On Tuesday evening last St Itas GAA club held a launch night for the forthcoming fundraising Race night which will be held in Farrells Bar Summerfield on Friday 8th July at 8.30.

St Itas Chairman Sean Harnedy thanked everyone for attending the night and spoke about How important events like this were to the club in these current times. Every club has to raise funds to pay for insurance equipment and other expenses involved in running a club and St Itas was no exception to this rule. However with the help and support of our sponsors like Michael Farrell from Farrells bar here in Summerfield, Johnny Dineen Bookmakers, and our other sponsors who have always been fantastic when it came to events like this.

A night like this is more then a fundraising event its also a chance for the players supporters and local community to get together and interact and have some fun. Art Supple as one of the selectors spoke about how important this event was in helping everyone come together all in support of the players and mentors who put in long hours in training and playing matches. Its also a great fun night with everyone in with a chance to have the winning horse on the night.

So clear your diary and make sure you have your seat in the stand booked for this great night of fun and racing at Farrells Bar Summerfield on Friday the 8th July.
The first race is starting at 8.30pm with many races on the night and a huge crowd is expected get your tickets now from any of the Committee members or any of the players. There will be spot prizes and a raffle on the night and tickets for this event are only €10.

This week  I spoke with Art Supple during the week on Youghal Radio and I know Art and myself are related but when it comes to music and music connections the simple fact that Art is one of our best known musicians in Cork.

I asked Art to explain how he became involved with the music business. I started out singing in school we had a great teacher who always encouraged us to sing and be involved in music, this led us to forming the Barrony Aces, a group of young school children who would put on small plays and performances in our local hall and school. I was like any young person of that time and saw no reason why I wouldn’t become the next Oscar winner or music star. I then got involved with the Patsy Irwin band and we used to play the local halls in and around East Cork. We used to play in Redbarn before the main bands. At that time there was a showband on the scene who for me were the best band on the circuit, They entertained with a group of top class musicians they danced, they sang and had us all enthralled in the show they put on each time they came to Redbarn they were called The Clipper Carlton They were the forerunners for the showband scene as it became known.

I was working out in the field at our farm with my father one day when two gentlemen in suits arrived on the scene they explained that they were putting a band together and needed a singer Local man Murty Lucey from Redbarn had told them to get in touch with me as he had seen me performing in Redbarn Dance Hall. They spoke about many things but the one thing that caught my attention was the mention of an American tour, now this was 1963 and the thought of a tour to the USA was a big deal at that time nowadays people fly over and back to America but back then it was not as easy as it is today. I didn’t need much more convincing I accepted the offer to become the singer with the Victors Showband and we set off from there.

After a short while we had become one of the top ten showbands touring Ireland at the time and we did our American tour, I have to say looking back on it was a great time for showbands. In Ireland around then there were over 850 showbands touring the circuit, not all professional but they were all playing to huge crowds. If you think back there was no TV in a lot of places and we only had the one radio channel so entertainment was a night out to see a band in the local dance hall. It was such a busy time for bands that dances were running seven nights a week with anything from 800 to a few thousand people crammed into these large ballrooms.

I was lucky in that during this time because the scene was so strong many of the top international acts wanted to tour Ireland because the cost of travel etc was large most of the singers would arrive along and work with an established band in our case we were lucky enough to tour with the likes of Roy Orbison, Chubby Checker, Englebert Humperdink, Tom Jones, Jim Reeves, Millie, Johnny Cash to name a few. We shared the stage with The Beetles, Had tea with the rolling stones and met many of these and other famous singers on our travels.

Looking back on it was a great time and things have changed so much, I remember that we were recording a new song and we had all the band part of the Concert orchestra a group of backing singers all in one room singing into the one Microphone and because it was all recorded on very expensive tape we only had one take to get it recorded, there was no editing or adding in tracks it was basic and it worked all because of the quality of musicians who worked in these showbands.
Nowadays you can get the same sound in our bedroom at your computer but back then it was expensive we had to travel to the only studio in Ireland which was based in Dublin we had to hire all the musicians so it was like getting a small army on the move for one performance which they would have to get right.

Looking back on his career which is now in its 48th year as a professional singer Art has met so many wonderful people from Christy Ring who he had the privilege of playing hurling with to The Irish Soccer team who he entertained. He has sung to presidents from many countries, and met many wonderful people around the world. There was so much more to ask and talk about but like all good tales we will have to leave the rest for another day.

Legendary Waterford-born entertainer Brendan Bowyer performed to a capacity crowd at the Walter Raleigh Hotel, Youghal, last weekend. Brendan was accompanied on stage by his daughter Aisling and his 5 piece backing band.
Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

Another legend of the showband era, local man Art Supple, performed prior to Brendan’s show, which went down a treat with the music loving audience. Both artists were happy to meet the crowds and to sign autographs after the show. Bowyer, has been bringing music lovers to their feet for over 50 years and Art Supple is the proud winner of the inaugural CRY Showband “Hall Of Fame Award 2009″ award, which was presented to his son Shane at the star studded ceremony last year.

Click on image to enlarge

St Itas GAA club would like to thank all in Murphy’s Pharmacy for sponsoring our first aid kit for the club.
Its that time of the year again when the championship is in full swing, practice games are being played and the panel are training hard.

One of the main items needed on the sideline is a good first aid kit, its vital to be there to help tend injuries, cuts, and whatever scrapes the players sometimes find themselves with.

This year Murphy’s Pharmacy, North Main Street, Youghal, have supplied the St Itas GAA Club with a brand new first aid kit. Lets hope its not used too much. The club would like to thank Kieran and the staff for this.

On Friday evening the 16th April, St Ita’s Gaa club held a table top quiz in The Quality Hotel Redbarn.
With teams consisting of four members it was great to see 24 team taking part. A little later then advertised
quiz master Ted O Brien and his team started proceedings. with 8 rounds of questions each round consisting of 10 questions the task of keeping score was not going to be an easy one, however well done must go to Ted &Rosari O Brien, Eddie & Caroline O Brien, Kay Supple, Mary Cunningham and Angela Cronin all who worked hard on the night to keep the large crowd up to speed with results as they happened.

During the night there was a raffle with a large number of prizes donated from many local business, We alsohad two Cork jerseys to auction off. A signed jersey from the Cork Senior Football team and a signed jerseyfrom the Cork Senior Hurling team. Well done to Mr Peter Connon and Mr Ted Kelly who both outbid all others to win the jerseys.

With the raffle and auction over the more serious matter of the quiz resumed with several teams in a race forfirst place. Two rounds in particular were hard on everyone and they were both the Musical round in whichshort clips of music was played and each team had to guess the answers and the photo round in which 10 photos of St Itas members down through the years were shown, what made this harder was the fact that in all photos used of these members were from the pram to first communion. All in all it was a fun night with a great response to the quiz.

At the end of the evening and with the results tallied up the winners were announced. With 52 points
and in first place representing Youghal GAA  were Tommy Roche, Declan Hennessey, Jo Daly & Kevin Minihane. For their troubles they won a months free membership to the Vita health club at the Quality Hotel.

In second place winning a meal for four in the Quality Hotel was the aptly named team Cape Town Riders made up of Art & Shane Supple, Brian Gaynor and the man who was responsible for the name. Ed RIce. Ed from Cobh was only staying in the hotel on the night and joined in on the fun and games at the quiz at the last minute. Ed was part of the group involved in the David Walsh charity cycle Pedal For Parkinson’s from Belfast to Cape town in South Africa hence the name Cape Town Riders.

On the night both the prize winners then handed back their prizes and asked that an auction be held to auction off the Club Vita membership and Meal for four and that the monies raised through an auction go to the Pedal For Parkinson’s Charity. Club chairman Sean Harnedy duly obliged and through his auction €235 was raised for the Parkinsons Pedal for Charity.

A special thanks must go to all who took part on the night, we must also mention the following people Sean Supple for his work in organising the event, to all the management and staff at the Quality Hotel for their support and function room, to Martin Walsh for our Auction items. To Ted O Brien and his fantastic team on the night who kept everything moving along. To all who sponsored the raffle prizes a big thank you. We will be announcing the winners of our Art Competition shortly and will give a report on that in due course.

The Walter Raleigh Hotel was the venue for the inaugural Community Radio Youghal ( CRY Local Radio) Country Music Awards 2009. By Youghalonline Music reporter / Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com Email: news@youghalonline.com

There was much speculation over the last several weeks as to who would win what award and voting was by phone requests to Community Radio Youghal. There was a huge crowd in the hotel on Monday night many waiting for the doors to open from six o’clock. When the doors did open at seven within half an hour all the seats were filled.

At eight o’clock MC on the Night Tommy Collins from Community Radio Youghal started proceedings with the first award Most Popular Duo going to The Dreamers featuring Gay Brasil from past bands Tweed &  The Whole Shebang and young Derek Greenslade who entertained the crowd with three musical numbers before handing back to the fantastic Paddy O Brien Band  of Connie Casey on guitar, Michael McAndrews on drums and Anthony Slevin on keyboards.

The next award went to Pat Daly for Best Local Country Album 2009 Pat accepted his award and much to the delight of his many fans sang a few numbers to entertain the ever increasing crowd

This was followed by The Beginners Country Music Award which went to young brothers Padraig and Conor O Sullivan on drums and guitar sons of Patrick O Sullivan, played a few songs to delight the crowd who by now were dancing away on the dance floor.

The award for Most popular local country singer then went to the mighty man Pat Tobin, many people on the night have spent countless hours dancing and listening to this great performer, Pat who has had hits with several o0f his own songs sang a few songs to keep the crowd on the floor.

This was followed by the award for most requested local singer on Radio which went to Patrick O Sullivan who is currently staring on TG4′s Glor Tire shows in the country music singing competition. Patrick who had played a few songs with his two sons earlier on in the evening then went on to sing a few of his more popular songs.

The next award to be handed out was to Popular singing sister duo The Benn Sisters for the award Popular Female Duo on the Irish Music scene The sisters Carrie and Leanne currently living in Enniskillin but from London both sang songs from the new album which pleased the huge crowd.

At this point in the proceedings a short break was called to give the backing band a chance to take a well earned break and also for members of community radio Youghal to sell raffle tickets. As soon as the break finished the mighty man from Aglish. Country Music star Paddy O Brien and his band went back on stage and entertained the crowd with many of his big hits before returning the microphone to MC Tommy Collins.

The first award of the second half of the show Best Irish International Country singer went to the mighty man of Country Music Paddy O Brien. Paddy then sang a few songs with his band and got the large crowd on the floor dancing.

The second award of the second half of the show Best Irish Female singer went to the very popular and entertaining Trudi Lalor who was backed, as all singers were by the Paddy O Brien band. Trudi in fine voice continued to entertain the dancers with a great selection of songs from her old and new albums.

this award was followed up with the award for Best Irish Entertainer which went to young and upcoming country singer Damien Bowe who had traveled from Laois to accept his award, Damien was new to many and they enjoyed his performance on the night.

Then the award for Best Solo Artist went to non other then Sam O Doherty who has written many great songs over the years Sam dressed in his white suite sang some of his best loved songs and entertained the large crowd with some stories of his life on the road.

The award for Showband Hall of Fame went to local star and entertainer Art Supple for his outstanding work in the music business over a lifetime He was not present on the night but was ably represented by his son Shane Supple who thanked everyone on behalf of his dad, then Tommy Collins asked Shane to perform a song or two himself on behalf of Art which Shane did with ease.

The award for best Local songwriter went to Kerry man Peter Burke for his work in songwriting and Peter took to the stage and sang many songs to the delighted crowd, Peter who is also an accomplished musician played the keyboard

The award for Best Group went to the Michael Collins band for there work in the music scene over the last number of years, Michael then sang a few songs to the crowd and kept everyone in great spirits and in an upbeat mood himself giving young Anthony Slevin a break

Nearing the end of the night with many people still dancing away the award for Best Male singer went to Shaun Loughery who mentioned his father while accepting the award, Shaun then went on to sing some songs and keep the dancers out on the floor.

It came to the final award on the night and much to the surprise of Paddy O Brien he won the award for Best overall Performer this was followed by a surprise Birthday cake which was carried up to the stage for Paddy to blow out the candles When paddy finished that part of the the surprise he and the band continued to sing for another half an hour bring the whole night to an end some five and a half hours after it started.

Mention must go to all the staff at Community radio Youghal and of course Tommy Collins MC on the night but a big well done must go to Theresa and Maura Joyce who had planned the whole event and of course Mags Carey who was involved in organizing everything. To the Walter Raleigh hotel for providing
great facilities and to all the people who voted for the artists and the large crowd who turned up on the night a big well done to all.

Award List
Beginners to Country Music: Padraig & Conor O Sullivan
Most Popular Local Singer: Pat Tobin
Most requested Local Artist; Patrick O Sullivan
Country Songwriter: Peter Burke
Best Female Duo on the Irish scene; The Benn Sisters
Best Group on the Country Scene; Michael Collins
Best local album 2009: Pat Daly
Most Popular duo: The Dreamers
Best International Irish Artist; Paddy O Brien
Best Male Irish Singer: Shaun Loughery
Best Female Irish Singer; Trudi Lalor
Best Irish entertainer: Damien Bowe
Hal of fame Award; Art Supple
Solo award: Sam O Doherty
Best overall performance: Paddy O Brien

Click on image to see the CRY Awards 2009

Fifth Straight All-Ireland Ladies Football Titles For Victorious Cork

On Monday night last (28th Sept. 2009) the village of Inch in East Cork was a hive of activity, its not often a team can return home with one All Ireland under their belt never mind 5 in a row, which this  Cork team have achieved. Cork captain Mary O’Connor, Angela Walsh, Annie Walsh, Ann Marie Walsh and Amy O’Shea all from the Inch Ladies football club returned home to a heroes welcome. As they took to the stage at around 10.30pm the crowd roared their approval.
Report/Photo/Video  Shane Supple

As a child we all dream of winning the cup that makes us heroes, our dreams are filled with us scoring that winning goal or point, crossing the line for the last try of a game, serving an ace at Wimbledon, whatever sport it is, as children we are always on the winning side, sadly as we grow older these dreams and hopes are pushed to one side as we go through school, get a job, get married and grow older but for a dedicated team of ladies from Inch and Cork this dream was never pushed to one side, not forgotten, but worked on throughout the long winter months running up and down wet muddy fields, training and playing football.

All over the county these players who had already won 4 All Irelands in a row and didn’t owe the Cork fans anything more were working hard, planning ahead, getting fit, playing through the pain barrier, practicing, training living their lives around the game of Ladies Football. Doing everything it takes to make these dreams come true and on Sunday afternoon last in the stronghold of GAA Croke Park these ladies became one of the greatest ladies football teams ever by achieving the impossible 5 All Ireland Titles in a row. The dream was no more it was reality.

If you take the astonishing record of some of these players its amazing when you look at them so young and fit eager and happy with a full life still ahead of them. Take Mary O’Connor for example a young lady who so far has won an incredible 5 All Ireland Senior Ladies football medals, add to that the 7 All Ireland Camogie Senior medals you have what many players can never achieve. 12 All Ireland medals at senior level playing for Cork.

Some counties cant even win one and she has 12. Add in the rest of the girls Angela Walsh with her full compliment of Camogie and Football medals along with many of the 15 who played on Sunday its an amazing feat. We all talk of Kilkenny winning 4 in a row but five in a row in any sport is superhuman. Many things will be written about how good the men are, how fast how strong they are and how dedicated but today I have seen women far more dedicated to their own sport then many others, that is why Cork can celebrate 5 in row.

Last night at the welcome home for these girls I looked around the crowd at many of the younger players, they were mixing freely with these legends of sport chatting, Talking, playing and interacting with some of the greatest sportswomen they will ever meet, to those children who went home last night and dreamt of their day in the sun on the steps of the Hogan stand we wish them every success and pray they can do all it takes to make their dreams come through.

Every credit must also go to the back room team behind the girls, for local football wizard and Inch manager Noel O’Conner well done, to Eamon Ryan Cork Coach what can you say about this man that hasn’t been said, he is a great manager and a great tactician but most of all he knows football and has done Cork proud leading this panel of players to their fifth All Ireland in a row.

Video: Shane Supple

The homecoming was a great evening for all concerned with local singer Art Supple on hand to sing the Banks, the local hall filled to capacity, the ladies who made the tea and sandwiches, DJ Ollie McCarthy who entertained everyone with his disco and to the Cork Ladies Football panel in its entirety a big well done to you all for a great night of memories.

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Singer/Songwriter Shane Supple launches his latest 16 track Cd ‘Country Style Blues’

At 16 Shane Supple from Youghal, County Cork started touring with his father Art Supple, the well known singer and entertainer. Shane then spent the following years touring Ireland, the UK, and some European countries as a working musician learning his trade and at this time wrote his first song ‘Someday I Will Be A Star’.

In 1992 Shane recorded his first EP ‘Eyes of Blue’. Shane toured with his father Art Supple up until ’93 when he joined Irish Star Brendan Shine for a short spell doing concert tours of Ireland & the UK, during this time Shane wrote the song ‘Youghal By The Sea’ which proved to be very popular in his native town. In 1999 Shane signed up as a keyboard player with Waterford country singer Paddy O’ Brien.
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Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Art sings ‘It’s You It’s You It’s You’ to the delight of his admirers at the event

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