Tipperary GAA Scene – December 3rd 2013

TIPPERARY GAA SCENE

BY COUNTY PRO GER RYAN

TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLING TEAM CHALLENGE GAMES

The Tipperary Senior Hurling team will play tow challenge games in the coming weekends. On Saturday December 7, they will play Westmeath at The Ragg at 2pm with proceeds going to Inch National School for the promotion of Gaelic Games.

On Saturday December 14, they will play Wexford at Clonmel Sportsfield with proceeds going to the St. Mary’s Club for promotion of hurling in Clonmel.

PLAYER WELFARE

County Chairman, Sean Nugent, has set up a Committee to address the concerns of Clubs, Parents and members of the County Board with regard to the level of training and games activity at County, Club, School and College levels as it relates to players in the age group 14 to 21. The emphasis will be to ensure that the health, wellbeing and future careers of these players is not affected by an over exposure to games, training and physical activity during these early years. This issue is most relevant to young players who are on County panels, development squads, School and Third Level teams and is particularly relevant to dual players. The Committee, under Chairman PJ Maher, Secretary Mary Ryan together with Peter Murchan, Kevin Delargy, Ger Ryan, John Casey, Karen Coughlan and Tim Floyd is very interested in hearing the views of Clubs and other interested parties who feel they might have a contribution to make to this important issue. Submissions, comments and observations should be emailed to maryryanpatsy@gmail.com as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, December 10 2013.

TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLERS CHARITY RUN

The Tipperary senior hurling panel are organising a 6K charity fun run / walk in Thurles on Saturday December 21 commencing at 1pm from Dr. Morris Park. The idea for the run arose following the recent illness suffered by former panellist and 2012 All Ireland Intermediate captain, Eddie Connolly, from Loughmore Castleiney. All proceeds from the run will go towards cancer related charities. Entry fee is €10 for adults, €5 for children and €30 for families. Sponsorship cards are also available from Lár na Páirce and any member of the senior hurling panel. Public support by way of participation in the run and via sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

CLEAN IRELAND RECYCLING JUNIOR B HURLING FINAL

Congratulations to Holycross Ballycahill on winning the the Clean Ireland Recycling Junior B county hurling final at The Ragg on Sunday last when they defeated Templederry Kenyons by 0-18 to 0-14. County PRO, Ger Ryan presented the Tim Maher Perpetual Cup to team captain Paudie McGrath, who was unable to start due to injury, and captain on the day, Conor Hayes.

ANNUAL CONVENTION OF TIPPERARY COUNTY BOARD

The Annual Convention of Tipperary County Board will take place at the Dome, Semple Stadium on Wednesday night December 11. Mass will commence at 7pm with the Convention starting immediately afterwards at 7.30pm. All clubs are asked to send their full complement of delegates.

GAMES DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATORS RETIRE

Friday November 29 2013 heralded the end of an era in Tipperary Coaching and Games with the retirement of two GDA’s. Johnny Cummins (South) and Tadhg O’Connor (North) brought the curtain down on their working careers.

Johnny reaches back to the days of the Fás Scheme, acting as supervisor on the scheme commencing in 1993. He became one of the first coaching and games personnel in the country in 1999 when he was employed as an Urban Development Officer in Carrick and Clonmel. Johnny’s role quickly changed in 2000 when Tipperary County Board employed full time Games Promotion Officers. He became GPO for South Tipperary servicing Schools Clubs and Coach Education needs in the division. As the needs of coaching and games changed so did the roles of the GPO’s leading to Johnny third change in 2008 when he was promoted to Games Development Administrator for South Tipperary. While the roles may have changed Johnny’s steadfast energy, enthusiasm and knowledge remained over the years. He was to the forefront in changing ideas and was always ready to go with the times. He developed a firm coaching and games policy in the division reaching out to all the clubs and schools under his command. He made contributions at Provincial and National level where his experience and knowledge were often called upon. South Tipperary was his first love and especially the small club or small school. Johnny made sure these units were involved at all times. In his playing career Johnny was best known in football circles. He played minor for three years 1964 to 1966. He then went on to play at all other levels from U21 to Senior. He also represented Tipperary on three Munster Interprovincial teams in Railway Cups.

Tadhg O’Connor needs no introduction in GAA circles having captained Tipperary to All Ireland Senior Hurling glory in 1971, a feat he was both proud and reserved about. He commenced as a part time GPO in 2006 sharing North Tipperary duties with his county colleague and club foe Len Gaynor. He took up full time employment as a Games Development Administrator in 2008 where he took on sole responsibility for North Tipperary. Tadhg brought a life time of experience both as a player and manager to his role as GDA. Attention to detail was Tadhg’s strength. Any task he set about would be completed to the “letter of the law”. A real team player he was on hand wherever duty called. Not afraid to voice his own opinion for the cause of North Tipperary, Tadhg made a significant contribution during his career as GDA. As a player Tadhg won every honour in the book from the 1971 All Ireland victory with Tipperary to All Ireland Club success with his beloved Roscrea. He played Minor Hurling in 1966 and was on the U21 team for three years 1967 to 1969. He commenced his senior career in 1968 when he played against Kilkenny in the Oireachtas Cup. Along the way he won the ’71 All Ireland and picked up three All Star Awards 1971, 1975, 1979. He retired from inter-county hurling in 1982 but continued with Roscrea until 1990. Incidentally Tadhg also played on the County Minor Football team in 1966 with none other than his retiring workmate Johnny Cummins. We thank them sincerely for their commitment to coaching and games and wish them many years of health and happiness in retirement.

TIPPERARY FOOTBALL & HURLING ACADEMIES

Are You Interested in Coaching? If you are interested in becoming involved as a coach with the Tipperary Football Development Squads for 2014 then email David Power at dpower20@hotmail.com or Pat Moroney at moroney.pat@gmail.com in respect of Football. If you are interested in becoming involved as a coach with Tipperary Hurling Development Squads then email Fr. Tom Fogarty @ TFogarty@stpats.ie or Liam Sheedy at liam.sheedy@boimail.com in respect of Hurling. This involvement will provide you with a really good opportunity to train and to develop your coaching knowledge and skills. It will also assist you in the obtaining coaching qualifications appropriate for coaching underage inter-county teams. If you are interested please email your name, address, phone number, club and details of your coaching experience, if any, to the above by December 9, 2013. Tipperary Football & Hurling Development Squads are the responsibility of Tipperary Coaching & Games. The appointments will be made by Tipperary Coaching & Games, subject to ratification by Tipperary County Board. For further information on Academy Squads contact Dinny Maher, Games Manager 086-3551830/ dinny.maher.gda.tipperary@gaa.ie.

ANNUAL YOUTH FORUM

Almost 70 transition year students attended the Annual Youth Forum in The Dome at Semple Stadium on Thursday last. The Forum was opened by Co. Chairman Seán Nugent. Guest speakers were Pat Mulcahy Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Officer with Tipperary and newly appointed Co. Minor Hurling Manager Liam Cahill. The students made suggestions for the improvement of the GAA at local and national level. These suggestions will be passed on to the Co. Board and where appropriate to Croke Park and Munster Council. The day concluded with a tour of Semple Stadium where the Stadium Manager, David Morgan, told the students about the workings of the Stadium on big match days and how the various aspects are managed and controlled.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS QUIZ

On Sunday evening 18 teams took part in the Co. Final of the Primary Schools Quiz. After 8 rounds of questions Golden emerged as winners. The Monastery from Tipperary Town and Upperchurch A who finished second and third respectively. Holycross were in fourth place and following a three way tie Rear Cross came in fifth with Ardcroney and St. Colmcille’s Templemore close behind. Trophies were presented to the successful teams by Joe Kerrigan Chief Executive of Centenary Thurles Coop who have been sponsoring this competition for several years. On behalf of the Co. Board Vice Chairman Michael Bourke thanked the schools, their teachers and parents for their contribution as well as the organising committee and Thurles Sarsfields club who provided their facilities.