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Ireland knew exactly what was needed this evening following England’s defeat of Italy by 52-11 in Rome in the RBS 6 Nations title this morning, forcing Ireland to either beat France or miss out on their 2014 Grand Slam title.
This evening however Ireland held on with gritted determination in a truly nail-biting finish, to narrowly beat France 22-20. This was Ireland’s first Six Nations Cup win since 2009, granting retiring player Brian O’Driscoll the perfect send off, in this his final test wearing an Irish green jersey. Their victory today was only Ireland’s second in the French Capital in 42 years.
France, despite their somewhat indifferent campaign this year to-date, came into the game with true determination. Early tough momentum and Maxime Machenaud landing two penalties, following infringements by Chris Henry and Dave Kearney, gave the French an early six-point lead.
France’s lead was to be short lived however as Ireland’s superior disciplined attacking organisation opened up just enough room for Sexton to make Ireland’s first contribution, brushing past Bastareaud to cross the line for the first Irish try of the game, but failing to convert his own score. France now stood 6-5 on the scoreboard.
Next Conor Murray manages to feed Andrew Trimble, who raced in for Ireland’s second try with Sexton making no mistake with the conversion and raising Ireland’s score to 12 against France’s 6. A cross-field kick by Tales, just five metres from the Irish line saw Yohan Huget rise above Dave Kearney, knocking the ball inward towards Brice Dulin, latter who made no mistake collecting and scoring, thus leading France into the interval with 13-12 ahead of Ireland, Machenaud having landed the conversion.
After withstanding early pressure from France in the second half, Dave Kearney grabbed a spilled ball which in time reached Sexton who found the gap to cross the French line untouched for his second try of the match and again making the conversion.
A further penalty from a ruck allowed Sexton to add 3 points making it 22-13; however Ireland was soon to lose Sexton with a little more than 10 minutes to play, when he was injured by the right elbow of a Bastareaud, as he attempted a break.
Dimitri Szarzewsi would now reward France’s continued tough momentum with a controversial try, latter which referee Steve Walsh declined to ask the TMO for an opinion. Scoreboard read Ireland 22 – France 20.
With just over one minute remaining, Ireland’s heart sank when the French No. 8 Damien Chouly scored in the right hand corner. But this try was checked by the TMO and found to be ‘clear and obvious,’ identifying a forward pass from the hands of French Captain Pascal Pape and was quickly disallowed.
Final score Ireland 22 – France 20, thus securing only Irelands second title in 29 years, but nevertheless a truly outstanding performance and completing a perfect finale to Brian O’Driscoll’s truly marvellous career in Irish Rugby.
M/s Mary Ryan, current acting Secretary of the Thurles branch of St Vincent de Paul reports:
A public meeting to set up a “Men’s Shed” for Thurles will be held on Thursday March 20th at 4.00pm. The venue for this meeting will be the St Vincent de Paul office, situated at Upper Parnell Street, Thurles, (Same located beside the entrance to St Mary’s Hospital opposite Scoil Ailbe).
Local Councillor Mrs Evelyn Nevin, latter involved on the organising committee for the setting up of a Thurles Men’s Shed Association, is pleading for all men in Thurles and its environs who are retired, unemployed or who have just a few hours of spare time on their hands, to attend at this meeting with a totally open mind.
 Councillor Nevin stated; “Becoming a member of a Community Men’s Shed gives men a safe and busy environment, in an atmosphere of friendship, where they could have a chat or just a ‘cuppa,’ if latter is all they are seeking and all without any social or other pressures.”
“Men’s Shed Association also see the passing on of skills, both traditional and new, as a key aspect of any future membership. Each man would see himself both as a teacher and a student, in any future such set-up in the Thurles area. Properly supported, each individual already possess varying degrees of professional and practical skills, which in turn, if shared, would encourage huge local community learning possibilities. The success of all of this is that each man will bring his own particular individuality, his skills or indeed lack of same, to such a group, same which would be fully respected and fully acknowledged, together with a clear anti – bullying policy. Any future such association formed would not be affiliated to any political or religious grouping,“ Councillor Nevin continued.
So what really is “Men’s Shed” I hear you ask?
The Irish Men’s Shed Association was set up in January 2011 with the purpose of supporting the development and sustainability of “Men’s Shed” on the Island of Ireland.
A “Men’s Shed” is a dedicated, friendly and welcoming meeting place where men of all ages come together, at will, to undertake a variety of mutually agreed activities and all at their own pace.
As stated Men’s Sheds are open to all men regardless of their age, their background or ability and is a place where men can share their skills and knowledge with others, learn new skills and develop old skills.
New members are always welcome and can be assured that there is something of interest for everyone as the men have complete ownership of their “Shed” and projects and decide their own program of events without any outside interference.
One particular and important objective of “Men’s Shed” is also to enhance or maintain the well-being of those participating.
Remember Meeting Date: Thursday, March 20th at 4.00pm.
The Thurles 2014 St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Sunday next March 16th, beginning at 2.45pm from Abbey Road, here in Thurles.
One of this year’s special attractions will be a Reptilian Zoo which will set up shop in Liberty Square, offering a great opportunity for both adults and children to view just some of Mother Nature’s mini monsters and cold blooded creatures.
This year’s parade promises six marching bands, together with many talented local traditional music bands. Expect the usual colourful variety of floats of all sizes; all depicting themes of a political, comical, and historical nature. Lovingly restored Vintage Vehicles of all descriptions will once again go on display, bringing that sense of lost nostalgia to the more elderly in our midst.
Free face painting will also be available for younger spectators, while the ever favourite Bob the Builder, in person I might add, together with other friends will be on hand to entertain the usual large crowds, as they begin to assemble in the centre of Liberty Square.
Note: All parking in Liberty Square will be restricted from 11.00am to 5.00pm leaving Liberty Square closed to all vehicle parking from 2.00pm to approximately 6.00pm.
Warning: In the interest of Health and Safety, Gardaí and Stewards will be on hand to regulate traffic and crowd control, but do remember if you are a spectator and particularly those of you in charge of children, please try to remain behind the safety barriers provided, at all times during this most enjoyable of Tipperary events.
See latest Update HERE
The Lár na Páirce GAA Museum, located in Thurles town, latter the birthplace of the GAA, is home to Ireland’s first and oldest collection of Gaelic Games sporting heritage and to be brutally honest if you have not visited this venue at least once since it opened in 1994, regardless of which Irish county you support, you are not really a true dedicated and passionate GAA fan.
Our video hereunder shows just a sample of some of the delights that this venue, at Slievenamon Road, Thurles, has to offer.
(Video courtesy Ursuline Convent, Thurles, Transition Year Students 2013/14 – Photographic Project.)
Recently refurbished, Lár na Páirce GAA Museum houses an impressive collection of memorabilia by any standards – including hurleys, footballs, jerseys, trophies, medals, programmes, publications and banners – which brings to life the development of Gaelic Games from ancient times to the present day as well as showing its unique role in Irish history.
Same is part of what we are, a valuable and treasured expression of our heritage – a storehouse of the culture and traditions of our most popular national pastimes. The venue now features a state of the art audio-visual system to enhance the visitor’s experience at key points throughout the tour.
Lár na Páirce is now a multi-faceted, sophisticated, fully automated experience with the centre-piece of the museum remaining the rare Sam Melbourne collection and is, as our video shows, visited daily by schools at all levels, together with Retirement Groups and visitors from every country under the sun.
The Sam Melbourne Collection
The late Mr Sam Melbourne, a native of Horse & Jockey, Thurles, started collecting GAA material in the 1930s. In 1989, Tipperary GAA Board purchased this unique collection and gave it a permanent home at Lár na Páirce. Over the years the collection had grown in importance and size and remains a unique experience for the visitor.
Museum Site: Lár na Páirce GAA Museum is located at Slievenamon Road, close to the junction with Liberty Square, in the Thurles town centre and for more information on this “state of the art” visitor attraction visit Treasures In Lár Na Páirce Museum.
The Cormackstown Heritage Centre, Holycross, Thurles, Co Tipperary is without doubt one of the largest single private collections of rural memorabilia to be found anywhere in today’s Ireland. Spanning some three centuries, these rare and now almost forgotten “tools of our once rural trade,” used to develop rural Ireland down the years, will go on display officially from Wednesday next, just a five minute drive on the outskirts of Thurles town.
“A Passage Through Time.”
So if you are out and about this coming weekend, why not spend an hour or two at the Cormackstown Heritage Centre and see for yourself this extensive array of historical artefacts, just a few of which are depicted in our video hereunder.
In the Cormackstown Heritage Centre expect to find:-
- A unique large dairy collection including an old style Creamery Laboratory.
- Experience at first hand the history of the Traveller and the tools of the Tinsmith.
- Experience the old retail shop and meet Margaret the Shop Keeper.
- Visit the old Pub complete with Barmaid.
- Take a trip back in time to view the tools of the Carpenter, the Cobbler, the Wheelwright and of course the Blacksmith’s Forge.
- Call into the Old School Room complete with its Teacher and her School Text Books from the past.
- Enter that old style, warm and welcoming Farmhouse Kitchen of the last century.
 All of this and much, much more will make your visit to the Cormackstown Heritage Centre both enjoyable and educational and to the elderly visitor, will bring back fond and emotional memories of the good and bad experiences of times past.
(Click on directional Map Image left to enlarge picture.)
Note: The centre is available to all individuals / groups; including Educational, Pensioner and Retired persons and all are welcome.
This welcoming Venue will remain open, both for Daytime and Evening visits, with a Guide on hand to talk visitors through the myriad of artefacts currently on display.
Group Tours are advised to contact the Cormackstown Heritage Centre, Tel: 085 7131584 to book their visit in advance.
You can follow ‘Cormackstown Heritage Centre’ on Facebook simply by clicking HERE.
The Exhibition is highly recommended by the Tipperary tourism group Hidden Tipperary, latter who will visit the centre on Tuesday next March 4th, for their monthly meeting, beginning at 11.00am sharp.
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