Tipperary GAA Scene
PRO Joe Bracken
CLUB FIXTURES
The FDB Insurance County Senior Football Championship Final saw Clonmel Commercials secure the title as they comfortably saw off the JK Brackens challenge on Saturday afternoon last.
In the FDB Insurance Tom Cusack Cup Final, Killenaule had the upper hand over Kilsheelan-Kilcash with four points to spare at the end.
The FDB Insurance County Intermediate Football Championship Final was very much a see-saw event with Clonmel Óg in command for long stretches without making their superiority count on the board. Moycarkey-Borris rung the changes though and after they settled into their rhythm in the final quarter, they got vital points to see them haul back the lead and then go on to secure the win.
The FDB Insurance County Junior Football Championships reached their conclusion last weekend as Mullinahone overcame Portroe in the ‘A’ final, with Killenaule seeing off the Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill challenge in the ‘B’ final.
Carrick Davins secured the FDB Insurance County Junior A Hurling Championship crown following their win over Arravale Rovers. While in the FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Relegation Final, Galtee Rovers-St. Pecaun defeated Lattin Cullen Gaels in Sean Treacy Park.
Congratulations to all the county winners last weekend and commiserations to the losers. That wraps up the county fixtures for now as the divisional U21 hurling fixtures continue to provide plenty of excitement. Also, at divisional level action continues in the Mid senior football championship and South junior football championships.
A quick recap then on selected results reads as follows;
FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship Final
Clonmel Commercials 3-19 JK Brackens 0-7
FBD Insurance Tom Cusack Cup Final
Killenaule 1-7 Kilsheelan-Kilcash 0-6
FBD Insurance County Intermediate Football Championship Final
Moycarkey-Borris 0-11 Clonmel Óg 1-6
FBD Insurance County Junior (A) Football Championship Final
Mullinahone 2-8 Portroe 0-7
FBD Insurance County Junior (B) Football Championship Final
Killenaule 5-11 Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill 3-4
FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Relegation Final
Galtee Rovers-St. Pecaun 0-18 Lattin Cullen Gaels 1-12
FBD Insurance County Junior (A) Hurling Championship Final
Carrick Davins 2-16 Arravale Rovers 1-12
For results of all games and forthcoming county and divisional fixtures please check https://tipperary.gaa.ie/fixtures-results/
NEW YORK CLASSIC
Best wishes to the Tipperary senior hurling travelling party that head to New York to take part in the ‘New York Classic’ at Citi Field this weekend. Representatives of this year’s four All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final counties will travel for the event, which will also include Kilkenny, Wexford and Limerick.
TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLER OF THE YEAR
Seamus Callanan, Drom and Inch, has been announced as Tipperary Senior Hurler of the Year 2019 as voted by members of the Tipperary Supporters Club. Seamus will be the first recipient of a magnificent perpetual Cup donated by Mrs Maura Reddin, wife of the late Tony Reddin, as well as a beautiful Tipperary Crystal trophy kindly sponsored again this year by John Quirke, Jeweller, Cahir. Comhgháirdeas, Séamus.
2020 MUNSTER LEAGUES
The draws for the 2020 Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League & McGrath Cup Football competitions took place on Monday November 11th.
All six counties are taking part ensuring that both competitions will be run off with two groups of three counties each with all counties assured of one home match. The winner of each group will then qualify for the Finals scheduled for the weekend of January 11th / 12th, 2020. Fixtures for both competitions will be confirmed in due course.
Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League
In Group A, of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Tipperary’s first match will be at a Tipp venue against Clare and the second match away to Limerick at a Limerick venue. In Group B, Kerry will join Cork and Waterford.
Munster GAA McGrath Cup Football
Group A will consist of Clare, Limerick and Waterford. While in Group B, Tipperary will have their first match at home in a Tipp venue against Kerry and will play Cork away in the second match.
INTERCOUNTY MANAGEMENT
At last week’s county board meeting, John Devane (Clonoulty-Rossmore) was ratified as Tipperary U20 hurling manager with Ken Dunne (Toomevara) coming in alongside John as coach. Remaining selectors to be confirmed in due course.
Meanwhile, Johnny Nevin (JK Brackens) was also ratified as Tipperary minor football manager, with Christopher Ryan (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) as coach/selector and Viv Downey (Upperchurch-Drombane) as coach/selector.
Best wishes to all our management teams in 2020.
MUNSTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Last Sunday, Borris-Ileigh defeated Glen Rovers (Cork) 1-17 to 3-8 in the AIB Munster Senior Club Hurling semi-final in Semple Stadium at 1:30pm. Also, on Sunday, Sean Treacys after a determined effort narrowly lost out to Ballysaggart (Waterford) 0-15 to 1-11 in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Hurling semi-final.
Best wishes to Tipperary clubs in action this weekend, starting with the AIB Munster Senior Club Football semi-final where Clonmel Commercials travel to Miltown Malbay to take on St. Joseph’s Miltown Malbay at 1:30pm on Sunday next, November 17th. While in the AIB Munster Intermediate Club Football semi-final Moycarkey-Borris are also on the road to Clare to take on St. Breckans (Clare) also on Sunday at 1:30pm.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Tipperary referee, Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers), as he takes charge of the AIB Munster Senior Club Football semi-final on Sunday next in Páirc Uí Rinn where Austin Stacks (Kerry) and Nemo Rangers (Cork) meet at 1:30pm.
STARS IN THEIR EYES
‘Stars in Their Eyes’ at The Dome, Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday night was a brilliant night of craic and entertainment hosted by the Tipperary Supporters Club as a fundraiser for the 2019 Tipperary Senior Hurling All Ireland Champions and the Tipperary Camogie Team.
A full house enjoyed every minute of a very professional show hosted by Marty Morrissey with lots of talent and surprise performances. Ranging from past and present hurling and camogie stars, selectors, referees, radio presenters and county board officers, the eleven acts on show performed Tina Turner, Johnny Cash, Bob Geldof, Lady Gaga, Mario Lanza to name but a few. After a closely contested audience vote, the winner was Elvis, better known as referee Derek O’Mahony from Ardfinnan. Derek is pictured right with Terry O’Neill, Chairperson Tipperary Supporters Club. Photo courtesy Eamonn McGee.
The judging panel was Brendan Cummins, Louise Morrissey and Mairead Ronan who were very impressed by the ‘creative’ interpretations on display.
A huge thank you to all who took part and to the sponsors including main sponsors Pinergy who ensured that the night was a huge success.
In particular great credit goes to the organising committee of Billy Coman Secretary Tipperary Supporters Club, Bernie Maher, Christina Millea, John Carew and Philip Tierney.
CAMOGIE
Commiserations to Tipperary clubs in Munster final action last weekend. Drom and Inch went down in the Munster Senior Camogie Final to Scariff Ogonnnelloe (Clare) by 1-7 to 0-8, and Toomevara lost out to Gailltír (Waterford) on a 2-17 to 1-11 score-line.
POST PRIMARY
There were mixed fortunes again in the Dr. Harty Cup for Tipperary schools last week, with Thurles CBS the only school to win.
In Group A, Nenagh CBS lost out to Coláiste Cholmáin Fermoy on a 0-19 to 2-8 score-line, while also in the same group Thurles CBS comfortably overcame John the Baptist Community School 2-28 to 0-13. In Group C, Our Lady’s Secondary School Templemore were defeated by Christian Brothers College Cork 2-14 to 0-11.
The focus this week is on football and in Corn Uí Mhuiri Group B this Wednesday, November 13th, High School Clonmel take on P.S. Rathmore at 1:30pm.
For all post primary fixtures and results please check https://munstergaapps.ie/fixtures-results/
‘BRINGING BACK LIAM’ BOOK LAUNCH
A new book, entitled Bringing Back Liam, charting the return of Liam Sheedy and the Liam MacCarthy Cup to Tipperary, will be launched in MIC St Patrick’s College, Thurles on Sunday November 24th at 7:00pm to which all Tipperary hurling enthusiasts are invited.
Penned by Tipperary Star journalist Noel Dundon, the book will be launched by senior hurling coach and former All-Ireland winning captain Tommy Dunne, while a panel discussion on the year just gone and the season to come will feature Brendan Maher, Conor Stakelum, Eamon Corcoran and Len Gaynor.
It promises to be a great night and refreshments will be served at the conclusion. The book retails at €14.99 and proceeds will go towards the team fund and local charities and organisations.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
And now, a final reminder to clubs interested in applications for Phase 4 of the Healthy Club Project, the deadline is this Friday November 15th. Further details and application form on gaa.ie healthy clubs phase4
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. This is the most common cancer worldwide, affecting millions of people every year. Smoking is linked to about 80% of lung cancer deaths, quitting smoking at any stage can greatly reduce the risk of lung cancer.
These statistics should encourage clubs if they have not already done so to consider acting on ‘No Smoking Initiatives’ on their premises and grounds in 2020.
The long dark evenings and cold weather has arrived please remember a phone call or a visit to neighbours living alone will always be appreciate.
SYMPATHY
We express our sympathy to Tommy Ryan, referee Kiladangan, and the Ryan family on the sad passing of his mother Maisie Ryan, Carney, Nenagh last weekend.
ANNUAL GAA MEMORABILIA FAIR IN THURLES
Lár na Páirce, the GAA Museum in Thurles, will hold a GAA Memorabilia Fair in Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre, (beside Semple Stadium) on Sunday week, November 24th from 12pm to 4.00pm.
This is the 6th annual G.A.A. Memorabilia Fair and will give customers 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 Thurles Sarsfields G.A.A. Centre, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Collectors and sellers are cordially invited to attend this event, where it is hoped they will find plenty of material to interest them.
Stands will be available for renting and anybody so interested should contact the organisers before November 23rd.
Admission will be €3 with accompanied children free. The venue will have disabled access, bar facilities and teas and coffees. It is located within a five-minute walk from Thurles Railway Station.
For further information contact: – Seamus J. King, 087-2246245 seamusjking@gmail.com or Liam Ó Donnchú 086-6036547, liam.odonnchu.oifigeach@gaa.ie Lár na Páirce G.A.A. Museum, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. 0504 22702 larnapaircemuseum@gmail.com
This is one upcoming event certainly not to be missed by all lovers of GAA sports.
Again, please note, those wishing to sell items should contact Liam or Seamus beforehand so a table can be arranged for you.
LONDON TEAM TIPPERARY CORPORATE FUNDRAISER
By Larry Cooney
Just over three months since the Tipperary hurlers’ memorable All-Ireland final victory over Kilkenny the Liam MacCarthy Cup will take pride of place at the fourth Team Tipperary Corporate Lunch fundraiser in London at the InterContinental Hotel off Park Lane on the afternoon of Friday week, the 22nd of November. This event is also scheduled a week after Tipperary’s first action since this year’s All-Ireland final when they join defeated finalists Kilkenny and defeated semi-finalists Wexford and Limerick in this year’s Super 11s New York Classic tournament in New York on the 16th of November.
The series was played at Boston’s Fenway Park in the last two years, but the 2019 edition will be staged at Citi Field and the competition has been renamed the ‘New York Classic’. The Queens venue is the home of the New York Mets and the Major League Baseball franchise have confirmed the details of the event.
Consequently, it is unclear yet just how many will be travelling to London on the following week, but the Liam MacCarthy Cup will also be joined by the new U20 hurling cup accompanied by Nenagh’s Jake Morris. This year’s Tipperary ladies’ football captain of the Intermediate All-Ireland champions, Samantha Lambert will also be travelling with that cup. Although it is believed that Brendan Maher would be representing the senior hurlers much will depend on his availability if his club Borrisoleigh win the Dan Breen Cup and are still involved in the provincial club championship.
£150k raised by Team Tipperary on three previous London visits
All-Ireland winners require the best in modern state-of-the-art training facilities and that is certainly what Tipperary GAA’s Centre of Excellence at Dr. Morris Park will be when fully completed by the end of the end of 2020. This project will be the ‘hub’ for nurturing the development of future Tipperary players from underage blitzes to development squads to academies and right through to Tipperary senior panels. This modern state of the art facilities will also be on a par with the best in the country. And after the culmination of many years work, 2019 has once again proved beyond all doubt that Tipperary does have the genuine male and female talent to become and continue to become a major force for many years into the future.
Funding modern training facilities
It was in May 2017 when Team Tipperary last visited London when they were also accompanied by the Liam MacCarthy Cup escorted by the then manager Michael Ryan. That fundraiser along with the two previous visits to London has helped to add a total of £150,000 to help fund the current development work in order for Tipperary to achieve their long term on-field ambitions.
And with up to more than four hundred diners already assured of attending the latest function in the heart of the West End the success of this event will therefore further help to fund these Tipperary GAA ambitions to provide a modern two-storey building that will be an integral part of the new training facilities complex. That training complex will include a gym; analysis room; office; kitchen; dining room; indoor viewing area; 4 dressing rooms/showers; medical centre; meeting room and a reception area complete with stairs & elevator.
And if the three previous functions at the InterContinental Hotel is any indication of what’s in store then another enjoyable and unmissable afternoon looks assured in the company of Tipperary GAA guests and their hard-won silverware of 2019.
Once again, the event will be co-ordinated by Clonmel native Brian Acheson and his fellow hosts of the London-based Tipperary supporters club and organising committee namely Kevin Leahy, Phil Cusack and Paddy Shanahan.
Although further details of the identity of hosts will be confirmed in the next few weeks very few reservations remain but can still be made to the Tipperary GAA Office at Lar na Páirce, Thurles, 0504 22702 or email: secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie. Further details on the Tipperary GAA website.
TIPPERARY HURLING CLUB, NEW YORK
The County Tipperary Hurling Club New York will hold their Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, December 7th at Lake Isle Country Club, 660 White Plains Road, Eastchester.
Guest of honour will be Liam Sheedy and the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Special guests will include members of the Tipperary All-Ireland Senior Hurling team, Craig Morgan – Tipperary U20 Hurling captain and Samantha Lambert – Tipperary Ladies Intermediate Football captain.
Information and ticket details for the banquet can be had from Dance Chairpersons: Brendan Maher (646) 361-5544 brendanmaher50@gmail.com and Stephen Carty (914) 899 3130 or any committee member – Michael Sheedy, Toby Kavanagh, Michael Maher, Owen Cummins, Mike Kennedy and David Loughnane.
Platinum for €400/$500, Gold €200/$250 or White Journal €80/$100 contract details can be made with the Journal Chairman – Tommy Kavanagh (914) 309 2363 or any of the journal committee; Pat Costigan, Geraldine Stapleton, Martin Dunne, Joe Grace, Jack Nolan, Padraig Gill and David Pond.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for the ‘Cocktail Hour’ or ‘Band’, contact a member of the committee for more details.
Please return advertisement or its content by Saturday week, November 16th or email details to tippnyc@outlook.com A great night’s entertainment is guaranteed for all.
SCÓR
The County Final of Tipperary Scór na nÓg will take place on Sunday, 1st December at 2pm in Holycross. The Scór committee welcome entries from all clubs to participate in the eight categories; Tráth na gCeist (Team of four), Rince Seit, Ballad Group, Solo Signing, Novelty Act, Recitation/Storytelling and Instrumental Music.
Expressions of interest or entries can be made to Mary Bourke maryboylebourke@hotmail.com Josephine Cahill, Mark Dunne or Anthony Floyd on or before 25th November.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS TABLE QUIZ
The annual Primary Schools Table Quiz County Final will be held in the Sarsfields Centre, Thurles on Sunday 1st December at 6.00 pm.
Each division is asked to hold their own quiz and select 5 teams of 4 primary school students to go forward to the county final.
TIPPERARY GAA BLOODY SUNDAY COMMERATION
2020 marks a very special year for Tipperary football in that it is one hundred years on from Bloody Sunday when one of our own was shot, fell and died on the famous sod of Croke Park. Mick Hogan, like the rest of the Tipperary panel and like those that wear the Tipperary jersey to this day, went out to represent his homeland and play alongside his teammates. His passing, and that of the others that lost their lives, had a profound effect on all those present and how the GAA developed subsequently.
This coming year, the Tipperary GAA Bloody Sunday Football Commemorative Committee, a sub-committee of the Tipperary Football Committee and County Board, will run a series of events across the year to commemorate that era and event in our history.
The Tipperary football committee has a series of events planned for the coming year with our planned events beginning in March:
On March 2nd at 7.30pm in Nenagh, John Flannery will host a lecture relating to Bloody Sunday in association with the Ormond Historical Society.
On March 28th, at 7.30pm, at Bru Boru Cultural Centre, Cashel in partnership with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Tipperary GAA will host a cultural evening of music, song and dance entitled “An Dushlan” which will be directed by Ray Conway.
On April 28th, at 7.30pm, in ‘The Source’ Thurles author Paul Rouse, Associate Professor in UCD, who has written extensively on the history of Irish sport, will continue with our lecture series relating to Bloody Sunday.
From May to September 2020 a series of commemorations will take place across the season at the gravesides of the panel of players who played a role on Bloody Sunday. We will remember them and lay a wreath by their graveside. More dates and details will be on the ‘Tipperary GAA’ official website, the ‘Friends of Tipperary football’ website and on local media platforms closer to the time.
On October 21st, at 7.30pm, as the centenary date approaches, Michael Foley author of “The Bloodied Field”, will host a lecture in Fethard about the events and time Bloody Sunday took place.
On November 7th, in the evening time, a Memorial Mass relating to ‘Bloody Sunday’ will take place at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles.
On November 21st, in the evening time, a football game to commemorate the challenge match between Tipp and Dublin one hundred years before will take place in Croke Park, Dublin.
On November 22nd, 2020 in Grangemockler, Bloody Sunday, and those of the time, will be remembered.
More details of all events to follow across local media and social media platforms. We hope all the people of Tipperary and beyond will connect with this major milestone in GAA history.