by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
ALL IRELAND MINOR HURLING FINAL
It wasn’t the script we were waiting on but such is the drama of sport as the curtain came down on the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship for Munster Minor Champions Tipperary following their defeat to Galway in the final in Croke Park last Sunday by 1-16 to 4-13.
Commiserations to the entire panel who worked their socks off all year and also to manager Liam Cahill and his management team of Michael Bevans, John Sheedy, Seán Corbett and TJ Ryan and all the backroom support people whose total commitment in preparing the panel deserved greater reward. The lads really played their hearts out on Sunday but unfortunately had to yield to a stronger outfit on the day. We look forward to and will continue in full support of their progression through U21 and into the senior ranks as they continue to serve the county with pride and merit.
Sunday’s game also means there will be an entirely new shape to the minor panel next year with only eight of the thirty two still eligible next year. Brian McGrath, Cian Darcy, Lyndon Fairbrother, Gavin Dunne, Dillion Quirke, Shane Neville, Tommy Murphy and Dean O’Connor being the eight in question. Let’s hope these lads will be able to use the experience gained this season to kick-start next year’s campaign when the appropriate time comes round.
Thanks to all the Tipperary support on Sunday, unfortunately with practically every other supporter in the stadium shouting for Galway, it was always going to be a tall order to have your voice heard, but you still managed the feat none the less. That then wraps up the inter-county hurling season for Tipperary as we wait for 2016 and all its unfolding twists and turns. Thanks to all who sent messages of support to the hurling teams throughout the year, it was very much welcomed and appreciated by all.
MINOR HOMECOMING
Our gallant minor panel and management were welcomed back to Thurles on Monday evening last on the steps of the Cathedral of the Assumption by Patron of the GAA Dr. Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel & Emly. The fine attendance present showed their appreciation of the team before the bus made its way to Moyle Rovers as the club hosted a reception for captain Stephen Quirke and his side.
ALL IRELAND MINOR FOOTBALL FINAL
Sunday week, September 20th, is a day of destiny for the Tipperary Minor Football panel that once again reacquaint themselves with Kerry in a repeat of this year’s Munster Final as they meet in the All-Ireland Minor Football Final in Croke Park at 1.15pm.
Following on from their terrific win over Kildare in the semi-final the focus for players and management swiftly turned towards the Kingdom and the strategy of planning a route to overturn the Munster Final result.
No greater tacticians than Charlie McGeever and his team in plotting that chart through Kerry waters on what hopefully will be a voyage of glory towards the All-Ireland crown. That in itself would be a fitting finale in closing out the year.
SENIOR FOOTBALL MANAGER
As all Tipperary supporters are aware by now the Tipperary Football Committee has appointed a sub-committee to commence the process of selecting a football manager. The Football Board and indeed full Co. Board would like to thank Peter Creedon and his back room staff for the time and dedication given to Tipperary football and for having brought Tipperary to a very high standard. All nominations from clubs and interested parties can be forwarded to the Football Chairman, Joe Hannigan at this email address tippfootballchairman@gmail.com and CC the secretary JJ Crowley at tipperaryfootballsecretary@gmail.com.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Johnny Ryan Boherlahan Dualla as he takes charge of the U21 All Ireland Hurling Final between Limerick and Wexford in Semple Stadium this Saturday, September 12th. Well done to our two Tipperary referees who took the line in Croke Park last weekend. Johnny Ryan was linesman as well as standby referee for the Senior All-Ireland Hurling Final on Sunday. While on Saturday, Derek O’Mahoney Ardfinnan was linesman for the Dublin v Mayo All-Ireland Football Semi-Final.
COUNTY FIXTURES
The Clean Ireland Recycling County U21 B Football Final also took place last weekend with Ardfinnan and Upperchurch Drombane drawing 1-10 apiece after extra time. This weekend the Clean Ireland Recycling County Senior Hurling Championship swings back into action with some quiet attractive ties to keep all supports enthused, while elsewhere there are a couple of Clean Ireland Recycling County Intermediate Hurling matches down for decision this Wednesday evening, September 9th. Please check the fixtures section for all current information on upcoming matches in relation to dates, times and venues across the Premier County.
DIVISIONAL FINALS
Congratulations to Kilsheelan Kilcash and Arravale Rovers on the success in their respective divisional finals in senior football last weekend. In the South Tipperary Senior Football Championship Final Kilsheelan Kilcash got the better of Clonmel Commercials by 1-11 to 0-6. While in the West Tipperary Senior Football Championship Final the result was Arravale Rovers 0-12 Eire Óg Annacarty 0-9. This Wednesday night, September 9th, the Mid Tipperary Senior Football Championship Final between Loughmore Castleiney v Drom & Inch takes place in Templetuohy at 7.30pm.
With quite a number of other divisional finals and semi-finals across all grades supporters are noted to keep an eye out for those too.
COUNTY BOARD DRAW
The September Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw took place last Friday night September 4th, in Nugent’s Bar, Newcastle. First prize of a Skoda Octavia sold by Ballyporeen GAA Club went to Michael Meaney, Glenacunnan, Ballyporeen. Second prize of a Skoda Fabia or €10,000 sold by Borris Ileigh Club went to Pauline O’Connor, Kilfithmone, Borrisoleigh. Congratulations to Michael and Pauline and all the winners in the draw.
ALL-IRELAND HURLING SEVENS
Tipperary had a fine representation in the Kilmacud 7’s tournament last Saturday and it turned out to be a memorable day for the Premier County with two of its teams contesting the final. In a high scoring contest the honours went to Borris Ileigh who defeated Loughmore Castleiney 10-7 to 5-12 to claim their 6th 7’s title. Indeed there was further joy for Borris Ileigh in St Judes as the club claimed the All-Ireland Junior 7’s title with a 3-6 to 2-5 win over Abbeyknockmoy from Galway.
The success didn’t end there as Seán Treacy’s captured the All-Ireland Junior shield honours, by defeating John Mitchels from Warwickshire 3-7 to 1-2 to claim that crown. Noel McGrath was named player of the tournament in Kilmacud which was another highlight of the weekend, congratulations to one and all.
A look back over the history of the Kilmacud event shows eight Tipperary clubs on the roll of honours list. As already mentioned six titles are held by Borris Ileigh. What follows then is a short recap of each club, number of titles, the year they won it and who the captain was –
(6) Borris Ileigh – 1976 (Michael Cowan), 1978 (Noel O’Dwyer), 1987 (Noelie Maher), 1997 (John McGrath), 2000 (Mark Stapleton), 2015 (Matt Stapleton).
(2) – Nenagh Eire Og – 1996 (Eddie Tucker), 2008 (Hugh Flannery)
(2) – Mullinahone – 2002 (Ky Vaughan), 2005 (Paul Curran)
(1) – Roscrea – 1979 (Jody Spooner)
(1) – Kilruane MacDonaghs – 1984 (Gilbert Williams)
(1) – Portroe – 1999 (Noel O’Halloran)
(1) – Moycarkey Borris – 2009 (Pat Carey)
(1) – Kildangan – 2011 (Tommy Connors)
NIGHT AT THE DOGS FUNDRAISER
The Eddie Connolly Trust Fund will hold a special “Night at the Dogs” on Friday week September 18th at Thurles Greyhound Stadium. The Trust Fund has been established to help fund special cancer treatment for Eddie Connolly.
Eddie is 29 years of age and has represented Loughmore Castleiney and Tipperary at all grades of hurling and football including captaining Tipperary to the All-Ireland Intermediate hurling title in 2012. In late 2013, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. Since then he has been bravely and courageously battling to overcome his illness. Presently he is undergoing a new form of cancer treatment in Spain which is not covered by medical insurance.
The “Night at the Dogs” will be a night of fun for all the family which will include a monster auction. The event was recently launched at Thurles Greyhound Stadium by top sports stars, Denis Leamy and Noel McGrath. There will be many sports stars attending and Paul Collins of Today FM will be MC for the evening.
You can support this worthy cause in many different ways – there is a buster draw with a top prize of €500 for €10 including entrance fee. You can sponsor a race for €500, nominate a greyhound for €100 or sponsor an item for auction. Children can attend for free. Clubs are reminded of the “Tipperary GAA Clubs 525” where Clubs sponsor a dog for €100 with the Clubs “on” the winning dog entered in a draw for a set of jerseys. The closing date for inclusion in this Race is Saturday next September 12th.
Tom McGrath of the organising committee has requested it be known that “the response from Clubs to date has been terrific and much appreciated”. There is also a bank account to which donations can be made directly: Bank: AIB Thurles; Name: Eddie Connolly Trust Fund; Account:23828075; Sort Code: 93 53 01; IBAN:IE19AIBK93530123828075; BIK: AIBKIE2D.
Please support Eddie at this challenging time by coming along to Thurles Greyhound Stadium on Friday 18th September. Every little contribution will help a lot! For more information, please contact: Phyllis Connolly 086 0668388, Tom King 087 6274079 or Tom McGrath 087 4132691.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
The Friends of Tipperary Football Lotto is continuing to build 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 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.
