You would miss the early Convent Mass in Abbeyfeale on a Sunday mornings – so you would. It was very handy for those of us who suffered from insomnia or a guilty conscience (or both) A fellow could slip in the side entrance and say his few prayers without anyone knowing his business. The ceremony was always short, and there was no posturing and posing by visiting preachers. Salvation was between Man and God. Mammon was pushed aside. To quote Eric Clapton; “Heaven was just one step away.”

The Convent Mass is gone now, and so is the First Mass in the Church of the Assumption. So, unless you have cows to milk or greyhounds to walk, you can have a nice long lay-in on a Sunday morning.

Some lads were up early last Sunday morning, although it wasn’t Mass or cows that were bothering them. A half a world away in New Zealand our Boys in Green had a dawn date with the Red Army of Russia in the Rugby World Cup. Ireland’s Call proved an early one for them.

Since Ireland’s magnificent win over Australia in Eden Park, (see pics of Abbeyfeale on Tour in our “PHOTOS” section) interest in the world cup has reached fever pitch. It has completely overshadowed another important event on this side of the equator – the Presidential Election. (more about that in the coming weeks)

The lads who were up at 6am last Sunday probably knew very little about rugby. If they had, they would just have pressed the record button on their Sky+ box and gone back to sleep. Russia were never going to trouble the Irish, and certainly not while the Skibbereen Eagle continues to keep a watchful eye on them.

And so it came to pass. Ireland strolled past the Russians without hardly breaking sweat and even Tony Buckley managed to get on the score sheet. Tony has been receiving some bad press of late. (“Big and useless” is one of the kinder criticisms.) However, it must be remembered that prop-forwards are usually late developers who were forced to sit at the back of the class in high-infants. Buckley could yet prove all the doubters wrong and emerge as the next John Hayes – or the last Billy O’Rourke.

And so to Italy next Sunday morning in Dunedin at 8.30am. They may prove a tough nut to crack. Some recent meetings between the sides have been close; 23-20 at Ravenhill in 2007, 16-11 at Croke Park in 2008 and 13-11 in Rome last February.

The Italians will not fear Ireland. The Pope is reported to be a fanatical Azzurri fan and will no doubt bombard heaven with Novenas and Devotions between now and Sunday. It is hard to compete with the Power of the Papacy – so it is.

Ireland could also require some Divine Intervention or, at the very least, a few good line breaks from Brian O’Driscoll.

Italy may have GOD on their side. We have BOD on ours. Which would you rather have playing in the centre?

SO, BRING IT ON!

Paddy Power bets 1/12 Ireland, 6/1 Italy, 25/1 the draw. And, in the Presidential Race, he bets as follows; Michael D Higgins 11/10, David Norris 5/2, Martin McGuinness 7/2, Gay Mitchell 7/1, Mary Davis 12/1, Sean Gallagher 40/1, Dana Rosemary Scallon 40/1. All in, run or not.

 GOLF; SOLHEIM CUP

Europe have won back the Solheim Cup for the first time since 2003 following a dramatic 15-13 final day victory over the United States at Killeen Castle in Meath.

With the two teams level on 8 points each going into the twelve singles matches, a dramatic finale was always on the cards and in end the outcome boiled down to the final three matches.

With just three games remaining, Suzann Pettersen, with her first singles win, got European hopes up when she fought back from one down with three to play to beat Michelle Wie by one hole

Then Caroline Hedwall, who was two down with two to play against Ryann O’Toole, won a vital half point for the European’s when she won the last two holes.

The comeback was completed and victory assured when Spaniard Azahara Munoz clinched a one hole win over Angela Stanford.

The event was televised worldwide and both the opening and closing ceremonies were very impressive. The golf on all three days was excellent, and the dramatic and exciting finish added greatly to the occasion. Hopefully tourism and golf in general will benefit from having this prestigious tournament in Ireland. Well done to all concerned!

SOCIETY

A reminder that the Abbeyfeale Golfing Society outing to Adare Golf Club (the Manor) will be held on this Saturday October 1st. This event is sponsored by Con Murphy’s Pub, Philadelphia, USA. Tee-times are 07.50-10.30. (Rumours of a free trip to Con Murphy’s Pub in Philadelphia could not be confirmed at the time of going to press.)

JOHN LONERGAN COMES TO NCW

Limerick County Community and Voluntary Forum have invited John Lonergan, the former Governor of Mountjoy Prison to speak on the topic of Social Inclusion in the Desmond Complex on Monday, October 10 at 7.30pm. Mr. Lonergans speech will include his thoughts on the importance of living in a community, the benefits of serving others, the importance of compassion, justice, forgiveness, positivity, kindness and much more. Ms. Joan Murphy of West Limerick Resources will also speak at the Meeting on ‘Local Perspective of Social Inclusion’. This is an open meeting and everyone is welcome. As light refreshments will be served you are asked to confirm your attendance before October 5 next to 086 2142501. Admission free.

GAA

Fr Casey’s were beaten 1-10 to 0-08 by holders Monaleen in the Limerick Senior Football Championship semi-final in Kilmallock on Sunday. The Fealesiders trailed 1-04 to 0-04 at the break, having missed a first-half penalty. A storming third quarter brought them back on level terms. However they failed to press home their advantage and a late flurry of points saw Monaleen run out winners. They now face Newcastlewest in the final.

Team: S. Scannell, J. Kelliher, C. McCarthy, S. Lenihan, E. McEnery, J. Riordan, T. Gleeson, E. Flaherty, K. O’Connor, T. Collins, D. Kelly, R. Browne, P. McEnery, D. Ward, J. Riordan; D. O’Connor, B. Quirke, S. O’Connell, T. Cahill, M. O’Connor, S. Hartnett, J. Lenihan, P. Curtin

Fixture; County Under 21 Championship Fr. Casey’s Vs Newcastle West – Friday September 30th in Mountcollins at 8pm

RUGBY

Castleisland defeated Abbeyfeale 22-13 in a well contested friendly at The Grove on Sunday. Donaugh Kelly scored a try for the home team with Thomas Enright kicking two penalties and a conversion.Abbeyfeale are away to Newport in a friendly next Sunday.

Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West are combining U19s Rugby and are currently looking for coaches and players who are interested in joining, please contact Declan Woulfe Abbeyfeale RFC for details.
Abbeyfeale RFC will be holding a Halloween Fancy Dress Party in aid of the Mini and Ladies Rugby to be held in the Club House on Halloween Weekend. Strictly over 18s only, cover charge 5euro.

SOCCER

Results; Abbeyfeale Utd (1) Mastergeeha (0)

Fixtures; Saturday 1st October. Abbeyfeale U/19 Vs Ballingarry (A) 2.30

Sunday 2nd October. Abbeyfeale B Vs Granagh Utd (H) 2.30. Abbeyfeale Ladies Vs Kilcolman (A) 2.30

Ireland’s magnificent win over Australia last weekend in the rugby world cup has united the nation at a time of great social and economic turmoil. It has brought us closer in spirit to our exiled fellow-countrymen who are scattered all around the globe. It has also given us an excuse to party! They say that [...]

In 1959 Kerry defeated Galway in the All Ireland senior football final and the local Kerryman newspaper published a full-page black and white photograph of the team to commemorate that historic victory. A next-door neighbour, living in Abbeyfeale Hill, carefully cut out and framed the picture and hung it in a position of prominence over [...]

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SONG FOR DEV.       (from Tales Out Of School)    The new community college, Coláiste Íde agus Iósaef, opened in Abbeyfeale this week. However, fond memories still remain of the four post-primary schools that it replaces; St Ita’s College, St Joseph’s Secondary School, The Vocational School and Miss Woulfe’s. In 1963 Mainistir na [...]