Thurles Information

Thurles Sarsfields GAA Story-Volume 1 – by Author Liam Ó Donnchú

Volume 1 of the Thurles Sarsfields GAA story will be launched on Friday next, November 10th, at 7.30 p.m. sharp, by former retired Tipperary, senior team centre-back, and hurling manager Mr Tony Wall, in the Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, here in Co. Tipperary.

It was the same Tipperary legendary defender from the 1950’s and 1960’s; Mr Tony Wall, to whom is attributed the ‘tongue in cheek’ remark, quote, “Football is a game for those not good enough to play hurling.”

Mr Wall, a former Irish army Adjutant General (Military chief administrative officer), from Fianna Road in Thurles, joined the Tipperary team during the 1953/54 National League and became a regular member of the ‘starting fifteen’ until his retirement following the 1967 championship.

During that period, he won five All-Ireland medals, six Munster medals and six National Hurling League medals, and captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1958. Mr Wall was himself a ten-time county club championship medallist with the legendary Thurles Sarsfields.

The Thurles Sarsfields GAA story-Volume 1; as we have previously stated does not confine itself purely to Thurles GAA affairs. Indeed, I would suggest that same can also be viewed as a social or community written commentary, with the many happenings down through the decades, affecting our rural town and surrounding parish of Thurles getting mentioned, and clearly put into date perspective; e.g. the arrival of Urban and Rural Electricity; the Thurles/Titanic connection; the official opening of Thurles Sugar Factory; the Korean War; Fair Days on Liberty Square (West Main Street) and Cathedral Street (East Main Street); The great Count John Mc Cormack’s Concert at Delahunty’s Cinema etc., etc., etc.

Please Note: All are most welcome to attend this official book launch, however if for one reason or another you cannot attend this event, remember this exciting publication will be available in Thurles, through Bookworm, Lár na Páirce, Eason and Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre. A ‘Signed Copy’ can also be ordered direct (Plus €10 extra for postage and packing) from the Author, Mr Liam Ó Donnchú, Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

Back row (L to R): – Mick Murphy, John Delahunty, Tommy Lanigan, Tim Nyhan, Paddy Bowe, John Maher, John Lanigan, John Semple, Ger Cornally, Gerry Doyle, Dan Mackey, Paddy Maher (W).   Front row (L to R): – Denis ‘Bunny’ Murphy, Tommy Semple, Tommy Lanigan, Danny Doyle, Jim Lanigan (Capt.), Eddie Gleeson, Tommy Doyle, Paddy O’Gorman.

We bring you yet another Thurles Sarsfields picture taken back in the 1940’s, one of the many rare photographs due to be published in the forthcoming publication: – “Thurles Sarsfields GAA Story-Volume 1”, by author Liam Ó Donnchú, and which will be launched in early November of this year.

This captivating publication runs to over 500 pages, packed with facts, figures and photos about the club; latter situated here in Thurles, the home and birthplace of the GAA.

As we have previously stated, this long-awaited and overdue hard-back publication, costing €25, will be available in Thurles through Bookworm, Lár na Páirce, Eason and Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre.

The publication can also be ordered by post (€10 extra) from: Liam Ó Donnchú, Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. (Always nice to have it signed by the author.)