Holy grails awaits ‘The Church?’; Ger bids to become Tipp’s fourth; fitting tributes to Nealon, Gaynor and O’Brien.
Tipp will stride forward with a standard-bearer in the race for the exalted office of Uachtarán of Cumann Luthchleas Gael at Congress in February, as Templederry’s own Ger Ryan sends his hat spinning into the ring. Can he rise to become the Premier County’s first President since the formidable Seamus Ó Riain of Moneygall, who reigned from 1967-1970? Before that, one must journey back to the steady command of Seamus Gardiner from 1943-1946, and further still to Carrick’s trailblazer Maurice Davin, the very first President from 1884-1887.
So, Ger now seeks to become only the fourth Tipperary man to claim the mantle, fully aware that many brave souls have attempted to seize the Association’s most towering honour—Sean Fogarty, Mick Frawley and Michael Maher spring immediately to mind—each excellent candidates who nevertheless discovered that GAA politics can be even more ruthless and unyielding than political battles of the wider world.
Ger enters the contest with an imposing and hard-won résumé—Chairperson of Munster GAA from 2022 to 2025; former GAA Coiste Bainistí and Ard Comhairle member; Vice Chairperson of Munster GAA from 2019-22; Chairperson of Munster GAA Coaching & Games Committee 2019-22; PRO for Munster GAA 2014-17; PRO for Tipperary GAA 2009-13, and Tipperary Delegate to the Munster Council 2017-19.
He has also served on several national committees, including as Chairman of the Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee (MSW) from 2012-2018; Chair of the Communications Committee from 2018-2021; and he now chairs the Central Referees Appointments Committee, guiding another vital arm of the Association.
Within Tipperary, he has taken on the roles of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the Tipperary Supporters Club fundraising body from 1999 to 2009; and he served as Liaison and logistics officer for the Tipperary senior hurling team from 1999 to 2011. He now leads the Semple Stadium Management Committee, where a formidable body of work awaits in upgrading and enhancing the stadium’s facilities—an endeavour that, should he become Uachtarán, would surely gain fresh momentum and much earlier traction. He has also served as Chair of his own club, Templederry Kenyons, from 1991-94, carried out numerous other duties within the club, and remains a committed Committee member today.
Ger knows that this bid for the Presidency will be the most ferocious GAA battle of his life. The campaign will carry him the length and breadth of Ireland in search of support, and outward across the Atlantic and the Irish Sea to the US and UK, where a crucial reservoir of votes is waiting. Securing the trust of overseas delegates will be central to triumphing in the race toward Croke Park. Fortunately, Tipp’s influence echoes far and wide, and rallying that power may well be the key to placing him in Headquarters. It falls to every Tipp person to rally behind Ger Ryan as he charts his path in the coming weeks.
‘The Church’ are kings of Munster, but more to come.
Munster titles are never handed over lightly, and a surge of electrifying pride swept through the parish of Upperchurch Drombane when they were anointed provincial kingpins in the intermediate hurling grade. The Clare champions O’Callaghan Mills proved no match for the rampant ‘Church in Limerick and the legendary black and amber banners soared triumphantly as they seized the silverware on what must surely stand as one of the club’s most exultant days.
But, whisper no prophecy too soon — a formidable All-Ireland series still lies before them. And, judging by the ferocity and fluency of their hurling, they may well find themselves restored to the senior ranks in 2026 as crowned All-Ireland champions. This team has risen relentlessly with every outing, and Coach Liam Dunphy and his management cohort deserve immense credit for sculpting a campaign of rare brilliance. Yes, relegation struck them a savage blow some years back, and yes, frustration lingered when they failed to rebound immediately to the Dan Breen grade. Yet they persevered, conquered, and now stand poised, perhaps, on the very brink of All-Ireland glory.
The training lights will blaze on through the December nights in Drombane — just as they lit up the hillsides into the small hours of the final November weekend, when celebrations clutched the parish in a joyous, unshakeable grip. And who, indeed, could begrudge them? Makers of history have earned the right to revel. But soon they will return to the grindstone, fully aware that this stirring season may yet deliver even greater triumph. Upperchurch Drombane must cherish the extraordinary opportunity now laid before them and allow nothing to divert from the sacred task of capturing the All-Ireland. Congrats all.
The holidays are over as one of the greats honoured.
Fresh from their well-earned escape to the sun, the All-Ireland champions were back to the grind in Dr Morris Park. The Rodger Ryan U15 inter-divisional tournament crackled with energy as Liam Cahill drove his warriors through another rigorous session — the rising stars and the hardened heroes of Tipperary mingling effortlessly beneath the fierce white blaze of the floodlights.
The toil has begun anew. The All-Ireland medals were presented on Sunday evening in Nenagh, drawing the final curtain on the 2025 season. And now we look to the horizon once more, hoping the magic continues when January stirs to life. The 24th will deliver the first league clash against Galway in FBD Semple Stadium, and truth be told, we are counting the days already.
Among those sure to be present, all going well, will be the expected new President of the County Board, Donie Nealon of Burgess. A towering Tipp figure; a magnificent GAA servant as administrator, ambassador and hurler, Donie is widely anticipated to be elected President at Convention, following the sad passing of Matt Hassett earlier in the year.It was heartening also to witness former County Board Secretary Michael O’Brien (Silvermines) and the incomparable Len Gaynor (Kilruane MacDonaghs) elected Vice Presidents of the North Board in recent days — fitting honours for two monumental Tipperary GAA men.