Limerick footballers came agonizingly close to bridging a 113 year gap, and achieving sporting immortality following a pulsating Munster final against high-flying Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday.

Micky Ned and his men (who will ply their trade in division 4 of the league next season) were given little chance against a Cork team tipped by many to go all the way this year and bring Sam back to Leeside, after destroying Kerry in the semi-final.

What transpired was an amazing seventy minutes of football during which Limerick stood eyeball to eyeball with Cork and tore the form book to shreds.

It was arguably the finest opening half of football played by any Limerick team since they last won the title back in 1896. They bested Cork in every sector of the field. They chased and harried and tackled like men who had finally unleashed the pent-up fury of having to wait over a century to break this damnable hoodoo.

Cork had no answer to the early power and pace of the Shannonsiders, and they trailed 0-8 to 1-2 at the break. The goal from a penalty was questionable, and came very much against the run of play. A couple of other decisions also went against the visitors.

Limerick increased their lead to four points on the restart and we suddenly began to dream the impossible.

It took Cork all of fifteen minutes to register a score in the second half. However a thirty second blitz during which they scored 1-1 saw them regain parity.

Most Limerick teams might now have folded, but this present bunch of players are made of sterner stuff. They continued to battle, and remained in contention right to the end – but it was not to be.

Padraig Browne had a fine game for Limerick. He saved a certain goal and set up many scoring chances for his team mates before tiring and being called ashore with ten minutes to go. Tom Cahill was not used on this occasion but contributed much in the quarter and semi-final games

Team: Sean Kiely, Johnny McCarthy, Shane Gallagher, Mark O’Riordan, Stephen Lavin, Stephen Lucey, Patrick Ranahan, Jim O’Donovan, John Galvin, Padraig Browne, Cormac Joyce-Power, Seanie Buckley (Capt), Ger Collins, Stephen Kelly, Ian Ryan.
Subs: Conor Ranahan, Andrew Lane, Jason Stokes, Eoin Hogan, Lorcan O’Dwyer, Kieran OCallaghan, Tom Cahill, Conor Mullane, Dermot Phelan, Diarmuid Carroll, Bobby O’Brien, John Mullane, Gary Egan, Maurice Carrig, Mike McMahon, John O’Connell, Jimmy Barry Murphy.

Limerick now go into the last 12 of the All Ireland series, and what is the betting that they won’t draw Kerry!

Latest All Ireland betting; Tyrone 7/4. Cork 7/2. Kerry 7/2. Dublin 13/2. Limerick 125/1.

Limerick hurlers play Wexford at the weekend, and its 1/1 each of two.

ANNIVERSARY; Many congratulations to Killarney Road resident Fr Eddie Morrissey, brother of the late Sr. Margaret Mary who recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Fr. Eddie retired from active ministry in England some years ago and now plays a very big part here in Abbeyfeale Parish and in several of the neighbouring parishes. Fr..Eddie, who is also chaplain to our retired Sisters in Mountmahon, celebrated 50 years of Priesthood with a Mass in the newly renovated Church in Brosna last Sunday.

WEDDING: Best wishes to Jackie Foley, daughter of John and Chris Foley, Knocknasna and Kevin O’Connor, son of Joe and Ann O’Connor, Meenkilly who were married recently.

VISITORS; With the busy holiday season now upon us, many visitors are arriving home from England, America, etc. to spend time with family and friends. All are very welcome.

GAA: Fr Casey’s drew 0-11 to 1-8 with Croom in the intermediate championship at The Inch. The club are currently seeking new life members. If you would like to become a life member or would like more information, please contact any committee member

Two Abbeyfeale players, Padraig Browne and Tom Collins, were part of the Limerick team that narrowly lost to Cork in the Munster Football Final on Sunday.

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

GOLF; Captain’s Prize at Abbeyfeale Golf Club. 1^st Gerard Healy (16) 65 nett. 2^nd Diarmuid Wall (20) 66. 3^rd Seamus O’Connor (16) 66. Best Gross – Mike Brosnahan (11) 78. Past Captain – Thomas O’Hanlon (8) 71. Front 9 – James Callaghan. Back 9 – Raymond O’Reilly.