Delvin graced by hurling legends

Dozens of kids from the Delvin area braved the elements, for a special training session with a difference, and a chance to meet two of their hurling heroes.Young schoolchildren and members of Delvin GAA Club, in a training morning organised by the club"s underage section, drilled under Kilkenny legends Martin Comerford and James McGarry between 10am and 1pm on Saturday.Not fazed by outbreaks of torrential rain, Delvin"s young hurlers of the future - split into two groups - played their hearts out in a couple of exhibition matches, after learning some of the tricks of the trade from their idols.Afterwards, the Kilkenny duo took the time to autograph hurleys and jerseys.Comerford, an O"Loughlin Gaels forward, is a four-time All-Ireland senior hurling medallist, and during his terrific career, he has also picked up eight Leinster SHC medals, four National Hurling League medals, two All-Stars and an All-Ireland Under 21 medal. He succeeded D.J. Carey as Kilkenny hurling captain in 2004.McGarry, one of hurling"s most celebrated goalkeepers, hurls for Bennettsbridge, and is a five-time All-Ireland winner who has seven Leinster titles and three National Hurling League wins under his belt.Skillful Delvin man is Canada boundDelvin man Christopher Gillick was recently presented with a winner"s medal by Minister for Education and Science Batt O"Keeffe, for receiving first place in Ireland for the carpentry section of the National Skills Competition.An apprentice carpenter from Institute of Technology, Sligo, Christopher also came third in the UK final of the carpentry skills competition held in Leeds, England, after winning the Northern Ireland regional competition.In the UK Carpentry Skills final held over four days, Christopher faced 14 other U.K. regional winners from England, Scotland and Wales. Christopher, who also studied at Fermanagh College, was delighted to finish in the top three.He is now working towards the 2009 World Skills carpentry skills competition to be held in Calgary, Canada.His lecturer at IT Sligo, Mr. John Joe O"Reilly said 'This achievement capped a great year for Christopher, he had already won first place in Ireland and his performance in the UK skills competition just underlines the potential he has.'As current Irish Champion he is due to take part in the 2009 Irish Skills Competition, where the person with the highest marks will probably represent Ireland in the World Skills Carpentry Final in Calgary, Canada.'Great credit is due to his former employer Michael Farrell Construction of Moat, Laracor, Trim Co. Meath, who had been very supportive in Christopher"s carpentry skills development.'Christopher is currently attending a Carpentry and Joinery course in IT Sligo where he continues to work to the highest standards. He hopes that he will be able to find work locally when he finishes his current course in two weeks.Delvin Historical Society noteThe next Delvin Historical Society lecture will take place at Carmel Gaffney"s, Delvin on Thursday night of next week, March 19 at 8pm. The lecturer on the night will be Mullingar historian, Ruth Illingworth. Prospective members will have a chance to enrol in the society, and further details will be announced next week.Tree surgeon to tackle Clonmellon branchesThe tree surgeon contracted by Westmeath County Council will oversee works to scale back or remove heavy branches on trees at the Kells side of the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Clonmellon, as requested by Cllr. Frank McDermott (Fine Gael) at the recent Coole Area Committee meeting.Cllr. McDermott was informed that the lower branches, which may interfere with pedestrians, were cut on Friday, February 13.The Coole Area Engineer, Grahame Niven, has instructed tree surgeon Mick Lynch to determine what works are required which cannot be tackled by the Council"s own outdoor staff. Mr. Niven also met with the resident who lives below the trees, saying that he is 'most concerned about them.''Hopefully it"ll happen soon,' Cllr. McDermott said.Tola"s-Killucan Road split by boundariesThe section of road between St. Tola"s National School, Delvin and the village of Killucan is split by the boundary between the Coole and Mullingar East areas, and if work is to be carried out the Coole Area Engineer will have to inspect which part of the road is within his remit.So Cllr. Eugene Dolan was told at the recent meeting of Westmeath County Council"s Coole Area Committee, after he had requested a re-evaluation of the road, to increase motorist safety, particularly at blind corners.Cllr. Dolan was also informed that the poorest section of the road lies within the Mullingar area, and no money has been sought for the work in the 2009 Budget.Delvin Pioneers to meetA meeting of the Delvin Branch of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association will take place in St. Patrick"s Hall, Delvin on Monday, March 16 at 8.30pm. All members are asked to attend, and new members are welcome.Clonmellon newsletterResidents of Clonmellon are at present planning to put together a newsletter in the village, and the organisers would like to hear from anybody with any news of special events, or just details of what you get up to during the week.Please forward all information to John on (086) 2685819.Hospice meetingOn Monday next, March 16 at 8.30pm, members of Delvin Hospice Homecare - and indeed any volunteers willing to make the trip - will gather in the Blue Hackle Inn, Delvin (Dolores Gaffney"s) to discuss plans for what is the local group"s major annual fundraiser. All are welcome.Photographic prizeGeraldine Murphy-Fenlon from Delvin was announced as the winner of the Leinster category of the EBS Family Moments Photography Challenge at a prize-giving ceremony in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin.The EBS Family Moments Photography Challenge was launched last October to find the photograph that best captures family moments, in recognition of the EBS family which has grown, over the past 70 years, to over 440,000 members nationwide.