COACHFORD AFC: Two Tipperary soccer teams take the long road to Coachford this weekend to play the local club in different cup competitions.

On Saturday, the Under 12s play Templemore Athletic in the National Cup at 2pm and the following day at 2.30pm Coachford play Cullen Lattin in the 4th round of the Munster Junior Cup.

Chairman Thady Delaney said "This is a huge weekend for the club and both teams have done very well to get to this stage of both competitions.

The U12 Coachford/killarnardris h team have been playing very exciting football all year and scoring a lot of goals but this weekend's game will be very tough for them as the Tipperary Champions are a very well balanced side.

It will be an exciting contest and we are all hoping that our boys will advance. The Premier team are in good shape but have been suffering from a lack of games due to recent games being postponed because of the wet weather but we are hoping home advantage should even things up a bit."

A large crowd is expected at both games in Coachford this weekend.

Last weekend the Under 17s defeated Lakewood in the league by 3 goals to 1 and the B team beat Rathcoole by the same score in the Division 3 league. Next Wednesday Coachford u17s travel to Buttevant to play the North Cork side under lights in the 2nd round of the Teddy Healy Cup at 7.30pm.

Lotto results. No winner of the €1,400 jackpot. Numbers drawn were 5, 21, 26. Lucky Dip winners were Martin O Shea, Robert O Riordan, Mark O Mahony, Daniel Field, Desmond Murphy. Next week's jackpot is €1600 and the draw will take place in O' Callaghan's Bar. ACHIEVEMENTS AWARDS: The Aghabullogue Coachford Rylane Community Council will host their first Achievements awards evening on this Saturday in the Village Inn in Coachford.

There are 12 people up for an award from across the community and from different walks of life. There are six people in the sporting category, three in the community section and three in the Industry category.

John Corkery (football), Jessica & Emma Flannigan ( Kick Boxing). Joseph Dineen ( Special Olympics) Dan Lane ( Boxing) Stephanie Cotter have all been chosen for their achievements in sport.

The three chosen in the community section are Nora Crowley (Active Retirement Association), Ciara Murphy ( Crumlin Hospital fundraiser) and Jack Murphy ( Point to Point organiser).

Those chosen for the Industry category are Denis Finnegan ( Farmer) Kieran Doherty ( Electrician) and Dan Dwyer (Vegetable grower and retailer).

Speaking in advance of the awards, Committee Member, Deirdre O'donovan said; "This is our first time organising an achievements awards and we were delighted so many people were nominated. We received nominations for a wide variety of people and these have been whittled down to 12 people for this year's Awards. We are all looking forward to Saturday night where we as a community get the opportunity to honour these people who we are so proud of". The ACR Achievers night starts at 9.00pm sharp and admission is free. COLLECTION: The Community Council are holding their annual Church Gate Collection this weekend.the proceeds will be used to assist the Community Council in its endeavours as it continues to represent and work on behalf of our Community. All contributions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

LOCAL MARKET, on Saturday next, 11 February, from 10.30am to 1pm in the GAA Hall. With St. Valentine's Day around the corner, you can expect to find lots of goodies, plants, jewellery, gift items or healthy vegetables, to charm the love(s) of your life, mostly locally produced (the vegetables, that is!).

A big new selection of books on display (proceeds to St. Vincent de Paul). A cup of Fair Trade tea or coffee will cost you €1, and you'd never know who you might meet, so come along. Your company and your support would be much appreciated. Thank you. RYLANE BOXING CLUB is holding a 'Super Tournament', in Aghabullogue Hall, on Friday next, 10 February, at 8pm. Come along, and give your support to the local boxers. AGHABULLOGUE GAA: Hurling: All boys between the ages of 11 and 18 are invited to attend the Hurling Alley in Coachford for the four Sundays of February, from 11 a.m. to midday. Hurling coaches will attend and players may attend for any length of time.

Well done to the U21 footballers of Aghabullogue who defeated Macroom in the first game of the championship. The Competition is run on a league basis this year and Aghabullogue must play Clondrohid, Aghinagh and Blarney over the coming weeks. This weekend Clondrohid are the visitors to Coachford where they will play the hosts at 3.00pm on Saturday.

The Under U13 Footballers will play Glenville in Glenville at 4pm on Saturday, February 11 in the league and the Under 16 footballers will play Bride Rovers in the league in Rathcormac at 12.30pm on Sunday 12th February. NOTICE FROM COACHFORD CARE OF THE AGED: Coachford Care of the Aged is an entirely voluntary local organisation that strives to help the most vulnerable in our parish and has done so for the almost 40 years that we have been in existence.

As our name suggests, our priority is the elderly in our vicinity, particularly those who live alone or in isolated areas - we provide a monthly chiropody clinic in the Community House in Coachford, in addition to providing assistance where heat and food are needed and funds are low.

We also arrange for the fitting and installation of personal and smoke alarms, as well as sensor lighting.

However, given the current recession and the stark fact that many with young families are in dire need of temporary assistance, we attempt to extend our resources, insofar as we can, to also ensure their wellbeing - for who knows who will next be hit with an energy, school or other bill that we will be unable to pay and that may just send us spiralling into the depths of despair?

We do not consider ourselves a charity, but merely an organisation that - we would hope - provides a stepping stone to stability and security for anyone that may need a helping hand, be it temporarily or on an ongoing basis.

We do not judge and at no time to we ever infringe on the privacy or particular circumstances of those we are privileged enough to help at any given time, as confidentiality is at the very heart of our work and existence.

In order to help us to continue our work, we would encourage the people of Aghabullogue parish to consider joining Care of the Aged because, the farther our reach, the more people we can assist in some way.

If you are interested in putting your shoulder to the wheel and helping the most vulnerable in our parish, or if you find yourself in difficulty regarding any basic need, please contact John, at 087 6479112, Sheila, at 7334328, Therese, at 7434734, or Michael, at 086 8125272. May we again take this opportunity to thank all of you for your staunch support throughout the years and we look forward to the continuation of that support.