Tipperary Water County Under 21 hurling finals:
Last Sunday seen a fantastic day for the Mid division and in particular for the clubs of Thurles Sarsfields and Gortnahoe Glengoole who won their respective A and B Under 21 County titles. Thurles Sars were the first to be crowned victors in the Ragg with a hard fought 2-16 to 2-11 victory over Toomevara. Played on front of a huge crowd in spring-like conditions, this game swung over and back but it was a sealed thanks to a Conor Stakelum batted goal with less than 10 minutes remaining. Captain Kevin Dunne received the cup from County Chairman Michael Bourke on behalf of the victorious side. Meanwhile the replay of the B final was under way and yet again it was a very close affair with a penalty save from Gortnahoe’s corner forward Keane Hayes been a vital moment. Gortnahoe Glengoole captain Ronan Teehan collected the cup on behalf of the victors from County Secretary Tim Floyd and County Vice Chairman John Devane. Huge credit must be given to both host clubs (Drom Inch and Holycross Ballycahill) for having their pitches in immaculate condition.
Mid Board Convention:
Last Friday night seen the Board hold their Annual General Meeting in Gortnahoe Hall with a big crowd in attendance. Prior to the meeting a mass was celebrated by Fr. O’Rourke for the deceased souls of friends and family of the Board who have gone to their eternal reward. The medals for the victorious Mid final winners were presented to their club representatives while the Club of the year awards were presented to Loughmore Castleiney (Senior) and Gortnahoe Glengoole (Intermediate / Junior). County Chairman Michael Bourke addressed the meeting and reflected on 2016 as a very special year for all Tipperary supporters and paid tribute to the Mid Board and the clubs for their assistance in getting all competitions played in time to meet the county CCC deadlines. He also paid great tribute to the fantastic work which is been done by Andy Ryan and his team of GDA’s around the division and county.
Mid Secretary Sally Young was first to give her report which was presented in a colourful booklet which will give all many an evening’s reading and covers all aspects of the board. She paid sincere gratitude to Brian McDonnell and Noel Dundon of the Tipperary Star for all their coverage of events while also thanking Tipp FM especially Stephen Gleeson for their coverage.
Mid Treasurer Liz Flanagan provided a detailed account of the finances of the Board and stated that despite the deficit been reduced that gates at this year’s Mid Senior Championship had been seriously affected and is a serious cause for concern. She thanked all the sponsors and welcomed 2 new sponsors for 2017. Liz also paid a glowing tribute to the retiring Assistant Treasurer John O Donovan who had helped her when needed and wished him well in the future.
Chairman Joe Kennedy addressed the meeting next and seen 2016 as a fantastic year for the Mid division with 3 county titles returning to the division (while wishing Gortnahoe and Thurles well in the U21 finals on Sunday) as well as 6 All Star Awards returning to the Mid. He thanked all clubs and delegates for their co-operation throughout the year and hoped for further of the same in 2017 as it will be as difficult to get games played with Tipperary Senior hurlers drawn in a Quarter final again while the introduction of an Inter county U17 competition will add to the work load of minor and under players.
All officers were returned for 2017 with only a contest for the position of PRO in which outgoing PRO Trevor Hassett (Drom Inch) held off the challenge of Thurles Sarsfields’ Andy Fogarty by 29 votes to 16. The position of Assistant Treasurer was not filled and clubs were asked to consider anybody whom they thought would be keen and capable of filling the position.
Obituaries:
Last week seen the untimely deaths of Kevin Fogarty (Moyne Templetuohy and Clane , Kildare) and Mick Roche (Carrick Davins).
News of the sudden death of Kevin Fogarty in the UK left the parish of Moyne Templetuohy and surrounding parishes numb and in a state of shock. At 32 years of age, Kevin was far too young to be taken so soon leaving behind a recently married wife and a beautiful young family. Despite been so young Kevin had achieved so much in his short GAA career, he won an under 10 county, Munster and All Ireland Football medal while he won an under 14 All Ireland hurling medal defeating Portumna when he played alongside his late brother Ricky. Kevin won numerous titles while attending secondary school in Our Lady’s Templemore. At adult level Kevin won his first Senior Mid Football final medal at the age of 17 while in 2005 he was part of the Moyne Templetuohy side who won the Mid and County Intermediate Football title. He also won 3 Mid Intermediate Hurling titles with Moyne Templetuohy. Kevin was a fantastic athlete and excelled at every sport he turned his hand to whether it was hurling, football or soccer.
The board would like to express their deepest condolences to Kevin’s wife Laurena, his children Layla Jane and Callum, his heart broken parents Richie and Bridget, his brother Shane and all his family and friends.
In the latter half of the week the GAA world was again in a state of shock at the passing of former Tipperary hurler Mick Roche of Carrick Davins who now resided in Horse and Jockey. Mick was widely considered as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Blue and Gold of Tipperary during his career which spanned from 1964 to 1974. In his career he won 3 All Ireland medals with Tipperary in 1964,1965 and 1971. He also captained Tipperary to back to back Munster titles in 67 and 68 but lost out in the All Ireland finals to Kilkenny and Wexford respectively. Mick was the holder of 5 Munster titles as well as a Munster Minor medal in 1961. He was also part of the historic Tipperary side who won Munster and All Ireland honours in the first year of the competition in 1964. Mick also won All Ireland Intermediate honours in 1963 lining out at midfield.He captained Carrick Davins to the Dan Breen Cup in 1967 having previously won it in 1966 also.
Mick Roche won 3 Railway Cup medals with Munster in 1966, ’68 (Capt) and ’70. He also won 3 NHL Medals 1963/4, 1964/5 and 1967/8 (Capt).He was also selected on the first All-Star Award team in 1971 at centre back.
On behalf of the board we would like to extend our condolences to his wife Mary, daughters Elaine and Siobhan and son Michael and to all his friends and family in both Carrick on Suir and Horse and Jockey.
Christmas Wishes:
On behalf of myself and all the Mid Board officers, we would like to wish all patrons, supporters and players from the Mid division and all divisions a happy and peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year in 2017.
Yours in sport,
Trevor Hassett
Public Relations Officer
Mid Tipperary GAA Board
