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Spa captain: Last year made us take a look at ourselves

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The Intermediate has been Spa’s Holy Grail for a number of years but early exits in 2016 and 2017 have raised a lot of difficult questions. Ahead of their championship opener on Sunday, Adam Moynihan spoke to club captain Dan O’Donoghue.

Hi Dan. Thanks for talking to me.

No bother.

It’s time for another crack at the Intermediate. What do you think of the new group format?

I think it’s a great idea really because you’re training with the focus on three or four weeks of definite games, compared to other years when it was a bit scattered. I think it’s a good improvement.

The Intermediate has been Spa’s priority for a long time now. Why is it so important to the club?

It’s the biggest competition we’re in as a club so you’re always aiming to win the biggest things, and every club wants to win a county title as well so I suppose that’s why it’s so important. Especially after winning in 2009, fellas want to do it again. We’re in Division 1 now so we wouldn’t mind taking the step up to senior as well.

You made three finals between 2012 and 2015 but lost in the early rounds the past two years. How disappointing was that?

Yeah, I’ve lost two finals myself already and then last year we lost in the first round which was very disappointing. We weren’t used to losing in the first round. But it made us take a look at ourselves and what we were doing. There were teams passing us out and we had to see what was going wrong.

The team is under new management this year (Ivor Flynn, Kieran Herlihy, Brian Gleeson and Neily Kerins). How much of a difference have they made?

They’re doing a great job. They’re very professional about whatever they do and everyone’s enjoying training. The numbers are better than they’ve ever been in my time with Spa so they must be doing something right.

The club recently completed work on a new floodlit pitch. That must be a welcome addition.

It will definitely have an impact on our progress because for the last few years we’ve been training under what are nearly like street lights on the main pitch. This pitch with the floodlights is a serious asset to have.

Spa have made an excellent start to the County League with big wins over Rathmore and An Ghaeltacht. What has been the most pleasing aspect of your current form?

Yeah, they were two massive wins. Against Rathmore we were drawing at half time and against An Ghaeltacht we were losing at half time, so I think the overall performances over 60 minutes… We never gave up, we kept battling away and that’s kind of been lacking in other years. The way we are grinding out wins is very pleasing.

Gneeveguilla, who are currently in Division 4, are your first opponents in the Intermediate. Are you expecting a tough game?

Definitely. Whatever competition you play Gneeveguilla in, it’s gonna be a tough, physical battle. Especially in championship. It doesn’t really make a difference what division you’re in. They’ll be well up for it.

You have Liam Kearney back from injury now. How much of a difference can he make to the team?

Whatever team he plays with, he’d make a difference. The Ghaeltacht game now was his first full game in, Jesus, I don’t know how long… You’d be talking two years. We’re absolutely delighted to have him on the pitch. Whatever we get after that from a player of his calibre is a big bonus.

How have you been playing yourself? What are your goals for the season?

The season is only beginning really but I’ve been happy so far… I haven’t won a medal with the Spa senior team in four or five years playing with them so I’d love to win something this year.

Good stuff. All the best on Sunday.

Thanks Adam.

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HeartBeat to host Advanced Healthcare Directive information night

Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) […]

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Anne O’Shea Clarke, Regional Manager of SAGE Advocacy Mid & South West Regions, will provide a comprehensive explanation of the process involved in properly creating an Advanced Healthcare Directive (AHD) on Tuesday, April 29, starting at 8pm in the Parish Centre, Park Road.

An ADH is a document which sets out your instructions in relation to healthcare treatments in the future, when you no longer have the capacity to decide. AHDs are not solely relevant to older individuals. Young adults can also significantly benefit from putting these directives in place for themselves or when assisting loved ones. Attendees will gain valuable ‘Knowledge is Power; regarding legal and personal matters
The meeting will specifically look at two key application forms: the standard AHD Form and the Think Ahead / my form.
Prior to the main meeting, a Blood Pressure. and Pulse Clinic will be available from 7:15pm until 8:00pm sharp. Following O’Shea Clarke’s presentation, there will be a Question & Answer session, followed by tea and coffee.
SAGE Advocacy, the national service for older people, works to ensure access to information, support, and independent advocacy, while also providing safeguarding services across various settings, including homes, day centres, hospitals, and nursing homes.
They also support vulnerable adults and healthcare patients in situations where other services may not be available.
For further information, email anne.osheaclarke@sageadvocacy.ie or visit www.sageadvocacy.ie.

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Singer-songwriter Lillie Foley releases second single

Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms. ‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend […]

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Local singer-songwriter Lillie Foley, from Whitebridge Manor, has released her second single of 2025, titled ‘That’s Life’, on all major streaming platforms.

‘That’s Life’ is described as a powerful blend of pop and soul music, drawing on Foley’s own life experiences. The track marks a further step in the promising career of the emerging local artist.
Recorded at the renowned Windmill Lane Recording Studios in Dublin, ‘That’s Life’ showcases Foley’s emotive lyrics, soulful vocals, and a sound that is both modern and deeply personal. Collaborating with music producer and audio engineer Hermann Ogulla, Foley has crafted a song that blends her Irish background with contemporary musical styles, aiming to resonate with listeners in Ireland,and beyond.
Foley said: “This is a song about resilience and accepting that bad things happen in life and we just have to get on with it and move on as best we can.”
‘That’s Life’ is the second of several songs Foley has planned for release in 2025.

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