Coolmore; Loughmore; and a lot more from a Weekend of high drama; teams dropping; others rising; and talking points aplenty.
by Noel Dundon, Tipperary Media.
The long awaited Tipperary GAA App was launched this week and there is plenty to chew over for anybody who is into these kind of things. The County Board has had to jump a lot of fences to bring Coolmore on-board as main sponsor of the App and into the deal also comes the naming rights of Dr Morris Park, which will now be titled Coolmore Dr Morris Park. Killenaule native, the late Archbishop Thomas Morris would surely be pleased to see a world renowned global sporting icon such as Coolmore associated with his name – especially given his home parishes proximity to Coolmore.
The brand association is also a very good fit for the Tipperary County GAA Board – being associated with global leaders is always a good look. There is a responsibility attached to that look though and Tipperary County Board will have to walk-the-walk as well as talking-the-talkgoing forward. Coolmore will not throw funding at the Board without expecting to see the highest of standards across the spectrum – that’s going to be a challenge now for the Board and one they need to tackle head-on.
FBD Semple Stadium remains a major millstone at the present time and with significant funding committed to other stadia proposals around the country, it is unlikely that there will be much governmental cash coming the way of the Thurles venue, badly though it is needed. So, a lot to do for the County Board and a lot of dynamism and innovation required – the Coolmore project is a very good start.
Final Countdown
So now we know the pairings for the top three hurling championships and there will be novel finals in all. Loughmore Castleiney have done it again – dogging out a victory over Thurles Sarsfields on a day when you wouldn’t put the cat out. They put the Sars’ out though and that victory sets up a first ever championship final with the Greyhounds of Toomevara who ended the Moycarkey Borris fairytale twenty four hours earlier.
It will be a novel decider and with an unblemished championship record so far this season, the expectation is that Loughmore Castleiney will make it two championships in four years. Since Toomevara were last in the final in 2008, Loughmore Castleiney have been in six finals – a fine record indeed.
Novel it will be also on County Final Day in two weeks time when Cashel King Cormacs lock horns with Carrick Swans. The two town teams will bring a lot of support to FBD Semple Stadium and it should make for a bumper attendance on the day – it would certainly be expected to surpass last year’s attendance and could even top the 10,000 mark if the elements are kind. It’s been a while since all four divisions have been represented on County Final day and that will certainly help with the clicking turnstiles.
Cashel had a great extra time victory over a very fancied Upperchurch Drombane outfit and therefore they assume the mantle of favourites for the Seamus O’Riain Cup. Of course, winning the silverware is just half the prize with elevation to the top tier being a huge incentive too. Carrick Swans are ready to take flight though, so this final will be wide open.
Moneygall swept aside Cappawhite in the intermediate semi-final and they will play Ballingarry in the final after their narrowest of victories over Golden Kilfeacle. Once again a great prize awaits the winner. Could it be that two south teams will jump the grades, or will it be two west teams to dine at a higher table in 2025? Perhaps it will be a combination of both.
Relegation is always a difficult pill to swallow and dropping grades are Templederry (to premier intermediate), Uppechurch Drombane (to junior), while Newport and Sean Treacy’s have a stay of execution having played out an exciting draw in their clash – a replay is on the cards for these neighbours. The dropping clubs have to remain positive and must ensure that they double-down and resolve to bounce back. That’s not easy – just ask the fancied Upperchurch Drombane who remain in the second tier despite their ambitions of an immediate return to senior.