by PRO Joe Bracken
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING FINAL
The clock is winding down to the greatest day in the GAA hurling calendar as next Sunday, September 4th draws ever nearer when Tipperary will take on Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final, with throw in at 3.30pm in Croke Park.
While the rivalry between both sets of supporters will be reaching fever pitch ahead of the final and bragging rights and banter at an all-time high, the same can’t be said of the teams. With nothing between the sides in recent times, the respect both sides have for each other is a bond which is unique and has helped mould and shape the huge tradition of rivalry among supporters and is a living testament to the values of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
However, once the first whistle is blown it will be a frenzy of ferocious tackling and work rate, a place not for the faint hearted so mere mortals need not apply. This is the hour when the descendants of Cú Chulainn will head into combat with county pride and passion at stake. Invariably the team who performs to its greatest potential will emerge victorious after what promises to be an encapsulating seventy six or so minutes with supporters held spell bound by the artistry and skill of those on the battle field before them.
Tipperary this year have shown they have the credentials and attributes to reach the summit of hurling’s greatest prize yet all the while knowing that it will take a mammoth effort to dethrone the reigning title holders on Sunday. Kilkenny will more than likely be installed as favourites by many as they go in search of three in a row but the hurling folk from the Premier County and beyond are looking to Tipperary for the inspiration and drive to seize the day for the Blue and Gold.
The last meeting between the sides in championship action was the twin All Ireland Final affair of 2014. As so well documented at the time and indeed for a long while after, it was a Hawkeye decision which ensured both sides would return to headquarters for round two when the original gripping instalment finished level in what was another modern day classic between the sides. Three weeks later the matter was laid to rest as Tipperary though trying valiantly once more were unable to halt the ‘cats’ as they lifted the prize.
Redemption for Tipperary on Sunday would not be disputed as the hurling world holds its breath in expectation of another classic. For Tipp folk though a dour one point win would suffice as too many classics have left the faithful parked on the horizon of hope waiting for a new dawn to blossom. Sunday is the latest chance for hurling brightness to descend upon the Tipperary landscape, a landscape restless and expectant and waiting to explode should the God’s of Cú Chulainn favour our brave combatants, let’s hope this time they do.
The referee on Sunday will be Brian Gavin (Offaly) who takes charge of his fourth All-Ireland Final, having previously refereed the 2011 final and replayed 2014 final between Tipperary and Kilkenny as well as the drawn 2013 decider between Cork and Clare.
On behalf of all Tipperary Supporters we send every best wish to the team led by Captain Brendan Maher (Borris Ileigh) and the management team of manager Michael Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), coach – Declan Fanning (Killenaule), selectors – John Madden (Lorrha-Dorrha) and Conor Stakelum (Borris-Ileigh) and sincerely hope that Sunday will be a most joyous day for the blue and gold.
ALL-IRELAND MINOR HURLING FINAL
In a repeat of this year’s Munster Final, Tipperary take on Limerick in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final which opens the day’s events in Croke Park at 1.15pm.
Ahead of contesting their sixth championship match in the current campaign, Tipperary have shown great maturity and unity since their opening round loss to Waterford back in April by getting their challenge well and truly back on track. That renaissance has given hope to the county claiming the Irish Press Cup for the first time since 2012.
Under the watchful eye of manager Liam Cahill and his backroom team of Michael Bevans (coach), selectors -John Sheedy, TJ Ryan and Sean Corbett, the management team have plotted a way to the final for the second year in a row harnessing the experience of last year’s loss into a force to be reckoned with this time round. Keeping their side grounded and focused on the task at hand will be the main priority if Tipperary is to have a successful start to the day in Croke Park on Sunday.
Here too we send best wishes to the team and management and hope that the recent run of good form will continue unabated on Sunday. The referee for the minor final will be John Keenan (Wicklow).
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR / MINOR PAIRINGS
In relation to Sunday’s double pairing for Tipperary, the last winning pairing was in 1949 when Pat Stakelum (Holycross-Ballycahill) captained the seniors to victory and John O’Grady (Moycarkey-Borris) captained the minors to success also. Prior to that in 1930, Tipperary completed a treble success winning the minor (Jack Russell Capt.), junior (Paddy Harty Capt.) and senior (John Joe Callanan Capt.).
TIPPERARY JUBILEE TEAM
Ensuring it will be a day to remember for Tipperary folk on Sunday in Croke Park, the 1991 winning Tipperary Jubilee team will be honoured. That year Tipperary led by Declan Carr defeated Kilkenny by 1-16 to 0-15 to claim Tipperary’s 24th All-Ireland title. On that team were Michael Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), John Madden (Lorrha-Dorrha) and Conor Stakelum (Borris-Ileigh) who are all busily preparing along with Declan Fanning (Killenaule) for the upcoming senior final.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
At county level this week, Clonmel Commercials meet Ballyporeen in ‘Group 2’ round 3 of the County Senior Football Championship in New Inn this Thursday night, September 1st at 8pm. In Group 6 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship, Newport defeated Golden-Kilfeacle last week. In the County Senior Football Championship in Group 1 Kilsheelan-Kilcash saw off the challenge of Upperchurch-Drombane will Arravale Rovers had too much for Cahir. In Group 4 Moyle Rovers defeated Drom-Inch and Aherlow Gaels defeated Ardfinnan. In the final of the County Junior Hurling League, Toomevara proved too strong for Boherlahan-Dualla as they took the title.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
COUNTY BOARD DRAW
The next County Board Draw will be held on Friday week, September 9th in the Old Mill Bar, Carrick-On-Suir hosted by Carrick swans GAA Club. Local grand prize winner in July Bridget Fitzpatrick will be presented with the keys of her new Renault Megane, sponsored by Cleary Motors, Thurles.
ALL-IRELAND POST MATCH BANQUET
After a very impressive championship campaign the Tipperary Senior and Minor hurling teams have reached the 2016 All-Ireland Finals. The Tipperary Association Dublin has announced that the Association will host the traditional Post Match Banquet for the Tipperary teams. This continues a tradition lasting over 50 years, where Tipperary teams appearing in All-Ireland finals are hosted by the Tipperary Association Dublin. The banquet, which has the support of the Tipperary County Board and the Tipperary Supporters Club, will be held in the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 on Sunday 4th September.
The dinner will begin at 8.00pm and tickets are priced at €65 each. Tables for 10 – 12 persons may be purchased, but individual tickets are also available. Because of the interest and excitement in the county it is expected that the event will be oversubscribed and early booking is advised and tickets must be paid for in advance. There will also be an opportunity to join the function later in the evening – entry €10.
Tickets for the banquet and “afters” may be booked (subject to payment) by contacting the following:
Tipperary Association Dublin: 087 6376663 or 087 2866018; Co. GAA Board Office, Lár Na Páirce, Thurles: 0504 22702 and the Tipperary Supporters Club: 087 9087105.
ALL IRELAND HURLING FINALS GOLF CLASSIC
Starting off a busy weekend the Tipperary Supporters Club is hosting a Golf Classic at Castlewarden Golf Course, Co Kildare on Saturday September 3rd 2016, the eve of the All-Ireland Finals. Any individual or company that would like to sponsor a tee / green should contact John Tierney 087 9177233 or by email to johntierney105@gmail.com
ALL IRELAND HURLING FINALS NIGHT AT THE DOGS
The final fundraising initiative of the season by the Tipperary supporters Club in support of the Tipperary Hurling Team training fund is their Prize Draw. Each Prize Draw ticket holder is entitled to free access to the official gathering of Tipperary Supporters in Shelbourne Park on the eve of the All-Ireland for a great night of dog racing fun and big match discussion. The occasion is the ideal place for families to go as children (u14) have free entry also.
Details of the Prize Draw and the evening at Shelbourne Park can be found on the following link: http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/prize-draw-dog-night-in-support-of-tipperary-hurling-2/
Please note that for those wishing to attend Shelbourne Park that tickets must be purchased in advance – no tickets will be available for sale on the night, those sold in advance can be collected from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the venue.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB ALL IRELAND TICKET DRAWS
Congratulations to the following Tipperary Supporters Club members who have each won stand tickets to the All-Ireland Hurling Final as part of our regular draw for all Tipperary championship games:
Tommy Fitzgerald, Tullaskeagh, Roscrea, Philip Kennedy, Kennilworth Square, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Seamus Marnane, Ballinabranna, Milford, Co. Carlow, Fr. Seamus Gardiner, Parish Priest, Portroe and Melissa Kelly, Portland, Lorrha.
Special congratulations to the 2016 Membership Star Prize winner – Pat Mulcahy from Bushfield, Nenagh. Pat has won a pair of All-Ireland tickets plus weekend accommodation at the four-star Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.
Indeed special praise and thanks must be afforded to the Tipperary Supporters Club who put enormous energy and resources into funding the senior hurlers throughout the season and in raising its membership to support the team also. On behalf of all many thanks to Chairman John Tierney and is dedicated committee.
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.
