Well known Jerry Pat O’Leary recently won a National Award at Craft Butchers Sausage & Pudding competition at the RDS in Dublin.

He demonstrated that the very important attribute of consistency forms part of his reputation for quality, by hitting the top spot at the award ceremony. Having given a strong performance at regional level with three gold medals, Mr O’Leary’s produce was recognised and awarded by the presiding judges.

All-Ireland Sausage & Pudding Results 2009
Traditional Sausage: Joint Winners & Gold Medalists: O’Leary Family Butchers
Traditional Sausage: Silver Medalists: O’Brien’s Craft Butcher

Southern Region Sausage & Pudding Results 2009

Traditional Sausage: Regional Runner Up & Gold Medalist: O’Leary Family Butchers
Traditional Sausage: Regional Runner Up & Gold Medalist: O’Brien’s Craft Butcher

Speciality Sausage: Gold Medalists: O’Leary Family Butchers, Millstreet with Mustard & Apple
Speciality Sausage: Gold Medalists: O’Leary Family Butchers, Millstreet with BBQ Sausage
Speciality Sausage: Gold Medalists: O’Leary Family Butchers, Millstreet with Lemon & Ginger Sausage
Speciality Sausage: Silver Medalists:Tony O’Brien Craft Butchers, Millstreet with Garlic & Fresh Herb Sausage

Caitlin Houlihan Cullen Pipe Band, won the All Ireland Solo Junior Piping Competition held recently in Dublin

Caitlin outperformed a field of 36 pipers from Ireland and Scotland. Caitlin, who also won the All Ireland Under 14 now adds the much coveted All Ireland Junior Cup to her list of prizes. She will now move into a higher grade and will compete in at Intermediate level.  This is the second Houlihan name to go on the cup with her sister Margaret having won it in 1999.

by Jerry Lehane

Transcript recited by Chloe Collins on RTE last Saturday night. Of course there’s lots of them Plastics appearing out since the match last Sunday. “C” reg cars with their kerry flags out the window. To be avoided

Fr.Gerard O'Leary and Garda Paul O'Donovan, both based in Millstreet, both originally from Kerry, were in Rathmore to welcome the Kerry team back into Kerry yesterday after their victory in the All-Ireland Football Final

LTV2 Millstreet, in the interest of objectivity, balance and neighbourliness travelled to Rathmore Railway Station on Monday, 21st September 2009 to record the warm welcome accorded to the Kerry team as they brought back the famous Sam Maguire Cup.   Our pictures illustrate a wealth of colour as well as scenes of heartfelt happiness and energetic enthusiasm.    There was a great media presence including Paschal Sheehy broadcasting live for RTÉ 1 television.   Mike Sheehan, Sheila and I covered local television recording (which Seán Murphy had done so well on previous occasions).   Great credit is due to Rathmore GAA and Irish Rail for organising the historic event so superbly and so very safely.    The many decorations (especially the front garden of a residence in Rathduane) illustrating the Kingdom colours truly enhanced the festive atmosphere.
Well, hopefully in 2010 we shall be travelling to Mallow or Cork extending a similar sincere welcome to the Sam Maguire Cup! (Seán Radley for LTV2 Millstreet and for www.millstreet.ie) … loads of more photos below:

Follow this link to get to the video: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1055791

Move the video forward to 41:30 and the part from Millstreet is shown, featuring the poem “Plastic Kerryman” written by Jerry Lehane and read by Chloe Collins. The segment ends at 43:45.

The video is only available until October 10th.

Border communities have revelled in the build-up — with Ballydesmond and Millstreet a sea of red and white — while, just across the county bounds, Rathmore and Lauragh are bedecked in the Kingdom’s green, white and gold.

Such is the rivalry — and close connections — between the two counties, that even schools are split straight down the middle with their loyalties.

In Millstreet, the rivalry has been given a little ‘divine’ twist by the fact that while the town is proudly located in Cork — in all spiritual matters it belongs to the diocese of Kerry.

Parish priest Canon Declan O’Connor admitted the divided loyalties have added a good-humoured edge to today’s showdown — but, unlike many of his parishioners, he will be cheering on Kerry.

Ballydaly native Jerry Lehane, even used the fevered border rivalry to pen a classic poem dubbed ‘The Plastic Kerryman’ — the moral of which is that if you’re on the Rebel side of the border you’d better cheer on Cork or relocate back to the Kingdom.

John Tarrant who will compete in the final of the GAA 125 Quiz

Well known Millstreet man John Tarrant has succeeded in winning a place in the last eight of the GAA’s All-Ireland 125 Quiz. The semi-final was hosted by the ‘Memory Man’ Jimmy Magee on August 28th last, and John who is no stranger to quizzes (Scór Senior, table quizzes etc) excelled and qualified for the final which will be held on Friday 18 September in the GAA Museum in Croke Park.

John has been involved in sport and journalism for years now. He is PRO with Millstreet and Duhallow and a columnist and photographer with the Corkman newspaper, as well as working a full time job!

If he wins he will make a guest appearance on the Sunday Game on RTE2 that same night, a trophy, tickets to the All Ireland Football final amongst other prizes. So best of luck to John from everyone here.

There is an article on the Corkman about John’s achievements so far. You can also read some information on the quiz.

Update 24th Sept 09: Unfortunately John did not succeed in the final of the GAA 125 quiz, but well done regardless on a remarkable achievement.

Confusion!" - No not at all...rather Equality and Harmony! Pictured in the driveway of their home on Saturday, 5th Sept. 2009 Noel and Eileen Collins are proud to support their native County in the forthcoming All-Ireland Football final between Cork and Kerry later in September. Tralee native Noel claims one side of the car while Ballydesmond native Eileen has full claim to the other side of the car! And Suzie, the cat, appears to agree with the sensible arrangement!! (Pic.: Seán Radley)