Sport « Thurles Information

End Of An Era For Ireland’s Only Privately Owned Racecourse At Thurles.

In a press release published on their website this morning (https://thurlesraces.ie/theendofaneraforthurlesracecourse/), Thurles Racecourse is to close with immediate effect.

The first recorded race meeting at Thurles took place in 1732 and it has been in the hands of three generations of the Molony family since the early 1900s..

The Press Release states:

The end of an era for Thurles Racecourse,
Thurles Racecourse, Ireland’s only privately owned racecourse, has closed with immediate effect. Today, (Friday 01 August) Mrs Riona Molony officially announced the family’s decision to retire from racing at the Tipperary track.

“An iconic venue steeped in history and tradition; Thurles Racecourse has long been a cornerstone of National Hunt Racing in Ireland. The first ever recorded race-meeting at Thurles took place in 1732 and it has been in the hands of the Molony family since the early 1900’s. Riona’s late husband Pierce took over from his father Doctor Paddy Molony in 1974, and together with their family they have worked hard at the business for the last 50 years.

As the Molony family prepare to embark on their next chapter, Riona expressed sincere gratitude for the support of their “extended racecourse family”; the staff, sponsors, racing community, local businesses, and the many racegoers who have contributed to the rich legacy of Thurles Racecourse.

Riona commented “It has been an honour and a privilege for our family to have run Thurles Racecourse, and I am officially announcing our retirement today. We are very proud of the immense contribution our family has made to racing and we are most grateful to our extended racecourse family, our dedicated staff, generous sponsors, loyal patrons and the wider racing community for all your support. Horse-racing is part of the fabric of our family, and we have been very fortunate to have made so many great friends within the industry over the years. My family and I look forward to going racing with you again, as spectators.”

She continued, “Since my beloved husband Pierce passed away in 2015, with the help of our four daughters Patricia, Helen, Ann Marie and Kate and our wonderful staff, we’ve managed to keep the show on the road and I know he would be very proud of us for that. The girls all have their own families, careers and lives to live. Ever increasing industry demands and the cost of doing business has also been a major factor.”

Although, Thurles Racecourse is fully licenced to race until December 31st and has 11 prominent fixtures in the 2025/26 racing calendar, the Molony Family will not race again. Riona commented, “We’re going to enjoy this time together and relax now the decision is made and the news is out before we consider our options.”

The racecourse hit the headlines earlier this year when, sadly, 24 year old Irish jockey Mr Michael O’Sullivan, died from catastrophic head injuries sustained in a fall during a race meeting at the venue.

So, what now for Thurles Racecourse, will same now be sold as a building site or will Horse Racing Ireland step in to restore harmony and continue with long held relationships?

Death Announced Of Respected Tipperary Racing Giant Edward O’Grady.

It was with sadness we learned of the death, at the age of 75, of Mr Edward O’Grady, Killeens, Ballynonty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, one of the giants of Irish National Hunt racing.

This morning, (July 28th), his family announced; “It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Edward O’Grady, who passed away peacefully yesterday evening at St James’s Hospital, surrounded by his family”.

Mr O’Grady took over his father Willie’s training licence in 1972 and celebrated his first winner with ‘Vibrax’, latter ridden by Timmy Hyde, at Gowran Park on January 27th, 1972.
His father had purchased the yard at Ballynonty, County Tipperary in 1947.

Mr O’Grady was one of Ireland’s most successful trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, with some 18 winners to his name. He was champion jumps trainer in Ireland for four consecutive seasons between the years 1977 and 1980, and also in the mid-1990s with horses like ‘Sound Man’ and ‘Ventana Canyon’.

During his lifetime he was associated with such significant horses as ‘Golden Cygnet’ (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 1978), ‘Sound Man’, ‘Time For A Run’, ‘Bit Of A Skite’ (Irish Grand National winner 1983), ‘Drumlargan’ (Whitbread Gold Cup winner 1983), ‘Mister Donovan’, ‘Sky’s The Limit’, ‘Prolan’, ‘Mucklemeg’, ‘Pizzaro’, ‘Flame Gun’, ‘Jack Of Trumps’, ‘Mr Midland’, ‘Loving Around’, ‘Staplestown’, ‘Back In Front’, ‘Ned Kelly’(winning 12 of his 27 races), ‘Grey Goddess’, ‘Rusty Tears’, ‘Mountrivers’, ‘Northern Game’, ‘Ventana Canyon’, ‘Sacundai’, ‘Hindhope’, ‘Hard Tarquin’ and ‘Cash & Go’ (Champions Novice Hurdle, 2011).

Mr O’Grady was closely connected with the emergence of Mr JP McManus as a leading owner, with both teaming up with ‘Shining Flame’, in 1978, to win the Galway Plate, together with other numerous big-race winners.

Mr O’Grady is predeceased by his second wife, Maria, their daughters Mimi and Rosie Mae, as well as his older children, Jonathan, Amber and Lucy.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

Home Are The Heroes – Part 2.

Rain did not dampen the party in Semple’s Field in Thurles Co. Tipperary on Monday last as queues formed at the main entrances from 4:30pm, with Tipperary band Seskin Lane taking to the stage to begin the promised concert, which also featured Callini Lua, Acquiesce, Una Healy and The 2 Johnnies all topping the bill.

Things could only get better through the afternoon as Thurles native; professional singer/songwriter and TV star, the talented Ms Una Healy (Former member of the five-piece girl group The Saturdays) took to her guitar with, appropriately, Amy McDonald’s “This is the Life”, before ending with Guns N’ Roses ballad, “Sweet Child O’ Mine”.

Sadly two metal bars, crossing the front of the erected stage, prevented the gathered 45,000 spectators from gaining a clear vision of those performing.
Perhaps for next year’s celebrations, and yes, I prophesize, there will be a next year for these All-Ireland Champions, this small oversight can be corrected.

Home Are The Heroes – Part 1.

Excitement, broad smiles, overall good spirits and women with nails painted blue were the order of the afternoon yesterday, July 21st 2025, with at times cheering to be heard in Wales, when players and management eventually mounted the staged area in the Thurles “Field of Dreams”, as those assembled, welcomed home their heroes, the newly-crowned Tipperary All-Ireland hurling champions.

Following Sunday’s ardent and assertive destruction of Cork, both the players and management returned home to Thurles with the Liam MacCarthy Cup after an absence of 5 years. Waiting patiently were an estimated crowd of over 45,000 people, each determined to meet and greet their hero’s on the turf of Semple’s Field, (Semple Stadium).

Continuous rain shower gave those assembled some idea of what their heroes had experienced last winter as they trained.

On arrival Tipperary’s successful manager, Mr Liam Cahill, applauded the awaiting incredible scenes, rightly lauding their presence as “the stuff of dreams”.

On a sadder and subdued note, Mr Cahill paid tribute to the late Dillon Quirke, (who previously had played for Tipperary Senior Championship club Clonoulty–Rossmore), latter a most promising player who sadly passed away three years ago, on August 5th 2022, while playing a Tipperary SHC match for his home club, against Kilruane MacDonagh’s; in this same Semple Stadium venue.
In his tribute Mr Cahill added “It’s so fitting to his memory, that we bring Liam MacCarthy out into Semple Stadium as he remains always with us and ever on our shoulders everywhere we go.”

Festivities which ran from 4:30pm on into the early hours, featured home-grown entertainment from Seskin Lane, Callini Lua, Acquiesce, with Una Healy (Former member of the five-piece girl group The Saturdays) and The 2 Johnnies topping the bill.

Master of ceremonies for the 5 hour event was Radio Tipp FM’s Mr Fran Curry.

As every Tipperary person is aware the Premier County beat Cork 3-27 to 1-18 in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon last, to rightly claim their 29th All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.

Sadly, it was a different story in Cork city, where no homecoming event took place for either players or supporters, with their skilled hurlers returning quietly by train into Kent Station.

“Liam MacCarthy Is Coming Home” – Quote Tipp. Team Capt. Ronan Maher.

Tipperary Rout Cork by 15-Points In All-Ireland Hurling Victory.

Tipperary defeats a 14-man Rebel County by 3-27 (37pts) to 1-18 (21pts), in masterclass hurling display at All-Ireland Hurling final.

“When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wondered.”

Excerpt from “The Charge of the Light Brigade” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Underdogs Tipperary, this afternoon, are deservedly All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions for the first time since 2019; following an unprecedented second-half win over the Rebel County, in their first All-Ireland final meeting, with their southern neighbours.

**Tipperary Team Captain Ronan Maher receives *‘Liam MacCarthy Cup’* on behalf of his team mates.**
*Pic: G. Willoughby*.

“Liam MacCarthy is coming home”, words spoken by Tipperary Team Captain Ronan Maher, having been presented with the All-Ireland winning trophy this afternoon.

Cork were six points ahead; 1-16 (19pts) to 0-13 (13pts), at the end of the first half, but were utterly obliterated by a skilled and talented Premier County team, during in the second-half.

Whatever discussions took place at half-time, between Tipp Manager Liam Cahill and his team players in the dressing-room; the second-half saw Tipperary totally dominate possession, during what can only be called a ‘Masterclass in hurling skill’; the result demonstrated by their scoring 1-05 (8pts), before their rivals Cork even managed to acquire just one single point.

Tipperary would go on to score another 2-05 (11pts) before ‘The Rebels’ would managed to score their second single point, in the 66th minute.

During this display, John McGrath, took his total championship tally to 7-16, having rifled home 2-2 (8pts).

Cork’s Eoin Downey was sent off after a foul on John McGrath; same resulting in a penalty that Tipperary’s Darragh McCarthy didn’t fritter away, thus adding to Cork’s woes.

Tipperary now return home with their 29th All-Ireland title, leaving Cork to wait at least one other year to again triumphally raise the Liam MacCarthy Cup, having been utterly obliterated by this skilled and talented Premier County team, whose skills were clearly displayed during the second-half of this afternoons clash.

Tipperary Team: Rhys Shelly (0-01), Robert Doyle (0-01), Eoghan Connolly (0-01), Michael Breen, Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher (Captain), Bryan O’Mara, Willie Connors (0-01), Conor Stakelum (0-01); Jake Morris (0-01), Andrew Ormond (0-01), Sam O’Farrell, Darragh McCarthy (1-13,- 0-09 from frees), John McGrath (2-02), Jason Forde (0-02).

Substitutes: Seamus Kennedy [for Bryan O’Mara], Alan Tynan [for Craig Morgan], Noel McGrath [for Sam O’Farrell], Oisin O’Donoghue [for Andrew Ormond], Darragh Stakelum [for Conor Stakelum].

Referee: Liam Gordon [Galway].