by PRO Joe Bracken
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Twelve months of heartbreak were finally buried in the sands of time as the Tipperary Senior Hurlers came of age once more ensuring the narrow defeat at the same stage last year was reversed in Croke Park on Sunday last. The Premier men overcame an almighty Galway challenge to seal the deal in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final by 2-19 to 2-18 before an attendance of 54,227, to set up an All-Ireland Final against Kilkenny on September 4th next.
Congratulations to the players and management team on their victory, it was all that was on offer on the day and provides the platform for hopefully greater things to come.
If it seemed tense from the stand, God knows what it was like in the Croke Park cauldron where goals from John O’Dwyer and John McGrath proved crucial to Tipperary’s victory.
In presenting their credentials for expert scrutiny to secure a place in September’s showpiece, Michael Ryan’s men will know that there is plenty to build on if there is to be a chance of loosening the Kilkenny grip on the Liam McCarthy Cup.
Questions were asked by Galway and analyst alike on Sunday and the Tipperary players and management answered as required. There were no panic buttons hit in engineering this win, determination borne out of desire and accountability ensured that there would be no let up this time. In that the players have to take enormous credit because the minute they cross the line onto the field of play their destiny is in their own hands. Yes there were hiccups in the Tipperary play but how the players responded spoke volumes of their focus and vision of where their journey is heading. Raising the game to the next level is what the next two and a half weeks or so is about now, the players know that as much as management and supporter, time best so to leave them at it and prepare for what should be another classic of the modern genre.
ALL-IRELAND MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
It is now practically mandatory for commentators to ask questions of a five week layoff at senior level from a Munster Final victory, but somehow it doesn’t seem to warrant the same application at minor level. If it did this Tipperary side didn’t read the script as they carried their recent vein of rich form into this All-Ireland semi-final dismantling the Galway effort with apparent ease in the curtain raiser on Sunday in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final, Tipp winning 7-12 to 2-12.
Congratulations to manager Liam Cahill and his side and backroom team who got Sunday off to a perfect start from a Tipperary perspective. Liam can be justifiably proud of his team who after an opening round loss to Waterford have improved game on game and are now just sixty odd minutes away from bringing home the Irish Press Cup to Tipperary for the first time since 2012. The primary objective this year was to reach the final and once get there make sure that the hard work done throughout the year along with the required performance on the day will be enough to take the prize.
Cian Darcy turned in an excellent Man of the Match display shooting 3-2 from play, with two goals from Rian Doody and one each from Mark Kehoe and Ger Browne guaranteeing there would be no way back for Galway who battled hard despite their numerical disadvantage on the scoreboard. Its heads down now too for this current team of minors, the result and performance was there on Sunday but it will have to be more of the same and even better the next day if a resurgent Limerick side are to be overcome to claim the title.
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL
The most wonderful of football journeys continues this weekend as the Tipperary footballers make their second visit of the championship to Croke Park to take on Mayo in the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final on Sunday, August 21st, at 3.30pm. Not since 1935 has a Tipperary team reached this level of the championship and by doing so this Tipperary side are not alone rewriting history but they are creating and building a new tradition of Tipperary getting to this level. Little did their forefathers of eighty one years ago think after their loss to Cavan by 1-7 to 0-8, that it would take this long for the span to be bridged in continuing earlier promise of the last century?
Sunday will be the fourth championship contest between Tipperary and Mayo with Tipperary relying on their earlier history to gain a two to one advantage thus far of the three games played.
Tipperary first beat Mayo in the semi-final of the 1918 championship which actually took place in the middle of January 1919 by 2-2 to 1-4. The next instalment in that trilogy was also in the All-Ireland semi-final of 1922 when in June of that year Tipperary were victorious once more on a score-line of 1-5 to 1-0. And then there was a lull and a quite long one at that until July 28th, 2002, when Tipperary after losing to Cork in the Munster Final replay seven days earlier lined out to meet Mayo in Cusack Park, Ennis in a round 4 qualifier with Mayo taking the spoils here after a stiff Tipperary challenge by 0-21 to 1-14. Mayo would lose to Cork in the quarter-final.
Mayo will be raging hot favourites but that won’t faze or even come into the equation of Liam Kearns’ side that rely on their own belief and skill in accomplishing their task of that there is no doubt.
We send best wishes to the team and management and hope that Tipperary supporters will make the trip to Croke Park as Mayo will be there in vast numbers and the Tipperary players need and deserve all our support. The referee on Sunday will be David Coldrick (Meath).
Ticket information and prices are as follows: Hogan Stand (No Concession) – €40; Cusack Stand – €40 and Terrace – €25. Family Tickets are available for Cusack and Davin Stand only – Adults – €40 Juveniles – €5. Students & Senior Citizens (Cusack & Davin Stand Only) – Purchase full price tickets and get rebate of €10 with valid I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via BLOCK D)
PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) who won the GAA/GPA Opel All-Stars Player of the Month Award for football for July. Michael was selected by his inter-county peers following outstanding displays for Tipperary in the qualifiers and All-Ireland quarter-finals. The award was announced last week and was widely covered in national media which is a huge testament to the contribution of Michael personally but also of his teammates who work tirelessly for each other on the fields of play.
SEMPLE STADIUM
Following on from an absorbing All-Ireland SHC semi-final where the atmosphere was simply electric between Kilkenny and Waterford last Saturday evening, as well as the two camogie All-Ireland semi-finals, Semple Stadium holds centre stage again this Saturday as it welcomes Antrim and Waterford at 4pm and Galway and Dublin at 6pm in the Bord Gais Energy GAA Hurling All-Ireland U21 Championship Semi-Finals.
Congratulations to the two Dave’s – Morgan and Hanley and the entire Stadium crew for the resplendent setting the ‘Field of Legends’ was last Saturday, it will despite the outcome of the result live long in the memories of all supporters. The magic of this revered venue is unparalleled, Semple Stadium was built and thrives for occasions like this and long may it last.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
This Saturday evening, August 20th, in the County Senior Hurling “Challenge Cup” Dr. Fogarty Cup Final, Loughmore-Castleiney meet Moycarkey-Borris in Templetuohy at 7pm. Congratulations to Clonmel Commercials who saw off the challenge of Arravale Rovers by two points in the final of the County Adult Football League Premier Division in Cahir last Wednesday night.
On Friday last in Templederry, Loughmore-Castleiney defeated Ballina by three in the semi-final of the Dr. Fogarty Cup. While on Saturday, congratulations go to Ballinahinch as they overcame Roscrea to take the spoils in the County Intermediate Hurling League Final. Also on Saturday evening, congratulations go to Kilruane MacDonaghs following their defeat of Drom-Inch in. the final of the County Senior Hurling “Challenge Cup” Jim Devitt Cup. Elsewhere, in the semi-final of the County Junior Hurling League Toomevara defeated Knockshegowna.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
ALL IRELAND HURLING FINALS NIGHT AT THE DOGS
Following on from the hugely enjoyable gathering of Tipperary supporters on the eve of the 2014 All-Ireland Final, the Tipperary Supporters Club are once again hosting a night at the dogs at Shelbourne Park on Saturday September 3rd. With adult tickets only €10 and kids going free, this is the ideal venue for Tipperary families and friends to meet, socialise and enjoy a fun night of top quality racing on the evening before the All-Ireland Minor and Senior Hurling Finals. What’s more, all ticket holders will be entered into a prize draw, with the star prize being a pair of All-Ireland Football Final tickets. More details can be found on the Tipperary Supporters Club website www.tippsupportersclub.com by emailing tippdognight@gmail.com or by phoning Bryan Maher 087 2961553. This is the perfect way to enjoy the big match build-up and contribute to the Tipperary team training fund.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB ALL IRELAND TICKET DRAWS
Every member of the Tipperary Supporters Club will be in a draw for five pairs of stand tickets for the All-Ireland Minor and Senior Finals. In addition, as Tipperary contests the Senior Final, there will also be a Draw for a Special Prize of two nights’ accommodation for two people in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Nass Road, Dublin with a pair of stand tickets. Both draws will be held on Saturday August 27 so if you have not already joined this year be sure to do so now and show your support.
Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card. 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.
