By PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The immediate and main event on the horizon for the Premier County is the Electric Ireland Munster Hurling Minor Championship Final was Tipperary finalise preparations ahead of the match against Limerick in Semple Stadium on Sunday next, July 1st with throw-in at 11:30am.
It will be a rematch of their round 1 encounter where Tipp were in command for most of the match and unfortunately after a fine display were caught near the end losing out 1-17 to 2-12 with Seán Hayes (Kiladangan) scoring both Tipperary goals.
There have been 15 previous Munster Finals between the teams with Tipp winning on 12 occasions – 1953, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1973, 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1991, 2015 and 2016.
Limerick have 3 wins – 1963, 1965 and also in 1984 which was their one and only final win against Tipp in Thurles.
The finals in ’57, ’73, ’80, ’82, ’84 and ’15 were all held in Thurles while Limerick hosted the ’53, ’54, ’63, ’65, ’83 and ’16 finals with Cork Athletic Grounds hosting the ’59 final and Páirc Uí Chaoimh the ’76 and ’91 finals.
Tipp also won the All-Ireland Final meeting in 2016.
In total Tipperary has won 39 Munster and 20 All-Ireland titles whereas Limerick has won 7 Munster and 3 All-Ireland titles.
In championship head to head, there have been 55 previous meetings with Tipp in front on 43 wins to 11 for Limerick and there was one draw which was in 2000.
The last 12 meetings have produced the following set of results; 4/5/2005 at Kilmallock, Limerick 2-14 Tipperary 1-6 (Semi-Final); 3/5/2006 at Thurles, Tipperary 2-23 Limerick 3-8 (Semi-Final); 24/6/2007 at Limerick – Tipperary 3-21 Limerick 0-12 (Semi-Final); 30/4/2008 at Thurles- Tipp 3-21 Limerick 1-12 (Quarter-Final); 29/4/2009 at Limerick – Tipp 1-21 Limerick 0-11 (Semi-Final); 26/6/2013 at Thurles – Limerick 1-17 Tipp 0-17 (Semi-Final); 10/4/2014 at Limerick – Limerick 3-17 Tipp 2-11(Quarter-Final); 12/7/2015 at Thurles – Tipp 0-20 Limerick 0-17 (Munster Final); 10/7/2016 at Limerick – Tipp 1-24 Limerick 0-10 (Munster Final); 4/9/2016 at Croke Park – Tipp 1-21 Limerick 0-17 (All-Ireland Final); 5/4/2017 at Thurles – Tipp 4-15 Limerick 2-18 (Quarter-Final) and finally last month 20/5/2018 at Limerick – Limerick 1-17 Tipp 2-12 – Round 1.
We send best wishes to the panel and the management team for Sunday as they proudly carry the blue and gold into battle.
The referee on Sunday will be Thomas Walsh (Waterford) and extra time will be played if necessary.
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
In Round 2 of the All-Ireland Football Championship last Saturday, a superb display by Tipperary was not enough to see them through to round 3 as Mayo found an extra gear, spurred on by an unexpected goal, to take the honours on a 1-19 to 1-11 score-line. Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) was the Tipperary goal scorer and also produced the score of the game when scoring a point into the town end goal after an outstanding display of skill.
After a terrific league campaign which almost brought the side to Division 1 football and last Saturday’s performance, the team and management will have many positives to reflect on before they regroup later in the year for the 2019 adventure.
Thanks to all for their dedication and commitment this year and for the great enjoyment brought to so many by their exploits.
For now though it’s back to club action as the county heads nearer to the county championship.
MUNSTER U21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Tipperary U21 hurlers got off to a winning start by unseating All-Ireland Champions Limerick in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster Semi-Final 1-22 to 1-13. A second half goal by David Gleeson (Ballinahinch) put Tipp firmly in the driving seat as they took a deserved victory. Congratulations to Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) scorer of 0-5 who was named Bord Gáis Man of the Match.
Its shoulders to the wheel now as the side will have switched focus towards the Munster Final where they will take on Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday July 4th with throw-in at 7:30pm.
REFEREES
Best wishes to our referees in action this week. In the EirGrid Under 20 Munster Football Championship Final, Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) is in charge when Kerry and Cork meet in Austin Stack Park Tralee this Friday, June 29th.
Then on Sunday, Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) will be in the middle for the Leinster Senior Hurling Final between Galway and Kilkenny in Croke Park.
SEMPLE STADIUM
Once again the iconic Semple Stadium will hold the Munster senior hurling final as Cork and Clare meet in this year’s decider on Sunday next July 1st at 2pm.
As mentioned previously, there is also the minor final between Tipp and Limerick.
We welcome all teams and supporters to the Field of Legends and hope everyone has a most enjoyable experience on Sunday.
CLUB FIXTURES
This week there is action in round 5 of the Tipperary Water County Football Leagues and to keep up to date with all fixtures and results please check http://people.gaa.ie/club/tipperary/
CELTIC CHALLENGE
South Tipperary defeated Clare Blues in the Corn John Scott semi-final in Caherlohan Co. Clare last Saturday on a score line of South Tipperary 1-17 Clare Blues 2-13. Conor Vaughan from Ballingarry received the Best and Fairest award. South Tipperary will play West Cork in the final this Saturday 30th June in Bord na Mona O’Connor Park, Tullamore at 12.30pm.
We send best wishes to South Tipperary as they continue their excellent form in this competition.
Saturday’s final will be broadcast live over the internet via the GAANOW platform and also by Pundit Arena TV. Half time and full time scores will be provided on the team’s Twitter account @GoldTipperary.
CAMOGIE
Well done to the Tipperary senior camogie team who put in a terrific performance by defeating Wexford 1-14 to 2-8 in the Liberty Insurance Senior Championship last Saturday.
Next up, they play Cork in two weeks’ time.
TEAM TIPPERARAY GAA RACE DAY
Its full steam ahead for the Team Tipperary GAA Race Day at the Galway Races on Monday, July 30th. This is our fourth Galway Races venture continuing very successful outings for the past 3 years.
The Galway Races Summer Festival is renowned as a premier and most colourful racing festival. While it is a major sporting event, it also appeals to a much wider audience than just the racing fans. With the Killanin Stand Suites, there is something for everyone whether you are entertaining family, friends or business clients. This is the ideal format for mixing business with pleasure, whilst surrounded by the atmosphere and excitement that is the Galway Races.
Development plans for 2018 and onwards are in progress and the Team Tipperary GAA Race Day is now firmly established as a successful fundraising venture. A new car park in Dr. Morris Park for 200 cars is nearing completion which will be a major benefit to all. Planning is being submitted too, hopefully by mid-2018, for new facilities in the Kinane (Old) Stand as part of the Centre of Excellence adjacent to Dr. Morris Park.
We are also supporting LIT on their Thurles Campus plans which are well advanced for a new all-weather pitch which will be a welcome addition to Gaelic games in Tipperary and further afield, so exciting times ahead.
If you or anyone you know is interested in racing, or just a good day out and who might take a seat or two or a table and support our fundraising efforts, please contact Tim Floyd, County Secretary, 087 2591747 secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie for bookings and further details.
TIPPERARY GAA CLUBS DRAW
The Tipperary GAA club draw for July will take place in Cappawhite on Friday July 13th.
KELLOGGS CÚL CAMPS
The GAA Kelloggs Cúl Camp registration is now open. With over 50 camps in the county there is a plentiful supply of locations for kids from 6 to 13 years of age to choose from for GAA camps over the summer. The camps run from 10am to 2.30pm each day at the various locations.
Experienced and trained coaches will provide fun activities in the realms of Football, Hurling, Camogie and Rounders at each location. Further details and bookings can be made for your local camp at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie
TIPPERARY GAA SCENE
Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please e-mail at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3.00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at https://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.
By Jonathan Cullen Thu 19th Jul
