By PRO Joe Bracken
With the arrival of a New Year, we send best wishes to all Tipperary players and supporters as once again we commence the club and county journey for 2017. To all we hope the season will be as successful and fulfilled as one would expect and that the Premier County will continue to hold the sway come the end of play this year again.
MCGRATH CUP
Up and running with a game under their belt already the Tipperary senior footballers were first into action this year with an away visit to Tralee to play Kerry in the McGrath Cup on Sunday last. With a mix of old and new, Liam Kearns’ side not long back on the training fields were upended by a lively Kerry outfit fielding their U21 panel as the home side emerged victorious 3-11 to 1-03. Tipperary’s goal coming courtesy of a Diarmuid Foley (Moyle Rovers) strike early in the first half to give Tipp the lead before Kerry asserted their dominance.
Tipp line out against Cork in round two this Wednesday night, January 11th at 7.30pm in Dr. Morris Park in what may also prove to be a difficult assignment due to availability of players.
PETER MCNULTY U21F TOURNAMENT
The Tipperary U21 football team under new manager Declan Browne (Moyle Rovers) played Galway last Sunday in the first round of the Peter McNulty Tournament with the Tribesmen winning this 3-12 to 1-7.
Next up this Saturday, January 14th at 2pm in Round 2 Tipperary play Laois in the Laois Training Centre which is just beside O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.
Peter McNulty who tragically passed away in 2010 was an attacking forward, who was a member of the Laois team that beat Dublin to win the All-Ireland Minor Football Championship in 2003. He subsequently went on to represent Laois at Under 21 level, and captained the team who defeated Longford to win a Leinster Under 21 Football Championship in 2006.
REFEREES
Tipperary referees were to the fore of the action on Sunday with Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla) watching over the Co-Op Superstores.ie Munster Hurling League first round fixture between Limerick and Waterford in Dungarvan, while John O’Brien (Arravale Rovers) was in charge of the Walsh Cup match between Wexford and UCD in Gorey.
Elsewhere in McGrath Cup football, Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) had the task of keeping an eye on affairs between Clare and Waterford in Meelick.
HARTY CUP
The action moves up a notch in the Harty Cup this week as the Quarter-Final knock out stages have been reached with plenty of action also down for decision this Wednesday, January 11th. From a Tipperary perspective the tie of the round will be in the Ragg at 1.30pm where Our Lady’s Templemore take on Thurles C.B.S. in a local derby.
It was in 2008 when the schools last met at this stage when a replay was required to separate the sides with Thurles eventually coming out on top. That same year Thurles progressed to the final but lost to De la Salle before going on to lift the title the following year in Nenagh. Keeping a close watch on proceedings here will be John McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams).
The other Tipperary school in action is Nenagh C.B.S. who will meet De la Salle College in Leahy Park, Cashel also at 1.30pm in what is a repeat of last year’s pairing. Unfortunately for Nenagh the result didn’t go their way last year and they will certainly be hoping to go one better this year though they still know a huge task awaits them in Cashel if they are to progress. Whatever the outcome, the semi-final won’t be too simple either as the winners meet the victors of Our Lady’s and Thurles CBS. The man in the middle here will be Damien Fox (Clare).
The other two fixtures see Ardscoil Ris, Limerick meet CBS Midleton in Bansha with Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams).in charge while Christian Brothers College, Cork meet Coláiste Cholmáin, Fermoy in Blackrock in the other match with Diarmuid Kirwan (Cork) officiating.
Extra time will be played in all games if necessary.
CLUB REFEREE TRAINING COURSE
Basic Club Referee Training Courses are provided every two years by trained Referee Tutors in County Tipperary. Held over 4 nights in Thurles, the course is developed in conjunction with Croke Park and supported through the Provincial Munster Referees Administrators.
Dates for the Tipperary Training Course are as follows; Foundation Course (Sarsfields Centre, Thurles – all 8pm) Thursday – January 26th, Thursday – February 2nd, Thursday – February 9th which is an on line timed module and Thursday – February 16th.
Modules are “classroom” based and involve attendance and participation by the prospective referees. A timed Rules Test is centrally organised by Croke Park, which the participants complete “on-line”, with a pass-mark set which must be achieved for successful progression
Following successful completion of the Training Course the successful candidate is certified as qualified by Coiste Ríaracháin Réiteoirí Contae Tiobrad Árann as a Réiteoir Chlub or Club Level Referee. It is recommended for Foundation Referees to be appointed to referee games up to and including U14 for a period of 2 years.
We are now seeking applications from interested individuals, who are considering taking up the role as Club Referee and applications must be submitted through their respective Club Secretary on the relevant Application Form which is available online on the Tipperary GAA website. See https://tipperary.gaa.ie/gaa-referee-recruitment-tipperary/. Please note all applications must be accompanied by a cheque for €100, from the applicant’s home club, which will be refunded after officiating at ten games. Completed application forms accompanied by €100 cheque only should be forwarded to Paul Stapleton, Secretary, Tipperary Referees Administration Committee, Lár na Páirce, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Ongoing Referee Development – current referees are reminded the compulsory Fitness Assessment and Rules Test are confirmed for 7.30pm on January 19th and February 9th in The Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles, while the annual in service will be held at 7.30pm on January 16th and February 20th in the Sarsfields Social Centre, Thurles.
For further information / clarification please contact – Jim O’Shea Chairperson, Tipperary Referees Administration Committee on 085 1744791 or Paul Stapleton Secretary on 085 1983325.
SCÓR NA NÓG
Tipperary was represented in six of the seven competitions that took place in the Munster Finals of Scór na nÓg in Ovens Co. Cork on Sunday last January 8th. Competitors, mentors, families and supporters travelled from Clonmore, Borrisoleigh, Newcastle, Killea, Newport, Portroe and beyond to lend their support and encourage our young dancers, singers, musicians, actors and actresses to do their best. In his address Munster Council Chairman Jerry O’Sullivan complimented all the young people –all winners on the day for such a wonderful display of talent and wished all competitors the best going forward.
Newcastle took the honours in the Rince Foirne winning Corn Chontae Phort Lairge and Joseph Boyle of Borrisoleigh was victorious in the Amhránaíocht Aonair competition with a lovely rendition of The Hills around Listowel. We wish Joseph our solo singer and the Newcastle troupe under the tutelage of Kathy McGrath all the very best in The All-Ireland Finals of Scór na nÓg in the Waterfront Belfast on Saturday February 11th. Go néirí go geal libh ann.
HANDBALL
The North Tipperary 40×20 Juvenile Handball Finals hosted by Nenagh were held on Friday Saturday and Sunday last and provided a great weekend of Handball to kick off the 2017 Season. Well done to all the juveniles who competed and will go on to represent North Tipperary in the County Finals where they will now take on the South on Sunday next, January 15th in Cashel. For a full list of results please check the Tipperary Handball website http://handball.tipperary.gaa.ie/
TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The January GAA draw will take place in Oliver Ryan’s, Upperchurch this Friday night, January 13th where December draw winner Fr. Loughlin Brennan will be presented with his first prize from that draw. Skoda Fabia car is the first prize on offer again on Friday night and best of luck to all in that draw.
TIPPERARY CALENDARS
There are still a number of Tipperary GAA 2017 Calendars available as we head into the New Year. It contains many of the iconic images of a hugely successful year for Tipperary and will be also be a wonderful keepsake for years to come. Available in Lár na Páirce, Elvery’s Sport stores and other retail outlets around the county please make sure to get your calendar before they are all gone.
TIPPERARY OFFICIAL SH TEAM PHOTO
The official Tipperary SH team photograph is also on sale as is continuing to be quite popular. All enquiries should be made to Tim Floyd, Co. Secretary secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie, 087 2591747 or any county board officer or SH team panellist.
TIPPERARY GAA CLUB ALL COUNTY MATCH PASS 2017
The match pass for 2017 is currently on sale at the price of €120. This pass gives supporters access to all adult matches within the County during 2017. Passes can be ordered through the GAA Office Slievenamon Rd, Thurles or by contacting 0504 22702 where payments can be made over the phone.
GAA SEASON TICKETS
The Season Ticket is still on sale until the start of the leagues and is an ideal way of ensuring match tickets as the season progresses.
Enjoy another year of great value with the GAA Season Ticket. Prices are as follows: Adult – €99, Juvenile (U16) – €20 and Adult Club+ – €200
The benefits of the season tickets are – Great value – great price plus more discounts throughout the Championship; Convenience – you have your ticket for your team; Exclusive Extras – ‘bring a friend’ options, special purchase options for other matches
Adult Club+ Version – includes club championship fixtures within your chosen county and guaranteed All-Ireland Final ticket should your county qualify. (Selected code only – Please note that there will not be a Club+ Upgrade option for 2016. If you wish to purchase a Club+ GAA Season Ticket this must be done at the time of purchase.)
You will also enjoy discount prices during the Championship – Pay & Play kicks in after your opening Championship fixture.
Please note that as per Point No. 56 in the GAA Season Ticket Terms & Conditions, the significantly increased ticket demand for the All-Ireland Finals means that the seats allocated to qualifying Season Ticket holders for the finals will not be located in the same section as seats allocated for prior championship games at Croke Park.
For any queries in relation to the GAA Season Ticket please contact seasonticket@gaa.ie
The following link is to what is included in and the benefits of the Season Ticket: http://www.gaa.ie/tickets/gaa-season-ticket/
While the next link provides the option to buy: https://www.seasontickets.ie/
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2017
The Tipperary Supporters Club are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2017 is a specially-produced DVD of Tipperary’s 2016 season.
Supporters can join on line now on tippsupportersclub.com/join by credit card or debit/laser card. Membership is €40 per person. 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. We are encouraging members to switch to Direct Debit payment by offering a reduced charge of €30 for all Direct Debit members in 2017. It’s easy to sign up for Direct Debit, just download the two-page form, fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy at the address below.
If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order for €40 payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com )
All proceeds from membership go towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The membership scheme of the Friends of Tipperary Football for 2017 is also available and tickets at €20 each can be had from any committee members or the Divisional coordinators, Kevin Barron (West), Trish Gavin (Mid), Aidan McNamara (South) and Joe Hannigan (North) and will carry prizes of tickets to the All-Ireland and National Football League fixtures. Supporters can also join online at the following link http://www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/
All monies raised from the membership go directly towards Tipperary Football teams.
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.
