by PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER CLUB HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Unfortunately it was not a productive weekend on the road for Tipperary club hurling as both the senior and intermediate club representatives failed to progress to their respective Munster Finals.
Fancied by many to progress in the senior championship, Thurles Sarsfields on top for a long stretch came up against a stubborn Ballyea (Clare) side that edged this thriller in Cusack Park, Ennis by two points after extra time, 4-18 to 2-22. Cusack Park hasn’t been kind to Thurles Sarsfields as they lost out to Cratloe (Clare) at the same stage in 2014.
Newport headed to Fraher Field on Saturday, November 5th, to play Lismore in the AIB Munster GAA Hurling Intermediate Club Championship Semi-Final. In another enthralling contest Newport put it up to their rivals and were unlucky not to come out of the game with something losing by 1-15 to 1-12 after a gallant effort.
MUNSTER SENIOR CLUB FOOTBALL
Loughmore-Castleiney carry the county flag this weekend as they head to Dr. Crokes GAA Grounds, Killarney to meet the Kerry champions Dr. Crokes in the AIB Munster GAA Football Senior Club Championship semi-final with throw in at 2pm. We send best wishes to Loughmore-Castleiney as they bid to go one better than when they played Dr. Crokes last at this stage in November 16th, 2013.
TIPPERARY WATER JUNIOR HURLING
Following their victory over Loughmore-Castleiney in the Tipperary Water Junior ‘A’ Hurling Semi-Final last Saturday Ballybacon-Grange head into the AIB Munster GAA Hurling Junior Club Championship semi-final on Saturday next November 12th at 2pm, against Ballyduff Lower (Waterford) in Walsh Park, Waterford. We send best wishes to Ballybacon-Grange on Saturday as they also have their county final to come yet against Kiladangan on November 27th next.
In the Tipperary Water Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship the action is in Kilcommon on Sunday next, November 13th as Portroe and Upperchurch-Drombane lock horns in the final which throws in at 2pm. Extra time will be played if required.
TIPPERARY WATER JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Clonoulty-Rossmore and Loughmore-Castleiney meet in the Tipperary Water County Junior A Football Championship Final this Friday night, November 11th, in Templetuohy at 8pm, extra time will also be played here if required.
Regardless of the result Clonoulty-Rossmore will represent Tipperary away in the Munster Junior Football championship with a game against Gabriel Rangers of Cork in the Munster semi-final on weekend of November 20th, most likely in Clonakilty.
INTERMEDIATE HURLING
The County Intermediate Hurling relegation continued last Saturday, November 5th, where Arravale Rovers defeated Rockwell Rovers 3-21 to 2-9 to retain their intermediate status along with Golden-Kilfeacle for 2017. The result means Rockwell Rovers are relegated to Junior A grade.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
REFEREES
Best wishes to Tipperary referees in charge of Munster matches this weekend. On Sunday November 13th, Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) takes charge of the AIB Munster GAA Football Intermediate Club Championship semi-final clash between Kiskeam (Cork) and Adare (Limerick) at 2pm in Mallow.
Elsewhere, John McCormack (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) will take charge of the AIB Munster GAA Hurling Junior Club Championship semi-final between Bodyke (Clare) and Mayfield (Cork) also on Sunday at 2pm in Pairc Ui Rinn.
ALL-STAR AWARDS
It was overall a great night for Tipperary at the GAA/GPA All-Star Awards for 2016 in the Convention Centre, Dublin last Friday night as Tipperary came home with seven hurling and one football All Star Awards.
Congratulations to our eight recipients, Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) who received his first award when the football team was announced on Thursday morning. On Friday night Michael was joined by first time hurling All Star recipients Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill), James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) and John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney). Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) collected his fourth award, Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) his second, though unfortunately ‘Bonner’ is away on a tour of duty in the Golan Heights with the Defence Forces and wasn’t there to collect his award and Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) his third All Star Award.
Alas, though, there was disappointment in the two main hurling awards of the night from a Tipperary perspective, Hurler of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year. Commiserations to Tipperary nominations Seamus Callanan and Padraic Maher and young hurler Ronan Maher who failed to secure the kudos, as both awards went to Austin Gleeson (Waterford).
In the Young Footballer of the Year category commiserations also go to Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle) and Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule) who lost out to Mayo’s Diarmuid O’Connor who picked up the award for the second time.
The All Star Awards are going from strength to strength since they came into being in 1971, prior to that the Cú Chulainn Awards as part of Gaelic Weekly magazine could be considered a forerunner between 1963 and 1967.
Incidentally, in July 1947, the late Michael O’Hehir after a series of columns he wrote gave his hurling selection to represent Ireland against all comers based on his own views and following numerous submissions by readers.
No different to today, there was great debate among the Gaels of the time as they put pen to paper to come up with various selections. In the end he came up with a team and named two left corner backs as he couldn’t make up his mind on them. Only one Tipperary man made his selection and that was Tommy Doyle (Thurles Sarsfields) at right half forward. Michael’s team was as follows; S. Duggan (Galway) W. Murphy (Cork) or P. Grace (Kilkenny), J. Keane (Waterford), C. Murphy (Cork), T O’Brien (Limerick), D. Solan (Clare), J. Mulcahy (Kilkenny), P. Gardiner (Galway), D. Kennedy (Kilkenny), T. Doyle (Tipperary), C. Ring (Cork), R. Stokes (Limerick), J. Power (Waterford), P O’Brien (Kilkenny) and J. Kelly (Cork).
Next week to close out the loop, I will give you his football selection on which there was no Tipperary representation.
TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The November Draw was held last Friday night, in The Railway Bar, Cloughjordan and congratulations go to the two main winners on the night. First prize of a Skoda Rapid or €15,000 sold by Clonakenny GAA Club went to David Parr and second prize of a Skoda Citigo or €10,000 went to James McGarry and his ticket was sold by Mullinahone GAA Club.
AWARD 1 DUAL COACHING
There will be an Award 1 Adult Dual Coaching Course run in Thurles over five Monday nights, starting next Monday night November 14th, and continuing on November 21st, 28th and December 5th and 12th in Dr. Morris Park, Thurles from 7.30pm – 9.30 pm each night.
Anybody who is interested and wishes to enrol must do so by November 11th by email to Kevin Halley, GDA officer kevin.halley.gda.tipperary@gaa.ie
The cost of the course will be €40 euro per coach.
DEAN RYAN CUP
Best wishes to Thurles CBS who travel to the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick this Saturday, November 12th at 1.30pm, to play Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy in the Dean Ryan Cup (Under 16.5 A Hurling) Final. Extra time will be played if necessary.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The new membership scheme of the Friends of Tipperary Football for 2017 is 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.
Initial sales are tremendous and the Tipperary Football Committee and the Friends are hugely encouraged by this and are asking all Tipperary supporters to continue on the great support shown to the senior footballers in the All-Ireland semi-final and to take out membership straight away.
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.
HALL OF FAME 2016
Seán McLoughlin, former Thurles Sarsfields and Tipperary, hurler will be honoured on Saturday, November 19th, at Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, where he will be inducted into Thurles Sarsfields Hall of Fame.
Former hurlers who played with or against Seán at club or county level are invited to attend the celebration, which begins at 8.00 pm and all are welcome.
SLIEVENAMON ASSOCIATION
The Slievenamon Association in Kilkenny is holding its celebration Dinner Dance in The Pembroke Hotel this Friday, November 11th at 8 pm. Guests will include the prodigal Liam MacCarthy which is being welcomed back to the Marble City after a few years’ absence. Music is provided by Silver Dollar.
All are welcome to attend for a night of celebrations with the Tipperary folk living in Kilkenny. For info, tickets etc. contact the Secretary on (086) 8105182 or the Chairman on (087) 2210372.
TIPPERARY G.A.A. CLUB, NEW YORK
The County Tipperary Hurling Club New York will hold their 2016 Celebration Banquet on Saturday, December 3rd at Lake Isles Country Club, 660 White Plains Road, Eastchester, NY 10709.
Guest of Honour is Joe Stapleton (Roscrea) with Special Guest of Honour Tadgh O’Connor (Roscrea) Captain of the All-Ireland winning Tipperary team of 1971.
In this great year for Tipperary hurling, the County Tipperary Hurling Club New York also welcome Special Guests – Tipperary Co. Board Chairman Michael Bourke, Tipperary Senior Hurling Manager and Captain -Michael Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane) and Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh) as well as Tipperary Minor Hurling Manager and Captain – Liam Cahill (Ballingarry) and Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney).
Following his sides terrific run in this year’s football championship the New York Club also welcome Tipperary Senior Football Manager – Liam Kearns. The Player of the Year is Luke O’Loughlin and the Tipperary “Man of the Year” is Brendan Maher (Roscrea). Proceedings get under way at 8:00 pm with a Cocktail Hour followed at 9:00 pm by Dinner and Dancing. Music will be provided by New York Showband.
Tickets are $110 per person. The Journal Chairman: Pa Ryan (914) 275-5734/ryanpa84@yahoo.com and Dance Chairperson: Brendan Maher (646) 361-5544/kellymaher1@hotmail.com
President: Sean Sheppard (914) 473-8102, Vice President: Pat Costigan (917) 270-6774
Transportation provided from McKeon’s Bar at 7:15 pm sharp
NORTH SCÓR NA NÓG
The North Final of Scor na nÓg will take place in Birdhill Hall on Friday week the 18th of November, starting at 7.30pm. All clubs are encouraged to take part and winners will go forward to the County Final in Cashel on Friday the 2nd of December.
ANNUAL GAA MEMORABILIA FAIR IN THURLES
Lár na Páirce, the GAA Museum in Thurles, will hold a GAA Memorabilia Fair in Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, (beside Semple Stadium) on Sunday, November 27th from 12.00 noon to 4.00pm.
At this Memorabilia Fair, patrons will be given the chance to browse, purchase and search a large selection of Match Programmes, Club Histories, Hurling, Football, Camogie and Handball publications, not to mention a host of other somewhat rare GAA material, and all in the pleasant and spacious surroundings of Thurles Sarsfields Clubhouse.
Dealers, collectors, sellers and swappers are cordially invited to attend this event, where it is hoped they will find unusual and rare material aplenty to interest everyone in attendance. Sales positions, free of charge, can be booked in advance and anyone interested should contact the organisers before November 24th next. Admission is €3, with accompanied children free.
For further information on this event, please contact Seamus J. King, Tel: 087 2246245 or Liam Ó Donnchú, Tel: 086 6036547 or email larnapaircemuseum@gmail.com. This is one upcoming event certainly not to be missed by all lovers of GAA sports.
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.
