US marines on mission at Sars

THE Wild Geese, a team of US marines based in England, are amongst eight sides competing in the inaugural Thurles Sarsfields International Hurling 13s this weekend.

The competition has been approved by Croke Park and will be run on the lines of the All-Ireland Sevens. Also participating are Kilburn Gaels and Robert Emmets (London), Keady (Armagh), Na Magha (Derry), Dunboyne (Meath), Naas (Kildare) and Naomh Moninne (Louth).

The festival’s official opening is on Friday night at Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre with the hurling action on Saturday at Morris Park and Sarsfields’ own pitch.

The winners will receive the Tom Semple Cup, presented to Sarsfields by the family of Tom Semple, in memory of the late Thurles and Tipp GAA legend.