By: PRO Joe Bracken
SENIOR FOOTBALL
With a script that was almost too unbelievable to be written, the Tipperary footballers drafted and delivered a best seller in the Athletic Grounds and for their prize they are heading to Division 2 next season after a dramatic result over Armagh on Sunday afternoon last. It is only fitting that the All-Ireland semi-finalists of 2016 are rewarded for their efforts and are now definitely, rather than aspiring to be, in the mix with the more established footballing counties, a position they so richly deserve.
On a score line of 3-8 to 0-16 congratulations to the Tipperary footballers who performed the greatest escape of an enthralling end to the league with the marvellous and magical Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) the quintessential goal getter pulling a hat trick of goals out of the hat to enhance his ace marksman credentials in leading his side to victory on the score board, ending up with 3-1 for his toils, all goals coming in the second half. But this was a super team performance which showed exemplary character when tested by Armagh and in response they delivered in spades. In the spirit of Knocknagow, enormous credit has to be given to this Tipperary side and management team led by Liam Kearns who delivered against the odds with their never say die spirit, working to the finish and selflessly and passionately pushing the boundary’s to provide a hugely significant and milestone result when most needed.
It was also fitting too that Co. Chairman Michael Bourke joined together with Football Committee Chairman Joe Hannigan to witness this joyous day for Tipperary football in Armagh.
This achievement ranks up there with the best in the league this year if not for a number of years with the chance now to win a national title in Croke Park on Saturday afternoon next sure to be the cherry on top of the cake if the lads can pull it off. And who is to say they won’t?
Croke Park holds happy memories from last year and the players will surely relish the prospect of lining out there once more and perhaps tending to some unfinished business. So too will Louth and one can never be dismissive of the opposition but with the pressure of promotion secured, the liberation that comes with it, should enable the talented Tipp players the opportunity to express themselves in a way that perhaps they were shackled from doing so in recent games. An exciting and much anticipated afternoon in Croke Park is in store. The call is now out for the Tipp faithful to travel in great numbers to support the team on Saturday. Last year the rally cry went out and Tipp supporters answered, Saturday next more of the same please to cheer on the team.
Seating is unreserved in the Hogan Stand, so first come first served!
Prices are as follows: Adult Hogan €20 and Juvenile Hogan €5.
The Group Pass is also available. €3 per child with one adult free with every 10 children, club secretaries should log onto http://www.gaa.ie/tickets/club-offers
Tickets are also on sale at selected SuperValu and Centra stores and usual outlets.
TRAVELLING BUS
The Friends of Tipperary Football have organised a supporter’s bus for Saturday’s Division 3 League Final. It leaves at the following times: Cahir 12 noon; Cashel 12:15; Horse and Jockey 12:30 and Thurles 12:45. Contact 086-8334553 to reserve your seat.
SENIOR HURLING
Congratulations to the Tipperary hurlers who eased past Offaly in the Allianz League Quarter-Final in O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday last with the final score reading 4-28 to 3-13, to set up a Semi-Final berth against Wexford in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Sunday week, April 16th (Easter Sunday).
Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) was in top form for Tipperary shooting 2-11 (2-3 from play). The other goals came from Paul Flynn (Kiladangan) and Steven O’Brien (Ballina) with both ending up with 1-1 from play.
The Tipperary management handed a full league debut to Alan Flynn (Kildangan) and when his twin brother Paul was introduced as a second half replacement, it was probably the first occasion a set of twins lined out for Tipperary, if anyone knows different the GAA Scene would be only too glad to hear. Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields) also made his debut appearance as a second half replacement. Last Sunday’s game was the fifth time Tipperary have played and beaten Offaly, in a National League match, at Tullamore, the previous results were – 9/10/1927 Tipperary 5-6 Offaly 1-1; 22/11/1981 Tipperary 1-16 Offaly 0-11; 18/4/2010 Tipperary 1-18 Offaly 2-14 and 29/3/2015 Tipperary 1-16 Offaly 0-13. After Sunday’s results Tipperary are the only Roinn 1A team still standing and will spend the next period of time preparing for the challenging assignment of meeting Wexford in the semi-final. The South East men are flying currently and any deviation from the task at hand for Tipp will be punished by the Model County so a very interesting game is in prospect on Noreside.
MINOR HURLING
Best wishes to reigning All-Ireland and Munster Champions Tipperary this Wednesday night, April 5th, in Semple Stadium where they host Limerick in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Championship Quarter-Final, throw in is at 7pm. The team selected by management team of Liam Cahill (Ballingarry) manager, Michael Bevans (Toomevara) coach and selectors John Sheedy (Portroe), Sean Corbett (Boherlahan-Dualla) and TJ Ryan (Clonoulty-Rossmore) is as follows; 1. Eoin Collins – Drom & Inch, 2. Michael Purcell – Thurles Sarsfields, 3. Michael Feehan – Sean Treacys, 4. Jerome Cahill – Kilruane MacDonaghs, 5. Joe Gunne – St. Marys, 6. Paddy Cadell (Capt.) – JK Brackens, 7. Kieran Breen – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams, 8. Bryan O’Mara – Holycross-Ballycahill, 9. Craig Morgan – Kilruane MacDonaghs, 10. Conor Bowe – Moyne-Templetuohy, 11. Jake Morris – Nenagh Éire Óg, 12. Ray McCormack – Borris-Ileigh, 13. Andrew Ormond – JK Brackens, 14. Anthony McKelvey – Moycarkey-Borris, 15. Darragh Woods – Holycross-Ballycahill.
The referee will be Nathan Wall (Corcaigh).
MUNSTER U17 FOOTBALL
The meeting of Tipperary U17 football team and Clare in the Munster Quarter-Final in Semple Stadium on Tuesday night, April 4th is the first of the games in this single year competition. This championship runs along with the minor championship as we know it for this year only before it becomes the new minor format from 2018. It is a straight knock out competition with no second chance so it promises to be a very lively and entertaining competition. The U17 management team are led by manager Matt Doherty (Arravale Rovers), coach-selector David Power (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), coach-selector Mick O’Sullivan (Drom & Inch) and selectors Johnny Nevin (JK Bracken’s) and Donal Hayes (Upperchurch-Drombane).
The winners go forward to meet Kerry in the Semi-Final in Austin Stack Park, Tralee on May 2nd.
COUNTY LEAGUES
Following the results of last weekend there was a juggling of fixtures to ensure club games still go ahead next weekend and the CCC had provisions made to cover all eventualities. As a result a full round of the Tipperary Water County Hurling Leagues will proceed with the championship fixtures shoved back to the weekend of April 29th and 30th.
For a full list of fixtures and results from last weekend please check the Tipperary GAA website https://tipperary.gaa.ie/
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 3A
Congratulations to Roscrea native Davin Flynn who was in sparkling form for his adopted county of Donegal last Saturday when he scored 2-8 from play in helping them towards a 4-25 to 1-11 win over Tyrone in the Division 3A final.
COUNTY DRAW
The April Co. Board Draw is on in Bannon’s Two-Mile-Borris this Friday night where the 1st prize is a Renault Megane, 2nd prize Golf holiday for 6 in the sun or €5k, 3rd prize Australian flights for 2 or €3k. Last month’s big winner Willie Dempsey will collect his Renault Megane or €15k prize. This is the final draw in the current scheme and the new draw for 2017/18 will be launched over the coming weeks, full details next week. Thanks to all supporters of the draw and especially the promotors for making the Tipperary GAA draw the success story that it is.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2017 MEMBERSHIP
Supporters can join on line now on tippsupportersclub.com/join by credit card or debit/laser card. Membership is €40 per person. 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. We are encouraging members to switch to Direct Debit payment by offering a reduced charge of €30 for all Direct Debit members in 2017. It’s easy to sign up for Direct Debit, just download the two-page form from the Tipperary Supporters Club website at http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/ fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy at the address below.
If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order for €40 payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com ) All proceeds from membership go towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The Friends of Tipperary Football membership for €20 enters each supporter into the following draws: 2 All Ireland Final Football tickets 2017; 2 All Ireland Final Hurling tickets 2017; 2 Tickets for each Tipperary Senior Football Championship matches 2017; 2 All Ireland Club Final tickets 2017 and 2 National Football League tickets for each Tipperary League match in 2017.
Membership is also available online through the Friends website www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com and there is also a link on the Friends Facebook page.
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 Wed 5th Apr
