Limerick footballers featured in the very first Munster Senior Football Final in 1888. Not many people know that. They gave Tipperary a walkover in the final that year – and they haven’t had much luck for it ever since!

They met Tipperary again in the 1895 final and lost by 0-5 to 0-3. However they finally made the big breakthrough the following year, (1896) winning their one and only senior title with a 0-4 to 0-1 victory over Waterford. They then went on to take their second All Ireland title beating Dublin at Jones’ Road by 1-7 to 0-7. (They had won the very first title played for in 1887 with a 1-4 to 0-3 win over Louth.)

The team was; Con Fitzgerald (Captain), D.Birrane goal, James O’Riordan, W. Guiry, Pat Griffin, John O’Riordan, P.Roche, Larry Sheehan, Tom Campion, John Murphy, Ailbe Quillinan, Bill Murphy, James Dalton, James Nash, W.McNamara, J.Buttimer, M.Ryan

Altogether, Limerick have reached 11 Munster finals, with only one solitary win (and a famous draw against Kerry in the Gaelic Grounds to show for it.) They are long overdue another success.

In 1965 Limerick shocked Cork (2-5 to 0-6) and qualified to meet Kerry in the final at the Gaelic Grounds. There was no Abbeyfeale representative on the team, but Timmy Woulfe and Conor Mullane from Athea played, and also Mick Tynan whose mother hailed from Cahirhayes. Others included Bernie Hartigan, Eamon Cregan and Tony Fitzgerald.

Those of us who attended the match from here  boarded the train in Abbeyfeale down to Colbert Station in Limerick and then took the long walk out the Ennis Road. There were heavy showers and some wondered how the conditions might suit Limerick.

“Will they show up at all?” enquired one worried fan.

They showed up alright, and completely outplayed Kerry in the first half and went in five points clear. Mick O’Connell had started the match at centre-forward for Kerry but was moved to midfield after the break and from there he ran the show in the second half. From five points down, Kerry finally won by nine; 2-16 to 2-7

Few give Limerick much of a chance against Cork on Sunday. Paddy Power goes 1/8 Cork and 11/2 Limerick.

It is hard to bet against the Leesiders, and only someone with a very limited knowledge of football, or someone who spends most of his time living in cloud cuckoo land could possible forecast a Shannonside victory.

I think Limerick might win on Sunday!

SILAGE: The recent spell of fine weather has resulted in much hay and silage being harvested in the area. Road users are advised to drive carefully and watch out for tractors and farm machinery emerging from meadows and farmyards.

RACES; Abbeyfeale Horse & Pony Races attracted a large crowd to the town last Sunday and spectators were treated to a great day’s racing with some very close and exciting finishes. Proceeds from the meeting are being donated to the various local youth clubs.

ART; The artist, John Sherlock who has a potter’s studio close by Sugar Hill Cross, Templeglantine has put out a call for people who have skills that they would be willing to pass on to join him in his studio on Monday, July 6th next at 7pm to discuss the formation of an informal grouping of Arts and Crafts people. He feels that there are plenty of people who would like to learn skills such as crochet, knitting, darning, embroidery, stained glass engraving, pottery etc and he is attempting to form a network of people who have these skills already and would teach them in a night class situation. John can be contacted on 086 838222

HOOLEY; The second of the three Hooley’s in aid of WL102fm will be held at the Devon Inn on Monday, July 6 with music by Noel Cassidy and Matt Dillon. Doors open 8pm, dancing from 9-1. Admission E10. A great night’s entertainment assured.
LONDON; The Limerick Association in London are busy organising events to coincide with the association’s Emerald Celebrations of 55 years in London. Recently, the association made a charitable contribution of £200 towards the ongoing works of Milford Care Centre, Limerick. For further details please contact John Giltenan on 0044 207 3781280.
OUTING; The parish outing to Dingle goes ahead on this Wednesday 1^st July, departing from the Church at 9am

.RUGBY; The Munster Branch will be holding a summer camp in Abbeyfeale Rugby Club, from July 13-17 next. .Boys and Girls from ages 6-13 are welcome to come to what should be an enjoyable week of fun. For any details you can contact the club on 068-30665 or our President JD Harnett on 068-31918.

No joy for the Lions who went down 28-25 to South Africa on Saturday. They play for pride in the final test next weekend and will regret just how close they came to making rugby history.

GOLF: The Kostal Club Seniors take place at Abbeyfeale Golf Club on Sunday 5^th July. It is open to all members age 50 or over.

GAA: Fr Casey’s were beaten 1-11 to 0-8 by Glin in the West Limerick Intermediate Football Final.

GAMES; Abbeyfeale Community Games under 10 mixed relay took gold in the County Community Games in Mungret the weekend. The team; Adam Maynard, Michael Danaher, Darragh Stack, Caoimhe Anderson, Frainces Broderick & Amy Cullinans now go forward to represent Limerick in the All-Ireland in Athlone on the weekend of August 23-24th. We wish them all the best. A word of thanks to all the children who competed and did Abbeyfeale proud and also to the people who organised & trained them especially Mary Sexton, Mararget Curtin & Larry Collins.