Tipperary GAA Scene – March 23rd 2017

By PRO Joe Bracken

SENIOR HURLING

This Sunday, March 26th, the Tipperary hurlers head south to face Cork in Pairc Uí Rinn at 3pm in their last round fixture in Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League. Already assured of top spot in the league, that will bear no significance to the side or management as they continue to focus as a group on getting a positive result one match at a time, never losing sight of the impending fixture ahead.

The rebels will no doubt be set to lay down a serious challenge to Tipp and attempt to cover lost ground to their neighbours in recent times. That said Tipperary and Cork have met on 60 occasions in the National Hurling League and its Cork that lead the way with 29 wins to Tipperary’s 26, while there have been 5 draws.

The results of the last 10 games are even with Tipp on 4 wins Cork on 4 and 2 draws. As indicated the recent lost ground by Cork is indicated by Tipp wins in 2014, ’15 and ’16.

Those results as follows are. 27/3/2005 Semple Stadium – Cork 0-16 Tipperary 1-12; 14/2/2009 Semple Stadium Tipperary – 2-15 Cork 0-9; 4/4/2010 Pairc Ui Chaoimh – Cork 1-16 Tipperary 1-15; 27/3/2011Pairc Ui Chaoimh – Cork 1-14 Tipperary 1-14; 1/4/2012 Semple Stadium – Tipperary 1-23 Cork 1-23; 22/4/2012 Semple Stadium – Cork 1-25 Tipperary 2-15 (Semi Final); 23/2/2013 Pairc Ui Rinn – Cork 0-26 Tipperary 1-11; 30/3/2014 Semple Stadium – Tipperary 3-25  Cork 4-10 (Quarter Final); 22/3/2015 Pairc Ui Rinn – Tipperary 2-28  Cork 4-21 and 20/3/2016 Semple Stadium – Tipperary  2-27 Cork 2-15. Best wishes to the team and management on Sunday in Pairc Uí Rinn where the referee will be Brian Gavin (Uíbh Fhailí).

Tickets are on sale at gaa.ie and selected SuperValu and Centra stores, with adult tickets costing €15 and U16’s go free. Buy before match day and get 20% off adult tickets.

SENIOR FOOTBALL

Congratulations to the Tipperary footballers who made it four wins out of five following their four points win 2-15 to 2-11 over Offaly in O’Connor Park, Tullamore in round 5 of the Allianz League Division 3 last Sunday. Trailing by six at one stage in the second half the team found their form and ground out a deserved victory on a very difficult surface on the day. Goals from Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers) and Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) were crucial to their side’s victory. That result combined with Louth losing to Armagh saw Tipp ascend to the summit of the league table on point’s difference with two huge games ahead in successive weekends.

It is really coming down to the wire, with the first of these games in Semple Stadium on Sunday next, March 26th as Tipperary welcome Louth in a crunch fixture at 3pm. The arithmetic here is quite simple; a home win for Tipp and promotion is secured to division 2 for next season. But it won’t be easy and all the focus will be on securing both points against Louth who will no doubt be arriving in Thurles determined to get their own wagon back on track following defeat last weekend.

The following Sunday Tipperary head to Armagh to play the home side in the final league round.

With the stage almost set, a large attendance to support the Tipperary footballers is a must as they strive to build on the current momentum.

Tickets are on sale at selected SuperValu and Centra stores, adults €10 and U16’s go free.

The referee on Sunday will be Padraig O’Sullivan (Ciarraí)

COUNTY LEAGUES

It’s a very busy weekend in the Tipperary Water County Hurling Leagues with quite a number of games down for decision.

For a full list of fixtures and results from last weekend please check the Tipperary GAA website https://tipperary.gaa.ie/

CROKE CUP

Having already secured the Dr. Harty Cup we send best wishes to Our Lady’s Templemore who are back in the Croke Cup All-Ireland College’s Senior Hurling (Under 18.5 A Hurling) Final this Saturday, March 25th at 4pm where they will meet reigning holders St. Kieran’s Kilkenny who are seeking to claim their fourth title in a row..

Our Lady’s players have been terrific ambassadors for their school and clubs and are wished every success in the final as the whole of the county rows in behind them on Saturday.

Last week, Our Lady’s defeated Kilkenny CBS 0-24 to 2-15 in the Semi-Final at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise.

Before the main event on Saturday, St. John the Baptist Hospital will be attempting to lift the Paddy Buggy Cup when they play St. Marys CGBS Belfast in the All-Ireland B Colleges Hurling Final with throw in here at 2pm.

For a full update of all Munster Post Primary schools fixtures and results please using the following link http://munstergaapps.ie/fixtures-results/

FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL TABLE QUIZ

A table quiz hosted by the Dublin working group of The Friends of Tipperary Football will be held this Thursday, March 23rd at 8pm, in Chaplin’s of Hawkins Street, Dublin. With quizmaster Paul Collins this promises to be a night of great fun, discussion and plenty of GAA talk. A table of four costs €40 and all are welcome.

Will clubs please contact members in Dublin and outlying counties of this event where a great night is assured.

Tables of 4 €40euro per table, for further information and booking of tables please contact Jimmy Darcy darcyjim@gmail.com

SCÓR SINSEAR

The Senior Scór Co. Final was held in Newport on Saturday evening last and after a tremendous nights entertainment we extend congratulations to all participants and in particular the winners for a terrific show.

The winners on the night are as follows; Solo Song – Borris-Ileigh represented by Katie Shanahan. Ballad Group – Newport consisting of Marie Floyd, Teresa Galvin, Lorna Floyd, Brian McAuliffe, and Ruairi Floyd. Recitation – JK Brackens represented by Noel Joyce. Instrumental Music – Newport consisting of Ruairi Floyd, Brian McAuliffe, Niamh Floyd, Áine O’Malley and Sarah McAuliffe. Rince Seit – JK Brackens comprising of Máiread Delaney, Nicole Joyce, Katherese Meehan, Yvonne Meehan, Eoin Bourke, Eoin Hamill, Martin Lee, Eamonn Stamp. Rince Foirne – Newcastle comprising of Leah Condon, Sinéad Grant, Chloe Hennerby, Rosie McCarra, Danielle McCarthy, Treasa McGrath, Veronica McNamara and Catherine Ryan. Leiriu – Newport who were represented by Lil O’Grady, Tom McCabe, James Collins, Mary Browne Ryan, John Tuohy and Mary Casey.

Also on the night the Moyne-Templetuohy Quiz Team represented by Joe Kennedy, Jim O’Meara, Paddy Moran and Tom Collier qualified for the All-Ireland Final after a pulsating quiz which saw quiz master Jim Enright in need of tie breaker questions. Maith sibh go léir.

Best wishes to all the winners who now go forward to represent Tipperary in the Munster Final in Cappamore on Saturday, April 8th.

JUNIOR ‘B’ ALL-IRELAND

Best wishes to Upperchurch Drombane in the Junior B Hurling All Ireland Final as they play Whitechurch on Sunday next, March 26th at 2pm in Raheenagh, Co. Limerick.

HANDBALL

After a big weekend in Handball, Tipperary secured 3 All-Ireland titles in the 40×20 finals held in Kingscourt in Cavan over the St. Patricks Festival Weekend. The Juveniles were very impressive winning both the Girls U14 Doubles & Under 15 Doubles.

In the U14Doubles Áine Spain & Anna Mulcahy from Lahorna beat Aifric Ni Ghibne/Sadhbh Ni Fhlaithearta from Galway 15-6, 2-15, 15-12. In the Girls U15Doubles Siobhan Prentice & Isabel Farnan from Ballina defeated Emer Fitzpatrick/Lucy O’Connor from Laois 15-5, 2-15, 15-7.

In the Adult grades Jim Ryan from Silvermines beat Morgan Darcy from Galway 21/15, 21/4 in the O/70’s final, congratulations to the winners. Elsewhere, Brian O’Brien from Silvermines was defeated by Conor Maxwell from Dublin in the Master B Singles as was Billy Mullins from Clonmel in the DMAS losing to John Rossiter from Carlow. Next Saturday the Tipperary U14/15 team travel to Claregalway to contest the team All-Ireland final against the winners of Mayo and Kilkenny. The Tipp team is comprised of Kian Donnelly, Nathan Lenihan, Rory Grace, James Power, Eoin Healy, Jack McGrath, best wishes to the lads on Saturday. For all handball fixtures and results please check out the handball website http://handball.tipperary.gaa.ie/

SYMPATHY

A number of Tipperary Gaels passed to their eternal reward during the week and the board wishes to sympathise with the bereaved on their sad loss.

Tom Pollard RIP was a lifetime Vice-President and former Chairman of Clonmel Commercials and will also be remembered as one of the greatest players to play in the Green and Gold of Commercials.

A tough and stylish defender Tom won five county medals for the Commercials club between 1965 and 1971 and was part of the famous three in a row team from 1965-1967. Tom represented Tipperary with distinction at all levels in football and also won two South Senior Hurling titles with Marlfield.

Just last November Tom received a richly deserved Laochra Gael award in a ceremony in the Dome, Semple Stadium in what was a very proud day for the Clonmel Commercials club and the Pollard family. 

Seamus Kenny RIP Carrick Davins Vice-President distinguished himself on both county and club levels winning a minor All-Ireland medal in 1954 and adding an intermediate All-Ireland medal in 1966. At club level he was a part of the first Tipperary club to win a Munster hurling club final when Carrick Davins defeated Ballygunner in 1966. He also played in another club Munster final the following year but was defeated by Clare’s Newmarket On Fergus. He also added two senior hurling county medals and five senior south medals to his honours.

Sean (Johnny) O’Meara RIP was a former Lorrha & Tipperary hurler who won a National League medal with Tipperary in 1957.

He was also a hugely respected referee for many years in North and County Tipperary. At the time of his death, he was Vice-President of Lorrha-Dorrha GAA Club.

TG4 LAOCHRA GAEL

Two time All-Ireland medal winner in 1989 and ’91 Pat Fox (Eire Óg Annacarty-Donohill) will feature on the new season of TG4 Laochra Gael with the episode featuring Pat broadcasting on April 26th next.

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.