Thurles Sarsfields GAA Story-Volume 1 – by Author Liam Ó Donnchú
Volume 1 of the Thurles Sarsfields GAA story will be launched on Friday next, November 10th, at 7.30 p.m. sharp, by former retired Tipperary, senior team centre-back, and hurling manager Mr Tony Wall, in the Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, here in Co. Tipperary.
It was the same Tipperary legendary defender from the 1950’s and 1960’s; Mr Tony Wall, to whom is attributed the ‘tongue in cheek’ remark, quote, “Football is a game for those not good enough to play hurling.”
Mr Wall, a former Irish army Adjutant General (Military chief administrative officer), from Fianna Road in Thurles, joined the Tipperary team during the 1953/54 National League and became a regular member of the ‘starting fifteen’ until his retirement following the 1967 championship.
During that period, he won five All-Ireland medals, six Munster medals and six National Hurling League medals, and captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1958. Mr Wall was himself a ten-time county club championship medallist with the legendary Thurles Sarsfields.
The Thurles Sarsfields GAA story-Volume 1; as we have previously stated does not confine itself purely to Thurles GAA affairs. Indeed, I would suggest that same can also be viewed as a social or community written commentary, with the many happenings down through the decades, affecting our rural town and surrounding parish of Thurles getting mentioned, and clearly put into date perspective; e.g. the arrival of Urban and Rural Electricity; the Thurles/Titanic connection; the official opening of Thurles Sugar Factory; the Korean War; Fair Days on Liberty Square (West Main Street) and Cathedral Street (East Main Street); The great Count John Mc Cormack’s Concert at Delahunty’s Cinema etc., etc., etc.
Please Note: All are most welcome to attend this official book launch, however if for one reason or another you cannot attend this event, remember this exciting publication will be available in Thurles, through Bookworm, Lár na Páirce, Eason and Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre. A ‘Signed Copy’ can also be ordered direct (Plus €10 extra for postage and packing) from the Author, Mr Liam Ó Donnchú, Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Former disgraced 2016 Rio de Janeiro Irish Olympic boxer Mr Michael O’Reilly (Jnr.), with an address at No. 20 New Line Close, Mountrath, Co. Laois, was handed down a sentence of 5 months imprisonment with recognizances of €500 set in the event of an appeal in Thurles District court today.
It was noted that Mr O’Reilly (Jnr.) had 37 previous convictions, relating to road traffic offences and theft. He had been earlier charged with criminal damage, public intoxication and with being threatening and abusive in public, following an incident in Ballybeg, Littleton, Thurles, on April 18th last year.
Thurles Courthouse.
The boxer, who tested positive for a banned substance back at the 2016 Olympics, was later charged, together with three others accused; namely Mr Michael O’Reilly (Snr.) with an address at Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Co. Laois; Mr Bernard O’Reilly, Main Road, Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, and Mr James O’Reilly, (then a 17-year-old juvenile) and residing at Clonkeen, Portlaoise, Co. Laois; with causing criminal damage, which involving the throwing of rocks at two cars (Models: Nissan Micra and Citroen Hatchback) and a caravan (Model: Bailey Regency 2001), following an engagement party.
Sentencing today, Judge Elizabeth MacGrath noted that of the €2,500 of damage brought about by the said incidents, only €250 had been offered to the Court, by way of compensation to the victims.
Judge MacGrath bound Mr James O’Reilly (Now aged 18 years old, with no previous convictions), over to keep the peace for 12 months, on his own bond of €250; while imposing a 3-month prison sentence on Mr O’Reilly (Snr.) with a fixed recognizances of €500 in the event that he, the latter, should appeal the current sentence. The forth other member accused, Mr Bernard O’Reilly, was not present in Thurles Court for the hearing.
Thurles Sarsfields easily achieved their target of four in a row, demonstrating their supremacy over Borris-Ileigh, here in Semple Stadium, Thurles, this afternoon, in the senior hurling championships.
The first half saw Borris-Ileigh eventually put up a strong defence particularly in the latter end of the first half, but the Thurles Blues came out of the dressing room to seriously do business in the second half, giving a very impressive team performance against their keen rivals, latter whose former defence now appeared fragment in disarray.
Sarsfields led at the interval by a mere 4pts (0-11 pts to 0-7 pts), but their lead after some 25 minutes of the first half had seen The Thurles Blues ahead by some 7 Pts (0-9 pts to 0-2 pts). But Borris appeared to eventually rally, delivering the last three points of the first half, conveyed courtesy of Kieran Maher, Brendan Maher and Dan McCormack, and thus ensuring that the game was far from over.
From the onset of the second half, Sarsfields now showed their resourcefulness, grabbing three quick points in rapid succession courtesy of Denis Maher, Aidan McCormack and Stephen Cahill. Then at the end of the third quarter, along came that awaited Sarsfields goal, flicked into the rear of the net by a more than determined Conor Stakelum, adding to their full tally in just the second half of 1-13 (16 pts) to a mere 0-04 (4 pts) from Borris-Ileigh.
At the full time whistle The Thurles Blues had won by a well deserved 16 points in total against their rival, with Aidan McCormack bagging nine points on behalf of the all conquering champions.
Sarsfields will now march on to a Munster quarter-final against Waterford on October 29th, next, having secured their 36th Tipperary title.
Woe betide those who park illegally in Thurles on Sunday next, while attending the County Finals in Semple Stadium.
Gardaí have issued a stern warning to all motorists that the “Book will come out”, and fines will issue for any “blatant abandonmenness” of mechanically propelled vehicles.
The immediate area around Semple Stadium hosts a heavy residential population and motorists are therefore reminded to take this into consideration when deciding where to park.
This warning comes about following a series of meetings between Semple Stadium management, the Gardaí and members of the Templemore Thurles Municipal District Council. Those attending highlighted a series of reported incidents, brought about during recent club games. Rights of way were closed off with vehicles double parking and blocking private entrances, which could have led to the restriction of Emergency Medical and Fire Services.
Can you remember back to 1964, when locals here in Thurles gathered to celebrate the arrival of Tipperary’s All-Ireland Hurling Captain, Michael Murphy, accompanied of course by the Liam McCarthy Cup(Tipperary’s 20th win and the then 78th staging of Ireland’s premier hurling knock-out competition); arriving to Tom O’Toole’s public house on Friar Street in the town?
No, well you can refresh your memory shortly, when “Thurles Sarsfields GAA Story – Volume 1” hits the book shelves.
Left To Right: – Eamon Shanahan, Niall McNamara, Tom Behan, Michael Murphy, Joe Dwyer, Ned O’Shea, James Moloughney.
As we have previously stated, this ‘must-own’, long-awaited and overdue hard-back publication, containing over 500 pages packed with facts, figures and photos, will be available later this year in Thurles, through Bookworm, Lár na Páirce, Eason and Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre.
In answer to the many queries we have received by sporting readers (both male and female), yes, we can now confirm when this book launch is taking place.
The launch will take place at Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre on Friday, 10th November 2017, at 7.30 p.m. sharp.
Note: EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND.
It is interesting to note, also, that this new publication doesn’t confine itself purely to Thurles GAA affairs. Indeed, I would suggest that same can also be seen as a social or community written commentary, with the many happenings down through the decades, affecting our rural town and surrounding parish of Thurles, getting mentioned and clearly put into date perspective, e.g. the arrival of Electricity; the Thurles/Titanic connection; the official opening of Thurles Sugar Factory; the Korean War; Fair Days on Liberty Square (West Main Street) and Cathedral Street (East Main Street); The great Count John Mc Cormack’s Concert at Delahunty’s Cinema etc., etc., etc.
Note: A ‘Signed Publication’ can also be ordered direct (Plus €10 extra for postage and packing) from the Author, Mr Liam Ó Donnchú, Ballymoreen, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Volume 1 of the Thurles Sarsfields GAA story will be launched on Friday next, November 10th, at 7.30 p.m. sharp, by former retired Tipperary, senior team centre-back, and hurling manager Mr Tony Wall, in the Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, here in Co. Tipperary.
Thurles Sarsfields easily achieved their target of four in a row, demonstrating their supremacy over Borris-Ileigh, here in Semple Stadium, Thurles, this afternoon, in the senior hurling championships.
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