Tipperary GAA Scene
by Acting PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING FINAL
The time for talking is almost at an end as the clock winds down to the much anticipated 2015 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final as Tipperary prepare to take on Waterford in Semple Stadium next Sunday July 12th at 4pm.
As tension and excitement builds across the Premier County, so too does the expectation of the Tipperary faithful who have rowed in supremely behind captain Brendan Maher and his team ahead of the final. Blue and Gold flags and bunting have been dusted down following a brief hibernation since late September last as fans start to bedeck the highways and byways of Tipperary in the hope they will still be flying proudly come this late September and beyond following a successful hurling championship.
Without putting the cart before the horse the serious challenge that Waterford will bring to Semple Stadium on Sunday must first be effectively negotiated in shaping the destiny of this year’s campaign. Having played Waterford three times this year without success, the Tipperary management know they will have to have their side on full alert to ensure a highly prized and much sought after victory.
Having previously overcome Waterford in both the 2011 and 2012 Munster Finals in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, the current Tipperary side are now primed and ready for a Semple shoot out to decide the outcome of this year’s final. 2012 was also was the last time Tipperary were Munster Champions when they captured their 40th crown, Sunday hopefully will see it increase to 41.
Before that Tipperary’s previous back to back titles were completed coincidently, on July 12, 2009 when Waterford travelled to Semple Stadium with Tipp emerging victorious 4-14 to 2-16 before an attendance of 40,330.
While temperatures are forecast to rise by the weekend the intense heat of Munster Championship battle will no doubt have the mercury boiling as Eamon O’Shea’s side ignite a furnace of flair and passion against the Déise as these two great rivals scorch the ash and blaze the sliothar in the cauldron of Semple Stadium, sure isn’t it what summer is all about. The referee for the Munster Final is James Owens from Wexford.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING FINAL
Tipperary take on Limerick in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Final on Sunday next at 2pm in Semple Stadium. Following their win over Clare in the semi-final Liam Cahill’s side must prepare for the final without their captain Stephen Quirke as a result of his knee injury in the Clare game and we extend best wishes to Stephen for a full recovery.
The Tipperary management will be all too aware of the threat Limerick will bring to Semple Stadium. Despite their quarter-final loss to Cork they regrouped to defeat the Rebels in the semi-final and won’t lack motivation against Tipperary.
In last year’s quarter-final they overcame Tipp, so the Tipperary guard will be well and truly up on Sunday in a bid to make it a Premier victory again like their Senior counterparts, their first since 2012.
Having put in a most effective first half against Clare in the semi-final, the Tipperary management will be working hard to make sure their side maintain that consistency in the final and push on to claim their 38th Munster Minor title. The referee for the Minor Final is Joe Larkin from Cork.
ALL IRELAND FOOTBALL QUALIFIERS
The first game in an action packed weekend in Semple Stadium sees the Tipperary Senior Football team take on Louth in Round 2B of the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship at 2.45pm as part of a Semple Stadium triple-header.
The sides last met in the Allianz Football League Division 3 back in March, which Tipperary won 4-16 to 3-11, however, that was the league now it’s the championship and with that comes added pressure and incentive. Peter Creedon’s side have proved more than capable of dealing with pressure and won’t lack incentive and will be more than eager to get the wagons rolling smoothly again after their valiant efforts against Kerry in the Munster Semi-Final proved unsuccessful.
With momentum still strong a large home support would go a long way in helping the side move a step closer towards an All-Ireland Quarter-Final berth which is certainly within the armoury of this side to accomplish.
MUNSTER U21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Tipperary will play Limerick in the Bord Gais Energy Munster U21 Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Thursday July 16th next at 7.30pm in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick.
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL FINAL
Commiserations to the Tipperary Minor Footballers who were defeated by Kerry on a score-line of 2-14 to 1-11 in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Final in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney last Sunday. Next up for the side is an All-Ireland Quarter-Final fixture against the winners of the Connacht Minor Football Championship Final between Sligo and Galway.
TIPPERARY CAMOGIE
Congratulations to the Tipperary ladies who defeated Dublin in the Liberty Insurance Senior Camogie Championship last Saturday in Portlaoise with the result reading Tipperary 1-13 Dublin 2-9.
GAA HURLING ALL-IRELAND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 2
Following on from the Tipperary Senior football game with Louth on Saturday in Semple Stadium, the most attractive triple header continues with Dublin v Limerick in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Round 2, at 5pm followed by Clare v Cork at 7pm.
Tickets are on sale at terrific value of €20 for both stands and Killinan Terrace, OAP’s and students can buy full priced tickets and receive concession on the day with valid I.D prior to entry, juveniles are €5 and supporters are requested to note this is a reserved seating fixture.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Derek O’Mahoney from Ardfinnan who takes charge of the GAA Football All Ireland Senior Championship 2015 Round 3A tie between Longford and Kildare in Cusack Park, Mullingar, on Saturday evening next, July 11th at 7pm.
COUNTY FIXTURES
Drom and Inch took the honours in the Johnny Ryan Cup Senior Hurling League as they defeated Clonoulty Rossmore in the final last Friday, 1-19 to 1-17. In the final match in the County Senior Hurling Relegation Holycross Ballycahill take on Cappawhite on Friday week, July 17th in Dundrum with the throw in at 7.30pm.
Elsewhere this week there is limited action in the County Adult Football League as well as in the County Junior Hurling Leagues. Also on Friday night Kilruane Mac Donaghs meet Upperchurch Drombane in the Jim Devitt Cup in Dolla at 8pm, please check fixtures section for all current updates on dates, times and venues across the Premier County.
TEAM TIPPERARAY GAA RACE DAY
Join us at the Galway Races
Next up on the fundraising agenda is the Team Tipperary GAA Race Day at the Galway Races on Monday, July 27th next. The Galway Races Summer Festival is renowned as a premier and most colourful racing festival. While it is a major sporting event, it also appeals to a much wider audience than just the racing fans. With the Killanin Stand Suites, there is something for everyone whether you are entertaining family, friends or business clients. This is the ideal format for mixing business with pleasure, whilst surrounded by the atmosphere and excitement that is the Galway Races.
The Tipperary Supporters Club is among many groups organising a table of 10 for €1,500 and individuals can take seats at €150 each. If you know anyone interested enough in racing – or just a good day out – who might take a seat or two or a table, please contact Joe Tuohy on 0878170464 joetuohy22@gmail.com
For bookings and further details contact Tim Floyd, County Secretary, 087 2591747 secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie
TIPPERARY GAA DRAW
The Tipperary County Board Draw for June was held recently in Corcoran’s Bar and Lounge, Two Mile Borris, where the main winners on the night were Brian Gentles of 7 Marion Tce., Clonmel who won a Skoda Octavia or €15,000 and Brian’s ticket was sold by Clonmel Óg. The second car, a Skoda Fabia or €10,000 went to Catriona Kirby, Lisnalty, Rosbrien, Limerick whose ticket was sold by Solohead GAA Club. Congratulations to Brian and Catriona and all the June winners.
FRIENDS FOOTBALL LOTTO
The Friends of Tipperary Football exciting new Lotto is well up and running now where the jackpot continues to grow, so show your support for Tipperary Football from as little as €2 per week, play online now at http://bit.ly/TipperaryFootball
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2015
Membership of the Tipperary Supporters Club for 2015 continues to be available.
Membership is €30 per person, unchanged since 2006. We are delighted to announce that the member’s gift in 2015 is a Gold Plated Tiobraid Ãrann Crossed Hurley, 19.5mm x 20.0 mm, lapel pin specially designed and produced in the traditional Blue & Gold colours of Tipperary. Each member will also receive a Tipperary Supporters Club car sticker and a 2015 Membership Card.
Members will also be entered into a draw for five pairs of stand tickets for all Tipperary games in the Munster and All Ireland S.H. Championships.
Supporters can join on line on www.tippsupportersclub.com by credit card or debit/laser card. Also on the website details are available of the direct debit facility; as the Club is run on a completely voluntary basis it would be a great help if members could join by direct debit. Membership is also available in the following premises, Moynihan’s in Gladstone Street, Clonmel, O’Donoghue’s in Cashel, Noel Ryan’s in Parnell Street, Thurles and from Jackie Shanahan and Carroll’s in Roscrea. If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy,13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email:info@tippsupportersclub.com
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.
