ALLIANZ GAA HURLING NATIONAL LEAGUE
Well done to the Tipperary senior hurling team on their victory over Kilkenny in the National Hurling League last weekend. It was the best way possible of bouncing back after the surprise defeat to Dublin the previous week. Interestingly it was Tipperary’s first National Hurling League victory over Kilkenny at Semple Stadium since March 29th 1998 when Tipperary won by 3 13 to 1 13. The victory also keeps Tipp in contention in the League but there is no time for resting on laurels as Galway will pose a significant challenge next Sunday, March 14th in Semple Stadium (2.30pm). It will be the 65th League encounter between Tipp and Galway with 41 Tipp victories, 18 Galway victories and 5 draws in the previous 64 games. Their last 10 League meetings have seen 6 wins for Tipp, 2 for Galway and 2 draws – Galway won their last Semple Stadium encounter in 2006 while it is 2004 since Tipp last won against the Tribesmen in Thurles.
ALLIANZ GAA FOOTBALL NATIONAL LEAGUE
Well done to the Tipperary footballers on securing their first point of the current League campaign against Division 2 table toppers Down at Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday night last. Down looked to have secured victory in the closing minutes but a last minute free from Barry Grogan secured a well deserve draw for Tipp. Their next outing will be against Meath in Semple Stadium on Sunday next, March 14th at 12.45pm.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALLIANZ LEAGUE GAMES ON MARCH 13TH.
Both stands will be open at Semple Stadium on Sunday next, March 13th for the Allianz GAA National League games between Tipperary and Meath in football at 12.45pm and Tipperary and Galway in hurling at 2.30pm. Please note the following arrangements for entry: Old Stand – Stile 1 for all passes and club groups; Stile 3 for Juveniles under 16 (free of charge); Stile 5 for Students / Senior Citizens (with valid photographic id); Stile 15 for Season ticket holders, and players pass and Croke Park issued Press pass holders. Ambulance Door for stewards. New Stand – Stile 44 for Juveniles under 16 (free of charge); Stile 47 for Students / Senior Citizens (with valid photographic id); Stile 51 for Season ticket holders, and players pass and Croke Park issued Press pass holders; Stile 54 Stewards, Club Groups and other valid passes.
DR. HARTY CUP POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS SENIOR HURLING FINAL
Congratulations to both Thurles CBS and Ard Scoil Rís, Limerick on producing yet another thrilling draw in the replay of the Dr. Harty Cup final last Sunday in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh. Both teams deserve great credit for their skill, courage and commitment and it is a pity that there will eventually be a loser in this riveting saga. However, it may be some consolation to the losers that they will still qualify for the All Ireland series. Thanks are due to Nenagh Éire Óg for doing such a good job hosting both games. The second replay will take place this Thursday, March 11th at 2.30pm in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh. Extra time will be played again in the event of a draw. The losing team will play Kilkenny CBS in the All Ireland quarter-final on Monday, March 15th at a time and venue which will be fixed after Thursday’s game. It is a pity that the fixture cannot go ahead at a weekend but such is the tight schedule applying to colleges games that this has not been possible.
MARCH COUNTY BOARD MEETING
The March Meeting of Tipperary County Board will take place on Tuesday next, March 16th at 8pm in the Sarsfields Centre. All club delegates are asked to attend.
MUNSTER COUNCIL VICE CHAIRMAN
Hard luck to John Costigan who was defeated by Robert Frost of Clare in the contest for Vice Chairman of Munster Council in Listowel last weekend. The defeat is no reflection on John’s enormous contribution to the GAA and Munster’s loss is Tipperary’s gain as John will continue to represent Tipperary on Central Council and to work as always for the benefit of the GAA at all levels in Tipperary. John was typically gracious in congratulating Robert Frost and we join him in wishing Robert well for his term of office.
PRO SEMINAR ON FRIDAY MARCH 12TH
All PROs are reminded that the PRO seminar takes place this Friday night, March 12th in the Horse and Jockey Hotel at 7.30pm sharp. Light refreshments will be served before the seminar commences.
TIPPERARY CLUBS DRAW
The final Draw of the 2009/10 Tipperary Clubs Draw which is for the months of March and April (free), will take place this Friday night March 12th in Butler’s Sports Bar Fethard at 10pm sharp. On the night Alice Lawerence (Fethard) will be presented with the car she won in a recent draw and Eamonn Lonergan (St Mary’s, Clonmel) will be presented with the €12,000 he won. There will also be a presentation to Brendan Franklin (Moyle Rovers) of €2,500 he won in the Tipperary GAA Lotto. 4 cars will be won on the night along with over 50 other prizes including cash prizes, Holidays and a set of Jerseys. Numbers for the Lotto Jackpot of €5000 will also be drawn on the night. Well done to Draw Co-Ordinator, Ger Bradley; Draw Committee Chairman, Peter Byrne; the Draw Committee and all the club promoters who have made the current draw such a resounding success.
REFEREES SEMINAR AND PRESENTATION NIGHT
The annual referees presentation night and seminar will take place in the Horse and Jockey Hotel on Monday, March 22nd. In addition to annual awards being presented, gear and match passes for 2010 will be distributed and Ed Donnelly, Chairman of Tipperary GAA IT Committee will conduct a seminar on the new ServaSport system for submitting referees’ match reports. All referees are asked to make a special effort to attend this important function.
CADBURY’S MUNSTER U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Cadbury’s Munster U-21 Football championship was launched on Monday, March 1st in the GAA Centre Mallow. Tipperary was represented by selector Tommy Toomey of Arravale Rovers and player Conor Sweeney of Ballyporeeen. Tipperary will play the winners of the quarter-final between Limerick and Clare in the Munster semi-final on Thursday, March 18th in Semple Stadium at 7.30pm. Defending champions Cork play Kerry in the other quarter-final with the winners playing Waterford in the semi-final.
TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB
Lucy Cunningham of Drom will be the Tipperary team mascot at Sunday’s match against Galway. Lucy joined up for FREE as a Junior Member on www.tippsupportersclub.com and adult members can also join up there on line for just €30. Adult members can also join at Sunday’s match at the Tipperary Supporters Club stand outside Ardan Ui Riain (New Stand).
FITZGIBBON CUP FINAL
Congratulations to Seamus Hennessy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), who was a key member of the NUIG team which won the Fitzgibbon Cup Third Level Colleges Senior Hurling title for the first time in 30 years when they defeated Waterford IT in the final at Pearse Stadium Galway last weekend. Congratulations also to Shane Quinlan (also Kilruane MacDonaghs) who featured as a substitute in the final and Sean McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) who was a member of the NUIG panel. WIT also had a strong Tipperary representation with Timmy Hammersley (Clonoulty Rossmore – top scorer for the finals weekend and the entire competition), Ray McLoughney (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Willie O’Dwyer (Carrick Davins), Kieran Reade (Carrick Swans), Michael Sheedy (Portroe) and Stephen Spillane (Arravale Rovers) all members of the panel. They were coached by former Tipperary selector and All Ireland medallist and current Wexford Senior Hurling manager, Colm Bonnar from Cashel.
CROKE PARK GAA MUSEUM – VENUE FOR SCHOOL TOURS
The Croke Park GAA Museum is interested in having schools visit on tours. Teachers who may be interested in visiting the museum as part of their school tour should contact Elaine Powell in the GAA Museum, Croke Park on 01 8192375 or by email at epowell@crokepark.ie. Check www.crokepark.ie/gaa-museum for more information about the GAA Museum.
COMMUNICATIONS THEME FOR MARCH – THE CLUB
Each month for the rest of the year, the GAA will focus on a particular communications topic for each month. In March the topic is the Club. It is particularly relevant with the All Ireland Senior Club football and hurling finals being played on St. Patrick’s Day. It is 16 years since a Tipperary club featured in a club senior final – an absence that we hope will end shortly. In Tipperary we are holding our Club PRO seminar in March as part of promoting the “Club” theme. In addition we would encourage all clubs to make a special effort to promote their activities during the month of March.
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 contact the County Public Relations Officer Ger Ryan at 086-8149146 or via 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.