By PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
With a determined fighting spirit the Tipperary minor footballers dug deep in their Electric Ireland Munster Championship semi-final playoff 1 last Wednesday to overcome a resolute Limerick side to claim a four point win 2-12 to 1-11. Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris) with 2-3 (1-0 penalty) was the scorer of the Tipperary goals as Matt O’Doherty’s side found their groove in Newcastlewest.
This Wednesday evening, April 25th the team head to Leamybrien, outside Dungarvan to take on Waterford in playoff 2 at 6:30pm. Having established good momentum and with a win under their belt, the Tipp management will be looking no doubt for more of the same from the squad as they prepare to face the Déise on home soil.
Once again we send best wishes to the panel and their management on Wednesday.
The Tipperary team for this week’s fixture was again announced on Monday night and lines out as follows; Callan Scully (Nenagh Éire Óg), Tommy McDonagh (Cahir), Shane Lowe (Moyne-Templetuohy), Christy McDonagh (Cahir), Mark O’Meara (Capt.) (Grangemockler-Ballyneale), Gavin Meagher (Inane Rovers), Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Kevin Hayes (Moycarkey-Borris), Keith Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Max Hackett (Moycarkey-Borris), Devon Ryan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Christy English (Ballyporeen), Seán O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials), Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris) and Eddie Daly (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams). The subs are – Cian O’Mahony (Ardfinnan), John O’Sullivan (Galtee Rovers), Conor Power (Ballina), Conor Whelan (Mullinahone), Kieran Costello (Durlas Óg), Rhys Byron (Galtee Rovers), Billy Murphy (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Dylan Farrelly (Clerihan) and Jamie Holloway (Carrick Swan).
The referee on Wednesday will be Alan Long (Cork).
COUNTY FIXTURES
Fixtures in the Tipperary Water County Senior and Intermediate Football Championships provided the main county last weekend with no major upsets with Loughmore-Castleiney, Upperchurch-Drombane, Clonmel Commercials, Moyle Rovers, Killenaule, Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Ballyporeen and Cahir all recording victories in the senior ranks.
While at intermediate there were wins for Golden-Kilfeacle, Moyne-Templetuohy, Fethard, and Loughmore Castleiney. The other games between Clonoulty-Rossmore/Cashel King Cormacs, Clonmel Óg/Rockwell Rovers and Grangemockler-Ballyneale/Clonmel Commercials ended in draws.
While on the divisional front there was hurling action in the North and South divisions. As a result of North games the quarter-final pairings are as follows; Newport v Kilruane MacDonaghs, Kiladangan v Borris-Ileigh, Toomevara v Portroe and Nenagh Éire Óg v Burgess with games to be played next weekend.
In the South, Mullinahone overcame Ballingarry to reach the final where they will play the winners of the Killenaule v St. Mary’s semi-final which goes ahead on Sunday.
There is one divisional final up for grabs on Sunday in the West when Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill and Clonoulty-Rossmore square up in Cappawhite at 3pm.
In the Mid division, two double headers make up quarter-final action on Saturday and Sunday. Thurles Sarsfields meet Upperchurch-Drombane and Loughmore-Castleiney meet Drom & Inch in Templetuohy on Saturday while on Sunday in the Ragg JK Brackens and Clonakenny open proceedings with Moycarkey-Borris against Holycross-Ballycahill following.
To keep up to date with all fixtures and results please check http://people.gaa.ie/club/tipperary/
GAA PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Jason Forde (Silvermines) who was chosen as the PwC GAA/GPA hurler of the month for April. Jason had a marvellous league campaign and is a deserving recipient.
LADIES FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary ladies football team on reaching the LIDL National League Division Two final following their 3-10 to 4-6 win over Armagh in the semi-final on Sunday last. Mairead Morrissey (Brian Boru’s), Gillian O’Brien (Moyle Rovers) and Roisin Howard (Cahir) were the Tipperary goal scorers. Tipp will meet Cavan in the final on May 6th at Parnell Park.
NEW TIPPERARY CLUB DRAW
The new Tipperary GAA Club Draw was launched by draw chairman Peter Byrne at last week’s monthly county board meeting. Draw material has been printed and distributed to clubs. The first draw for the new season is set for Friday, May 11th, that’s an extra week from the original scheduled date to give clubs a chance to sell as many memberships as possible in advance of the new draw.
TIPPERARY FUN RUN/WALK
The Tipperary Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board are once again hosting a 5k fun run/walk which is a fundraiser for both the Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board, to aid county teams in their preparation for their respective 2018 championships.
The run / walk follows on from the outstanding success when first held last year. The event will take place once again at the Dome, Semple Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th with an 11am start and will be followed by an open Tipperary training session in Semple Stadium.
If you do wish to pre-register online you can do so at www.tippsupportersclub.com. or on the morning of the run/walk. Adult entry is €10 and U16 €5. All participants are encouraged to wear your club colours on the day.
For more information contact Eamonn Buckley (Tipperary Supporters Club) 086 3838767 or Bridget Bourke (Tipperary Camogie) 087 6255427.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC
The Friends of Tipperary are running their annual Golf Classic in Thurles Golf Club on Friday and Saturday May 11th/12th next. With unprecedented success on the playing fields come extra demands on expenditure in team preparation to ensure they can compete at the highest level. The Friends will endeavour with the continued and generous support of participants in the Golf Classic to help defray costs in team preparation to help our players and management achieve their on field ambitions.
The Friends are asking for support of this fundraiser by registering a team of 4 players for €120 or by sponsoring a tee box on the day for €50. All support is most welcome and very much appreciated.
Those wishing to take part can do so by contacting either Michael Power (Chairman Friends of Tipperary Football) 086 3789323, Trish Gavin (Secretary) 087 6150552 tg5616@hotmail.com and Martin Dwyer 086 2549154 or any committee member.
FÉILE CLASSICAL
Semple Stadium will play host to Féile Classical, on Saturday 22nd September, when a host of bands supported by the Irish Chamber Orchestra will perform to a seated audience and there will also be a food village. Tickets from €49.50 go on sale this Friday, 27th April at 9am on www.ticketmaster.ie and usual outlets.
Tom Dunne lead vocalist with Something Happens and also Newstalk presenter is curator and host of Féile Classical. All details can be found on feileclassical.ie as the iconic venue welcomes back the Trip to Tipp.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Congratulations to Thurles CBS on winning the Corn Aodh Ui Dhudha (15 A H) Final, following their defeat of De La Salle by 2-11 to 1-6 in Clonmel Sportsfield. Stephen Ferncombe (Clonoulty-Rossmore) with 2-5 was the scorer of both Thurles CBS goals.
Commiserations to the other Tipperary schools in action also last Wednesday. In the Corn Chaoimhin Ui Mhearain (15 D H) Final, St. Mary’s Newport were second best to Ennistymon CBS who won 3-15 to 3-3.
Scoil Ruain Killenaule lost out in the Corn Sheamais Mhic Ghabhann (15 C H) Semi-Final to Pobail Scoil Na Trionide from Youghal 5-11 to 2-8.
While in football competition Colaiste Cluain Meala were defeated 3-9 to 1-6 by St. Pauls Community College Waterford in the 16.5 E Football Semi-Final.
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP – TICKET INFORMATION
Munster Council have this week advised counties in relation to ticket sales for the forthcoming Munster Senior Hurling Championship group phase, which will see each county play 4 games over a 5 week period.
In recent years, there has been a major change in how supporters purchase tickets, with greater numbers of tickets being sold through the Tickets.ie network (Supervalu, Centra and online), and less tickets being sold through County Boards.
Last year, 3 counties in Munster played 1 Munster Senior Hurling Championship game, whereas this year, all 5 counties will play 4 games. Therefore, the new format will present new challenges in terms of ticket sales, and it will be impractical for counties and clubs to handle large amounts of tickets, given that there will be just one week between most of the games.
Therefore, the aim of Munster Council is to place the majority of stand tickets on sale through the Tickets.ie network and to encourage pre-match day sales. They want to avoid large numbers of people coming to the grounds on the day to purchase and with 120 Supervalu and Centra stores across the province selling GAA match tickets, and with the buy online and print at home option, it has never been more convenient for supporters to source tickets. Munster Council also want to ensure that those who buy early get the best available tickets. However, County Boards will receive an allocation for distribution to clubs, sponsors, players and so on, but the majority of tickets will be placed on sale through the Tickets.ie network, which has been selling most of the tickets in recent years.
The fact that Munster stadia are different in capacity and contain different amounts of seats, along with the existence of the GAA Season Ticket scheme, makes offering a ‘ticket package’ difficult. Therefore, tickets are being priced at a pre purchase price of €20 for stand tickets and €15 for terrace tickets (Cusack Park will be €20 general admission), which is a €5 reduction on the quarter final price of last year. This price is available until midnight on the night before each game. The match day price will increase by €5, so stand tickets bought on match day will be €25 and terrace tickets will be €20. As already stated, the emphasis is on pre-match day sales, so supporters that buy early, save €5. Juvenile tickets (U-16) will be €5 no matter when they are purchased. Students and OAP’s will receive a concession of €5. A different arrangement will be in place for the final and the competing counties will receive a much larger allocation.
It is planned that tickets for the 2018 Munster Senior Hurling Championship group games will go on sale to the general public on May 1st. Tickets for all games will go on sale together, so supporters will be able to purchase tickets for 1, 2, 3 or 4 games, if they so wish.
CELTIC CHALLENGE
The Celtic Challenge takes place again this year during the exam period and Tipperary will again have two teams in the competition. Tipperary Blue – representing players from Mid and North and Tipperary Gold – representing players from South and West will participate. Management teams are now in place and the selection process has commenced.
The following is criteria for selection on these teams; 1 – Players doing state examinations are not eligible for selection. 2 – Players must be 17 years of age (No U16 players eligible) and 3 – Players currently on the county minor hurling squad are not required to attend. Trials for both teams have commenced and take place in Dr Morris Park.
For further information contact Dinny Maher, Games Manager Tipperary GAA 086-3551830.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Healthy Club Officer training will take place in Thurles this Thursday April 26th at 7pm in Lár na Páirce. If your club has not appointed an officer yet please do so immediately and forward the name and contact details to County Secretary Tim Floyd.
The Limerick/Tipperary Samaritans branch GAA Liaison Officer is Helen Kelly 089-2545350 and the organisation is interested in delivering short talks to clubs on the work of the Samaritans and how talking and looking after mental health can be of benefit to general wellbeing. The county committee would like to encourage clubs to make contact with Helen and avail of this valuable service.
The County Health and Wellbeing Committee would also like to encourage GAA clubs to becoming involved in the 2018 Pieta House Darkness into Light campaign which commences in the small hours of May 12th and finishes as the sun is rising.
Clubs might consider encouraging all adult members or just an adult team to participate and to invite family and friends to join them at an event closest to you. By participating in their Darkness into Light flagship fundraiser in one of the many venues in Tipperary your club will be helping the wider community to support Pieta House.
To find your nearest venue and for registration details check https://dil.pieta.ie/event-information/venues
Has your club appointed a Healthy Club Officer recently if you have please send name and contact details to County Secretary immediately.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2018
Click here to join: http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/adult-members/
The Tipperary Supporters Club member’s gift in 2018 is a specially produced Tipperary Supporters Club Cap, in the traditional Blue and Gold and featuring the Tipperary Supporters Club Official Logo.
Membership is €40 per person and there are several payment options. All proceeds from membership go directly towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
If you would like to be entered into the draw for some fantastic prizes the Friends of Tipperary Football are selling membership for 2018 and once again it is a very reasonable €20.
Membership enters each supporter into the following draws:
Two All-Ireland Final Football tickets 2018
Two All-Ireland Final Hurling tickets 2018
Two Tickets for each Tipperary Senior Football Championship matches 2018
Plus, all members will receive an exclusive car sticker.
If you would like to join online you can do so at http://www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/join/ or contact any Friends of Tipperary Football committee member.
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 Sun 29th Apr
