Tipperary GAA Scene
By Jonathan Cullen PRO
FBD Insurance County Championships
The quarter finals in the senior, premier intermediate, intermediate and Junior ‘A’ hurling championships took place last weekend, with all but two games taking place. See match reports and round-ups for details.
2021 & 2022 MacNamee Awards
Tipperary is very well represented amongst the winners of the 2021 & 2022 MacNamee Awards that have been announced by the GAA last week.
The GAA National Communication and Media Awards are named after the late Pádraig MacNamee, former President of the GAA, Chairman of the GAA Commission (1969-1971) and member of the RTÉ authority.
2021 Best GAA Publication – “Semple Stadium Field of Legends” by Liam Ó Donnchú: In a category with a number of strong contenders, Semple Stadium Field of Legends by Liam Ó ‘Donnchú stands out for its thoroughly researched and engaging content charting the history of one of the most famous grounds in the GAA. The author has succeeded in bringing together the colourful story of this wonderful arena with accounts of memorable matches, notable characters and of course the famous Féile. This book is packed with photos, illustrations and match programme cover imagery that enrich it throughout. It is a much-needed historical account of a very special place.
2021 Best GAA Club Publication – “Thurles Sarsfield GAA Story Volume 2 (1960-2019)” by Liam Ó Donnchú: This club history documents the events and accomplishments of the club over the last 59 years. It has detailed accounts of matches at all levels, and key moments within the club.
A superb production that has been meticulously researched; the hardback book has used images throughout to illustrate activities of the club during this period.
2022 Best GAA Publication – “After the Storm” by Damian Lawlor: There’s a saying in Croke Park that reminds us that although the GAA is about games, in truth it is about people. Damian Lawlor’s latest book on Gaelic games brings this right home.
Some might have felt it was too traumatic and too soon to tackle the issue of covid so close to the worst of its lockdowns and death tolls.
But the counter argument is that now is the time to record how we really feel, not some far away shore when the passing of time has had an impact on our true thoughts and recollections. This approach has been vindicated by Lawlor’s ability to tell the 2020-2021 period through a collection of compelling stories focusing on different people who had their own individual trials and tribulations and were part of the collective effort.
There are plenty of previously unknown anecdotes here about just how close the GAA came to shut down and the various dilemmas that raged, including one tense Central Council meeting in 2020 when a phone call from Government pledged the funding needed to stage the Championships.
These are bolstered by a series of deeply personal and moving accounts of people navigating their way through the crisis. People like Antrim’s Niall Murphy who spent 16 days in a coma in intensive care battling the virus, the simple act of kindness that was David Brady’s round of phone calls and when at a time that the global message was to stay apart to save lives, GAA clubs and communities found a way to become closer than ever and the games become a symbol of resistance and a memory of what the world could be like.
2022 Provincial Media Award – ‘Dillon Quirke Remembered” by Shane Brophy, Nenagh Guardian: Dillon Quirke's tragic death shook the GAA world. The former Tipperary hurler's life is remembered in the Nenagh Guardian's coverage. Through insightful interviews and articles, Quirke's significant contribution to both Clonoulty-Rossmore and Tipperary is fondly recalled.
MUNSTER GAA TO HOST GAA FOR ALL INCLUSION DAY
GAA National Inclusive Family Week will begin next Saturday, September 23rd, and the theme this year is ‘GAA Healthy Families’.
The event coincides with the European Week of Sport (Sept 23-30) which aims to promote sport a #BeActive lifestyle to everyone regardless of age, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, nationality, or fitness level.
Following on from last year’s National GAA for All Inclusion Day, this year Provincial GAA for All days are taking place. This Saturday, Mallow hosts Munster GAA’s Inclusion day which will showcase the great work being done by many clubs in the province that run GAA for All programmes.
The day is being organised by Munster reps of the National GAA for All committee, Oola Ball4All and the GAA’s Community and Health department with the support of Munster GAA and the province's Health and Wellbeing committee.
GAA for All programmes and initiatives are set up in Clubs for children with additional needs, with the main objective being to promote an ethos of inclusion in club and community and supporting children in being part of their local GAA Club. Support from coaches encourages participation in a team game, assisting with ball skills, exercise, and, of course, lots of fun and enjoyment, in a safe environment.
Every year more and more clubs are making an effort to be more inclusive by promoting a variety of GAA for All initiatives. National GAA for All Rep, Sinead Crowley, has witnessed the growth at first hand and is enthused about the potential for more development in the coming years.
More information is available at www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/social-inclusion/ or from GAA Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Geraldine.mctavish@gaa.ie
Tipperary Association Dublin
On Saturday, September 30th, members of the Tipperary Association are taking a tour of the Croke Park Museum and Stadium. The tour starts at 11.30am. The Tour Guide will be Tom Ryan. Many of our hurling fraternity will know Tom from Na Fianna Club. His late father was a Tipperary native. The cost is €10 per person.
The group will assemble at 11.10am. There is a cafe beside the Museum If interested, text Pat Ryan (Secretary) 0876376663.