by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 1A – TIPPERARY V OFFALY
In completing a six point victory over Offaly 1-16 to 13 in Tullamore on Sunday last, Tipperary progressed to the semi-final of the league on April 19th where they will meet Roinn 1B winners Waterford in Nowlan Park at 4pm.
Sean Maher (Clonoulty-Rossmore) made his Allianz Hurling League debut on Sunday when introduced as a late substitute, bringing to 29 the total number of Tipperary players to see action in this year’s competition. Along with Sean, the other Tipperary hurlers to make their League debut this spring include Joe O’Dwyer (Killenaule), John McGrath and John Meagher (both Loughmore-Castleiney)
The win had its talking points and while these have got plenty of airtime over the past few days, the focus will firmly be on the reaching a second league final in as many years by accomplishing the immediate task ahead of the side in the semi-final. A lot of concern was raised about Kieran Bergin’s injury and though he will be out for 4 to 6 weeks, Kieran is wished a speedy recovery.
With the majority of the attendance in O’Connor Park on Sunday from Tipp, it proved a loyal following is building steadily and is firmly behind the side as they all go on an expedition together in search of the ultimate prize.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3
TIPPERARY V SLIGO
Tipperary’s third successive victory ensures that Peter Creedon’s side will again play Division 3 football next year after Sunday’s win over Sligo in Thurles on a score-line of 15 points to 13. How things could have been if the God’s were looking differently on the side in their first encounter in Armagh. Still, it has shown massive determination and heart from these players to put setbacks like that behind them as they now endeavour to end the season on a high.
Another huge point of concern in this fixture was centred on an injury to Colin O’Riordan. Again it’s welcoming to report that Colin’s injury wasn’t as bad as initially feared and though being concussed he is back on his feet and is also wished a speedy recovery.
TIPPERARY V WEXFORD
Next up Tipperary will play Wexford in Round 7 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 at 3pm on Sunday, April 5th in Clonmel in what will be their last competitive fixture ahead of the championship. It would make a fitting end to a very productive and successful league campaign if the lads could end it on a high with victory over Wexford.
What better way to enjoy an Easter Sunday afternoon than heading out to see the Tipperary footballers in action and to hopefully record their fifth win in the league to finish on ten points. To date they have scored the joint highest total of 101 points with Sligo in the division, which is a higher total scored than either of the two top teams. The referee on Sunday is David Gough from Meath.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING
The countdown is on to the Tipperary minor hurlers opening fixture in Semple Stadium next Wednesday night April 8th at 7pm against Waterford in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter-Final. Manager Liam Cahill and his selectors have a tremendous amount of preparation done ahead of this tie as they wish to eradicate the disappointment of last year.
Speaking passionately at the Tipperary Supporters Club membership launch back at the end of January, the wound of defeat was still raw for Liam and his honest appraisal exuded superb self-belief and character combined with an unfailing desire to guarantee every avenue is explored to ensure success for his side this year.
MUNSTER U21 FOOTBALL
Tipperary host Cork in a repeat of last year’s fixture in the EirGrid GAA Football Under 21 Munster Championship Final on Thursday April 9th next at 7.30pm in Semple Stadium.
COUNTY SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Clean Ireland County Senior Hurling Championship commences this weekend with the first of the action throwing in on Saturday, please check fixtures guide for updates or alternatively check the Tipperary GAA website.
COUNTY LEAGUES
Action also continues this weekend in both the hurling and football leagues, again please check fixtures for latest updates, times & venues.
SCÓR SINSEAR
Tipperary came away from the Munster Scór Final in Ovens Cork, last Saturday night with four of the seven titles under their belt. The winners were Amhránaíocht Aonair – Ella Stapleton (Upperchurch-Drombane), Ceol Uirlise – Newport, Aithriseoireacht – Noel Joyce (JK Brackens) and Bailéad Ghrúpa – Newport, maith sibh go léir. The All-Ireland Finals will take place in CityWest Hotel, Dublin on Saturday, April 25th.
TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The April Tipperary GAA Members Draw will take place in Glenview Lounge in Goatenbridge on Thursday night 2nd of April at 10pm.
If you can’t make it on the night, tune in to Tipp FM at 10.45pm to see if you are a winner
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 as indicated above, 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.
HANDBALL
At the Juvenile All Ireland Finals in Kingscourt in Cavan last Saturday Tipperary competed in five All-Ireland Finals winning two. Sinéad Meagher (Nenagh) defeated Meagan Mc Cann from Armagh 21/13, 21/14 and in the Boys U 14 Doubles Matthew Spain & John McGrath (Lahorna) defeated Josh Mc Mahon & Cian Kehoe Wexford in a thrilling 15/14, 15/14 final. Many congratulations to them, results on other finalists are on the website.
POST PRIMARY COMPETITIONS
Best wishes to Thurles CBS who play St. Kieran’s Kilkenny in the Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘A’ Hurling (Croke Cup) Final this Saturday April 4th, at 5pm in Semple Stadium, Thurles. Having last tasted their one and only success in this competition back in 2009, the Thurles lads won’t be short of ambition in looking to make it title number two for the school.
In between Nenagh CBS were the last Tipperary side to claim this All-Ireland title in 2012, while one has to go back to 1978 for Tipperary’s first success in this grade with Templemore CBS being the victors.
As this match is part of a double header with the Paddy Buggy Cup{SH ‘B’} Final , the following arrangements apply; entry will be to Ardán Ó Riain (New Stand) only and admission is as follows, €15 for adults, €5 for students and OAP, while under 12s are free.
Congratulations to Cistercian College Roscrea who defeated St. Declan’s Kilmacthomas 1-14 to 0-11 in the Masita All-Ireland PPS Cusack Cup (SH ‘C’) Final, in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow.
Well done also to Abbey School Tipperary Town after their great win over Colaiste na Carraige, Donegal in Masita GAA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools ‘B’ Football Championship Semi-Final last Saturday in Mullingar, by the narrowest of margins 09 to 08. It was a dramatic injury-time winner from Andrew Vance (Emly) who stepped up to kick the priceless winning point from a free which ensured victory for his side. The save of the match came from Callum Fanning’s (Galtee Rovers) 31st minute save from Pauric Cunningham. It proved crucial and the difference between a six and three-point interval deficit for the winners who now look forward to a trip to Croke Park on Saturday, April 11th for the All-Ireland final against Carlow’s St. Mary’s Academy CBS.
Speaking after the game, Abbey team coach Damian O’Brien was quoted as saying, “We were lucky but we can build on this victory and if we play to our full potential we can win the Drummond Cup.”
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
Your support is requested for this the 30th Tipperary Supporters Club Annual Golf Classic at the Tipperary Golf and Country Club, Dundrum on Thursday May 21st and Friday May 22nd, 2015. Many of our team participants have been with us since 1986 and we hope you can enter a team again this year. This is one of our major annual fund raising events and we want to continue our support to our management and team as they bid to win the All-Ireland title this year. All funds will be used to defray costs for looking after the team preparation for this year’s championship.
Please mail your team entry, to John Tierney, Chairman, Tipperary Supporters Club at 105 Laraghcon, Lucan Village, Co. Dublin or email to johntierney105@gmail.com
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.
