Tipperary GAA Scene - October 18th 2023

FBD Insurance County Championships

Last weekends action got underway with the senior hurling relegation final between JK Brackens and Upperchurch Drombane which was played in the Ragg on Saturday afternoon. This was as would be expected a very keenly contested game with both sides eager to get the win that would preserve their senior status for 2024. In the end there was only the minimum between the sides as JK Brackens emerged victorious on a full time score of 0-18 to 1-14.

The Junior A hurling final between Clonoulty Rossmore and Ballinahinch was also played on Saturday afternoon in Kilcommon. In a high scoring game it was the West Tipperary side who prevailed by 3-18 to 2-11.

The FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate hurling final between Lorrha Dorrha and Thurles Sardfields saw a big crowd make their way to MacDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday afternoon, and all those in attendance were treated to a most entertaining and gripping encounter. In the end the sides could not be separated and will have to do it all again this coming Saturday in the same venue.

On Sunday in the FBD Insurance County Junior B hurling Championship, Drom & Inch were victorious over Moneygall on a score of 0-17 to 2-05 in Borrisoleigh.

The attention then turned to FBD Semple Stadium for both the FBD Insurance Intermediate and Senior hurling championship finals. First into action were the Intermediate hurlers of Boherlahan Dualla and Golden Kilfeacle. It was the Mid Tipperary side who proved to be that little bit stronger as they went on to claim the Michael Maher cup on a full time score of 3-15 to 0-15.

The senior final was a very eagerly awaited game and indeed it lived up to everyones expectations. The game was played at a rip-roaring pace as both sides aimed to capture the Dan Breen cup. However, when referee Michael Kennedy sounded the final whistle, both sides could not be separated as the game finished all square. The replay has been fixed for Sunday October 29^th in FBD Semple Stadium at 3pm.

This coming weekend is set to be another action packed two days with finals in Premier Intermediate hurling, Junior “A”, Under 19 “A” and “B”, Intermediate and Senior football along with the Tom Cusack cup and Intermediate football relegation final.

A full list of fixtures can be viewed on the fixtures and results section of the Tipperary GAA website.

Scór News

Congratulations to all the clubs who took part in Senior Scór on Friday evening last. A record nine teams took part in the Trath Na gCeist with Newport emerging one-point winners over Sean Treacy’s.

On to the stage events where Borrisoleigh’s Katie Shanahan picked up the solo singing accolade, Mary Campion (Moyne Templetuohy) was crowned recitation champion and Newport advancing in the Ballad Group Competition. After the break Moyne Templetuohy returned to the Novelty Act competition with a win while Kiladanagn took both the music and set dancing trophies.

All stage winners now advance to the Munster Semi Final next Saturday evening at 5pm in Pallasgreen while Newport advance directly to the Munster Final in the Trath Na gCeist.

Our thanks to the Holycross Ballycahill Scór committee for their hosting, to Kathrine our adjudicator and Denis our question master. Finally, a huge word of thanks to the Tipperary Scór committee who do trojan work in promoting our wonderful culture.

Best wishes to all our representatives in the Munster Semi Final.

Underage Gradings Forum

On Tues 24th Oct at 7:30pm, a club forum will take place in the Dome at FBD Semple Stadium Thurles to discuss issues surrounding underage grades from u8 up to u21.

All clubs are invited to send one representative of their respective Bord na nOg’s and Senior Bords to this forum.

The primary purpose of this forum is to hold a discussion and gather information.

Any decisions on grades for 2025 will be taken at the November meeting.

Introduction of fluorescent yellow match sliotars for 2024

It has been announced that all GAA Match Sliotar Licensees have begun the phasing-out process of the production of white-coloured sliotars and commenced the production of Fluorescent Yellow/High-Vis sliotars instead. It is the recommendation of the GAA’s Hurley & Sliotar Regulation Work Group, which has been approved by Central Council, having conducted significant research into the matter in terms of optimal performance, visibility and contrast, that commencing on January 1st, 2024, all hurling games at all levels from Minor (U17) and above, should use a Fluorescent Yellow/High-Vis sliotar from an official GAA Licensee. The Hurley & Sliotar Work Group was appointed by Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy in 2021 to regulate the use of sliotars and maintain the integrity of the game of hurling. All Licensed Match Sliotar suppliers will undergo regular lab and field testing, to ensure compliance with specifications. Additionally, all sliotar licensees will have to renew their WFSGI Pledge with the WFSGI annually. A full list of GAA Match Sliotar Licensees (subject to change) can be found below – • Bourke Sports – https://bourkesports.ie/ • Champion Hurleys Ltd – https://www.dalychampionhurleys.com/ • Cummins Sports – https://www.cumminssports.ie/ • Cúl Sliotars – https://www.culsliotars.ie/ • Fitzgerald Hurleys (3 Counties) – https://fitzgeraldhurleys.com/ • GASports – https://www.gasports.ie/ • Green Fields – https://greenfieldsdst.com/ • Karakal – https://karakal.ie/ • Moran Hurleys – https://moranhurleys.ie/ • O’Meara Sliotars – https://www.omearasliotars.com/ • O’Neills – https://www.oneills.com/ • Teamkit – https://team-kit.com/

Tipperary GAA and Fiserv announce a one year deal extension

Tipperary GAA announces a one-year renewal of its sponsorship deal with Fiserv, Inc (NYSE: FI), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology. Fiserv will continue to support the Senior, Minor and Under-20 hurling, and football teams, who will play in new gear sporting the distinctive Fiserv brand. Today’s announcement also sees the release of the new Tipperary GAA jersey, designed, and manufactured in collaboration with O’Neills which also went on sale in Elvery’s stores last week. Fiserv has a long history in Ireland, with a flagship technology centre in Nenagh and a large corporate office in the Dublin Docklands. In Ireland it operates a joint venture with AIB called AIB Merchant Services, one of Ireland’s largest payment solution providers and one of Europe’s largest e-commerce acquirers.

Gaelic football rules trial set to begin

The GAA’s Standing Committee on Playing Rules (SCPR) will next week commence trialling two alternative playing rules in the Higher Education Freshers 1 Gaelic Football League.

One of the trial rules relates to the kick-out and will require it to travel beyond the near 45 metre line before a team-mate of the goalkeeper who kicked it can play the ball.

The second trial rule relates to free-kicks, sideline kicks, and free kicks awarded for a mark and will prohibit players from kicking the ball backwards between the two 20 metre lines. The two trial rules are designed to increase contests for possession which have been in marked decline in Gaelic football for many years as the sport has become a more possession-based, risk averse sport.

The two trial playing rules for Gaelic football can be read in full below.

Proposed Playing Rules for Trialling in H.E. Freshers 1 Football and Hurling Competitions 2023

Gaelic Football Playing Rules: