by Acting PRO Joe Bracken.
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL
TIPPERARY V WATERFORD
In the league semi-final things didn’t go to plan for the Tipperary faithful in Nowlan Park on Sunday with the team going down to a one point loss to Waterford 1-19 to 2-15. Unfortunately days like this come around every so often and so it was for Tipp on Sunday. In what was by and large a successful league run for the team, a third league final appearance in a row was the prize if the Waterford hurdle had been negotiated successfully.
Though plagued by injuries to his squad, manager Eamon O’Shea used the setbacks to wise effect and knew he had willing combatants ready to go into battle for him when required. It also gave Eamon an opportunity to afford league debuts to John McGrath, Joe O’Dwyer, John Meagher, and Seán Maher as they also contributed to the Tipperary effort. In all Eamon and his management team used 30 players in the league campaign.
With the Munster semi-final against either Clare or Limerick on the horizon for June 21st in Limerick, the desire and talent within the squad and management ensure there will be many more bright days ahead for this panel before the sun sets on championship 2015.
ALL IRELAND U21 FOOTBALL
In astounding those perhaps not in the know, the Tipperary U21 footballers ensured another day out for them and their supporters after another enthralling win, this time against Dublin in the EirGrid All-Ireland U21 Football Championship Semi-Final in Tullamore last Saturday by 14 points to 12. In securing a first ever All Ireland final spot at this level Tommy Toomey’s side will look forward to the final with the same enthusiasm and commitment they bring to each contest. With leaders all over the field the accolade of man of the match fell to Steven O’Brien from Ballina who like his team mates put in another towering display. Congratulations on a well-deserved victory to all as the focus now turns to the final on Saturday week, May 2nd, against the Ulster champions Tyrone in Navan.
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary minor football panel that defeated Waterford in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final last Wednesday April 15th, on a score line of 2-16 to 1-07. Not ever in any great bother a second half blitz saw the side comfortably over the line.
Next up will be a semi-final encounter between the winners of the round robin playoff between Waterford/Limerick/Clare.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The second round of matches in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Hurling Championship takes place this weekend as well as action in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Intermediate Hurling Championship. Please check fixtures section for full details as adjustments had to be made to some of those fixtures previously agreed due to the continued success of the U21 football panel.
ALL-IRELAND SCÓR
Best wishes to all Tipperary contestants in the final of All Ireland Scór in the CityWest Hotel this Saturday, April 25th. InTráth na gCeist Tipperary is represented by the Moyne Templetuohy quartet of Francis Cleere, Joe Kennedy, Jim O’Meara and Tom Collier. Then we have Ella Marie Stapleton from Upperchurch Drombane who will represent Tipperary in the Amhránaíocht Aonair.
Having previously won and contested for All Ireland honours Noel Joyce from J K Brackens will perform and entertain all in the Aithriseoireacht/Scéalaíocht competition. It is also worth noting that Noel earlier this year mentored his protégé Ciarán Byrne in the Scór na nÓg equivalent, so a remarkable double is on the cards what an achievement that would be.
The stronghold of Newport will be proudly represented on two fronts, firstly by Louise Ryan, Ruairi Floyd, Niamh Floyd, Brian McAuliffe and Áine O’Malley in Ceol Uirlise and then in the Comórtas Bailéad Ghrúpa where Fiona Ryan, Lorna Floyd, Marie Floyd, Conor Floyd and Teresa Galvin carry the county colours in competition.
Your support for the contestants would be very much appreciated as they seek to make it a “Premier” night in the capital.
REFEREES
Best wishes to Derek O’Mahony from Ardfinnan as he takes charge of the Allianz Football League Roinn 3 Final in Croke Park on Saturday afternoon between Armagh and Fermanagh.
There was also further good news last week for Derek and we congratulate the Ardfinnan native on his appointment to the Football Championship Panel for 2015. Derek has been refereeing for 10 years and is in his fifth on the national panel. A verification officer in the NDLS, Derek has represented Ardfinnan in football and Ballybacon-Grange in hurling. Last year, Derek took charge of All-Ireland minor and U21 semi-finals, the McGrath Cup final in Munster and the Interprovincial final.
Congratulations also to referee Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) who has once again made the Championship Hurling Referee’s Panel of 12 for 2015. Fergal joins another long standing referee on the Panel, Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla) who has tremendous experience in his time in the role.
BEST WISHES
In extending continued best wishes to Noel McGrath, the Co. Board would like to thank, on behalf of Noel and his family, the thousands of messages of support from not alone Tipperary people but the wider GAA and sporting community nationwide, received through phone, email, text, social media etc. during this past week and which continue to flood in. All your thoughts, prayers and best wishes are very much appreciated.
HANDBALL
In the Junior Nationals in Kingscourt recently with a place on the Irish team up for grabs Sinéad Meagher from Nenagh defeated Roisín Walsh (Wexford) 25-7 & Cora Delaney (KK) 5-1 to reach the quarter-final. However, Sinéad was beaten by the eventual winner Eilise Mc Crory 21/19, 21/16. All was not lost though as Sinéad went on to win the Plate Final beating Anna Ní Odhrain Ní Mhurchu (Galway) 25-14.
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
It’s that time of year again when we focus on the New Tipperary GAA Draw, with the first draw is scheduled by the draw committee for Friday, May 22nd.The Draw Committee have introduced major increases in commission as follows, which should prove very attractive to clubs;
50% up to 200 members,
60% for members between 200 and 300,
70% for members after 300
All this and still retaining a €500,000 Prize Fund
Remember this is “The Tipperary Clubs Draw” and it’s up to every club to contribute to its survival. It has served the county well for 27 years and has survived very recent tough economic times. Now is a great opportunity for all our clubs to grow its draw membership and bring in much needed revenue with no risk or no cost.
With brochures gone to print the Draw Committee and the Co. Board are looking forward to a renewed effort by all clubs to restore “our” County Draw to its former greatness.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
Your support is requested for this the 30th Tipperary Supporters Club Annual Golf Classic at the Tipperary Golf and Country Club, Dundrum on Thursday May 21st and Friday May 22nd, 2015. Many of our team participants have been with us since 1986 and we hope you can enter a team again this year. This is one of our major annual fund raising events and we want to continue our support to our management and team as they bid to win the All-Ireland title this year. All funds will be used to defray costs for looking after the team preparation for this year’s championship.
Please mail your team entry, to John Tierney, Chairman, Tipperary Supporters Club at 105 Laraghcon, Lucan Village, Co. Dublin or email to johntierney105@gmail.com
FOOTBALL ‘FRIENDS’ GOLF CLASSIC
With Tipperary football continuing its brilliant momentum and driven on by the success of the U21 team in reaching the All-Ireland final, the Friends of Tipperary Football are busy planning for its annual Mr Mister Menswear sponsored golf classic in Thurles Golf Club on Saturday June 6th next.
With excitement still at fever pitch in Premier County football circles following this U21 surge, Blue and Gold followers are keen to throw their weight behind the fundraising activities of the ‘Friends’ and a large entry is expected for the golf classic. Proceeds of the event will go towards the training and preparation of all Tipp football squads.
The 2014 classic, also held in the magnificent Thurles course, was an outstanding success with teams from all over Tipperary and adjoining counties taking part. The Friends deeply appreciate the kind sponsorship once again of Mr Mister Menswear, Cahir and Cashel, for the 2015 classic. Entries are now being taken for the event; Teams of 4 – €120, Teebox sponsorship- €50. The Friends would greatly appreciate your support for the event. Entries may be submitted to Martin on (086) 2549154.
HAWKEYE
Preparatory work has commenced in Semple Stadium for the introduction of ‘Hawkeye’ which will be up and running for the Munster Senior Hurling Quarter-final clash between Limerick and Clare on May 24th. At present ground is being broken out in front of the television studio on the right of the Town End terrace to facilitate the placement of a large mobile screen.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
The Tipperary Supporters Club membership for 2015 is now available and continues to grow.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006.
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. Membership is also available in the following premises, Moynihan’s in Gladstone Street, Clonmel, O’Donoghue’s in Cashel, Noel Ryan’s in Parnell Street, Thurles and from Jackie Shanahan and Carroll’s in Roscrea. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy,13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email:info@tippsupportersclub.com )
Junior Membership is free on www.tippsupportersclub.com and existing Junior Members will be automatically renewed and do not need to make contact unless they wish to update their contact details.
Anybody who would like to take some Supporters Club memberships is welcome to contact Supporters Club PRO, John Coman on 087-9087105 or by email at 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.
