Tipperary GAA Scene
by PRO Joe Bracken
COUNTY SENIOR FOOTBALL FINAL DAY
The Tipperary Water county senior football final has been decided for another year with congratulations going to Moyle Rovers who won their eight title following a 1-15 to 1-7 victory over Ardfinnan. Congratulations also to Peter Acheson (Moyle Rovers) on winning the 'Man of the Match' award sponsored by John Quirke Jewellers, Cahir.
The Tipperary Water county intermediate football final required extra time as Moyne-Templetuohy put in a strong late challenge to deny Golden-Kilfeacle of victory in normal time. That added time proved valuable to the mid men as they ground out a 1-18 to 2-11 victory to take the spoils.
Commiserations to both Ardfinnan and Golden-Kilfeacle who gave of the all on the day as well but unfortunately had to settle for runners up spot in their respective final.
CLUB FIXTURES
There was two other county finals down for decision last weekend starting with Boherlahan-Dualla who return to intermediate grade following their win in the Tipperary Water Junior 'A' Hurling final. Extra time was required for Boherlahan as they eventually saw off the challenge of Skeheenarinky in New Inn.
Solohead took the honours in the Tipperary Water County Junior (B) Football Championship Final ensuring it wouldn't be double delight for Moyne-Templetuohy last weekend. Congratulations to Boherlahan-Dualla and Solohead on their victories.
At divisional level congratulations go to Loughmore-Castleiney as they claimed the Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling title following another thrilling encounter with Thurles Sarsfields. Loughmore winning on a 2-21 to 1-21 score line after extra time.
Just three matches to contend with at county level this weekend where two of those will be finals. Boherlahan-Dualla are in action this time in the Tipperary Water County Junior (B) Hurling Championship Final where they will meet Mullinahone on Saturday next, November 3rd in Littleton at 2:30pm.
Elsewhere, in the Tipperary Water County Junior (A) Football Championship Final also at the same time on Saturday, it is south v mid when Ballylooby-Castlegrace and JK Brackens square up in Cashel.
The remaining fixture is the Tipperary Water County senior hurling relegation match between Mullinahone and Portroe which will be played on Sunday next, November 4th in Holycross at 2pm.
There is action once again in West and South senior football and U21 hurling action across the divisions, which includes the O’Dwyer Steel West U21A Hurling championship final between Clonoulty-Rossmore and Cashel King Cormacs also on Sunday next, November 4th, at 12 noon in Dundrum.
To keep up to date with all fixtures and results please check https://tipperary.gaa.ie/fixtures-results/
MUNSTER CLUB FIXTURES
Commiserations to Cashel King Cormac's who were defeated 1-16 to 1-13 by Lixnaw (Kerry) in the AIB Munster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Final last Sunday.
This weekend we send best wishes to our county senior champions who are both in action. Clonoulty-Rossmore will play Na Piarsaigh (Limerick) in the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Sunday November 4th at 1pm in the Gaelic Grounds and Moyle Rovers will take on Dr. Crokes (Kerry) also on Sunday at a Tipperary venue, yet to be confirmed, in the AIB Munster Club Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final.
To keep up to date with all Munster fixtures and results please check http://munster.gaa.ie/fixtures/club-championships-2018/
RETIREMENT
Last week, George Hannigan announced his retirement from inter-county football after thirteen years of service.
The extremely popular Hannigan made his senior championship debut against Kerry in 2006 and was a permanent fixture in midfield for the Premier ever since and played his last game in June, coming on as a second-half substitute in the qualifier loss to Mayo, in Semple Stadium. He amassed a fantastic 36 senior championship appearances for Tipperary, scoring 0-13 in the process.
In that time, he won three Allianz National Football League medals in 2009 (division 3), 2014 (division 4) and 2017 (division 3) and while he was unfortunate not to win a senior championship medal, his dominating midfield performances won him the respect of many players and critics up and down the country.
In 2005 he was a member of the under-17 Irish Compromise Rules team that defeated Australia to claim the series and also captained the county minor side that same year. He won a Trench Cup medal with Mary Immaculate College in 2008 and played a key role in Thomas MacDonagh’s historic county senior championship win in 2011 and also won divisional honours with them in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. He has also captured junior football and intermediate hurling honours with his club Shannon Rovers. An accomplished hurler, he played wing-back on the St. Flannan’s Harty Cup winning side in 2005.
Perhaps his best year for Tipperary was in 2016 when he played a crucial role in the county’s march to the All-Ireland semi-final for the first time since 1935 when the Premier memorably defeated Cork, Derry and Galway before being unfortunate to see their brave efforts against Mayo in the semi-final fall just short.
George will continue to play for his club Shannon Rovers and we have no doubt that he will continue to play a major role in Tipperary football going forward.
TIPPERARY CLUBS DRAW
The November Tipperary club draw will take place this Thursday night, November 2nd in association with JK Brackens GAA club in the Templemore Arms Hotel. The October main prize winner Ms K. O'Regan will receive her prize and best wishes to all in this month's draw.
POST PRIMARY ACTION
The second round fixtures of the Dr. Harty Cup Under 19A Hurling competition will be played on Wednesday week, November 7th. In Group A, Nenagh CBS will meet Ardscoil Ris, in Group C, Our Lady's Secondary School, Templemore will play Blackwater Community School, Lismore and in Group D, Thurles CBS will get their first taste of action this year when then meet Castletroy College.
The Dean Ryan Cup (Under 16.5 A Hurling) final between Thurles CBS and De La Salle has been refixed for Friday, November 9th at 1:30pm in Ardfinnan.
In the Corn Ui Mhuiri Senior (Under 19 A Football) commiserations to High School Clonmel who lost their opening round to Coláiste Choilm Ballincollig.
For fixtures / results and match reports, check out the Munster GAA Post Primary Schools web site at www.munstergaapps.ie
BENEFIT MATCH
The Amanda Stapleton benefit match between Tipperary and Kilkenny legends goes ahead on Saturday next, November 3rd at 6pm in Bishop Quinlan Park, Borrisoleigh.
Tickets are on sale from members of the Borris-Ileigh GAA club as well as outlets in Borrisoleigh, Lar na Páirce in Thurles and surrounding areas all for €20 and U16's go free. Tickets are also available online now and unfortunately, tickets will be limited so make sure to get yours now to avoid disappointment. Online details as follows;
https://secure.tickets.ie/Listing/EventInformation/39036/amanda-stapleton-benefit-match-tipperary-v-kilkenny
There will be a marquee set up with live bands 'till late to entertain supporters. There is also a Club Colours 5km Fun Run at 11am on the day at the Track Attack course in Borrisoleigh.
HANDBALL
The 60 x 30 doubles All-Ireland finals were contested over the weekend with Tipperary players involved in 8 finals where they won four and lost four after an exciting weekend of handball.
Garryhill in Carlow was a lucky venue as the Ladies Junior Doubles pairing of Sinéad Meagher and Laura Shinnors (Nenagh/Lahorna) had a comfortable win and were in control from the start as they defeated the Dublin ladies. Paul Mullins and Eddie Farrell (Clonmel) followed the ladies to victory in the Masters A Doubles coming through a great battle against their Wexford opponents.
In Crinkle in Offaly in the SMAD David Moloney and John O'Donoghue (Cashel) were also victorious following their success over the Dublin pairing. In the Ruby Masters Final Paddy Collins and Jim Ryan (Ballina/Silvermines) buoyed up by the huge Tipp following took the title after a titanic struggle also against Dublin. Unfortunately, the DMAD pairing of Billy and Pakie Mullins (Clonmel) after winning the first set were reeled in by Kilkenny who won the next two sets for victory. In the Junior Doubles final John Ferncombe and Sean Maher from Cashel were defeated by Cavan.
In Talbots Inch in Kilkenny in GMBD Brendan Ryan and Willie Bourke (Ballina) were second best as Wexford took the honours.
As mentioned last week, in the GMAD in Clonmel Kevin Mullins and Adrian Johnson (Clonmel) lost out to their Meath opponents.
Congratulations to the Tipperary winners who are now All-Ireland champions.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Tipperary Health and Wellbeing Committee will host a Safe Talk (suicide alertness for everyone) on November 14th next in Our Lady’s School Templemore Recreation Room. Registration commences at 5.30pm and admission is free but pre-booking is essential.
Please contact Cora Moroney Chairperson Tipperary Health & Wellbeing email chair.hwc.tipperary@gaa.ie 089 76388039 and you may also phone or text Seamus Delaney - 087 6396698.
This talk will help participants to provide practical help to persons they meet who may experience thoughts of suicide.
TIPPERARY HURLING CLUB, NEW YORK
The County Tipperary Hurling Club New York will hold their 2018 Celebratory Banquet on Saturday, December 8th at Lake Isle Country Club, 660 White Plains Road, Eastchester, NY 10709.
Guest of Honour is Pa Ryan (Ardfinnan) with Honouree Special Guest - Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange/Ardfinnan) and also Special Guests - Liam Cahill (Ballingarry) Tipp U21 Hurling Manager and Colin English (Fr. Sheehy's) Tipperary U21 Captain.
The Tipperary Man of the Year is Tommy Fogarty (Clonmel) and the Tipperary Hurler of the Year is Martin ONeill (Mount Sion, Waterford).
Information and ticket details for the banquet can be had from Dance Chairpersons: Brendan Maher (646) 361-5544 brendanmaher50@gmail.com and Stephen Carty (914) 899 3130 or any committee member.
Platinum, Gold or White Journal contract details can be made with the Journal Chairman - Tommy Kavanagh (914) 309 2363 or any of the journal committee. All journal ads need to be returned before November 16th or email thomas.kavanagh@e-frontiers.com A great night's entertainment is guaranteed for all.
TIPP CONNECTION
Congratulations to Declan Browne (Moyle Rovers) as he managed Graigue-Ballycallan to victory over Tullaroan in the Kilkenny intermediate hurling final last Sunday. Another Tipp man, Toomevara's James McGrath managed Bennettsbridge who were defeated by Ballyhale Shamrocks in the senior equivalent.
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.