Abbeyfeale is buzzing with apathy this week as expectations increase that the general election is about to be announced. Already some posters have gone up, and the occasional canvasser can be spotted flitting furtively from house to house desperately seeking those illusive first preference votes.

They will be turning out in droves once the official date has been confirmed, and they will promise us the sun, moon and stars in exchange for a little pencil mark on a slip of paper.

For those of you reading this in Swaziland (we have a huge following in Nhlangano) I should perhaps explain that over here we are still utilizing the quaint custom of the lead pencil and the wooden ballot box to elect our sovereign government. We had considered using electronic voting but found the whole system a tad too difficult to operate. In fact, we didn’t even bother taking the machines out of the boxes and they now lie in cold storage where, like giant technological dinosaurs, they are slowly and inevitably gathering dust and becoming extinct. Not to worry. We can afford such extravagance. Sure isn’t the country awash with money.

Some candidates even claimed that e-voting was open to political abuse and skulduggery, which might be akin to the pot calling the kettle black! (Stop sniggering, you there at the back of the class)

Anyway, the pencils (and probably the knives) are now being sharpened in readiness for the “off”. (May 24^th has been mentioned, but don’t tell anyone yet)

Here in Abbeyfeale On Line we have sources at the very heart of government and, over the coming weeks, they will be revealing all the news and the drama as it unfolds behind the scenes. Like Garth Brooks; “We Got Friends In Low Places.” and they will not be slow in dishing out the dirt.

Watch this space for further startling developments.

FLEADH

A very enjoyable night was had by all at the recent publicity launch of this year’s Fleadh By The Feale which was held in the Cellar Bar. A large gathering of musicians entertained the crowd with a lively session of music which helped to make the night so successful. The committee would like to thank Kevin Forde who sponsored the launch and also Stephen Geoghegan of the Cellar Bar who hosted the event. Tickets are now on sale for the celebrity concert featuring internationally-renowned group, Lunasa. The concert takes place at the Convent Hall, Abbeyfeale on Sunday 6^th May at 8pm. Contact Maureen at 086-3265762 or Dearbhla at 087-6874035. Fleadh By The Feale runs during the May bank holiday weekend from the 3^rd to the 7^th May.

PARK;

The current spell of fine weather has seen a big increase in the number of visitors to the local town park, Pairc Cois Feile, on the Killarney Road. Numerous improvement and renovations to the park have been carried out in recent months, and all of the walks have been tarred for ease of access. The flowers and plants are now if full bloom and the whole area looks very colourful and peaceful and creates a wonderful oasis of calmness and serenity away from the busy bustle of the town.

COLLECTION;

Coiste Ghlor na nGael wish to thank everyone who contributed to their recent Church gate collection.

TEA DAY;

Eileen O’Brien will host her annual Alzheimers Tea Day at Bridge Street on Thursday 3^rd May. All are welcome.

CRICKET

Ireland’s cricket squad are due to fly into Dublin today following their remarkable success at the World Cup.
The squad are expected to receive a huge welcome after surprisingly qualifying for the Super Eight stage of the competition.
Ireland progressed past the group stages following a surprise win over Pakistan and also beat Bangladesh in the second phase of games.
The campaign has seen them climb into the world’s top ten.

GAA:

Fr Casey’s won the West Limerick U/21 A football championship with a narrow 0-10 to 2-3 win over Shannon Gaels on Saturday evening.

SOCCER:

Abbeyfeale Utd A defeated Broadford Utd 1-0 in the quarter-final of the Desmond Cup at Riverside Park on Sunday morning. Barry Sheehan was the Abbeyfeale scorer.