Local Notes: Sympathies, soccer news, community grants and more
The children from the Portlaw village playschool were very interested in the Waterford Fire Service appliance.
Congratulations to the following local Portlaw groups who were successful in their 2025 Community Grant applications: Beechwood Grove Residents Association - €880; Coolfin Woods Residents Association - €880; Cul Rua, Brown St Residents Association - €880; Cul Rua, Queen St Residents Association - €880; 10th Portlaw Scout Group - €762; Portlaw Camogie Club - €762; Dr Martin Day Care Centre - €762; Portlaw Tidy Towns - €762; Portlaw Youth Club - €762.
Our morning group in our Portlaw Village Preschool finished off this term with a visit to the Fire Station here in Portlaw, there was great excitement when the children realised where they were going. They finished off the day with some lovely ice creams.
The Easter Bunny made a special visit to WellKids training Sunday morning with Easter Eggs for our very talented U6 boys and girls.
In the 2B League Portlaw overcame St Saviours 1-3 Portlaw. Our 2B’s kept up their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought away win. Two quick goals by Dean Walsh had us 2-0 up before we conceded just on half time to let St Saviour's back into the game. Deano secured the win, bringing up his hat trick late on. Great to see two of our U16s Eoin McNamara and Kevin Lyons both making their debuts in adult league football in the game as well. In the U15 Cup Portlaw 1-1 Hibs (Portlaw won on penalties). In the trilogy of games between these two teams, who’ve fought tooth and nail throughout the season, we managed to come out on top (only just) in the cup quarter final. With Hibs pipping us to the league we knew we were in for a tough battle which was made tougher with injuries occurring throughout the game. Hibs struck first halfway through the second half but we kept at it and Harry Flannery rose from a corner to level the game at 1-1. Despite being reduced to 10 men we held on until penalties. Our lads showed great composure scoring four and goalkeeper Shay Hallissey scoring and saving one each. Commiserations to Hibs who’ve been a very good side all the way through the season and we hope to meet them again next season.
In the Youths League Portlaw and Dungarvan drew 1-1 as we travelled to Kilrush Park for a Saturday night kick off short a few bodies. In a really good game of football Sam Croke gave us the lead on 10 mins after Alfie Keane nicked a ball at the edge of the box. For the remainder of the first half it was pretty even with few chances at either end. From the start of the second half Dungarvan piled forward and put us under real pressure but again we didn’t give up too many chances until Dungarvan equalised on 60th mins. After that it was real backs to the wall but with huge performances all across the field we held them out and defended what seemed like corner after corner. Luke Ronayne pulled off three huge saves late on to earn us a brilliant away draw against one of the top teams in the league.
In the Premier League Portlaw beat Tycor on a 5-1 scoreline. The team sponsor was the Clodagh Bar and the matchday sponsor was Jim Gilman and family. Our best performance of the season so far with Tycor the visitors to the paddock for a midweek fixture. From the first whistle we were on the front foot and didn’t let Tycor settle. We took the lead on five mins when a John Power free was headed home by Darryl Walsh. Our second arrived on 15 mins when Sam Deevy controlled a ball at the edge of the box before playing a brilliant thru ball for Jordi to slide past the keeper. In the second half and we kept pushing on, a Deevy cross was flicked on by Jordi for Peter Woods to get us 3-0 up. Peter got his second with a great ball from Michael O’Connor and his hat trick arrived on 80 mins with another great team move which Peter neatly finished. Thanks again to Jim Gilman for his kind match-day sponsorship and continued support to the club quick turnaround for the lads with an away fixture in Dungarvan on Saturday night.
Well done to our U10 girls in Portlaw Utd. who had a great training match recently in the Paddock. Plenty of energy, teamwork, and smiles all around — it’s fantastic to see the girls developing their skills and having fun on the pitch. Keep up the great work girls.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Easter Activity Afternoon. Did you manage to complete all the activities and crack the code? Well done to Charlie who was first home to claim his prize. Thanks to all the volunteers on the day, Amy Lee, Charlotte, Isobel, Elly, Louise, Ger, Tadhg, Heather, Georgia, Jen and Frank these days couldn't happen without you.
All at Portlaw GAA extend our deepest condolences to the Cunningham family and all at Stradbally GAA on the sudden loss of former Waterford GAA Chairman and Stradbally stalwart Tom Cunningham. One the finest GAA characters in the Deise, Tom gave a lifetime of service to club and county. Tom was great company, full of craic and divilment and a friend to all who knew him and he will be missed greatly by his family, friends and all in Waterford GAA. Rest in peace Tom.
