July 10th-12th 2009 will see the GAA, Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, celebrate its 125th Anniversary here in Thurles, Co.Tipperary in conjunction with the holding of the Munster Senior Hurling Final.
Events are planned as follows:
Events: Friday July 10th.
7.00pm: Civic Reception: For Comhairle na Mumhan at Tipperary Institute Thurles.
8.30pm: Historical Presentation :at the Tipperary Institute. (All members of the public are welcome to attend.)
Events: Saturday July 11th.
11.00 am: Under 12 Hurling Blitz: in Dr.Morris Park with teams from all Munster Counties.
11.00 am: Munster Long Puck Final: in Thurles Racecourse.
7.30 pm: Special GAA mass in Thurles Cathedral
8.30 pm: Munster final ‘Night at the Dogs’: in Thurles Greyhound Stadium (Note: Half price admission to patrons wearing their county GAA jersey.)
8.30 pm: Open air entertainment in Liberty Square: This event will including the official launch of the new Tipperary GAA 12 Track CD featuring the winning GAA Supporter’s Song ‘The Mighty Blue and Gold’.
9.00 pm: Arrival of torch in Liberty Square, carried in symbolic relay.
Details of this relay are as follows:
12.00 noon: Leaving Cusacks GAA, Carron, and carried through clubs in Co.Clare.
3.00 pm: Hand over at Na Piarsaigh and carried through Limerick City by Limerick GAA Clubs.
6.00 pm: Hand over to Tipperary at Finnegan’s and carried by Tipperary clubs to Thurles town.
Events: Sunday July 12th.
10.00 am: Guinness Gig-Rig: in Liberty Square.
12.30 pm: Entertainment by Artane Boys Band: in Liberty Square.
While in Semple Stadium:
2.00 pm: Munster Minor Hurling Final
2.30 pm: (Half Time): Cumann Na mBunscoil Primary Games.
3.15 pm: Arrival of Torch from Michael Cusack’s GAA Club in Co. Clare. Torch will be carried by Tipperary hurling legend Jimmy Doyle into the Stadium and presented to the Chairman of Munster Council, Jimmy O’Gorman, who in turn will light torches carried by the chairman of each Munster County.
4.00 pm: Munster Senior Hurling Final
4.40 pm: (Half Time): Presentation of Munster Senior Hurling final captains.
5.30 pm: Presentation of cup to Munster Senior Hurling Champions.
So come along folks and celebrate this very historical Munster Final week-end in Thurles Town where it all started 125 years ago, this year.
We were at our first ever Munster Final on Sunday and really enjoyed the pre match buzz, atmosphere and craic in the town before and after. The match itself was a wonderful occasion with no one allowing occasional flurries of rain to dampen spirits. what a superb stadium.
An occasion that makes one proud to be Irish and a great testament to the value of gaelic games.