Two cases of Chalara die-back, caused by a fungus named Chalara fraxinea, have now been confirmed as affecting ash trees growing here in Co Tipperary. In recent months, the first confirmed case in Ireland was found in Co Leitrim. The young trees from this site which had tested positive for the disease, were immediately destroyed.
Latest sites, however, confirmed as having the disease include two here in County Tipperary, a site in County Galway and one site in County Meath.
Recent ash wood import restrictions introduced by the Department of Agriculture to prevent the spread of this disease have raised concerns particularly among makers of our traditional ‘camán,’ or hurley.
The disease is known to affect ash trees of any age and can be fatal, particularly to younger trees. The wide range of symptoms associated with ash die back includes:- Necrotic lesions and cankers along the bark, branches or main stem. Signs of foliage wilt or discolouration. Wilting of shoots, twigs or main stems.
Ash trees suffering from C. fraxinea have been found widely across mainland Europe, with Denmark reporting that the disease has infected about 90% of its ash tree population. Experts believe that if the disease becomes fully established, then it could have a similar impact on the landscape, as did Dutch elm disease in the 1970s.
All of the ash trees affected are understood to have been imported as saplings from continental Europe three years ago and all have now been destroyed.
What I find difficult to understand is why in God’s name, was Ireland importing ash saplings?
Thurles Sarsfields are AIB Munster Club SHC winners for the very first time, having beaten De La Salle in a keenly-fought, hugely enjoyable contest, which saw Thurles take revenge on De La Salle for their previous 0-9 to 0-8 defeat in 2010, at the same venue Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Paddy McCormack denies De La Salle a most certain goal in the second half. (Photo J O’Loughlin.)
Not surprisingly Thurles were extremely hungry, given they were chasing their first ever title and a chance to get their mitts on the O’Neill Cup.
It was undoubtedly Jim Corbett’s fifth-minute goal which set Thurles on their way to this most memorable 1-21 to 1-16 victory, which would see Thurles led by two points after a hard fought first half, and then stretch to a five point lead by the final whistle.
De La Salle, demonstrated their real ability to do battle, bouncing back from a five points deficit midway through the first half, thanks to Nevin, who now left them just two points in arrears, but the sending-off of John Keane in the 27th minute sealed De La Salle’s ability to ever forge ahead to close that final gap.
Add to this the team quality of Sarsfields hurling and the skill and determination of players like Pa Bourke, Johnny Enright, Richie Ruth, Michael Gleeson, Paddy McCormack, Lar Corbett and second half substitute Ger ‘Redser‘ O’Grady, Thurles was always assured an outright victory.
Thurles Sarsfields are now Munster champions & the next round will see this ‘force to be reckoned with,’ do battle with the Leinster Club Senior Hurling Champions on February 9th 2013.
Thurles Sarsfields Team: – P McCormack, S Maher, K O’Gorman, David Maher, D Kennedy, P Maher, M Cahill, J Enright, M Gleeson, Denis Maher, J Corbett, L Corbett, M O’Brien, P Bourke, A McCormack. Subs: R Ruth for M O’Brien, G O’Grady for J Corbett, S Cahill for Gleeson, R Maher for S Maher.
Lar Corbett goes on a solo run from midfield to score Thurles Sarsfield first goal. (Photo Courtesy J.O’Loughlin.)
Thurles Sarsfields came away 2-20 to 2-15 winners following their clash with Cork Sarsfields in the AIB Munster Club SHC semi-final at Semple Stadium, Thurles this afternoon in front of a 2,934 official attendance.
Richie Ruth and Lar Corbett scored Thurles Sarsfields goals, while points from Pa Bourke, Aidan McCormack, Michael Gleeson, Michael O’Brien, Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady and Johnny Enright sealed this important home win.
A brilliant save by Thurles Sarsfields goalkeeper Patrick McCormack as he reacted to head away a shot by Cork’s Ronan Murphy, around the 29th minute, did not go unnoticed.
Thurles Sarsfields had gained control of the game leading 1-11 to 1-8 at the break, greatly encouraged by Lar Corbett’s superb seventh-minute goal, driven into the net by the former Hurler of the Year, following a magnificent catch around the 65-yard line and a solo run through Cork’s defences.
Early second half points from Bourke and Enright ensured Thurles Sarsfields continued on a winning course against Cork, while also stretching their lead to five points.
Cork with the aid of Cian McCarthy had however levelled by injury-time, but Ruth’s goal, aided by a great run from Michael Cahill, and two points from McCormack and Enright ensured the hosts a late, but deserved win.
Thurles Sarsfields did manage to hit some seven uncharacteristic misses during the second half, but despite this they can now look forward to facing Waterford champions De La Salle in the provincial decider on Sunday, November 25th.
Thurles Sarsfields have 32 county titles to their name, but amazingly have never won a Munster Club hurling championship, so expect a no holds barred contest on next outing.
Team
Thurles Sarsfields: Patrick McCormack, Aidan McCormack, Padraic Maher, Stephen Maher, Kevin O’Gorman, Jim Corbett, Lar Corbett, David Maher, David Kennedy, Michael Cahill, Michael Gleeson, Johnny Enright, Pa Bourke, Michael O’Brien and Denis Maher.
Score Board: Pa Bourke 0-7, Aidan McCormack 0-5, Johnny Enright 0-4, Lar Corbett 1-1, Richie Ruth 1-0, with Michael Gleeson, Ger O’Grady and Michael O’Brien at 0-1 each.
Substitutions: Richie Ruth for Jim Corbett, John Maher for Michael Gleeson & Ger ‘Redser,’ O’Grady for John Maher.
Thurles Sarsfields, the most successful hurling club side here in Tipperary, yesterday reached the last-four of the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship.
The Tipperary champions now face Cork title holders Sarsfields in a November 11th semi-final.
Yesterday Thurles moved into a 1-07 to 0-05 half-time lead, thanks to a Pa Bourke’s goal from a 20-yard free and Johnny Enright’s free taking skills.
A rather clinical Kilmallock started the second half much more positively, cutting their first half deficit down to just two points. However Lar Corbett, former ‘Hurler of the Year,’ was also on top form, producing a goal around the 43 minutes to uplift the hard fighting Tipperary club side, who would finally finish the game with a score line reading Thurles Sarsfields2-12 (18pts) – Kilmallock 0-15.
THURLES SARSFIELDS: P McCormack, S Maher, K O’Gorman, David Maher, D Kennedy, P Maher, M Cahill, M Gleeson, J Enright, P Bourke, J Corbett, L Corbett, M O’Brien, Denis Maher and A McCormack.
SUBS: B O’Dwyer for S Maher, G O’Grady for J Corbett, J Maher for Enright and R Ruth for A McCormack.
Padraig Maher holds aloft the Dan Breen Cup. Photo: J.O’Loughlin
The Premier County’s most successful hurling team Thurles Sarsfields defeated their neighbouring rivals and 2011 champions, Drom & Inch by three points in a riveting final at Semple Stadium, Thurles, this weekend with a full time score Thurles Sarsfields 1-21 Drom & Inch 2-15.
Sarsfields won the Tipperary senior club hurling championship to hold aloft the Dan Breen cup for the 32nd time. Drom & Inch had won the competition for the first time in their history last year, however loosing yesterday was their fourth final defeat in eight years, having lost in 2005, 2007, 2009 and now 2012.
Sarsfields must now turn their thoughts to the Munster Club Championship, one competition which has previously avoided them. They now face Limerick champions Kilmallock in an away match, on October 28th next .
Thurles Sarsfields Team: P McCormack; S Maher, K O’Gorman, David Maher; M Cahill, P Maher; D Kennedy; M Gleeson; J Enright ; P Bourke; L Corbett, J Corbett; M O’Brien; Denis Maher & A McCormack. Subs: G O’Grady for J Corbett; J Maher for O’Brien; R Ruth for Enright & J Lawlor for Denis Maher .
Drom / Inch Team: D Young; E Costello; M Butler; M Costello; E Walsh, E Buckley; L Ryan; S Delaney; J Ryan; P Lupton; J Woodlock; S Callanan; S Butler; J Lupton & D Butler. Subs: P Stapleton for E Costello, P Kennedy for J Lupton, J Moloney for Delaney, K Butler for P Lupton, & D Collins for Moloney .
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The disease is known to affect ash trees of any age and can be fatal, particularly to younger trees. The wide range of symptoms associated with ash die back includes:- Necrotic lesions and cankers along the bark, branches or main stem. Signs of foliage wilt or discolouration. Wilting of shoots, twigs or main stems.
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