by Acting PRO Joe Bracken.
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL
The biggest challenge of the year to date for the highly talented Tipperary Senior Football squad presents itself on Sunday next, June 14th, with the arrival of the reigning All-Ireland Football Champions Kerry to Semple Stadium to take on the men in the Blue and Gold at 3.30pm in the Munster Football Championship Semi-Final.
After overwhelming Waterford in the quarter-final it will be feet firmly on the ground for Tipp as they focus exclusively on the job in hand. The agonising defeat to Cork at the same stage last year shows the tremendous gains being made in football within the county and is true testament to the work of so many behind the scenes and the structures and developments that are in place.
It is also hugely significant to have people speak of not alone competing with the top teams but defeating them as well and consigning the “moral victory” tag to the waste bin as Tipperary football marches proudly forward.
The last time both sides met, Kerry held the upper hand but under the watch of Peter Creedon and his management team, astute attention to detail and unity of purpose ensures the cogs are aligning in symmetrical rhythm and with such strategies in place profits are gained.
It certainly won’t be easy against the Kingdom, but one thing is guaranteed, this Tipperary senior squad won’t lack responsibility in their determination and dedication to the task set before them. Now is the time therefore for all Tipperary Supporters to kick start the summer in earnest and make a bee line for Semple Stadium on Sunday in support of your team and your county and to hopefully witness what many would perceive as the shock of the championship, who says it can’t be done?
In the event of a draw at the end of normal time, no extra time will be played, while the referee for this game will be Ciaran Branagan from Down. Tickets are priced at €15 for Adults and U16’s are free and seating is unreserved general admission. Students/OAP’s can get a concession of €5 at the Stadium or they can buy their €10 ticket at the Stadium ticket booths. Note also, only the New Stand will be open.
MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL
The Tipperary Junior Footballers play Kerry in the Munster Junior Football Semi-Final in Semple Stadium on Sunday next, June 14th, at 1.30pm as a curtain raiser to the senior semi-final. Again, a fine win in their quarter-final over Waterford set them up for Sunday’s semi and what an impressive start to the day it would be if these lads could get the Tipperary wagon rolling successfully early on. Extra time will be played in this match if necessary, which will be 2 x 10 minute periods only and the referee here, will be Michael Collins from Cork.
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
The clock is rapidly winding down towards the Gaelic Grounds for the senior hurlers of Tipperary who meet Limerick in the Munster semi-final on Sunday week, June 21st, at 4pm. It may be Mid Summers Day, but in many people’s eyes the summer will only be beginning as Eamon O’Shea and his team of Mick Ryan, Paudie O’Neill and Declan Fanning show their hand in the ring and hope that the plans in place are enough to deliver a knockout blow to the Treaty men’s aspiration of reaching the provincial decider on July 14th, even a standing count will do.
Though nine weeks since the side last saw competitive action, last year’s encounter against Limerick at the same stage will probably bear greater significance by the time Sunday week comes round.
MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING SEMI-FINAL
The Tipperary Intermediate hurlers line out against Limerick at 2pm in the Gaelic Grounds, also on Sunday week before the senior clash. A difficult enough task awaits the side that have had to reply on challenge games to give an indication of form while Limerick will have had their quarter-final experience to gauge their momentum. That aside, the strength of this Tipperary outfit should give manager John Carroll and his management team plenty of selection headaches ahead of the fixture.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary will play Clare in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Wednesday June 24th at 7.30pm in Semple Stadium.
REFEREE
Well done to John O’Brien from Arravale Rovers who held the whistle for the final of the Nicky Rackard in Croke Park last Saturday between Armagh and Roscommon.
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
After a brief interlude to give clubs added time, the new Tipperary GAA draw is up and running following its launch in Hayes’ Hotel, Thurles, last Friday night. Tipperary Co. Board is delighted to report that the membership held up over the 16,000 as once again the clubs responded positively to the improved commission rates and the very attractive prize fund. Thanks to all our club co-ordinators and promoters for their great efforts over the last few weeks.
The two main prizes went to two Mid Tipperary clubs, with John Costelloe from Lahardan, Littleton scooping the first prize sold by Jim Fogarty and John Hackett from Moycarkey Borris and second prize went to Nora O’Grady from Hughall, Castleliney and Nora’s ticket was sold by Jim Nolan of the Loughmore Castleiney club.
SENIOR AND U16 LONG PUCK
The Tipperary Senior and Under 16 Long Puck competition will take place again this year on the Galtee Mountains on this Saturday, June 13th where contestants are asked to assemble in Lisvernane at 10.00am.
Any intending Senior contestant should forward their name, club and mobile number to the following; Tim Floyd at secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie 087 2591747 or Dinny Maher at dinny.maher.gda.tipperary@gaa.ie 086 3551830. Divisional Secretaries are requested to please forward name, club and contact details for Under 16 Divisional Winners. Contestants are asked to bring an assistant to help with flagging on the course and the very best of luck to all.
COUNTY FIXTURES
This week sees action taking place in the Johnny Ryan Cup, Dr. Fogarty Cup and also County Adult Football Leagues, please check fixtures section for current updates on dates, times and venues.
CÚL CAMP LAUNCH
This year’s Kellogg’s Cul Camp was launched at 10am last Saturday morning in a thronged Dr. Morris Park. Dinny Maher, Co. Games Development Manager together with the four GDA Officers, Andy Ryan, Kevin Halley, John O’Keeffe and Paudie Malone were joined by County Chairman Michael Bourke and senior Tipperary hurlers Michael Cahill and John O’Dwyer in launching the 2015 Kellogg’s Cúl Camp in the county.
With over 30 clubs present on the morning they lined out to play a series of games in an U10 hurling blitz. It was a sight to behold to see 454 children in action, many of whom will be quite familiar with the surrounds of Dr. Morris Park by the time their hurling and football careers are over. The County Go Games Committee, led by Dinny and his team are to be highly praised and commended for safeguarding and nurturing this abundant talent for the future sporting prosperity of Gaelic Games within the county and on the national stage at inter-county level.
PREMIER PLAN
Tipperary County Board launched a 5 year strategic plan in 2011 to guide the development of the GAA in Tipperary. Called the Premier Plan, it focused on the development of our games, clubs, facilities and the achievement of greater success at inter-county level. Association with Tipperary GAA is association with success, with tradition, with progress and with the nation’s strongest sporting brand, the GAA.
The County Board needs to develop additional income streams to achieve our ambitious but realistic goals. Therefore the Tipperary County Board are seeking commercial sponsorship to do this. Next up on the agenda therefore 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
TOM SEMPLE AND THE THURLES BLUES
Thurles Sarsfields Centre, beside Semple Stadium, is the place to be this Saturday night, June 13th at 8.00 p.m. for the launch of the long-awaited biography of Tom Semple and his legendary Thurles Blues, by Liam Ó Donnchú.
Tom Semple, the GAA icon, whose name is immortalised at Semple Stadium, is synonymous with the game of hurling, since he led the Thurles Blues to All-Ireland glory in 1906 and 1908. Read about these earlier heroes of the camán and of Tom Semple’s training regime and tactics. Follow the Blues on their amazing tour to Brussels and historic Fontenoy in 1910. Find out about the fascinating story of the early years of Thurles Sportsfield, now Semple Stadium, and how it developed into today’s ‘Field of Legends’.
The role Semple and others played in the War of Independence is also detailed in this hardback publication, which contains more than 400 pages. The book is illustrated throughout and offers new insights into the life and times of yesteryear. All are welcome to attend the book-launch.
Books costing €30 will be available from bookshops in Tipperary or online from www.bookworm.ie
Books may also be ordered by post (€35) from: Liam Ó Donnchú, Lár na Páirce, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
Have you played the Friends of Tipperary Football exciting new Lotto yet? The Jackpot is now building at €2,400, 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 Árann Crossed Hurley, 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. Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card.
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.
