Here in Thurles there is a “Blue and Gold,” hue dominating the town’s houses and skyline, in quantity never before visually experienced in our counties history. This is as it should be since we field, on Sunday next, a hurling team the likes of which this county has possibly never previously sent to do battle in Croke Park.
The Tipperary Team had their training camp in Fota Island in Cork last weekend and management have now named an unchanged side, from the team that started the semi-final against Dublin, for this Sundays All-Ireland hurling final.
Although much rumoured, the decision by manager Declan Ryan and his selectors to not include Brendan Maher, latter Young Hurler of the Year in 2010, is seen possibly as something of a disappointment. Although Maher had appeared to be fully recovered, following his ankle injury, reports on his form in training have been somewhat mixed. Earlier speculation believed that Maher would replace either John O’Keeffe at wing back or Séamus Callanan, whom he replaced in the Dublin semi-final.
While there are no changes in personnel, there is one positional switch, with Seamus Callanan moving to number 10 and Noel McGrath taking on the number 11 position.
The choosen 15 are as follows:- 1. Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange). 2. Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh). 3. Paul Curran (Mullinahone). 4. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields). 5. John O’Keeffe (Clonoulty Rossmore). 6. Conor O’Mahony (Newport). 7. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields). 8. Gearóid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons). 9. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch). 10. Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch). 11. Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney). 12. Patrick Maher (Lorrha & Dorrha). 13. Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone Captain). 14. John O’Brien (Toomevara). 15. Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields).
We wish you all the best of luck lads and remain fully confident that, come what may, as usual you will do your county proud.
Johnny B & The Boogie Men have released a brand new song and video about the Tipperary Hurling team for 2011. Following on from their wildly successful Premier Rap song from last year and the now famous Lar Outside song from earlier this year, this new song ‘The Premier Return’ is sure to be a hit with all the Tipperary fans.
Check out the video below.
Well done to Johnny B and The Boogie Men, this is another cracking song lads. Here’s to Tipperary winning the 2011 All Ireland Hurling Championship again this year!
Tipperary have powered through to their first All-Ireland minor football final since 1984 despite playing the last 10 minutes without their star midfielder Ian Fahey.
David Power’s men, who have already seen off Kerry and Cork to win Munster are deservedly through to the final, with another powerful display against Roscommon, at Croke Park yesterday, which has surely upset the form books.
Tipperary started the brighter of the two teams and raced into an early three-point lead. Points from TJ Ryan and two from midfielder Fahey gave the Premier County a great start.
With a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside eight minutes and a 0-7 to 0-2 point lead after 25 minutes, Roscommon struggled to deal with the strength of this determined Tipp challenge lead in particular by O’Brien, Fahey, O’Riordan and Quirke.
Evan Comerford’s excellent save against Kevin Finn, spoiled Roscommon’s goal chances and while Thomas Corcoran landed a crucial 45 and Enda Smith added a fine point, Roscommon’s revival was nervous and short lived.
Starting the second half with 0-8 to 0-4 point lead Tipperary got off to the perfect start, when the throw-in saw Ian Fahey race inside and slip a classic pass to Michael Quinlivan, who easily found the net. This Quinlivan goal would prove costly for Ross Shannon’s men who would never to claw their way back.
Roscommon however did respond through their wing back Conor Daly and in the 51st minute the Premier county’s Ian Fahey was dismissed to the sideline, on his second yellow card, following an altercation with Shane Carty.
Despite this setback, Tipp remained unmoved and lead by captain Liam McGrath, impressively continued to limit Roscommon’s scoring chances with Tipperary corner-back Niall O’Sullivan making a particularly vital interception, to cut out Roscommon’s attempts at any final assault.
The Premier County is now a serious rising force in GAA football and their work rate this year can surely never be attributed to just luck or indeed fate.
Tipperary Scorers: M Quinlivan 1-1, I Fahey 0-3 (0-1f), C O’Riordan 0-2, S O’Brien 0-1, TJ Ryan 0-1,G Henry 0-1, L McGrath 0-1, C Kennedy 0-1. Roscommon Scorers: L Conlon 0-3, D Smith 0-3 (0-2f), C Daly 0-2, T Corcoran 0-1, F Kelly, E Smith 0-1, M Gunning 0-1.
Tipperary Team: E Comerford, N O’Sullivan, J Meagher, C O’Sullivan, C O’Riordan , D Fitzelle, S Kennedy, S O’Brien, I Fahey, G Henry, P Quirke, B Maher, L McGrath , M Quinlivan, TJ Ryan .
Subs: J McGrath for Quirke (37 mins), J Lonergan for Henry (54 mins), C Kennedy (0-1) for TJ Ryan (55 mins), T Kirwan for S O’Brien (62 mins).
Today’s Hurling semi-final at Croke Park, between Tipperary and Dublin ended as was expected. What possibly was not expected, however, was Dublin’s complete refusal to just show up and take an expected beating from the All-Ireland champions, thus giving Tipperary an easy path to a September 4th showdown with Kilkenny. Tipperary expected a good scrap, and Daly’s men did not let them down.
In front of 45,563 supporters, scoring began in the third minute from start, when Tipperary hit a long ball forward and Dublin defenders allowed the ever elusive Lar Corbett past, to stroke the ball into the back of the Dublin net. Immediate indications were now that this match would be a repeat of the Tipp versus Waterford game. Big mistake. An accurate strike from Alan McCrabbe near the touchline, followed by a point from Liam Rushe and a point from an ensuing free quickly got Dublin back to equal the scoring. A combination of a breaking ball from Brendan Cummins’ puck-out saw Lar Corbett knocks over another point, but Dublin through John McCaffrey again evened the odds.
Tipperary’s Eoin Kelly point from the 45-metre mark is again quickly answered by Dublin’s Liam Ryan. Another Eoin Kelly point put the Premier back in front again, but Dublin’s Paul Ryan once again balanced the scoreboard. Paul Ryan’s 2 points and Dotsy O’Callaghan’s one point put Dublin in front. Tipperary’s Patrick Maher, Lar Corbett answer back, each with a point. It is now quite obvious to all that this game is not going to be a repeat of the Tipp versus Waterford match and Dublin intend business. Further points from Paul Ryan, Corbett, John O’Brien, McCormack, Gearoid Ryan sees the half time score equal for both teams, with Tipperary 1-08 to Dublin 0-11.
The second half saw Brendan Maher replace Seamus Callinan for Tipperary, while Maurice O’Brien replaced Dublin’s Conor McCormack.
Noel McGrath and Eoin Kelly quickly open the scoring with a point each for Tipperary, latter point scored from a 65. Maurice O’Brien, and Paul Ryan, retaliate giving Dubin’s players and supporters a real belief that this just might be their year. Dublin were justified in this belief up to the 50th minute, with the score reading Tipperary 1-12 Dublin 0-15.
Over the next 22 minutes however, Michael Carton’s high challenge, allowed Eoin Kelly to increase Tipperary’s score and together with points from Gearoid Ryan, Noel McGrath and Padraic Maher, Tipperary soon increased their edge and Dublin players begin to struggle in their efforts to make it into the Premier’s goal area.
For Dublin, this semi-final was just not to be, for this year at least, with Tipperary adding just that extra bit of class to play, a class that only comes with big game experience. Dublin, however, while experiencing an honourable defeat today, have at last confirmed their arrival as true future hurling contenders.
Tipperary will now progress to the All-Ireland Hurling Championship final against Kilkenny on September 4th, with their final score of Tipperary 1-19, Dublin 0-18, and Dublin, just for now, must remain 3rd in the queue.
Tipperary selectors, as expected, have named an unchanged team for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final in Croke Park, against Dublin.
Manager Declan Ryan is happy with the side that trounced Waterford in the Munster final with one exception, a positional switch. Noel McGrath and Seamus Callanan will be swapping places on the half-forward line.
Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange); Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh); Paul Curran (Mullinahone); Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields); John O’Keeffe (Clonoulty Rossmore); Conor O’Mahony (Newport); Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Gearóid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons); Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch); Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney); Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch); Patrick Maher (Lorrha & Dorrha); Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone) (Capt.); John O’Brien (Toomevara); and Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields).
Other Sports News
This year’s All-Ireland junior football final between Cork and Kildare will be played in Thurles on Saturday 20th August next.
The match is a 4.00pm throw in at Semple Stadium. Cork dispatched reigning champions Sligo at the semi-final stage and are looking to win their fourth crown since 2005, while Kildare are seeking a first ever win in this competition.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Recent Comments