Tipperary GAA Scene September 4th 2024

FBD Insurance County Championships

It was a busy weekend on the football fields of the County last weekend as the final round of games were played in the Senior, Intermediate and Premier Junior championships.

In round 3 of the Senior championship, the final round of games in group 1 saw Ardfinnan and Grangemockler Ballyneale meet in Monroe and after a good battle the sides could not be separated as they ended all square, Ardfinnan 1-10 Grangemockler Ballyneale 0-13. At the same time in Cashelan in form JK Brackens side were taking on Kilsheelan Kilcash and in what was somewhat of a surprise result, the South Tipperary side enjoyed a fairly comprehensive 2-12 to 0-12 win. The result of both games now means that Kilsheelan Kilcash top the group followed by JK Brackens in second place.

In group 2 the meeting of Ballina and Upperchurch Drombane in Newport on Friday evening was signposted as a game that the Mid men would come out on top with a bit to spare. However Ballina obviously did not comply with the script as they swept aside the challenge of their opponents in the closing stages, to claim victory by 2-07 to 0-09. This result means that Ballina have come from third place in the group to top spot with Cahir now finishing in second place, while Upperchurch Drombane’s interest in the County football championship comes to an end.

Group 3 was a 6 team group with 4 teams going forward to the County Quarter Finals. All games in this group took place on Sunday afternoon in front of good numbers of supporters at each venue. In Dundrum, Arravale Rovers welcomed Loughmore Castleiney to West Tipperary with a very impressive first half display that saw them head to the dressing rooms with a 2 point lead at half time and looking in a very good position. The second half saw a much better performance from Loughmore Castleiney as they played a better brand of football that resulted in them emerging as winners on a 1-08 to 1-06 scoreline. In Kilsheelan, it was an all South Tipperary clash between close neighbours and arch rivals Clonmel Commercials and Moyle Rovers. Having suffered defeat to their opponents on two previous occasions this year, Clonmel Commercials would have wanted to set the records straight with a win in this game, but Moyle Rovers were having none of it as they took control of the game from an early stage and once again proved more than a match for the defending County champions, winning in the end by 2-12 to 1-11. Although this was a third win for Moyle Rovers over Commercials, the Monroe men will know that these victories will mean nothing should the sides meet again in a County final in a few short weeks’ time. The final game in group 3 took place in Ardfinnan and was between Ballyporeen and Killenaule. This game resulted in a comfortable 1-13 to 0-09 win for Killenaule. With all games in the group over the attention turned to the final group table which saw Moyle Rovers and Loughmore Castleiney finish in the top two spots and into the seed one bowl for the quarter final draw. Clonmel Commercials finished in third place securing their place in bowl 2, the fourth spot is where all the changes took place as the initial table would have shown Killenaule in fourth spot on 2 points ahead of Arravale Rovers who also had 2 points. However, due to the fact that Killenaule had given a walkover in a previous round, it is Arravale Rovers who qualify in fourth place and head in to bowl 2 for the quarter final draws.

This weekend will see preliminary quarter finals taking place in the Premier Intermediate and Intermediate hurling championships. Both games will take place on Sunday afternoon at 2pm and are sure to attract large crowds. In Dundrum, close neighbours Boherlahan Dualla and Cashel King Cormacs will meet to decide who claims the final Premier Intermediate quarter final spot, while in Dolla, both Borrisokane and Drom & Inch will be hoping to continue their progression in the Intermediate championship.

Tickets for this weekends games are now available to purchase on the ticket section of the Tipperary GAA website. Tap & Go will also be in operation at all venues.

Fiserv Fittest Four Charity Event

Fiserv, our main sponsor for the past 3 years has been one of our more proactive sponsors, doing half time shows at league games, handing out merchandise and facepainting before games and have raised over €60,000 for charities over the last two years. This year’s event is on Saturday 7th September running from 9am to 9pm. They have organised the “Fiserv Fittest Four Challenge” in aid of Clionas Foundation & Cari Foundation which will take place in FBD Semple Stadium in conjunction with the Under 9 Blitz. See attached poster and Map of the course.

Fiserv are hoping for a minimum of one team (must contain at least 1 male and 1 female) from each community in Tipperary. Teams can be from businesses, rugby, soccer, other clubs in your area, or just 4 people who come together to compete for the title. The raffle prizes are amazing which include two GAA All Star tickets with overnight accommodation, All Ireland Tickets, Hotel Breaks, Signed Jerseys, to name a few. Also, the winning association/group will get a full set of jerseys whilst the winning team get 4 tickets to all Tipperary League games in 2025 plus a Corporate Table for 4 at Punchestown Festival 2025 with overnight accommodation. As mentioned, teams can be from a local business, sporting or non-sporting club, or just 4 people joining together to compete for the prestigious title of “Tipperary’s Fittest Four”. They can book their Start time by going to the fundraising tab on the Tipperary GAA website and clicking on the 7th of September in the Calander.

If you have any questions email Brian.Fogarty@Fiserv.com or call / text him on 087-8113012.

Sympathies

This has been a very sad week in Tipperary GAA circles with the passing of two great Tipperary supporters last weekend. On Saturday morning we learned of the unexpected passing of Nuala Nealon, Burgess and Munster GAA. Nuala was a very popular lady and will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. WE extend our sympathies to Nuala’s dad Donie, sisters Sinead & Eimear, brothers Declan, Sean, Donal & Kevin, family and friends.

Also on Saturday the news emerged of the untimely passing of another great Tipperary and Carrick Davins man Alan Faulkner. Alan was a Tipperary man true and true and his love of and passion for both his club Carrick Davins and his County was unquestionable. He will be a huge loss to his club, the town of Carrick on Suir, but most of all his family. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Kathleen and his family at this very sad and difficult time.

May both Nuala and Alan rest in peace.

New Tipperary Senior Football Manager

Congratulations to Clonmel Commercials man and former Tipperary goalkeeper Philly Ryan who has been selected as the new Tipperary senior football manager.

Philly brings many years of experience both as a player, team manager and coach to the role and his love of and commitment to football in Tipperary is unquestionable.

At club level, Philly played Senior Football from 1984 to 2007 and played Junior & Intermediate until 2018. He has been heavily involved as a coach at all levels in the club for many years and is currently coach / selector with the senior team.

At County level, Philly played Junior Football for Tipperary from 1987 to 1989 before becoming the first choice goalkeeper for the Senior team from 1990 to 2003, during which he captained the team on several occasions including in his debut year of 1990 and 1995 when Tipperary claimed the All Ireland Senior ‘B’ title. Following his retirement he was appointed as a selector with the Tipperary under 21 team in 2005 before going on to manage the Tipperary Minor footballers in 2007 and 2008.

Speaking on his appointment, Philly said that he was extremely proud to become Tipperary Senior football manager and that he intends to do all he can to help rejuvenate football at Senior level in Tipperary.

Philly will be joined on the management team by the following:

Paul Cahill – Grangemockler Ballyneale (Coach / Selector)

Cathal Naughton – JK Brackens (Coach / Selector)

Further members of the management team will be finalised in the coming weeks.

The new management team will now be put before the next County Committee meeting where their term of 3 years with a review at the end of year 2 will be ratified.

Tipperary Hurling Club New York

Tipperary Hurling Club dinner dance is on Saturday November 23th in Mulinos @ Lake Isle Country Club 660 White Plains Road, Eastchester NY. Contact Brendan Maher 646 361 5544 or any Tipp club member for more details.

GAA Coach Education

The GAA Strategic Vision and Action Plan 2009-2015 identified the immediate need to prioritise and support the development of players and coaches as key to the long-term success and health of Gaelic Games.

To create a coaching system which produces and supports the development of coaches and players, the GAA has developed a model of Coach Education which has been reformatted to take account of the different playing capacities that exist between children (up to 11 years), youths (age 12 – 17) and adults (age 18+), and the competencies that a coach is required to display when working with each of these playing populations. These streams have been identified to cater for the diverse needs of children, of youths and of adults.

Quality Coaching – as part of an overall Games Development Plan – promotes fair play, builds social cohesion, self-esteem, and enhances health and well-being as well as supporting social and economic objectives.

Coaches should be committed to creating fun, safe playing environments for all of our players, regardless of age or ability level. To safeguard our players, coaches abide by the GAA Code of Conduct, have completed the GAA/ISC Child Protection in Sport Awareness Workshop and are vetted by An Garda Síochána/ Access NI.

The Coach Education Programme focuses on continuing education, so that coaches can improve by means of a series of specifically designed courses, workshops and conferences incorporating internationally recognised principles of best practice. These opportunities will include a combination of theoretical and practical inputs and allow for the use of digital and e-learning techniques.

The programme of Applied Lifelong Learning makes provision for coaches to continually develop their skills and to progress at a rate suited to their own development.

Health and Wellbeing

Literacy is a skill we use from the moment we check the alarm clock in the morning, until we set it again in the evening.