by PRO Joe Bracken
BICENTENNIAL EXHIBITION MATCH
Continuing the build up to their Allianz Hurling League opener on February 13th next, Tipperary defeated the Thurles CBS All Stars by 0-14 to 1-7 in a Bicentennial Exhibition Match on Sunday January 17th at The Ragg. While persistent rain did its best to spoil the first half both teams got stuck in and made the most of very difficult under foot conditions.
One of the biggest cheers of the day came when Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady turned back the clock with a vintage point in front of the stand for CBS in the second half. Not to be found wanting Redser dually showed his appreciation to the crowd, raising even a bigger cheer.
A 76 page match programme designed for last Sunday’s game is a collector’s item for anyone with an interest in the history of Thurles CBS or Tipperary GAA in general and copies can be purchased directly from the Thurles CBS School.
Man of the Match Award went to Conor Kenny at full forward for Tipperary who put in an excellent display, his second in as many weeks, congratulations to Conor.
Next up for Michael Ryan’s charges is a visit to Boherlahan on Sunday next, January 24th where Tipperary meet Mary Immaculate College at 2pm in a fundraiser for the Little Flower National School, Ballytarsna.
MCGRATH CUP FOOTBALL
The Tipperary senior football panel travelled to Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary for their final McGrath Cup fixture against Kerry on Sunday last. With both sides out of the running for a final berth, it still proved a useful workout nonetheless. Liam Kearns’ side were always going to be at a disadvantage going into the game with a number of key personnel unavailable due to club commitments and involvement with the U21 team the previous day. Kerry on the other hand named a strong team with eleven of last year’s All Ireland match day panel lining out. In the end after the seventy minutes Kerry took the spoils by 16 points to 10.
Sunday week, January 31st, is Tipperary’s opening Allianz Football League Division 3 fixture against Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds at 2pm.
U21 LEINSTER LEAGUE
In the Peter McNulty Cup (U21Leinster League) Tipperary played Wexford in Piltown last Saturday January 16th and after a below par display Tipp lost out by 1-14 to 08.
With Tipperary, Wexford and Laois all finishing the group stage with two wins each, scoring difference dictated whether Tipperary would play a Cup or Shield Semi-Final and as it turned out it is a Shield Semi-Final this Saturday, January 23rd, against Carlow in Dr. Morris Park at 3pm. Best wishes to the side in this one.
CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS & MEDAL PRESENTATIONS
Tipperary Co. Board will present all outstanding medals including Munster medals won in 2015 at senior and minor hurling and U21 football next Sunday January 24th in the Dome, Semple Stadium commencing at 4.30pm after the match in Boherlahan.
The presentation will be followed by the County and Divisional Senior Hurling and Senior Football Championship Draws between 5.30 and 7pm with updates according as the draws are made going out live on Tipp FM. So make sure the frequency is set to Tipp FM on Sunday for all updates as they happen.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
In the Clean Ireland Recycling County Minor Football final congratulations to Drom & Inch who defeated minor specialists of the past number of years Clonmel Commercials in the final last Saturday, January 16th by 10 points to 7 in Gortnahoe. County Minor dual star Emmet Moloney captained the successful Drom & Inch side in their maiden title in this grade.
While in the Clean Ireland Recycling U21 Hurling Championships the ‘A’ & ‘B’ finalists are now known. Following their semi-final victories Thurles Sarsfields will meet Cappawhite/Sean Treacy’s in the A final on Sunday next January 24th at 2pm in Banshaand Killenaule will meet Borris Ileigh in the U21B final on Saturday, January 23rd at 2pm in Templetuohy.
In the ‘A’ semi-finals last weekend Thurles Sarsfields had an unexpected comfortable win over Nenagh Eire Óg by 3.19 to 1.11 while the team of the weekend Cappawhite/Sean Treacy’s defeated Carrick Swans 2-14 to 10 points on Sunday having won the West final on Saturday by defeating Clonoulty Rossmore 3-09 to 1-08. The combination side from the Cappawhite / Sean Treacys will look to bring this title back to the West Division for the first time since 1999 when a Cappawhite team captained by Thomas Costello were successful. Since then, Thurles Sarsfields have captured five County titles in this grade in 2002, 2008. 2009, 2012 and 2013 and the Mid side will go in to the game as worthy favourites.
Elsewhere in the U21 ‘B’ semi-finals the results were much closer with Killenaule edging Lattin Cullen Gaels by a single score 2.08 to 1.08, while Borris Ileigh had two points to spare over Mid neighbours Upperchurch Drombane 13 points to 11 the final score here. Killenaule have never won this competition but will be boosted by the success of their Divisional counterparts Moyle Rovers who won the title last year. Borris Ileigh’s only title in this grade came in 1995 captained by Mark Rabbitte.
In the South Division Carrick Swans (previously nominated to contest county semi-final) are already in the South U21 A final and await the winners the second semi-final fixture between Moyle Rovers and Mullinahone which goes ahead in Kilsheelan next Sunday, January 24th at 1pm..
BILLY QUINN RIP
When news broke on Sunday morning of the passing of Billy Quinn, Tipperary GAA was again sent into mourning on the loss of another dear son. Billy was adored by all but none more so than those who knew him best, his wife and family.
With a boyish charm who never seemed to age Billy’s rise to fame with Rahealty through to Tipp minor and senior hurling teams earned him his place in Tipperary folklore culminating in the Tipperary Hall of Fame Award in 2012.
His list of underage achievements are exceptional with 4 in a-row Mid Tipp Minor hurling titles from 1950-53 and a Tipperary County Minor Final in ’53 with Rahealty. Billy also won Croke Cup, Dean Ryan and Harty Cup medals with Thurles C.B.S and then capped it off with 3 Munster Minor Hurling medals in 1950, ’52 and ’53 as well as 2 All Ireland Minor Medals in ’52 and ’53 (as captain).
At Senior level, Billy won a National League medal with Tipperary in 1954 where he scored three goals in the final. He also won 2 Mid Senior Football titles with Loughmore in ’55 and ’56 also winning the County Final in ’55. His team mate on many of those success’s was his late brother Dick. Further county titles followed in Dublin where Billy lined out with Faughs upon his return from England.
In paying tribute, County Board Chairman, Michael Bourke said, “Men of the quality and calibre of Billy Quinn are unique in the GAA and his arrival on the Tipperary hurling scene at such a young age speaks volumes of his ability.” We extend the sympathies of all Tipperary supporters and the County Board to Mary his wife and daughters and son Rosaleen, Gerry, Anne Marie and Niall and the extended Quinn family on their loss. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam
MANAGEMENT TEAMS
Best wishes to all our management teams and back room personnel for the coming year as the imminent dawn of the Allianz Leagues commences another chapter in Tipperary GAA history. The following then is a recap on appointments made for the coming year starting with hurling managements;
Senior Hurling – Michael Ryan – Manager (Upperchurch Drombane), Declan Fanning – Coach (Killenaule), Selectors – John Madden (Lorrha Dorrha) and Conor Stakelum (Borris Ileigh).
Under 21 Hurling – William Maher – Manager (Ballingarry), John Devane – Coach (Clonoulty Rossmore) and Billy O’Shea – Selector & U21 liaison with senior panel (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
Minor Hurling – Previous management team as last year led by Liam Cahill – Manager (Ballingarry), Michael Bevans – Coach (Toomevara) and selectors Sean Corbett (Durlas Óg), John Sheedy (Portroe) and TJ Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore).
The Tipperary Football Management appointments for 2016 have been confirmed as follows –
Senior Football –Liam Kearns – Manager (Austin Stacks), Selectors – Tommy Toomey (Arravale Rovers), Paul Fitzgerald (Fethard) and Shane Stapleton (Golden Kilfeacle).
Under 21 and Junior Football –Tommy Toomey – Manager, Selectors – Liam Kearns, Paul Fitzgerald and Shane Stapleton.
Minor Football –Tommy Toomey (Manager), Michael O’Sullivan – Coach (Drom & Inch), Selectors – Johnny Nevin (JK Brackens), Matt Doherty (Arravale Rovers) and Jason Coffey (Ardfinnan).
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB LAUNCH
The official launch of the Tipperary Supporters Club 2016 Membership will take place in the Horse and Jockey Hotel on Thursday, January 28th next at 8pm. This is always a great way to start the hurling year and please save the date in your diary. Special guests on the night will include Senior Hurling Bainisteoir Michael Ryan and also the Under 21 and Minor Bainisteoirí William Maher and Liam Cahill. Tea/coffee and sandwiches will also be provided after the launch so come along and mingle with friends old and new.
Ahead of the official launch 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 keyring, 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
MONTHLY MEMOIRS
The good folks in the Horse & Jockey Hotel are organising an event that should be of great interest to Tipperary supporters as they present the first of their new series ‘Monthly Memoirs’. It is an evening of lively discussion and insight into Tipperary Great Sporting Events.
The first night will discuss Tipperary hurling and will feature a panel of hurling greats such as Mick Roche, John Leahy and Declan Ryan with RTE’s Cyril Farrell and Bobby Ryan asking the important questions. It takes places on Monday February 1st next so book early at reception to avoid disappointment by contacting (0504) 44192 for more information. Proceeds go towards the Tipperary Senior Hurling Panel.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Congratulations to Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore on qualifying for the Dr. Harty Cup Semi-Finals (Senior A Hurling) following a 1-18 to 3-5 victory over Castletroy CC in Toomevara on Wednesday last. The clubs represented by those who played in last week’s Quarter-Final were Loughmore-Castleiney, JK Brackens, Drom & Inch, Clonakenny, Toomevara and Moyne-Templetuohy.
Our Lady’s will now play De La Salle Waterford for a place in the final on Saturday January 30th at a venue to be confirmed. Commiserations to Nenagh CBS who were defeated by De La Salle in their Quarter-Final on a score line of 0-13 to 0-10. Ard Scoil Ris Limerick will play St Colmans Fermoy in the other semi-final.
In the Corn Uí Mhuirí Quarter finals (Senior A Football), the High School Clonmel will take on Colaiste Cholim Ballincollig on this Wednesday January 20th at 1:30pm in Mallow GAA Complex. Clonmel qualified for the knockout stages with impressive victories over I S Kilorglin and the 2015 finalists St. Francis College Rochestown and will be confident of advancing to the semi-finals. The High School starting line-up contains players from the Clonmel Commercials, Moyle Rovers, Ardfinnan and Kilsheelan Kilcash clubs in addition to The Nire in Waterford.
HANDBALL
The County 40 x 20 Juvenile Finals were held in Kilcoleman and Nenagh on Sunday last, January 17th. Well done to all the players, coaches and all who helped out with refereeing and providing refreshments for all, for results please check http://handball.tipperary.gaa.ie/
Best of luck to all who are taking part in trials for the doubles to represent the County in the Munster Championships. The Cumann na mBunscoil County Finals take place next Saturday, January 23rd, in Kilcoleman and Ballinahinch commencing at 10.30am The Munster Adult Championships commence this week and the fixtures are posted up on the Tipperary Handball website http://handball.tipperary.gaa.ie/
TICKETS.IE
Tickets are now on sale ahead of the launch of the Allianz Hurling and Football Leagues. The pre purchase discounted price of €10 is available for Div 1 & 2 in Football and Div 1A and 1B in Hurling. The cut off time for the pre-purchase discount will be midnight on the night before the fixture (Tickets on match day will be €15). Div 3 & 4 in Football and 2 & 3 in Hurling will remain at €10 for adults, see also http://tipperarygaa.tickets.ie
