Well of course the Irish Soccer Team bowed out of the World Cup last Wednesday night with a scoreless draw against Switzerland in Dublin and the news media have gone gunning for the manager Brian Kerr since the final whistle.

Yesterday in the Offaly Hurling Final , Birr defeated Coolderry by 0 – 20 to 0 – 5.

Yesterday morning young Sarah Byrnes competed in a Dancing Feis in Moate and won three medals and a plaque for her efforts. The plaque was awarded to the winner of the Jig Competition for less than nine years.

It was good to see Eleanor and Peter and Stephen in Shannonbridge yesterday while Ciaran had to attend a stag weekend in England.

The death has taken place of Mary Ellen Kelly nee Colgan who was a sister of the late Mrs Paddy Carty, Leharrow. Gene Carty had flown in from America to visit her but she died some hours before he arrived. Brendan Carty, a son of Gene, came over for the funeral on Saturday. Mary Ellen was 90 years.

There are a number of stray dogs in the locality at present. Two gundogs have made their home with John and Joan Carty, Cloneish. A white Jack Russell type dog has been roaming around Shannonbridge during the week.

Ten of the Active Retirees travelled to Mullingar yesterday to link up with a few hundred others from four counties for three hours in the Greville Arms Hotel for music and a cup of tea.

The river level remains low at 2.3 Metres at the village bridge. Some light showers of rain have fallen, mostly at night, but there have been some beautiful days in the past week with temperatures near 60F. Some light frost some nights.

The Bungalow Guesthouse in the centre of the village remains on the market. See under www.propertypartners.ie

Cogavin and Staunton Tel 090-9642258 have their board hung on the new two bedroom apartments alongside Nugents Butcher.

There is a semi-detached Number 14 New Houses, opposite the church in the cul- de- sac for sale.Remax carries this sale.

The four bedroom self- catering house beside the Health Center known as Creggs has a For Sale banner attached.

Good to see Nicola Hines over from England to visit one of our local anglers Peter. Hope he gets a few fishing hours in this week.

This evening we are going to celebrate the brother’s Mick and Jim’ birthdays by attending an Al Martino in Concert in Dublin.