By: PRO Joe Bracken
SENIOR FOOTBALL PANEL
As the Tipperary senior footballers commence training for the new Allianz league campaign, manager Liam Kearns has announced his 40 strong training panel as his management team and squad look to cement their status in division 2 or hopefully even go one better with promotion in 2019.
The panel is as follows – Conor Sweeney (Captain) (Ballyporeen), Alan Campbell (Vice-Captain) (Moyle Rovers), Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Ciaran Kenrick (Moyle Rovers), Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials), Paddy Codd (Killenaule), Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle), Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Dave McGrath (Moyle Rovers), John Meagher (Loughmore-Castleiney), Gavin Whelan (Ardfinnan), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule), Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan), Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle), Liam Casey (Cahir), Steven O’Brien (Ballina), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Brian Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill), Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Cian O’ Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle), Ben Hyland (Fr. Sheehy’s), Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Paul Shanahan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Jack Delahunty (Newport), Daire Brennan (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Jason Lonergan (Clonmel Commercials), Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials), Philip Austin (Borrisokane), Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe), Dan O’Meara (Kiladangan), Liam Boland (Moyle Rovers), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Darragh O’Leary (Ardfinnan), Shane Foley (Moyle Rovers), Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) and Tommy Lowry (Arravale Rovers).
MUNSTER CLUB FIXTURE
Tipperary’s interest in the Munster club championships came to an end last Saturday as we commiserate with Boherlahan-Dualla who were defeated by Cloughduv (Cork) in the AIB Munster Junior club hurling championship semi-final. The Cork side emerged victorious 1-16 to 0-12.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan) and his officials as he takes charge of the AIB Munster Football Intermediate Club Championship final in Mallow on Sunday next between Kilcummin (Kerry) and Fermoy (Cork).
LAOCHRA GAEL AWARDS
The presentation of the Laochra Gael awards will take place in the Dome, Semple Stadium on Sunday next at 3.30 pm.
The twenty-four recipients from all over the county will be honoured for a lifetime of service to the G.A.A. This year’s group includes former hurlers Seamus Hogan and John Kelly from the 1971 All-Ireland team, and Larry Kiely from the legendary team of the sixties.
The guest of honour will be the well-known Cork commentator and personality, John Arnold, who will address the recipients in the course of the presentation.
The event is open to everyone, not only the family and club friends of the recipients, but to the general public as well. Tickets for the event, which will include refreshments, are €10 each and may be had in advance from the G.A.A. office or shop at Lár na Páirce, or at the door on the afternoon. The organisers would like to have an idea of numbers in advance.
CLUB FIXTURES
Divisional U21 hurling action was the order of the day last weekend with final and semi-final action across the county.
The West U21A final was won by Clonoulty-Rossmore for the twentieth time following their 0-15 to 2-5 win over Cashel King Cormacs. In the West U21 B final, Cappawhite Gaels collected their first title in the grade as they overcame Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams1-21 to 1-16.
The North Tipp U21A final has a mouth-watering tie in prospect this Sunday when Toomevara and Kilruane MacDonaghs lock horns in Borrisokane at 2pm.
Elsewhere, the North Tipp U21B final was won by Newport who accounted for Borrisokane 3-19 to 2-9 last weekend.
In the Mid U21A semi-finals Holycross-Ballycahill and Thurles Sarsfields came through to face each other in the final which will be played in the Ragg this Sunday, November 25th at 2pm. Also, in the Mid U21B
Moyne-Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels progressed to the final where they will meet Gortnahoe-Glengoole and this final will go ahead on Sunday next in Templemore at 12 noon.
Moving to the South U21B championship, Mullinahone are through to the final where they will play Cahir or Carrick Davins.
The South senior football championship has reached semi-final stage also on Sunday next with Clonmel Commercials up against Killenaule in Monroe at 2:30pm while Ardfinnan and Kilsheelan-Kilcash square up in Cahir at the same time.
To keep up to date with all fixtures and results please check https://tipperary.gaa.ie/fixtures-results/
POST PRIMARY ACTION
Nenagh CBS and Thurles CBS are back in action this Wednesday November 21st, when the final league round of the Dr. Harty Cup Under 19A Hurling takes place. Nenagh CBS are up against Gaelcholáiste Mhuire an Mhainistir Thuaigh in Kilfinane at 1:30pm while Thurles CBS will play Christian Brothers College, Cork in Bansha also at 1:30pm.
Having a good run of success recently Thurles CBS lifted the Croke Cup Clonoulty last week defeating Cashel CS in the final on a score line of 1-17 to 0-7.
Following on from their Dean Ryan Cup success, Thurles CBS defeated St. Kieran’s College on Tuesday, November 20th in the Masita All Ireland U16.5A semi-final 1-17 to 0-14.
For fixtures / results and match reports, check out the Munster GAA Post Primary Schools web site at www.munstergaapps.ie
TIPPERARY TALENT ACADEMY
Under the guidance of Dinny Maher, Tipperary games manager, there was a hugely informative introduction forum in LIT Thurles last Thursday night focusing on the next group of U14 hurlers and footballers to enter into the Tipperary talent academy programme which is sponsored by Thurles Fresh Milk who were represented on the night by CEO Joe Kerrigan.
Dinny stated that the mission of the programme is to develop players at the base layer of U14 and this is one segment of their sporting life. The aim is to develop players to play for Tipperary and also to ensure every single player is playing with his school and club. The programme represents the nature of the youth domain as a person and as a player and that players will learn from each other. The key message is that it is athletic development and instruction on technique right up to minor level. The programme will be overseen by award 2 qualified coaches in conjunction with the four county GDA’s and Dinny Maher.
LIT lecturer Damien Young gave a fascinating insight into the development work undertaken over a number of years with the various age grades. Focusing on the U14 age group and following that right through various programmes up to senior level, he detailed a clearly defined path that will show the progressive development of each player as recorded in the system and what the end average targets are at senior level. The programme will ensure that all players are physically prepared to deal with the demands of the game.
An example Damien gave, was that of the average distance covered by players during the course of a senior match at inter-county level. A senior hurler will run on average 7617 metres and a senior footballer will cover 9222 metres. Quickening up the pace to cover sprints at 17kph a senior hurler will cover 1134 metres at that pace in the course of a match while a senior footballer will cover 1596 metres. At full tilt of 22kph pace a hurler will now cover 319 metres with a senior footballer covering 264 metres.
To help players to get to that standard the talent academy programme will support coaches by its charting and plotting of training programmes at all grades. A key assist in that is the Smartabase programme which is monitored by Tom Dorney. This is an app based programme where each player completes details including sleep patterns, injury updates and training details with club or school. This will be of huge assistance to county coaches to develop training programmes for their respective squads.
Other speakers on the night included county chairman John Devane, Joe Kerrigan, Andy Ryan Mid GDA and Paul Collins, Tipperary minor hurling manager 2019. Both Andy and Paul spoke of the opportunity now available to young players and how some of our now retired senior players would have loved to have had the opportunity of the talent academy programme in their day. Exciting times ahead therefore, thanks in no small part to Tipperary Games Development headed by Dinny Maher and his GDA’s Andy Ryan, Kevin Halley, Paudie Malone and Colm Canning, LIT and its Sportslab facility.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The inaugural Tipperary Supporters Club Hurler of the Year as chosen by supporter’s club members is Jason Forde (Silvermines). Congratulations to Jason on being the first recipient of the award.
CLONMEL CONNECTION
Former Clonmel Commercials and Tipperary football panellist Aldo Matassa helped his Edinburgh club Dunedin Connolly’s win a three-in-a-row of provincial titles in Manchester last Sunday after their 3-12 to 2-12 victory over London’s Neasden Gaels. They now travel to Donegal in three week’s time to face Ulster champions Red Hugh’s in the All-Ireland club quarter-final.
ANNUAL GAA MEMORABILIA FAIR IN THURLES
Lár na Páirce, the GAA Museum in Thurles, will hold a GAA Memorabilia Fair in Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, (beside Semple Stadium) on Sunday next, November 25th from 12pm to 4.00pm.
This is the 4th annual G.A.A. Memorabilia Fair and will give you a chance to browse and search a large selection of match programmes, club histories, hurling, football, camogie and handball publications as well as other G.A.A. material in the pleasant and spacious surroundings of the Thurles Sarsfields G.A.A. Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Collectors and sellers are cordially invited to attend this event, where it is hoped they will find plenty of material to interest them.
Stands will be available for renting and anybody so interested should contact the organisers before November 20th.
Admission will be €3 with accompanied children free. The venue will have disabled access, bar facilities and teas and coffees. It is located within a five minute walk from Thurles Railway Station.
For further information contact: – Seamus J. King, 087-2246245 seamusjking@gmail.com or Liam Ó Donnchú 086-6036547, liam.odonnchu.oifigeach@gaa.ie Lár na Páirce G.A.A. Museum, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. 0504 22702 larnapaircemuseum@gmail.com
This is one upcoming event certainly not to be missed by all lovers of GAA sports.
Again please note, those wishing to sell items should contact Liam or Seamus beforehand so a table can be arranged for you.
NORTH TIPPERARY GAA PRIMARY SCHOOL QUIZ
The North Tipperary Primary Schools Quiz will be held in Kilruane MacDonaghs, Cloughjordan on Sunday next 25th November commencing at 6pm. Each team to consist of 4 members and schools may enter as many teams as they wish. The cost per team is €10. The quiz will be generally based on GAA events of the past 12 months and will include questions on hurling, football, ladies Gaelic football, camogie and rounders. Entries please to either coramoroney@hotmail.com 0876388039 or liamhogan8586@gmail.com 0872425229.
AWARD 1 COACHING COURSE
Tipperary GAA will offer an Award 1 Hurling course aimed at youth and adult hurling coaches, from under 14 up to senior level club coaches.
The course covers a number of key modules including: Technical Proficiency, Tactical Prowess, Team Play, Physical Fitness, Playing Facts, Psychological Focus and Communication
The focus of the course is the further development of the ‘How to Coach’ skills by placing the participant in situations that they will face as coaches, the organisation of games, skill development, activities to develop skill and activities to develop the various aspects of physical fitness.
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
Organise a programme of games and skill development activities appropriate to each participant’s needs and abilities
Organise progressive activities (drills and games) to develop five key skills
Organise progressive activities to develop movement skills appropriate to Gaelic Games
Organise and manage players for an effective practice session through six “How to coach skills” including;
Build Rapport, Observe, Analyse, Explain, Provide Demonstration and Provide Positive Feedback to Players
The course philosophy is that Tipperary GAA is committed to implementing an integrated Coach Education Programme with a view to maximising participation, optimising playing standards and ensuring that players needs are catered for in a balanced way.
The dates for the course are 26th, 29th November, 3rd, 6th and 10th of December, from 7.30pm – 9.30pm each night in Dr. Morris Park.
The cost of the course is €50 per coach and to register your place on the course please e-mail kevin.halley.gda.tipperary@gaa.ie as soon as possible, as places will be limited.
An Award 1 Football coaching course will commence early in the New Year.
CONVENTION DATES
The various convention dates have been set for yearend commencing the first week of December. On Wednesday December 5th, Coiste na nÓg an Chontae will be held in the Horse & Jockey Hotel. This is followed on Friday December 7th by the Friends of Tipperary Football AGM again in the Horse & Jockey Hotel at 7pm. Also on Friday December 7th the Mid Board Convention will be held in Clonmore. Then on Sunday December 9th there will be two divisional conventions, the West Board Convention takes place in Clonoulty-Rossmore GAA club rooms and the South Board Convention will be held in the GAA Centre Clonmel. On Monday December 10th the North Convention will be held in Ballycommon. Then on Wednesday December 12th the Co. Football Committee Convention will be held as last year in the Anner Hotel, Thurles. And finally on Monday December 17th the County Convention will be held in The Dome, Semple Stadium.
GAA SEASON TICKET
The 2019 GAA Season tickets are now on sale and will once again provide fantastic value for supporters in next year’s league and championship. Adult ticket will cost €120 and U16’s €30. This will allow the ticket holder access to discounted tickets for the championship group stages in your code.
Benefits of the GAA Season Ticket include, access to an All-Ireland Final ticket (subject to meeting terms and conditions), AIB GAA club championship finals on March 17th, all Allianz league matches again in your code, including play offs, semi-finals and finals and also your county’s opening championship fixture of 2019.
The Adult Club+ version ticket costs €200 and also includes club championships fixtures in the chosen county and a guaranteed All-Ireland final ticket should your county qualify, again terms and conditions apply.
All tickets are subject to availability /terms and conditions, for more information see gaa.ie/seasonticket
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.
By Jonathan Cullen Tue 20th Nov
