Munster Senior Hurling Championship
Following a titanic battle with Limerick the previous weekend that saw both sides leave FBD Semple Stadium with a share of the spoils, Our senior hurlers were once again on home ground in FBD Semple Stadium for the visit of Waterford last Sunday afternoon. With Waterford already out of the championship and missing a number of key players, Tipperary were widely tipped to overcome the challenge of the visitors. However Davy Fitzgerald’s charges had other ideas and right from the off they looked by far the more hungrier team as they charged into an early lead, a lead that they would not relinquish. At the final whistle Waterford had six points to spare over Tipperary which lead to a few very nervous moments until the news of Limericks one point win over Cork was confirmed. The result in Limerick meant that Tipperary had qualified as the third placed team in Munster and will now travel to play Offaly in Tullamore on the weekend of June 17th in an All Ireland preliminary quarter final. The winners of this clash will then play the Leinster runner up in the All Ireland quarter finals.
Tailteann Cup
Our senior footballers will play Waterford in Round 3 of the Tailteann Cup this Saturday at 1pm in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. Having lost out to Meath and Down in the previous rounds, Tipperary will be looking for a win in this game. However Waterford always provide formidable opposition and will not be an easy challenge for David Power’s charges who will be without a number of key panel members on Saturday due to injury and unavailability.
Big weekend for FBD Semple Stadium
The field of legends will once again be a hive of activity this Sunday, with the staging of the All Ireland minor and under 20 hurling finals. Both games are expected to attract a crowd of up to 30,000 supporters to the venue which will mean that Thurles will once again be a hive of activity. As with all games of this size a traffic management plan will be in operation and we ask that supporters and locals alike cooperate with the Gardai and stewards around the venue on the day. Tipperary GAA looks forward to welcoming Clare and Galway for the minor final at 1pm and then Offaly and Cork for the under 20 final at 3pm and we hope that all supporters attending the games will have an enjoyable experience.
Tipperary Referees in Action
There will be a total of five inter county finals taking place this weekend with Tipperary well represented on the match day appointments list. On Saturday, Thurles Gaels clubman Kevin Joprdan and his team of officials will head for Croke Park where Kevin will take charge of the Christy Ring Cup Final between Derry and Meath at 5pm. This is a major appointment for Kevin and a reflection on the progress he has made at inter county level in the last number of years. The game will also be broadcast live on TG4.
On Sunday, Newcastle native Michael Kennedy will be on home turf as he has been appointed to referee the highly anticipated clash between Clare and Galway in the All Ireland Minor hurling championship final. The game takes place in FBD Semple Stadium at 1pm and will also be broadcast live on TG4. Michael has been seen as one of Tipperary’s top referees at both club and county level over the last few years and this appointment is a further endorsement of his refereeing progress.
We wish both Kevin and Michael along with their officials the very best of luck at the weekend on what will be very big occasions for them all. We also wish Moyle Rovers man Sean Lonergan well as he takes charge of the Tailteann cup clash between London and Laois on Saturday in Parnell Park.
Celtic Challenge
Congratulations to the Tipperary Celtic Cup team who defeated Galway in the final of the competition last Saturday afternoon in Birr. In what was a very competitive game, It took extra time before the premier boys eventually overcame their opponents on a full time score of Tipperary 1-28 to Galways 0-27. Congratulations to all the players and Team management who have done a great job in preparing the team over the last number of months.
Tipperary Clubs Draw
The June Tipperary Clubs draw]aw will take place this Friday June 2nd at 8.30pm and will be hosted by the Eire Óg Annacarty GAA Club. The draw will be broadcast live on Tipp FM, so make sure to tune in on the night and see if you are one of the lucky winners.
Tipperary GAA Now Recruiting 3 Games Development Coordinators
The GAA, in conjunction with Munster GAA and Tipperary GAA, are now welcoming applications for the role of 3 GAA Games Development Coordinators in County Tipperary.
The role holder will be responsible for the delivery of GAA games development policy and related programmes as contained in the county coaching and games development plan in local clubs and schools (Primary and Post Primary) within a geographic area of a county. The role will also focus on establishing self-sufficient and sustainable clubs by building capacity and capability within the volunteer structure to deliver a games development programme.
A key target associated with the role will be the growth and retention of coach and player participation.
The role holder shall be required to work 39 hours per week, which will include weekends and evenings when required, and the hours may vary depending on seasonal changes.
To view the full job description and for details on how to apply please go to the Tipperary GAA website where you will get all the information.
Hurley dimensions approved by Central Council
At a weekend meeting of GAA Central Council hurley dimensions as recommended by the Sliotar & Hurley workgroup were approved.
The following was agreed regarding hurley dimensions:
– Juvenile (Child) up to and including 26” Hurley – Maximum Bas of 15cm
– Junior (Youth) up to and including 30” Hurley – Maximum bas of 16cm
– Senior (Adult) 30” up to and including 36” Hurley – Maximum bas of 17cm
– Adult Goalkeeper Hurley maximum bas size of 21cm
GAA Director of Organisational Culture, Planning & Development (DO CPD) Pat Daly is part of the group and explains the rationale behind the recommendations.
“The rulebook is nearly silent on hurley specifications, the only thing it says is that the bas can be no more than 13cms at its widest point,” Daly says. “That is the only thing in the rulebook at the moment.
“In a sense that was always conditional that hurleys would be made of ash. Regarding the 13cms it has been evolving and changing, it wasn’t being adhered to as the bas’ were significantly bigger than the 13cms stipulated in rule.
“There was no point in having a rule that wasn’t being adhered to and was effectively out of date.”
Daly believes clarity is now provided. “Apart from stating that the bas of the hurley shall not be more than 13cm as its widest point, the rulebook contains no other detail in relation to the hurley specification.
“As this has not been the case for some, change is required as there is little point in having a playing rule, which is not being adhered to.
“It’s also important, in a change management context, that the amended rule is configured to address the fact that hurleys are increasingly being made from materials – other than ash – because of the spread of ash dieback disease.”
The Sliotar & Hurley Regulation is vital according to Daly. “To be honest it is probably more than hurley and sliotar regulation workgroup in that it is trying to proactively address hurling in its broadest context,” Daly says. “The regulation around hurleys, helmets, and sliotars is crucial – they are the fundamentals.
“From the introduction of the yellow sliotar in 2019 to the smart sliotar at U20 last year, on to the smart sliotar at adult senior level and U20 level. It has been an iterative process.
“We have tried to things in the most effective way we can, for the fact that we are trying to change to a culture of compliance.”
Future Leaders Transition Year Programme
The “Future Leaders Transition Year Programme” Events Month, which ran from April 17th to May 19th, saw more than 14,000 young people involved in events organised by transition year students as part of the GAA/ PDST Future Leaders TY Programme. The events included Gaelic games blitzes as well as Health & Wellbeing activities.
The Future Leaders Programme, a collaboration between the GAA and the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) is a cross-curricular programme comprising of 10 modules, each designed to encourage maturity, initiative, responsibility, and leadership skills in pupils. The Programme gives pupils the knowledge and skills to support all roles required in the effective staging of Gaelic Games and the organisation of Health & Wellbeing Activities.
There are currently approx. 300 schools taking part in the programme, learning skills associated with: Event Management & Administration, Coaching of hurling / Gaelic football, Refereeing, Sports Journalism, Performance Analysis, Wellbeing, Nutrition, History, and Sustainability.
Through the holistic approach that the Future Leaders Programme provides, the initiative empowers the students to contribute to their school and club communities off the field and also in their personal and professional lives.
The organisation of an event allows students to take ownership and responsibility for everything linked to the event, which ensures everybody has a role to play, developing a sense of belonging and enjoyment in a fun, safe environment.
As part of Event Month, Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy visited a number of schools across the country including St Macartan’s College, Co. Monaghan, Virginia College, Co. Cavan, Creagh College Gorey, Co. Wexford, Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, and Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh, Co. Limerick and Gort Community School, Co. Galway.
With the 2023 Future Leaders Programme coming to an end, now is the time to make sure your school is registered for next year. For further details, please contact futureleaders@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 17th May
