By Kathleen Mullane

‘What a Game’ 

Oh my God – as I put pen to paper this Sunday evening I’m sure everyone, both at home and abroad who has any bit of Limerick blood in them, is on “A High” . What adjectives could be used to describe the game – the atmosphere and indeed the whole lead up to this memorable day – heart-wrenching, exhilarating, emotional, indeed not for the faint hearted!

The atmosphere in the lead up was ‘Electric’ to say the least and for those who scrambled for the much sought-after tickets and who travelled to Dublin for the game – all agreed that the buzz was unimaginable on the streets of the capital. We here in Athea can thank the Tidy Towns people for putting up flags and bunting and also to all the households, it was great. I watched the match here at home with some of my family and grandchildren – who, incidentally, thought we were all going crazy – jumping around, shouting, shaking and praying! The last few minutes were the longest I’m sure anyone could go through – the emotion at the whistle was something else and I’m sure everyone will relish the win for a long time to come. Dedication, hard work and commitment is the name of the game.

The death took place last week of Denny Falahee, formerly of Templeathea, who had been a sergeant at the Garda training college in Templemore up until recent years. Many paid their last respects at Grey’s funeral home in Templemore on Friday evening last. Requiem Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Templemore on Saturday was followed by burial here in Holy Cross Cemetery, Athea, where again a large crowd came to sympathise with his wife Breda, daughter Trish, sister Bridie and brother Eddie, relatives and friends. ‘May the light of heaven be his’.

A reminder that this weekend Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th sees the collection being taken up for our sacristan Carol O’Connor. Carol does great work each day, organising, preparing, booking masses and doing a whole lot more so please give her the support she so deserves.

Congrats to all those who received their Leaving Cert results last Wednesday. They all did extremely well and hopefully when the college places come out this week they will have the points to get into their respective courses and settle down well into another different area of their young lives.

Best wishes go to John Hunt of Coole who celebrated his 50th birthday along with his family last week. His “big day” is actually today, 22nd and being my godson, I sent him congrats and every good wish. And I’m sure all the young boys he trains for football would like to thank him and wish him the best.

Well to end it’s “Pure Joy on Shannonside now” -and it’s like Christmas Day in August – it’s amazing what an uplift a sporting win can do.