelor of the festival costs only €5.

Bonny Babies, Yummy Mummies and Glamorous Grannies

Three new awards will be given out at this year’s festival. The organizers are anxious to celebrate those nearest and dearest to us and are holding a Bonny Baby, Yummy Mummy and Glamorous Granny competition. The Bonny Baby competition is sponsored by Coachford Childcare Centre and is open to all babies from 0-24 months. The Yummy Mummy competition, sponsored by Stylz Hairdressers ,Coachford is open to every Mother, Mum and Mummy. The Glamorous Granny  competition, sponsored by Stylz Beauty Rooms, Coachford is open to all Grans, Nans, Nanas and Grannies. Entry for all competitions is free and will be taken on the day of the show.

Coachford Celebrate Victory
Coachford AFC visited Blarney on Saturday night not to play a pre season friendly but to celebrate their historic Premier League victory. The players, officials and supporters all gathered in the Blarney Castle Hotel to honour the premier team and the outstanding players and club officials for the 2012/13 season.
As the fabulous meal ended, Club Chairman, Joe Ronan addressed the audience and praised all those responsible for the very successful season the club enjoyed during the last twelve months. He thanked the coaches of the two senior teams, the former chairman, Thady Delaney and all those responsible for keeping the three pitches in superb condition during the playing season. He had a special word of thanks for the club’s sponsors, O’Callaghan’s Bar for their tremendous support all year.
The division two team manager, John O’Sullivan thanked his players for the hard work they put in during the year and presented Joe Ronan the ‘Player of the Year’ award. The Premier team manager, Michael Walsh then presented his team players their winners medals and spoke on each and every player and what each of them brought to the team during the year. The Premier team ‘Player of the Year’ award went to goalkeeper Peter O Riordan and was a very popular choice as he received a standing ovation from his team mates as he accepted the award. The ‘Golden Boot’ award went to Alan Jeffers for the 34 goals he scored during the season. Michael also paid tribute to his back room team of Donal Moynihan, Maurice Kenneally and Shane ‘Scary’ O’ Leary for their hard work throughout the season. He stressed that this success would not have been possible without the input of the entire panel and the help of the club, especially Thady Delaney and Danny Boy O’Connell. Finishing up he added that this victory social should be an annual event and he and his coaches and players would work hard in retaining the Premier League title.
Club person of the year went to the wonderful Olive O’ Sullivan for her tireless work behind the scenes all year and for the way she is bringing on the next generation of players for the club as she coaches the under 8′s and under 10′s.
Everyone present went on to have a great night celebrating the past season and the coaches were seen planning for the next 2013/14 campaign.

Underage Medal Presentation

The Killanardrish/Coachford AFC Schoolboys will be presented with their medals on Thursday August 1st at a function in the Lee Valley Golf and Country Club. The under 12s and 13 squads had a very successful 2012.2013 season and some of the players will be picking up league and cup medals.

New Players wanted

Coachford Schoolboys are looking for new players to strengthen their existing squads for the upcoming Cork Schoolboys League and Cup competitions and the non competitive leagues in the 2013/14 season. The club is looking for players born in the following years for the competitive competitions, 2002 = U12, 2001 = U 13, 2000 = U14, 1998 = U16 All ages from 7 to 11 are welcome for the non- Competitive leagues, ie from 2007 to 2003. For further information and registration forms contact Liam on 087 6888024

Soccer Lotto Draw

There was no winner of the Coachford AFC lotto. The jackpot was €1,000 and the numbers drawn were 3, 5, and 28.  The Lucky dip winners were Oisin Fogarty (€40), Olive Mary Michelle, Tessie Sheehan, Pods, and Martin O Mahony (€20 each). Next week’s jackpot is €1200 and the draw takes place in O Callaghan’s Bar.