by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
ALL IRELAND U21 FOOTBALL
Alas, the journey to Clarke Cup glory came to an abrupt and heart-breaking climax for a truly magnificent and talented group of Tipperary footballers in Parnell Park last Saturday night. Not alone had they already their county fully behind them, but they also caught the imagination of the nation with their performances to date and yet in the end had to accept a one point defeat losing the EirGrid GAA Football U21 All-Ireland Championship Final to Tyrone by 1-11 to 0-13.
Commiserations to the lads who gave of their all in the most trying of conditions and also to the manager Tommy Toomey and his management team of Mick O’Loughlin, Michael McGeehan, Eoghan Cooney and Peter Creedon who left no stone unturned in preparation for the final.
The focus now turns to the senior championship for many of Tommy Toomey’s players who will link up again with the rest of the senior football panel as they prepare for the Munster Senior Football Quarter-Final against Waterford which will be played on May 31st next in Semple Stadium.
On a sad note, the Co. Board wishes to express its deepest condolences to the Browne family, Knockavilla, Dundrum, on the tragic passing of Dom, RIP.
TIPPERARY GAA OPEN NIGHT
The Tipperary GAA Open Night will take place on Thursday May 7th at Dr. Morris Park, Thurles from 7.30 to 8.30pm. It will be a tremendous opportunity for young and old to have a meet and greet session on the grounds with a chance for photos and autographs with members of the Senior Hurling and Senior Football panel.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
There is a very busy weekend ahead with a veritable feast of action focusing on the next round of matches in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior and Intermediate Hurling Championships. With two rounds now completed it will be make or break for many clubs with league positions up for grabs. Before these take place there are also some round 2 fixtures to be played this Wednesday evening, May 6th, in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Football Championships. Please check fixtures section for full details.
TIPPERARY GAA – LONDON CORPORATE LUNCH FUNDRAISER
London’s West End 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.
PAUL CURRAN RETIREMENT
There have been many glowing tributes paid to Paul Curran who announced his retirement from the inter-county scene last week. Having made his championship debut in 2002, Paul was part of Tipperary’s victorious 2010 All-Ireland winning team and also won five Munster senior hurling medals, including one as captain in 2012 and two National league medals.
His statement last week spoke volumes about the man and his dedication, application and determination on and off the field will leave a lasting legacy for those following in his footsteps. Paul you are thanked most sincerely for your time in the Blue and Gold and wished well for continued success with your club Mullinahone and in whatever way you may contribute to Tipperary in the years ahead.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Philip Kelly from Ballinahinch who will referee the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship play-off game between Limerick and Waterford this Wednesday evening, May 6th, in Semple Stadium at 7pm.
NEW TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The clock is counting down in earnest to the start of the New Tipperary GAA Draw with the first draw scheduled by the draw committee for Friday, 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
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. You can sign up online today at – http://ow.ly/MpF0u
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
The 30th Tipperary Supporters Club Annual Golf Classic at the Tipperary Golf and Country Club, Dundrum is rapidly approaching and your support is again requested for this much appreciated event which will be held 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
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
There was an exciting new launch last Friday, May 1st, by the Friends of Tipperary Football, with their GAA Lotto. All Tipperary supporters are encouraged to please support by playing online now at the following link http://bit.ly/1HU6W9H
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
In the Tipperary GAA Post Primary Schools competitions last week, congratulations firstly go to Thurles CBS who continued a successful year for the school with victory in the Fitzgerald Cup final against Borrisoleigh on Wednesday last, April 29th, on a result of Thurles CBS 1-27 Borrisoleigh 4-6.
The following day April 30th, the Under 15 A football (Cusack Cup) was played and in this one congratulations go to Our Lady’s Templemore who saw off Thurles CBS on a score-line of 3.07 to 2.09.
THE CROSS OF CASHEL
New to the market is “The Cross of Cashel – All-Ireland Hurling U21 Finals 1964 to 2014”, published by Jim Fogarty which is available in bookshops in Thurles and Clonmel. Jim previously published a book on “The Dan Breen Cup”. If any interested party wants to contact Jim directly, they can do so at 086 1512946 or email jkfog1@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.
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 )
Junior Membership is free on www.tippsupportersclub.com and existing Junior Members will be automatically renewed and do not need to make contact unless they wish to update their contact details.
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.
