By PRO Joe Bracken
SENIOR HURLING
In terms of aiming towards a final solid league position the Tipperary hurlers earned another valuable two points towards that goal again on the trot away from home in round 2 of the Allianz League Division 1A following their 1-18 to 0-15 defeat of Waterford on Sunday last. This was a very satisfactory result with another win under the belt in the league. Job done, it was immediately boxed off as thoughts focused on the visit of Clare to Semple Stadium on Sunday week in the first of their two home games inside seven days.
For now though congratulations to the team and management on their win and also to Seamus Kennedy (St. Marys) who was named the Allianz Man of the Match following his performance in Walsh Park. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) was the Tipp goal scorer on the day. With Clare, Kilkenny and Cork to come in that order, the route ahead is still quite tricky and will make for very interesting viewing and analysis by all before the any sights are turned towards the latter stages.
SENIOR FOOTBALL
The Tipperary footballers head to O’Moore Park, Portlaoise on Saturday evening next, February 25th to take on Laois in Round 3 of the Allianz Football League Roinn 3 at 7pm. Liam Kearns and his management team will be looking for more of the same from his team based on their excellent second half showing in the recent defeat to Sligo as Tipp look to avenge that loss with victory over Laois. Both sides go into the game level on points and Tipp will know they need to deliver a strong performance to get their drive for promotion back on track. Any points gained away from home will be well earned in this campaign and again we appeal to supporters to make your way to O’Moore Park in support of the team on Saturday night. The referee is Niall McKenna (Muineachán).
Tickets are on sale at gaa.ie and selected SuperValu and Centra stores, with adult tickets €10 and U16’s free.
MINOR FOOTBALL
It was another good outing for the Tipperary minor footballers in the Leinster Minor League last Saturday as they defeated Dublin on home soil in Parnell Park, in Group 3 by 2-10 to 1-7. Next Saturday they play Carlow in the final group round and a win would see Tipperary safely into the semi-finals with three wins out of three, best wishes to the team on Saturday.
REFEREES
Best wishes to Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan) as he takes charge of the AFL Roinn 1 fixture between Kerry and Monaghan in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Sunday next.
HARTY CUP
The highlight result of the year so far was the fantastic achievement of Our Lady’s Templemore who claimed the Dr. Harty Cup in such emphatic fashion following their demolition of St. Colman’s Fermoy by 2-22 to 1-6 in the final held in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick, last Saturday.
This was a victory long in the making and to the schools mentors a huge amount of credit has to be paid as the patience and experience gained from last year’s defeat at the same stage was harnessed through the right channels in creating a result to savour.
With goals from Andrew Ormonde (JK Brackens) and Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) Our Lady’s is the toast of Tipperary and Munster as we congratulate them on their outstanding success and wish them well in the Croke Cup All-Ireland Semi-Final on March 11th against either Presentation Athenry or the Leinster runners up which will be Kilkenny CBS or St. Kieran’s College.
CONGRESS
GAA Congress takes place this Friday and Saturday, February 24th and 25th in Croke Park with a number of Tipperary motions included on the clár. Tipperary’s official delegation this year is comprised of the 5 Co. Board officers Michael Bourke, Tim Floyd, John Devane, Michael Power and Joe Bracken along with Sally Young, Joe Hannigan and Sean Nugent. Alongside the vote for new President elect of the association, one of the main motions of interest will be the proposal of changes to the football championship by Páraic Duffy, Ard Stiúrthóir.
TIPPERARY EASTER & SUMMER CAMPS
Tipperary County Board wish to recruit “Coaches” to work, on a part time temporary basis, on its “Easter and Summer Camp” activity programme. All applicants will be placed on a recruitment panel and this applies to new and existing coaches. Therefore coaches already on the list should re-apply along with new applicants by email only, with CV and cover letter attachments to – tipperarygaacamps@gmail.com all applicants must be born on or before January 1st, 2001.
Easter Camps will run from April 10th to April 21st and Summer Camps will run from July 3rd to August 25th. Applications must be received on or before next Wednesday, March 1st.
Please note, only coaches who apply through the ‘tipperarygaacamps’ email will be included on the recruitment panel.
If anyone requires further information please contact Dinny Maher, Games Manager 086 3551830.
FITZGIBBON CUP
The semi-finals and final of the Independent.ie HE GAA Fitzgibbon Cup are down for decision this weekend with the semi-finals this Friday, February 24th, in Dangan. The final will be played on Saturday, February 25th, in Pearse Stadium, Galway.
The line up on Friday sees Limerick IT take on Mary Immaculate College Limerick and University College Cork play IT Carlow. With plenty of Tipperary interest on the panels all eyes will be focused on these games with great interest. Willie Ryan (Clonakenny) Jason Ryan (Toomevara) and Sean Ryan (Sean Treacys) are all part of the LIT panel with Ciaran Barrett (Clonmel Óg), David Sweeney (Kiladangan), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Alan Flynn (Kiladangan), Stephen Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields) and Tadhg Gallagher (Kiladangan) all featuring previously for Mary I. In the other pairing UCC feature Seamus Kennedy (St. Mary’s) and Michael Breen (Ballina) while the IT Carlow panel includes Dale O’Hanlon (Carrick Swan), Mark Russell (Lattin Cullen Gaels) and Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch). Best wishes to all Tipperary players involved this weekend.
SYMPATHY
Following the sad passing of Tom Cusack, Clonmel and Con Ryan, Drom, Tipperary Co. Board wish to express its sympathy and that of Tipperary supporters to the families and relatives of these men. Tom Cusack was a former Treasurer of the South Board and worked tirelessly to promote the re developed South Tipp GAA Centre as a modern Social Centre, while Con Ryan was a former Chairman of the Friends of Tipperary Football.
SCÓR NA bPAISTÍ
In what has been a very busy few weeks for Scór na nÓg preparations are also in full swing with parish and divisional competitions ongoing. Our paistí and mentors are busily working hard to take to the stage around the county and we wish all the best of luck in their on stage performances especially those making a debut. Tosach maith leath na hoibre. Go néirí libh.
The County Final of Scór na bPáistí is set for Sunday 12th March in Cashel. Parish, divisional semi-finals are already taking place and we encourage all clubs to be represented in this competition. Mol an Óige agus tiocfaidh sí.
Keep an eye out for your divisional dates and fixtures and we are hoping that all of our páistí will take part in the Art Competition again this year. Our judges were most impressed by the quality of the entries last year and we appreciate the time and energy that all our mentors, teachers, parents and participants put into Scór activities year after year. Maith sibh your divisional representatives will be happy to advise you.
SCOLÁIREACHTAÍ 2017
All clubs are circulated with application forms for the Gaeltacht scholarships in early February and the form will also be available for download on the Tipperarary GAA web site. Bígí cinnte go bhfuil na foirmeacha i gceart agaibh agus go bhfuil cláruimhir an chlub breactha síos agaibh. Cuirfear na hiarrthóirí go léir faoi agallamh arís i mbliana.
Bí ag faire amach ar na fógraí sna nuachtáin agus ar an suíomh. Make sure your application is in by the appointed date.
Téann na daltaí go Gaeltacht Chorca Dhuibhne.go Coláiste Na Rinne agus go Gaeltacht Chorcaí chomh maith. Níl cead ag iarrthóirí an dara scoláireacht a bhuachan. Tá an scéim thuas teoranta i mbliana arís do dhaltaí sa 2/5ú bliain agus an idirbhliain. Go néirí libh.
CLUB CHILDREN’S OFFICER WORKSHOP
There will be a club children’s officer workshop on Thursday, March 2nd at 7pm in Thurles Sarsfields Centre. A facilitator from Croke Park will be in attendance to give the workshop. The workshop is 3 hours and participants must attend the full 3 hours in order to receive a certificate.
All club children’s officers are encouraged to attend this workshop as it will be very informative and beneficial to their role within the club. Those officers involved should confirm their attendance for the workshop by email to trina.maher@gmail.com or text 085 7307533by this Friday, February 17th.
Any queries please contact Caitriona Maher, Mid Tipperary Children’s Officer, 085 7307533.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2017 MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL DVD A POPULAR GIFT
A record number of members have signed up already for 2017 and we thank you for your support. The member’s gift in 2017 is a specially-produced DVD of Tipperary’s 2016 season.
Supporters can join on line now on tippsupportersclub.com/join by credit card or debit/laser card. Membership is €40 per person. 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. We are encouraging members to switch to Direct Debit payment by offering a reduced charge of €30 for all Direct Debit members in 2017. It’s easy to sign up for Direct Debit, just download the two-page form from the Tipperary Supporters Club website at http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/ fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy at the address below.
If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order for €40 payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com ) All proceeds from membership go towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The Friends of Tipperary Football membership for €20 enters each supporter into the following draws: 2 All Ireland Final Football tickets 2017; 2 All Ireland Final Hurling tickets 2017; 2 Tickets for each Tipperary Senior Football Championship matches 2017; 2 All Ireland Club Final tickets 2017 and 2 National Football League tickets for each Tipperary League match in 2017
Membership is available from each division: South – Aidan McNamara; West – Kevin Barron; North – Joe Hannigan and Kevin McLoughlin and Mid – Trish Gavin.
Membership is also available online through the Friends website www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com and there is also a link on the Friends Facebook page.
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 22nd Feb
