Tipperary GAA Scene
by PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
The mystique and tradition of hurling is so ingrained in the mind and soul, that it is part of our DNA. Decades of relentless beauty and grace when hurling giants collide, have created an entity of splendour to rival any contender. Put simply, there is only one beautiful game. And within that splendour, the Munster Championship stands tall as a shining pillar of light; its rays reaching out to transfix adoring devotees.
Sunday last was no different, as a beacon of hope shone brightest for the Premier County when twenty Tipperary hurlers and as many more in waiting, positively came through a spotlight of scrutiny in answering the first of this year's championship interrogations.
Tipperary 2-28 Cork 1-24 was the final score in this Munster Championship Rd. 1 clash in what was a thriller from start to finish. Before an attendance of 30,274, the Tipperary spirit shimmered and danced on the field and in the stands, where a refreshing bounce in the step sent all home happy. It was only one day's work accomplished, but happy the grafters, nonetheless.
The Tipperary goals came courtesy of Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) and John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney). Tipp one could assume had a few players in contention for Man of the Match and in the end, the nod went to John O'Dwyer (Killenaule) after his superb shift where he fired over 0-7 from play. Congratulations to John, pictured left collecting his award from Bernard Lynch, representing Centra.
Congratulations also to Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs) and Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) on making their championship debuts when introduced in the second half.
Sunday's result was the first time Tipp raised 28 white flags against Cork in the championship and beats the 26 in 2017. It was also the first time Tipp got thirty scores against Cork in the championship.
With calm now restored the attention this weekend will focus on Semple Stadium when Tipperary and Waterford meet at 2pm in Round 2 of the Munster Championship.
The Déise men, at home last weekend, had a narrow loss to Clare and will relish the prospect of coming to Thurles to test this Tipp team so caution on all fronts is best advised.
Tipperary and Waterford have met on forty-four occasions in championship hurling. Tipperary have won 32 games, Waterford 10 and there were two draws. Tipperary also received walk overs in 1889, 1895 and 1922. Last year's draw in Limerick was the first between the counties in a championship game since 1933.
The last ten meetings are as follows;
4/6/2006 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Munster semi-final, Tipperary 3-14 Waterford 1-12; 23/7/2006, at Croke Park, All-Ireland quarter-final, Waterford 1-22 Tipperary 3-13; 17/8/2008, at Croke Park, All-Ireland semi-final, Waterford 1-20 Tipperary 1-18; 12/7/2009, at Semple Stadium, Munster final, Tipperary 4-14 Waterford 2-16; 15/8/2010, at Croke Park, All-Ireland semi-final, Tipperary 3-19 Waterford 1-18; 10/7/2011, at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Munster final, Tipperary 7-19 Waterford 0-19; 15/7/2012 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Munster final, Tipperary 2-17 Waterford 0-16; 12/7/2015, at Semple Stadium, Munster final, Tipperary 0-21 Waterford 0-16; 10/7/2016, at The Gaelic Grounds, Munster final, Tipperary 5-19 Waterford 0-13 and last year 3/6/2018, at The Gaelic Grounds, Munster Round 3, Tipperary 2-22 Waterford 2-22.
We send best wishes to the team and management on Sunday and again look for a huge Tipp support to get behind the side in this the team’s first home fixture of the championship. Having the stands full of Tipp support will be of huge benefit to the lads as they strive to build momentum, the call is out for the Tipp faithful to please respond in terrific numbers.
The referee will be John Keenan (Wicklow).
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
In the Munster Senior Football Championship, it was a result akin to being stung by a wasp, no one saw it coming yet it happened all the same. Shocks are part and parcel of sport and therein lies the fine line between winning and losing. Great when you cause one and difficult to come to terms with when you receive one.
In Semple Stadium last Saturday, Limerick knocked Tipperary out of the Munster Championship on a 3-11 to 1-10 score-line with the Tipp goal coming from Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials). It’s at difficult times like this that supporters need to remain loyal. The team and management are a fully committed bunch and will need all the support and respect they can get in the weeks ahead, that is the minimum they deserve as they look to get the wagons back on the rails for the journey ahead. That journey for Tipp is Round 1 of the qualifiers on Saturday, June 8th.
Unfortunately, not the ideal start to championship action for debutants, however, congratulations to Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) who made his full debut, while Dáire Brennan (do) and Dan O’Meara (Kiladangan) were both introduced in the second half.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
It was not the start the Tipperary minor hurling team had hoped for either as a fancied Cork unit took the honours in Round 1 of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship by 2-27 to 1-18. Darragh Stakelum (Durlas Óg) was the Tipp goal scorer while Jack Leamy (Golden-Kilfeacle) ended Tipp’s top scorer with eight points.
A home fixture against Waterford on Sunday next at 12noon, will provide the perfect opportunity for the team to get the defeat out of their system as they go in search of their first win. It should prove to be a most interesting affair as Waterford too, having suffered a loss to Clare last Sunday, will travel to Thurles with the same optimism in mind.
Best wishes to the team and management and again we ask supporters to come into the stands early to cheer on the team. The referee will be Nathan Wall (Cork).
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Commiserations to the Tipperary minor football panel and management as they exited the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship following their 3-12 to 0-6 Phase 1 Final loss to Clare for the Darrel Darcy Cup. Meeting Clare for the second time in Phase 1, it was the Banner side which kicked on most from the last encounter to secure victory.
We wish to thank all the players and management for their dedication and determined effort in this campaign.
REFEREES
Best wishes to our referees on duty this weekend where Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch) is first to take to the field of play when he takes charge of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship match between Limerick and Cork on Sunday in LIT Gaelic Grounds. Later in the afternoon in Parnell Park, Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) is in the middle when Dublin and Wexford meet in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.
CAMOGIE
Camogie in Tipperary is going from strength to strength with both the senior and intermediate teams through to their respective Munster finals. Congratulations to the senior team who defeated Waterford 2-23 to 1-8 last weekend to reach the final where they will play Cork on May 25th. Cáit Devane (Clonoulty-Rossmore) with 1-10 and Niamh Treacy (Drom & Inch) with 1-1 were the Tipp goal scorers.
Best wishes to the intermediate team who take on Cork in the Munster Final this Saturday in Kilmallock where throw-in is at 7:15pm and the call is out for supporters to rally behind the team on the night.
LADIES GAELIC FOOTBALL
Congratulations to the Tipperary Intermediate Ladies Gaelic football team following their 10-22 to 0-4 Round 1 defeat of Limerick in the Munster Football Championship last Saturday.
Aishling Moloney (Cahir) was in devasting form scoring a massive 4-13 (4-9 from play) of her sides total.
CLUB FIXTURES
The action this weekend focuses on the Tipperary Water County Football Leagues. For results of all games and forthcoming fixtures please check https://tipperary.gaa.ie/fixtures-results/
TIPPERARY GAA CLUB DRAW
The new Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw which commenced last Friday night was a great success with draw memberships remaining over 16,000.
Once again thanks to all our clubs, co-ordinators and promoters for their outstanding work in making this happen in this the 32nd year of the draw.
Congratulations to all the winners from the draw in Finn's Bar, Borrisoleigh. First prize of either a Skoda Karoq or Renault Kadjar or €25k went to Marie Walsh with Cahir CAA the promoting club. Second prize of a Renault Clio or Skoda Fabia or €15k went to Joanne Nolan with the promoting club being Templederry Kenyons.
The draw committee would like to remind clubs that there are still 10 months remaining at €10 per month so clubs can still earn the same commission of €50 for every €100 collected or more if the 60% or 70% Bonus Commission applies.
The members who participated in last Friday nights draw have the benefit of a free month in March 2020. New members who join now can still pay €100 to be included in that last draw in March 2020. So, clubs can regard these few weeks as an additional opportunity to increase their membership which time constraints perhaps did not allow you do ahead of last Friday nights draw.
As an encouragement for clubs to increase their membership this month the draw committee are extending the 20/20 OFFER of 20 FREE Munster Championship tickets for any club that still increases its membership by 20 members on your March 2019 returns. The 20 tickets will apply for Tipperary's Munster Championship Round 5 game against Limerick in Semple Stadium on Sunday June 16th.
Three clubs achieved the 20-member increase for last Friday nights first draw, so it's not too late for your club to join them and get the 20 free tickets. Best of luck in your efforts.
CELTIC CHALLENGE
In the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge, Tipperary Gold (West and South Tipperary) defeated Kilkenny Black in Dunmore, Kilkenny on Wednesday 8th May on a score line of Tipperary Gold 1-15 Kilkenny Black 1-11. Their next game is against Kilkenny Amber in Cashel this Wednesday 15th May at 7:30pm.
On the same night in Group A, Tipperary Blue will play Clare Saffrons in Ogonnelloe also at 7:30pm. Best of luck to both teams.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB GOLF CLASSIC
The Tipperary Supporters Club Annual Golf Classic will take place in Nenagh Golf Club this Friday 17th May and we send best wishes to the Supporters Club and all taking part in the event.
The Supporters Club are very appreciative of all the generosity over the years as this is one of their major fund-raising events.
SYMPATHY
We express sympathy to the family of the late Fr. Abe Kennedy RIP and recently interred in Fethard. As a member of Fethard GAA club, Fr. Abe played senior football with Tipperary between 1979 and 1983.