Tipperary GAA Scene
By PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
In terms of the league rounds it is mission accomplished for the Tipperary hurlers following their 1-24 to 1-21 defeat of Cork in round 5 of their Allianz Hurling League encounter last Sunday with Billy McCarthy (Thurles Sarsfields) rifling the ball to the net to raise Tipperary's only green flag of the afternoon. All the permutations of league placings were eventually nailed when the results were in and it left Mick Ryan's men on top of the table on scoring difference of plus twelve, as Tipperary, Kilkenny, Wexford and Clare all finished on 6 points ensuring qualification for this weekend's quarter-finals where Tipp will play Dublin who finished fourth in Division 1B. The other quarter final pairings are Kilkenny v Offaly, Wexford v Galway and Clare v Limerick. The winners of Tipp/Dublin and Clare/Limerick will meet at semi-final stage.
In relation to the league history between Tipperary and Dublin, the counties have met on thirty four occasions in the National Hurling League and Tipperary lead the way with 21 wins to 9 for Dublin and with four games drawn. Last year in the opening round of the league, Tipperary had a comfortable win in Croke Park where captain Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) was named the Allianz Man of the Match following his performance in which he contributed two points from play and Jason Forde (Silvermines) was the Tipperary goal scorer, with 1-3 his contribution on the night. On the reverse, Tipp's last two visits to Parnell Park in 2010 and 2015 saw the Premier County succumb to Dublin losses.
The results of the last ten meetings are as follows; 2007 MacDonagh Park, Nenagh - Tipperary 4-15 Dublin 1-9; 2009 Semple Stadium - Tipperary 2-19 Dublin 4-11; 2010 Parnell Park - Dublin 1-21 Tipperary 1-12; 2011 Croke Park - Dublin 1-16 Tipperary 1-15; 2012 Croke Park - Tipperary 0-21 Dublin 2-15; 2013 Semple Stadium - Tipperary 4-20 Dublin 0-17 (S/F); 2014 Semple Stadium - Tipperary 1-19 Dublin 0-19; 2015 Parnell Park - Dublin 2-20 Tipperary 0-14; 2016 Semple Stadium - Tipperary 1-23 Dublin 0-12 and finally in 2017 at Croke Park - Tipperary 1-24 Dublin 1-8.
We send best wishes to the team on Sunday as they enter the knockout stages.
Sunday's referee will be Sean Cleere (Cill Chainnigh).
Tickets are on sale at GAA.IE, selected SuperValu and Centra stores and usual outlets - adults pre-purchase: €15, adult match day €20. Students/Seniors: €15.00 in advance or at the venue and U16's go free.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
In making it two home wins on the trot the Tipperary footballers got Sunday off to a superb start in Semple Stadium in the Allianz Football League following their 2-17 to 0-9 victory over Louth. A blistering start from Tipperary laid the platform for the success and goals from Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) and Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) ending up with 1-1 apiece saw Tipp well in command from the outset.
Next up are two huge weekends, the first of which sees Tipp travel to Páirc Esler, Newry to take on Down in round 6 this Sunday, March 18th at 2pm. Unchartered water certainly for manager Liam Kearns and his skipper Robbie Kiely and crew as there is no equivalent fixture to relate to while Liam has been at the helm.
Tipp sitting third in the table will be wary of the formidable Down opposition and it will require a huge effort to secure both points on Sunday. Therefore, the Tipperary support will be crucial and we appeal to supporters to continue to follow the side as they take to the field in Newry.
Here too we send best wishes to the team on what will be a difficult assignment but one the team is definitely capable of winning.
The referee will be Niall Cullen (Fear Manach).
COUNTY FIXTURES
The Tipperary Water County U/21 (A) Football Championship Final will be played this Saturday March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, where JK Brackens and Moyle Rovers will meet in Golden at 12pm.
Also, the Tipperary Water County U/21 (B) Football Championship Final again on Saturday will see Killenaule take on Upperchurch-Drombane in Templetuohy at 12pm.
TIPPERARY GAA CLUB DRAW
Congratulations to all the winners in the March GAA Club Draw which was held last Friday night in Lee's Bar, Newport. First prize of a Skoda Octavia or €15,000 went to the Cairde na Gormacha syndicate from the Nenagh Eire Óg club while second prize of a golf holiday for 6 or €5,000 went to Harry Murphy from Youghalarra Handball Club.
TIPPERARY FOOTBALL STRATEGIC PLAN
Tipperary Football Committee have begun the process of building a Three Year Strategic Plan with the aim of identifying key actions and projects that will serve as a blueprint for the continuing development of football in the Premier County in the coming years. As part of that process the committee are holding a workshop in the Anner Hotel at 8pm on Thursday, March 29th, to help to ensure that this plan, in so far as is possible, reflects the views and suggestions of all those interested in the promotion of football in Tipperary.
The committee hope to have at least two representatives from each club in the county attend on the night and invite clubs to send representatives who would have an interest in this workshop. The committee would appreciate a reply to Hugh Coghlan 087 9877355 hughcoghlan@hotmail.com by March 19th with the names and phones numbers of persons attending.
NATIONAL CLUB DRAW
Congratulations to Moneygall and Arravale Rovers on their success in the GAA National Club Draw. Moneygall won €1,000 for selling the highest number of tickets (1,547) sold in the Munster province while in the Club Specific Winners which is a draw for all clubs who sell, record and account for a minimum of 200 tickets, Arravale Rovers were the Tipperary winners.
COLLEGES LADIES FOOTBALL
Congratulations to Aishling Moloney (Cahir) who captained her Dublin City University side to claim the Gourmet Food Parlour O'Connor Cup following their 2-12 to 0-17 defeat of University of Limerick in Abbotstown on Sunday with Aishling the top scorer on 0-7 for DCU. Commiserations to the Tipperary ladies Maria Curley (Templemore), Aisling McCarthy, Roisin Howard (both Cahir) and Orla O'Dwyer (Boherlahan) that lined out for UL.
Congratulations also to Shauna O'Dwyer (Cappawhite) who won a Giles Cup medal with Waterford Institute of Technology following their 4-16 to 0-8 win over DCU.
SCÓR SINSEAR CRAOBH NA MUMHAN 2018
Ghlac 6 chontae na Mumhan páirt i gcomórtas Craobh na Mumhan oíche Dé Sathairn sa Cheapach Mhór .Bhí iomaitheoirí is lucht leanúna leo i láthair ó na rannóga éagsúla i dTiobraid Árann. Competitors and supporters were there in their numbers from Newcastle, JK Brackens, Borrisoleigh and beyond to perform and lend support on the night. Loughmore-Castleiney had already qualified for the All-Ireland Final in Tráth na gCeist in Sligo and joining them there will be the Newcastle Rince Foirne –Munster Champions and Newcastle Rince Seite –Munster Champions, comghairdeas leo go léir. Tá éacht déanta acu.
No doubt our other wonderful competitors on the night will be disappointed but we are justifiably proud of their performances and thank them for their participation and hard work in showcasing their talents. Comghairdes le Treasa Nic Craith san Amhránaíocht Aonair le Borrisoleigh sa léiriú agus le Katie Ni Sheanacháin san Amhránaíocht, Aonairagus le na cailíní ó JK Brackens sa Bhailéad Ghrúpa, maith sibh go léir.
Reminding all those proposing to travel to Sligo to the All-Ireland Finals to order your tickets as soon as possible, comghairdeas arís le Newcastle.
SCÓR NA bPÁISTÍ
Congratulations and well done to all involved in Scór na bPaistí na laethanta seo. Sincere congratulations to all our páisti throughout the county who have taken to the stage in all the various disciplines of Scór. Chuir an sneachta isteach go mór ar na himeachtaí éagsúla but thanks to all our local committees for getting the show on the road so soon again. We know you and your mentors have worked very hard and we look forward to seeing a wonderful County Final in Halla na Feile Cashel on March 25th next. Bígí ann the art competition entries are to be handed in or posted to Lár na Páirce by March 20th please.
SEACHTAIN NA GAELIGE 2018
Na déan dearmad ar an cúpla focal a labhairt i rith na Seachtaine. Beatha teangan í a labhairt. Bíodh focal nó dhó agat.
HANDBALL
Tipperary players All-Ireland 40x20 semi-finals at the weekend with juveniles Rory Grace (Lahorna) and the U16 Doubles pairing of Jack McGrath and Conor O'Dwyer (Cashel) reaching the finals.
In the Ladies Junior Singles Sinead Meagher (Nenagh) also progressed. Elsewhere, in men's action Billy Mullins (Clonmel) was also a winner as was Jim Ryan (Silvermines) in the O70's, while in the Ruby Masters Singles Paddy Collins (Ballina) unfortunately failed to progress.
Best of luck to all Tipp representatives in the All-Ireland finals in Kingscourt next weekend.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Starting on April 10th next, Place4U has teamed up with Tipperary ETB and Moyle Rovers to deliver a 10-week Health & Wellbeing Programme for men aged over 30. The aim is to help improve health, fitness and lifestyle, for further information phone 087 4407935.
Healthy Ireland at your library is a service available in all local libraries across the county. You can access a large collection of books on Health & Wellbeing through your local branch and on occasion also enjoy programmes and events relating to healthy topics. It’s free to join the library, apply online at www.librariesireland.ie or call into your local library.
ST. PATRICKS DAY & BOOK FAIR AT SOUTH TIPP GAA CENTRE
Celebrate the St. Patricks weekend in the South Tipperary G.A.A Centre, Clonmel as they get festivities under way this Friday, March 16th with a Celebration Ceili from 9pm to 12am with music by Ui Briain from Kerry. Admission is €10 and teas, bar facilities will be provided.
On St. Patrick's Day after the parade all are welcome to come along from 5pm for an evening of traditional music and song featuring local artists.
Then on Monday, March 19th, from 12 noon to 3pm there will be a Fair of Sporting Memorabilia and collectors and sellers are cordially invited. Bar facilities, tea and coffee will again be available and admission is free of charge. Sales positions, also free of charge are to be booked in advance, contact Sean Nugent 087 2669304 or email sean.nugent.cb@gaa.ie
SYMPATHY
We extend our sympathy to the wife and family of the late Eamonn Butler (Drom & Inch) who passed away last Saturday. Eamonn was captain of the Munster and All-Ireland winning Tipperary intermediate hurling team of 1971 and with the extended Butler family was deeply involved in Gaelic games for his club and Tipperary.