A delegation from Crossmaglen Rangers GAA club crossed the Atlantic last week to embark on a mission to secure inward investment for south Armagh.

Former Armagh GAA manager and present club chairman, Joe Kernan, and former chairmen Gene Duffy, Tony Brady and Eddie Hughes made up the four man steering group who arrived in New York City last Tuesday to use the club’s influential position as an advocate for inward investment in job creation to enhance the local economy.

As the most successful GAA club in Ireland over the last 20 years, Crossmaglen Rangers are confidently emerging from decades of underinvestment and neglect and their transatlantic trip aims to help remove the existing obstacles and lack of opportunity currently facing young people in the area by building international connections, relationships and partnerships that will enable the club to build for the future.

The four man team had a packed itinerary as they are also using the trip to work to twin with a U.S.-based sporting organisation, to augment their multi-cup winning GAA club.

Following a reception and information evening with New York Irish and business community representatives on Wednesday evening, the delegation continued their campaign of positive promotion of Crossmaglen at the prestigious American Ireland Fund dinner in New York where they met Mr Sean T Kelly, Vice Chair of KPMG and The Ireland Fund. The delegation also headed to Park Avenue where they met with the Irish Consul General Barbara Jones and the vice Consul general Anna McGillacuddy.

Representatives from Crossmaglen Rangers GFC, Tony Brady, Eddie Hughes, Sean T Kelly, Joe Kernan and Gene Duffy pictured at the prestigious American Ireland Fund dinner in New York last week.

Speaking ahead of their US expedition, former chairman Tony Brady said,

“There were promises made in the Good Friday Agreement that deprived areas would see economic benefits from the peace process. That never happened with Crossmaglen.

“Companies have invested in Newry, Dundalk, Carrickmacross and other nearby towns, but we have never seen any business come this way, despite us being very well-placed in terms of a skilled workforce, fiber-optic broadband and accessible transport links.

“We are going to New York with the aim of attracting businesses to south Armagh.

“We think that it would be of particular interest to software and service industries. The local landscape is stunning. It is steeped in history and mythology. Tourism is really starting to take off here. There is just so much potential but it needs to be harnessed. ”

“We want to build those international connections with sporting clubs that will benefit Crossmaglen Rangers club in the long-term,” added the club’s present chariman,  Joe Kernan.

“Due to the British army barracks on our ground during the Troubles, our club could have folded, but we were determined not to let that happen and we went on to win multiple All-Ireland titles.

“We are a very determined people and we know that any business which invests here will benefit from that determination.”

A Forkhill woman accused of involvement in a dissident republican bomb-making factory walked free from Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday, having been acquitted of all the charges against her.

Orla O’Hanlon (20), along with her boyfriend Keith McConnon, had been charged with a string of offences relating to the discovery of items linked to bomb-making at the house they shared on Tievecrom Road.

The pair were arrested in December 2013 when their home was searched by police.  A number of items were found during the search including an industrial grinder, a complete Timer Power Unit and a quantity of crushed ammonium nitrate fertilizer.

They stood trial in December of last year and Judge Sandra Crawford, who presided over the ‘Diplock’ non-jury trial, delivered her judgment on Wednesday.

While O’Hanlon was acquitted of the ten charges against her, her 21-year-old partner was convicted on two of the nine charges against him.

Charges of making and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life were dropped against the couple at the end of their trial.  However, charges of making and possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances, preparation of terrorist acts by possessing items to construct an explosive device, and possessing articles for use in terrorism remained in force.

McConnan – originally from Kilcurry, Dundalk – had previously admitted possessing the grinder but claimed he was acting under duress as he was under threat from a dissident republican linked to the Omagh bombing.  He said he was also given a black bin liner containing a substance he knew to be fertiliser but deliberately sabotaged efforts to make a bomb, damaging the grinder and adding oats to the mix.

While O’Hanlon was freed, McConnan was found guilty of two charges of possessing items in suspicious circumstances and remanded back into custody.  His defense team requested he be released on bail pending sentencing next month, however, at a court hearing on Friday, the application was refused.

Following her release, Ms O’Hanlon’s solicitor said it was “a very difficult time” for his client who had maintained her innocence from the outset.

“She is glad to finally put this case behind her and looks forward to moving on with her life,” he said.

Crossmaglen Day Care Centre celebrates a very special milestone this week, having provided help and support to its service users for the past 25 years.   On Thursday (12th May) the centre, located at Rathkeeland House, will mark the occasion with an anniversary blast where they will be joined by Q Radio for music and chat with the Day Care facility decked out with beautiful displays showcasing the variety of support it offers to adults with learning and physical disabilities.  Family members of those who have used the service during the 25 years are also expected to be in attendance and will enjoy a trip down memory lane with a slide show backdrop of old pictures of the centre and its users playing throughout the day.

Speaking to The Examiner ahead of Thursday’s special event, Grainne Rafferty, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of Crossmaglen Day Care Centre, explained that the facility has been catering for the needs of every individual service user via a range of provisions including physio,  occupational therapy, hand care, relaxation techniques and  walking and exercise programmes.

“We’re very much geared around health and wellbeing,” said Grainne.  “ We talk about the past, try to remember events and we also get out and about with service users, going to courses and classes in the Community Centre with another facility.  We use the Youth Club and we visit the new centre in Newry to access podiatry, speech and language therapy and any other allied health professionals that the service users need access to.

“We very much try to utilise any community buildings and people in and around Crossmaglen,” she added.

“The community here have been very, very supportive of the work that goes on and we are always very welcoming to anyone who wants to visit us here.”

The Day Care Centre is a huge support mechanism for its users but also provides a vital lifeline for families and carers as well.

“Families over the years have told us they don’t know what they would have done if their loved ones had not got the Day Care Centre and we are delighted to have been able to provide such a service for the last 25 years,” said Grainne, who also paid tribute to the dedicated four strong team at Crossmaglen Day Care Centre, without whom the provision of such a high quality service would not be possible.

“Veronica Crossey is my right hand woman and she has been here since the centre opened its doors 25 years ago.  Michelle Gorman, who is currently on maternity leave and Agnes who assists us daily, complete the Day Care team who work so hard to provide the best care and support they can to adults with physical and learning disabilities.”

Food and light refreshments will be available at the anniversary celebration which runs from 11am to 2pm this Thursday 12th May. All are welcome to help celebrate this special milestone the life of Crossmaglen Day Care Centre.

A creative husband and wife team from Mullaghbawn are seeking planning approval for a unique set of hand-crafted self-catering glamping pods to be built at their homestead against the backdrop of Slieve Gullion mountain.

Local artists Padraig Carragher and Sharon Donnelly Carragher, who are renowned for the  craft and art workshops, woodturning masterclasses and traditional cookery demonstrations they provide from their studios at Tullymacreeve Road, hope the proposed accommodation will be a fantastic addition to the area.  The expansion of the couple’s rural tourism enterprise  would offer visitors the chance to enjoy everything the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Beauty has to offer and could mark a significant boost to tourism in South Armagh.

The planning application recently submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council proposes the construction of four ‘glamping pods’, each hand-crafted from timber and capable of sleeping two adults.

The proposal also includes the provision of two shower/toilet enclosures, and the refurbishment of existing outbuildings at the Carragher-Donnelly homestead to create communal kitchen and laundry facilities, as well as a games room, storage, office and toilets.

Car parking and cycle parking would also be provided for visitors.

The proposals are described as representing a “significant local investment” and the accompanying planning statement also confirms funding granted by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the planting of more than 20,000 trees at the site to create a broadleaf native woodland.  Indeed the community woodland project was kickstarted last week with St Mary’s PS children helping Padraig to plant the first trees in the scheme which the local artist says “will have a hugely positive impact in terms of social, health, environmental and economic benefits for future generations of the whole community.”

The ‘glamping’ pods which will be crafted in County Kerry are described in the proposals as being “beautifully and aesthetically pleasing…..tasteful and bespoke self-catering accommodation”.

According to the planning statement the project is “entirely sensitive” to the Ring of Gullion AONB with care taken to utilise and retain redundant rural buildings within the landscape and to use natural timbers in the construction of the glamping pods.

It is hoped that the planning application will be assessed quickly so that the development could be open in time for the peak tourism season in the coming months.

The provision of the accommodation, it is argued, would “only enhance, compliment and bolster the existing tourism enterprise, but also create positive spin off benefits, such as an increase in tourism spend within the Ring of Gullion.”

The only change on the political landscape in the Newry and Armagh constituency following Thursday’s Assembly election is the new face for the SDLP in the form of Justin McNulty.

Taking over the party mantle from his predecessor, Dominic Bradley, McNulty held on to the party’s sole seat in the constituency, his running mate, Karen McKevitt, came up short in her attempt and was eliminated at the final count.

The overall share of the six seats in the constituency remains the same with Sinn Fein retaining its three MLAs – Megan Fearon, Conor Murphy and Cathal Boylan; and one each for the DUP (William Irwin), the UUP (Danny Kennedy) and the SDLP’s Justin McNulty.

Clever vote management by Sinn Fein saw both Megan Fearon and Cathal Boylan elected on the first count with 6,838 and 6,822 first preferences respectively.  Their colleague Conor Murphy had a longer wait and was deemed elected at the eighth stage as the marathon count came to a close at 1.00am on Friday.

Megan Fearon, the Assembly’s youngest MLA at 25, has represented her party in Stormont for the last four years, having been co-opted to replace the then MP, Conor Murphy, who stood down in line with Sinn Fein policy on double-jobbing.  Having securing a ringing endorsement from the electorate this time around, Ms Fearon says she is “simply thrilled” and paid tribute to those who orchestrated the “thoroughly disciplined” campaign, adding: “We got all the right votes in the right places for the right people”.

While Sinn Fein commanded a 40.9% share of the vote, it was the DUP’s William Irwin who topped the poll in Newry and Armagh with 7,980 first preferences, more than 1,100 over the quota.  He said his success is down to “hard graft” and added: “Our work for all the people ensured we were strong not just in areas like Richhill, Loughgall and Hamiltonsbawn, but across the whole constituency”.

With the quota set at 6,817, the candidates polled first preference votes as follows: William Irwin DUP 7,980; Megan Fearon SF 6,838; Cathal Boylan SF 6,822; Conor Murphy SF 5,854; Danny Kennedy UUP 4,904; Justin McNulty SDLP 4,775; Karen McKevitt SDLP 3,923; Sam Nicholson UUP 1,841; Paul Berry Ind 1,663; Emmet Crossan CISTA 1,032; Martin McAllister Ind 940; Craig Weir Alliance 493; Michael Watters Green 335, Alan Love Ukip 315.

Tributes have been paid following the death of Newry’s oldest resident, Mrs Sally Brady, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 107.

The mother of Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh, Mickey Brady, Sally celebrated her milestone birthday just two months ago.

A mother-of-five, with 27 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren, she was an avid reader and witty conversationalist, described by her family as “a typical Irish mother”.

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, expressed his sympathy to the Brady family and recalled how he had “the honour and privilege” of meeting Sally during a visit to Stormont with her son.

Stating that he learned of her death “with great sadness”, Mr McGuinness said he found her to be “a charming and intelligent lady with a great spirit”.

“She lived a long and full life which spanned two centuries and witnessed many changes in that time.  My thoughts and prayers are with Mickey, the wider Brady family circle and their friends at this sad and difficult time,” he said.

Sally was predeceased by her husband Willie in 1985, and her son Jim in 1998.

Left to mourn her passing are her surviving children Mickey, Mary, Theresa and Lilian, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Catherine’s Church, Dominic Street, Newry on Saturday and Sally was laid to rest in Monkshill Cemetery.

Republic of Ireland youth international, Corey Whelan has signed his first professional contract with Premier League side Liverpool. The Chester born 18 year old defender grew up as a Liverpool supporter and cites Steven Gerrard as his idol  defender, signed for the club as an U10 after leaving Crewe Alexandra, Corey  has since gone on to make appearances for the U18s and the U21s. After being a crucial part of both of these sides, the Irishman has put pen to paper on his first professional contract.

Corey has local connections to Dromintee where Corey’s grandfather Paddy was a Senior player with the club. His grandmother Catherine Frances O’Rourke, Faughilotra, Jonesboro is a sister of former Dromintee players James and Brendan O’Rourke who are respective grand nephews and nieces of Corey’s

Whelan made his debut for Neil Critchley’s U18s in the 2013/14 season, playing primarily as a central defender. However, since then, he has been known to play as a full-back if required, but that has been more notably for Michael Beale’s U21s.

He made his debut for the U21s as a 17-year-old in April 2015, playing the full 90 minutes in the Reds’ 3-1 win at Tottenham. He has also been a key figure for the U18s this season, helping them qualify for the play-off stages of the U18s Premier League. Alongside Conor Masterson and Michel Parker, Corey helped the Reds progress to the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup. He did suffer an ankle injury earlier this season, which kept him sidelined for six weeks, but made his comeback in the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal in March.

Whelan has also played for the Reds’ U19s side in the UEFA Youth League, one of Europe’s best youth competitions, making seven appearances. In those games, he has played against teams such as Benfica and Real Madrid.

Corey will be hoping to make as big an impression at Liverpool under the new Klopp revolution, as did fellow Irish International namesake Ronnie Whelan in his days as a Red.

A Newry woman who has been outspoken in her criticism of the current train service from Newry to Belfast and Dublin, has launched a petition calling on Translink to provide a “better, more fair” rail service for the city.

Gemma McCann, who regularly commutes by train from Newry to Belfast, has accused Translink of discriminating against the people of Newry by offering what she describes as a “substandard service”, providing just 10 trains from Newry to Belfast per day as opposed to 46 per day running from Portadown to Belfast and 49 per day running from Lisburn/Bangor to Belfast.

Gemma believes the disparity in service is down to discrimination by Translink against the predominantly Catholic population of Newry. Highlighting that the last train home from Belfast to Newry is at 8.05pm – over 3 hours earlier than to any of the other stations, Gemma questions why citizens of Newry are expected to travel home so early after an evening out in Belfast or a concert in the SSE Arena.

“Why are the people of Newry being discriminated against in this way? Why are Translink allowed to be treating the people and city of Newry as second class?,” asks the irate commuter who is calling for the issue of late trains to be resolved with the last train home also coming to Newry and not ending in Portadown.

Gemma, who has pledged to present the petition to Translink, Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy and Newry SDLP, is demanding that commuter services are enhanced to Belfast from Newry and that all services are direct without changing in Portadown.

She has also called for the frequency of trains throughout the day to be enhanced without any the current two hour gaps in services and for more local NI railways services to be provided during the day to and from Belfast to serve Newry.

The angry train user urges Translink to provide extra services during busy events and to work with Irish Rail to enhance the frequency of trains to Dublin as well as provide Dublin passengers with a proper commuter train home at 6pm.

With signatures on the petition currently standing at over 300, Gemma is appealing to everyone to get behind it.

“The more signatures, the more chance of a fair deal from Translink,” she says.

“There is huge potential for Newry and for our local economy if we can provide a better rail service to our city.

“We would see much more people from Belfast, Dublin, Dundalk, Portadown and Lurgan visit our city centre and great shopping centres if it was easy for them to get here. However, currently it is so difficult for anyone to plan coming here as the times of trains are so restricted!”

To sign Gemma’s petition visit www.change.org/p/translink-call-for-a-fair-rail-service-to-newry-city

Richard Bullick

Former Armagh manager James Daly has been tasked with steering Ulster to a record-breaking fifth interprovincial title on the trot this weekend.

He will preside over a panel backboned by eight of his former county players, with the Orchard contingent being the biggest in the squad of 30 for Saturday’s tournament at Kinnegad.

Fresh from taking charge of one of the teams on the All Stars tour in March, being appointed provincial side boss is the latest recognition of Daly’s standing after his highly successful spell at the Orchard helm.

Under the Dromintee man, Armagh won the Ulster and All-Ireland Intermediate titles, secured back to back promotions in the National League, claimed their first Ulster Senior Championship for seven seasons and reached consecutive All-Ireland semi-finals.

He takes over as Ulster manager from Monaghan’s Paula Cunningham who presided over the northern province’s last two title triumphs but has since taken charge of the Farney outfit.

Present Dublin boss Gregory McGonigle masterminded the first two title wins in the province’s current run while he was Monaghan manager and Daly, who has Cavan manager Conor Barry as his assistant, will be keen to maintain Ulster’s successful streak.

Armagh are Ulster’s leading county at present so it is fitting that Orchard representatives will lead the charge for their province with Daly as manager and Carrickcruppen’s Caroline O’Hanlon set to continue as captain.

Monaghan stalwart Sharon Courtney captained Ulster to back to back titles in 2012 and 2013 with Tyrone great Gemma Begley having the honour in 2014 and O’Hanlon last season.

Daly’s squad certainly isn’t lacking leaders with Armagh’s Sinead McCleary, from his current club Clann Eireann, and Tyrone’s Neamh Woods also having skippered their province previously.

South Armagh will be very well represented with Daly and O’Hanlon supplemented by current county captain Mairead Tennyson of Silverbridge, Shane O’Neill’s ace Aimee Mackin, Crossmaglen’s Lauren McConville and the manager’s clubmate Aoife McCoy, with McCleary locally connected too as the new wife of local star Tony Kernan.

O’Hanlon has been at the heart of the Ulster side for the past decade while newcomer Mackin netted twice as an 18-year-old in last season’s interpro final win over Connacht and young McConville was also part of that successful squad.

Tennyson and McCleary missed out last season due to injury but both return along with current Armagh vice-captain Fionnuala McKenna from Harps who was unavailable for the last two series due to exams.

There are first provincial call-ups for McCoy and Lissummon’s Niamh Marley, though the latter’s sister Sarah and Harps forward Kelly Mallon, who was in the Ulster squad last season, can count themselves unlucky to miss out.

Armagh have still the highest representation in the squad with eight players to seven apiece from Donegal and Cavan with five from Monaghan, two from Tyrone and Down’s Aileen Pyers.  Nobody from Fermanagh, Antrim or Derry has made the cut.

Donegal are reigning Ulster champions and have won NFL Division Two this season with nine wins from nine but it is slightly surprising that Cavan have as many players involved even with Barry part of the management team.

Considering Armagh went further in the All-Ireland last season out of all the Ulster sides and finished joint second in NFL Division One this spring – Monaghan were next best in seventh – nobody can question the Orchard representation in the provincial panel.

Indeed Monaghan often had double-figure contingents in the squad when they were ruling the roost up north but Armagh have had to settle for eight here with Mallon and Sarah Marley among those somewhat hard done by not to make it.

The interpro series came too soon for Ulster stalwart Caoimhe Morgan who has only recently returned to action after having her second child in early March while the injured Niamh Henderson might have featured if fit.

The talented Lurgan girl made the panel as a teenager in 2013 and 2014, while Daly’s daughter Katie was reserve goalkeeper two years ago when now retired former county captain Mags McAlinden was also among the 30.

There are actually several players in Daly’s squad, notably Begley, 2014 All-Star Players and Monaghan goalkeeper Linda Martin, who appear to have retired from inter-county football, along with Armagh exiles McConville and McCoy.

McConville and McCoy were ejected from the Armagh panel ahead of the last two rounds of NFL fixtures this spring when it emerged they would miss this summer’s Championship campaign because of heading to America next month.

Thankfully their recent Orchard absence hasn’t cost them deserved call-ups by Ulster for whom their unavailability later in the summer has no relevance, while Begley and Martin have understandably been picked on their reputations.

A little like players who have retired from international rugby for their own countries being picked for Lions tours, Begley gets in on her previous exploits even though she has walked away from struggling Tyrone ahead of this season.

All-Star keeper Martin, interpro player of the tournament last year, hasn’t featured for Monaghan this season, possibly because the inter-county campaign came so soon after her club Donaghmoyne’s All-Ireland Senior Club Championship success before Christmas.

Martin seems certain to be first choice keeper this weekend while forward Begley will hope to feature prominently too even though getting up to speed quickly having only played a bit of club football in 2016 will be a considerable challenge.

Pyers was in fine scoring form for Daly’s side during the TG4 All Stars Challenge in San Diego in March and her hopes will be helped by the injury-enforced absence of Donegal’s Geraldine McLaughlin from the roster of forwards.

McLaughlin is the only notable name missing from this Ulster squad which underlines the collective commitment to this competition, particularly in the northern province, which isn’t reflected in the men’s floundering Railway Cup equivalent.

Ulster’s dominance in recent seasons should presumably provoke the other provinces into trying to raise their game to prevent the five-in-a-row and, with Connacht the closest challengers recently, the onus is on Leinster and Munster to do better.

Considering Cork’s incredible dominance of the inter-county scene, Dublin’s emergence as their main rivals and the strength of football in counties like Kerry, Galway and Mayo, Ulster have done extremely well to stay top of the pile for four years running.

They are now there to be shot at but won’t want to relinquish their title and Daly has worked with many of this squad in the past with Armagh, Queen’s, the 2014 All-Stars side or the Ulster Select team in the All In For Ann charity fundraiser last October in honour of his late wife.

He has seen the rest – and many of the opposing players – up close in his role as Armagh manager so should hit the ground running even though Ulster as usual will have only one collective training session in advance of Saturday’s tournament.

With the format of four shortened matches in a single day, three round robin fixtures followed by the final or third place play-off, the provincial managers will need to utilise their squads while having a flexible idea of their first choice line-up.

Assuming everyone selected is fit, Ulster could field Martin in goals with Tennyson, Courtney and Treasa Doherty in the full back line behind the latter’s Donegal colleague Ciara Hegarty, Woods and McCleary with Marley pushing for a chance.

Donegal’s Katie Herron or Cavan’s Roisin Lynch could partner O’Hanlon in midfield with Armagh’s recently converted centre half-back McKenna moving back to her original role of centre half-forward flanked by Monaghan’s All-Star Cora Courtney and Cavan’s Aisling Doonan.

Begley will hope to force her way into the front six somewhere if she shapes up promisingly in spite of her lack of football while the dynamic McCoy can contribute too when called upon.

Mackin is a certainty in the full forward line, probably alongside Monaghan’s Ciara McAnespie and the prolific Yvonne McMonagle of Donegal, with the likes of Pyers and McConville waiting in the wings.

However with niggling injuries and less heralded squad members grabbing their chance to shine, these provincial line-ups tend to evolve during the day and the interprovincial championship is an inherently intense, attritional tournament.

O’Hanlon is the longest-serving player in this squad and, like Woods, will be coming into the ladies gaelic interpros off the back of featuring for Northern Ireland in netball’s European Championships which finished yesterday.

A former south Armagh man convicted of sexually abusing his partner’s daughter was handed a ten-year jail sentence at Dublin’s Central Criminal Court on Monday last.

Darren Davidson (37) formerly of Dungormley Estate in Newtownhamilton was convicted of eleven sexual offences against the girl when she was aged between 13 and 15.   The abuse was carried out at the victim’s home in Co. Monaghan between 2008 and 2010.

After initially being quizzed by Gardaí when the allegations were reported in 2010, Davidson emigrated to Australia but was arrested in Manchester last year and extradited to the Republic of Ireland.

Having been convicted last March, the court heard that the abuse began when Davidson moved in with the girl’s mother. At one point, he suggested to her that her daughter be “put on the pill”. She asked why, saying that the girl was not sexually active and did not have a boyfriend.

The woman, who is now an adult, waived her right to anonymity and in a written statement told the court that she did not wish to be a victim, but felt the abuse would always be with her.

She said she found the trial process incredibly difficult because she had to be in close proximity to Davidson, but was glad she went through with it.

“When I look at my younger sister I feel I have protected her and that makes the trial worth it,” she said.

She revealed she decided to make a complaint to Gardaí because the abuse was getting more frequent and severe and she felt she had to protect her siblings.

“I was no longer going to stand being a sexual object for him,” she said.

The judge said she had the “classic symptoms of being abused by someone they trust”.  He said that without any mitigating factors, he would have imposed a 12-year sentence. However, he took into account Davidson’s good work history, his character references and his epilepsy.

Imposing a 10-year term with the final year suspended, he ordered that Davidson be registered as a sex offender.

Davidson has since married another women who was standing by him, his defence lawyer revealed.

Manager Peter Byrne (Jnr) who has kept Cartwheel United afloat for the last number of years as a club, has gained some reward for his efforts by leading his team to a club milestone, as they will contest the AOH Cup Final on Friday night next.

On Saturday Cartwheel followed up their Thursday night victory over Premier side Cleary Celtic 3-2 by coming from one down to knock-out another premier outfit, neighbours Killeavy United 3-1. Jamie Clarke with 2 goals and Seanie McConville were the scorers in the semi-final victory.

In their history Cartwheel has contested Divisional cup finals without success but this will be their first appearance in a Senior final. The Wheelers will be well supported on Friday night at Jennings Park as they take on one of Newry’s most famed and successful teams Newry Celtic in the final. Celtic were penalty shoot-out winners over Clanrye Athletic in their semi-final.

AOH CUP FINAL    -  FRIDAY  20 MAY 2016 – JENNINGS PARK- KICK-OFF TIME 7.00 pm

The recommencement of work on the new GP surgery in Meigh has been welcomed by MLA Megan Fearon.

The project had been at a standstill for more than two years until contractors arrived back on site on Friday, she revealed.

Welcoming the news, Ms Fearon said: “The people of Meigh have been putting up with substandard facilities for far too long.  Sinn Féin have been campaigning for an adequate, modern facility here for some ten years now while I myself have been in constant engagements with the Department, Health Board, the doctor and the people of the area over the course of the past few years about it.

“While people will of course be happy to have the new facility up and running, there will also be relief that the half-finished site, which had been something of an eyesore, not to mention dangerous for young children playing in the area, will be back in business after two and a half years.”

Councillor Liz Kimmins, who has also been a key player in the campaign for a new surgery, said the party would stay on top of the issues to ensure its completion.

“We went in to the recent elections promising to put health at the top of our agenda and I think this project shows that no matter how challenging an issue is, Sinn Féin will stick with it until we get a result for the people,” she said.

“We will of course be keeping up to date with progress on the site to ensure its completion goes smoothly and there are no further delays or problems.”

Following on from the successful establishment of the Crossmaglen & District Community First Responders group -  which began operating last November – another local first responders initiative has managed to get off the ground to provide a vital lifeline to its community. The Castleblayney Community First Responders (CFR) will go live on the 27th May, exactly a year after the group held its first public meeting lobbying for support and volunteers for the life-saving project. The trained volunteers will be dispatched by the National Ambulance Service control centre to attend medical emergencies within a 5km radius of Castleblayney, to provide treatment to casualties while awaiting the arrival of appropriate emergency services.

In rural and isolated areas, the existence of such an initiative can mean the difference between life and death while a casualty awaits emergency medical help. First Responders deal with medical emergencies such as victims of heart attacks, strokes, choking, seizures, and are not deployed to attend trauma calls or dangerous situations.

The Castleblayney Community First Responders have completed rigorous training over the last year to become emergency responders and are now readily available to be dispatched at the same time as an ambulance to provide potentially life saving assistance.

The first responders team and its supporters have worked tirelessly since its inception in April last year, holding a raft of fundraising events to raise much needed funds for the training of its volunteers and the necessary life -saving equipment needed to fulfill their roles. Its “Save a life a month” campaign, generated an overwhelming response from individuals and businesses in the community of Castleblayney who donated generously towards the worthy initiative. The group received a major boost last August with the installation of Castleblayney’s first Public Access Defibrillator and to date various businesses and organisations have come together to donate items to the emergency kits used by the first responders.  One such donation came from the Bank of Ireland “Be At Your Best” Scheme last December, which saw a defibrillator machine given to the volunteers by the National Ambulance Service.

Speaking to The Examiner after news of the impending live launch of the initiative, Co-ordinator of Castleblayney CFR, Gerry Ward thanked the community of Castleblayney for all their help, support and donations over the last year and he extended special thanks to the many businesses and organisations who so generously donated to the project and NB Training Services Castleblayney for their expertise in training First Responder volunteers.

Crossmaglen man, Damien Martin, who spearheaded the campaign to create a First Responders team in Crossmaglen, said he was pleased to see the same initiative established in Castleblayney and, on behalf of the Crossmaglen And District Community First Responders, he wished the Castleblayney CFR well and said they looked forward to working with the team in future training sessions.

Newry girl Jamie Malone is ready to get on her bike and join intrepid cyclist Darren Rowland for the last leg of his epic 4000 mile charity cycle from San Francisco to New York.  Jamie will take to the saddle for the 800 mile trek from Louisville Kentucky to New York, providing Darren with some well earned company on the road for the final 3 weeks of the cycle.

The Culloville man embarked on the gruelling challenge on 3rd April and, apart from a recent two week break due to the intense heat, he has been fervently pedalling his way across America, all in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT).

Having donned his cycling gear once again last week after a well earned break during which he took in the sights of Arizona and New Mexico and attended the Texas Rose of Tralee Festival in Dallas, Darren made it to the Texas/Arkansas state line on Friday.  He described Dallas as a physical and mental midpoint in his journey, being 2000 miles from his start and finish points as well as marking a route change as he will now travel north easterly, heading for New York.

Inspired by her friend’s determination and commitment to the challenge, Jamie decided back in January that she would join Darren on his journey and she embarked on a tough training schedule with a gym instructor. She readily admits that, although the two wheeled trip is completely out of her comfort zone, having never even owned a bike before, she is “determined to see it through” for the sake of raising money for the renowned KBRT, a cause close to her heart.

“I wanted to do something big this year for charity so this seemed perfect and when Darren said it was for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, I couldn’t have been happier,” Jamie told The Examiner.

Having known Kevin Bell in her Irish dancing years when they danced together at the Rooney O’Malley school, Jamie said she was stunned when she heard the tragic news of his death in New York in 2013.  “The work that his family have done in his memory is amazing,” added Jamie.

“I also love to travel, having seen most of Europe, lived in the Middle East and Australia, so this challenge just sounded like an adventure to me.

“I am not a cyclist by any means but I purchased a bike in February and began training then. I still find it strange that I’m going online to buy “nice” cycle gear instead of dresses but I’m really excited.

“Training has been tough going but I feel I am getting stronger and hopefully I will be able to keep up with Darren or he will just have to attach a tow rope!”

As part of Jamie’s fundraising drive ahead of her trip to join Darren on the 28th May, she held a hugely successful High Tea party at St. Killian’s GAA club yesterday (Sunday 15th May).  A prosecco reception was followed by  tea and delicious treats and a raffle.

She has also set up a fundraising page to accept all generous donations and has left sponsor cards with shops and businesses in Dublin.

“I’ve found that just by doing that awareness of the trust is being raised as so many did not know it existed,” said Jamie.

“That is our main aim for the KBRT – as well as wanting to raise as much money as possible for them, we also want to raise awareness all over America for those who don’t know about the Trust and the great work it does.”

To donate to Jamie’s 2wheels2newyork challenge visit

www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/11257915_jamie-malone–s-fundraising-page.html

An inquest into the killing of ten Protestant workmen at Kingsmill, near Whitecross more than 40 years ago is to go ahead next week, despite concerns expressed by some of the bereaved families.

The inquest is scheduled to begin next Monday 23rd May and is expected to last around five weeks.  However there have been calls for it to be postponed as it emerged that more than 1,300 pages of police and army intelligence material have still not been handed over.

A lawyer for one of the bereaved families told a preliminary hearing at Belfast Laganside Court of the concerns: “The families are anxious that it is done right. They have waited 40 years,” Fiona Doherty QC, representing the family of John McConville, said.

Ms Doherty said the families wanted an opportunity to read and assess the significance of the sensitive document.

“We know there are at least 1,300 pages of this material,” she said.  “It is not my experience in this forum that an inquest has been commenced when that amount of material is outstanding or is disclosed a day or two beforehand.  A lot of this material is dense and requires extensive analysis.

“Regrettably we do not think it is sustainable to go ahead as scheduled.”

Counsel for the coroner, Sean Doran QC, told the court the outstanding intelligence documentation would not impact on the early evidence but the inquest, which is sitting without a jury, has the flexibility to recall witnesses if necessary.

Responding, presiding Judge Brian Sherrard said he was content to proceed but offered assurances he would look sympathetically at any requests for additional time.

The factory workers were returning home to Bessbrook when they were ambushed on the Kingsmill Road near Whitecross on 5th January 1976.  The only Catholic in the vehicle, Richard Hughes, was ordered to flee before his workmates were shot.  Alan Black (72) was the sole survivor of the attack, despite being shot 18 times.

An original inquest in 1978 lasted just 30 minutes and recorded an open verdict, while in 2013, Northern Ireland’s Attorney General, John Larkin, ordered a new inquest following a long campaign for justice by Mr Black and bereaved relatives.

Mr Black says it was vital this inquest is conducted correctly rather than quickly.

“This is the last chance that we have to get to the truth about what happened at Kingsmill. So it is very, very important that we get everything right.  If that takes a bit more time, then so be it.  Once this closes, Kingsmill will not be mentioned again except in an historical context. It has to be done right,” he said.

Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy welcomed the inquest adding that he hoped it would get to the truth.

“As someone who lives in Bessbrook and who has campaigned alongside the victims’ families for many years, I know how frustrating this process has been,” he said.

“I pay tribute to the families of the victims, the sole survivor Alan Black and all those who have campaigned for justice in this case. I hope that the inquest makes available the maximum amount of information on what was one of the most horrendous acts of sectarian terrorism carried out by the Provisional IRA during its campaign of violence.”

A star-studded line-up will take to the stage in Silverbridge Resource Centre this weekend to honour one of the area’s most renowned and best loved musicians.

Teddy Campbell will be the star of the show at the musical tribute event this Friday evening 3rd June in recognition of his lifetime’s contribution to music.

Self-taught, Teddy began playing music in earnest in his early twenties and spent the ensuing decades sharing his talent in hundreds of venues across the country.

He spent many years on the road as an accordion player with the John Murphy Céilí Band and, when their showband years came to an end, the lifelong friends continued performing together until John passed away in 1996.

Alongside his career in the entertainment industry, Teddy used his talents for the benefit of his community and spent many years teaching music to the youth of the area.  A dedicated parishioner, he led the choir in Glassdrummond Church for more than forty years, and, under his guidance, his children and grandchildren maintain the family involvement.  Teddy’s commitment to parish duties were rewarded when in 2010 he received the St. Patrick’s Medal in recognition of his contribution to the church.

Despite having suffered ill health in recent years, Teddy’s love of music and craic has not waned and, having touched the lives of many through his music, in turn his loyal followers will join together this Friday night in a wonderful tribute night in his honour.

Among the many well-known entertainers taking to the stage to offer a superb variety of music and song are Big Tom, Susan McCann, John Glenn, Cowboy Larry, The Campbell family, Blast from the Past, Margaret Reel, Denis Heaney, Vincent Soye and Céilí with Pat Murphy and friends.

Proceeds from the event are in aid of the Stroke Rehabilitation Ward, Daisy Hill hospital; Silverbridge Senior Citizens and Special Needs Association and The Rainbow Club, Crossmaglen.

Tickets priced at £10 or €13 are selling fast so be sure to secure yours as soon as possible what promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment.  Tickets are currently on sale in Donnelly’s shop, Silverbridge; Centra, Crossmaglen; Donnelly’s shop, Crossmaglen; Murphy’s Shop, Glassdrummond; Beauty on the Loft, Silverbridge; Ardee Car Parts; Casey’s, Culloville; Coole Fuels, Tullydonnell; Julia’s Chippy, Mullaghbawn, Casey’s Eurospar, Crossmaglen.

Doors open at 8pm with the show getting underway at 8.30pm sharp.

Kingsmills survivor Alan Black is set to take to the stand on Wednesday as the inquest into the atrocity gets underway.

Mr Black was shot 18 times and left for dead alongside the lifeless bodies of his 10 co-workers, who were gunned down when the bus they were travelling in was ambushed near the village of Kingsmills on the 5th January 1976. No-one has ever been convicted of the murders, which were widely blamed on the IRA, even though the organisation never admitted responsibility.  Mr Black has always maintained that “agents of the state” were involved in the killings.

After more than 40 years of setbacks, political wrangling and a sustained campaign for justice from victims’ relatives, the inquest will finally begin today (Monday 23rd May), despite concerns expressed by some of the bereaved families that more than 1,300 pages of police and army intelligence material have still not been handed over.

Alan Black will take to the witness stand for the first time on Wednesday to give his account of the events of the horrific night. Commenting on the prolonged fight for justice and disclosure from the PSNI, the Bessbrook man  accused the police of continuing in their attempts to stall the inquest and said he believed the withholding of 1,300 pages of discovery were part of a ploy by the PSNI to “wait until the last minute in order to put another hurdle in front of the process.”

“These are 1,300 pages that need to be analysed and cross-referenced before we can go ahead,” said Mr Black.

“The police are still not co-operating, they are putting an impossible task in front of our legal team.  It is still the same ploy for them.  I am very suspicious of their actions.”

Judge Brian Sherrard, who presided at a preliminary hearing at Belfast Laganside Court has said however that anyone affected by the 1,300 discovery pages will not be called to the inquest until after June 13th and that he would look sympathetically on requests for additional time.

Meanwhile, an ambulance driver who attended the scene of the murders will take the stand today.  Sean Murphy will be called on the opening day of the inquest to give his eyewitness account of the horrific aftermath of the murders that he was called to on the fateful night of January 5th 1976.

The inquest into the Kingsmills massacre is expected to last around five weeks.

Newry AOH Cup Final
Newry Celtic 0  Cartwheel United 2

At 8-51 pm on Friday night Jennings Park erupted in a sea of green and yellow. A dark wet night became a time for celebration. History was made on the green sod of Jennings Park, Cartwheel United who, for over 35 years, reached the pinnacle on Friday night. Just the one piece of silverware to their credit in all those years, the Carnbane 2nd Division in 2002, although they did reach the Final of the Vincent Gilmore Cup last season, but on Friday night it was glory, ecstasy and a night for celebrations, as the underdogs reigned supreme. Newry Celtic’s hopes of lifting the AOH Cup for the 6th time, their last time in 2001, was derailed on a wet night at Jennings Park. This was the night for the underdogs, 1st Division Cartwheel United turned in a scintillating display of football that incorporated everything that this Crossmaglen side produced on the night, strong at the back, magnificent workrate, solid defending, never say die spirit and a cocktail deadly finishing.

Cartwheel went into this final on the back of outstanding results, wins over Premiership’s Cleary Celtic and Killeavy United added to their CV; they were definitely going to have to be taken seriously.

Newry Celtic were the Cup specialists, they have the history, Premierships, Bessbrook Cup, Fr Davies, AOH   Cups, they have won the most of any trophies in local football, and against their 1st Division opponents, they started with a massive advantage.

Celtic started brightly, forcing the Cartwheel back in their heels, and almost going ahead, Stephen Ogle forced to tip a Colm Fegan close range over the bar. The Celtic’s opportunities were mostly falling to Fegan and the Celtic hit man almost made the breakthrough on ten minutes, but was just inches away.

When the Cartwheel started to believe in themselves, things started to change, Jamie Clarke was getting more involved in the game, Ryan Conlon worked hard across the middle, and with their wide men Rico Kelly and Michael Short rampaging down the flanks, the Celtic defence were under pressure, Kyle Reid at the heart of the ‘Wheeler’s back line was settling down as the game progressed, and with the 46 year legs of the experienced Mickey Donnelly sweeping up at the back, the result of this Final was never going to be a forgone conclusion.

Fifteen minutes in, the game took a real turn, Cartwheel who had been putting together some nice one-two movement, winning a lot of the mid-field, and when Michael Short cutting down the left, his ball into the eighteen yard box, slightly behind Jamie Clarke, the Cartwheel golden boy swivel and his left foot picking out bottom corner of the Barry McParland net, 1-0 Cartwheel, the underdogs were ahead.

Minutes later it should have been better for the 1st Division side, Clarke did brilliantly down the left, knocked the cross, it broke loose to Rico Kelly, the winger’s first touch wasn’t good, the second wasn’t that bad, but the finish was scrambled away.

Celtic pressed hard in the second half, they were creating the better chances, Bryan Magill shot wide, Caolan O’Hara forcing a great save from Stephen Ogle, the ‘keeper going full length to push the ball out. Gerard Murphy worked hard; Liam Evans having to depart didn’t really help them either, Shane Burns was getting into positions, but the striker who scored 4 in the Bessbrook Cup final of 2014, it just wasn ‘t happening for him.

Nevertheless, Cartwheel were struggling to get hold of the ball, it was going up to Clarke, Kelly and Callum Kieran, but coming back just as quickly, taking a brilliant block by big Kyle Reid from Kieran McDavitt’s close range shot hitting the target. Cartwheel was defending for the lives at the back. The ‘Wheelers needed someone to get a hold of the leather; a Celtic goal was looking more eminent by the minute. Aidan Dolan, the quiet man of the team, was starting to boss the middle of the field, getting in some great headed clearances, doing the simple things efficiently, but they still needed Ogle to be alert between the sticks.

Time was running out for the Celts, and with just five minutes remaining it happened. Cartwheel were over their poor spell, Jamie Clarke did well out on the left, cut into the eighteen yard box, went down under a tackle the ball broke loose, Callum Kieran caught it beautifully, rifling the ball into the bottom corner of Barry McParland net. Let the celebrations commence.

Cartwheel were on their way, still five minutes remaining, but very few of the large crowd believed the AOH was going where else but up the Camlough road to South Armagh for the first time.

When referee Kieran Cummins sounded the long blow on his whistle, another little fraction of history was created in the Newry AOH Cup. A magnificent night for this small wee South Armagh side, they took on the big boys and handed each of them a lesson.

After the game Brian Naughton [League scrutinizer and assistant Secretary] congratulated the two teams on a superb night of football, commiserated with Newry Celtic and congratulated Cartwheel United on their success.

The officials, Kieran Cummins and his Assistants Mark Cregan and Chris Smith, were then presented with the Cup final mementos by the Newry AOH representative Charlie Casey, who then presented Player of the Final to Aidan Dolan of Cartwheel and the winning AOH Cup to captain of Cartwheel United Stephen Ogle.

Cartwheel United line-out- Stephen Ogle, Jamie Carlisle, Ronan Finnegan, Kyle Reid, Mickey Donnelly, Aidan Dolan, Rico Kelly, Ryan Conlon, Jamie Clarke, Callum Kieran, Michael Short.

Cartwheel United substitutes-  Jason Kieran, Anthony Donaldson, Kieran Hatzer, Thomas McKenna, Eddie English.

Newry Celtic line-out

Barry McParland. Keith Moan, Caolan Moan, Ciaran McDevitt, Lonnie Larkin, Cathal O’Hara. Bryan Magill. Gerard Murphy. Shane Burns. Colm Fegan, Liam Evans.

Newry Celtic Substitutes-  Barry McKevitt, Cathal McGlade. Paddy Daly. Ryan Evans. Kevin McParland

Referee Kieran Cummins, Assistants- Mark Cregan. Chris Smith.