Thomastown play for a date in Croke Park

On Sunday, Thomastown will head to Birr to play in probably what will be the biggest match in the club’s history. They face Sarsfield’s of Galway in the Senior All Ireland Club semi-final. Both clubs will be attempting to represent their club, county and province in the All-Ireland Club Final in Croke Park on the 5^th March. This is a feat that neither club has ever achieved so it is a huge prize to play for.

Thomastown have had a very successful year so far, having won the League and Championship in Kilkenny and also became Leinster champions when they beat St. Vincents of Dublin in the Senior club final last November. That day, it took an injury time goal from Catherine Walsh to win what had been a very tight battle.

Sarsfields will possibly give Thomastown their greatest challenge to date. No less than four of their players featured on the Galway team that beat Kilkenny in Freshford last July which sent Kilkenny into a playoff for a place in the All-Ireland semi-final. The three McGrath sisters, Clodagh, Niamh and Orlaith were accompanied that day by Tara Kenny and no doubt, all of these will be big players for their club on Sunday.

Thomastown, however, also have a good compliment of county players to line out. The Farrell sisters, Anna, Shelly, Meighan and Eimear will no doubt play major roles in the game and these will be ably assisted by a number of players who won Intermediate All-Ireland medals with Kilkenny last September. The previously mentioned Catherine Walsh, Sarah Walsh and Eimear Corr will hopefully retain their good form. All of this panel are players with much skill and vast experience which hopefully will get them over the line on Sunday.

The management team of Ken Walsh, Olive O’Hanrahan and John Moore have worked hard over the last couple of months to keep this team at optimal performance level. Many challenge matches have kept the touch in and competition keen amongst the players. We wish them, the team and the club the very best of luck. Throw in is at 2pm in St. Brendan’s Park in Birr on Sunday, 29^th February.