Tipperary GAA Scene

By Jonathan Cullen PRO

County GAA Convention

The Tipperary GAA Annual Convention took place in the Dome, FBD Semple Stadium last Saturday evening.

This year’s convention was well attended by the clubs of the county in anticipation of a busy evenings agenda.

In his first report to convention, CEO Murtagh Brennan presented a very detailed and comprehensive account of the year’s events along with his own thoughts on Tipperary can progress both on and off the field in 2024.

One of the main areas Murtagh spoke on was around the area of fundraising and in thanking the clubs of the county for their support of the recent Santa Dash, he also stated that in 2024, Tipperary GAA will need even greater support from the clubs of Tipperary for a number of major fundraisers which will be taking place during the year.

Treasurer Eleanor Lahart who was also presenting her first financial report to convention spoke in great detail about the finances of the county and how as a county we now find ourselves in very challenging times.

She said that Tipperary GAA is no different to any other household or company who have all experienced a dramatic increase in the cost of products, services, and day-to-day expenditure. All of these factors mean that it costs a considerable amount of money to run our county board and as reflected in the balance sheet we are now in a very challenging position heading into 2024.

Eleanor stated that a full review of expenditure and in particular the developments at our centre of excellence in Dr Morris Park showed that Tipperary GAA will not currently be in a position to continue to with the next phase as planned. Tipperary GAA will also not be in a position to fund any works at FBD Semple Stadium where a major investment is now needed just to maintain the facility.

Outgoing Chairperson Joe Kennedy said that it was an honour and a privilege to have served for the last three years and he thanked his fellow officers, the clubs of the county and most of all his wife Maureen and daughter Marie for their unwavering support during that time.

In a wide ranging address, Joe covered many areas including finance, the split season, and the whole area of the integration of the GAA, LGFA & Camogie associations. He stated that he believed that the first step in this process should be the amalgamation of the Camogie and LGFA as they both cater for the same group of players.

Incoming Chairperson Jimmy Minogue of the Nenagh Eire Óg club said that it was a huge honour for him, his family and club to be elected as chairperson of Tipperary GAA County Board. He said that there are currently many challenges facing us as a county, but if the correct processes and procedures are put in place, he has no doubt that as a county we can all work together to ensure success and development. He thanked all those who had supported him down through the years and said that he looked forward to working with his fellow officers and the clubs of Tipperary going forward.

Munster Council Chairperson Ger Ryan was also present, and he also briefly addressed convention. Ger thanked Tipperary for its continued support of him as Munster chairperson and he complimented the officers of Tipperary GAA for their contribution to the GAA.

The main focus for many delegates on the night was the election of Vice Chairperson, however due to an unfortunate clerical error, the election could not be completed. Tipperary GAA are now in communication with Croke Park in relation to this issue and once clarification and direction have been received, Tipperary GAA will be in a position to put a process in place to carry out the election of a vice chairperson.

The second election due to take place was for the position of Munster Council Delegate, however with the withdrawal of John Morrissey and Michael McCarthy, no vote was needed, with Joe Kennedy and Sean Nugent being elected to the positions.

Also, a number of motions were discussed and voted on, details of all these motions can be viewed on the Tipperary GAA website.

Football Committee AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Tipperary Football Committee took place last week and saw Upperchurch/Drombane’s Conor O’Dwyer step down as chairperson having completed his three-year term of office.

Conor did an excellent job as football committee chairperson and the introduction of the Michael Hogan Tournament can surely be seen as one of his excellent ideas. Conor has now been succeeded by Fearghal McDonnell from the JK Brackens club. Fearghal has been involved with Tipperary football for many years and I have no doubt he will continue the great work of those who have gone before him. The positions of Secretary and Vice Chairman were not filled, and it is hoped that both will be in place early in the New Year.

FBD Insurance County Championships

Last weekend saw the conclusion of the County Under 21 ‘A’ & ‘B’ Football Championships.

On Saturday in Golden, Clonmel Commercials were crowned ‘A’ champions thanks to a comprehensive 1-10 to 0-5 win over Cappawhite Gaels.

On Sunday in Cahir, Moyle Rovers overcame a very good Golden Kilfeacle side to claim the ‘B’ title, 2-5 to 0-8.

Next weekend will see one semi-final in the under 21 ‘B’ Hurling championship taking place as Galtee Rovers play Silvermines in Cappawhite on Sunday at 1.30pm.

Munster Post Primary Schools Draws

The draws for the quarter finals of the Munster Senior ‘A’ Hurling & Football took place last week.

In the Dr Harty Cup quarter finals, which will be played on Wednesday, 10th January, Nenagh CBS will take on CBC Cork, with the winner playing either Midleton CBS or Charleville CBS in the semi-final. On the other side of the draw, Thurles CBS take on St Flannan’s College, Ennis in a quarter final with the winner going onto face either Ardscoil Ris Limerick or St John the Baptist Community School from Hospital in the semi-final.

Tipperary have one representative in the Corn Ui Mhuiri quarter finals on January 17th with The Abbey School, Tipperary Town drawn with Tralee CBS the winner facing Colaiste na Sceilge Caherciveen or Patrician Academy Mallow in the semi-final, while on the other side of the draw it is Mercy Mounthawk Tralee or St Francis’ College Rochestown v St Brendan’s College, Killarney, or Clonakilty Community College.

Munster GAA Awards

The annual Munster GAA Awards take place this Saturday night in Killarney and Tipperary will have a well-deserved recipient of an award as Moyle Rovers Declan Browne is inducted into the Hall of Fame. Declan has been an outstanding to both club and county down through the years and thoroughly deserves this great award. Many congratulations Declan.

Allianz League Ticket Prices

The GAA has confirmed its full schedule of central level ticket prices for the 2024 Allianz Leagues competitions.

Divisions 1 & 2 of the Allianz Football League and Division 1 of the Allianz Hurling League will be priced at €20 per match and student/OAP tickets will be €15.

Divisions 3 & 4 in Football matches will be €12 with student/OAP tickets at €10.

Entry to Allianz Division 2 & 3 Hurling matches will cost €10 with student/OAP tickets €8.

Juveniles Under 16 will be free of charge for Allianz Leagues fixtures, except for reserved seating fixtures and selected fixtures where capacity is a concern.

New League Packages are on sale with full and flexible match packages available. These packages can be purchased on www.gaa.ie/tickets

Tickets for the Allianz Division 1 & 2 League Finals will be €30. Entry to Division 3 & 4 Finals will be €25.

Football Season Tickets will be €150 and Hurling Season Tickets will be €140. A GAA Season Ticket covers all Allianz League fixtures for your chosen county, Allianz League finals and semi-finals, AIB All-Ireland Club Finals, guaranteed access to your county’s championship fixtures and access to an All-Ireland Final ticket should your county reach the Final and you have met the qualification criteria. Club Plus Season Tickets, which includes club fixtures within your chosen county, will remain at €250.

The opening championship match(es) will no longer be included as part of the Season Ticket. However, the Association will have details of special Championship packages available in the New Year.

Once again, tickets will not be sold at venues in 2024. All tickets must be purchased in advance on gaa.ie/tickets or in selected SuperValu and Centra stores.

Allianz League Packages

· Division 1 & 2 Football: 7 matches for €100. A saving of €40

4 matches for €65. A saving of €15

· Division 3 & 4 Football: 7 matches for €60. A saving of €24

4 matches for €40. A saving of €8

· Division 1 Hurling: 5 matches for €75. A saving of €25

3 matches for €50. A saving of €10

AIB Goal Mile

The AIB Goal Mile competition allows people the chance to win one of the ten €1,000 prizes on offer for their GAA club. All people have to do is register for their GOAL Mile and enter the competition once registered to be in with a chance to win. Your club can start its own GOAL Mile! It's straight-forward and easy to do - all you need to get started is to contact the GOAL team via the link below. Our events team will then get in touch and give you everything you need to host a successful event!

https://www.goalmile.org/aibgaacompetition

Tipperary GAA Scene

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