Juvenile winners Newport
Overall winners Kiladangan
The day began at 1.30pm with an eleven-a-side under-11 juvenile tournament with eight clubs taking part. Nenagh Eire Og, Newport, Inane Rovers and Ballina competed in the Group 1 blitz with Kiladangan, Portroe, Moneygall and Upperchurch Drombane making up the Group 2 section. All teams played in a round robin format with a minimum of three games each and the top two placed teams in the group stages advancing to the final. In Group 1 Nenagh and Newport topped the table and in a highly absorbing contest Newport recovered from an interval deficit to win on a score line of 0-6 points to 0-3.
Host club Nenagh Éire Óg
In Group 2 all teams had wins in the round robin stages, but it was Kiladangan and Upperchurch Drombane who topped the group with Kiladangan overturning the earlier result between both teams to run out deserving winners on a score line of 0-4 to 0-2. In an interesting twist on the normal rules, goals were deemed equal to points and score difference would not be used in the event of teams finishing on equal points. The idea behind this change was to keep games as equal as possible and avoid incentivising wins or losses for any side and help encourage equal game time for all panel members. In total over 100 children took part with the standard of play and enthusiasm on show a credit to all the clubs and their mentors. Refreshments for all teams was provided afterwards courtesy of the host club.
Seán Treacy’s
In the adult 7-a-side competition which begun at 5pm again eight teams participated, namely: Nenagh Éire Óg, Portroe, Kiladangan, Lorrha Dorrha, Newport, Sean Treacy’s, JK Brackens and Upperchurch Drombane. The format was like the juvenile tournament with two groups of four, but this time all teams competed for the same prize with the top two placed teams in each group proceeding to semi-finals. All games we hotly contested in the group stages which Kiladangan and Sean Treacy’s facing off on one semi-final and Newport playing JK Bracken’s in the other one.
Portroe
After two highly entertaining contests, amazingly both games ended up going to penalty shoot-outs. With each team having three shots on goal, Kiladangan emerged victorious over Sean Treacy’s in the first semi, but it took sudden death to separate Newport and JK Brackens, with the Brackens eventually emerging as victors. After a short break to give both teams a chance to catch their breath both finalists served up a faced paced twenty minutes of all out attacking football with not a blanket defence to be seen. At the end of an absorbing encounter which saw the lead change hands on a few occasions, the Kiladangan team claimed the honours on a score line of 2-7 to JK Bracken’s 1-6. To rapturous applause their captain Fergal Hayes accepted the John Kissane Cup from the chairman of the Tipperary Football Committee, Barry O’Brien. The player of the tournament award went to Jack Kennedy from JK Brackens and was presented by Patsy Bonar, a lifelong friend of John Kissane and another great promoter of football in the Nenagh area.
Newport
The organising committee would like to thank the all those who helped to make this event a success. Particular mention to the Nenagh Éire Óg Club and their members who were a great support throughout the day, Joe Mulqueen of Andy Flynn’s Bar & Restaurant who provided the food for the adult teams, Permanent TSB for their generous sponsorship, Alan Kissane, Tommy Ryan and Christy McLoughlin who gave up their Bank Holiday Monday to referee both juvenile and adult competitions, the Friends of Tipperary Football and the family of John Kissane’s for their support throughout. Finally, a big thanks to all the clubs and players who took part and helped make the day a success and laid the foundations for future years.
Juvenile winners Kiladangan
Upperchurch Drombane
Lorrha & Dorrha
JK Bracken’s
Philip Austin moments before unleashing a bullet to the back of the Down net
Tipperary played some great football at times and were well worth their advantage at the break with Philip Austin’s point, just before the interval, the highlight score of the game.
As the second half wore on Down’s substitutions had the desired effect as their freshness wore down Kearns’ side and they kicked over some fine scores to earn themselves a place in the next round of the qualifiers.
While the result is not what we would have wanted the performance from the players were superb and they fought tooth and nail for every ball with faith restored in these great players. Liam Kearns was at pains to point out to the waiting media that we will have great days again in the future and from what we saw today few could argue.
Shane Stapleton issues the instructions to John Meagher and Evan Comerford
Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Shane O’Connell, Daire Brennan, Robbie Kiely, Emmet Moloney, Steven O’Brien, Jack Kennedy (0-01, 0-0145), Josh Keane, Philip Austin (1-01), Brian Fox, Conor Sweeney (0-04,0-04f), Michael Quinlavin (0-01), Liam McGrath (0-02,0-02f).
Substitutions: Bill Maher for L McGrath (56), Liam Casey (0-01) for J kennedy (58), Kevin Fahey for E Moloney (62), Liam Boland for P Austin (65), Paul Maher for J Keane (69).
Down: Rory Burns (0-01, 0-0145); Darren O’Hagan (0-01), Brendan McArdle, Gerard Collins, Ryan McAleenan, Kevin McKernan, Daniel Guinness, Johnny Flynn, Conor Poland, Conor Francis, Pat Havern (0-03), James Guinness, Jerome Johnston(0-01), Donal O’Hare (1-00), Connaire Harrison (0-02).
Substitutions Paul Devlin (0-01) for C Poland (25), Owen McCabe for D Guinness (h-t), Pierce Laverty for J Guinness (37) Cory Quinn (0-03) for J Johnstone (37), Barry O’Hagan (0-01) for Havern (57), Conor Maginn for D O’Hare (70).
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
Under his guidance Tipperary supporters enjoyed some great days following the Premier as they famously reached the All-Ireland semi-final in 2016 after some great displays which included a rare win over Cork and a day in Croke Park against Galway that few will ever forget.
There were other fantastic days out as well. Michael Quinlivan’s dramatic winner against Armagh which secured promotion to Division Two was a standout moment as was the win over Cavan in the qualifiers in 2017. Last year the team came within a whisker of promotion to Division One while a credible performance against Mayo followed in the qualifiers.
Liam’s infectious positivity and charisma inspired the players to reach new heights and this led to a famous day in Croke Park in 2017 when captain Brian Fox climbed the steps of Michael Hogan’s stand to lift the Division Three trophy.
We can’t thank Liam enough for all he has done for Tipperary football and we wish him well in the future.
A statement from the Tipperary County Board reads as follows:
Following the announcement by Liam Kearns that he is stepping down as manager of the Tipperary senior football panel, Tipperary Co. Board wish to thank Liam and his management personnel, since 2016, for the wonderful contribution given to football in Tipperary during his tenure.
Liam brought the Tipperary team and their loyal band of supporters on an incredible journey, the highlight of which was an All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 2016. This was followed up with Division 3 success in 2017 and a determined push to achieve promotion to Division 1 in 2018. Unfortunately, beset by injury the panel and management were hindered in their quest to push on in 2019.
Tipperary Co. Board are very grateful to Liam and wish him continued success for the future.
The Tipperary team to play Down in their All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 1 qualifier on Sunday next, June 9th in Páirc Esler, Newry, been announced by manager Liam Kearns.
Liam has opted for the same fifteen which started the recent Munster semi-final fixture against Limerick.
The team lines out as follows;
1. Evan Comerford – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
2. Alan Campbell – Moyle Rovers
3. John Meagher – Loughmore-Castleiney
4. Shane O’Connell – Golden-Kilfeacle
5. Kevin Fahey – Clonmel Commercials
6. Robbie Kiely – Carbery Rangers
7. Emmett Moloney – Drom-Inch
8. Steven O’Brien – Ballina
9. Liam Casey – Cahir
10. Josh Keane – Golden-Kilfeacle
11. Paul Maher – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
12. Brian Fox – Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill
13. Conor Sweeney (Capt.) – Ballyporeen
14. Michael Quinlivan – Clonmel Commercials
15. Liam McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
16. Michael O’Reilly – Clonmel Commercials
17. Jimmy Feehan – Killenaule
18. Bill Maher – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
19. Philip Austin – Borrisokane
20. Jack Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
21. Daire Brennan – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
22. Liam Boland – Moyle Rovers
23. Dan O’Meara – Kiladangan
24. Ben Hyland – Fr. Sheehy’s
25. John Lyons – Grangemockler-Ballyneale
26. Jack Delahunty – Newport
GAA Football All Ireland Senior Championship Round One Qualifiers
Saturday June 8
Offaly v London, Bord Na Mona O’Connor Park, 1.30pm
Leitrim v Wicklow, Avantcard Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 3pm
Wexford v Derry, Innovate Wexford Park, 4.45pm
Louth v Antrim, Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda, 7pm
Sunday June 9
Down v Tipperary, Páirc Esler, 2pm
Monaghan v Fermanagh, St Tiernach’s Park, 2pm
Carlow v Loser of Kildare/Longford, Netwatch Cullen Park, 3pm
Westmeath v Waterford, TEG Cusack Park, 3pm
Tipperary under-20 captain Jack Harney with vice-captain Darragh O’Leary
The full draw is as follows:
Louth v Antrim
Down v Tipperary
Leitrim v Wicklow
Wexford v Derry
Offaly v London
Monaghan v Fermanagh
Carlow v Kildare/Longford
Westmeath v Waterford
The fixture details (Dates/times/Venues) will be confirmed by the CCCC on Tuesday afternoon with the fixtures scheduled for the weekend of June 8th/9th. All matches in this round of the Football Championship will be “Winner on the Day”, if required.
Meanwhile the county under-20 side will place Waterford in the opening round of the Andrew Corden Development League this Wednesday in Dr. Morris Park. Tom McGlinchy and his management team have been putting the panel through their paces in recent weeks and this gives them the ideal opportunity to have a look at the players in a competitive situation.
Andrew Corden Development League
Tipperary V Waterford
Wednesday, 29 May, 19:00
Dr. Morris Park.
