The word on the street is that Dunguib will win the Supreme Novice Hurdle in Cheltenham on Tuesday. The Paddy Power office in Abbeyfeale has even offered to refund all losing bets if (sorry – when) Dunguib wins!
“I didn’t sleep a wink last night. I still can’t quite believe that we are offering this potentially bankrupting money- back special,” Paddy told local punters yesterday. “and anyone having a bet in the Supreme with any other bookmaker should consult their psychiatrist immediately!
“If, or when, Dunguib wins,” continued Paddy “it’s hard to say just how much the result will cost us, by both paying out on him and returning losing stakes, but it’ll be at least a million quid and possibly even double that. Punters will rightly go wild for this special.”
Dunguib, you will remember, pulled off a massive gamble at Cheltenham last year. The closely guarded secret about this six-year-old’s chances in the Grade 1 Weatherby’s Champion Bumper meant that punters ‘in the know’ quietly placed ante-post bets for weeks in advance, many obtaining odds as high as 33/1. On the day, the odds had shrunk to 8/1 and 7/1, with on-course pressure bringing the eventual SP down to 9/2
Dan Harnett, originally from Templeglantine, is half owner of the horse, and word about Dubguib’s possible victory was circulating in the Abbeyfeale and Templeglantine area well in advance of last year’s Cheltenham festival meeting. A number of well-known Abbeyfeale horse fanciers even travelled to Cheltenham for the occasion and joined the connections on the podium for the presentation. (Anything to get their pictures in the papers and on TV.)
The news from the gallops is that Dunguib is in flying form and connections are confident that, barring any trouble, he will romp in again. He is a best-priced 4/5 at the moment, but many seasoned punters are reported to be negotiating with the National Asset Management Agency in order to restore their badly depleted credit facilities and enable them to invest huge amounts with Paddy Power.
If Dunguib fails, so too could NAMA!
(The name “Dunguib” comes from a small village of the same name outside Killenaule.)

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Preparations are continuing for the annual Abbeyfeale St Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will leave the convent yard at 4pm on St Patrick’s Day and, led by the Rathkeale Brass Band, will proceed down Main Street and past the reviewing stand in The Square. Participants are requested to assemble early in the convent yard to enable the parade to start on time. They are also reminded that they are responsible for their own vehicle insurance and will be asked to sign a declaration to this effect. (most insurance companies will offer this extra cover, free of charge, if requested)
The local Tesco outlet has very kindly offered to sponsor 1st and 2nd prize for the best turned out float and also a prize for the best decorated window display. Committee members will be calling to local shops, business establishments, sports clubs, heritage groups, etc during the week inviting people to take part in the parade, and we hope that as many as possible will participate. The committee would also like to thank everyone who donated so generously to the Church gate collection at the weekend.
The next committee meeting will take place in St Ita’s Hall on Monday, March 15 at 7pm. All are welcome
Many of our politicians will be out of the country for St Patrick’s Day, on their annual junket to far foreign climes. Unfortunately, all of them have booked return tickets.
DEATHS
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Mary Foley, St Ita’s Road, who died recently.. Sympathy is also extended the family and friends of the late Danny Harnett, The Hill who passed away last week. May they both rest in peace.
SOCCER:
Abbeyfeale Utd B 3, Feenagh 2. Abbeyfeale Ladies 3, Feenagh 1.
GAA:
The Limerick U/21 footballers play Clare this Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in the Gaelic Grounds, in the quarter final of the Munster U/21 Football Championship. Fr. Casey’s have 7 players involved in the squad. John Riordan will captain the team while David Ward is vice-captain.
Tralee Town League: Ballymac 1-12 Fr. Casey’s 0-06.
RUGBY; Ireland play Wales in Croke Park on Saturday in the Six Nations. Ireland are ¼ with Paddy Power. (no money-back guarantee from Paddy here.) They are now a miserly 4/9 to win the Triple Crown.
Abbeyfeale recorded a huge 47-0 win over Corca Dhuinhne in the league at The Grove on Sunday. They play the same opposition away next Sunday.
No lotto winner last week. Winning numbers were 2, 10, 31, 32. The jackpot now stands at €2,850 and the draw will take place In Jack Ryan’s on Monday night