There are divided loyalties in the locality ahead of next Sunday’s eagerly awaited meeting between Kerry and Limerick in the Munster Senior Football final at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney. (Throw-in 2pm)
And anyone passing through the town this week might be confused by the colourful and apparently random proliferation of Kerry and Limerick flags fluttering from the various buildings along Main Street. Indeed some houses are flying both flags as if they are not entirely sure which team they are supporting!
Kerry has always enjoyed huge support in Abbeyfeale. This is not surprising considering that the town practically straddles the border, with much of its hinterland situated in the Kingdom.
Kerry folk flock to Abbeyfeale for Mass, for shopping and for socializing. Many have moved across the border permanently and have married, settled down and raised their families here. They have always been made very welcome.
The great wonder is that, down through the years, most of these families have failed to produce any outstanding players to strengthen Abbeyfeale and Limerick football teams. This leads to the suspicion that the Kerry County Board are jealously guarding their GAA gene pool, and that any eligible bachelor who might possibly throw up a winner is quickly and quietly whisked away to Dingle or Valentia Island for an arranged marriage.
Matches in Kerry are not always confined to the field of play.
Of course it is easy to support a winning team. However, some of us have remained loyal to our roots, and continue to support Limerick through good times and bad. (and they have been mostly bad)
We remember cold, dark wintry Sundays in Askeaton, shivering on the sidelines as Limerick played Kilkenny or Clare in some obscure league match which they inevitably lost. The attendance included about a dozen frozen spectators and an old black and white sheepdog who answered to the name of “Chep.”
Chep usually sat behind the town goals and kept an eye the Limerick attack. And when they shot their umpteenth bad wide, Chep would raise a leg to the upright and make his feelings known with a little bit of a piddle before ambling slowly away up town.
We would follow his example.
At the next general election Abbeyfeale will become part of the North Kerry consistency, and former Kerry great, Jimmy Deenihan, will be our new TD.
So where was Jimmy all those years ago when we needed him in Askeaton?
If old Chep was around today, he’d be cocking his leg about now.
The Limerick team for Sunday is; Brian Scanlon, Mark O’Riordan, Johnny McCarthy, Andrew Lane, Stephen Lavin, Stephen Lucey, Pa Ranahan, James O’Donovan, John Galvin, Padraig Browne, James Ryan, Seanie Buckley (Capt), Ger Collins, Ian Ryan, Stephen Kelly. Substitutes: Conor Ranahan, Shane Gallagher, Eoin Joy, Conor Fitzgerald, Eoghan O’Connor, John Mullane, Cormac Joyce-Power, Diarmiud Carroll, Raymond Hayes, Garrett Noonan, Seamus O’Carroll, Conor Mullane, John Cooke, Barry Fitzpatrick, Eoin Fitzigibbon.
Paddy Power bets; Kerry 1/6, Limerick 11/2. Draw 12/1.
The heart says Limerick, but the head says Kerry.
*Limericks Live 95FM will provide full commentary of the game on Sunday, and if you are outside the country or the county you can listen to them on the world wide web.
And best of luck to our two local representatives, Padraig Browne and Eoin Joy.
*Next Tuesday evening the 6th of July the Limerick Junior football team play Kerry in Newcastle West in the Munster Junior Final. Fr. Casey’s have 5 club members involved with this team. David Keating manages the team, and in the squad are Kevin O’Connor, Tomas Collins, Robert Browne and Michael Galvin.
RACES
There was a massive crowd at the 5th Annual Horse and Pony Races held in glorious summer sunshine at Relihan’s Inch last Sunday. The attandance was well up on last year, and spectators were treated to a veritable feast of good racing and tight finishes. A popular
winners was Tico, ridden by Rachel McMahon and owned by her father and popular local butcher, Toddy McMahon.
PARISH OUTING
The annual parish outing takes place on next Tuesday, July 6th. There are a few tickets remaining and they can be purchased from Dan Harnett, Killarney Road. The bus will depart from the Church at 8.45am following 8.15am Mass.
DEATHS
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of the late Mai Leahy, New Street who passed away recently. Sincere sympathy is also extendedto Pius Horgan, Springmount and Angela Brown, Clash on the recent death of their mother Bessie. May they rest in peace.
GOLFING SOCIETY
Our next outing is to Kanturk Golf Club on Saturday, July 10 sponsored by Gale Foods, Listowel. Tee times are 11.00 12.30.To be included in the draw for tee times text your name to 086 2234074 by 6pm Wednesday, July 7. Committee meeting will be held in Jack O Rourke’s on Wednesday, July 7 at 9pm. Tee times will be available on our website from Thursday,July.8. Players are asked to be at the clubhouse 30 minutes prior to their tee time. Presentation of prizes for this outing will be held in Jack O Rourkes on Saturday, July 10 at 9.30pm.
LIMERICK ASSOCIATION
John Giltenan formerly of Rathkeale and now resident in London, sent the following report: “The Limerick Association has been keeping active. We were very pleased to welcome a visiting reporter from the Limerick Leader who visited London to do a feature on the good work of the Association. Future activities by the Association during the summer include an Association day excursion and followed later in the summer by a Barbeque. Further and final details to follow. On behalf of our patrons we would like to highlight the new internet radio show by Joe Harrington which is broadcasted on Tuesday evenings at 8pm local time…To listen to this excellent programme log onto www.irishcountrymusicradio.com .The Limerick Association takes this opportunity to extend every good wish and success to the Limerick Senior Footballers in the forthcoming Munster Senior Football Final in Killarney on Sunday July 4.Up the Shannonsiders!! Best wishes to the Treaty County!! The next meeting of the limerick Association will take place on Thursday July 29 at 8.00pm at St Augustine’s club Hammersmith. We always welcome new members and further information can be obtained by visiting the Association website at www.treatygaels.com”
RUGBY LOTTO
There was no winner of the Jackpot in this week’s draw which took place in the rugby
club on Monday Night June 28th. Next week’s jackpot now increases to €5,250. Lucky dips who each receive €25 each were Mike O’Brien c/o Pallas foods, Jim Keane, Kilmorna Listowel, John Tobin Main Street Abbeyfeale. Promoters prize goes to Donal O’Neill €20. There were 3 match 3 winners who receive €50 each. John Ford, Ballaugh Abbeyfeale, Steve Daly, The Hill Abbeyfeale,and Tom McMahon c/o Barney McMahon Abbeyfeale. Next draw takes place on July 5th at the rugby club
GAA
Senior County League; Fr. Caseys V St. Senans – Thursday 8th July in Foynes at 7.45 pm.
Minor County Championship; Fr. Caseys V Mulcair Gaels – Friday 9th July inAbbeyfeale at 7.45 pm
Senior County League; Fr. Caseys V Newcastle West – Saturday 10th July in Newcastle West at 7.45 pm
Junior A West Championship; Fr. Caseys V Sean Finns – Sunday 11th July, venue & time to be announced