Woodlock takes 20’s.
Football weekend in Tipperary saw a temporary reprieve from the hurling action ahead of what in golf parlance is generally regarded as ‘moving day’. Day two of the round-robin gives a much more crystalised view of where things are at – the losers of the first round defeated team face into the relegation battle, while the winners still have hope. The winners of the winning teams are practically securely into the closing stages with two wins, while their second round opponents who have come out at the wrong side of the result are still in the shake-up too in round three.
So,Saturday sees a bumper day of hurling with five Dan Breen Cup games down for decision – the pick of them could be the clash of defending champions Loughmore Castleiney and Borris-Ileigh at the Ragg with an evening throw-in, while the double headers in Boherlahan and Templemore are certain to attract big attendance.
Sarsfields and Holycross Ballycahill set the scene alight in Boherlahan followed by Clonoulty Rossmore and Moycarkey Borris. In the first game new Tipp coach Aidan Stakelum crosses sideline swords with his cousin Padraic Maher, while in the second game Michael Ferncombe (Clonoulty Rossmore) will renew acquaintances with Denis Kelly (Moycarkey Borris) – colleagues with the Tipp senior camogie side last year.
On to Templemore then, where Drom-Inch and Roscrea clash at 3:00pm followed by Cashel King Cormacs and Kiladanagan. It will be all about survival in the first game here, while the winner in the second game will be sitting pretty with two victories.
On Sunday then, JK Brackens, fresh from their very solid over Nenagh Éire Óg in the first round, take on Toomevara at Borrisoleigh. Toome’ and Mullinahone drew in the first round, and Mullinahone play Nenagh next in Templetuohy at 6:30pm – a must win for Nenagh and a real chance for Mullinahone to progress.
Kilruane MacDonagh and Upperchurch Drombane in Templederry has a really tasty look about it – Kilruane’s loss to Holycross could prove costly considering the injuries and suspensions picked up – The Church will be buoyed by their fightback against Sarsfields, though ultimately the points went with The Blues.
The Premier Intermediate championship also has some cracking hurling to be played – Moneygall vs Lorrha; Gortnahoe Glengoole vs Silvermines; Moyne Templetuohy vs Sean Treacy’s ; Carrick Swans vs St Mary’s; and Boherhalan Dualla vs Golden being some of the really standout games to be decided as well as a sot of intermediate and junior games as well.
Tipperary Football Championship.
Following a massive lift to the code with Mayo taking the Sam Maguire, attention shifted to the domestic big ball championship with some eyebrow raising results to show for a Bank Holiday weekend offering. Pride of place has to go Thurles Sarsfields. Fresh from their promotion to the senior ranks the club recorded a first senior football victory since 1952 on Friday evening when they soundly defeated Ballyporeen – that’s almost as long as Mayo waited for the Sam Maguire.
Big win too for Moyle Rovers over Loughmore Castleiney – a second first round defeat for the mid men in seven days as they appear to be struggling somewhat. Kilsheelan Kilcash had a big win over JK Brackens while impressive Ballina did likewise over a very disappointing Aherlow. Champions Commercials had little trouble in dispatching Ardfinnan, while Upperchurch Drombane had a solid win over Grangemockler. A lot of football to be played yet.
Monumental statement.
For days, people who passed the entrance to FBD Semple Stadium wondered what was covered up by the tarpaulin opposite Thurles Greyhound Stadium. A statue in tribute to Tom Semple perhaps? Jimmy Doyle maybe since it was less than 20 metres from his home house?
Turns out it was neither. Ár gCluichí Féin (Our Own Games) is a striking new bronze sculpture by renowned artist Aidan Harte celebrating Thurles as the birthplace of the GAA. And, it was very appropriate that GAA President Jarlath Burns was in attendance as well as Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly, Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, and Patron of the GAA.
The sculpture is a wonderful addition to the town and forms part of the wider placemaking investment strategy delivered through the work of Tipperary County Council, including tourism, active travel, road, cycle path and public realm improvements. It features a hurler and ladies footballer – a nod to the impending integration initiative which will see the LGFA, Camogie Association and GAA linking up into one organisation.
The monument has been getting mixed reviews locally – some love it, others not so much. It certainly creates a focal point at the entrance to the stadium grounds -perhaps opening up the entrance more would further enhance the circulation area and come into line with the thinking outside on the roadway where wider paths and extended pedestrian areas have been designed as part of the up-grade to the approach.
There is certainly scope for other such attractions in the vast Field of Dreams and this is a really good start – no harm to have the Uachtaráin in attendance on a quiet day either where the extent of the work required at Semple might be more apparent than on a crowded match-day. You could spend €15million on the place currently and barely see the impact of the investment. But for all that, the Semple Stadium Management Committee and the County Board are to be commended for keeping the doors open – even in the current state. Tipperary, and Thurles, without a functioning Semple Stadium is not the Tipperary we wish to have.
Woody steps up – others to follow.
The worst kept secret in Tipperary was finally confirmed during the week with news that James Woodlock was vacating the role as manager of the minor hurling team, to take up residency in the U20 stable instead – this news arrived almost three weeks after it had first been mooted in unofficial circles. It’s a very logical move for the Drom-Inch man, and for Tipperary County Board, and will see him linking up with many of the players he has enjoyed considerable success with at minor level. His backroom team has yet to be announced and it will be interesting to see who he brings into the fold with him.
Of course having taken over from the departed Brendan Cummins, there is now a vacancy at minor level. One would imagine that with Tipperary schools having enjoyed considerable success at post primary level over the last five years or thereabouts, there will be plenty of options available for the powers-that-be to make really good selections. Will there be an expression of interest posted for this one, one wonders?
We wish James the very best and also the Board as they embark upon choosing the very important role of minor manager – really big shoes to fill following the success of James Woodlock and his men.
There is also word of potential reshuffles in the Liam Cahill cabinet with all sorts of suggestions being made. Nothing official has been confirmed apart, of course, from the addition of Aidan Stakelum as a coach to replace David Herity. So watch this space and keep the phone turned on – Cahill could come calling and you wouldn’t want to miss that call.