Sport « Thurles Information

Horse Breeder John Magnier Donates 14-Acre Site, In Thurles, To Tipperary GAA.

John Magnier Donates 14-Acre Site To Tipperary GAA For Major Training Expansion.

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 Nominated All Star Hurling Goalkeeper 2025.

Rhys Shelly, Moycarkey/Borris & Tipperary goalkeeper nominated as All Star Hurling Goalkeeper 2025.

Littleton & Two-Mile-Borris Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe now reports:-

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‘s awards on Friday night next.

Tipperary GAA Launch New Jersey in Partnership with Fiserv and Clover.

Tipperary GAA Launches Striking New 2026 Home Jersey in Partnership with Fiserv and Clover.

Tipperary GAA has officially unveiled its new home jersey for the 2026 season, designed by O’Neills and launched in partnership with long-standing sponsor Fiserv, Inc. and its leading point-of-sale brand, Clover.

**Pictured L-R:** Goalkeeper Rhys Shelly, Mark Stokes, Murtagh Brennan, Tipperary GAA CEO, Ms Lara Byrne *(Head of Enterprise and SMB Merchant Business, EMEA, FISERV)*, Liam Cahill *(Tipperary Manager)* and Willie Connors.

Fiserv, a global leader in payments and financial services technology, has been a valued partner of Tipperary GAA since 2022. Its Clover platform, trusted by businesses of all sizes, now takes pride of place on the front of the new jersey as the primary sponsor.

The 2026 design blends modern innovation with traditional elements, featuring an updated Tipperary GAA crest and refined detailing that reflect the county’s proud heritage.

The official launch took place at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles, with the attendance of senior hurling manager Liam Cahill, players Willie Connors and Rhys Shelly, and senior footballer Mark Stokes.

Speaking at the event, Lara Byrne, Head of Enterprise & SMB Merchant Business EMEA at Fiserv, said: “At Fiserv, we are proud to extend our support of Tipperary GAA. Clover is already helping businesses across Tipperary thrive, and by backing the Premier County’s new jersey, we aim to celebrate that shared spirit of performance, pride and community.”

The new Tipperary GAA home jersey will be available from November 14th, 2025, at Intersport Elverys stores nationwide and online at oneills.com, just in time for the festive season.

A Quick Glance At Today’s Budget.

Take A Quick Glance At Ireland’s Budget Details Announced Today.

Workers earning the national minimum wage will see an increase of 65 cent per hour, bringing the new rate to €14.15.
Motorists; Same will face higher fuel costs, with a 60-litre tank set to rise by €1.28 for petrol and €1.48 for diesel.
Smokers; The cost of a 20-pack of cigarettes will increase by 50 cent, bringing the average price to just under €19.
Social Welfare, Child benefit & Pensions; Core weekly social welfare payments, including the State pension, will rise by €10 per week. Child benefit; Same will increase by €8 per month for children under 12 and €16 for those aged 12 and over.
Fuel allowance: Eligibility for the fuel allowance will be expanded to include recipients of the Working Family Payment, and the weekly allowance itself will rise by €5.
Education & Grants; In education, college fees will be permanently reduced by €500, bringing the annual charge to €2,500—though this will represent an increase in real terms from the temporarily reduced rate of €2,000 in recent years. SUSI Grants; The income threshold for SUSI grants will rise by €5,000, to €120,000 per household. Capitation grants; Same will increase from €224 to €274 for primary and special schools, and from €386 to €406 at post-primary level. Special Needs Assistants; 1,717 new Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) will be appointed, bringing the total to almost 24,900, alongside 1,042 new teaching posts, including 860 for special education. Building Projects; A €1.6 billion capital investment will progress over 300 school building projects, delivering around 2,800 new places for special classes and schools.
Hospitality: The VAT rate on hospitality will be cut to 9% from July 2026, while the rate for completed apartments will drop from 13% to 9% until the end of 2030.
Renters; Renters will benefit from the extension of the tax credit for a further three years, remaining at €1,000 for individuals and €2,000 for couples. Mortgage interest relief will continue for two more years—€1,250 in 2025 and €625 in 2026.
Income Tax Bands; There are no major changes to income tax bands or credits, other than an increase in the USC 2% rate band to €28,700.
Public Transport; Reduced public transport fares will continue throughout 2026, and the 9% VAT rate on energy bills will be extended until the end of 2028.
Defence; The Defence budget will rise by 11%, funding 50 new civilian roles, 70 additional civil servants for areas such as cybersecurity, and new body armour and ammunition stock replenishment.
Health; The Health budget will increase to €27.3 billion, up €1.5 billion on this year, including 300 new mental health staff.
Law Enforcement; Up to 1,000 new Garda recruits will be deployed in 2026, with further investment in immigration processing, youth diversion, and domestic violence prevention programmes.
National Broadband Plan; A further €433 million will go towards the National Broadband Plan, while €357 million will be provided for broadcasting, including €65.4 million for TG4.
Renewable energy; Households generating renewable energy will benefit from an extension of the €400 income tax disregard for microgeneration earnings until 2028.
Sport; €3 million will be provided to establish League of Ireland youth academies, and the GAA will receive €1.6 million in funding for inter-county players.
Music; From Budget 2026, income tax relief for makers of uilleann pipes and Irish harps will be extended to 2028.

Thurles, Co Tipperary Racecourse Secures Short-Term Management Plan.

Thurles Racecourse Will Reopens Under Interim Management From October 9th 2025.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Molony family have confirmed interim management arrangements to ensure racing continues at Thurles Racecourse for the 2025/26 season.

In July, the Molony family announced their retirement from racing and the closure of the track. However, following consultation between HRI, the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), the Irish Horse-racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and the family, a short-term solution has now been agreed.

From October 2025 to March 2026, HRI’s Head of Racing, Mr Peter Roe, will oversee management of the Thurles track as part of his role with the four HRI racecourses. Operations will be managed by Ms Jessica Cahalan of Laytown Races, now contracted by the Molony family.

Mrs Riona Molony has stated that she is delighted to fund and support this short-term solution which allows the family to step back, while racing continues at their Thurles track.

The CEO of HRI Ms Suzanne Eade has thanked the Molony family for facilitating the continuation of racing at Thurles, at least until longer-term plans have been determined.
Thurles has long been fundamental to the winter racing schedule, and with industry support it is hoped that racing will now continue into the future.

The 2025/26 season will open with an all-Flat meeting on Thursday, October 9, followed by the first National Hunt fixture on Thursday, October 16.