Tipp's 2020 vision laid out
By Shane Brophy
Tipperary fans can beginning making their championship plans for 2020 after the fixtures, dates and times were confirmed by Munster Council last week.
The senior hurlers will begin the defence of the Liam MacCarthy Cup with an a trip to Walsh Park to face Liam Cahill's Waterford on Sunday 10th May with a 2.00pm throw-in.
Seven days later, Tipperary will host Clare in round two with a 4.00pm start before they will enjoy a three week break as Tipp have a bye in round three, returning to action with a Saturday evening trip to Limerick on 6th June, wrapping up with a mouth-watering home game with Cork on 14th June at 2.00pm.
All games will be preceded by the minor championship games between the same counties with the Munster final down for Sunday 28th June.
However, it is just over two weeks until Tipperary get back into action in earnest when they take on Clare in Nenagh in the first round of the Munster League on Sunday 15th December, and will face Limerick in their second game five days later. Both games are being played prior to Christmas as Tipperary will be jetting off on their team holiday on 30th December for seven days.
In under 20 hurling, Tipperary under new manager John Devane, have been drawn in a quarter final of the Munster Championship where they will face Clare on Tuesday, 30th June at Semple Stadium, with the winners to play Waterford in the semi-final, with Tipp having to travel away if they progress that far.
Gaelic Football
David Power has gotten a bit of good fortune as they will enjoy home advantage for their Munster quarter final against Clare on Saturday 9th May. With Kerry and Cork on the other side of the draw, Tipp will hope to reach a Munster final as the if they win, they will have an away game against either Limerick or Waterford in the semi-final.
The senior footballers McGrath Cup campaign will get underway on Wednesday 2nd January when they play Cork in the first round in Pairc Ui Rinn at 7.30pm, before welcoming Kerry to Clonmel five days later.
The under 20 footballers will be the first Tipperary team into championship action when they take on Limerick on the quarter final on Wednesday 12th February at the LIT Gaelic Grounds. After two years of playing the under 20 championship in the summer, the competition has reverted to the spring and if Tom McGlinchey's charges can defeat the Shannonsiders, they will face the might of Kerry in the semi-final, although with home advantage.
In the minor championship, the first phase competition involving Tipperary, Clare, Limerick and Waterford has been retained and Tipperary will start at home to Clare on Wednesday 8th April before travelling to both Limerick and Waterford in the subsequent two weeks with the top two teams reaching the final, with the winner progressing to meet Kerry and Cork in in phase 2.