by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER CLUB FIXTURES
It was truly a heart-breaking end to the season for Thurles Sarsfields who despite a great showing failed to get the desired result losing the Munster Club Championship Semi-Final in the Gaelic Grounds last Sunday to Na Piarsaigh of Limerick on a score-line of 2-15 to 0-17. Commiserations to Thurles Sarsfields on the result which brought the curtain down on their championship campaign, while at the same time they also continue to try and recover from the loss of a fallen comrade.
Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) 2-15 Thurles Sarsfields 0-17 – Match Report
Congratulations to Clonmel Commercials on reaching the AIB Munster Senior Football Championship final following their 1-13 to 03 demolition of St Josephs from Clare in the semi-final last Sunday. This is a terrific result for Clonmel who now meet Nemo Rangers of Cork in the aforementioned Munster Final on Sunday week, November 29th.
Clonmel Commercials (Tipperary) 1-13 Miltown St Josephs (Clare) 0-3 – Match Report
TIPPERARY FIXTURES
At county level, the inclement weather played havoc with local affairs with most games falling victim to the elements and as a result the following re-fixtures had to be made.
In the Clean Ireland Recycling County Minor ‘A’ Hurling Final St. Mary’s Clonmel meet Kildangan this Saturday, November 21th in The Ragg at 2pm.
The second semi-final in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Minor “B” Hurling Championship takes place also on Saturday next November 21st at 2pm in Templemore between Moneygall Clonakenny and Loughmore Castleiney.
In the County Adult Football League Premier Division Final Ardfinnan meet Clonmel Commercials in Ardfinnan on Sunday next, November 22nd at 12noon.
Congratulations to Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill who defeated Newport in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final on a score-line of 1-16 to 0-11.
With action also continuing in the divisional U21 hurling championships please check fixtures section for all updates on times and venues in all games across the Premier County.
RETIREMENTS
The sands of time wait for no one and with that it heralds the end of an era in Tipperary Senior Hurling circles with the inter-county retirement announcements by Conor O’Mahony, James Woodlock and Shane McGrath after long and distinguished careers. This wonderful trio have given immense satisfaction and joy to thousands of Tipperary supporters and their leaving creates a void for others to fill with the same qualities and excellence which made these men such household names. Each a leader and warrior in his own right, Conor, James and Shane were always to the forefront in ensuring Tipperary success and not being content with sitting in the pack each propelled himself forward to make things happen. They are wished every success with their clubs and to continue serving them for many years to come. Thanks seems such a small word when it comes to recognising the huge contribution each has made to the County and for their combined efforts and dedication Tipperary County Board is eternally grateful.
County Board Chairman, Michael Bourke said, “It is with a huge sense of pride and honour that I pay tribute to these three wonderful players, Conor O’Mahony, James Woodlock and Shane McGrath on the occasion of their retirements from inter-county hurling. The part that each played in guaranteeing success for Tipperary at Munster and All-Ireland level is unquestionable and their tremendous contribution to our county’s fortunes will forever be etched not alone in the minds of those who witnessed them play but also in the annals of our ancient game for evermore.”
“It is my privilege as County Chairman to acknowledge each player for giving of his time so willingly and unselfishly in the name of Tipperary and to thank the respective families and clubs for the part they played in the hurling careers of these three talented men. To Conor, James and Shane, I thank you on behalf of all Tipperary supporters and Tipperary County Board and I wish you continued success into the future, you proved you are winners and I have no doubt you always will be.”
2016 ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
The 2016 Allianz Hurling League fixtures have been announced with Tipperary’s opening fixture under the watch of new supremo Michael Ryan against Dublin in the Division IA clash under lights in Semple Stadium on Saturday, February 13th at 7pm.
Round 2 on February 21st is against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park at 2pm; round 3 is on March 6th in Semple Stadium against Waterford at 2.30pm, round 4 is against Galway in Salthill on March 13th and round 5 is at home to Cork in Semple Stadium on March 20th at 2pm. It’s enough to get the blood racing again.
2016 ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The new Tipperary football manager will have an away trip to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick for the opening round of the Allianz Football League Division 3 on January 31st as Tipperary take on Limerick at 2pm.
Round 2 on February 7th is against Clare in Clonmel Sportsfield at 2pm, round 3 is against Westmeath on February 28th in Cusack Park, Mullingar at 2pm, round 4 is against Offaly in Semple Stadium on March 6th at 12.45pm as part of a double header with the Tipp v Waterford hurling tie.
Round 5 is on March 13th, against Longford in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, Longford at 2pm, round 6 is on Easer Sunday, March 27th against Kildare in Semple Stadium at 2pm and round 7 is against Sligo on April 3rd in Markievicz Park, Sligo at 2pm, a lot of football to be played here too.
EIRGRID INTERNATIONAL RULES
Best wishes to Ciarán McDonald (Aherlow) who is on the Ireland International Rules panel for the second year in a row ahead of this weekend’s EirGrid International Rules Series v Australia AFL this Saturday, November 21st in Croke Park at 7pm.
LAOCHRA GHAEL AWARDS
What a wonderful occasion it was in the Dome, Semple Stadium last Sunday, November 15th, as a total of twenty-four worthy individuals who have given significant service to the G.A.A. during their lifetime received Laochra Ghael Awards. The recipients honoured were as follows; Sean Russell -Thurles Gaels; Joe Brennan – Newport; Daniel Fogarty – Killenaule; Martin Condon – Emly; Tom Lowry – Upperchurch-Drombane; Ger Gavin – Nenagh Eire Óg; Jimmy Ryan – Carrick Davins; Ann Holmes – Cappawhite; Dan Smyth – Clonakenny; Michael Phelan – Roscrea; Pat Flynn – Fr. Sheehys; Michael Ryan (W) – Sean Treacys; Paddy Guidera – J.K. Brackens; Michael Berkery – Ballinahinch; Billy Boy Moloney – Ardfinnan; John Marnane – Galtee Rovers; Martin O’Grady – Moyne Templetuohy; Paddy O’Brien – Ballina; Pat Woodlock – Fethard; Lar O’Keeffe – Solohead; Patsy Dorney – Thurles Sarsfields; Tom Ryan – Portroe; Dick Strang – Kilsheelan Kilcash and George Ryan – Lattin Cullen. Past president of the G.A.A., Liam O’Neill presented each award winner with their unique scroll. Congratulations to all recipients and members of the Laochra Ghael committee: Chairman John Costigan, Secretary Seamus J. King, Noel Morris, Tim Floyd, Seamus McCarthy and Sean Nugent for organising the event and with wonderful musical and song accompaniment the occasion was most fitting for all involved.
TONY REDDIN MEDAL COLLECTION
The medal collection of the late Tony Reddin, who was named as goalkeeper on the Hurling Team of the Millennium, were presented by his family to the GAA Museum in Croke Park in a special event hosted last week.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Aogán Ó Fearghail, paid tribute to the memory of the outstanding net-minder and welcomed the arrival of the prestigious medal collection to the Museum.
A native of Galway, Tony began his career in Galway with Mullagh and played inter-county hurling with the Tribesmen in 1941 and also played for Connacht in the Railway Cup inter-provincial championship.He later moved to Tipperary and joined the Lorrha-Dorrha club.
He excelled as a goalkeeper with Tipperary and his performances between the posts saw him hailed as arguably the greatest ever hurling goalkeeper.
He won three All-Ireland senior medals (1949, 1950 and 1951) as well as three Munster titles and six National Leagues (1949, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955 and 1957).
He was named the GAA’s Hurling Goalkeeper of the Century in 1984, and was also named goalkeeper on the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.
Tony’s three All-Ireland medals, alongside his Munster senior championship, Railway Cup and National League medals are now on display in the GAA Museum. The collection also includes a Connacht senior championship medal won with Galway in 1940 and a juvenile hurling medal, won with Mullagh, in 1933.
Sadly, Tony passed away in March of this year at the age of 95.
Uachtarán Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “One of the great joys of having a Museum at Croke Park is that it gives us the opportunity to remember and honour heroes who built a lasting legacy for Gaelic games.
“And in Tony Reddin hurling and the GAA certainly had a great hero. Although he played in an age before the massive TV coverage of sport we know now, Tony Reddin was still a household name in Ireland due to the skill and bravery of his goalkeeping deeds – feats that endeared him to a generation of supporters from Tipperary and far beyond.
“We are indebted to Tony’s family for permission to present his collection on display in the Museum in Croke Park and we cherish their addition and his memory.”
The GAA Museum is open daily throughout the year, including on match days. For further details see: www.crokepark.ie/museum
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Round 3 of the Dr. Harty Cup takes place this week with the four Tipperary schools in action this Wednesday, November 18th as follows; Rochestown College v Our Ladys Templemore in Leahy Park Cashel; Thurles CBS v SNTN Doon in Kilcommon; Castletroy CC v HS Clonmel in Golden and St Colmans Fermoy v Nenagh CBS in Cahir.
Best of luck to these schools and indeed to all Tipperary schools in action this week and for a full round up of this week’s fixtures and results please check the Munster website, http://munster.gaa.ie/fixtures/post-primary-schools/
SCÓR NA nÓG 2015/16
The County Grand Final of Scór na nÓg will take place in Halla na Feile, Cashel this Friday night November 20th.The competitions will start off at 7.30 pm with the Rince Foirne and continue with Amhránaíocht Aonair, Ceol Uirlise, Recitation, Ballad Group, Leiriú and Rince Seite. We wish all our young competitors the very best on the night and thank their mentors in each division for their help and encouragement in bringing them to this stage. Beidh scoth den cheol,den rince, den amhránaíocht, den scéalaíocht agus den drámaiocht le feiscint ar an stáitse agus guímid gach rath orthu uile.
We also look forward to our Scór na bPáistí season and encourage all our young club members and Scór competitors to bí ag cleachtadh.
TRÁTH NA gCEIST 2015/16
For the attention of all clubs, teams of four are invited to take part in the County Final on this Friday night November 20th .We will have a table quiz to choose our county Champions at the interval of the County Final and the successful maestros will go on to represent their County in the All-Ireland Final.
Mr Paddy Kelly will be Máistir na gCeist and questions will be from all categories as in the Scór Rule Book (30 in all). Teams can confer on all questions so we hope your club will be represented on the night. Ní neart go cur le Chéile
HURLING/SHINTY/CAMOGIE
WIT Campus was the place to be last Saturday as Waterford IT pulled off an historic double defeating Scottish Student Shinty teams in both hurling and camogie games.
On the WIT men’s panel Tipperary were represented by Joe O’Dwyer (Killenaule) and Tommy Kavanagh (Borris Ileigh) in the 7-8 to 4-16 win. While for the WIT ladies Tipperary were represented by Andrea Loughnane and Gillian McKenna in their 1-3 to 1-1 victory.
CONVENTIONS
The various 2015 Conventions are as follows; Tuesday December 1st – County Bord na nÓg Convention in The Horse & Jockey Hotel; Thursday December 10th – West Convention in Anacarty; Friday December 11th – Mid Convention in Thurles Sarsfields Centre; Monday December 14th – North Convention in Nenagh Éire Óg Centre; Sunday 13th – South Convention in Clonmel GAA Centre and lastly Thursday17th – County Convention in The Dome.
MEMORABILIA FAIR
The Annual G.A.A. Memorabilia Fair will be held on Sunday, December 6th, from 12-4pm in Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre and will give customers a chance to browse and search a large selection of match programs, club histories, hurling, football, camogie and handball publications as well as other G.A.A. material. In the pleasant and spacious surroundings of Thurles Sarsfields G.A.A. Centre collectors and sellers are cordially invited to attend this event where it is hoped they will find plenty to interest them. Admission will be €3 with accompanied children free.
Sales positions which are free of charge may be booked in advance by contacting Seamus J. King 087 2246245 seamusjking@gmail.com or Liam Ó Donnchú 086 6036547 liam.odonnchu.oifigeach@gaa.ie
TIPPERARY G.A.A. CLUB, NEW YORK
The County Tipperary Hurling Club New York will hold a Celebration Banquet on Saturday, December 5th next at Mulino’s Lake Isle Country Club in New York.
Guest of Honour on the night will be Donnacaha O’Dwyer of Borris Ileigh while Special Guests will be fellow Borris Ileigh men, Tipperary Captain Brendan Maher and former star Noel O’Dwyer.
Player of the year is Paul Loughnane and Tipperary “Man of the Year” is Tom Woodlock from Two Mile Borris.
A special 2015 Souvenir Journal is currently being prepared for the occasion where companies and individuals are invited to take out journal ads.
For further information please contact; Mike Kennedy, 646 208 3716; Brendan Maher 646 361 5544; Sean Shepard. 914 512 1519 and Tom Woodlock twomileborris@live.com.
GAA SEASON TICKET
GAA season ticket renewals are currently ongoing and public sales commenced on Monday November 2nd. Please check gaa.ie/seasonticket for further information.
To ensure pre-Christmas delivery, Season Tickets must be purchased or renewed prior to December 4th 2015.
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 3pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at https://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the news in Tipperary GAA circles.
