The annual pilgrimage to Cheltenham is underway. Our local racing aficionados are in the air and on the high seas, heading for the Cotswolds by boat and by plane while dreaming of all the rich pickings that are said to be there for the taking at famed Prestbury Park.

There are hot tips flying around the place like confetti, and such is the enthusiasm that you would never think that there was a recession!

They say that Paddy Mullins’ Cousin Vinny may get the Irish off to a flying start by winning the first race, The Supreme Novice Hurdle, at 1.30. He is a best priced 3/1 with Paddy Power. Kauto Star is 7/4 for the Gold Cup. Ruby Walsh is 7/4 to be top jockey with Tony McCoy at 11/4. JP McManus is 6/4 to have four or more winners.

And how many pints of Guinness will be consumed in Cheltenham! You can have 4/1 that they will drink more than 235000 pints.

If Cousin Vinny wins the first – have the lot on at fours!

Best of luck to all of our travelling punters, and we hope that you succeed in bringing home a few pounds – your country badly needs it!

PARADE

The Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day Parade goes ahead on next Tuesday 17^th March, led by the Rathkeale Brass Band. It will leave from the Convent at 4pm and proceed along Main Street, past the reviewing stand and will disperse down towards The Grove. Participants are reminded that they are responsible for the insurance of their own vehicles and will be required to sign a form to that effect before joining the parade. (Most insurance companies will extend their cover free of charge when asked). We hope that as many people as possible will line the parade route to enjoy the spectacle and to cheer on those taking part. A prize will be awarded for the best float and the best window display. We would like to thank all of those people who donated so generously to our Church gate collection last weekend. The final committee meeting will be held in St Ita’s Hall on next Monday night 16^th March at 7pm.

FIANNA FAIL AGM

The AGM of Abbeyfeale Fianna Fail Cumann was held in the Community Centre, Abbeyfeale on Thursday 5^th of March. Mr Michael O’Kelly presided, and among the attendance were Gerard Collins, Honorary Secretary of Fianna Fail, Tom McEllistrim T.D. Cllrs Francis Foley, Michael Collins and John Brassil, and county council candidates, Seamus Aherne and Ann Lordan. The meeting congratulated Gerard Collins on his election as Honorary Secretary of Fianna Fail. The following officers were unanimously elected. Chairman; Michael O’Kelly. Vice-chairman; Paddy Finucane. Secretary; Raymond Fennelly. Treasurers; Gerard Collins and John O’Connell. Membership Officer; Mossie Gleeson. Delegates to Comhairle Ceantair; Raymond Fennelly, Phyl O’Kelly, Michael O’Kelly, Francis Foley MCC.

DRAMA

Athea Drama Group are in rehearsals for the staging “The Curse Of Josey Ward” by Frank O’Keefe. The play is set in the Abbeyfeale area and the author is a second cousin of well-known Abbeyfeale thespian, Dick Woulfe. Dick will be joined on stage by two other Abbeyfeale actors, Richie Prendiville and Joan O’Connell. The full cast is; Joan O’Connell, Richie Prendiville, DickWoulfe, Ann-Marie Nash, Damien Ahern, Sean Barrett, John Sheehan, Tom Collins. The Director is Margaret Reidy.

The play will be staged in Con Colbert Hall, Athea on the 18^th, 19^th, 22^nd, 26^th, 28^th and 29th March at 8pm sharp each night. We may have more details next week. Definitely one not to be missed!

GOLF

The next outing of Abbeyfeale Golfing Society is to Shannon Golf Club on Sat.21 March. Tee-times are from 10.00-12.00. Names to be submitted to any committee member by Wed.18th March. Committee meeting Wed.18th in Jim Lanes at 9.30pm.

Any unpaid membership, which is €30, can be paid with your green fee on the morning of the outing. Players are asked to be at the clubhouse 30 mins prior to their tee-time.Shannon Golf Club will have tea and coffee available from 9.15am with full breakfast being served from 10.00am.

Results; O’Mahony’s Point. 1^st John D Murphy (41 pts) 2^nd John Joe Foley ((38 pts) 3^rd Mossie Kelly (37 pts)

ELECTED:

Former MEP, Gerard Collins, was elected as one of the two honorary secretaries of Fianna Fail during the recent Ardfheis.

GAA:

No joy for Limerick footballers on Sunday as they went down by a point to Tipp. They will meet again in the Muster Championship. Kerry beat Derry and look set to win the league. Taidgh Kenneally came on for the Kingdom in the second half.

Allianz NFL Div 1: Tyrone 0-8 Galway 0-10; Mayo 1-13 Westmeath 0-8; Derry 0-10 Kerry 0-12; Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-12; Div 2: Meath 1-8 Laois 0-6; Kildare 2-16 Wexford 0-8; Cork 0-10 Fermanagh 0-7; Armagh 0-14 Monaghan 1-13; Div 3: Down 0-10 Cavan 0-12; Offaly 2-8 Louth 1-10; Limerick 1-10 Tipperary 1-11; Roscommon 1-12 Longford 0-13; Div 4: Kilkenny 0-3 Wicklow 7-24; Clare 0-12 Waterford 0-15; London 0-5 Sligo 2-6; Leitrim 2-6 Antrim 1-9.
Allianz NHL Div 1: Galway 0-12 Kilkenny 1-20; Div 2: Antrim 0-15 Westmeath 0-15; Offaly 1-17 Carlow 0-6; Laois 1-13 Down 0-10; Div 3A: Meath 0-16 Kildare 1-12; Div 3B: Tyrone 2-10 Fingal 2-14; Donegal 1-19 Longford 3-11; Div 4: Cavan 1-13 Fermanagh 2-12; Sligo 2-13 Monaghan 0-5.

U/21 West Championship. Fr. Caseys 1-06, Shannon Rangers 1-03.

RUGBY;

MJL; Abbeyfeale 0, Youghal 18. On next Saturday 14^th March Abbeyfeale Golden Oldies will play a Garryowen XV in The Grove at 3pm.

SOCCER:

Abbeyfeale Youths 5, Newcastle Rovers 1.