Sport - Thurles Information

Thurles Sarsfields Lose Semi Finals Of AIB Hurling Club Championship

The semi finals of the AIB All Ireland Hurling Club Championships pitted first time Munster champions Thurles Sarsfields against its Leinster counterparts Kilcormac/Kiloughey, under referee Colm Lyons, in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise this Saturday afternoon.

However for Thurles Sarsfields, the 2013 semi finals of this AIB All Ireland Hurling Club Championship was not to be on the cards, with a final score Kilcormac/Killoughey 1-20 (23) – Thurles Sarsfields 1-14 (17).

Kilcormac/Killoughey, on the other hand, proved deserving winners today, successfully invalidating all expected threats by Thurles Sarsfields, producing, in particular an unbelievable second-half performance & outscoring the Sarsfields by six points to just one, in the final ten minutes of play.

Ahead narrowly by just one point at half-time, [1-8 (11) to 1-7,(10)] Kilcormac/Killoughey, overall, produced a powerful tough display through their players Ciaran Slevin, who produced four points in just the final minutes, Daniel Currams, Conor Mahon, & Brian Leonard, all of whom proved relentless in their hunger for victory.

Thurles Sarsfields did fight back into contention through players Denis Maher, Bourke, & substitute Ronan Maher, all who delivered points bringing the Tipperary champions to within touching distance up until the sixtieth minute, [1-14 (17) to 1-13 (16)]. Right through the game it was Pa Bourke who continued to provide the only real constant threat from the Sarsfields side, but the sheer determination and fire of Kilcormac/Kiloughey, in particular their heroic defence and Ciaran Slevin’s accuracy from distance, which was to carry the day.

Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: Pa Bourke 1-5, Johnny Enright 0-2, Denis Maher 0-2, with Michael Gleeson, Ronan Maher, Aidan McCormack, Richie Ruth, Michael O’Brien scoring 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields Team: Paddy McCormack, Stephen Maher, Kevin O’Gorman, David Maher, David Kennedy, Padraic Maher, Michael Cahill, Michael Gleeson, Johnny Enright, Pa Bourke, Jim Corbett, Lar Corbett, Richie Ruth, Pa Bourke, Aidan McCormack.

Thurles Substitutions: Ger O’Grady for Jim Corbett, Ronan Maher for Johnny Enright & Michael O’Brien for Richie Ruth.

Our gratitude to Thurles Sarsfields, who have given us all one hell of a great year hurling-wise and we thank them all most sincerely for their efforts & now eagerly look forward to next year.

Tipperary – Sports Capital Programme Funding Announced

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring is “excited.” Sure why wouldn’t he be, he has just announced almost €26 million in new funding, under the Sports Capital Programme, for local sports projects across the Republic of Ireland, & conveniently just prior to ‘Budget Day,’ next Wednesday. However out of 96 clubs situated around North & South Tipperary, who applied for this funding, only 30 clubs have been lucky with their applications.

Michael Ring came in for criticism earlier this year when a 70% increase (€1.7m) in lottery funding ended up in Co Mayo, (Who of importance lives in Mayo, I wonder.) for which the Minister, when questioned, denied that there was anything unusual or indeed untoward about this generosity.

A total number of 2,170 sports funding applications were received nationally, the highest number of applications ever sought under this Programme, which would have required some €229 million in initial funding if all were accepted.

In announcing this funding Minister Ring stated: “I am excited about the allocations being made today. These allocations will benefit people in every county; by giving them more opportunities to get involved in sport, whatever their ability. This funding will allow a diverse array of sports clubs and groups to build and improve much-needed facilities, or to purchase sports equipment.”

Whatever about some clubs creating employment in the construction sector, it is highly unlikely that these, mainly GAA, clubs are going to buy me a ‘camán,’ at 64 years of age or any other sports equipment for those like myself, afflicted by the ageing process.

Tipperary’s share of these spoils number just 30 clubs jointly in North & South Tipperary

Ballina GAA Club – €56,000, Ballymackey Football Club Ltd – €58,000, Ballyporeen \ Skeheenarinky GAA Field Development Committee – €18,000, Borrisokane Athletic Club – €5,700, Cappawhite N.S. and Cappawhite Community Council Limited – €25,000, Carrick on Suir Athletic Club, Carrick on Suir Community Games and Sean Kelly Sports Centre – €60,000, Carrick United AFC Limited – €28,000, Cashel Kings Cormacs GAA – €36,923, Cashel Rugby Football Club – €30,000, Castleview Lawn Tennis Club Ltd – €19,000, Clanwilliam Football Club – €28,000, Clonmel Celtic Football Club – €30,000, Clonmel Commercials G.F.C / St Marys H.C – €28,000, Tipperary Drangan Community Centre Ltd- €20,000, Galtee Rovers-St. Pecaun’s GAA Club – €30,000, Grangemockler Community Sportsfield – €22,000, Holycross Football Club – €67,000, Kildangan GAA Club – €15,000, KPLAN Community Centre Limited – €20,000, Lahorna Handball Club – €15,000, Newport G.A.A. club – €40,000, Ormond Special Olympics Club, Nenagh – €2,000, Peake Villa Football Club – €15,000, Portroe GAA – €63,000, Rearcross Football Club – €5,000, Riverdale Pitch and Putt club – €15,000, Silvermines GAA Club – €35,000, Thurles Boxing Club – €10,000, Tipperary Town Football Club – €20,000 & finally Upperchurch Drombane GAA Club – €38,000.

The Sports Capital Programme was first introduced in 1999, and quickly developed a notorious reputation for being used by Government Ministers & TD’s to introduce funding into their local Constituencies, so successful clubs here in Tipperary should expect the ‘old TD’s welcoming letters,’ posted tomorrow, which will bear the words, “I have successfully lobbied with my colleague Minister Ring on your behalf.”

I wonder will they now write to the other numbered 66 unsuccessful clubs and what will be their defence? Will this new allotted funding, paid for by ordinary Irish gamblers, keep a large number of individuals from protesting on our streets, throwing the odd egg or, heaven forbid, even ensure a continued local voting pattern, when followed by next Wednesday’s Budget? No I don’t think so.

UPDATE: On 3/12/2012 – Just like we forecast yesterday – see Breaking News

“The Minister for Sport has defended a decision to give his local soccer club a €200,000 grant.
Westport United Community Soccer Club in Co Mayo was named as one of a number of clubs around the country to benefit from a Department of Sport grant scheme.
Fianna Fáil has told the Irish Daily Mail that there needs to be more transparency about how the money was allocated, because (The party claims) it appears Fine Gael-lobbied projects were given priority. But Minister Michael Ring has hit back, saying his local club deserved the money and he stands over the decision “100%”.
“I did this as fairly as I could do it,” he said. “Did I give my own (constituency) more than anyone else? No. I spread it around the country and around the sports as best I could.“

Three grass pitches, 2 Astro-turf pitches and state of the art changing facilities on the way courtesy of Irish people & gifted by Fine Gael & Labour. Of course the new Westport United FC website was launched in the Castlecourt Hotel on Friday 27th April by Deputy Michael Ring TD.

‘Chalara fraxinea’ Found In Co Tipperary

Two cases of Chalara die-back, caused by a fungus named Chalara fraxinea, have now been confirmed as affecting ash trees growing here in Co Tipperary. In recent months, the first confirmed case in Ireland was found in Co Leitrim. The young trees from this site which had tested positive for the disease, were immediately destroyed.
Latest sites, however, confirmed as having the disease include two here in County Tipperary, a site in County Galway and one site in County Meath.
Recent ash wood import restrictions introduced by the Department of Agriculture to prevent the spread of this disease have raised concerns particularly among makers of our traditional ‘camán,’ or hurley.

The disease is known to affect ash trees of any age and can be fatal, particularly to younger trees. The wide range of symptoms associated with ash die back includes:- Necrotic lesions and cankers along the bark, branches or main stem. Signs of foliage wilt or discolouration. Wilting of shoots, twigs or main stems.

Ash trees suffering from C. fraxinea have been found widely across mainland Europe, with Denmark reporting that the disease has infected about 90% of its ash tree population. Experts believe that if the disease becomes fully established, then it could have a similar impact on the landscape, as did Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.

All of the ash trees affected are understood to have been imported as saplings from continental Europe three years ago and all have now been destroyed.

What I find difficult to understand is why in God’s name, was Ireland importing ash saplings?

Thurles Sarsfields AIB Munster Club SHC Winners 2012

Thurles Sarsfields are AIB Munster Club SHC winners for the very first time, having beaten De La Salle in a keenly-fought, hugely enjoyable contest, which saw Thurles take revenge on De La Salle for their previous 0-9 to 0-8 defeat in 2010, at the same venue Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Paddy McCormack denies De La Salle a most certain goal in the second half. (Photo J O’Loughlin.)

Not surprisingly Thurles were extremely hungry, given they were chasing their first ever title and a chance to get their mitts on the O’Neill Cup.

It was undoubtedly Jim Corbett’s fifth-minute goal which set Thurles on their way to this most memorable 1-21 to 1-16 victory, which would see Thurles led by two points after a hard fought first half, and then stretch to a five point lead by the final whistle.

De La Salle, demonstrated their real ability to do battle, bouncing back from a five points deficit midway through the first half, thanks to Nevin, who now left them just two points in arrears, but the sending-off of John Keane in the 27th minute sealed De La Salle’s ability to ever forge ahead to close that final gap.

Add to this the team quality of Sarsfields hurling and the skill and determination of players like Pa Bourke, Johnny Enright, Richie Ruth, Michael Gleeson, Paddy McCormack, Lar Corbett and second half substitute Ger ‘Redser‘ O’Grady, Thurles was always assured an outright victory.

Thurles Sarsfields are now Munster champions & the next round will see this ‘force to be reckoned with,’ do battle with the Leinster Club Senior Hurling Champions on February 9^th 2013.

Thurles Sarsfields Team: – P McCormack, S Maher, K O’Gorman, David Maher, D Kennedy, P Maher, M Cahill, J Enright, M Gleeson, Denis Maher, J Corbett, L Corbett, M O’Brien, P Bourke, A McCormack.
Subs: R Ruth for M O’Brien, G O’Grady for J Corbett, S Cahill for Gleeson, R Maher for S Maher.

Thurles Sarsfields To Meet De La Salle Nov 25th

Lar Corbett goes on a solo run from midfield to score Thurles Sarsfield first goal. (Photo Courtesy J.O’Loughlin.)

Thurles Sarsfields came away 2-20 to 2-15 winners following their clash with Cork Sarsfields in the AIB Munster Club SHC semi-final at Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon in front of a 2,934 official attendance.

Richie Ruth and Lar Corbett scored Thurles Sarsfields goals, while points from Pa Bourke, Aidan McCormack, Michael Gleeson, Michael O’Brien, Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady and Johnny Enright sealed this important home win.

A brilliant save by Thurles Sarsfields goalkeeper Patrick McCormack as he reacted to head away a shot by Cork’s Ronan Murphy, around the 29th minute, did not go unnoticed.

Thurles Sarsfields had gained control of the game leading 1-11 to 1-8 at the break, greatly encouraged by Lar Corbett’s superb seventh-minute goal, driven into the net by the former Hurler of the Year, following a magnificent catch around the 65-yard line and a solo run through Cork’s defences.

Early second half points from Bourke and Enright ensured Thurles Sarsfields continued on a winning course against Cork, while also stretching their lead to five points.

Cork with the aid of Cian McCarthy had however levelled by injury-time, but Ruth’s goal, aided by a great run from Michael Cahill, and two points from McCormack and Enright ensured the hosts a late, but deserved win.

Thurles Sarsfields did manage to hit some seven uncharacteristic misses during the second half, but despite this they can now look forward to facing Waterford champions De La Salle in the provincial decider on Sunday, November 25th.

Thurles Sarsfields have 32 county titles to their name, but amazingly have never won a Munster Club hurling championship, so expect a no holds barred contest on next outing.

Team

Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack, Aidan McCormack, Padraic Maher, Stephen Maher, Kevin O’Gorman, Jim Corbett, Lar Corbett, David Maher, David Kennedy, Michael Cahill, Michael Gleeson, Johnny Enright, Pa Bourke, Michael O’Brien and Denis Maher.

Score Board: Pa Bourke 0-7, Aidan McCormack 0-5, Johnny Enright 0-4, Lar Corbett 1-1, Richie Ruth 1-0, with Michael Gleeson, Ger O’Grady and Michael O’Brien at 0-1 each.

Substitutions: Richie Ruth for Jim Corbett, John Maher for Michael Gleeson & Ger ‘Redser,’ O’Grady for John Maher.