(By Tim Floyd, Co Secretary)
All Ireland SH Championship Qualifiers
The draws for the All Ireland SH Qualifiers took place on Mon last and Tipperary must await the replay of Galway v Kilkenny to know their opponents. The one thing we do know is that we are at home in Semple Stadium on Sat July 5th at 7pm against the runners up from that replay. In the 2nd round of the Qualifiers the four winners from the first round will go into the draw with no repeat pairings if possible. So the winners of Offaly v Antrim, Laois v Waterford and Clare v Wexford will join the winner of Tipperary v Galway or Kilkenny in the Round 2 draw. These games will take place on Sat July 12th and the two winners of round 2 will qualify for the all Ireland Quarter Finals.
Munster SF Semi Final
Our Senior Footballers almost caused the shock of the season when they led Cork by two points in the closing minutes of the Munster Semi Final but Tipp’s sheer exhaustion from the supreme effort allowed the Rebels get the vital scores in the last six minutes which included three minutes added time. Tipp led 1-6 to 0-8 at half time thanks to a Conor Sweeney goal just before the break and kept their nose in front right up to the 70th minute until Aiden Walsh scored the levelling point. Two further points in added time broke Tipp hearts and gave Cork victory which even they will admit they didn’t deserve. This has been a defining season for our senior footballers with promotion from Division 4 followed by our first championship victory in eleven years and now showing that we can compete with the best. A good run in the qualifiers will consolidate this progress and will be a just reward for this team who have put in a massive effort this year. Keep it up lads. Well done to Peter Creedon, his selectors Ml O Loughlin, Eoghan Cooney, Tommy Toomey, Coach Mickey McGeehan and Speed Coach Haley Harrisson.
The SF Qualifiers Draw
Last weekend there was a lot of confusion about the structure of the Football Qualifiers so I will try and explain it. This year for the first time, Provincial Championship draws were made on an arranged basis with an “A” and “B” side to each draw. In Munster Cork, Tipperary and Limerick were the three teams on the “A” side whilst the other three Munster teams were on the “B” side. The three teams on the “A” side of a Provincial draw shall enter the All Ireland Qualifier Series as appropriate at Rounds 1A to 4A only. Round 1A was played last weekend with eight of the sixteen counties who did not reach Provincial semi finals playing off and the other eight on the 1B side will play next weekend. As Tipp can only play on the A side they will enter the draw at 2A and meet one of the winners last weekend which were Laois, Wicklow, Longford and Limerick. A second draw will take place to decide first out for home advantage. These games will be played on Sat July 5th. The four winners of this Round 2A will then be drawn against each other to play in Round 3A with first out having home advantage and no repeat pairings. The two winners here will advance to round 4A where they will meet Connacht and Munster provincial final runners-up.
Munster Intermediate Hurling
The best of luck this Wed 25th to the Tipp Intermediate Hurlers in Pairc Uí Rinn, Cork as we strive for our third Munster title in a row. Our opponents in the final will be Cork, who defeated Waterford by six points in the Quarter Final and followed up with a three point victory over Clare in the semi final. Tipp just played a semi final and it took extra time to get over the line with a one point victory over Limerick 3-17 to 1-22. In last year’s Munster Final Tipperary had a one point victory over the Rebels 0-19 to 0-18 in Semple Stadium. The Sweet Afton Cup is the prize as Tipperary seek our 10th Munster title at this grade. Manager John Carroll from Roscrea won an All Ireland SH medal with Tipperary in 2001 and his selectors are John Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Sean O Meara (Mullinahone) and Anthony “Brickie” O’Neill (Cappawhite). The match throws in at 7.30pm this Wed evening and the referee is Declan O Driscoll (Limerick).
Co Hurling Championships and Leagues
Two games of note this week from the Co CCC are the Clean Ireland Recycling County Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 4 game between Drom-Inch and Clonakenny in Templemore on this Sat June 28th at 7.45pm and the James Holohan Cup Final Éire Óg Anacarty/Donohill v Loughmore-Castleiney in Holycross on Sun June 29th at 7pm
Final Call for County “Poc Fada” Finals 2014
The county finals of the Long Puck will take place this Saturday 28th June on The Galtee Mountains. We encourage as many as possible to enter the event and do battle for the honour of Tipperary Long Puck Champion 2014. Entries for the adult competition can be given to County Secretary Tim Floyd 087-2591747 or to Dinny Maher County Games Manager 086-3551830. The U16 competitions have taken place at divisional level, thanks to divisional and county Bord Na nÓg and each winner will represent his division at county level. We also welcome on board the camogie association.
Tipperary GAA Weekly Draw
The 27th Tipperary GAA Members Draw is now underway and following the May/June monthly draws in the Templemore Arms Hotel on June 13th it was back to the first of the weekly draws held on Tipp Fm last Fri. The lotto jackpot was €1,000 and the numbers drawn were 2/9/18/22. There was no winner. €200 each went to Teresa Payne, Kilsheelan; Tom Hurley Borrisileigh; Kay Ryan, Butler Ave with Upperchurch GAA; Kathleen Landy Golden and Pat Murray Moneygall. The weekly Draws continue this Fri with the lotto jackpot up to €2,000 and it can be heard on Tipp Fm on the Tipp Today programme at 10.30am. Patrons can still pay €100 and be in for the other 20 car prizes in the 10 remaining monthly draws and 30 weekly lotto draws. Supporters outside of Tipperary can join on-line by logging on to www.tipperary.gaa.ie
‘Friends’ Golf Classic
Plans are being finalised for the staging of the annual Friends of Tipperary Golf Classic in Thurles Golf Club on Saturday July 19th next. The ‘Friends’ classic is one of the great events on the sporting calendar in County Tipperary. It attracts participants from all over the county and indeed from many adjoining counties to the famous Thurles venue.
Already the organisers are reporting keen interest in the classic in keeping with the huge turnout for the 2013 event. The classic is a major fundraiser for the ‘Friends’ as it continues to support the preparation and promotion of Tipp football teams. Enthusiasm is high in Tipperary football circles right now and the Friends are looking forward to massive support on their big day- July 19th.
Fourball ball team-120 euro or tee box for 50 euro. Participants can look forward to being served a tasty burger at 10th tee box. Time sheet is now open. Full details can be had by contacting (086) 2549154
Team Tipperary Race Day
Tipperary Co Board are offering a very attractive package for supporters to attend the Galway Races on Monday July 28th. For €150 per head or €1500 for a table of 10, the following is included; race admission ticket, complimentary car parking, race card, racing tipster, buffet meal and wine, reserved table for the day, tote facilities, prime view of the track and full bar facilities. For brochure and booking contact Co Secretary Tim Floyd (087-2591747) asap.
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 email pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at www.tipperary.gaa.ie keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.
