Bring on the English! That was the rallying cry from the fans following Ireland’s 38-9 demolition of Italy at the Stadio Flaminio last weekend.

Despite a slow start during which they trailed 9-7 coming up to half time, the Irish put in a good second half performance that gave them a deserved victory, but the final score may have somewhat flattered them.

Declan Kidney said; “I’m delighted with the win. It’s important to keep a balance when you look at the match. Italy had us under enormous pressure in the first 20 minutes. They could have gone 9-0 ahead but Tommy’s try was a huge lift for us.”

Ireland: Tries: Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald 2, David Wallace, Brian O’Driscoll; Cons: Ronan O’Gara 4, Rob Kearney; Pen: Ronan O’GaraAnd so to Croke Park next Saturday week and another meeting with the ‘Auld Enemy’.

England looked an improved side in the defeat to Wales and will pose formidable opposition for an Irish side who may start to feel the pressure of great expectations.

Paddy Power bets 2/7 Ireland and 5/2 England. Paddy is beginning to lose his nerve. Try Lal Browne. He might go 1/1. (More next week)

The Republic of Ireland remain on course for the World Cup in South Africa following a 2-1 win over Georgia in Croke Park last Wednesday night. The Irish conceded a goal in the first minute, but two second half strikes from Robbie Keane was enough to give them the points.

Fixtures & results to date;

6th September 2008: Georgia 1 – 2 Republic of Ireland

10th September 2008: Montenegro 0 – 0 Republic of Ireland
15th October 2008: Republic of Ireland 1 – 0 Cyprus
11th February 2009: Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Georgia
28th March 2009: Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
1st April 2009: Italy v Republic of Ireland
6th June 2009: Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland
5th September 2009: Cyprus v Republic of Ireland
10th October 2009: Republic of Ireland v Italy
14th October 2009: Republic of Ireland v Montenegro

CONCERT

There was a huge crowd at the Phil Coulter Concert in the Church of the Assumption last Friday night and a most enjoyable time was had by all.

DRAMA;

Abbeyfeale Drama Group‘s production of Philadelphia, Here I Come, runs in the GAA Clubhouse, starting on Sunday 22nd February and it is planned to finish on the 7th March. It starts at 8pm each night, and the cead isteach 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

The next meeting of the St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee will be on Monday 23rd February at 7pm in St Ita’s Hall. All are welcome.

GAMES;

Abbeyfeale Community Games are now looking for children to register for the upcoming County Cross Country athletics which will take place in Rathkeale on Sunday 26th April . The ages & distances are: U/9 Boys & Girls – 300m. U/11 Boys & Girls – 600m. U/12 Boys & Girls – 400m or 600m. U13 Boys & Girls – 1200m. U/14 Boys & Girls – 600m or 800m. U/17 Boys & Girls – 800 (County competition). Please contact any member as soon as possible or ring John Joe O’Connor on 068-32954 after 6pm
RUGBY;

Abbeyfeale defeated Castleisland 8-5 in the U/18 West Munster League final in Tralee on Saturday.

SOCCER:

Abbeyfeale Utd A defeated Athea 2-1 in the cup. The B team defeated Creeves 2-0.

GAA RESULTS

Allianz National Football League
Div 1: Donegal 2-10 Mayo 1-13; Derry 1-18 Westmeath 0-7; Tyrone 0-13 Kerry 2-10; Galway 3-12 Dublin 0-13.
Div 2: Armagh 2-8 Laois 2-11; Meath 0-12 Fermanagh 2-7; Kildare 0-14 Cork 0-14; Monaghan 2-17 Wexford 1-12.
Div 3: Limerick 0-14 Roscommon 1-10; Down 1-13 Louth 1-12; Cavan 0-11 Tipperary 0-13; Offaly 0-11 Longford 0-11.
Div 4: Antrim 1-14 Clare 1-6; Carlow 2-14 London 0-14; Sligo 4-14 Leitrim 1-8; Waterford 2-20 Kilkenny 0-3.
Allianz National Hurling League
Div 1: Tipperary 2-15 Cork 0-9; Dublin 2-21 Galway 0-15; Kilkenny 0-15 Limerick 0-14; Clare 0-13 Waterford 0-20.
Div 2: Carlow 1-13 Kerry 2-5; Down 0-15 Antrim 1-19; Wexford 4-22 Laois 1-14; Westmeath 1-17 Offaly 3-22.
Div 3A: Kildare 0-17 Wicklow 1-13; Armagh 1-10 Derry 1-10; Mayo 1-10 Meath 1-19.
Div 3B: Longford 1-7 Roscommon 4-21; London 7-21 Tyrone 0-8; Fingal 0-15 Louth 1-8.
Div 4: Monaghan 4-10 Cavan 3-4. Fermanagh 1-15 South Down 3-9; Leitrim 2-11 Sligo 1-17.