The 1994 World Cup Finals were held in the USA. And in June of that year, an intrepid band of Abbeyfeale football aficionados boarded a plane in Shannon and headed for New York where Ireland were due to play Italy in the opening round of the competition.
There was already a large Abbeyfeale community living and working in New York, and the arrival of this new bunch of visitors added to the craic and to the carnival atmosphere that was prevalent in the Big Apple at that time.
Ireland’s historic 1-0 win over Italy in the Giants Stadium has been well documented. Ray Houghton’s exquisite chip separated the sides at the finish and gained revenge for that disappointing quarter-final defeat against the same opposition in Rome four years earlier.
New York belonged to the Irish that night – and did they party!
Included in the Abbeyfeale contingent that flew from Shannon that June were a couple of lads from Knocknagoshel who were visiting America for the first time.
These were two quiet, inoffensive, innocent fellows who didn’t get out much. They enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, and the highlight of their normal working week would have been the regular Sunday night visit to Abbeyfeale where they sampled a few pints, followed by a burger and chips in Superbites on the way home.
When they arrived in New York, they were immediately ferried out to Queens and deposited in the Horse and Jockey public house – a famous establishment, celebrated in song and story, that was considered a home from home for all Abbeyfeale exiles.
The two lads liked the place so much, that they didn’t leave it for a fortnight!
They had their couple of pints there, ordered grub from the bar menu, watched the football on television, and slept occasionally in the back room.
As New York sweltered under one of the hottest summers in living memory, the two cute Kerry hoors sat in the cool and shade of the Horse and Jockey, contentedly sipping porter and being waited on hand and foot, while watching the world go slowly by on TV.
Eventually, their holiday drew to a close. And, the day before they were due to fly home, they were at last persuaded to venture forth and see a bit of the city.
They stumbled out onto the hot street, looking pale and wan, and blinking under the glare of a blazing sun and the first bit of natural daylight they had seen in two weeks.
The reluctant tourists were bundled into a yellow taxi and whisked away down to Central Park. There, the whole Irish contingent sat on the grass and removed their shirts, took off their shoes and socks and rolled their trouser legs up above the knees.
And then someone suggested that it might be a nice idea to take a group photograph to commemorate the occasion. They had a camera, and looked around for someone to take the picture.
Lying on the grass, a few yards away and serenely sunning herself, was a dusky young maiden of obvious African-American extraction attired in the briefest of bikinis which revealed rather more than it concealed.
They approached her and asked if she would oblige them by taking the photo and she very kindly agreed.
They lined up, with the Knocknagoshel fellows in the middle, and prepared to pose for posterity.
The dusky young maiden of apparent African-American extraction raised the camera to her eye and looked through the viewfinder. Then she lowered the camera again and, nodding towards the Knocknagoshel lads, she said;
“Could the two white guys in the middle squeeze in a little closer!”

*The 2010 World Cup begins in South Africa on this Friday 11th June with the host nation playing Mexico in the opening game. England meet the USA on Saturday 12th May.
Latest betting; Spain 4/1. Brazil 9/2. Argentina 13/2. England 15/2. Holland 9/1. Germany 14/1.Italy 16/1. France 18/1. 25/1 bar.
An interesting dilemma for Irish fans. If England meet France as some stage in the competition – will we be forced to cheer for England?
The mind boggles.
LIMERICK REACH THE FINAL!
The barman in Jack O’Rourke’s bar last night wore a Limerick jersey – and he wore it with pride.
There was a smattering of green and gold Kerry gansies in evidence around the place also, as they bopped and jived to the music at the bank holiday disco but, in truth, their hearts were not in it.
They had just seen their team struggle to an unimpressive draw against Cork in Killarney, and now face the long trek to Pairc Ui Chaoimh next Sunday for the replay.
Meanwhile, Limerick recorded a 1-17 to 1-09 over Waterford in Dungarvan and now compete in their second Munster final in two years.
At the start of the season Limerick trainer, Micky Ned O’Sullivan, set two modest goals for the team – to gain promotion from division 4, and to reach the Munster final.
They won a historic division 4 title against Waterford in Croke Park a few weeks ago, and after yesterday, they find themselves once more in a provincial decider.
And well done to local players, Padraig Browne and Eoin Joy, who both made magnificent contributions to yesterday’s success.
As one afficionado remarked after watching the Cork V Kerry game in high definition on the big screen;
“There is nothing there that we need lose the sleep of the night over!”
Limerick meet the winners of Cork and Kerry in the Munster final on Sunday 4th July.
ABBEYFEALE GOLFING SOCIETY
Our next outing is this Saturday 12th June to Adare Golf Club sponsored by Kelly’s Shoes, Newcastle West & Limerick. Tee-times are 10.30-12.15. To be included in the draw for tee-times text your name to 086-2234074 before 6pm this evening Wednesday 9th June. Committee meeting this evening in Jim Lanes at 9pm. Presentation of prizes for this outing will be held Saturday 12th June in Jim Lane’s at 9.30pm.
HORSE AND PONY RACES
A reminder that Abbeyfeale Horse & Pony Races go ahead in Relihan’s Inch, Kilcarra on Sunday 27th June.
PARISH OUTING
The outing will be to Fota Island on Tuesday 6th July. Contact Peg on 31232 for more details.
GAA
Senior County League; Fr. Casey’s V St. Kierans – Tuesday 8th June in Abbeyfeale at 7.45 pm.
Fr. Casey’s V Ballysteen – Saturday 19th June in Abbeyfeale at 7.45 pm
Junior Championship; Fr. Casey’s 1-10, Drom/Broadford 0-07.