The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

By Shane Brophy

We might be three months away from the most wonderful time of the year but in a club GAA sense, quarter final weekend in the Tipperary hurling championships is just that.

This Saturday and Sunday sees sixteen knockout games in the four grades from senior to junior ‘A’, as well as two senior relegation semi-finals thrown in for good measure.

On top of that, there are four quarter finals in the senior camogie championship in what is a bumper two days of action.

In terms of senior hurling, the first target for all teams is to get to FBD Semple Stadium for quarter final weekend as such is the competitiveness of the competition, it is an achievement in itself.

It was further highlighted by the fact at in the three preliminary quarter finals played last weekend, none of the three divisional champions (Kiladangan, JK Brackens or Clonoulty/Rossmore) managed to progress, indicating that momentum from a positive group campaign outweighs the fallback of guaranteed knockout spot as a divisional winner.

Saturday’s quarter final bill looks to be the most mouth-watering with two up and coming teams Holycross/Ballycahill and Cashel King Cormacs getting things underway at 2.30pm, followed at 4.30pm by the marque last eight clash between holders Loughmore/Castleiney and Toomevara in a repeat of last years county final.

Sunday’s quarter finals sees Mid rivals Moycarkey/Borris and Drom & Inch face off at 2.00pm, followed by another all-divisional match-up at 4.00pm as North foes Nenagh Eire Og and Kilruane MacDonaghs come face to face for the second time in the championship with Kilruane having emerged winners in their North quarter final in July.

Match previews on page 75.