COUNTY FIXTURES
The Tipperary Water County Senior Hurling finalists are now known as Borris-Ileigh and Thurles Sarsfields progressed from last Sunday’s semi-finals to what will be the first meeting between the sides at final stage since 1955. The final will throw-in at 3:30pm on Sunday week October 8th in Semple Stadium and will be preceded by the Tipperary Water Seamus Ó Riain Cup Final between Roscrea and Toomevara which gets the day’s proceedings under way at 1:15pm.
In the Tipperary Water County Senior Hurling semi-finals last weekend Borris-Ileigh held off a late rally by Drom and Inch to book their place in the final having four points to spare in a 1-16 to 1-12 victory in the day’s opening encounter. In the second match Thurles Sarsfields had too much firepower for a spirited Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill side and were in control right through with the final score reading 0-27 to 0-18 in Sarsfields favour.
Round 3 of the Tipperary Water County Senior Hurling Relegation took place last Sunday with Kiladangan defeating Burgess to ensure survival in the top tier after a 2-20 to 2-08 result. Burgess and Ballina move down the ladder to the Seamus Ó Riain Cup for 2018.
In the Tipperary Water Seamus Ó Riain Cup, last weekend was a pivotal period in some respects where both semi-final winners would know that victory will ensure top flight status next season, regardless of who wins the cup on Sunday week. Results proved profitable for the North division as Toomevara and Roscrea emerged to the final from their respective fixtures. Last Saturday, Toomevara overcame the challenge of JK Brackens 2-24 to 3-14 while on Sunday, Roscrea saw off Holycross-Ballycahill 3-14 to 0-20.
The two remaining relegation round robin fixtures in the Tipperary Water Seamus Ó Riain should be known after next Monday’s CCCC meeting as they are not on the schedule for this weekend. Those games are Moycarkey-Borris v Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams and Ballingarry v Borrisokane.
The final pairing in the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Championship is also known following last weekend’s semi-finals. St. Mary’s Clonmel with momentum behind them overcame Moyne-Templetuohy 1-20 to 0-14to secure their berth in the final. Moyne had earlier in the week defeated Moneygall to reach the semi-final with a 1-15 to 0-13 victory in the preliminary quarter final. The surprise team for many Gortnahoe-Glengoole rejuvenated their campaign with divisional success and are now also on the threshold of county success after defeating Cappawhite 2-17 to 0-16. That final between Gortnahoe-Glengoole and St. Mary’s goes ahead on Saturday week, October 7th with time and venue to be also confirmed at next Monday night’s CCCC meeting.
There will be a huge amount at stake in the final round of the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Relegation play off where Lattin-Cullen Gaels and Boherlahan-Dualla square up in the deciding fixture on Saturday week, October 7th, in Golden with a 3:30pm start. As noted previously a draw will suffice for Boherlahan-Dualla so Lattin-Cullen Gaels know a win will be needed to stay up, a fascinating tie is in prospect.
It is also semi-final stage this weekend in the Tipperary Water Minor Hurling Championships where the ‘A’ semi-finals see Roscrea and Cashel King Cormacs meet in Templemore at 4pm. The minor history between these clubs shows Roscrea won semi-finals in 1959 and 1960 while Cashel won semi-finals in 1974 and 1980, as well as finals in 1975 and 1988. In the other semi-final Moycarkey-Borris meet Moyle Rovers in Golden also at 4pm.
Elsewhere, in the ‘B’ championship Moyne-Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels meet Anner Gaels in Gortnahoe at 1pm. Already through to the football equivalent final, Moyne/Thurles will be looking to make it a unique double on Saturday. The other semi-final throws in at 4pm in Dolla between Borrisokane and Clonoulty-Rossmore.
In the Tipperary Water County Junior ‘A’ Championship the two remaining quarter-finals took place last weekend with Clonoulty-Rossmore proving too strong for Knockshegowna as the men from the West continue on with a 3-18 to 1-14 victory while Toomevara also progressed after they defeated Rockwell Rovers by 2-19 to 1-08.
Switching attention now to football and in particular to the semi-final draw in the Tipperary Water County Senior Football Championship which was made at Monday night’s CCCC meeting and in that open draw the following are the pairings for this weekend – Clonmel Commercials or Arravale Rovers will play county champions Loughmore-Castleiney while Killenaule will meet Moyle Rovers, last year’s losing county finalists. Two hugely attractive fixtures to look forward to on Sunday next, October 1st from 2pm in what should make for a most interesting afternoon’s play with the scene set as follows; in Leahy Park Cashel it is Loughmore-Castleiney against Clonmel Commercials or Arravale Rovers and in Cahir it is Killenaule v Moyle Rovers, with extra time to be played in the event of a draw in either semi-final.
In the one preliminary quarter-final played last week, Arravale Rovers defeated Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill 1-08 to 0-05 to reach the quarter-final where they will meet Clonmel Commercials this Wednesday night, September 27th in Ballyporeen at 8pm, again extra time to be played in the event of a draw.
In the three quarter-finals played last weekend Killenaule had too much firepower for Aherlow Gaels winning 3-14 to 2-05 and they will now meet Moyle Rovers who put paid to the hopes of Ballyporeen on a 1-19 to 0-09 score-line. Elsewhere, defending champions Loughmore-Castleiney were double score winners against Kilsheelan-Kilcash winning 0-14 to 0-07.
This weekend also sees Round 1 of the Tipperary Water County Senior Football Relegation where Drom and Inch meet Cahir in Clonoulty and Fethard play Ardfinnan in Monroe, both games throw-in at 12noon on Sunday next October 1st.
Moving to the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Football Championship Quarter-Finals where Rockwell Rovers and Kiladangan get the weekend action at this grade under way in Borrisoleigh on Saturday next, September 30th with a 4pm start. On Sunday then, October 1st, all with a 2pm start, Borrisokane and Clonoulty/Rossmore meet in Templederry, Moycarkey-Borris and Fr. Sheehy’s meet in New Inn and finally Clonmel Óg take on Moyne-Templetuohy in Boherlahan.
The second of the Tipperary Water County Minor ‘A’ Football Championship Semi-Finals was played in Littleton on Saturday where Galtee /Golden defeated Inane Rovers 2-16 to 3-05. They will now meet Moyle Rovers in the final.
In the Tipperary Water County Minor Football ‘B’ Championship Moyne Templetuohy-Thurles Gaels had a goal to spare over Ardfinnan to reach the final on a 1-09 to 0-09 score in Clonoulty on Saturday last.
Meanwhile in the Tipperary Water County Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Quarter-Finals there are three games down for decision on Saturday next September 30th with a 4pm start for all games. Portroe meet Sean Treacys in Newport, Gortnahoe-Glengoole play Ballylooby-Castlegrace in Fethard and Ballingarry meet Loughmore-Castleiney in Holycross. Then on Sunday next, October 1st, the final quarter-final is between Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams and Burgess in Kilcommon with a 12pm throw-in.
For a full round up on all results and fixtures, please check the Tipperary GAA website https://tipperary.gaa.ie/ or the fixtures/results section in your local newspaper.
REFEREES
The referees for three forthcoming hurling county finals have been announced as follows, the Tipperary Water County Senior Hurling Final will be refereed by Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams), the Tipperary Water Seamus Ó Riain Cup will be looked after by Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla) while the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Final will be in the capable hands of Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch). Best wishes to our referees and their officials in the respective finals.
GAA/GPA ALL STAR NOMINATIONS
Best wishes to five Tipperary hurlers who have made this year’s hurling All Star nominations who are, Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) and Seamus Callanan (Drom and Inch)
LADIES FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary ladies football intermediate team captained by Samantha Lambert (Ardfinnan) and managed by Shane Ronayne who are All-Ireland Champions following their excellent win over Tyrone in the TG4 Ladies Gaelic Football Intermediate Championship Final last Sunday on a score-line of 1-13 to 1-10 with Aishling McCarthy (Cahir) scoring the all-important goal for Tipperary.
GAA YOUTH FORUM
The annual #GAAyouth Forum will take place in Croke Park on Saturday 28th October and those wishing to take part are requested to please check www.gaa.ie/gaayouth for info and online applications.
This is a FREE event for players aged 12 – 21 and is currently accepting applications for 600 places. With a stellar line-up of speakers including Diarmuid Gizzy Lyng, Rory’s Stories, Juliet Murphy, Ciarán Kilkenny and Cathal Cregg it promises to be a great day!
Last year the forum had representation from 30 of the 32 Counties which included Tipperary and the organisers are hoping to have all 32 counties represented this year.
TIDY TOWNS
Congratulations to Birdhill and to their hardworking Tidy Towns committee led by Chairman Denis Floyd and his team in winning the overall title of Irelands Tidiest Town 2017, also winning Irelands Tidiest Village. Congratulations also to all the other Tipperary medal winners in various categories.
LOYALTY CARD
Tipperary GAA has launched a loyalty CashBack Card which as a Tipperary supporter each individual that registers is doing their small bit in support of the county cause. Loyalty cards were sent out with club draw receipts to all members and as there is no charge in registering you can opt in immediately. If anyone who doesn’t have a loyalty card and flyer please call to Lár na Páirce to pick up one. Register as per details on the CashBack flyer. To activate the card, holders must complete the registration and then please email, post or drop off your registration details to Lar na Páirce, Slievenamon Road, Thurles or secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie
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-mailpro.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.
