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The unbeaten St. Patrick’s College, Thurles Ladies Football Team was victorious once again on Tuesday night when they beat a resilient IT Tallaght side, to claim the Division 5 title in an exciting final.
The enthralling encounter took place under floodlights in Templetuohy, Thurles, Co Tipperary. The College side had to dig deep and battle hard in the second half to pull back an eight point deficit. Both sides were level at the end of ordinary time but St. Pat’s were well and truly the superior team in extra time.
It was a magnificent team effort with outstanding performances all over the pitch. Joint-Captains Aisling O’Hara and Aine Burke scored a hugely impressive 1-11 between them while Eilis O’Connor and Rebecca Stapleton dominated in the middle of the park. Nicole McLoughlin put in superb defensive display and super-subs Laura Feeney and Christine Scallan had a massive impact after their introduction in extra time, scoring a goal apiece. A magnificent performance by Barbara Ward was also rewarded with a goal. Goalkeeper, Nicola Horan, who hails from the famous Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA club in Kerry, pulled off heroic save after heroic save, including a double save from a penalty to keep the game alive throughout for St. Patrick’s College.
Team: Aisling O’Hara (1-8, St. Helen’s, Longford); Christine Scallon (1-0, St. Martin’s, Wexford); Barbar Ward (1-0, Corduff Gaels, Monaghan); Laura Feeney (1-0, Kileshandra, Co. Cavan); Aine burke (0-3, Liscannor, Clare); Eilis O’Connor (Na Gaeil, Kerry); Fiona Garvey (St. Brigid’s, Limerick); Genevieve McCormack (St. Croon’s, Roscommon); Laura Maher and Sarah Conway (Clonaslee, Laois); Meabh Ní Thíarnáin (Dunboyne, Meath); Megan Callanan (Thurles Sarsfields); Rachel O’Connell (Stradbally, Laois); Rebecca Stapleton and Sarah Sheehy (Listowel Emmets, Kerry); Sinead McColgan (Buncranna, Donegal); Nicola Horan (Kerins O’Rahilly’s, Kerry); Laura Comerford (Kilcullen, Kildare); Maeve Tierney (Carnacon, Mayo); Lauren Beason (Moycarkey Borris, Tipperary); Ciara Coughlan (Cappawhite, Tipperary); Nicole McLoughlin (Termon, Donegal); Shauna Sinnott (Oulart the Ballagh, Wexford); Fionualla Begley (Kilcurry, Louth); Fergal Doyle, Sean Stringer and Lisa Brennan (Managers); Seamus Leahy (Secretary).
What do you buy the man who has everything? Mr Sports Gift based in Nenagh, just now, maybe the perfect answer to that age old question. Thanks to Mr Sports Gift, Christmas Day, Father’s Day and Birthdays can no longer be a source of frustration for that lady looking for something very different and special for the man in her life.
 By using cutting edge, patented technology, Mr Sports Gift can personalise a sports ball in almost any imaginable way, creating a unique gift for any occasion. Mr Sports Gift can print a photograph, logo, family crest or an affectionate, humorous or congratulatory message, directly on to a Hurley, Sliotar, Rugby ball, Gaelic football, Soccer ball or a range of other sports items, for that personalised ‘one of a kind’ gift.
Launched in early May of this year by Mr Noel Cahill and his son Aidan, the new company is growing from strength to strength and has already moved from off the kitchen table, to a state of the art manufacturing unit in Nenagh.
Speaking to Thurles.Info this week Mr Sports Gift’s Managing Director Noel Cahill said “We’ve had a huge reaction to our product so far and we are trying to get to as many events as possible to market and gain the maximum exposure for our products. We have a weekly spot at the Nenagh Indoor Market and we also make regular visits to Thurles Shopping Centre as well as other locations around the country. The National Ploughing Championships, Tullamore Show and International Hurling Festival were particularly good for us and we were fortunate to be invited on to Ireland AM recently, for the “Boost my Business,” slot which was a fantastic experience.”
Here, having successfully pitched to an assessment panel, Noel secured a place on the TESS (Tipperary Enterprise Start-Up Support) Programme run by LIT Tipperary and based in the new Thurles Chamber Enterprise Centre. TESS is based on the highly successful LEAP and FAST programmes run by LIT over the past five years and participants on these types of incubation programme have much higher potential and greater success rates.
During the 12 month programme, which commenced in July 2012, TESS provided a range of integrated supports based around strategic planning, management training and business coaching. “All of these supports worked together to challenge and guide all of us into developing a sound business plan and building a sustainable and profitable business. I walked in with a couple of prototypes in a carrier bag and graduated with a real live business,” Noel said.
Noel has been working in the business on a full time basis since September 3rd 2012, having taken a career break from the Civil Service with over 17 years service, most recently as Press Officer for the Department of Social Protection. A former player and Secretary of Toomevara GAA club, Noel also played rugby with Nenagh Ormond and all of these connections are proving useful in establishing the new business.
While the majority of Mr Sports Gift customers so far have been female choosing gifts for men, extensive market research has identified other opportunities as Noel pointed out “Our research has thrown up a number of problems that we think Mr Sports Gift can solve including the difficulty of commemorating a sporting achievement outside of the usual trophies, medal and plaques. There is also an issue finding new corporate gifts that are not already on the market. Diaries, pens and umbrellas have a limited attraction when you’ve got them more than once. We also believe that in the sliotar we have a uniquely Irish gift that is not already on the gift market and so there is worldwide potential.”
With Christmas in mind Mr Sports Gift has introduced a number of new offerings including personalised Christmas ornaments, baby blocks and even pet balls so even our four legged friends don’t feel left out. Ordering is easy either through the online shop on the Website www.mrsportsgift.com or by Email to info@mrsportsgift.com. Just send the photographs and instructions and Mr Sports Gift will do the rest and get your personalised gift back to you in just a couple of days.
For customers in the Thurles area there is a selection of personalised balls on display in Lár na Páirce and Mr Sports Gift will be in Thurles Shopping Centre (Beside Tipp FM broadcast unit) on Friday 22nd and 29th November.
Contact Details: Unit 3J, Connolly St Business Centre, Nenagh, Tel: 067 37813
Are you producing a Tipperary manufactured product, something which you feel would make a welcome Christmas Gift? Then don’t be shy, please do tell us about it by clicking HERE.
 Two French and two English clubs have expressed interest in signing the Munster rugby star Donnacha Ryan.
The second-row powerhouse Donnacha, is currently out of action, possibly until after Christmas with a knee injury, but is clearly a crucial part of Munster and Ireland’s plans, especially with the World Cup in 2015 just around the corner.
Ryan, like his other rugby club-mates, namely Paul O’Connell and Conor Murray , together with Leinster’s Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Dave Kearney, is much sought abroad following the recent decision by Johnny Sexton’s to move to the French rugby union club Racing Metro just last summer.
The IRFU are understood to have held initial discussions with the star, but no real negotiations have as yet taken place with regard to the 29-year-old players’ future.
While Ryan would possibly prefer to remain in Tipperary with Munster, the IRFU have been dealt a blow in the recent Finance Bill with the tax relief scheme having being amended and no longer on the negotiation table. This deal had previously allowed players to finish their careers abroad and players who retired in Ireland could avail of a scheme which permitted them to claim full tax relief on their best 10 years as a professional sports person here in Ireland.
Star players and those speculating their futures will now be tempted to negotiate contracts abroad with other clubs, attracted by the better salaries currently on offer.
 Goal Keeping Legend Brendan Cummins. Tipperary’s senior team goalkeeper Brendan Cummins (Born Ardfinnan May 11th 1975.) has decided to call it a day and retire from inter-county hurling. The 38 year-old, who made his senior championship debut for Tipperary in 1995, is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time.
During his long and distinguished career, the Ballybacon-Grange club man has won two All-Ireland Medals, five Munster Medals and three National League medals. He has ended up as an All-Ireland runner-up on three separate occasions.
Brendan also won an All-Ireland U21 medal in 1995 and claimed a total of five All-Star awards for his goalkeeping ability in the years 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2010. He also played football for Tipperary club Ardfinnan.
In 2011 he became the most capped player in the history of the championship with 73 Championship appearances, surpassing Cork’s fifty year old record of sixty-five championship appearances previously then held by their right wing-forward Christy Ring (1920 -1979).
Brendan has also enjoyed numerous successes in the famous Poc Fada competitions, latter held annually in the Cooley Mountains, winning the Pairs Competition with Ian Scallan from Wexford in 1999, together with seven singles titles between years 2004 and 2013.
Brendan sights his need to spend more time with family as having fully influenced his decision to retire at this time in the game.
St. Patrick’s Scholarship and Academic Awards Evening
On Tuesday evening October 8th last, St. Patrick’s College staff and students were delighted to host their fourth annual Scholarship and Student Awards ceremony. Thirteen students in total were honoured. Five incoming first years received scholarships (four recognising academic achievement and one recognising achievement in the G.A.A. arena). Additionally, six 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students were honoured for outstanding academic achievement and two more 1st years received G.A.A. awards.
Speaking on the night, college president Fr. Tom Fogarty spoke of the common qualities that can be attributed to high achievers both in the field of academia and sport; “qualities such as dedication, sacrifice, character, commitment and perseverance quickly spring to mind,” he said.
Guest speaker, Dr. Ann MacPhail, Head of Education and Physical Science in the University of Limerick acknowledged the extraordinary achievements of the students being honoured on the night . “I totally and fully understand the passion and commitment that is clearly part of your ethos here,” she stated when speaking regarding Teacher Education in the college.
Scholarships And Awards Presented On The Evening
Academic Scholarship Winners: Chloe Keane, Brittas, Co. Limerick; Rachel Steele, Ladysbridge, Co. Cork; Mary Ann Ní Chróinín, Macroom, Co. Cork; Laura Comerford, Naas, Co. Kildare.
GAA Scholarship Awards: Barbara Ward, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan; Niall Bolton, Tulla, Co. Clare; Shauna Sinnott, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Outstanding Academic Achievement Awards: Nora Ward, Middleton, Co. Cork; Alison Kerrane, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon; Maria O’Leary, Rossmore, Co. Tipperary; Patricia McElgunn, Cabra, Thurles; Marie McKenna, Killarney, Co. Kerry; Sarah Hennessy, Ballycallan, Co. Kilkenny.
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