Tipperary GAA Scene
By Jonathan Cullen PRO
Divisional championship action
It was a very busy weekend of action across the county last weekend with a number of Divisional finals down for decision.
In the South Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Final, Ballingarry and Kilsheelan/Kilcash met in Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday evening, and it was Ballingarry who emerged as winners 1-18 to 1-14.
In West Tipperary, Golden Kilfeacle qualified for their divisional final thanks to a comfortable 1-22 to 1-10 win over Arravale Rovers in Bansha and will play Cappawhite in the final this Friday evening in Annacarty.
On Sunday afternoon, Monroe was the destination for supporters of Carrick Swan and Killenaule who met in the South senior hurling championship final. In what was expected to be a very tight game, Carrick Swan always looked to be in control as they claimed another title by virtue of a 3-19 to 1-16 win. This means that the Swan have secured a preliminary quarter final in the Premier Intermediate county championship regardless of how they get on in the group stages of the competition.
On Sunday evening in Clonoulty, Cashel King Cormacs defeated Eire Óg Annacarty/Donohill 3-27 to 1-30, after extra time, in the West Premier Intermediate Hurling final.
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final
Best wishes to Newcastle’s Michael Kennedy who has been appointed as line umpire for next Sundays All Ireland Senior Hurling final between Clare and Cork. This is a huge honour for Michael and his club and is richly deserved as he has proven himself to be Tipperary’s leading inter-county hurling referee in recent years.
Tipperary Clubs Draw
The 2024-2025 Tipperary Clubs Draw has been launched and tickets can be purchased from your local GAA club, the Tipperary GAA office, or on the Tipperary GAA website.
This draw provides substantial financial assistance to the clubs of the county, with up to 70% of every ticket going straight in to the clubs account. The new draw will have substantial cash prizes each month and is well worth the €100 entry.
Moycarkey/Borris and Tipperary GAA Match Forecast Fundraiser
Moycarkey/Borris and Tipperary GAA have launched a brand new and very exciting fundraiser that is sure to be enjoyed by people right across the county and further afield.
Participants get the chance to predict the outcome of all the group games in the Senior and Premier Intermediate Hurling Championships which commence on 26-28 July.
There are cash prizes ranging from €2000 on offer and all for an entry fee of €10. You can enter via the links on both the Moycarkey/Borris and Tipperary GAA social media channels or alternatively by contacting any member of the Moycarkey/Borris GAA Club. The direct link to play is: https://moycarkeyborris.com/products/17678/purchases/new
FBD Semple Stadium to become Smoke and Vape free
FBD Semple Stadium has been chosen to become the first county grounds in Munster that will be designated a smoke and vape free venue, with signage due to be erected around the facility in the coming weeks.
The Smoke & Vape Free clubs initiative provides outdoor and pitch-side signage designed to inform patrons that a club executive has implemented a Smoke and Vape Free policy for their Club or County grounds.
This policy aims to:
• protect the health of club members, visitors, and the wider community by minimising their exposure all tobacco related harm, including second-hand smoke.
• encourage people who smoke to consider quitting (while signposting to support services).
• reduce the initiation of smoking/vaping among young people.
• minimise tobacco and electronic cigarette related litter.
If your club would like more information in relation to this initiative, please contact County Health and Wellbeing officer Cora Moroney who will be delighted to assist in any way possible.
Club Development Grants
Tipperary GAA is pleased to confirm the window for applications for Club Development Grants from Central Council and Munster Council is now open.
The Club Development grants are a very important and tangible form of support from Central Council and Munster Council to clubs seeking to develop new facilities and improve existing ones.
The overall scheme consists of two schemes rolled in to one – Central Council and Munster Council with the overall budget to be confirmed once applications have been submitted and considered.
The scheme consists of five categories of funding at club level. Clubs are advised to read the scheme guidelines carefully and submit their application via the online portal by the closing date of Friday, August 9th.
The County Safety & Facilities Officer will work in tandem with the Munster Council delegate on the Planning & Physical Development Committee to proof all applications.
Check out the Clubs section of the Munster GAA website to read the guidelines and access the applications links.
All applications submitted will be vetted by Tipperary County Board and Munster GAA with vetting completed by 30th September. Please note that a number of applications from each county will be selected at random for inspection by Munster GAA representatives. Successful grant applicants will be announced in October.
M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals
The 2024 M. Donnelly GAA All-Ireland Poc Fada Finals were officially launched in Croke Park by Ard Stiúrthóir Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Tom Ryan, and Munster camogie Chairperson, Christine Ryan.
Also in attendance was Martin Donnelly who has been sponsoring the GAA Poc Fada for almost three decades through his MD myclubshop.ie brand – a significant contribution that has given the competition great support.
26 players (senior men, senior women, U-16 boys, U-16 girls) will return to the Annaverna mountain in Co. Louth on Bank Holiday Monday, August 5th, for what should be another keenly contested event.
The senior men’s Poc Fada could be one of the most competitive in the history of the competition, with four former winners all vying against one another.
Kerry hurler Fionán MacKessy is the reigning champion, Kilkenny’s Killian Phelan won in 2022, former Limerick hurler Colin Ryan won in 2021, and Offaly hurler Cillian Kiely was back-to-back champion in 2018 and 2019.
Also in the mix as a sponsor’s pick will be Clare senior hurler, Peter Duggan, who finished third in last year’s competition.
Senior Hurling: AN OTHER (Sponsors Pick), Cillian Kiely (Leinster Champion), Peter Duggan (Sponsors Pick, Clare), Cathal Dillon (Aherlow, Munster Runner-up), Colin Ryan (Munster champion), Finbarr Kelly (Ulster Runner-up), Bobby Douglas (Connacht Runner-up), Killian Phelan (Leinster Runner-up), Darren Geoghegan (Louth), Conor McAlister (Ulster champion), Noel Fallon (Connacht champion), Fionán MacKessy (Reigning champion, Kerry)
Senior Camogie: Anna Kearney (Munster champion), Ciarrai Devlin (Ulster champion), Kerri Austin (Leinster champion), Susan Earner (Connacht champion), Molly Lynch (Reigning champion, Cork) plus a sponsors pic
Under 16 Hurling: Connor Delaney (Ulster champion), Tony Mahony (Leinster champion), Colm Fitzgerald (Connacht champion), Matthew O’Sullivan (Munster champion)
Under 16 Camogie: Ona Kennedy (Leinster champion), Roisin Ferncombe (Munster champion), Leah Horan (Connacht champion), Katie Donnelly (Ulster champion)
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