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 The Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed that it has entered into preliminary discussions with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in relation to the availability of GAA grounds, as part of a possible Irish bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Acknowledging that any future bid by the IRFU would be heavily dependent on both Government and GAA support, the IRFU state that they will understand and fully respect any GAA decision made when their response is delivered, in due course.
The number of stadia required for any future bid for this tournament has not as yet been decided, but a key element of future planning would be to first establish the number of locations and venues available, before a feasibility study could be undertaken, thus determining Ireland’s capacity to host such a tournament.
“The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand showed what a country of four million people could achieve, so an overall Irish bid is something that should be discussed and I believe every citizen is very aware of the huge benefits from both a social and economic perspective, that could be achieved from hosting the third largest sporting event on the globe, especially in terms of attracting visitors and showcasing Ireland’s global potential, ” stated Mr Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive.
In Kerry and West Cork for the first two decades of the GAA, rugby and not Gaelic football was observed, by many, as the county’s pre-eminent sport. The word Caid (Word meaning ‘Bulls Scrotum.’) originally referred to the ball, an egg-shaped object, which was in early use. It was made out of animal skin, with a natural bladder inside. Indeed this traditional game of ‘Caid,’ publically referred to as ‘rough and tumble,‘ was popular with peasantry particularly from these areas, throughout the nineteenth century. As late as 1885 a renowned team from Ballymacelligott were issuing regular challenges for matches with many parishes here in Munster, under the two basic forms of the game, Cross-country Caid and Field Caid, the former often played & decided by Irish parish boundaries.
So will that ‘Hallowed Ground,’ that is Semple’s Field here in Thurles the ‘European Town of Sport 2012,’ play host to a game of ‘rough and tumble,‘ in 2023?
I believe so. We have come a long way from the days when the 1527 Statutes of Galway, banned ‘hokie,’ the hurling of a little ball with sticks on a Sunday & the Sunday Observance Act of 1695, which later imposed a fine of one shilling for anyone found playing sport on a Sunday, latter law which by the way was not repealed until, yes, 1962.
Your comments please.
 It is a repeat of the Leinster final and Kilkenny are now set to meet Galway in the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, having trashed Tipperary by 4-24 to 1-15 in today’s semi final at Croke Park, in front of 50,220 spectators.
There is no doubt that Tipperary were bet by a better team, with Kilkenny playing an exceptional second-half and continuously winning almost every battle, raining down ball on Tipperary, which the latter seemed incapable of answering.
The early first half saw a ferocious battle of skill and tough physical contact from both sides, but exceeding all sporting expectations. However some of the exchanges on both sides during the match must now raises questions regarding the consistency of the refereeing.
Kilkenny started the scoring with a point from Aidan Fogarty, which was quickly answered by Pa Bourke. Lar Corbett got a cut to his face in a tangle with Jackie Tyrrell. Tipperary midfielder Shane McGrath puts Tipperary in the lead with another point, but this is answered by Michael Fennelly. Shefflin converts from a free following a foul on Eoin Larkin and Aidan Fogarty lands his second point of the match. The score is now Kilkenny 0-04 Tipperary 0-02.
Despite the aid of a strong breeze behind the Tipperary goal, Richie Power sends over another point answered by points from Pa Bourke & Noel McGrath. Michael Rice adds his contribution of a further point & Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins makes a brilliant save from Colin Fennelly at point-blank range. With the aid of TJ Reid, Kilkenny are in the lead by 0-07 to Tipperary’s 0-05.
Two points from Pa Bourke see both sides level for the fourth time with Kilkenny’s Tommy Walsh forced to block the ball on his goal line in a truly brilliant save. Colin Fennelly & Henry Shefflin stretch Kilkenny’s lead with two further points. A perfect hand pass from Shefflin sets up TJ Reid with a goal fired low on Cummins. Kilkenny are now 1-09 to Tipperary’s 0-07.
Kilkenny’s joy is short lived however when Lar Corbett dispossesses Kilkenny goalkeeper David Herity and Bourke shoots a goal into an empty net. Only two points now separate the teams. The effort supplied mainly by Pa Bourke will leave Tipperary at half time leading by one point, the score, Tipperary 1-10 to Kilkenny’s 1-09.
The second half sees Lar Corbett late coming back on the pitch and scoring is quickly opened by Kilkenny’s Henry Shefflin & Aidan Fogarty and answered by Tipperary’s Pa Bourke. The scores are now once again level for the eight time, Tipperary 1-11 Kilkenny 1-11.
Tipperary from then on appear to become disintegrated. Henry Shefflin drives over a point & Lar Corbett and Jackie Tyrrell are deservedly both booked. Kilkenny’s Richie Power points from a free & Aidan Fogarty finds the goal mouth on the wrong side of Cummins. Kilkenny are now 2-14 to Tpperary’s 1-12.
Pa Bourke & Shefflin exchange frees & Cillian Buckley also adds his name to the score board. Kilkenny captain Eoin Larkin gets past Paul Curran to score a 3rd Kilkenny goal. Score stands Kilkenny 3-16 Tipperary 1-13.
Frustration now hits the Tipperary team, who fail miserably to open up play. Points from Kilkenny’s Shefflin, Brian Hogan & a goal plus a further point from TJ Reid, were only answered with two points from Tipperary substitute John O’Neill, leaving a full time score of Kilkenny 4-24 to Tipperary 1-15.
Kilkenny now go through to their seventh All-Ireland Final in a row and the legend that is Kilkenny & Brian Coady continues, while Tipperary must wait yet another year.
The Tipperary senior hurling team to play Kilkenny in next Sunday’s All Ireland SHC semi-final will remain unchanged from the team which started in the Munster final against Waterford. Four of the players fielded are from the Thurles Sarsfield’s club & Lar Corbett is expected to remain at wing forward, with Shane McGrath and Brendan Maher in midfield & Noel McGrath at corner forward.
The Tipperary team is as follows: Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange), Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty), Paul Curran (Mullinahone Captain), Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Brendan Maher (Borris–Ileigh), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch), Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields), Patrick Maher (Lorrha & Dorrha), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs), John O’Brien (Toomevara) and finally Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney).
 Tipp Regain Munster 2012 Title Tipperary deservedly won the Munster Final against Waterford, in front of an attendance of 26,438 fans, in Pairc Ui Chaoimh today, killing off their challengers slowly point by point.
Tipperary appeared wasteful in the early stages, with Shane Walsh, John Mullane & Pauric Mahony sending over the first three opening points for Waterford without response in the first eight minutes.
Brian O’Meara finally puts Tipp on the scoreboard but Maurice Shanahan’s free quickly restored Waterford’s three-point advantage leaving the score Tipperary 0-01 Waterford 0-04.
However Patrick Maher’s pass to John O’Brien sees the ball planted firmly in the net despite a very difficult angle. The confidence of Tipperary now begins to show.
Referee Cathal McAllister had to calm a few players down after a brief spate of tough shouldering and a few head-to-head confrontations, however with ‘tit for tat points’ from both sides courtesy of Shane Walsh, Padraic Maher, Shane McGrath, John O’Brien, Noel McGrath, Maurice Shanahan & John Mullane, at half-time the scoreboard read – Tipperary 1-08 Waterford 0-11, but Waterford’s clear statement of intent had been checked.
The second half saw all to play for & Waterford again were first on the scoreboard courtesy of Stephen Molumphy. However Tipperary began to raise the stakes & rattled off a series of points from O’Meara, Noel McGrath, O’Brien and Cahill.
In the 55th minute the Waterford defence failed to clear a ball, dropped short from Kelly and Shane Bourke reacted quickly to chastise, striking the loose ball smartly into the net & leaving Waterford 2-13 to 0-14 adrift and running out of steam.
Kelly & Bourke would also swept over the final points of the day.
The talents of Brendan Cummins were called for on numerous occasions in both halves to dealt with Waterford’s ever present danger, one occasion being a dangerous ground ball sent courtesy of Paul O’Brien, but alas to no avail for Waterford.
All eyes will now be focused on the draw for the All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-finals, which can be heard on Morning Ireland at 7.55 on Monday.
FINAL SCORE: Tipperary 2-17 – Waterford 0-16
TIPPERARY SCORERS: J. O’Brien 1-03, S. Bourke 1-01, N. McGrath (0-02) E. Kelly (0-03 ), B. O’Meara (0-02), P. Bourke (0-02), Padraic Maher, S. McGrath, M. Cahill (0-01) a piece.
TIPPERARY TEAM: Brendan Cummins; Conor O’Brien, Paul Curran (Capt), Michael Cahill; Thomas Stapleton, Conor O’Mahony, Padraic Maher, Brendan Maher, Shane McGrath; Pa Bourke, Patrick Maher, Lar Corbett, Brian O’Meara, John O’Brien, Noel McGrath.
SUBS USED: Eoin Kelly, Shane Bourke, Donagh Maher, Seamus Callanan.
 Thurles Sarsfield's Hurling Festival Chairman, John Enright practises his Road Bowling. The two All-Ireland SHC third phase qualifier ties – Wexford v Cork and Limerick v Clare – will be part of a triple header of matches in Semple Stadium, Thurles, Co.Tipperary beginning next Saturday.
GAA fans travelling to Thurles, this Saturday July 14th, will have the opportunity to watch two make-or-break hurling clashes, along with the All-Ireland SFC second round qualifier between Tipperary and Wexford. The football game has been moved forward to a 3.00pm throw-in time, with Wexford meeting Cork at 5.00pm and the Limerick-Clare Munster derby topping the bill at 7.00pm.
To add to this festival attraction, there are no admission charges to the Thurles Sarsfield’s International Hurling Festival games which will be played throughout Saturday July 14th at venues: St Patrick’s College, Morris Park and Sarsfield’s outside pitch.
Chairman of the Thurles Sarsfield’s International Hurling Festival, Mr John Enright, wishes it to be known that by not having an admission charge, the club is hoping that the general public will turn out in large numbers to support their teams, who will arrive in Thurles from the United States, Europe, England & closer to home Northern Ireland as well as from counties where hurling is less predominant. Thousands of sporting visitors are expected to visit Thurles, European Town of Sport 2012, this weekend.
Chairman John Enright stated: “This is one of many ways of promoting Thurles not just as a top sports venue, but also a tourism venue promoting our rich heritage, long kept secret over generations. I am confident the people of Thurles will give our visitors such a welcome, that their experience of Thurles will be a memory never to be forgotten & encourage them to return again & again, into our midst.”
Of course the official opening of this festival takes place on Friday night beginning at 8.30pm in the Sarsfield’s Social Centre, beside Semple Stadium and will include a concert by members of Tipperary Comhaltas, their musicians, singers and dancers. Once again admission to this event is totally free. Competitions get under way on Saturday morning so as not to spoil the fun for those wishing to attend the All-Ireland qualifier games in Semple Stadium on Saturday evening. The prestigious Semple Cup will open proceedings at Morris Park and Sarsfield’s outside field at 11.00am, while the Carew Cup competition (losers section) will follow later.
Mrs Anne Gunning, daughter of Tom Semple, will be on hand to present the Semple Cup, dedicated to her late great father.
The European hurling and camogie championships are being played at the St Patrick’s College, sports grounds, also beginning at 11.00am. The Ursuline all-weather pitches will also be occupied with the staging of wheelchair hurling and the Caman Abu (recreational hurling), due to kick off around mid-day. The Inter-provincial Road Bowling competition for the Cusack Cup, plus under age bowling competitions will be played on the Cormackstown Road, just on the outskirts of Thurles, near the Holycross Road junction & beginning at 11.00am. Special arrangements for parking are being put in place in that area for this event.
Among the distinguished visitors expected to visit the festival are the President of the GAA Mr Liam O Neill, Minister of State for Sport and Tourism, Alan Kelly TD, & Mr Brian Keating (Shannon Development & European Town of Sport 2012 Promoter & Main Sponsor).
Promotion of this free week-end festival of sport is expected to cost Thurles Sarsfields in excess of €10,000, so to them go our gratitude.
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