Tipperary GAA Scene
By PRO Joe Bracken
SENIOR HURLING
So after a very entertaining Allianz Hurling League, the Tipperary senior hurlers are now just seventy odd minutes away from hopefully lifting the League title for the first time since 2008 following their 5-18 to 1-19 defeat of Wexford in the Semi-Final in Nowlan Park last Sunday, before an attendance of 19,095.
While always in control, Tipp were made to work hard for this win and clicked into a higher gear coming down the home straight to seal a deserved victory. Alas, though that victory has come with a cost as ace sharp shooter Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) picked up a broken thumb for his efforts in a match where Tipperary were only awarded three frees. Best wishes to Seamie for a speedy recovery.
Congratulations to the team on their win and to John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) (pictured right) on receiving the Allianz Man of the Match award. John together with brother Noel scored 2-2 apiece of Tipp's tally with Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh) Tipp's other goal scorer adding 1-2 to his tally.
It's A versus B in a winner takes all Allianz League Final on Sunday next, April 23rd as Tipperary travel to meet Galway in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick at 3.30pm to decide the destination of this year's title.
Galway are Tipperary's greatest League rivals in respect of the number of games played against all opposition as there have been 71 previous League meetings between the counties, Tipperary winning 46 Galway 19 and 6 draws.
There have been 7 previous League meetings at Limerick where Galway won finals in 1975, 1996 and 2000 while Tipp won the deciders in 1979, 1994 and 2008. The Premier County also won a Quarter-Final replay there in March 1977.
The record attendance at a Tipp v Galway League game was 34, 544 for the final at Croke Park on April 30th 1989 with Galway winning a cracker by two points.
The first meeting took place at Tuam on 18/4/1926 with Sean Robbins (Offaly) as referee; Tipp won that one by 4-5 to 1-7.
Of the last ten league games between the sides Tipperary are ahead 7 to 1 on the head to head with 2 draws making up the balance. A quick look back at those games reveal the following results; 13/3/2016 at Pearse Stadium, Tipp 1-22 Galway 2-19, 22/2/2015 at Semple Stadium, Tipp 2-18 Galway 0-20, 16/3/2014 at Pearse Stadium, Galway 3-16 Tipp 1-19, 18/3/2013 at Pearse Stadium, Tipp 4-22 Galway 1-20, 11/3/2012 at Semple Stadium, Tipp 2-20 Galway 2-18, 3/4/2011 at Pearse Stadium, Tipp 4-23 Galway 1-14, 14/3/2010 at Semple Stadium, Tipp 2-17 Galway 0-14, 5/4/2009 at Pearse Stadium, Tipp 1-17 Galway 1-15, 20/4/2008 at Limerick, Tipp 3-18 Galway 3-16 and 9/3/2008 at Pearse Stadium, Tipp 0-16 Galway 0-16.
There have been nine previous League finals between the counties - Galway won five - 1931, 1975, 1989, 1996 & 2000. Tipp were successful in 1979, 1994, 1999 and 2008. Sunday then is Tipp's turn to balance the books and make it 5 apiece.
Outside of the League, only a point separated the sides in last year's intriguing All-Ireland Semi-Final and Sunday will be the first time since then that acquaintances will be renewed. Another humdinger is in prospect.
We send best wishes to the side and the management team as the Premier County look to make it a League double joining the successful Tipperary footballers who clinched the Division 3 title on April 8th last.
Tickets are on sale at gaa.ie and selected SuperValu and Centra stores.
MUNSTER U17 HURLING
Best wishes to the Tipperary U17 hurlers who will play Cork this Tuesday, April 18th in the Munster U17 Championship Semi-Final in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7pm.
The panel lines out as follows; 1. Conor Grace (Toomevara), 2. Darragh Flannery (Kiladangan), 3. Zach Jackson (Moycarkey-Borris), 4. Josh Ryan (St. Marys), 5. Paul Devlin (Capt.) (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill), 6. Barry McGrath (Na Sairsealaigh Óg), 7. Brendan Murphy (Cappawhite), 8. Glen Loughnane (Roscrea), 9. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), 10. Michael Nally (Holycross-Ballycahill), 11. Bryan McLoughney (Kiladangan), 12. Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara), 13. Stephen Kirwan (Burgess), 14. Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), 15. Mark Downey (Rosegreen), 16. Kevin Bracken (Na Sairsealaigh Óg), 17. John McGrath (Kiladangan), 18. Jack Connolly (Carrick Swan), 19. Eanna McBride (JK Brackens), 20. John Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla), 21. Paudie Maher (Ballingarry), 22. Sean McAdams (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 23. Tomás Vaughan (Skeheenarinky) and 24. Shane Doyle (JK Brackens).
Additional panel members are Rory Darmody (Moycarkey-Borris), John Kirwan (do), Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons), Ger O'Dwyer (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Aidan Griffin (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill), Jack Ryan (Toomevara), Michael Egan O'Brien (JK Brackens) and Eoin Morris (Holycross-Ballycahill).
The management team comprises of Trevor Hassett (Manager), Seamus Gleeson (Coach-Selector), Martin Ryan (Selector) and Declan Hickey (Selector).
The referee is Thomas Walsh (Waterford) and the winners will play Waterford in the final next Tuesday, April 25th in a Waterford venue.
MUNSTER MINOR FOOTBALL
Commiserations to the Tipperary minor football team who were defeated by Cork in the Electric Ireland Munster Quarter-Final last week with the stronger Rebel outfit winning 3-21 to 1-8. Adam McGrath (Galtee Rovers) was the Tipperary goal scorer.
Next up on April 26th in play-off 2, Tipperary will meet either Clare or Waterford at an away venue to decide who progresses to the semi-finals with Cork, Kerry and Limerick.
REFEREE
Best wishes to John O'Brien (Arravale Rovers) as he takes charge of the Round 1 Christy Ring fixture between Wicklow and London in Arklow next Sunday.
COUNTY FIXTURES
Now that Tipperary's participation in the Allianz Hurling League Final is secured, county fixtures are also confirmed. On Friday April 28th, the first matches in round 1 of the county senior and intermediate hurling championships will throw in while on Saturday and Sunday, April 29th/30th remaining round 1 fixtures plus the Seamus Ó Riain Cup hurling will take place.
For a full list of fixtures and results please check the Tipperary GAA website https://tipperary.gaa.ie/
TIPPERARY FUN RUN/WALK
The Tipperary Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board are hosting a 5k fun run/walk which is a fundraiser for both the Supporters Club and the County Camogie Board, to aid county teams in their preparation for their respective 2017 championships.
This fun run will take place at the Dome Semple Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, May 1st next with an 11am start. Entry is €10 each for adult and €5 each for U16s. Clubs are requested to sell books of tickets (10 per book) and these tickets will also cover entry to the fun run on the day. After the run an open training session for the senior hurling team will be held in Semple Stadium.
If you cannot run on the day, you can still subscribe by buying a ticket which will aid both teams on their journey hopefully towards All-Ireland glory.
CELTIC CHALLENGE
The Celtic Challenge is the only competition in hurling that has teams from all 32 counties participate in and is getting ready for action again soon. In 2016 a total of 38 teams with over 1000 players played in this national competition.
In 2017 Tipperary will be entering 2 teams in the Celtic Challenge with the county divided up into 2 regions - South West and North Mid.
To be eligible players must be under 17 (born in year 2000) and not be participating in State Examinations during May and June 2017.
This year the number of teams entering the competition has increased from 38 to 47 and the number of players participating will also increase from 1,100 to 1,400. The number of Games will increase too from 118 to 155 and finally, on the Celtic Challenge Finals Day (24th June in Dr. Cullen Park) a total of 12 teams will compete for 6 trophies.
The Group Stages which will concern both Tipperary teams are scheduled to run on the following dates, Wednesday's May 3rd, May 10th, and May 17th. Then Saturday May 27th and the final group stage on Wednesday May 31st.
The Preliminary Rounds consisting of 46 teams will take place on Saturday June 10th; the Play-Offs consisting of 24 teams on Saturday June 17th with the finals as indicated consisting of 12 teams taking place on Saturday June 24th.
BEST WISHES
We send best wishes to Gary Donnelly (Clonoulty -Rossmore) and a speedy recovery to him also, following his injury in the U21B county football semi-final last Saturday afternoon.
1887 ALL-IRELAND FINAL RE-ENACTMENT
There has been a very encouraging response to the announcement, some weeks ago, that a re-enactment of the first ever All-Ireland hurling final (1887) would take place in Thurles on Saturday, July 1st. So as to progress this project further, all those interested in being involved are invited to attend a meeting at Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre on Monday, 24 April at 8.00 p.m. The organising committee are especially interested that descendants of the players and officials would take part and ensure that this re-enactment is as true to its origin as it can be by having direct descendants of those that were involved with the first All-Ireland actually take part and play on July 1st next. For their part the Meelick (Galway) club have embraced the re-enactment and are busily organising their team in preparation.
Hereunder is a list of the Tipperary players and officials of 1887.
Club Officers: -Chairman-Hugh Ryan: Secretary–James Butler: Treasurer – Andrew Callanan.
Hurlers: -Jim Stapleton, Denis Maher (L), Ned Maher, Edward Murphy , Denis Maher (R) , Jack Maher, Martin McNamara, Matty Maher (M), Tom Burke, Con Callanan, Matty Maher (L), Pat Ryan, Tom and Andy Maher, Jim Sullivan, Jer Dwyer, Dick Butler, Tommy Carroll, Jack Dunne, Ned Lambe, Dan Davoren, Pat Leahy, Michael Carroll, Ned Flanagan, John Leamy, Stephen Purcell, Jack Bannon, Ned Bowe, John Mockler, Tommy Healy, Tom Stapleton, Tim Dwyer, Ger Ryan, Danny Ryan.
So please if you are a descendant to any of the above do come along to the Thurles Sarsfields Social Centre next Monday night to help ensure the Premier County is appropriately represented in this most unique event.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2017 MEMBERSHIP
Supporters can join on line now on tippsupportersclub.com/join by credit card or debit/laser card. Membership is €40 per person. Also on the website details are available of the direct debit facility; as the Club is run on a completely voluntary basis it would be a great help if members could join by direct debit. We are encouraging members to switch to Direct Debit payment by offering a reduced charge of €30 for all Direct Debit members in 2017. It’s easy to sign up for Direct Debit, just download the two-page form from the Tipperary Supporters Club website at http://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/ fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy at the address below.
If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order for €40 payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com ) All proceeds from membership go towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
FRIENDS OF TIPPERARY FOOTBALL
The Friends of Tipperary Football membership for €20 enters each supporter into the following draws: 2 All Ireland Final Football tickets 2017; 2 All Ireland Final Hurling tickets 2017; 2 Tickets for each Tipperary Senior Football Championship matches 2017; 2 All Ireland Club Final tickets 2017 and 2 National Football League tickets for each Tipperary League match in 2017.
Membership is also available online through the Friends website www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com and there is also a link on the Friends Facebook page.
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.
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