by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1A
TIPPERARY V KILKENNY
It was mission achieved last Sunday as Tipperary gave a comprehensive display full of energy and heart in defeating Kilkenny by 12 points to advance to the quarter final stages of the league on a score line of 2-22 to 1-13. It was Tipp’s biggest league win over Kilkenny since March 1966, when Tipp also won by 12 points in defeating their old rivals in Nenagh. A trawl through the history books would take you back to 1927 to find Tipp winning by a greater margin when 17 points was the difference as Tipp won in James’ Park, Kilkenny. However, back to the present, the great Tipperary support didn’t go unnoticed in Semple Stadium on Sunday and it gave a tremendous lift to the team who gave their supporters plenty to cheer.
TIPPERARY V CORK
Tipperary travel to Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday next, March 22nd, to play Cork in round 5 of the Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1A at 2pm. Both sides have met 59 times between 1926 to 2014 inclusive in the league with the stats showing Cork ahead on 30 wins, Tipp on 24 and there was 5 draws. Cork venues have hosted 28 fixtures with the home side ahead on 15 wins, Tipp has 10 and there was 3 draws. Things are more even at Tipp venues, out of 26 ties, it is 12 wins apiece with 2 draws. While at 5 neutral venues, Cork are ahead 3 to 2. At 24 previous League games at Thurles (Sportsfield / Semple Stadium) Tipp are in ascendency on 12 wins, Cork have 10 and there was 2 draws. In those 59 games, Cork have scored an aggregate 138 goals and 631 points, while Tipperary recorded 122 goals and 604 points.
The counties have not met in a League final since May 1st, 1960, when Tipp won by 2-15 to 3-8 at the Cork Athletic Grounds (now Pairc Ui Chaoimh) As a sizeable attendance is expected in Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday we ask our supporters to purchase tickets in advance and come to the venue as early as possible. There is a 33% saving to be made by purchasing your ticket before midnight Saturday night so we would encourage you to avail of the wonderful discount. Queues forming at ticket kiosks on match day can lessen the enjoyment for everybody, so again get your tickets early. With fantastic support gathering behind the team let the wave of blue and gold sail on to Cork and give the team the support they deserve by your presence in Pairc Ui Rinn.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3
TIPPERARY V LOUTH
The last long journey out of three in the Allianz Football League proved to be a very fruitful one indeed as Peter Creedon’s charges came out tops in a goal fest thriller defeating the home side Louth last Sunday, in the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda on a score line of Tipperary 4-16 Louth 3-11. Sitting third in the table on 6 points their next game at home in Semple Stadium on Sunday week against Sligo, who are in fourth, will take on more significance as they continue to keep the pressure on the top two.
MUNSTER U21 FOOTBALL
It’s semi-final time tonight Wednesday, March 18th, in Semple Stadium as Tipperary take on Clare in the EirGrid GAA Football Under 21 Munster Championship at 7.30pm. The side includes five of the starting line-up that defeated Louth in the Allianz Football League last Sunday in Drogheda plus John McGrath and Bill Maher from the senior hurling panel. It’s best wishes then to the side and their backroom team of Tommy Toomey manager and also his fellow selectors Peter Creedon, Michael McGeehin, Michael O’Loughlin and Eoghan Cooney. The referee is James Bermingham from Cork. The winners will go on to play either Cork or Kerry in the Munster Final on Wednesday, April 8th.
The other U21 semi-final takes place in Pairc Ui Rinn tonight also where the officials are; referee – Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan) Standby Ref – David Grogan (Aherlow), Linesman – Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) and 4th Official – John O’Brien (Arravale Rovers). The Umpires are Paddy Meagher, Paddy Noonan, Liam Barrett and Stan Barlow.
NEW TIPPERARY SPONSOR & JERSEY
Last Sunday March 15th, saw a new era arrive in Tipperary GAA as Intersport/Elverys officially announced their sponsorship of Tipperary GAA in the birthplace of the GAA at Hayes’s Hotel, Thurles. The full sponsorship by Intersport/Elverys of Tipperary GAA covers both the hurling and football codes and includes all grades from minor to senior inter-county teams over the next two years. As part of the sponsorship agreement, the new look Tipperary jersey for the 2015 season was also unveiled displaying the Intersport brand name on the front and their co-sponsor Elvery’s name on the back. Further details are available on the Tipperary GAA website, as everyone associated with Tipperary welcome Intersport/Elverys on board.
REFEREES
This weekend in the Allianz Hurling Leagues, Johnny Ryan (Boherlan-Dualla) will take charge of the Roinn 1A round 5 fixture between Dublin and Galway on Sunday next in Parnell Park.
SCÓR SINSEAR
Best wishes to all Scór Sinsear participants in gComórtas Leath-Chraobh na Mumhan in Cappamore on Saturday, March 21st, next at 6 30pm.
REGISTRATION OF FULL MEMBERS
With just 17 days left before closing date on Mar 31st, there is a concern that less than 5,000 full members are still only registered. In 2014 Tipperary had over 10,000 full members registered between all our clubs. Failure to register by March 31st could have serious consequences for clubs especially where issues arise at AGM time where only full members registered before Mar 31st can vote.
PLAYERS INJURY SCHEME REGISTRATION
There is also concern with the alarmingly low number of clubs registered to date for the Players Injury Scheme. Only half our Tipperary clubs are currently registered and of those only 14 clubs have paid the premium. Players have started playing in Under 21 Football championship and County Leagues so they need to be covered and their clubs need to register in the scheme immediately. Croke Park have warned that claims from clubs will not be entertained unless registered and if payment is not received before Mar 31st from those who have registered, injuries reported will only be covered after the payment date. So act now on both members and players injury registration and if you have any queries to contact our IT and Registration Officer, Lisa Stapleton at itofficer.tipperary@gaa.ie
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
It’s that time of year again when we focus on the new draw. The final draw in the current scheme takes place on April 2nd so we need to start rolling out the new draw immediately after that as the first draw is scheduled by the draw committee for Fri May 22nd.The Draw Committee have introduced major increases in commission as follows, which should prove very attractive to clubs;
50% up to 200 members,
60% for members between 200 and 300,
70% for members after 300
All this and still retaining a €500,000 Prize Fund
Clubs should immediately attend to the following;
Confirm whoever is acting as your club draw co-ordinator for the new draw.
Decide on the layout of your clubs personalized brochure with pictures of winning teams, draw prize winners, club development, team mentors details and introduction text. This info should be returned to Co. Draw Co-Ordinator Siobhan Barrett in Lár na Pairce over the next seven days at email reception.tipperary@gaa.ie
Do a thorough examination of your draw membership database and correct errors with names, addresses and promoters. Also be aware of draw members who have passed away since last year so make sure to amend these before the new return cards/receipts are printed and avoid causing distress to bereaved families. This should be done immediately and email amendments to Siobhan before she goes to print next week.
Remember this is “The Tipperary Clubs Draw” and it’s up to every club to contribute to its survival. It has served the county well for 27 years and has survived very recent tough economic times. Now is a great opportunity for all our clubs to grow its draw membership and bring in much needed revenue with no risk or no cost.
The Draw Committee and the Co. Board are looking forward to a renewed effort by all clubs to restore “our” County Draw to its former greatness.
FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
Tipperary Coaching and Games Development will host a Football Conference in Rockwell College on Saturday 21st March. The conference theme is: “Coaching the Youth Player” and is aimed at coaches involved with players from 13 to 18 years of age. Presentations will be made on various aspect of coaching youth players, from physical to psychological and other related issues. There will also be practical field sessions on coaching through the “Games Based” model.
Presenters on the day are: Peter Creedon, Manager Tipperary Senior Football Team; Michael McGeehin, Coach Tipperary Senior Football Team; Paudie Kissane, Cork Senior Footballer and Strength and Conditioning Coach; Michael O’Loughlin, Coach Tipperary Senior Football Team and Tommy Toomey, Statistician Tipperary Senior Football Team.
Clubs are asked to send coaches from the relevant age groups. The conference will commence at 10.00am with registration from 9.30am. We ask all intending coaches to be present for 10am sharp. The conference will conclude at 2.30pm. Further details are available from the Divisional Games Development Administrators.
POST PRIMARY COMPETITIONS
Best wishes to two Tipperary post primary schools in action this weekend.
Thurles CBS who take on Leinster runners up St. Peter’s College Wexford in the Masita GAA Croke Cup {Senior Hurling “A”} semi-final which is down for decision on Thursday March 19th at 2pm in WIT GAA Grounds Carriganore.
Elsewhere, Presentation Secondary Ballingarry will play Ballymahon Vocational School in the Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Br.Edmund Ignatius Rice Cup {Senior Football “D”} Final on Tuesday March 24th at 1pm in a venue TBC.
COLLEGES HURLING
Congratulations to all the Tipperary players involved with UL in the winning the Fitzgibbon Cup last week.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
The Tipperary Supporters Club membership for 2015 is now available and continues to grow.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006. Anybody who would like to take some Supporters Club memberships is welcome to contact Supporters Club PRO, John Coman on 087-9087105 or by email at info@tippsupportersclub.com
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.
