Canice Ryan of Sean Treacys - winner of Recitation in the Munster Final of Scor na nOg

Tipperary GAA Scene


by PRO Joe Bracken

ALLIANZ HURLING & FOOTBALL LEAGUES

"To begin again" were the words spoken by the character Columba in the play 'The Enemy Within' by Irish playwright Brian Friel, and that is what our county teams will commence this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, our senior hurlers and footballers will usher in their respective Allianz league campaign where they will once more 'begin again' a new season of action which will keep our minds and hearts occupied as we awake from the slumber of inter-county fare.

Starting with the Allianz hurling league division 1A fixture in Semple Stadium on Saturday night at 7pm, Tipperary will play Clare in the first of 5 league rounds, 2 home and 3 away.

Tipperary hold a significant advantage in terms of league success between the sides with 40 wins of out 56 games played, while Clare have 13 wins and there have been 3 draws.

The last 10 meetings (all group games unless stated) start with the reverse fixture last year, which incidentally was also the first league game for both sides on 28/1/2018 in Ennis, as the home side edged out the Premier County on a score line of Clare 1-21 Tipp 0-19; 5/3/2017 in Thurles, Tipp 0-28 Clare 0-21; 2/4/2016 Ennis, Clare 2-13 Tipp 0-18 (quarter-final), 8/3/2015 Ennis, Tipp 2-19 Clare 0-20; 20/4/2014 Limerick, Tipp 2-24 Clare 2-17 (semi-final); 9/3/2014 Thurles Clare 4-15 Tipp 0-20; 31/3/2013 Thurles Tipp 3-19 Clare 1-14; 1/3/2009 Thurles Tipp 0-23 Clare 0-16; 16/3/2008 Ennis Clare 0-17 Tipp 0-14 and finally 10/4/2005 in Thurles, Clare 1-16 Tipp 0-15 which was Clare's first win over Tipp at Thurles in the league.

The referee on Saturday night will be Colm Lyons (Cork).

Then on Sunday next, January 27th, the Tipperary footballers travel to Páirc Tailteann, Navan to play Meath in their Allianz football league division 2 fixture where throw in will be at 2pm

Last year in Semple Stadium, the chill in the air was warmed by the solid display of the Tipperary footballers as they secured a 2-15 to 1-10 victory over Meath with the Tipp goals coming from Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials) and Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)

Niall Cullen (Fermanagh) will referee this fixture.

We send best wishes to each panel and their management teams and hopefully both will get off to very positive starts this weekend.

Tickets for these matches are on sale at GAA.ie, selected SuperValu and Centra stores and usual outlets - adults €20 and U16's go free. Buy before match day and get adult tickets for €15.

TIPPERARY SENIOR HURLERS FUNDRAISING EVENT

The current Tipperary hurling panel, supported by past players, took on one of their most important challenges when they embarked on a major fundraiser in aid of the ‘Running for Josie’ project and Amanda Stapleton Benefit Fund, on Saturday December 22nd last.

At four venues throughout the county, in Nenagh, Thurles, Cashel and Clonmel, players gave dedicated training sessions in each venue to U-12 players from clubs across the divisions. In tandem, other players working in relays, cycled the equivalent distance from Malin Head to Mizen Head on exercise bikes in the town centres.

At half time in Saturday night's league match the proceeds from these fundraising events will be made to Paddy Stapleton and Seamus Hennessy on behalf of their respected causes by Tipperary players Brendan Maher and Niall O'Meara. Brendan will present half of the proceeds raised to Paddy while Niall will present the other half to Seamus, all in the company of juvenile members from both clubs, Kilruane MacDonaghs and Borris-Ileigh.

Congratulations to the senior players on this wonderful initiative and to all who supported them in the events.

REFEREE

Best wishes to our referees on inter-county duty this weekend. Derek O'Mahoney (Ardfinnan) will take charge of the Allianz Football League Roinn 1 fixture between Galway and Cavan, while Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) will preside over the Allianz Hurling League Roinn 1 tie between Wexford and Limerick.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS

Tipp FM will transmit the draws for the Tipperary Water Co. Senior and Intermediate hurling and football championships from Thurles Sarsfields Centre on next Monday night January 28th.

The draws will go out live on Tipp FM's 'Extra Time' programme between 7pm and 8pm and representatives from all the participating clubs are welcome to attend.

POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS

At the second time of asking Thurles CBS made no mistake as they progressed to the Dr. Harty Cup U19 A semi-finals following a 0-16 to 0-11 victory over John the Baptist Community School, Hospital in the quarter-final replay last Saturday in Dundrum. Without reaching the intensity or perhaps the excitement of the drawn match, it was still a dogged affair with no quarter asked or given.

It'll be a quick turnaround for Thurles as they play Christian Brothers College, Cork in the semi-final in Mallow this Saturday, January 26th at 2:30pm

Also on Saturday in Corn Thomais Mhic Choilm 19 B hurling semi-final Cashel C.S. will play Árdscoil Uí Urmaltaigh Bandon at 12:30pm

Then on Monday next, January 28th in the Corn Risteard Ui Mhathuna 19 C hurling semi-final, Borrisokane C.C. will take on Coláiste An Phiarsaigh Glanmire.

Best wishes to the three Tipperary schools this weekend.

GAELTACHT SCHOLARSHIPS

The following will be the procedure for obtaining a Gaeltacht Scholarship from Coiste Chontae Thiobraid Árann in 2019.

· The scholarships are confined to 2nd Year, TY and 5th Year Students in 2019 and previous recipients of Tipperary GAA Gaeltacht scholarships cannot apply in 2019.
· Students should immediately book a course directly from one of the three nominated Munster Irish Colleges on the application Form. This should be done ASAP as popular dates are booked out quickly.
· Students wishing to secure a scholarship from Tipperary GAA should complete the attached application form and submit it through their own local GAA Club.
· The secretary of the GAA Club must sign the form and attach a reference letter supporting the applicant's application before returning it to the Co Rúnaí. Please note the club recommending the successful applicant will be contributing €75 to the scholarship along with the Division, Co Board and Munster Council.
· Interviews for the scholarships will be held in Lár na Páirce during February to establish each candidate's suitability.
· Once the student is notified that they have been successful they must secure a receipt for their fee payment from the Irish College where they have registered.
· Once this receipt is received by the Co Rúnaí the scholarship cheque for €300 will be posted out directly to the student's home.

The closing date for the receipt of Gaeltacht Scholarship applications is Friday, February 8th, 2019.

CRAOBH NA MUMHAN - MUNSTER FINAL SCÓR NA nÓG

Tipperary secured two Munster titles in the Community Centre, Cappoquinn, Co.Waterford which was the venue for the Munster Final of Scór na nÓg on Sunday afternoon last. Joseph Boyle from Borrisoleigh was the wonderful deisbhéalach agus eloquent fear an tí for the evening and was very much complimented for his role. His was definitely a demanding task as competitors from all 6 Munster counties participated in the event. Those present assuredly had a great evening’s entertainment as had those who represented in all disciplines. Tributes must be paid to all competitors, families, mentors and supporters for their loyalty and support on the day.

Success came Tipperary's way firstly in the Rince Foirne competition when the young ladies from Newcastle were champions in the Rince Foirne category. Putting their best foot forward yet again they did their dance teacher Kathy McGrath and all Tipperary folk present proud. Going forward to represent Tipperary also in Castlebar will be Canice Ryan - Seán Treacy’s. His rendition of 'Walter the Ass' was clever, funny and well-articulated and was excellently received by the audience. Well done Canice, go néirí go geal leat i gCraobh na hÉireannn.

Cork and Kerry took the honours in the other competitions and while congratulating the winners we truly commend the excellent performances from Portroe in the Ballad Group, Newcastle in Rince Seite, Killea in Ceol Uirlise, JK Brackens in the Léiriú and Caoimhe Ní Chradóg Holycross-Ballycahill in Amhránaíocht Aonair.

The All-Ireland of Scór na nÓg will take place in Castlebar on Saturday, February 16th next. We wish Canice, Newcastle’s Rince Foirne and Loughmore-Castleiney Tráth na gCeist all the best sa Chraobh Uile Éireann.

Míle buíochas arís to all our loyal supporters.

Congratulations to all those participating in the Jubilee Concert which takes place on Saturday night in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm. Ádh mhór oraibh.

The following are the proposed dates for county finals; Scór Sinsear on February 23rd and Scór na bPáistí on March 31st.

TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB

Best wishes to Terry O'Neill who takes over as chairman of Tipperary Supporters Club and also to Billy Coman who comes in as new secretary. At the same juncture we thank and acknowledge the fantastic contribution of John Tierney who vacates the chairman's seat after ten wonderful years at the helm and also Eamonn Buckley who served three years as secretary. Both will remain on the supporters club committee.

To join the Tipperary Supporters Club please do so at www.tippsupportersclub.com or by calling Jim Reidy, Membership Officer on 086 3580718.

The membership pack includes the following benefits:

A specially-designed Tipperary Supporters Club pen with stylus for use on touch-screen devices
All members are entered into a prize draw for championship match tickets for all Tipperary Senior games.
2019 Car Sticker
Text alerts for all League and Championship team news
Regular news to your email about all the latest in Tipperary GAA circles

FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL

Membership for the Friends of Tipperary Football for 2019 is now available and costs only €20. There are some great prizes to be won throughout the year by becoming a member.

The Friends are a fantastic group that help with the development of Tipperary Football. To join please go to www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com

HANDBALL

The county juvenile 40 x 20 Finals were hosted by Cashel on Sunday last and many thanks to all who helped out in running those finals. Trials will continue shortly to pick our county reps for the Munster championship quarter-finals against Limerick in 2 weeks' time. Best of luck to all going forward to represent the county.

Tipperary handball county secretary Ken Conway is a candidate in the upcoming President Elect on Sunday 3rd February which will be decided at congress by the county delegates from each province.

Elsewhere, PRO Paddy Collins is nominated for the All Star Awards Clubman of the Year Award and this is decided by a public vote. You can cast your vote by going on the GAA Handball website
https://www.gaahandball.ie/news/all-star-finalists-announced-1