Limerick Blooms At Award Ceremony

27 towns and villages throughout County Limerick were last night honoured for their participation in the inaugural ‘Limerick in Bloom’ competition.

Patrickswell was named overall winner while Kilmallock, Oola and Strand were named winners of their respective categories. Limerick County Council, in conjunction with Shannon Development, launched the competition earlier this year as a motivational mechanism for the many small local based groups throughout the county to enhance the visual impact of their settlements by means of flower, tree and shrub planting.

Speaking during last night’s awards ceremony at the Woodlands House Hotel in Adare, Cllr. Francis Foley, Leas Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, stated, “Limerick In Bloom is truly a celebration of community spirit, teamwork and an awareness of the natural environment. Such attributes are alive and well here in County Limerick and are evidenced by the participation of 27 towns and villages in this year’s competition.” He said that the success of the competition was a fine example of what could be achieved when the local authority and local groups came together for the benefit of communities across the County.

“Each of the participating communities should be congratulated for helping to make County Limerick a more attractive location to live, work and visit”, added Cllr. Foley. Commenting on the competition, Josephine Cotter-Coughlan, Director of Services, said, “The concept of promoting community involvement in the improvement and enhancement of the local environment has been developed and strengthened over the years by Limerick County Council. This has further been enhanced through the considerable involvement of community groups, tidy towns committees, residents associations and local businesses in the first ‘Limerick in Bloom Competition’.”

Adjudication took place during July and considered such factors as colour, size, variety, location and appropriateness of the various planting schemes along with the management of litter. The judging panel included Mr. Luke Griffin, who is the Vice-Chairman of International Entente Florale and a former Chairman of the International Entente Florale Jury.

Categories were based on population size with a first, second and third prize in each category of EUR1100, EUR550 EUR300 respectively. Category 1 catered for towns and villages with a population in excess of 700. First was Strand (83), Loughill/Glenbrohane (82) came second while Croagh/Kilmeedy (80) finished in third place. Category 2 was for population centres of between 300 and 700 people with Oola (82) finishing first, Broadford (81) in second and Foynes (80) in third place. Category 3 featured villages with a population less than 300. Kilmallock (79) came first, Bruff (78) was second and Askeaton (75) finished third. Patrickswell (84), which featured in Category 1, was named overall winner and received a cheque for EUR1,500.

FULL RESULTS:

Category 1
Askeaton Heritage and Tidy Towns Committee - 75
Bruff Tidy Towns - 78
Hospital Tidy Towns - 62
Kilfinnane Tidy Towns - 74
Kilmallock Tidy Towns - 79
Newcastle West Tidy Towns - 73
Patrickswell Tidy Towns - 84

Category 2
Athea Tidy Towns - 79
Foynes and District Community Council - 80
Glin Development Association - 65
Knocklong Tidy Towns - 79
Oola Tidy Towns - 82
Broadford Development Ltd - 81

Category 3
Ardpatrick Community Council - 79
Croagh Community Council - 80
Glenbrobane Tidy Towns, Garryspillane - 82
Kileedy Parish Community (Ashford) - 68
Kilfinny Community Council - 70
Kilmeedy Community Group - 80
Muintir na Tire – Templeglantine - 70
Strand Community Development Ltd - 83
Tournafulla Tidy Towns Committee - 61
Carrigkerry Development Group - 62
Colmanswell Community Council - 62
Loughill Community Development Association - 82

Residents Associations
Sharwood Residents, Newcastle West - 58
Glenside Residents Association, Annacotty - 85

Overall Prize
Patrickswell (84)

Further information on ‘Limerick In Bloom’ is available from the Community and Enterprise section of Limerick County Council on 061-496454.

Garda injured in Limerick RTA

A Garda has been injured in a road accident in Co. Limerick.

His motorcycle collided with a truck in Patrickswell yesterday morning. He was taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital where he is being treated for a broken collar bone and injuries to his leg.

New contenders in running for Limerick Hurling job

Tony Considine and Justin McCarthy (left) are among a list of 10 nominations for the Limerick senior hurling manager's post.

Former Clare boss Considine has been nominated by the Garryspillane club, while McCarthy, who was forced to step down as Waterford boss earlier this season, has been nominated by the Camogue Rovers club.

Outgoing manager Richie Bennis remains in the running for a reappointment after been nominated by his club Patrickswell.

The list of nominations was announced at a specially convened county board meeting.

Bennis Is Sacked By Limerick County Board

Richie Bennis' two-year term as Limerick senior hurling manager is officially overafter the Patrickswell clubman was axed by the Limerick Co Board.

The news filtered through following a meeting of the Limerick Co Board last night, with officials confirming that they have decided to seek nominations for the position, Breakingnews.ie reports today.

Bennis, who memorably guided Limerick through to the All-Ireland final last year, became involved with the panel in the summer of 2006 when he was appointed caretaker manager after the resignation of Joe McKenna. A member of the last Limerick team to win an All-Ireland back in 1973, Bennis proved to be an inspirational figure during his first full season at the helm.

However, 2008 has been a year of lows and few highs for the Shannonsiders, with Bennis getting the brunt of the criticism. "I'd like to give it another go and stay on as manager. I've told the Co Board how I feel about the situation," he said recently.

"But if the Co Board decide that they don't want to keep me on, then I'll willingly walk away and let them find someone else."

Bennis' last match in charge was the deflating 3-19 to 0-18 qualifier defeat to Offaly at the Gaelic Grounds on July 12 - a result which confirmed Limerick's exit from the All-Ireland championship. They also suffered a heavy loss (4-12 to 1-16) to Clare in the Munster semi-final, after a league campaign that included three wins and two defeat.

Last month, Bennis also had to come out and deny comments he made to a local newspaper about some members of the Limerick panel allegedly going drinking together after training. He insisted he was misquoted but the bad publicity will have disappointed members of the Limerick Co Board. A special committee has already been put in place to oversee the selection process for Bennis' replacement.

Residents of Limerick city urged to attend Limerick Show

Organisers are expecting close on 20,000 visitors to Limerick Racecourse on the 23rd and 24th of August for the forthcoming Limerick show.

The event which is the largest in Munster is determined to beat the bad weather. Already FOUR shows throughout Ireland have been cancelled including the Tullamore Show. New events such as the farmers market and goats will join the line up which includes showjumping, horse and cattle showing classes along with trade stands and craft stalls.

Speaking to Limerick's Live 95FM, Chairperson of the Limerick Show, Councillor Leo Walsh paid tribute to the volunteers and organisers which make the show possible.

Work On Mini-Pitch Scheme Kicks Off In County Limerick

Five all weather soccer and multiuse facilities are to be provided at separate locations throughout County Limerick.

Limerick County Council has signed a €623,500 contract with Emerald Pitch Developments Ltd, of Clonbullogue, Edenderry, Co Offaly, for the provision of the Astroturf pitches at Abbeyfeale, Patrickswell, Hospital, Rathkeale and Cappamore. Funding will be drawn from the Limerick County Council Development Contributions Fund, and from the FAI and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

Limerick County Council has teamed up with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to develop the facilities in each Electoral Area, as part of the UEFA/FAI Hat Trick mini-pitch scheme.

Under the scheme, launched in 2006 to mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of UEFA, the FAI and the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism offered €35,000 per pitch to develop small sized all weather pitches. Primarily aimed at promoting soccer amongst school children, the pitches will also be lined to accommodate other sports such as basketball and futsal.

“The provision of these new facilities represents another major milestone in the ongoing development and promotion of soccer at local level”, stated Councillor Kevin Sheahan, outgoing Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council.

The Cathaoirleach added that the facilities would greatly assist the recently appointed Football Development Officer for County Limerick in carrying out his job.

“I look forward to seeing the results of the many progressive actions that are due to be implemented across the county, whether that is the implementation of coaching courses and the Schools Programme or the organisation of volunteer and parent workshops. I have no doubt that the Astroturf pitches will contribute to the success of these initiatives”, the Cathaoirleach commented.

According to Mr. Ned Gleeson, Limerick County Manager, “Limerick County Council is delighted to be able to work in partnership with the FAI in developing these facilities and looks forward to seeing them contribute to the development of the game here.”

Mr. Gleeson complimented the FAI for its continued work in improving standards within the game all over County Limerick.

He continued. “Along with the many other initiatives being rolled out across the county by the Association, I believe that great strides are being taken to increase participation in sport among young people though various soccer programmes. This is something that Limerick County Council is very supportive of as it is cogently aware that by participating in sport, children develop lifelong skills and disciplines that will help them lead active, healthy, well-balanced lives.”

“I hope the new pitches, which are due to be in place by the end of the year, will provide an enjoyable and safe sporting environment for young people in various locations throughout County Limerick”, Mr. Gleeson concluded.

Football Association of Ireland, Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney welcomed the announcement and paid tribute to all involved in the mini-pitch scheme in the Limerick area.

He said, “Just over a year ago Limerick County Council and the Football Association of Ireland formed a partnership at local level to recruit a Football Development Officer, Conor Nestor and I would like to thank Limerick County Council for their vision and purpose in investing heavily in fostering social inclusion using football as a tool in local communities in this area.”

Mr. Delaney added, “This is a very significant development for all involved in County Limerick. These five new mini pitches are the latest of 64 mini-pitches that are being rolled out across the country in conjunction with local authorities. These new facilities in the Limerick area will help the local community use sport, and football in particular, to address real issues such as active citizenship, obesity and social inclusion. The Football Association of Ireland is using football to tackle social issues and over the past three years we have increased our commitment to developing the game.”

Local Authority Gives Patrickswell Club A Lift

Patrickswell Powerlifting Club has been officially recognised at a ceremony in Limerick County Hall.

The Bruff Area Committee of Limerick County Council hosted the event in recognition of the club’s successful participation in the European and World Championships. Players and members were presented with individual ‘Recognition of Achievement Certificates’.

Powerlifting is a strength sport, consisting of three events: the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. The sport resembles Olympic weightlifting because it involves lifting heavy weights in three attempts.

The call to honour Patrickswell Powerlifting Club was made at a recent meeting of Limerick County Council by Patrickswell native and Fianna Fail Deputy Niall Collins. According to Councillor John Clifford, Chairman of the Bruff Electoral Area Committee, “The achievements of Patrickswell Powerlifting Club are nothing short of outstanding when you consider the short length of time that the club has been in existence. The Patrickswell Powerlifters have not lost in any competition since their beginnings in 2004.”

He added, “Patrickswell Powerlifting Club continues to go from strength to strength, quite literally, under the watchful eye of their Coach, President and leading member, Gerard McNamara. I am delighted that this competitive and hugely successful sporting organisation is now being officially recognised by its own county.”

Patrickswell Powerlifting Club acquired their existing premises at Main Street, Patrickswell four years ago. The club consists of nine senior members, fourteen junior members and two ladies members. All members train four times a week, each session lasting approximately 90 minutes. Club members recently returned from the European Championships in the Czech Republic, having already achieved numerous successes at the World Championships in Canada.

Picture by Dave Gaynor: Members of the Patrickswell Powerlifting Club, front from left; Ger McNamara, Pat Slattery, Eoin O'Neill, Petra Stumpfova and Christy Moore who received scrolls in recognition of their achievement from Bruff area committee members Cllr James Cavanagh, Cllr Richard Butler, Cllr Deirdre Ní Chinneide, Cllr Rose Brennan, Cllr Cormac Hurley and Cllr John Clifford. Also in the picture are Paula McNamara and Mary Moore (DG). Missing from picture is Cllr Leonard Enright