by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
The appointed day and hour is almost upon us, the long awaited pilgrimage is about to be made by hordes of Tipperary faithful in search of our destiny in the Munster Hurling Championship. The Gaelic Grounds will play host as Tipperary look to overcome Limerick in their own back yard in the Munster Semi-Final on Sunday next, June 21st, at 4pm, the first difficult obstacle in what will hopefully be a year of Munster and All Ireland glory for Tipperary.
The last side to enter the fray in Munster, Eamon O’Shea’s side will be charging down the tunnel like thoroughbreds in gallop as they yearn for the pulse of championship action. This is their arena where they will commence what player and supporter alike hopes will be a summer to remember as the shackles and restraint of what might have been are banished to the sands of time.
It takes two sides to make a match and Tipperary will be in no doubt as to what spark the Treaty men will bring to the flame of battle. Eamon and his management team will have his Tipp side well prepped and ensure Limerick won’t be taken for granted. Each of his players possess their own set of skills which they will use to seek ways to find weakness in the opposition, hoping to break down and eventually see off the Limerick men on the way to victory.
For those interested in the stats, there are a total of 66 games played between the sides to date, Tipp are ahead on 33 wins with Limerick ten behind on 23 and there was 10 draws. Also and perhaps odd to our generation, there was one walk over apiece, Tipp in 1899 and Limerick in 1902.
Tipp went 8 games unbeaten from 1997 to 2007, which was 5 wins and 3 draws before losing the 3rd game in 2007. Their previous best was 7 unbeaten from 1950 to 1962 equating to 6 wins and 1 draw. On the other hand Limerick are seeking a third win in a row, twice previously achieved in 1932/35/36 and again in 1946/47/48. Limerick went 6 games unbeaten 1973 to 1981 where they won 4 and drew 2.
What will happen Sunday, who knows? Tipperary are ready and will be relishing the visit to Limerick, the atmosphere, the prospect of battle. With 35k expected in the arena which is the Gaelic Grounds, the gladiators on the pitch will do battle in search of the coveted prize, a shot at Waterford in the final on July 12th. The referee on Sunday is Brian Gavin from Offaly.
MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING SEMI-FINAL
The Tipperary Intermediate hurlers line out against Limerick at 2pm in the Gaelic Grounds, also on Sunday before the senior clash. Similar to their senior counterparts, they too are last into action at this grade where manager John Carroll will be hoping to get the day off to a winning start from a Tipperary perspective. The referee in this match will be Thomas Walsh from Waterford.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary will play Clare in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final next Wednesday June 24th at 7.30pm in Semple Stadium.
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL
The combined forces of an up and coming Tipperary side and the arrival of All-Ireland Football Champions Kerry to Semple Stadium for the Munster Football Championship Semi-Final brought an unexpected bumper crowd out in splendid sunshine last Sunday, to witness Tipp regrettably lose by six points with the score reading Tipperary 2-08 Kerry 2-14. The scales ‘tipped’ in favour of tradition over expectancy therefore ensuring the scenic route is the journey Peter Creedon and his side must travel on for further progression.
It was terrific to see such wonderful Tipperary support in Semple Stadium and the crowd really got behind the team, so let’s hope for a home draw where supporters can do more of the same in support of the Blue and Gold.
MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL
Commiserations to the Tipperary Junior Footballers who despite their gallant efforts eventually succumbed to Kerry in the Munster Junior Football Semi-Final last Sunday on a score-line of Tipperary 1-08 Kerry 2-13. The promise and energy shown by many will have them knocking on the senior door for consideration in the not too distant future.
FOOTBALL AWARDS
Congratulations to Colin O’Riordan from JK Brackens on being voted the EirGrid U21 Football Player of the Year for 2015 after winning the public vote. In what has been a superb year to date for Colin it is only fitting he received the award. Congratulations also to Steven O’Brien from Ballina on picking up the Opel GAA-GPA player of the month for football for May.
REFEREES
Best wishes go to Tipperary referees in action this week. In the Munster U21 Hurling Championship this Wednesday night, Fergal Horgan Knockavilla Kickhams takes charge of the quarter final fixture between Cork and Waterford in Pairc Ui Rinn. Fergal will also take charge of the Leinster Senior Hurling Semi-Final this Saturday, June 20th between Laois and Galway in Tullamore. Elsewhere, Derek O’Mahoney will be the man in the middle when Laois welcome Antrim to Portlaoise for the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 1A qualifier also on Saturday afternoon next, June 20th.
SENIOR AND U16 LONG PUCK
The Tipperary Senior and Under 16 Long Puck competitions took place on the picturesque Galtee Mountains last Saturday morning, the results of which go like this; in the Senior Competition the winner was Michael Flannery Newport on 34 pucks, 2nd place went to Darren Cuddihy Toomevara and in 3rd place was Cathal Dillon from Aherlow.
In the U16 Competition, the winner here was Evan Murphy Éire Óg Nenagh with 21 pucks; in 2nd place was Eddie O’Gorman Holycross Ballycahill and in 3rd place was Denis Hanrahan Grangemockler Ballyneale. Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all the contestants. Special thanks and appreciation to Pat Moroney and all in the Aherlow GAA Club, to the drivers and helpers on the day, to the GDA officers Paudie Malone, Kevin Halley and Andy Ryan for their valued contribution also.
COUNTY FIXTURES
Dates and venues have been fixed for Tipperary Senior Hurling Relegation fixtures which read as follows; Boherlahan Dualla play Moyne Templetuohy in Holycross on Saturday, 27th June at 3.00pm, while later that evening Holycross Ballycahill take on Cappawhite in Dundrum at 7.30pm. Both losers are the relegated to intermediate grade.
Elsewhere this week action takes place in the Clean Ireland County U21 Football Championships, the County Adult Football League, Dr. Fogarty Cup, James Holohan Cup and Jim Devitt Cup among the many divisional intermediate and junior games, please check fixtures section for current updates on dates, times and venues.
PREMIER PLAN – DR. MORRIS PARK ENHANCEMENT
Next up on the fundraising agenda is the Team Tipperary GAA Race Day at the Galway Races on July 27th next. The Galway Races Summer Festival is renowned as a premier and most colourful racing festival. While it is a major sporting event, it also appeals to a much wider audience than just the racing fans. With the Killanin Stand Suites, there is something for everyone whether you are entertaining family, friends or business clients. This is the ideal format for mixing business with pleasure, whilst surrounded by the atmosphere and excitement that is the Galway Races. For bookings and further details contact Tim Floyd, County Secretary, 087 2591747 secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie
FR. RAY REIDY R.I.P.
It was with regret we learned of the passing of Fr Ray Reidy last week. Fr. Ray was born in 1937 in Thurles and played centre back on Tipperary Minor Hurling teams for three years being captain the third year in 1955 when they won the All-Ireland title. He played on Tipperary Senior Hurling teams from 1956 to 1960 and won an All-Ireland Senior medal with the team of ’58. Had he not answered a higher calling, Fr. Ray would undoubtedly have amassed much more honours at both club and county level. Fr. Ray also served as selector for Tipperary in the ’80’s.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal
FRIENDS GOLF CLASSIC
On the weekend of Friday and Saturday June 5th and 6th last, the Friends of Tipperary Football staged its annual Mr Mister Menswear, (Cahir and Cashel,) sponsored golf classic. Over eighty teams took part in a most successful event, with all proceeds going towards the preparation and training of our inter-county football squads. The Friends wish to thank all participating teams for their kind support, all sponsors of the classic for their generosity, Thurles Golf Club, and the very many people associated with the successful staging of the event.
At a prize-giving ceremony in the Golf Club the winning team of Val O’Neill, Willie Flynn, John English, and Tom Hickey on 112pts each received a €150 voucher, sponsored by Mr Mister Menswear. In second place on 106 pts finished Frankie McGrath, Tim Connolly, Ailbe Egan, and Jim Russell. Each member received a Mr Mister Menswear sponsored €100 voucher A highlight of the event was the annual draw and the lucky winner of the beautiful Panasonic TV A 400 series, kindly sponsored by Tipperary Association in Dublin, was Mick Nugent of Newcastle Club.
CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL HURLING FINALS
The Tipperary Cumann na mBunscol County Finals will take place this Wednesday and Thursday June 17th and 18th, in Semple Stadium. It what is a tremendous two days in the Primary School calendar, it affords the stars of the future an opportunity to play on “The Field of Legends” and carry those memories with them forever. Best wishes to all schools taking part and it is hoped you have a most enjoyable day, win or lose.
TOM SEMPLE AND THE THURLES BLUES
Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre was the echoing the praises of Tom Semple last Saturday night as his son Martin launched “Tom Semple and the Thurles Blues” written by Liam Ó Donnchú. The packed attendance was testament to the high standing Tom Semple holds in Tipperary GAA Culture.
This invaluable book is a must for any GAA collection and can be purchased for €30 in bookshops or online www.bookworm.ie or ordered by post (€35) from: Liam Ó Donnchú, Lár na Páirce, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
The Friends of Tipperary Football exciting new Lotto is up and running where the jackpot continues to grow, so show your support for Tipperary Football from as little as €2 per week, play online now at http://bit.ly/TipperaryFootball
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
Membership of the Tipperary Supporters Club for 2015 continues to be available.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006. Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card.
