by PRO Joe Bracken
SH CHALLENGE
In a senior hurling fundraiser for the Little Flower National School, Ballytarsna, held in Boherlahan on Sunday last January 24th, Tipperary cruised to a 7-29 to 0-6 win over Mary Immaculate College as Michael Ryan and his management team continue preparations ahead of the opening Allianz Hurling League tie against Dublin on February 13th.
ALIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sunday next, January 31st, Liam Kearns sends his Tipperary side into Allianz Football League action for the first time as the contest the Division 3 fixture against Limerick in the changed venue of Kilmallock at 2pm and the referee is Brendan Cawley.
Success in the first two rounds of the league will be crucial to the side as they bid to make gains on the momentum of last season’s football campaigns. A large and vocal Tipperary support will give the lads every encouragement on the day and we hope as many as possible can make the trip in support of the side.
U21 LEINSTER LEAGUE
In the Peter McNulty Cup (U21Leinster League) Tipperary defeated Carlow in the Shield Semi-Final last Saturday, January 23rd, by 0-13 to 0-08 to progress to the Shield Final where they will meet Down on Saturday next, January 30th, with venue to be confirmed, please check https://tipperary.gaa.ie/ for update.
It was a 2 point deficit which excluded Tommy Toomey’s side from reaching the Cup semi-final so a crack at Down will prove a real tester and we send best wishes to the team ahead of Saturday’s Shield Final.
CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS
The County Senior Hurling and Senior Football Championship Draws as well as some Divisional Draws took place in the Dome on Sunday last and was broadcast live on Tipp FM. The draws threw up some very interesting groups with many clubs left scratching their heads as to how to plot a route towards county final success in 2016. The outcome of the draws made on the night is as follows –
Tipperary SHC Roinn 1 Groups
Roinn 1 – Group 1 – Killenaule, Drom & Inch, Upperchurch-Drombane, JK Brackens
Roinn 1 – Group 2 – Thurles Sarsfields, Eire Og Annacarty, Borris-Ileigh, Roscrea
Roinn 1 – Group 3 – Nenagh Eire Og, Kildangan, Templederry Kenyons, Mullinahone
Roinn 1 – Group 4 – Kilruane MacDonaghs, Clonoulty-Rossmore, Lorrha-Dorrha, Portroe
Tipperary SHC Roinn 2 Groups
Roinn 2 – Group 1 – Burgess, Toomevara, Holycross-Ballycahill, Moyne-Templetuohy
Roinn 2 – Group 2 – Moycarkey-Borris, Carrick Swan, Moneygall
Roinn 2 – Group 3 – Loughmore-Castleiney, Borrisokane, Knockavilla Kickhams
Roinn 2 – Group 4 – Ballina, Silvermines, Ballingarry, Clonakenny
Tipperary SFC Groups
Group 1 – Arravale Rovers, Cahir, Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Upperchurch-Drombane
Group 2 – Clonmel Commercials, Killenaule, JK Brackens, Ballyporeen
Group 3 – Eire Og Annacarty, Loughmore-Castleiney, Galtee Rovers, Thomas MacDonaghs
Group 4 – Moyle Rovers, Aherlow Gaels, Drom & Inch, Ardfinnan
Mid Tipperary SHC
Preliminary Round – Drom & Inch v Moyne-Templetuohy
Quarter-Final – Thurles Sarsfields v winner of Drom & Inch or Moyne-Templetuohy
Quarter-Final – Clonakenny v Holycross-Ballycahill
Quarter-Final – JK Brackens v Moycarkey-Borris
Quarter-Final – Loughmore-Castleiney v Upperchurch-Drombane
Mid Tipperary SFC
Semi-Final – JK Brackens v Upperchurch-Drombane
Semi-Final – Loughmore-Castleiney v Drom & Inch
South Tipperary SHC 1st round draw
Carrick Swan v Mullinahone
Killenaule v Ballingarry
South Tipperary SFC Draw
Kilsheelan-Kilcash Bye
Ballyporeen v Clonmel Commercials
Moyle Rovers v Ardfinnan
Cahir v Killenaule
West Tipperary SFC Draws
Semi-Final – Arravale Rovers v Galtee Rovers
Semi-Final – Aherlow Gaels v Eire Og Annacarty
The draws for the 2016 West & North Senior Hurling Championships will be made at a later date.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
The only outstanding fixture in county action from 2015 concluded on Sunday last with congratulations going to Thurles Sarsfields who claimed their sixth title, last held in 2013, in the Clean Ireland Recycling U21 Hurling Championship ‘A’ Final with victory over Cappawhite/Sean Treacy’s by 2-22 to 0-11 in Bansha.
In the Clean Ireland Recycling U21 Hurling Championship ‘B’ Final Killenaule secured their first ever title at this level by defeating Borris Ileigh 0-14 to 2-03 in Templetuohy last Saturday. Congratulations to Killenaule on their inaugural success.
In the South Division the U21 ‘A’ final goes ahead in Kilsheelan on Sunday next January 31st where Carrick Swan will meet Mullinahone at 2pm.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB LAUNCH
Calling all Tipperary supporters to the official launch of the Tipperary Supporters Club 2016 Membership which will take place in the Horse and Jockey Hotel this Thursday night, January 28th at 8pm. Always a great way to start the hurling year and this year is no different with Tipperary’s opening Allianz Hurling League fixture against Dublin at home in Semple Stadium of February 13th next not that far away now. As our hurlers and management team focus their mind on the task at hand, perhaps it’s time that we as supporters do likewise and invest in the team so that all of Tipperary prospers. 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
DR. HARTY CUP SEMI-FINALS
This Saturday will see the penultimate stages of the Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Dr. Harty Cup Under 18 ½ A Hurling competition when the semi-finals take place. Ard Scoil Ris of Limerick will take on St. Colmans of Fermoy at 12 noon in Kilmallock with both schools having won three titles since the turn of the millennium. Best wishes to John McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) who will referee this game.
Of more interest in the Premier County will be the clash of Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore and De La Salle Waterford at 2pm in Bansha (NOTE VENUE CHANGE) with Joe Larkin (Cork) as referee. De La Salle have 2 titles to their name from 2007 and 2008 with a number of those players now back boning the Waterford Senior Hurling team. The current De La Salle squad finished second to Ard Scoil Ris in the group stages before getting the better of Nenagh CBS in the recent Quarter-Final.
On the other hand, Our Lady’s Templemore topped their group winning all four of their games before defeating Castletroy Community College by 1-18 to 3-5 in the Quarter-Final played at Toomevara. The Harty Cup has proved elusive for the Templemore school, having reached the finals of 2000, 2002 and 2013 only to bow out at the final hurdle leaving the 1978 team (under the guise of Templemore CBS) as the only school from the town to bring back this coveted trophy.
Tipperary schools have been competitive in the Harty Cup in recent years. Since 2008, 6 of the 8 Harty Cup Finals played have featured a Tipperary school with last year’s champions Thurles CBS playing in four finals, winning two, Our Lady’s Templemore losing out in the 2013 final while Nenagh CBS lost the 2012 Harty Cup Final before going on to win All-Ireland honours and capturing the Croke Cup later that season. We wish Our Lady’s every success in next Saturday’s semi-final where a bumper crowd is expected to descend on the Bansha GAA grounds for this eagerly awaited knockout clash.
CORN UI MHUIRI SEMI-FINALS
Congratulations to High School Clonmel following their 1-11 to 1-8 victory over Colaiste Cholim Ballincollig in last week’s Munster GAA Post Primary Schools Corn Ui Mhuiri Under 18 ½ A Football competition. For the first time in living memory, there are four different counties represented in the Corn Ui Mhuiri semi-finals as St. Brendans Killarney (Kerry) take on St. Flannans (Clare) while High School Clonmel will play St. Francis College Rochestown (Cork). These semi-finals are fixed for Saturday week February 6th – more on this in next week’s GAA Scene.
CUSACK SHIELD U/15 (B) FOOTBALL
Next week Tipperary Schools are in Cusack Shield football action, with all games on Tuesday, February 2nd, bar one throwing in at 12.30pm, fixtures are as follows while venues have yet to be confirmed;
Colaiste Mhuire Durlas v Fethard Secondary School, Thurles C.B.S v Comeragh College, Colaiste Dun Iascaigh v Scoil Ruain Killenaule, Newport College v Presentation Ballingarry, Carrick on Suir C.B.S. v Rockwell College, Nenagh C.B.S. v Cashel C.S. and Scoil Phobal Roscrea v Colaiste Cluain Meala at 1.30pm. On Wednesday, February 3rd there is one fixture where St. Joseph’s Borrisoleigh meet Thurles C.B.S. at 12.30pm.
SCÓR AGUS GAELTACHT
We wish all our Scór All Ireland Finalists the best of luck next weekend in Killarney where Katie Shanahan (Boris Ileigh), Portroe Ballad Group and Loughmore Castleiney Tráth na gCeist team all go in search of All Ireland titles. Go néirí go geal leo. Tá éacht déanta acu cheana
The date for Tipperary County Scór Sinsear has been changed and the new date will be posted on the website in due course.
Elsewhere, in relation to Scór na bPáistí the revised rules for Scór na bPáistí will be posted on Tipperary GAA website and all clubs are asked to please refer to same.
We are also reminding all clubs to designate a Cultural /Scór Officer or a club member that would promote all things cultural in the club; it brings tremendous honour to the individuals involved as well as creating great exposure for your club.
It’s that time of year with applications for Gaeltacht Scholarships up and running. From 2016 the following will be the procedure for obtaining a Gaeltacht Scholarship from Coiste Chontae Thiobraid Árann;
Students should immediately book a course directly from one of the three nominated Munster Irish Colleges on the application form. This should be done ASAP as popular dates are booked out quickly.
Students wishing to secure a scholarship from Tipperary GAA should complete the appropriate application form their own GAA Club and submit it through their own local GAA Club.
The secretary of the GAA Club must sign the form and attach a reference letter supporting the applicant’s application before returning it to the Co Rúnaí, Tim Floyd.
Interviews for the scholarships will be held in Lár na Páirce before the end of February to establish each candidates suitability. Once the student is notified that they have been successful they must secure a receipt for their full fee payment from the Irish College where they have registered.
Once this receipt is received by the Co Rúnaí a cheque for €300 will be posted out directly to the student’s home. The Closing date for the receipt of Gaeltacht Scholarship Applications is Sunday. February 14th, 2016.
ANNERVILLE AWARDS
The 51st presentation of the Annerville Awards by the United Sports Panel took place in the Clonmel Park Hotel on Saturday last. Among the 18 winners, there was a number of recipients from the GAA world as follows – Seamus Callanan (Hurling), Seamus Kennedy (Gaelic Football), Sinead Meagher (Handball) and Cait Devane (Camogie). Jimmy Collins of the St. Mary’s Clonmel club won the Lifetime Achievement Award while the Sean Lyons Sports Executive award went to Charlie McGeever, manager of the Clonmel Commercials and Tipperary Minor Football teams in 2015. Finally, the Knocknagow Award was presented to Borris-Ileigh and Tipperary hurling legend Liam Devaney. Congratulations to all the winners.
NENAGH GUARDIAN SPORTS AWARDS 2015
A welcome addition to the awards scene in Tipperary, the Nenagh Guardian Sports Awards saw 12 monthly winners presented with their awards in Nenagh last Friday night. Amongst the winners were the Tipperary U21 football team who secured the April award, Sinead Meagher a Nenagh Éire Óg handballer took home the August gong while the October award went to the Burgess/Duharra Senior Camogie team. The highlight of the awards was the induction of Donie Nealon as the first member of the Hall of Fame, a worthy recipient of this award, again congratulations to all the recipients.
SONG TO COMMERATE 1916
Coiste Náisiúnta Scór, the National GAA Committee for the promotion of culture, is delighted to announce that, in conjunction with the 1916 commemorations, they are launching a Ballad Writing Project for second level schools.
To commemorate 1916, the GAA through one of its cultural branches Coiste Náisiúnta Scór, would welcome the participation of Second Level Schools in a competition for newly composed ballads. The ballad should be in a traditional style, accompanied or unaccompanied – as Gaeilge or in English – and can be set to an existing or newly composed air. Ballads should deal with the spirit, legacy, leaders or events of 1916 and/or the growth and development of the GAA over the past 100 years.
Entries in audio file format together with the words should be sent by email to scor@gaa.ie on or before the closing date of 12 February, 2016. A panel of adjudicators will judge all songs received and will select the winners based on the quality of the composition rather than the production. A winning entry from each county will be invited to Páirc an Chrócaigh prior to the commencement of examinations to visit the GAA Museum and Skyline. On this occasion the national winners will be announced and the following prizes to the winning schools will be awarded – 1st – €800; 2nd – €500; 3rd – €300.
It is the hope of the Coiste Náisiúnta Scór that all schools will take part in this project.
If schools have any further questions, they should contact Antóin Mac Gabhann, Cathaoirleach on 086 8664931.
LAOCHRA GAEL
Last week GAA President, Aogán Ó Fearghail launched a new season of the Laochra Gael series for TG4 which will include the unmistakeable Eoin Kelly, Tipperary’s top scorer. The Mullinahone native served his county with distinction over a long career and all Tipperary supporters will be watching out for his featured programme which goes on air at 5:55pm on Sunday, March 27th next. There will be a repeat showing on Monday at 8pm on TG4.
HANDBALL
The 2016 Cumann na mBunscoil County Handball Finals were hosted by Youghalara & Ballinahinch. With ten schools taking part and a total of 31 Games played the Cumann na Mbunscoil County Finals were a great success, full results on Tipperary Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tiobraidaranngaa
At the recent Munster Handball convention a special sports star awards ceremony 2013 – 2014 took place where Tipperary received 3 National awards. Billy McCarthy (Ballyporeen) received a 2013 Hall of Fame award for his achievements winning Minor Junior, Senior Hardball as well as Softball & 40×20 titles – a total of 9 All-Irelands. John Cleary (Tipperary Town) received a Hall of Fame award 2014 for his achievements winning Minor Junior & Senior Hardball as well as a Tailteann title. Vincent O’Shea (Lahorna) received the official of the year 2014 for his great work with juveniles for his Club & County which helped to bring many provincial & national juvenile titles to Tipperary over the past number of years. Congratulations to all the winners.
By Jonathan Cullen Tue 26th Jan
