Thurles Information

Michael Ryan’s Tipperary squad were simply ‘red hot’ in their meet this afternoon with Limerick on a rain soaked Semple Stadium pitch, here in Thurles. Limerick truly failed to realise any pressure on a 14-man only Tipperary team, during this the 2016 Munster Senior Hurling Championship match.

Scoring began with a point from Limerick’s Shane Dowling, but this would be the first time and the only time that Limerick would take the lead. By the 9th minute Tipperary’s Michael Breen had rifled two goals past Limerick’s Nickie Quaid, aided and abetted by Tipperary’s unselfish Seamus Callinan.

Limerick responded with 2 points from Barry Nash and Shane Dowling, while Tipperary’s Seamus Callinan pointed from a 65.

Then disaster in the 14th minute; With a red card being waved by referee James McGrath, Tipperary’s John O’Dwyer is sent off  after an undisciplined lashing out on Limerick’s Richie English. This together with another free from Limerick’s Shane Dowling, saw a score in the 16th minute reading; Tipperary 2-01 (7pts) to Limerick 0-04.

Points from Limerick’s Declan Hannon, Shane Dowling & Cian Lynch together with Tipperary’s Seamus Callanan & Michael Breen, leaves the scoreboard reading – Tipperary 2-03 (9pts) – Limerick 0-07.

Tipperary now appear to be playing with 16 men instead of 14 and in the 26 minute greatly aided by the McGrath brothers, a truly lethal Seamus Callanan rifles low past Limerick’s Nickie Quaid, leaving the score Tipperary 3-03 (12pts) to Limerick 0-07.

James Ryan and Shane Dowling bring the Limerick score back to within a mere 1pt lead, but Callanan with three further points, keeps the Premier County ahead at the half time mark, with Tipperary leading by 3-05 (14pts) to Limerick’s 0-11.

Despite only 14 men it became clear from the start of the second half that Tipperary were taking no prisoners, with a point from Noel McGrath in the first 30 seconds. This score however is quickly cancelled out by Shane Dowling.

Hawk Eye is called upon to adjudicate twice during this match, confirming 1pt which had previously been denied to a Seamus Callanan ’65.  John McGrath adds to this, leaving a score in the 43 minute registering; Tipperary 3-08 (17pts) to Limerick 0-12, or a five point lead.

By the 69 minute, points had been further added by Limerick’s Declan Hannon, Shane Dowling and substitute John Fitzgibbon, but same had been adequately already answered by the unstoppable Seamus Callanan, Paudie Maher and Noel McGrath, with the scoreboard reading comfortably Tipperary 3-12 (21pts) – Limerick 0-16.

However ‘the fat lady had not yet sung’ and with three minutes, which included extra time, Limerick’s Dan Morrissey got on the end of a Darren Gleeson save, to rebound it back into the back of the Tipperary net.

But with 73 min on the clock and with the full time whistle blown, the scoreboard read; Tipperary 3-12 (21pts) Limerick 1-16 (19pts).

A superb afternoon’s work from Tipperary, who played an absolute blinder and gave a most exciting and a truly unsurpassed and skilled performance, despite just 14 men.

Tipperary Team: Darren Gleeson, Cathal Barrett, James Bar, Seamus Callinan, Michael Cahill, Seamus Kennedy, Ronan Maher, Padraic Maher, Brendan Maher, Michael Breen, Dan McCormack, Patrick Maher, Noel McGrath, John O’Dwyer, Seamus Callanan & John McGrath.

Limerick Team: Nickie Quaid, Tom Condon, Dan Morrissey, Richie English, Diarmaid Byrnes, Gavin O’Mahony, Seamus Hickey, James Ryan, Paul Browne, Gearoid Hegarty, Shane Dowling, Barry Nash, Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon and  Cian Lynch.

Local correspondent Mr Gerry Bowe reports.

Congratulations to Ryan Hayes, son of Liam and Pauline Hayes, Harkin Park, Two Mile Borris, Thurles, who has been selected on the Cahir Park A. F. C. team, to compete in the George Best Community Cup, hosted by Disability Football UK.

The George Best Community Cup is a major highlight on the disability footballer’s calendar, with over 500 players representing clubs right across Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and Guernsey; all competing for this coveted trophy.

The competition is for both boys and girls, who are aged over 15 years and for Disability Football Clubs, Adult Centres and Disability Organisations with teams made up of players with a learning, physical disability and or Sensory Impairment.  All players are required to be able to play without the need for mobility assistance, e.g. crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.

Cahir Park provide training each Saturday between 2.00pm and 3.00pm. The pitch and facilities are provided free of charge and blitzes are held all over Ireland. Cahir Park A.F.C. Tipperary has become the counties first Football Club to develop a ‘Football For All’ Programme.

This year’s 2016 competition takes place on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th June at the Billy Neill Centre of Excellence, on the Comber Road, near Dundonald, in Co. Down, just 8 miles (32Min) from Belfast city. Divided into four divisions, this 5-a-side disability football event is for clubs and adult centres that provide learning, physical or sensory impairment programs for amateur football players across the province.

Cahir Park will compete in the Medium Section which has twenty clubs, playing on a grass surface on a round format. Each team will play a minimum of five games on day one and, depending on results and performances on day one, the teams will be placed into four competitive bands for day 2.

This competition commemorates the legendary George Best, one of the world’s greatest footballers of his era. Ryan is to be congratulated on his being selected and with colleagues Damiem, Liam, Daniel, Luke and Paudie are wished every success.

Fund raising continues to be ongoing for this event and huge thanks is extended to Billy Lanigan and Gerard Cantwell who have both made kind donations.