Abbeyfeale drama Group will stage Philadelphia Here I Come at the GAA Clubhouse from Sunday 22^nd February. Denis Hobson has sent us the following press release, and we also have some pics in our MSN GALLERY. (click “HERE” on link page and proceed to LATEST PHOTOS)

Since 1990 Abbeyfeale Drama Group has been entertaining audiences in West Limerick. Famous local actors such as Mary Jo Prendiville, Dick Woulfe and, of course, the late Dan Leahy and Mike Scannell have been interpreting classic roles of the Irish stage for the discerning people of Abbeyfeale and district.

This year’s production is another classic; Philadelphia, Here I Come by Brian Friel. The play looks at integrational communities and at the unreliability of memories.

Merc Hobson, who directs the play, says; “To present this play to the standard that the public expect of us, you need two exceptional actors – this year we found them! Tom Collins and James Flaherty. They are both genuinely gifted, hard working and are a pleasure to work with.”

Tom Collins is on loan from Athea Drama Group and he plays the private aspect of the play’s hero. James Flaherty is well known for his involvement, last year, with the Abbey Theatre in Dublin and, more prosaically, from his work with Abbey Tyres. James represents on stage the hero in public.

The experienced Angelina O’Donnell plays the long-suffering Madge. Maurice O’Meara is the man who wants to be a good father but cannot find the words.

Annette O’Donnell provides the romantic interest with honesty and vivacity. The smooth Senator Doogan is portrayed by Richie Roche. The pathetic, feckless Master is Seamus Lane. Both Seamus and Richie have previously been on stage with Glorach. Mary Boyle and Pat Scannell are experienced actors and are brilliant as the returned Yanks.

Three of Abbeyfeale’s finest and most eligible bachelors, Robert Browne, Tim Gleeson and Daniel Ward make their stage debut as “the lads” and are superb. Denis Hobson plays Canon Mick O’Byrne with his usual sensitivity.

The support crew is led by the stalworth Fintan Quirke.

The play runs in the GAA Clubhouse, starting on Sunday 22^nd February and it is planned to finish on the 7^th March. It starts at 8pm each night, and the cead is teach is €8. All proceeds from the first night of the play are being donated to Irish Red Cross in Abbeyfeale.

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

A meeting of the Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee will take place in St Ita’s Hall on next Monday 16^th February at 7pm. All who are interested in becoming involved in organizing the parade, or would like to help out in any way, are cordially invited to come along to the meeting on Monday evening.

AGM;

The committee of Abbeyfeale Horse and Pony Racing Club held their AGM recently and elected the following officers: Joint Presidents Fr. O’Shea PP and Bertie Collins. Chairman Vincent O’Connor. Vice Chairman, Colm Horgan. Joint Secretaries Margaret Riordan, Margaret Leahy and Catherine Moloney. Joint Treasurers: Pat Leahy, Pat Harnett. PRO Toddy McMahon. Committee members: Tom Cahill, Padraig Quill, Jim Dore, Padraug Cahill, Seamus Reidy, Tom Moloney, Adrian Hartnett and John Riordan.

CARDS:

14 tables took part in Meenkilly Card Game last week. The winners with 14 games each were; Nora McElligott and Mike Dore, Helen Walsh and Maureen Fitzgerald, James Keane and Kathleen McCarthy. Table prizes went to Mary Scannell, Maura Scannell and Kate Lenihan. Door prizes were won by Noreen O’Callaghan and ToddyO’Connor. Raffle winners were Catherine Collins, Pascal O’Rourke, Maura Scannell, Paddy Sheehan, Tom Moore and Michael O’Kelly.

GAA;

St Joseph’s Secondary School, Abbeyfeale won both the Munster senior and junior schools football championships with victories over Ballincollig and Corca Dhuibhne respectively.

SOCCER:

Abbeyfeale Utd A defeated Glin Rovers 2-1 in the premiership. Abbeyfeale Ladies are the Division 1 Champions after defeating fellow title contenders Feenagh 1-0 in Abbeyfeale last Thursday night.. It has been a remarkable year for the Ladies who have now added the Desmond League title to their FAI & Munster cups. The question on everyone lips is can they now do the four in a row. After defeating Newcastle West in the Desmond Cup semi final, the girls stand just one game away from a remarkable feat.

RUGBY:

The game against Clonakilty in the Munster Junior Plate last Sunday was cancelled Sunday. Abbeyfeale RFC are holding a summer camp commencing this July, and will run for one week. Leading Munster Players will attend this camp.

GOLF;

Abbeyfeale Golfing Society will travel to O’Mahony’s Point, Killarney on Saturday 28^th February. Tee-times from 10am to 12 noon.

SIX NATIONS

Ireland edged an enthralling 6 Nations clash at Croke Park to claim a rare 30-21 victory over France. Jamie Heaslip, Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy ran in brilliant tries as the Irish registered their first triumph against Les Bleus since March 2003, a sequence spanning seven Tests. They now meet Italy away next weekend.before hosting England at Croke Park on 28^th Feb.
Other results; England 38, Italy 11. Scotland 13, Wales 26.