Tipperary GAA Scene
By PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER U21 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
With the Premier County out of the hurling limelight these past few weeks, the Tipperary U21 panel are the first of the county sides into action in June/July as they travel to play Limerick in the Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 21 Hurling Championship Quarter-Final in the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick this Thursday evening June 22nd at 7:30pm.
Tipperary and Limerick in U21 history have met on 34 occasions with Tipperary ahead on 21 wins to Limerick's 8 and there have been 5 draws. It's the third year in a row that Tipperary and Limerick meet and when both counties met in the semi-final last year, Limerick were reigning All-Ireland champions but that mattered little to William Maher's side as they saw off the Treaty men by two points to progress to the final. The Tipp goals coming on the night from Andrew Coffey (Nenagh Éire Óg) and Ronan Teehan (Gortnahoe-Glengoole) both players who will be sure to have an impact again this week as they are joined by nine other players from last year's match day panel that were named in the provisional squad announced last week. Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Brian Hogan (Lorrha-Dorrha), Billy McCarthy (Thurles Sarsfields), Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers), Tommy Nolan (Drom & Inch), Jack Derby (Thurles Sarsfields), Willie Connors (Kiladangan), Jack Skehan (Holycross-Ballycahill) and Pa Ryan (Newport) being the other players all vying for a starting position this week.
Coupled with that William Maher has wasted no time in drafting in nine of last year's successful All-Ireland winning minors to his squad in what is a hugely positive endorsement of their credentials. Ciaran Barrett (Clonmel Óg), Michael Whelan (Carrick Davins), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Brian McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), Ger Browne (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Lyndon Fairbrother (JK Brackens), Dylan Walsh (Ballingarry) and Riain Doody (Cappawhite) all bring valuable experience with them and will be sure to make competition for places all the more intense.
Furthermore, Andrew Coffey, Brian Hogan, Stephen Quirke and Billy McCarthy have been involved at different stages in the Tipperary senior set up and will have gained useful knowledge, while Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch) and Willie Connors have tasted action at the highest level through their involvement with the Tipperary senior footballers and they bring that experience to the camp as well.
Five of the panel have been involved for the past three years, Brian Hogan, Andrew Coffey, Billy McCarthy, Paul Maher and Willie Connors and these men will be eager for a victory as they look to commence their final year in the grade on a successful note.
Limerick are once again tipped by many observers as the team to beat this year and will go into the match as hot favourites. That leaves Tipp in a favourable position with freedom to express themselves as only they know best.
We send best wishes to the team and their management of William Maher (Ballingarry), John Devane (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Liam O'Shea (Kilruane MacDonaghs) and Eamon Buckley (Drom & Inch) as they prepare for the clash with Limerick.
The referee will be Colm Lyons (Cork) and the winners will have a home semi-final fixture against Clare on July 12th.
MUNSTER MINOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Tipperary will play Cork in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final in Semple Stadium on Thursday week June 29th at 7:30pm. The referee will be Rory McGann (Clare).
The winners will play either Clare or Limerick in the Munster Final on Sunday July 9th.
SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
All ears will be tuned into Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1 next Monday morning as the hurling qualifier draw takes place. Tipperary will be in Pot 2 along with Waterford, Limerick and either Laois/Carlow. In Pot 1, four Leinster teams Kilkenny, Dublin, Offaly and Westmeath will form the opposition for the Pot 2 teams. With July 1st racing down the tracks after the draw, management teams will have little time to prepare for their impending opposition.
SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The next match for the Tipperary senior footballers will be against a Round 1B winner on July 8th in Round 2 B of the football qualifiers.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Derek O'Mahoney (Ardfinnan) as he takes charge of the Round 1B football qualifier on Sunday evening next June 25th between Offaly and Cavan in O'Connor Park, Tullamore.
Well done also to Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch) as he was in charge of the Munster U25 final between Waterford and Limerick on Sunday last.
CELTIC CHALLENGE
Congratulations to South Tipperary who have qualified for the Division 1 (Corn Michael Hogan) final of this year's Celtic Challenge competition. In last Thursday's semi-final game in the WIT sports arena at Carriganore they overcame Kilkenny Black on a score line of 1-18 to 1-15 following a performance that was somewhat sluggish in the first half but very determined in the second.
South Tipperary's goal was scored by Martin Keogh (Mullinahone) and Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) received the Best and Fairest award for South Tipperary.
Best wishes therefore to South Tipperary and their management team as they prepare to play Galway Maroon in the final in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow this Saturday June 24th.
Further details about the team including their campaign to date and live updates during Saturday's final are available on the team's Twitter page at @ccsouthtipp
It was not as favourable a result for Mid/North Tipperary as they exited the Corn John Scott Division 2 in their semi-final losing out to North Cork 3-12 to 1-16. Gearoid O'Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy) scored the goal for Mid/North Tipp while Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara) took home the award for Best and Fairest.
COUNTY FIXTURES
After the weekend action in the Tipperary Water County Football Championships three group winners - Killenaule, Moyle Rovers and Clonmel Commercials are through to the county quarter-finals. Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Aherlow Gaels and Ballyporeen all reach the quarter-finals as being second placed in their respective groups. Group 3 has yet to be decided with Loughmore-Castleiney and Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill still to play each other to determine who will progress as group winners and runner up.
In the games played last weekend in Group 1 Kilsheelan-Kilcash defeated Drom-Inch 2-8 to 0-8 and Killenaule had a goal to spare over JK Brackens winning 1-13 to 0-13.
In Group 2 Moyle Rovers had the measure of Fethard 0-13 to 0-8 while Aherlow Gaels were 4-11 to 1-10 winners over Arravale Rovers
Group 3 as indicated has yet to confirm its 1 and 2 placings, but that didn't deter county champions Loughmore-Castleiney who scored 3-19 to Ardfinnan's 2-5 to secure their last eight position. Likewise for Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill who accounted for Galtee Rovers/St Pecaun on a score line of 0-14 to 0-8.
In Group 4 Clonmel Commercials saw off the challenge of Upperchurch-Drombane 3-17 to 1-6 while Ballyporeen also had a goal to spare over Cahir as they won 1-14 to 0-14.
One game in Tipperary Water County Intermediate Hurling Championship in Round 2 saw Thurles Sarsfields defeat Golden-Kilfeacle 0-16 to 1-11.
This weekend is very busy with Round 4 of the Tipperary Water Hurling Leagues taking place from Friday to Sunday.
For a full list of fixtures and results please check the Tipperary GAA website https://tipperary.gaa.ie/ or the fixtures section in your local newspaper.
TEAM TIPPERARAY GAA RACE DAY
Next up on the fundraising agenda is the Team Tipperary GAA Race Day at the Galway Races on Monday, July 31st next. This is our third Galway Races venture continuing very successful opening days in 2015 and 2016. The Galway Races Summer Festival is renowned as a premier and most colourful racing festival. While it is a major sporting event, it also appeals to a much wider audience than just the racing fans. With the Killanin Stand Suites, there is something for everyone whether you are entertaining family, friends or business clients. This is the ideal format for mixing business with pleasure, whilst surrounded by the atmosphere and excitement that is the Galway Races.
If you or anyone you know is interested in racing, or just a good day out and who might take a seat or two or a table, please contact Tim Floyd, County Secretary, 087 2591747 secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie for bookings and further details.
By contributing to this wonderful day out you are providing invaluable support for Team Tipperary. Tipperary Co. Board is very fortunate to have a big pool of people who are willing to invest in the future of Tipperary GAA and support it so selflessly. It is an honour for Co. Board officers to carry out this work on behalf of these people and we together with our patrons are totally committed to the success of Tipperary GAA and our teams.
If you would like to be part of it, talk to us, we’d be honoured if you'd share the journey with us.
CHRISTY RING CUP
Congratulations to Colm Bonnar formerly of Cashel King Cormacs and Tipperary fame as he managed Carlow to victory in the Christy Ring Cup recently.
Of more immediate interest will be his side's clash with Laois this weekend to see who will make it into the pot for the hurling qualifier draw on Monday morning. Laois of course are managed by Kiladangan native Éamonn Kelly.
LOYALTY CARD
Tipperary GAA has recently launched a loyalty CashBack Card which as a Tipperary supporter each individual that registers is doing their small bit in support of the county cause. Loyalty cards were sent out with club draw receipts to all members and as there is no charge in registering you can opt in immediately. If anyone who doesn't have a loyalty card and flyer please call to Lár na Páirce to pick up one. Register as per details on the CashBack flyer. To activate the card, holders must complete the registration and then please email, post or drop off your registration details to Lar na Páirce, Slievenamon Road, Thurles or secretary.tipperary@gaa.ie
1887 ALL-IRELAND FINAL RE-ENACTMENT
Saturday week, July 1st will see a re-enactment of the first ever All-Ireland hurling final (1887) where Tipperary represented by a Thurles selection and Galway represented by Meelick met on that historic occasion. The local organising committee have worked hard ensuring that descendants of the players and officials of that momentous day were contacted and encouraged to take part in the re-enactment to ensure that is as true to its origin as it can be. Further details on http://thurlessportsfest.com/
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 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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