Last week another reader (that’s two definites), of this column rang me to comment on the Bishop of Elphin’s request for people in the diocese to open their doors to some of the Syrian refugees and he wondered would the clergy lead by example and open the doors of the many empty parochial houses that are lying idle all over the country.
He also mentioned the numerous Garda Stations that have been closed over the last few years and he thought that their residences should also be made available to help the desperate migrants and felt that if all that was done, then the people as a whole would try to do their bit.
Anyway I went to Mass in Kilbegnet on Sunday and I was pleased to hear our parish priest, Fr. McCarthy, say that he too thought unused parochial houses and large religious institutions, that now have very few occupants, should all be made available to provide safe and dry accommodation for some of the unfortunate Syrians.
Now whether that will happen or not, I don’t know, but at least it was encouraging to hear that Fr. McCarthy agreed with my reader’s viewpoint and as I headed for home after the Mass, I felt that Ireland would do what it could to help out in this terrible crisis.
However a friend of mine, by asking a very simple question, made me think again.
Who’s going to pay to look after all these people, she asked (I do have an odd female friend!). Will they go straight on the Social Welfare? And if they do, will that be fair on the many Irish people who have to go through all kinds of interrogation and examination of bank accounts and all types of red tape to get, what in many cases, is their rightful assistance? Or will the communities who take them in be expected to raise funds to help to feed and clothe the refugees? Or will Europe make funds available to help out?
I don’t know what’s going to happen but there’s a lot to be sorted out before we can look after thousands of these poor people.
Fundraising events
Talking of fundraising I told you a few weeks ago that the annual dance (9th this year), that we run for Cancer Care West and the Lourdes Invalid Fund was in danger this year, due to the sad closure of Gannon’s in Creggs, but I am glad to say that we have found a new home and are going ahead with the dance in Dowd’s of Glinsk on Saturday, October 10th when the wonderful Frank Nelson and his band will provide the entertainment.
As usual, we will hit the road with tickets in the next week or two, so despite the huge demands on everybody’s finances, please give what you can to help these exceptional local charities. We’ll see you over the next couple of weeks and thank you in advance for your generosity.
Sticking with charities, don’t forget the table quiz in aid of the Ray of Sunshine organisation, which is helping young girls (aged 3-16) who are being forced into sex trafficking in Kenya, which Tom Connolly is hosting in Mikeen’s on Friday night at 9.30 pm.
Tables of four are only €20, there will be a raffle on the night and local man Batty Egan will be going to Kenya to help build houses for these poor, unfortunate girls, so if you can please get to Mikeen’s and support another worthy cause.
My World Cup tips (to be avoided)
Earlier on Friday night, the 2015 Rugby World Cup will kick off when the major hosts, England open the tournament as they face up to the Fijian Islanders in Twickenham at 8 pm, while our lads make their finals debut in Cardiff, against the underdogs from Canada the following day (Saturday 19th) at 2.30 pm.
Now if you had been talking to me a couple of months ago, Irish rugby was at the top of the tree and confidence was sky-high and I would have said to you that we would definitely get to the semi-final and we could quite possibly end up as World Cup champions.
Today, I am not quite as confident and I don’t think we’ll get past the quarter-finals, and I don’t see us among the four or five teams that can win the Webb Ellis Trophy.
To nail my colours to the mast, I am almost afraid to say it, but I believe our neighbours across the water, England, not Wales, will end up as champions and just as in 2007 and 2011, we will wonder where and why it all went so wrong.
The only consolation for all of you out there is that I would be the worst tipster of all time (as Paddy Power knows well), so it’s now almost certain we’ll win the whole thing and you should head off to the bookies and, whatever you do, don’t back England!
Mikeen, our local publican and all his three children are off to Cardiff for Saturday’s game and while I sadly won’t be there, my heart will be in The Mochyn Du Pub. Please have a pint for me, Mikeen, and hopefully I will be proved wrong and the Boys in Green will do themselves and us proud!
Dubs copying Creggs on backpass rule
Sticking with sport and last Saturday week as Dublin ran down the clock in their victory over Mayo, and indeed all through the two games, they kept, as in soccer, passing the ball back to the goalie, and I realised that my own little club, Creggs, was responsible for this newest fashion, although we introduced it at least 40 years ago.
It was in a game in Tulsk when our corner-back, Vincent Canny, surprised our legendary goalie, Sean ‘Bags’ Keegan by giving him an unexpected back-pass. When Bags got his clearance in, he proceeded to give poor Vincent an earful and you could say he turned the lovely Tulsk air blue!
Little did we think that in 2015, the Dubs must have heard about it and are doing the same thing themselves, so we are true trailblazers and should get the recognition we deserve for changing the face of gaelic football!
Talking of gaelic football, our lads are playing overwhelming favourites, Shannon Gaels in the County Junior semi-final in Kilbride on Saturday evening at 6.30 pm and we could certainly do with all the support we can get.
And finally…
Finally for this week, I’m told that the great Fuerty stalwart (and by the way, well done to them for getting to the Intermediate football final), Liam Heaney, at the age of fifty plus, lined out in a recent Junior match against Oran and scored a point.
I’m told both sets of supporters applauded, long and loud, and as one of the great gaelic football characters, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
I’ve no doubt Liam will continue to put on his football gear for many years to come and I wish him well! Will he line out in the Intermediate final?
