by PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING
Saturday next, April 23rd at 2pm is the appointed date and time that the Tipperary minor hurlers get their 2016 Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship under way with the 1st Play-off against Waterford in Walsh Park Waterford. Preparations have gone well for Liam Cahill’s side and while Waterford have a game under their belt with their loss to Cork in the quarter-final. Tipperary will be under no illusion of the task ahead of them on Saturday. The referee for this fixture is Rory McGann (Clare).
Tipperary go into this game as reigning Munster Champions with 38 provincial crowns in total and with a good mix of experience in his side, Liam Cahill will be looking for a performance to set his side on the way of adding to their counties tally of Munster success.
In last year’s quarter-final, Tipperary overcame the Déise by a single point in Semple Stadium to get their campaign up and running, let’s hope for more of the same on Saturday as we send best wishes to all.
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL
In the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Tipperary paid a visit to Pairc Ui Rinn last Wednesday night to play Cork and despite a superb Tipperary performance they had to leave for home with a defeat on their hands, 1-14 to 1-11. Showing tremendous fitness and character Tipperary having gone behind in both the first and second half, dominated in certain areas and in particular midfield where Ben Hyland and Conor Cashman were excellent, so much so that their respective markers were replaced. Elsewhere Colin English also starred for Mick O’Sullivan’s side that now have to regroup to meet Limerick the other quarter-final losers from last week this Wednesday. Conor Cashman netted Tipp’s goal following great work by John Lyons having worked hard coming in from the left.
That Play-Off 1 match goes ahead in Semple Stadium this Wednesday night, April 20th at 7pm with referee Eddie Walsh (Kerry) in charge.
This Limerick tie won’t be an task as they only lost by a single point to Clare in their quarter-final last week also. Tipperary manager Mick O’Sullivan will be looking for his side to build on the great performance of last week that would edge his outfit closer towards another tilt at Cork in the Munster Semi-Final. First though the hurdles of Limerick and then Waterford have to be safely negotiated before the Rebels come back into focus, an intriguing game is in store on Wednesday night, again best wishes to all the lads in this one.
COUNTY SENIOR HURLING & FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Thankfully there was great improvement in conditions to allow the Senior Hurling Championship get back on track last weekend.
On Saturday evening Thurles Sarsfields proved too hot for Borris-Ileigh to comfortably open their campaign. Mullinahone had four to spare over Templederry Kenyons while Holycross-Ballycahill continued their good season form in defeating Toomevara in Templederry. It was closer between Ballingarry and Clonakenny though Clonakenny in their first senior championship match for a long time had to settle for a three point loss. On Sunday Portroe just had the measure of Lorrha-Dorrha by two points while Carrick Swans had a bit to spare over Moneygall.
Round 2 of the hurling championship continues this weekend with two games down for decision on Saturday evening April 23rd at 6.30pm. In “Roinn 2” “Group 2” in New Inn, Carrick Swans fresh from success last weekend take on Moycarkey-Borris who are making their first appearance in the championship this year in this group consisting of 3 teams. Elsewhere in Holycross on Saturday in “Roinn 2” “Group 4” Silvermines who lost the first day meet Ballingarry who overcame Clonakenny last weekend.
On Sunday then April 24th, there are twelve matches fixed giving supporters varied match options to look out for as they are spread throughout the day. First up at noon in “Roinn 1” “Group 1” it is a Mid derby with JK Brackens taking on Drom-Inch in Borrisoleigh. Brackens will need to bounce back from their opening defeat to put pressure on Drom who line out for the first time due to cancellation of their first round tie.
Also at noon in the Ragg in “Roinn 2” “Group 1” Moyne-Templetuohy who drew their opening game take on the flying Holycross-Ballycahill who have been impressive this season so far.
Then at 2pm in “Roinn 1” “Group 2” its back to Templemore for the first of a double header where Thurles Sarsfields victorious here the last day meet Roscrea a side looking for their first win in this campaign having lost narrowly in the opening round. The second game at 3.30pm sees Kiladangan take on Mullinahone in “Roinn 1” “Group 3” in what should be a very exciting match with both sides having recorded good opening round wins.
Also at 2pm as part of a double header in Boherlahan, the other “Roinn 1” “Group 2” teams Borris-Ileigh and Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill meet with Borris looking for their first win while Éire Óg will be looking for their second. Next up at 3.30pm in “Roinn 1” “Group 1” Upperchurch-Drombane get their championship season under way with a difficult assignment against Killenaule, the South men up and running with a fine opening day success.
Its 2pm also in “Roinn 1” “Group 3” for the Templederry Kenyons v Nenagh Éire Óg clash in Dolla in the first of two games at the venue. This could prove to be one of the games of the weekend as both sides go in search of their first win in the group. Then at 3.30pm in “Roinn 1” “Group 4” Lorrha-Dorrha narrowly beaten as we saw last Sunday play Clonoulty-Rossmore who had 3 to spare in their opening round win.
Again at 2pm its North v West in Newport in “Roinn 2” “Group 3” as Borrisokane who lost their opening round take on Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams who play their first game in the second group consisting of 3 teams.
Clonakenny travel to Toomevara to meet Ballina in “Roinn 2” “Group 4” at 2pm. Ballina with a good result the first day will be made to work hard to gain a second win by Clonakenny who with the experience of the first match under their belt will sure to be wily opponents.
The final double header on a busy Sunday throws in at Nenagh at 5pm where Kilruane Mac Donaghs and Portroe are sure to serve up an exciting tie in “Roinn 1” “Group 4”. Kilruane will be looking to get the wagon back on track having been derailed in the opening round while Portroe will be looking for win number two on the trot. Then at 6.30pm in “Roinn 2” “Group 1” Toomevara meet Burgess with both sides looking for their first win. Burgess have the edge on table standings having secured a draw in their first match while Toome had to settle for second best in theirs.
Meanwhile in the County Senior Football Championship on Saturday evening last, Arravale Rovers and Kilsheelan-Kilcash played out a draw in Cahir; Cahir themselves had four to spare over Upperchurch-Drombane in Sean Treacy Park. Ballyporeen defeated JK Brackens by three while Clonmel Commercials had too much for Killenaule as they started out in defence of their title. Aherlow Gaels had a narrow victory with a one point win over Moyle Rovers. On Sunday then Drom & Inch got their campaign off to a fine start with a comfortable win over Ardfinnan and Loughmore-Castleiney just got over the line by a single point against Galtee Rovers-St. Pecaun.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
REFEREE
Best wishes to John O’Brien (Arravale Rovers) who takes charge of the Christy Ring 1st round game between Meath and Wicklow this Saturday April 23rd in Trim.
SCHOOLS
Congratulations to Thurles CBS who secured a dramatic one point win 2-17 to 2-16 AET over De La Salle Waterford in the Munster PPS U15A hurling final last week.
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW LAUNCHES
The new 2016-2017 Tipperary Draw Launches are upon us with the finalised dates and venues this week as follows – Mid Launch this Tuesday night April 19th in The Ragg Lounge at 9pm, the West Launch this Wednesday night April 20th in Clonoulty GAA Pavilion at 9.15pm. The North Launch is this Thursday night April 21st in the Hibernian Inn, Nenagh at 9pm and finally the South Launch is this Friday night April 22nd in The South GAA Centre, Clonmel at 9pm.
Four pairs of tickets will be drawn at each Launch for the Tipp v Cork Munster SH Championship game on May 22nd for Club Officers and Draw Co-Ordinator’s present. We look forward to seeing full club representation at each respective divisional launch.
FÉILE NA NGAEL 2016 LAUNCH
The National Launch of John West Féile na nGael will take place this Thursday 21st April at 7.00pm in Ballymacarbry Community Centre, on the Waterford /Tipperary border.
The Presidents of the G.A.A., Camogie and Handball Associations will also be in attendance.
This June as previously advertised, the Féile na nGael tournament comprising of hurling, camogie and handball will take place in Tipperary and Waterford from Friday June 17th to Sunday June 19th and a number of clubs in Tipperary and Waterford will be given the task of hosting visiting teams as part of the Féile weekend.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Tipperary Supporters Club for 2016 is available and at €30 per person it is unchanged again this year. The Tipperary Supporters Club member’s gift in 2016 will be a trolley coin keyring, 43 mm x 33 mm, featuring The Tipperary Supporters Club Official Logo.
Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card. Also on the website details are available of the direct debit facility; as the Club is run on a completely voluntary basis it would be a great help if members could join by direct debit. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 or 086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com
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.
