Rochfortbridge youth soccer tournament

The first ever youth soccer tournament that involved over 200 young people from all areas of Rochfortbridge turned out to be a great success.The first kick off, which was put off until Wednesday instead of Monday because of poor weather conditions, was followed with great excitement by all supporters.Speaking about the five-day soccer fest, organiser Elaine Kavanagh said the week was a great success and was enjoyed by all involved."Oh it's been brilliant, some nights the tournament went on until 11 o'clock because there was penalty shoot-outs, which were very exciting," said Elaine, who hopes to see the tournament return next year.The finals took place on Sunday with four teams coming out on top.In the five to seven age category, Newcastle emerged as the winners, including Jason Bradley, Grace Gunning, Joey Harris, Chelsea Jessop, Eva McArdle and Ryan Moran. Arsenal were the runners-up in this category with Riághan Grimes, Sofie McAuley, Patrick Buckley, Andrew Doyle, Sarah Tuite and Chloe Reilly putting up a good defence.In the eight to ten-year-old category, West Brom were the winners, that included Jordan Agani, Jack Duigenan, Blaithin Downey, Jamie Evans and Paul Carpenter.The runners-up were Portsmouth with Ryan Harris, Billy Arthur, Aoife Nealon, Tristan Finnane and Sinead Duigenan.Dundee Utd won the 11s to 13s category, with Dean Johnston, Matthew Ruden, Adam Morgan, Sam Stapleton and Rory O'Flaherty on the winning team. Runners-up were Morton with Brendan Darcy, Glen O'Reilly, Vicky O'Reilly, Kevin Tuite and Aaron Henry putting up a good battle.And in the 14s to 17s category, PSV Eindhoven were the team of the day, including Steven McDonald, Dan Plant, Karl Gunnery, Martin White and Piero Marallo.The runners-up in this category were Juventus, with Cormack O'Flaherty, James Macanroe, Devin Whitson, Dean Mackanroe and Kevin Walsh.Elaine would like to thank all those who helped out during the soccer tournament, with a special thanks to Rochfortbridge Tidy Towns Committee who sponsored the four perpetual trophies, and to the local GAA who also gave sponsorship.Rochfortbridge Pharmacist returns home from KilimanjaroA Rochfortbridge pharmacist Donagh McTiernan returned home last week after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, in aid of North Westmeath Hospice.Donagh, whose climb consisted of a six day round trip, said it was difficult both worth the effort to raise vital funds for such a deserving cause.In fact he succeeded in raising over 2,500 euro for the service which delivers quality end of life care to patients where a cure is not attainable, as well as supporting and assisting their families and other professional carers.Donagh would like to thank all those who supported the cause.Trial month for sewerage treatment plantThe long awaited upgraded sewerage treatment plant in Rochfortbridge will come into operation this week, followed by a trial month and after that it will be fully commissioned.This will act as a relief to everyone who has reported smelling bad odours floating around the village at certain hours of the day. It will also mean relief to the river flowing alongside the plant.The upgrade is part of a multi-annual investment programme, funded by the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government and Westmeath County Council.Under the current 2007 -2009 Programme, an estimated €220m has been invested in Westmeath over the those years, ensuring that drinking water supplied to consumers is of the highest standard and that urban waste water is properly treated before discharge so as to minimise the environmental impact on rivers and lakes.In Rochfortbridge, civil works on new plant have been completed, including the refurbishment of the old plant.Mechanical and electrical work on the new plant is ongoing.