US Marine Corps to battle it out in Thurles

A CONTINGENT of the US Marine Corps known as “The Wild Geese”, will compete in the inaugural international festival of hurling at Semple Stadium, Thurles on July 8 and 9.

The Marines, who are based in Suffolk, England, will bid for the Tom Semple Trophy in the 13-aside festival organised by Thurles Sarsfields GAA club. Teams from America, England, Brussels and Ireland will be in action.

The aim is to promote the international dimension of hurling and to foster hurling tourism.

“The Marines will be in Ireland for the Munster final,” said Sarsfields chairman, John Enright.

The Tom Semple Trophy was donated by relatives of Tom Semple after whom Semple Stadium is named.