Local Notes: Men's Shed gathering, musical society AGM, soccer news and talented camogie players
Portlaw Utd FC has enjoyed a great start to the season.
Over 100 members of Men's Sheds from across the country gathered at Clodagh House in Portlaw recently for their annual gathering. The Irish Men’s Sheds Association was formed in 2011. However, the movement originally started in Australia which inspired their Irish counterparts to begin their own movement. The Shed's aim is to create a space for men to share ideas and support well-being. The event showcased several activities in association with Waterford Area Partnership including skill sharing, plaster molding, horticulture workshops, lawn bowls as well as a BBQ.
Speaking on local radio event organiser Stephen Whelan said the setting of the event made all the difference.
"My role here is to support sheds in the city and county," he said.
"Last year we had an exhibition at SETU arena with a range of activities, but this year we said we would move it outdoors to the beautiful setting of Clodagh House in Portlaw". Among the initiatives and ideas promoted at the event was healthy eating and local sustainable grower, Coleman Power was present, encouraging members to eat healthy.
"I was contacted by the likes of Stephen and Piper who are connected with the Waterford Area Partnership and I was delighted to do it," he said. "This is my second year involved with them. Last year we held an event in SETU so it's great to be back."
He went on to comment: "It's not just a one-day thing, it has to be a lifestyle of growing your own food."
Tallow Men's Shed, recently constructed new polytunnels to grow vegetables and some of their members present said: "It's great to see all of the Waterford Men's Sheds getting together and sharing ideas. We have a new polytunnel and Coleman is going to visit us and do a course for a few weeks. It's so peaceful there and listening to the birds singing just makes my day."
Speaking to WLR's Kyle Butler, Ben Dolan, Communications Officer with the Irish Mens Shed said: "We call it a third space. It's not home, it's not work, it's another place that they can go to. It's that thing of having a space that people can go to and chat with the other men involved in the Shed. Now at the moment, we are working on creating this network where sheds can connect among themselves and help each other out with projects, materials, and skills. This allows members of the sheds to share knowledge."
Portlaw Musical Society recently held its AGM at which members were told of the great year so far for the society especially with our Pantomime, which received fantastic reviews and the Junior Musical Society Summer Show, which showed talent that was exceptional.
It's hope 2024/2025 will also be a positive year with exiting times ahead. The society would like to wish their sincere thanks to everyone who helped and supported us over the last 12 months. Special thanks to the outgoing committee for their support in 2023. The 2024 incoming committee are as follows: Chairperson - Michelle Kelly Murphy; Vice Chairperson - Declan Clune; Secretary - Rachael Wall; Assistant Secretary- Stephanie Maguire; Treasurer - Thomas Larkin; Assistant Treasurer- Declan Clune; PRO - Rachael Wall; Child Protection Officer - Sinead O'Regan; Membership Officer - Mary Larkin; Alpha Lotto Reps - Rachael Wall; Patron Secretary- Therese Keyes, Niamh Doherty Extended Committee: Lisa Kelly, Dervla Walsh, Shannon O Donoghue, Angela Ross, Presidents: Teddy O' Brien, Jim Duggan, Therese Keyes and David Walsh.
The fabulous U10 girls winning players of the week were composed of Aoife Murphy and Amelia Bowers, two talented young girls, keep up the great work.
A massive congratulations to our two little U8 players of the week: Benny Moore and Ellie White.
The future is bright for Portlaw camogie with talent like these girls. If you see them say a big well done. Congratulations to our U10's who played a county blitz in Lismore .
These girls have worked so hard this year and are improving with every game. Keep up the great work girls.
We recorded a big win with out U17B team when we hosted Bohs recently. We controlled the game from kick off with Samuel Deevy’s hat trick the highlight of the game. Our other scorers on the day were Sam Croke (2), Alfie Keane (2), Finlay McHardy, Kevin Lyons and Cillian Murphy. It was tough outing in the Premier League when we travelled to Hibs who won on a scoreline of 4-0. We matched Hibs for most of the first half and had a goal flagged for offside. Hibs did the damage early in the second half with two goals in as many minutes to put us on the back foot. We struggled after that and Hibs added two more late on. We keep working and go again.
Portlaw United U15’s were back with a bang against Park Rangers recently as they put on an entertaining spectacle for the big crowd that came over to the Paddock. We started well, creating chances, but struggled to convert until Darragh Long found the back of the net and the lads then hit form. Harry Carroll picked up where he left off, bagging himself a handful of goals meaning our teams internal top scorer competition has taken a strong leader already. Rocco Conte and Charlie Walsh also got their names of the scoresheet and Mark Murphy could have a strong case for one as well. Goal scorers Harry Carroll, Charlie Walsh, Darragh Long and Rocco Conte
