As the vanquished Limerick football team trudged wearily from the field of play in Killarney last Sunday afternoon, their travelling army of supporters stood to a man and gave them a warm and sustained round of applause.
It was no more than they deserved.
They had crossed the River Feale earlier that morning and headed deep into the heart of The Kingdom, determined to bridge a 114 year gap and finally bring a second Munster title to their native county.
“This team will not lose today.” declared Micky Ned O’Sullivan as he rallied his troops before the game and spurred them on for one last mighty effort.
He was almost right.
A gale force wind that blew strongly towards the town end meant that the game would be one of the proverbial “two halves.”
Limerick won the toss and elected to have first use of the elements. They needed a fast start, and got it, leading by 4 points after just 6 minutes.
However, Kerry are not All Ireland Champions for nothing. They slowed the pace of the game and seemed intent on adopting a damage limitation policy to get them to half time while conceding as little as possible.
It worked. And when they trailed by just three points at the break, even the most optimistic among us feared that it was not enough.
And in a blistering fifteen minute spell at the start of the second half, our fears seemed to be well founded as Kerry turned that three point deficit into a seemingly unassailable seven point lead. We feared a rout.
But, unbelievably, Limerick rallied. Ger Collins kicked a steadying point. Galvin robbed Scanlon and calmly slotted to the Kerry net. Points from James Ryan, Collins and Galvin followed – and suddenly the sides were level!
For the next eight pulsating minutes neither side could score. Limerick wasted at least two good chances to take the lead, but the wind denied them.
In the closing minutes, Kerry began to regain midfield supremacy and a flurry of points had them ahead by three. But still the drama was not over.
In the final seconds, the irrepressible John Galvin bore down on a crowded goalmouth as if intent on taking on the whole of Kerry single-handedly. The defence surrounded and swamped him. It could have been a free in. It could have been a free out. It might have been a penalty. The ref took the easy option and gave a 21 yard free which was blocked, and the game was over.
And so the long Limerick wait for a second Munster title continues. They now head for the qualifiers which include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Mayo, etc. Hopefully they can regroup and get their season back on track.
Limerick V Dublin in the Gaelic Grounds would be a sell-out. Dublin might not relish it. Limerick would very definitely revel in it!
We may be out of Munster, but we are still in contention for our third All Ireland title.
The hand of history continues to beckon.
Kerry: B Kealy, M O’Se, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan, T O’Se ( 0-2), M McCarthy (0-2) , K Young, S Scanlon, A Maher, Darran O’Sullivan (0-1) , Declan O’Sullivan (0-3) , D Walsh, C Cooper ( 1-5, 0-3 frees), K Donaghy, B Sheehan 0-2 frees.
Subs: M Quirke 0-1 for a Maher (33), B J Keane for Darran O’Sullivan (69), P Reidy for T O’Sullivan (69), D Moran 0-1 for S Scanlon (61), K O’Leary for B Sheehan (63)
Limerick – B Scanlon ( 0-2 frees), , M O’Riordan, J McCarthy, A Lane, S Lavin, S Lucey, P Ranahan, J O’Donovan (0-1) , J Galvin (1-2) , P Browne, J Ryan(0-2), S Buckley(0-1) , G Collins ( 0-5 ( 0-3 frees), I Ryan, S Kelly ( 0-1).
Subs: J Mullane for P Browne (40), S Gallagher for A Lane (45), E O’Connor for S Kelly (64), E Joy for S Buckley (67), S O’Carroll for J Ryan (70)
Man Of The Match; John Galvin.
Ref: Pat Fox (Westmeath)

*On the way in to Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday we met a former footballing great from Cahir Hayes who was gazing anxiously up at the sky.
“Will it rain?” he asked.
“Why?” we replied. “Is it so you think that the wet ball mightn’t suit us?”
“Yerra, ‘tisn’t that at all.” he explained, “but I have a big meadow of hay down at home.”
It seems that we all have our own problems.

*On Monday evening the Kerry Team visited Jack O’Rourke’s bar in The Square. They had been guests at the JP McManus Pro-Am golf tournament in Adare earlier in the day where they rubbed shoulders with such famous luminaries as Tiger Woods, Hugh Grant, Spike Murphy, etc. They stopped in Abbeyfeale at the invitation of retired Garda Der Brosnihan, who served in the town for many years.
They were made very welcome by the clientele of Jack O’Rourke’s bar who are well used to famous people dropping in. They were served tea and sandwiches and watched a replay of the previous day’s match on the giant TV screen in HD and 3D.
One fanatical Limerick supporter even asked Colin Cooper and Kieran Donaghy for their autographs.
“I can exchange the two of these for one of John Galvin.” he explained to a bemused Gooch.

CAR BOOT SALE
The monthly car boot and indoor market in aid of local community radio station WL102fm will take place in the Community Centre, Newcastlewest on Sunday, July 11. Gates open at 7.30am. For further information contact 087 6866450.
GOLF
The next outing of Abbeyfeale Golfing Society is to Kanturk Golf Club on Saturday 10th July. 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 7th July. Committee meeting will be held in Jack O’ Rourke’s on Wednesday 7th July at 9pm.
RED CROSS;
A Red Cross Novice and Cadet Exam certificate presentation will take place on Friday, July 16 followed by Disco and finger food at Matt McCoy’s Bar, Convent Street from 7pm-9pm. All participants involved in the course, competitions etc as causalities or otherwise are invited. Parents are invited to come along. All children under 18 must be collected at 9pm. First aid classes will recommence in September.
CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH
A reminder that the grand charity football match in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland will be played at the Inch in Abbeyfeale on Friday, July 16 at 7pm. It will be between the Mon-Fitz Clan and Fr. Casey’s 2000 Championships (10 years on). Hopefully, the “Bomber” Liston will attend and Michael Noonan will be throwing in the ball, his own wife having been affected by Alzheimer’s. All money raised from sponsorship, programme adverts and the €2 a line which are currently on sale (with €100 cash prize) will go to the Alzheimer’s Society. Indeed a most worthy cause. After the
game there will be a barbecue at the Railway Bar followed by a disco.
WELCOME HOME!
St. Ita’s Wrenboys would like to welcome Fr. John Moloney home for a short holiday with his father, sisters and brothers.
RUGBY;
There was no jackpot winner in the Abbeyfeale RFC weekly draw, which took place on Monday night, July 5th at the Rugby Pavilion. Winning numbers were 10 – 11 – 15 – 20. This week’s Jackpot now increases to € 5, 400. Lucky Dip winners who win €25 each were Kathleen O’Keefe C/o Kostal, Lisa Tobin, Convent Street, Abbeyfeale, and Jamie Kelleher, 40 Collins Park Abbeyfeale. There were 2 match 3 winner’s who each receive €75 each and they were Lucy & John Geoghegan, Templeglantine, and John Riordan, Killarney Road, Abbeyfeale. Promoter’s prize this week goes to Brona McNally. Next Draw takes place Monday night, July 12th at The Rugby Club so please make sure to purchase your ticket to be in with a chance! Tickets are available from local ticket sellers and outlets.