Tipperary GAA Scene

By Jonathan Cullen PRO

Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Our Senior Hurlers concluded their championship campaign with a home game against Clare last Sunday in FBD Semple Stadium.

With previous results not having gone their way, the players and team management were hoping for a positive display and to their credit, they certainly performed well and continued to hurl right through the game. In the end it was Clare who were victorious on a full time score of 1-24 to 0-24.

We thank the entire panel of players along with the team management and backroom for their commitment over the past seven months and while results may not have gone their way, nobody can question the commitment shown.

I am sure that the players may take a small break before returning to their clubs for the upcoming club championships.

Tailteann Cup

Tipperary will play the final group game in the Tailteann Cup this Saturday at 3.30pm in Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow, where they will face Wexford.

Having already been heavily defeated by their opponents in the Allianz League earlier this year, Tipperary will be hoping to turn the tables on Saturday and claim a badly needed victory after what has been a disappointing season to date.

Under 20 Hurling Championship

Our under 20 Hurlers travelled to the TUS Gaelic Grounds last Friday where they played Cork in the Munster final. In what was an excellent game of hurling Tipperary emerged victorious on a full time score of 1-19 to 0-21.

We now face Offaly in this years All Ireland final this Saturday in UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny at 7.15pm. There is going to be a sellout attendance at the game, so we encourage supporters travelling to the game to go early and avoid delays.

All Ireland Minor Football Tier 3

Our Minor Footballers season came to an end last Saturday when they suffered a heavy defeat to Westmeath in the new All-Ireland Tier 3 quarter final played in Templetuohy.

Tipperary played well in the first half, but Westmeath turned on the style in the second half to run out 3-19 to 0-10 winners.

We thank players and management for their efforts during the year and while Saturday’s result may not have been what they hoped for, the players have had a good championship and played some very good football throughout.

FBD Semple Stadium Apprenticeship – Sports Turf Management

A vacancy exists at FBD Semple Stadium for the position of Apprentice -Sports Turf Management. This is a two year apprenticeship, leading to the Higher Certificate in Sportsturf Management, Level 6

Applications are invited from candidates who are educated to Leaving Certificate standard, or have a QQI Level 5 or equivalent in horticulture, or be over 17 and have a minimum of one year’s work experience with a recognised sportsturf employer.

The Sportsturf apprenticeship is coordinated by Teagasc, and apprentices will undergo a number of periods of block release at the Teagasc facility at Piltown, Co. Kilkenny as part of their training programme.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated person with demonstrated aptitude and enthusiasm, who wishes to develop a career in sportsturf management, working under expert guidance in one of Ireland’s premier sports facilities.

Applications in writing should be sent to: FBD Semple Stadium, Sportsturf Management Apprenticeship, Lar na Pairce, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The closing date for applications is June 14th. FBD Semple Stadium is an equal opportunities employer.

Handball

A big weekend is coming up for Tipperary Handball with players contesting seven All Ireland 60x30 Doubles finals.

After a tough Munster campaign and All-Ireland semi-final successes, we contest the following finals:

Junior: Ned Reilly & Kevin Dempsey v Gavin Coyle & Oran Kiernan (Monaghan)

Junior ‘B’: Patrick Delaney & Aiden O’Flaherty v Gerry Donoghue & Willie Quale (Wicklow)

Silver Masters ‘A’: Paul Mullins & Eddie Farrell v John & Ollie Ryan (Carlow)

Golden Masters ‘A’: Martin McInerney & Pat O’Flaherty V Conor Maxwell & Christy Donnelly (Dublin)

Golden Masters ‘B’: Christy Carey & Brendan Ryan v Danny O’Shaughnessy & Martin Conroy (Roscommon)

Emerald Masters ‘A’: Adrian Johnson & Kevin Mullins v Tom Sheridan & Christy McGovern

Ruby Masters: Pakie & Billy Mullins v Johnny Brennan & Joe Hennessy (Kilkenny)

Ballina hosted a Ladies Blitz against Broadford in Limerick. A great evenings handball was had to a packed gallery. Great friendships were made, and it is a great way of making handball an inclusive sport to be enjoyed by all abilities. Big thanks to the organisers and all who helped out with refereeing and providing refreshments.

Tipperary GAA Scene

If there is anything you feel should feature in this column going forward, feel free to forward it to pro.tipperary@gaa.ie