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Tipperary took on Dublin in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Semi-Final today at 2:00pm in Semple Stadium, Thurles.
 Within the first two minutes Tipperary, playing with a strong breeze, opened their score with a goal from Shane Bourke, who fielded a high ball directly under the posts, slipping the ball past Dublin goalkeeper Alan Nolan. Tipp’s Pa Bourke, despite being fouled, quickly added another goal. Three further points delivered courtesy of Tipperary’s Jason Forde, Noel McGrath & Seamus Callanan, saw an ever increasing score line from Tipperary with 2-03, against an out classed Dublin with just 0-01 point, within the very first 10 minutes of the game.
Dublin from the offset were showing clear signs of being unable to cope with Tipp’s Lar Corbett, Bourke & Callanan.
By the twentieth minute the score line had further increased with Tipperary now 2-08, thanks to the same Pa Bourke, Callanan & Corbett & Dublin recovering just one point (0-02) via Danny Sutcliffe.
When Dublin’s Ryan O’Dwyer replaced Simon Lambert & Conor McCormack is replaced by Paul Ryan, Ryan appeared to make an immediate impression on the Dublin attack, pointing two frees followed by a point from Treacy, latter from play.
Half time however saw an increase in the score line with a ‘no great pressure Tipperary,’ now 3-11 to a struggling Dublin’s 0-08, with a further goal coming courtesy of Callanan and points from Jason Forde, Callanan again & Shane Bourke.
The second half saw no great change with the Dublin performance. A slick interlink between the duo, Lar Corbett & Jason Forde, saw Forde open the scoring with another point, which was quickly followed by a point from midfielder Noel McGrath.
Brendan Cummins was in usual top form saving several blasts into the goal area from Dublin’s Sutcliffe, but 15 minutes from full-time Dublin were finding it hard to get out of their own half and both teams began trading points coming from Paul Ryan, Shane Durkin, Noel McGrath, Shane McGrath, Seamus Callinan, Pa Bourke & Jason Forde, before the game began to fizzle away.
Lar Corbett, who earlier this week had suffered from flu, was replaced by Mikey Heffernan in the 56th minute, latter going on to score a goal in the final minute.
All in all Tipperary were the far more physical of the two teams and while not asked to demonstrate their full ability, far outclassed their opposition.
Full time score: Tipperary 4-20 – Dublin 0-17.
Tipperary’s Jason Forde deservedly took “Man of the Match.”
Tipperary Team: Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon Grange), Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Donagh Maher (Burgess), Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch), Seamus Callanan (Drom and Inch) Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), Patrick Maher (Lorrha and Dorrha), Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields), Jason Forde (Silvermines).
With Kilkenny’s defeat over Galway, also played at Semple Stadium today, (Final Score, Kilkenny 1-24 — Galway 1-17) it will be another Tipperary / Kilkenny classic league final at Nowlan Park, in two weeks time, on Sunday, May 5th.
 Shane Long – Photo Ian Walton/Getty Images Irish Manager Giovanni Trapattoni has dropped Wigan star James McCarthy for his World Cup qualifier in Sweden, and has opted instead for the experience of Leeds midfielder Paul Green.
The Republic of Ireland team, to play Sweden at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, is the same as the starting eleven in training this week which included Green alongside Glenn Whelan.
Keane, who is Ireland’s record scorer (54 goals) will partner West Brom star & Tipperary native Shane Long (ahead of Jon Walters,) in attack, against the Swedes.
The named Republic of Ireland eleven are: David Forde (Goal,), Marc Wilson, Seamus Coleman, John O’Shea, Ciaran Clark (Back Four,), Robbie Brady, Paul Green, Glen Whelan and James McClean (Midfield,), with strikers Robbie Keane and Shane Long (Front,).
Live television coverage of Sweden v Rep of Ireland can be viewed from 7.00pm tomorrow Friday March 22nd, on RTÉ Two. Live radio coverage is on “Game On,” on RTÉ 2fm radio from 7.00pm.
Congratulations to the victorious hurlers of St. Patrick’s College, who recently won the Fergal Maher Cup for the second time in three years. Competing in the final for the third successive year in the competition the hurlers were once again successful in bringing the cup home to Thurles.
Captained by Thurles Sarsfield’s clubman, Barry McLoughlin, the team won by a very impressive margin of 4-19 to 1-7 against St. Mary’s College. Belfast. The side is made up of hurlers from many different hurling strongholds around the country, including, Kilkenny, Wexford, Limerick, Cork and Galway.
In addition to Barry McLoughlin, County Tipperary was also represented by Moycarkey-Borris clubman Ailbe Power and Thurles Sarsfield’s Liam Cullen.
Rory Hickey, from Lisdowney in Kilkenny stole the show with an incredible personal tally of 4-5.
Team: Rory Hickey (4-5, Lisdowney, Kilkenny); Kevin Foley (0-3, Raparees-Starlights, Wexford); Cathal McNamara (0-3 Doon, Limerick); Cian Ryan (0-2, Windgap, Kilkenny); Evan Walsh (0-2, O’Loughlin Gaels, Kilkenny); Brian Kennedy (0-2, St. Lachtains, Kilkenny); Jason Corcoran (0-1, John Lockes, Kilkenny); Anthony Roche (0-1, Raparees-Starlights, Wexford); P.J. Trant (Graigue-Ballycallan, Kilkenny); Ailbe Power ( Moycarkey-Borris); Barry McLoughlin (Capt, Thurles Sarsfileds); Dan Doheny (John Lockes, Kilkenny); John Cullinane (Thomastown, Kilkenny); Rob Barron (St. James, Wexford); Dean O’Toole (Kilaneran, Wexford); Liam Lacey (St.Patrick’s Ballyragget, Kilkenny); Liam Cullen (Thurles Sarsfields); Cathal McCarthy (Balinadee, Cork); Colm Cummins (Doon, Limerick); Fionn Carew (Doon, Limerick) and Aaron Staunton (Mountbellew-Moylough).
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)
The semi finals of the AIB All Ireland Hurling Club Championships pitted first time Munster champions Thurles Sarsfields against its Leinster counterparts Kilcormac/Kiloughey, under referee Colm Lyons, in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise this Saturday afternoon.
However for Thurles Sarsfields, the 2013 semi finals of this AIB All Ireland Hurling Club Championship was not to be on the cards, with a final score Kilcormac/Killoughey 1-20 (23) – Thurles Sarsfields 1-14 (17).
Kilcormac/Killoughey, on the other hand, proved deserving winners today, successfully invalidating all expected threats by Thurles Sarsfields, producing, in particular an unbelievable second-half performance & outscoring the Sarsfields by six points to just one, in the final ten minutes of play.
Ahead narrowly by just one point at half-time, [1-8 (11) to 1-7,(10)] Kilcormac/Killoughey, overall, produced a powerful tough display through their players Ciaran Slevin, who produced four points in just the final minutes, Daniel Currams, Conor Mahon, & Brian Leonard, all of whom proved relentless in their hunger for victory.
Thurles Sarsfields did fight back into contention through players Denis Maher, Bourke, & substitute Ronan Maher, all who delivered points bringing the Tipperary champions to within touching distance up until the sixtieth minute, [1-14 (17) to 1-13 (16)]. Right through the game it was Pa Bourke who continued to provide the only real constant threat from the Sarsfields side, but the sheer determination and fire of Kilcormac/Kiloughey, in particular their heroic defence and Ciaran Slevin’s accuracy from distance, which was to carry the day.
Scorers for Thurles Sarsfields: Pa Bourke 1-5, Johnny Enright 0-2, Denis Maher 0-2, with Michael Gleeson, Ronan Maher, Aidan McCormack, Richie Ruth, Michael O’Brien scoring 0-1 each.
Thurles Sarsfields Team: Paddy McCormack, Stephen Maher, Kevin O’Gorman, David Maher, David Kennedy, Padraic Maher, Michael Cahill, Michael Gleeson, Johnny Enright, Pa Bourke, Jim Corbett, Lar Corbett, Richie Ruth, Pa Bourke, Aidan McCormack.
Thurles Substitutions: Ger O’Grady for Jim Corbett, Ronan Maher for Johnny Enright & Michael O’Brien for Richie Ruth.
Our gratitude to Thurles Sarsfields, who have given us all one hell of a great year hurling-wise and we thank them all most sincerely for their efforts & now eagerly look forward to next year.
 Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring is “excited.” Sure why wouldn’t he be, he has just announced almost €26 million in new funding, under the Sports Capital Programme, for local sports projects across the Republic of Ireland, & conveniently just prior to ‘Budget Day,’ next Wednesday. However out of 96 clubs situated around North & South Tipperary, who applied for this funding, only 30 clubs have been lucky with their applications.
Michael Ring came in for criticism earlier this year when a 70% increase (€1.7m) in lottery funding ended up in Co Mayo, (Who of importance lives in Mayo, I wonder.) for which the Minister, when questioned, denied that there was anything unusual or indeed untoward about this generosity.
A total number of 2,170 sports funding applications were received nationally, the highest number of applications ever sought under this Programme, which would have required some €229 million in initial funding if all were accepted.
In announcing this funding Minister Ring stated: “I am excited about the allocations being made today. These allocations will benefit people in every county; by giving them more opportunities to get involved in sport, whatever their ability. This funding will allow a diverse array of sports clubs and groups to build and improve much-needed facilities, or to purchase sports equipment.”
Whatever about some clubs creating employment in the construction sector, it is highly unlikely that these, mainly GAA, clubs are going to buy me a ‘camán,’ at 64 years of age or any other sports equipment for those like myself, afflicted by the ageing process.
Tipperary’s share of these spoils number just 30 clubs jointly in North & South Tipperary
Ballina GAA Club – €56,000, Ballymackey Football Club Ltd – €58,000, Ballyporeen \ Skeheenarinky GAA Field Development Committee – €18,000, Borrisokane Athletic Club – €5,700, Cappawhite N.S. and Cappawhite Community Council Limited – €25,000, Carrick on Suir Athletic Club, Carrick on Suir Community Games and Sean Kelly Sports Centre – €60,000, Carrick United AFC Limited – €28,000, Cashel Kings Cormacs GAA – €36,923, Cashel Rugby Football Club – €30,000, Castleview Lawn Tennis Club Ltd – €19,000, Clanwilliam Football Club – €28,000, Clonmel Celtic Football Club – €30,000, Clonmel Commercials G.F.C / St Marys H.C – €28,000, Tipperary Drangan Community Centre Ltd- €20,000, Galtee Rovers-St. Pecaun’s GAA Club – €30,000, Grangemockler Community Sportsfield – €22,000, Holycross Football Club – €67,000, Kildangan GAA Club – €15,000, KPLAN Community Centre Limited – €20,000, Lahorna Handball Club – €15,000, Newport G.A.A. club – €40,000, Ormond Special Olympics Club, Nenagh – €2,000, Peake Villa Football Club – €15,000, Portroe GAA – €63,000, Rearcross Football Club – €5,000, Riverdale Pitch and Putt club – €15,000, Silvermines GAA Club – €35,000, Thurles Boxing Club – €10,000, Tipperary Town Football Club – €20,000 & finally Upperchurch Drombane GAA Club – €38,000.
The Sports Capital Programme was first introduced in 1999, and quickly developed a notorious reputation for being used by Government Ministers & TD’s to introduce funding into their local Constituencies, so successful clubs here in Tipperary should expect the ‘old TD’s welcoming letters,’ posted tomorrow, which will bear the words, “I have successfully lobbied with my colleague Minister Ring on your behalf.”
I wonder will they now write to the other numbered 66 unsuccessful clubs and what will be their defence? Will this new allotted funding, paid for by ordinary Irish gamblers, keep a large number of individuals from protesting on our streets, throwing the odd egg or, heaven forbid, even ensure a continued local voting pattern, when followed by next Wednesday’s Budget? No I don’t think so.
UPDATE: On 3/12/2012 – Just like we forecast yesterday – see Breaking News
“The Minister for Sport has defended a decision to give his local soccer club a €200,000 grant.
Westport United Community Soccer Club in Co Mayo was named as one of a number of clubs around the country to benefit from a Department of Sport grant scheme.
Fianna Fáil has told the Irish Daily Mail that there needs to be more transparency about how the money was allocated, because (The party claims) it appears Fine Gael-lobbied projects were given priority. But Minister Michael Ring has hit back, saying his local club deserved the money and he stands over the decision “100%”.
“I did this as fairly as I could do it,” he said. “Did I give my own (constituency) more than anyone else? No. I spread it around the country and around the sports as best I could.“
Three grass pitches, 2 Astro-turf pitches and state of the art changing facilities on the way courtesy of Irish people & gifted by Fine Gael & Labour. Of course the new Westport United FC website was launched in the Castlecourt Hotel on Friday 27th April by Deputy Michael Ring TD.
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