Tipperary GAA Scene – June 23rd 2015

by Acting PRO Joe Bracken

MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
A performance exuding with class from the Tipperary Senior Hurlers in the Gaelic Grounds ensured Tipperary supporters filed out of the ground with renewed spring in their step following the Munster Semi-final victory over Limerick by 4-23 to 1-16, on Sunday last.

Limerick were put to the sword from an inform Tipperary attack who cut open the opposition with the skill of a surgeon’s scalpel to set up a first Munster Final appearance since 2012 for Tipperary and as it was then, against the Déise boys, Waterford.

The game on Sunday marked the Senior Championship debuts for second half substitutes Michael Breen (Ballina) and Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), graduates of the 2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling winning side. Barry Heffernan and John McGrath were other members of that Minor winning side who were part of Sunday’s panel as the Tipperary management looks to introduce young blood to the squad. Another notable first saw last year’s U21 captain Jason Forde scoring his first Senior championship goal for the county in his 7th Championship appearance.

It was also a Munster Championship debut for Ronan Maher, who actually made his full Championship debut last year when Galway were the opposition on the championship scenic route.

Back on the field of play what was notable too was the unity of the purpose from the off, each player working tirelessly for each other and for their manager, a terrific day at the office all round. Congratulations to all on a job well done as each and everyone looks forward to the Munster Final.
Best wishes to Paddy Stapleton and Seamie Callanan for quick recoveries from their respective injuries.

MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING SEMI-FINAL
Unfortunately, the Tipperary Intermediate team never got out of the blocks on Sunday in the Gaelic Grounds and succumbed to defeat to a better team on the day with Limerick winning on a score-line of 1-23 to 2-13. Commiserations to the team and management of John Carroll, Seán O’Meara, John Ryan and Anthony O’Neill who put everything into preparation for this match but alas it wasn’t to be.

MUNSTER MINOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary play Clare in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final this Wednesday evening, June 24th at 7.30pm in Semple Stadium.

Manager Liam Cahill and his selectors, John Sheedy, Seán Corbett, T.J. Ryan and Michael Bevans will be hoping for a big performance from their team as they look to make amends for heartbreak against the same opposition last year. A quarter final win over Waterford on April 8th last seems like a distant memory now and Liam will be hoping the lads, after coming through state exams, will be chomping at the bit to get a bite at championship action.

The prize of being first to nail down a Munster Final appearance is tantalisingly close and what better way to help them get there than to have a huge vocal Tipperary support behind them on the night. The lads and management have put in the hard work, it’s time for Tipperary supporters to answer the call and encourage the lads and ensure Tipp will have Minor and Senior representation on Munster Final Day, July 12th.

JIMMY DOYLE RIP
Tipperary hurling circles were rocked to the core on Monday evening with the unfolding news of the passing of the all-time hurling legend and true gentleman, Jimmy Doyle RIP. His home town of Thurles was numb with shock as the unexpected news of his sudden passing spread throughout the Cathedral Town.

Reared a stone’s throw from Semple Stadium, Thurles Sportsfield when Jimmy was growing up, he was and forever will be a legend who graced the “Field of Legends”. Steeped in hurling tradition, hurling blood ran through the Doyle veins. It was no wonder then that Jimmy who lived for nothing more than to be out with a hurley and ball should rise to the skilled artisan he was and yet at the same time his wonderful humility ensured there would be no air’s and graces from this wonderful gentleman.

The Jimmy Doyle Roll of Honour is mind blowing in its vastness and is a magnificent manifestation of his wonderful genius. Like many of his generation, Jimmy bore that genius lightly and never sought limelight or glamour, a perfect role model for all generations.

His loss is incalculable as he joins other hurling immortals in Hurling Heaven, Tipperary and Thurles Sarsfields loss is God’s gain. Jimmy Doyle will for many, because of his generation, be the greatest hurler every to grace the field of play, you can’t get better than that.

Tipperary County Board Chairman Michael Bourke paid tribute to the late Jimmy Doyle on hearing of his untimely passing – “The name of Jimmy Doyle will never and should never be forgotten. He was the ultimate sticks-man, a master of his craft not alone of his own age but for all ages. He inspired countless hurlers who wanted to be Jimmy Doyle and who craved the genius he bore with such humility and grace. Tipperary and Thurles has lost one of its greatest sons the likes of whom we may never witness again. As Tipperary County Chairman, I am privileged to have known Jimmy Doyle a man of immense hurling ability, who held a huge pride in a sense of place of who he was and where he was from. His majestic talent was the catalyst of many a Tipperary victory and to him Tipperary will forever be deeply indebted. On behalf of Tipperary County Board we extend our heartfelt condolences to the extended Doyle family on the sad passing of their beloved Jimmy”.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING FINAL
Tipperary will play Waterford in the Munster Senior Hurling Final on Sunday July 12th at 4pm.

MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL FINAL
Tipperary will play Kerry in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Final on Sunday July 5th next at 12noon.

MUNSTER U21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary will play Limerick in the Bord Gais Energy Munster U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Thursday July 16th at 7.30pm in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.

TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The Tipperary County Board Draw for June 2015 will be held in Corcoran’s Bar and Lounge, Two Mile Borris, on this Friday, June 26th at 10pm. John Costello winner of the 1st prize in the May draw will be presented with his prize on Friday night all are welcome, refreshments will be served on the night.

COUNTY FIXTURES
This weekend is make or break for four clubs as the Clean Ireland County Senior Hurling Relegation fixtures take place with Boherlahan Dualla meeting Moyne Templetuohy in Holycross on Saturday, 27th June at 3.00pm and later that same 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 Senior Football Championship and County Adult Football League as well as divisional senior matches in both hurling and football, 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

HANDBALL
Congratulations to Lahorna Handball Club who had Double Honours in Ulster at Féile Handball 2015.
The club had a great outing in Féile Handball winning the 60×30 Cup and also took first and second in the Skills Competition. They also won the Division 4 40×20 Final, a great weekend was had and well done to all.

TOM SEMPLE AND THE THURLES BLUES
“Tom Semple and the Thurles Blues” written by Liam Ó Donnchú is an invaluable book and is a must for any GAA collection. This beautiful hardback edition 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. We are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2015 is a Gold Plated Tiobraid Ãrann Crossed Hurley, 19.5mm x 20.0 mm, lapel pin specially designed and produced in the traditional Blue & Gold colours of Tipperary. Each member will also receive a Tipperary Supporters Club car sticker and a 2015 Membership Card.

Members will also be entered into a draw for five pairs of stand tickets for all Tipperary games in the Munster and All Ireland S.H. Championships.
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. Membership is also available in the following premises, Moynihan’s in Gladstone Street, Clonmel, O’Donoghue’s in Cashel, Noel Ryan’s in Parnell Street, Thurles and from Jackie Shanahan and Carroll’s in Roscrea. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy,13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email:info@tippsupportersclub.com )

TIPPERARY GAA SCENE
A short note to all readers that the will be no Tipperary GAA Scene in next week’s issue but it will return the week after.

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.