Tipperary GAA Scene
By Jonathan Cullen PRO
AIB Munster Club Championships
Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling champions Cashel King Cormacs travelled to the TUS Gaelic Grounds last Saturday where they were hoping to continue their impressive run in the Munster Intermediate Club Championship.
Standing in their way of claiming a Munster title were Cork’s Watergrasshill. Played in fairly challenging conditions, Cashel struggled to get to the pace of the game and in the end had to give way to their opponents, 1-21 to 0-14.
While Cashel King Cormacs will be disappointed with the result of the game, they can also be very proud of their achievements in 2024 and can now look forward to life in the senior hurling championship for 2025. See match report on page 71.
Next weekend is another big one for Tipperary clubs in the Munster Football Championship with two teams contesting provincial finals.
On Saturday in Mallow at 1.00pm, Tipperary Intermediate champions Aherlow face Kerry’s Austin Stacks in the Munster final, with the match being shown live on Clubber TV.
This will be a huge occasion for the West Tipp side who have been very impressive in all their games to date. There is no denying that this game will be a big test for Aherlow, but there is also no denying that they will bring everything they have to the game, and we wish them the very best of luck.
On Sunday in Mallow at 1.30pm, live on TG4, Tipperary senior football champions Loughmore/Castleiney will lock horns with Kerry kingpins Dr. Crokes in the Munster final.
Having overcame Clare side Eire Óg Ennis in the semi-final, the Mid Tipp side will be well aware of the challenge that lies in store on Sunday. However, there is no doubt they will travel to the Cork venue full of optimism and in the hope that they can claim the first Munster title in the grade. Again, we wish the players and team management the very best of luck.
FBD Insurance Under 21 Championships
In the County Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship, Holycross/Ballycahill booked their place in the final thanks to a 0-23 to 2-09 win over North champions Borris-Ileigh last Saturday in the Ragg.
In the Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship semi-final, Kilsheelan/Kilcash overcame a spirited Galtee Rovers 1-21 to 0-6 to progress to the final where they will play Mid champions Boherlahan-Dualla.
In the Under 21 ‘A’ Football Championship semi-finals, Clonmel Commercials defeated Arravale Rovers 2-11 to 0-4 while JK Brackens overcame Ballina 3-9 to 1-9, after extra time.
Next Sunday sees the finals of the County Under 21 ‘A’ & ‘B’ Hurling finals.
The ‘A’ final between Holycross/Ballycahill and Clonoulty/Rossmore takes place on Sunday at 1.30pm in Drombane, while the ‘B’ final between Boherlahan-Dualla and Kilsheelan/Kilcash takes place at the same time in Bansha.
Eire Óg/Sean Treacys take on St. Patricks in the County Under 21 ‘B’ Football semi-final in Ardfinnan at 1.30pm.
Tipperary GAA Annual Santa Dash/Santa Experience
On Saturday, 14th December, Tipperary GAA will host its much-loved annual Santa Dash/Santa Experience in The Dome, Thurles.
Santa is available to meet the kids from 10.00am while the Santa Dash commences at 11.00am with registration from 9.00am. Register for both events by going to: https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/tipperary-gaa/other-events/
This festive fundraiser directly supports Tipperary GAA’s underage development programs, and we are calling on all clubs to get involved. Whether you choose to participate, spread the word, or both, your support makes a real difference.
By registering, not only will you enjoy a fun-filled afternoon—complete with a live choir and hot refreshments—but you’ll also be in with a chance to win fantastic prizes!
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Tipperary GAA Club Season Pass
The 2025 Tipperary GAA club season pass is now on sale and can be purchased via the events section of the Tipperary GAA App or by contacting the Tipperary GAA office on 0504 22702. The pass which will entitle the holder entry into all adult divisional and county games at adult level will cost €170.
Tipperary GAA announce partnership with The Tuition Centre
Tipperary GAA is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with The Tuition Centre - the leading provider of Online grinds in Ireland - aimed at supporting the academic and athletic development of our young players.
Through this innovative collaboration, we are ensuring that they have the tools they need to thrive both on the field and in the classroom, equipping them with the skills to succeed in all areas of life.
Thanks to Dan Sheedy, Principal of The Tuition Centre for facilitating this.
Ard Chomhairle Bulletin
Meetings of An Coiste Bainistíochta and Ard Chomhairle took place last weekend, and the following decisions were taken:
o Annual Congress 2025 will be held in Donegal.
o A GAA branded Medical Bag and medical equipment to be provided to each senior inter-county squad.
o Permission was granted for a Rugby game to take place in McHale Park in 2025.
o Permission was granted for a Soccer game to take place in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 2025.
o Updates to the Scór Rulebook were approved.
o The Players Charter for 2025 was renewed in its current form.
Special Congress
All 49 motions were passed at GAA Special Congress at Croke Park on Saturday.
In October, The Football Review Committee, chaired by former Dublin manager Jim Gavin, launched an interim report which recommended seven core rule enhancements.
Rule changes made at Special Congress will be adopted on a temporary basis for one year, commencing on January 1, 2025. Central Council shall be entitled to rescind or amend any rule changes.
Only 60% support was required to enact change. After an enabling motion was accepted by a 93% vote which means the new rules will apply to club (after 31 March) and inter-county football and could be amended by the GAA's Central Council in 2025.
- 92% accepted the introduction of a 1v1 contest during the throw-ins.
- 95% voted to accept the introduction of a new 40-metre kickout arc which will mean that goalkeepers will have to find team-mates outside the sector, instead of opting for short kickouts.
- The motion where outfield players will only be permitted to pass to the goalkeeper if they are both inside the large rectangle - or if the goalkeeper has advanced beyond their halfway - also gained 94% support.
- Likewise, the motion calling for a minimum of three outfield players to remain in both halves at all times was accepted by 96% of delegates while the advanced mark proposal received 88% support. This will enable players cleanly fielding the ball inside the 20-metre line, after it has been kicked from outside the 45, to continue on in an attempt to score from play, but with the ball being brought back for the mark if no score accrues.
- The motion calling for two points to be awarded for scores outside the new 40-metre arc received 91% backing with 96% support for the new 'solo and go' rule which will permit a player who has been fouled between the two 20-metre lines to immediately go on a solo run as opposed to pausing for his side to take a free.
- The motion aimed at curbing those who attempted to prevent quick free-kicks was passed by 85% of delegates, with offenders receiving a black card in addition to the ball being moved forward 50 metres as opposed to the current 13.
- Black card offences being extended to deliberately holding up an opponent received 94% support while 93% of delegates backed the rule change which will see the ball moved forward a further 50 metres for dissent by players and 13 metres for protests from dugouts.
- The motion calling for team captains to be the only players allowed to question refereeing decisions received 86% support.
- The motion proposing the introduction of a stop clock and a half-time and full-time hooter to end play, which have been in use in women's Gaelic football for some time, wasn't quite as universally popular among delegates but was nevertheless passed with 74% support.
- Motions calling for black cards to be awarded to the 'third man' entering melees and referees to be given great discretion to play advantage beyond the current five-second limit also received strong backing.
- The motion providing for linesmen or women, who henceforth will be known as line umpires, to be given the authority to inform referees of foul play was also passed with 97% support.
Ireland Lights Up and Irish Life Every Step Counts Challenge return for 2025
The GAA has announced the return of two highly popular initiatives for 2025, Ireland Lights Up and Irish Life’s Every Step Counts Challenge.
Both initiatives aim to inspire people across Ireland to stay active, improve their wellbeing, and come together on the dark winter evenings, and have grown to be amongst the largest community physical activity initiatives on the island.
Returning for its seventh year, Ireland Lights Up will once again see GAA clubs light up their facilities during the dark winter months, creating safe, hospitable spaces for communities to walk and socialise together. In 2024 up to 1,000 clubs participated, bringing tens of thousands of people together to improve their physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Ireland Lights Up will commence on the week of January 6th, 2025, and will run for six weeks with participating GAA clubs offering access to their walking tracks, lighting up the routes for walkers, joggers, and families alike.
Running at the same time will be the hugely popular Irish Life Every Step Counts Challenge, hosted on their MyLife app. Back for a sixth year in 2025, the challenge offers participants the chance to win a share of €30,000 in club funding that Irish Life has made available for the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’ donation fund. Everyone who downloads Irish Life’s MyLife app will also get rewarded for being active!
Last year an incredible 40,000 participants from over 900 clubs joined the Every Step Counts Challenge on Irish Life’s MyLife app to get active and show their support for their local GAA club.
Both initiatives are part of the GAA's ongoing commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of its members and the wider community, proudly supported by Irish Life, sponsors of the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs programme (which has engaged over 600 clubs over the past decade).
To register your club for Ireland Lights Up and the Irish Life My Life App ‘Steps Challenge’ complete the registration form on the below link. By registering for Ireland Lights Up you are automatically registered for the Every Step Counts Challenge, and you will receive an invite to the MyLife app from Irish Life (participation in the challenge is optional for clubs - find out more on Every Step Counts: http://mylife.irishlife.ie/every-step-counts-2025)