Thurles Information

Liam MacCarthy Cup

The ‘Cats’ had only 5 lives, as Tipperary proved with their comprehensive 9 point win over old rivals Kilkenny, in the 2016 All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship held in Croke Park, Dublin, this afternoon.

Today’s event was Tipperary’s first triumph since 2010 and their 27th success over the years. Goals this afternoon came courtesy of John O’Dwyer and John McGrath, while 13 points left the hurl, with the razor sharp accuracy of a determined and focused Seamus Callanan, correctly identified as “Man of the Match”.

Today’s decider saw master-classes in hurling from the full 15 man Tipp outfit and especially from the Premier’s Noel McGrath, Seamus Callanan, John McGrath, Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher and Padraic Maher; but all demonstrating sheer skill and determined ferocity.

For Michael Ryan, who took over as Tipp’s ‘Commander-in-Chief,’ his first management attempt must surely have given him more than just a little satisfaction, while taking on and defeating the well acknowledged skill and might of Kilkenny’s manager Brian Cody.

In what was a compelling first half match, both teams had levelled their scores 10 times before Munster Champions Tipperary produced two late points, leaving the scoreboard readings Kilkenny 0-12 Tipperary 0-14.

The first score, in what was to be a lively second half, came from a foul by Shane Prendergast on John McGrath and was pointed over by Tipp’s Seamus Callanan.  Two points from Kilkenny’s Reid and a goal from Kevin Kelly around the 42 minute appeared to cause little concern to the Tipp side, who were back level by the 46 minute, thanks to points from Seamus Callanan and newly arrived substitute Jason Forde.

Tipperary appeared to show a greater hunger by the 50th minute, and were also demonstrating a freshness not often seen on a Tipperary team coming up to the final 20 minutes of play. Points from John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer and Seamus Callanan saw Tipperary move ahead and then came the goal from ‘Bubbles’, and the scoreboard read Kilkenny 1-16 (19pts) to Tipperary 1-22 (25pts).

Six points in the lead; Tipperary looked a faster team at this stage of the match, but Kilkenny were hanging on as Tipp’s Noel McGrath passes to his younger brother John, who found the back of the net with yet another goal.

But there was life in the ‘Cats’ still and Kilkenny’s Richie Hogan retaliated with a second goal in the 63rd minute. The scoreboard read Kilkenny 2-19 (25pts) to Tipperary’s 2-26 (32pts). Could Kilkenny suddenly retaliate as oft seen before?

Later points from ‘Bonner’ Maher, Seamus Callanan ensured no such last minute Kilkenny resurrection; leading to a full-time score of Kilkenny 2-20 (26 pts) to Tipperary’s 2-29 (35pts).

Tipperary Team: D. Gleeson; C. Barrett; J. Barry; M. Cahill; S. Kennedy; R. Maher; Padraic Maher; B. Maher; M. Breen; D. McCormack; P. Maher; N. McGrath; J. McGrath; S. Callanan and J. O’Dwyer.

Subs: J. Forde for M.Breen; N. O’Meara for D. McCormack, D. Maher for M. Cahill, K. Bergin for N. McGrath, T. Hamill for S. Kennedy.

Referee: B. Gavin, (Co. Offaly).

Congratulations to the Tipperary Senior Team on their well deserved victory.

Registration is now officially open to accept participants for the popular Tipperary Ladies Mini Marathon; which will be held on Sunday September 25th, beginning at 11.00am here in Thurles.

This year marks the seventh year of this 10k Ladies Mini Marathon, which has grown from strength to strength since its initial inauguration, first performed here in Thurles in 2010. This year International Athlete and the winner of the 2016 Dublin Mini Marathon, Ms Siobhan O’Doherty, was kind enough to launch this upcoming 2016 event.

Note: The ‘Registration Fee’ required for this event is €15 up to and including August 31st next. Following the August date date a registration fee will cost €20, up to the closing date for entries which remains strictly Monday September 19th 2016, (at close of business, plus online reg. fee).

The Course is A.A.I Certified – Chip Timed – and entrants must be over 18 years of age. All participating entrants will receive a Medallion and a Technical T-Shirt. Spot prizes will also be distributed randomly and a charitable donation of €200 will also go to the largest ‘Charity Fund-Raising Group’ registered to compete at this event.

Thurles 2016 Marathon Route

As already stated, this event will start sharp at 11.00am, following a warm up on the Thurles LIT Campus, with those participating being asked to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of this event.

The official start line will direct participants over the Jimmy Doyle Bridge, to turn right, moving southwards onto the Templemore road. The race route will then lead into Thurles, traversing the town’s Liberty Square unto the Sleive-na-Mon Road; to take the first exit off the roundabout opposite Thurles Shopping Centre.  Runners will follow the Clongour Road, passing Thurles Golf Club as far as Turtulla Cross, before then turning left onto the Archerstown Road and again keeping left onto the Mill Road; now moving northwards back to Thurles, before again turning left at the Roundabout on the main Thurles to Dublin road. The route will then follow westward along Kickham Street; taking the first exit left on the Cathedral Street Roundabout, passing Thurles Cathedral, to cross the river Suir on Barry’s Bridge and into Liberty Square. Continuing to stay on the left side, runners will turn right after the pedestrian traffic lights, turning again out of the Square and retracing their steps back along the Templemore road, before turning, once more, left at Cluin Glas and back over the Jimmy Doyle Bridge, to cross the finishing line, safely positioned on the Thurles LIT campus.

Motorists and other road users are asked to take exceptional care on Sunday September 25th, if moving about in the vicinity of this Thurles race route.

Participants must wear, at all times, their official Race Numbers and Chip Timing. These may be collected at the CTI, the Mall on Saturday 24th September 2016 between 10.00am and 2.00pm or on Sunday 25th September 2016 between 8.00am and 9.30am.

Note:

• Swapping of race numbers is not permitted.
• Participants must be over 18 years of age.
• No headphones are permitted be worn by participants, for obvious safety reasons.
• Parking will be available on the day in Thurles Crokes AC across the road, west of the Thurles LIT main building.
• Participants are responsible for their own safety and are participating at their own personal risk.
• All participants must obey the rules of the road at all times and be fully aware of other road users, as this event will be run on open roads.
• Participants must obey fully the instructions of the Gardaí, Civil Defence and the event’s Marshalls, at all times.

Note all ‘Postal Registrations’ will be welcomed and should be addressed to:- ‘Tipperary Sports Partnership, Clonmel Office, Ballingarrane House, Ballingarrane, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary’; while those wishing to Register on-line may do so by visiting HERE 

If you are a participant we know you will enjoy the day and if you are not participating do come along as a spectator and support this most enjoyable of Thurles events.

Thurles born Greg Broderick & his mount MHS Going Global.

Tipperary and Ireland’s sole rider Greg Broderick, together with his horse HMS Going Global, sent two poles to the floor, as he began his Olympic first round competition in individual show jumping at Deodora Olympic Park in Rio today.

With temperatures touching 30ºC, the Thurles native and his 10-year-old gelding looked all set for a clear round, but alas the pair knocked the first and second part of a troublesome double hurdle just one fence from home, to finish incurring eight faults.

Brazilian course designer Guilherme Jorge admits to setting a stiff test for today’s Olympic equestrian opener, with the water and final fences both causing horses and riders problems. Twenty four riders did jump clear rounds, while eight riders and their mounts did not finish today’s course.

From a starting field of 75 horse and rider combinations, the pair are now in a tie for 53rd place overall, after today’s first round qualification. Only the top 60 riders were permitted to advance to next Tuesday’s second qualifier and just 45 individuals will be allowed go through to Wednesday’s final qualifier, when the winning top 35 will qualify to go forward to next Friday’s overall final, expected to happen between 6.00pm and 9.30pm (Irish Time).

Broderick will now be aiming for both clear rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday next, thus ensuring a place in the finale.

Meanwhile Kildare woman and Ireland’s Judy Reynolds with her horse Vancouver K; following a terrific display in the Grand Prix Special on Friday, became the first Irish woman ever to reach an Olympic final in Dressage. Mrs Reynolds will be representing Team Ireland in the Freestyle Final on Monday in Rio.

Best of Luck to both Team Ireland riders.