(By Tim Floyd, Co Secretary)
SH Championship Qualifiers
As our Senior Hurlers await their fate in the qualifiers our opponents will be known on Mon June 23rd when the draws will take place. All the Munster and Leinster quarter final and semi final runners up will go into the draw. At this stage the draw for the All Ireland Qualifiers looks as follows;
In the first bowl will be A: Tipperary, B: Waterford, C: Cork v Clare runner-up, and D: Antrim or Laois. In the second bowl will be A: Offaly, B: Kilkenny v Galway runner-up, C: Dublin v Wexford runner-up, and D: Antrim or Laois. Once two teams are drawn out to play each other both will be placed in another bowl and another draw will take place with the first out having home advantage. Three of the four first rounds will take place on Sat June 28th whilst the game involving Kilkenny or Galway will take place on Sat July 5th. In the 2nd round of the Qualifiers the four winners from the first round will go into the draw with no repeat pairings if possible. The two winners of round 2 will qualify for the all Ireland Quarter Finals.
Munster SF Quarter Final
Following our Senior Footballers first Munster championship victory since 2003 all focus now is on our meeting with the Rebels in the Munster semi final on Sat June 21st in Pairc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm.
Munster Intermediate Hurling
Tipp Intermediate Hurlers prepare for their third Munster Final in a row on Wed June 25th against the winners of Cork and Clare who play their semi final this Sunday as the curtain raiser in Semple Stadium .
Under 21H Challenge in Killea
Following the withdrawal of Galway U21s, Loughmore Castleiney stepped into the breach and played the Tipp U21 Hurlers in Killea Gaa Clubs official opening of Tommy Treacy GAA Park. Following an entertaining game the current Tipperary county champions ran out winners against an understrength Tipp side, many of whom had played championship with their clubs earlier that day or on Sat. Clare are our opponents on Wed July 16th in Ennis following their impressive quarter final victory over Limerick last Wed night in Pairc Na nGael.
Tipperary GAA Draw Fri June 13th
The new Tipperary GAA Members Draw, will commence this Fri night June 13th in the Templemore Arms Hotel starting 10pm. Clubs took full advantage of the extra weeks to increase their membership and reports are that most clubs have at least retained their numbers. Patrons can still pay €100 up front or pay in cash instalments to their promoter or sign up a direct debit and be in for 24 car prizes incorporated in 12 monthly draws and 30 weekly lottos. Supporters outside of Tipperary can join on-line by logging on to www.tipperary.gaa.ie . This Fri night the draws for May and June will take place which means four cars will be won as well as 40 more cash prizes.
Draw Newsflash re Garth Brooks Tickets
Tipperary Co Draw Committee have secured 10 Garth Brooks tickets for his forthcoming concerts in Croke Park and are offering them as draw promotion incentives before the first draw as follows;
2 Garth Brooks concert tickets to The Club who shows the biggest increase in membership on Fri June 13th (confined to clubs with a minimum of 50 members in the new draw)
2 Garth Brooks concert tickets to the Draw Co-Ordinator of the club with the highest membership in the draw on Fri June 13th
2 Garth Brooks concert tickets to the Draw Co-Ordinator of the club with the 2nd highest membership in the draw on Fri June 13th.
2 Garth Brooks concert tickets to the Promoter with the most members in the draw on Fri June 13th, based on clubs returns. (In other words to the top promoter in the county)
2 Garth Brooks concert tickets will be offered in a Draw for Clubs who make their first returns for the draw on Fri June 13th via the Excel Package which is the most efficient means for administration purposes
Tributes to Friends of Football Officers
Well known Tipperary Football Administrators, Pete Savage and Eddie Lonergan “owe nothing to the GAA but the Association owe a lot to them.”
That was the view expressed by County GAA Chairman Sean Nugent in the course of a glowing tribute to both men who have retired from their positions on the Friends of Tipperary Football.
At the annual meeting of the Friends held in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, on Tuesday evening of last week, Pete stepped down from position of Chairperson while Eddie vacated the Secretary’s post. Sean Nugent led a series of lavish tributes to both men for their many years of long and dedicated service to the development and promotion of Tipperary football. Both men are household names in the Premier County, and enjoyed huge respect and popularity. Pete is a former Chairman of Tipperary Football Board, while Eddie held the post of Secretary of the Football Board for many years. Delegates joined the County Chairman in expressing gratitude to both men for their “friendship”, “loyalty” and “sterling work” down through the years. Both Pete and Eddie will continue as members of the Friends committee.
Referring to, among other achievements, Tipp senior footballers memorable league final win in Croke Park and their championship victory over Limerick, Sean Nugent said that “Tipperary football is in a good place.” He added- This is due in no small way to the efforts of so many people, particularly Pete and Eddie and the late John Costigan who was Treasurer of the Friends.”
Sean praised the “vital fundraising role” of the Friends. ” The financial scene nowadays is hugely challenging, and, with increasing costs associated with running teams the work of the Friends is very important in meeting the extra costs involved.” he said.
Among the Friends fundraising activities of the last year, as referred to by Eddie Lonergan in his Secretary’s report, were a very successful golf classic held in Thurles club, a fun cycle, and bingo sessions. Plans are now being finalised for the staging of the 2014 golf classic in Thurles on Saturday July 19th. Teams of four at 120 euro. Meanwhile tickets are on sale for the Friends Supporters Draw for All-Ireland football tickets. Your support for both fundraising initiatives would be greatly appreciated.
Outgoing Chairman of Friends, Pete Savage thanked delegates and the very many people who had been a great support to him during his recent illness. Referring to what he described as ” a very successful era for Tipperary football” the Ardfinnan man said he very much enjoyed his years as Chairman of Friends. “Everybody on this committee has a deep love of Tipperary Football, and even though I am stepping down from the chair as I can no longer give it one hundred per cent, I can tell you I will be around to give Tipperary football whatever support I can” he said.
Best wishes were extended to the newly elected officers of Friends for 2014-Chairperson-Michael Power (Moycarkey-Borris); Vice Chairperson-Barry O’Brien (Cahir); Secretary, Hugh Coghlan (Moyne-Templetuohy); Treasurer, Michael Power (Newcastle), PRO- John Guiton (Killenaule).
Team Tipperary Race Day
Tipperary Co Board are offering a very attractive package for supporters to attend the Galway Races on Monday July 28th. For €150 per head or €1500 for a table of 10, the following is included; race admission ticket, complimentary car parking, race card, racing tipster, buffet meal and wine, reserved table for the day, tote facilities, prime view of the track and full bar facilities. For brochure and booking contact Tim Floyd asap.
All Ireland U16 Hurling Tournament
The Tipperary Supporters Club All Ireland U16 Hurling Tournament will take place on Sat 30th August and the draws took place recently at the Supporters Club Golf Classic in Dundrum. The following are the Groups in the “A” section; 1. Clare, Dublin, Wexford and Offaly . 2. Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary and Laois. 3. Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Two teams will qualify for semi finals from Group 1 and just one each from Groups 2 and 3. In the “B” Tournament there are just two groups as follows; 1. Waterford, Galway, Limerick and Kilkenny. 2. Clare, Tipperary, Cork and Antrim.
Boherlahan Dualla GAA Strictly Come Dancing Open Air
Boherlahan Dualla GAA present Open Air Strictly Come Dancing on Friday, 20th June 2014 in Boherlahan GAA Grounds. Preparations are progressing well for Open Air Strictly and we are now four weeks from the big night! There is a lot of anticipation and excitement building around the event. Dance teacher, Ruth Quinn is putting the fifteen local couples through their various dance routines and rehearsals. It promises to be an excellent night where representation in the couples is spread far and wide throughout the entire parish. A lot of time and commitment is being put in to make this a memorable show. Couples are putting a lot of time in to rehearsing outside of their dedicated dance lessons at this stage and are really enjoying it. Photos of each couple are on the dedicated Boherlahan Dualla GAA Strictly Come Dancing Facebook page or on Twitter @BoherlahanDGAA. Tickets are now available from any dancer or Committee member or from the following outlets: Eddie & Helen O’Dwyers, The Shop, Boherlahan; Darcy’s Hardware, Cashel; Uptown Girl, Cashel; Lar na Páirce, Cashel. All couples photos are displayed in these ticket outlets too.
County “Poc Fada” Finals 2014
The county finals of the Long Puck will take place on Saturday 28th June. The finals will take place on The Galtee Mountains.
In 2013 a committee was set up to develop the long puck competition at national level. Each county was encouraged to run an internal competition for adult and under 16 competitors. They were asked to run the event at a novel or historic location within the counties. This was in an effort to replicate the experience of the Cooley Mountains at local level. The Galtee Mountains was the chosen location in Tipperary and following great success last year the event returns to the Galtees in 2014.
A challenging but manageable course will be set out in this historic and scenic location. Competitors will “trek the Galtee mountains” over a course of approx 3 km from start to finish. They will have to conquer heather, ditches, ravines in as few pucks as possible. Last year in searing heat the honours went to Toomevara, in the adult, and Sean Treacys in the U16.
Thanks are extended to the Aherlow Gaa Club and to the local Hill Walkers of Lisvernane for their assistance in the event. Thanks also to the local farming community for use of the land and course area. Special thanks to Pat and Michael Moroney who set out the course.
We encourage as many as possible to enter the event and do battle for the honour of Tipperary Long Puck Champion 2014. Entries for the adult competition can be given to County Secretary Tim Floyd 087-2591747 or to Dinny Maher County Games Manager 086-3551830.
The U16 competitions have taken place at divisional level, thanks to divisional and county Bord Na nÓg and each winner will represent his division at county level. We also welcome on board the Camogie Association.
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 email pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at www.tipperary.gaa.ie keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.
