Sport « Thurles Information

Tipperary Casino Given Go-Ahead By An Bord Pleanála

Model of proposed Two-Mile-Borris Casino

An Bord Pleanála, went against the advice of it’s own planning inspectorate today, and has given the go-ahead for a Casino, an eight storey 500 bedroom hotel and an indoor racetrack complex / golf facility at Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, here in Co Tipperary. However, the board refused permission for a proposed 15,000 seater music venue on the site.

A number of local people together with An Taisce had strongly opposed the plan, with An Taisce stating its scale and size would have significant environmental and economic consequences for the local area and would cannibalise local businesses and already established racing and golf venues in Munster.

See Planning Application Here – Planning Appeal Here. See Planning Inspectors Report Here.

Note, that while a An Bord Pleanála Inspector appears to recommend refusal, the project has now been given the go ahead, supported by a number of major horse breeders in the Munster region.

So far the only mention of financial backers for this project are ‘a foreign consortium.’

The site, which has a stated area of circa 330 hectares, is within the townlands of Noard, Newhill, Leigh and Borris c. 11km to the east of Thurles town centre, 1.8km to the south-east of Twomileborris and c.4km to the north-east of Littleton. The site is bounded by the M8 to the north, the N75 to the north-east, agricultural and Coillte Forestry lands to the east, Bord na Mona bog lands to the south and agricultural lands to the west. Of the 330 hectares approx. 110 hectares comprises of agricultural land with the remainder (c.220 hectares) under commercial forestry.

Horseracing Ireland, Bord na gCon, Horse Sport Ireland, Shannon Development and the Thurles Chamber of Commerce are among the bodies who made submissions in favour of the project.

The promoter behind the Tipperary Venue, Richard Quirke of Dr Quirkey’s Emporium on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, had already stated that the project would not go ahead if the proposed Casino element was not allowed. Mr Quirke also stated that about 1,000 jobs will be created during construction, and 1,350 full-time jobs when project is completed.

This would appear to be the first time, in the history of the Irish State, that major planning permission has been granted for a project, for which overdue national legislation has not been publically discussed or approved by Government.

Limerick V Waterford In Semple’s Field Thurles Tomorrow

Waterford V Limerick Semple Stadium

Hurling managers Davy Fitzgerald and Donal O’Grady have confirmed their starting line-ups for tomorrow’s Munster SHC semi-final in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

Limerick Senior hurling manager Donal O’Grady has handed debuts to 3 three Championship newcomers in their clash against Waterford. Named players to make their debuts in Semple field are Richie Mc Carthy, Sean Tobin and Kevin Downes. Young forward Declan Hannon, who was impressive during Limerick’s Division 2 title-winning run, is absent due to current Leaving Cert examinations.

Limerick are seeking their first win in the Munster championship since 2007, a challenge made difficult by last year’s internal wrangling which placed them in Division 2 this year. The Limerick side also shows 13 changes from the side that lost to Cork last year.

Limerick’s 15:- N. Quaid; D. Reale, S. Hickey; T. Condon; W. McNamara; B. Geary, G. O’Mahony; D. O’Grady, P. Browne; J. Ryan; R. McCarthy; N. Moran; S. Tobin; K. Downes; G. Mulcahy.

Meanwhile, Clare legend Davy Fitzgerald and Waterford team management will open up their defence of the Munster SHC, having named their team. following final training last night. Players include Fives, Mahony and O’Sullivan who played for Waterford’s Under-21s in their Championship loss to Tipperary last week, along with Noel Connors and Maurice Shanahan, who will start at corner back and wing forward this weekend. Eoin Kelly, Waterford’s regular free-taker over the past number of years, has been omitted from the team.

Waterford’s 15:- C. Hennessy; D. Fives; W. Hutchinson; N.Connors; T. Browne; M. Walsh; K. Moran; S. O’Sullivan; R. Foley; P. Mahony; S. Molumphy; M. Shanahan; J. Mullane; S. Walsh; B. O’Sullivan.

Throw-In is 4.00pm in Semple Stadium, Thurles.

World And Mother Attend Launch Of Rattler

Sharing memories - Michael Byrne and Mícheál O’Muircheartaigh. Photo: J. O'Loughlin.

The ballroom of the Anner Hotel here in Thurles was bursting at the seams last night, as local friends, old comrades and sporting admirers gathered, to celebrate with Michael “Rattler ” Byrne, the launch of the book, not surprisingly entitled, ‘Rattler.’

Local social and community organiser, poet and historian Tom Noone was on hand, and as usual, very capably undertook the role of ‘Master of Ceremonies.’

Amongst the speakers were; GAA patron His Grace Archbishop Dr. Dermot Clifford, Michael Dundon, co-author of ‘Rattler,’ former Tipp hurling great Jimmy Doyle, Chairman of Tipp County Board Barry O’Brien, Chairman of Thurles Sarsfields Michael Maher, Cristy Ring Jnr and Paul Byrnes, latter, who spoke on behalf of the Byrnes family.

Also present were; Mayor of North Tipperary John Kennedy, latter fresh from his Obama encounter and plenty of hurling friends from all over the country including Tony Reddin, Paddy Buggy, Eddie Keher, just to mention a few. Former GAA President Sean Kelly MEP and Deputy Noel Coonan TD, were also in attendance.

Mícheál O’ Muircheartaigh launched the book in his own inimitable style, but not before having first interviewed the “Rattler.” on stage much to the amusement of all in attendance. Rattler Byrne sang the song, ‘By the bright silvery light of the moon,’ and also demonstrated his prowess as a very fine mouth organ player.

Other musical entertainment for the evening was provided by the Thurles Gospel Singers, and a very fine Trad group of musicians made up of family members and friends.

All in all, surely a night to remember and a book now launched, which makes for essential reading.

Tipperary Atone Against Cork In Munster SHC

Yesterdays magnificent display by Tipperary against Cork, in front of 31,231 spectators, showed why The Premier County are All-Ireland champions.

Tipperary came through a gripping Munster SHC quarter-final against old rivals Cork at Semple Stadium this afternoon, atoning for last year’s ten-point embarrassing championship defeat against the Rebel County.

A remarkable second half saw Cork come from seven points down at half time to draw level, before Tipperary pulled away again, thanks in no small measure to substitute Benny Dunne’s goal four minutes from the end of normal time.
Tipperary led by 2-11 to 0-10 at the interval, as last years ‘Hurler of the Year ‘ Lar Corbett and team captain Eoin Kelly struck for goals minutes before the half way mark, aided by no fewer than six of Tipperary’s starting forwards who also registering their mark on the score board.

The second half saw the Rebels take control of mid field and haul themselves level with a run of seven unanswered points, levelling the score, but despite Cork having advantage of the wind, Lar Corbett managed an inspirational point, to again restore Tipperary’s momentary lost half time advantage.

In past matches Tipperary have sometimes appeared to loose steam in the closing minutes of play, but today the Premier County truly turned on the style closing the game with four fine scores, two from Seamus Callanan, who was playing his first competitive match of this year, following a broken collarbone.

Final Score: Tipperary 3-22 – Cork 0-23

Tipperary Scorers were: E Kelly 1-7, L Corbett 1-2, S Callanan 0-5, N McGrath 0-4, B Dunne 1-0, J O’Brien 0-2, P. Maher 0-1 and J. Woodlock 0-1.

Tipp Team: B Cummins; P. Stapleton, P. Curran, M. Cahill, D. Young, Padraic Maher, J. O’Keeffe; G. Ryan, S. McGrath, S. Callanan, N. McGrath, Patrick Maher, E. Kelly, J. O’Brien, L. Corbett.

Subs: P. Bourke for G. Ryan, J. Woodlock for S. McGrath, C. O’Mahony for D.Young , B. Dunne for J.O’Brien.

Lar Outside – New Song From Johnny B and the Boogie Men

Johnny B and the Boogie Men have just released a fantastic new song and video called Lar Outside! This song follows on from their very successful hit last year called Premier Rap which everybody loved, including our sporting rivals. The new song is once again all about our great Tipperary hurling team and Lar Corbett in particular. The video has only just been put up on YouTube but already it has had over 40,000 views. You can check out the video below, it rocks!

To view more info about Mickey ‘The Rattler’ Byrne, a Tipperary hurling legend mentioned in the video, you can check out a recent post we did on his new book called ‘The Rattler’.

Well done to Johnny B and The Boogie Men, this song is going to be huge. You can expect to hear ‘Lar Outside’ on local radio stations like TippFM and even national radio. Here’s to Tipperary winning this years All Ireland Hurling Championship.

C’mon Tipp!!
🙂