|
|
A long standing, competitive member of Thurles Golf Club was involved in a serious car crash some 12 months ago and was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick.
Just before being put under anaesthetic, his surgeon (as surgeons do), popped in to see him prior to his necessary and impending surgical procedure.
“I have some good news and some bad news,” says the surgeon. “The bad news is that I have to totally remove your right arm!”
“Oh God no!” cries the golfer. “My golfing is over! Please Doc, what’s the good news?”
“Well, the good news is” said the surgeon, “I have an available fresh doner part to replace it with; however it’s a woman’s arm and I will need your express permission before going ahead with any future transplant.”
“Do your best doc,” says the golfer, “I don’t care, as long as I can play golf again.”
The operation went well and one year later the golfer was again out chasing that little white ball at Thurles Golf Club. Out also one morning just happened to be his surgeon.
“Hi, how’s that new arm?” asks the surgeon.
“Just great,” says the golfer. “I’m playing the best golf ever. My new arm has a much finer touch, and my putting has improved immensely.”
“That’s great, I’m so delighted” said the surgeon.
“Not only that,” continued the golfer, “but my handwriting has improved, I’ve learned how to sew and knit and I’ve even taken up painting early morning landscapes in watercolour.”
“Truly unbelievable!” said the surgeon, “I’m so glad to hear the transplant was such a great success. However are you experiencing any side effects at all?”
“Well, just two minor side effects”, said the golfer, “I have trouble parallel parking, and every time I get a sexual urge, I also seem to develop a feckin headache.”
Final score Tipperary 0-28 (28 pts) – Clare 3-16 (22 pts)
Current Liam MacCarthy Cup holders Tipperary recorded a 6 points win over Clare yesterday with a superb exhibition of open play point scoring from John McGrath, rightly declared “Man-of-the-Match”.
 Tipperary were ahead by six points up to midway in the first half, but Clare refused to concede; fighting back to draw level, scoring two goals (6 pts).
Nevertheless, Tipperary were leading 0-16 to 2-5 (11 pts) at half-time, after out-scoring Clare by 5 points in the closing ten minutes.
Tipperary started the second half showing both character and determination, but despite their efforts, saw their two-goal margin cut away to just one point within minutes of the finish.
Holding their determination however Tipperary responded with a further five points, before Clare substitute Cathal Mcinerney rifled home a further late goal.
During the match, superb marksman John McGrath was on target, a magnificent six times, operating from open play, while Seamus Callanan struck home 4 points from open play and a further 3 from frees. Noel McGrath and John O’Dwyer each contributed 4 points, with Patrick Maher contributing 2 points, while M. Breen, S. Kennedy, B. Maher, S. O’Brien, and J. Forde all added one each.
Tipperary Team: D. Mooney; D Maher; T. Hamill; J. Barry; S. Kennedy; R. Maher; Padraig Maher; B. Maher; M. Breen; N. McGrath; Patrick Maher; D. McCormack; J. O’Dwyer; S. Callanan, and J. McGrath.
Substitutions: S. O’Brien for J. Barry; J. Forde for M. Breen; N. O’Meara for J. O’Dwyer, and S. O’Brien for S. Callanan.
 Despite the humid conditions at Semple Stadium here in Thurles, All-Ireland defending champions Tipperary took no prisoners this evening, trouncing a fragmented Dublin side in the All-Ireland SHC round 2 qualifiers, to rub shoulders with the final four.
Seamus Callanan collected a personal tally of 3-11 (20pts) as Tipperary battered Dublin by a massive 6-26 (44pts) to 1-19 (22pts), punishing their earlier reluctant, yet expectant guests, by a massive 22 points.
Tipperary were far too professional for the visiting players from ‘The Pale’, and despite the former looking defensively poor in the first half, the Premier’s S. Callanan, J. McGrath and John O’Dwyer terrorised their opponents, proving once more that future pretenders to the All Ireland throne, can expect stiff opposition in their efforts to regain the Liam MacCarthy crown.
Tipperary Team:
D. Gleeson; D Maher; T. Hamill; J. Barry; J. O’Dwyer; R. Maher; P. Maher; B. Maher; M. Breen; J Forde; P. Maher; D. McCormack; J. O’Dwyer; S. Callanan and J McGrath.
Subs:
S. Kennedy for R. Maher; N. McGrath for B. Maher; S. O’Brien for D. McCormack; M. Cahill for D. Maher and T. Fox for Pádraic Maher.
 Semple’s Field, Thurles, Co. Tipp Dedicated hurling fans, entering Semple Stadium during this coming weekend, will be thoroughly searched by Gardaí and security, before admission to the venue is granted.
This weekend’s increased security has been updated in light of recent terror attacks across Europe and the UK, and individuals attending are being asked to remain understanding and cooperate, in the interests of in-house security and overall public safety.
Aficionados of this weekend’s Gaelic Games line-out are being asked to arrive early and to circumvent the carrying of unnecessary large bags or rucksacks, thus avoiding delays.
Senior officers at Thurles Garda Station are requesting match ticket holders to arrive in Thurles well in advance of the Saturday evening / Sunday games, to facilitate a ‘frisk and bag search’ of those entering or found in the vicinity of the stadium grounds.
Thurles Gardaí also warn of possible traffic delays on roads leading to the popular venue.
 Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. Semple’s field (Semple Stadium) here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary is the inaugural winner of the 2017 Pitch Award, while St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge in County Kildare have been declared as the runner-up.
Other pitches, namely O’Donnell Park, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal; Dr Hyde Park, Co. Roscommon; Páirc Uí Rinn, Co. Cork and Innovate Wexford Park, Co. Wexford were also short-listed for the award.
Judging of pitches nationwide was conducted by Mr Stuart Wilson, (Manager Croke Park Pitch and GAA National Games Development Centre), and Dr. Stephen Barker (Sports Research Institute), who both visited all the above six short-listed venues.
Their final decision involved scoring and feedback from referees, while taking into consideration a Pitch Quality Assessment; same based on performance standards, construction, management program, environmental conditions and overall usage levels.
The awards scheme is just part of a wider initiative to improve the standard of playing surfaces around Ireland, while sharing the expertise and experience used at Croke Park and conveyed by the GAA’s National Pitch Committee.
GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail commenting stated that he wished to congratulate the grounds team at Semple Stadium on winning this award, and salute the work undertaken by all involved.
The grounds crew at Semple Stadium together with the runner up, will receive their award at an All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final next August, while also receiving pitch supplies courtesy of Irish Turfcare, ICL and Campey Turfcare Systems.
Meanwhile All-Ireland champions Tipperary will face Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final in Round Two of the hurling qualifiers, this Saturday in Semple Stadium beginning at 5.00pm, followed by Kilkenny v Waterford, with a throw-in time scheduled for 7.00pm.
Dublin were most efficient in seeing-off Laois on Saturday last, while Tipperary were far from ‘at their best’ against Westmeath. Next Saturday should demonstrate if Tipperary were just experiencing that ‘off-day’.
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2026: €290.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments