Divisional Hurling Championships
Last weekend saw a host of games being played across the four divisions of the county in the Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate hurling grades as club action took centre stage.
The action got underway on Friday evening with games in both the West and North divisions.
Up North, Newport and Ballina met in Templederry in the Premier Intermediate Quarter Final which resulted in a 6 point win for Newport 0-23 to 1-14. In the West Senior Hurling Semi Final, supporters travelling to Dundrum were expecting a close game between defending champions Clonoulty Rossmore and Eire Óg Annacarty Donohill. However, this dd not materialise as the men in green and gold proved too strong for their opponents as they ran out comfortable 3-26 to 0-18 winners.
The North was the first division into action on Saturday as Silvermines and Burgess met in Nenagh to see who would be progressing to the Premier Intermediate Semi Finals. The major difference between the sides in this game was the ability of Burgess to avail of their goal scoring opportunities as they overcame the stern test of “The Mines” by 3-19 to 1-19. The next game up for decision on Saturday afternoon was in Mid Tipperary, when Boherlahan played host to the players of Moycarkey Borris and Holycross Ballycahill who met for their local derby in the Senior Hurling Quarter Final. Games between these two sides always produce spirited and determined displays from all involved, and last Saturday was no different. After an intense hour’s hurling, neither side could be separated, and so extra time was required before the men in Green and white eventually emerged victorious as they outscored Moycarkey Borris by 3-05 to 0-05 to win by 5-21 to 2-21. Back up North, last year’s Premier Intermediate County champions Roscrea were commencing life back at senior level with a Quarter Final clash against one of the king pins of the county, Kiladangan as both sides met in Nenagh for their Quarter Final. Roscrea found it difficult to cope with the intensity the game brought, and it was Kiladangan who progressed to the next round on a full time score of 2-19 to 0-10. At the same time in Bansha, Arravale Rovers and Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams were going toe to toe in the West Intermediate Hurling Semi Final under the watchful eye of referee Donie Horan. As is to be expected when these two sides meet, this was a close game all through, but it was the Tipp Town side who had that little bit more in the tank as they earned a place in this years West Intermediate final on a full time score of 2-19 to 3-13.
The splendid new grounds of the Carrick Swan club in Carrick On Suir was the destination for the players and supporters of both Ballingarry and Kilsheelan Kilcash on Saturday evening as both sides battled it out in the South Intermediate Hurling Semi Final. In another well contested game, Kilsheelan Kilcash were just that little bit more experienced as they progressed to the final with 5 points to spare over their opponents, winning in the end by 2-14 to 1-12.
The second of the West Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals was the first game down for decision on Sunday as Cashel King Cormacs and Sean Treacys travelled to Clonoulty for their high noon decider. This was another epic encounter as both sets of players went after eachother as if their lives depended on it. Supporters were treated to some fantastic scores from both sides and in the end it was the men from the city of the kings who progressed by a single goal 2-17 to 1-17. Templetuohy was the destination for the next game down for decision as neighbours and rivals Loughmore Castleiney and Drom & Inch met in their Mis Senior Hurling Semi Final. This game was expected to go all the way to the wire as has been the case on many occasions in the past, however on this occasion that was not to be and although both sides were very evenly matched in the first half, Loughmore Castleiney found another gear at half time as they pushed on to claim victory by 2-30 to 1-23.
The meeting of St Marys and Carrick Swan in the South Senior Hurling Semi Final was always going to bring its own drama as both sides have always left everything on the field in their endeavours to succeed and this was once again the case last Sunday. In an action packed game full of drama, passion and skill, it was The Swan who claimed victory over their Clonmel opponents by 1-16 to 0-15 and they now progress to this years final. Next up was the clash of Borris-Ileigh and Kilruane MacDonaghs in the North Senior Hurling Quarter Final which took place in Dolla on Sunday evening .With a myriad of talent in action, supporters were once again treated to a fine game of hurling that saw Borris-Ileigh hang on to claim a Semi Final spot by 0-26 to 0-23. The second game played in Dolla on Sunday evening was also in the North Senior Hurling Championship, when Toomevara and Nenagh Eire Óg met for their Quarter Final clash. The opinion of many in the lead up to the game was there would not be much between these teams and so it was to be. But in the end Nenagh had that little bit more in the tank to edge out their neighbours by 0-24 to 0-21. In Littleton A Gearoid O’Connor less Moyne Templetuohy took on last Years Premier Intermediate County finalists Gortnahoe Glengoole, in the Semi Final of the Mid Premier Intermediate Championship. The turning point in this game was Gortnahoe Glengoole’s second half goal which came following an unfortunate mistake in the Moyne Templetuohy defence. The goal gave the men in red and white the edge they needed as they held on for a 1-20 to 0-18 win.
The second Quarter Final of the Mid Senior Hurling Championship was also played on Sunday evening and saw defending Mid champions JK Brackens taking on the might of Thurles Sarsfields who took to the field under the watchful eye of their new manager Padraic Maher. The Thurles side always looked to be well in control in this game and in the end ran out easy 1-23 to 1-23 winners.
The second of the West Intermediate hurling Semi Finals also took place on Sunday evening in Annacarty and resulted in a 1-16 to 0-16 win for Cappawhite over Golden Kilfeacle.
On Monday evening the final game across the three competitions took place in the picturesque village of Killea when Clonakenny and Thurles Sarsfields met in the Mid Premier Intermediate Hurling Semi Final. This was the first time a game of such importance was played in the perfectly manicured venue and resulted in a well deserved win for Clonakenny on a full time score of 3-17 to 0-17.
Hurling action will again take centre stage across the divisions this coming weekend with another action packed fixture list down for decision and you can see the full details for all the games on the fixtures and results section of the Tipperary GAA website HERE
Active Retirement Tour of Semple Stadium
As part of a pilot project the county Tipperary Health and Wellbeing Committee in conjunction with the management of Semple Stadium and the county board, the county Health and Wellbeing Committee has organised a behind the scene tour of Semple Stadium for the actively retired this Wednesday July 12th commencing at 11am. And not only that, but stadium manager David Morgan has kindly offered to provide a cuppa to allow people mingle afterwards.
John McCormack from An Garda Siochana will be available to chat and give advice on personal security, garda policing operations for games in Semple Stadium and Alone are sending a representative to promote the many supports the organisation offers to older people.
This initiative should be of interest to all clubs who are keen to promote and retain the involvement of retired people in their communities. It might be of particular interest to those who have spent many years attending matches in the stadium and would like to hear about the behind the scene action before the big games
Tipperary Camogie
Congratulations to the Tipperary Senior Camogie team who booked their place in this year’s All Ireland Semi Final thanks to a comfortable 3-23 to 0-06 win over Antrim in last Saturdays Quarter Final which was played ahead of the clash of Limerick and Galway in Croke Park. Although the first half of this game was a close enough affair, Tipperary took firm control of the game in the second half to ease to victory. Denis Kelly’s charges will now travel across the border to Nowlan Park in Kilkenny on Saturday July 22nd when they will play Waterford in the Semi Final. Having already defeated Waterford in the Munster Championship, the girls will know that they are well capable of overcoming the challenge of “The Deise”, however they will also be well aware that no two games are the same and Waterford are in the Semi Final on merit.
Tipperary Ladies Football
Best wishes to the Tipperary Ladies Senior Footballers who travel to Piltown Co. Kilkenny this Saturday afternoon, where they will play Waterford in an All Ireland Senior Football relegation play off at 2pm. A win in this game will secure their senior status for 2024 and we wish them well in their endeavours.
Put Yourself in Their Boots
This week the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Gaelic Players’ Association launched a major new campaign that seeks to target and tackle the online social media abuse of players, referees, managers and officials.
The ‘In their Boots’ campaign is a series of specially commissioned videos which over the coming weeks will heighten awareness around the damage caused by vitriolic targeting and abuse of players, referees, managers and officials online in an effort to create a better online sideline.
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “As members of the GAA it is up to us to insist on the type of culture that we want to exist, and the Association is adamant that it is one where respect is paramount.
“This campaign, produced in collaboration with the GPA, is a critically important initiative that targets the culture of online abuse and the use of social media to attack players, coaches, referees and officials.
“The campaign asks people who are trigger-happy to spew bile online to stop and think and put themselves in the boots of those they are looking to castigate. Our supporters are passionate and our games feed on that passion, but that passion must exist in a way that does not accept a culture where that is an excuse to target and abuse people on or offline.”
Tom Parsons, CEO of the GPA said: “Inter-county players know that criticism comes with the territory of playing the game at the highest level. Criticism is part and parcel of the debates and conversations that are had the length and breadth of the country. However, it is when criticism veers into abuse that we must draw a line.
“Social media and the online world can be a positive way of communicating and staying in touch but unfortunately, there are those who want to hijack it and use it to say things they would be very unlikely to say face to face. This campaign asks supporters of our games to turn your back on those who share abuse and instead to be real supporters. Real supporters get behind their teams in good times and bad.
“Let’s show other parts of our society how, in Gaelic games, we can critique, debate and even argue without getting drawn into personal attacks and abuse.”
Niamh Boyle, GAA Digital Manager, added: “We live in a digital world where so many people interact online, and it is a place of possibility. But it can be undermined and become detrimental when it is a place that is hijacked by those looking to target individuals after matches. It doesn’t stay on the pitch, it goes beyond the final whistle, coming home to families and friends. This is an issue that goes against what we hold dear in the GAA and sport. For referees, coaches, volunteers, and amateur players the vitriol that can be directed at them after matches is simply unacceptable and this campaign is about tackling that culture.
“The true value of our games is in the people involved and the culture around it, and this behaviour would not be accepted in the GAA community offline so it should not be tolerated online.”
Tommy Doyle, GPA Digital Media Manager added: “As part of my masters in digital marketing I looked at the whole area of online abuse of inter-county players. Through this work and as a current player I know the negative impact it can have. It was from here that this project emerged. I am delighted to see it come to fruition and want to say thank you to Niamh Boyle and the team at the GAA for their partnership.
“I would encourage all of us in the Gaelic games’ community and more generally in Irish society to consider the language we use online and the material we share. “
In his address to Seanad Éireann last April, Uachtarán McCarthy sought the assistance of politicians and requested that they consider legislation that will make it harder for a culture of online abuse and the ability of individuals to anonymously wage personal attacks online to be permitted.
The GPA has proactively provided social media guidelines to players in recent years, encouraging positive online behaviour. As role models, players know what they say and do has an impact far beyond just themselves.
The GAA/GPA ‘In their Boots’ campaign can be found on the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts of both bodies.
The content for the campaign was produced by the Fifty-Three Six Sports Marketing Agency.
Handball News
The Juvenile 60×30 Finals were hosted by Dungarvan in Waterford & Colooney in Sligo. Tipperary players travelled to Dungarvan and competed in 3 Finals. In the Boys U14 Doubles Josh Moroney & Rory Crosse were up against Jake O Neill & Conor Minogue from Kilkenny . Kilkenny took the first game 15/6. The Tipp boys put in a great effort in the second game but narrowly lost 15/12. In the Boys U17S Rocky Reilly was in full control and won his games 21/7, 21/1 to take All Ireland honours. In the Girls U17S Aoife Williams lost out to Shauna Hayes Kilkenny 21/10, 21/1. The Adult Doubles Munster Championships are now completed and Tipperary will be competing in 8 All Ireland semi Finals & Finals on weekend of 22nd/23rd July.
Tipperary GAA Scene
If there is anything you feel should feature in this column going forward, please feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 12th Jul
