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 Ireland’s opening game tonight at the EURO 2012 finals against Croatia, held in Poznan, has ended in what can only be described as a messy defeat, with Giovanni Trapattoni’s 14-game unbeaten run ending tonight in a 3-1 defeat.
Croatia moved into the lead just after three minutes with Mario Mandzukic’s header. Giovanni Trapattoni’s side were slow in regaining any real composure, but Aiden McGeady’s free-kick delivered to the back right post was header into the net by Sean St Ledger, who successfully out-muscled Vedran Corluka in the process.
Ireland now seemed to get a short lived stride in their step and enjoyed a reasonable share of possession, but allowed Luka Modric to totally dominate their midfield. This allowed Modric to set up Croatia’s second goal just before half time by slipping past Robbie Keane. His shot, which pin-balled around edge of the box, ended up finding Nikica Jelavic, thanks to Stephen Ward’s sliced clearance. Jelavic flipped the ball over the head of goal keeper Shay Given, in what can only be described as a well targeted clinical style finish.
After the break & two minutes into the second half, Mario Mandzukic headed his second goal past a very unlucky Given, with the ball rebounding off the keeper’s head to cross the goal line.
To be fair the Irish team did fight back, but passing was poor & the team had all of the appearance of having had little time playing as a team.
With Croatia now firmly in the driving seat and smelling victory within their grasp, the introduction of Irish substitutes, Walters for McGeady & Cox for Doyle, both after 52 minutes & Tipperary’s Shane Long for Robbie Keane, in the 74 minute, did little to revitalise a sloppy Trapattoni’s side, which found themselves struggling even to make it out of their own half.
Refereeing by Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipersalso was also poor, with Robbie Keane being denied what was obviously a penalty in the second half, when central defender Gordon Schildenfeld’s crudely challenged him from behind.
Slaven Bilic’s men are now top of Group C, following the 1-1 draw between Spain and Italy earlier in the day.
Ireland now approaches Thursday’s game against Spain, needing a result which will reignite their hope of qualifying into the knock-out stages.
Final Result: Republic of Ireland 1, Croatia 3.
 Tipperary Carriage Driving Trials Festival Cahir The County Tipperary Carriage Driving Trials Festival takes place in Cahir, at the end of this month, with a major expansion of last years successful programme of events.
Organised in association with Horse Sport Ireland’s Carriage Driving Section, this now three day event takes place, beginning on June 29th next, with a Carriage Charity Drive on the Friday, set against a scenic backdrop which includes, Cahir Castle, The Swiss Cottage, magnificent scenic views of the Galteee Mountain range and of course the Kedrah Equestrian Centre.
Advice To All Visitors: Forgetting you love of equestrian sport for a moment, do allow yourself time to visit the other many varied visitor attractions, which this area of Tipperary has to offer.
For full visual details of all the equestrian activities taking place, simply click HERE
For advertising or sponsorship information please Tel: +353 (0) 87 2268126 or E-mail bpdavis@eircom.net
 A determined Pa Bourke Limerick arrived in Semple Stadium intent on doing serious damage to Munster champions Tipperary today. Despite signs of the All Ireland finalists being a little rattled at times, Tipperary did managed a comeback however with the final score Tipperary: 2-20 Limerick: 1-19.
Playing against the wind Eoin Kelly missed a couple of frees, but O’Meara finding an unmarked Bourke lead to a bottom left corner goal, thus levelling the scores at 1-03 to 6 points.
McGrath & Allis exchanged points before Downes restored Limerick’s lead after 23 minutes of play. Brendan Cummins having denied Mulcahy a goal earlier was forced to concede to the latter, to put Limerick 1-08 to 1-04 ahead.
Limerick led 1-09 to 1-08 at the break following four points from Bourke, Kelly and McGrath and a point from Limerick’s Sean Tobin in stoppage time.
The second half saw Tipperary rattled as Limerick’s Downes, Dowling, Breen, Mulcahy, Tobin and Allis appeared to dominate, building Limericks lead by 6 points without reply.
Limerick seemed all set to deliver a shock result, but the determination of Pa Bourke appeared to settle Tipperary down, reducing Limerick’s margin to two points before O’Meara acquired the magic goal which was to prove decisive.
Tipperary are now set for a Munster semi-final with Cork.
Tipperary Team: B Cummins, D Maher, (C O’Brien 48), M Cahill, P Curran, T Stapleton, Padraic Maher, C O’Mahony, J Woodlock (S McGrath 28), B Maher, G Ryan (S Callinan 50), N McGrath, P Bourke, E Kelly (Patrick Maher 42), B O’Meara, J O’Brien (S Bourke 63).
 Thurles is to become the host for the International Hurling Festival 2012 which will take place on Friday 13th July and Saturday 14th July 2012. The festival will coincide with the Munster Hurling Final weekend with the Munster Final being held on the Sunday 15th July. Players and fans from Ireland and all over the world will descend on Thurles for this weekend Festival.
The GAA, Thurles Sarsfields GAA Club, Shannon Development and other regional partnerships and bodies have organised the two day event to serve up a feast of hurling activity with clubs and teams competing for a range of cups and silverware culminating in the Munster GAA Senior Hurling Final on 15th July (venue TBC).
Speaking at the official launch of the event Liam Ó Néill of Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, said, “The International Hurling Festival of events scheduled will really add to what is always an exciting weekend for hurling enthusiasts, the occasion of the Munster Senior Hurling Final.” Liam went on to say, “It is hugely encouraging to see the number of clubs from our overseas network involved in the hurling festivities and I have no doubt that the organising committee, host club, Thurles Sarsfields and all the players and officials involved will derive massive satisfaction from an initiative which has the potential to occupy a place in our calendar on an annual basis. ”
John Enright, chairman of the organising committee said, “The festival is an effort by the Thurles Sarsfield club to aid the development of hurling as an international game while at the same time stimulating the local economy by attracting teams and visitors to the area. Hurling is unique to Ireland and has a huge largely un-tapped potential to boost tourism to our country in these difficult financial times.”
The European Hurling and Camogie Championships Finals will take place on Saturday 14th July. Teams from Switzerland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Netherlands, France, Belgium and Spain amongst others will compete over the course of the day to become the 2012 European Champions. The festival will also showcase the International Camán Abú Tournament for Social And Recreational Hurling which just shows how hurling is diversifying and is encouraging more people to play it.
This festival should be a great success and a welcome boost to the Thurles economy. It is especially appropriate given that Thurles is the European Town of Sport 2012.
For a full list of events and more information visit thurlessarsfields.gaa.ie and justplay.gaa.ie.
 CBS Golf Classic The CBS annual James O’Donoghue “Hurling Development Fundraiser” Golf Classic will take place on Friday, June 1st next at Thurles Golf Club.
Teams of four cost €160.00 per entry. As usual there will be some great prizes up for grabs on the night.
You can also choose to sponsor a tee-box for €50.00.
If you wish to book a slot on the time-sheet or indeed if you require any further information then please do contact the organisers by ringing the following Tel No. 087-6127921.
All proceeds from this golf classic are used each year to support the development of hurling within the school.
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