by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
SENIOR HURLING CHALLENGE
Drombane was the setting for an entertaining challenge match between Tipperary and Dublin on the occasion of the official opening of the fabulous new club house facilities by host club Upperchurch-Drombane. Despite the weather turning adverse for the match, the bumper crowd witnessed a lively encounter with some delightful scores over the seventy minutes with Dublin eventually getting on top, 2-22 to 3-18.
Unfortunately depleted with divisional club action, the experimental Tipperary side certainly proved a match for the men from the ‘Capital’ and many players will have certainly pleased the Tipperary management with their contributions and opened their case for further investigation.
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL
Not long to wait now for the Tipperary Senior footballers as their opening quarter-final fixture against Waterford in this year’s Munster Championship is within touching distance. Sunday, May 31st, sees Tipperary take to the field in Semple Stadium for the 3.30pm throw in against the Déise.
Ticket prices are as follows; Adult: €15, Student’s/OAP: Purchase Adult tickets and receive a €5 concession at designated turnstiles prior to entry.
Under 16’s are free and do not require a ticket, this is an unreserved fixture.
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL
Showing tremendous character the Tipperary Minor footballers eventually overcame Clare in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship semi-final last Wednesday, May 13th, to set up a Munster Final showdown with Kerry. Coming from behind the determination of the side ensured a fourth final appearance in five years after winning the semi-final 0-16 to 2-09 and progress to meet the Kerry lads on July 5th, in what one hopes will be another memorable day for the Premier County.
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The championship season blasts off in earnest in Munster this Sunday, May 24th, as Semple Stadium opens its doors to the first senior championship match of the season in the province. In welcoming Clare and Limerick to Thurles, all Tipperary eyes will be focused attentively on this one with a keen view on who will be the Tipperary opposition in the Gaelic Grounds for the semi-final on June 21st.
MUNSTER SENIOR CAMOGIE FINAL
It was heartbreak in Leahy Park, Cashel, last Saturday for the Tipperary Ladies who lost out by a solitary point to Cork in the Munster Final on a score-line of 12 to 11 . Commiserations to the players and management whose day it wasn’t to be regrettably. Player of the match award went to Cáit Devane, captain of the Tipperary side who led by example all through the final and provided huge inspiration to her fellow players on the day.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
This Wednesday night May 20th, there are a number of games taking place in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Football Championship, while over the weekend play continues in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior and Intermediate Hurling Championships. There are also some fixtures pencilled in for the County Junior Hurling Leagues, please check fixtures section for full details.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Derek O’Mahoney from Ardfinnan who has been appointed to referee the Munster SFC quarter-final between Limerick and Clare in Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday week, May 30th. His umpires are Stan Barlow, Paddy Noonan, Martin Doyle and Trevor O’Leary.
TIPPERARY GAA – LONDON CORPORATE LUNCH FUNDRAISER
Friday week will be a Premier occasion in London’s West End, as this famed venue will once again be the location for a Tipperary GAA fund-raising Team Tipperary Corporate Lunch on Friday afternoon May 29th, from 12.30 to 4pm. After the outstanding success of last year’s inaugural event in aid of the ambitious development at the Dr. Morris Park Centre of Excellence, the Intercontinental Hotel will once again welcome over three hundred diners for what should prove to be another most enjoyable and entertaining occasion.
Paul Collins of Today FM fame and a native of Annacarty will once again be MC and an auction of rare Tipperary GAA memorabilia will round off the afternoon’s lunch which will include among other things Eoin Kelly’s autographed jersey that he wore on his last appearance for Tipperary.
Reservations may be made as soon as possible to the Tipperary GAA Office at Lar na Pairce, Thurles, 0504 22702 or email: secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie. Further details on the Tipperary GAA website.
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
With the first draw moved back to Friday June 5th in the New Tipperary GAA Draw to enable all clubs extra time to reach their potential, the Draw Committee sincerely request all clubs and promoters to leave no stone unturned in ensuring as many Tipperary supporters as possible are signed up for the new draw. Having introduced major increases in commission the Draw Committee are extremely confident these will prove very attractive to clubs.
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. Alternatively, you can sign up online today at – http://ow.ly/MpF0u follow that link on the Tipperary GAA website.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
The 30th Tipperary Supporters Club Annual Golf Classic at the Tipperary Golf and Country Club, Dundrum has arrived with all the play under way this Thursday and Friday May 21st and 22nd. Many of our team participants have been supporting this outing since 1986 and the Tipperary Supporters Club Officers look forward to meeting you all again this year.
This is one of the Supporters Club major annual fund raising events and they want to continue their 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.
FOOTBALL ‘FRIENDS’ GOLF CLASSIC
The Friends of Tipperary Football are continuing their busy preparations for its annual Mr Mister Menswear sponsored golf classic in Thurles Golf Club on Saturday June 6th next, for which your support is also requested.
A large entry is expected for the golf classic as Blue and Gold followers are keen to throw their weight behind the fundraising activities of the ‘Friends’. Proceeds of the event will go towards the training and preparation of all Tipp football squads.
The 2014 classic, also held in the magnificent Thurles course, was an outstanding success with teams from all over Tipperary and adjoining counties taking part. The Friends deeply appreciate the kind sponsorship once again of Mr Mister Menswear, Cahir and Cashel, for the 2015 classic. Entries are now being taken for the event; Teams of 4 – €120, Teebox sponsorship- €50. The Friends would greatly appreciate your support for the event. Entries may be submitted to Martin on (086) 2549154.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
Following its launch on May 1st last the Friends of Tipperary Football GAA Lotto is growing steadily. All Tipperary supporters are encouraged to please support by playing online now at the following link http://bit.ly/1HU6W9H and help ensure that this worthwhile venture will thrive and prosper.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
Membership of the Tipperary Supporters Club for 2015 is now available and is in strong demand. Already hundreds of memberships have been bought.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006. We are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2015 is a Gold Plated Tiobraid Ãrann Crossed Hurley, 19.5mm x 20.0 mm, lapel pin specially designed and produced in the traditional Blue & Gold colours of Tipperary. Each member will also receive a Tipperary Supporters Club car sticker and a 2015 Membership Card. Members will also be entered into:
A draw for five pairs of stand tickets for all Tipperary games in the Munster and All Ireland S.H. Championships.
In the event of Tipperary Senior Hurlers reaching the All-Ireland Final there will be a special draw for 2 nights’ accommodation for 2 people in the Four Star Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, with a pair of match tickets included.
Members also get regular email updates on news along with a text for each Tipperary team announcement for the Allianz League and the Munster and All-Ireland Hurling Championships.
Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card. Also on the website details are available of the direct debit facility; as the Club is run on a completely voluntary basis it would be a great help if members could join by direct debit. Membership is also available in the following premises, Moynihan’s in Gladstone Street, Clonmel, O’Donoghue’s in Cashel, Noel Ryan’s in Parnell Street, Thurles and from Jackie Shanahan and Carroll’s in Roscrea. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy,13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email: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.
