Tipperary GAA Scene – August 31st 2022

Tipperary GAA Scene

By PRO Jonathan Cullen

FBD Insurance County Championships

Football was the focus of attention across the county last weekend as round 3 of the senior and intermediate championships took place. In the senior championship the action commenced on Saturday with the final group 3 games, in Golden Ardfinnan booked their place in the Quarter Finals with a well deserved 1-22 to 1-12 win over Moycarkey Borris, while in Cashel the 2021 county champions Loughmore Castleiney maintained their unbeaten run in this years county championship with a 3-15 to 2-09 win over Aherlow. In group 2 Kilsheelan Kilcash and Rockwell Rovers served up a very entertaining and close fought contest in Clonmel sportsfield. This game was in the melting pot right to the very end and it was Kilsheelan who had the narrowest of leads when referee David Grogan blew the final whistle, winning by 1-12 to Rockwell Rovers 0-14. The other game in group 2 did not take place as Drom & Inch conceded to their opponents Moyle Rovers. As a result both Moyle Rovers and Kilsheelan Kilcash qualified for the Quarter Finals. On Sunday in group 1 Clonmel Commercials cemented their place in the knockout stages with a comprehensive 2-22 to 0-12 win over Cahir in Cashel, while in Littleton Upperchurch Drombane had 6 points to spare over Killenaule, winning by 1-12 to 0-09. In group 4 of the senior football championship, Arravale Rovers booked their place in the Quarter Finals as they put in a very impressive performance to overcome Ballyporeen by 3-13 to 2-10 in Bansha, the second game in the group did not take place as Eire Óg Annacarty conceded to JK Brackens.

In the Intermediate championship, the action commenced in Littleton on Friday evening where CJ Kickhams Mullinahone proved far too strong for Moyne Templetuohy, winning by 3-13 to 0-07. On Saturday Monroe was the venue for the group 3 clash of Clonmel Óg and Fethard. This was a well contested game played in very warm conditions, in the end it was Fethard who emerged victorious by 1-15 to 2-04. The second game in group 3 took place in New Inn and saw Clonmel Commercials overcome JK Brackens by 4-14 to 1-07. In Cashel Loughmore Castleiney booked their place in the Quarter Finals thanks to a 3-13 to 2-09 win over Clonoulty Rossmore. On Sunday the final round games in group 1 took place and resulted in a comfortable 3-12 to 1-08 win for Galtee Rovers over Fr Sheehys in Ardfinnan, while in Fethard, the game ended all square between Golden Kilfeacle and Moyle Rovers.

With all games of the group stages now complete, the way is now clear for the Quarter Finals which will take place on the weekend of September 17^th. The draws for these game have been made and are as follows:

FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals

Loughmore Castleiney v Kilsheelan Kilcash

JK Brackens v Upperchurch Drombane

Clonmel Commercials v Arravale Rovers

Moyle Rovers v Ardfinnan

FBD Insurance County Intermediate Football Championship Quarter Finals

Golden Kilfeacle v Clonmel Commercials

Loughmore Castleiney v CJ Kickhams Mullinahone

Fethard v Grangemockler Ballyneale

Galtee Rovers v Ballina

The draws for the Quarter Finals of the Tom Cusack Cup have also been made and are as follows:

Moycarkey Borris v Killenaule

Rockwell Rovers v Ballyporeen

Aherlow v Eire Óg Annacarty Donohill

Cahir v Drom & Inch

The County CCC will announce the full fixture details for all the above games in the coming days.

This coming weekend will see the conclusion of the group stages of the FBD Insurance County senior, premier intermediate and intermediate hurling championships and with many groups still to be decided all games are sure to be very well contested and hugely entertaining. Tickets are at a cost of €10 for adults and €5 for students with a valid ID. Under 16’s are free into our games and do not require a ticket. There will be a weekend pass available to all games over the weekend for €25.00 via on-line only.

Tipp GAA TV will also be livestreaming 4 games this weekend. In the senior championship on Saturday at 3.45pm it’s the clash of Toomevara and Upperchurch Drombane and on Sunday at 2.00pm Borris-Ileigh v Drom & Inch which will be followed at 3.45pm by JK Brackens v Kiladangan. In the premier intermediate, the clash of Newport and Sean Treacys on Saturday at 2.00pm will be shown. Single games cost €10 with a weekend pass which allows the purchaser to view all four games costing €25.

Order of Malta Fundraiser

This Sunday September 4^th Clonoulty Rossmore and Kilruane MacDonaghs will play their rescheduled Round 2 FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship game in Templetuohy at 12.30pm with entry to the game free of charge. In light of the sad and tragic events during the original fixture in FBD Semple Stadium a number of weeks ago, Tipperary GAA in consultation with both clubs have decided to hold a collection at the game with all proceeds being donated to the Order of Malta.

Furthermore, Tipperary GAA are offering the clubs of the county an opportunity to make a donation to this fund, a suggested €50 would be greatly appreciated.

A GoFundMe page has also been set up to facilitate donations from individuals who may not be able to attend the game but would like to donate. The link to the donation page is: https://gofund.me/2e9f5f92

2022 – 2023 Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw

Clubs and club coordinators have been very busy over the last number of weeks as they prepare for the commencement of the new Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw. With a lot of on field action as well as families preparing for the return to school, the draw committee have decided to reschedule the first draw which was due to take place this coming Friday September 2^nd. The draw will now commence on Friday September 30^th. The clubs draw is a very valuable resource for each and every club across the county with every club benefitting considerably financially from each ticket sold. If you wish to renew your membership or join for the first time, just contact your Tipperary GAA club of choice who will be delighted to assist you in the process. Membership is also available online via the Clubs Draw section of the Tipperary GAA website.

TUS Munster GAA Post Primary School Fixtures

The dates for the opening rounds of the TUS Munster GAA Post Primary School Senior A Hurling and Football competitions have been confirmed. Wednesday October 12^th will see the opening round of fixtures in the Dr. Harty Cup Hurling competition. The Tipperary schools first round group games will be as follows – Nenagh CBS v De La Salle; Thurles CBS v St. Francis College Rochestown; Our Ladys Templemore v Pobail Scoil Na Trionide, Youghal and Cashel CS v St. Flannans College Ennis. Wednesday October 19^th is the date for the opening round of the Corn Uí Mhuirí Football competition with High School Clonmel taking on Coláiste An Spioráid Naomh Bishopstown in Group D which also includes Hamilton High School Bandon and Coláiste Chríost Rí. The draws and fixtures for all the other Munster GAA Post Primary Schools competitions at Under 19, Under 16.5 and Under 15 can be found on the Munster Post Primary Schools web site at www.munstergaapps.ie.

Munster Council Grant Applications

The Munster Council development committee decided at a meeting this week that grant applications for 2020.21/22 should be with the Council by Friday 7th of October.

In order that the County Development and Safety and Facilities officers have an opportunity of vetting the applications, they should be with the County Board by Friday 30th of September.

The application forms and criteria for drawing down the grants will be displayed on the Munster Council website in the next day or so. There will also be a press release on the matter.

For further information clubs are asked to contact their divisional grant coordinator:

Arrabawn and John Doyle Hurling Competitions

Last weekend saw a feast of underage game taking place across the county with the staging of the Arrabawn and John Doyle hurling competitions.

2022 Arrabawn Cup

Limerick 1-16

Galway 0-16

The return of the Arrabawn and John Doyle Competitions brought great excitement to the counties involved last weekend. Glorious weather, super competitions and an abundance of skill all culminated in the meeting of Limerick and Galway in the Arrabawn Cup Final.

Both teams safely navigated their semi-final games to meet in front of a large crowd in the Nenagh Éire Óg GAA grounds. A good start was going to mean a lot. Although Galway got the opening score of the game courtesy of Ciarain Leen of Craughwell, it would be the treaty men that enjoyed the better start. Limerick captain, Patrick Kearney played a pivotal role throughout and opened the scoring for his side with an outrageous point from the side line. Malachy McKenna quickly doubled their lead before Tommy Cusack got what was to be an important goal. A long ball into the Galway square saw the ball fumble but Cusack was on hand to score. 1-02 to 0-01. Galway’s physical size was an advantage and they made good use of it. Brian Callanan and Ciarain Leen both pointed to put two between the sides. This game had the feeling of it going down to the wire as both teams confidently traded scores in the sweltering conditions. Kearney again pointed before Ciarain Leen scored his first free of the day. Kearney was again on hand as he pointed a close range free of his own. Limerick were enjoying good spells of possession and this continued when jack Cosgrove nailed a long range free from his own 65m just at the water break. 1-05 to 0-05! Leen pointed a free on resumption before the ever busy Kearney again scored. Eoghan Muleady got in on the action for Galway with a good score as McKenna knocked one over for the Treaty. Muleady was again on target on the 17th minute and Galway then managed to reduce the gap to two with a Leen free. The game continued in this ping pong fashion for the remaining minutes of the dame. Kearney scored a free from a tight angle before Leen cancelled it out. Final score of the half then went to the Limerick Captain who was causing the Galway defence the world of problems. 1-08 to 0-09 at the break!

Similar to the opening half, Galway were quick of the mark with Jonah Donnellan reducing the gap to one. However, Limerick really took control in the next seven minutes reeling of four points unanswered; Kearney with two frees, John O’Connor and Cian Barrett with one apiece. Galway though didn’t panic and almost had a goal of their own on the board. Leen again the man involved but credit to Joe Fitzgerald who pulled off a fine save. Leen though did manage to point and reduce his sides deficit. Galway couldn’t seem to raise a green flag as Brian Callanan burst through the Limerick defence only for his shot to rattle the cross bar and over. 1-12 to 0-12. Limerick again took over control and scored three fantastic points on the bounce with Diarmuid Hurley and two from Kearney again putting six between the sides. Galway realised the need for a goal but Limerick defended heroically. Leen knocked over a 65m before Ben Morley reduced the gap to four. With time almost up Limerick once again went five in front with Conor Ryan pointing. Credit to Galway though they played to the final whistle scoring two more points courtesy of Leen (free) and Jonah Donnellan. However it was not to be and Limerick ran out 1-16 to 0-16 winners.

Captain Patrick Kearney collected the Arrabawn Cup from County Bord Na nÓg Chairman Tommy Landers and Arrabawn CEO Conor Ryan.

Scorers:

Limerick: Patrick Kearney (0-04, 0-06 frees), Malachy McKenna (0-02), Tommy Cusack (1-00), Jack Cosgrove (0-01), John O’Connor (0-01), Cian Barrett (0-01), Diarmuid Hurley (0-01)

Galway: Ciarain Leen (0-03, 0-05 frees, 0-01 65m), Brian Callanan (0-02), Eoghan Muleady (0-02), Jonah Donnellan (0-02), Ben Morley (0-01).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers)

2022 Arrabawn Shield

Tipperary 1-20

Cork 1-07

Borrisoleigh played host to the Arrabawn Shield Final between Tipperary 1 and Cork 1 on a glorious weekend for hurling. Both teams overcame their Semi Final opponents to advance to the Final with Tipperary seeing off Cork 2 while Cork 1 needed extra time to overcome a dogged Wexford outfit.

Cork began the strongest and looked to put an early stamp on the game with Cathal Lyons of Inniscarra pointing in the opening minute. Tipperary responded well with Stefan Tobin pointing a free fouling a foul on Moneygall’s Eoin Doughan. Cork responded well and took the lead again with Jack O’Brien pointing from the wing. Tipperary then got a hold on proceedings and dominated the next ten minutes. Adam Ryan pointed a good score and this was followed with a score from his clubmate David Ryan who intercepted the puck out. Eoin Doughan and Jake Houlihan (65m) converted the next two scores with Killian Cantwell pushing out Tipperary’s lead to four, 0-06 to 0-02 with 14minutes on the clock. Cork got a grip on the game shortly afterwards with Leo Hennessy reducing the gap to three. Cahir’s Patrick McDonagh cancelled out that score before Cork got a real hold on the game scoring the next two points courtesy of Jack O’Brien and Cathal Lyons to reduce the gap to two. Cillian Minogue opened his scoring just on the half time whistle and pushed Tipperary’s lead to three, 0-08 to 0-05 at the break.

Both teams emerged from the break eager to kick on. Tipperary started the brightest and pointed an early free to extend their lead to four. Cork though didn’t faulter and were rewarded for their persistence. Six minutes into the second half Mark O’Brien from Douglas got the game’s opening goal with a wonderful strike and put one between the teams. Game on! Tipperary though did not panic and responded with two points of their own, one from Minogue and another long range free from Jake Houlihan. Cork landed one of their own with Jack O’Brien pointing before Tipperary really took control of the fixture. Stefan Tobin again pointed before Tipperary raised a green flag of their own thank to the ever busy Eoin Doughan. 1-12 to 1-06. This gave the Tipperary team every confidence to push on and they did just that. Doughan followed up his goal with a good point before two more good scores from Carrick Swans Stefan Tobin put the result in no doubt. David Ryan got the score of the game on the 45min mark with a wonderful strike out on the side line. Cork were then reduced to 14 when referee Peter Carroll showed a straight red card to Cork’s Oisín O’Connell. Finn Napier (Tipperary) and Jack O’Brien (Cork) traded scores before Tommy Blackmore of Ballingarry converted the final score of the game to give Tipperary a deserved 1-20 to 1-07 victory.

2022 John Doyle Cup Final

Tipperary 0-18

Kilkenny 0-12

Nenagh Eire Óg GAA Club played host to the 2022 John Doyle Cup following a hiatus of a two years due to the pandemic. A large crowd descended on the grounds for the clash of Tipperary and Kilkenny and they were not disappointed. A hugely entertaining game saw the Premier County emerge six point winners.

Played in sweltering conditions, officials made the decision to reintroduce the water break as all these players were now on their second big game of the day. Tipperary began the strongest, St. Mary’s Aaron Cagney broke the deadlock two minutes in following brave work by Joe O’Dwyer. Cagney again was to the fore minutes later when he doubled his sides lead with his first placed ball of the day. Tipperary were dominating proceedings and came close to the game’s first goal. Liam O’Dwyer continued his good run of form from the Semi Final into this game and his shot was brilliantly saved by Luke Cahill in the Kilkenny net. Darragh O’Hore pointed the resulting 65m to extend Tipperary’s lead to 3. Kilkenny were working hard and desperately searching for any fault in the Tipperary defence but none was forthcoming yet. Sean Ryan of Holycross Ballycahill got his first of the day, a beautiful score from the far side line. O’Dwyer again pointed to push Tipperary 5 in front. Kilkenny got a handle on the game in the 8th minute with Darragh Power opening their scoring. The next few minutes may not have produced much in terms of scores but both teams work rate could not be questioned. Kilkenny’s Callum Lawlor got himself on the score board with a free. 0-05 to 0-02 at the water break. O’Hore from Solohead put four between the sides before Lawlor clawed one back for the Cats. Cagney pointed a free of his own thanks to good work by Joe O’Dwyer whose pace was causing problems for the opposition. Cagney continued to lead form the front and pointed another good score before his counterpart Lawlor scored a monstrous point from the middle of the field. 0-08 to 0-04 with the break shortly upon us. Tipp tagged on two more scores before the whistle courtesy of Sean Ryan and Alex Coppinger. 0-10 to 0-04 at the break. Tipperary in control.

Both sides emerged from the half time break revitalised. Kilkenny got the better start and reduced the gap to four. Emerald’s Callum Lawlor really playing a leaders role scoring a point from a free and then a good score from out the field. In what was a battle of the number 10’s Cagney again pointed a placed ball before scoring another super score of his own. Lawlor again stood up to the plate and probably got the score of the game, a monstrous point under pressure from behind his own 65m line. O’Hore pointed from a free just before the water break to put six between the sides, 0-13 to 0-07. Tipperary Captain David McSweeney lead from the back and got the first score after the sós uisce. Darragh Power from James Stephens pointed from out the field before Sean Ryan again scored for the Premier. Both sides traded scores once again before Kilkenny almost raised a green flag of their own. Darragh Power burst through the Tipperary defence and although being fouled got a shot away only for Sherlock in the goals to pull off a great save. Referee Conor Doyle brought the ball back though for the fall with Jack Coogan pointing. 0-16 to 0-10. Kilkenny were now playing with a bit more freedom and reduced the gap to four coming up to the fiftieth minute mark, points from Louis Madigan and Callum Lawlor. Kilkenny searched desperately for scores to reduce the gap but Tipperary remained firm and popped over the

final two scores of the game from Darragh O’Hore and Larry Collins to give Tipperary an 0-18 to 0-12 victory.

A good display of hurling from Tipperary saw them deservedly crowned champions. Captain David McSweeney from St. Mary’s collected the John Doyle Cup from County Bord Na nÓg Chairman Tommy Landers and John Doyle from Holycross Ballycahill.

Scorers:

Tipperary: Aaron Cagney (0-03 frees, 0-03) Darragh O’Hore (0-01, 0-01 65m, 0-02 free), Sean Ryan (0-03), Liam O’Dwyer (0-01), Alex Coppinger (0-01), David McSweeney (0-01), Lorcan Bourke (0-01), Larry Collins (0-01)

Kilkenny: Callum Lawlor (0-04 frees, 0-03), Darragh Power (0-02), Jack Coogan (0-02 frees), Louis Madigan (0-01)

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)

Abbey School & Arravale Rovers Golf Classic 2022

The Abbey School and Arravale Rovers Golf Classic will take place in Tipperary Golf Club on Thursday 15 th(12-4pm) and Friday 16 th(All Day) of September 2022. The proceeds of the Golf Classic will go towards the Astroturf Development Fund which will massively benefit the students of the area along with the members of all three clubs in Arravale Rovers. The cost for a team of four players is €200.00(€50pp) which includes a goodie bag on arrival and a meal in the clubhouse afterwards. If you are unable to attend, a Teebox can be sponsored at a cost of €50.00 or you can contribute to the fundraising efforts. All enquiries relating to the Golf Classic, Teeboxes or contributions can be made to: Anne Marie Ruby 062-52299 or info@abbeyschool.ie Fionnuala O’Mahoney 0876613575 or secretary.arravalerovers.tipperary@gaa.ie For Teebox payment, the Abbey School bank details are as follows: IBAN: IE71BOFI90610191725954 BIC: BOFIIE2D For all Timesheet enquiries, contact Andy Lacey on 087-2410730

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