Tipperary’s management teams for 2019 are revealed, we have a new senior football captain while excitement builds ahead of this weekend’s Tipperary Water County Finals

23 Oct 2018

Tipperary’s management teams for 2019 are revealed, we have a new senior football captain while excitement builds ahead of this weekend’s Tipperary Water county finals. All this and much much more in the latest Tipperary football news

Ardfinnan captain Jonathan Ryan with Moyle Rovers’ captain Alan Campbell and the O’ Dwyer Cup

2018 Tipperary Water County Finals

There is tremendous excitement building in a number of parishes across the Premier as players and supporters look forward to this weekend’s county finals. Winning a county title with your club is the dream and ambition of all young players and this Sunday provides the opportunity for a number of teams to do just that.

In the senior decider Ardfinnan, managed by Kerry native John Evans, will face Moyle Rovers in Semple Stadium, Thurles. This game sees two of the sleeping giants of Tipperary football compete for the county’s biggest prize. Moyle Rovers, with seven county senior championships to their name, last won the title in 2009 a gap way too long for such a prominent club. While Ardfinnan have to go back to 2005 for their eighth and last success.

With Clonmel Commercials and Loughmore Castleiney dominating the club scene for the last six years, the fact that this duopoly is about to be broken will add huge interest to what will be a fabulous occasion in Semple Stadium and will certainly swell the attendance.

Intermediate captains at the press night for the Tipperary Water county finals in Clonmel Park Hotel last Friday

In the intermediate championship final Golden Kilfeacle will face Mid-Tipperary outfit Moyne Templetuohy and this promises to be an intriguing affair as the victor will end a long famine in their wait for success at this grade. Moyne Templetuohy last won the championship in 1981 when Toddy Sweeney led his side to glory while their opponents have had one year less to wait, as twelve months later, Liam Walsh captained the side that brought the intermediate championship to the West.

The prize of a return to senior football for the winners is massive for two clubs that have contributed hugely to Tipperary football since its inception and we can expect a ferocious contest as a result.

When in 1873, Charles J. Kickham published Knocknagow, the Mullinahone man perfectly captured the pride people hold in their native parish. This can be seen anytime the local club reaches a championship decider with flags and bunting dominating the skyline. There is something extra special when a small rural club steps onto the field of play, with the chests of their players proudly bursting through the club jersey, as they seek to win a title and establish themselves in local folklore.

Solohead jerseys washed and ready ahead of this weekend’s junior-B decider

For such a small parish, of roughly 400 inhabitants, Solohead has been firmly put on the map with Junior and Leaving Certificate students up and down the country learning the tales of Dan Breen, Seán Treacy and the Third Tipperary Brigade as they sparked the fire that led to the War of Independence. This January they will proudly commemorate that decisive event in Irish history and there is nothing more they would love than to have the county junior-B trophy in their hands when the eyes of the nation will, once again, be firmly on that small parish in West Tipperary. Standing in their way will be Moyne Templetuohy who themselves will be hoping to make their own history by capturing the unique double of intermediate and junior-B county titles.

We wish all clubs, their managements, supporters as well as the various referees the very best of luck and we hope everyone enjoys the games regardless of the eventual outcomes.

Tipperary Water County Junior-B Football Final

Solohead V Moyne Templetuohy
Saturday 27th October, 12:30pm
Venue: Clonoulty
Referee: Martin Doyle

Tipperary Water County Intermediate Football Final

Golden Kilfeacle V Moyne Templetuohy
Sunday 28th October,
Semple Stadium, Thurles, 12:45pm
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney

Tipperary Water County Senior Football Final

Ardfinnan V Moyle Rovers
Sunday 28th October,
Semple Stadium, Thurles, 3pm
Referee: Seán Everard

Tipperary’s 2019 Management Teams Revealed

Tipperary senior manager Liam Kearns

Senior Management

Liam Kearns will continue for a fourth year in his position as Tipperary senior football manager. The Austin Stacks’ clubman will once again be joined by selectors and coaches Shane Stapleton (Golden Kilfeacle) and Paul Fitzgerald (Fethard). This year they will be joined for the first time by coach Martin Horgan (Kerry) and strength and conditioning coach Paudie Kissane (Cork) while Ian Dowling (Kilkenny) will continue in his role as physio.

Under-20

2018 manager David Power has had to step down from his role due to work commitments and he will be replaced by the very experienced Tom McGlinchy. McGlinchy (Newport), managed the Tipperary senior footballers from 2001 to 2003 and led the Waterford senior footballers to their first qualifier win since 2011 when they defeated Wexford last Summer. McGlinchy will be joined by Cahir native and current Portroe player Paddy O’Flaherty. O’Flaherty played an instrumental role with the management team when Tipperary landed the 2011 All-Ireland minor title.

Minor

Minor Manager Matt O’Doherty

Matt O’Doherty (Arravale Rovers) will continue in his position as minor manager. He will be joined by selectors/coaches Johnny Nevin (JK Brackens), Viv Downey (Upperchurch Drombane), James Boland (Inane Rovers) and Peter Creedon (Thurles) while Jason Coffey (Ardfinnan) will be the team’s strength and conditioning coach and he will be assisted by Mark Butler.

Hurling Managements for 2019

Tipperary Senior Hurling Management 2019 (3 year term) – Liam Sheedy – Manager (Portroe), Tommy Dunne – Coach/Selector (Toomevara), Darragh Egan – Coach/Selector (Kiladangan); Cairbre Ó Caireallan – Strength & Conditioning, Paddy O’Brien – Physio (Toomevara).

Tipperary U20 Hurling Management 2019 – Liam Cahill – Manager (Ballingarry), Michael Bevans – Coach/Selector (Toomevara), Sean Corbett – Selector (Boherlahan-Dualla) and T.J. Ryan – Selector (Clonoulty-Rossmore): Tommy Ryan – Strength & Conditioning, Paddy Julian – Physio

Tipperary Minor Hurling Management 2019 – Paul Collins – Manager (Drom & Inch), Shane McGrath – Coach/Selector (Ballinahinch), Ger Ryan – Coach/Selector (Cappawhite) and Tony Shelly – Selector (Killenaule); Alan O’Connor – Strength & Conditioning, Lauren Guilfoyle – Physio (Feakle)

Tipperary’s New Captain

2019 Tipperary senior football captain, Conor Sweeney

There is great excitement down Ballyporeen way with the news that Conor Sweeney will lead the Premier out in 2019 after Liam Kearns appointed him captain of the Tipperary senior football team. Sweeney has led from the front in his time on the senior football panel, terrorising defences and amassing huge personal scores along the way. Sweeney takes over the mantel from Robbie Kiely and there’s no doubt that he will excel in his new role.

Alan Campbell has also received fantastic news as his was appointed vice-captain of the Premier ship for 2019. Alan is one of the classiest defenders in the game at the moment and has expertly marshalled many fine opposing forwards in his time wearing the blue and gold.

These two popular appointments have been warmly received by the entire football panel and we can’t wait to see them climb the steps of various stands next year to claim trophies on behalf of our fantastic senior football team.

Tipperary vice-captain for 2019, Alan Campbell

Aisling McCarthy

Congratulations to to Tipperary LGFA star Aisling McCarthy who has been selected on the Western Bulldogs AFLW draft for the upcoming season. The talented Cahir lady follows in the footsteps of Mayo legend Cora Staunton who made a quite a splash in her debut season last year in Australian Rules. Premier fans need not fret too much as the Australian season finishes in May and she will be back to don the Blue and Gold in time for the championship. And with the talent at the disposal of the Tipperary LGFA management who’s to say more won’t make the trip down under in 2020.