by PRO Joe Bracken
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR SEMI-FINAL
A date with destiny awaits the Tipperary senior hurlers as they travel to Croke Park on Sunday next August 14th to meet Galway in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final at 3.30pm.
No Tipperary supporter will need reminding that it is a rematch of last year’s decider which the Premier County lost by the narrowest of margins as it lay in tatters the aspirations of many and brought a most heart-breaking end to Eamon O’Shea’s reign as manager.
However, in his post-match interview Eamon noted his firm belief and resolve that the team would succeed when he was gone. Success has come in the way of retaining the Munster final, but that in itself is not enough to pacify the appetite of an impoverished Tipperary supporter craving the sight of Liam McCarthy arriving back in Thurles in September. With that in mind perils of misfortune lay lurking so a sharpened focused mind is needed to lay still the Tribesmen challenge if Tipperary are to get a chance of contesting the final on September 4th and fulfilling their own desires as well. Out of 28 championship matches played between the sides, Tipperary have won on 21 occasions, Galway won 7 while there was no draws.
Seamus Callanan was in sparkling form last year shooting 3-09 out of Tipperary’s’ total of 3-16 as 58,495 paid to witness one of the greatest games ever witnessed at headquarters. While the Tipperary forward unit were out of sorts on the day, this time round they will know that a complete and cohesive firing unit will be required to take down Galway and lay to rest the memory of twelve months previous.
In developing his side, Michael Ryan has freshened up all lines of the field as he lays out his principle of how he sees the game being played. In this mini revolution players have embraced the change with vigour and purpose; Sunday’s game will be another test in its advancement. How advanced it is will be known sometime around 5pm, but hopefully very advanced from a Tipperary perspective.
We send best wishes to the team and management on Sunday and really hope they get over the Galway hurdle safely this year, as the whole of the county gears up for two epic weekends in Croke Park. The referee on Sunday will be Barry Kelly (Westmeath).
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)
A Tipperary Semi-Final package deal was announced by Croke Park last week and though not available online anymore, tickets can be purchased at selected Centra / Supervalu stores, please check the following link for details of stores – http://gaa.tickets.ie/Listing/EventInformation/31158/tipperary-semi-final-package-2016-croke-park-21-August-2016
ALL-IRELAND MINOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary and Galway also meet each other in the curtain raiser on Sunday in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Semi-Final at 1.30pm. Liam Cahill’s side go into the match on the back of an excellent Munster Final win over Limerick but they can’t take anything for granted or Galway will have them brought down to earth in swift fashion as they too seek to continue on their recent success at this grade.
In last year’s final Galway brought an end to Tipperary’s hope for glory with a six point defeat and will be eager to dispense the same medicine to Tipp this year. Here again Liam Cahill’s men will need to be on their guard as they great displays in Pairc Uí Rinn and the Gaelic Grounds will mean little if they don’t hold focus in keeping the Galway threat at bay.
There have been 30 previous meetings of Tipperary and Galway in the Minor Hurling Championship.
Tipperary have won 19 games, Galway 9 and there have been 2 draws. Croke Park hosted 17 meetings resulting in Tipperary with 10 wins, Galway 5 and 2 draws.
The first contest was in 1932 at Limerick, in the All-Ireland semi-final with Tipp winning 6-6 to 0-0 up to the most recent match as mentioned, last year’s All Ireland Final which Galway won 4-13 to 1-16.
Here again we send best wishes to the players and management and hope our minors can get Tipperary off to the best possible start on Sunday. The referee will be Cathal McAllister (Cork).
CROKE PARK LEGENDS TOUR
On the eve of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final between Tipperary and Galway, former Tipperary centre-forward John O’Brien will recall his big match days with the Premier County when he hosts a Legends Tour at GAA headquarters. The Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour with John O’Brien takes place at Croke Park this Saturday 13th August at 2pm.
John will look back on his inter-county playing career, during which time he won two All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships, five Munster Championships and a National League. He also represented his county at minor and under-21 level. With his club, Toomevara, he won seven Tipperary senior titles and two Munster club hurling titles.
The Legends Tours offer fans a special opportunity to take a tour of Croke Park and hear, at first-hand, unique insights and anecdotes from players about the match day experience. Tickets for the Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour with John O’Brien can be purchased on-line. Advanced booking is advised. – See more at: https://crokepark.ie/news-and-events/bord-gais-energy-legends-tour-with-john-o-brien#sthash.HUw6Tdey.dpuf
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL
Following last weekend’s remaining quarter-final fixtures, Tipperary will meet Mayo in the All-Ireland Football Semi-Final on Sunday week, August 21st in Croke Park at 3.30pm with the winners destined to meet either Dublin or Kerry in the final.
Tipperary will once again go into the fixture as huge underdogs as the Mayo outfit which lost at the same stage last year to eventual winners Dublin, after a replay, will be chomping at the bit to go one better this year. It has all the hallmarks of a fascinating contest, all is needed is for a huge Tipperary following to come out in support of the side.
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)
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 next Tuesday August 16th (subject to availability)
Forms for both can be downloaded from http://www.gaa.ie/tickets/club-offers
SEMPLE STADIUM
There is unexpected business for Semple Stadium this weekend as the ‘Field of Legends’ takes centre stage with the replay of the All-Ireland Hurling Semi-Final between Waterford and Kilkenny throwing in at 6.45pm on Saturday evening. Two camogie matches complete the line-up of an attractive triple header which should bring in the region of 30k to Thurles on Saturday evening. Best wishes to all the staff and management in Semple Stadium for this replay.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
Congratulations to Burgess as they secured the Johnny Ryan Final following their six points win over Upperchurch-Drombane last Saturday evening.
Elsewhere, this 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.
On Friday next August 12th at 7pm in Templederry, Ballina take on Loughmore-Castleiney in the semi-final of the Dr. Fogarty Cup. While on Saturday, August 13th Ballinahinch and Roscrea meet in Nenagh at 7pm in the County Intermediate Hurling League Final. Also on Saturday in the Junior Hurling League Semi-Final, Toomevara play host to Knockshegowna at 7pm.
The main focus on Saturday evening is the final of the County Senior Hurling “Challenge Cup” Jim Devitt Cup Final in Moneygall at 5pm between Drom-Inch and Kilruane MacDonaghs.
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 was held last Friday, August 5th in The Trap Bar Grangemockler, with the three main prize winners on the night as follows;1st prize of a Renault Megane or €15,000 went to Bridget Fitzpatrick and Bridget’s ticket was sold by Carrick Swans. 2nd prize of a Renault Clio or €10,000 sold by Clonakenny GAA went to George Fletcher and 3rd prize of Australian Flights for 2 (or €3,000) went to Amy O’Halloran with Drom Inch Camogie selling Amy’s ticket. Congratulations to all the winners in last Friday night’s draw.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC
There was a tremendous turnout for the Friends of Tipperary Football Board annual Mr Mister sponsored golf classic which took place last Friday and Saturday at Thurles Golf Club. This annual event which is a massive boost to supporting Tipperary Football has gone from strength this year in conjunction with the success of the Tipperary Senior Football team.
With over 100 teams taking part the winners over the two days was Gerry Stapleton’s team from Loughmore consisting of Gerry Stapleton, Anna Stapleton, David Coleman and Ned Cummins on 107 pts. Congratulations to the winning team and many thanks to all who took part or supported the event in one way or another, with particular thanks to Mr. Mister and all involved with the ‘Friends’ in organising the event.
Michael Power (left), Chairman of Friends of Tipperary Football presenting the winner’s prize to Gerry Stapleton Loughmore at the ‘Friends’ Golf Classic in Thurles Golf Club.
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.
