Dublin and Kerry meet in the All Ireland football final in three weeks time with much more at stake than the Sam Maguire trophy.
It is a game that all GAA fans are eagerly looking forward to. Dublin are going for the historic five-in-a-row while Kerry will be desperately trying to put a stop to their gallop.
Kerry were in the same position against Offaly back in 1982 before a late Seamus Darby goal broke their hearts. They have never really gotten over it. Victory against the Dubs might go some way towards alleviating that pain.
Already the green and gold flags are going up around the town and lads (and lassies) are swaggering about in their familiar jerseys. There was always a soft border between Kerry and Limerick.
Many local fans didn’t travel for the Tyrone match but decided to wait for the final
“Weren’t ye very sure of yourselves?” we asked an aficionado.
“We took a gamble.” was the reply. “The cost of two trips to Dublin in such a short space of time was a bit beyond us. We are not made of money. Ye are lucky here in Limerick - so you are. Your footballers wouldn’t be in an All Ireland final all that often.”
“We won the first one.” we reminded him.
“So you did” he replied. “and ye paraded down Sackville Street and celebrated under Nelson’s Pillar afterwards!” (They hate to be reminded that our footballing history predates theirs.)
However, he had a point about the money. Following Kerry can be an expensive pastime and a hefty €90 for a final ticket might be beyond the average pocket.
But for we poor people sure there is always RTE with Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane analysing every kick and telling us where it all went wrong for Dublin.
Roll on September the first!
*Kilkenny play Tipperary in the All Ireland hurling final on Sunday.
LOCAL
NOTES
PROCESSION
FOR FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION: Our parish church is dedicated to
Our Lady of the Assumption and we celebrate this on the Feast of the
Assumption on August 15. There will be a Marian procession on
Wednesday after the Vigil Mass at 7pm and all the children who
received Holy Community and Confirmation are invited to don their
beautiful dresses and handsome suits and lead the procession.
Masses on Thursday are at 10am and 7pm.
BARONESS
O’DONNELL: Congratulations to Angeline O’Donnell on being
selected as the First Baroness of Strand last Sunday during their
festival.
JOHN
SPILLANE COMES TO THE GLÓRACH: All set for a fantastic night
of music and song at the Glórach Theatre this Friday, August 16 when
John Spillane comes to town. We've said all we can about the
legendary Cork singer songwriter, so we'll leave the final word to
well know meteorologist Evelyn Cusack. While Evelyn had little
in the line of good news regarding settled weather this week, she had
this to say about John Spillane: "John
Spillane's song 'The Cherry Trees' both moves and motivates me. No
matter how sad or challenging a year it's been, well done to everyone
for making it through the long journey around the sun. Well done,
John." Tickets can be booked at 0871383940. Plenty
of concerts coming up at the Glórach in the following months, with
Emma Langford playing at the esteemed venue on Thursday, September
12, and two nights later Leroy Troy and his Hillbilly Trio will be
bringing a wonderful flavour of bluegrass music to Abbeyfeale.
On Friday, September 20 we will be hosting culture night, with an
extravaganza of music, song and dance on the night. Local trad
group Fuinneamh were scheduled to make their Glórach debut in
September, but that has been changed to Saturday, October group
member Maura O'Connor has been asked by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
to play at the Abruzzo Irish Festival (near Rome). The calibre
of musicians playing at the Glórach over the next two months is
incredible, keep an eye on our facebook page for updates and make
sure not to miss any of these memorable nights by booking at
0871383940.
WELL
DONE: Fr. Casey’s players , Paraic and Eoin McEnery from
Kilconlea, Abbeyfeale, won the “Senior World Games”
Football competition when representing the Middle East team in Croke
Park recently. They beat Australia/Asia in the final.
FIRST
FRIDAY REFLECTIONS WITH FR. SHOJI: On the First Friday of
each month, Fr Shoji will lead an hour of Praise and Worship in the
Blessed Sacrament Chapel beginning at 9.00am. He will lead
parishioners in reflecting on the Word of God and will conclude with
the Rosary. All parishioners are welcome, especially parents and
children.
HARNETT
MAGAZINE: Some Harnett Reunion magazines are still available at
Ann Lyons Shop and from James Harnett, also the final items of
Harnett merchandise are available at Heavenly Gifts.
BINGO:
Bingo continues every Monday evening at 8.30pm at the Glórach.
