by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
COUNTY FIXTURES
The heat of battle at club level will certainly go up a few degrees this weekend as the penultimate round which is the semi-finals of the Clean Ireland Recycling Senior Hurling Championship takes place in Semple Stadium next Sunday, October 11th as the Field of Legends hosts both matches from 1:30pm. In these eagerly awaited clashes, first into battle is the pairing of Kilruane MacDonaghs and Thurles Sarsfields while at 3pm Drom & Inch line out against Nenagh Éire Óg. Two highly intensive games are in prospect and supporters are urged to make their way to Semple Stadium early on Sunday to savour the hurling delights that this appetising menu has to offer.
In the Clean Ireland Recycling Intermediate Hurling Championship, Newport, Clonakenny and Ballinahinch progressed to the semi-finals with victories last weekend, while Thurles Sarsfields take on St. Marys Clonmel this Wednesday night October 7th to decide the remaining semi-final spot. The draw for the semi-finals paired Newport against Clonakenny who meet this Saturday, October 10th in Templederry at 3pm. Ballinahinch meet the winners of Thurles Sarsfields / St. Marys Clonmel.
Following last weekend results in the Clean Ireland Recycling Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship the final line up is also complete with Roscrea set to face Clonoulty Rossmore.
On the football front in the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Football Championship Quarter-Finals
Arravale Rovers emerged victorious over Killenaule, Moyle Rovers accounted for Galtee Rovers/ St Pecaun while Clonmel Commercials knocked out defending champions Loughmore Castleiney. The last quarter-final takes place this Wednesday night, October 7th in New Inn between Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill and Aherlow Gaels with the throw in at 7:30pm. The draw for the semi-finals which go ahead this Sunday in Leahy Park, Cashel, October 11th, resulted as follows; Clonmel Commercials play the winners of the Éire Óg Annacarty Donohill and Aherlow Gaels at 1pm while.Arravale Rovers meet Moyle Rovers at 2:30pm. Again two intriguing games are in prospect.
Round 2 of the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Football Relegation takes place this Friday night, October 9th, at 9pm between Moycarkey Borris and Ballyporeen at 8pm.
The Clean Ireland Recycling County Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals take place this Wednesday night, October 7th at 7:30pm with Mullinahone meeting Upperchurch Drombane in Dr. Morris Park and Holycross Ballycahill taking on Clonmel Óg in Templetuohy.
The draw for the semi-finals of Clean Ireland Recycling County Junior A Football Championship was also made on Monday night and resulted as follows; Golden Kilfeacle will meet Ballina this Saturday afternoon, October 10th, in Kilcommon at 3pm while Emly take on Gortnahoe Glengoole. Congratulations to Upperchurch Drombane who claimed the Clean Ireland Recycling County U21 B Football Championship title following their victory over Ardfinnan in the final replay last Saturday.
With semi-finals also down for decision in division 2 of the County Adult Football League and much more besides please check the fixtures section for all current information on upcoming county and divisional matches in relation to dates, times and venues across the Premier County.
TICKET PACKAGE
A weekend ticket package will be available for games this Saturday and Sunday. The price will be adult €20, student and OAP €15. Tickets can be purchased in advance in Lar Na Pairce or from gatemen on the day. Only the new stand will be open for county semi-finals on Sunday. Admission is €15, students and OAP can avail of €5 refund at stiles 52 and 53 with valid photo ID. Under 16’s are free (born 1999 and after) however ID may be requested.
ALL-STAR HURLING NOMINATIONS
Tipperary players have received 7 GAA GPA All-Stars 2015 Hurling Nominations for their performances during the 2015 season. Darren Gleeson (Portroe) is nominated in goal having won his first All-Star Award in 2014. In defence, Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) is nominated for the sixth time in total and will be looking to win his fourth All-Star following successes in 2009, 2011 and 2014. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill) is nominated for the second consecutive year while James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane) is nominated for the first time. In the forwards, Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) receives his fourth All-Star nomination and will be a strong contender to win his second All-Star following his first award last season. Seamus is also nominated as Hurler of the Year for the second consecutive year. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule) is nominated for his second All-Star having won an award in 2014. Finally, Brendan Maher (Borris Ileigh) underlined his versatility by receiving a nomination as a forward for his displays in the 2015 season having previously won All-Stars at midfield (2010) and half-back (2014).
Congratulations to all of the nominated players. The awards will take place on the evening of Friday November 6th next in the National Convention Centre in Dublin with the hurling awards being announced live on the night.
U21 HURLING TEAM OF THE YEAR
Congratulations to Michael Breen Ballina who was named at left corner back on the Bord Gáis Energy U21Team of the Year at the awards ceremony in Dublin last Saturday, October 3rd, for which Tipperary had three players nominated.
COUNTY BOARD DRAW
The winners in the October County Board Draw which took place last Friday night in Stapleton’s Bar, Borrisoleigh were as follows; 1st prize of a Skoda Octavia or €15,000 went to Stephen John Burns, St John Terrace, Carrick on Suir whose ticket was sold by Grangemockler Club and 2nd prize of a Skoda Fabia or €10,000 sold by Tipp New York went to John Kissane, New York. Congratulations to all the winners on the night.
MUNSTER UNDER 17 FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary U17 football team who got their campaign up and running with a two point defeat of Clare in the opening round of the U17 football competition in Dr. Morris Park on Monday night last by 1-14 to 1-12. The other game played on Monday night saw Limerick defeat Waterford 3-17 to 1-3.Next up for Tipperary is an away tie to Waterford on Monday night next October 12th in Carriganore. All the fixture details as they exist at present can be found at http://munster.gaa.ie/2015/09/24/munster-under-17-football-competition-2015/.
DEAN RYAN CUP HURLING
The Munster GAA Post Primary Schools fixtures for the 2015/2016 season got underway recently. The Dean Ryan Cup Under 16 ½ A Hurling competition is the first of the main competitions to commence with four Tipperary schools involved. Nenagh CBS bowed out in the first round at the hands of the two-time defending champions Midleton CBS. In this week’s Quarter-Finals, last year’s runners-up Our Lady’s Templemore take on De La Salle Waterford, a game fixed for Leahy Park Cashel on this Tuesday October 6th at 1:30pm, the result of which was not known when going to print. Holders Midleton CBS will play Thurles CBS in what could be the tie of the round on this Wednesday October 7th at 1:30pm in Fermoy. Also on Wednesday, Ard Scoil Ris take on Colaiste Ioseaf Kilmallock in an all-Limerick affair at 1:30pm in Bruff. The final Quarter-Final between the High School Clonmel and St. Flannans is fixed for this Thursday October 8th at 1:30pm in Boher, County Limerick.
DR. HARTY CUP
The first round of the Dr. Harty Cup Under 18 ½ A Hurling competition is due to commence next week. Holders Thurles CBS have been drawn in Group C with a first round game against Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy. Nenagh CBS will play Scoil Na Tríonóide Naofa Doon in the other first round game. Our Lady’s Templemore are drawn in Group B and have a first round game next week versus Charleville CBS. The other teams in Group B are last year’s runners-up Colaiste Baile an Róistigh, Gaelcoláiste Mhuire A.G. and Pob. Sc.na Tríonóide, Eochaill (Youghal). The fourth Tipperary school involved are High School Clonmel and they have been drawn in Group D with a first round game versus Christian Brothers College Cork. Castletroy CC and St Flannans College are the other schools in Group D. The only Group with no Tipperary involvement is arguably the “Group of Death” with Ardscoil Ris Limerick, Hamilton High School Bandon, De La Salle Waterford, Blackwater CS and Midleton CBS involved in Group A. Check the Munster GAA web site and the @MunsterPPS Twitter account for fixture details as they become known.
CAMOGIE
Well done to Burgess Duharra and Drom & Inch who made it through the county semi-finals on Sunday last to reach this year’s Senior Camogie County Final.
HANDBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary Juveniles who continue to impress with a great win in the Munster Final over Cork in the U12/13 Team competition in Hospital, Co. Limerick last weekend. Best wishes to all Tipperary players taking part in the adult doubles at various venues next weekend.
STANDING MY GROUND
Next Thursday, October 15th in the Dome, Semple Stadium, former Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy will launch “Standing My Ground” – The Brendan Cummins Autobiography at 8pm and popular sports commentator Paul Collins will act as MC on the night. Co-written by Jackie Cahill, GAA writer and columnist, Standing My Ground is set to become another Tipperary best seller.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
The Friends of Tipperary Football Lotto continues each week and all Tipperary supporters are encouraged to please support by playing online now – http://bit.ly/1HU6W9H
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 3pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at https://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the news in Tipperary GAA circles.
