London's Kilburn Gaels winners of the inaugural Thurles Sarsfield International Hurling Tournament, July 9, 2011. (Photo by John O'Loughlin).
It was a fantastic day for Kilburn Gaels of London and the sport of hurling over the weekend as the London 2010 league and championship holders were crowned the winners of a terrific first ever international hurling tournament at Thurles on Saturday, July 9.
While Thurles Sarsfield and Tipp hero, the turbo charged Lar Corbett blazed a trail in Cork on Sunday afternoon, the day before at the spiritual home of the Munster final at an immaculate Semple Stadium, London’s Kilburn Gaels edged out gallant Meath side, Dunboyne in an entertaining tournament decider.
Trailing by two at half time, the London champions found their rythmn in the second period hitting five points on the trot and led by a point approaching the final whistle. A late equaliser for Dunboyne gave them hope but fittingly, London born player, Michael Dwyer had the final say for Kilburn when he put a placed ball between the posts to see his side take this first ever international hurling competition.
The Thurles Sarsfield hurling club were the organisers of the event that saw teams from Northern Ireland, Ireland and England compete all day long Saturday in brilliant sunshine at Dr Morris Park and at the Outside Field located beside fabled Semple Stadium in this town that gave birth to the GAA back in 1884.
The teams participating included six senior sides, Robert Emmetts (London), Dunboyne (Meath), Keady Lamh Dhearg’s (Armagh), Kilburn Gaels (London), Naomh Moninne (Louth), Naas (Kildare), intermediate outfit, Na Magha (Derry), and newcomers to hurling, the Lackenheath Wild Geese (USA).
Lackenheath are comprised uniquely of members of the US Air Force based at the Lackenheath Air Base, England who over the past two years have fallen under the spell of the ancient game, and while unable to secure a win, gained from the experience of their first ever club tournament in Ireland.
Listen here for brief post final comments by winning Kilburn Gaels manager, Tom Bergin and tournament runners-up Dunboyne manager, Paul Reilly .
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FINAL MATCH REPORT: FINAL – KILBURN GAELS v DUNBOYNE
FULL RESULTS: 2011 THURLES SARSFIELD INTERNATIONAL HURLING TOURNAMENT RESULTS
COMING UP – TOURNAMENT REACTION PODCAST AND GROUP STAGE LIVE COMMENTARY
2nd – Alan Grant representing Na Magha from Derry City
Ladies Champion – American Lindsey Shanks of the Lackenheath Wild Geese (USA)
Well done to the “The Ladies Champion Lindsey Shanks” – she plays club camogie with Tara CC (London).