Tipperary GAA Scene

By Jonathan Cullen PRO

FBD Insurance County Championships

Hurling was the main area of attention across the county last weekend with games taking place in a number of grades in semi-finals and finals.

Apart from the action already covered in this paper in match reports, in the Intermediate Hurling Relegation final, Ballybacon/Grange proved to be too strong for Upperchurch/Drombane while there was also one game played in the Junior ‘A’ Football Championship where Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams earn a spot in the semi-finals thanks to a 3-4 to 0-9 win over Ballylooby/Castlegrace.

The action this next weekend will focus on the football championships with semi-finals in the Senior, Intermediate, Premier Junior, Junior ‘A’, Junior ‘B’ and under 19 championships.

Tickets for all the games can be purchased on the ticket section of the Tipperary GAA website, while Tap & Go will also be in operation at each venue. Weekend passes will also be available for supporters who may wish to a number of games.

Tipperary GAA announce new partnership with Coolmore

Tipperary GAA and the world famous Coolmore Racing announced an exciting new partnership agreement last week.

As a result of the new partnership, Coolmore will become the main sponsor of the brand new Tipperary GAA mobile app. The new app has been designed to streamline communication, provide regular updates, and improve engagement for supporters, players, and members of the Tipperary GAA community.

The partnership will also see Coolmore become the title sponsor of Tipperary GAA’s training grounds in Thurles which will now be named “Coolmore Dr. Morris Park”.

Speaking at the announcement, Maurice Moloney, representing Coolmore Stud, expressed his enthusiasm for the new partnership, stating: “We are thrilled to embark on this collaboration and look forward to playing an active role in supporting the development of Tipperary’s young hurlers and footballers as they grow and excel in the years to come.

Tipperary GAA CEO Murtagh Brennan welcomed the new partnership saying: “Tipperary GAA is really proud to announce this landmark partnership with Coolmore Stud, a globally recognized leader in the equine industry. Coolmore’s commitment to supporting future generations of young Tipperary GAA players aligns perfectly with our vision for the continued development and success of our young players.

“Partnering with such an esteemed and winning brand marks a significant step forward for Tipperary GAA. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration will create, and we look forward to building a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship that will positively impact the growth of GAA in the county for years to come”.

New Tipperary GAA App Launched

The official Tipperary GAA App, sponsored by Coolmore, is now available to download to your mobile device and is available to both Apple and Android users.

The new app will be a one stop location for all things Tipperary GAA, including, fixtures and results, team news, interviews, and lots more. The app will also form an integral part of Tipperary GAA’s ongoing fundraising activities.

Since being launched last Friday, the App has become the number 1 downloaded sports app in Ireland. We encourage all Tipperary people near and far to download the app to your mobile device today.

Win a House Fundraiser Launched

Last Saturday evening, at the Brú Ború Theatre in Cashel, Tipperary GAA launched its most ambitious fundraising initiative to date: the ‘Win a House’ draw.

The grand prize is a fully furnished home in Bregawn, Cashel, valued at €350,000. Alternatively, the winner can choose a cash prize of €300,000.

Tickets are priced at €100 and will be available for purchase through the official ‘Win a House’ website www.winahouse.ie and participating Tipperary GAA clubs. To encourage local engagement, €30 from each physical ticket sold by a club will remain with that club.

A target has been set to sell 20,000 tickets over the next six months, with the final draw taking place on St. Patrick’s Weekend 2025.

Civic Reception for Tipperary teams

Last Saturday morning at the Brú Ború Theatre in Cashel, the Tipperary Minor Hurlers who won Munster & All-Ireland titles in 2024 were honoured with a civic reception by Tipperary County Council along with the All-Ireland winning Premier Junior & Minor Camogie teams.

We wish to express our gratitude to Tipperary County Council and in particular CEO, Sinead Carr, and Chairperson Declan Burgess for bestowing this great honour on our wonderful young hurlers.

Health & Wellbeing

Minister Mary Butler T.D., officially launched the Tipperary County Council sponsored five Ways to Wellbeing boards last week at the TUS Campus, Thurles.

Sports Clubs who have received boards are asked to ensure they are displayed in a suitable spot for all to see in their grounds. Any club who has not yet received one, contact Cora or Seamus at chair.hwc.tipperary@gaa.ie

We would like to thank Áine Roche, Tipperary County Council Wellbeing Officer, for the time and effort she has put into organizing and delivering the boards which contain valuable information on how access services to help us all with our mental wellbeing.

Last Wednesday night, the North Tipperary Board hosted a Gambling Awareness Talk in Nenagh which was open to all members of the community.

Guest speaker, Tony O’Reilly, gave a fascinating and detailed insight into his own gambling addiction and how being caught and imprisoned helped him turn his life around and is now working in the counselling field. The meeting was also addressed by Dylan Johnston, Addiction Counsellor with Silver Arch Family Resource Centre, who gave information on the supports available through the centre.

Well done to Chairperson Brendan Shanahan and his fellow North Board officers on acknowledging the need for such a talk and asking clubs to prominently display through their social media the resources available to anyone in difficulty.

As Autumn works its magic Siúl Eile has organized an eight week free walking program taking in a variety of woodland walking loops in South Tipperary. Siúl Eile’s aim is to create and promote social interactions, improve physical health, and connect people with their local environment. If you haven’t walked before with Siúl Eile, you are asked to register before your first walk. Registration is free and can be completed at www.siuleile.com/register

Fundraiser in memory of the late Liam Kearns

Liam Kearns was a dedicated member of the GAA throughout his life, with many years spent on the Tipperary GAA scene.

He led Aherlow to the 2010 County Senior Football Club Championship title. He later took the role of manager for the Tipperary Senior Football team from 2015 to 2019 and during his tenure led the team to reach their first All-Ireland semi-final since 1935 in 2016.

Liam passed away suddenly at the age of 61 from a heart attack in March 2023, leaving behind a huge void in his family. He was active, healthy, and lived life to the full every day. Above all else he was a dedicated family man who is dearly missed and remembered.

Liam had no symptoms of heart disease prior to his untimely death, which highlights a need for further heart screening and awareness campaigns in Ireland.

This work of the Irish Heart Foundation is crucial, and the funds raised will enable them to continue their great work in empowering Irish people to live longer, healthier lives. Every day hundreds of people in Ireland are diagnosed with heart disease and 9000 people die each year of stroke and heart disease, making these treatable illnesses one of the biggest killers in Ireland.

The Irish Heart Foundation work tirelessly to eliminate preventable death as a result of heart disease and stroke through advocacy, patient supports, awareness campaigns, and much more. One hundred percent of money raised will go directly to the Irish Heart Foundation and all support is greatly appreciated. You can donate at this link:

https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/LR06114624

Inter-Firms

The closing date for entering the Inter-Firm GAA Championships is Friday, 11th October. Every year there are very competitive and entertaining matches in Senior, Intermediate and Junior competitions. We encourage amalgamations where it's not possible to enter a team on your own. Anyone interested in taking part in the 2024/25 season which will begin in November can contact Oliver Fitzpatrick, Inter-Firm GAA Central Council on 086-8455373 or oliverfitzpatrick@gmail.com for more information.