Tipperary GAA Scene

By Jonathan Cullen PRO

Divisional Hurling Championships

Last weekend saw a host of games being played across the four divisions of the county in the Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate hurling grades as club action took centre stage.

Out West, in the Senior Hurling semi-final, supporters travelling to Dundrum were expecting a close game between defending champions Clonoulty/Rossmore and Eire Óg Annacarty/Donohill. However, this did not materialise as the men in green and gold proved too strong for their opponents as they ran out comfortable 3-26 to 0-18 winners.

The second of the West Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals was down for decision on Sunday as Cashel King Cormacs and Sean Treacys travelled to Clonoulty for their high noon decider. Supporters were treated to some fantastic scores from both sides and in the end, it was the men from the city of the kings who progressed by a single goal 2-17 to 1-17.

The West Final between Cashel King Cormacs and Clonoulty/Rossmore takes place in Golden this Saturday, 15th July at 7.00pm

On Saturday in Bansha, Arravale Rovers and Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams were going toe-to-toe in the West Intermediate Hurling semi-final. This was a close game all through, but it was the Tipp Town side who had that little bit more in the tank as they earned a place in this year’s final, 2-19 to 3-13.

The second of the West Intermediate Hurling semi-finals also took place on Sunday evening in Annacarty and resulted in a 1-16 to 0-16 win for Cappawhite over Golden Kilfeacle. The final between Arravale Rovers and Cappawhite takes place in Annacarty on Sunday 16th July at 1.00pm.

Down South, the splendid new grounds of the Carrick Swan club in Carrick-on-Suir was the destination for the players and supporters of both Ballingarry and Kilsheelan/Kilcash on Saturday evening as both sides battled it out in the Intermediate Hurling semi-final. In another well contested game, Kilsheelan were just that little bit more experienced as they progressed to the final with five points to spare, 2-14 to 1-12.

The meeting of St Mary’s and Carrick Swan in the South Senior Hurling semi-final was always going to bring its own drama as both sides have always left everything on the field in their endeavours to succeed and this was once again the case last Sunday. In an action packed game full of drama, passion, and skill, it was the Swan who claimed victory over their Clonmel opponents 1-16 to 0-15, and they now progress to the final where they play Killenaule next Sunday in Clonmel Sportsfield at 2.00pm.

Hurling action will again take centre stage across the divisions this weekend with another action packed fixture list down for decision and you can see the full details for all the games on the fixtures and results section of the Tipperary GAA website.

Handball

The All-Ireland Juvenile 60x30 Finals were hosted by Dungarvan in Waterford & Colooney in Sligo last weekend.

Tipperary players travelled to Dungarvan and competed in three finals. In the Boys Under 14 Doubles, Josh Moroney & Rory Crosse were up against Jake O’Neill & Conor Minogue from Kilkenny who took the first game 15/6. The Tipp boys put in a great effort in the second game but narrowly lost 15/12.

In the Boys Under 17 Singles, Rocky Reilly was in full control and won his games 21/7, 21/1 to take All Ireland honours.

In the Girls Under 17 Singles, Aoife Williams lost to Kilkenny’s Shauna Hayes 21/10, 21/1.

The Adult Doubles Munster Championships are now completed and Tipperary will be competing in 8 All Ireland semi-finals & finals to be played on the weekend of 22nd/23rd July.

ACTIVE RETIREMENT TOUR OF SEMPLE STADIUM

As part of a pilot project, the Tipperary Health & Wellbeing Committee, in conjunction with the management of Semple Stadium and the county board, have organised a behind the scenes tour of FBD Semple Stadium for the actively retired this Wednesday, July 12th commencing at 11.00am.

John McCormack, from An Garda Siochana, will be available to chat and give advice on personal security, garda policing operations for games in Semple Stadium and Alone are sending a representative to promote the many supports the organisation offers to older people. Stadium manager David Morgan has kindly offered to provide a cuppa to allow people mingle afterwards.

This initiative should be of interest to all clubs who are keen to promote and retain the involvement of retired people in their communities. It might be of particular interest to those who have spent many years attending matches in the stadium and would like to hear about the behind the scenes action before the big games.

Camogie

Congratulations to the Tipperary Senior team who booked their place in the All-Ireland semi-final thanks to a 3-23 to 0-6 win over Antrim in last Saturdays quarter final which was played ahead of the clash of Limerick and Galway in Croke Park.

Although the first half of this game was a close enough affair, Tipperary took firm control of the game in the second half to ease to victory.

Denis Kelly’s charges will now travel across the border to UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny on Saturday, July 22nd when they will play Waterford in the semi-final. Having already defeated Waterford in the Munster Championship, the girls will know that they are well capable of overcoming the challenge of “The Deise”, however they will also be well aware that no two games are the same and Waterford are in the semi-final on merit.

LADIES FOOTBALL

Best wishes to the Tipperary Ladies Senior Footballers who travel to Piltown, Co. Kilkenny this Saturday, where they will play Waterford in an All-Ireland relegation playoff at 2.00pm. A win will secure their senior status for 2024 and we wish them well in their endeavours.

PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR BOOTS

This week the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Gaelic Players’ Association launched a major new campaign that seeks to target and tackle the online social media abuse of players, referees, managers, and officials.

The ‘In their Boots’ campaign is a series of specially commissioned videos which over the coming weeks will heighten awareness around the damage caused by vitriolic targeting and abuse of players, referees, managers, and officials online in an effort to create a better online sideline.

The GPA has proactively provided social media guidelines to players in recent years, encouraging positive online behaviour. As role models, players know what they say and do has an impact far beyond just themselves.

The GAA/GPA ‘In their Boots’ campaign can be found on the Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts of both bodies. The content for the campaign was produced by the Fifty-Three Six Sports Marketing Agency.

Tipperary GAA Scene

If there is anything you feel should feature in this column going forward, please feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie