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| IRELAND 16. ALL BLACKS 9 |
There is a tavern in the town. And it was here that we assembled on Saturday evening to watch Ireland’s historic win over the mighty All Blacks.
The atmosphere at the Aviva seemed electric as the teams ran out. Ireland’s Call was sung with great gusto and we all joined in.
The All Blacks did their customary Hakka. It laid down a marker.
“They’ll be knackered from all that dancing.” one wit proclaimed.
“Give them a dose of Riverdance!” someone else shouted. “That’ll put a stop to their gallop!”
The Irish team linked arms and looked on impassively.
The visitors started strongly, tearing in to the Irish pack. But the thin green line stood firm, never conceding an inch and slowly began battling their way up-field.
With ten minutes gone, New Zealand finally buckled and gave away a penalty in front of their own posts and Sexton lined up the shot.
Meanwhile, up at the counter, two small farmers had their backs to the television and were loudly debating Brexit and its effect on the local economy.
“There won’t be a sucky calf sold below in the mart next March.” one of them said.
“We’ll be back to bailing búchaláns again.” his companion agreed.
“Shush!” we hissed at them. “Have a bit of respect for the kicker.”
They quietened down and Sexton duly despatched the ball between the posts. This released a loud rendition of the Fields of Athenry from the Aviva faithful and again we all joined in. Even the two small farmers stood up and sang as loudly as the rest of us, with their glasses raised in celebration.
“So, who is playing today anyway?” they asked when the singing had subsided, and were immediately issued with a yellow card and sent to the sin bin in the back room.
Ireland dominated for most of the first half but still only managed a slender 9-6 lead at half time and we wondered if it was enough. We remembered that 2013 nightmare when we led by 5 points with minutes remaining, only to concede a converted try at the death.
“Don’t mention the war.” we thought.
Into the second half and Ireland continued to retain possession and territorial advantage, so much so that, after 48 minutes, the All Blacks suffer the humiliation of having their entire front row replaced!
Little good it did them as, a minute later, Irish winger, Jacob Stockdale, latches on to his own kick-ahead and races in for a glorious try. Sexton converts to a mighty roar that could be heard all the way to Abbeyfeale (via the television) We reply with a deafening cheer of their own (which they probably couldn’t hear up there with all the noise.)
New Zealand threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Ireland in the closing quarter but to no avail. The Irish defence was awesome and even the television on the wall seemed to shudder as another crunching green-shirted tackle went in.
And then it was over and Ireland had done it! The first Irish team to beat the All Blacks at home in 113 years of trying, and 40 years after that famous Munster victory in 1978.
The whole place erupted as the ghosts of the past seemed suddenly to mingle with the stars of the present. It was a moment to remember.
The two small farmers emerged from the sin bin, attracted by all the singing and cheering.
“Who won?” they wanted to know.
They were immediately yellow-carded again and despatched once more from the field of play as the victory celebrations gathered momentum.
What a day, what a year, what a team!
NOTES
SWITCHING ON OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS:
Santa Claus will be arriving in Abbeyfeale on Friday, November 30 at 6pm
for the switching on of the Christmas Lights. Secretary of the Christmas lights
committee Hilary Collins says that “There will be a variety of Christmas Stalls
in the Square following the switching on of the lights”. She also wants to
thank everyone from Abbeyfeale, Duagh, Athea, Templeglantine, Tournafulla,
Mountcollins, Rockchapel, Brosna and Knocknagoshel who came out last year for
the big switch on and she hopes to see everyone again this year. All are welcome!
CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: The annual carol service takes place in the Church of the Assumption on Sunday, December 9 from 7pm.
HARNETT INTERNATIONAL REUNION 2019: Calling all Harnetts based West Limerick, North Cork and North Kerry. We are well into planning for our big weekend next July and we’d love you to get involved and be there to meet up with people from all over the world who share your DNA. We have a dedicated email address which you can use to get in touch; HarnettReunion2019 @gmail.com You can follow developments on our FB page too.
WINTER
CONCERT: West Limerick Community Radio are hosting a variety concert in
the Longcourt Hotel on Wednesday, November 28 at 7.30pm featuring Paddy
O’Brien, Willie Relihan, Muriel O’Connor, Fran Curry, Dermot Lyons, Bunratty
Harpists, Marion Kirby and more. Tickets €15 available from Pat Donovan,
the Radio Station or John Harrold.
CHRISTMAS SOCIAL: The Fealebridge & Headley's Bridge
Creameries 49th Annual Social will be held at The Devon Inn Hotel,
Templeglantine on Friday, November 30. Dinner at 8.30 pm.
Music by The Neily O'Connor Band. Everyone welcome!
ARTS AND
CRAFTS FAIR: St Ita’s Hall
will be open to all on Friday, November 30 from 11am -3pm where
Artisans throughout the area will be displaying the results of their talents in
the form of some unusual and unique Art and Craft products. A must go-to Event
for anyone interested in and supporting the glorious world of Arts &
Crafts. All are Welcome!
SHOP LOCAL AND SUPPORT ABBEYFEALE: Business Survival and Job Retention have
never been more important for rural Communities throughout Ireland. Abbeyfeale
Community Council kindly asks that everyone throughout the Abbeyfeale area keep
our wonderful Community in mind when thinking of Shopping, doing Business
and/or Socialising. It’s a hugely important time of year for Business survival
and Job retention throughout the Abbeyfeale area and every Euro spent locally
is a vote of support to keep our Community alive. Also bear in mind the
Abbeyfeale Gift Voucher which makes for a fantastic present at any time of year
and can be spent in most Businesses throughout Abbeyfeale. The Abbeyfeale Gift
Voucher can be purchased at Abbeyfeale Credit Union in denominations of €10, €20
and €50. Shop Local and support Abbeyfeale! Best Wishes to All!
MEETING:
A meeting of Parish Pastoral Councils of this Area Unit will take place on
Wednesday, November 28 at 8pm in Abbeyfeale Church. Please make a note of this
date in your diary as we would like as many as possible of the members to
attend this information meeting on the new pastoral Area Unit Plan - a follow
on from the Synod process. The Pastoral Area Team members are also
invited to this meeting.
COACH TO KNOCK
FOR ALL-NIGHT VIGIL. Leaving Deros, Killarney Friday, December 7 at 3pm.
Bookings at Deros before December 6. Phone - 064 6631251.
BOOK ON SALE:
The Treaty Triumph celebrating Limerick’s All Ireland Hurling win is on
sale at Ann Lyons’ in the Square.
GLÓRACH EVENTS: Bingo takes
place every Monday at the usual time of 8.30 pm. On Friday, November 23
we will be screening the critically acclaimed documentary film, The Lonely
Battle of Thomas Reid at 8.00 pm. On Saturday, December 15, Seán
Keane will be coming back to the Glórach for what should be once again a
memorable night of song. To book tickets for the latter events, please
call 0871383940.
JUBILEE YEAR NEWSLETTER: It is
intended to produce a Christmas Newsletter this year. Articles and reports and
good wishes from the different organizations of the parish with photographs for
this year’s publication are requested.
Please submit to the parish office via email; fealechurch@eircom.net before Monday,
November 26.
NOONAN’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Hannah, Tony and Siobhan are all
set to switch on their fundraising display for 2018. Saturday, November 24 is the night and
everyone is welcome. Members of the
winning All Ireland teams will be in attendance with some serious hardware that
hasn’t been seen around Tempglantine before. Let the Christmas season begin!
BAKERS REQUIRED:
The annual cake sale in aid of Fr. Tim Galvin is on Sunday, December 9
in St. Ita’s Hall from 10-2pm and we’re calling on our usual bakers for their
donations to this worthy cause.
COACH TO KNOCK FOR ALL-NIGHT VIGIL. Leaving Deros,
Killarney Friday, December 7 at 3pm. Bookings at Deros before December 6. Phone - 064 6631251.
SOCIAL MEDIA FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS: West Limerick Resources
will host a free workshop on ‘Social Media for Community Groups’ on Thursday,
November 22, at the Long Court House Hotel, Newcastle West, from 7.00pm –
9.30pm. This workshop is aimed at providing participants with knowledge and
skills to be able to use social media effectively for their community group.
Topics covered include; how to attract followers, engage audiences and
developing an online communications policy. Registration is essential by
contacting Damien Ahern at West Limerick Resources on 087 9042477 or by
emailing damien.ahern@wlr.ie
PARISH RETREAT:
Ardfert retreat centre. Evening
of Reflection & Prayer for Abbeyfeale Parish, Tuesday, November 27 from
7.30pm-10.30pm.
RATHKEALE &
DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY: The
society will hold its next
meeting on Friday, November 23
at 8.30 pm, in the Community Arts Centre New Line Rathkeale. Topic: DUNRAVEN
ESTATE Speaker: Lady Geraldine, Countess of Dunraven.
All are welcome. Admission Free.
WEDNESDAY PRAYER:
Parishioners are invited to gather in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on
Wednesday afternoon at 3p.m to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious
Life. This prayer meeting will take
place every Wednesday.
CRAFTY CORNER:
Knitting and crochet group have resumed classes on Tuesday nights at St
Ita's Hall Abbeyfeale. New members welcome. Just drop in.
CRAFT CO-OP:
Abbeyfeale Craft Co-op has resumed in St. Ita's Hall on Thursdays from
11- 2pm. New Member's Welcome. Any information required contact Mary 087
2237363.
ICA:
Abbeyfeale ICA guild meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month at
the Further Education and Training Centre, Mountmahon from 7.30 - 9.30pm.. Activities include Talks, Demonstrations and
Workshops. New members welcome. Tel.
Anne Maria 06831145 for details.
RAMBLING
HOUSE: A Christmas rambling house will be held at Fr Casey’s club house
Abbeyfeale on Thursday, December 20 in aid of the Chemotherapy Day Ward at
Kerry General Hospital. Your support would be greatly appreciated
and all singers, dancers, storytellers and musicians all welcome to
attend. Doors open at 8.30 and show begins at 9pm. Spot prizes and
Santa will also make a visit on the night.
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ADVICE FROM COMMUNITY ALERT:
Our third annual Christmas Party will take place at Fr. Casey’s on
Sunday, November 25 next from 1 – 6pm with lunch being served at 1.30pm
sharp. Now that the winter has truly
arrived turn on your dims while driving to enable your car to be seen these
murky dark days. If you have the
wipers on then you should always have the lights on too. Ring Abbeyfeale Garda Station 068 30010 (if
station unattended the call will automatically be forwarded to NCW station
069 20650) if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour. Tips on home security from the IFA: Do Not; Pay cash for goods – no receipt, no
guarantee. Erect sensor lights. Photograph and mark machinery. Abbeyfeale Community Alert have some pens
which can be used for marking property and will loan them out. Contact any member of the committee should
you wish to join our Text Alert Scheme.
This was set up to immediately alert the community that an incident
has occurred. The hope is that by raising awareness,
people would keep a watchful eye out, contact the Gardai if they see
something and thus help to deter criminal activity in our area. Once you reach
the age of 65 and live alone or with a person/s aged over 65 you are entitled
to receive a monitored alarm system. But if you have younger people
living in the house who are out for long periods of the day then because you
are spending hours alone you are also entitled to the system provided that
you are over 65. The free equipment is
provided by Pobal following an application from Abbeyfeale Community Alert,
there will be a monitoring fee to be paid from the second year of
installation to the installing company of €66. Should you not have a landline the
installing company Task provide a sim card at a rate of €7.50 per
month. Please note that this fee is payable in a lump sum each year
after year one. Committee members are
Sean Broderick, Micheal O’Kelly N.T., Seamus Stack, Mossie Gleeson, Kathleen
Collins, Mary McArthur, Buddy and Brenda Barry, John O’Sullivan, Billy Quirke
N.T., Cllr. Francis Foley, Mary Jo O’Connell, James Joy, Denis Collins,
Marian Harnett.
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