Tipperary GAA Scene
By Joe Bracken PRO
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
Twelve months on from the beast from the east, a pest from the west caused more upheaval, as incessant rain caused the postponement of Sunday’s round 5 Allianz hurling league fixture between Tipperary and Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn. Excessive surface water meant no action would take place in the interest of player safety.
And so we go again next Sunday, March 10th with a 2pm start where a win is a must for Tipperary to ensure a chance of progression to the league quarter-final provided there is also a winner in the Wexford/Kilkenny match. This games throws in at 2pm at Innovate Wexford Park, as this original fixture likewise fell victim to the elements on Sunday last.
Best wishes to the team and management on Sunday. The referee will be Sean Cleere (Cill Chainnigh).
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.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Tipperary hosted Cork in round 5 of the Allianz football league last Saturday night and unfortunately came out on the reverse side of a 1-12 to 0-12 score-line. With two games remaining, away to Kildare on March 16th and home to Clare on March 24th, the expected return to action of a number of key players will boost the sides confidence in those fixtures as the league series draws to a conclusion.
REFEREES
Best wishes to referee Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla) as he will be in charge once again when Offaly and Carlow meet in the Allianz hurling league division 1B relegation play-off in Bord Na Mona O'Connor Park on Sunday next.
CLUB FIXTURES
There is semi-final action in each of the Tipperary Water U21 A and B county football championships this Saturday, March 9th, all with a 12:30pm throw-in. In the ‘A’ championship, in Boherlahan, J K Brackens Óg will play Arravale Rovers, while in Littleton, Inane Rovers will play the winners of this Wednesday night’s South final between Clonmel Commercials and Cahir.
Meanwhile in the 'B' championship in Clonoulty, Moyne-Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels will play Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams. Then on Tuesday or Wednseday next depending on the availability of grounds, Kilruane MacDonaghs will play the winners of this Saturday’s South ‘B’ final bewteen Kilsheelan-Kilcash and Mullinahone.
This is also a very big weekend in the senior club scene as the Tipperary Water County Hurling Leagues get going in earnest with a host of matches across the county from Friday until Sunday. For all fixtures and results of the County Football Leagues which got under way last weekend please check https://tipperary.gaa.ie/fixtures-results/
SCÓR
Tipperary excel in Craobh na Mumhan - Scór Munster Final
What a wonderful night it was in the City Hall in Cork on Saturday evening last when 7 Munster titles in Senior Scór were hotly contested and Tipperary, the Premier County, took no less than three of these. The fifty years of Scór was certainly celebrated in style as all six counties battled for a place in the All-Ireland Final in Castlebar on Saturday 13th April. We were represented excellently in all disciplines with all clubs giving an exceptional display on stage and our many supporters giving great encouragement and rousing cheers to all our competitors. Fear an Ti for the evening was none other than Diarmaid Ó Súilleabháin, who has just completed his term as Cathaoirleach of Comhairle na Mumhan and a stalwart supporter of all Scór cultural events. The new Chairperson of the Munster Council, Liam Lenihan spoke eloquently of the contribution of Scór to the GAA and congratulated all participants and mentors for their efforts.
Scenes of jubilation were the order of the day when Newcastle’s Rince Foirne, pictured right with Munster chairman, Liam Lenihan, were first to be announced as Munster Champions, taking a second Munster title in a row in that discipline. These young ladies stepped it out in style under the tutelage of Kathy McGrath Coleman and much credit is due to their dedication and commitment to excellence.
The joy continued when Newcastle’s Treasa McGrath was announced Munster Champion in the Aithriseoireacht category. Bhí sí thar barr. Treasa recited her own composition ‘You Can’t Put Her on Stage’ and her performance was a delight to all present. Maith thú Treasa as do chuid oibre. Treasa is photographed below with Josephine Cahill, Chairperson Tipperary Scór.
Moving to the north of the county, scenes of laughter and tears greeted the Fear an Tí’s announcement of the winners of the Léiriú competition, ‘Fowl Play at the Border’ by Newport’s talented Leiriú Group, pictured below with Munster chairman, Liam Lenihan. The topical theme of Brexit was central to the act but Newport certainly put a new twist to the story! The fowl was not too well behaved but the audience was reduced to tears of merriment with the antics on stage. An extremely clever composition and beautifully acted by all on and off stage! Comghairdeas.
We are indebted to our other county champions in senior Scór who delighted the audiences also and represented club and county so well on stage. Mar a dúirt Cathaoirleach an Chomhairle taispeántas den scoth a bhí ann ó na hiomaitheoirí uile agus gabhaimid buíochas faoi leith le Katie Shanahan as Borrisoleigh, Bailéad Ghrúpa - Theampall Uachtar-Drombán, Ceoltóirí - JK Brackens agus Rinceoirí Seite - Chaislean Nua. Dhein sibh uile éacht agus táimid uile bródúil asaibh.
Many thanks to our numerous kind supporters who travelled to the City Hall to encourage and cheer on their native clubs and county. Buíochas le Coiste Scór na Mumhan as na himeachtaí a eagrú agus Scór 50 a cheiliúradh chomh galánta agus chomh snasta sin.
Winners and supporters are now looking forward to the All-Ireland finals in Castlebar on April 13th at 3pm. Bí ann linn.
SCÓR NA bPAISTÍ
As Scór Sinsir comes to an end at county level we look forward to great nights and evenings entertainment over the next few weekends. Go néirí go geal le na páistí agus iad I mbun oibre .
POST PRIMARY ACTION
Congratulations to Borrisokane CC on reaching the Masita GAA Post Primary Schools Michael Cusack Cup (Senior C Hurling) final following their defeat of Colásite Naomh Cormac 1-15 to 0-14 in Birr last Saturday. Best wishes to Borrisokane in the final where they will play Coláiste na Coiribe (Galway) on Saturday, March 23rd.
In post primary camogie action congratulations to Cashel Community School who are All Ireland Senior C colleges champions following their 6-10 to 0-1 defeat of St. Pius X Magherafelt.
HANDBALL
Ger Coonan (Ballina) made the long Journey to Saval in Co. Down in the last 16 of the senior 40x20 Singles. He was up against Armagh’s Charlie Shanks and although losing out in a tie breaker he gave the Ulster man a right fright on the night. The Tipp man won the first 21/17 with Shanks taking the second 21/9. Nobody expected the exciting 3rd game which Shanks just about deserved to win 21/15 after a great display of skill by Coonan, to reach the quarter-finals.
Next weekend sees Tipperary singles players compete in the All-Ireland semi-finals in various venues throughout Munster and Leinster.
Play-off’s for the Munster Juvenile Development Tournament to select who will represent Tipperary will take place during the week.
After various County and Provincial heats 48 young boys and girls won their way through to the 2019 National Cumann na mBunscoil Day on Saturday in Kingscourt, which has always proven to be a fantastic day of handball.
Congratulations to Eleanor Percy, left, representing NUIG on winning the A1 Womens Grade in the USHA Collegiates played recently in Minnesota, beating UL's Cathy Foley in the final. Eleanor also recently won the Women's B grade in the Irish Collegiate Handball Association tournament played in Belfast. Eleanor is a member of Lahorna Handball Club.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Is your club interested in promoting Healthy Eating amongst its members? If you are please check out the GAA website under My Club community health / healthy eating, under the headings - Want to Feed Your Brain, Boost Energy Levels and Prevent Aging; here you will find information on what foods to eat in order to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy is about enjoying good food and the pleasure it brings when positive results are achieved.
Under the Health and Wellbeing section you will also find valuable information on the GAA’s Mental Health charter. This is a policy document that helps clubs develop a culture that supports and promotes emotional wellbeing. This is designed to reinforce the Give Respect Get Respect positive message and it outlines a club culture that is inclusive and open. Tipperary Health and Wellbeing Committee are asking all clubs in the county to ensure they adopt the Give Respect Get Respect Initiative as part of their Healthy Club Plan.
The GAA and the Samaritans have joined forces to offer greater emotional support to people who are struggling to cope through difficult times. The Samaritans offer a 24hr helpline every day of the year. You can call from your mobile without credit and the number will not show on your bill. To contact the Samaritans, call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.ie
Remember it’s the little things that can make a person’s day. A simple smile, a hi and a smile or it’s a lovely day remark can bring a positive aspect to a person’s day.
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
TIPPERARY GAA SCENE
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.