By PRO Jonathan Cullen
Tipperary Senior Hurlers Christmas 3 Charity Appeal
The Loughnane’s from Castleiney were out in force to support the Tipperary Senior Hurlers 3km walk
On Wednesday last December 30th the Tipperary hurlers embarked on a fundraising charity appeal where they hope to raise at least €3k for four great local Tipperary causes – Nenagh General Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital, Thurles Community Hospital and Cluain Arann Community Health Centre, Tipperary Town. The day proved to be a huge success and thanks to the wonderful generosity of the public resulted in the target been exceeded. It was wonderful to see all the pictures and video clips from around the county and further a field of everyone out and about in their Tipperary colours partaking in the 3km exercise. Many of the images along with some messages from several of the players have been put together in a short video clip which can be viewed by going to the following link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI0NOhf5ajo&feature=youtu.be
Also, on the day Liam Sheedy and members of the panel visited a number of Tipperary supporters both young and old at their homes to say thanks for being such great supporters and to hopefully bring a little bit of joy into their lives at the end of what was a tough year for so many. All the visits were carried out with social distancing in mind and all took place in a outdoor setting.
Updated Level 5 Guidelines
Following the reintroduction of level 5 guidelines by the government last week, the GAA have issued the following guidelines.
Tipperary GAA are encouraging you to continue to play your part by keeping each other safe and following the public health guidelines.
In level 5 and under the current restrictions, individual training only is permitted – neither adult nor underage teams may train collectively. GAA club grounds must stay closed and no club games are not permitted. Dressing rooms, showers and all other indoor training facilities should remain closed for club activities and club gyms must remain closed until further notice. Indoor committee meetings are also not permitted, and all officer Training must be delivered online. Outdoor coaching education courses are not permitted. Club Bars must remain closed and no organised indoor gatherings can take place under the current restrictions. Commercial use of indoor halls for example by state bodies such as the HSE or Schools is permitted where agreement was in place prior to March and relevant insurance are in place.
No outdoor gatherings on GAA property are permitted, however walkways may stay open for use by the community with social distancing in place. The GAA’s intention remains that collective outdoor training for Senior inter county panels only may re-commence from February. However, given the current growth rates in virus transmission, this date is under constant review. For the moment, Senior inter-county players may train on an individual basis only in Club or County owned gyms. No training is currently permitted for any other panels. No competitive or challenge games are permitted in 2nd Level schools. Training is permitted during school hours and as part of school approved P.E programmes only. At 3rd level no games or training are permitted.
Tipperary supporters club membership for 2021 is now open Supporters can join on line now on tippsupportersclub.com/join by credit card or debit/laser card. You can also pay by Credit Card over the Phone by calling 0863580718, 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 New First Time Direct Debit members in 2021. It is easy to sign up for Direct Debit, just download the form on the Tipperary Supporters Club website, fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15. For 2021 the featured membership gift is 2021 a Reusable Three-Fold Double Layer Safety Face Mask that also features the Official Tipperary Supporters Club Logo. Members will also receive a 2021 Car Sticker, text alerts for all League and Championship team news, Regular news to your email about all the latest in Tipperary GAA circles, paid up Tipperary Supporters Club members will be eligible to vote for the official 2021 Tipperary Senior Hurler of the Year award at the end of 2021 season. Members will also be entered into a draw for five sets of stand tickets for all Tipperary games in the Munster and All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship and in the event of Tipperary Senior Hurlers reaching the All-Ireland Final, one of the ticket winners will receive an additional bonus of 2 night’s accommodation for 2 people in the Four Star Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.
Friends of Tipperary Football membership will soon be opening for 2021 This year membership will include entry in to the EuroMillions lotto syndicate at no extra cost. So, for only €20 not only will you be supporting football in Tipperary, you will also have the chance to win big. All members will be entered into a draw for some great prizes including –
- Two All-Ireland final football tickets 2021
- Two All-Ireland final hurling tickets 2021
- Two Tickets for each of Tipperary’s senior football championship matches for 2021
- Two All-Ireland club final tickets 2021
All the above are subject to change based on government restrictions at the time.
It only takes a few seconds to join and your support is appreciated by all our players. If you wish to become a new member or to renew your membership you can do so by going to https://www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/join or by contacting your divisional coordinator:
- West Tipperary – Kevin Barron – 087 2231353
- North Tipperary – Kevin McLoughlin – 0861924726
- South Tipperary – Michael Power – 086 2391954
- Mid Tipperary – Hugh Coghlan – 087 9877355.
Become A Referee Tipperary GAA Needs You
Are you looking to stay involved with the game as an alternative to playing? Do you want to keep your fitness levels up or improve your current fitness? Could you referee a County Final or even an All-Ireland? Do you want to learn more about the game or give something back?
Becoming a referee offers people, the opportunity to continue in the sport and helps to develop personal skills that are of value in all walks of life. Current Inter County referee and Ardfinnan clubman Derek O’Mahony spoke to Tipperary GAA Scene about refereeing and why he would encourage more people to get involved.
Derek O’Mahony has made life long friends as a result of being a GAA referee
I am refereeing 18 years now and still enjoy every day putting the whistle around my neck to officiate at a game. it all started when I was younger when myself and my friend Liam Barrett, who now umpires with me, used to do umpire at games locally with Liam’s dad Willie and as i watched the games and gained great experience both umpiring and linesman at relatively big club games the thought in my head always told me you could be that guy with the whistle.
What I love about refereeing since I started is that every game no matter what game it is brings a different challenge and of course the bigger the game the bigger the challenge to you as the referee, some may test your knowledge of the rules, your skills to control the game, your fitness and no doubt your tolerance and patience some days and some days there all tested but to walk off the pitch and be happy with your performance is the ultimate prize. Some might say there are negatives to being a referee well maybe there are but there are far more positives for someone who wants to remain involved in GAA actively
Refereeing has given me a healthier and fitter lifestyle, I am far more active now that I was before I started refereeing, the friends I’ve made within my own division and county as a referee as well as on the national stage are endless and some are lifelong friends, it has now become my pastime.
My umpires have become my closest alloys and my most honest supporters and the sense of being part of that team is important. It’s also important to have a supportive Family at home and in Margaret, Emer and Darren i have that in abundance.
The other great fact about being a referee is that no matter what level you referee at there are targets and goals to achieve whether it is to referee at Under 12, Senior County final or in fact inter county level. As a referee you also get to see more games than you may have otherwise so I would say to anyone no matter what your age, refereeing can be for you at the level you desire that level is entirely your choice depending on how you commit to refereeing
For anyone interested in refereeing should at least try it out, there is a great group of referees within Tipperary and there is great support available, the enjoyment and circle of friends within the refereeing community are endless. the buzz of hearing the roar from the crowd at a score, the roar after the final whistle, the fun and craic with your umpires travelling to and from games.
Finally, the sense of achievement from where I started refereeing to where i am now and the changes I have made and improvement I continue to make is what makes it so challenging and rewarding.
If you would like more details on how to become a referee in Tipperary contact your local club or Tipperary GAA referees Coordinator John Ryan on 086 8172752 or via email refereesadministrator.tipperary.tipperary@gaa.ie
GAA National Clubs Draw 
Each year the GAA run a National Club Draw where 100% of all funds raised are retained by each club. The GAA at a national level put up all the prizes and the clubs keep 100% of all ticket sales to help with the development of each club’s facilities.
The 2021 GAA National Club Draw has even more prizes on offer, varying from a Renault Car to All Ireland Final Tickets, and a variety of cash prizes. As a bonus clubs who sell 200 tickets or more will be entered into a club specific draw whereby 3 clubs will receive €5000 another draw will take place where 1 club in each county will receive €1000. Furthermore, the club with the highest ticket sales in each province will receive €1000. The draw takes place on Thursday March 10th, so if your club requires any further information please contact the Tipperary GAA Office.
Tipperary GAA Scene
If there is anything you feel should feature in this column going forward please feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 6th Jan
