Tipperary GAA Scene

MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

It's all change in the Munster hurling championship this year and Sunday week, May 20th will see the first of the action for the Tipperary senior hurlers as they take the road to the Gaelic Grounds to play Limerick. That game will be the first of four on the trot as Mick Ryan's men were one of the two teams drawn to play their four rounds without a break in between.

It was 2016 in Semple Stadium that Tipperary last met Limerick in the championship and that was in the semi-final with Tipp winning 3-12 to 1-16. Semi-finals are a thing of the past for the time being as the top two after the five rounds will contest the Munster Final on July 1st.

Throw in will be at 2pm, which incidentally will be the start time for 3 of Tipperary's matches, the only game at 4pm will be against Waterford also in the Gaelic Grounds on June 3rd.

A quick recap on the Tipp fixtures is as follows; May 20th Round 1 v Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds at 2pm, May 27th Round 2 v Cork in Semple Stadium at 2pm, June 3rd Round 3 v Waterford in the Gaelic Grounds at 4pm and June 10th v Clare in Semple Stadium at 2pm.

Tickets are on sale for all matches; pre purchase price of €20 for stand tickets and €15 for terrace tickets, which is a €5 reduction on the quarter final price of last year. This price is available until midnight on the night before each game. The match day price will increase by €5, so stand tickets bought on match day will be €25 and terrace tickets will be €20. Juvenile tickets (U-16) will be €5 no matter when they are purchased. Students and OAP's will receive a concession of €5. A different arrangement will be in place for the final and the competing counties will receive a much larger allocation.

MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The waiting is almost over as the Tipperary senior footballers continue their build-up to the Munster Championship opener as they welcome Waterford to Semple Stadium on Saturday week, May 19th for their quarter-final clash which throws in at 7pm.

Tipperary travelled to Fraher Field in 2016 and came away 1-15 to 1-7 winners in the most recent championship meeting between the sides. That win started a great championship run for Liam Kearns' side culminating in an All-Ireland semi-final appearance against Mayo. While the Munster Championship is the primary aim for now the introduction of the 'super 8' series will garner much discussion no doubt further into the campaign and hopefully Tipperary will be part of that discussion.

MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

The first round in the Electric Ireland Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship will also take place on Sunday week, May 20th as Tipperary travel to play Limerick in the Gaelic Grounds where throw-in will be at 12pm. This will be the first outing under manager Tommy Dunne (Toomevara) and his management team as the minor championship format follows the senior fixtures.

U21 INTERCOUNTY HURLING TOURNAMENT

In the annual Tom O'Hara U21 Hurling Tournament in Gortnahoe on Monday evening Tipperary and Kilkenny served up a tough hard contest with Kilkenny taking the spoils 3-20 to 3-15. The Tipperary goal scorers were Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg) and Lyndon Fairbrother (JK Brackens).

Following the result of the Munster Championship quarter final also on Monday, Tipperary will play Limerick in the Munster semi-final on Thursday, June 21st in Semple Stadium at 7:30pm.

U20 INTERCOUNTY FOOTBALL

All roads lead to Lisvernane village in the Glen of Aherlow this Saturday night May 12th for the official opening by Aherlow G.A.A of their new dressing rooms and John O'Donovan Memorial pitch. The night features a very attractive inter county U20 football challenge game between Tipperary and Dublin as both counties prepare for their upcoming provincial campaigns. Throw in time in Lisvernane is 7pm and all are welcome.

CLUB FIXTURES

Three divisional intermediate hurling finals were held over the weekend; Drom & Inch claimed the Roadstone Mid title as a result of their victory over Thurles Sarsfields 0-13 to 0-9. In the North division Borrisokane defeated Ballinahinch 4-15 to 1-15, while in the Tipperary Credit Union West final Sean Treacys needed extra time to see off Cashel King Cormacs 0-27 to 1-18.

There is one fixture down for decision in the Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Championship next weekend as Thurles Sarsfields and Cappawhite meet in Dundrum on Saturday evening, May 12th at 7pm. The Tipperary Water County Hurling and Football Leagues also spring back into action with fixtures throughout the county.

To keep up to date with all fixtures and results please check http://people.gaa.ie/club/tipperary/

CELTIC CHALLENGE

South Tipperary opened their Celtic Challenge campaign in St. Molleran's, Carrick On Suir last Wednesday where they defeated Waterford on a score line of 1-20 to 1-10. The South Tipperary goal was scored by Jack Murphy of Carrick Swan whereas the Best and Fairest award went to David Fox of Éire Óg Annacarty- Donohill.

South Tipperary's next game is away to Kilkenny this Wednesday 9th May at 7.30pm in the MW Hire Training centre, Dunmore.

LADIES FOOTBALL

Congratulations to the Tipperary ladies football team who won the LIDL National League Division 2 Final in Parnell Park last Sunday defeating Cavan 0-21 to 3-11.

CAMOGIE

The Tipperary Senior camogie team are through to the Munster Final following their win over Limerick on a score line of Tipperary 1-24 Limerick 1-13. Congratulations to the camogie team and best wishes in the final.

REFEREE

Well done to Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch) as he took charge of the Bord Gais Energy Munster Hurling Under 21 Championship quarter-final between Limerick and Clare on Monday.

NEW TIPPERARY CLUBS DRAW

The new Tipperary GAA Club Draw has been launched with clubs and promoters renewing membership and encouraging all members to promote the draw and try to get other supporters to join. The first draw for the new season is now postponed as requested by clubs until Friday, May 25th. This will give clubs a chance to sell as many memberships as possible in advance of the new draw. First prize will be a Skoda Karoq or €25,000 and second prize is a Renault Megane or €15,000.


 

TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC

The Tipperary Supporters Club 33rd Annual Golf Classic is being held this year at Tipperary Golf Club on Friday 18th May.

The Supporters Club ask for your support for this our Annual Golf Classic and are very appreciative of all the generosity over the years and hope supporters will be in a position to enter a team this year. This is one of our major fund raising events and Tipperary Supporters Club want to continue to support our Management Team in their quest to win Munster and All Ireland titles. All funds will be used to defray costs for looking after the team preparation for this year’s Championship. Alternatively you may wish to sponsor a Tee or Green.

For further details and team entry please email johntierney105@gmail.com or post to John Tierney, Chairman, Tipperary Supporters Club at 105 Laraghcon, Lucan Village, Co. Dublin’’. (Tel 087 6821398). Note: to be eligible for the main prizes, all team members must have GUI handicaps).

FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC

The Friends of Tipperary hold their annual Golf Classic in Thurles Golf Club this Friday and Saturday May 11th/12th. Preparations are at the ready for this yearly classic as the Friends will endeavour with the continued and generous support of participants in the Golf Classic to help defray costs in team preparation to help our players and management achieve their on field ambitions.

The Friends are asking for support of this fundraiser by registering a team of 4 players for €120 or by sponsoring a tee box on the day for €50. All support is most welcome and very much appreciated.

Those wishing to take part can do so by contacting either Michael Power (Chairman Friends of Tipperary Football) 086 3789323, Trish Gavin (Secretary) 087 6150552 tg5616@hotmail.com and Martin Dwyer 086 2549154 or any committee member.

TIPPERARY FUN RUN/WALK

Once again there was an excellent response to the Tipperary Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board 5k fun run/walk which took place on Monday last. With fantastic weather the run/walk was led by players and management from the county senior hurling and camogie teams. An open Tipperary senior hurling training session then followed in Semple Stadium.

POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Congratulations to Nenagh CBS on winning the county post primary schools Croke Cup (15 A H) Final, following their defeat of Thurles CBS 0-16 to 0-11 on Wednesday last in Dolla.

SYMPATHY

We extend our deepest sympathy to the wife and family of the late Noel Russell (Carrick Swan) who passed away last week.

As a hurler Noel won numerous medals with Carrick Swan but was perhaps better known as a coach or mentor. He was with the Tipperary minor hurlers when they won the Munster championship in 1999 and again in 2006 when they won the All-Ireland final, he also served in 1998, 2000 and 2005.

Noel was also county U21 hurling selector in 2008 when Tipperary won the Munster championship, and he retired from inter-county duty after the 2009 championship.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The County Health and Wellbeing Committee would also like to encourage GAA clubs to becoming involved in the 2018 Pieta House Darkness into Light campaign which commences in the small hours of May 12th and finishes as the sun is rising.

To find your nearest venue and for registration details check https://dil.pieta.ie/event-information/venues

FÉILE CLASSICAL

Due to the fantastic reaction to the news that Semple Stadium will play host to Féile Classical, on Saturday 22nd September, which sold out in minutes of tickets going on sale, a second date Friday 21st was added to meet demand. Tickets are still available for this night and can be bought through www.ticketmaster.ie and usual outlets. Tom Dunne is curator and host of Féile Classical. All details can be found on feileclassical.ie as the iconic venue welcomes back the Trip to Tipp.

TIPPERARY GAA SCENE

Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please e-mail at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3.00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at http://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles