One of the greatest displays in recent times brimming with passion, driven on by heart, determination and a never say die approach saw Tipperary defy the odds, with 20 minutes or so left to play, to secure a place in this year’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final on August 18th. After an epic contest in Croke Park on Sunday last, Tipperary march on, as they eventually overcame a superb contest with Wexford with two points to spare on a 1-28 to 3-10 score-line before an attendance of 61,852. Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) with an exquisite ground strike, which will surely rank as one of the goals of the year when that comes around later in the season, was the Tipperary goal scorer. Other shots found the target too but were ruled out for various infringements.
Congratulations to Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), who was named man of the match on RTE and to Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) who received the award on Sky Sports coverage.
The Tipperary support, though understandably outnumbered on the day, was outstanding and if ever the team needed it, Sunday was the day and Tipp supporters were not found wanting. With that in mind and to say thanks for the support over the year, there will be an open training session this Wednesday evening in Semple Stadium from 7 to 9pm with an opportunity for fans, especially all the young boys and girls to meet and greet players from 8:15pm.
All the attention then will focus on All-Ireland Final Sunday, when Tipperary will renew rivalry with Kilkenny who overcame the Limerick challenge in the first semi-final last Saturday. Two traditional powerhouses colliding once again will have expectations on both sides of the county border in overdrive ahead of another highly anticipated showpiece. It may be still the height of summer, but where else would you want to be?
Tipperary will play Wexford in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final on Sunday July 28th at 3.30pm in Croke Park.
Buy tickets here https://www.gaa.ie/hurling/gaa-hurling-all-ireland-senior-championship/wexford-tipperary/1496283/
The Tipperary team to play Wexford in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Sunday next, July 28th, at 3.30pm in Croke Park has been announced by manager Liam Sheedy.
There are two changes from the side that lined out in the recent quarter-final win, which sees Barry Heffernan and Michael Breen come into the starting fifteen for Sunday.
The Tipperary team is as follows;
1. Brian Hogan – Lorrha-Dorrha
2. Cathal Barrett – Holycross-Ballycahill
3. James Barry – Upperchurch-Drombane
4. Barry Heffernan – Nenagh Éire Óg
5. Brendan Maher – Borris-Ileigh
6. Padraic Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
7. Ronan Maher – Thurles Sarsfields
8. Noel McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
9. Michael Breen – Ballina
10. Dan McCormack – Borris-Ileigh
11. John O’Dwyer – Killenaule
12. Niall O’Meara – Kilruane MacDonaghs
13. Jason Forde – Silvermines
14. Séamus Callanan (Capt.) – Drom-Inch
15. John McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
16. Paul Maher – Moyne-Templetuohy
17. Ger Browne – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams
18. Robert Byrne – Portroe
19. Jerome Cahill – Kilruane MacDonaghs
20. Willie Connors – Kiladangan
21. Alan Flynn – Kiladangan
22. Mark Kehoe – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
23. Séamus Kennedy – St. Mary’s
24. Donagh Maher – Burgess
25. Jake Morris – Nenagh Éire Óg
26. Seán O’Brien – Newport
Four remain in the hunt for the Liam MacCarthy Cup with Tipperary safely among the quartet following a 2-25 to 1-18 win over Laois in last Sunday’s All Ireland SHC Quarter Final. Both goals were first half strikes, the first a penalty from Jason Forde (Silvermines), with Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) following up in trademark fashion for the second.
A run out in Croke Park at this time of the year is always a welcome addition and Sunday’s visit will have afforded the team the opportunity to familiarise themselves once again with the wonderful venue, as they look forward to an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Leinster champions Wexford. That game goes ahead on Sunday week, July 28th with a 3:30pm start. In terms of championship rivalry there has been 11 games played between Tipperary and Wexford, with Tipp on 7 wins to 3 for Wexford and 1 draw completing the total.
In what will be the penultimate weekend in the hurling calendar, the focus is solely on the Wexford game. This is where Tipperary supporters will be most needed to play their part. With Wexford supporters expected to travel in huge numbers, Tipp needs their supporters to match that and get behind their side on the day. With just two hurling championship weekends left, the team need all the support they can get to help them in their quest to hopefully be a part of both occasions.
Tickets are now available for that fixture on gaa.ie/tickets and selected Centra/SuperValu stores. Prices as follows: Hogan Stand (No Concessions) – €50; Cusack Stand – €50; Family Tickets- Cusack and Davin Stands Only: Adults – €50 and Juveniles – €5; Terrace – €35. Student/OAP €10 rebate on full price Cusack/Davin stand tickets via block D Cusack Stand with Valid ID. Club Packages Available- Deadline 5pm Thursday 18th July. Forms are now live on https://www.gaa.ie/tickets/club-offers
Best wishes to Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) for a full recovery as he undergoes corrective treatment this Tuesday for his recent knee injury which has ruled him out of action until next year.
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 17th Jul
