Dear Tipperary Supporter
Tipperary GAA Convention
From Tipperary GAA Scene by Jonathan Cullen, County Board PRO
The Tipperary GAA Annual Convention took place in the Dome, FBD Semple Stadium last Saturday evening, November 9th. This year’s convention was well attended by the clubs of the county in anticipation of a busy evenings agenda. In his first report to convention, CEO of Tipperary GAA Murtagh Brennan presented a very detailed and comprehensive account of the year’s events along with his own thoughts on Tipperary can progress both on and off the field in 2024. One of the main areas Murtagh spoke on was around the area of fundraising and in thanking the clubs of the county for their support of the recent Santa Dash, he also stated that in 2024, Tipperary GAA will need even greater support from the clubs of Tipperary for a number of major fundraisers which will be taking place during the year.
Treasurer Eleanor Lahart who was also presenting her first financial report to convention spoke in great detail about the finances of the county and how as a county we now find ourselves in very challenging times. Eleanor said that Tipperary GAA is no different to any other household or company who have all experienced a dramatic increase in the cost of products, services and day to day expenditure. All of these factors mean that it costs a considerable amount of money to run our county board and as reflected in the balance sheet we are now in a very challenging position heading into 2024. Eleanor stated that a full review of expenditure and in particular the developments at our centre of excellence in Dr Morris Park showed that Tipperary GAA will not currently be in a position to continue to with the next phase as planned. Tipperary GAA will also not be in a position to fund any works at FBD Semple Stadium where a major investment is now needed just to maintain the facility.
Outgoing Chairman Joe Kennedy said that it was a honour and a privilege to have served as county chairman for the last 3 years and he thanked his fellow officers, the clubs of the county and most of all his wife Maureen and daughter Marie for their unwavering support during that time. In a wide ranging address Joe covered many areas including Finance, the split season and the whole area of of integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie associations. He stated that he believed that the first step in this process should be the amalgamation of the Camogie and LGFA as they both cater for the same group of players.
Incoming Chairman Jimmy Minogue Nenagh Eire Óg said that it was a huge honour for him, his family and club to be elected as chairman of Tipperary GAA County Board. He said that there are currently many challenges facing us as a county, but if the correct processes and procedures are put in place, he has no doubt that as a county we can all work together to ensure success and development. He thanked all those who had supported him down through the years and said that he looked forward to working with his fellow officers and the clubs of Tipperary going forward.
Munster Council Chairman Ger Ryan was also present, and he also briefly addressed convention. Ger thanked Tipperary for its continued support of him as Munster chairman and he complimented the officers of Tipperary GAA for their contribution to the GAA.
The main focus for many delegates on the night was the election of Vice Chairman, however due to an unfortunate clerical error on the night, the election could not be completed. Tipperary GAA are now in communication with Croke Park in relation to this issue and once clarification and direction have been received, Tipperary GAA will be in a position to put a process in place to carry out the election of a vice chairman.
The second election due to take place on the night was for the position of Munster Council Delegate, however with the withdrawal of John Morrissey and Michael McCarthy, no vote was needed, with Joe Kennedy and Sean Nugent being elected to the positions.
Also on the night a number of motions were discussed and voted on, details of all these motions can be viewed on the Tipperary GAA website.
Tipperary Football Committee AGM
Ferghal McDonnell pictured presenting the County Junior B Football trophy to the winning Shannon Rovers captain Padraig O’Meara following hi sides win over Clonmel Commercials, earlier this year.
The AGM of the Tipperary Football Committee took place last week and saw Upperchurch Drombane’s Conor O’Dwyer step down as chairman having completed his 3 year term of office. Conor did an excellent job as football committee chairman and the introduction of the Michael Hogan Tournament can surely bee seen as one of his excellent ideas. Conor has now been succeeded by Ferghal McDonnell from the JK Brackens club. Ferghal has been involved with Tipperary football for many years and I have no doubt he will continue the great work of those who have gone before him. The positions of Secretary and Vice Chairman were not filled on the night and it is hoped that both will be in place early in the new year.
FBD Insurance County Championships
Last weekend saw the conclusion of the FBD Insurance County Under 21 A & B Football Championships. On Saturday in Golden, Clonmel Commercials were crowned “A” champions thanks to a comprehensive 1-10 to 0-05 win over Cappawhite Gaels. On Sunday in Cahir Moyle Rovers overcame a very good Golden Kilfeacle side to claim the under 21 B title on a full time score of 2-05 to 0-08.
This coming weekend will see one semi final in the FBD Insurance county under 21 B Hurling championship taking place as Galtee Rovers play Silvermines in Cappawhite on Sunday at 1.30pm.
Munster GAA Awards
The annual Munster GAA Awards take place this Saturday night in Killarney and Tipperary will have a well deserved recipient of an award on the night as this year’s Munster GAA Hall of Fame award will be presented to Moyle Rovers man Declan Browne. Declan has been an outstanding to both club and county down through the years and thoroughly deserves this great award,
Widely considered as one of Tipperary’s greatest ever footballers, This year’s hall of fame winner, Declan Browne has achieved what many others from his county could have only imagined. The Moyle Rovers clubman was not only an outstanding footballer, he also donned the county colours in hurling for a number of years.
As a footballer he had it all and what he may have lacked in height, he made up for in skill and accuracy. Declan made his senior inter county debut in against Kerry in the 1996 Munster football championship. Declan received Tipperary’s first football All-Star in 1998 when he was picked at corner forward after leading the Tipperary team to the Munster Football Final. Declan won his second All-Star award in 2003. He has won seven Tipperary Senior Football Championship medals with his club, Moyle Rovers. He won a Munster Minor Football Championship medal in 1995, a Munster and All Ireland Minor Hurling medal in 1996 and a Munster U-21 Hurling medal in 1999 as well as a McGrath Cup medal in 2003 and was awarded the Munster footballer of the year award for that same year. One of his greatest days in a Tipperary jersey came in 2005, when he captained Tipperary to win the Tommy Murphy Cup defeating Wexford in Croke Park. Declan also has the destinction of representing his country against Australia in the 2003 and 2004 International Rules series.
Declan has now turned his attentions to team management and has enjoyed successful stints with a number of club and county teams.
Many congratulations Declan.
Allianz League Ticket Prices Confirmed
The GAA has confirmed its full schedule of central level ticket prices for the 2024 Allianz Leagues competitions.
Divisions 1 and 2 of the Allianz Football League and Division 1 of the Allianz Hurling League will be priced at €20 per match and student/OAP tickets will be €15. Divisions 3 and 4 in Football matches will be €12 with student/OAP tickets at €10. Entry to Allianz Division 2 & 3 Hurling matches will cost €10 with student/OAP tickets €8.
Juveniles Under 16 will be free of charge for Allianz Leagues fixtures, except for reserved seating fixtures and selected fixtures where capacity is a concern.
New League Packages are on sale with full and flexible match packages available. These packages can be purchased on www.gaa.ie/tickets
Tickets for the Allianz Division 1 & 2 League Finals will be €30. Entry to Division 3 & 4 Finals will be €25.
Football Season Tickets will be €150 and Hurling Season Tickets will be €140. A GAA Season Ticket covers all Allianz League fixtures for your chosen county, Allianz League finals and semi-finals, AIB All-Ireland Club Finals, guaranteed access to your county’s championship fixtures and access to an All-Ireland Final ticket should your county reach the Final and you have met the qualification criteria. Club Plus Season Tickets, which includes club fixtures within your chosen county, will remain at €250.
The opening championship match(es) will no longer be included as part of the Season Ticket. However, the Association will have details of special Championship packages available in the New Year.
Once again, tickets will not be sold at venues in 2024. All tickets must be purchased in advance on gaa.ie/tickets or in selected SuperValu and Centra stores.
Allianz League Packages
Division 1 & 2 Football: 7 matches for €100. A saving of €40
4 matches for €65. A saving of €15
Division 3 & 4 Football: 7 matches for €60. A saving of €24
4 matches for €40. A saving of €8
Division 1 Hurling: 5 matches for €75. A saving of €25
3 matches for €50. A saving of €10
AIB Goal Mile
The AIB Goal Mile competition allows people the chance to win one of the ten €1,000 prizes on offer for their GAA club. All people have to do is register for their GOAL Mile and enter the competition once registered to be in with a chance to win. Your club can start its own GOAL Mile! It’s straight-forward and easy to do – all you need to get started is to contact the GOAL team via the link below. Our events team will then get in touch and give you everything you need to host a successful event!
https://www.goalmile.org/aibgaacompetition
Ar aghaidh le Tiobraid Árann
John Coman
Public Relations Officer
Tipperary Supporters Club
Supporting Tipperary Hurling
