Tipperary GAA Scene
by PRO Joe Bracken
CO-OP SUPERSTORES MUNSTER LEAGUE
MacDonagh Park, Nenagh was the setting as Tipperary got their 2020 hurling season underway with a first-round match in the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League against Clare. After an entertaining seventy odd minutes there was only a point separating the sides with Clare just shading it on the scoreboard in a 2-17 to 1-19 outcome. Tipperary’s goal came courtesy of Tom Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill) who lined out at centre-forward.
Next on the agenda is the second-round fixture of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League which is against Limerick in LIT Gaelic Grounds this Friday night, December 20th, at 7:30pm.
The referee for this match will be Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
HPV JERSEY INITIATIVE
Supporters at last Sunday’s Co-Op Superstores match in Nenagh may have noticed the HPV logo on the back of the Tipperary jersey. Tipperary supports the HPV Jersey initiative, which aims to continue to the selfless work started by Laura Brennan in saving lives through the promotion of the HPV vaccine.
This initiative was spearheaded by the Brennan family who have close ties to Éire Óg Inis GAA.
The RTE documentary on Laura's story can be found on this link: https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/laura-brennan-this-is-me/102220328261
U21 CLUB HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Following the weekends results in the FBD Insurance County U21 A and B hurling semi-finals, the scene is set for the last two finals of the year to go-ahead on Sunday next, December 22nd.
Best wishes to the four clubs involved in the finals, with fixture details as follows, which will include extra time if necessary;
FBD Insurance County U21 (A) Hurling Championship Final
22/12/2019 in Templederry – Holycross-Ballycahill v Kiladangan at 1pm
FBD Insurance County U21 (B) Hurling Championship Final
22/12/2019 in Templetuohy – Borrisokane v Gortnahoe-Glengoole at 1pm
The results of last weekend’s semi-finals are as follows;
FBD Insurance County U21 (A) Hurling Championship Semi Final Results
Kiladangan 1-17 Ballingarry 2-10
Holycross-Ballycahill 0-18 Clonoulty-Rossmore 1-10
FBD Insurance County U21 (B) Hurling Championship Semi Final Results
Borrisokane 1-15 Grangemockler-Ballyneale 1-10
Gortnahoe-Glengoole 0-18 Treacys/Emly 1-12
MCGRATH CUP
The Tipperary senior footballers will start their 2020 season on January 2nd when they travel to play Cork in Pairc Uí Rinn, in the first round of the McGrath Cup, throw-in will be at 7:30pm and the referee will be Brendan Griffin (Kerry).
It’ll be a quick turnaround then as Tipperary host Kerry on Sunday January 5th in Clonmel Sportsfield in round 2 at 2pm.
The referee for this game will be David Murnane (Cork).
AIB CLUB ALL-IRELAND
As this is the last ‘Scene’ until the New Year there is one other fixture of note on the club front. We send best wishes to Borris-Ileigh in the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Semi-Final on January 5th, 2020, in the LIT Gaelic Grounds, where they will meet St. Thomas (Galway) and throw-in will be at 4pm.
The other semi-final between Ballyhale Shamrocks and Slaughtnell will be played on the same day in Newry at 2pm.
Both games will be broadcast live on TG4.
REFEREES
Best wishes to Tipperary referees on duty in the Co Op Superstores Munster League and McGrath Cup over the next few weeks. In the Co Op Superstores Munster League first into action is John McCormack (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) who will referee the Waterford v Cork Group B fixture in Fraher Field on December 29th. Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels) will then take charge of the Clare v Limerick game in Sixmilebridge on January 5th.
In the McGrath Cup, Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan) is first onto the field of play as he takes charge of the Kerry v Cork fixture in Austin Stack park, Tralee on December 29th. Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) will then be on duty when Waterford and Limerick meet in Fraher Field on January 2nd.
TIPPERARY SH MANAGEMENT
As announced last week, the Tipperary senior hurling management team for 2020 has been finalised by manager Liam Sheedy.
Having been a part of the backroom team in 2019, Eoin Kelly joins the management team and comes in alongside Tommy Dunne and Darragh Egan.
In announcing the appointment, Liam Sheedy said, “I have a wonderful relationship with Eoin going back many years. He brings a huge amount of experience to the management team and I am thrilled to have him on board.”
Added to that, Eamon O’Shea will be taking up the role of Performance Director for the team.
In relation to Eamon’s position, Liam Sheedy commented. “Eamon played a pivotal role ensuring the team was successful in 2019 and he is hugely respected within the group. His new role will give him the scope to be of even greater benefit to the panel in 2020.”
COUNTY CONVENTION
The Tipperary GAA County Convention was held on Monday night in the Dome, Semple Stadium. There was no change in the five main officer roles for 2020.
Stepping down after completion of his 5-year term as Co. Development Officer is PJ Maher (Boherlahan-Dualla). There is not a club in the county that hasn’t had some connection with PJ during his term in the position. Many clubs have successfully completed or are undergoing upgrade to pitches and facilities and a major constant in support of each of these projects is PJ together with his secretary Denis Floyd, who has also reached the end of his term. Mark McLoughlin (Roscrea) has been appointed to take over from PJ.
Josephine Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields) has reached the end of her term as Oifigeach Cultúir agus Gaeilge and Mark Dunne (Moyne-Templetuohy) takes up the position.
Jimmy Minogue (Nenagh Éire Óg) Munster Council representative has also reached the end of his term and will be replaced by Sean Nugent (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) who will serve along Johnny Doyle (Holycross-Ballycahill) on the Munster Council
The Board wishes to thank PJ, Josephine and Jimmy for their great loyalty and service to the county over many years and know they will continue to be supportive in the years to come. PJ, however, will continue to assist the clubs in areas concerning insurance. We extend best wishes to both Mark’s and Sean on their appointments.
CIVIC RECEPTION
Tipperary Co. Council hosted a Civic Reception to honour the Tipperary Senior and U20 Hurling and Intermediate Ladies Football teams in the Horse and Jockey Hotel last Saturday, in recognition of their significant achievements during 2019.
MC for the occasion was Marty Morrissey, as Tipperary Co. Council bestowed the highest honour it can on the three teams following their success’.
Prior to the event, members of the three panels had a meet and greet session with autistic children who were unable to make the homecoming events following the team’s All-Ireland victories.
TIPPERARY GAA CLUB ALL COUNTY MATCH PASS 2020
The match pass for 2020 is currently on sale at the price of €120. This pass gives you access to all adult matches within the County during 2020. Passes can be ordered through the GAA Office Slievenamon Rd., Thurles or by contacting 0504 22702 where you can pay over the phone. You are advised to purchase tickets before Thursday, December 19th to ensure pre-Christmas delivery.
OFFICIAL TIPPERARY MERCHANDISE
Currently on sale from any of the Tipperary senior hurling panel or from Lár na Páirce, while stocks last, is a framed 2019 All-Ireland Tipperary hurling team photo for €200 or a signed Tipperary jersey for €150 (framed for €250). There is also the exclusive combination of team photo and signed jersey in one frame which is available for €500.
The opportunity to purchase the 5 Tipperary All-Ireland framed team photographs of recent times for €500 is on offer as well and includes the 2019 All-Ireland SH panel, 2019 All-Ireland U20H panel, 2018 All-Ireland U21H panel, 2016 All-Ireland SH panel and 2016 All-Ireland MH panel. Any two of the above five is also available for €300.
All proceeds are in support of the 2019 SH team holiday fund.
TIPPERARY G.A.A. YEARBOOK 2020
The Tipperary GAA Yearbook 2020 is now on sale and retails at €15. Tipperary GAA Yearbook 2020 is a bumper edition, which includes a comprehensive account of the county’s glorious year in senior and Under 20 hurling as well as Ladies football. It also includes saturation coverage of all the other GAA activities in the county during 2019. Probably the highlights of the publication are the extensive interviews with Tipperary All Ireland winning managers – Liam Sheedy (Senior Hurling), Liam Cahill (Under 20 Hurling) and Shane Ronayne (Intermediate Ladies Football). There is also interview with former Tipperary senior football manager, Liam Kearns.
The Yearbook which is in full colour also includes a magnificent selection of pictures covering a range of activities, such as Bord na nÓg, Cumann na mBunscol, Post Primary Schools, Scór, Camogie, Ladies Football and Handball.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Congratulations to Abbey CBS who won the Tipperary U15A Football Cusack Cup last week following their 2-12 to 1-4 victory over Thurles CBS.
The Tipperary U19B Football final will be contested between Colaiste Phobal Roscrea and Carrick On Suir CBS.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Congratulations to Ballina, Cahir, Ardfinnan and Kilruane MacDonaghs GAA Clubs who have all been selected for Phase Four of the Healthy Club Project.
Before the year ends, the Health & Wellbeing Committee would like to highlight the popular ‘Ireland Lights Up’ walking initiative which returns in January 2020 in partnership with the GAA, Operation Transformation, and Get Ireland Walking.
In a bid to walk off the turkey and make exercise more accessible on the darker nights, clubs across Tipperary are once more encouraged to turn on their floodlights and host community walking groups during the broadcast period of the hit RTÉ show.
Registration for clubs is now open: www.getirelandwalking.ie/GAA/
The Health & Wellbeing Committee wishes everyone a safe, happy and stress-free Christmas.
TIPPERARY GAA SCENE BUÍOCHAS
The GAA Scene will take a break for the next couple of weeks and will return in the New Year.
I sincerely thank everyone at club, divisional and county level that have helped me and contributed towards the GAA Scene during the year.
I wish to thank also those who make our games possible, players and managements, host clubs and grounds people, all the referees and their officials, our GDA's, gate checkers and programme sellers and all those too numerous to include for their marvellous and selfless contribution throughout the year. I wish to thank my wife Tina and family and my fellow officers for their enormous support throughout the year as well.
Tipperary County Board would like to wish each and every one a Peaceful and Happy Christmas and New Year.
In 2019, Tipperary said goodbye to dear family members and friends, many who have made enormous contributions to the GAA in the county and further afield through their involvement with club or county or just as a supporter, may they rest in peace. Each will be sorely missed by those dearest and nearest, may the hope and spirit of Christmas bring comfort to the bereaved.
Beannachtaí na Féile agus na hAthbhliana dár léithéoirí go léir. Guímid gach rath agus sonas oraibh ó CLG Thiobraid Árann. Bainigí taitneamh as saoire na Nollag.