FBD Insurance County Championships
Last weekend saw the conclusion of two more championships along with one county semi final. Clonoulty was the venue for the FBD Insurance county Junior B hurling championship final between Thurles Sarsfields and Solohead. Played in front of a large attendance this was a very well contested game of hurling from start to finish with many fine scores and lots of stylish defending throughout. At the mid way point, it was still all to play for with only two points between the sides, Thurles Sarsfields 2-06, Solohead 0-10. The second half was once again very well contested, but in the end Thurles Sarsfields proved to be that little bit stronger as they claimed the title on a full time score of 3-15 to 1-16.
The under 19 A hurling final also took place on Sunday afternoon in Bansha between Holycross Ballycahill and St Marys. The mid men were many peoples favourites to win this contest, but to their credit St Marys were very determined to upset the odds and indeed they were right in the game at half time trailing by a single point 0-08 to 0-09. Holycross Ballycahill took to the field in a more determined side and they quickly took control of the game outscoring their opponents by 1-12 to 0-08 as they went on to deservedly claim the title on a full time score of 1-21 to 0-16.
Templederry played host to the Junior B footballers of Boherlahan Dualla and Shannon Rovers on Sunday afternoon for their county semi final clash. This was a very low scoring encounter that resulted in “The Sash” qualifying for this year’s final by virtue of a one point win, 0-07 to 1-03.
This coming Saturday, November 12th will see the only fixture of the weekend taking place when Cappawhite Gaels and Upperchurch Drombane will meet in Boherlahan at 1.30pm for their County under 19 B hurling semi final and as always, tickets for this game are now available to purchase via the tickets section of the Tipperary GAA website. A tap and go service will also be in operation at the venue.
Munster Club Championships
Three Tipperary clubs were in action last weekend as they commenced their participation in the various competitions. First into action on Saturday afternoon were the Junior hurlers of Grangemockler Ballyneale who took on defending champions, Cork’s Ballygiblin in FBD Semple Stadium. Defending champions Ballygiblin had the breeze in the first-half, but it was Grangemockler-Ballyneale who got the scoreboard moving with their chief-scorer Darragh Shelley firing over a ’65 in the third minute. Ballygiblin free-taker Joseph O’Sullivan levelled a couple of minutes later. The Tipperary representatives, although beaten in their county final by Upperchurch Drombane, were up for the challenge and put over the next two points from placed balls. The game remained very close throughout, however a second Ballygiblin goal in the closing stages proved to be the difference as they held out to win by 2-10 to 0-11.
FBD Semple Stadium was also the venue on Sunday afternoon for the Intermediate hurling clash of Roscrea and Waterford’s Ballysaggart. A powerful start to the second half by the North Tipp men put pay to any hopes that their opponents may have had of oprogressing to the semi final. A closely fought out first half saw Roscrea ahead at half-time 1-11 to 0-12, their goal by Shane Fletcher coming after just two minutes but Ballysaggart lost inter-county midfielder Shane Bennett to injury just before the break which was a big setback for the Waterford side.
Their challenge collapsed at the start of the second half as Roscrea hit them for 2-5 in a blistering nine-minute spell. Sam Conlon got the first goal after two minutes and Luke Cashin added another three minutes later as Roscrea surged 3-16 to 0-13 clear after 39 minutes. In the end Roscrea were comfortable 4-21 to 0-15 point winners and now progress to play Cork’s Inniscarra in the semi final.
The big game of the weekend was the meeting of the recently crowned Tipperary senior hurling champions Kilruane MacDonaghs and 2021 All Ireland club champions Ballygunner. The game which was played in Walsh Park in Waterford on Sunday afternoon, was always going to be a tough assignment for the Tipp champions and the challenge was made all the more difficult given the fact that Kilruane MacDonaghs were without a number of regulars due to injury. This was compounded even further during the course of the game as both Aaron Morgan and Niall O’Meara had to be substituted due to injury. The Waterford champions were once again ruthless in every way as they commenced the defence of their provincial title in a determined fashion. They scored 4-16 from play, with their full-forward line making hay. Kevin Mahony blasted 2-2, Patrick Fitzgerald, in his first year out of minor, picked off 1-4, and Dessie Hutchinson did all his scoring early for a 0-3 tally.
Their subs, too, had an impact. All-Ireland-winning goalscorer Harry Ruddle, who has played for their intermediate team all year, got a goal, Club Hurling Team of the Year member Billy O’Keeffe 0-2, and Jake Foley added a point. Some pool of resources in that panel.
While Kilruane MacDonaghs will be disappointed to go out of the competition, they have had a magnificent year and can hold their heads very high as they have represented their club, parish and county excellently both on and off the field. The final score in Walsh Park was Ballygunner 4-19, Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-14.
Tipperary was also represented in Cusack Park, Ennis last Saturday afternoon as Thurles Gaels man Kevin Jordan took charge of the Munster Intermediate hurling clash of St Joseph’s Doora Barefield of Clare and Kerry’s Causeway.
It’s the turn of the footballers next weekend and Tipperary will have two representatives in action. First in to action will be the Junior footballers of Thurles Sarsfields who will make the trip to Hennessy Memorial Park Miltown Malbay to play Liscannor on Saturday at 1.15pm, while on Saturday evening under the bright lights in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Tipperary senior football champions Clonmel Commercials will come face to face with Cork champions Nemo Rangers at 7.15pm. Best wishes to both clubs who will be sure to do the premier county proud.
Health and Wellbeing
Movember is now a global health movement focused on improving men’s health and wellbeing. Movember is an annual event run throughout the month of November and it involves the growing of moustaches to raise funds and awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and men’s suicide. If growing a moustache is not appealing there are other ways to donate such as organizing workplace / club quiz events or this year you can participate in Move for Movember a challenge to commit to walking or running 60 miles over the 30 days of November. Information on how to participate in Movember can be obtained on Info.ie@movember.com
Clubs engaged in the Healthy Club Program are aware they must meet with their CHWC twice a year in order to maintain Healthy Club accreditation. Our second meeting of 2022 will take place in Lar na Pairce on Tuesday November 22nd commencing 7.30pm. Please email chair.hwc.tipperary@gaa.ie for further details.
Safe travelling to registered participants heading to the Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park on November 12th. The conference theme is: Living our Values. Oisin McConville will be joined by many GAA ambassadors hosting workshops which will explore how we can bring to life the values that are common across the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie associations, including: Community Identity & Pride, Teamwork and Volunteerism, Inclusiveness, Player Welfare & Respect. Workshops will include practical examples from Healthy Clubs covering these themes.
Newport Healthy Club in association with Tipperary Education and Training Board will host a 2-hour workshop in Newport College on Thursday 10/11/’22 7-9pm under the topic:
Discover what your smartphone can do:
This is a free event, and all adults are welcome to attend.
Tipperary GAA Club Zone
As part of our continued commitment to expand and develop the Tipperary social media channels while also promoting everything that is good about the clubs of the Premier County. We are launching our new Tipperary GAA “Club Zone”.
Does your club have an upcoming fundraiser or event, has your club achieved something special recently, is your club going above & beyond to promote our games. We want to hear about it so we can go to u, chat with the relevant people in your club, film some footage and then spread the word on our social media channels.
If your club would like to feature on Tipperary GAA Club Zone, please do get in touch by emailing pro.tipperary@gaa.ie
All On The Line
A big crowd is expected in The Anner Hotel Thurles this Thursday evening, November 10th for the launch of Padraic Maher’s new book “All on the line”. The current Tipperary senior hurling selector, who was forced into retirement earlier this year on foot of a serious neck injury, has not wasted time in penning his story which is available now and is a must for all Tipperary, GAA and hurling enthusiasts. The event will commence at 7:00pm where Padraic will be joined by GAA All Stars Eoin Kelly, Tommy Welsh, and Patrick Horgan for an in-conversation event. Tickets are free but is based on limited capacity and it’s first come first served.
Best Wishes Declan
Best of luck to Tipperary senior hurling selector Declan Laffan who is also manager of the Clough Ballacolla senior hurling team that will take on Dublin Champions Kilmacud Crokes in Parnell Park on Sunday afternoon in the Leinster senior hurling championship Quarter Final.
Tipperary GAA Scene
If there is anything you feel should feature in this column going forward, please feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie
By Jonathan Cullen Wed 9th Nov
