Tipperary GAA Scene
By Jonathan Cullen PRO
AIB Munster Club Championships
Aherlow were Tipperary’s sole representatives in Munster club action last weekend as they took on Waterford’s Stradbally in the Intermediate Football quarter final on Sunday in Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
This was a very entertaining game of football that saw the Tipperary champions emerge victorious 1-12 to 1-7. Aherlow had some great performances none less than former inter-county footballer Barry Grogan who made a massive contribution, scoring a total of 1-8. During the last four minutes of normal time, plus three minutes of added time, Aherlow hit 1-2 without reply, with Mark Russell having a huge influence. He kicked a wonder point from out on the sideline at the stand side with four minutes remaining to put the minimum between the sides and two minutes later, after linking up with Stephen Carey, provided the cross for Grogan to punch home the decisive goal. This, coupled with an inferior numerical advantage was too much for the home side in those tense closing minutes.
Aherlow progress to meet Wolf Tones of Shannon in the semi-final, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 24th in a Tipperary venue.
Aherlow: Jack Whelton, Mark Hanley, Raymond Hennessy, Tom O’Donoghue (capt), Tadhg Carew, Diarmuid Looby, Darragh O’Brien, Cathal Dillon, Mark Russell (0-1), Stephen Carey, Ben Carey (0-3), Jack O’Halloran, Bernard O’Brien, Barry Grogan (1-8, 0-6f), Laurence Coskeran. Subs: Sean Mullins for Hanley (40), Gary Quirke for Dillon (42), Thomas Cooper Fahy for B O’Brien (45), Micheál Elligott for O’Halloran (53).
Next weekend, Tipperary will have three clubs in action in the Munster Club Hurling Championships.
On Saturday in Midleton, Moyle Rovers will take to the field for their Junior Hurling semi-final with Russell Rovers at 1.15pm. Having enjoyed a comfortable victory over Kerry side Kilgarvan in the quarter final, the Monroe men will know that they will have to play every bit as good on Saturday if they are to be successful.
On Sunday at 1.15pm in Abbeydorney, Cashel King Cormacs will take on the home side in the Intermediate Hurling semi-final. Having put in a very good second half display in their quarter final win over Newcastle West, the West Tipp side will travel to Kerry full of confidence, while also knowing that they cannot take their opponents for granted, especially on home turf.
At the same time in Walsh Park, Waterford, Senior Hurling champions Loughmore/Castleiney will hope to continue on their winning ways as they enter into the lion’s den to take on the kingpins of Munster club hurling, Ballygunner. This is sure to be a game that will attract much attention with a host of household names in action for both teams.
Tickets for all games are now available on the Munster GAA website and we would encourage as many Tipperary supporters as possible to travel to one of the games and show your support for our county representatives.
GAA Memorabilia Fair 2024
On Saturday, November 16th, this year’s GAA Memorabilia Fair will be held at The Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles.
It will give you a chance to browse and search a large selection of match programmes, club histories, hurling, football, camogie, ladies football and handball publications as well as other G.A.A. material in the pleasant and spacious surroundings of the Dome.
Sales positions, free of charge may be booked in advance by contacting the organisers. Admission for all will be €5, with accompanied children free. The venue will have disabled access, facilities for teas and coffees etc.
For further information contact: Seamus J. King, 0872246245 or Liam Ó Donnchú 0866036547, larnapaircemuseum@gmail.com.
Green Clubs
Drom & Inch were honoured at a ceremony in Croke Park on Saturday as one of 90 Green Clubs across Ireland taking sustainability action for the club and community.
GAA President Jarlath Burns, who presented the club with their award at the event, applauded the clubs leading the sustainability charge for the GAA.
“Green Clubs are reinforcing our social leadership, improving their facilities, and helping ensure a better future for their communities,” he said.
“The breadth of initiatives being celebrated here today, spanning energy, waste, water, biodiversity, and travel, speaks volumes about the innovative and community-focused spirit of our clubs. The diversity of these projects demonstrates how clubs are finding creative ways to address local challenges while contributing to a national movement.”
The GAA Green Club Programme, a partnership between the GAA and local authorities, was established in 2020 to support GAA, LGFA and Camogie clubs to take action across the five areas of Energy, Waste, Water, Biodiversity, Travel & Transport and is funded with support from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
Attendees at the event in Croke Park heard from Green Clubs from across the island who have achieved big cuts to club running costs and carbon emissions by introducing sustainable energy measures from clubhouse improvements to solar PV installation and LED upgrades. Over two thirds of Green Clubs have installed outdoor taps and drinking water stations, introduced reusable water bottles or run gear swaps to cut down on waste produced by the club and reduce spending for club members while nearly half the clubs have taken action, often with support from community partnerships and local or national grant funding, to encourage sustainable travel with the introduction of bike racks and car-pooling initiatives and the improvement of safe walking and cycling routes to clubs.
The event was backdropped by images of Green Clubs who have transformed the appearance of their club grounds with pollinator friendly flower beds in club colours, biodiversity walkways for the health & well-being of club and community members and native tree planting to support local biodiversity, provide shade and shelter and reduce flood risk. Guest speaker at the event Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin spoke of her admiration for the leadership being shown by the Green Clubs in their communities and within the GAA and of the positive legacy Green Clubs are creating for future generations.
Padraig Fallon, Chair of the GAA Green Club Steering Group, referenced the GAA’s values as a driving force behind the GAA’s Green Club Programme. “Place, belonging and respect are at the heart of what the GAA is and does. The Green Clubs being celebrated here today have demonstrated how respect for and a commitment to protecting our environment helps make our clubs and communities stronger, more resilient and a better place for all.”
The GAA, LGFA and Camogie Associations are inviting new clubs to apply to become Green Clubs. Applications are open from now until January for the next round of the Green Club programme. Interested clubs can apply at: https://greenclubs.gaa.ie/.
All Gaelic Games clubs can take sustainability action by using the GAA Green Club Toolkit available at https://learning.gaa.ie/GreenClub and developed in collaboration with the GAA’s Green Club Expert Partners the Climate Action Regional Offices (CAROs), the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the Waste Management Regional Offices, the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPro), Uisce Éireann, the National Biodiversity Data Centre, the National Transport Authority and the RSA.
Sports TV Broadcasting Course
Nemeton TV, a leading name in sports broadcasting, is proud to announce the launch of its new and innovative Sports TV Broadcasting Course commencing in an Rinn late November.
In conjunction with Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board, this dynamic program offers students a unique opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the fast-paced world of sports media through practical, hands-on training in a professional live studio environment.
Course highlights include:
• Studio Work: Students will learn the technical and creative aspects of running a live broadcast studio, from sound and lighting to direction and on-air presentation.
• Camera Work: Hands-on training in operating professional-grade cameras both in the studio and on location, ensuring students are well-versed in capturing the high energy of live sports events.
• Event Preparation: Real-world experience in planning, setting up, and executing live sports event broadcasts, covering everything from pre-production to post-match analysis.
With access to Nemeton TV’s state-of-the-art studios and cutting-edge broadcast technology, students will receive unparalleled insight into the demands of live sports media. The course is ideal for anyone looking to break into sports journalism, production, or broadcasting.
Applications are now open for the upcoming term, with limited spots available. Whether you’re an aspiring sports presenter, producer, or technical operator, Nemeton TV’s Sports TV Broadcasting Course will equip you with the essential skills and experience to launch your career.
For more information and to register, visit https://www.wwetb.ie/course/skills-to-compete-introduction-to-tv-sports-broadcasting/.
Gaelic Games Integration
February 2022 marked a pivotal moment in the history of Integration of the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA.
Motions passed at each Congress in 2022 directed the Associations to “Prioritise Integration” and thus the Steering Group on Integration was established. The SGI were tasked with proposing a way towards Integration of the three separate Associations to One Association, one which respects and reflects the rich history of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
The role of the Steering Group on Integration (SGI) is that of a recommending body and comprises representation from each of Association through the Uachtaráin of each Association, Ard Stiúrthóirí of each Association alongside Project Manager Mark Dorman, Head of Organisation Change, and an Independent Chairperson.
In September 2022, the SGI announcement the appointment of Iar-Uachtarán na hÉireann, Mary McAleese as Independent Chairperson. The SGI met for the first time in October 2022 and during this meeting it was unanimously agreed that the future integrated structure will be based on One Association for all Gaelic games and built on the principle of equality. It was also unanimously agreed that a significant listening process would be required to assist the development of the integrated structure as this process should be one where all voices are given an opportunity to contribute.
This extensive listening exercise commenced in February 2023 with workshops, submissions and meetings undertaken with management, player representatives, counties, provinces, staff, and clubs. The climax of the listening exercise was the commissioning of a vast membership survey between July and August 2023 which saw over 30,000 members take the opportunity to have their voices hears as part of the process. The SGI were encouraged to see the results of this survey highlighting 90% of members viewing Integration as positive for their membership experience. Key themes which emerged from this listening exercise were Facilities, Finance, Fixtures, HR / Staffing, Membership and Player welfare.
Armed with the instrumental feedback provided throughout the listening experience, in November 2023 the SGI established working groups focussing on these key six areas of Facilities, Finance, Fixtures, HR/Staffing, Membership and Player Welfare. These cross organisational working groups comprised representation from each association across various levels of the Associations. These groups collaborated in a condensed timeframe to work through the finer details and utilised their practical experience and expertise in considering how each of these areas could operate in an integrated organisation.
Detailed proposals were submitted by each of these working groups to the SGI in December of 2023 for consideration, discussion, and inclusion within the Pathway towards integration. In terms of the specific proposals put forward by these working groups.
All of the feedback obtained throughout the listening exercise, coupled with the detailed proposals submitted by the working groups enabled the articulation by the SGI of a vision for Integration along with a proposed timeline.
2024 represents a landmark year for each of the Associations, marking 140 years, 120 and 50 years for the GAA, Camogie Association and the LGFA respectively since their founding years of 1884, 1904 and 1974. It was therefore very fitting that in February 2024, the Steering Group on Integration revealed 2027 as the proposed date for their plans for full integration between the three organisations.
As the process continues, it is the intention of the Steering Group on integration (SGI) to keep all members updated throughout.