Tipperary GAA Scene

By PRO Joe Bracken

SENIOR HURLING COUNTY FINAL

In completing their first four in a row since the 1960’s  congratulations to Thurles Sarsfields on winning the Tipperary Water County Senior Hurling Championship Final following their 1-24 to 0-11 win over Borris-Ileigh in Semple Stadium last Sunday and in doing so making it title number 36 for the club.

With Aidan McCormack leading the scoring stakes on nine points and 1-2 from Conor Stakelum, Sarsfields were never really troubled in a match where Captain Padraic Maher reigned supreme with a man of the match performance.  Borris-Ileigh tried hard but were outgunned by a much more experienced unit and will have to take solace that it’s a work in progress and look forward to next year.

Thurles Sarsfields on the other hand are looking forward to the AIB Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Quarter-Final where they will be up against Waterford opposition (Ballygunner, Lismore, De La Salle or Passage) on Sunday October 29th at a Waterford venue and best wishes to them in their Munster campaign.

The Toomevara team of the 1990’s were the last team to complete the four in a row from 1998 to 2001. Sarsfields have achieved the four in a row feat previously, the last back in 1964 and subsequently made it five in ’65. Based on what has been witnessed last weekend and in previous years, it will take an almighty effort from another club at present to halt Sars in their bid for a fifth, but that story is for another day.

SEAMUS Ó RIAIN CUP

The Tipperary Water Seamus Ó Riain Cup Final goes to a replay after Roscrea and Toomevara couldn’t be separated following a 1-12 apiece score-line on Sunday in the curtain raiser to the senior final in Semple Stadium. In a nail biting finish both sets of supporters were on the feet as each side had chances to snatch a result, but fairness ruled the day and both sides will have to prepare to go at it again.

The replayed final goes ahead on Sunday, October 22nd in Moneygall, where the throw in will be at 2:30pm.

On Saturday next, October 14th, the final round of the Seamus Ó Riain relegation take place with Moycarkey-Borris taking on Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams in Boherlahan and Ballingarry meeting Borrisokane in Holycross. Still all to play for, throw-in times for both games is at 3:30pm with two teams facing the drop once results are known.

INTERMEDIATE HURLING COUNTY FINAL

The Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final brought the crowds out in force to Golden to see St. Mary’s Clonmel achieve senior status after they claimed the honour of Intermediate kingpins with a 2-19 to 0-11 victory over Gortnahoe-Glengoole.

Congratulations to St. Marys on the wonderful achievement and best wishes in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Quarter-Final where they will play Kanturk (Cork) on week ending October 22nd at a Cork venue.

In the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Relegation remaining play-off match Lattin-Cullen Gaels held onto their status after a two point win over Boherlahan-Dualla 0-16 to 1-11. Boherlahan-Dualla move down a grade for next year as a result.

MINOR HURLING COUNTY FINALS

The Tipperary Water Minor ‘A’ Hurling Championship Final brought a tremendous crowd to Templemore last Saturday afternoon where Roscrea and Moycarkey-Borris resumed acquaintance after a lapse for quite a number of years. Congratulations to Roscrea on winning their tenth title after a terrific final on a score-line of 3-12 to 0-14.

Earlier in Dolla in the Tipperary Water Minor ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final, Borrisokane got the day off to a great start for the North division when they defeated Moyne-Templetuohy/Thurles Gaels 2-14 to 0-11 to lift the trophy, congratulations to Borrisokane on their victory.

JUNIOR HURLING

The semi-finals of the Tipperary Water County Junior A Hurling Championship go ahead this weekend and first up is Clonoulty-Rossmore and Ballybacon-Grange which will take place on Saturday next, October 14th in Leahy Park, Cashel with throw-in at 3:30pm. On Sunday then, October 15th, Toomevara and Moycarkey-Borris lock horns in Templemore with throw-in there at 12pm.

JUBILEE TEAM

Congratulations to this year’s Jubilee team Toomevara (1992-1994) who were guests of honour on County Final Day last Sunday. Dominating the club scene in the 1990’s and also well into the 2000’s, the players following brought tremendous credit to the parish and county in that first three in a row period, Michael O’Meara, Jodie Grace, Pat Meagher, Rory Brislane, George Frend, Pat King, Tony Delaney, Michael Murphy, Philip Shanahan, Tommy Dunne, Terry Dunne, Ken Dunne, Michael Nolan, Liam Nolan, Sean Nolan, Micilin Delaney, Kevin McCormack, Kevin Delaney, Owen Cuddihy, Joe O’Meara, Denis Kelly, Noel Kenneally, Justin Cottrell, Ray Hackett, Aidan Maxwell, Mikey Bevans, Jimmy Dunne (RIP), Brendan Spillane, Kevin Kennedy, John Ryan, Liam Flaherty, Kenneth McDonnell, Tommy Carroll, Declan O’Meara, Michael McCormack  and Damian O’Meara.

The club is producing a DVD of the day and will be a welcome treasure for Toomevara supporters at home and abroad.

SENIOR FOOTBALL COUNTY FINAL

The Tipperary Water County Senior Football Championship Final on Sunday next, October 15th, will be an all-South contest as Killenaule and Clonmel Commercials meet at 3:30pm to decide the destination of this year’s championship. As this will also be Killenaule’s first appearance in a county football final it is certain to have all their supporters flocking to Semple Stadium to see ‘The Robins’ run out in the football showpiece.

Clonmel Commercials too, with a long tradition of final experience, should bring a huge following buoyed up by the success of St. Mary’s last weekend in the intermediate hurling final. Last holders of the O’Dwyer Cup in 2015, Commercials will be bidding to make it title number seventeen on Sunday and will prove formidable opponents to Killenaule.

In their previous sixteen successes Commercials were captained by Sean Cleary 1944, ’48 and ’56, Brian O’Callaghan 1965, ’66, ’67 and ’69, Mick O’Connell 1971, Paudie O’Neill 1982, Mark O’Connell 1986 and ’94, Peter Kilkenny 1989, John Kearns 1990, Paudie O’Keeffe 2002, Fergal Condon 2012 and Kevin Harney 2015.

The winners will play Dr. Crokes (Kerry) in the AIB Munster Senior Club Football Championship Quarter-Final on week ending October 29th at a Tipperary venue.

Round 2 of the Tipperary Water County Senior Football Relegation was played last Saturday and saw Drom-Inch take their second win with a one point victory over Ardfinnan 1-9 to 1-8, while Cahir defeated Fethard 1-13 to 2-6.

MINOR FOOTBALL COUNTY FINAL

The Tipperary Water County Minor ‘A’ Football Championship Final will be decided on Sunday next as the opening match in Semple Stadium when Moyle Rovers and Galtee /Golden square up to decide the winners of the title this year, throw-in is at 1:15pm.

Galtee/Golden will be defending their title, won in 2016 for the first time, while Moyle Rovers will be hoping to bring home the Barrett Cup for the first time since 2008 when Peter Acheson was captain.

INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL COUNTY FINAL

In the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Football Championship Semi-Finals wins for Clonmel Óg and Kiladangan ensured both sides will meet in the final as Clonmel Óg defeated Moycarkey-Borris 2-12 to 0-8 while Kiladangan saw off the challenge of Clonoulty-Rossmore 3-7 to 0-6.

The final is set for this Sunday, October 15th in Drombane with a 12pm start.

The winners will play St. Senans (Limerick) in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Football Championship Quarter-Final on week ending October 29th at a Tipperary venue.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

The semi-finals of the Tipperary Water County Junior ‘A’ Football Championship Quarter-Finals last weekend saw Loughmore-Castleiney defeat Ballylooby-Castlegrace 1-12 to 1-4 while Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams got the better of Sean Treacys 0-8 to1-3.

Loughmore-Castleiney and Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams will now meet in this year’s County Final which has been fixed for Saturday week, October 21st, in Holycross with a 2.30pm throw in.

For a full round up on all results and fixtures, please check the Tipperary GAA website https://tipperary.gaa.ie/ or the fixtures/results section in your local newspaper.

TIPPERARY GAA CLUBS DRAW

Congratulations to all winners in the Tipperary draw for October took place in Rocky’s Bar, Nenagh last Friday night. The main prize winner of a Renault Megane or €15k was Rory Coen and the promoting club was Lorrha-Dorrha and second prize of a Cheltenham trip for 4 or €5k went to Ena de Burca with Drom & Inch the promoting club.

TIPPERARY GAA YEARBOOK 2018

The 2018 Tipperary GAA Yearbook is being compiled at present and the Yearbook committee is seeking articles and information for inclusion. Clubs that have accomplished any unique achievement in 2017 such as winning a major title for the first time, achieving a double, opening new dressing rooms or a new grounds, etc are requested to send through an appropriate article for inclusion.

The Yearbook committee are looking to all clubs to submit any obituaries of their deceased members in the last 12 months. The maximum number of words for an obituary is 150 and please include the club name and the years also, e.g. 1937-2017, as well as his/her G.A.A. achievements and a photograph of the deceased person.

The deadline for sending information is 1st November. Please e-mail information and photographs which must be named to John Smith, Secretary Tipperary Yearbook Committee at yearbook.tipperary@gaa.ie.

Please note information must be submitted as outlined above and all articles, photographs etc. will be acknowledged. If an acknowledgement is not received please contact the Yearbook Secretary at 087-9960710.

HANDBALL

In the Minor Doubles final in Croke Park on Saturday last congratulations go to Tipperary pair of James Prentice (Ballina) and Jerome Cahill (Lahorna) pictured receiving the cup from Joe Masterson – Handball President, on winning the All-Ireland Final following their victory over Diarmuid Mulkerrins and Cian Ó Conghaille (Galway) in an epic final. This was Tipperary’s first win in Minor Doubles since 1991 when Noel Murphy and David Moloney from Cashel won.

Galway took off to a roaring start and after only 2 sets of serves led by 16-2. Mulkerrins and Ó Conghaille were brilliant and drove on to lead 18-6 before the Tipp pair finally dug deep and forged a comeback. Through sheer determination the Tipp duo held Galway at 18 while they piled on another 5 aces before Galway took the first 21/11.

In the second game the Tipp lads came to life and went into a lead of 8-2 lead. Cahill was covering every inch of the court while Prentice took the short line and what a battle it was with rallies lasting a lifetime. Galway pushed Tipp all the way and at the halfway mark Tipp had a narrow lead of 14-11. The Tipp boys finished off the second in style winning 21-13. The third and final game saw the Tipp duo continue as they had finished the second and forged ahead again to a 12-0 lead. But the game was to take many twists and turns as Galway got their game together and after a string of blistering rallies they went into overdrive and came back to 12-7. Tipperary found it very hard to make aces and in 8 hands only got 1 ace while the Galway pair only succeeded in getting to 8. The crowd were on their feet with each set of supporters urging on their players as this epic battle saw Galway come within 2 aces where Tipp lead 17-15. The Tipp boys had dug deep before in their Munster final where they had to overcome Cork in a thriller winning 21/20, 20/21 and 21/16 and this stood to them in this great final. Tipp got to 20 but once again Galway got them out but only succeeded in getting 1 ace before the Tipp boys finally got the elusive ace to capture the Minor Doubles title for the Premier County

Tipp Players were involved in 6 other All-Ireland Finals in various venues at the weekend winning 3 out of the 6. In Hospital in Limerick, Noel Moroney (Ballina) and Kevin Dempsey (Clonmel) had a good win over Sean Ryan & Kevin Croke (Offaly) winning 21/9, 21/10 in the O35B Final. Also in Hospital, Kevin Timmons (Silvermines) and Willie Cahill (Cashel) were beaten by Brian Doherty and Conor O’Brien (Offaly) 17/21, 21/9, 21/4. In Talbots Inch in Kilkenny, Adrian Johnson and Kevin Mullins (Clonmel) in GMAD had a good win over Robbie McCarthy and Kevin Flanagan (Westmeath) after losing the first 21/11 bounced back to narrowly take the second 21/19 and finish off in style in the third winning 21/11. In Kilfane in Kilkenny, Willie Bourke and Brendan Ryan (Ballina) were beaten by Brendan and Billy Higginbotham (Kildare) in GMBD when they narrowly lost the first 21/20 and lost the second 21/11. In the Diamond Masters A Doubles Billy & Pakie Mullins (Clonmel) won the DMAD beating Jimmy Reilly and Anthony McConnell (Meath). Meath took the first 21/18 with Tipp winning the second 21/8. In the third Tipp led 8-3 when an injury to a Meath player forced them to end the game with a win for Tipp.

Lahorna hosted the Munster U12/13 Juvenile team finals on Sunday. Tipperary were beaten by Cork in their Semi-Final 72/40. In the other s/f Waterford defeated Limerick 74/48 and in the Final Cork defeatedWaterford 74/26.

Full details on all the action on the Tipperary Handball website http://handball.tipperary.gaa.ie/

LOYALTY CARD

Tipperary GAA has launched a loyalty CashBack Card which as a Tipperary supporter each individual that registers is doing their small bit in support of the county cause. Loyalty cards were sent out with club draw receipts to all members and as there is no charge in registering you can opt in immediately. If anyone who doesn’t have a loyalty card and flyer please call to Lár na Páirce to pick up one. Register as per details on the CashBack flyer. To activate the card, holders must complete the registration and then please email, post or drop off your registration details to Lar na Páirce, Slievenamon Road, Thurles or secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie

GAA YOUTH FORUM

The annual #GAAyouth Forum is coming up shortly in Croke Park on Saturday, October 28th (Bank Holiday weekend) and those wishing to take part are requested to please check www.gaa.ie/gaayouth for info and online applications.

This is a FREE event for players aged 12 – 21 and is currently accepting applications for 600 places. With a stellar line-up of speakers including Diarmuid Gizzy Lyng, Rory’s Stories, Juliet Murphy, Ciarán Kilkenny and Cathal Cregg it promises to be a great day!

Last year the forum had representation from 30 of the 32 Counties which included Tipperary and the organisers are hoping to have all 32 counties represented this year.

TIPPERARY GAA SCENE

Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please e-mailpro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3.00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at http://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.

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