Community Notes July 9th

Helicopter Mercy Mission

An air-ambulance helicopter landed at The Green in Timoleague on Wednesday afternoon last. It answered an emergency call after a local man, Michael O’Sullivan collapsed at the entrance to Foley’s Centra. Despite the best efforts of medical personnel and first responders who were on the scene quite quickly, they were unable to save his life. Michael was a native of Rossmore and came to live at Maryborough West on his marriage to Peggy Mc Carthy. A hard -working man of the soil, he had a keen interest in ploughing and participated in tug-o-war in his early years. The large attendance at his funeral was testament to Michael’s gentle, jovial personality and to the popularity of the O’Sullivan and Mc Carthy families. Sincere sympathy is extended to his wife, Peggy, his brothers Jimmy and Larry, his sister Sheila, his sister -in -law Mary and extended family members. Ar dheis lamh De go raibh a anam.

Death in Christchurch

The Irish rugby team are presently on tour in New Zealand and in their first test suffered a 42 – 19 defeat at the hands of the All-Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland. Meanwhile down on the South Island at Christchurch, news reached Timoleague of the death of Mike O’Donovan two weeks ago. Mike’s father Dan, known affectionately as Foxy Dan, left Ahawadda many years ago as a young man with a number of other locals and emigrated to Australia. After some time, his companions returned home but Dan continued on his travels before settling in New Zealand. He worked hard and became a successful business man. He married and raised a family in his adopted land. His son Mike became immersed in the rugby tradition of the nation. He began as an under 19 player with the famed Marist club in 1973. He played over 100 games with Marists during their golden era on a team that include All-Black legend Mike Hansen. He then moved into coaching, managing and developing young players. He became an All-Black under 19 selector and at the beginning of the professional era, he spent ten years in Scotland and Ireland coaching and managing various top teams in both countries.

He visited his friends Tom and Siobhan Mc Grath during his stint in the Northern Hemisphere. Tom and Siobhan had met the O’Donovan family by pure chance during a trip to New Zealand but that is another story. While staying in Timoleague he was naturally drawn to the pitch where Argideen Rangers were busy training for an important championship game. When his pedigree became known he was asked to take a session with the players. He was undecided at first but having observed training seated in a car on the bank with Tom, he bowed to the pressure. Tom tells me that he spent an afternoon writing down in great detail the structure of the proposed session that he had in mind with the Timoleague players. That session was revolutionary to say the least and is still spoken about all these years later. In fact, it went viral, it was the topic of conversation among other coaches, trainers and players all over West-Cork.

On his return down under he was appointed Rugby Development Officer at Christchurch Club in 2009 where he remained until retiring in 2018.Mike died on the 16^th of June after a short illness. Ar dheis De go raibh se.

Road Bowling

Hannah Sexton is the Munster Ladies Senior Road Bowling Champion after a great score in Ballincurrig, Midleton. In Hannah’s first year as a senior she met Veronica O‘Mahony from Greanagh in a great final on top of the line in 12 shots. Next Sunday at the same venue, Hannah meets the current Armagh Football Captain, Kelly Mallon in the All Ireland final. Kelly Mallon has 9 All Ireland bowling titles and the Timoleague club wishes Hannah the best. Birthday wishes are extended to our club president, Mike Crowley, Cregane. David Hegarty, Lyre won the best of 3 against Conor O’Sullivan, ross in the JC final in Barryshall.