Tipperary GAA Scene
Tipperary GAA Scene
By PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
The hunger for competitive action brought a crowd of 8,358 to Semple Stadium last Saturday night as Tipperary welcomed Wexford where both sides served up a heart-warming feast in Round 3of the Allianz Hurling League. In a hugely entertaining clash the fare on offer was very uplifting as Tipperary eventually saw off the visitors 3-21 to 1-21. Tipperary's ace marksman on the night was Jason Forde (Silvermines) who rattled off 2-9 (0-8f, 0-1 s/l) in a Man of the Match performance. Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) was the other Tipp goal scorer ending up with 1-2 after his night's work.
Congratulations to Billy McCarthy (Thurles Sarsfields) on making his senior debut with 0-1 from play and also to Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen) as both players were introduced in the second half.
Next up is a visit to Nowlan Park this Sunday, February 25th, as Tipp make the short trip for Round 4 of the league where throw in will be at 2pm. No strangers to each other over the past decade the closeness of the rivalry is also transcribed in the stats.
This will be the 70th National Hurling League game between the counties with Tipperary holding a narrow advantage with 32 wins to Kilkenny’s 30 and 7 games were drawn.
The results of the last ten meetings are as follows - 11/3/2017 at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 2-17 Kilkenny 3-14 (Group), 21/2/2016 at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-18 (Group ), 15/3/2015 at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 2-22 Kilkenny 1-13 (Group ), 4/5/2014 at Semple Stadium, Kilkenny 2-25 Tipperary 1-27 (League Final - aet), 23/2/2014 at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 5-20 Tipperary 5-14 (Group), 5/5/2013 at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-20 (League Final), 10/3/2013 at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 2-17 Kilkenny 1-19 (Group), 26/2/2012 at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-15 (Group), 12/2/2011 at Semple Stadium, Kilkenny 1-17 Tipperary 1-10 (Group) and 7/3/2010 at Semple Stadium, Tipperary 1-14 Kilkenny 0-13 (Group).
The sides have met at Kilkenny venues on 27 occasions where Tipperary have won 9 of the encounters to Kilkenny's 14 with 4 draws also recorded.
So with the scene almost set for another staging of this close and intense rivalry we sent best wishes to the team and management on Sunday as they look to go another step towards securing a spot in the league knock out stages, Sunday's referee will be Alan Kelly (Gaillimh).
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.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Semple Stadium is the venue this weekend as the Tipperary footballers look to bounce back from the disappointment of their last home result when they entertain Meath in Thurles on Saturday night next, February 24th for the Allianz Football League Division 2 Round 4 match where throw-in is at 7pm.
With both sides on 3 points after 3 rounds, Meath sit above Tipp by virtue of a slightly better scoring average of 5 points. In a highly competitive division all victories will be hard earned and as Tipp go in search of a positive result on Saturday night they will know they will have to be at their best to send the Royals home empty handed.
The referee for this game will be Niall Cullen (Fear Manach).
We send best wishes to the team and management for Saturday's game where the recent great home support is very welcome and certainly gives a huge boost to the side, so to all supporters more of the same this weekend please.
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.
ALL IRELAND JUNIOR B HURLING
Congratulations to Thurles Sarsfields on winning the All-Ireland Junior B hurling final following their defeat of Kilnadeema-Leitrim (Galway) in Raheenagh, Co. Limerick last Sunday on a score-line of 2-11 to 1-13 with Padraic Crone receiving the man of the match award.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Seán Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) who is in charge of the action this weekend between Offaly and Armagh in the Allianz Football league Division 3 tie in Bord na Móna O'Connor Park.
CRAOBH NA hÉIREANN SCÓR NA nÓG 2018
The Knocknarea Arena in Sligo’s IT was the venue for this year’s All Ireland Final of Scór na nÓg, hosted by the Coiste Scór Chonnachta.
The event was live streamed and televised by TG4 and showcased the best of talent from the 4 provinces.
The Clayton Hotel was the venue for the Tráth na gCeist with 29 counties taking part in a battle of the wits. The Loughmore-Castleiney team of Eimear McGrath, Caroline Cormack, Gearóid Treacy and Jack Cullen with Murt Ryan as mentor produced a sparkling performance and completed the competition in 5th place. This was a remarkable result considering the challenging questions posed. Maith sibh go léir, rinne sibh éacht. A sincere thank you to all for your continued dedication and commitment to this discipline, the team were presented with certificates from Coiste Scór Naisiúnta to mark the event.
Tipperary was represented by Newcastle sa Chomórtas Rince Foirne in the main arena where these young dancers Aoife Leahy, Sarah English, Caelinn McGrath, Emma Wyse, Hollie Burke, Orlaith Dalton, Eimear O'Connor and Orlaith Nugent, under the tutelage of Kathy McGrath Coleman, gave a lively and stylish performance of the Cross Reel. As in all the other disciplines competition was extremely keen and Newcastle were narrowly defeated by the Ulster finalists – Killeavy from Armagh. Though disheartened these young ladies took to the floor again on Saturday night when a celebration of music, song and dance took place well into the early hours in the Clayton Hotel. Here there was a great sense of camaraderie amongst all the young performers and county and provincial borders were forgotten as they came together to showcase the best of Scór. Comghairdeas libh go léir.
Míle buíochas leis na hiomaitheoirí, na múinteoirí,na tuistí agus an lucht tacaíochta uile ó Thiobraid Árann .
SCÓR SINSIR
The County final of Senior Scór will take place on Saturday night next in Newport Community Centre at 8pm. The Tráth na gCeist will commence at 7 30pm. This battle of wits is always an enjoyable occasion and clubs are encouraged to participate with teams of 4 as usual. To take part in any of the competitions contact any Scór Officer or ring Mary at 087 2160430. Scór is an integral part of all GAA activities and can be a source of great enjoyment for all taking part. Bain triail as.
POST PRIMARY ACTION
Commiserations to Cashel CS as they lost out by the narrowest of margins in Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm (18.5 B) Hurling Final as CBS Mitchelstown claimed victory 2-14 to 0-19.
Best wishes to Clonmel High School who take on St. Flannans College Ennis in the Corn an Fhriunnaigh (16.5 AF) Semi-Final in St. Patricks GAA Pitch, Limerick City this Wednesday, February 21st at 1:30pm.
FITZGIBBON CUP
In the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup semi-finals played last Tuesday night, February 13th, University of Limerick had the challenge of IT Carlow nullified midway through the second half as they secured safe passage to this weekend's final on a 4-16 to 0-19 victory. Jason Forde (Silvermines) with 2-5 (1-0 pen, 0-2 f and 0-1 '65), John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) (1-4) along with Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg) and Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) ensured a strong Tipp presence in the UL side. For IT Carlow, Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen) was again on the score sheet with 0-3.
Elsewhere, DCU defeated DIT 2-20 to 1-12 in a Dublin derby to reach the final for the first time. There was no Tipperary representation on the DCU panel but DIT had Justin Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs) and Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) in their starting fifteen.
The Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Final between UL and DCU takes place this Saturday, February 24th at 3pm in Mallow GAA Complex. Best wishes to our Tipperary representation with UL where Jason, John, Paul and Barry will also have the support of David Gleeson (Ballinahinch) and Gavin Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane) as they go in search of the Fitzgibbon title.
SIGERSON CUP
In the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup final played last Saturday, congratulations to Tipperary players Charlie Manton (Fethard), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule) and Liam Casey (Cahir) who together with their UCD team mates claimed the Sigerson Cup title following their 1-13 to 2-9 win over NUI Galway. Liam Casey with three points to his name helped UCD make it two titles in three years. Colm O'Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan) was also a member of the UCD squad.
In the semi-finals on Wednesday last, February 14th, UCD needed extra time to see off Ulster University 0-18 to 1-13 with Liam Casey also on the board with 2 points that night for UCD.
In the other semi-final NUIG had a goal to spare over DIT in a 2-12 to 0-15 win, where Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) once again lined out for DIT.
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 held in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Newlands Cross, Naas Road, Dublin this Friday night February 23rd.
The Tipperary Person of the Year award for 2017 goes to Denis Floyd, Chairman of Birdhill Tidy Village Committee and the 2017 Hall of Fame award goes to Newport man, Denis Ryan of Ryan’s Fancy fame.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP 2018
Click here to join: http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/adult-members/
The Tipperary Supporters Club member’s gift in 2018 is a specially produced Tipperary Supporters Club Cap in the traditional Blue and Gold and featuring the Tipperary Supporters Club Official Logo.
Membership is €40 per person and there are several payment options.
All proceeds from membership go directly towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The Friends of Tipperary Football are now selling membership for 2018 and once again it is a very reasonable €20.
If you would like to join online you can do so at http://www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/join/ or contact any Friends of Tipperary Football committee member.
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 http://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.