Pages past: the SFC match with zero scores in the first half...

Westmeath Examiner, August 22, 2015

Garda success

What was described as “good, old-fashioned police work” was what led to the recovery of more than €4,000 worth of landscaping equipment stolen from Kinnegad soccer club over the August bank holiday weekend, an item carried on page 2 stated.

Written by journalist Paul Hughes, the item revealed that officials of the Kinnegad Juniors AFC were left “fuming” after the theft of their ride-on lawnmower, valued at €3,500, especially since it was the second ride-on they’d had stolen in two years.

The thieves had also stolen a strimmer valued at €550 and caused €500 worth of damage to a portable building owned by the club.

However, the garda didn’t let the grass grow under their feet, and in a joint effort, gardaí from Kinnegad and Maynooth recovered the missing property from an address in the Leixlip area.

Club members were delighted to have the property returned: “We were knocked for six when we found out the stuff had been stolen and to have it recovered within a week is fantastic,” said Kinnegad Juniors chairman, David Vaz.

Westmeath Examiner, August 20, 2005

New recycling rules

In August 2005, Westmeath shoppers faced a new charge on electrical and electronic equipment, as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive came into force. The measure aimed at tackling the growing problem of appliances such as fridges, freezers, and TVs being dumped in the countryside.

Under the scheme, consumers paid an add-on recycling levy at the point of purchase – from 5c for light bulbs to €40 for a large fridge – funding proper disposal of old goods. Local stores, including ESB Shop Electric in Mullingar, reported mixed reactions. Manager Jason Rabbitt said that while customers were aware of the levy, not everyone understood the range of costs.

The government rolled out national advertising to explain the changes, but some shoppers questioned the extra expense. The rules also introduced a like-for-like swap – return your old television when buying a new one, and the retailer would take it back for recycling.

Non-household items were to be sent to the civic amenity centre. Retailers warned that goods left anonymously at collection points might have to be removed at the owner’s cost.

Westmeath Examiner, August 19, 1995

Withering ambitions

A set-back to the ambitions of Dominick Street Association in Mullingar was the difficulty in seeing progress among the semi-mature trees planted in the street a few years earlier, an item in the edition of the Westmeath Examiner of August 19, 1995 reported.

The report said that the trees had been “bedevilled by vandalism” and that a second challenge to their success was the hot weather of the summer of 1995.

“A number of experts have since said that in a unique hot summer like this year’s, such trees present a survival difficulty and other varieties were recommended,” stated the item, which also explained that the hope had been that as soon as possible, the trees would have developed to the extent that they became suitable for bedecking with lighting for Christmas.

The item also stated that the Dominick Street Association members had been endeavouring to fund as many ventures as possible themselves, rather than calling on ratepayers, through the county council.

Westmeath Independent, August 23, 1985

No score in SFC match first half

“It is difficult to believe that a Gaelic football match can be played for 47 minutes without even registering one score. But this is exactly what happened in the first of the semi-finals of the Westmeath Senior Football Championship, when Tubberclair drew with Rosemount in Pairc Chiarain, Athlone on Sunday evening last,” stated the intro of this August 23, 1985 report in the Westmeath Independent.

“Nobody is quite sure even at this stage if the Tubberclair and Rosemount lads actually created history in this regard, but certainly it can be said that both teams are looking forward to another day,” the writer continued, going on to reveal the remarkable fact that this was the second game in that year’s senior championship which ended with the unbelievable scoreline of two points each.

By way of compensation, the journalist commented that the players on both the Tubberclair and Rosemount teams could take refuge in the fact that good football was difficult due to heavy rain on the day of the match.

“A further difficulty by the players was the similarity of the jerseys. And the wet evening made distinguishing players even more difficult and can account for some of the stray passes which were evident,” the journalist wrote, adding that both sides and their supporters were inclined to agree that the jersey problem would have to be sorted before the replay.

Tubberclair: Alan Cunningham, Eamon Fagan, John Quigley, John Parker, Willie Quigley, Gerry Walker, Michael Fagan, Jim Byrne, Des Fagan, Michael Nolan, Gerry Quigley, Kieran Slevin, Charlie Walsh, Philip Fagan, Martin Fitzpatrick. Subs, Jude Quigley for P Fagan; Danny Sammon for Fitzpatrick.

Rosemount: Pat Fox, Pat King, John Healy, Michael Hanniffy, Padraic Maxwell, Tom Darcy, Martin Healy, Martin Darcy, Pat Carton, Pat Boland, Tom Geoghegan, Andrew Boland, James Kelly, S Daly, T Healy. Subs: Andrew Norris for M Darcy; J Geoghegan for T Geoghegan and M Molloy for T Healy.

Westmeath Examiner, August 23, 1975

Country markets in Castlepollard

What was described as “a very successful meeting” had been held in St Michael’s Cinema, Castlepollard the previous Wednesday to discuss the idea of forming a Country Market in the area. The item stated that more than 30 people attended and heard Miss Mary Coleman, Dublin give an informative talk on the whole idea of country markets.

“Many people heard excellent praise from Kells, where members and buyers spoke with enthusiasm of the Country Market there.”

The report stated that country markets, where people could purchase fresh and high standard vegetables, eggs, fruit and flowers, were springing up all over Ireland.

To progress the project, a further meeting was arranged for August 27, and in advance of that, those interested in joining were informed that life membership cost £1, and members were required to agree to abide by the market rules, which were based on the spirit of co-operation.

It continued: “Country Markets open for two hours each week. A day and time will be decided upon for Castlepollard. Members are not bound to sell each week but only when produce is available. It is important to remember that all the produce is of high standard in quality and freshness.

“Country Markets do not undercut shop prices. Prices are regulated by shop prices in the particular area and so the situation can arise that prices are different between Country Markets but they are in line with local shop prices. A survey carried out recently came to the conclusion that 90% of the money is spent in the local area.”

Westmeath Examiner, August 21, 1965

Blood donors honoured

During a recent four-day visit to Mullingar, the National Blood Transfusion Association Unit had received blood donations from 657 people, 40 of whom were from Ballynacargy.

Stated the report: “A large number of people received silver pelicans and they included: Miss E Farry, Mount St; Mrs Margaret Rickard, 3 Patrick St; Mrs Mary Kincaid, Ballinea; Mrs Mary Kiernan, Hebron, Clones; Mrs Nellie Daly, Mary Street; Miss Maureen Browne, St Loman’s Hospital; Mrs Mary Flanagan, St Anne’s Pettitswood, Mrs B Hope, 36 Ginnell Tce; Lt Col JP Kelly, Ballinderry; Comdt D O’Callaghan, Columb Barracks; Capt P Farrell, Lynn Road; Messrs Kevin Doherty, 6 Dominick Place; Michael Power, Ballynagall, Knockdrin; James Tuite, Dysart; James McCormack, Oliver Plunkett Street; Noel Clinton, Cullionmore; Patrick Hannon, St Loman’s Hospital; Michael Coyne, Longford Road; Kevin Claffey, 8 St Laurence’s Terrace; Patrick Daly, Lynn Avenue; William Daly, Patrick Street; James Colgan, Millmount Road; John O’Dell, Millmount Avenue; Christy O’Dowd, Grand Parade; Thomas Rushe, St Loman’s Hospital; Christopher Crowley, Harbour Street, Thomas Walsh, Sunday’s Well; Clarence Keegan, Clonlost, Killucan; William Donegan, Bunbrosna.”

Westmeath Examiner, August 20, 1955

Record set at Lough Owel Mile

The eighth annual swimming gala had just been held at Portnashangan, “amid good weather conditions and a fine crowd”.

The outstanding event had been the Lough Owel Mile race for the Paddy Coughlan Trophy, and there was a record entry, as 29 participants faced the starter, Dr M Waldron.

The eventual winner was Freddy Parkes, Wellington Swimming Club, Belfast, who set a new record of 17 minutes, 43 seconds.

“The latter is an Ulster champion and in the top-front of Irish swimming. His time was almost two minutes faster than the previous record of 19 mins 23 secs held by R Clarke (Otter Swimming Club) set up in 1953,” stated the report.

The writer went on to state that the gala had proven to be an afternoon of excitement, and that the crowd perhaps enjoyed best the water skiing, as demonstrated by CJ Corcoran, T Reynolds and Miss Marie Sexton. “They were in turn towed behind the high-powered boat of the Irish international clay-pigeon shot, Mr Paddy Callaghan.”

“Apart from the swimming, there was a demonstration of the ‘Aqualung’, by Mr Bill Campbell of Dublin, in which the swimmer wore the frogman outfit, as used during the war, and he showed how he was able to stay under for any period for up to twenty minutes. His breathing was controlled by compressed air taken from cylinders strapped to his back,” stated the item.

In the races there were local wins by Mick Moriarty, club skipper, in the men’s breaststroke; Terry Waldron in the local 50; Fergus Barron took the Men’s 200 yards freestyle for the Dr Waldron Cup, and John Mehigan won the club 50.

In the Lough Owel Mile, two local men were entered, but neither figured in the prize list, and Tom Macken beat his clubmate, John O’Donnell, to gain a prize for the first Lough Owel Swimming Club man home. In the men’s breaststroke, Trevor Winckworth dead-heated for third prize, with N Kennedy of Dublin. Tommy Dorgan, the holder of the Coughlan Cup, was swimming in the mile race, but was not placed.”

Westmeath Examiner, August 25, 1945

Bathing facilities at Lough Owel

“Complaint is often made by the public that there are no proper facilities for swimming and bathing in our local lakes,” began an item in the edition of August 25, 1945.

“The truth of the matter is,” it continued, “that not alone are there practically no facilities for bathing, but the public have not even a right of access to the lakes except by permission of the riparian owners. While the majority of landowners are very generous in this regard, cases have arisen where permission to get to the lakes has been refused.”

The writer went on to comment that they were glad to learn that, so far as Lough Owel was concerned, this state of things was likely to be remedied: “A local committee has been formed and arrangements have been made with the Railway Company whereby a plot of land which lies between the railway line and the lake will be leased, and it is proposed that a pier with spring board and dressing shelters will be erected on it.

“The place selected is at the footbridge at Portnashangan and is only a short distance from the town.

“The site is beautifully situated and the proposal that it should be fitted up as a swimming place is a new and praiseworthy departure and is deserving of support.”

The item concluded by stating that a meeting on the development was to be held the following Monday evening.

Westmeath Examiner, August 24, 1935

Fete at Pakenham Hall

The annual schoolchildren’s fête at Pakenham Hall was to take place the following Thursday, the Westmeath Examiner of August 24, 1935 reported, adding that the Earl and Countess, who were at home for the occasion, were usually assisted by friends from London, who, no doubt, would stay over for the annual sports on Sunday, which promised to be a great success.

“The road race from Dublin for the Hennessy Cup is a big drawing card, and will finish up on the Square in good time for the crowd to adjourn to the sports grounds, where they will witness a large and varied programme, some of the best talent in Ireland having already entered for the various events.

“Bertie Donnelly, the wizard of the cycling world, will compete, while Al Donegan and TB Fortune, wheelers of European fame, are also entrants.”

Westmeath Independent, August 22, 1925

Perils of anger

“Both anger and grief have a mental basis, and indulgence in both produced marked ill-effects on the body,” said the intro to a brief item in the Westmeath Independent. Continuing, it said that Sir James Paget and Dr Murchison, for example, considered that protracted grief and anxiety were the cause of cancer in certain organs of the body.

“Further investigations into this subject tend to prove the truth of their assumptions,” it stated.

“Anger, which is like grief, is a mental quality, is known to provoke indigestion, headaches and neuralgia.

“Seeking relief in tears, therefore, when the feeling of anger is sought to be overcome, would be tantamount to jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Both anger and grief, therefore, ought to be shunned by all right-thinking people, and this modern applied psychology teaches one how to do it.”