(By Tim Floyd, Co Secretary)
Premier County’s supporters ‘storm’ West End
London’s West End was the location for a Tipperary GAA fund-raising function last Friday afternoon when in excess of three hundred supporters and friends enjoyed an unforgettable social occasion. The opulent Intercontinental Hotel just off Park Lane near Hyde Park Corner was the venue for what was undoubtedly one of the most stylish and spectacular functions ever hosted under the ‘blue and gold’ banner in the English capital in decades. And from a fund-raising viewpoint the novel idea of Corporate Lunch, co-ordinated by Nicole Parkes and London-based Clonmel natives Brian Acheson and Kevin Leahy, was also an outstanding success. The latter also purchased the signed hurley of all existing All-Ireland winning Tipperary captains during the auction which was the climax of a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Special guests included former Republic of Ireland international soccer star Niall Quinn, who is also a former Dublin minor hurler with staunch Tipperary roots, current Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea, former Tipperary manager, Tipperary captain double All-Ireland winner and All-Star Nicky English and recently retired legendary hurling goal-keeper Brendan Cummins, plus former Tipperary footballer Philly Ryan from Clonmel. But unquestionably the man who played a real ‘blinder’ during an unforgettable afternoon was Annacarty man, broadcaster and MC Paul Collins from Today FM, who co-ordinated a very lively and entertaining Question and Answer Forum among the special guests before he turned a very effective auctioneer that reaped rewards for Tipperary GAA and the fund to develop the current Dr. Morris Park into a state-of-art Centre of Excellence Facility for what is expected to be a projected cost of €1.5m. Among the Tipperary GAA officers present were Chairperson, Sean Nugent, Secretary, Tim Floyd, Treasurer, Buckley Eamon Buckley and Vice- chairman Michael Bourke. Sean Nugent also addressed the attendance after they enjoyed a splendid meal. All of the special guests were invited to address the attendance before a lively Question and Answer Forum got underway. Although there was a brief reference made to the recent loss to Kilkenny in the League Final it was generally a distant memory among the happy and generous Tipperary supporters. With this kind of ‘momentum’ behind the Tipperary GAA cause it’s all systems go for the Tipperary-Limerick football/hurling ‘double-header’ on the weekend after next!
Tipperary GAA Open Night
A very successful Tipperary GAA Open Night took place in Semple Stadium last Thurs evening May 15th before Senior Training. Young supporters turned up in hundreds to meet their hurling and football heroes on the pitch in Semple Stadium. Wrist bands and autograph cards were distributed and photographs were taken with their favourite players. The Senior hurlers and footballers all wore their new attractive leisure gear and the supporters had their county colours which made it a very colourful occasion. At 7.15 the SF panel went to Dr Morris Park where they played a challenge v Kildare and many of the fans followed in support. The SH panel remained and trained in Semple Stadium and a big crowd also stayed on and watched them. Our county players were heartened by the great turnout and it gave them a big boost before their championship openers against Limerick.
Senior Hurling Challenge
Tipperary travelled to Oulart The Ballagh last Sunday for a challenge with Wexford in preparation for the Munster Championship game Sunday week June 1st. With many players club-tied, Tipp had just 21 players and all of them got some game play. Wexford were victorious with the final score 5-19 to 2-19. Tipp started as follows; James Logue, Paddy Stapleton, Paudie Maher, Cathal Barrett, Thomas Stapleton, Brendan Maher, Shane McGrath, Ronan Maher, James Woodlock, Geraóid Ryan, Seamus Callanan, John O’Dwyer, Lar Corbett, Noel McGrath, Nial O Meara. Subs used, Paul Curran, Thomas Hamill, Conor Kenny, Mike Heffernan, Denis Maher and Liam McGrath.
Tipperary v Limerick Ticket Information
Tipperary will play Limerick in the Munster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Sunday June 1st at 4:00pm in Semple Stadium Thurles. The game will be preceded by the Munster GAA Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final between Tipperary and Limerick at 2:00pm.
• Family tickets are available in the Covered Stand and Open Stand and these can be ordered separately through your Divisional ticket co-ordinator.
• There is also a Dual Package covering the SF game Sat v Limk and the SH on Sun v Limk offering an overall saving of €10. (Full details below)
• Clubs may wish to avail of the Juvenile Group scheme below, which is separate to a clubs allocation. (Application Form attached must be returned directly to Munster Council…see below)
• There are over 1200 Season Tickets in the county and these are situated in The Kinane Stand (Old) Sect 208.
• Tickets are also available on-line from the Munster website, tickets.gaa.ie plus the Centra/Supervalu outlets around the county.
• A small initial club allocation of good quality stand tickets will be delivered to Divisional Ticket Co-Ordinators this week. This will mean every club should have tickets at least one week before the game and be in a position to order further if required after that.
Ticket pricing structure as follows;
Adults Covered Stand – €30
Adults Uncovered Stand – €25
Adults Killinan End Terrace – €15
Juveniles (Under 16s) – €5
Munster GAA Championship Dual Package – Limerick v Tipperary
An individual pre-purchasing a package ticket for the both the Limerick / Tipperary Football Quarter-Final in the Gaelic Grounds (on Saturday May 31st) and the Limerick / Tipperary Hurling Semi-Final in Thurles (on Sunday June 1st) will get €10 off the overall price. For example, instead of purchasing a general admission adult ticket at €15 for the football and a €30 covered stand ticket for the hurling (total of €45), by availing of the package ticket, the price will be reduced from €45 to €35.
Note that the Dual Package must be pre-purchased via tickets.ie or Centra & Supervalu outlets and subscribers will get 1 ticket which will work for the games on both May 31st and June 1st.
Adults Covered Stand (Hurling) + Adults General Admission (Football) – €35
Adults Terrace (Hurling) + Adults General Admission (Football) – €20
The usual Student / OAP concessions will also apply, meaning that a person in these categories will get entry to both games for just €20 using the package to gain entry to the Covered Stand for the Hurling game and just €10 if you wish to watch the Hurling game from the Terrace.
Student / OAP Covered Stand (Hurling)
+ Student / OAP General Admission (Football) – €20
(purchase an Adult package ticket at €35 & get a €5 concession on entry to the Football game and a €10 concession on entry to the Hurling game via a designated stile on each night subject to the production of valid ID)
Student / OAP Terrace (Hurling) + Student / OAP General Admission (Football) – €10
(purchase an Adult package ticket at €20 & get a €5 concession on entry to both games via a designated stile on each night subject to the production of valid ID)
Club Juvenile Discount Package
A club that pre-purchases a Club Juvenile Discount Package will get 10 juveniles entry to the stand for €3 and one adult mentor free of charge with every 10 juveniles. This works out at €2.72 per person. Clubs should contact Mary O’Mahoney at Munster GAA (061-338593 or mary.omahoney.munster@gaa.ie) for more details of how to book this package. The deadline to order this Club Juvenile Discount package is Monday May 26th.
Tipperary GAA Draw Postponed
The new Tipperary GAA Members Draw, due to commence last Fri night has been deferred to give clubs an opportunity to maximise their sales. Clubs are asked to take full advantage of this break and use the extra weeks to increase their membership and bring in much needed revenue without incurring any risk or cost. It’s still the best County GAA Draw in the country and we should take pride in keeping it successful. Any Draw that puts up 24 car prizes incorporated in 12 monthly draws and 30 weekly lotto’s must be supported as it would be impossible to replace it. Patrons can pay €100 up front or pay in cash instalments to their promoter or sign up a direct debit. Supporters outside of Tipperary can join on-line by logging on to www.tipperary.gaa.ie
Friends of Tipperary Football AGM
The annual meeting of Friends of Tipperary Football will be held in Hayes Hotel, Thurles, on Thursday May 29th at 8.30pm sharp. The meeting will review what has been a very busy year for the ‘Friends’. It staged a number of very successful fundraising events in support of all county football teams, most notably a fun cycle, golf classic, and monster bingo sessions. Football in the Premier County is riding the crest of a wave right now following the seniors historic league final win over Clare in Croke Park. Enthusiasm is high in advance of the big Munster championship clash with Limerick on Saturday May 31st. A big turnout is expected at the annual meeting of ‘Friends’ on 29th. New committee members welcome. The meeting will be addressed by County GAA Board Chairperson Sean Nugent, and County Football Board Chairperson, Joe Hannigan.
Supporters Club Membership Promoters
Tipperary Senior Hurlers will play Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship Semi Final at Semple Stadium Thurles on Sunday June 1st. The Supporters Club as usual will be conducting a draw for five sets of Stand Tickets. All paid up members will be included in this draw, which will be made on Saturday May 24. To ensure that members are included promoters should have all returns in by May 23d at the latest
Returns can be sent to; Jim Reidy, Tipperary Supporters Club, 13 Castleknock Close, Castleknock,
Dublin.15. 086-3580718. Many have already made their returns, which is really appreciated.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB DUBLIN GOLF CLASSIC
The Tipp Supporters Club will host their first Dublin Golf Classic at Edmonstown Golf Club on Thursday May 29th 2014. Teams of Four with 6 Team prizes including Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin prizes. There will Refreshments and a 4 course luncheon/dinner on completion of round and the price is €600 per team. This will be one of their major annual fund raising events as they want to continue support for the management and team as they bid for honours this year. All funds will be used to defray costs for looking after the team preparation for this year’s championship. (Note to be eligible for the main prizes, all team members must have GUI handicaps). Please email your team entry, to terry.bb.oneill@gmail.com. Tee and green sponsorship also available.
Meanwhile, the annual Tipperary Supporters Club Golf Classic takes place again this year in the County Tipperary Golf and Country Club, Dundrum, Co Tipperary on this Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd May. Please contact Joe Tuohy on jetuohy@iol.ie for details.
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 email pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at www.tipperary.gaa.ie keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.
