by PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The story of the year so far goes to the history making Tipperary Senior Football squad who turned all conceived perception and wisdom on its head following their tremendous Munster Semi-final victory by defeating Cork in a pulsating clash in Semple Stadium on Sunday last on a score-line of 3-15 to 2-16 to set up a Munster Final showdown with Kerry on Sunday, July 3rd at 2pm in Killarney.
Each to a man, led by captain Peter Acheson, played his part in a side which showed tremendous character, desire, passion and a huge amount of skill to cause the first major shock of the championship calendar this year.
Tipperary came close two years ago, but this time round there was going to be no morale victory, this time victory was going to won and fought on the supreme Semple sod, which has seen many a splendid showpiece in its day, surely this victory will rank up there with the best of them. Yes, it’s a pity that the crowd in attendance was small to witness this piece of history but that in no way diminished the drive of these Tipperary warriors who set out their stall into the wind with an explosive first half display, goals from Conor Sweeney and Michael Quinlivan ensuring a healthy 2-7 to 0-6 half time lead.
Early second half Tipp points combined with another green flag raised by Brian Fox made this win many thought impossible possible before the expected Cork fightback. In a nail-biting finish to the game the Rebels drew level but the Tipperary composure never waned and it was left to the sure footed Kevin O’Halloran to slot over two placed balls, one a ’45 to send Tipperary management and supporters into ecstasy.
So after 72 years of waiting it is congratulations to Liam Kearns and his team and all involved with Tipperary senior football on a most memorable day for this wonderful and talented group of players.
They are booked on the bus to Killarney, what they need know is to have every man, woman and child in the Premier County come out behind them in support. The lads will take the fight to Kerry on July 3rd, it’s now the turn of the Tipperary faithful to rise and follow their side and match them with support in the stands on Munster Football Final Day. After all it’s not often we have a senior football side in the final, please God come Sunday evening they will be joined by the hurlers.
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
The scene is now set for Tipperary Senior Hurlers who line out against Limerick in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final next Sunday, June 19th at 4pm in Semple Stadium. Following last Sunday’s unprecedented scenes it is almost hard to conceive that Tipperary could have both senior teams in Munster Finals for the first time since 2002.
With that thought parked for now, the focus on Sunday will be solely on Limerick and the huge challenge the Treaty men will put up to Tipperary in terms of physicality and overall competitiveness. The same attention to detail as for their quarter-final victory will be the order of the day for player, management and supporter alike as any deviance away from the task at hand will lead to distraction and loss in sense of direction. That said the Tipperary hurlers are in a perfect position to build on their quarter-final win knowing that they will have to be fully on their guard in terms of what Limerick will bring to the table.
Tipperary and Limerick have previously clashed on 67 occasions in championship hurling – only two of which were not Munster encounters. The Premier County leads the way with 34 wins, against the Treaty County’s 2, with 10 games drawn. Tipperary received a walk over in the 1899 semi-final, while Limerick got one in 1902.
Out of the last ten meetings Tipperary are ahead with five wins, Limerick have three and there has been two draws which came as part of the 2007 trilogy. The most recent championship encounter was last year’s semi-final decider in the Gaelic Grounds on June 21st when Tipperary reigned supreme by 4-23 to 1-16, the goals coming courtesy of a brace from Seamus Callanan and one each from Jason Forde and Michael Breen. The man of the match on that occasion was John O’Dwyer.
Best wishes to the Michael Ryan and his management team and all his players on Sunday as they continue on their 2016 championship journey. Sundays referee will be James McGrath (Westmeath).
Tickets are now on sale in Lar na Páirce from 10am to 5pm until Friday and also on-line and at selected SuperValu and Centra stores.
Prices are as follows; Adult Covered Stand: €30. Adult Uncovered Stand: €25. Adult Terrace: €20.
Students / OAP: Purchase Adult tickets and receive a €10 concession at designated turnstiles prior to entry.
Under 16’s: €5
MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING SEMI-FINAL
First to the field on Sunday in Semple Stadium, William Maher’s Intermediate team also face Limerick in the curtain raiser at 2pm in the Munster Intermediate Championship Semi-Final.
Having accounted for Cork with a strong display throughout the last day, Tipperary will be well aware of the huge Limerick threat as they too look towards a Munster Final berth, where Clare are already waiting in the final on July 6th. The referee will be Damian Fox (Clare)
MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Commiserations to the Tipperary Junior Footballers who went down to a well-oiled Cork side in the Munster Junior Football Championship semi-final on Sunday last 1-21 to 10 points. Fielding a share of their U21 squad Cork proved too strong for a youthful Tipperary side. Well done however to the team and manager Tommy Toomey and his backroom personnel who worked hard in preparation for this championship.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
Due to the success of the county senior football team on Sunday, all round 3 of the county senior football championship which was due to take place on Wednesday the 22nd of June have been called off and will be re fixed at a later date.
All round 3 of the county intermediate hurling championship fixed for the 25th/26th of June have also been called off with the exception of 3 matches. The final of the County Adult Football League Division 1 goes ahead this Wednesday, June 15th in New Inn at 8pm between Loughmore-Castleiney and Ballylooby-Castlegrace.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
POC FADA 2016
Following three very successful years on the Galtee Mountains the County Long Puck Finals will revert to a North Tipperary venue for 2016. This year the finals will take place at Fairy Mount Farm, on the site of Bike Park Ireland in Knockshegowna, by kind cooperation of the owners.
The event details as follows; on Saturday week June 25th, at Bike Park Ireland, Fairy Mount Farm, Ballingarry, Knockshegowna (details, map etc. can be found on Bike Farm Ireland Website) the Poc Fada 2016 will be held. Assembly will be at the venue at 10.30 sharp for transportation to the start point.
The U16 finalists are already decided at divisional level, while senior participants are invited to register for participation by contacting Dinny Maher, County Games Manager or Tim Floyd, County Secretary at either of the following email address dinny.maher.gda.tipperary@gaa.ie or secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie
Senior applications will have to fill out an application form and once completed it should be returned to Dinny or Tim on or before Wednesday 22nd June. Participation is open to any player registered with a club in Tipperary.
A County Final winner’s medal will be presented to winners of both the U16 and senior competitions. The senior winners will progress to represent Tipperary in the All-Ireland Poc Fada on the Cooley Mountains. Intending participants are asked to bring one person with them to assist with marking and scoring. A two and a half kilometre trail has been marked out and will be a good test for all.
Refreshments will be provided for participants and markers following the event on the site. For travelling supporter’s food facilities are also available on site. We would like to thank Graham and his staff at Bike Park Ireland for facilitating us with the venue and urge patrons to check out their website at info@bikeparkireland.ie
CELTIC CHALLENGE
South Tipperary’s participation in the inaugural Celtic Challenge U17 hurling competition concluded in the Gaelic Grounds Limerick on Saturday 11th June where they came out second best against Kerry in the Division 2 (Corn John Scott) semi-final, losing 1-15 to 0-7. Commiserations to all involved in what was a disappointing finish after a very successful campaign to date.
JOHN WEST FÉILE NA NGAEL
After months of planning and organising the John West National Féile na nGael gets underway in venues across Tipperary and Waterford this weekend. Boys and girls from all over Ireland will with their clubs ensure every parish is a hive of activity when the hurling and camogie action gets underway from 4pm on Friday.
Best wishes to all host clubs and families who are taking in visiting players for the weekend, friendships forged will last a lifetime. Check out your local club for fixtures or go to http://www.gaa.ie/news/feile-ngael/ and click on the separate downloads for hurling and camogie fixtures.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB EDMONSTOWN GOLF
Below is a photograph of John Tierney, Chairman of the Tipperary Supporters Club presenting a special gift to Eoin Kelly, marking his appearance as Guest of Honour at the Tipperary Supporters Club Golf Classic at Edmonstown Golf Club on June 2nd last.
Among the many teams taking part, below is a photograph of Niall Quinn, former Dublin minor and international footballer, Conal Keaney, Dublin hurler and footballer and Nicky English, another Tipperary legend who enjoyed the golf day in Edmonstown Golf Club.
The Mater Private Team (below) winners of the recent Tipperary Supporters Club Golf Classic in Edmonstown Golf Club are pictured before their tee off and include Michael Maher, Richie Power, Tom Hanlon and Mark Moran. Well done to Mater Private on their success and also in sponsoring the corporate event.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Tipperary Supporters Club for 2016 is available and at €30 per person it is unchanged again this year. The Tipperary Supporters Club 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
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.
