Tipperary GAA Scene 28th February
PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
The Allianz Hurling League is up and running with Tipperary, in ascendancy for the entire first half and early stages of the second, just coming up short in their opening Rionn 1 Group A game with Limerick, which the Treaty men won on a 2-14 to 0-18 result. To have an excellent attendance of 11,867 present on the last Saturday night in January was most welcome and shows the huge level of interest and rivalry between the sides.
Congratulations to three Tipperary players making their starting league debut, Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill) and Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), while Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs) and Jamie Moloney (Drom-Inch) all made their league debut off the bench.
It’s another Saturday night match this weekend, February 1st, as Tipperary travel to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to take on Cork in Round 2 at 7pm. With Cork also losing their opening game away to Waterford, there should be plenty of competitive action on display in what is always an intriguing contest.
There have been 63 previous meetings between Tipperary and Cork in the National Hurling League, going back to May 2nd, 1926, when Cork won at Cashel, in the first playing of the competition. The Rebels went on to win the inaugural title, but it is interesting to note that these great rivals have not met in a final since 1960, when Tipperary were victorious at the Cork Athletic Grounds, now Páirc Ui Chaoimh. The all-time league record shows Cork on 30 wins to Tipperary’s 28, with 5 draws.
The last ten games resulted as follows –
2011 Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork 1-14 Tipperary 1-14
2012 Semple Stadium, Tipperary 1-23 Cork 1-23 (Group match)
2012 Semple Stadium, Cork 1-25 Tipperary 2-15 (Semi-final)
2013 Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork 0-26 Tipperary 1-11
2014 Semple Stadium, Tipperary 3-25 Cork 4-10 (Quarter final)
2015 Páirc Uí Rinn, Tipperary 2-28 Cork 4-21
2016 Semple Stadium, Tipperary 2-27 Cork 2-15
2017 Páirc Uí Rinn Cork 0-26 Tipperary 3-16
2018 Semple Stadium, Tipperary 1-24 Cork 1-21
2019 Pairc Uí Rinn, Tipperary 1-29 Cork 1-16
We send best wishes to the team and management this weekend as they go in search of their first win of the campaign. Tickets are available pre-purchase price for €15.00 (save €5 before midnight on Friday) or on match day for €20 and juveniles (U-16’s) go free.
The referee will be James Owens (Loch Garman)
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
New Tipperary football manager David Power got his Allianz Football League debut off to a solid start as his side drew 0-10 apiece with Down in their Allianz Division 3 fixture in Clonmel Sportsfield last Sunday. It was the least his side deserved from an entertaining game held before a very appreciative attendance.
This weekend they take the road to Drogheda for the first of two successive away fixtures. On Sunday they will take on Louth in Round 2 in the Gaelic Grounds where throw-in will be at 2pm.
No strangers to each other in recent times, in a division 3 encounter in 2017, Louth came to Thurles and went home with both points following a 0-16 to 0-12 result. Both sides would meet again in Croke Park in the league final where Tipp stole the show to lift the title with a 3-19 to 0-19 result where Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) with 2-5 and Liam Casey (Cahir) on 1-1 were Tipp’s goal scorers. Then in 2018, in Semple Stadium in the Allianz Football League Division 2, Tipperary recorded a 2-17 to 0-9 victory over Louth in the last league fixture between the sides. A blistering start from Tipperary laid the platform for the success which included goals from Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) and Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials).
We send best wishes to the team as well on Sunday and adult tickets are €10, juveniles (U-16’s) go free.
The referee will be John Hickey (Ceatharlach).
2020 FBD INSURANCE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The draws for the 2020 FBD Insurance County Championships for senior and intermediate hurling and football took place in Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre on Monday night last and were broadcast live on air by Tipp FM with Ronan Quirke, on his hugely popular ‘Extra Time’ programme.
With huge interest generated in the draw beforehand, the various championships will garner even greater attention once they get going later in the summer.
Below is a recap of the various championship groups drawn, starting with the Dan Breen Cup.
The groups for the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship are as follows:
Group 1 – Kiladangan, Drom-Inch, Roscrea and JK Bracken’s.
Group 2 – Nenagh Éire Óg, Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill, Clonoulty-Rossmore and Holycross-Ballycahill.
Group 3 – Kilruane MacDonaghs, Loughmore-Castleiney, Thurles Sarsfields and Moycarkey-Borris.
Group 4 – Borris-Ileigh, Toomevara, Upperchurch-Drombane and Burgess
The groups for the FBD Insurance Séamus Ó Riain Cup are as follows:
Group 1 – Killenaule, Cashel King Cormacs, Ballingarry and Carrick Swan.
Group 2 – Portroe, Lorrha-Dorrha, Kiladangan and Thurles Sarsfields.
Group 3 – Mullinahone, Seán Treacy’s, Clonakenny and Newport.
Group 4 – Templederry Kenyons, St Mary’s, Ballina and Silvermines.
The groups for the FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship are as follows:
Group 1 – Moyne-Templetuohy, Drom-Inch, Ballinahinch and Moyle Rovers.
Group 2 – Carrick Davins, Borrisokane, Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams and Galtee Rovers.
Group 3 – Ballybacon-Grange, Shannon Rovers, Cappawhite and Boherlahan-Dualla.
Group 4 – Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Golden-Kilfeacle, Gortnahoe-Glengoole and Moneygall.
The groups for the FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship are as follows:
Group 1 – Loughmore-Castleiney, Ballyporeen, Moyne-Templetuohy and Ardfinnan.
Group 2 – JK Bracken’s, Upperchurch-Drombane, Aherlow and Kilsheelan-Kilcash.
Group 3 – Clonmel Commercials, Cahir, Killenaule and Galtee Rovers.
Group 4 – Moyle Rovers, Arravale Rovers, Moycarkey-Borris and Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill
The groups for the FBD Insurance County Intermediate Football Championship are as follows:
Group 1 – Clonmel Commercials, Rockwell Rovers, JK Bracken’s and Cashel King Cormacs.
Group 2 – Clonmel Óg, Moyle Rovers, Borrisokane and Loughmore-Castleiney.
Group 3 – Golden-Kilfeacle, Clonoulty-Rossmore, Fr Sheehy’s and Fethard.
Group 4 – Kiladangan, Drom-Inch, Grangemockler-Ballyneale and Mullinahone.
Best wishes to all clubs in this year’s FBD Insurance County Championships.
LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL
The Tipperary Ladies Gaelic Football team earned a deserved draw in the Lidl Senior National Football League against Dublin in Ballyboden last Sunday as the game finished 1-7 to 0-10 with Aishling Moloney (Cahir) the Tipp goal scorer.
Their next game is against Cork in Ardfinnan this Sunday, February 2nd, with throw in at 1pm and we send our best wishes to the ladies once again.
CAMOGIE
Best wishes also to the Tipperary senior camogie team as they get their Littlewoods Ireland National League underway also on Sunday next when they line out against Limerick in LIT Gaelic Grounds and throw-in here is at 4pm.
REFEREES
Best wishes to Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan) as he will referee the Electric Ireland HE GAA Sigerson Cup Final this Wednesday night between IT Carlow and DCU Dóchas Éireann in DCU Sportsgrounds.
TIPPERARY GAA CLUBS DRAW
The February Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw will be held on Friday week February 7th, in Byrnes Tavern, Emly in conjunction with the presentation of the €5,000 second prize to Alan O’Brien Cullen from the January draw. Last month’s star prize winner Pat Stapleton was presented with his €15,000 cheque last Sunday at his home in Mantle Hill Golden. We extend our best wishes to Pat at this time.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
The Tipperary Supporters Club 33rd Annual General Meeting will be held this Thursday, January 30th in the Anner Hotel, Thurles at 8pm and all are welcome.
On December 1st, Tipperary Supporters Club launched it’s 2020 Membership Scheme and the membership pack includes the following benefits:
- A specially-designed Tipperary Supporters Club dual trolley keyring
• All members are entered into a prize draw for championship match tickets for all Tipperary Senior games.
• 2020 Car Sticker
• Text alerts for all League and Championship team news
• Regular news to your email about all the latest in Tipperary GAA circles
• Only Tipperary Supporters Club members will be eligible to vote for the official 2020 Tipperary Senior Hurler of the Year award at the end of next season.
• Only Tipperary Supporters Club members can nominate a young Tipperary supporter to be the team mascot for our league games in Semple Stadium
Tipperary Supporters Club sincerely thank members for their continued support and facilitating payment by way of direct debit.
If you haven’t renewed your membership already you can do so online at www.tippsupportersclub.com or by calling Jim Reidy, Membership Officer on 086 3580718.
POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Commiserations to Our Lady’s Templemore who were defeated in the Dr. Harty Cup U19A Hurling semi-final by St. Flannans College last Saturday on a 0-18 to 1-13 score-line.
In the Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm U19B Hurling semi-finals last Saturday, Cashel defeated St. Augustines 4-16 to 3-16 and will now meet Doon in the final as they defeated Borrisokane CC 3-21 to 2-15. Commiserations to Borrisokane CC.
Best wishes to Abbey CBS in the Munster Corn Dhonncha Uí Nuanain U19B football final this Saturday, February 1st, in Kilmallock where they will take on Patrician Academy Mallow at 12:30pm.
Congratulations to Carrick CBS on winning the County U15B Cusack Shield Football Final following their defeat of Thurles. Congratulations also to Colaiste Phobal Roscrea after they defeated Carrick CBS in the County U19 Corn Bhrathair Uí Dhaltuin Football Final on a 3-10 to 3-7 result.
ALL-IRELAND JUNIOR B HURLING
Commiserations to Drom & Inch as they lost out 1-19 to 1-16 to St. Vincent’s (Dublin) in the All-Ireland Junior B Hurling tournament held in Raheenagh, Co. Limerick.
ELECTRIC IRELAND FITZGIBBON & SIGERSON CUPS
The final league rounds in the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup took place last week with a quick review as follows.
In Group A Round 3, University of Limerick saw off the challenge of Maynooth University to reach the knock-out stages on a 0-21 to 1-13 score line. Tipperary inside forward duo of Cain Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) with 0-9 (6f) and Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg) 0-6 did most of the damage for UL. Tipperary was strongly represented on the UL panel with Barry Hogan (Kiladangan), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill), Jack Shelly (Mullinahone), James Ryan (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Padraic Campion (Drom & Inch), Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) all starting along with Darcy and Morris, while Shane Neville (Lattin-Cullen) was a second half introduction. For MU, Conor Stakelum and Cathal Moloney (both Thurles Sarsfields) lined out with Stakelum again on the score sheet with 0-1.
DCU already through to the quarter-finals defeated Trinity College 4-25 to 1-11.
In Group B Round 3, Mary Immaculate College defeated Waterford IT 2-11 to 0-15 to set up a home tie against UL this week. Cathal Bourke (Clonoulty-Rossmore) was in top form scoring 0-6 (5f) for Mary I. He was joined in the side by Craig Morgan and Darragh Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs) and Eanna McBride and Andy Ormond (JK Brackens). For WIT, Kevin Hassett (Drom & Inch) was again at full back while Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins) was introduced after 10 minutes.
Turning attention to Group C Round 3 where NUI Galway reached the quarter-finals courtesy of a 1-15 to 0-11 defeat of Cork IT. Shane Fletcher (Roscrea) was Tipperary’s sole representative for NUIG while the Clonoulty-Rossmore trio of Ronan Heffernan, Enda Heffernan and Michael Ryan were central to the Cork IT cause.
Finally in Group D Round 3 UCD made it through to the quarterfinals with a 4-19 to 2-18 win over GMIT. Rory Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields) scored 1-1 from play at centre-forward for UCD, while his brother Michael lined out at centre-back. Niall Heffernan (Golden-Kilfeacle) was also introduced in the second half. For GMIT, John Cahalane (Nenagh Éire Óg) came on early in the second half.
Wednesday 29 January 2020 Quarter Finals –
MICL Grounds at 2pm – Mary Immaculate College Limerick v University of Limerick
Mardyke at 6pm – University College Cork v University College Dublin
Thursday 30 January 2020
Carlow I.T. at 6:30pm – IT Carlow v N.U.I. Galway
Dublin City University Sportsgrounds at 7:30pm – DCU Dóchas Éireann v Waterford Institute of Technology
The Sigerson Cup Final goes ahead this Wednesday, January 29th in DCU at 7:30pm and will see DCU take on IT Carlow, which, as mentioned above, will be refereed by Derek O’Mahony (Ardfinnan).
The semi-final results were as follows – DCU 1-15 UCD 0-3 and IT Carlow 2-9 Letterkenny IT 1-9.
Elsewhere, in Freshers A Football, Rian Quigley (Moyle Rovers) was in superb form scoring 2-5 (1f) for UCC as they defeated Cork IT 2-20 to 0-5 last week.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Pat O Connel, Craig Morgan, Liam Myles, Tim Floyd
Mary Condon, Pat O Connell, Caoimhe Condon, Liam Myles
The Tipperary Association Dublin presented two bursaries of €1,000 each to Caoimhe Condon (Brian Borus) pictured left with her mother Mary, Pat O’Connell and Liam Myles (Tipperary Association Dublin) and Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs) pictured right also with Pat O’Connell and Liam Myles and Tim Floyd Co. Secretary, at half time of the Allianz Hurling League match in Semple Stadium last Saturday. Speaking previously, Liam Myles, President of the Tipperary Association Dublin commented that the Association is always conscious of the pressures on inter-county players due to training and games scheduling combined with study commitments throughout the year. The Association is delighted and honoured, he continued, to support our county players and make some contribution to their college expenses.
ALL-IRELAND SCÓR NA nÓG FINALS
This Saturday, February 1st, in the INEC Theatre in Gleneagles Hotel in Killarney, the All-Ireland Final of Scór na nÓg 2020 will take place. Tipperary won no less than 4 Munster titles in Ovens Co. Cork on January 5th and we will be proudly represented by these young people as they take to the stage on Saturday afternoon. Newcastle’s Rince Foirne – Clara, Emma, Ellie, Orlaith, Sarah, Niamh Amy and Abbie under the tutelage of Kathy McGrath will be first to take to the stage. Cailin Creamer our lady from Portroe will then take to the stage in the Amhránaíocht Aonair followed by Canice Ryan from Seán Treacy’s who will represent us in Aithriseoireacht or Recitation. After the break Borris-Ileigh will take part in the Nuachleas competition –Niamh, Harry, Nicole, Liam, Kaylyn, Conor, Emily and Daniel with Paula and Clare as mentors will present their drama to the audience with great hilarity. We know all the competitors and their mentors have been working very hard and wish them all the best on Saturday. We also have a considerable number of supporters travelling and thank you all for your support. Go neirí go geal le muintir Thiobraid Árann Tipperary Abú Scoth na n-Óg
Scór Sinsear agus Scór na bPáistí
The County Final of Scór Sinsear will take place in Newport on 7th March 2020 and the County Final of Scór na bPaistí will take place on 5th April 2020 so bígi ag cleachtadh agus bí ullamh, be prepared.
2020 GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS
The following will be the procedure for obtaining a Gaeltacht Scholarship from Coiste Chontae Thiobraid Árann in 2020. The scholarships are confined to 2nd Year, TY and 5th Year Students in 2020 and previous recipients of Tipperary GAA Gaeltacht scholarships cannot apply in 2020.
Students should immediately book a course directly from one of the three nominated Munster Irish Colleges on the application Form. This should be done asap as popular dates are booked out quickly.
Students wishing to secure a scholarship from Tipperary GAA should complete the application form available from your club secretary and submit it through their own local GAA Club.
The secretary of the GAA Club must sign the form and attach a reference letter supporting the applicant’s application before returning it to the Co Rúnaí. Please note the club recommending the successful applicant will be contributing €75 to the scholarship along with the Division, Co. Board and Munster Council.
Interviews for the scholarships will be held in Lár na Páirce during February to establish each candidate’s suitability.
Once the student is notified that they have been successful they must secure a receipt for their fee payment from the Irish College where they have registered.
Once this receipt is received by the Co. Rúnaí the scholarship cheque for €300 will be posted out directly to the student’s home.
The closing date for the receipt of Gaeltacht Scholarship Applications is Friday week February 7th, 2020.
HANDBALL
Leanne Gould and Hannah Grace were honoured by the United Sports Panel for their achievements in handball representing Lahorna, Tipperary and Munster throughout the 2019 season. They collected their Annerville award at the presentation night held recently at the Clonmel Park Hotel.
After a very competitive Juvenile Championship & trials the following will represent Tipperary in the Munster Juvenile championships in 2020.
Boys: U12S Dean Carey (Ballina), U12D Daniel McKelvey and Conor Ryan (Silvermines), U13S Stefan Tobin (Carrick on Suir), U13D Ronan Redmond and Lucky Matis (Carrick on Suir), U14S Charlie Grace (Ballina), U14D Conal Moloney and Eoghan Dunne (Cashel), U15S Evan Carey (Ballina), U15D Anthony Walsh and David McGrath (Cashel), U16S Brian Bourke (Ballina), U16D Shane O’Connell and Cian Molloy (Ballina), U17S John Ryan (Newport) and U17D Nathan Lenihan and Stephen Coffey (Ballinahinch).
Girls: GU12S Clodagh Shinners (Lahorna), GU12D Sarah Williams and Sophie O’Meara (Lahorna), GU13S Stephanie Grey (Youghalarra), GU13D Katie Mulcahy and Aoife Williams (Lahorna), GU14S Christine Percy (Lahorna), GU14D Ali O’Kelly and Lucy Gould (Lahorna), GU15S Emma Williams (Lahorna), GU15D Danielle Kyne and Casandra Jones (Youghalarra and Nenagh), GU16D Hannah Grace and Leanne Gould (Lahorna) and GU17D Ciara Morris and Avril Dooley (Nenagh).
Aughagower in Connaught hosted the ‘She’s Ace’ Championships where Christine Percy reached the G13 and Under final where she was beaten by Carmel Kelleher from Cork. Sinéad Meagher won Ladies Open shield where she Beat Ciara Mahon from Kilkenny.
AWARD 1 FOOTBALL COURSE
Tipperary Coach Education will offer an Award 1 Football course aimed at youth and adult under 14 to senior level club coaches. Please note, this course is all online with registration only via links below.
The course covers a number of key modules including:
Technical Proficiency
Tactical Prowess
Team Play
Physical Fitness
Playing Facts
Psychological Focus
Communication
The focus of the course is the further development of the ‘How to Coach’ skills by placing the participant in situations that they will face as coaches – the organisation of games, skill development, activities to develop skill and activities to develop the various aspects of physical fitness.
By the end of this course participants will be able to:
Organise a programme of games and skill development activities appropriate to each participant’s needs and abilities
Organise progressive activities (drills and games) to develop five key skills
Organise progressive activities to develop movement skills appropriate to Gaelic Games
Organise and manage players for an effective practice session through six “How to coach skills” including;
Build Rapport, Observe, Analyse, Explain, Provide Demonstration and Provide Positive Feedback to Players
The course philosophy;
Tipperary GAA is committed to implementing an integrated Coach Education Programme with a view to maximizing participation, optimizing playing standards and ensuring that players needs are catered for in a balanced way.
Dates for the course include; 17th, 24th of February, 2nd, 9th and 18th of March, time – 7pm – 9.30pm and the venue will be Cashel Community School.
Cost €50 Euro per coach.
Tutors include; Paudie Butler – National Coach Education Master Tutor, Alan O`Connor – Intercounty S&C Coach, Michael O`Loughlin – Intercounty Football Coach, Shane Ronayne – All Ireland winning Ladies Football manager and Jason Ryan – former Kildare and Wexford Senior Football Manager/Coach.
How to Register – Please register here https://learning.gaa.ie/lms/ and upload your personal registration details on the learning portal and follow outline below. Closing date for registration is February 14th.
TIPPERARY GAA CLUB ALL COUNTY MATCH PASS 2020
The match pass for 2020 is currently on sale at the price of €120. This pass gives you access to all adult matches within the County during 2020. Passes can be ordered through the GAA Office Slievenamon Rd., Thurles or by contacting 0504 22702 where you can pay over the phone.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
An important date for your diary is April 28th in the Horse & Jockey Hotel where Tipperary Health and Wellbeing Committee are hosting ‘The Tilda Roadshow’ which is being promoted by the GAA in association with Irish Life Health / Trinity College and delivered by Professor Rose Anne Kenny. This seminar will cover the secrets of positive and the GAA plans to hold the seminar in every county. More information to follow in the coming weeks.
