A big thank you to all those that came along to the opening of the McGoldrick Art & Photography Gallery on Friday (11th March), and showed their support. With a good steady stream of people throughout the day, it was good to take bookings for portraits, Art Classes (Adults & Children), and commissions; just the sort of opening day I had hoped for. I would also like to thank all those that sent cards wishing me every success, and especially to Susan & Barry at “Absolute Flowers” for their kindness and generosity. Also to the good people at ‘www.Youghalonline’, ‘Youghal News’, CRY, Mick Hussey, Christy Parker, and Ger Flanagan.

If you haven’t yet visited the gallery, please come along and see what we have. Maybe you need a portrait, or a piece of Fine Art, or a simple, but quality image of Youghal. Come and see our inaugural exhibition. A display of images by Eileen & Will McGoldrick entitled “Between a Rock and a good place”, a mixed media Dream Sequence display, and a unique & vibrant view of rock formations in the East Cork / West Waterford area.

Eileen & Will McGoldrick

Click on image to enlarge

SHOOTERS Snooker Club are the 2011 Cork Snooker League champions after a stunning performance at the AOH last Thursday night (10th March 2011) where they defeated the Crucible Snooker Club, by thirteen frames to six frames in the best of 25 frames league final.

At one stage the team from Blackpool were an astonishing seven frames ahead after just nine frames played and with the experienced players like Anthony O’Connor and Gary O’Sullivan in top form, it was easy to see where the cup was heading after just one hour of play.

There was a huge attendance present for the final on Morrison’s Island at the famous AOH Club and the tables were in magnificent condition due to the excellent work of Finbarr O’Connor and the atmosphere was really superb too, which all added to the occasion.

One spectator present said “It reminds me of the late 70’s and the early 80’s when snooker was huge in Cork and you couldn’t get in the doors of many of the clubs on finals night, it is great to see that atmosphere back again”.

The final couldn’t have started any better for Shooters with Gary O’Sullivan establishing an early two frame lead against Greg Casey.

O’Sullivan has played very well all year for Shooters and looks a certainty for the Cork Inter-County Snooker Team who will play in National Inter-County Championships this April.

Alongside O’Sullivan was Anthony O’Donoghue who had a re-match of the Cork Close Final taking on the Crucibles David Cassidy who he beat on that occasion in his home club Shooters earlier this year and again the former 147 man was on top leading by two frames to nil after just 35 minutes of play.

Ryan Cronin of the Crucible got an early frame for the favourites, but the lead was short lived as Shooters Gary Bracken rattled off three frames in succession to lead 3-1 on what is definitely the AOH’s toughest table.

Things got tougher for the Crucible when O’Donoghue and O’Sullivan clinched another frame each and the target of 13 frames for victory was getting closer and closer for the Blackpool outfit.

Everyone was expecting the usual Crucible fight back, but all credit to Shooters they battled for every point and didn’t give an inch.

Ryan Cronin, Casey and Cassidy then all clinched a frame each for the Crucible and Shooters nerve was tested, but when O’Donoghue and O’Sullivan closed out their matches with winning frames the writing was on the wall for the Bandon Road men.

 

David Forde of Shooters was locked at one frame all with Daniel O’Regan, leaving the Crucible the almost impossible task of having to win all their remaining frames to claim victory and when on table two Tommy Greaney of Shooters who played against Tony Moore of the Crucible doubled the blue into the corner pocket to secure the all important winning thirteenth frame, he had the final say in this year’s league,.

Ironically for the Crucible, Shooters served the Crucible a rare league defeat on the opening day of the Cork Snooker League, back on the 7th of October 2010 and then last night again they had it over their City rivals on the last competitive game of the season.

Shooters owner John Paul Crowley told the Evening Echo “It is great to see Cork Snooker back after such a long absence and I think that little bit more experience our lads had paid off tonight. After 30 years of being involved in snooker myself I think it was the best night of snooker for quite some time and the standard in Cork is getting higher every week and when you look at the Crucible they are a fantastic side, full of young International talent and to beat them was a great achievement for my team. Tonight reminded me of the great nights that the late Liam O’Connor put on in Cork and with so many young people now playing the game again it is great for the future of Cork Snooker and I am thrilled and proud that our club has won the league in our first year”.

Shooters now hold the two top titles in Cork Snooker with the league title secured and Anthony O’Connor’s ‘Cork Close’ success before Christmas. Now the Blackpool side look like they will be entering a second side into next year’s league along with the ‘Cue Club’ from Killarney who want to be part of the re-emergence of Snooker in the City and County of Cork.

Cork Snooker League Secretary Tim Murphy told the Evening Echo “I must give tremendous thanks to all the players in our league this season and as far as I am concerned, in my 58 years involved in the game this was one of the best final’s I have ever seen. I want to thank the AOH who made their club available to us and compliment the condition of the tables”.

The next event on the Cork Snooker calendar is the very highly respected ‘Orme Shield’ three person team event, which will be held over two days at Youghal CYMS on the 26th and the 27th of March. The closing date for the number of team nominations is the 15th of March and no teams will be accepted after this date.

The entry fee for the Orme Shield is just €20 paid on entry and teams of three, plus one substitute must be named by the 23rd of March.

Next week on Cork Snooker we catch up with Cork’s two Irish Internationals heading for Malta and the International Team Manager and International referee from Cork Don O’Donoghue.

Classroom crucifix ban overturned

Friday March 18 2011

A ruling banning religious symbols in classrooms has been overturned by human rights judges.

Victory for the Italian government came in an appeal against an earlier verdict by the same court in which a mother won her case that the display of crucifixes in Italian state schools breached religious freedoms enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights.

 

If upheld on Friday, the decision would have affected religious schools across Europe.

But a “Grand Chamber” of the European Court of Human Rights completely reversed the original result, declaring that the judges could find no evidence that the crucifix placed on classroom walls influenced pupils.

The National Secular Society (NSS) said the final outcome was a severe blow to the rights of parents not to expose their children to promotion of a particular faith.

NSS executive director Keith Porteous Wood said: “This is a severe blow to the concept of state neutrality in relation to religion, and to secularism. It flies in the face of Europe’s increasing plurality and diversity and risks damaging the (human rights) court’s previous reputation of treating all citizens equally.”

But the UK Independence Party’s Paul Nuttall welcomed the result, saying: “It was the right judgment but in the wrong court.

“The European Court of Human Rights should never have attacked the rightful autonomy of the Italian state, nor undermined the religious freedom, culture, history and identity of its people.”

The original, unanimous, court decision in 2009 was a victory for Soile Lautsi, a non-Catholic mother who complained that her children, aged 11 and 13, were exposed to crucifixes in classrooms at their school in northern Italy.

But Friday’s 15-2 majority verdict decided that, “while the crucifix is above all a religious symbol, there is no evidence before the court that (its) display on classroom walls might have an influence on pupils”.

Press Association

Youghal’s streets turned green for St. Patrick’s Day 2011

The sun shone brightly on the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Youghal which was, again, organised by the Youghal Pipe Band, under the supervision of piper Michael McCarthy. The colourful parade began at 3.00pm at the north end of the town at Dolphin Square, where all the different floats, clubs, societies and business displays assembled. Photo: Kevin Power/ Will McGoldrick/Michael Hussey/David Farrell/Kieran McCarthy for www.youghalonline.com

Thousands of people crammed the streets to see the colourful dancers, marching bands, theatre troupes and local groups proudly showcasing the cultural diversity of the town, which was the highlight of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebration.

The Youghal town councillors, including newly-elected TD, Sandra McLellan, and Mayor of Youghal, Mary Linehan-Foley, cheered the parade as it passed the town hall with adults and children alike waving tri-colours, shamrocks, leprechaun hats and fancy dress costumes in forty shades of green.

Youghal Pipe Band leader Michael McCarthy who organised the event said, “We were very pleased with the support for this year’s event. The weather was fantastic and everybody was in great form. The floats, displays and input from clubs and organisations was particularly good this year and made it very difficult for the judging committee to pick the best floats. I would like to thank all sponsors and everyone who helped to make this event such a resounding success. It was great to see the event broadcasted live again this year by YoughalOnline.com and local broadcaster Shane Supple and cameramen Kieran McCarthy and David Farrell deserve great credit.”

Well done to the Youghal Pipe Band in organising a very successful St. Patrick’s Day parade and we look forward to next year’s event. Beidh an craic nócha!

Youghal Pipe Band leader Michael McCarthy made a special presentation to Ken Brooke from Brookes Super Valu in recognition of his sponsorship of the event each year.

Best Float

The prize for best float went to Perks Entertainment Centre with Youghal Credit Union receiving second place prize.

Best Banner

Tweenies won the prize this year for the Best Banner with second place going to Youghal Disability Group.

Best Culture Group

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eochaille won the Best Culture Group in this year’s parade.

Best Juvenile Group

Youghal Cubs claimed the title of Best Juvenile Group while Chatterbox came second place.

Best Marching Group

Youghal Pipe Band won the award for best Marching Group.

Best Club Display

Youghal Vintage

Best Business Display

Greenbarn

Best Colourful Display

Condon’s Florists

CLICK ON IMAGE TO SEE THE ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE IN YOUGHAL 2011 – Photo: Kevin Power/ Will McGoldrick/Michael Hussey/Kieran McCarthy for www.youghalonline.com

The 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Youghal was broadcast live and proved to be a great success. Thank you to all the people who logged on to view the webcast.

Please click on the playback video below to view todays event.

Satire on parade for St. Raphael’s Centre early St. Patrick’s Day parade.

ST. RAPHAEL’S CENTRE, YOUGHAL, adopted a satirical stance when it held its second annual St. Patrick’s Day two days early, yesterday. (Tuesday March 15th 2011). The parade took ‘Empty Pockets’ as a theme and over 40 clients, staff, friends and locals paraded through the grounds carrying token symbols of the country’s dire journey towards the financial rocks.
Report – By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

Aided by the centre’s arts department, the imaginative creations included a large brown envelope, a giant empty pocket, a miniature ghost estate and emigrant-carrying aeroplanes. €540bn notes were also dispersed, though not, diplomatically, in the brown envelope. “We decided to hold the parade early as it can be difficult for residents to access the main parade on a bank holiday,” explained art therapist John McHarg.

Local piper Christy McCarthy from the Youghal Pipe Band led the procession. St. Patrick himself officiated and in the true spirit of Christianity, declined to comment on the unholy mess various vipers had made of the country he converted.
Click on image to start slide show of the St. Patrick’s Day parade

Singer/Songwriter Stephen Leeson, former lead singer with The Dublin City Ramblers is guest artist on the popular Shane Supple’s “Yawl ready for this” on Youghal local radio CRY this Friday (18th March 2011) at 12 noon. Shane will be talking about himself, his new album and the launch of his solo career which takes place in The Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh Co. Cork on Friday March 25th.
By Carol Noelle Rice.

Stephen Leeson former lead singer with the well renowned Irish folk group “The Dublin City Ramblers” will officially launch his solo career in The Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh Co. Cork on Friday March 25th.  Stephen will use the fabulous Dublin based group “Whiskey Still” as his backing band on the night to electrify the stage with a repertoire of folk, trad and a bit of bluegrass.

Support on the night will also be provided by Cork based contemporary singer, Darren Andrews who may be new to the Cork scene but is going down a storm in the last few months he has been performing here.  Tickets for the event are priced at €12 but with a superb line up, it guarantees to be a great night of Irish music and talent.

Stephen Leeson is a really talented singer/songwriter who was a former member of Dublin Folk Band “The Dublin City Ramblers”, whom have a lot of famous tunes to their credit, which includes the classic hit, “The Rare Auld Times”.  Joining the Dublin City Ramblers as their lead singer at the tender age of 21 years, Stephen played with the band for a number of years.

An enchanting young man who sings with great passion, heart and soul, Stephen Leeson, is best known for his unique voice, his impeccable stage presence and his versatility as a musician, with the capabilities of playing:  The Guitar, Five String Banjo, Bodhran, The Harmonica, Bones and Spoons.  Currently working on his second album, this Irish Folk Singer is back on the road once again, as, he returns home to the Emerald Isle to officially launch his solo career in The Sirius Arts Centre on the 25th, March 2011.  Stephen Leeson is currently gearing up for his Irish gigs which commenced in mid January and will see him travel to many parts of Ireland throughout the year and looks forward to releasing his second album in the forthcoming months.

Stephen Leeson was born and raised in Tallaght which is situated on the southside of Dublin.  With one older sister and a younger brother, Stephen was an active young child who was involved in various sports ranging from:  football, hurling, soccer, basketball, Thai boxing, Tae Quando, surfing amongst others.  However, with a family that is stepped in Traditional Irish music, it wouldn’t take long before the sounds of various musical instruments would encapsulate his heart.

“Since I found out that I could sing….all I ever wanted was to sing and play music and that is all I’ll ever what to do….that is, play music and entertain people”.

Stephen learnt the craft of his trade at a very young age, as his father is part of the long established Dublin Folk Band “Whiskey Still”.  Stating that his father and Paddy Sweeney of the band Barleycorn, are his biggest influences, Stephen has had the privilege of performing with many great artists himself in his young life so far.  He took on the role of lead front man and singer with Irish Bands “Dublin Legacy” and “Porter Black”, as well as, playing alongside the talents of:  Finbar Furey, Sean Og McKenna, Barney McKenny (Dubliners), Philip McCaffrey, Brian McCormac (Barleycorn), Paddy Sweeney (Barleycorn), Donal White, George Murphy (You’re a Star), Mike Hanrahan (Stockton’s Wing) and Maurice Lennon (Stocktons Wing), amongst other talented Irish musicians whilst sharing the stage with Tommy Flemming.

Stephen has performed in various venues both at home and abroad and spent three years playing numerous festivals throughout Ireland, other European countries, as well as, America and parts of Asia with the Dublin City Ramblers.

During Stephen’s time with the Ramblers, this well renowned Irish folk band were presented with a gold album from “Dolphin Records”, for sales of their CD’s and continued to play in many venues throughout the world, with Stephen loving every minute of it.  Stephen learnt quite a bit when he was touring with “The Dublin City Ramblers” and it clearly shows in his professionalism, mannerism and his on stage presence.  The way he can captivate his audience and carries them away with his angelic voice that is deepened with emotion throughout each and every song he performs.  With an ability to work the stage and engage with his fans, his performance leaves an impressionable impact that is not only memorable but special for everyone that has had the opportunity to experience his live shows, leaving him in huge demand both at home and abroad.

Looking forward to officially launching his solo career in The Sirius Arts Centre Cobh on March 25th, Stephen Leeson will have the fabulous Dublin Group “Whiskey Still” as his backing band on the night and you will hear him perform numerous well loved Irish Ballads ranging from “The Ferryman, Carrickfergus, The Contender, Freemantle Bay, Hard Times, 19 Arches, Galway Girl”, the list is endless.  Stephen also plans on incorporating some of his own new material from his forthcoming album on which he is currently putting the final touches too.

One of Stephen’s main ambitions is to keep recording both his own tunes, as well as, a few cover versions of classic Irish traditional songs and to keep entertaining with live shows as much as possible. An incredible young man with an extraordinary voice, with big achievable goals within reach, Stephen Leeson no doubt has a long and prosperous career ahead of him.

For more information on Stephen Leeson:

Please contact Carol Rice @ (+353) 089 4384175

c.ricemanagement@gmail.com

www.stephenleeson.com

www.shanesupple.com

Shane Supple releases his new track  “I Want You To Want Me” with an official video launch on the 16th March 2011. This video was produced by local video production team Blue Shed Productions. YoughalOnline wish Shane Supple and Blue Shed Productions all the best with the video launch and future releases.

For more info on Shane Supple visit http://www.reverbnation.com/shanesupple

For more info on Blue Shed Productions – Video visit www.blueshedproductions.com

Help needed to fundraise for Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat

There are many people with a little time on their hands.  Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat fundraising committee is asking them to use this spare time productively by helping to organise fundraising events for their all weather lifeboat.  This is a small fishing village with an amazing crew ready to drop everything when someone calls for help at sea.  No-one knows when this will happen or if they will be related to the person they have saved.  Ireland is such a small nation people seem to have relatives or acquaintances in the most unlikely of places.

The members of Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat fundraising committee would like to do more for this charitable cause but due to a shortage of numbers are limited in their efforts.  Their annual general meeting takes place on Monday next, 21 March, at 8pm in the lifeboat house.  People do not have to join a committee to help at fundraising events.  This is a plea for anyone with a little spare time to come and meet them.  Plans can be made when the organisers are aware of the numbers available to help.

Please mark your diary and come to Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat house on Monday next, 21 March, at 8pm.

If you have any queries please contact me.

Bláthnaid Lane Walsh
PRO Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat fundraising committee

FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup Quarter Final Replay
Report: Derek Kiely at Ardrath Park / Pics: Liam Heffernan & Michael Hussey
email: news@youghalonline.com

Youghal United 1

Sacred Heart  2

 

SACRED Heart lead by former Shamrock Rovers and Sporting Fingal player Paul Caffrey had just enough in hand to see off Youghal United on Sunday at Ardrath Park in the replayed FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup quarter final.

Caffrey was in fact the first player to have a chance on the very first minute when he had a shot from all of 25 yards fly inches above the Youghal United crossbar.

For the next 19 minutes the home side dominated with several good moves disrupting the Sacred Heart defence and but for the bounce of a ball on a couple of occasions the home side could have got the lead.

The huge home crowd were stunned into silence on the 20th minute when on the counter attack a clever ball out the left wing found the on running Alan Bergin who passed a ball square into the Youghal Utd box to Jamie O’Neill, who with his back to goal and the two central defenders pressing him in defence.

Somehow O’Neill managed to turn himself towards the goal and hit a ferocious shot that the Youghal keeper David Kearns could only half block and the ball bounced over the line to give the visitors from Tallaght the lead.

The goal rocked Youghal and the home side lost their shape for a good ten minutes and it looked worse for Youghal on the 38th minute when Anthony Weafer had the ball in the Youghal goal again with a spectacular overhead kick, only to have the goal disallowed as Wafer was ruled to be offside.

Youghal did react well to the offside decision and finished the half the stronger side, but in having the lion’s share of possession, they never really tested Mark Clohessy in the Sacred Heart goal.

For the first 20 minutes of the second half Youghal United had a huge amount of possession, but again failed to threaten the Sacred Heart defence, who mopped up everything at the back, mainly through their centre half Baba Issaka who cleared everything time after time.

Sacred Heart then won a corner on the 68th minute and when a shot should have been cleared fell to Dean Lawrence he hit it from 20 yards into the top right hand corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Up until now this was a disappointing and frustrating performance from Youghal United, but the second Sacred Heart goal seemed to wake the Youghal side up and after receiving a dubious corner on the 75th minute the home side were back in the match as the Youghal Captain Seamus Landers powered home a brilliant header from the corner and the whole mood of the game changed.

 

Youghal came close on a couple occasions, through Paul Moylan, Thomas Clohessy and the very talented 16 year old Bobby O’Donoghue, but try as they might the Youghal team couldn’t get that vital goal to force this game to extra time.

As Gene Stevens blew the final whistle the dream of progressing through to the semi finals was gone for Youghal Utd and it would be hard to argue against the fact that the Sacred Heart team overall deserved the win.

The visitors may have only created five genuine scoring chances, but they had the ball in the Youghal United net three times and got two goals to count in the process.

As a result of this defeat Youghal United will have to travel to Kerry to play Tralee Dynamos in the first round of the FAI Cup.

Scorers for Youghal: S Landers (75)

Sacred Heart: J O’Neill (20) D Lawrence (68)

YOUGHAL UTD: D Kearns, P Kelly, D O’Keefe, S Kenneally, A Kelly, S Landers (Cpt) A Hennessy, P Moylan, T Clohessy, B O’Donoghue, D Hennessy.

Substitutions: B O’Sullivan for A Hennessy (Half Time) C O’Sullivan for P Moylan (88) L Geary for D O’Keefe (90)

SACRED HEART: M Clohessy, A Weafer, D O’Reilly, D Lawrence, B Issaka, D Kilbey, J O’Neill, R Thornton, D Byrne, P Caffrey (Cpt) A Bergin.

Substitutions: T Adiquim for A Bergin (60) M Quigley for R Thornton (68) D Goode for J O’Neill (82)

Referee: Gene Stevens

Click on image to start slideshow: Pics: Liam Heffernan & Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com