by PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Tipperary Senior Footballers got their championship off to the best possible start by defeating Waterford in Fraher Field, last Sunday in the Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final by 1-15 to 1-7.
This victory sets Tipp up with a home fixture on Saturday or Sunday June 11/12 against Cork in the Munster Semi-Final. It will be on Sunday the 12th if the Munster Senior Hurling tie between Waterford and Clare this weekend doesn’t go to a replay.
It was manager Liam Kearns first championship match in charge for Tipperary and he also handed two championship debuts to Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) and Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle).
Though Robbie Kiely and Conor Sweeney didn’t start due to slight injuries, Liam wisely held them in reserve as the Cork challenge in less than two weeks will be a formidable hurdle to jump if the side wish to progress to a Munster Final spot.
MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Having to go the scenic route of extra time the Tipperary Junior Football ensured an opening win for the Premier County in Fraher Field as they defeated Waterford 16 points to 15 in a keenly fought Munster Junior Football Championship quarter-final. Three points down as the clock wound down in normal time, a rousing finish saw the lads draw level and then in extra time once they got their noses in front, they held out superbly to secure a one point win. As with the senior team, Cork lie in wait in the semi-final on the same weekend, June 11/12 in Thurles.
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING SEMI-FINAL
Semple Stadium will once again be in the limelight this weekend as Waterford and Clare contest the first of this year’s Munster Hurling Championship semi-finals. Following two close games in the Allianz League final and replay the country will be focused in on Semple Stadium for the latest in this trilogy between the sides.
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
Before a huge attendance Drom and Inch played Upperchurch Drombane in the last of the County Senior Hurling Championship group matches last Friday night in Templemore, with Drom pulling away to secure the last spot available for the county series later on in the year.
Elsewhere, divisional action was the order of the weekend and with more games down for decision this coming bank holiday weekend. For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The first draw in the new scheme goes ahead on this Friday night June 3rd in The Anner Hotel Thurles at 9.30pm. All clubs are busy finalising their first returns for the new draw and the feedback to date is very positive with a large influx of new members applying to join up.
The star prize in the opening May draw this Friday night is the fabulous New Skoda Superb or €25,000 with another Skoda model, the Citigo or €10,000 as 2nd prize. Two Return Tickets to Australia are waiting to be won as 3rd prize followed by 30 cash prizes from €2,000 down to €200.
There will be plenty of good entertainment and refreshments for all club coordinators and promoters who are present in the Anner Hotel this Friday night. Best of luck to all members and we look forward to seeing a great turnout on the night.
REFEREES
Best wishes to John O’Brien (Arravale Rovers) when he takes charge of the Christy Ring Cup Final this Saturday evening, June 4th in Croke Park between Antrim and Meath. Then on Sunday in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Final in O’Connor Park, Tullamore, we send best wishes to Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla) as he watches over proceedings between Offaly and Laois.
CELTIC CHALLENGE
South Tipperary suffered their first defeat in the Celtic Challenge, going down to South Wexford last Wednesday, with the final score reading 3-15 to 1-14. The South Tipperary goal was scored by Niall Hoctor from St. Mary’s Clonmel. For South Tipperary this was a case of not playing to their potential but of being beaten by a better team on the night. Paul O Heney, Fiachra Scott, Conal Donovan, Niall Hoctor, Cathal Bourke and Jordan Hayes were the most prominent players for South Tipperary.
This Wednesday evening, June 1st South Tipperary meet South Kilkenny in their final group game in Cahir with the throw in at 7.30pm.
You can follow all the latest Celtic Challenge news at, http://www.gaa.ie/hurling/news/celtic-challenge-round/
Above is a photo of the trophies for the 5 Divisions of The Celtic Challenge which was inaugurated this year. The Trophies are all named after victims of Bloody Sunday. The trophies and medallions are sponsored by The Past Hurlers Association, many of whom have a strong Tipp connection.
Left to right: John McGrath (Waterford); Mick Carroll (Kilkenny and Thurles); Noel O Dwyer (Borrisoleigh); John O Donoghue (Arravale Rovers) and Sean O Laoire (Clare).
JOHN WEST FÉILE NA NGAEL
The clock is rapidly winding down towards the weekend of June 17th, 18th & 19th when Tipperary along with Waterford jointly hosts the National Féile na nGael Finals in what will be a busy weekend for all.
Led by Chairman Donal Shanahan (Toomevara) and Secretary Patricia Walsh (Waterford) the organising committee have been busy planning all events since last year as the toil of the labour comes ever closer to throw in.
The enthusiasm of all clubs is excellent as well and each club is applauded for their efforts in preparing for the weekend. However, with the deadline swiftly approaching everyone is asked to ensure the momentum is continued and raised to ensure the best of welcomes to all the visiting clubs and dignitaries to Tipperary and Waterford over Féile weekend. Furthermore wouldn’t it be great if the lasting legacy of Féile na nGael 2016 was one fulfilled on an overwhelmingly positive image of friendship, joyous welcome and community spirit for all players and parents and of course their clubs, no matter what part of the country and beyond they came from.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
The ‘home venue’ of Thurles Golf Club was the picturesque setting last Friday for the first Tipperary Supporters Club Golf Classics in aid of the Tipperary senior hurling training fund. After a wonderful day’s play the following are the prize winners;
1st – Matheson: Tony Kirby; Jack O’Keeffe; Donal McGettigan; Kevin O’Dwyer – all Thurles on 95 pts.
2nd – Acorn Life: Ger Ryan and Barry Dunne – both Nenagh, Pat Fennelly and Pat Fallon – both Thurles on 93 pts (on back 9).
3rd – Thurles Golf Club Team: Pat Stakelum, John Stakelum, John Nevin, Donal Hurley on 93 pts
4th – Dublin GAA: Deirdre Lane – Mountrath, Dermot Moran, Jer Barrett and Tom Ryan – all Castleknock on 91 pts (on back 9).
5th – Louis Fitzgerald: Des McCormack, Luttrellstown, Noel McMahon, Brian O’Neill and John O’Neill – all Kinsale on 91 pts.
6th – Cork Metal Co. Eddie Stapleton (Tipperary), Brendan Buckley, Charleville, Eddie O’Sullivan and Declan Fitzgerald – both Monkstown on 90 pts.
Longest Drive 10th (Men) – Donal O’Mahony – Dundrum Maps
Longest Drive 10th (Ladies) – Gemma Murphy – ABP
Nearest Pin 14th – Jer Barrett – Dublin GAA.
Tipperary Supporters Club is pleased to announce the Mater Private Group as Overall Sponsor of its Annual Dublin Corporate Golf Classic. This sold out event will be held in Edmondstown Golf Club, Rathfarnham this Thursday, June 2nd and is the second of the ‘classics’ in aid of the senior hurlers. Once again Tipperary County Board wishes to thank and acknowledge the Tipperary Supporters Club for the fantastic support they give to the county senior hurling team year in year out.
Speaking at the Sponsorship launch, Mater Private Marketing Manager, Emma Mulligan, said that they were delighted to be associated with this event with many of Ireland’s leading Corporates who currently use the Mater Corporate Health Check programme. https://www.materprivate.ie/dublin/centre-services/all-services/health-check/
Best wishes to Tipperary Supporters Club on what should be another fantastic day’s outing.
HANDBALL
The Hardball doubles All-Ireland Finals in Minor, Intermediate and Senior were hosted by Tipperary in Thurles on Saturday last, May 28th. Tipperary was represented in the Intermediate final by Ger Coonan from Ballina and David Moloney from Cashel. The Tipp pair won in convincing style taking the first game 21/6 and followed up with a 21/5 win in the second. They now step up to the senior ranks next season against the top players in the country.
It is great to see the ancient game of hardball being played at such a high level by our top players.
Next Saturday in Thurles Tipperary will again play host, this time for the singles Hardball Finals where David Moloney from Cashel will contest the Intermediate singles final against Daniel Relihan from Cork. So its best wishes to David this weekend, let’s hope he makes it a double victory.
LORY MEAGHER CUP
Best wishes to Niall McGrath from Burgess who will play in goal for Sligo in the final of the Lory Meagher Cup against Louth in Croke Park next Saturday.
SYMPATHY
Tipperary GAA on behalf of all its supporters expresses its sympathy to the family of the late Michael Boyce of Tuamgraney and Clare and former National Handball President, who passed away last week, ar anam De go raibh a anam dilis.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Tipperary Supporters Club for 2016 is available and at €30 per person it is unchanged again this year. The Tipperary Supporters Club member’s gift in 2016 will be a trolley coin keyring, 43 mm x 33 mm, featuring The Tipperary Supporters Club Official Logo.
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. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 or 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.
