Fr Casey’s defied all the sceptics (including this one) and advanced to the semi-final of the county senior football championship with whopping 4-17 to 0-4 win over hapless Hospital Herbertstown on Sunday.

A couple of weeks ago the Fealesiders had been written off by all but their most fervent supporters, following a disastrous start to the 2006 championship.

They entered the final two games desperately needing a win, and also needing to repair a very lop-sided scoring average. Defeat against Ballyanders last week seemed to have decided the issue and they required a cricket score against Hospital in the final game to progress.

Well, they duly delivered that cricket score, with Martin Scannell grabbing an impressive three goals and ten points of their tally which will surely give Micky Ned O’Sullivan something to think about over the remainder of the summer.

Abbeyfeale now meet Adare in the semi-final and there is already a buzz around the town at the prospect of reaching another county final. The Fealesiders took the title in 2000, and the hunger for another victory parade through the town still persists.

The dream may yet become reality!

* LATE BREAKING NEWS! Abbeyfeale may yet be forced to engage in a play-off to secure their semi-final berth, following an appeal by the hurlers of Castletown/Ballyagran against scoring averages being used to decide group qualifiers. The appeal comes before the Munster Council this Friday and if successful, the same rule will apply to the footballers, thus necessitating a play-off by Fr Casey’s. Provisional plans are in place to hold the play-offs this weekend, and the clubs have been informed. Watch this space for further news.

KEANE FOR CATS!

Well, I hate to say we told you so, but – “WE TOLD YOU SO!”

Our World Exclusive that Roy Keane might be on his way to Sunderland met with some incredulity when we first mentioned the possibility way back on the 18^th July. We were unable to definitively state that Keane would become Sunderland Supremo at that time because delicate negotiations were still in progress. However, a visit to Paddy Power Bookmakers proved very beneficial to the personal coffers and we trust that our intrepid readers also took advantage of this piece of insider information to improve their financial situation.

Talks are ongoing with Niall Quinn on the possibilities of him contributing the occasional football article to Abbeyfeale On Line. We are also attempting to get Keane to write the odd piece for us, although, in his case, these would probably have to be heavily edited to cut out the inevitable expletives.

It is going to be a fascinating football season as we watch Keane attempt to raise Sunderland out of the ashes. And, as one wag put it during the week, how can they fail with God in the dressingroom and Mother Teresa in the boardroom!

WALK

A number of walks have been organized by the Southern Trail Group to coincide with Heritage Week. One of these will start from Abbeyfeale on this Sunday 3^rd September and continue along the bed of the old railway line through Devon Road and Tullig Wood, finishing up at Halla Inse Ban. All are welcome.

SCHOOLS

Schools in the parish re-opened this week following the summer holidays. Pupils are wished every success in the new academic year.

WINNER;

Tico, owned by local butcher Toddy McMahon, and trained by his sister Anna and daughter Rachel won his second race at the weekend at odds of 2/1

GAA

Mayo advanced to the All Ireland senior football final with a thrilling 1-16 to 2-12 win over Dublin at Croke Park on Sunday and will now face Kerry in the final.