Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling Festival

Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling Festival for the Tom Semple
Cup: A competition whose aim is to promote hurling on an international
basis and also promote Thurles and the surrounding area as a tourist
attraction through the the medium of hurling. The competition is being
organised by Thurles Sarsfields one of the oldest, most traditional
and most successful clubs in Tipperary.

Not alone will this be a hurling festival but events in keeping with
the occasion will be organised by Thurles Sarsfields. The hope is that
the participants, supporters and visitors will enjoy the first ever
international competition for the Tom Semple Cup. The Tom Semple Cup
has been donated by the Semple family in memory of the great Tom
Semple who's name graces Munster's finest stadium. The competition
takes place over the Munster Final weekend and will be an annual event
in Thurles no matter where the Munster Final is played. With the
modern new roads and transport facilities we are only 1.5 hours away
from other likely Munster Final venues.

The Munster Final has a special place in the hearts of all hurling
people and we hope that all who come here will experience all that is
good about the great Irish cultural game of hurling.

The teams competing this year are Brussels, under Willie Cashin of
Moycarkey-Borris; Kilburn Gaels are managed by Moyne man Tom Bergin;
One of the big names in Robert Emmets is Mick O'Dea of Liscarroll, Co
Cork handball fame; The exclusive hurling club of Na Magha in Derry is
taking part in its first international competition and is driven by
Damian Doherty; The traditional Gaelic club of Keady from Armagh is
under the charge of Jim McCormack and has on occasion been coached by
Thurles Sarsfields' senior coach Paddy McCormack; Ger Collins, former
centre-forward with Thurles Sarsfields was involved in the setting up
of a hurling club in Dundalk, Naomh Moninne. Its great to see another
exclusive hurling club being guests of Thurles Sarsfields; Naas, Co
Kildare are managed and coached by Pat English from Carlow and their
secretary is a former Watergrasshill hurler Brian O'Riordan; The Wild
Geese from Lakenheath managed by Major Tim Neylon are representing the
USA. They are the first US army team to take part in an official
international competition.

Is this the first fully international competition since the Tailteann
Games of the twenties?

With such a diverse range of clubs and talent coming form so many
different places it promises to be the start of something great in the
hurling world. It will be a major historic event and it is hoped that
this event will blossom and bloom to become one of the highlights of
the hurling calendar year in conjunction with the Munster Final.

Contact sarsinternationalfestival@gmail.com for information or queries.