Tipperary GAA Scene
FBD Insurance County Championships
The action in the FBD Insurance County Football Championships intensified last weekend and we now know the teams that will compete in the semi-finals which will be played over the weekend of 7th November.
Senior Football: Clonmel Commercials v JK Brackens, Loughmore/Castleiney v Moyle Rovers.
Intermediate Football: Drom & Inch v Fethard, Galtee Rovers v Grangemockler/Ballyneale
Tom Cusack Cup: Aherlow v Killenaule; Eire Og Annacarty v Rockwell Rovers
Relegation: Arravale Rovers v Cahir, Moycarkey/Borris v Moyne-Templetuohy
The action next weekend switches back to hurling and what an action packed two days it promises to be, with a total of nine games taking place.
The action gets under way on Saturday at 2.30pm in Semple Stadium with the mouth-watering clash of Thurles Sarsfields and Kiladangan in the senior hurling semi-final. At the same time in Golden, St Marys and Killenaule meet in the Seamus Ó Riain semi-final.
Golden is once again the venue for the first game on Sunday when Arravale Rovers and Moyle Rovers will be hoping to retain their Intermediate status for 2022. This game throws in at 12pm.
The second of the Seamus Ó Riain semi-finals between Cashel King Cormacs and Templederry Kenyons will take place in The Ragg at 1.00pm, while at 1.30pm both semi-finals in the Intermediate hurling championship will throw in. In Boherlahan, Moyne-Templetuohy will be hoping to get back into the final but will know that their opponents Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams will have other ideas, and in Littleton, Kilsheelan/Kilcash will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways following their narrow defeat in the football quarter final last weekend, but they will face a very formidable Moneygall side who will also be hoping to reach this year’s final.
Also, at 1.30pm on Sunday, both semi finals of the Junior ‘A’ hurling championship will take place. Firstly, in Dolla, Nenagh Eire Óg and Holycross-Ballycahill will do battle, while in Cahir, Galtee Rovers and Skeheenarinky will be looking to book a place in the final.
Then at 2.00pm, Semple Stadium will once again be the venue as Loughmore-Castleiney and Borris-Ileigh come face to face in the second of the senior hurling semi-finals.
Tickets for all the above games are now available via the tickets section of the Tipperary GAA Website https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/tipperary-gaa/. As part of Tipperary GAA’s livestream coverage of games on Tipp GAA TV, both games in the senior hurling championship will be shown this weekend. You can purchase your digital pass via the following link: https://page.inplayer.com/TipperaryGAA/ . Best wishes to all the teams taking part in the games and we look forward to some very good contests.
Scór
Scór activity resumes again after a long break with the completion of Scór Sinsir 2020 competitions next weekend.
Our last event was the Tipperary Final of Scór Sinsear in Newport on 7th March 2020, and little did we think after such an ardoíche siamsaíochta that all our cultural activities would be curtailed for a period of eighteen months and that our much-celebrated Scór na nÓg and Scór na bPáistí celebrations would also be put on hold during the Covid Pandemic. However, Maireann croí eadrom i bhfad and Cashel`s Halla na Féile will be the venue for a much-anticipated Munster Final of Scór on Sunday next when our winners from the Tipperary Final will go forward to represent club and County in the various disciplines. Ba mhian linn ádh mhór a ghuí lena hiomaitheoirí uile a bheidh ar stáitse agus foireann Trath na gCeist ó Maighean Templetuohy ach go háirithe. Gabhaimid buíochas le Scór na Mumhan as an ócáid a eagrú. Tá súil againn go mbeidh an lá ann. Seo a leanas buaiteoirí Chraobh an Chontae
Rince Foirne –Newcastle; Amhránaíocht Aonair - Siobhán Egan (Newport); Aithriseoireacht – Noel Joyce (JK Brackens); Rince Seite - JK Brackens; Nuachleas – Newport; Ceol Uirlise – JK Brackens; Bailéad Ghrúpa –Upperchurch/Drombane
Go neirí go geal libh.
Semple Stadium – Field of Legends
From the foundation of the GAA at Hayes’s Hotel in 1884 to the present day, Thurles has been the beating heart of Gaelic games, particularly hurling. Author Liam Ó Donnchú leads us through the history of the GAA in Thurles and the development of the stadium, and the epic sporting moments that have taken place on this hallowed turf.
You can meet Liam, have your book signed etc. at Bookworm, Thurles this Saturday, 30th October at 3.00pm. On the following Saturday, 6th November at Eason’s, Thurles, at 11.00am.
GAA Covid Update
Following on from an overall easing of restrictions last week, the GAA have issued updated Covid guidelines to all units of the association.
Some of the main points from the latest communication are: There is no longer a requirement for participants to complete Health Questionnaires before training or games – however it is important to remember that individuals should not attend training, games, meetings, or any other activities if they are displaying, or have had within the previous 48 hours, any of the possible symptoms of Covid-19. It is also essential that records of attendance are maintained to assist with contact tracing if required.
Where all individuals are vaccinated the full use of showers and changing rooms is permitted. However, it is advised that time spent in dressing rooms or showers should be kept to a minimum and that where possible, pre-game or half time team talks should take place outdoors.
Where individuals have mixed immunity status the use of Dressing Rooms and Showers should remain Pod based (with usage in groups of no more than six at any time).
The use of GAA owned Gyms will continue to be permitted in pods of up to six participants at a time (excluding coaches). Where groups have full immunity (i.e., fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months) the provision for pods of six does not apply.
A maximum 100% ground capacity at all venues is now in place with the recommendation to wear face coverings still in place.
Clubs and Counties should continue to give consideration to conducting online meetings where possible. Where indoor meetings are being organised, club and county committee meetings (including County Conventions, AGM’s etc.) can take place indoors once all participants are considered immune (i.e., fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within the previous six months). Consideration should be given to room densities, meeting durations and ventilation when planning such events. When organising meetings, it is important that indoor spaces are well ventilated at all times, by leaving doors and windows open.
Frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles, should be cleaned regularly while good hand hygiene should be encouraged, and social distancing measures observed.
The use of masks in all indoor settings continues to be recommended.
Clubs organizing indoor Bingo or similar events should note that these can take place where all patrons are considered immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous six months), or accompanied minors (under 18), in line with sectoral guidance. All attendees must be seated.
Capacity limits on transport have been removed. Clubs or Counties organising transport to/from events should implement protective measures such as mask wearing etc. as appropriate. Private transport (carpooling) carrying those not yet vaccinated or of mixed immunity should be aware of the higher risk. The use of appropriate face coverings is recommended. If sharing cars, clubs and individuals are asked to consider the use of a pod system in which the same participants pool together for all activities.
GAA Museum Annual Memorabilia Fair
The annual memorabilia fair takes place on Sunday 28th November 28th from 12 to 4.00pm. This G.A.A. Memorabilia Fair will give you a chance to browse and search a large selection of match programmes, club histories, hurling, football, camogie, and handball publications as well as other G.A.A. material in the pleasant and spacious surroundings of The Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles.
Collectors and sellers are cordially invited to attend this even, where it is hoped they will find plenty of material to interest them. Sales positions, free of charge may be booked in advance by contacting the organisers before November 27th.
Admission for all will be €5, with accompanied children free. The venue will have disabled access, facilities for teas and coffees etc. It is located within a five-minute walk from Thurles Railway Station. For further information, contact: Seamus J. King 0872246245, seamusjking@gmail.com or Liam Ó Donnchú 086-6036547, liam.odonnchu.oifigeach@gaa.ie
Sympathies
We extend our sympathies to former County Board chairman and current Munster Council representative Sean Nugent on the passing of his wife Betty last week. May she Rest in Peace.
Tipperary GAA Scene: If there is anything you feel should feature in this column, please feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie