by PRO Joe Bracken
TIPPERARY SH ANNOUNCEMENT
Following the news over the weekend of a changing of the guard in captaincy of the Tipperary senior hurling panel, the news was received to widespread acclaim as congratulatory best wishes poured forth for incoming Captain Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) and Vice-Captain Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) as well as a huge amount of praise and recognition for Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh) who has served supremely as Captain for the last three years.
Padraic Maher who recently received his fourth GAA/GPA All-Star Award (2009, 2011, 2014 and 2016) also holds 2 All-Ireland SH medals (2010 and 2016), 5 Munster SH medals (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016), 1 All-Ireland U21 Hurling medal as Captain (2010), 2 Munster U21 Hurling medals (2008 and 2010 [as Captain]), 2 All-Ireland Minor Hurling medals (2006 and 2007) and 1 Munster Minor Hurling medal (2007). Padraic was nominated as Hurler of the Year in 2011 and 2016. He brings a wealth of experience to the captaincy and we wish him every success in his time in the role.
In Seamus Callanan, Padraic has a formidable ally as both are well established, admired and solid senior members of the hurling panel. Seamus won his third GAA/GPA All-Star Award recently (2014, 2015 and 2016). He holds 2 All-Ireland SH medals (2010 and 2016, 6 Munster SH medals (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016) and 1 NHL medal (2008). Seamus was nominated as Hurler of the Year in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and he was also nominated as Young Hurler of the Year in 2008. Competing at an exceptionally high standard for a number of years now, the determination shown by Seamie will be a key motivational factor no doubt in ensuring continued success at the highest levels for him and Tipperary.
Every accolade that falls the way of Brendan Maher are fully deserved and merited. Brendan has not alone shown but has proven to be a fantastic leader to Tipperary teams in his term as Captain. He has been a pivotal figurehead the go to talisman to drive his side on each time he took to the field. Selfless and committed in his work rate, his solid focus and determination are key hallmarks of his game. Brendan is thanked for his enormous contribution as Captain and he will continue to be a rock to Paidi and Seamie in the years ahead. To date Brendan holds 2 All-Ireland SH medals (2010 and 2016 [as captain]), 5 Munster SH medals (2009, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016 [captain in ’15 & ’16]), 1 All-Ireland U21 Hurling medal (2010), 2 Munster U21 Hurling medals (2008 and 2010) and 2 All-Ireland Minor Hurling medals (2006 and 2007 [captain]) and 1 Munster Minor Hurling medal (2007 captain). Brendan was also Young Hurler of the Year in 2010.
As well as announcing the Captaincy roles going forward, the Tipperary SH management team also released a 41 strong pre-season training panel as they get ready to go again for the new campaign of 2017. Check https://tipperary.gaa.ie for more details.
RETIREMENTS
Last week marked the end of the inter-county careers of Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh) and Gearoid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons) following their respective statements that they were retiring from the inter-county scene. Both have served the county with great loyalty and are wished every success for the future.
ALL-IRELAND MEDAL PRESENTATION
The Anner Hotel in Thurles was resplendent last Saturday night as it hosted the All-Ireland and Munster Minor and Senior Medal Presentation function where the victorious Tipperary minor and senior players joined by family members as well as management teams, county board officers and guests assembled for the celebratory dinner. Guest speaker on the night was Ballydoyle racing supremo Aidan O’Brien. Munster Council Chairman, Jerry O’Sullivan presented the senior medals while Tipperary Co. Board President and All-Ireland SH winning Captain Matt Hassett presented the minor medals all in what was a fitting close to a wonderful year for Tipperary hurling.
TIPPERARY WATER U21 HURLING
The Tipperary Water U21 A and B hurling championships are down to the final and semi-final stages now following last weekend’s results. In the ‘A’ championship Thurles Sarsfields overcame the Cappawhite-Treacys challenge with ease with the final score reading 2-24 to 1-10. A resolution was reached in terms of North division participation and the winners of Saturday’s North Final between Kilruane MacDonaghs and Toomevara will play Carrick Swan in the county semi-final on Sunday next December 4th at 1.30pm in Golden, extra time to be played if necessary.
In the ‘B’ semi-finals Gortnahoe-Glengoole defeated Cashel King Cormacs 2-12 to 1-12 and Ballinahinch-Templederry got the better of Grangemockler-Ballyneale 1-11 to 0-9 as they both look to next weekend’s final with renewed confidence. This final will go ahead also on Sunday in Holycross at 1.30pm. Extra time to be played here if required.
TIPPERARY WATER JUNIOR HURLING
Congratulations to Kiladangan whose second team earned intermediate status for 2017 following their two point win over Ballybacon-Grange after extra time in the Tipperary Water Junior ‘A’ Hurling Final las Sunday on a score line of 1-18 to 1-16. A delighted Kiladangan captain Ger Slattery received the cup from County Board Vice-Chairman John Devane with Tom Maher CCC secretary also in attendance.
Coincidently, Ger was also captain when Kiladangan won County and Munster Intermediate Hurling honours in 2004 before going on to capture the inaugural All-Ireland Club Intermediate Hurling title in the spring of 2005.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
TIPPERARY PHOTO AND CALENDAR LAUNCH
At the SH and MH medal presentation ceremony function last weekend the launch also took place of the sale of the official Tipperary SH team photograph and also an official Tipperary GAA calendar containing iconic images of our senior and minor hurlers and senior footballers in action this year as well as GAA/GPA All-Star Award photographs. All enquires for SH team photographs should be made to Tim Floyd, Co. Secretary secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie, 087 2591747 or any county board officer of SH team panellist.
The official calendar costing €10 is on sale in Lar na Pairce, Thurles and it is hoped it will be on sale in most towns around the county very shortly.
MUNSTER JUNIOR HURLING
Well done to Upperchurch-Drombane who defeated Limerick’s Murroe-Boher by 1-12 to 2-8 in last Sunday’s Munster Junior ‘B’ Hurling Semi-Final played in Pairc Ide Naofa, Raheenagh, Co. Limerick. Upperchurch-Drombane now await the winners of the other semi-final between the Cork and Waterford champions.
MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Best wishes also to Arravale Rovers who play the Munster Junior ‘B’ Football Quarter Final against Oola (Limerick) next Sunday 4th December at 2:30pm in Knockaderry. Extra time will be played if required.
DR. HARTY CUP
The Dr. Harty Cup swings back into action this week with Our Lady’s Templemore one of the first Tipperary teams into action this Wednesday, November 30th where they will meet Árdscoil Uí Urmaltaigh, Bandon in Ballyagran, Limerick at 1.30pm. Meanwhile in Newport Nenagh CBS will take on Castletroy College also at 1.30pm. Another game of interest from a Tipperary perspective will be the meeting of Scoil Na Trioniode Doon and CBS Midleton on Wednesday at 1:30pm in Charleville. The Doon panel includes 12 players from Cappawhite and 4 from Eire Óg Annacarty.
On Thursday then, December 1st, Thurles CBS will be up against Abbey CBS in Dundrum at 2pm in a Tipperary derby.
We send best wishes to the four teams in action this week.
For all results and fixtures concerning Tipperary Post Primary Schools please log onto http://munstergaapps.ie/
FOOTBALL COMMITTEE
The AGM of the Tipperary Football Committee was held on Monday night last with the following officers ratified; Chairman Joe Hannigan , Vice-Chairman Michael Byrne, Secretary Hugh Coghlan and P.R.O .Enda O’Sullivan. Best wishes to Joe and his colleagues as Tipperary football looks to build on the success of 2016.
TIPPERARY COUNTY BOARD DRAW
The next Tipperary County Board draw will take place in Kelly’s Bar Cappawhite next Wednesday, December 7th and will coincide with the 88th West Tipperary GAA Convention will take place in the Cappawhite Community Centre at 8.30pm.
GAA/GPA ALL STARS TOUR
THE GAA/GPA All-Stars travelled to Abu Dhabi and Dubai last week on a football tour.
Uachtarán CLG Aogán Ó Fearghail led the party of which Tipperary were represented by Liam Kearns (Tipperary) manager of the 2016 team and Tipperary players Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials), Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers), Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) and Peter Acheson (Moyle Rovers).
CONVENTION DATES
The following are upcoming dates for the diary; Sunday next December 4th – South Board Convention in GAA Centre, Clonmel; Monday December 5th Friends of Tipperary Football AGM in Lar na Pairce at 8pm; Tuesday December 6th – Co. Bord na nÓg Convention in the Horse & Jockey Hotel; Wednesday December 7th – West Board Convention in Cappawhite; Thursday December 8th – North Board Convention in Cloughjordan; Friday December 9th – Mid Board Convention in Gortnahoe; Tuesday December 13th – Tipperary Supporters Club AGM in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin and finally on Friday December 16th – County Convention in The Dome.
SCÓR
Comghairdeas le Noel Joyce, Ciarán Byrne agus le Áine Ní Riain who were honoured at a civic reception of the Thurles and Templemore Municipal Districts on Thursday night last in The Templemore Arms Hotel.
Noel and Ciarán, both of the JK Brackens club have achieved All-Ireland success in Aithriseoireacht-Recitation competitions and are both wonderful exemplars to all Scór performers.
Áine Ryan of Upperchurch is a renowned actress and has penned her own material for stage. She attributes her interest in the Arts to being steeped in rich traditions of music, song and drama in her family pub and her involvement in Scór from an early age.
Congratulations to you all and to all the recipients of such an honour and we express our appreciation to the members and representatives of the Municipal Districts.
SCÓR NA NÓG COUNTY FINALS
The County Finals of Scór na nÓg will take place in Halla na Féile Cashel on Friday night next December 2nd.Congratulations to all those who have already qualified and we look forward to an entertaining night .
We encourage All Clubs to take part in the Tráth na gCeist competition, the winning team to go on to represent the County in the All-Ireland Finals in Belfast. Bí ullamh.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
Supporters are requested to note that the AGM of the Tipperary Supporters Club will be held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Dublin on Tuesday, December 13th. In what was a wonderful and successful year for Tipperary hurling, the Supporters Club would like to see as many attend their AGM as possible.
The work of the Supporters Club is instrumental in the success of our teams and it needs the backing of all to continue their fantastic work in fundraising which is hugely appreciated by senior manager Mick Ryan and his team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The Friends of Tipperary Football will hold their AGM in Lar na Pairce next Monday, December 5th at 8pm, new members are most welcome.
The new membership scheme of the Friends of Tipperary Football for 2017 is already up and running and tickets at €20 each can be had from any committee members or the Divisional coordinators, Kevin Barron (West), Trish Gavin (Mid), Aidan McNamara (South) and Joe Hannigan (North) and will carry prizes of tickets to the All-Ireland and National Football League fixtures. Supporters can also join online at the following link http://www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/
All monies raised from the membership go directly towards Tipperary Football teams and the support and fundraising efforts of the ‘Friends’ was instrumental in the success of Tipperary Football in 2016.
REFEREES
The Tipperary Referees Fitness Assessment / Rules Test will now take place on the revised dates as follows in The Dome, Semple Stadium – Thursday, January 19th 2017 at 7.30pm and Thursday, February 9th, 2017 also at 7.30pm. Clubs are also requested to please note that 2017 is a recruitment year for new referees in Tipperary and the referees committee will be publishing notice re same shortly.
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.
