Eagle-eyed visitors to Abbeyfeale on Line will have noticed the small donation box that has appeared mysteriously on the lower right-hand side of our home page and, no doubt moved by a spirit of great generosity, will have already dipped deep into their fulsome pockets. (and produced a tear-stained handkerchief while violins play softly in the background.) I

Others of you will have studiously averted your eyes and will have tip-toed by as if the offending object did not exist. These are the same guys who often miss Mass on a Sunday because they will not pass the Church gate collection box for fear that they might have to contribute a few brown coppers to the African Babies or some other deserving cause. Shame on you!

Anyway, set your minds (and your pockets) at rest. Due to a computer glitch, the donation box has been placed there in error. (Jay will explain the technicalities of the matter, but I suspect a surfeit of Guinness at Matt McCoy’s the night before may have been a contributory factor.)

Abbeyfeale On Line has always been, and will continue to be, a voluntary and non-profit making venture which has been run for the good of the community and our exiles overseas. (cue violins and hankies again) However, if Google were to offer us a six figure sum for the site, we might be forced to re-consider our options. (Screw the community, we would take the money - we‘re not THAT stupid!)

Our donation box may also be attracting the unwelcome attentions of the tax man, and don’t be surprised if we get a summons to appear before the Tribunal shortly to explain some very large and undocumented deposits to our various bank accounts. The BT (Bertie & Tim) account has caused outgoing Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, considerable anguish. Wait until they see the JR (Jay & Ray) account. We could be put away for life!

Anyway, the offending donation box will disappear very shortly. We are taking our time about removing it because bucket-loads of hard cash have started to arrive at our Abbeyfeale On Line offices and it is very hard to look a gift-horse in the mouth. Jay says we may even re-decorate and get in some new furniture before we finally switch off the current. We are starting to get very domesticated.

Can I finally just repeat words that I thought I would never ever hear myself utter, in this or in any other life;

PLEASE DO NOT SEND US MONEY - WE WILL ONLY SPEND IT ON DRINK!

I will probably wake up shortly and find that this whole thing was all a horrible dream..

HEINEKEN CUP

The race for tickets is gathering momentum. Abbeyfeale has yet to receive its allocation but, like the miracle of the loaves and fishes, there always seems to be plenty to go around. The GAA are rumoured to be awash with tickets and expect some hard bargaining in the next few days.

We will return to the Heineken Cup again next week and we hope to have an in-depth interview with that well-known Jigs & Reels expert, Mr George Hook.

Meanwhile, betting on the Heineken Cup is very heavy, with Munster well supported. Local bookmaker, Lal Browne, a noted exponent of the oval ball, and a shrewd judge of all field sports including hurling, coursing, hay-making, etc. has Toulouse and Munster joint favourites at 5/4 each with Saracens and London Irish at 8/1. He also goes 1/1 on Brian Cowen to be the next Taoiseach. (I had a bit of inside information about this - my cousin is a councillor - and managed to get €5 on this morning, but the price has since been scrubbed)

NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS

A new set of pedestrian traffic lights have just been installed in Church Street opposite the Boys’ National School

TABLE QUIZ

A Table Quiz will take place in Matt McCoy’s bar on Friday 25^th April starting at 9.30 pm. The event is being organized by Ogra Fianna Fail in association with the local Fianna Fail cuman, and all proceeds will be donated to the Day Care Centre in Abbeyfeale. The MC for the night will be Cllr Francis Foley, and there will be numerous prizes, spots, novelties, etc. All are welcome.

FLEADH;

A great night was had by all at the official launch of Fleadh By The Feale which was held last Thursday night in TJ O’Riordan’s bar. The committee would like to thank Kevin Forde of Twohig’s Supervalu for sponsoring the launch, the musicians and dancers who provided lively entertainment, and Mary and TJ O’Riordan who hosted the night. Tickets for the Sharon Shannon Concept are available from Maureen 086-3265762, Dearbhla 087-6874035, John O’Sullivan 086-3165848, Celine 087-7697672.

TOWN PARK:

Cllr Francis Foley has welcomed the continuing upgrading and improvement to equipment and facilities at Pairc Cois Feile which, he believes, will add greatly to people’s enjoyment of this scenic and recreational area on the outskirts of the town. He also welcomes the allocation of €70,000 which has been approved by Limerick County Council to help with this ongoing work, and hopes that work will also begin shortly on the new all-weather mini pitch which will prove very beneficial to the young sportspeople of the locality. He also paid tribute to the local Pairc Cois Feile committee for all the work and effort that they have put in to the park over the last number of years

WEDDING

.Congratulations to Siobhan Aherne, daughter of Tom (Garney) and Bernadette Aherne, Glenashrone who recently married Gerard McCarthy, son of Denis and Betty McCarthy, Knockbrack. The newly-weds are wished long life and happiness.

DEATHS

Sympathy is extended to the families, relatives and friends of the late Hannah Mai Downey and Maureen Joy, who died over the weekend. May they Rest In Peace.

LOURDES INVALID COLLECTION
Marian Roche would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Church Gate Collection. A total of €1590 was collected.

SOCCER

; Abbeyfeale Utd A defeated Rathkeale 2-1 with goals from David Roche and Paul Doherty. Abbeyfeale Utd B defeated Kilcornan 2-1.

RUGBY;

The Abbeyfeale RFC Race Night goes ahead at Tralee Track on this Saturday night 19^th April at 7.45 pm.

ABBEYFEALE GOLF SOCIETY

Our second outing of the year was to Shannon Golf Club on Sat 22nd March,kindly sponsored by TIGERGOLF,PATRICKSWELL,CO.LIMERICK.

Winners on the day were:
1st. Paddy Fitzgerald - 39pts.
2nd.Neilus Murphy - 37pts.
3rd.Conor Lane - 37pts.
Front 9.Ger Fitzgerald - 21pts.
Back 9. Maurice English - 20pts.
Our next outing is to Adare Manor Golf Club this Sat 19th April.Tee-times are 8.30 - 10.45am.All members are asked to be in the clubhouse 30 minutes prior to their tee-time.

GAA

Limerick minor footballers, managed by John (Spider) Colbert and captained by Padraig McEnery, and with several Abbeyfeale players in the squad, were beaten 2-13 to 0-10 by Cork in the Munster Championship. Limerick senior footballers were beaten by Down in the league. Kerry and Derry will contest the national football league final.