by PRO Joe Bracken
TIPPERARY WATER SENIOR FOOTBALL
There will be new champions crowned on Sunday next in Leahy Park, Cashel when Loughmore-Castleiney and Moyle Rovers meet in the Tipperary Water Co. Senior Football Final with throw in at 2.30pm.
Both sides emerged victorious from the semi-finals last Sunday to contest for the title in what should be an intriguing afternoon of action. Moyle Rovers are back in the final hoping to make amends for the one point defeat they suffered at the hands of Clonmel Commercials at the same stage last year and claim their first title since 2009 when Liam Cronin captained his side to victory. Now Liam is on the line as he and his fellow management team look to captain Danny Lyne to go one step further this year and lift the cup.
The wait hasn’t been so long for Loughmore-Castleiney who make their first appearance in the county decider since 2014 when they also completed the double by retaining their title. David Kennedy was captain in 2014 and Liam McGrath will be hoping to do the same on Sunday next.
It has been a busy few days for Moyle Rovers as they first saw off the challenge of Aherlow Gaels in the quarter-final last Wednesday night, 2-11 to 0-13 in Ballyporeen which earned them to right to meet Kilsheelan-Kilcash in the semi-final last Sunday in Cahir. In what was a one sided affair Moyle Rovers were very comfortable winners on a score line of 4-14 to 0-06, thanks to a brace of first half goals from Diarmuid Foley and one each from Liam Boland and Stephen Quirke in the second half.
Not as easy for Loughmore-Castleiney in Boherlahan as they had the reigning champions Clonmel Commercials to contend with. In a very close and thrilling game the Mid men came through as narrow victors 0-9 to 0-8 to set up the clash with Moyle Rovers.
TIPPERARY WATER INTERMEDIATE HURLING
Congratulations to Newport who regained their senior status for 2017 following their 1-17 to 0-15 victory over Thurles Sarsfields in the final of Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Championship in Dundrum on Sunday last. Six points in eight minutes midway through the first half without reply gave Newport the platform to stake their claim for the title and they led at the break 1-11 to 0-9, helped by an early Eamon McCormack goal. Sarsfields to their credit responded strongly after the break but could never get the goal they sought to gain parity on the board. Two late points from Darragh Carroll ensured victory for his Newport side who now head into the Munster campaign no doubt invigorated.
It was also a proud occasion for Co. Secretary Tim Floyd who was handed the honour of presenting the cup to winning captain Sean O’Brien before he delighted all with a rousing rendition of ‘Newport Town’.
TIPPERARY WATER INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL
In the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Football Championship Final congratulations go to Fethard who also regained senior status following their narrow 1-11 to 2-7 victory over Golden-Kilfeacle in Leahy Park, Cashel on Sunday last. Afterwards, Tipperary Football Committee Chairman Joe Hannigan presented the cup to the Fethard captain Cian Maher.
TIPPERARY WATER JUNIOR HURLING
The county semi-finals have also been reached in the Tipperary Water Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship with both games down for decision on Saturday next October 30th at 2.30pm. Portroe and Carrick Swans travel to Templetuohy while in Clonoulty, Upperchurch-Drombane take on Cashel King Cormacs. Extra time to be played if required.
TIPPERARY WATER JUNIOR FOOTBALL
The semi-finals of the Tipperary Water Junior ‘A’ Football Championship take place at 2.30pm on Saturday next, October 29th. In Holycross, Ballingarry take on Clonoulty-Rossmore while in New Inn, Carrick Davins meet Loughmore-Castleiney.
In the Tipperary Water Junior ‘B’ Football Championship also throwing in at 2.30pm on Saturday in Pairc Ciocaim, Dundrum; Boherlahan-Dualla meet Arravale Rovers. Again extra time if required in all these games.
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
MUNSTER HURLING CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Best wishes to Thurles Sarsfields in the AIB Munster Club SHC Q-Final as they take on Ballygunner (Waterford), next Sunday October 30th at 2pm in Semple Stadium.
HURLING/SHINTY
Well done to the Tipperary players involved with Ireland team which defeated Scotland in 2016 U21 Hurling/Shinty match last Saturday in Bught Park in Inverness on a score line of 4-18 to 2-11.
Andrew Coffey (Nenagh Éire Óg) got promoted to the panel ahead of the fixture and joined fellow club mate Barry Heffernan and Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty) along with Tipperary U21 Manager, William Maher (Ballingarry) as joint manager for the Ireland team. Both Coffey and Fox got in on the scoring act, recording a goal apiece in the Irish victory.
Meanwhile, Michael Breen (Ballina) lined out at full-back in Ireland’s 0-14 to 0-5 defeat at the hands of Scotland in the Senior Hurling/Shinty match last weekend.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
Membership of the Friends of Tipperary Football for 2017 is now on sale 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. The official launch will be in the Horse & Jockey Hotel at 8pm this Friday night October 28th and the ‘Friends’ are hoping to see a great turnout on the night.
HANDBALL
Tipperary girls were to the fore in a very exciting day of girls handball in Cashel on Saturday last, October 22nd, in the interprovincial team of six with the result in doubt until the end with Munster girls coming out on top against Leinster.. With both provinces missing some high profile players, their replacements stepped up to the mark in dramatic fashion.
Amy McKeogh (Ballina) and Aine Spain (Lahorna) Tipperary were first into the fray against Sontae Jackson (Windgap) and April Moran (Ballymitty, Wexford) with the Tipp girls winning 15-10, 15-11. Next to play were Coolgreaneys Cliodhna OConnell / Leanne Boland versus Ashling Shanahan /Keri Murphy Broadford Co.Limerick with the Wexford girls winning both games 15-5 to leave Leinster in the lead by 11 points. In the last set Mollie Dagg (Leixlip, Kildare) teamed up with Lauren Flanagan (Coolgreaney) against Katie McCarthy (Broadford, Limerick) /Sile Spain (Lahorna, Tipperary) in a hard hitting game with the Munster girls winning 15-5,15-11 to leave the final score reading Munster 70 – Leinster 67. Congratulations to all the Munster girls
SLIEVENAMON ASSOCIATION
The Slievenamon Association in Kilkenny is holding its celebration Dinner Dance in The Pembroke Hotel on 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 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.
2017 TIPPERARY GAA YEARBOOK
Please note the deadline for sending information for the 2017 Tipperary GAA Yearbook is next Tuesday, November 1st. The Yearbook is being compiled at present and the committee is seeking articles and information for inclusion. Clubs that have accomplished any unique achievement in 2016 such as winning a major title for the first time, achieving a double, opening new dressing rooms or a new grounds, etc. are requested to send through an appropriate article for inclusion.
The Yearbook committee are looking to all clubs to submit any obituaries of their deceased members in the last 12 months. The maximum number of words for an obituary is 150 and please include the club name and the years also, e.g. 1940-2016, as well as his/her G.A.A. achievements and a photograph of the deceased person.
Please e-mail information and photographs which must be named to John Smith, Secretary Tipperary Yearbook Committee at yearbook.tipperary@gaa.ie. Photographs can also be posted to John Smith c/o Tipperary GAA Office, Slievenamon Road, Thurles.
Please note information must be submitted as outlined above and all articles, photographs etc. will be acknowledged. If an acknowledgement is not received please contact the Yearbook Secretary at 087-9960710.
WEXFORD CONNECTION
Vinny Doheny, formerly of Mullinahone and Scoil Ruáin (Killenaule), played at left half-back on the Adamstown team which lost the Wexford Intermediate hurling championship final to Oylegate-Glenbrien by 1-14 to 0-10 in Innovate Wexford Park on Saturday, October 15.
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.
