In this weeks Tipperary GAA Scene we take a look at the Allianz Leagues, Referee Recruitment, the upcoming County Leagues and much more.
Allianz Hurling & Football Leagues
The Tipperary senior hurlers made the trip to Mullingar last Sunday where they played Westmeath in the penultimate game of the Allianz hurling league. In what were ideal conditions for hurling both over head and under foot, Tipperary set about their business in very workman like fashion. With good performances throughout the field Tipperary were always in control and ran out winners on a 4-27 to 0-16 scoreline.
Attention now turns to the final round game of the league which takes place in Walsh Park in Waterford next Sunday at 1.45pm. Tipperary will be approaching this game in the knowledge that a win would most likely see them topping the table in Division 1A. The game will be the last competitive outing for both sides so one would expect that both sets of players will be giving their all in an effort to stake a claim on a championship starting spot. There have been 47 previous League meetings of Tipperary and Waterford. The Premier County has won 35 games, The Deise were victorious on 9 occasions and there have been 3 draws. The last six games resulted as follows- 2014 at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 2.13 Waterford 0 .16 -2015 at UPMC Nowlan Park, Waterford 1.19 Tipperary 2.15 semi final – 2016 at Semple Stadium Waterford 1.18 Tipperary 1.17, – 2017 at Walsh Park Tipperary 1.18 Waterford 0.15 , – 2018, at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 1.20 Waterford 1.11, – 2020 at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 0.24 Waterford 2.16.
Our senior footballers are also in action next Sunday as they travel to Glennon Brothers Pearse Park to play Longford in 
the Division 3 relegation decider at 3.45pm. This is a very tricky assignment for David Powers charges as Longford will be a very formidable challenge on their own home soil. However, this bunch of players have shown in the past that no challenge is out of their reach, and they will be doing everything they can to come away with a victory.
Both games are scheduled to be shown live on the GAAGO platform as well as on Tipp FM, Tipperary GAA social media will also keep you up to date with all the action throughout the day.
Under 20 and Minor Preparation
The various Tipperary underage teams continue their preparations ahead of the commencement of both the Minor and Under 20 championships. The four management teams have been extremely busy as they steadily increase the intensity of each and every training session and challenge game, making sure that every player is given ample opportunity to show their wears and claim a spot on the various panels. First into action will be the Tipperary Under 20 Footballers when they play Limerick in Semple Stadium on July 8th. Four days later on July 12th it will be the turn of the Under 20 Hurlers when they welcome Waterford to Semple Stadium. On July 14th it will be the turn of the Minor Hurlers as they travel to Limerick to take on Kerry and then on July 21st, Limerick will again be the venue when our Minor Footballers play the home side. The panels for the various teams are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks and they will be published at that point in time.
Club Championships and Leagues
This weekend will see a feast of club activity throughout the county as the various hurling leagues get under way. In total there are 22 games scheduled to take place between Thursday June 10th and Tuesday June 15th. There will also be action at Divisional level with a number of leagues in both Senior and Junior taking place. A number of competitions which were unable to be completed in 2020 will also be on the agenda. At underage level the various competitions from under 13 upwards have also commenced, so we wish all involved the very best of luck and we thank them for their ongoing commitment to the GAA. A full list of fixtures can be seen via the Fixtures and Results section of the Tipperary GAA Website. The draws for the Tipperary County Championships are due to take place on Monday July 21st and has been the case for a number of years now, the draws will take place live on Tipp FM from 7pm.
Health and Wellbeing
Ballina Health & Wellbeing as part of their community outreach initiative are supporting the Irish Dementia Café Network who have announced that Nenagh, Ballina / Killaloe are about to become the newest locations for Clare and Tipperary. A dementia café is a monthly meting that provides support for people who are living with dementia and their families. In order to promote this worthwhile initiative, there will be a free virtual information session on June 14th at 7pm with keynote speaker Sinead Grennan of Irish Dementia Café Network. This information session will give information on the upcoming dementia cafes in your area, where and when they will take place, be it virtually, or when allowed in a face to face setting. The number of people being diagnosed with dementia is increasing annually and those affected can find it hard to access information and the supports associated with living with dementia. The cafes aim to provide a space to facilitate this led by a team of volunteers that have experience and interest in supporting people living with dementia and their families. The county committee are encouraging all clubs to promote this event in their club and community.
Referee Recruitment
with restrictions now lifting, an online Foundation course for new referees will be becoming available very soon. Details on how this course will be delivered will be communicated in due course in line with Covid and GAA guidelines.
Owing to a shortage of referees, we would urge you to make a special effort within your club to try and encourage someone suitable to undergo the course. Clubs are being encouraged to get the word out through meetings/ newspapers/media platforms etc that you are actively looking for a referee from your club. In Tipperary, we have clubs who currently do not have any qualified referee for adult/juvenile games. In fact, in the complete county of Tipperary, 20% of our clubs do not have an active referee in their set up. This means that the workload on the current pool of referees is very high and getting to the point where it is becoming unmanageable. We are asking for all clubs to provide at least one attendee for the course.
Course module content as follows-
First stage will be online workshops.
Second stage will consist of in person training workshops.
If you or someone in your club is interested in becoming a referee. You are asked to make contact with your divisional referee’s coordinator through your club secretary.
Moyne-Templetuohy GAA Drive-in Bingo
Thursday June 10th sees the launch of a Drive-in Bingo by the Moyne-Templetuohy GAA Club. The event will be held in their grounds in Templetuohy. Prizes of up to €2,800 for the bingo games whilst someone could also walk away with our Draw the Joker jackpot which stands at €2,700-so potential winnings of €5,500 on the night!
The bingo itself will begin at 8pm. Bingo books from €5 half books for the kids, €10 single books, €20 double books and jackpot sheets will all be available. Attendees can buy their bingo books on the way in from the comfort of their car and stewards will guide them to their parking spot. The bingo game will be broadcast on speakers but will also be on a tuned station on your car radio in case windy conditions hampers the amplification.
The club’s Joker tickets which are available to buy locally and on the night are sure to be a big hit too with the draw taking place during the bingo. The club, which has always been a stronghold for bingo, hopes for a big attendance from neighbouring parishes also so please support.
Tipperary Clubs Draw
The eight draw of the 2020-2021 clubs draw took place last Friday evening in Lar Na Pairce, The first prize of a car or €15000 went to the Upperchurch-Drombane club and their member Declan Boland. Second prize of a €5000 holiday voucher was won by Eamon O’Callaghan of Ballyporeen, while the lotto jackpot of €5000 was divided between Sinead & Kathy McGrath of Newcastle and Eileen Doody of Cappawhite. Congratulations to all the 32 winners whos names were drawn out on the night. The next draw will take place on Friday July 25th and as usual it will be broadcast live on Tipp FM from 8.30pm.
GAA National Inclusive Fitness Day 2021
On the 23rd of September 2021, the GAA invites all clubs to open their doors to the wider community and support GAA national inclusion fitness day. The event falls during the European week of sport(23rd – 30th of September) and aims to promote sport, physical and healthy lifestyle activity to everyone regardless of age, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, nationality or fitness level. Inclusion means people having a sense of belonging, of being comfortable in being part of something they value. Diversity means being aware of, accommodating, and celebrating differences. GAA Diversity and Inclusion officer Ger McTavish explains: “Inclusion is about making a difference. Inclusivity is a movement, a move to include. Being truly inclusive is living our GAA motto, ‘Where we all Belong’. “This work takes many forms. It ranges from ensuring that our policies and practices support the cultural integration and social inclusion of people from across Ireland’s diverse ethnic population, to making sure that all Gaelic games are adapted for people with different abilities.” A simple 6 Steps process, including access to all necessary resources, has been developed for clubs interested in participating in the GAA’s National Inclusive Fitness Day, a process that will also support their journey in becoming a more inclusive club. 1. Your club must register online by September 9th here 2. Sign up to CARA Sport Inclusion Disability Charter here 3. Share the GAA inclusive club policies and resources in your club 4. Hold an Inclusive Healthy Lifestyle activity at your GAA Club on September 23rd 5. Share a video or pictures of your activity on social using #GAABelong, #BeActive,#HealthyLifestyleForALL 6: Receive an Inclusive GAA Club certificate to proudly display in your club. For more information please contact geraldine.mctavish@gaa.ie
Tipperary GAA Scene
If there is anything you feel should feature in this column going forward, please feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 9th Jun
