Limerick GAA - Feohanagh-Castlemahon captain interview

CHRISTMAS may be fast approaching but it continues to play second fiddle in the parish of Feohanagh-Castlemahon ahead of Sunday’s Munster JAFC final against Kerry’s Keel.

“There is really only one thing that everybody is talking about and that’s football, - the buzz around the place is great,” said captain Tossie Butler.

“The whole parish is gone wild. The support, especially in the Munster game in Drom Inch was unbelievable. To see everyone run onto the field at the final whistle in that game was a great memory,” recalled the influential midfielder.

Butler and his colleagues suffered heartbreak after heartbreak in recent years, but he maintains that confidence always remained high.

“There was always a huge belief. We just couldn’t win the west semi-final for a few years there but we always knew we had the ability and that we were good enough. All that time we were playing intermediate league and beating intermediate teams.”

When they reached the west final, confidence soared.

“They are just a deadly bunch of lads and the commitment is huge. Even with the hurling this year and the games Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday, Wednesday, the lads were great. The ball just kept rolling along with all the games - the momentum stood to us.”

While reaching the intermediate ranks was the target, the west Limerick men quickly turned thoughts to the Munster club.

“After the county anything was a bonus but there is such belief in the panel that we wanted to give it a right rattle too,” said Butler.

While Keel are favourites, Butler is undaunted.

“There is no pressure on us really. Our last two games were real battles and the Glin game was another one - the fight and heart shown in those games has given us confidence.”

“We won’t fear them but we will respect them. It’s great to be in a Munster final but at the end of the day you want to win it when your in a final. We are delighted to be there but we want to have a right rattle off them on Sunday,” said Butler ahead of the Munster junior A football championship final.