by PRO Joe Bracken
TIPPERARY WATER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Tipperary Water Senior Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals went ahead in Semple Stadium last weekend and resulted in a win for each divisional units as the tension moves up a couple of notches ahead of the semi-finals next weekend.
In the first of the double headers last Saturday afternoon Killenaule had the South flag flying early as they brushed aside the challenge of Kilruane MacDonaghs by a single score in an exciting contest on a favourable afternoon for hurling, winning by 2-20 to 1-20 after sixty odd minutes of play. Ace marksman, John O’Dwyer carried his rich vein of inter-county form with him into this match and ended up top scorer not alone on Saturday but for Sunday as well with 0-13 to his name. Though Kilruane rallied with former county star Seamus Hennessy once again most influential, with 0-8 to his name, they couldn’t break down a resolute Killenaule defence who had none other than Tipperary coach Declan Fanning thwarting attacks as he rolled back the years in a vintage display.
The second match on super Saturday pitted Thurles Sarsfields against Borris-Ileigh. Sarsfields went into the game in a bit of a quandary as the long break since their last outing left them unsure as to how they would perform. Borris-Ileigh on the other hand had recently seen off Burgess and were going to be up for the challenge of Sars. The first half was even enough with Tipperary minor Jerry Kelly the star of the show for Borris with four points, tellingly enough though Sarsfields were one ahead at the break. Upon the resumption Sarsfields made their move and having shrugged off the shackles of inactivity were soon well clear and with more daylight emerging between the sides on the score board it was a satisfactory day from a Mid perspective as Thurles Sarsfields ran out comfortable winners 2-22 to 0-13 ensuring their divisional flag would also be flying in the semi-finals.
Splendid Sunday followed for the second of the weekends double headers with the West v South Champions pairing up for the opening fixture at 2pm. Clonoulty-Rossmore and Mullinahone was an intriguing tie on paper with both sides confident of taking the spoils. Aided by the stiff breeze Clonoulty asserted their influence early on, with another former county player Timmy Hammersley to the fore scoring 0-7 of their 0-12 half time score as they led Mullinahone by eight at the break. Mullinahone’s cause wasn’t helped by the withdrawal of county legend Eoin Kelly with a hamstring injury before half time as his experience and influence would surely have been worth a number of scores for his side. That said Clonoulty were full value for their win and will relish the prospect of meeting Thurles Sarsfields on Sunday in the semi-final. The final score here read 1-18 to 1-10 in favour of Clonoulty-Rossmore.
The standout fixture going into the quarter finals didn’t disappoint either as Kiladangan and Drom & Inch put on an excellent display with the North men prevailing much to the delight of their large and vocal travelling support to reach the penultimate round. In an even enough first half, Kiladangan had Drom’s county star Seamus Callanan well and truly pegged as Kiladangan hit the break three ahead and yet it was all to play for. Though Drom rallied early in the second half to close the deficit a brace of goals for Kiladangan scored by Tadhg Gallagher and Ruairi Gleeson had the Drom challenge in tatters. Though Mikey Connors netted late for Drom it was only of cosmetic nature as Kiladangan were through ensuring the four divisions would be represented in the semi-finals. Perhaps even more interestingly the four semi-finalists are also the four Roinn 1winners of the County Championship back in late spring.
The pairings on Sunday next, October 9th in the Tipperary Water Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals show Clonoulty-Rossmore up against Thurles Sarsfields at 1.45pm and Killenaule meeting Kiladangan at 3.30pm with both games going ahead in Semple Stadium. Two mouth-watering fixtures should see the crowds converge on the Stadium from early afternoon as the appetite for hurling continues to give thrills galore to player and spectator alike.
In the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Championship it is down to the quarter final stage here next weekend following the results of five games last weekend. On Saturday next October 8th in Dolla, Ballinahinch meet Thurles Sarsfields at 2.30pm while Moyle Rovers take on Lattin Cullen Gaels in Leahy Park Cashel at 3.30pm. On Sunday then it is St. Mary’s Clonmel against Sean Treacys in Bansha at 12noon while at the same time in Pairc Ciocaim, Dundrum, Kilsheelan Kilcash meet Newport. There are some interesting fixtures to look forward too here as well, which will keep the faithful on their toes in anticipation of a favourable outcome.
The Tipperary Water Minor A Hurling Championships semi-finals went ahead last weekend with St. Mary’s Clonmel defeating Clonakenny/Moneygall by 0-18 to 0-9 and they will now meet JK Brackens Óg in the final following Brackens 3-15 to 3-10 defeat of Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams.
Elsewhere, in the Tipperary Water Minor B Hurling Championship, Skeheenarinka/Clonmel Óg got the better of Borrisokane by 0-25 to 2-13and will play Cashel King Cormacs in the final following their 3-18 to 0-14 defeat after extra time of Gortnahoe-Glengoole in the other semi-final.
There was one fixture in the Tipperary Water County Junior ‘A’ Championship Quarter-Finals Loughmore-Castleiney defeated Clonoulty-Rossmore 1-15 to 1-10. The three other quarter-finals go ahead this weekend with Nenagh Éire Óg playing Ballybacon-Grange in Holycross on Saturday at 2.30pm while at the same time in Templemore, St. Patrick’s meet Kiladangan. On Sunday then at 12noon Holycross-Ballycahill take on Emly in Golden.
In the relegation battles it is make or break time for two clubs in the County Senior Hurling Relegation with Moyne-Templetuohy hoping to win on Sunday to keep their hopes alive following their first round loss. In Holycross at 12noon they take on Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams while at the same time, the same fate awaits Moneygall who meet Silvermines in Toomevara.
There are two County Intermediate Hurling Relegation ties fixed for Sunday as well with Moycarkey-Borris meeting Cashel King Cormacs in Boherlahan and Rockwell Rovers taking on Golden-Kilfeacle with both games throwing in at 12noon.
The Tipperary Water County Senior Football Championship is back in action this week as Drom and Inch meet Aherlow Gaels in New Inn this Wednesday night at 8pm.
The two remaining quarter finals in the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Football Championship are down for decision this Wednesday night, October 5th, as Fr. Sheehy’s or Clonmel Commercials meet Inane Rovers in Dr. Morris Park at 7.30pm while over in Templetuohy at 8pm, Borrisokane meet Fethard.
Last weekend in this competition Moyne-Templetuohy got the better of Rockwell Rovers 1-9 to 0-10 while Golden-Kilfeacle saw off the challenge of Moycarkey-Borris 0-12 to 0-7.
Cahir is the place to be on Saturday afternoon next, October 8th, as the Tipperary Water Minor Football Championship Finals go ahead in an attractive double header. The ‘A’ final is the main event between Galtee-Golden and Clonmel Commercials with the action commencing with a 3.30pm throw in. Ahead of that at 1.45pm in the ‘B’ Final Kilsheelan-Kilcash take on Cashel King Cormacs in that decider.
SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations to Clonmel Commercials on securing another South Championship following their 1-15 to 0-6 defeat of Cahir in the decider on Sunday last, their first South Senior title since 2013. Despite being the defending County and Munster champions, Clonmel Commercials have not won the South and County Senior Football double since 1994 when Mark O’Connell captained them to glory. Will we see this trend being broken in 2016?
For a full round up of all fixtures and results across the Premier County please view the county website at https://tipperary.gaa.ie
BON VOYAGE
On behalf of all Tipperary management, players and supporters we send best wishes to Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) as he has headed off on his six month tour of duty to the Golan Heights with the Irish Defence Forces. A key member of the Tipperary hurling panel since his initial breakthrough we hope Bonner and his fellow colleagues have a safe and successful tour and look forward to his return to the blue and gold next year.
COUNTY BOARD DRAW
The next County Board Draw will take place on Friday week, October 14th in Murphy’s Bar, Templemore to coincide with JK Bracken’s reception for their recent three All Ireland Hurling winning minor players, Tom Murphy, Paddy Cadell and Lyndon Fairbrother.
2017 TIPPERARY GAA YEARBOOK
The 2017 Tipperary GAA Yearbook is being compiled at present and the Yearbook 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.
The deadline for sending information is November 1st. 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.
HANDBALL
Tipperary contested five All Ireland Finals in the 60 x 30 Doubles last weekend winning 4 titles. Congratulations to the winners as follows; U21D Daniel Hayes & Padraig O Donoghue, O35B John Ferncombe & Denis White, Master A Doubles Paul Mullins and Eddie Farrell and finally in DMAD Billy Mullins and Pakie Mullins were victorious.
In the Juvenile All-Ireland Semi-Finals, Tipperary had a disappointing run with only Siobhan Prentice & Isabel Farnan through to the All-Ireland Final in the Girls U14D competition, the other semi-finalists unfortunately failed to progress.
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.
