by PRO Joe Bracken
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Is there anything left to write that hasn’t already been written about the exploits of Tipperary Senior Football 2016? Sunday, July 31st, will go down in the annals of history as a euphoric day for the Premier County and its football brethren, when a terrific Tipperary team delivered in breath-taking fashion and made the whole GAA world sit up and pay attention following their 3-13 to 1-10 defeat of Galway in the All-Ireland Football Quarter-Final in Croke Park. No more the ‘happy to be present brigade’, this Tipperary team shone like beacons on a dreary horizon to put life and passion into a footballing landscape that was crying out for light and vision to transform this year’s championship. In executing their plan each player to a man epitomised the self-belief, spirit and character of the side in a performance where a solid, grounded team showed unfailing unity of purpose as the order of the day to deliver a result almost unimaginable in the week leading up to the game.
The signs that something big could happen were there as the building blocks of recent underage success at minor and U21 level have been well noted nationally. To those who have toiled before great credit must be paid and though it may sound clichéd, the fact of the matter is that the fruits of your labours are now reaping the rewards of the seeds you planted. The outpouring of emotion in Croke Park on Sunday is witness to that.
The pace and strength of Liam Kearns’ side proved too hot for Galway to handle as his side blazed their way into an All-Ireland Semi-Final for the first time since 1935. With the attack in blistering form, a herculean midfield backed up by a powerhouse defence provided the platform for the greatest day in modern times for Tipperary football. Goals from Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) and Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) were enough to ensure Tipperary march on to the semi-final with their heads held high.
Congratulations to all the players and management on this terrific achievement and well done to Michael Quinlivan who was named Man of the Match where in truth any of the Tipperary players could have received the accolade.
However, the euphoria has to be boxed off now to allow the players and management focus in mind and body on yet unknown semi-final opposition on August 21st. The team are heading into unfamiliar territory and must be allowed the space and time to prepare for the next instalment of sternest challenges as each step up the ladder provides careful individual planning and attention to detail in pursuit of reaching the All-Ireland Final.
Once again the players lauded the support in Croke Park on Sunday, now more than ever the whole county must get behind the team as Croke Park will be a cauldron on August 21st and this Tipperary team deserves every supporter to row in behind them as the opposition will bring its own army hell bent on deflating the Tipperary balloon which has been the story of the championship so far and more than likely will be whatever the semi-final outcome. If for only twice in the year supporters come out behind the team let Sunday August 21st be your first, you never now the second may not be too far away after that either?
TIPPERARY MUNSTER U21 HURLING FINAL
Commiserations to our Tipperary U21 hurlers who were defeated by a superior Waterford side 2-19 to 0-15 in the Bord Gáis Energy Munster Final last Wednesday evening in Walsh Park, Waterford.
Though Tipperary were only two points behind into the last quarter a storming Déise finish saw them emerge victorious over a gallant Tipperary side that neither offered nor sought excuses on the night. We thank all the players and management team of William Maher, John Devane and Billy O’Shea for the tremendous work put in since early in the year in preparation for this U21 championship.
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR & MINOR HURLING SEMI-FINALS
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals are now little over a week away with Tipperary meeting Galway in both the senior and minor semi-finals, on Sunday August 14th next. Preparations in both camps are at an advanced stage as the day of reckoning draws near. The senior match will throw in at 3.30pm while the minor match does likewise at 1.30pm.
Ticket information and prices are as follows:
Hogan Stand (No Concession) – €40; Cusack Stand – €40 and Hill 16 – €25.
Family Tickets are available for Cusack and Davin Stands 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)
Group & Club Pass – Group pass – Juveniles U-16 are €3 each (you are permitted to bring 1 adult free with every ten Juveniles) any additional adults pay full price for their tickets.
Club Pass for adults – €10 with a maximum of 50 tickets per club and one application only per club.
Deadline is this Friday 5th Aug 2016 (subject to availability)
Forms for both can be downloaded from http://www.gaa.ie/tickets/club-offers
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
With our county senior hurling and football teams as well as our minor hurling team in respective All-Ireland Semi-Finals in the coming weeks, club fixtures will more or less be at a standstill. Success brings its own difficulties and the fixtures committee will endeavour to accommodate all as it strives to plot a previously unchartered course in the fixtures programme to ensure the county meets its deadlines. With that in mind the co-operation and flexibility of all clubs involved will be much appreciated in the weeks and months ahead.
In the final of the James Holohan Cup, held on Sunday last, July 31st, congratulations go to Carrick Swans who took the honours with a two point win over Ballingarry after extra time, on a score line of 2-27 to 1-28.
This Saturday evening, August 6th, in the County Senior Hurling Challenge Cup, the Johnny Ryan Final between Burgess and Upperchurch-Drombane goes ahead in Dolla at 7pm. Extra time will be played in the event of a draw at normal time.
Elsewhere, next Wednesday, August 10th, Arravale Rovers meet Clonmel Commercials in the final of the County Adult Football League Premier Division in Cahir at 7.15pm. Extra time if necessary will also be played here.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The August GAA draw will be held this Friday, August 5th in The Trap Bar Grangemockler, where first prize is a Renault Megane and the second prize is a Renault Clio both supplied by Cleary Motors Thurles.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC
With the Tipperary Senior Footballers flying at present, there is an extra incentive for participants to take part in the Friends of Tipperary Football Board annual Mr Mister sponsored golf classic which takes place this Friday and Saturday, August 5th and 6th at Thurles Golf Club.
Now in its twentieth year this is the Friends of Tipperary’s major fund raiser with all proceeds being ploughed back into the development and promotion of Football at all levels within the county.
Again there will be good prizes and hospitality on offer and we ask all GAA Clubs, Golf Societies and other sport enthusiasts to support what is now a well-established weekend of golf on the sporting calendar.
Team entries cost €120 with tee boxes costing €50 and again all support will be greatly appreciated, especially at this time as the senior footballers continue preparations for the upcoming All-Ireland Semi-Final.
To arrange entry and tee times supporters should contact golf classic coordinator Martin O’Dwyer at 086 2549154.
POC FADA
In the Martin Donnelly sponsored All Ireland Poc Fada held on the Annaverna Mountain in Ravensdale, Co. Louth, last Saturday, Tipperary was represented in the senior event by 9 time winner Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon Grange) and in the U16 event by Gearóid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy). Despite putting in excellent performances both men had to settle for 3rd place in their respective categories.
Over the 5km senior course Brendan covered the distance in 50 pocs and 34 metres while the winner James McInerney (Clare) covered the distance in 50 pocs and 78 metres.
In the U16 event Cathal Kiely (Offaly) covered that course in 22 pocs and 76 metres to claim that title while Gearóid covered the distance in 25 pocs and 16 metres.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Tipperary Supporters Club for 2016 is available and at €30 per person it is unchanged again this year. As our senior team head into an All-Ireland semi-final, now is as good a time as any to renew or take out membership in support of the team and continue to help them on their way in the championship.
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.
