FORMER TIPPERARY SENIOR hurler Timmy Hammersley is preparing to embark on a trip to the Middle East which will change his life and the lives of those around him.
The Clonoulty-Rossmore clubman will spend the month of July helping the less well off in Palestine’s West Bank after formulating his ‘Palestine Summer Encounter Project.’
Hammersley, a member of Tipperary’s 2010 All-Ireland winning squad and a 2013 All-Ireland intermediate winner, is hosting a fund-raising discussion this evening at Limerick IT’s Thurles campus, centred on the theme of Building Vibrant Communities – Lessons from home and abroad.
Tipperary senior hurling team manager Eamon O’Shea will take out from preparations ahead of Sunday’s Munster semi-final against Limerick to deliver a keynote address.
O’Shea has completed significant research at NUI Galway on older people in the community and the event, which gets underway at 7.30pm, will also feature former Clare hurler Tony Griffin, who founded the SOAR foundation for youth empowerment.
Former Galway dual star Alan Kerins is another well-known speaker, having helped to develop many community building projects in Africa.
Hammersley, who holds a Masters Degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Waterford IT, organised this free event with Dr. Michael Ryan from the Department of Applied Social Studies at LIT.
“Why I admire the speakers so much is because they are brilliant at what they do but they’re working on a broader scale to build better communities,” Hammersley explained to The42 this morning.
“I will be working with young people on my trip, predominantly soccer and coaching the coaches of the kids.
“It will hopefully give the parents of kids better knowledge, help them to become more organised and to provide more opportunities to the town of Bethlehem and the greater West Bank area.
“Even most people I am friendly with do not realise the remit of international affairs and that is a big interest and passion of mine.
“They say ‘God it’s great that you’re doing something like that’ but it’s only natural for people to devote time and energy to something they’re passionate about.
“But to make people aware of my trip to the Middle East, I had to link it back to communities here in Ireland.
“There are comparisons to be drawn between communities in Ireland and regions suffering from poverty and conflict in the Middle East.”
Hammersley will not be bringing his hurley with him but hopes that he can send it by post.
“You will not get through Tel Aviv airport with a hurley – Israeli defence forces are known to be very aggressive!
“Whatever chance you have of getting through, you’ll have none with a hurling stick!
“I’ll try to send it over in the post.”
This evening’s event in Thurles is free of charge to attend but all voluntary donations are welcome.
– First published 10.46
I reckon they’ll put him in the 23 shirt. He hasn’t played a game in 5 months and this is a must win game. Henshaw and Osborne have been solid so far already this season.
It’s harsh on Osborne but I’d start Ringrose, he’s World Class, but would put Osborne on the bench, meaning no 6-2 so Connors misses out.
Interesting selection call, Leo might go 5/3 to fit him on the bench . Would be a big ask to start him after 5 months of no game time
@Owen ODonoghue: Big risk indeed, but I think worth it, our attack and defence without GR hasn’t been at the same level – RH and JO are really 12s who can fill in at 13 (thought RH was actually a brilliant 13 up until the last 6 months when he’s played there regularly and has only been ok)
@Andrew Slazenger: And by ok I mean in the specific roles a 13 has, shutting the door on outside channel, calling the rush, biting in or not and then striking into outside space in attack, knowing when to take on the space or distribute etc etc as a rugby player RH has been excellent though
@Andrew Slazenger: I get your point! Robbie’s recent journey, since his return from injury, has been impacted in Green by Bundee’s stellar 2023 and Garry’s absence in Blue. The fact that he has been doing a brilliant job at 13 is in part a reflection of the lack of competition there and the surfeit of talent at 12. Robbie is still the best 12 on the island and makes most impact on games when he plays there.
@John Morris: bundee best 12 in world
@Owen ODonoghue: still go 6/ 2. Garry and Robbie. Frawley and foley cover the whole backline.
@chris mcdonnell: Hmm, could be interesting. Foley is having a great season.
@chris mcdonnell: based on McBrydes update it looks very likely a 6/2 with Frawley and McGrath as backs cover
@Gary Galligan: yep and we have 3 other excellent centres with Ringrose, Henshaw and McCloskey
Our depth is crazy too with Osborne, Forde, Gavin coming through and the likes of Frawley, Crowley and JOB all able to play there. Its like Irelands backrow depth now
@Owen ODonoghue: 100 pc. Pity about loose head props
@Owen ODonoghue: mcgrath is not a better option than foley. JgP is playing the full game barring injury so why not have a player who can play more than one position
@chris mcdonnell: i agree with you, Leo does not tho!
They said ringrose available last week to let’s see if he gets named on the team v bulls
Seeing lots of chatter on here about 5-3 vs 6-2 and how that affects Ringrose. I think he’s a naturally very fit guy but would a big ask to play at the high altitude with no game time in 5 months? My initial thoughts are go 6-2, well because it’s a Springbok team, but you can’t hardly start Ringrose can you so he’d miss out? But because it’s such a physical toll playing that high up will we need 3 back subs as guys are likely to be absolutely gassed. In any case – Leinster have badly missed Ringrose in both attack and D.
I think Osbourne & Ringrose will start as centres. The bench is likely to be 5-3 unless Foley surpasses McGrath as scrumhalf back-up & emergency wing cover.
@D Farrell: u dropping Robbie ?? Lol