Moate Matters
Moate pilgrims return from Medjugorje A group of about 20 pilgrims returned to Moate this week following their visit to Medjugorje ('between the hills') which has become well known across the world, because of the six young people who claim to have seen visions of the Madonna beginning in 1981. The trip was organised by the Carmelite Youth Group and all who travelled enjoyed the intense heat and fine weather as well as the visits to the various sites of interest. Lotto Bingo The jackpot was not won. There were three match three winners, Elaine Mulhall, Boggagh, Moate; Mike Daly, c/o Judy Robbins; Mark Cooney, c/o Fair & Murtagh, Moate. Each receive €50. Next week"s jackpot will be worth €4,050. Draw will be held on August 13th. Kelly on form in Galway This time I am not writing about greyhounds but another member of the sporting family Kelly from Weavers Road in Moate. Noel Kelly, a former star boxer with Moate Boxing Club who has represented Ireland in the ring, now makes his name on the running front. These days Noel represents Mullingar Harriers and continues to perform at the top level. The Future Streets of Galway 8k road-race took place on Saturday evening last beginning at Southpark in the Claddagh, following the traditional route through the city-centre and out through Salthill, before finishing in a closed loop adjacent to the start-line. This was the 23rd running of this hugely popular road-race which continues to be a focal point on the Irish road-racing calendar for elite competitors and recreational runners alike. Once again this year, event organisers Galway City Harriers (GCH) had to cap entries at the 2000 mark a number of weeks before the race date due to the huge demand for places. Runners went to the line just after 7pm in blustery but dry conditions after a day of heavy rain in the City of the Tribes. A fascinating race was anticipated at the elite end of the male race with strong competition from visiting challengers as well as a host of strong local runners in what was a top-class senior men"s field. Blustery conditions made this a difficult race on the night with existing course records very tough to beat. From the start, Boit and Mulvey set a fast pace, and the chasing pack were having to work very hard to track them. Boit always looked the more comfortable however and once he took to the front he continued to push the pace and never relinquished his lead before winning in a very impressive time of 23m 35s. Mulvey finished in second place, 16 seconds adrift, followed by Christopher Erichsen in third position, a further 45 seconds back. Cillian O"Leary (Raheny Shamrock AC) was fourth in 24m 45s and Jason Fahy (Olympic Harriers) was fifth in a time of 24m 51s. Despite still running as a junior, David Rooney (Raheny Shamrock AC), took sixth place with a highly creditable 25m 07s with Moate athlete Noel Kelly just behind in seventh place. Ferbane AC runner Paul Buckley finished in ninth place. Carmelite Notes In the gospel, the disciples are caught in a violent storm while crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jesus comes walking to them on the storm-tossed water. They think he is a ghost and cry out in Fear. Jesus challenges Peter to walk towards him. Peter starts out but becomes frightened and begins to sink. He cries out, 'Lord, save me!' Jesus reaches out to him and says, 'you of little faith, why did you doubt?' Like Peter, we too, have our frightening moments. We doubt. This is part of our growth; through doubting we get to know Jesus better when, like Peter we confess Jesus as Lord and come to a deeper faith. Recently Deceased Oliver McLoughlin, Hall, Moate; Ellen Boland, Station Road, Moate; Elizabeth Harnett, Limerick, (Sister of Ellen Boland), Mary Uneen, Dunboyne, Sister of Fr Frank O"Gara O.Carm. Sincere sympaÂthy is extended to their families and loved ones. May they rest in peace. Dún Na Sí News The heritage park is open to the public from April to October. Guided tours will be catered for by appointment only, seven days a week all year round. The final weekly "Seisiún", (Evenings of Music, Song, Dance and Storytelling) takes place on Sunday night next, August 17 at 8.30 pm. Leaving Cert Best wishes to all the students who received their Leaving Cert results this morning. Moate Tidy Towns The great work done by the tidy towns group is becoming more apparent as the weeks go by. The Station Road, the Hall Road and Tennis View areas are showing the benefit of their work while the flower baskets on many of the business premises are looking well. Watering the baskets is not a big problem this year! Local estates are also showing the results of the efforts being made by the residents to maintain their areas. Greyhound Notes Three races, three wins. Despite this 100% record it is impossible to get anything other than a cautious outlook from Benny Smyth, owner of Woodhill Emperor who has qualified for the final of the Longford GOBA/Stephen Shanaghy A6 525 after recording a fine time of 29.05 to justify the even money favourite tastus bestowed on the Emperor by the ring. Trained by Michael Gleeson we wish connections all the luck in running in the final this weekend. In Shelbourne Park on a miserable Saturday night the Tommy Kerrigan trained Caulry Jack, owned by the Fa-Ke Syndicate, won the €2,000 Shelbourne A2 525 Final when beating the odds on favourite Right of Reply by 3.5 lenghts. Caulry Jack was returned at odds of 5/1, a surprisingly good offering for a Tommy Kerrigan dog. The time of 29.09 was an excellent performance in the monsoon conditions that prevailed in Dublin on Saturday last. Moate GAA Lotto Draw held in The Auld Shebeen, jackpot €5,000, numbers drawn 1,5,11,19 no winner, seven match threes, Huby Daly, Jamie and Kevin, Eddies Kids, Betty Bracken, Ml Walsh, John Finn, Pat Sheerin. The draw next Monday will be held in Vincents. Congratulations Birthday greetings to Lorraine Higgins who celebrated her eighteenth birthday last weekend. John Quinn was also out celebrating his twenty first at the weekend, John was 21 on August 5. Best wishes to all those celebrating special occasions at this time. Moate Active Retirement Group The Moate Active Retirement Group who recently hosted the Day Trip Art Exhibition are off on another Day Trip, this time to the wonderful Powerscourt area in Co Wicklow. Ann Marie Carolan will be the tour guide and a great day out in this picturesque and historical area is in prospect