Sport - Thurles Information

Tipp Minors Are All Ireland Champions After Epic Tussle With Cats.

Tipperary are the Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Champions after a pulsating contest with neighbours Kilkenny. A Billy O’Brien goal four minutes from the end of Extra Time sealed an improbable win after Tipperary had been reduced to 13 men, just before the 20 minute mark.

**Team Captain Cathal O’Reilly** *(Holycross-Ballycahill)* **flanked by his teammates.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

The Tipperary management team composed themselves at half time, helped by a fortuitous Eoghan Doughan goal straight from a 65 just before the break, and hatched one of the all-time defiant Tipperary hurling performances. The performance of these brave 13 youngsters blended the tough defending, associated with previous Tipperary teams of the 1950s and 1960s, and the attacking style and panache of more recent Tipperary teams.

It would be unfair to single out any one player after this brilliant team performance, so Thurles.info would like to give huge praise to all our local players, and the time, energy, and coaching invested in them by their families, local GAA clubs and schools – players representing Durlas Og, Holycross Ballycahill GAA, Moycarkey Borris GAA, Thurles CBS and Coláiste Mhuire Co-Ed (and previously Scoil Ailbhe, Gaelscoil Bhríde, St Michaels NS Holycross primary schools).

**Despite the unseasonal cold, a massive crowd await the arrival home of the victorious Tipp Minors unto the steps of Thurles Cathedral, just before midnight last night.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

The honour of Captaining the team, and the recipient of the Irish Press Cup from Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, was Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross-Ballycahill GAA) who provided towering leadership from the heart of the defence to this special group of players.

On a day when our Senior Camogie team also had a victory over Kilkenny in the All Ireland, the performance of these young players has lifted the morale of the Tipperary hurling public and points to some green shoots ahead.

Death Of Retired RTE Commentator Mr Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh.

The well-known and much loved Gaelic games commentator, Mr Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh (Michael Moriarty), has passed away at the age of 93.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh sadly passed away this morning, while in the care of staff at the Mater Hospital, Dublin.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh was born in Dún Síon, near Dingle (Daingean Uí Chúis), in Co Kerry in 1930. Educated locally, he grew up on the family farm, before graduating from both Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Bhúirne (Cork Gaeltacht) and St Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin, as a teacher. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952, from University College Dublin, remaining employed teaching economics, accountancy and Irish, in primary and secondary Christian Brothers schools in Dublin, until the mid-1980s, when he accepted the post of full-time broadcaster with Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE).

Following a successful competition, to commentate in the Irish language; his first assignment for RTÉ was to provide an all-Irish commentary on the 1949 Railway Cup Final, held on St Patrick’s Day.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh married Ms Helena McDowell in 1970 and together they raised eight children; Éamonn, Niamh, Aonghus, Cormac, Neasa, Nuala, Éadaoin and Doireann.

Mr Ó Muircheartaigh later took over as RTÉ Radio 1’s premier radio commentator, following the retirement of fellow broadcaster Mr Míchael O’Hehir in 1985.

His last All-Ireland GAA game as commentator, came in 2010, when he commentated on the All-Ireland final between Cork and Down; retiring from broadcasting in October of that same year.
Mr Ó Muircheartaigh had been awarded an honorary doctorate by NUI Galway in 1999 for his lifetime service to broadcasting.
He was awarded the only All Star of 2020, shortly after his 90th birthday.

Ní fheicfimid a leithéid arís. In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Irish Historic First – European School Chess Championships Get Underway At UL.

History is being made this weekend with the hosting of the European School Chess Championships taking place in Ireland for the first time.

More than 200 children, aged between 5 and 16 years, from 14 European countries are all participating in the week-long tournament, which takes place at the University of Limerick (UL) and continues until Friday June 7th 2024.

The Irish Chess Union (ICU) beat off competition from four other countries to win the bid to host the event against four other countries, with the support of UL, Limerick City & County Council and the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau.

“Securing this event is a major milestone in the development of chess in Ireland and demonstrates the ICU’s unwavering commitment to promoting the game nationwide and Ireland as a chess destination for future events,” commented Mr Desmond Beatty, (Chairperson, Irish Chess Union.)

Mr. Beatty said the decision to bring the Championships to Ireland reflects the unprecedented growth the game has experienced since the pandemic.

“Chess has proven to be a source of fun and intellectual stimulation for individuals of all ages and can help improve concentration,” he explained. “As a result, the promotion of chess in schools has increased significantly most notably in the classroom following continuous professional development (CPD) courses for primary school teachers now realising the benefits of chess in education, notably in social skills and critical thinking. Over 10000 children this year have taken part in competitions run by ficheall.ie, the organisation of primary teachers promoting chess. Building on the success of both Glorney Cup and Chessmates internationals, this is a remarkable opportunity for us to showcase Ireland’s thriving chess community, promote the growth of the game, and provide an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike,” concluded Mr. Beatty.

All games will be broadcast live on chess.com and lichess.org. Diana Mirza and Antonina Gora, both members of Ireland’s women’s team, will be providing live commentary HERE

Speaking on behalf of UL Conference & Sports Campus, Mr David Ward said, “Attracting the European School Chess Championships to UL, highlights the success of our one stop model with accommodation, catering and venues on site. We look forward to setting the stage for a thrilling tournament in June 2024 and hope that many memorable moments will unfold.”

Ms Karen Brosnahan, (General Manager, Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau) said “We are delighted to see the European School Chess Championships coming to Limerick. This is testament to the collaborative efforts of UL, Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, Limerick City and County Council, and Failte Ireland working together to promote Limerick as a host city and developing strong relationships with the sporting bodies and event organisers. Tournaments like this are highly lucrative, contributing significantly to the local economy.”

Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club.

Annual General Meeting 2024.

The Annual General Meeting of Thurles Special Olympics Basketball Club took place in the Anner Hotel on March 19 th 2024.

The Chairman welcomed all present and he complimented all athletes, volunteers, families and carers for their contribution to making last year’s activities a successful one for the Club.
He also thanked those who supported the Club in many ways including Meitheal 21 on Abbey Road, the Presentation Convent Sports hall, Tipperary Co. Council, Tipperary Star, Special Olympics Ireland and sponsors who make a valuable contribution to the running costs of the Club.

The Secretary’s report for 2023 was compiled by Ms Mary Ryan Maher and delivered to the meeting by Ms Catherine Reynolds.

The following members were elected to serve on Committee at the AGM for the year ahead:
Chairman: Mr Enda Bourke.
Secretary: Ms Mary Ryan Maher.
Asst. Secretary: Ms Catherine Reynolds.
Treasurer: Ms Carmel Sammon.
Asst. Treasurer: Ms Cathy Slattery.
Medical Officer: Mr Dennis Jordan.
Safeguarding Officer: Ms Antionette Ruth.
Athlete Representative: Ms Maureen O’Shea.
Coach / Sports Officers: Mr Enda Bourke & Ms Marion O’Reagan.
Club Membership Officers: Ms Mary Ryan Maher & Ms Carmel Sammon.
PRO: Mr Enda Bourke.

A good discussion took place on the Club’s main priorities for the year ahead including, fundraising; to cover the ever increasing costs of running our Club, the 2024 athlete programme, Insurance and affiliation fees and volunteer recruitment.

Additionally, the new membership online system (“Just Go”) for athletes and volunteers is being rolled out to all affiliated Clubs this year, which will streamline what has been a very ‘paper based’ registration
process in the past.

We are also anxious to increase our volunteer numbers. The commitment is one evening per
week. [Note: We train indoors at the Presentation Sports hall each Wednesday from 7:00pm – 8:00pm.]

If you are interested, please contact Enda Bourke on Tel. No. 087 6060772.

Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade 2024.

Under a clear sunny sky, the Thurles St Patrick’s Day Parade began sharply from Abbey Road Thurles at 2.30pm in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, travelling via Friar Street unto Liberty Square as is usual.
The parade featured two marching bands; namely the Sean Treacy Pipe Band and the C J Kickham Brass Band.

This year the St Patrick’s Day Parade “Guest of Honour”, in keeping with this year’s theme, “Youth: Our Hopes For the Future’, featured Thurles Christian Brothers Secondary School pupil Master Luke Blackwell, latter a winner in the 2024 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.

Prior to the start of the parade live music was performed beginning at 1:00pm, with face painting and other side attractions keeping those attending occupied.

The Arch Bar [a favourite abode of the fictional Mikey Ryan], in Liberty Square, hosted a 12-hour Irish Traditional Music Session on the day, to raise funds for the ‘Ciarán’s Cancer Treatment Fund’, latter a seriously ill 4 year old boy, currently undergoing medical treatment for his present condition.

For the first time, RTE television captured video footage of the event; of which a sample of same footage can be VIEWED HERE (Scroll down the page to headline – ‘Limerick, Ennis, Thurles‘).