Tipperary GAA Scene

by PRO Joe Bracken

MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

As the blue and gold supporters reflect on Tipperary's Munster semi-final loss, the two quite obvious observations will no doubt be that firstly, the Premier County didn't get the result we all had hoped for and secondly, the atrocious weather conditions in which the game was played in. As a result Limerick progress to the Munster Final, to face Liam Cahill's Waterford, following their 3-23 to 2-17 win in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with Tipperary's goals coming from Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg) and John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney).

Akin to the TV game show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' Tipperary have no lifeline left as they continue in their bid to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup in this Covid interrupted year. To secure the first safety net on the weekend of November 14/15, Liam Sheedy's men will have to overcome stiff opposition from either Wexford or the winners of Cork/Dublin or Clare/Laois once the draw has been made following the first round qualifiers this weekend.

So, in the meantime, they have the opportunity to fine tune the Premier engine and get motoring with the power and precision we all know the side possess and get ready to release the throttle on the grid of the All-Ireland hurling highway.

MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

The Tipperary senior footballers opened their Munster Championship campaign with a fully deserved 2-11 to 1-11 quarter-final victory over Clare in Semple Stadium on Sunday last. With captain Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) and Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) hitting the net early in each half, David Power's side were eight up coming into the closing stages as Clare upped their game to try and salvage something from the tie. Tipp were not to be outdone however, with Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) in goal typifying the Tipp resolve by saving a penalty with the final whistle in sight.

Tipperary are on the road this Saturday, November 7th as they head to the LIT Gaelic Grounds to play Limerick in the Munster Semi-Final. The game throws-in at 1.15pm and will be refereed by Maurice Deegan (Laois). It will be broadcast live on Tipp FM and also shown on TV on the RTE News Now channel.

Last year Limerick came to Thurles and caused something of an upset by knocking Tipperary out at the same stage of the championship. That in itself should help focus the minds of all who were involved on that Saturday evening in Semple Stadium as the opportunity to make amends is presented this weekend.

We send best wishes to the team and management on Saturday afternoon with the winners going on to meet Kerry or Cork in the provincial decider on November 22nd.

LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL

Hard luck to the Tipperary senior ladies Gaelic football team who narrowly lost out to Galway 1-15 to 1-14 in the opening round of the All-Ireland senior football championship last Saturday, where Aishling Moloney (Cahir) rounded off a superb performance with 1-10 to her name.

Best wishes to the team this Friday evening when they play Monaghan in Round 2 in Parnell Park. The game will be shown live on TG4 and has a 7.30pm throw-in.

REFEREE

Best wishes to Derek O'Mahoney (Ardfinnan) as he takes charge of the Munster senior football semi-final clash between Cork and Kerry in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday next.

YEARBOOK

This is the final reminder that the 2021 Tipperary GAA Yearbook is being compiled at present and the Yearbook committee is seeking articles and information for inclusion.

We are all too familiar with the year thus far, so, it is fundamentally important that in this unprecedented year clubs record and document the tremendous charity and fundraising events they undertook, which epitomised the heart and soul of the GAA in every parish and their community across the Premier County.

Similarly, clubs that have accomplished any unique achievement in 2020 are requested to send through an appropriate article for inclusion.

The Yearbook committee are looking to all clubs to submit any obituaries of their deceased members in the last 12 months. The maximum number of words for an obituary is 150 and please include the club name and the years also, e.g. 1939-2020, as well as his/her G.A.A. achievements and a photograph of the deceased person.

So, please take note, the deadline for sending information is next Sunday, 8th November. Please e-mail information and photographs which must be named to Tipperary Yearbook Committee at yearbook.tipperary@gaa.ie 

THIRD TIPPERARY GAA CLUBS DRAW

The third of eleven Tipperary GAA Draws was held last Friday night in Lár na Páirce. Congratulations to the winners on the night where first prize of a Renault Clio / Skoda Fabia or €15,000 went to Margaret Kennedy, Killinan, Thurles and the promoting club was Thurles Sarsfields Camogie. Second prize of a €5,000 Holiday Voucher or Cash  was won by Maria Brophy with Lorrha-Dorrha the promoting club.     

The 4th Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw will be on November 20th and transmitted live once again on Tipp FM at 8.30pm.

NOVEMBER CO. COMMITTEE MEETING

The November Co. Committee meeting which normally decides the format of our Co. Competitions will not go ahead due to the uncertainty of the format and timing of the inter-county competitions in 2021. Whilst we operate in this vacuum the status quo remains for all competitions until further notice.

COUNTY CONVENTION

Tipperary Co. Convention 2020 will go ahead virtually on Tuesday, December 15th, 2020. Nominations/Motions papers will be sent out on November 17th with December 1st as the closing date for returns. Following that nominations will be notified to all delegates with details for postal voting and a closing date for returns as set by an Independent Returning Officer. All reports will be posted out in advance for deliberation virtually at Convention on December 15th.