Tipperary GAA Scene
By PRO Joe Bracken
ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE
There was certainly a summer time feel about things as the arrival of 'new time' coincided with the appearance of the Tipperary hurler's in Croke Park on Sunday last. In their Allianz Hurling League Quarter-Final against Dublin, Tipperary after a slow start took control of the game running out 2-25 to 0-20 winners to set up a semi-final clash with Limerick on Saturday evening next. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) ending up with 1-4 and Michael Breen (Ballina) finishing with 1-0 were the Tipperary goal scorers on an afternoon where eleven Tipp players ended up on the scoresheet.
Congratulations to Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) on making his senior debut, starting at left corner forward and also to Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) and Willie Connors (Kiladangan) as both made their debuts when introduced in the second half.
Next on the agenda is the Allianz League Semi-Final against Limerick which will be played in Semple Stadium this Saturday, March 31st with a 7pm throw-in. Limerick winners of Division 1B should bring huge support as they come into the match following a marathon game against Clare in their quarter-final.
There have been 5 previous semi-finals involving Tipperary and Limerick though the last, which Tipp won, was back in 2000. Limerick, unfortunately from a Tipp point of view, succeeded in the other 4 in what were the famine years for Tipperary hurling. The first semi-final was back in 1973 in Kilkenny and finished up all square Tipperary 2-11 Limerick 2-11. In the replay in Birr, Limerick edged it by 2 on a 5-10 to 3-14 score line after extra time. In 1974 in Limerick, the home side were again the winners by two, Limerick 1-16 Tipperary 3-8. Moving onto1980 also in Limerick, where the Treaty men again prevailed 2-13 to 1-11. Another four years would elapse before the sides met at this stage once more with Semple Stadium the venue as Limerick continued their good form winning 2-10 to 1-10. The rot was eventually stopped in 2000 as indicated with Tipperary in control on a 2-18 to 0-17 score line.
The last ten league meetings were in an eleven year spell commencing with that 2000 semi-final as the sides haven't met since 2010. Those ten meetings are as follows; 30/4/2000 in Thurles - Tipperary 2-18 Limerick 0-17 (Semi Final); 10/3/2002 in Thurles - Limerick 2-13 Tipp 1-12; 8/3/2003 also in Thurles - Tipp 1-17 Limerick 1-8; 29/2/2004 in Limerick - Tipp 2-21 Limerick 1-12; 27/2/2005 in Limerick - Tipp 4-14 Limerick 3-11; 19/2/2006 in Limerick - Tipp 2-15 Limerick 2-15; 18/2/2007 in Nenagh - Limerick 2-13 Tipp 0-16; 17/2/2008 in Thurles - Tipp 2-20 Limerick 2-9; 19/4/2009 in Thurles - Tipp 1-17 Limerick 1-11 and finally 21/3/2010 back to Limerick - Tipp 2-24 Limerick 0-8. In short Tipp have won 7 of those 10, Limerick have won 2 and there was just the single draw.
We will be hoping Tipperary can maintain the dominance of the early millennium years by moving a step closer to another crack at a league title, last won in 2008. So as we look forward to Saturday night, we send best wishes to the panel and management and call on supporters to come out in force behind the team in what should be a fascinating contest.
Pre-purchase adult tickets cost €15.00 (Pre-Purchase discount ends midnight on Friday night). Match day tickets are Adult: €20.00, Juvenile (U16): €5 and Student / Senior Citizen: €15.00.
ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Words will be little consolation to a splendid Tipperary football team who were seconds away from keeping hopes alive of League 1 promotion as Cavan grabbed an injury time winner to break the hearts of Tipperary players and faithful in Kingspan Breffni last Sunday. In that Allianz Football League round 7 match Cavan edged out Tipperary 0-17 to 2-10 to see them join Roscommon on a quick return to Division 1. Commiserations to the Tipp men who put in fantastic shift so far in this league campaign as they proved they are a match for anyone on the day. The Tipp goals came courtesy of Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) who notched up 1-4 and Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) rounding off the day with 1-1.
Tipp will still however sign off on a memorable league this Saturday as they make to trip to Newry once more to play Down in the postponed round 6 fixture in at Páirc Esler where throw-in is at 3pm. This game is of huge importance to the home side and it is one which will also give Liam Kearns' men a chance to see out the league with what we hope will be a positive result. They can then set their sights on the Munster championship which starts on Saturday, May 19th. Best wishes to the team and management on Saturday.
Pre-purchase adult tickets cost €12.00 (Pre-Purchase discount ends midnight on Friday night). Match day tickets are Adult: €15.00, Student / Senior Citizen: €12.00 and Juvenile (U16) go free.
TIPPERARY FOOTBALL STRATEGIC PLAN
This Thursday, March 29th, at 8pm in the Anner Hotel Thurles, the Tipperary Football Committee are hosting a workshop with the aim of developing a three-year strategic plan to help ensure that we, as a county, continue to maintain the exceptionally high standards we have attained in recent years.
This strategic plan will serve as a blueprint for where we want to go over the next three years and we need your help. We want this plan to reflect the views of all those with a vested interest in the future of Tipperary football and it is essential that we get a wide range of opinions and suggestions on the night.
The Football Committee are hoping that every club in the county will send at least two representatives and if you are interested contact your club secretary as soon as possible to reserve your place.
For further information contact any member of the Tipperary Football Committee, via social media or email friendsoftipperaryfootball@gmail.com
FRESHERS CUP FINAL
This year's title went to DCU Dóchas Éireann who just got the better of University of Limerick 1-20 to 2-15 in the final last week. Commiserations to the seven Tipperary players on the field with UL where Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) lead the scoring for UL with 0-5 (4f), Shane Neville (Lattin-Cullen) fired 1-2 while Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) hit 0-2. The other players were Barry Hogan (Kiladangan), Jimmy Ryan (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Podge Campion (Drom-Inch) and Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg).
AIB CLUB ALL-IRELAND HURLING FINAL REPLAY
Congratulations to Shane Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh) and Evan Hanley (Lattin-Cullen) on winning All-Ireland Senior Hurling Club honours with Cuala last weekend.
CAMOGIE
Congratulations to Marion Graham who was elected as Chairperson of Munster Camogie Council last Wednesday night. Following a hugely successful playing career Marion has served in many roles as selector through to administrator, last serving as Munster Council Secretary from 2007 to 2016. We send best wishes to Marion in her new role and wish her every success.
SCÓR NA bPÁISTÍ
The County Final of Scór na bPáistí took place in Halla na Feile, Caiseal Na Rí on Sunday afternoon last and what an afternoon it was for Scór. It was the culmination of weeks and months of hard work and preparation for our so very young participants. As one young contestant said ‘I'm so looking forward to not dancing or singing for a whole two weeks – but I love it'.
Bhí fear an tí den scoth againn – Seosamh Ó Baoill as Borrisoleigh, é deisbhéalach, líofa agus encouraging to all. Seosaimhín Ni Chathail, Cathaoirleach Scór, thanked all concerned for their support and work, in particular all our local committees and congratulated all those who took part. The Art competition was again a success and winners were presented with their prizes kindly sponsored by Bord an Chontae. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields) Tipperary corner back made it back from playing with his county in Croke Park to present the prizes to runners up and winners alike and gave words of advice to some of our young people on stage. The winners are as follows; Rince Fóirne - Newcastle, Amhránaíocht Aonair - Kaitlyn Conroy (Portroe), Ceol Uirlíse - Shannon Rovers, Aithriseoireacht - Danielle Butler (Seán Treacys), Bailéad Ghrúpa - Seán Treacys, Sean Nós Dancing - Sarah Ryan (Holycross-Ballycahill), Tráth na gCeist - Loughmore-Castleiney, Novelty act - Borris-Ileigh agus Rince Seit - Newcastle. We celebrate 50 years of Scór next year and no doubt Scór na bPaistí will go ó neart go neart. There was a considerable increase in numbers taking part this year so we hope that success will breed success in the coming year. Míle buíochas le gach duine.
MASITA GAA POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS
The Croke Cup Final between Athenry and St. Kieran's College will get proceedings under way in Semple stadium on Saturday evening next where throw in is at 5pm.
HANDBALL
The All-Ireland 40x20 Single Championship Finals and doubles semi-finals took place over the last two weekends. In the U15Singles Rory Grace from Lahorna continued his great Munster success with a win over John Doheny from Kilkenny. In the O70’s Jim Ryan from Silvermines was narrowly beaten by Ned Buggy from Wexford while in the U16 Doubles Jack McGrath and Conor O'Dwyer from Cashel were defeated by Kyle Dunne and Jack Doyle from Kilkenny.
In the Doubles semi-finals Sinéad Meagher (Nenagh) and Roisín Cahill (Lahorna) defeated the Roscommon pair of Siobhan Tully and Linda Connolly in the Ladies Junior Doubles. In the RMD Doubles Paddy Collins (Ballina) and Jim Ryan (Silvermines) defeated Morgan Darcy and John Kelehan and in the DMAD Billy and Pakie Mullins (Clonmel) were defeated by Kevin Gerathy and Pat Hopkins.
TIPPERARY FUN RUN/WALK
The Tipperary Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board are once again hosting a 5k fun run/walk which is a fundraiser for both the Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board, to aid county teams in their preparation for their respective 2018 championships.
The run / walk was an outstanding success when first held last year and it will take place once again at the Dome Semple Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th with an 11am start. More details to follow in the coming weeks.
SYMPATHY
Paddy Hennessy originally from Kilsheelan-Kilcash passed to his eternal reward recently in New York and we extend our sympathy to his family- Anne Marie, Patricia and Patrick and his brother Jim and family members.
It’s widely recognised that Paddy was the first player to represent the Kilsheelan-Kilcash club in hurling at county level and he captained the Na Piarsaig team that won South senior hurling titles in 1956 and 57
During the fifties Paddy wore the County jersey in senior hurling for Tipperary on a number of occasions in tournament and National League games.