Dear Tipperary Supporter 

Munster Club Championship

From Tipperary GAA Scene by Jonathan Cullen, County Board PRO

Clonmel Commercials welcomed Kerry’s Dingle to FBD Semple Stadium, last Sunday afternoon for their AIB Munster Club Senior Football Semi Final. In a game many had expected to be a close encounter, the Kerry side proved to be that little bit more clinical as they held out for a 3 point victory. Clonmel Commercials played some very good football and were very lucky not to raise the green flag on at least two occasions. This loss now brings to an end what was a very good year for the club. There were also a number of Tipperary referees on duty last weekend. Ardfinnan’s Derek O’Mahony took charge of the Munster club Intermediate football semi final clash between Cork’s Cill na Martra and Milltown / Castlemaine of Cork, while Moyle Rovers man Sean Lonergan was the man in the middle as Castlehaven of Cork overcame the challenge of Waterford’s Rathgormack in the second of the senior football semi finals which was played in Fraher Field Dungarvan on Sunday afternoon.

Munster Senior & Intermediate Camogie Finals

Commiserations to Drom & Inch and Shannon Rovers who both lost out in their respective Munster Camogie finals last weekend.

Drom & Inch had to give second best to a very good Sarsfields side in the Senior final which was played in Clonoulty. While Shannon Rovers were defeated by Clanmaurice after extra time in the Intermediate final.

Dreams and Aspirations, a History of the G.A.A. in Aherlow.

This book tells the story of G.A.A. activities in Aherlow from 1885 to 2022. The club has had many highs and its share of lows during this time. All of these are featured in the book; there are separate sections devoted to the Men’s, Juvenile and Ladies clubs in the parish. Interviews and articles are also included along with a large collection of photos. The task of doing this work was undertaken by Lar Ivory and Terence Coskeran with assistance from Noel Clifford. The narrative is written in collaboration with J. J. Kennedy who writes a weekly G.A.A. column under the pen name Westside for the Nationalist Newspaper.

The launch will take place on Saturday 2nd December at 2pm in the Community Centre Lisvernane.

Thurles Fresh Milk Santa Dash and Visit Santa at The Dome this Sunday

On Sunday December 3rd, 2023, Tipperary GAA will hold the inaugural Thurles Fresh Milk 6K Santa dash which promises to be a fun filled day for all the family. The run commences from The Dome at FBD Semple Stadium at 11.30am, with registration for the event from 10.30am. Tickets can be pre purchased via the Tipperary GAA website events section.

Santa will also be in his grotto at the Dome from 12pm on the day and is really looking forward to meeting all the boys and girls. Admission to Santa’s Grotto is €10 and tickets can be purchased in advance via the Tipperary GAA website events section.  Places are limited so make sure to book in advance.

Following the 6K run there will be lots of sporty festive fun in the dome, as there will be interviews with past and present legends on stage. All our intercounty players will be in attendance and available for chats and photos. We will also have lots of good music with our DJ as well as Christmas Carols.

All funds raised on the day will go towards our underage hurling and football county teams, so please do come along on the day and support all our underage players while having lots of fun in the process.

Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme opens to new applicants

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club programme has opened expressions of interest to new clubs. The next phase will commence in March 2024 with a national orientation day in Croke Park.

Over 400 delegates attended the Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference in Croke Park on Saturday November 18th, which marked the 10th anniversary of the popular and impactful programme. The jam-packed agenda saw Dr. Eilis Lawlor reveal the key findings and insights from the recent independent evaluation of the Healthy Clubs programme, including the programme’s positive impact on participants and the GAA volunteers who deliver it on behalf of their members and communities. Full details on this report, which also reveals its significant monetary contribution to Irish society, will be launched on December 14th.

Neil McManus, Eimear Kelly, Aidan O’Mahony, and GAA Community and Health manager, Colin Regan pictured during the Irish Life GAA Healthy Club Conference 2023 at Croke Park. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

Aidan O’Mahony (Kerry), Neil McManus (Antrim) and Eimear Kelly (Clare) took part in a wide-ranging panel discussion that explored mental health, female participation on sport, and inclusion, as well as their experiences as club and county players and ambassadors. All three also reflected on the volunteers who helped them achieve their goals on and off the pitch. Workshops explored the experiences of four Healthy Clubs as they reflected on their experiences of the programme: Nenagh Eire Óg (Tipperary), Lámh Dhearg (Antrim), Trim (Meath)and Carrigallen (Leitrim).

The Irish Life GAA Healthy Club programme, proudly supported by Irish Life, Healthy Ireland, the HSE, National Office for Suicide Prevention, and the Tomar Trust, has grown from a small pilot in 2013 involving just 16 clubs to engaging 450 clubs by 2023. The Healthy Club journey takes 18 months to complete and requires that clubs appoint a Healthy Club officer and project team. Clubs then follow a seven-step process to become a healthy club, including documenting their journey via an online Healthy Clubs Portal. Once they gain accreditation as a Healthy Club, they have the option to proceed to Silver or Gold based on each club’s capacity and willingness.

To apply to join the Irish Life GAA Healthy clubs programme, clubs must fill out an expression of interest form at https://healthyclubs.gaa.ie/. Clubs will be then required to complete the subsequent application form, which requires club secretary sign off. Applications will close on January 5th; all steps must be complete and submitted by this date.

For more information regarding the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Programme please visit https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/community-and-health/

AED storage and maintenance

The GAA is reminding clubs of the importance of properly storing and maintaining automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on their grounds.

An AED is a portable device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest by sending an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm.

The key message remains to ACT to ensure Heart Safety in your club –

Make sure your defibrillator is stored in an area where access is not restricted.

Ensure your defibrillator is fully charged and that self-tests have been carried out by weekly inspectors.

Ensure there are enough trained responders anytime the facilities are occupied.

Many clubs have availed of AEDs through initiatives such as the 2005 GAA AED Subsidised Scheme, The Cormac Trust, and the 2021 GAA Community Hearts Programme and in doing so have provided a potentially lifesaving resource for their club and the community.

Hugh McManus, father of Antrim hurler Neil McManus, pictured with the Automated External Defibrillator GAA clubs can purchase through the Community Hearts Programme. Hugh’s life was saved when he was treated with a defibrillator after suffering a cardiac arrest in his home in 2015.

GAA clubs can purchase AEDs through Heart Safety Solutions at special rates by contacting info@hearts.ie. For those with AEDs already it’s important to ensure firstly that they’re stored correctly and are accessible if required. The location of the AED is important as research has shown that the chance of its use being effective is increased considerably if defibrillation occurs within 3 minutes. Specialised outdoor cabinets should be used and are available from a range of suppliers nationwide. If an AED is stored indoors, appropriate signage should be in place to clearly illustrate its location. GAA clubs should also ensure that their defibrillator is fully charged by carrying out self-tests on a weekly basis, with records kept of such maintenance. Clubs should also ensure that the battery and pads have not reached their expiry date, and that enough club members are trained in the use of the AED to ensure maximal coverage of training sessions and matches. That said, it’s important to note that you don’t have to be trained to use an AED as when operating one they instruct the user through each step of storage.

Win €1,000 for your club by registering for the AIB Goal Mile

AIB, proud partner of the GOAL Mile, has teamed up with Kilkenny hurling captain Eoin Cody and former Tyrone footballer, Seán Cavanagh to encourage communities in Ireland to ‘Step Up Together’ and take part in the GOAL Mile this Christmas. AIB is also offering people the chance to win €1,000 for their GAA club simply by registering for their GOAL Mile by visiting www.goalmile.org

Since 1982, the GOAL Mile has seen tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile (just 2,000 steps) to raise funds for GOAL over Christmas. The GOAL Mile raises funds to support GOAL’s work with vulnerable communities in 13 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe. Once again, this year AIB is encouraging communities from all over the island of Ireland to ‘Step Up Together’ by registering and taking part in the Christmas tradition of the GOAL Mile with their friends and families.

Joining Eoin Cody and Seán Cavanagh this year as AIB ambassadors for the GOAL Mile are Paralympian, Greta Streimikyte, Irish chef and bestselling author, Trisha Lewis, and TV presenters Katja Mia and Judy Gilroy.

People and communities in Ireland can ‘Step Up Together’ to take part in the GOAL Mile by visiting www.goalmile.org. There are over 150 GOAL Mile events due to take place across the island of Ireland this year. People and communities can also sign-up to organise a new event, or pledge to take their 2,000 steps at any time throughout the month of December, sharing their experiences on their social media channels. Donations to GOAL can be made at www.goalglobal.org/donate.

Mr Denis Collins RIP

We extend condolences to the family and friends of the late Denis Collins of Newport, Co Tipperary and Bettystown, Co Meath who passed away recently at a young age. Denis was very involved in his native club in Newport and his adopted club in Bettysrown in many capacities. Denis‘ brother Michael is a very active member of the Tipperary Supporters Club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. 

Ar aghaidh le Tiobraid Árann 

John Coman

Public Relations Officer

Tipperary Supporters Club

Supporting Tipperary Hurling