While this Sunday sees the Munster hurling final in the Rebel county of Cork grabbing most of the headlines, Thurles, the spiritual home of the Munster final in County Tipperary, will be shining the spotlight on another event that could have far more consequences for the future of the sport both at home and abroad.You see, Thurles Sarsfield hurling club are organising the first ever International Hurling Tournament in the country with teams from Northern Ireland, Britain and Ireland in action this Saturday July 10 in Thurles.
There is eight 13 a-side teams in the competition, playing in two groups and they are: Robert Emmetts (London), Na Magha (Derry), Keady Lamh Dhearg’s (Armagh), Kilburn Gaels (London), Lackenheath (England), Naomh Moninne (Louth), Naas (Kildare), and Dunboyne (Meath).
The Lackenheath Wild Geese are comprised uniquely of members of the US Air Force based at the Lackenheath Air Base in England and will be playing in their very first club tournament in Ireland.
Kilburn Gaels and Robert Emmetts, two of the top clubs in London and all of Britain, well be well fancied to take the inaugural Tom Semple Cup this weekend.
‘Emmetts are going very well this year in Division 1 of the London Hurling League while ‘ the ‘Gaels are last year’s double London league and championship winners.
It promises to be a fantastic occasion for this first ever tournament of its kind.
Kilburn Gaels, London league and championship winners in 2010, will be one of the fancies for the inaugural International Hurling Tournament taking place on Saturday in Thurles.
IN this episode of GaelicSportsCast we talk with former Thurles Sarsfield chair and tournament committee chairman, John Enright about the idea behind the event; we chat with Robert Emmetts Chairman, Tom Redmond about his clubs participation; we get perspective from Armagh and Keady player, Paul McCormack, and hear from the US Air Force’s Major Tim Neylon about the excitement building up in the ‘Wild Geese’ club ahead of the event on Saturday.
21:59
International Hurling Schedule, 2011
