A Year of Achievement and Progress

By Shane Brophy

“The year 2025 will be remembered as one of the most significant in the recent history of Tipperary GAA,” says CEO Murtagh Brennan in his third report to County GAA Convention which takes place in Thurles next Sunday.

In a comprehensive overview of a busy years activities on and off the field, the Loughmore/Castleiney clubman added it was “a year defined by exceptional achievement, meaningful progress and deep sorrow,” the latter referring to the sudden death of Tipperary senior football manager Philly Ryan on October 18th last, describing his loss “as immeasurable” and sympathising with his family, he added: “Philly’s dedication, integrity and service to Tipperary GAA will forever be remembered with immense gratitude.”

Reflecting on Tipperary’s remarkable run to their 29th All-Ireland senior hurling title in July, he said the season as a whole “stands as a testament to the belief, development, and renewed ambition within Tipperary hurling,” highlighting the semi-final win over Kilkenny as being key for the mental resilience shown, which was developed throughout the campaign.

He said the success of the under 20 hurlers in winning the All-Ireland title, the under 17 footballers winning the Daryl Darcy Cup, improvement in underage football as a whole, plus the Harty and Croke Cup wins for Thurles CBS further validate “our player pathway structures and investment in our underage.”

Investment leads nicely on to off field matters which Brennan described as an “unprecedented success,” referring to the Win a House Draw, the increase in membership to the GAA Clubs Draw, the new weekly 50/50 Draw, as well as the Quid Games fundraiser which took place last Saturday night.

Finance was one of the three “critical” areas targeted over the past year, along with Infrastructure and Future Strategy.

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