Wishing all athletes and their families a very Happy Christmas and a healthy 2026.
Basketball training has been moving forward most satisfactorily this season so far. We have huge numbers turning out each week for exercising, ball skills and basketball training.
Well done to each of them and their families and carers for transporting the athletes to every session. We welcomed a group of new volunteers this season and they have blended in very nicely with our existing group.
Thanks to all the volunteers and Mr Martin Hehir, at the Presentation Sports Hall, for their support.
We held our annual Christmas party in Meitheal on Wednesday, December 10th last and a great night was had by all present.
A big thank you to Linda and Meitheal Staff, Mr Paul Scully from Photo Station who looked after the photographs on the night, the volunteers who prepared the gifts and assisted at the party and all the athlete members who danced and sang on the night.
Training resumes on Wednesday January 7th, and in the meantime a very Happy Christmas to everyone associated with Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club.
Littleton & Two-Mile-Borris Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe now reports:-
Two Mile Borris was a place of celebration on Saturday evening, November 15th, as brothers Dan and Matt Corcoran returned home with the Delaney Cup, following Louth’s historic Leinster Football Championship victory earlier this year.
Pic: L-R: Dan, their uncle Vincent and Matt pictured in front of the Corcoran public house in Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
The Corcoran family, Dan, Matt, and their parents David and Siobhán, originally from Blackrock, Co. Louth, proudly presented the cup after Louth’s landmark win on May 11th, in Croke Park, where they overcame Meath before a crowd of 65,786. The triumph ended a 68-year wait for the county.
The village of Two Mile Borris holds a strong connection to this achievement. Dan, with over 50 appearances for Louth and a stalwart at corner-back, played a central role in the success, while his brother Matt featured on the extended panel. Their father, David, is the son of Eileen and the late Seán Corcoran of Two Mile Borris, and the family maintains deep ties with the local Moycarkey-Borris GAA Club and with Tipperary sport generally, across both men’s and ladies’ codes.
Pictured Dan & Matt Corcoran with their grandmother Eileen Corcoran and the Delaney Cup, on Saturday afternoon last in Two Mile Borris.
David, Siobhán and their family are regular and welcome visitors to the village, and the community was delighted to share in this proud moment.
Dan and Matt will embark on new travels later this year, moving to Australia in December to explore the world. The people of Two Mile Borris extend their warmest good wishes to both brothers for good health, happiness and safe journeys in the years ahead.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has voted overwhelmingly to submit a motion to UEFA calling for the suspension of the Israel Football Association (IFA) from European football competitions.
The motion, passed by 74 votes to 7 with 2 abstentions, was adopted at an extraordinary general meeting of the FAI. It urges UEFA to remove Israel from participation in club and international competitions, citing alleged breaches of football governance and human rights obligations.
Grounds for the Motion: The proposal contends that the Israel Football Association:
Operates clubs in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association — said to breach UEFA and FIFA statutes.
Has failed to uphold UEFA’s anti-racism and equality policies, contrary to Article 7bis of the UEFA Statutes.
UEFA has already decided that no European competition matches can take place in Israel due to ongoing security concerns. However, the FAI motion goes further, seeking to completely suspend Israel from all UEFA competitions.
Next Steps and Potential Outcomes: The FAI’s motion will now be transmitted to UEFA, where it may be considered by the organisation’s Executive Committee or Congress.
If acted upon, the suspension could see:
Israeli clubs removed from the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
The Israeli national team barred from European Championship and World Cup qualifying campaigns conducted under UEFA.
No formal timetable for discussion or decision has been announced by UEFA.
Potential Consequences Analysts warn that the move could have wide-ranging implications: Sporting disruption: Fixtures involving Israeli clubs or national sides could be cancelled or restructured. Legal risk: The Israel Football Association could challenge any suspension before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that it is politically motivated. Diplomatic impact: UEFA could face political and commercial pressure from member governments and sponsors. Precedent: A ban on Israel could prompt demands for similar action in other politically charged situations, raising questions about consistency and governance in sport. Financial Context: – FAI’s Dependence on State Support.
This debate comes as the FAI continuestorely heavily on Irish Government and UEFA financial assistance.
In January 2020, the State, UEFA and Bank of Ireland agreed a €30 million rescue package to save the FAI from insolvency. This included €20 million in taxpayer funding through Irish government loans and grants.
In October 2025, the Government confirmed a further €3 million allocation in Budget 2026; same to support the development of League of Ireland academies.
This financial dependency has led some observers to ask who exactly initiated or influenced the FAI’s extraordinary meeting and subsequent vote and whether the association consulted adequately with its funding partners before taking a political position of such scale.
Broader Questions: While many within Irish football support calls for greater international accountability, others caution that the FAI, still emerging from years of financial crisis and governance reform, must act with care to avoid drawing itself into complex geopolitical disputes.
As UEFA weighs its response, the move has sparked debate not only about Israel’s role in European football, but also about the role of the Irish football authorities themselves, an organisation dependent on public funds now taking a stand on one of the most divisive issues in world sport.
John Magnier Donates 14-Acre Site To Tipperary GAA For Major Training Expansion.
Coolmore Morris Park, Thurles.
Tipperary GAA has announced that businessman and horse breeder, Mr John Magnier has generously donated a 14-acre site adjoining Coolmore Morris Park in Thurles, paving the way for the development of a new state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence.
The additional land will allow Tipperary GAA to significantly expand its existing facilities, including the creation of new sand-based pitches and cutting-edge training infrastructure, designed to support both elite and grassroots development.
Welcoming the announcement, Tipperary GAA CEO, Mr Murtagh Brennan described the gift as a milestone for Gaelic games in the county: “This investment represents a watershed moment for Gaelic games in Tipperary and underscores our long-term commitment to nurturing athletic excellence and supporting the next generation of hurlers and footballers,” he stated. “Crucially, this expansion will serve not only our elite teams but also the thousands of young boys and girls who represent the future of Tipperary GAA. It will provide a safe, modern and inclusive environment for youth development, physical wellbeing, and personal growth.”
Mr Brennan added that the new Centre of Excellence will act as a focal point for the wider community: “The wider Tipperary community will also benefit, with this facility acting as a hub for participation, pride and connection across our county. Tipperary GAA extends its sincere gratitude to Mr Magnier for his outstanding generosity and vision. This development is not just an enhancement of facilities, it is an investment in the future of our county, our players, and our sporting community.”
The expansion of the Coolmore Morris Park is expected to ensure that Tipperary GAA will continues to thrive at all levels, providing its many athletes with the resources needed to reach their fullest potential.
Rhys Shelly, Moycarkey/Borris & Tipperary goalkeeper nominated as All Star Hurling Goalkeeper 2025.
Littleton & Two-Mile-Borris Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe now reports:-
Rhys Shelly Tipperary Goalkeeper.
The Gaelic Athletic Association-Gaelic Players’ Association All Stars Awards (often known simply as the All Stars) are presented annually to the best player in each of the 15 playing positions in Gaelic football and hurling. We are happy to announce that Moycarkey-Borris player Rhys Shelly has been nominated for All Star Goalkeeper for the 2025 season, having contributed significantly to Tipperary winning the 2025 All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
In his third season with Liam Cahill’s squad, this was the 25 year old’s breakthrough year. Rhys was selected as ‘Cúlbaire’ for the critical Munster Round Robin game against Clare in Ennis and thereafter his selection was never in doubt. As Tipperary won successive games against Clare, Laois, Galway, Kilkenny and Cork; Rhys skilfully delivered a range and variety of puck outs that helped his teammates amass their winning scores.
In a memorable All Ireland Final, Rhys saved a penalty, became the first goalie to score from play, and performed excellently throughout. [Wouldn’t the former Moycarkey Borris and Tipperary ‘Cúlbaire’ John O’Grady RIP, have relished analysing his successors puck outs in his ‘Tipperary Star’ columns?]
Rhys is the first player from Moycarkey Borris to be nominated for an All Star Award and the entire parish community is delighted for him and his family on his nomination.
Rhys grew up next door to the hurling field in Littleton where his sisters, brother and his friends spent many hours of practice and fun. His Dad Larry is from Thurles town, but the family home was built on lands of his maternal grandparents.
Jimmy Shanahan and Margaret (nee Kennedy from the Ragg) were always strongly supportive of Moycarkey Borris GAA and the club’s second playing field was purchased from the family.
As Rhys progressed from the Under 8’s into the various under age team groups his mother Mary volunteered to do many of the most essential duties in the Juvenile club. Currently the club’s Senior ‘Runaí’, Mary, is Bord Na -Óg secretary, photographer, PRO etc. etc. and her family have not only provided invaluable support to Rhys, but to a whole generation of boys and girls in the parish. Mary’s mother Margaret (RIP) died a few days before the game against Clare and in the early spring Mary herself was hospitalised with a stroke from which she has thankfully gradually recovered.
Rhys was fortunate to develop, as a young player, in a very talented group of young players and great coaches in Moycarkey Borris GAA. His first experience of being played in goal began at Under 12 and within a couple of years he was established as the team’s regular number one. In this very strong Juvenile team Rhys won Mid and County A Championship medals at Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16. This team also excelled in football and Rhys got his first opportunity in a County panel, with the under 21 footballers. In 2018 Rhys played his first season in the Moycarkey Senior Hurling team as the team won promotion to the top tier of the County Hurling Championships. Also in 2018 he won Mid and County Minor A Hurling Championship medals playing on the half forward line. Having completed his primary and secondary education in Littleton, Moycarkey and Killenaule, Rhys graduated at the University of Limerick and his hurling progressed further in Fitzgibbon Cup winning panels. In 2021 Rhys Captained the Moycarkey Borris team to min the Mid and County Under 21 A Hurling championships. He has helped Moycarkey Borris progress in the County Senior Hurling Championships of 2024 and 2025 to Mid Finals and a County Semi Final
His dedication and achievements have made Rhys an inspiration for the young players in his parish. All Star nominated Rhys, now working with H&MV Engineering, is focused on further successes with Tipperary and bringing the Dan Breen Cup back to Moycarkey Borris.
We wish Rhys the best of luck in the All Star‘sawards on Friday nightnext.
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