Direct from Durrow

Ladies – it’s Mini Marathon time again! Registration is urgent at this stage. Register on line at VHI Women’s Mini Marathon or by registration form in every Wednesday’s Evening Herald newspaper. We are raising funds this year for the Durrow Meals on Wheels and we are looking for ladies to join us. You can contact either Marie Clooney on (087) 7742506 or Susan Lawlor on (087) 2574477 for more information. Anyone interested in availing of a bus to the Ladies Mini Marathon, on the June Bank Holiday Monday should contact Marie Clooney. The bus will leave for Dublin at 10am sharp on Monday June 6th.

May Details for Paddling: Sunday 8th May at 9.30am – Club Trip from Clubhouse, Durrow to Tallyho Bridge, suitable for all Club members with minimum level 2 skills. 11th to 25th May – Wednesday Evenings at 7.30pm Beginner Kayak Course, Clubhouse, Durrow (suitable for non-club members who are new to kayaking).

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May – Beginner Open Canoe/Canadian Course with level 2 canoe skills assessment, Mass Lough Ballinakill (suitable for non-club members who are new to open canoeing). Sunday 22nd May at 9.30am – Club Trip to Clashganny, level 3 skills training (suitable for all club  members with minimum level 2 skills). Sunday 29th May at 9.30am – level 2 kayak skills assessment (suitable for non-club members who have completed a beginner course). Please check out our website www.laoiskayak.com and Facebook page for further details.

2016/2017 Membership: For members who have still to pay their membership, please do so this month as all membership is due into Canoeing Ireland. Any queries, please contact Emer O’Brien on (087) 9626350 or any committee member.

Sponsored Kayaking Run: The Club are running a sponsored kayaking trip in the coming weeks and members will be selling lines for same. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

Congratulations to our U14 Camogie team on their continued success in the championship. They are showing great strength and determination with wins against St. Brigids, Camross and Naomh Eamann so far. Their next match is on the 18th May against St. Lazarians and we hope they can continue in their winning ways.

Our U12s are due to play their first blitz in the Go Games series on 11th May in Clonad and this will be followed by three other blitzes over the next few weeks while our U10s, U8s and U6s are busy training on Thursdays in preparation for their blitz dates which will be starting very soon. Keep an eye on the Harps Camogie Facebook page for updates regarding training/matches.

A big thanks to our Bonus Bonanza members for your continued support. This months draw takes place on Saturday night 7th May. Best of luck to all participants.

Finally, we are missing some team jerseys at all ages and would appreciate if   parents would check to see if they have any team jerseys. Contact Vera on (087) 1359333 if any are found. Many thanks.

Congratulations to Avril Deegan on winning gold medals in the East Munster   Secondary Schools track in the 3000m and 1500m. Avril will now contest the Munster final in Waterford in two weeks time representing the Presentation Secondary School, Thurles. Great to see Avril back in racing form and we wish her every success.

View your local community’s latest news, sport, notices and much more by logging on and visiting www.durrow.ieonline.

The Harps Junior hurlers got their first win of their league campaign last Thursday with a six point win over Camross. Played in Durrow with a strong wind blowing towards the town end, it was a storming first half performance from our hurlers that set them up for the win.

Playing into the stiff wind, The Harps set the tone from the very start, tearing into tackles and hunting in packs. Early scores from Conor Deegan (f), Ross Young and Conor Brophy established an early lead. The Harps were then dealt a blow as Conor Deegan could not continue due to injury, but The Harps were determined to power on as a strong run by Niall Brophy drew a foul which Ross Young converted.

Camross hit back with a brace of scores of their own but another great run, this time by Brian Farrell, drew another free and again Young made no mistake. At half time The Harps had a deserved lead on a score line of The Harps 0-06 Camross 0-03.

Even with the wind now at their backs, The Harps knew Camross would never throw in the towel and so it proved for the second 30 minutes. Early scores by Young, Maher and a brace by Brian Farrell maintained The Harps momentum, and while Camross threatened at the other end The Harps defence were outstanding,     repelling attack after attack. Further frees and a brace from play by Ross Young pushed the gap to six points with five minutes remaining. Camross were desperate for a goal and went the direct route numerous times with long ball into the square, but The Harps defence were in a mean mood and defended superbly. With time almost up the sides traded a converted free each to leave the final scoreline as The Harps 0-12 Camross 0-06.

This was a very encouraging performance by the Juniors, and if this level of effort is kept up they will prove to be a hard team to beat. 1.Peter Walsh; 2.Sean Cahill; 3.Tommy Moore; 4.Shane Brophy; 5.Conor Brophy; 6.Dan Delahunty; 7.Shane Fitzpatrick; 8.Darren Maher; 9.Rory Moore; 10.Niall Brophy; 11.Brian   Farrell; 12.Ross Young; 13.Justin Brophy; 14.John Dunne; 15.Conor Deegan. Subs: Brian Clancy for Conor Deegan (inj).

Elaine Maher E.M. Designs, Cullohill Village on being awarded finalist in the Wedding Journal Reader Awards 2016 for Ireland’s Best Wedding Stationery Company of the Year. Elaine now needs the help of the parish and gain as many votes as possible between now and the 22nd of May 2016 in order to help her win this very prestigious award. Voting is open at http://weddingjournalonline.com/readerawards and  anyone who votes will be entered into a prize draw to win a Romantic Weekend at Castle Leslie Estate.

One vote per email address! You can follow E.M. Designs progress in the competition on Facebook, Instagram and snapchat @emdesigns.ie or by phone at (086) 1980628 or to info@emdesigns.ie by email. Many thanks!

The Laois Branch of the Irish Kidney Association would like to thank       everyone who supported our recent Church collections. Also a big thank you to our wonderful volunteers. The support we get in Laois is greatly appreciated.

Locals Karen Scully and Lisa McDonald are trying to organise a charity event for the Irish Cancer Society and are looking for people to participate in a Lip Sync Battle. You can choose your own song to mime on the night and it’s only 60 to 90 seconds, so it’s not as scary as it sounds! The only way that this can go ahead is with the help of you – because without participant’s the show cannot go on! It’s a really good cause and you are not only supporting the fight against cancer but you are also providing funding for areas such as night nurses, care to drive and cancer research.

So why not get your hairbrushes out and start practicing! If all goes well, a great night of fun & laughter is sure to be had. Contact Karen Scully or Lisa McDonald if you are interested in taking part or have any queries. We look forward to hearing from you – thanks in advance!

Our group will still meet socially each Wednesday evening at 7pm for the cuppa and a chat at O’Loughlins Hotel, Main St, Portlaoise. All welcome! The Local Branch can be contacted by phone on(089) 2525344.

Anyone looking for help can contact us on (087) 3476012.

Durrow Saturday market is open every Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm in the Computer Centre beside the RC Church on the Kilkenny Rd. Potato’s and Fresh Veg are available, to book your favourites please ring Marie on (087) 7742506. Home Baking from Bernie Brennan is also available with a selection of fresh breads, scones, tarts and cakes. You can also book cakes for parties etc.

Any old or unwanted clothes or fabric can be left in the porch of the Cullohill Community Centre. All collections are in aid of Cullohill Handball Club.

Visit www.laoisweather.com for up-to-the-minute information.

The next newsletter will be on sale weekending May 21st and May 22nd. All adverts must be booked with Angela Drennan (087) 1928522 or Mary Walsh (086) 3055157. Advertisements cost €2 per issue of Durrow Parish Newsletter and must be paid for in advance.