Last weekend the Tipperary hurlers made the trip to Antrim to help celebrate the life of Nenagh native Fr Alec Reid. Fr Alec was a keen footballer and hurler with Nenagh and helped play a major role in the establishment of peace in Northern Ireland.

This weekend the Antrim footballers make the return trip to Semple Stadium for the opening round of the Allianz Football League, Division Three at 2pm.

While the stated priority of Liam Kearn’s side is the championship there is little doubt that promotion to Division Two will be seen as hugely important for the continued development of Tipperary football.

Antrim will enter the contest full of confidence having captured the Division Four title last year. The last time these two sides met in the championship was in July 2012 when The Premier County emerged victorious on a score line of 0-10 to 0-08 in Thurles while they last met in league action in 2014, in front of a disappointing attendance of 217, in a much more open game reflected in the 2-17 to 3-20 final score. That day Conor Sweeney (1-7) and Barry Grogan (2-7) caught the eye with impressive shooting and played a huge role in Tipperary’s victory.

This Sunday the Friends of Tipperary Football will be selling membership prior to throw in at a very reasonable price of €20. Funds raised go directly towards the promotion and preparation of our inter-county football teams.

Membership enters people into the following fantastic draws:

Two All Ireland Final Football tickets 2017
Two All Ireland Final Hurling tickets 2017
Two Tickets for each Tipperary Senior Football Championship matches 2017
Two All Ireland Club Final tickets 2017
Two National Football League tickets for each Tipperary League match 2017
The first draw will be held on Monday January 30th.

Alternatively you can join online at www.friendsoftipperaryfootball.com/join