Tipperary GAA Scene
PRO Joe Bracken
MUNSTER SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
The near empty stadium of Páirce Uí Chaoimh reverberated with sounds of absolute ecstasy as twenty six Tipperary players and their management team greeted the sound of the final whistle when Tipperary claimed their first Munster Senior Football title since 1935.
On the hugely significant and milestone weekend of Bloody Sunday in the GAA calendar, Tipperary donned the green and white jersey in memory of the 1920 team to take their 10th Munster title after a 0-17 to 0-14 victory over Cork which was the ultimate provincial reward that Tipperary football has been crying out for. Now that it has arrived, the magnitude of its arrival cannot be under estimated or the manner of its creation either.
While we read in the build-up to the weekend of stars aligning and how fate would play its part, it was without doubt the players own faith in their ability, faith in each other and above all else a combined faith and belief with their management team that together they could achieve this magnificent result, a result which embodies all that is special about this tight knit group.
The seeds of that bond have been sown by generations of great Tipperary football folk which have at last finally reaped the reward so long in the making. While many of the team have tasted underage and college success, this is their time, destiny too has played its part and while celebrations are curtailed under Covid-19 restrictions it will never curtail the emotion inside of so many that this unique and special day has blessed them with.
From the throw-in Tipperary played with conviction and purpose and showcased their talents supremely as they took the game to Cork off the front foot. Tipperary had leaders all over the field and more in reserve to keep the momentum going as the game moved on. At full forward, captain Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen) was in inspirational form as he kicked the first point for Tipp and in doing so set the template for the day. With Tipperary winning the battle in every positional line, the leaders of those lines supplemented the work rate of those around them.
For supporters, it was nerve wracking at times as Cork tried to claw back the lead, but such was Tipp's intensity and desire, the team knew in their hearts, this was going to be their day. For every Tipperary person looking on our hearts were pounding to a different beat. As the stadium clock seemed to slow the heart raced faster. How must it have felt on the pitch for the players?
The welcome sight and return of Colin O'Riordan (Killea) lining out for Tipperary was as magical as it was wonderful. Huge thanks and credit go especially to the fantastic support from his employers and coaching staff at Sydney Swans for allowing Colin the opportunity to play for Tipperary on his and his team mates' proudest sporting occasion. If any good came out of the year that was in it, the delayed championship and Colin's return may have been pre-empted in the aligning stars, who knows?
It was a hugely emotional day too for manager David Power and his management team, who ensured all the necessary checks and balances were in place as the squad set about the task at hand.
It was extra special for David to have his dad Michael with him and their embrace afterwards spoke volumes that no words could every fully express.
With job done it was home for a drive through Ballyporeen as bonfires and enthusiastic supporters welcomed their heroes with Conor Sweeney leading from the front as captain.
It is a day that will long in the memory and hopefully not another 85 years. The genie is out of the bottle, it's time to cap the bottle and capitalise on the success achieved. That is for the months and years ahead.
With all the similarities between 2020 and 1920 circulating and keeping supporters enthusiastic, the focus for the team will shift immediately to the next job at hand, which is the All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo in Croke Park on Sunday week, December 6th.
For now, let's savour once more the aroma of victory as the sweet scent of success warms the hearts and homes of Tipperary and its natives further afield.
ALL-IRELAND SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Unfortunately, despite a totally committed performance Tipperary exited the All-Ireland senior hurling championship after going down 3-12 to 2-24 to Galway in the LIT Gaelic Grounds last Saturday. In a game that flowed and ebbed, it was in the very closing stages that the Tribesmen got their nose in front and as the clock ran out on Tipp, so too did the chance to visit Croke Park for one of the semi-final berths this weekend.
Goals from Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) and Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) ensured Tipp were very much in contention in this exciting quarter-final, but it wasn't to be their day.
Our thanks to all the panel and management team who worked tirelessly from the return to training date of September 14th. Such are the fine margins in sport that no one can predict the outcome until the final whistle blows. So, as that whistle has blown in terms of Tipperary's participation in the 2020 campaign it will allow the players the opportunity to rest and recover until the 2021 season comes round. What or how that is going to look is still uncertain, what is certain, however, is that Tipperary will be ready for the call to arms when the whistle blows on that new campaign.
BLOODY SUNDAY
With enormous dignity and sombreness the Gaelic Athletic Association nationally and locally marked the centenary of Bloody Sunday with tremendous respect last weekend.
Locally, great credit goes to the Bloody Sunday Committee in Tipperary, under the chairmanship of Seamus McCarthy, which has been to the forefront all year culminating in many commemorative events over the summer and right up to last weekend. Unfortunately, events had to be scaled back under Covid-19 regulations, but that never took away from the symbolism and meaning of the events. Pictured right is the image of Michael Hogan on the arm of Conor Sweeney's jersey last Sunday.
CAMOGIE
Best wishes to the Tipperary senior camogie panel in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final this Saturday, November 28th, when they take on Galway in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Victory for the Premier County would see the ladies reach the All-Ireland for the first time since 2006. Throw-in is at 2:15pm.
REFEREE
Best wishes to Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams) who will take charge of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final between Kilkenny and Waterford on Saturday evening in Croke Park.
TIPPERARY CONNECTION
Congratulations to Roscrea's Davin Flynn who scored 1-3 for Donegal in their Nicky Rackard Cup Final win over Mayo on Sunday last at Croke Park. Davin lined out at right corner forward.
FOURTH TIPPERARY GAA CLUBS DRAW
Congratulations to all the winners in the 4th Tipperary GAA Clubs Draw which took place last Friday night. First prize of a Renault Clio / Skoda Fabia or €15,000 went to Seamus Mannion who is a draw member with the Tipperary Association Dublin while second prize of €5,000 Holiday Voucher or Cash went to Breda Carroll and Cahir GAA Club was the promoter.
The next GAA Draw (5th) will be held on December 11th in Lar Na Páirce, Thurles live on Tipp FM from 8:30pm.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
Tipperary Supporters Club Membership for 2021 is now available.
Membership is €40 per person. The supporters club are encouraging members to switch to direct debit payment by offering a €10 discount on the regular 2021 price to any member who pays via direct debit for the first time in 2021.
To join for 2021 log onto https://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/
Tipperary Supporters Club are happy to announce that the membership gift for 2021 is a reusable three fold double layer safety face mask and it features the official Tipperary Supporters Club logo.
Membership also includes;
• 2021 Car Sticker
• Text alerts for all League and Championship team news
• Regular news to your email about all the latest in Tipperary GAA circles
• Paid up Tipperary Supporters Club members will be eligible to vote for the official 2021 Tipperary Senior Hurler of the Year award at the end of 2021 season.
Members will also be entered into:
• A draw for five sets of stand tickets for all Tipperary games in the Munster and All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.
• In the event of Tipperary Senior Hurlers reaching the All-Ireland Final, one of the ticket winners will receive an additional bonus of 2 night’s accommodation for 2 people in the Four Star Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.
Supporters can join on line now on https://www.tippsupportersclub.com/join/ by credit card or debit/laser card. You can also pay by credit card over the phone by calling 086 3580718. 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. As mentioned the TSC are encouraging members to switch to direct debit payment by offering a reduced charge of €30 for all new first time direct debit members in 2021. It’s easy to sign up for direct debit, just download the form on the TSC website, fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy.
Alternatively, 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
Membership is also available in the following premises.
• Tipperary GAA Office at Lár Na Páirce, Thurles
• Elverys Tipperary GAA Shop in Thurles Shopping Centre
• Elverys Store, Pearse St., Nenagh
• Elverys Store, O’Connell St., Clonmel
• Moynihan’s Pub, Gladstone Street, Clonmel
• O’Donoghue’s, Pub, Main St, Cashel
• Carroll's Pub, Castle St., Roscrea
• Jackie Shanahan, Roscrea, 087 2626947