FBD Insurance County Championships

From Tipperary GAA Scene by Jonathan Cullen, County Board PRO

The quarter finals in the senior premier intermediate, intermediate and Junior “A” hurling championships took place last weekend, with all but two games taking place.

In the FBD insurance county senior hurling championship quarter finals, first into action were the hurlers of Loughmore Castleiney and Roscrea on Saturday afternoon in FBD Semple Stadium. Before this game many would have expected the Mid Tipperary side to have a little bit too much for their North Tipperary opponents, but in fact that is most certainly not how things turned out as Roscrea totally dominated the game for long periods and in particular the opening half as they lead by 1-17 to 2-09 at the break. Loughmore Castleiney did up their game several notches for the second half and in typical style the hauled back their opponents lead before eventually going ahead heading into the closing stages to hold out for the narrowest of victories 2-22 to 1-24.

The second game played in FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday evening was also in the senior hurling championship and was between Kiladangan and Holycross Ballycahill. This was yet another thrilling contest as Holycross Ballycahill did everything they could to upset the odds and indeed for long periods of the game it looked as if this may well have been possible. In the end it was perhaps Kiladangans little bit of experience that just about got them over the line on a full timescore of 2-22 to 3-17.

Semi final no 3 was played on Saturday afternoon and saw Clonoulty Rossmore take on Toomevara. This was most certainly the game of the weekend in the senior championship as supporters were treated to asll the thrills and excitement one has come to expect from the FBD county championships. The lead changed hands several times during the game with never much more than a score separating the sides at any stage and as the game entered the last few seconds it looked as if Toomevara were set to record a memorable victory, however Clonoulty Rossmore were not going to go down without a fight and they somehow managed to raise the green flag as the result of a 20 meter free and send the game to extra time. All the expectation ahead of extra time was that the momentum was with the West men, however Toomevara did not read the script as they pushed ahead to record a memorable 3-20 to 1-24 win.

The last of the senior quarter finals was between Mid Tipperary rivals and neighbours Thurles Sarsfields and Drom & Inch. Again many had expected this to be the game of the weekend but in reality as things turned out it was probably the least competitive game as Thurles Sarsfields totally dominated from start to finish and never gave Drom & inch the opportunity to come anywhere near getting a hold of the game. In the end Thurles Sarsfields sauntered into the semi finals by virtue of a 0-24 to 1-12 win.

In the premier intermediate championship, there were wins for Thurles Sarsfields over Burgess 2-19 to 1-21, Cashel King Cormacs overcame Gortnahoe Glengoole by 1-21 to 2-14 and Killenaule had 7 points to spare over Carrick swans as they won by 0-27 to 2-14. The fourth quarter final between Clonakenny and Lorrha Dorrha did not take place due to a bereavement in the Clonakenny club, the game has been rescheduled for this coming weekend.

In the Intermediate championship, Kilsheelan Kilcash overcame Skeheenarinky, Moneygall defeated Borrisokanewhile there were also victories for Golden Kilfeacle over Drom & Inch and Kilsheelan Kilcash over Cappawhite.

And in the Junior “A” hurling championship there were wins for Ballinahinch, JK Brackens and Holycross Ballycahill.

This weekend’s fixtures are:

FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals

Loughmore Castleiney v Moyle Rovers – Saturday September 23rd @ 1.30pm in Golden

JK Brackens v Killenaule – Sunday September 24th @ 4pm in Boherlahan

Upperchurch Drombane v Kilsheelan Kilcash – Sunday September 24th @ 1.30pm in Cashel

Clonmel Commercials v Ballina – Saturday September 23rd @ 4pm in Templemore

FBD Insurance County Intermediate Football Championship Quarter Finals

Clonmel Commercials v Aherlow – Sunday September 24th @ 2pm in Cahir

Grangemockler Ballyneale v Moyne Templetuohy – Sunday September 24th @ 2pm in Ballingarry

Galtee Rovers v CJ Kickhams Mullinahone – Saturday September 23rd @ 4pm in New Inn

Thurles Sarsfields v Fethard – Saturday September 23rd @ 4.30pm in Littleton

FBD Insurance County Junior “A” Football Championship Quarter Finals

Kiladangan v Sean Treacys – Saturday September 23rd @ 4pm in Newport

Arravale Rovers v Roscrea – Wednesday September 27th @ 8pm in Drombane

Boherlahan Dualla / Holycross Ballycahill v Carrick Swan – Sunday September 24th @ 4pm in Cloneen

St Patricks v Boherlahan Dualla / Holycross Ballycahill – Sunday September 24th @ 1pm in Gortnahoe

FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Clonakenny v Lorrha Dorrha – Saturday September 23rd @ 2.30pm in Nenagh

FBD Insurance County Junior “A” Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Clonoulty Rossmore v Roscrea – Saturday September 23rd @ 3pm in The Ragg

FBD Insurance County Senior Football Relegation

Eire Óg Annacarty v Arravale Rovers – Saturday September 23rd @ 1pm in Cappawhite

Rockwell Rovers v Moycarkey Borris – Saturday September 23rd @ 2.30pm in Fethard

Keep an eye out on the Tipperary GAA fixtures section of the Tipperary GAA website for changes to the above fixtures.

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Tipperary Association in Dublin

On Saturday September 30th, members of the Tipperary Association are taking a tour of the Croke Park Museum and Stadium. The tour starts at 11.30 am. The  Tour Guide will be Tom Ryan. Many of our hurling fraternity will know Tom from Na Fianna Club. His late  father was a Tipperary native. The cost is 10 euro per person. The entrance is behind the Cusack Stand

The group will assemble at 11.10 am. The tour last approximately 2 hours, comfortable are shoes advisable.There is a cafe beside the Museum If interested text Pat Ryan (Secretary)087 6376663

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2021 and 2022 MacNamee Awards announced

Tipperary is very well represented amongst the winners of the 2021 and 2022 MacNamee Awards that have been announced by the GAA. The GAA National Communication and Media Awards are named after the late Pádraig MacNamee, former President of the GAA, Chairman of the GAA Commission (1969-1971) and member of the RTÉ authority.

2021 Best GAA Publication – “Semple Stadium Field of Legends” by Liam Ó Donnchú

In a category with a number of strong contenders, Semple Stadium Field of Legends by Liam Ó’Donnchú stands out for its thoroughly researched and engaging content charting the history of one of the most famous grounds in the GAA. The author has succeeded in bringing together the colourful story of this wonderful arena with accounts of memorable matches, notable characters and of course the famous Féile. This book is packed with photos, illustrations and match programme cover imagery that enrich it throughout. It is a much-needed historical account of a very special place

2021 Best GAA Club Publication – “Thurles Sarsfield GAA Story Volume 2 (1960-2019)” by Liam Ó Donnchú

This club history documents the events and accomplishments of the club over the last 59 years. It has detailed accounts of matches at all levels, and key moments within the club.

A superb production that has been meticulously researched; the hardback book has used images throughout to illustrate activities of the club during this period.

2022 Best GAA Publication – “After the Storm” by Damian Lawlor

There’s a saying in Croke Park that reminds us that although the GAA is about games, in truth it is about people. Damian Lawlor’s latest book on Gaelic games brings this right home.

Some might have felt it was too traumatic and too soon to tackle the issue of covid so close to the worst of its lockdowns and death tolls.

But the counter argument is that now is the time to record how we really feel, not some far away shore when the passing of time has had an impact on our true thoughts and recollections. This approach has been vindicated by Lawlor’s ability to tell the 2020-2021 period through a collection of compelling stories focusing on different people who had their own individual trials and tribulations and were part of the collective effort.

There are plenty of previously unknown anecdotes here about just how close the GAA came to shut down and the various dilemmas that raged, including one tense Central Council meeting in 2020 when a phone call from Government pledged the funding needed to stage the Championships.

These are bolstered by a series of deeply personal and moving accounts of people navigating their way through the crisis. People like Antrim’s Niall Murphy who spent 16 days in a coma in intensive care battling the virus, the simple act of kindness that was David Brady’s round of phone calls and when at a time that the global message was to stay apart to save lives, GAA clubs and communities found a way to become closer than ever and the games become a symbol of resistance and a memory of what the world could be like.

2022 Provincial Media Award – ‘Dillon Quirke Remembered” by Shane Brophy, Nenagh Guardian

Dillon Quirke’s tragic death shook the GAA world. The former Tipperary hurler’s life is remembered in the Nenagh Guardian’s coverage. Through insightful interviews and articles, Quirke’s significant contribution to both Clonoulty-Rossmore and Tipperary is fondly recalled.

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Munster GAA to host GAA for All Inclusion Day on September 23

GAA National Inclusive Family Week will begin next Saturday, September 23, and the theme this year is ‘GAA Healthy Families’. The event coincides with the European Week of Sport (Sept 23-30) which aims to promote sport a #BeActive lifestyle to everyone regardless of age, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, nationality, or fitness level.

Following on from last year’s National GAA for All Inclusion Day, this year Provincial GAA for All days are taking place. On Saturday the 23rd, Mallow hosts Munster GAA’s Inclusion day which will showcase the great work being done by many clubs in the province that run GAA for All programmes.

The day is being organised by Munster reps of the National GAA for All committee, Oola Ball4All and the GAA’s Community and Health department with the support of Munster GAA and the province’s Health and Wellbeing committee.

GAA for All programmes and initiatives are set up in Clubs for children with additional needs, with the main objective being to promote an ethos of inclusion in club and community and supporting children in being part of their local GAA Club. Support from coaches encourages participation in a team game, assisting with ball skills, exercise, and, of course, lots of fun and enjoyment, in a safe environment.

Every year more and more clubs are making an effort to be more inclusive by promoting a variety of GAA for All initiatives. National GAA for All Rep, Sinead Crowley, has witnessed the growth at first hand and is enthused about the potential for more development in the coming years.

More information is available at https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/social-inclusion/ or from GAA Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Geraldine.mctavish@gaa.ie

Ar aghaidh le Tiobraid Árann

John Coman

Public Relations Officer

Tipperary Supporters Club

Supporting Tipperary Hurling