Tipperary GAA Scene – 3rd July 2018

By PRO Joe Bracken

MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Electric Ireland Munster Hurling Minor Championship Final was all that mattered and Tipperary were electric in capturing the 40th title for the Premier County. They powerfully dismissed the Limerick challenge by 1-20 to 1-12 in the cauldron of heat, which was the Field of Legends, in Semple Stadium on Sunday last. Once the team slipped into gear they were relentless in pursuit of victory and welcomed the final whistle with tremendous jubilation.

Congratulations to the entire panel and their management and backroom teams led by Tommy Dunne, Paul Collins, Ger Ryan and Tony Shelly as they reaped the rewards their toils deserved. A jubilant Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers) left, was the third Tipperary captain in four years to hold aloft the Munster trophy while James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh) right, grandson of the legendary Liam Devaney was named Man of the Match. Mikey O’Shea (Mullinahone) was the Tipperary goal scorer ending up on 1-1 and was one of 9 scorers for the blue and gold on the day.

Next up will be a visit to Croke Park for the All-Ireland semi-final on the weekend of 28-29 July.

MUNSTER U21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

The Tipperary U21 hurlers contest the Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 21 Hurling Championship Final when they travel to play Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh this Wednesday night, July 4th where throw in is at 7:30pm.

The panel has been announced with no changes to the starting fifteen from that which lined out against Limerick in their recent semi-final and the team is as follows – 1. Ciarán Barrett (Clonmel Óg), 2. Podge Campion (Drom-Inch), 3. Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), 4. Killian O’Dwyer (Killenaule), 5. Cian Flanagan (Newport), 6. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens), 7. Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty-Rossmore), 8. Ger Browne (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), 9. Colin English (Capt.) (Fr. Sheehy’s), 10. Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 11. Paudie Feehan (Killenaule), 12. Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), 13. David Gleeson (Ballinahinch), 14. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg), 15. Lyndon Fairbrother (JK Brackens). Subs are as follows – 16. Barry Hogan (Kiladangan), 17. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), 18. Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 19. Darragh Woods (Holycross-Ballycahill), 20. Robert Byrne (Portroe), 21. Michael Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields), 22. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 23. Shane Neville (Lattin-Cullen), 24. Ray McCormack – Borris-Ileigh.

There have been 33 previous meetings between the sides with Tipperary on 16 wins to Cork’s 14 and 3 games were drawn.

Tipp have played 16 times on Cork soil winning 7, drawing 1 and have 8 losses. The 7 wins were in the following years, 1965 Kildorrery, 1978, 1984, 2003, 2010, 2012 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and 1980 in Fermoy with the one draw in 1989 in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The last 12 games resulted as follows; 23/8/1998 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Final Cork 3-18 Tipperary 1-10; 31/7/2003 at Semple Stadium – Final Tipperary 1-18 Cork 3-12 (Draw); 3/8/2003 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh             Final Tipperary 2-14 Cork 0-17 (Replay AET); 4/8/2004 at Semple Stadium – Final Tipperary 1-16 Cork 1-13; 3/8/2005 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Final Cork 4-8 Tipperary 0-13; 9/8/2006 at Semple Stadium – Final Tipperary 3-11 Cork 0-13; 10/7/2007 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Quarter-Final Cork 1-14 Tipperary 2-10; 3/6/2009 at Semple Stadium – Quarter-Final Tipperary 2-22 Cork 0-25 (AET); 14/7/2010 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Semi-Final Tipperary 2-17 Cork 0-21 (AET); 15/7/2011 at Semple Stadium – Semi-Final Cork 4-19 Tipperary 1-21; 6/6/2012 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Quarter-Final Tipperary 0-18 Cork 0-17 and finally 5 years ago 17/7/2013 at Semple Stadium – Semi Final Tipperary 5-19 Cork 2-13.

Though Tipperary has a narrow advantage it’s pretty much even enough and on the balance of probability Wednesday’s final shouldn’t be a whole lot different. Tipp will know they head into a serious challenge on Leeside with the home side buoyed by their senior success in the Munster final on Sunday. A fascinating match awaits once more and equally Tipp supporters will be hoping their U21 side will be buoyed by the Tipperary minor success also.

The referee will be Johnny Murphy (Limerick) and extra time will be played if necessary.

SEMPLE STADIUM

Fresh from hosting the Munster Finals last Sunday, Semple Stadium takes centre stage again next weekend as it has the unique honour of hosting its first ever Leinster Senior Hurling Final which is a replay between Galway and Kilkenny due to the unavailability of Croke Park. The game throws in at 3pm and is preceded by the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship quarter-Final Round 1 between Galway and Limerick.

Last Sunday was a hugely busy day on the hurling calendar with both provincial finals going ahead on the same day. However, the Munster and Leinster Hurling Finals were played on the same day as recently as 1991, on July 21st of that year.

At Semple Stadium in a high scoring contest Tipperary defeated Cork 4-19 to 4-15 in the Munster Final replay before a huge attendance of 55,600.

Meanwhile in Croke Park, Kilkenny and Dublin locked horns with Kilkenny winning 1-13 to1-11 and the attendance here was 41,215.

And not to be outdone, the Munster Senior Football Final was played in Killarney the same day in front of 26,000 fans with Kerry narrowly seeing off Limerick 0-23 to 3-12.

So its best wishes to all the Semple Stadium staff again this week with preparations for the Leinster Final on Sunday.

CLUB FIXTURES

This weekend there are a number of semi-finals as well as outstanding rounds of the Tipperary Water County Hurling Leagues to fill up the diary. To keep up to date with all fixtures and results please check http://people.gaa.ie/club/tipperary/

CELTIC CHALLENGE

In the Corn John Scott final South Tipperary lost out to West Cork after extra-time on a score line of South Tipperary 1-19 West Cork 2-17. Darragh Fitzgerald from Killenaule received the Best and Fairest award for South Tipperary.

We commiserate with South Tipperary who once again played their hearts out in this competition and continue to make fantastic progress in this competition each year.

JOE MCDONAGH CUP

Congratulations to Cashel native and former Tipperary dual All-Ireland winning star, Colm Bonnar on managing Carlow to Joe McDonagh Cup success on Sunday last. Carlow will now compete in the Leinster Championship next season and will meet Limerick in the preliminary All-Ireland quarter-final this weekend.

FÉILE PEIL

Congratulations to Durlas Óg on winning the 2018 Féile Peile na nÓg division three final on Sunday last defeating Coralstown-Kinnegad (Westmeath) 2-5 to 1-6 in the final.

CAMOGIE

Best wishes to the Tipperary camogie teams this weekend. The Tipperary senior camogie team will play Cork in the Liberty Insurance Senior Championship Group 2 in the Camogie Grounds, the Ragg, this Saturday, July 7th at 5pm. Before that at 3pm Tipperary play Antrim in the Intermediate Championship.  Support for the teams would be much appreciated.

TIPPERARY GAA CLUBS DRAW

The Tipperary GAA club draw for July will take place in Cappawhite on Friday week, July 13th.

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.

GAA SPORTS EVENING

On Wednesday week, July 11th, Hayes Hotel will play host to a GAA Sports evening with former Tipperary hurling managers. This is all part of the annual Thurles Sports Festival. The speakers on the night include Michael ‘Babs’ Keating, Donie Nealon, Len Gaynor and Fr. Tom Fogarty. The evening will commence with Noel Dundon, Deputy Editor of the Tipperary Star, introducing the speakers and discussing the importance of the GAA in Tipperary. A panel discussion will then take place with each manager discussing their time with Tipperary, recalling old stories and discussing the future of Tipperary hurling. This is a free event and will begin at 7.30 pm in the Davin Room.

Tommy Barrett, Secretary of Thurles Sports Festival discusses this event, ‘This is really a night of celebration when we take time to look back and acknowledge great leaders who have contributed to making Tipperary the Premier County. We are privileged to have Babs, Donie, Len and Fr. Tom in attendance on the night and we look forward to hearing them reflect on their time as Tipperary hurling manager. I encourage all Tipperary supporters to mark the date in their diary as it promises to be a very special evening in the birthplace of the GAA’.

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.