Thurles Information

Thurles.info congratulates Padraic Maher on a magnificent hurling career following his retirement from the game of hurling on medical advice.

The Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary hurler announced the shock decision this morning.

A true giant of the game, Padraic retires from the intercounty scene as holder of 3 All Ireland Senior Titles, 1 Under-21 All Ireland (as Captain in 2010) and 2 All Ireland Minor Hurling titles. Padraic won 6 All-Stars awards, the latest being in 2019 alongside his brother Ronan.

Padraic’s playing days with Thurles Sarsfields have also been cut short, and he can reflect proudly on his days in the famous Blue jersey as holder of 1 Munster Club Hurling Title and 7 Tipperary Senior Hurling Club Titles (Captaining the Sarsfields to 4 Dan Breen Titles) as well as numerous underage titles, with Thurles Sarsfields, Durlas Óg, Thurles CBS and Scoil Ailbhe.

Padraic was the lynchpin of the defence in every team he played in, and his strength, drive and swashbuckling style from the back epitomised the traditional values of Tipperary hurling. He represented the town of Thurles and his family with great honour throughout his playing days.

He stands tall amongst the greats of the historic game.

We wish Padraic well.

The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Munster Post Primary Schools GAA have signed a sponsorship deal that will see the newly designated TU provide financial and skills support to the provincial post primary school hurling and football competitions until 2025.

There are approximately 130 schools across the six Munster counties participating in 30 competitions which will now be rebranded to include TUS, for example the TUS Dr Harty Cup and TUS Corn Uí Mhuirí.

For the next three and a half years, TUS will work in partnership with Munster PPS to provide further support to the post primary competitions both on and off the pitch. This will include financial investment, support in promoting the post primary school competitions, providing campus facilities for matches, and examining opportunities to provide coaches and strength and conditioning personnel to schools as part of an agreed development framework. Both organisations will also explore potential postgraduate research opportunities appropriate to the overall objectives of the Munster council.

Welcoming the agreement between TUS and Munster PPS GAA, President of TUS, Professor Vincent Cunnane said, “TUS has a strong track record of support and engagement with the Munster council, which has included among others the co-funding of development officers, and the use of facilities for games. With this new agreement TUS will deepen that relationship further and work with the Munster PPS committee to further develop the games at post primary school level.”

TUS Vice President Campus Services and Capital Development Mr Jimmy Browne added, “Sport has been a strong part of our identity here at TUS, and sport, particularly in the past two years during the Covid pandemic, has been an important part of young people’s development. It has been an anchor and a means of connection both in terms of our communities and our schools. From TUS’s point of view that connection and ethos of support and inclusion is a key part of who we are, and these principals align perfectly with Munster PPS GAA. The development of young people and what sport provides them with in terms of skills right through life, is a great fit with our educational ethos too, and that remains the focus of our partnerships with the GAA.”

Munster PPS GAA Chairperson Mr Colm Hayes said, “Munster Post-Primary Schools GAA is pleased to have secured a sponsorship deal with our new partners TUS, which will assist us in running our large programme of games and further help to promote Gaelic Games in our post-primary schools across the province. Great work is being done by teachers, coaching and games development personnel and coaches in post-primary schools across Munster and these competitions give schools the opportunity to introduce young exciting talent into their teams, giving our players a flavour of what is required at the top level. We look forward to working with TUS as partners over the next three and a half years.”

TUS Sports & Recreation Facilities Officer Mr Adrian Flaherty added, “This agreement is about the embedding of a longer partnership that will see TUS supporting post primary schools. As well as providing financial sponsorship, we will supply students from our various sports programmes, including our strength and conditioning programme, to schools as part of the agreement. This will allow us to assist students and coaches as well as support the Munster council in its work. We will also provide facilities for games, as well as promoting the Munster PPS games at every opportunity.”

Provincial PPS Servicing Officer Mr Eoin Ryan said, “We in Munster PPS GAA are delighted to be associated with TUS. Each year we run 30 competitions across three age grades in both hurling and football. Our competitions are based on inclusion and participation and with the support of TUS and through programmes such as the TY Future Leaders Programme, it is hoped that we will encourage future administrators, skills, strength and conditioning coaches, statisticians etc as well as finding the All Stars of tomorrow.”