George Willoughby « Thurles Information

After Almost A Five Year Wait, Work Begins On Kickham Street Upgrade.

Work has begun this morning July 7th on the long neglected upgrade to the N75 at Kickham Street, Thurles.

The upgrade which begins from the junction with Cathedral Street/ Mitchel Street, will travel eastward for approximately 1200m to the 100kph gateway, close to Boomerang Horse and Country Store. The upgrade scheme is expected to take 4 months and will includes pavement rehabilitation (replacing existing patio slabs with solid cement); the widening of existing footpaths; kerb buildouts; the introduction of proper drainage facilities; followed by road resurfacing and finally the introduction of pedestrian crossings; signage and soft landscaping.

During this period of reconstruction, temporary traffic management will be required, in order to ensure the construction work is carried out safely amidst live traffic. Access to all properties and businesses will be maintained throughout the period of the works.

Works of this nature will cause some disruption to existing residents, businesses, schools, shoppers, and traffic running through the area, but it is Tipperary Co. Councils (Tel: 081-8065000) and Rathcabbin Tarmac Ltd, (Tel: 087-2939107) intention to minimize this, as far as is feasibly possible.

In order to ensure the safety of the public and the workers Tipperary county council requests the full co-operation and patience of all, during these works. If anybody requires special assistance during these works, please contact the contractor or the council and they will seek to provide assistance where possible.

The contractor and the council will endeavour to minimize disruption during these essential works and apologize, in advance, for any inconvenience caused.

Seventy Six Garda Trainees Rejected From Templemore Garda Training College.

Seventy six (76) Garda trainees were rejected after first being admitted to the Garda College in the last 12 months.

It comes following a change to the rules, which allowed applicants to be admitted into the Garda College in Templemore, Co. Tipperary, while their vetting was still not fully complete.

A Garda statement has affirmed, quote:
“An Garda Síochána have advised that 76 Garda Trainee applicants were deemed unsuccessful in the past year for the following reasons:- Vetting, Medical, Physical Competence Test and Drug tests.”

The system was initially changed in response to efforts to boost Garda numbers, which saw 2024 applicants admitted, while their vetting was still incomplete.

Some 201 trainees entered the Garda College in Templemore on Monday, March 10th, 2025, the highest number since 2019. This intake followed the attestation of 149 new probationer Gardaí at a ceremony in Templemore, on Friday March 7th last.

Speaking after An Garda Síochána attestations on March 7th last, the Minister for Justice Mr Jim O’Callaghan stated that the Government was fully committed to strengthening An Garda Síochána by 5,000 members over the next five years.

Garda Press Office statement corrected.

The Garda Press Office have since issued a statement this evening, July 7th 2025, which states that due to their oversight, the previous response given in relation to a recent query was factually incorrect. The corrected statement now declares that 57 trainees failed to graduate, since January 2024 and that none of these were for reasons which related to the post-admission vetting of candidates.

Neath The Shelter Of Your Eyes.

Lyrics and Vocals: American country music singer, songwriter and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the late Donald Ray Williams [Don Williams (1939–2017)]

Neath The Shelter Of Your Eyes.

In the shelter of your eyes,
I have finally learned the song.
It took so long to realize,
I just can’t make it all alone.
Words are only what they say,
But this feeling isn’t wrong.
I’m so glad I found my way,
It’s good to be where I belong.
And I’m gonna stay,
Right here, ’cause I’m,
In rhythm with your mind.
Tune out the world,
And rest my head,
‘Neath the shelter of your eyes.

Words are only what they say,
But this feeling isn’t wrong.
I’m so glad I found my way,
It’s good to be where I belong.
And I’m gonna stay,
Right here, ’cause I’m,
In rhythm with your mind.
Tune out the world,
And rest my head,
‘Neath the shelter of your eyes.
END

Tipperary Defeats Kilkenny In Epic All-Ireland Semi-Final.

Kilkenny 0-30 (30 pts) – Tipperary 4-21 (33 pts).

Confusion reigned for a time over today’s final score following Tipperary’s All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kilkenny. The scoreboard in Croke Park together with the tally shown on RTÉ, showed Tipperary victorious by 4-21 to 0-30. However, that Tipperary tally appeared to include a late Noal McGrath point that was waved wide by the umpires. Happily, Noel McGrath’s late point has since been confirmed as a score to give that final result of Tipperary 4-21 (33 pts) Kilkenny 0-30 (30 pts).

Regardless, with a man short, Tipperary successfully edged from behind to take the lead ahead of their old rivals and neighbours Kilkenny, thus setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with Munster rivals Cork.

It was Oisín O’Donoghue (substitute) who scored that winning goal in the 69th minute, following the departure of Darragh McCarthy having been “Red Carded”.

It was another Tipperary hero, Robert Doyle, who succeeded in making that crucial goal-line save, thus confirming Tipperary’s first All-Ireland final, since beating Kilkenny in 2019; latter event which marked Tipperary’s most recent appearance at Croke Park, prior to today’s well deserved victory.

Kilkenny appeared to be fully on top, early on in today’s “clash of the ash”, scoring the first eight points in the game, however, Tipperary’s first goal would arrive courtesy of John McGrath, before being joined by his full-forward colleagues Darragh McCarthy and Jason Forde, latter who also found the netting, granting the Premier County a 3-11 (20 pts) to 0-16 (16 pts) lead, by half time.

The second half saw Kilkenny drew level by the 48th minute, thanks to the accuracy of TJ Reid greatly aided by Martin Keoghan.

Then, with just 12 minutes remaining Darragh McCarthy, following a loose slap on Eoin Murphy hand, left the field having been shown a Red Card (his second yellow card), with Tipperary then one point down. While Tipperary spectators hearts sank, 14 Tipperary stalwart players dug in deep to level again, with aforementioned O’Donoghue managing to once again rifle into Kilkenny’s net.

In two week’s time, Tipperary will return to Croke Park, (July 20th), to do battle against Munster champions Cork, for their chance to win their first All-Ireland title since 2019.

Death Of Johnny O’Dwyer, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Saturday 5th July 2025, of Mr John (Johnny) O’Dwyer, Synone, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by his parents John and Mary and sister Nora (Fitzpatrick); Mr O’Dwyer passed away peacefully, while in the care of staff at Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; brothers Willie, Rodgie, Tom and Paddy, sisters Peggy (Bourke), Nancy (Ferncombe), Mary (Fennessy), Josie (Bargary), Kathleen (Ferncombe) and Pauline (Bargary), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, extended relatives, neighbours and many friends.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Mr O’Dwyer will repose at his residence (Eircode E25 KN22), on tomorrow afternoon, Monday July 7th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.
His remains will be received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Nodstown, Boherlahan, Co. Tipperary on Tuesday morning, July 8th, at 10:45am, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 11:30am, followed by interment immediately afterwards, in Ardmayle Cemetery, Ardmayle, Co. Tipperary.

For those persons who wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr O’Dwyer, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.

The extended O’Dwyer family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.