Tipperary GAA Scene
By Jonathan Cullen PRO
AIB Munster Club Championships
Tipperary had two teams in action in the Munster Club Football Championship finals last weekend, but unfortunately both clubs had to give way to their opponents.
On Saturday afternoon in Mallow, the Intermediate footballers of Aherlow played Kerry’s Austin Stacks in the Munster final and in what was always going to be a difficult assignment they had to give way to a very strong Austin Stacks side who will now be setting their sights on national honours. See match report on page 69.
Mallow was also the venue on Sunday for the clash of Loughmore/Castleiney and Dr Crokes in the Munster senior final.
The Tipperary champions travelled full of confidence in their own ability while also acknowledging their opponents remarkable achievements in this competition over the years.
The first half was a very close affair with only the minimum between the sides at half time, however a very different Crokes emerged for the second half and it was obvious soon thereafter that there was only going to be one winner, as Dr Crokes dominated the game and ran out winners, 0-15 to 1-6.
FBD Insurance Under 21 Championships
Congratulations to Holycross/Ballycahill who captured the County Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling title by virtue of a 1-20 to 0-8 win over neighbours Clonoulty/Rossmore on Sunday in Drombane.
In the final of the County Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship, Boherlahan-Dualla were victorious, 0-16 to 1-11, over Kilsheelan/Kilcash in Golden.
In the County Under 21 ‘B’ Football semi-final, Eire Óg/Sean Treacys defeated St Patricks 1-13 to 1-9.
The final two county finals of the year will be played at Fethard Town Park next Sunday with the Under 21 ‘B’ Football final between Boherlahan-Dualla v Eire Og/Sean Treacys at 1.00pm, followed by the Under 21 ‘A’ final between Clonmel Commercials and JK Brackens at 2.45pm.
Tipperary v Clare Senior Hurling Challenge
A senior hurling challenge game between All Ireland Hurling champions Clare and Tipperary will take place in Pairc Shilean, Templemore on Saturday, 4th January 2025 at 6.00pm.
This challenge game will be used as serious preparation for the upcoming league with both managers fielding near full strength teams. The proceeds of this game will be donated to Marys Meals Charity. Entry fee is €10 by cash or card.
Mary’s Meals is a Global Charity whose mission is to give every child one meal a day in a place of education which is the road out of poverty. €22 feeds a child one meal a day for an entire school year. 100% of your donation goes to Mary’s Meals Ireland with 96% reaches the front line. Mary’s Meals feeds almost 2.5 million children in the poorest countries of the world.
Thurles Fresh Milk 6K Santa Dash and Visit 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!
Let’s make this year’s Santa Dash/Santa Experience the best yet. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you there!
County Primary Schools Quiz
Congratulations to all the teams from the four divisions who took part in the County Primary Schools Quiz last Sunday night in the Dome, Semple Stadium.
It was a superb night, and we congratulate winner Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles followed by Ballysloe NS, Gaelscoil Thurles, Upperchurch NS and Gaelscoil Nenagh.
Munster & Central Council announce Club Development Grants
The Munster Council in conjunction with GAA Central Council has approved a fund over €1.3M for Club Development Grants, which will cover capital grant works in the province for 2024.
There was a total expenditure of €10M recorded by units across the province and 96 applications were submitted for consideration. The Council agreed a budget of €1,362,520 for the grant scheme with €235,013 going to eighteen Tipperary clubs.
€1,000,500 is donated by Central Council and the remaining €362,020 is contributed by the Munster Council. The Munster Council and the Central Council allocation funds category 1 – land purchase, category 2 – dressing room and gym developments, category 3 – refurbishment of handball courts & category 4 – pitch development, floodlighting & hurling wall developments.
The breakdown for Tipperary units is as follows (Category in brackets):
Category 1: Kilruane MacDonaghs €30,000; Thurles Gaels €14,500
Category 2: Boherlahan-Dualla €20,000; Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams €20,000
Category 3: Lahorna Handball Club €2,500
Category 4A: Borrisokane €20,000; Carrick Swan €20,000; Solohead €20,000; Thurles Sarsfields €20,000
Category 4B: Drom & Inch €20,000; Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill €20,000
Category 4C: Carrick Swan €10,704
Category SC: Kilsheelan/Kilcash €4,957; Moneygall €2,117; Nenagh Eire Og €2000
Sanding Grant: Cappawhite €1,350; Moyne-Templetuohy €4000; Rockwell Rovers €886; Templederry Kenyons €2000
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 050422702. The pass which will entitle the holder entry into all adult divisional and county games at adult level will cost €170.
Allianz League Ticket Details
The GAA has confirmed ticketing arrangements for the 2025 Allianz Leagues
Prices will remain unchanged at €20 for Adults and €15 for Senior Citizens/Students for Division 1 & 2 Allianz Football League games and 1A & 1B Allianz Hurling League games. Tickets for AFL Divisions 3 & 4 will be priced at €12 & €10 and for AHL Divisions 2, 3 & 4, will be €10 and €8 respectively.
An early bird offer for the month of December will see a €5 discount on Adult tickets for all opening round games across all divisions in both codes.
There will be a change in juvenile pricing. Children's Tickets (U16) will be €5 for all Division 1 and Division 2 Fixtures in football and Division 1A & 1B in hurling. These tickets can only be purchased alongside an adult ticket.
This new arrangement has been introduced after consultation with our counties and to assist with event control and health and safety protocols for fixtures that attract bigger attendances. It will not apply for Divisions 3 & 4 in football or Divisions 2 & 3 in hurling. A juvenile charge may also apply to other fixtures if required due to capacity.
The late John O’Grady
It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of former Tipperary player John O’Grady.
Known to many as Culbáire, John won his first All-Ireland Minor Hurling medal in 1947 before captaining the team to the title two years later in 1949. He became the first player to receive the Irish Press Cup for winning the All-Ireland minor hurling championship.
John first played hurling at club level with Moycarkey/Borris and joined the club’s senior team as a sixteen-year-old. He also lined out with Thurles CBS in the Harty Cup and earned selection on the Munster Colleges team.
As a university student in Cork, John played in the Fitzgibbon Cup with UCC and also earned inclusion on the Combined Universities team in 1952 & 1953.
After leaving university John played with the Blackrock club in Cork, lining out in the 1954 final defeat by the Christy Ring led Glen Rovers, before ending his career with Moycarkey-Borris in 1962.
John was called up to the Tipperary senior team in 1958. Later that year he won a Munster senior hurling medal before lining out in goal in the 1958 All-Ireland final defeat of Galway.
John went on to be a renowned columnist writing his weekly “Culbáire” column in the Tipperary Star newspaper for many years.
Tipperary GAA extends our sincere sympathies to John’s wife Ann, sons Martin, Sean and Brian and the extended O’Grady family at this sad time.