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Here at Thurles.Info we get regular requests, mainly from elderly Irish people living & working abroad, asking for details of publications containing stories, anecdotes etc. which would remind them of home & past memories. Two such books have appeared in recent months, both of which make for most enjoyable holiday reading and both of which come from the imaginative pen of Co. Clare native & now retired Thurles school teacher, Mr Flan Quigney.
SCHOOLDAYS – Cool days or cruel days? By Flan Quigney
“Schooldays- Cool days or cruel days?” is a snapshot of what primary school life was like, to some degree, for the average child in 19th century Ireland but, to a greater extent, during the 20th century and up to the present day. This account takes us on a journey from the Hedge Schools to the Information Age of 2011.
To assist him along the way the author, a retired primary school teacher and former school principal, elicited the school-day experiences of 23 people ( and a group of 6th class boys ) ranging in age from 11 to 85. These enthusiastic, willing and supportive people shared their many thoughts and experiences on such topics as clothes, hairstyles, footwear, playground games, fights, corporal punishment, songs, funny incidents, sweets, past-times outside school, Confirmation, First Communion, Primary Cert, illnesses, cures, homework, myths and superstitions of childhood and much more.
This book is a chance to relive all those encounters of one’s school-days once again and to form your own opinion on that well worn adage, Aoibhinn Beatha an Scolaire. (Translation from Irish; “The scholar loves life.”)
TO THE BANNER BORN! By Flan Quigney
This publication is a sociological study of a cross-section of the Banner County’s passionate followers – the type who would go to see fifteen Clare jerseys hanging on a clothesline. It explores their experiences of encountering different kinds of supporters; of memorable games and venues; of banter, humour and the hunt for, and location of tickets.
“To the Banner Born,” examines modes of transport to matches from walking, cycling, thumbing, driving by pony and trap, travelling by boat, truck, car, bus, train, helicopter and aeroplane. It unveils anecdotes pertaining to hostelries, food, team colours, betting, slogans, songs, music and match day routines. Furthermore, the book charts Co Clare’s greatest triumphs, disappointments and injustices as seen by the fans.
To commemorate the Centenary of the founding of the GAA, RTE broadcast a documentary in 1984 entitled ‘Sunday after Sunday.’ In an hour-long programme, the Clare jersey was visible for about ten seconds. The programme was dominated by action involving the small group of very successful counties. Between senior, junior, intermediate, minor, under-21 and senior club, Clare had won just eight Munster titles and two All-Irelands between 1884 and 1984, most before RTE were established.
However, in the intervening twenty-seven years to 2011, ‘The Banner,’ have won seventeen Munster titles and eight All-Irelands. Sufficient reason for the loyal sons and daughters of Dál gCais to once more keep the bodhrán beating, the spirits raised and the throats cleared for “The Banner Roar,” and “The Clare Shout.”
All profits from the sale of both books go to Pieta House – The Centre for Prevention of Self- Harm or Suicide & The Irish Association of Suicidology. Copies are available in Ennis Bookshop, The Bookworm (Thurles), at Eason’s branches in Thurles, Nenagh and Clonmel, Co Tipperary.
Of course a limited edition only of signed copies by the author can be had direct from flanquigney@yahoo.ie .
  
 St Patrick’s College Students L-R: Liam Cullen (Thurles), Barry McLoughlin (Thurles) & Ailbe Power (Two-Mile Borris), receiving their Maher Cup Medals from Tipperary hurling legend Mr Jimmy Doyle. Pictured above are Thurles & District victorious St. Patrick’s College hurlers, who were recently crowned All-Ireland Champions, having won the Fergal Maher Cup for the second time in just three years.
The combined winning team of students who attend St Patrick’s College Thurles & who hail from the surrounding counties of Kilkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Tipperary and Galway, were presented with their medals at a special ceremony held in the College on Wednesday last.
The medals were presented by Tipperary hurling legend Mr Jimmy Doyle, who congratulated the hurlers on their skills & dedication to the game.
This successful third level Thurles College, which tenders quality University-Level Programmes, dates back to 1837 & currently offers a range of courses, both full-time and part-time in the fields of Education, Business, Religion, Theology, Philosophy, Pastoral care and Psychology.
Tipperary took on Dublin in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final today at 2:00pm in Semple Stadium, Thurles.
 Within the first two minutes Tipperary, playing with a strong breeze, opened their score with a goal from Shane Bourke, who fielded a high ball directly under the posts, slipping the ball past Dublin goalkeeper Alan Nolan. Tipp’s Pa Bourke, despite being fouled, quickly added another goal. Three further points delivered courtesy of Tipperary’s Jason Forde, Noel McGrath & Seamus Callanan, saw an ever increasing score line from Tipperary with 2-03, against an out classed Dublin with just 0-01 point, within the very first 10 minutes of the game.
Dublin from the offset were showing clear signs of being unable to cope with Tipp’s Lar Corbett, Bourke & Callanan.
By the twentieth minute the score line had further increased with Tipperary now 2-08, thanks to the same Pa Bourke, Callanan & Corbett & Dublin recovering just one point (0-02) via Danny Sutcliffe.
When Dublin’s Ryan O’Dwyer replaced Simon Lambert & Conor McCormack is replaced by Paul Ryan, Ryan appeared to make an immediate impression on the Dublin attack, pointing two frees followed by a point from Treacy, latter from play.
Half time however saw an increase in the score line with a ‘no great pressure Tipperary,’ now 3-11 to a struggling Dublin’s 0-08, with a further goal coming courtesy of Callanan and points from Jason Forde, Callanan again & Shane Bourke.
The second half saw no great change with the Dublin performance. A slick interlink between the duo, Lar Corbett & Jason Forde, saw Forde open the scoring with another point, which was quickly followed by a point from midfielder Noel McGrath.
Brendan Cummins was in usual top form saving several blasts into the goal area from Dublin’s Sutcliffe, but 15 minutes from full-time Dublin were finding it hard to get out of their own half and both teams began trading points coming from Paul Ryan, Shane Durkin, Noel McGrath, Shane McGrath, Seamus Callinan, Pa Bourke & Jason Forde, before the game began to fizzle away.
Lar Corbett, who earlier this week had suffered from flu, was replaced by Mikey Heffernan in the 56th minute, latter going on to score a goal in the final minute.
All in all Tipperary were the far more physical of the two teams and while not asked to demonstrate their full ability, far outclassed their opposition.
Full time score: Tipperary 4-20 – Dublin 0-17.
Tipperary’s Jason Forde deservedly took “Man of the Match.”
Tipperary Team: Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon Grange), Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Donagh Maher (Burgess), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch), Seamus Callanan (Drom and Inch) Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), Patrick Maher (Lorrha and Dorrha), Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields), Jason Forde (Silvermines).
With Kilkenny’s defeat over Galway, also played at Semple Stadium today, (Final Score, Kilkenny 1-24 — Galway 1-17) it will be another Tipperary / Kilkenny classic league final at Nowlan Park, in two weeks time, on Sunday, May 5th.
 Shane Long – Photo Ian Walton/Getty Images Irish Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has dropped Wigan star James McCarthy for his World Cup qualifier in Sweden, and has opted instead for the experience of Leeds midfielder Paul Green.
The Republic of Ireland team, to play Sweden at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, is the same as the starting eleven in training this week which included Green alongside Glenn Whelan.
Keane, who is Ireland’s record scorer (54 goals) will partner West Brom star & Tipperary native Shane Long (ahead of Jon Walters,) in attack, against the Swedes.
The named Republic of Ireland eleven are: David Forde (Goal,), Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea, Ciaran Clark (Back Four,), Robbie Brady, Paul Green, Glen Whelan and James McClean (Midfield,), with strikers Robbie Keane and Shane Long (Front,).
Live television coverage of Sweden v Rep of Ireland can be viewed from 7.00pm tomorrow Friday March 22nd, on RTÉ Two. Live radio coverage is on “Game On,” on RTÉ 2fm radio from 7.00pm.
Congratulations to the victorious hurlers of St. Patrick’s College, who recently won the Fergal Maher Cup for the second time in three years. Competing in the final for the third successive year in the competition the hurlers were once again successful in bringing the cup home to Thurles.
Captained by Thurles Sarsfield’s clubman, Barry McLoughlin, the team won by a very impressive margin of 4-19 to 1-7 against St. Mary’s College. Belfast. The side is made up of hurlers from many different hurling strongholds around the country, including, Kilkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Cork and Galway.
In addition to Barry McLoughlin, County Tipperary was also represented by Moycarkey-Borris clubman Ailbe Power and Thurles Sarsfield’s Liam Cullen.
Rory Hickey, from Lisdowney in Kilkenny stole the show with an incredible personal tally of 4-5.
Team: Rory Hickey (4-5, Lisdowney, Kilkenny); Kevin Foley (0-3, Raparees-Starlights, Wexford); Cathal McNamara (0-3 Doon, Limerick); Cian Ryan (0-2, Windgap, Kilkenny); Evan Walsh (0-2, O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny); Brian Kennedy (0-2, St. Lachtains, Kilkenny); Jason Corcoran (0-1, John Lockes, Kilkenny); Anthony Roche (0-1, Raparees-Starlights, Wexford); P.J. Trant (Graigue-Ballycallan, Kilkenny); Ailbe Power ( Moycarkey-Borris); Barry McLoughlin (Capt, Thurles Sarsfileds); Dan Doheny (John Lockes, Kilkenny); John Cullinane (Thomastown, Kilkenny); Rob Barron (St. James, Wexford); Dean O’Toole (Kilaneran, Wexford); Liam Lacey (St.Patrick’s Ballyragget, Kilkenny); Liam Cullen (Thurles Sarsfields); Cathal McCarthy (Balinadee, Cork); Colm Cummins (Doon, Limerick); Fionn Carew (Doon, Limerick) and Aaron Staunton (Mountbellew-Moylough).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)
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