Tipperary GAA Scene – September 28th 2022

Tipperary GAA Scene

By PRO Jonathan Cullen

FBD Insurance County Championships

Hurling took centre stage last weekend with games being played at Senior, Premier Intermediate, Intermediate and Junior levels at venues right across the county. In the senior hurling championship the action commenced on Saturday afternoon in FBD Semple Stadium when Loughmore-Castleiney and Drom & Inch met for in the first of the weekends Quarter Finals. This game was billed as the tie of the round, and while there were some intense periods of play during the match, in reality the game never really sparked into life. In the end it was Drom & Inch who emerged as deserving winners by 0-21 to 0-18 over a Loughmore-Castleiney side who will be very disappointed with their performance and in particular their inaccuracy in front of goals. The second game in Thurles on Saturday was the meeting of North Tipperary neighbours Toomevara and Kilruane MacDonaghs. This was a game that failed to spark in the first half, however the second 30 was a much different experience for players and supporters as the intensity levels and work rate of all players hit a different level. As the game entered the closing stages it looked as if extra time could be on the cards, however Kilruane MacDonaghs held out to secure a win on a full time score of 2-17 to 2-15.

On Sunday the third game of the quartet threw in at 2pm and what a game it turned out to be, it had everything one would expect from the game of hurling at this level, including end to end action, fantastic scores from play placed balls and side line cuts. Having come into the game with the added bonus of having defeated their opponents in the football equivalent a week earlier, Upperchurch Drombane came from what looked like an impossible place to claim victory in the game, outscoring JK Brackens by 8 points to nil in the last 10 minutes of the game to win by 2-21 to 1-21. In the last of the Quarter Finals, Clonoulty Rossmore really started at a rip roaring pace as they took a an early 7 points to 1 lead. However they were reduced to 14 players in the 20^th minute and one felt that this was going to have a major impact on the game, and it did. Kiladangan slowly got back into the match and by half time were right back in the mix. The 2020 champions took the lead early in the second half and they stayed in front for the remainder of the game to win by 1-14 to 0-12. The full time whistle signalled the end of this year’s campaign for Clonoulty Rossmore, but to their credit they fought to the very end and did themselves and their parish proud.

The action in the Premier Intermediate Quarter Finals begun with the meeting of Cashel King Cormacs and Burgess in Borrisoleigh on Saturday afternoon. This game was yet another highly entertaining event with both sides getting stuck in right from the off. Prior to the throw in it was the West Tipperary outfit who were many peoples favourites and it looked as if things could be going their way as they lead by 1-10 to 0-09 at half time. However by the 10^th minute of the second half it was Burgess who had gone into the lead, from this point on those attending the game were treated to an edge of the seat experience as the lead switched between the sides right to the 31^st minute when Burgess player Michael Ryan put over the levelling point to send the game into extra time with the sides locked together on 1-19 each. Burgess got off to the dream start in extra time when Donagh Maher had the ball in the back of the Cashel net in the first minute to put his side ahead. By the time the half time whistle was sounded it was Cashel King Cormacs who found themselves back ahead by 2-22 to 2-21. Burgess took control of the game in the second half of extra time and they ran out 3-27 to 2-22 winners.

The second game in Borrisoleigh on Saturday was also in the Premier Intermediate championship and featured the clash of Gortnahoe Glengoole and Portroe. This was always going to be a close game as both sides would have been anxious not to let their opponents take control of the game, but at the half way mark it was the men in red and white who held the advantage on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-07. Gortnahoe Glengoole extended their lead during the second half and while Portroe did stage somewhat of a comeback as the game entered injury time, it was not to be for them as Gortnahoe Glengoole qualified for the semi finals on a full time score of 1-22 to 2-16.

On Sunday in the Premier Intermediate Quarter Finals, Holycross was the venue for the clash of St Marys and Silvermines and it was the Clonmel men who never looked in trouble in this one as they ran out 1-18 to 1-11 winners, the final Quarter Final which was between Roscrea and Thurles Sarsfields took place in Toomevara and resulted in a comfortable 2-26 to 2-14 win for the Roscrea men.

In the Intermediate hurling championship Kilsheelan Kilcash and Boherlahan Dualla met in Cahir to decide who would progress to the Quarter Final stage. This game was level at the end of normal time and when the final whistle was blown at the end of extra time the sides were still level on a score of 3-21 each. It then went to the dreaded penalty shootout where Kilsheelan Kilcash emerged victorious by 4 goals to Boherlahan Dualla’s 3 goals.

In the Junior A Hurling championship, there were Quarter Final wins for Moyle Rovers over Borris-Ileigh (0-24 – 1-13), Grangemockler Ballyneale over Toomevara (1-23 – 0-24), Thurles Sarsfields defeated Lattin Cullen (3-22 – 3-18) and Upperchurch Drombane overcame Galtee Rovers (1-16 – 0-06).

There were also games in the relegation element of the Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate championships. In the Senior, Eire Óg Annacarty and Templederry Kenyons will contest this year’s relegation final following defeats to Moycarkey Borris and CJ Kickhams Mullinahone respectively. In the Premier Intermediate, this year’s final will be between Kiladangan and Carrick Swan who lost their semi final clashes to Newport and Ballina, while in the Intermediate championship, Ballinahinch and Shannon Rovers will contest this year’s decider having gone down to Ballybacon Grange and Carrick Davins in their semi finals.

This weekend will see Semi Finals in Senior and Intermediate football championships and also in the Tom Cusack cup, while in the Junior A football championship the Quarter Finals will take place. There is also the small matter of the relegation final in the senior football championship which takes place in Bansha on Saturday between Cahir and Aherlow.

This Weekends Fixtures:

Tickets to this weekend’s games are now available to purchase online via the ticket section of the Tipperary GAA website: https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/tipperary-gaa/ . Under 16’s are free into our games and do not require a ticket.  Tipperary County Board will also be offering a tap and go service at all venues, so if you are not able to pre purchase your tickets on-line you can now pay on entry to the venue with your credit or debit card but please be aware there may be queues if too many take this option. Tipp GAA TV will also be streaming this Sunday’s senior football semi finals from Golden and you can purchase your stream pass via the following link: https://page.inplayer.com/TipperaryGAA/

Tipperary Clubs Draw

The all new Tipperary Clubs Draw will commence on this Friday September 30^th in the County Bar Thurles at 9pm and will also be broadcast live on Tipp FM, with some very attractive prizes on offer including a star prize of a Renault Arkana Car plus ownership of 1000 prize bonds for one year. There’s actually prize bonds with all the top ten prizes in the first four monthly draws. This Fri night there’s a total prize fund valued at €40k, which includes a €5k second prize, a €3k third prize, in fact there’s 10 prizes valued over €1k waiting to be won in this first draw. 

If you have not yet joined up, its still not too late to do so. All you have to do is contact your local Tipperary GAA club or the Tipperary GAA Office on 0504 22702 before 5pm on Friday evening

Scór Sinsear 2022

All roads lead to Newport Hall this Saturday evening for the Tipperary Scór Sinsear Final for 2022. A entertaining programme of events is on the cards with three current All Ireland acts returning to the stage. Our Quiz kicks off proceedings at 6pm with the main event taking place from 7pm. Our winners will then advance to the Munster Senior Scór Final which takes place on Sunday October 16^th in Cappamore Co. Limerick. We wish all our acts the very best and encourage you to come out and support them in what is going to be a great evening of culture in the Premier County. 

Gaelic Games Associations conducting survey of 13-19 year olds

The three Gaelic Games Associations are conducting a survey of young players in Gaelic Games designed to better understand the experiences of players in the 13-19 age cohort across all codes.

The survey will cover topics such as the teams they play for, how often they take part, the coaching environment they experience, and their future in Gaelic Games.

This is the first time that all the Gaelic games Associations have collaborated on such a project for players.

According to the GAA’s Strategy, Insights, and Innovation Manager, Dr. Peter Horgan, the survey will capture both the positives and challenges experienced by young people who play Gaelic Games.

Dr. Aoife Lane, Chairperson of the Gaelic Games Sports Science Working Group and Head of the Department of Sport and Health Sciences in TUS Midlands Midwest, believes great insight can be gleaned from the survey.

The survey can be completed online through any phone, laptop, or tablet and only takes 10 minutes to complete.

Players who complete the survey can win one of 4 prizes of coaching visits and equipment for their club. One club from each Province will win a coaching visit from one of our coaching ambassadors and playing equipment worth €250.

If you’re a youth member aged from 18 to 19 or you’re a parent of a child aged from 13 to 19 you can complete the survey at this link- https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GaelicGamesYouthStudy.

This project is part funded Sport Ireland and Healthy Ireland and the advisory group overseeing the development of the study contains the following representatives of the various GAA codes as well as partners in 3rd level institutions from across Ireland.

• Dr Peter Horgan (GAA)
• Kevin Donoghue (GAA & Syracuse University, USA)
• William Harmon (LGFA)
• Aideen Howlin (Camogie Association)
• Dr Aoife Lane (Technological University of the Shannon)
• Niamh Fogarty (Technological University of the Shannon)
• Dr Wesley O’Brien (University College Cork)
• Dr Paul Donnelly (Ulster University)
• Dr Margaret Lawler (Trinity College, Dublin)

Tipperary Handball News

After the recent impressive run in the 60×30 singles Championships Tipperary Handball players were competing in the 60×30 Doubles all Ireland finals this weekend and didn’t disappoint with some outstanding results. In the Intermediate Doubles final in Tuamgraney James Prentice (Ballina) & Jerome Cahill (Lahorna) were up against the much fancied Cian O Conghaile & Diarmuid Mulkerins from Galway. This was a belter of a game from start to finish with the game in balance throughout. The first game saw the Tipperary pair win by the narrowest of margins 21/10. The second game every bit as exciting as the first with James and Jerome making a great start but Galway put in a late shift and almost edged it only to see the Tipperary pair finish in a another close game 21/19 to secure the Intermediate Doubles title. In the U21 Doubles in Cashel Rory Grace (Lahorna) & Owen Healy (Newport) were also up against a fancied pair of Jack Holden & Jack Doyle from Kilkenny. They recorded a great win in the first game winning 21/14. They were made to work hard in the second and went on to win 21/18 to bring the U21 All Ireland back to Tipperary. In the Master A Doubles in Tuamgraney John Ferncombe & David Moloney (Cashel) had a comprehensive win over Denis Creaton & Sean Jennings from Roscommon winning 21/2, 21/8. In the Ruby Masters Doubles in St Comans in Roscommon Billy & Pakie Mullins (Clonmel) were up against Mayo’s Kevin Gerathy & Pat Hopkins and had little difficulty winning their all-Ireland on a scoreline of 21/0, 21/4. Likewise in the Silver Masters A Doubles Paul Mullins & Eddie Farrell (Clonmel) saw off the Challenge of John & Ollie Ryan from Carlow winning 21/9, 21/0. In the EMAD Kevin Mullins & Adrian Johnson received a walkover from Mayo in the Final. In Crinkle in Offaly in the Golden Maters B Doubles Christy Carey & Willie Bourke (Ballina) were up against Seamus Grier & Seamus Maughan from Mayo. They were slow to settle in the first game and lost 21/13. In the second game both players put in a great performance and in a thrilling game they narrowly lost 21/19. Well done to all our players who competed in the finals. Next Sunday our Juveniles will contest All Ireland Finals Loughmacrory, Garryhill & Cashel. In GU15S Lucy Gould (lahorna) is up against Caislin Tracey Tyrone in Loughmacrory. In Garryhill in GU15D Katie Mulcahy & Aoife Williams (Lahorna) V Jenny Saunders & Mia O Connell Kilkenny. In GU14D Sarah Williams & Clodagh

Shinnors (Lahorna) V Kitty Roche & Amber Cronin Kenny (Wexford) In BU14S Dean Carey (Ballina) V Conor Doyle (Wexford). U17S Evan Carey (Ballina) V Michael Brennan (Kilkenny). In Cashel Christine Percy & Ali O Kelly (Lahorna) V Orla Brophy & Eadoin White Laois. Best of luck to all our Juveniles next weekend.

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