Abbeyfeale V Youghal. Munster Junior Plate Final. Thomond Park. Sun. 21st April. 2002

This afternoon, as we take our seats in the stand at Thomond Park and look down on that famous Field of Dreams, we cannot help but remember the many great matches and the many great players who have graced this green and sacred ground.
Down there, for instance, just outside the 22, is the spot where Abbeyfeale stalwart, Seamus Dennison tackled the legendary Kiwi, Stu Wilson, back in 1978 and set in motion a chain of events that culminated in Munster defeating the mighty All Blacks.
It is said that Stu gazed down the field that day and observed this bearded, balding beanbag who seemed to have wandered in off the back pitch, having probably played for Boh’s 3rd reserves, and was now here masquerading as the Garryowen, Munster and Ireland wing. Wilson was not impressed.
With ten minutes gone and the Munster Pack having been sufficiently “softened up” New Zealand spread the ball wide and Stu came through on a turbo-charged burst and headed full pelt for the line, where Dennison ambled out to meet him.
“I thought,” said Stu later, “that Limerick had been hit by a sudden earthquake.” It hadn’t. The Stu had been hit by Dennison. (Same difference really, except that it probably registered a few points higher on the Richter Scale!) They do say that, even in Auckland that afternoon, some buildings shook and the lights flickered momentarily.
Another spot, very dear to Abbeyfeale folk, is that little patch midway between the try-line and the corner flag. It was here in 1980 that Denis Murphy dived over in injury time for the winning try to give The Fealesiders their one and only Munster Junior Plate success. Shannon had taken the lead just two minutes from time, and the Abbeyfeale contingent headed for the exits, sure that their team was beaten. However, when they heard the cheering from inside, they turned and tried to get back in, only to be met by the Shannon crowd trying to get out. A right old shamozzle ensued.
Incidentally, the exact spot where the try was scored is no more. It is rumoured that, under cover of darkness, some of the Abbeyfeale lads came out onto the pitch and very carefully (and very illegally) cut out the little square of turf and brought it home on the bus. It now forms the centerpiece of a very ornate garden in a premises on Abbeyfeale Hill that overlooks The Grove. Busloads of pilgrims still arrive there periodically to kneel and kiss the grass before turning to face Meenahela and pay homage.