by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1A – TIPPERARY V DUBLIN
Tipperary will play Dublin in Round 1 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A at 2.00pm next Sunday, February 15th, in Parnell Park. With a number of worthwhile challenge matches and two rounds of Waterford Crystal under their belt, the Tipperary senior panel are and will be fully focused to get off to a winning start under the watchful eye of manager Eamon O’ Shea and his team. With huge momentum still in place since the epic All Ireland drawn final and replay, Tipperary supporters are urged to get behind the team from the start of this year’s campaign and use that momentum to encourage and support the players and management team alike who together have put in tremendous preparation ahead of this opening fixture.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 – TIPPERARY V LIMERICK
Back to winning ways Tipperary defeated Limerick by 1-14 to 1-2 in Round 2 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 last Sunday and now prepare for their next encounter in Round 3 away to table toppers Fermanagh on March 1st, in Brewster Park, Enniskillen.
TIPPERARY UNDER 21 FOOTBALLERS
Tipperary have qualified for the Hastings Shield Under 21 Football Final following a hard earned 3-13 to 3-11 victory after extra time over Laois on Friday last. The sides were level after normal time having scored 2-9 apiece, the Tipperary goals coming from TJ Ryan and Josh Keane. Substitute Michael Meagher added Tipperary’s third goal early in extra time and late points by Ross Mulcahy and Josh Keane ensured the win for the Premier County. Tipperary will now play Kerry in the Shield Final on Saturday next February 14th at a Limerick venue (check the Tipperary GAA web site for details). The Tipperary team and scorers were as follows – Gearoid Slattery (Cashel King Cormacs); Michael O’Connor (Cahir), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Colin O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan); Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers, 0-1), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials); Liam Casey (Cahir, 0-1), Paul Shanahan (Upperchurch Drombane, 0-4, 0-2 frees); Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen), Niall McKenna (Cahir), Dean McEnroe (JK Brackens, 0-1); TJ Ryan (Rockwell Rovers, 1-1, 0-1 free), Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle, 1-4, 0-2 free), Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash). Subs: Michael Meagher (Grangemockler, 1-1) for M.Russell, Gerry Cronin (Ardfinnan) for N. McKenna, Tommy Sweeney (Ballyporeen) for TJ Ryan, Domnic Walsh (Moyle Rovers) for L.Casey, Pearse Richardson (Arravale Rovers) for Ml O’Connor.
LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Tipperary will play Longford in Round 1 of the Leinster Minor Football League on Saturday February 14th at 2.30pm in Ballymahon Forgney Gaels.
CLUB OFFICERS INFORMATION NIGHT
Tipperary County Board will hold a “Club Officers Information Night” next Wednesday Feb 18th in LIT Thurles, which will commence at 7pm with a tour of the LIT campus including the new ultra-modern Gym.
At 7.30pm all present will assemble in the Conference Centre where topics covered will include Insurance, Club Development, Coaching, Social Media, Club Web Sites, Membership and other IT issues, etc. For some of these topics the gathering will breakout into separate rooms relevant to different officers.
The presenters will come from Croke Park, Munster Council and Tipperary Co. Board with plenty of opportunity for Q&A.
The night will finish with refreshments at 9.30pm approx.
Every club is being asked to send at least 4 officers which should include Chairperson, Secretary, PRO, Development Officer and one Juvenile Officer.
A full agenda of the evening will be emailed out to clubs closer to the event so for the moment please take note of the date and mark your diary accordingly.
REFEREES
Congratulations to Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla) and his team of officials on taking charge of the All-Ireland Club semi-final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Gort last Saturday.
Best wishes to Fergal Horgan (KnockavillaKickhams) and his officials as he takes charge of the Roinn 2A NHL first round tie between Carlow and Wicklow this weekend.
NEW REFEREE COURSE – LAST OPPORTUNITY
The course for new referees starts tonight Wednesday February 11th in Thurles Sarsfields centre at 7.30pm. The course is over four nights in total with February 16th, 18th and 23rd also organised. If you are interested in attending, please contact Philip Kelly Secretary Referee Recruitment committee immediately by e-mail: referee.recruitment.tipperary@gaa.ie or mobile (087) 2863683. Interested persons can register up to the first night of the course. Please note, that there will be no referee course in 2016 so this will be your only opportunity to do the course in Tipperary for the next two years.
BASIC SKILLS COACHING CONFERENCE
The Coaching and Games Development Committee will host a coaching seminar on Saturday 28th February in the Dome, Semple Stadium.
This conference commences the next phase of the “ASH” Programme aimed at the overall development of hurling in the county and concentrates on club coaching and in particular coaching children from U8 to U12.
The outcome of this section of the ASH Programme is to produce “competent, confident and bi-lateral” players at 12 years of age.
The conference is aimed at coaches of juvenile players from U6 to U12. The content will be based around coaching the basic skills of hurling to this particular age group. Ideally they are asking each club to send 4 coaches to the conference, one each from U6/8/10/12.
The conference will commence at 10.00am sharp with registration at 9.30am and will finish at 3.00pm with a break for lunch included.
A full interactive program will be provided by speakers such as Paudie O’ Neill, Paudie Butler and Michael Fennelly. There will also be practical on-field demonstrations for coaches to attend.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
Tipperary GAA fans at home and abroad are invited to join the ‘Friends of Tipperary Football’.
That was the message to emanate from the recent annual general meeting of the ‘Friends’ held in Anner Hotel, Thurles. The chairperson of the committee Michael Power (Moycarkey-Borris) alluded to “the enhanced profile of Tipperary Football on the national stage” and expressed his delight with the support given to the work of the ‘Friends’ in 2014. The Chairperson congratulated players and management teams in all grades for their successful efforts in “raising the status of Tipperary football in 2014” and expressed the wish that the county will “enjoy greater success in the 2015 league and championship.”
Michael, who completed his first term in the ‘Chair’ said that Tipperary GAA fans all over the world were thrilled to witness Tipp winning the 2014 Division 4 National League final, and performing heroically in the subsequent Munster and All-Ireland championship. “Our game against Cork in the Munster championship was a cracking encounter and a fantastic advertisement for football.” he said.
Michael complimented “all supporters of the Friends of Tipperary Football, especially our sponsors.” He added- “during a very exciting time in the history of Tipperary Football we greatly appreciate the support of Tipp fans everywhere, and we would invite more Premier County fans at home and abroad to join our ranks.” The ‘Friends’ would also very much appreciate offers of financial sponsorship for its planned activities in 2015.
The Moycarkey-Borris clubman also expressed his gratitude to Tipperary County Board Officers, and Officers of Tipperary Football Board, for their ongoing help and assistance to the ‘Friends.’ He singled out for special praise his fellow officers, Secretary, Hugh Coghlan (Moyne-Templetuohy), and Treasurer Michael Power (Newcastle) for their comprehensive reports to the convention.
In his annual report, Secretary Hugh Coghlan (Moyne-Templetuohy) pointed out that the highly successful Mr Mister Menswear sponsored 2014 classic attracted 70 teams and 150 tee boxes. He lauded Chief organiser Martin O’ Dwyer, Chairperson Michael Power, Treasurer, Michael Power, and Thurles Golf Club for their work. Martin Ryan, Drangan, was the winner of the pair of All-Ireland tickets in the ‘Friends’ draw. The winning ticket was sold by ‘Friends’ committee member, Liam Barrett.
Treasurer Michael Power (Newcastle), in his detailed financial report, stated the ‘Friends’ overall annual income for the period ending October 31st 2014 slightly exceeded expenditure.
The following officers were re-elected for 2015-Chairperson-Michael Power (Moycarkey-Borris); Vice Chairperson- Barry O’Brien (Fr Sheehy’s, Clogheen); Secretary- Hugh Coghlan (Moyne-Templetuohy); Treasurer- Michael Power (Newcastle); PRO-John Guiton (Killenaule).
MUNSTER GAA POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL
Congratulations to Abbey CBS who won the Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Corn Dhonncha Uí Nuanáin (18 ½ B Football) Final last Saturday in Mallow on a score-line of Abbey CBS 3-9 Hamilton HS Bandon 0-8.
TIPPERARY G.A.A. YEARBOOK QUIZ
The following are the winners of the Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook Quiz –
1st Prize (Tipperary Season Ticket): William Cleary Junior, Ballyrickard, Ardcroney, Nenagh.
2nd Prize (€50 Voucher for Tipperary GAA Merchandise Shop): Jack Downey, 38 Ard Caoin, Clonmel.
3rd Prize (€50 Voucher for Tipperary GAA Merchandise Shop): Sean O’Neill, Clongahue Upper, Cappawhite.
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who entered the competition.
TIPPERARY SCÓR / CULTÚR NEWS
All-Ireland-Craobh na hÉireann Scór na n-Óg
Coiste Scór an Chontae would like to wish our competitors in The All-Ireland Finals of Scór na n-Óg the very best of luck on Saturday next in City West. Ciarán Byrne from J.K. Brackens will figure in the Aithriseoireacht Competition with his excellent rendition of ‘What kind of an eejit are you’. We wish Ciarán, his family, mentors and supporters ‘ádh mhór’ sa Chathair.
Loughmore Castleiney will represent Tipperary in the 32 County Tráth na gCeist, having recently qualified as County Champions. No doubt they will have been working hard with their able mentor Murt Ryan agus guimid gach rath orthu sa Chraobh. We wish family, mentors and friends the very best in the contest. Na dean dearmad ar na ticéid a chur in áirithe. Check out more details on Tipperary GAA web site.
INTERMEDIATE CLUB ALL IRELAND HURLING FINAL
Tipperary will be well represented on the Kilburn Gaels panel from London who play O’ Donovan Rossa of Antrim in the Intermediate Club All-Ireland Hurling Final in Croke Park next Sunday. Managed by Tom Bergin from Moyne Templetuohy, he is joined by the following players; brothers Keith and Peter Kennedy from Killenaule, Keith captains the side, James Egan from Loughmore Castleiney and Noel Mc Donnell from Burgess. Best wishes to all, it’s great to have Tipp men as manager and captain.
CEREMONIAL INSTALLATION
Among the sporting and cultural organisations and dignitaries at the installation ceremony of Most Reverend Kieran O’ Reilly SMA as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly last Sunday in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Thurles were Co. Board Chairman Michael Bourke, Secretary Tim Floyd and Central Council Representative Seán Nugent. Archbishop Kieran is wished well in his new appointment as is Dr. Dermot Clifford in his retirement.
TIPPERARY GAA SCENE
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