Tipperary GAA Scene – December 22nd 2015

by PRO Joe Bracken

TIPPERARY FIXTURES
The Clean Ireland Recycling County Junior “B” Football Championship Semi-Final replay took it’s time in producing a winner but Galtee Rovers St Pecaun eventually got the better of Clonmel Commercials 1.08 to 07 after extra time to reach the final. They now meet Clonakenny with the game fixed for January 3rd next.

Tuesday December 29th is the date set aside for the Clean Ireland Recycling Minor A football semi-finals with the final scheduled for the following Saturday January 2nd, 2016.

The following Saturday, January 9th, the Clean Ireland Recycling U21 ‘A’ & ‘B’ hurling semi-finals are set to take place with the finals in both championships scheduled to throw in on January 17th.

So if the weather of the past month is anything to go by, keep an eye and ear open in case of any changes and keep up to date with all fixtures at divisional and county level on the Tipperary GAA website www.tipperary.gaa.ie or via local media.

COUNTY CONVENTION
The Annual Convention of Coiste Chontae Thiobraíd Árann which took place last Thursday night saw a few new yet familiar faces take up positions as board officers.
Congratulations to our new President, Matt Hassett of Toomevara, Tipperary’s captain in the 1961 All Ireland Final victory over Dublin. Matt takes over from the late Tomás Ó Baróid, RIP.

Congratulations also to Michael Power, Newcastle who takes up the Treasurers role following the completion of Eamon Buckley’s seven year term in the position while Liz Flanagan, Holycross Ballycahill is the new assistant treasurer.
Elsewhere, yours truly representing Moycarkey Borris got the approval of delegates to assume the full role as PRO, sincere thanks to all clubs and delegates for this prestigious honour.

BEST WISHES
In completing his term we extend sincere thanks, gratitude and best wishes to outgoing Co. Board Treasurer, Eamon Buckley, Lattin Cullen who departs the position leaving finances in a healthy state. A man of huge ability and keen attention to detail, Eamon will no doubt take up his new post as secretary of Tipperary Supporters Club with the same enthusiasm and ambition and he is wished the very best of luck in the role.

FOOTBALL COMMITTEE
Following last week’s Tipperary Football Committee convention, Chairman Joe Hannigan – Shannon Rovers was returned in office with Vice Chairman Michael Byrnes – Lattin Cullen. Hugh Coghlan – Moyne Templetuohy is the new Secretary and he takes over from JJ Crowley from Grangemockler Ballyneale. Thanks to JJ for all his great work and best wishes for the future.

The Friends of Tipperary Football also held their AGM last week with the officers as follows; Chairman Michael Power – Moycarkey Borris, Secretary Hugh Coghlan – Moyne Templetuohy and PRO John Guiton – Killenaule, continued best wishes to the ‘Friends’ in their support of Tipperary Football.

DIVISIONAL BOARDS
Around the county then, the divisional boards held their own conventions recently as well with the following officers in place for the coming year, starting with the South Board where the President is Micheál O’Meara – Clonmel, Chairman Michael Cooney – Ballingarry, Vice-Chairman Hugo Browne – Killenaule, Secretary Seamie Mullins – Clonmel Commercials, Assistant Secretary Eddie McCarthy – Mullinahone, Treasurer Noel Byrne – Fethard and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Fitzgerald also from Fethard. The PRO position has to be filled at a later date.

On the North Board the President is Matt Hassett – Toomevara and Vice President is Donie Nealon – Burgess. Chairman Dan Kennedy Roscrea and Vice-Chairman Mike Flynn Kildangan are joined by new Secretary Marian Minehan also from Kildangan and new PRO John Delaney from Newport. The Treasurer’s position has yet to be filled following the completion of term in office by Willie Lennox – Shannon Rovers.

The West Board also has new officers with a new Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. The Honorary President is Most Rev. Dr. Dermot Clifford, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly (Retired). Life Presidents are Jimmy Hennessy – Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams, Mick Maguire – Lattin Cullen and Jerry Ring – Arravale Rovers. The 19th Chairman of the board is John O’Shea – Clonoulty Rossmore with Michael Ryan – Solohead the new Vice Chairman. The new Secretary is Michael McCarthy – Cappawhite and John Morrissey – Galtee Rovers becomes Assistant Secretary. Michael Devlin from the Eire Og Annacarty Donohill club is the new Treasurer while Billy Ryan – Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams becomes the new Assistant Treasurer. Francis Coughlan – Arravale Rovers is PRO for his second year.

Lastly in the Mid Division, the new President is Liam Hennessy from Moycarkey Borris, with the other officers remaining the same with the exception of the role of Assistant Secretary as Aoife Percy – JK Brackens steps down under the 5 year rule with the position to be filled later. So it was as you were otherwise with Chairman Joe Kennedy – Moyne Templetuohy, Vice-Chairman Jonathan Cullen – Loughmore Castleiney, Secretary Sally Young – Drom & Inch, Treasurer Liz Flanagan – Holycross Ballycahill and PRO Trevor Hassett – Drom & Inch.

Best wishes to the four divisional boards and their new officers for 2016 and beyond and sincere thanks to all officers who have exited their roles throughout the county for their sterling service to division and county over the years.

MINOR FOOTBALL
The Tipperary minor football panel have been drawn in group 4 of the Leinster Minor Football League for 2016 along with Louth, Wicklow and Laois.

Round 1 is on Saturday February 13th 2016 against Laois, round 2 on February 20th against Louth and round 3 against Wicklow on Saturday February 27th, all games throw in at 2.30pm. The group winner will progress to a semi-final against the group 3 winners on Saturday March 12th.

REFEREE
Best wishes to John McCormack – Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams as he takes charge of the Round 1of the 2016 Munster Senior Hurling League clash between Limerick and Kerry on January 3rd next in Kilmallock.

TIPPERARY GAA CLUB ALL COUNTY MATCH PASS 2016
The match pass for 2016 is currently on sale at the price of €120. This pass gives you access to all adult matches within the County during 2016. Passes can be ordered through the GAA Office Slievenamon Rd, Thurles or by contacting 0504 22702 where you can pay over the phone.

TIPPERARY GAA YEARBOOK 2016
The Tipperary G.A.A. Yearbook 2016 is now available in the bookshops and usual outlets. Published annually since 1970 it is an outstanding record of the achievements of club and county in all aspects of the G.A.A.
As always the Yearbook includes an outstanding selection of photographs which illustrate the stories and gives shape and colour to the boys and girls, men and women that feature in them.

TIPPERARY GAA NEWS VIA E-MAIL
If you are interested in receiving the Tipperary GAA Scene to your Inbox each week, plus other Tipperary GAA related information such as team announcements and other related news, you can sign up to the Tipperary GAA Newsletter on our web site at www.tipperary.gaa.ie Alternatively, send an e-mail to sites.tipperary@gaa.ie with the subject Newsletter and we will include you on our mailing list. Currently, nearly 600 subscribers receive Tipperary GAA News via e-mail so don’t miss out.

TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2016 MEMBERSHIP
Membership of Tipperary Supporters Club for 2016 is now available and at €30 per person it is unchanged again this year. The Tipperary Supporters Club are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2016 will be a trolley coin key ring, 43 mm x 33 mm, featuring The Tipperary Supporters Club Official Logo.
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. 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

GO DANCING WITH ‘FRIENDS’
Looking to start the New Year on a lively note? Well, the place to be on Saturday January 2nd next is Fitzpatricks Clonmore, for a night of social dancing in support of ‘Friends of Tipperary Football.’ This popular venue is sure to be packed to capacity for a wonderful night’s entertainment provided by one of the most popular acts on the dancing scene, Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis. The event is the first of a number of fundraisers planned by the hard-working ‘Friends’ in 2016 and is very worthy of your support. The ‘Friends’ look forward to meeting you on January 2nd and extend their thanks to all for their support with the fundraiser, particularly venue proprietors the Fitzpatrick family for their generosity.

POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The draw was made for the Quarter Finals of the Dr. Harty Cup last week with the two significant fixtures from a Tipperary perspective as follows; Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore meet Castletroy CC from Limerick and Nenagh CBS meet De La Salle from Waterford, with the matches being played on January 13th next. The unfortunate side effect of the draw means that if both Tipperary schools win their respective fixture they would then meet in the semi-final.

On the other side of the draw Ard Scoil Rís meet St Francis College Rochestown and CBC Cork meet St Colmans Fermoy.
In the Corn Uí Mhuirí High School Clonmel play Col Cholim Ballincollig on January 20th next in the quarter final.
At Tipperary level, congratulations to Abbey CBS who claimed the Corn Mhic Gabhann U/18.5 (A) Football crown following their 4-04 to 1-06 win over Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore in the final last Friday.

BUÍOCHAS
As we draw to a close for 2015 a special word of thanks to each and everyone at club, division and county level that made fantastic efforts on behalf of the Premier County in 2015. It was a year which promised so much and delivered 3 Munster titles. There were also 3 All Ireland Final losses coupled with departing managers, coaches, mentors and players each having given their all in pursuit of a greater prize and as said before the things we always hope for we don’t always get. The one thing we have however and will never lose is GAA friendship.

Tipperary said goodbye to family members and friends many who made enormous contributions to the GAA in the county and further afield through their involvement with club or county or just as a supporter, may they rest in peace. Each will be sorely missed by those dearest and nearest, may the hope of Christmas bring comfort to the bereaved.
The GAA Scene takes a break for the next two weeks and will return in the New Year.

Beannachtaí na Féile agus na hAthbhliana dár léithéoirí go léir. Guímid gach rath agus sonas oraibh ó CLG Thiobraid Árann. Bainigí taitneamh as saoire na Nollag.