North Clubs receive guidance over Championship dates

By Shane Brophy

The North Tipperary GAA Board have issued clubs with a number of scenarios on when the divisional hurling championships might start at senior, premier intermediate, and intermediate grades.

With the Tipperary senior hurlers progressing to the All-Ireland Series, it means the start date remains in flux with the Board calling a special meeting with clubs held in Nenagh last Thursday to formulate a series of proposals depending on when Tipperary could exit the championship.

The only certainty is the Intermediate Championship where all four clubs do not have county representatives so the semi-finals, Newport v Borrisokane and Shannon Rovers v Portroe, will be played on the weekend of 28-29 June with the final on Saturday, 12th July.

Quarter Final exit – The North senior quarter finals will be played on the weekend of 5-6 July with the semi-finals the following weekend and the final on Sunday, 20th July.

The quarter-final in the premier intermediate championship would be played on 28-29 June, with the semi-finals on 12-13 July, with the final on Sunday, 20th July.

Semi-Final exit – The 3 North senior quarter finals would be played on Sunday, 13th July with the semi-finals on Wednesday, 16th July with the final the following Sunday. However, Kiladangan have proposed the quarter finals are played on Thursday, 10th July with the semi-finals on Tuesday 15th July with the North Final on Sunday 20th July, which the North CCC will discuss if it arises.

The Premier Intermediate Championship could follow a similar schedule.

All-Ireland Final – The three North senior quarter finals and one premier intermediate quarter final have been provisionally fixed for Wednesday, 23rd July with the semi-finals the following weekend and the final on the weekend of 2-3 August. However, should Tipperary get to an All-Ireland Final, the county champions in senior, premier international and junior hurling, would all receive byes to the semi-finals of the Munster Club Championships, providing extra time and allow the county finals be put back from the second weekend in October where they are scheduled. If that happens, it remains to be seen if the start dates for the county championship on 26-27 July for hurling and 2-3 August for football, would remain in place