Tipperary GAA Scene
By Jonathan Cullen PRO
FBD Insurance County Championships
The County Football Championships took centre stage last weekend, with semi-final and quarter-final action. See page 72 for senior semi-finals.
In the Intermediate semi-finals, first in to action on Friday night in New Inn were Golden Kilfeacle and Galtee Rovers. This was a very even contest all through and with the game in additional time it looked as if it would be Golden who would be progressing to the final. However, a last gasp Galtee Rovers attack finished with the ball in the back of the net, for a 3-5 to 1-10 win.
The second semi-final between Aherlow and Rockwell Rovers in Sean Treacy Park on Saturday proved to be another evenly balanced game that saw Aherlow emerge on top 0-15 to 0-13, after extra time.
The Premier Junior semi-finals took place on Saturday and first in to action in Drombane were JK Brackens and Cashel King Cormacs. This was a relatively low-scoring game, but given the weather conditions, both sides played some very good football. In the end it was the Templemore/Clonmore side who were victorious 1-8 to 1-3.
The second semi-final between Loughmore/Castleiney and Moyle Rovers in Dundrum ended up being a fairly one-sided game as the Mid side won 4-10 to 0-5.
In the Junior ‘A’ semi-finals, Kiladangan overcame Boherlahan-Dualla 2-6 to 0-8 in Templemore, while in Bansha, Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams overcame St. Patricks 3-7 to 0-12 in an action packed encounter.
In the Junior ‘B’ quarter-finals there were wins for Burgess over Boherlahan-Dualla, Thurles Gaels over Ballina, Aherlow had a single point to spare over Grangemockler/Ballyneale, while Rosegreen enjoyed a six-point win against Clonmel Commercials.
The Tom Cusack Cup Final was also played on Sunday in Ardfinnan between Ballyporeen and Killenaule, and it was “The Robins” who claimed the title, running out 2-16 to 1-10 winners.
In under 19 football, Arravale Rovers and Clonmel Óg met in the ‘B’ semi-final on Saturday in Cahir, and it was the Tipp Town outfit who proved the stronger, winning 0-17 to 0-8.
The Competitions Control Committee met on Monday evening and put in place the fixtures for the various football finals:
Senior Football Final – Loughmore/Castleiney v Clonmel Commercials on Sunday, October 20th at 4.00pm in FBD Semple Stadium.
Intermediate Football Final - Aherlow v Galtee Rovers on Sunday, October 20th at 2.00pm in FBD Semple Stadium.
Premier Junior Football Final – Loughmore/Castleiney v JK Brackens on Saturday, October 19th at 3.30pm in The Ragg.
Junior ‘A’ Football Final - Kiladangan v Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams on Saturday, October 19th at 12.30pm in Templederry.
Under 19 ‘B’ Football Final – Moyne-Templetuohy v Arravale Rovers on Sunday, October 20th at 12.00pm in Cashel
Junior ‘B’ Football Championship semi-finals - Burgess v Thurles Gaels on Saturday, October 12th at 4.00pm in Kilcoleman.
Aherlow v Rosegreen on Saturday, October 19th at 2.00pm in Bansha.
Under 19 'A' Football semi-final - Golden Kilfeacle v Clonmel Commercials on Wednesday, October 23rd at 7.45pm in New Inn
Attention next weekend turns to the hurling championships, with finals taking place across a number of grades culminating in the eagerly anticipated clash of Loughmore/Castleiney and Toomevara in the senior hurling final on Sunday afternoon. See GAA Scoreboard and previews.
Tickets are available to purchase via the ticket section of the Tipperary GAA App and website. Tap and Go will also be in operation at all venues and we remind all supporters that cash will not be accepted at any venue.
The late Pat O’Callaghan
An air of sadness and shock descended on Tipperary GAA in recent days with the passing of Pat O’Callaghan who had been the caretaker in Coolmore Dr. Morris Park since 2007.
Pat was a real character who took great pride in his work and in his workplace. He spent many long days and nights in Dr. Morris Park making sure that everything was in tip top shape for the players and coaches who used the facility.
We extend our heartfelt and deepest sympathies to his daughters Laura & Paula, his son David, sons-in-law Eoin and Jamie, daughter-in-law to be Amy, grandchildren Tadhg, Eve, Emily and Darragh, sisters Mary and Imelda, mother-in-law Kay O'Donoghue.
Win a House Fundraiser
The grand prize is a fully furnished home in Bregawn, Cashel, valued at €350,000. Alternatively, the winner can choose a cash prize of €300,000.
Tickets are priced at €100 are available through the official ‘Win a House’ website www.winahouse.ie and participating Tipperary GAA clubs. €30 from each ticket sold by a club will remain with that club. A target has been set to sell 20,000 tickets over the next six months, with the final draw taking place on St. Patrick’s Weekend 2025.
Patrick Maher Retirement
Best wishes to Patrick Maher who announced his retirement from inter-county hurling earlier this week.
Patrick has played senior for Tipperary for the past sixteen years and has given outstanding service to the blue and gold, winning 3 All Irelands and 5 Munster titles.
He was known as a direct no nonsense hurler who was the driving force behind many a Tipperary attack. We wish Patrick the very best of good luck for the future and there is no doubt, but he has still a lot to offer the GAA in the year’s ahead.
Clubs invited to participate in 'Coaching Community of Practice'
The Gaelic Games Coach Pathway was launched recently with the aim to provide coaches with the knowledge, skill, and capacities to develop players across the Gaelic Games Player Pathway – ‘just in time, just for me’.
To reach this goal, the Coach Pathway offers a ‘Learning Space’ for coaches. This space provides various coaching opportunities tailored to the needs of Gaelic Games coaches and offers a wide range of learning experiences.
Already within this Learning Space, exciting initiatives such as the ‘Introduction to the Gaelic Games’ Coaching Course (a joint foundation level coaching opportunity recognized across the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association, and in-game coaching workshops, athletic development offerings have been developed to support coaches on their coaching journey to name a few.
The Gaelic Games family are delighted to announce the second iteration of its latest coach education offering, a Club Coaching Community of Practice (CoP), a peer facilitated approach. This non formal coach opportunity promotes clubs taking ownership of their own coach learning where groups of coaches are proactive in sharing knowledge, experiences, good practice, and resources. The Club coaching CoP is a great way for coaches to learn from each other and improve their coaching skills. In essence, it is like an internal supportive network within the club where coaches exchange ideas and support each other.
The adoption of a peer facilitated approach can be complex, therefore a criterion will be provided to access the ‘level of readiness’ of clubs. The closing date for clubs to express an interest is Friday 25th October at 5.00pm.
12 clubs across the country will be given the opportunity to participate in this exciting pilot programme.
If your club is interested in applying for the programme, the Club Secretary must complete and submit the application form. Applications will only be accepted from the official GAA, LGFA or Camogie email address.