Abbeyfeale is set to become part of the North Kerry constituency at the next general election. The political forces of occupation are assembling on the border in preparation for a mass invasion across the river Feale. And, to our eternal shame, we have meekly raised the white flag and surrendered our precious Limerick heritage without firing a single shot.
A stranger passing through the town this week might easily believe that the invasion was already over and that we were now an integral part of County Kerry. Main Street is festooned with green and gold banners and bunting, and every second person is attired in a Kerry gansey. We must be the only town in Ireland that supports a neighbouring county more than our own. Perhaps we deserve to be invaded after all!
It is said that the word “legend” should never be used lightly. However, in the case of the late Moss Colbert from New Street the title would seem fully deserved.
I never saw Moss play football, but was present at some of the matches that he refereed. And I remember one match in particular, between Cork and Kerry in The Inch on an Easter Sunday back in the early nineteen sixties.
Mick O’Connell and Tadghie Lyons played that day, and I was lucky enough to acquire both of their autographs at half-time. They say that you should never meet your heroes. We had only ever heard of these icons of Gaelic Football through the commentaries of Michael O’Heir on the radio. And now suddenly they were walking among us, laughing and joking and acting like ordinary mortals. The effect that they had on a group of impressionable youngsters that day cannot be overstated. We all wanted to play for Kerry. (and some still do!)
We stood directly behind the Cork goals in the second half while Kerry defended the town end. (Hector and Jakes were the umpires) The Kingdom attacked strongly and two swift goals ended the game as a contest. When the second goal went in, the Cork goalkeeper retreated to the back of his net to retrieve the ball. And, as he bent down, the full-back raced in and gave him a fonker of a kick up the backside.
“What was that for?” enquired the aggrieved custodian, gingerly massaging his posterior.
“For making me look bad.” replied his team-mate, angrily grabbing the ball and placing it for the kick-out, while behind the goals, we all cheered like mad.
It was often said that if Moss Colbert had lived a few hundred yards further south he would have won several All Ireland medals. However, Moss’s allegiance was unwaveringly to Abbeyfeale and to Limerick, and his contribution to both club and county was immense.
Moss made his début on the Abbeyfeale senior team in 1934. In 1938 they met mighty Ahane in the county final. Ahane were backboned by the famed Mackey brothers and Jackie Power and they won that day by 3-2 to 1-1. The teams met again in the 1938 decider and, after a replay, Ahane were again successful, winning by 1-9 to 1-2. Ahane won five county titles in a row over this period.
Abbeyfeale finally appeared to have made the breakthrough in 1940 when beating Knockane in the final by 2-4 to 2-3. Bonfires were already blazing in Mountmahon when news came through that Knockane had lodged an objection. The objection was successful and Abbeyfeale were denied a county title in a battle that was eventually decided off the field of play.
They would not be denied the following year, beating Treaty Sarsfields in a pulsating final played in Askeaton on the 14th December 1941. Again the bonfires blazed at Mountmahon as the cup was paraded proudly through a packed town.
The team that day was; Eddie “Sticker” Browne, Nicholas Cotter, Neilus Murphy, Tade Fitzgerald, Teddy O’Sullivan, Eddie McCarthy, Moss Riordan, Matty O’Connell, John Fitzgibbon, Jimmy O’Rourke, Jack McEnery, Dave Doherty, Sean Ward, Moss Colbert, Jimmy Riordan.
In 1942, Abbeyfeale met old rivals Knockane in the final again, and history was reversed. After a drawn game, 0-3 each, in Ballingarry, the replay went ahead at Pairc na nGael with Knockane winning by 3-1 to 2-2. However, Abbeyfeale were awarded the title following an objection to illegal players.
The team was; Sonny N Cotter, Nicholas Cotter, Moss Riordan, Tade Fitzgerald, Jimmy O’Rourke, Neilus Murphy, Denis Cullinane, Eddie McCarthy, John Fitzgerald, Teddy O’Sullivan, Chris Stack, Jimmy Riordan, Patrick McCarthy, JJ Considine, Moss Colbert.
It took three games to decide the 1946 championship. After an unfinished game in Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale and Treaty Sarsfields met in Adare in a game that attracted a record crowd. It finished 0-4 each. The replay, also in Adare, saw the Treaty boys emerge victorious by the narrowest of margins, 1-4 to 1-3.
Moss Colbert won his third senior county medal in 1947. Abbeyfeale played the 12th Battalion Army team from Limerick in the semi-final. They were big, tough, brawny men but The Fealesiders were well able for them. The first game, played in Newcastlewest, ended in a draw, 0-9 to 1-6. Abbeyfeale won the replay in Dromcollogher by 1-4 to 0-4 and qualified to meet St Patrick’s, another city team, in the final.
The final was played in Adare on the 19th October and drew one of the biggest crowds ever recorded at a county final. The game was close and exciting all the way through. However, it was the huge Abbeyfeale crowd that raced jubilantly onto the pitch at full time to shoulder off their heroes who had triumphed by 1-5 to 0-5.
The team that day was; Eddie “Sticker” Browne, Nicholas Cotter, Neilus Murphy, Teddy O’Sullivan, Pa Colbert, Paddy McCarthy, Joe O’Connor, Jimmy O’Rourke, Sean “Balbo” Riordan, Eddie McCarthy, Fr Tim Cotter (later Bishop of Maidugari) John Fitzgibbon, Jimmy O’Riordan, Dan Cotter, Moss Colbert. Subs; Sonny Ward, Do Do Wren, Patrick McCarthy, Eugene Sweeney.
Incredibly, it would be all of fifty three years before Abbeyfeale won another senior county title!
Moss was a regular on the Limerick county team and captained the side on numerous occasions. Newspaper reports at the time described him as a very fit and agile two-footed forward with the skill and intelligence to confuse even the best of defences. He played in an era of great players and always appeared comfortable in their presence. Of course, hurling was the dominant sport in Limerick at the time, with football being the poor relation. And, a half a century later, very little has changed.
As his footballing career drew slowly to a close, Moss became more prominent as a referee. He was originally assigned to the West Limerick Board, but was soon refereeing county finals throughout Munster.
He went on to handle inter-county championship and league games up and down the country and, in 1948, he refereed the All Ireland Football semi-final in Croke Park between Cavan and Louth. A couple of years later he was in charge of the international league final in Croke Park when New York triumphed over John Joe O’Reilly’s Cavan.
He was acknowledged as one of the best referees in the country at that time. Fair and impartial, he kept well up with the play but allowed the game to flow where possible. More importantly, he won the respect of players and spectators alike.
Apart from football, Moss was also a very good handball player. He won several county titles and also represented Limerick in All Ireland competitions. He was also a fine hurler and tried to promote the game in Abbeyfeale and managed to arrange some competitive games, but it was difficult to maintain interest in an area where football dominated.
As I said in the beginning, the word “legend” should never be used lightly. However, for Moss Colbert and those who blazed a trail with him in the first half of the twentieth century, it is an apt description.
And, as the present Abbeyfeale team prepare for yet another county semi-final, they can walk tall and proud – because they stand on the shoulders of giants.

*Kerry play Tyrone on Sunday in the All Ireland final. Paddy Power bets 8/13 Kerry and 7/4 Tyrone. If Kerry win, sorry – WHEN Kerry win – expect a big influx of fans in to town on Sunday night, drinking our porter and chasing our women and making the usual eejits of themselves. We begrudgingly wish them well
And remember. We may be forced to join up with you eventually – but some of us will never, ever, take the soup!

GOLF

The Ryder Cup kicks off in Valhalla this weekend and Paddy Power goes 1/1 both teams. In other words, he hasn’t a clue. There has been some controversy over Nick Faldo’s selections and omissions, while the Americans have remained ominously quiet. I have been studying the situation closely, using my vast knowledge of golf which has been acquired from listening to drunken hackers telling outrageous lies and loudly describing fictitious sub-par rounds to all and sundry in Jack O’Rourke’s bar on Saturday nights. These guys are hopeless at addition but mathematical geniuses when it comes to subtraction Anyway, I think that the yanks will win. And if you really want to piss people off around the town next Sunday night, double them with Tyrone – but be prepared for a quick get-away!

BALLET CLASSES

Ballet Classes for children are now being held in the Glorach Theatre, Convent Street, Abbeyfeale. “Ruby Ballet” is a creative programme specifically designed for children aged 4-12. Any aspiring Margot Fonteyns or Rudolf Nureyev should contact Lauren on 087-7822801 for further details. Hip Hop dance classes for teenagers are also being taught at the Glorach, as well as adult Pilates classes. Phone Lauren or e-mail her at laurendean@hotmail.com

PLOUGHING;

A bus will leave Abbeyfeale on the morning of Wednesday, September 24 and travel to Kilkenny for the Ploughing Championships. To book your seat please contact Peg on 068-31232 before Friday 19th September.

SUDAN;

The yearly Abbeyfeale For Africa fundraising walk in aid of Fr. Tim Galvins Mission in Sudan will take place on Sunday, September 21 next at 4pm with refreshments being served in St. Ita’s Hall from 5pm. Sponsorship cards are available from Traoine Tobin, Mairead Daly, Carina Prendiville, Abbeyfeale Farmers’ Market or the local Credit Union.

KNOCK:

The Legion of Mary are organising a pilgrimage to Knock for Rosary Sunday October 5. Tickets available from Sean Broderick or Peg Murphy.

SOCCER;

Abbeyfeale Utd A were beaten 1-0 away to Glin Rovers in the premiership on Sunday.

RUGBY

Abbeyfeale’s league game against Muskerry was cancelled due to the weather