Sport « Thurles Information

Liam Cahill Opts To Stick With Same 15 That Beat Galway.

Eoin Cody, now recovered from injury, starts in the full-forward line for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against an unchanged 15 Tipperary team selection. Shane Murphy has also been restored back to the Kilkenny line-up, due to face tomorrow’s All-Ireland Hurling semi-final at Croke Park.

Tipperary manager, Liam Cahill, has opted to stick with the same 15 winning formula that beat Galway in the quarter-finals, with tomorrow being Tipperary’s first appearance in an All-Ireland semi-final this decade and their first game at Croke Park, since they overcame Kilkenny in the 2019 All-Ireland final.

Tipperary Team: Rhys Shelly; Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly, Michael Breen; Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher, Bryan O’Mara; Willie Connors, Peter McGarry; Jake Morris, Andrew Ormond, Sam O’Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath and Jason Forde.

Subs: Barry Hogan, Joe Caesar, Sean Kenneally, Seamus Kennedy, Brian McGrath, Noel McGrath, Oisin O’Donoghue, Johnny Ryan, Conor Stakelum, Darragh Stakelum, Alan Tynan.

Kilkenny Team: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Shane Murphy; Michael Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Mossy Keoghan, TJ Reid and the aforementioned Eoin Cody.

Subs: Aidan Tallis, David Blanchfield, Tommy Walsh, Pádraic Moylan, Killian Doyle, Zach Bay Hammond, Fionan Mackessy, Stephen Donnelly, Luke Hogan, Luke Connellan, Billy Drennan.

This game is set for a 4:00pm throw-in, with the match also being shown live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player. Supporters can also review highlights from the day’s action on The Sunday Game, on Sunday evening on RTÉ 2, starting from 9:30pm.

A large contingent of eager Tipperary supporters are expected to converge on Croke Park for this highly anticipated clash.

Olympic-Bound OCR World Championships Comes To Mid-West Region in 2026.

4,000 Competitors to deliver €2.8 million boost to Mid-West Economy.

Limerick has today been announced as the host city for the 2026 Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships, just two years before the sport is set to make its official debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles (FISO), the global governing body for OCR, confirmed that the event will take place from August 7th to 9th, 2026, at Limerick Racecourse, with the University of Limerick serving as the official Athlete Village.

More than 4,000 athletes from over 60 countries are expected to compete, making it one of the largest international sporting events ever staged in the Mid-West region; latter which consists of counties Tipperary Clare and Limerick.

**Fédération Internationale de Sports d’Obstacles *(FISO)* confirm Mid-West Region as venue for 2026 Obstacle Course Racing *(OCR)* World Championships, ahead of** **LA28 Olympics**.

Organisers say the economic impact will be significant, with the event is projected to generate over €2.8 million for the wider Mid-West economy.

Obstacle Course Racing is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and has now been elevated to Olympic status for LA28. The sport blends speed, strength, and strategy, challenging athletes to overcome a range of natural and man-made obstacles — including walls, rigs, rope climbs, carries, and crawls — across courses of varying distance and difficulty.

The World Championships to be held in Limerick will feature a range of formats, from short and explosive 100m and 400m sprints to 2–3km technical courses, a 15km endurance race, and high-energy team relays. The competition is open to professionals, age group athletes, Para-OCR competitors, and dedicated amateurs, making it a diverse and inclusive global event.

The successful bid to host the event in the Mid-West was prepared and submitted by the Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland (OCRA Ireland), Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau, Aimwell Events, the University of Limerick and Limerick Racecourse.

Mr Sergej Dikun, (President of OCRA Ireland), described the announcement as a landmark moment for Irish sport, “Hosting the World Championships just two years before the sport’s Olympic debut is a huge moment for Ireland. We’re honoured to bring the global OCR community to Limerick — and to showcase the passion, people, and places that make the Mid-West Region so special.”

Mr Adam Taylor (Aimwell Events), who travelled with Mr. Dikun to Portugal to present the bid, commented, “Bringing the OCR World Championships to Limerick is a landmark moment not only for the sport but for the entire Mid-West region. We’re proud to be part of the team delivering a world-class event that will attract thousands of athletes and fans from around the globe for this showcase event.”

Ms Danielle Devaney (Shannon Region Conference and Sports Bureau) said the benefits of hosting the World Championships would be far-reaching. She explained, “This event will leave a lasting legacy for the Mid-West. It’s a chance to welcome the world, be part of an Olympic story, and generate real economic impact for our communities across the region.”

Mr Michael Lynch, (CEO of Limerick Racecourse), stated, “We are delighted to be working with the event stakeholders towards delivery of this prestigious event. This is a proud moment for us. Limerick Racecourse offers a potentially spectacular setting for OCR, and we can’t wait to see it transformed into a world championship arena.”

This week’s event announcement coincides with Limerick playing host to the first-ever European 400m OCR Championships, which will take place at the University of Limerick from July 18th to 20th. That event will bring 300 elite athletes from across Europe to Ireland, marking the country’s first major international OCR competition.

Mr David Ward (Sports Business Development Manager at the University of Limerick), added, “With OCR going to the Olympics, this is a sport on the rise. UL is proud to help grow its global footprint by hosting the athlete village and supporting both this and the European Championships. It shows the scale of what this region can deliver.”

Organisers says the event will require hundreds of volunteers that will be vital to the smooth running of the championships, from obstacle marshals and hydration stations, to medal ceremonies, race kit distribution, and media support.

Visit www.ocrwc2025.com for information on this year’s OCR World Championships, taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, in September.

Thurles Planning Alert

Thurles Planning Alert from Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2560298
Applicant: Peake Villa AFC
Development Address: Peake Villa Afc , Bowling Green , Thurles
Development Description: (a) proposed new floodlighting installation to include 12no. new 18m high lighting poles to serve 2×1. existing grass pitches.
(b) all associated site works.
Status: Conditional
Application Received: 10/04/2025
Decision Date: 03/06/2025
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560298/0

Tipperary Blood Flows In Veins Of Louth Senior Football Champions.

Two-Mile-Borris Correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe Reports.

Congratulations to the Louth Senior Football Team on winning the Leinster Championship, recording a two-point win over Meath in the Football Final at Croke Park on Sunday last.
In total eleven counties competed in the 2025 Leinster Senior Football Championship and with a crowd attendance of 65,786, Louth (their 9th title) collected the Delaney Cup to bridge a gap of 68 years.
Two Mile Borris, Thurles, Co. Tipperary had a very strong connection with this winning team. Dan Corcoran and his brother Matt were both members of this Louth winning team.

**Pictured L-R:** **Dan Corcoran with his brother Matt, lifting the Delaney Cup aloft on Sunday last, as Co. Louth win Leinster Championship Football final**.

They are sons of David and Siobhan Corcoran from Blackrock, Co. Louth. Their son Dan has over 50 appearances with the County team, playing at corner back, while his brother Matt in on the extended panel.
The aforementioned David Corcoran is son of Eileen and the late Sean Corcoran from the village of Two-Mile-Borris, Thurles, with strong connections to all sports activities in both the ladies and men’s competitions.
David and his family are regular visitors to the Two Mile Borris area.
Having reached the Leinster final for three years, the win by the ‘Wee County’ on Sunday last, according to knowledgeable sporting observers, is by no means seen as a flash in the pan for Louth, so congratulations to all.

Tipperary Man Declan Kelly Joins David Beckham & Gary Neville In Salford FC Purchase.

North Tipperary Businessman Declan Kelly Joins David Beckham and Gary Neville to purchase Salford City FC.

As part of the acquisition deal, Mr Kelly, (founder of advisory business,‘Consello’ which has offices in Ireland), will co-chair the northern English club with leading UK financier Baron Mervyn Davies (former banker and Labour government Minister until May 2010). Both the latter, together with Mr Beckham and Mr Neville, are understood to have assembled several leading investors, before acquiring the club, following negotiations over a number of months.

The ‘Consello’ company is an Advisory and Investing Platform. The company claims to provides counsel to the most senior business leaders in the world on a wide range of corporate issues that impact their businesses. Their Investment business, Consello Capital, identifies high-potential mid-market companies and invests capital and expertise to transform their growth.

Mr Neville and Mr Beckham had previously owned the club in partnership with others, with the club receiving, four promotions in just five years and narrowly missing out on this year’s League 2 play-off’s, last weekend.

The acquisition has been uniquely structured, through a members club made up of nine shareholders including Dream Sports Group (India’s leading sports technology company), Colin Ryan (Founder, Clipper Street Capital), Frank Ryan (Global Co-Chair, Global Co-CEO, and Americas Chair, DLA Piper), Nick Woodhouse (Executive Vice Chairman, Authentic Brands Group), and Shravin Mittal (Founder of ‘Unbound’).

Commenting on the overall acquisition, Mr Kelly has stated that this new ownership structure will bring the right mix to take Salford FC, to the next level, with the group comprising some of the best in the world at what they do; thus hopefully driving the club forward.

Mr Kelly, we understand will also be responsible for building out the club’s commercial operations within the UK and around the world, while drawing on the expertise of the broader investor group, made up of individuals with backgrounds in sports, entertainment, banking, law and technology.

Sky Football pundit; former Manchester United Captain and Salford City Co-Owner, Mr Gary Neville, is also Chairperson of ‘Consello Sports’ in the UK and a business partner of Mr Kelly.

Mr David Beckham, who celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2nd last, was a onetime native of Salford City, Greater Manchester, England.

The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is believed that the collective group have raised over $15m to boost Salford’s sporting and infrastructural ambitions, with each member expected to hold between a 5% to10% stake, in all totalling 80%, while the remaining 20% remains earmarked for other possible additional partners.

The new ownership group will take responsibility for the operations of the Club’s activities with immediate effect.