Star-Studded Teams for Abbeyfeale – 1966/67 Season
Twelve members of the new Munster team will travel to Abbeyfeale on sunday to play in an exhibition match marking the offical opening of the local club’s new grounds and pavilion.
Eight of them will form the backbone of the Abbeyfeale Selection and the other four will turn out for the opposition, a team selected by the well known Dolphin man, Vince Giltinan, who is vice-president and trainer of the Co. Limerick club.
The new grounds and clubhouse, situated within 100 yards of the town’s centre will be blessed by the parish priest, Very Rev. P. Canon Enright assisted by Rev. Fr M. Frawley C.C.
The ceremony is timed for 3 o’clock and immediately afterwards the opening will be performed by the President of the I.R.F.U. Mr. Dermot O’Donovan, the attendance will include the President of the Munster Branch Mr, Dom Dineen; Vice-President Dr. Reggie Sutton; last years President, Mr Dave McCormick; and many other well known rugby figures.
The Match itself starts at 3:30pm and will be refereed by another prominent offical Mr Mick Barry.
BIGGEST DAY
It will be the biggest day in the history of the young club, who active members have already won the Munster Junior Cup Twice, the Kerry Area final five times and the Cork County cup twice and all that within six years too.
But the club fostering the game in this area, is one of the most enterprising in the County. Guided by it’s President Mr. Edward Nolan and its Secretary Dr. George O’Manony, who is one of the most know personalities in the game, they have made stedy progress every year. The fact that they have a ground and provilion in the centre of the town within six years of formation pays tribute to their enterprise.
Two splendid teams have been selected for the opening match on sunday, with the fixture drawing very considerable importance in view of the number of Munster Players who will be involved. For all of them it will be in the last game before the interprovincial.
The likelihood is of course that the game will provide a spectacular display of rugby of open rugby, whatever the weather, and a very large crowd is expected. The Abbeyfeale side includes Munster’s two new halves, Barry McGann and Liam Hall and the experience of playing together again will be very useful.
Unfortunately the danger now is that Hall may not be able to play, for he is still receiving treatment for the leg injury sustained in last week-end’s Charity Cup semi-final against U.C.C. and Constitution, others in the side will include Brian O’Brian and Garry O’Riely at centre, Tom Carroll and Mick O’Callaghan at prop; Jerry Murray in the second row and Billy O’Mahony at wing forward.
The Vince Giltinan selection includes inter-provincials Tom Kiernan at full back and captain, Jerry Walsh at the Centre and Terry Moore as lock and also in the side is the former international Mick Leahy, who makes his return here after injury.
Originally wing three quarter Paddy McGrath was to have played in this game but was carried off, his place going to Jim Byrne of Dulphin. McGrath who has been out of the game for several weeks due to illness, is back in training again and in fact played in a practice match at the Mardyke on Wednesday, he expects to return to Munster on November 5.