Tipperary GAA Scene
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
Second match in and Tipperary got their campaign up and running with a 9 point win over Waterford in round 2 of the Allianz Hurling League last Saturday evening on a score-line of 1-20 to 1-11 with Jason Forde (Silvermines) scoring Tipp's first goal of the 2018 league from the penalty spot approaching mid-way in the second half. In what was a night of first's congratulations to Seán O'Brien (Newport) and Paudie Feehan (Killenaule) on making their full league debut and to Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) also making his debut when introduced as a sub late in the second half.
Congratulations to Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) on being selected the Eir Sport Man of the Match.
Tipperary and Waterford have now met on 12 occasions in the National Hurling League on a February date and Tipp have won them all.
The counties have also met four times under lights in the same competition - 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2018 with Tipp winning all four games which were all played at Semple Stadium.
Best wishes for full recovery to Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) - knee and Joe O'Dwyer (Killenaule) - thumb, from the injuries they picked up early in Saturday night's match.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The Tipperary footballers unfortunately got caught in added time by Roscommon in a hugely entertaining Allianz Division 2 Football League clash in Semple Stadium last Sunday with Roscommon winning by 2 points 1-17 to 3-09. Tipperary's goals came courtesy of Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) who superbly drilled two penalties to the net, one in each half with Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) scoring the third
Although introduced against Cork, congratulations to John Meagher (Loughmore-Castleiney) on making his full senior debut at full back.
Tipperary head to Cusack Park in Ennis next Sunday, February 11th where Clare will provide the opposition in round 3with throw-in at 2pm and we send best wishes to the team and management once again, the referee will be Jerome Henry (Maigh Eo).
Tickets are on sale at GAA.IE, selected SuperValu and Centra stores and usual outlets - adults €15 and U16's go free, buy before match day and get 20% off adult tickets.
SEMPLE STADIUM
A special mention now for the terrific work of the Semple Stadium ground staff that stayed until the early hour of last Sunday morning ensuring all would be ready for football action on Sunday, in the aftermath of the hurling match. Forks at the ready the lads, gently knitted any disturbed turf back into place ensuring the Field of Legends carpet would be in as pristine a shape as possible for the first weekend in February, well done lads.
This Saturday the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final between Liam Mellows (Galway) and Cuala (Dublin) will take in Semple Stadium at 4pm, referee will be Paud O’Dwyer (Ceatharlach).
ALL IRELAND JUNIOR B HURLING
Thurles Sarsfields are one step away from All-Ireland junior glory following their 3-14 to 0-10 victory over Leinster champions John Lockes (Kilkenny) in the All-Ireland Semi-final which was held in Raheenagh Limerick on Sunday last.
We send best to Sarsfields who now meet Kilnadeema-Leitrim (Galway) in the final on Sunday February 18th.
MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Commiserations to Cashel King Cormacs who lost out 2-14 to 4-3 to Cromane (Kerry) in the Munster Junior B Football Semi Final on Sunday last.
TIPPERARY COUNTY BOARD DRAW
In the February Tipperary GAA Draw which took place in Clonmel Óg GAA Complex last Friday night, congratulations to all the winners on the night where the main prize of a Skoda Octavia or €15,000 went to James Kennedy with Newport Handball being the promoting club while second prize went to John Kennedy who won a Skoda Fabia or €10,000 and Portroe were the promoting club for John's success.
SCÓR NA nÓG
All roads lead to Sligo on the weekend of February 17th when the All-Ireland Final of Scór na nÓg takes place in the I T College. Best wishes to Loughmore-Castleiney who will represent us in Tráth na gCeist and to Newcastle who will represent us in Rince Foirne. We wish Kathy and Murt ádh mhór as they prepare our young finalists for the national stage. Go neirí libh.
SCÓR NA bPÁISTÍ/SCÓR SINSEAR
An art competition for all those children taking part in Scór na bPáistí will be posted to all divisions within the next week. We wish all those practising and taking part in parish and area finals the very best as they prepare and practise to dance, sing, play music, recite, act and we hope they will lead the way for our Scór Sinsear enthusiasts.
Calling all clubs to participate in Scór Sinsear on February 24th in Newport GAA Centre and we appeal to clubs to be represented in one or two competitions and represent your club with pride. We had an extremely successful Scór Sinsear last year and we hope this year will be equally successful. We hope that all divisional and club chairpersons will encourage members to take part in Scór na bPáistí and Scór Sinsear and bring another enjoyable aspect to your club.
SCOLÁIREACHTAÍ
Tá an spriocdáta do na scoláireachtaí istigh ón Aoine 2 Feabhra agus tá súil againn go mbeidh na hagallaimh ar siúl roimh deireadh na míosa. Bí ag cleachtadh – Cleachtadh a dheineann Máistreacht.
CELEBRAION/ CEILIÚRADH
Comghairdeas le Denis Floyd agus a bhean Máire as ucht Gradam a bhronnadh air le déanaí ag an Tipperary Association, Baile Átha Cliath. Ta éacht déanta ag Donncha agus foireann an bhaile i gcomórtas na mBailte Slachtmhara i gCnocán an Éin Fhinn chun timpeallacht na háite a chaomhnú agus an sráidbhaile a bheith glan néata slachtmhar i gcónaí. Maith sibh go léir agus Comghairdeas ó Choiste Scór an Chontae.
POST PRIMARY ACTION
Well done to Cashel Community School who were successful in their semi-final of the Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm (U18.5 B) by defeating Árdscoil Uí Urmaltaigh Bandon by 2-7 to 0-12. They will now meet CBS Mitchelstown in the final on a date still to be confirmed.
For all Munster post primary fixtures and results please check http://munstergaapps.ie/fixtures-results/
FITZGIBBON CUP
It's down to the quarter final stage of the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup this week where its DCU v Mary Immaculate, IT Carlow v Limerick IT, University of Limerick v UCC and finally a Dublin derby with UCD v Dublin IT.
In last week's matches UCD including Tipperary players John Joe Ryan (Clonakenny), Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers) (0-1) and Rory Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields) defeated Cork IT 1-17 to 1-12. The Cork side had a strong Tipperary influence with Andrew Coffey (Nenagh Éire Óg) (1-00) and the Clonoulty-Rossmore players Conor Hammersley, Enda Heffernan, Ronan Heffernan and Michael Ryan (0-1) all figuring.
On Thursday last UL defeated Waterford IT 2-19 to 1-7, with David Gleeson (Ballinahinch) on the score sheet with 1-1 while Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg), Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) also lined out for UL. While Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins) and Tom Hayes (Moycarkey-Borris) were in the Waterford IT team.
Chris McCullagh (Moycarkey-Borris), Darragh Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs), James Mackey (Nenagh Éire Óg) and Pa Ryan (Newport) all took part when Mary Immaculate eventually overcame NUIG 1-20 to 2-16, the NUIG side included Shane Fletcher (Roscrea), Shane Hennessey and Conor Ryan (both Nenagh Éire Óg).
Elsewhere, LIT with the Kiladangan trio of Willie Connors (0-1), Darren Moran and James Quigley along with Sean Ryan (Sean Treacy's) and the introduced Robert Byrnes (Portroe) defeated Garda College 3-18 to 1-8 with Stephen Murray (Burgess) scoring 1-2 of the Garda College total.
In the remaining match on Thursday, IT Carlow defeated Trinity College 1-19 to 0-14 with Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen) scoring 0-1 for Carlow where Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch) also came on at half time.
SIGERSON CUP
In the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup it is also down to the quarter-final stage this week with Ulster University v UL, IT Tralee v DIT, DCU v UCD and UCC v NUI Galway.
Last week UCC with Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) (0-1) saw off the challenge of Garda College 1-12 to 2-7. Elsewhere, Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers) lined out for University of Limerick in a 2-13 to 1-11 defeat of Cork IT who had Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials) in their side.
In the match between DCU & Dundalk IT, Steven O'Brien (Ballina) saw his DCU side prevail 1-7 to 0-7.
Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) playing with DIT overcame IT Carlow 1-11 to 0-8 as they made it through to the knockout stages.
Best wishes to all Tipperary players in the quarter-finals of both competitions.
INFORMATION NIGHT
An information night for all Club Children's Officers and Designated Liaison Persons has been fixed for this Wednesday February 7th next at 7.00pm. As Garda Vetting is now a legal requirement up to date information will also be given on the night.
All clubs are requested to send their Children's Officer and Designated Liaison Person to this information night. If any Club is unable to send their Children's Officer or Designated Liaison Person they should send their Senior Club Chairperson to deputize on the night.
TIPPERARY ASSOCIATION DUBLIN AWARDS FUNCTION
The Tipperary Association Dublin Annual Awards function at which the Association’s Tipperary Person of the Year and the Hall of Fame Awards for 2017 will be presented will be held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Newlands Cross, Naas Road, Dublin on Friday 23 February 2018.
A pre-dinner drinks reception will take place at 7.00 pm followed by dinner.
Tickets are €40 each and may be purchased from Pat Ryan at 11 Foxfield Grove, Raheny, Dublin 5 (087 6376663 - psoriain@eircom.net) or from Liam Myles (087 2866018 – liammyles1@yahoo.ie Tables of 10/12 may be booked.
The Tipperary Person of the Year award for 2017 goes to Denis Floyd, Chairman of Birdhill Tidy Village Committee. Birdhill scooped the overall National Tidy Town Award for 2017 – a superb achievement and reward for many years of dedicated work on behalf of the village. Denis Floyd has played a key role in the many achievements of his committee culminating in reaching the pinnacle in 2017. Deeply involved in all aspects of GAA and culture, Denis is a leader and a volunteer supreme.
The 2017 Hall of Fame award goes to Newport man, Denis Ryan of Ryan’s Fancy fame. Denis is renowned for many years for his music, folklore and singing. He has lived much of his life in Newfoundland, Canada where he has made a huge contribution to the revival of local culture and music/song as well as spreading a knowledge/appreciation and love of Irish music and culture. He has forged strong links between Ireland and Canada not only in his field of music and but in business as well.
The connections with both winners will provide “impromptu” entertainment after dinner which should be a most enjoyable experience – a gesture which the association greatly appreciates.