Tipperary GAA Scene
by PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
The highlight result of the year so far from a Tipperary perspective was that of the senior footballers, who deservedly took the honours in a 3-9 to 0-13 win against Donegal in round 3 of the Allianz football league last Sunday. This win for Tipp was just the tonic required and it blew open an already fiercely competitive division where every point gained will be hard fought as they head into the mid-term break in the league.
Goals from Steven O'Brien (Ballina), Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) and Liam Casey (Cahir) proved crucial in this win for Tipp and one that was certainly needed. Congratulations also to Michael O'Reilly (Clonmel Commercials) as he made his full league debut and one that he will hopefully remember for a long time after his superb penalty save.
Next on the agenda for Tipperary is an away trip to Armagh and the scene of the famous Athletic Grounds win in 2017 which earned promotion to division 2. That game will be on Sunday week, February 24th.
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
It's a spin to the sunny south east as the Tipperary hurlers head off in quest of two league points when they take on Wexford in round 3 of the Allianz Hurling League next Sunday, February 17th, in Innovate Wexford Park.
There have been 42 previous meetings with Wexford and it is the Model County that narrowly lead the standings with 20 wins to 19 for Tipperary and there has been 3 draws.
The last 10 games reveal the following set of results - 17/2/2018 Semple Stadium, Tipp 3-21 Wexford 1-21, 16/4/2017 Nowlan Park ,Tipp 5-18 Wexford 1-19 (Semi final), 17/4/2011 Semple Stadium, Tipp 0-17 Wexford 1-14, 15/3/2005 Semple Stadium,Wexford 2-19 Tipp 2-15, 14/3/2004 Wexford Park, Tipp 4-18 Wexford 1-13, 16/3/2003 Mac Donagh Park Nenagh, Tipp 3-21 Wexford 1-11, 18/3/2002 Wexford Park, Wexford 3-13 Tipp 1-10, 18/2/2001 Semple Stadium, Tipp 1-16 Wexford 1-12, 12/3/2000 Bellefield, Enniscorthy, Tipp 0-20 Wexford 1-15 and 21/3/1999 Semple Stadium, Tipp 1-16 Wexford 1-8.
Tipperary's all time league record against Wexford at Wexford venues, which include New Ross, Enniscorthy and Wexford Town, is - played 17, won 6, drew 1 and unfortunately lost 10.
It's a 2pm start again on Sunday and adult pre-purchase tickets are available up to midnight on Saturday night for €15 and adult match day tickets are €20, U16’s go free. Best wishes to the team and management on Sunday and the referee will be Colm Lyons (Cork).
REFEREES
Best wishes to our referees on duty in the Allianz hurling league this weekend where first up on Saturday night, Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla) is in charge of the Cork and Clare tie in Páirc Uí Rinn. Then on Sunday, Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) will be in the middle when Kilkenny and Limerick clash in Nowlan Park.
SEMPLE STADIUM
The AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship Semi-Final between Dr. Crokes (Kerry) and Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s (Longford) will be played in Semple Stadium this Saturday, February 16th with a 3:30pm throw-in. The referee for this game will be Sean Hurson and extra time will be played if necessary.
GAA CLUB DRAW
Congratulations to all the winners in the February GAA Draw held in Butler’s Sports Bar, Main St, Fethard with Fethard GAA Club last Friday night. First prize of a Skoda Octavia / Renault Megane or €15,000 went to Stephen McMorrow with Clerihan GAA the promoting club. Second prize of €5,000 or a holiday went to Harry Lupton with Moyne-Templetuohy the promoting club.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Congratulations to Borrisokane C.C. who are Corn Risteard Ui Mhathuna 19 ‘C’ hurling champions following their 2-16 to 0-6 win over St. Anne's Community College Killaloe.
Turning the attention towards Saturday’s Dr. Harty Cup final, Michael Breen (Ballina) is a member of the CBC Cork team management. CBC were the side that knocked Thurles CBS in the semi-final. There are two Daly’s from Lismore on the CBC Cork panel – Iarlaith (a former Waterford minor) is centre-back and Carthach is a sub and they are nephews of Gerry and Timmy Stapleton of Pallas, Borris-Ileigh.
CAMOGIE
Best wishes to Tipperary schools through to camogie All-Ireland Finals following recent results. Firstly, in the All Ireland Senior ‘B’ schools semi-final St Mary’s Nenagh defeated Dominican College (Dublin) 1-8 to 1-6 and will now play Castlecomer in the final.
Elsewhere, Cashel Community School Senior Camogie are also through to the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Senior ‘C’ final after defeating Our Lady of Lourdes Rosbercon, on Saturday last in Cashel on a score line of 5-12 to 0-10.
Congratulations also to the Tipperary players Róisín Howard (Cahir), Sarah Fryday (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Mary Ryan (Moneygall), Laura Loughnane (Thurles Sarsfields) and Grace O’Brien (Nenagh Éire Óg) who were on the winning UL team that claimed the Ashbourne Cup by defeating UCC 3-8 to 0-8 last Sunday. Fryday and O'Brien were both on the score sheet with 0-1 apiece.
CLUB CHILDREN OFFICER TRAINING
A training night for Club Childrens Officers will be held in Thurles Sarsfields upstairs club room on Thursday week 21st February at 7.00pm.
This training night is especially arranged for new Club Childrens Officers or any childrens officer who may not have attended a course previously.
Please note all club childrens officers are welcome to attend even if they attended in the last few years.
Those wishing to attend should notify Co. Childrens Officer Nicholas Moroney preferably by email childrensofficer.tipperary@gaa.ie as it is easier to track details or 087 8369630.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
A reminder to clubs please appoint a Healthy Club officer whose role is to help your club become a healthier, safer and enjoyable place for all club members. Training for new officers is on 11th April so clubs still have time on their side. The county committee are asking all clubs to adopt and implement the Give Respect- Get Respect initiative which encourages the principles of fair play and respect not just for players themselves but coaches, clubs, parents, referees and supporters. Check out the Code of Behaviour Underage on gaa.ie for more information. Remember any policies and initiatives your club implements help make your club a safer and healthier place for members and the local community to enjoy.
We will shortly be heading into exam season for thousands of GAA members. Young members and their parents might find some helpful information by checking out Spun Out on spunout.ie This organisations aim is to educate and inform young people aged 16-25 on how to lead active, happy and healthy lives. Under education check out how to handle exams, results and anxiety. Many thanks to County Chairman John Devane for his encouraging words while attending our recent meeting.
The committee would also like to congratulate our former member Ger Ryan on his recent appointment as Munster Council Vice Chairman.
SCÓR
Reminding all clubs of Scór Sinsear County Final on Saturday night, February 23rd in Newport. The scór committee are expecting all clubs to make a special effort as we celebrate 50 Years of Scór.
THIRD LEVEL COLLEGES COMPETITIONS
The quarter-finals of this year's Electric Ireland HE GAA Fitzgibbon Cup were played last week with success and disappointment for a number of Tipperary players involved.
UCC winners of Group A powered to another 3-19 to 1-11 victory, this time over IT Carlow, where once again Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) was instrumental in his side's success and led the scoring with 2-2 from play. Killian O'Dwyer (Killenaule) another ever present in the side was in the customary corner back position. For IT Carlow, Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch) lined out at midfield. The game was refereed by Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams).
Group A runner up NUIG knocked out LIT on a 1-15 to 2-10 score line, as LIT were left to rue two missed penalty chances. Conor Sheedy (Roscrea) fired 1-1 for NUIG and was joined on the team by Shane Hennessy (Nenagh Éire Óg) in goal and Shane Fletcher (Roscrea) introduced in the half forward line in the second half. LIT will be no doubt disappointed on losing and had Robert Byrnes (Portroe) in fine form, scoring 1-2 from play, while Darren Moran (Kiladangan), Sean Ryan (Sean Treacy's) and Rian Doody (Cappawhite) all contributed well to the LIT campaign this year. This match was watched over by Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla).
Group D winners Mary I are also through to the semi-final following a 2-20 to 0-13 victory over CIT. For Mary I, Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs) lined out at corner back, Eoghan Ryan (Loughmore-Castleiney) at right half back and Philip Hickey (Nenagh Éire Óg) in midfield. Hickey on the board with 0-2. On the CIT side Enda Heffernan (Clonoulty-Rossmore) was again at centre back with Andrew Coffey (Nenagh Éire Óg) at full-forward scoring 0-2 of his sides tally
The remaining quarter final was a Dublin derby as DCU took on DIT, with DCU progressing on a 2-19 to 0-12 score line. The only Tipp player involved for either side was Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) who lined out at right half forward for DIT.
The semi-final parings then are as follows; DCU v UCC which will be played this Tuesday in the WIT complex at Carriganore with a 5pm start. While this Thursday Mary I and NUIG will meet in Cusack Park, Ennis, in the second semi-final.
In the Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup quarter-finals last week there was mixed luck for the two Tipperary players involved. UCC with Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) lining out at midfield proved much too strong for IT Carlow with the Cork college winning 4-21 to 0-5.
Elsewhere, Maynooth University lost out to St. Mary's Belfast 0-15 to 0-13. For Maynooth, Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch) lined out at left half back.
In the other games NUI Galway defeated Ulster University 1-8 to 1-7 and UCD saw off the challenge of DCU 2-16 to 1-9.
The semi-finals then are as follows, on Sunday next, February 17th NUIG will meet UCC and St. Mary's Belfast will take on UCD.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
To join the Tipperary Supporters Club please do so at www.tippsupportersclub.com or by calling Jim Reidy, Membership Officer on 086 3580718.
The membership pack includes the following benefits:
A specially-designed Tipperary Supporters Club pen with stylus for use on touch-screen devices
All members are entered into a prize draw for championship match tickets for all Tipperary Senior games.
2019 Car Sticker
Text alerts for all League and Championship team news
Regular news to your email about all the latest in Tipperary GAA circles
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
Membership for the Friends of Tipperary Football for 2019 is now available and costs only €20. There are some great prizes to be won throughout the year by becoming a member. The Friends are a fantastic group that help with the development of Tipperary Football. To join please go to www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com