Tipperary GAA Scene

 

ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE

On the last Sunday in February in splendid sunshine the ancient and glorious game sparkled and glowed with near championship passion as two traditional rivals Tipperary and Kilkenny produced another enthralling encounter in round 4 of the Allianz Hurling League with the home side just shading things 2-22 to 2-21before an attendance of 10,587. In a game that really ignited in the second half both sets of supporters will have gone home content having witnessed the foretaste of what's to come in this years revised championship format.

With nine players on the score sheet for Tipperary, Michael Breen (Ballina) was the main marksman on Sunday finishing with 2-9. Congratulations to Billy McCarthy (Thurles Sarsfields) on making his starting senior debut signing off as one of the nine to score. On a more sombre note, we send best wishes to Niall O'Meara (Kilruane-MacDonaghs) for a speedy recovery following a shoulder injury received when he hit the deck during the course of play.

Turning the attention to Semple Stadium this Sunday, March 4th, where there is an Allianz League hurling and football double bill starting with the Tipp footballers against Louth at 12:30pm before the meeting of Tipp and Cork for the last and final round in this year's hurling league at 2:30pm. On what will be a pivotal day in the hurling league, it is all to play for as Tipp go in search of win number three.

In the overall context Tipperary and Cork have met on 61 occasions in the National Hurling League where Cork have claimed 30 wins while Tipperary has been victorious on 26 occasions and there were 5 draws. The results since 2000 reveal the following; 2/4/2000 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Tipperary 2-11 Cork 1-12, 15/4/2001 in Semple Stadium - Tipperary 0-20 Cork 2-8, 7/4/2002 - Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Tipperary 1-17 Cork 1-14, 21/4/2002 also in Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Cork 0-21 Tipperary 1-10 (Semi Final), 29/3/2003 in Semple Stadium - Cork 4-15 Tipperary 4-11, 28/3/2004in Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Tipperary 1-20 Cork 2-17, 27/3/2005 in Semple Stadium - Cork 0-16 Tipperary 1-12, 14/2/2009 in Semple Stadium - Tipperary 2-15 Cork 0-9, 4/4/2010 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Cork 1-16 Tipperary 1-15, 27/3/2011 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh - Cork 1-14 Tipperary 1-14, 1/4/2012 in Semple Stadium - Tipperary 1-23 Cork 1-23, 22/4/2012 in Semple Stadium - Cork 1-25 Tipperary 2-15 (Semi Final), 23/2/2013 in Pairc Ui Rinn - Cork 0-26 Tipperary 1-11, 30/3/2014 in Semple Stadium - Tipperary 3-25 Cork 4-10 (Quarter Final), 22/3/2015 in Pairc Ui Rinn - Tipperary 2-28 Cork 4-21, 20/3/2016 in Semple Stadium - Tipperary 2-27 Cork 2-15, 26/3/2017 in Pairc Ui Rinn in Cork 0-26 Tipperary 3-16.

There is nothing between Tipp and Cork in the last ten league outings as both sides share the spoils with 4 wins each and 2 draws. It is also interesting to note some of the point's tallies in that period for either side – 23, 25, 26, 27 and 28; can 30 or more be far away?

The final score in the February '82 game at Semple Stadium was Cork 0-10 Tipperary 0-8; scoring patterns have certainly changed as the game has evolved.

Best wishes to the team and management against Cork in what will be a defining day in the league.

Sunday's refere will be Paud O'Dwyer (Ceatharlach).

Tickets for this double header are on sale at GAA.IE, selected SuperValu and Centra stores and usual outlets - adults €15 and U16's go free. Buy before match day and get 20% off adult tickets.

ALLIANZ FOOTBALL LEAGUE

On a clear and frosty night in Semple Stadium, the chill in the air was warmed by the solid display of the Tipperary footballers who got the show firmly back on stage with a 2-15 to 1-10 defeat of Meath in their Division 2 Round 4 fixture in the Allianz Football League. Goals from Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) and Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) were crucial on Tipp's way to victory in that they came at the right time to take the wind out of the Meath sails. The result puts Liam Kearns' side nicely positioned as they cross the half way mark in the league.

Next up Tipp footballers open proceedings as already indicated in Semple Stadium at 12:30pm on Sunday next in this very attractive double header fixture, where they will play Louth in Round 5 of the Allianz Football League. No strangers to each other in recent times, in the corresponding fixture last year, albeit a division 3 encounter, 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.

Sunday's game will be no doubt be a close affair again as both sides look to gain momentum coming round the home turn with two rounds left to play. This will be Tipp's last home league round match as they travel to Down and Cavan for the remaining fixtures. Not an easy thing to have to face into with those two away fixtures but such are the cards that are dealt and how the lads play them will be significant as to how the final positions pan out. Whatever the outcome, these are significant and exciting times for Tipperary football and huge credit goes to the team and management in how they have coped thus far in Division 2, we look forward in hope to more of the same over the course of the next few weekends.

Best wishes to the team and management on Sunday where there should be a great crowd in to support the side on what should be an exciting day on the Field of Legends.

The referee for this game will be Paul Faloon.

REFEREE

Best wishes to Tipperary referees in action this weekend, where first up Derek O'Mahoney (Ardfinnan) watches over the Allianz Football League Roinn 3 clash between Armagh and Derry in the Athletic Grounds on Saturday evening.

Then on Sunday, Johnny Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla) will take charge of the Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1B tie between Offaly and Antrim in Birr. In the Allianz Football League Roinn 3, Seán Lonergan (Moyle Rovers) will be in the middle when Westmeath and Fermanagh meet in TEG Cusack Park, Mullingar.

SCÓR SINSEAR CRAOBH AN CHONTAE

The County Final of Senior Scór took place on Saturday night last in Newport Community Centre. Fear an tí for the night was the North Chairman Anthony Floyd and Anthony welcomed one and all to the venue. Chuir sé fáilte ar leith roimh na hiomaitheoirí sna rannóga éagsúla agus an lucht tacaíochta a bhí leo don ócáid.

The Tráth na gCeist paralled the oíche siamsaíochta and took place in the local National School and again a warm welcome was extended from all. Congratulations to the Loughmore-Castleiney team winners of Tráth na gCeist who will now go forward to the National Finals in Sligo and they no doubt ensure much practise will take place in the interval. Cleachtadh a dhéanann Máistreacht.

Bhí comórtas den scoth againn in Ionad an Phobail agus Comghaairdeas le na buaiteoirí uile a théann ar aghaidh go dtí Craobh na Mumhan ar an 10ú lá de Mhárta.

Congratulations to all the other category event winners on the night as well who are as follows: Rince Foirne – Newcastle, Amhránaíocht Aonair-Katie Shanahan Borrisoleigh, Aithriseoireacht - Treasa Nic Craith Newcastle, Bailéad Ghrúpa - JK Brackens, Léiriú - Borrisoleigh agus Rince Seite - Newcastle.

Ghabh Cathaoirleach Scór Seosaimhín Ní Chathail buíochas le gach duine a thug lámh chúnta don Choiste agus an léiriú stáitse agus Dhein sí Comghairdeas le Donncha Floyd agus muintir an pharóiste as an nGradam a bhronnadh air i mBaile Átha Cliath ar an Aoine.

SCÓR NA bPÁISTÍ

Many of the parish finals are now over and a sincere go raibh míle maith agaibh to all those who work so hard to organise and orchestrate these events with so many calls on your time. Scoth den cheol, den rince, den amhránaíocht, den drámaíocht arís eile agus na páistí ag baint taitneamh is spraoi as na himeachtaí. Go neirí go geal libh in the next rounds as we move towards the County Final in Halla na Feile Cashel on March 25th next. Maith sibh go léir.

SCOLÁIREACHTAÍ

Bígí ag faire amach ar litir faoi na hagallaimh agus bígí ag cleachtadh go dian don chomhrá. Go néirí libh.

FITZGIBBON CUP

Congratulations to the Tipperary players involved with University of Limerick who claimed the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup title following their 2-21 to 2-15 defeat of DCU in the final last Saturday. It was undoubtedly a proud occasion for John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) who captained his side to victory scoring 2 points along the way. Once again Jason Forde (Silvermines) was instrumental to his side's success finishing up with 1-10 (0-7f, 0-1 '65) while Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg) and David Gleeson (Ballinahinch) also played vital roles for UL. Unfortunately injury ruled out Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) from participating in the final while Gavin Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane) was also a member of the squad.

RYAN CUP

Congratulations to Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha), Emmett Moloney (Drom & Inch) and Cathal Moloney (Thurles Sarsfields) who were part of the successful Maynooth University team that won the Electric Ireland Ryan Cup final in Mallow last Saturday, defeating Ulster University 2-19 to 0-9. Brian playing out field scored two points from placed balls in a man of the match performance.

CONGRESS

In a weekend of change at the top level in the GAA, congratulations to John Costigan (JK Brackens) who was elected as trustee of the GAA when the vote was taken as the first order of business on Saturday morning.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

A County Health and Wellbeing Committee has been established the aim of which is to promote the GAA Action Plan that encourages all clubs to appoint a Healthy Club Officer and team whose role will be to help their club become a healthier place for all the community to enjoy.

Healthy Club Officer training will be provided at county level going forward. Committee members Seamus Delaney and Michael Leonard will undergo tutor training in the coming weeks and look forward to meeting club appointees when this is completed. All clubs are asked to appoint a Healthy Club Officer immediately and forward the name to the county secretary Tim Floyd. This information will then be forwarded to the county health and wellbeing committee who will be in touch to support and encourage the clubs.