by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
ALL IRELAND SENIOR HURLING SEMI FINAL
With Sunday week August 16th fast approaching for Tipperary’s crunch fixture with Galway in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final, figures show that coming into the semi-final as provincial winners doesn’t bode favourably up to and including 2014.
Since the introduction of the ‘back door’ in 1997, the Munster Senior Hurling Champions have a modest record in All Ireland Semi Finals. In the 18 played (1997 to 2014 inclusive) there were 8 wins and 10 losses as follows; Cork won in 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2006 and lost in 2000 and 2014.Tipperary won in 2001 (Wexford), Replay, 2009 (Limerick) and 2011 (Dublin) while Tipp lost two, in 2008 (Waterford) and 2012 (Kilkenny). Clare won in 1997 and lost in 1998. Elsewhere, Limerick lost in 2013, while Waterford lost in 2002, 2004, 2007 and 2010. Tipperary beat the Munster champions in the semi-finals of 2010 (Waterford) & 2014 (Cork).
So while Eamon O’Shea’s side will be focusing on their own preparations and looking at how best to overcome the Galway challenge, those also interested in statistics will be hoping Tipp defeat Galway and bring a more even balance to the stats of Munster Provincial winners by securing safe passage to the All-Ireland Final.
This is the first semi-final meeting between Tipperary and Galway since 1993. The Tribesmen won that game by two points but lost to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. That was the last hurling final played in front of the Cusack Stand (1938), which was demolished after that year’s football final.
Since Galway started competing in the Leinster Senior Hurling championship, there is no doubt that their participation, since 2009, has enhanced the competition. In fact, they have reached four finals and won the title in 2012 .The county had previously played in Munster (1959 to 1969 inclusive), in an attempt to improve their standards. While the Tribesmen had a disappointing time in Munster, it was certainly more helpful playing there than receiving a bye to the All-Ireland Final, as they did in 1955 (lost to Wexford) and 1958, when their opponents, Tipperary, had won the Munster Final and then dethroned the All-Ireland Champions, Kilkenny, in the All-Ireland Semi Final. The Final day attendance of only 47,276 reflected the inevitability of the result. Not surprisingly Tipp’s greater cohesion paid off and they led at half time, by 4-4 to 1-3, with the goals coming from Larry Keane, Tony Wall, Liam Devaney and Donie Nealon. Galway improved after the break, but the game was already gone from them and Tipp ran out easy winners, by 4-9 to 2-5. Donie Nealon was Tipperary’s top scorer with 1-2 and the team was captained by Tony Wall.
Tickets for the All-Ireland SH Semi Final on Sun Aug 16th are now available and Clubs should send in their orders immediately to their divisional ticket co-ordinators or order the group passes from Croke Park ticket office in plenty of time. Ticket prices as follows; Hogan Stand (No Concession) – €40, Cusack Stand – €40, Hill 16 – €25. Family Tickets are available for Cusack and Davin Stands with Adults at €40 and Juveniles at €5. Students & Senior Citizens (Cusack Stand Only) can purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €10 when they produce appropriate 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). Groups Passes are provided for Juveniles Groups U-16 at €3 each (you are permitted to bring 1 adult free with every ten Juveniles). Any additional adults pay full price for their tickets. Adult Groups @ €10 per person in the Davin Stand with max of 50 per club and the application form must be submitted through the club secretary email address to tickets@gaa.ie
ALL IRELAND MINOR HURLING SEMI FINAL
The Tipperary Minor Hurlers will be the first of the County teams in action this August as they take on Dublin in the Electric Ireland GAA Hurling All Ireland Minor Championship 2015 Semi Final on August 16th.
ALL IRELAND MINOR FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary Minor Football panel who defeated Connacht champions Galway in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Quarter-Final on Monday last 1-10 to 6 points and hence set up an All-Ireland Semi-Final spot against Kildare on August 30th. In a highly competitive tie Tipperary became the only provincial loser to reach this year’s semi-finals. It also highlights the terrific work being done at underage structures within the county, that both county minor hurling and football teams have reached the All-Ireland semi-finals.
GALWAY RACES FUNDRAISER
Over 400 Tipperary GAA supporters invaded Ballybrit last Monday for Tipperary Co Boards “Day at the Galway Races”. A most enjoyable day was had by all with many recording profitable visits to the bookies. Highlights of the day included interviews by Marty Morrissey with Cyril Farrell and Bobby Ryan and a passionate address by Senior Hurling team Manager Eamon O’Shea. Marty also acted as auctioneer with signed jersey’s and ticket packages adding to the returns from this very worthwhile fundraiser. Special thanks to the organizing committee chaired by Liam Sheedy and to all those who purchased seats and tables at the event.
TIPPERARY GAA AUGUST DRAW
The August Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw goes ahead this Saturday night Aug 8th, in Phelans Market House Bar, Roscrea at 10pm and not Friday night as originally advised. The July star prize winner, Margaret Stanley, Roscrea will be presented with her Skoda Octavia on the night and two more Skoda car winners will be announced.
REFEREE
Congratulations to Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Kickhams) who took charge of a very exciting Munster U21 hurling final in Ennis last Thursday evening. Continuing on, best wishes to Fergal as he back in command in the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling final this Saturday evening, August 8th, as Galway take on Cork in Limerick’s Gaelic Grounds at 7pm.
COUNTY FIXTURES
It’s another busy weekend for club affairs with a couple of fixtures down for decision in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Intermediate Hurling Championship. The final of the Dr. Fogarty Cup takes place in Templetuohy on Friday evening with Mullinahone meeting Nenagh Éire Óg and the semi-final of the James Holohan Cup is on in Holycross with Boherlahan Dualla meeting Moyne Templetuohy both with 7pm throw ins. Please check the fixtures section for all current information on dates, times and venues across the Premier County.
ALL-IRELAND POC FADA
Congratulations to Tipperary’s Brendan Cummins from Ballybacon Grange who made it a 9th title in the M. Donnelly Senior Poc Fada competition in the Annaverna Mountains in Co. Louth last Saturday. Brendan a five-time All Star and two-time All-Ireland winner, has now won the title five years in a row, having previously won the title in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008. For the record, Brendan covered the course in 57 pocs 4m.
THE BOY WONDER OF HURLING
The launch of “The Boy Wonder of Hurling” the story of Tipperary hurling legend the late Jimmy Doyle, will take place at Thurles Sarsfields’ Social Centre on Wednesday August 19th at 7.30 pm. Written by former Irish Examiner GAA correspondent, Diarmuid O Flynn, and edited by former Tipperary Star Editor, Michael Dundon, the book is published by Sliabh Ban Productions, which is headed up by RTE GAA correspondent/commentator, Brian Carthy.
It will be launched by the President of the GAA, Aogan Ó Fearghaill before a gathering that will include a host of GAA celebrities, past and current. The book was to have been launched in July but due to the untimely passing of Jimmy in June, was re-scheduled for August. The Doyle family and Sliabh Ban Productions are extending an open invitation to all GAA enthusiasts to come along on the night for what promises to be a very special occasion to honour one of the greatest ever hurlers.
NATIONAL HERITAGE WEEK
As part of National Heritage Week, Lár na Páirce will host a talk by Pat Bracken on Thursday 27th August at 7.30pm entitled “Not Quite Yet on Death’s Door – Hurling 1840-1884” and all are welcome.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
The Friends of Tipperary Football exciting new Lotto is well up and running and all Tipperary supporters are encouraged to please support by playing online now – http://bit.ly/1HU6W9H
SENIOR CAMOGIE
Commiserations to the Tipperary Senior Camogie Ladies who were defeated by Cork to 2-17 to 10 points in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Quarter Final last Saturday.
TIPPERARY LADIES MINOR FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary Minor Ladies football side who defeated Armagh and to win back to back All-Ireland Ladies Football titles at the Minor B grade when they retained their crown in Kinnegad last Saturday, 3-12 to 3-8.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
With the Tipperary Senior and Minor Hurlers diligently preparing for their respective All Ireland Semi Finals it is now as important as ever to take up Membership of the Tipperary Supporters Club for 2015.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006. We are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2015 is a Gold Plated Tiobraid Ãrann Crossed Hurley, 19.5mm x 20.0 mm, lapel pin specially designed and produced in the traditional Blue & Gold colours of Tipperary. Each member will also receive a Tipperary Supporters Club car sticker and a 2015 Membership Card.
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
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.
