Tipperary GAA Scene
by Acting PRO Joe Bracken.
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1A – TIPPERARY V GALWAY
A solid display by the Tipperary Senior Hurlers full of character and approach got their season back on track with victory over Galway in Round 2 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A last Sunday. Despite the difficult conditions, Tipperary hearts were sent home warm and invigorated happy in the knowledge that two points were safely in the bag.
Next up on Sunday week is a challenging assignment in Ennis to take on Clare, who will be eager to make amends after two defeats. The presence of a large support in Ennis would be most welcomed by the players and management alike as they continue to map out the year ahead and build up a good head of steam buoyed on by a large and enthusiastic following.
SENIOR HURLING CHALLENGE
Tipperary will play Waterford in a senior hurling challenge game in Clonmel Sportsfield on Sunday next March 1st, at 1pm. The game is a fundraiser for the G.A.A Centre in Clonmel which has recently been completely refurbished.
Both Tipperary and Waterford are expected to field strong sides and a sizable attendance is expected for this attractive game. The game will be refereed by Fergal Horgan, Knockavilla Kickhams and his officials.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 – TIPPERARY V FERMANAGH
With two rounds completed including a fine victory against Limerick under their belts in the last round, the Tipperary footballers travel away this Sunday, March 1st, for their Round 3 fixture to take on table toppers Fermanagh, in Brewster Park, Enniskillen.
LEINSTER MINOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE
After an agonising one point loss to Louth last Thursday night, next up for this Tipperary minor panel is a visit to Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Saturday next February 28th, to play Meath in round 3 of the Division D Leinster Minor Football League at 2.30pm. While all games are away from home the panel is earning invaluable experience against strong opposition ahead of their Munster championship campaign.
DR. HARTY CUP FINAL
Mallow was certainly the place to be last Saturday as Thurles CBS claimed their eight Dr. Harty Cup Crown with a determined display defeating St. Francis College Rochestown from Cork on a score line of 2-12 to 1-12. A storming finish to both halves ensured success for this proud hurling nursery as they now prepare for an All-Ireland semi-final on March 21st, against Connacht runners up v Leinster runners up quarter final winners.
COUNTY CHALLENGE CUP & HURLING LEAGUE
This weekend sees the start of the County Challenge Cup and Intermediate Hurling Leagues with action taking place across the county. Please check the fixtures guide on the Tipperary GAA website for full up to date listings of venues and throw in times, https://tipperary.gaa.ie/county-challenge-cup-hurling-league-draws/
COUNTY ADULT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The remaining fixture in round 1 of County Adult Football Leagues takes place this weekend; again please check fixtures section for venues and times on the Tipperary GAA website, https://tipperary.gaa.ie
CLUB OFFICERS INFORMATION NIGHT
The club officers’ information night held in the LIT Campus last Thursday night was a tremendous success and proved to be highly informative and as a result was extremely well received by all attendees. With over fifty clubs represented it showed a great geographical spread of clubs from across the county and those present were treated with a tour and introduction of the new “Sportslab” gym and indoor sprint track facility, hosted by LIT officials before the main business of the night began.
Back in the main conference hall the attendance got a flavour of the night’s proceedings from M.C. Tim Floyd, County Secretary, and then listened to brief presentations from all County Board Officers, before Kieran Leddy Operations Manager with Munster Council gave his presentation on club organisation.
Attendees then split into two groups to get more in-depth information on various aspects pertaining to their officer post position within the club structure.
The Insurance and Club Safety module was presented by Sinead Leavy, Insurance Manager in Croke Park while the Social Media, GAA Membership and IT Issues was presented by Lisanne Hayden, Croke Park IT and our own County IT Officer, Lisa Stapleton from Boherlahan Dualla.
Good discussion and many informative points were raised in both groups before the night closed to welcome refreshments in the LIT reception area. Many thanks to LIT for the use of the splendid facilities and they are wished every success with the new Sportslab premises.
HANDBALL
The 40×20 Munster Juvenile finals were hosted by Tipperary Clubs Nenagh, Kilcoleman and Ballinahinch last weekend, where Tipperary fared extremely well indeed winning 8 Munster titles as follows; GU12Doubles Anna Mulcahy/Aine Spain, GU14Singles Katie Morris, GU15Doubles Eleanor Percy/Eimear Meagher, GU16Singles Sinead Meagher, BU12Doubles Conor McKelvey/Kyle O Gorman , BU14Doubles Matthew Spain/Sean Hayes, BU15Doubles Daragh Madden/Delvin Courtney and BU17Singles Aidan O Flaherty. Congratulations to all the winners who will now represent Munster in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals in Connacht on Sunday March 15th.
BASIC SKILLS COACHING CONFERENCE
Clubs are reminded once again that the Coaching and Games Development Committee will host a coaching seminar this Saturday February 28th, in the Dome, Semple Stadium.
This conference commences the next phase of the “ASH” Programme aimed at the overall development of hurling in the county and concentrates on club coaching and in particular coaching children from U8 to U12.
The outcome of this section of the ASH Programme is to produce “competent, confident and bi-lateral” players at 12 years of age. The conference is aimed at coaches of juvenile players from U6 to U12. The content will be based around coaching the basic skills of hurling to this particular age group. Ideally they are asking each club to send 4 coaches to the conference, one each from U6/8/10/12.
The conference will commence at 10.00am sharp with registration at 9.30am and will finish at 3.00pm with a break for lunch included. A full interactive program will be provided by speakers such as Paudie O’Neill, Paudie Butler and Michael Fennelly. There will also be practical on-field demonstrations for coaches to attend.
TIPPERARY SCOR NA bPAISTI FINAL
The Tipperary Scor na bPaisti County Final will take place on Sunday March 1st in Halla na Feile Cashel.
COLLEGES HURLING
This weekend is due to see the Fitzgibbon and Ryan Cups draw to a close with Limerick Institute of Technology hosting the finals on Saturday and Sunday. In the Ryan Cup St Patricks College, Thurles face Trinity College Dublin in the semi-final on Friday in Sixmilebridge. However, in the Fitzgibbon Cup, at time of going to press, it appears an appeal to the Disputes Resolution Authority could scupper this weekend’s action where Cork IT and University of Limerick await the winners of the delayed quarter finals in their semi-finals; follow national press for more details. All Tipperary players taking part are wished the very best of luck in the fixtures whenever they may be.
COLLEGES FOOTBALL
The Sigerson Cup played in the Mardyke last Saturday saw DCU overcome UCC after extra time by one point. Ballina’s own Stephen O’Brien who scored one of the DCU points contributed handsomely to his sides’ success.
Elsewhere in the All-Ireland Freshers Football Final, Colin O’Riordan from JK Brackens contributed two points in helping his UCD side to victory over UCC by four points in the final last Tuesday.
The Garda College, Templemore won the Trench Cup in the Mardyke also on Saturday defeating St. Pat’s (Drumcondra) by 1-13 to 0-10, and although there was no Tipperary involvement in the starting fifteen, it’s great for another college within the county to be successful on the national stage and that in itself brings its own honour and prestige to the county.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP LAUNCH 2015
The Tipperary Supporters Club membership for 2015 is now available and is in strong demand. Already hundreds of memberships have been bought and if the goal to extend the adult membership base further can be achieved early in the season it would help alleviate the burden on the supporters club later in the year. So how can you help as a Tipperary Supporters Club Member? If each paid up member from last year asked one more person to join with them this year in renewing membership, the quota would be well exceeded ahead of any tally count. Is there any simpler way of Tipperary Supporters playing their part? Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006.
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. Membership is also available in the following premises, Moynihan’s in Gladstone Street, Clonmel, O’Donoghue’s in Cashel, Noel Ryan’s in Parnell Street, Thurles and from Jackie Shanahan and Carroll’s in Roscrea. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy,13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email:info@tippsupportersclub.com )Junior Membership is free on www.tippsupportersclub.com and existing Junior Members will be automatically renewed and do not need to make contact unless they wish to update their contact details.
The Committee is actively seeking more people interested in helping the Tipperary hurling effort. Anybody who would like to take some Supporters Club memberships to join up their friends is welcome to contact Supporters Club PRO, John Coman on 087-9087105 or by email at 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.
