by PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
The waiting is almost over as a new era is about to commence when the Tipperary Senior Hurlers take to the field on Saturday night next, February 13th in their opening Allianz Hurling League Division 1A clash with Dublin in Semple Stadium at 7pm.
The challenge games are out of the way as manager Michael Ryan, his management team and his dedicated squad set about their task ahead in the Allianz National League. Patience will be required on all fronts to allow the team time to bed in and find their way in the league where results will be hard earned in a competitive division.
Dublin were first up last year as well and after a bright positive start Tipp faded and succumbed to a home town defeat. Previous history has shown there have been 32 previous league meetings between the sides with Tipp on top winning 19, Dublin on 9 and 4 draws. The first league match between the counties was played at Croke Park on 22/11/1925 (1925/26 competition, first time the League was played) with Dublin coming out on top 7-6 to Tipp’s 3-1.
So its best wishes to the lads on Saturday and again we urge all supporters to get behind the team in great numbers this weekend and over the course of the league. Supporters are asked to get your tickets early in the week to avail of discount prices which will close at midnight on Friday night.
Ticket prices as follows; Pre-Purchase Price: Adult: €10 (Pre-Purchase discount ends midnight on the day before the fixture) Match-Day Price: Adult: €15. Concessions: €10 available as an Adult Pre-Purchase ticket in advance or on match day at the grounds only. Juveniles under 16: free of charge
HURLING TEAM MASCOT
The Tipperary Supporters Club Mascot for Saturday night’s game is Kate Hyland. Kate aged 10 from Cahir plays U12 camogie and football with Cahir GAA club. She likes to play in the corner forward position and her favourite player is Brendan Maher. She is a 4th class pupil of Cahir Girls National School and she has 2 sisters, Emma (aged 8) and Evie (aged 6) who also play with Cahir. Best wishes Kate and we hope you have an enjoyable evening.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
An excellent result in Sean Treacy Park on Sunday last saw the Tipperary Senior Footballers take full points in defeating Clare 2-7 to 1-7 and with 3 points in the bag out of 2 league matches they sit second in the table behind Kildare in the early stages. Despite the difficult conditions Tipp never faltered in their desire and in the end got the result they deserved. With a three week break now, next up is a visit to Westmeath on February 28th for round 3.
Incidentally, the two teams mentioned Kildare and Westmeath were both relegated from Division 2 last year and while Kildare have won both of their opening games, Westmeath have lost both of theirs. A tricky assignment awaits Tipp away from home the next day therefore as Westmeath will look to get the wagons back on track.
ALL IRELAND CLUB SEMI-FINAL
On a busy day for the Premier County all eyes will be focused first on Portlaoise as Clonmel Commercials take on Ballyboden St. Enda’s in the All-Ireland Club Football Semi-Final at 4.30pm.
Carrying the hopes of the county as they go in search of a final spot on St. Patrick’s Day we send best wishes to the side and manager Charlie McGeever and hope they go all the way and achieve their dreams.
MINOR FOOTBALL
The Tipperary minor football panel have been drawn in group 4 of the Leinster Minor Football League for 2016 along with Louth, Wicklow and Laois. Round 1 is on this Saturday February 13th against Laois in Crettyyard with throw in at 2.30pm. Round 2 is on February 20th against Louth and round 3 against Wicklow on Saturday February 27th, the group winner will progress to a semi-final against the group 3 winners on Saturday March 12th.
TIPPERARY PERSON OF THE YEAR 2015
Congratulations to Noel McGrath of Tipperary hurling fame who has been selected as the Tipperary Person of the Year for 2015 by the Tipperary Association Dublin. In spring 2015, the Tipperary and national hurling world was shocked to hear the news that Noel McGrath had been diagnosed with cancer.
Speaking at the announcement of the award, Liam Myles, President of the Tipperary Association Dublin, stated that the dignified way in which he handled his adversity, the courageous way he publicly acknowledged his illness and more so the way he highlighted testicular cancer and the need for males – young and old – to be monitored and checked sets him apart as a Tipperary person in 2015.
Initially, and understandably, he asked for privacy for himself and his family and the time and space to be allowed sort out his trauma. The respect in which he is held was reflected in how well that request was adhered to. Later on and as he was undergoing treatment he showed great character in thinking of others worse afflicted. He supported the Movember Foundation and became an ambassador for the foundation and, through the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) gave of his time and energy to support the Childhood Cancer Foundation.
In these roles and in a number of public appearances he has made a huge contribution to help break the “taboo” that has traditionally existed around male cancer and testicular cancer in particular.
Despite his cancer treatment he returned to the Tipperary senior hurling squad and the reception – from all sides – he received on his introduction in the All-Ireland semi-final against Galway will live in the memory of all those watching that game. This show of support and appreciation showed the true meaning of sport. More so, it transcended sport and highlighted the importance of health and wellbeing in life and the importance of life itself. It also showed the respect in which Noel is held.
In every way possible Noel McGrath showed in 2015 all that is good about human life when faced with a challenge and he epitomised what the true Tipperary character is about. More than any one he was the “stand out” Tipperary person in 2015 and richly deserves the Award of Tipperary Person of the Year for 2015.
Doctor John Ryan, a native of Ardfinnan, is to be awarded the Hall of Fame for 2015 by the Association in recognition of his lifetime contribution to and achievements in the field of soil science, education and humanity throughout the world.
For a lifetime of working to improve the lives of people living in some of the most arid regions of the world and for his contribution to agriculture among the poorest farming communities John Ryan is truly a representative of Tipperary who deserves to be inducted into the Association’s Hall of Fame.
Both awards will be presented at the Annual Awards Function on Saturday the 5th of March next in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin. Tickets (€40 each) are available from Pat Ryan, 11 Foxfield Grove, Raheny, Dublin 5. Tel.: 087 6376663. Email: psoriain@eircom.net.
AIB GAA PROVINCIAL CLUB PLAYER AWARD
Congratulations to Michael Quinlivan of Clonmel Commercials who received the AIB Munster Football Club Player Award for 2015/16 in recognition of his overall club performances during the season. The award winners are voted for by national and regional sports media.
SOUTH EAST SPORTS STAR AWARD
Congratulations to Clonmel Commercials who were recently honoured by being named the November winners of the Beat 102-103 South East Sports Star Awards Night after they made history by becoming the first ever Tipperary team to win a Munster Senior Club Football Championship Final, well done to all in Commercials.
CORN UI MHUIRI
Congratulations to the High School Clonmel who reached the final of Corn Uí Mhuirí Under 18 ½ A Football by defeating St. Francis College Rochestown 1-10 to 0-7 in the semi-final last Saturday, February 6th in Fermoy. Having come out of the ‘B’ section in 2011 CBS High School Clonmel are just 60 minutes away from being Munster kingpins but first they have to meet and defeat the hot favourites St. Brendan’s Killarney (Kerry) in the final on February 27th.
CORN THOMÁIS MHIC CHOILM
Keeping the Premier flag flying congratulations also go to Abbey CBS who reached the final of the Corn Thomáis Mhic Choilm (18.5 B H) following their defeat of Glanmire CC 2-11 to 0-14 AET last Saturday, February 6th. Their opponents are yet unknown as the other semi-final between Chroist Ri and Mitchelstown CBS was called off.
FITZGIBBON CUP
It was another busy week in the Fitzgibbon Cup hurling competition as the Round 2 games were played leaving a number of do or die games up for decision this week in the last round of the group stages.
In Group A, UCC had Michael Breen (Ballina) at centre-back in their 4-18 to 0-10 win over Maynooth. The other game in Group A was much tighter as LIT made it two wins on the trot with a one point victory over previously undefeated UCD. LIT included wing-back Willie Ryan (Clonakenny) and centre-back Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill) in their starting line-up, while Willie Connors (Kiladangan) was introduced as a substitute early in the second half.
Group B is more straight-forward as IT Carlow and WIT have qualified for the Quarter-Finals with a game to spare. IT Carlow defeated St Pat’s Drumcondra/Mater Dei by 4-17 to 2-14 where Mark Russell (Lattin Cullen Gaels) lined out at corner-forward for the Carlow side while Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch) and Dale O’Hanlon (Carrick Swan) were both introduced as subs. Eoin McIntyre (Lorrha) lined out for St. Pat’s, scoring 1-1 from wing-forward. Meanwhile, WIT defeated DCU by 2-21 to 1-12 as Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) finished as top scorer for WIT with 10 points, 4 from play. Tom Fox (Eire Óg Annacarty) and Joe O’Dywer (Killenaule) lined out in the WIT half-back line
The tie of the round in Group C brought a big crowd to the Mary Immaculate Limerick GAA Grounds on Thursday last as the home side played their city rivals the University of Limerick in what turned out to be an eight goal thriller refereed by Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Kickhams). UL won the game by 5-15 to 3-14 with Tipperary players contributing 3-10 on the day. UL got off to a great start thanks to two goals by Tommy Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Óg) who scored 2-2 in all from corner-forward while John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) scored five points (two from play) at full-forward. Paul Maher (Moyne-Templetuohy) lined out in goal for UL with Brian Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons) and Jason Forde (Silvermines) starting in the half-back line, the latter contributing 1-1 from placed balls. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Óg) was introduced as a late first half substitute and played in the half-back line. For Mary I, Alan Flynn (Roscrea), John Meagher (Loughmore-Castleiney) and Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) lined out in defence along with Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons) at midfield and Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields) at corner-forward with both Stapleton and Cahill scoring a point each from play. In the other Group C encounter, NUI Galway defeated DIT by 3-18 to 2-7 with Conor Ryan (Nenagh Eire Óg) starting at corner-forward for the Galway side.
Finally, there was one game in Group D as Cork IT defeated Ulster of University Jordanstown by 1-18 to 1-14 to qualify for the Quarter-Finals. Conor Hammersley (Clonoulty-Rossmore, scorer of 0-1) and Andrew Coffey (Nenagh Eire Óg, scorer of 0-2) started for CIT while top scorer John O’Dwyer (Killenaule) contributed eight points, three from play but will miss the Quarter-Final having picked up a red card late in the game.
SIGERSON CUP
The Sigerson Cup is now down to the Quarter-Final stage after last week’s games. The Garda College bowed out away to Ulster of University Jordanstown by 2-14 to 0-11. Ciaran Kendrick (Moyle Rovers) played in goal for the Garda College. Meanwhile, the University of Limerick (UL) defeated IT Tralee by 2-15 to 2-8. Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers) was introduced as a substitute for UL while Ted Lowry and Niall O’Donovan (both Arravale Rovers) are part of the UL panel.
REFEREE
Well done to Fergal Horgan who was in charge of the All-Ireland Club Hurling Championship semi-final between eventual winners Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) and Oulart-The Ballagh (Wexford) in Semple Stadium last Saturday.
TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
Congratulations to this month’s winners in the GAA Club Draw which was held in The Golden Inn, Golden Village last night Friday night Feb 5th, with the two star prizes resulting as follows; a Skoda Octavia or €15,000 sold by the Portroe Club goes to Ashlawn Nursing Home Syndicate, Limerick Road, Nenagh and the second price of a Skoda Fabia or €10,000 sold by Arravale Rovers goes to Michael and Rita O’Carroll, Greenrath, Tipperary. The March Draw will be held in Seymours Bar Portroe on Friday March 4th next.
FOOTBALL ‘FRIENDS’ MONSTER RACE NIGHT
With Tipperary unbeaten in the national league and enthusiasm high in football circles right now, the Friends of Tipperary Football are looking forward to staging a monster race night in South Tipperary GAA Centre on Saturday February 20th next.
The organisers are very appreciative of the great response they have received from Tipperary supporters over a wide area. Patrons can support the race night in a number of ways and the ‘Friends’ would be delighted to hear from people willing to sponsor the event. You are invited to generously sponsor a race for €100 – the race will be named after you or your company and will be announced on the evening. Alternatively, you may consider kindly placing an advertisement in the race night programme- €50 for a quarter page, €100 for half page, €160 for full page. A “full house” is expected in South Tipperary GAA Centre on the evening with patrons invited to purchase a horse in the race for €10.
The ‘Friends’ say a big ‘thank you’ to their fervent supporters, and look forward to their huge support for the eagerly-awaited race night on Saturday February 20th in South Tipperary GAA Centre. Put the date in your diary!
SOCIAL MEDIA AND TIPPERARY GAA
In March of 2010, Tipperary GAA set up Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tiobraidaranngaa) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/tipperarygaa) accounts to help open the GAA in Tipperary to a whole new fan base. From its earliest days, both sites have been popular with Facebook recently surpassing 10,000 Likes while last week, @TipperaryGAA became the 7th GAA county to surpass the 30,000 followers mark on Twitter. Don’t miss out on any related Tipperary GAA news by connecting with our Facebook and Twitter pages today.
HANDBALL
Ballydesmond Handball Club hosted the final instalment of the two year Cork cycle for Munster Cumann Na mBunscoil Handball finals last Saturday February 6th . The 2016 Cumann Na MBunscoil Munster handball finals saw five Counties taking part, playing a total of twenty nine games starting at 10am and finishing at 2 30pm. Out of the eight titles on offer, Cork and Clare shared took three each, with one apiece going to Tipperary and Limerick, Tipperary were well represented in all grades
In College Handball, Ballinahinch and Kilcoleman hosted the Boys College Munster finals with Tulla and Tuamgraney hosting the Girls Finals. Our only success in Boys was in the Senior Singles with Aiden O Flaherty Nenagh C.B.S. coming out on top, full results at http://handball.tipperary.gaa.ie/
SOUTH TIPP GAA CENTRE
The South Tipp GAA Centre in Clonmel will host a table at the Fethard Book Fair on Sunday next February 14th and also hold a memorabilia fair for all sports on Saturday March 19th in the G.A.A Centre from 12 noon until 4pm. All the proceeds of both events will go towards the G.AA Centre funds.
Clubs or individuals in clubs who may have G.A.A memorabilia, books, match programmes etc. that they wish to dispose of and will donate to the Centre are kindly asked to contact any member of the Centre committee, alternatively donations of material for sale can be left into the Centre from 7.30pm onwards Wednesday to Saturday.
In regard to the memorabilia fair on Saturday March 19th, donations of material for all sports will be much appreciated. Those who wish to host their own table at that event and present their own material for sale are welcome to do so. Tables can be booked at a €10 fee by contacting the Centre on 052-6121806 or per the following; Seάn Nugent 087-2669304 and Noel Byrne 086-8076080.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Tipperary Supporters Club for 2016 is now available and at €30 per person it is unchanged again this year. The Tipperary Supporters Club are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2016 will be a trolley coin keyring, 43 mm x 33 mm, featuring The Tipperary Supporters Club Official Logo.
Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card. Also on the website details are available of the direct debit facility; as the Club is run on a completely voluntary basis it would be a great help if members could join by direct debit. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 or 086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com
TIPPERARY GAA SCENE
Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please e-mail at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3.00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at https://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.
