Local Notes: Musical society news, Big Apple plans and more from Portlaw
Men’s Gentle Exercise classes take place at the GAA clubhouse in Portlaw every Friday morning at 10am.
AGM update: Firstly thanks to all that turned up at the meeting. 2024/2025 has seen a great year for the society especially with our Pantomime which received fantastic reviews and the Junior Musical Society Summer Show which showed talent that was exceptional and we claimed our first ever Green Room Award. 2025/2026 hopes to be a positive year ahead. We are looking forward to an exciting year.
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 2024. The 2025 incoming committee are as follows:
Chairperson: Michelle Kelly Murphy; Vice Chairperson: Stephanie Maguire; Secretary: Rachael Wall; Treasurer: Thomas Larkin; Assistant Treasurer: Declan Clune; PRO: Rachael Wall; Child Protection Officer: Niamh Doherty; Membership Officer: Mary Larkin; Alpha Lotto Reps: Declan Clune; Patron Secretary: Therese Keyes, Niamh Doherty; Social Secretary: Niamh Doherty Extended Committee: Lisa Kelly, Mairead Murphy, Caitlyn Kiely, Fred Kelly Presidents: Teddy O' Brien, Jim Duggan, Therese Keyes, David Walsh
Panto: It’s nearly Panto Time and rehearsals are in full swing. Aladdin and his friends are busy getting ready to put on another fantastic show. Our production team of Bill Stafford and Caoimhe O’Connor have returned with the addition of Caz Butler Kelly as choreographer. The chorus are working hard on their pieced and there is lots going on in the background. To get tickets for the upcoming show the booking details are as follows: booking in the community centre on February 1, 2 and 3 from 5-7pm or by phone February 1-4, 5 and 6 from 5-7pm on 087 1165502.
We look forward to seeing you there!
The first meeting of the Portlaw Whist Club will take place on Thursday, October 9, in the Cotton Mill at 8pm. Contact Geraldine on 087 7762235.
In May 2026 32 boys from our 15 and Minor hurling teams will be travelling to New York for an amazing once in lifetime opportunity to play hurling and be part of a cultural exchange in the Big Apple. To help fund this trip the club is holding a Monster Raffle. Your support would be greatly appreciated. You can purchase tickets €10 each by Revoluting Karen and including your name and phone number: https://revolut.me/kpower78
David and Anna from WLRFM recently interviewed participants of the Men’s Gentle Exercise classes that take place at the GAA clubhouse every Friday morning at 10am.
Also in attendance was Thomas Shaw Hamilton from Waterford Sports Partnership (who funded the classes) and Clodagh Duggan and Niamh Tobin from Portlaw GAA club.
Minister Mary Butler was also in attendance to show her support for programmes such as this that support men in our communities.
Exercise has a positive influence on mental health and this programme aim to support men both physically and mentally.
Cllr Declan Clune should also be acknowledged for his support of this programme as he contributed to the second round of classes via his councillor discretionary fund.
Meanwhile, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us recently on the walking track. The energy, smiles, and sense of community made it a great morning!
Walking is a great way to support both physical and mental wellbeing — and this proved how enjoyable it can be when we do it together.
A big shoutout to our Portlaw GAA Healthy Clubs Committee for organising and to everyone who helped out. We hope you all enjoyed the refreshments afterwards and the great company along the way.
A big thank you to Kilmacthomas GAA Club for hosting a fantastic U6 football blitz with hundreds of kids getting the chance to play football against other teams. We played games against Ballyduff, Rathgormack and St Saviour’s in a really enjoyable morning. Well done everyone.
Congratulations to 2B player/manager at Portlaw United FC, Richie Fitzpatrick and Sabrina on the arrival of baby Alfie. All at the club send their best wishes.
Youth League Result: Portlaw 1-1 Ferrybank; Team sponsor: Pat Kerley Windows & Doors.
Really good game of football at the paddock between two evenly matched teams.
We took the lead midway through the 1st half when Peter was taken down for a penalty. Deevy stepped up and scored the rebound, leaving it 1-0 at the break. Ferrybank got back level midway through the 2nd half with some good play. From there it was chances at both ends, we thought we had won it in injury time but a combination of a post and two fantastic saves from the Ferrybank keeper denied both Sam Croke and Alfie, ensuring the draw. One of our best team performances in the league format to date.
U13: Our U13’s continued their good run of form in the league with a win away to Ballinroad on Saturday. A strong performance from all players on the day ensured Portlaw took home the 3 points.
U15: Portlaw 3 - 0 Bohs First home game of the season and we kept up our good form with a hard fought victory. We led 2 - 0 at half time with goals from Will Saunderson and Darragh Long but had to rely on two fine saves by Evan Murphy in the goal to keep our lead. In the second half we got a third goal through Will again who curled home after great work by Dean Driscoll to ensure all three points.
U14 League - Carrick Utd 3 v 2 Portlaw Utd: Our U14’s were out tonight under the floodlights in Tom Drohan Park to play Carrick Utd in their third league game of the season. Portlaw got off to a slow start and found themselves down 2-0 at halftime. Carrick extended their lead to three 10-minutes into the second half. Portlaw kept battling away and created the better chances with Darragh O’Connor hitting the woodwork. Portlaw got one back with Seán Maher lobbing the keeper from a through ball from Arnau Valdero. Seán Maher struck again a minute later with a strike from a Gearóid Kinsella assist. Portlaw continued to pile on the pressure with James O’Regan coming close with a late header. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for this team with Portlaw running out of time. This team is back out Saturday at home to Southend. Charlie Carroll, Luke Devereux, James O’Regan, Samuel Delaney, Seán Maher, Darragh O’Connor, Kate Galvin, Dean O’Driscoll, Gearóid Kinsella, Arnau Valdero, Sam Walsh, Brian Grant, Sam Walsh McCabe, Connor O’Donoghue and Colm Nugent.
