Could These 8 Hurlers Make a Mark in Liam Cahill’s 2024 Tipperary Squad ?

14th November 2022,Liam Cahill announces his 40 Man Squad, for the 2023 League and Championship, He has changed tack in November 2023 and is holding off on announcing a Squad till January 2024.

With this in mind and not knowing exactly who has been called in, We are going to fire out a few names based on their Club Championship performances who could and should be looked at, We are going to discount the likes of Billy Seymour ,Top scorer in the Senior Club Championship, Who We know has been called in.

1. Mikey Whelan Carrick Davins

All Ireland Minor Winner at Full Back under Liam Cahill in 2016, Called into the Tipperary U21 Squad under Willie Maher in 2017,His progress with Tipp then seemed to get derailed with Hamstring Injuries, At 25/26 Years of Age ,He is a big 6ft plus block of a man with serious athleticism, can hurl anywhere in the backline but Davins have employed Himself and Lee Mackey to great effect in Midfield this year, Has worked under Cahill for a good few years whilst underage so will know what the Ballingarry Man demands.

He previously was on the Tipperary Radar in 2021,Where He Hurled for the South Division in the Miller Shield at Centre Back, Is He deserving of another look ?,We think so.

2.Colm Fogarty Lorrha-Dorrha

Just turned 21,the Lorrha man like his father Willie before him, is lethal on frees, Playing at Wing Forward for the 2023 Premier Intermediate Champions, Fogarty finished third in the Top Scorers Table with 1-54 to his name,1-16 from play.

He was part of the 2022 U20 Tipperary Squad beaten by Limerick that year in the Munster Final, He didn’t play v Kerry in that Munster Campaign and in the other 3 Games, He didn’t start but each time was drafted in as a sub, There’s no Questions over his Hurling Ability, Could a blast of Senior Inter County Level S&C drive him to the next level?.

3.Decky McGrath Kiladangan

“He is an unbelievable talent, He tweaked a hamstring or calf for a finish, that is why he came off. His display was exceptional. A super player. He certainly has the gears to go further.” John O’Meara the Kiladangan Manager concurs with our assessment of Decky and his Tipperary Senior Potential. Operating mainly at Wing Back or Midfield this year, McGrath scored 0-04 in Kiladangans march to Dan Breen, His Work rate is Outstanding and his Vision and Stickwork can be summed up in this clip.

4.Keane Hayes Gortnahoe Glengoole

If Tipp are looking for a metronomic free taker as a back up to Jason Forde, We know just the Man!. Keane Hayes racked up 0-63 in this years Premier Intermediate Championship, no less than 0-49 came from his free taking ability, 9.8 points a game he averaged from frees across Gortnahoe’s Championship this Year. Could he do it for Tipp as a Free Taker ?,Playing Club Premier Intermediate ?,It hasn’t seemed to impede Forde who is arguably now the one Forward, Tipp can’t live without.

5.Mikey O’Shea Mullinahone

Mikey O’Shea probably first came to many Tipperary Fans attention as a goal getter, when as a Minor Sub in the 2018 Minor All Ireland Semi Final loss to Kilkenny that year, he grabbed 2-01,(See Clip Below).Part of the Tipp u20 Squad in 21,He has also played in the last 2 U21 County Finals losses for the Mullinahone men v Moycarkey in 2021 and v Thurles Sars in 2022,scoring a combined 1-09 over the 2 days, but its his Senior Club form this Year that has Us Cheerleading Him for a Tipperary Senior Call Up, The 22 Year Old has scored 4-12 from Play in 4 games, in this Years Senior Championship.

6.Darragh Woods Holycross Ballycahill

While looking up this Years Scoring from Play Charts in the Dan Breen, another Young Sharpshooter jumped out at us, Darragh Woods scored 2-17 from play for the Mid Men as they made a County Quarter Final v the eventual County Champions, Woods scored 0-5 from play and 0-5 off frees that day, it also seems to us that when he’s in the zone, HE IS IN THE ZONE, as anyone who seen him scoring 3 first half side lines and running up a 0-12 total v Mullinahone in their 2022 Round 3 Dan Breen Group stage win will attest. and he was at it again this Year, 1-13 v Templederry and 1-10 v Loughmore.

7.Neil Quinlan JK Brackens 

If stylish half backs are Liam Cahill’s thing then the 23 year old JK Brackens man is the man for him.  A Harty Cup and Croke Cup winner with Our Lady’s Templemore in 2017, Quinlan has been a one of JKB’s most consistent performers over the past few years. 

An excellent reader of the game, his easy running style hides a deceptive turn of pace. Injury halted his progress in the senior championship this year but back fully fit now, We have no doubt that when the Tipp management are looking around for new faces, Neil Quinlan’s name will be in the conversation.

8.Rory Brislane Tommevara

And finally …….. a keeper to consider, Rory Brislane has been in outstanding form for the Greyhounds in the 2023 Tipperary Championship as they surprised many in making a County Semi-Final. Brislanes standout performance this year in the Dan Breen was probably his Round 3 Game v Moycarkey in the Ragg with a Quarter Final Berth at stake. His Footwork is excellent, Puckouts are accurate and facing a Penalty taker won’t phase him as the 2 clips below will show.

V Daryl Ryan, the Roscrea Keeper in this years Group Round 3 Game.

V Darragh Woods Holycross in their 2022 Round 2 Group Game, A Double Save..

Click Below to Listen to Our Latest Podcast

Where We have a 1 to 1 with Nenagh Eire Og and Tipperary Foward Jake Morris.

Leitrim Hurling Manager Statement.

The GAA’s motto is ‘Where we all belong’; it hasn’t felt like we all belong in the past couple of weeks if you’re a Leitrim hurler.  We can be cut loose; cut adrift. We’re expendable. I’ve held my counsel for long enough.

This is the third attempt to get rid of the Leitrim hurling team or remove us from the league in a year.  Two attempts were made to do so at county board level which never made it further than the executive.  Now, attempt number three comes at national level. 

I want to be respectful but, given what has been said by our county board treasurer in the media at the weekend, I have to put some context out there. 

Some players who have given their absolute best for Leitrim have also had their character and ability called into question in the wording of the CCCC proposal.  They deserve better. 

   
I have known for some time that our county board treasurer has been one of the biggest supporters of the CCCC proposal. He laid out his case at the weekend.  I want to provide some context.

The estimated set of accounts I was shown a number of weeks ago showed costs of €203,000 based upon both the senior hurling team and the U17 hurling team.  We immediately offered to fundraise to help with these costs but were told not to.  When we looked into it further, the net cost of hurling was just over €70,000 to the County Board.

Leitrim supporters will be well aware of the 50 Mile Challenge that was undertaken and the sale of Leitrim Supporters Club Tickets. The funds raised were split between Senior, U20 and U17 inter-county football teams and the Senior and U17 hurling teams. Of the money raised, the 2 hurling teams combined only received 1.6%. The senior hurling team was allocated just 0.8%. The remaining 98.4% was distributed to three other inter-county teams.

How is it fair that for every €100 raised by the good people of Leitrim out walking in the rain or buying a supporters club ticket, just 80 cents went to the Senior Hurling Team? How was it decided that Leitrim hurlers should be allocated so little from the fundraising drive?

We have been waiting for the finalised set of accounts for weeks now. The €203,000 figure presented to me in the estimated accounts, became €208,000 when it was presented to the County Board Executive and is now being publicly stated as €215,000.

If the accounts are not finalised how can a member of our County Board publicly quote any figure and use it as a reason to support the CCCC proposal? The Treasurer has also quoted a figure of a net cost of €80,000 to the County Board – €10,000 more than our calculations.

What is the basis for these figures?  What are the actual figures? These are all legitimate questions.
Supposing the €203,000 figure I was presented with weeks back is more or less correct, let’s break this down a little. 

First, there are items outside of our control. We had two trips to England in both the League and the Championship.  Both of these are subject to a grant from Croke Park and we remained within the limits of these grants.  There was no added cost to Leitrim GAA.

We also don’t have access to the Centre of Excellence in Annaduff on a Friday night. This dramatically increased the players’ travel expenses because we had to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which also put considerable strain on the players. I raised this issue with our Treasurer and was told nothing could be done as both pitches and gym were being used.

Therefore, we took steps ourselves to resolve that issue. Bornacoola GAA have kindly given us the use of their astro turf pitch of Friday nights to allow us train.  This should have a major impact in terms of reducing associated costs.

When you take these two items alone off the €203,000, the figure could come down to anywhere between €150,000 and €160,000. Players are also now running a fundraising campaign with a target of €20,000, which is within reach. This again reduces costs to the County Board.

The figure of €203,000 (or €208,000 or €215,000, which ever figure is actually correct) is misleading. With grants coming from the GAA, cost saving and fundraising by management and players and a fair allocation of money from the County Board fundraisers, it should be possible to bring the net cost of hurling down to very low levels. 

There are real, practical solutions here that don’t involve killing hurling in Leitrim for the sake of saving money.  And make no mistake, that is what the CCCC proposal is all about. 

We know we are a small county. We know we don’t have endless resources. We know that football takes precedence.  We’re willing to find solutions but we also expect fair play and not to be made a mockery of.
Travel expenses are a huge issue and there is no getting away from that fact. Both hurling and football have this challenge. There are a number of lads based in Galway and Dublin etc, but is that their fault?  I know nearly all of them come home every weekend and spend as much time in Leitrim as they can. Leitrim is a fantastic place to live and most of the people from Leitrim who don’t live here do so through necessity rather than choice.

Most of these young men have to leave because of employment opportunities or to go to college.  I have seen first-hand the effort it takes to get to training and their dedication is now being held up as a problem. We should be commending these lads for their commitment not using it against them.
On that point, there has been a disgraceful attempt to smear the Leitrim hurling team. I still have not been told who provided the information included in the ‘proposal’ to Croke Park or how they got it. But when I read it, I was both angry and disappointed that someone from our own GAA community could do this to their own county men.

There are 5 players not playing their hurling within the county. But to try use lads like Joe Murray and David McGovern to make us look bad is very wrong. David in particular is someone who has given nearly twelve years to Leitrim GAA, has parents with a proud Mohill connection, and while living in Dublin calls himself a Dublin/Leitrim man. This is not right in my opinion.

Then you have reference to 6 players not playing in the County Hurling Final. Again, absolutely no context given. Stephen Goldrick and Liam Moreton both got injured with their football club. Paul Lenehan suffered 2 concussions in the space of a number of weeks and so the 3 of these were ruled out through injury.

The final was a week later than usual and one man had his honeymoon booked and another had a family holiday booked. The sixth man was Arron McLoughlin from Fenagh. He used to play his hurling with Ballinamore. He is someone we thought had potential and we were right. He played in both league and championship this year for our county.

How can someone from our own GAA community portray their fellow county men like this?
On the proposal itself, everyone agrees that we need more clubs and more hurling, but we have asked for a full time GDA every year for nearly 10 years and have been refused. Even in 2017, a year in which our Treasurer has publicly stated the cost of hurling was just €75,000, we were refused. So why would it change now on the back of this proposal?

This is just a cost cutting exercise dressed up as something else.  There is no plan in place, no estimate on figures, no concrete evidence to show that anything will ever be done. We currently have a hurling GDA split between us and Sligo – 30% Leitrim 70% Sligo.  It’s an impossible task to ask anyone to do.
But in reality we only need to come with another 70% to have our own full time GDA. I don’t think that’s impossible, especially now on the back of the publicity generated by this proposal. I would also like to point out that when we had a full time hurling GDA we had 4 hurling clubs and since that financial backing has been withdrawn that number has dropped to 2. Again not the fault of the current group of inter county hurlers.

Hurling has been under-funded in this county for years and now the people that have kept it alive are being asked to pay the price. Rather than being encouraged in our efforts to keep alive a game recognised by UNESCO, we’re being told it’s better to pull the plug. Take it off life-support. Let it slip away. When it’s gone, it will never come back.

As I said at the start of this, the GAA’s motto is ‘Where we all belong’. If the Leitrim hurlers don’t belong in Leitrim GAA, then where do they belong?
Olcan Conway
Leitrim Hurling Manager.

Late 90’s Early Noughties Hurlers Quiz.

Denis Walsh probably described it best in his Book, Hurling the Revolution Years

A Changing Croke Park and a Changing Hurling Landscape with the emergence of Clare, Wexford and Limerick in the 90’s to shake up the old Order, and then , the Old Order struck back…

15 Box’s to tick, a simple Quiz, 13 out of 15 should be, as a Student of 90’s Hurling be Your Target to Hit.

Hurling Development in Weaker Counties

As part of the consultation process around the structures for the 2025 Allianz Hurling leagues,
additional feedback from some Counties focussed on the overall emphasis and spend on inter
county hurling versus progress being made in terms of broader Hurling Development.

The issue
There are five Counties who have less than 5 Adult Club Hurling teams participating annually. These
Counties, the number of adult hurling teams in each and their estimated spend on the Senior Inter
County Hurling team in 2023 are:

Cavan 3 East Cavan Gaels, Cootehill Celtic, Mullahoran (€142,000)
Fermanagh 2 Lisbellaw, Erne Gaels (€117,000)
Leitrim 2 Carrick, Glencar/Manorhamilton (€203,000)
Longford 3 Clonguish, Longford Slashers, Wolfe Tones (€182,000)
Louth 3 St Feichins, Naomh Monine, Knockbridge (€219,000)

One sample County in 2022 had two adult club hurling teams and spent in excess of €200,000 on their inter county team.

There were 29 players on the intercounty panel; 6 of these were from clubs OUTSIDE of the County
No fewer than 6 of the 23 players from inside the County FAILED to make the starting team for their

Club in that year’s County final.

While there is positive work ongoing in terms of Underage Hurling Development in these counties,
there does not appear to be any significant progress being made in terms of the number of teams
participating at adult club level where the investment on hurling seems to be restricted largely to the
Adult inter county team, with very little corresponding spend on hurling coaching or games
development generally.

In fact the number of Adult hurling teams in these Counties has FALLEN since their County teams
began competing in both the Leagues and the Summer Championships in 2005 (previous to this,
these Counties generally participated in the Hurling League only). The GAA’s Annual Report from
fifteen years ago (2008) lists the numbers of registered Adult Hurling teams in the relevant Counties
as: 8 – Louth 5 – Leitrim, 4- Longford and Cavan; and 3 – Fermanagh.

It is abundantly clear that the current approach simply is not working.

There is no doubt the overall GAA spend on Hurling in these Counties is significant – on their senior
inter county teams alone, an estimated and cumulative €863,000 was spent by these five Counties in

2023. However the question has to be asked as to whether this spend (on roughly 120 – 130 players
      in total) is having any developmental impact whatsoever, outside of a small coterie of players, and
      whether scarce resources – both financial and human – should be redirected towards a more
      fundamental goal of increasing the overall pool of adult playing numbers and teams in these
      counties.
      It is the view of the C.C.C.C that a significantly different approach is needed if the GAA are to
      successfully develop hurling in these Counties in a way that can be described as sustainable. In
      consultation meetings with representatives of these Counties, this fact was readily acknowledged.

Recommendation: Therefore the CCCC are proposing the following for the consideration of Ard Chomhairle and
implementation as policy from 2025 onwards

• that broadly speaking, any County with less than 5 adult clubs should participate in the Lory
  Meagher cup only each year
• The Lory Meagher Cup should be confined to those developing weaker Counties
• This will reduce the inter county season length for those Counties from 6 months to 3
  months; it is suggested that the additional three months should be used as a focus for
  Hurling Development
• To assist this, an investment package should be put in place to support Hurling Development
  initiatives in these counties with the ultimate goal to raise the number of Adult club teams
  participating in Hurling (initiatives could include the provision of coaches and equipment,
  targeting of schools as a starting point for the development of hurling, start-up grants for
  new teams etc).
• The entire project should be cost neutral versus current spend on Hurling in the affected
  Counties.
• Once Counties have been able to field 5 or more adult club teams for a period of 3 years,
  they can be reinstated in the National Hurling Leagues
  It is our belief that the investment package for these Counties can be cost neutral to the Association
  and can come at no particular extra cost to the Counties themselves – i.e. all central resources
  normally given to these Counties to help fund hurling league participation could be pooled to fund
  the new Hurling Development initiatives.
  It is expected that were this approach to be adopted, in the region of €1m would be available over a
  six or seven year period – simply by redirecting current central funds – to fund Development
  projects aimed ultimately at saving the game of Hurling in these Counties.

Note on Warwickshire and Lancashire
Both Warwickshire and Lancashire currently have 5 Adult club teams participating in their
championships. C.C.C.C did consider whether the participation of these Counties should be restricted
to the Lory Meagher Cup or not. However, representatives of the CCCC met with both Counties and
while it is clear that there are challenges for the future of hurling in those counties, there is no doubt
that both appear to be on an upward trajectory and recent initiatives – such as the development of
the Na Mic Tíre club in Lancashire – are testament to this. For those reasons, the C.C.C.C believe both
Counties should continue to participate in both the League and Championship for the foreseeable
future at least.

Next Steps

• CCCC to present Recommendation to Ard Chomhairle at November 2023 meeting
• Ard Chomhairle to take a decision on whether to adopt CCCC Recommendation as policy
  (from 2025 onwards) or not at December 2023 meeting.
• If policy and idea of investment package is agreed in principle, Finance to establish exact
  funding available
• Meetings to be held with the relevant Counties towards putting in place a plan to establish
  how funding could better be spent if redirected towards coaching initiatives. Ultimate goal
  ultimate goal to achieve minimum of 5 adult hurling teams per County
• If this proposal is adopted by Central Council in December, and if it is the view that the Lory
  Meagher Cup is confined annually to the five developing Counties, the structure of the
  Nickey Rackard and Christy Ring Cup will require to be revisited. As a guiding principle
  however, the intention would be that teams in Nickey Rackard and Christy Ring would have
  at least the same number of games as annually (between league and Championship) as
  under the current structures.

Appendix 1
Adult teams per County 2023
The list below details the number of adult clubs in each of what are perceived to be the “weaker”
hurling Counties*:
Cavan 3 East Cavan Gaels, Cootehill Celtic, Mullahoran
Fermanagh 2 Lisbellaw, Erne Gaels
Leitrim 2 Carrick, Glencar/Manorhamilton
Longford 3 Clonguish, Longford Slashers, Wolfe Tones
Louth 3 St Feichins, Namoh Monine, Knockbridge

Warwickshire 5 Finbars, Mitchels, Erin go Bragh, Barnabas, Declans (Herts),
Lancashire 5 Wolfe Tones, Fullen Gaels, Na Mic Tíre (J), Cean Creige (Scotland) Yorkshire
Emeralds (J),
Sligo 7 Calry, Coolera/S’hill, Easkey, N. Eoin, W. Gaels, Tourlestrane(J), Molaise
Gls(J)
Monaghan 7 C’Blayney, C’macross, Truagh, Clontibret, Harps, Inniskeen, Latton (J)
Armagh 8 SHC = 5, JHC = 3 additional (plus 3 x 2 nd teams)
Donegal 10 Burt, Setanta, Buncrana, Mac Cumhaills, Eunans, Cl’aneely, Carn, A Ruadh, J
= Four Masters and Letterkenny Gaels
Roscommon 7 All 7 in SHC have a second team in JHC.
Mayo 11 Tooreen, C’Bar, B’Haunis, St Ciarans, J = Ballina, Moytura, Westport,
Claremorris, JB = Caiseal, Ballyvary, Gaeltacht Lorrais
*numbers based on Competitions Management Software

Post Prelim Intermediate Hurling

Its going to be a quick run through this Week of where teams stand in the Intermediate Hurling Championship as we have a very in-depth article on the stats of the Intermediate Championship so far, also out this Week.

Click to read it here.

16.-Upperchurch/Drombane B – No Change.

The Church are having a year to forget. They have a fighting chance v Arravale Rovers in the Relegation Semi Final, which we think is the actual Relegation Final, their form all year says they are in major major trouble.

15.-Kiladangan B – Down 1.

Not the draw the Dangan men would’ve wanted against the Neighbours. Haven’t played to their potential at all this year. Will just want the year to end but we think they might have another game to play after the relegation semi.

14.-Arravale Rovers – Up 1.

The Tipp town lads will be happy with the draw. Have mixed the good with the bad during the championship. Johnny Ryan and the form of Mikey Dwyer should see them safe.

13.-Shannon Rovers – No Change.

An interesting dynamic for George Hannigan this week especially, playing with Rovers and coaching in Kiladangan. Shannon Rovers have probably showed more than their neighbours in a group with 3 Divisional Champions in with them, so we just about give them the nod.

12.-Ballybacon Grange – No Change.

Safe for the Year and looking forward to another escape act in 2024?.

11.-Carrick Davins – No Change.

A Winter spent pondering on what might have been down Carrick side.

10.-Ballingarry – No Change.

Another outfit hoping for a better return from their year in 2024.

9.-Skeeheenarinky – No Change.

Leaked goals in the 1st half and then a storming first 15 minutes in the 2nd had them back level in their Prelim Quarter Final loss to Kilsheelan Kilcash last Weekend but they couldn’t push on. If they could’ve gotten more ball in to Darragh Brennan who finished with 1-04, things might’ve been different.

8.-Golden Kilfeacle – No Change.

You’d have to give Golden a chance against Drom in their Quarter Final this coming Saturday in Dundrum. Both teams are used to being in the knockouts with semi-final games in the recent past. Youngsters Jack Leamy & Ben Currivan could cause lots of problems upfront.

7.-Kickhams – No Change.

The draw was always going to be tough with the 3 in the pot. Will give Boherlahan a right rattle. Derby games can take on a life of their own.

6.-Cappawhite Down 1.

Similar to Borrisokane as regards luck of the draw. A tough tough quarter-final draw. Again won’t be phased by it but Kilsheelan are probably further along in their development than the West men and Cappa are likely to come up a cropper.

5.-Borrisokane – Down 1.

Drew the short straw with Moneygall. Won’t be phased by it but on recent results will need a huge performance to take out the fellow Northeners, if they don’t get blitzed early doors like what happened in their North Championship meeting, We expect a high scoring game in front of a big double header crowd in Nenagh this Saturday.

4.-Drom/Inch B – Up 2.

Have gone from 9th in our post Round 2 Rankings and are on the move here again, On form got the perceived easier of the quarter-finals draw. Will be happy with it, another crack at a semi-final beckons.

3.-Kilsheelan/Kilcash – No Change.

Had two tough games last week which will do them no harm whatsoever. Unfortunate against Moneygall and steadied well following a 2nd half wobble v Skeheenarinky. Mark Kehoe with four goals in a week.

2.-Moneygall – No Change.

Won the final round game v Kilsheelan but not without some concern. Kilsheelan were ahead with 3 minutes left. A wake up call for Moneygall. Won’t be happy with the Borrisokane draw but like the North Final should have too much.

1.-Boherlahan – No Change.

Boherlahan could only draw Kickhams or Golden so a local Derby was always on the cards. Will have enough for Kickhams on form this year.

Tickets for all the Weekends Games are available to buy here.

Intermediate County Championship.

The bean counters of The Premier ‘View’ Pod have put their heads together and delved into the intricacies of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship. 

As we approach Quarter-Final weekend (&Relegation Semi-final) in the Tipperary Intermediate County Championship, there has been 19 games played at this level and no shortage of great encounters. Two clubs have played four games each (Kilsheelan & Skeheenarinky) while everyone else has played three. Four teams have now hung their boots up for another year while eight strive for glory & four fight for their lives. 

Interesting times ahead indeed. 

The Premier ‘View’ Intermediate Power Rankings are also updated and can be seen here ahead of the weekend. How can there be changes you may ask, well the draws put a different complexion on things don’t they.

From a club point of view four teams, Boherlahan, Moneygall, Cappawhite & Borrisokane, remain unbeaten with the latter two having the only 100% records in the division. Kilsheelan/Kilcash are the only team still standing not to have finished in the top two of their respective group but qualify for the Quarters by virtue of a South Final win & a preliminary victory over fellow South men Skeheenarinky. 

So lets get into the nitty gritty. Borrisokane were the highest scorers from the group stages scoring an impressive 5-73, closely followed by last years beaten finalists Moneygall who have an equally impressive 6-66 from arguably the toughest group in the competition. After the preliminary game Kilsheelan take over as Top scorers with 96 point total (7-75). 

When you look at the averages Borrisokane are scoring a huge 29.33 points per game while Moneygall average out at 28 points per game. Kilsheelan score 24 points per game while their quarter final opponents, Cappawhite, score 22 points.  Boherlahan’s 24 points per game against Kickhams 23.33 points means there won’t be a whole pile of difference in this game. In the last Quarter-final Drom average out at 22.33 per game while opponents Golden/Kilfeacle are only managing 15.67 per game and could struggle this weekend. 

At the opposite end of the scale Ballybacon/Grange escaped the relegation dogfight despite only averaging 11.67 points per game. Upperchurch on 14.67 along with Shannon Rovers & Kiladangan on 15.67 need to up that scoring rate if they are to survive. Arravale Rovers on 18.67 might consider themselves unlucky to be involved. 

Goals win games, or so they say but the now eliminated Carrick Davins ripped up that script and pilfered an impressive 8 goals in their 3 games while Boherlahan have 7 from three games and Kilsheelan have 7 from four games. Of the Quarter finalists Cappawhite & Golden will need to find the back of the onion bag more regularly if they are to progress. 

Scroll Across➡️ to view this Table Below

On the individual Tipperary Intermediate County Championship stats Mark Kehoe has really come into his own in the last week smashing four goals and also sitting atop of the ‘From play’ table. He could be even further ahead for all we know as despite numerous requests we don’t have a breakdown of the 19 points scored by Kilsheelan in Round 1(if you have access to this we’d really love to have them). Joe Fogarty sits atop of the overall charts with 40 points scored in his three games so far. Dylan Walsh(37) and Mikey O’Dwyer(31) sit in 2^nd & 3^rd. Kilsheelan share the scoring workload and have three scorers in the top 20. 

AS mentioned Mark Kehoe sits atop the Intermediate County Championship ‘From Play’ table with Borrisokane sharpshooter Gary Ryan on 19 and the impressive Dylan Walsh carrying the can for Ballingarry with 16 . Moneygall brothers Paddy & Joe Fogarty along with Sean Keneally all feature in the top 20 in an impressive attack for Moneygall. 

That man Mark Kehoe is a goal scoring supremo also with four to his name all in the last two games. Tom Hogan(Shannon Rovers) & Ben Ryan(Kickhams) both managed to grab hat-tricks for themselves in the group stages. 

Press ▶️ to watch Bens Hat-trick below.

In the battle of the Intermediate County Championship placed ball specialists Moneygall’s Joe Fogarty with 28 pointed frees to his name sits on top with Arravale Rovers Sharpshooter Mikey O’Dwyer on 26 and Tom Hogan of Shannon Rovers on 24 points. 

As expected this competition is one of the best and tightest in the county with no shortage of Quality. Last years winners Lorrha are unbeaten in Premier Intermediate showing maybe the gap isn’t all that wide between the two grades. 

Three of the quarter-finals are on Saturday 16^th while the last game is on Sunday. Both Relegation games are on Saturday also. 

Tipperary Intermediate County Championship Fixtures

Quarter-Finals

Saturday 16^th @ 1.30pm in Nenagh – Borrisokane v Moneygall

Saturday 16^th @2pm in Cahir – Cappawhite v Kilsheelan/Kilcash

Saturday 16^th @2pm in Dundrum – Drom/Inch B v Golden/Kilfeacle

Sunday 17^th @ 12.30pm in Cashel – Boherlahan/Dualla v Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams

Relegation Semi-Finals

Saturday 16^th @ 4pm in Dundrum – Arravale Rovers v Upperchurch/Drombane

Saturday 16^th @ 5pm in Cloughjordan – Kiladangan v Shannon Rovers.

As Larry McCarthy would say ‘SEE YOU AT A MATCH’

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Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Scoring Tables

We have the Premier Intermediate Power Rankings in place, Now check out the Premier Intermediate Hurling Club Scoring Tables below, After the final game which was on last Wednesday night between St.Mary’s and Moyne Templetuohy, We have gathered up all the scoring data in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after the completion of the group stages and collected and crunched the Data.

Top Scoring Club

Leakiest Defence

Goal Hungry

Who are going for goals in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship?

Goal Shy

Top Scorers

Top Scorers from Play

Ruairi Leahy storms into Joint 1st spot courtesy of his 1-08 scoring rampage v Moyne in Round 3.

Scoring Goalies

Not content with saving, these lads fancy scoring too, Ronan Tucker leads the Way with 2 penalties ,all the other scores are frees but We are including Diarmuid Boyle’s Green Flag from play as a mark of his versatility.

Sideline Kings

These Lads know how to cut a ball when it counts…

Goal Getters

When these lads get in, the Umpire can start reaching for the green flag…

Ronan Tucker’s 2-00 is from 2 penalties, all the rest are from open play.

The Clubs with the greatest Spread of Scorers

Always a good indication of the depth of a clubs fire power and forward strength in depth.

Premier Intermediate

Now that the dust has settled after last Weekend’s manic set of fixtures and We have had time to draw breath and gather our thoughts, We deliver our verdict

11 Clubs on the move since the previous Power Rankings Edition.

Check out the latest Senior and Intermediate Power Rankings also.

16.-Moyne/Templetuohy – Down 1.

We are really worried about Moyne, Couldn’t beat a 12 man Cashel in round 1 and they having 2 extra men, got badly mauled by Mary’s in the postponed round 3 fixture this week, Tossy Hamill being brought in at full forward smacks of desperation, and now facing into the quagmire of a relegation semifinal with the 3rd worst defence and the 3rd lowest scoring attack out of the 16 teams in this grade, Gearoid O’Connor despite having played in 2 of the 3 games has scored 0-23 or 45% of their total scores.

15.-Portroe – Up 1.

3 losses in a row but showed signs of life in the last round, scoring 2-17 v Lorrha. Relegation takes on a life of it’s own but don’t bet against them surviving it, especially as it now appears both AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulrooney got full transfers to go hurling in the States which has ruled them out for the Year. A Monumental balls up if the rumours are to be believed.

A massive 4-70 conceded has their defending the worst in the grade, the news in the forwards isn’t much better, Only 8 scorers in total including a Goal from Diarmuid Boyle their Keeper who was pressed into outfield service in Round 3,John Sheedy is their top scoring contributor, 1-26 in total,1-19 from placed balls and 0-07,Their chief scorer from play is Mark Gennery with 1-05.

14.-Sean Treacy’s – Down 1

Relegation battle confirmed with a lacklustre display against Thurles B. A late goal put respectability on the scoreline. Will they survive another year?.

12 scorers in total, the worry for them is that none of them are scoring enough, they have the joint worst attack in the division in terms of scoring, their defence is 10th best however, Patrick Carey with 2-22 to his name already remains key to their survival hopes, he has also put in a tally of 2-02 from play, Patrick Deegan next best from play with 1-04.

13.-Newport – Down 2.

Don’t dare utter the name of Jason Forde around Newport this weather or you might have to deal with the Consequences, Tommy Floyd had them safe on the stroke of full time with a green flag in their six pointer with the ‘Mines and yet Forde found a way to save his crowd and condemn Newport in added time to a relegation Semifinal slot.

Their Defence is solid enough but like the Treacy’s their attack is a huge issue, joint worst. They are showing form though and we fancy them to survive, Just about .

12.-Silvermines – Up 2.

Leapfrogged Newport after last minute heroics from Jason Forde (Who Else). Avoided the relegation conundrum for this Year but will need their good young players to stand up next year if they are to avoid it in 2024.

The very definition of a one man scoring attack with the aforementioned Forde hitting 1-30,0-25 frees,0-01 65 and 2 points from sidelines,52% of their total scores.

11.-Eire Og Annacarty – Down 1

A disappointing end to a disappointing campaign for the West side who were relegated from Senior last year. Were tipped to be in the mix and to bounce back up but their only win came against fellow West strugglers Treacy’s. A year to forget

10.-Ballina – Up 2.

Despite losing Ballina gain two spots. Have played decently in all 3 games. Could have ended up 2nd in the group and a prelim v Gortnahoe, But Mary’s emphatically knocked that cold beating Moyne in their postponed Round 3 game in the group.

4th best Attack,2nd worst defence should tell the lakeside lads what they need to address in 2024.

9.-St.Marys – Down 1.

The midweek win v a Moyne side struggling for form has guaranteed them 2nd place in Group 1 and a preliminary Quarter Final v Gortnahoe in a repeat of last years game where the Mid Men came out on top. Liam Ryan is a loss having gone foreign, but Mary’s have recovered well from their defeat to Cashel and are only 0-01 behind them in 4th in the best attack table.

Enda Dunphy the Second highest scoring Goalie in the grade with 0-05 all from frees,9 players have scored from play, with the likes of Ruairi Leahy with 1-12 from play (1-08 from play v Moyne in Round 3),Ross Peters 0-07 from play and Peter McGarry with 1-04 from play and 0-01 from a sideline all contributing handsomely, Sean Kennedy steady on the placed balls too with a total of 0-21,0-18 frees and 0-01 65.

8.-Gortnahoe/Glengoole – Down 3.

Gort lose 3 places despite not losing. We think they will bounce back up but at the moment they need their Prelim get out of jail card. Their next game v Mary’s has all the potential of a cracker and whoever wins this has the potential to rocket up our power rankings, given the possibility of a favorable quarter final draw also.

Gorthnahoe are mid table in both our attack and defence charts, We feel there is a bit more headroom in them yet, given that they were narrowly beaten by Roscrea in last years Premier Intermediate Final and Roscrea are now in a Senior Quarter Final this year. Memo to Mary’s don’t give away Frees anywhere and we mean anywhere, Keane Hayes is in lethal form,0-32 from frees and 0-06 from play ,Darragh Maher with 0-08 is their highest from play scorer.

7.-Thurles Sarsfields B – Up 2.

Thurles had a good win over relegation bound Treacy’s. Have found their form after a poor mid campaign. We think they have not lost anyone bar James Armstrong to the Senior Set Up.

Will be a handful for anyone in the Quarters as second seeds, they have the 4th highest number of scores conceded which might have an orange light blinking for their management set up. They have 11 players who have scored from play which is a fair testament to the total forward depth Sars have as a club.

6.-Clonakenny – No Change.

2nd in Group 3 to Burgess and a mid title to boot is already a very good 2023 return for Clonakenny.10 scorers from play and most of them scoring consistently across the 3 group games is something we like to see as a form line when we are putting together the rankings.

Bobby Bergin with 0-06,Nicky Ryan 0-04 all from play plus the contributions of John Joe Ryan with 2-01 from play and 0-19 from frees and Cian O’Dwyer with 1-01 from play also and another 0-06 from frees are all helping the cause.

5.-Carrick Swan – Up 2.

Swan were emphatic in their win over Eire Óg. Never looked in doubt and have a star in the making in Gavin O’Halloran with 0-28 scored already including 0-03 from sidelines.

Have greatly improved since their opening day draw in Group 1 v the Treacy’s. Second Best defence in the competition. Dark horses

4.-Killenaule – No Change.

Came from behind to get a draw in the battle of their neighbours, Gortnahoe despite them having a numerical advantage in Round 3. Will need to do better but nobody will fancy them in a Quarter especially as they are second seeds.

They are an oufit we are split on, as some see them as the O’Riain winners given the stats (Top scorers in the grade,5th best defence….)but others have been burnt before with their inconsistency in previous campaigns being a nagging doubt.15 scorers so far,14 from play and then if Bubbles returns……,to be feared.

3.-Burgess – No change.

Burgess made it 3 wins from 3 in Group 3. They are going about their business nice and quietly since their North Final defeat to Lorrha.

Ronan Tucker the go to Goalkeeper if you want a penalty nailed with 2-00 of them so far, The 2 Stephens in fine scoring fettle, Kirwan with 0-10 from play so far and Murray with a tally of 1-25 and 1-03 from play in the first 2 rounds but injured for round 3,getting him back will be vital to their further progress.

2.-Cashel – No Change.

Cashel are in the Quarters on the back of 3 straight wins in the group stages. A tight affair with Ballina saw them win by 3 and cement our ranking of them at 2.

With Devon Ryan to return from injury they will be a force in the knockouts.4-64 scored so far has them the third best attack and they probably would have been top of this table, if they had managed to keep the full compliment on the field in Round 1 v Moyne.

A spread of 14 scorers means they have options everywhere and with the likes of Ger Browne coming into form with 1-03 (1-07 in total) from play v Ballina the last day, they will have alarm bells ringing in all their potential Quarter Final opponents.

They have 2 consistent high scoring free takers which is a rarity at the Premier Intermediate grade. Anthony Walsh with a total of 1-15 and then Eoghan Connolly with 0-10 all from placed balls including 0-1 from a sideline and you add the from play scorers such as Cathal Quinn 1-06,Ronan Connolly 0-09 and James Cummins with 0-06,Ominous.

1.-Lorrha/Dorrha – Up 1.

Remain unbeaten in Championship this year and struggled over a poor Portroe team without Christopher Fogarty and Eoin McIntyre and also conceded 2-17.Which backs up our point all along about a paper thin Squad but something else has now emerged which will be giving Ken Hogan sleepless nights, they have the fourth worst defence in the the division ahead of only Moyne, Ballina and Portroe, granted they were in against Killenaule and Gortnahoe in Group 4 but the Gortnahoe defence is 10 points better at this stage and Killenaules is 11.

They have no issues going forward, second in attack and only 0-01 behind the Killenaule total, the form of Colm Fogarty is bound to catch the eye of Cahill,1-27 scored so far with 1-08 from play ,Niall McIntyre with 0-10 is next up in their from play charts and the Bonner has also chipped in 2-02,Doubts persist though.

Tipperary Premier Intermediate Championship.

Group winners: Cashel, Burgess, Carrick Swan, Lorrha

Runners-up: Winners of St Mary’s v Gortnahoe/Glengoole, Clonakenny, Thurles Sarsfields, Killenaule.

Preliminary quarter final: Gortnahoe v St.Mary’s, Templetuouhy, Sunday 10/09 2pm Throw in.

Be sure and listen to this Weeks Podcast

Where we preview EVERY one of the Senior, Prem and Intermediate Round 3 Games

We give Nenagh a turn on the spit

and Ask

is West Hurling in Trouble ?

Click below to listen

Power Rankings after Round 3.

Last Weekend was Crunch time in the County for the 16 teams in the race for Dan Breen, Who was safe but unsatisfied finishing third in the group ?, Who could dream of potential glory headed for a Quarter Final berth ? and Who was in the muck and facing a struggle for their Senior existence in the bear pit of a relegation semi-final ?.

This was our Power Rankings after Round 2 and this is the very latest Intermediate Edition and Premier Intermediate Edition

There have been changes….

16.-Kilruane – Down 3.

Last year’s County Champions now face the warzone of this year’s relegation. A Round 3,2 Point defeat to Moycarkey Borris in group 2 see Kilruane drop into the relegation semi final quick sand. With the 5th worst scoring attack over the 3 group games of just 4-55,they have 7 scorers on average per game but the real concern is their dependence on Willie Cleary (46% of their total scores) in both Round 1 and Round 3 to try to drag them of a hole. On current form the 2022 Champions may have it all to do to not be relegated.

15.-Upperchurch/Drombane -Down 4.

On Sunday the calculators were in overdrive as the Church slipped into the relegation spot of group 3 by having less points scored. Not hitting the scoreboard in earlier rounds has come back to haunt them in such a tight group, the Church joint second lowest scored of all 16 teams in Dan Breen with 2-53,their shyness in raising green flags is also a concern, just under 7 scorers per game, they will rue the round 1 game v Holycross where they were bet by 6 but only 4 of them managed 1-06 from play . A huge battle after making the County semifinal last year is looming but their scoring rate and form is improving,We give them a chance.

14.-Jk Brackens -Down 1.

Jk Brackens’s fate was sealed but they showed great character in an 11 point win over Drom & Inch in Round 3. And that will only help their cause going into a relegation semi final. Reasons for optimism around Templemore, Paddy Cadell is back and they looked a different outfit with him as their talisman in Round 3, 5 scorers in Round 1 scoring 0-15,5 scorers in Round 2 scoring 1-15 and 9 scorers scoring 3-24 in Round 3 means the JKB form could be turning around at the right time.

13.- Clonoulty/Rossmore -Down 4.

Clonoulty down 4 into our bottom 4 and in potential relegation unless they lift Dan. They have another swing at redemption in the form of a preliminary Quarter Final v Mullinahone by virtue of them winning the West Championship, only for that We would have them lower, We have a major worry when it comes to Clonoulty, they aren’t scoring. Alarm bells started ringing for us as early as the round 1 v Borris-ileigh where they had 3 scorers scoring 0-16 but only 2 scorers from play with 0-04.

12.-Templederry Kenyons – Up 4.

We have had to re-check this a few times but the 12th placed team in our power rankings is the 3rd highest scoring team after 3 rounds of the Dan Breen, Top of the list for 2024 should be someone to come in and put a defensive structure in place, because they have the worst defence in the Senior Championship with 6-72 conceded, if there was little bit of solidity to them they could surprise more than a few people, A joy to watch going forward and they will spend their 4th year in a row in the Senior Championship in 2024.

11.-Moycarkey/Borris – Up 3.

Too little, too late v Kilruane as Moycarkey dropped out of Dan Breen on score difference, a late few scores for either Moycarkey or Toome would have seen the Moycarkey men through but it wasn’t to be and they were pipped into third place by Roscrea who had a +3 score difference while Moycarkey had a +1 difference. The margins are that wafer thin. Eddie Brennan and his backroom team can look to next year with a degree of confidence as it is a relatively young outfit, Kieran Morris was their top scorer with 0-30 from play and notable mentions can go to Pat Molloy who notched 0-06 from play v Kilruane and the 2 Shellys, Kyle with a total of 1-07 from play and Rhys in the goals who brought a number of excellent saves but also contributed 0-04 from frees. They move up 3 places with their win over Kilruane.

10.- Borris-ileigh – Down 5.

Borris-Ileigh season finished in a damp squid and they had no match for a powerful Thurles team down the home straight. For a second year in a row the Borris men couldn’t get motoring and get everything to click, with some of their key men another year older, is there a few years of hanging in there coming their way?. On they go now to raffle off a fine looking Heifer!.

9.- Nenagh -Down 5.

Nenagh slipped down again from their high of number 1 spot in our pre-season power rankings after a blow out of a defeat to Mullinahone in round 3 finishing the game with 12 men. Lucky they have the North title victory to fall back on but now face a Thurles Sarsfields team in a preliminary ¼ final who are on an upward curve going in the opposite direction. You just never know with Nenagh, rampant in round 2 v Brackens ramming in 5-15 and they then getting conned by the old dogs of Mullinahone in Round 3.There’s a few if’s coming here, if they get Jake back and if the Heffernan’s can get near full fitness and if the 3 reds v Mullinahone don’t lead to suspensions, don’t be surprised if Nenagh get back to their round 2 incarnation.

8.- Roscrea -Up 2.

Roscrea move up 2 places by qualifying for the 1/4 final stages on score difference. Bonus territory awaits for the North Tipp club who are on the rise now into the unknown. If Ros can get consistency into Shane Fletcher who scored 2-03 from play v Kilruane in Round 2 but has only managed 0-01 in Round 3 and 0-00 in Round 1 they could have a forward line figure head, to rival them when they were in their 60’s and 70’s pomp. Alan Tynan has flawlessly continued when he left off with Tipp in terms of his form with 2-06 from play and Luke Cashin is rock solid on frees with 0-20 from placed balls out of a personal tally of 1-22.

7.-Mullinahone -Up 5.

Mullinahone are the biggest movers after round 3, up 5 places following their victory over Nenagh Eire Og. They have the joint 2nd tightest defence in this grade, along with a Keeper who contributed 1-01 to their total in Round 3,But their attack has a fair few bright spots,10 different scorers in total and 9 of them from play, Enda Keane with 8 points from play so far, Jack Shelley scoring 0-04 every day he has gone out and the rampant Mikey O’Shea who is the current 2nd top Senior scoring forward from play in the county with 3-08 (Rd1 2-01 Rd2 1-03 and Rd3 0-04) will take some stopping. Them drawing Clonoulty in a preliminary ¼ final has worked out well for them also and We expect on current form, they have every chance to progress.

6.- Holycross -Up 2.

The Cross up 2 places after the calculators and maths worked this time around to get them 2nd spot in group 3 despite them winning only the 1 game against the ‘Church. They have the fourth best attack with 5-59 scored but also crucially the 4 worst defence, Will a hard call have to be made to get Cathal Barrett who has scored 1-10 from play and is in the top 10 scoring from play Senior club Forwards in the County, back in to shore up a defence ?.13 Separate scorers so far with Ewan Bourke the keeper scoring 0-01 in 2 games, Joe Cesar second to Barrett in their from play scoring charts with 2-03 ,Darragh Woods their top man with an impressive 2-27 or 45% of the clubs total racked up so far. Into the ¼ finals and avoiding a preliminary ¼ final will help, they may need the kindest of draws in the quarter finals to progress further.

5.- Thurles Sarsfields -Up 2.

Sars put the sword into Borris-Ileigh Dan Breen title hopes live on TG4, 2-20 to 1-11 it finished with the Thurles crew scoring 2-12 from play, particularly impressive in front of a national Tv Audience was the form of both Darragh Stakelum with 0-06 from play and Seanie Butler also with 1-01 from play, Keep in mind also that they overpowered a Borris team who toppled Kiladangan only 2 weeks earlier. Joint 2nd meanest defence in Dan Breen so far and as per usual with the Town team they have a raft of scorers,13 s with the only 1 who hasn’t scored from play so far is Ronan Maher with 0-04 from frees, Darragh Stakelum in flight is a joy to behold with 1-12 so far from play, Paddy Creedon a handful with 1-04 and fingers crossed for the continued good health of Billy McCarthy with 0-04 from play so far in this Championship.

4.- Drom/Inch -Down 2.

Drom drop down 2 places after defeat to Jk Brackens in round 3 but still have enough done to top Group 1 despite finishing with a -5 scoring difference. They have us scratching our heads at the minute as to where their true ranking actually is, they have the third worst defence after 3 rounds and yet they have a spread of 13 scorers with Goalkeeper Eoin Collins with 0-02 from frees making it 12 Drom men from play, Seamie Callanan the Drom Top scorer with 3-20,2-05 from play, Tommy Nolan is tearing defences apart also and is the third highest scoring from play forward after the Group stages with 3-07 to his name, Johnny Ryan with 0-08 from play can also hold his head high. You get the feeling that Drom & Inch will be happy looking at some of their potential 1/4 final pairings.

3.- Toomevara -No Change.

3 wins from 3 for Toome ,Top of the Group 2 Table and with a healthy score difference of +13 seems to have them in fine form, A solid Round 3 display v a Roscrea team who had to go for it. Are Toome back to the Toome of old where if you were an opposing forward you earned every score. After 3 rounds the omens are promising, the tightest defence in Dan Breen for starters. Toome forwards will give many back lines plenty to worry about given the form of Jack Delaney with 3-11 including 0-1 from a sideline already bagged which has him top highest scoring from play forward, Kevin McCarthy with 0-06 from play, Shane Nolan with an even split of 0-06 from play and another 0-06 from frees and Darragh McCarthy another with 2-11 in the Toome Colours with 0-06 from frees. The most improved outfit in the County.

2.- Kiladangan -Up 4.

Kiladangan took care of business v Clonoulty last Weekend to secure top spot in group 4 after their 1 point loss and blip v Borris-ileigh the previous day out to move up into 2nd place in our estimations, Number 1 with the bookies but not with us just yet!. What do we like about them ?,scoring freely,2nd highest scoring outfit in the Dan Breen,5th best defensive record against a potentially higher caliber of teams that were in some of the other groups.12 Scorers and all scoring from play, its not only the number of scorers but also the form some of them in Blue and Gold are in, Billy Seymour 1-28 in total, from play 1-08,Conor Byrne 0-04,Dan O’Meara 0-04,Paul Flynn 1-08,Sean Hayes 1-09,Tadhg Gallagher 0-09 all from play. A Scary proposition for anyone facing them in a Quarter Final and Beyond.

1.- Loughmore Castleiney -No Change.

The Loughmore train has moved up a few gears but still more to come, up to number 1 after their 3rd win in Group 3 which saw them come out of the group with a 100% win record. Top Scoring Team in the Dan Breen. Joint third best defensive record, Like Kiladangan it’s the number of in form Forwards scoring from play that they have at the minute, that sets them apart, John McGrath with 2-25 in total and 1-09 from play, ably assisted with all these from play scorers, Ciaran McCormack 0-05,Ed Connolly in terrific form with 3-06,Liam McGrath 1-11,Noel McGrath 0-11,Ciaran McGrath with 1-02,the list goes on… No-one will want to meet the McGrath machine in a 1/4 final.

Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Final draw:

Nenagh Eire Og v Thurles Sarsfields on Saturday, September 9th @ 5.00pm in Borrisoleigh

Clonoulty/Rossmore v CJ Kickhams Mullinahone on Sunday, September 10th @ 4.00pm in Cashel

Tipperary Senior Hurling Knockout Top seeds:

Top Seeds Drom-Inch, Loughmore, Toomevara, Kiladangan

2nd Seeds (Winners of Mullinahone v Clonoulty), Holycross, Roscrea, (Winner of Thurles Sarsfields v Nenagh)

Relegation: JK Brackens, Upperchurch, Kilruane, Clonoulty (exempt if they go on and win the county)

Be sure and listen to this Weeks Podcast

Where we preview EVERY one of the Senior, Prem and Intermediate Round 3 Games

We give Nenagh a turn on the spit

and Ask

is West Hurling in Trouble ?

Click below to listen

Intermediate Club Hurling

First out of the blocks this Week is the Intermediate Club Hurling Power Rankings,has there been much movement since the last edition ?.

Yes there has…

With 2 games postponed due to the tragic events in Clonmel last Weekend, We are still going to base our judgement on what way, We think those 2 games are going to transpire, both in relation to the Intermediate Power Rankings here but also the Premier Intermediate Power Rankings which We will have out before the Weekend.

Details of the Postponed Games

Kilsheelan/Kilcash v Moneygall has been moved to Templetuohy for Tuesday 5th September.

While the Premier Intermediate game Moyne Templetuohy v St.Mary’s is on Weds 6th September in Clonoulty

Intermediate Club Hurling

16.-Upperchurch/Drombane B – No Change.

Went down badly in Round 3 v Skeheenarinky and picked up 4 red cards into the bargain. This shouldn’t affect them in the relegation semifinal and We suppose of the 3 other teams to face in a relegation semi final they’d have chosen Arravale to play, but look to be in serious trouble and a quick return to Junior is on the cards

15.-Arravale Rovers – Down 4.

A Club in a relegation football semifinal also and a very disappointing end to their hurling campaign which sees them go from potentially qualifying to relegation candidates. They’ll be happy to draw Upperchurch in the relegation semifinal and should have too much based on their two Kickhams performances. The Form of the second highest Overall Top scorer, Mikey O’Dwyer with 1-28 (55% of their total scores) already notched for them in the Championship will be key.

14.-Kiladangan B – Down 4.

The relegation candidate nobody expected with 1 win out of 3 played. You’d imagine they ‘should’ have too much to go down. But you just don’t know. Reason to be hopeful if you are a Kiladangan supporter,13 scorers so far across the 3 games,1-53 in total scored, Neil Cahalane Top Scorer with 0-19 and 0-14 from frees, Top Scorer from Play DJ McGrath 0-08 scored, Reason to be fearful, Only 1 Goal scored.

13.-Shannon Rovers – Up 2.

Similar to Ballybacon they move up despite the 13 point loss to Drom and Inch. The draw pits them against near neighbours Kiladangan B. A right battle in store. with Tom Hogan 3-18 and 2-18 from placed balls and second highest on our placed balls table vital to their relegation chances. The ongoing worry for Rovers is that they aint scoring from play with the likes of Conal Moran 0-06,Andy Byrne 0-04 and the aforementioned Tom Hogan with 1-00 showing up best..

12.-Ballybacon Grange – Up 2.

Move up again despite their 13 point loss to Borrisokane. No relegation battle has them smiling down South. A stat of note, their keeper with 0-07 contributed 20% of their total scored across their 3 Championship games which was also the lowest scored by any club in this grade. A Club that know how to grind to survive.

11.-Carrick Davins – Down 3.

Failed to deliver when needed it most. Had a win and a draw going into Round 3 and took a whipping off Kickhams 4-16 to 1-10 which undid all their prior good work, this mean they didn’t qualify with a minus 2 points difference while others had no win and managed to secure a quarter-final. A crazy championship. Lee Mackey sees out their Championship campaign as Club Top Scorer with 0-18 and 0-10 from play, David Houlihan provided their goal threat finishing up with 3-01 from play.

10.-Ballingarry – Down 4.

With two losses in the group they probably can’t complain with their placing. In other years they would’ve qualified but were done by the ‘Burgess Rule’. Out of the championship and ruing their missed chances in their 1 goal defeat to Golden. They have a good young team so very much more is expected of them in ’24.Dylan Walsh sits atop the Intermediate Top Scorers chart at the minute with a haul of 1-34,0-21 from placed balls and second in our from play chart with 1-13.

9.-Skeeheenarinky – Down 3.

Got the win they needed in some style at the weekend beating the ‘church 1-20 to 2-09. Probably should be higher but got drawn in the dreaded Prelim against either Moneygall or Kilsheelan. A mouth watering game in store, We give them a punchers chance in this as they have the 5th tightest defense in this division

8.-Golden Kilfeacle – Up 5.

They needed a 3 point win to give themselves a chance and Jack Bergin (a goal in round 1,a goal in round 3) duly delivered at the death in their winner takes all joust with Ballingarry. A goal that got them a Quarter final spot and the bonus of being seeded for 2024.Jack Leamy tearing up trees for them on the scoring front with 0-26 nailed so far and 0-11 in Round 3 ,10 of them frees.

7.-Kickhams – Up 5.

Their dismantling of Carrick Davins sees them rocket back up the rankings, our yo-yo team in this grade of the power rankings . Avoided a Prelim too and secured a top 8 spot for the 3rd year in a row. Third highest scoring attack even with a win loss and draw so far and a nice spread of 11 scorers too, potential dark horses from now on in

6.-Drom/Inch B – Up 3.

Drom took care of business and topped their group, their routine 2-18 to 1-15 win over Arravale being a case in point . Nobody will relish playing them in the Quarters. We have a slight concern that they score well but the also concede too well.10 separate scorers on a second team is a sure sign of a club going about its business in the right way, Could the double be on ?

5.-Cappawhite – No Change.

The cause of nearly the most debate with Pv Podcast group WhatsApp when it comes to the power rankings across the 3 grades of Tipperary Club Hurling, Most of us feel, they should be higher, but the rubber is going to hit the road shortly and they can expect an upwards move.100% record (one of just 2 Teams) still intact for the West outfit,3 from 3 in Group 2 . Will relish a Quarter final shot. Moving well. Dara McCarthy,Willie Barry and Conor Martin all moving well and hitting 70% of Cappa’s total scores between them.

4.-Borrisokane – No Change.

Had an expected Round 3 win v Ballybacon and top the group and straight to a quarter final as expected. With their form they will be hard bet in a Quarter Final. Top of the club scoring charts by a country mile and also with the meanest defence of the 16, One of only 2 teams that will have 3 wins from 3 in the group stages. Oisin Larkin with 0-29,Gary Ryan with 2-13 of which he scored 2-7 from play in their round 1 win over Upperchurch and Philip Austin rolling back the years with 2-04 leading the way, another 8 have also chipped in with scores, probably the team that if they get a run on you, it could prove fatal.

3.-Kilsheelan/Kilcash – No Change.

We wouldn’t be surprised if they got a win in round 3 v Moneygall in what expect to be an absolute humdinger and very likely on Clubber too. Kilsheelan have the better defence while Moneygall have the freer attack. The catching and the scoring prowess of the Kehoe’s will be key to their chances. We weren’t provided with their scoring for round 1 so we don’t want place too much emphasis on their round 2 win over Rovers which could skew our analysis.

2.-Moneygall – No Change.

With no game played= no change. Regardless of the round 3 result, We expect them to be in a semi-final. A 5 point win over Kilsheelan will see them back no.1.Their draw with Boherlahan has definitely franked their form in Group 3 which contains the top 3 outfits in our power rankings. Joe Fogarty 6th in the Top Scorers Table their go to man, they have a lower number of scorers 8, than the Number 1 Ranked Team which has 11.

1.-Boherlahan – No Change.

Backed up previous results with a convincing win over hapless and relegation bound Shannon Rovers. Will fear nobody in the Quarters regardless. Motoring nicely with 2 wins and the draw v Moneygall, they have the second best score ran up in the Intermediate grade, Tossy Ryan with 2-23,Darragh Hickey with 1-06 from play and Seamus Leahy also with 2-03 from play being the tormentors in chief.

Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Final Draw.

Shannon Rovers v Kiladangan

Upperchurch/Drombane v Arravale Rovers

Intermediate Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter Final.

Sunday September 10th @ 3pm in Boherlahan or Clonmel.

Skeheenarinky v Group 3 runner up, (the losers of Moneygall v Kilsheelan/Kilcash.)

Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship

Top 4 Pot: Drom-Inch, Cappawhite, Borrisokane, Boherlahan or Moneygall

2nd Seed Pot : Knockavilla Kickhams, Golden K, Skeheenarinky, Moneygall or Kilsheelan (or Skeheenarinky)

Be sure and listen into this Weeks Podcast

Where we preview EVERY one of the Senior, Prem and Intermediate Round 3 Games

We give Nenagh a turn on the spit

and Ask

is West Hurling in Trouble ?

Click below to listen

Senior Club Hurling Scoring Tables

We have the Senior Club Hurling Power Rankings in place, Now check out the Senior Club Scoring Tables below, Ahead of the Round 3 crunch games this Weekend, We have gathered up all the scoring data in the Senior Hurling after the first 2 rounds and crunched the Data.

Check out the Premier Intermediate Scoring Charts HERE.

Top Scoring Club

Bottom Scoring Club

Most Goals

Goal Shy

Top Scorers

Top Scorers from Play

Top Scorers from Placed Balls

Scoring Goalies

Not content with saving, these lads fancy scoring too

Sideline Kings

These Lads know how to cut a ball

The Clubs with the greatest Spread of Scorers

Always a good indication of the depth of a clubs fire power

On this Weeks Podcast Anthony and Kevin review every Round 2 Football game across the Senior and Intermediate Tipperary Football Championships and predict what’s going to happen in Round 3.

With 3 teams being relegated this year from the Senior Championship,the boys preview the carnage that’s going to take place in round 3 with 3 of the 4 teams that finish bottom going to lose their senior status.

What the hell has happened to Moyle Rovers ?

Have Kilsheelan a soft underbelly?

Why are Ardfinnan afraid to pull the trigger?

Will Cahir be hiding Liam Casey’s passport ?

And this is before We even get to the blood bath of the intermediate championship where 5 teams are getting relegated

We are also delighted to have Brian Fogarty from Fiserv, Who are proud sponsors of Tipperary GAA on to talk about their packed day of activities on Saturday 02/09

Dog shows

Cake Sale

juvenile Hurling blitz with over 90 teams

10k run

All Star Hurling discussion

 Abbaesque

With all Profits going to the Dillon Quirke Foundation and Cliona’s Foundation

Click Link to buy tickets

https://embed.futureticketing.ie/…/tip…/other-events/…

Premier Intermediate Scoring Tables

We have the Premier Intermediate Power Rankings in place, Now check out the Premier Intermediate Scoring Tables below, Ahead of the Round 3 crunch games this Weekend, We have gathered up all the scoring data in the Premier Intermediate after the first 2 rounds and crunched the Data.

Check out the Senior Scoring Charts HERE.

Top Scoring Club

Bottom Scoring Club

Most Goals

Goal Shy

Top Scorers

Top Scorers from Play

Top Scorers from Placed Balls

The Main scoring threat in each Club

Who are the main danger men in each club and what do they contribute to the overall percentage total being scored by their Clubs?

The Clubs with the greatest Spread of Scorers

Always a good indication of the depth of a clubs fire power

Scoring Goalies

Not content with saving, these lads fancy scoring too

Sideline Kings

These Lads know how to cut a ball

On this Weeks Podcast Anthony and Kevin review every Round 2 Football game across the Senior and Intermediate Tipperary Football Championships and predict what’s going to happen in Round 3.

With 3 teams being relegated this year from the Senior Championship,the boys preview the carnage that’s going to take place in round 3 with 3 of the 4 teams that finish bottom going to lose their senior status.

What the hell has happened to Moyle Rovers ?

Have Kilsheelan a soft underbelly?

Why are Ardfinnan afraid to pull the trigger?

Will Cahir be hiding Liam Casey’s passport ?

And this is before We even get to the blood bath of the intermediate championship where 5 teams are getting relegated

We are also delighted to have Brian Fogarty from Fiserv, Who are proud sponsors of Tipperary GAA on to talk about their packed day of activities on Saturday 02/09

Dog shows

Cake Sale

juvenile Hurling blitz with over 90 teams

10k run

All Star Hurling discussion

Abbaesque

With all Profits going to the Dillon Quirke Foundation and Cliona’s Foundation

Click Link to buy tickets

https://embed.futureticketing.ie/…/tip…/other-events/…

Senior Club Football Power Rankings Updated

With 3 Teams to be relegated out of Senior Football this year the pressure is really starting to build now.

Across the 4 groups, Moyle Rovers on 0 points with 2 losses from 2 games in Group 4 ,Arravale Rovers in the exact same position in Group 3 as Moyle,0 Points 2 Games Played.

Ditto for Ardfinnan in Group 2,2 losses and 0 points and and Kilsheelan/Kilcash are in the same boat with nul points and 2 played.

These 4 currently have their arses in the bacon slicer and its about to be plugged in, but all is not lost just yet ,a win could transform fortunes.

There’s also been a transformation from our first edition of the Senior Club Football Power Rankings.

6 Clubs are headed down the rankings with 1 in a potential death spiral of down 8 Places,9 have jumped up the Rankings, with 1 static in their position.

Credit for the Rankings as always goes to Big John of the Premierview.

16.-Arravale Rovers – Down 5.

A very disappointing year for the Tipperary town side and after two rounds they are now in a relegation dogfight to save their senior status.

15.-Eire Og Annacarthy – Down 2.

They looked to have secured their Senior status by beating Drom-Inch in the first round but a heavy defeat to Commercials in Round 2 has them back in the relegation fight where they will have to beat Kilsheelan-Kilcash to avoid the relegation play-offs. That’s a big ask but never write off Eire Og Annacarthy.

14.-Moycarkey Borris – Up 2.

In our original rankings We said that Moycarkey didn’t employ Eddie Brennan to win football matches. That proved to be a stupid statement when they caused the biggest shock in years by beating Loughmore-Castleiney in Round 1. Even though mathematically they can still qualify for the quarterfinals, they will need to produce another massive shock against Ardfinnan in the last round.

13.-Ardfinnan – Down 4.

 Down from ninth and although they have put in decent performances against Ballina and Loughmore they lost both games. They need to beat Moycarkey now to avoid the relegation play-offs.

12.-Moyle Rovers – Down 8.

We had them at No 4 in our original rankings but losses to Jk Brackens and Ballyporeen sees them propping up the table in group 4. They can still qualify for Q/F’s by beating Ballyporeen but they also need Brackens to beat Rockwell Rovers so qualification isn’t in their own hands.

11.-Kilsheelan/Kilcash – Down 4.

We have dropped them from seventh in the rankings after two losses from two games. That form  wouldn’t normally be good enough to qualify for a quarter-final but if they can get over Eire Og in the last round then they may just get there. 

10.-Cahir – Up 5.

Possibly unlucky not to even higher but somebody has to be ranked No 10. Still it is a jump of 5 places since our last rankings. A good performance against Upperchurch and a great win over Arravale sees them in a straight shoot-out with Killenaule to get to a quarter-final. 

9.-Drom & Inch – Up 5.

They looked to be facing relegation after losing to Eire Og in round 1 but bounced right back with a well deserved win over a fancied Kilsheelan side last weekend. For that we have moved them up 5 places in the rankings even though they had a huge battle to qualify for the quarter-finals as they may just need a draw or a win against Commercials in the last game.

8.- Killenaule – Up 4.

The Robins had an opening round win with a very impressive performance against Arravale before going down to Upperchurch in monsoon conditions last Friday night. They now have a straight shoot out against Cahir to reach the last eight. Based on their opening days performance we have moved them up 4 places to Number 8.

7.- Rockwell Rovers – Up 1.

A brilliant win over Moyle Rovers last weekend sees them remain in eighth place in our rankings. They have Jk Brackens next up and probably have to win to remain in the competition but it certainly wouldn’t be the shock of the century if they did win that game. 

And yes,we realize that we have three teams from Group 4 in the top 7 but these are Power Rankings on what we’ve seen so far and not a piece on who we think will qualify for the quarterfinals.

 6.-Ballyporeen – Up 5.

An opening day win over Rockwell Rovers and a decent performance against Jk Brackens sees Bally rise five places to No 6. 

5.-Loughmore Castleiney – Down 3.

After the shock of losing to Moycarkey-Borris in Round 1, the Mid team got back on track with a win against Ardfinnan last Saturday. We have dropped them 3 places in the rankings. 

 4.-Ballina – Up 2.

The talk of this year’s championship. We originally had them ranked at 6 but impressive performances against Ardfinnan and Moycarkey sees them deservingly jump into the Top 4. 

 3.-Jk Brackens – Up 2.

Comeback wins over Moyle Rovers and Ballyporeen also sees the Templemore side move up two spots in the rankings to number 3.

 2.-Upperchurch/Drombane – Up 1.

Last years beaten finalists have gone about their business with the minimum of fuss and move up one place to No 2 in the Football charts.

 1.-Clonmel Commercials – No change.

With two wins from two, the County Champions retain their spot at No 1 in our Power Rankings and don’t look like being shifted anytime soon.

On this Weeks Podcast Anthony and Kevin review every Round 2 Football game across the Senior and Intermediate Tipperary Football Championships and predict whats going to happen in Round 3.

Click to Listen Below

Intermediate Club Hurling

Senior Power Rankings done and dusted

Premier Intermediate Power Rankings done and dusted also

Now We get down to the Rankings everyone wants to see, the Intermediate Rankings after 2 games in the County Championships

Has there been much movement since our last compilation?

Yes, there has….

13 of the 16 clubs have moved positions with no less than 3 moving 4 places.

16.-Upperchurch/Drombane B – Down 1.

The loss to Ballybacon means the relegation quagmire for the ‘Church in season 1 in the Intermediate grade despite the best efforts of Pat Shortt running up 2-15 over their 2 outings. With 0 points in the group and a minus 22 points difference and Skeehenarinky up next, they are facing a relegation semifinal in all likelihood and they could find it tough from here on in.

15.-Shannon Rovers – Down 2.

Rovers have been cursing their luck from minute one with the whore of a draw they got to find themselves in with 3 live contender for the intermediate title. The 12 point loss to Kilsheelan probably means its a bottom spot in the group and a relegation dogfight. Tom Hogan carrying the fight for them with 3-13 so far. We still think they’re too good to go down but will be involved unfortunately.

14.-Ballybacon Grange – Up 2.

The great survivors did it again. The Houdini’s of the South, had a well earned win over Upperchurch which all but guarantees their safety for another year. They have a free swing against free scoring Borrisokane in round 3.Brendan Cummins their top scorer and top scoring keeper across the 3 grades with 0-07 to his name.

13.-Golden Kilfeacle – Down 2.

A 2nd loss sees them fall again this week, 0 points on the board but group 2 is very tight on scoring difference and an 8 point win over Ballingarry coupled with a Cappawhite win in round 3,could see them safe or better. Freetaking troubles again an issue. Only 6 individual scorers is a concern also with a lot of responsibility for scoring resting on the shoulders of Jack Leamy with 0-15 so far.

12.-Kickhams – Down 4.

Nearly back to where they started on the original Power Rankings where we had them at 13th. A 2nd loss to West rivals Arravale in 2023 means they have to go and win against a resurgent Davins team to steer clear of the relegation mire. Not beyond their capabilities and it will make for interesting viewing in Clonmel for 5pm,Saturday 26th.With an individual scoring spread of 10 players, we give them a punchers chance.

11.-Arravale Rovers – Up 3.

A big move this week. Followed up their West win over Kickhams with a 2nd win this year over the same opposition. Johnny Ryan back (0-02 in Round 2) is a huge bonus as is the form and frees of Club top scorer after 2 rounds, Mikey O’Dwyer with 1-20. Could qualify top with a win over Drom’s second crew,but a more likely scenario would see a Davins win and they winning placing them second in the group.

10.-Kiladangan B – No change.

Got back on track with a win over Golden. The group is so tight it could go anyway, beat Cappawhite who are currently on 4 and they could potentially come out of the group, definitely one for the Clubber red button option.12 individual scorers with the likes of Neil Cahalan 0-11 steady on the frees and Andy Loughnane and DJ McGrath both chipping in 0-03 from play the last day.

9.-Drom/Inch B – Down 2.

Still unbeaten, 2 draws and no win, means their destiny is in their own hands with them on 2 points and current table toppers Davins on 3 . Fascinating winner takes all game in store with Arravale Rovers who are also on 2 points but with an inferior -13 points difference, in Boherlahan this coming Saturday.Mikey Connors has found form at the right time for them with 0-11 (0-10 frees) in their round 2 draw v the Davins.

8.-Carrick Davins – Up 4.

Followed up a big Rd 1 win with and equally impressive draw with last years semi-finalists Drom/Inch. The group is so tight they will need something from round 3 to guarantee knockouts.In their favour Davins have a spread of scorers and are ticking the scoreboard over nicely too with Lee Mackey 0-09,Pa Harris and David Houlihan both 2-01 and Billy Roche 2-0 featuring in our scorers from play charts.

7.-Ballingarry – Down 2.

Fall out of the top 5 following loss to Cappawhite. A win over Golden and a Cappawhite win would see them qualify. The form of Dylan Walsh should be making the powers that be in the County sit up and take notice if his club man is not already aware to his form, He is currently second in the intermediate scoring charts with 1-23 in total,0-12 from frees and 1-11 from play.

6.-Skeeheenarinky – No Change.

Despite losing no change as they will still qualify 2nd in the group if they account for Upperchurch/Drombane B in Round 3. Surprise factor from 2022 is gone though but Darragh Brennan with 0-11 so far off frees and with 0-13 in total definitely gives them scope to progress further up the next set of rankings.

5.-Cappawhite – Up 4.

Hard Fought win over Ballingarry sees them move up and favourites for top spot in group 2. Not an easy game though v Kiladangan in Templemore next Saturday and a loss could see them need to use their preliminary quarter-final get out Jail card, have been motoring along nicely ,themselves and Borrisokane are the only 2 of the 16 with a 100% 2 wins from 2 record still left intact.11 individual scorers so far will have them higher here, next time out.

4.-Borrisokane – No Change.

In a wind affected game Borrisokane destroyed Skeheen in the first half leading 2-17 to 0-02. Will top their group and straight to a Quarter-final.10 individual scorers so far,but it the scoring power of Oisin Larkin 0-21 and Garry Ryan 2-11 from play,that is catching the eye.

3.-Kilsheelan/Kilcash – No Change.

Expected win over Shannon Rovers, The Kehoe brothers Barry and Mark, on fire with 0-19 scored between them in their win over Rovers in Round 2 . A humdinger in store with Moneygall, neither team will want to use the preliminary quarter final route.

2.-Moneygall – Down 1.

Drop down after draw with Boherlahan, Potential round tie of round 3 across all 3 grades, their clash with Kilsheelan. The Fogarty family are flying, Joe….. top of the scoring pile at Intermediate at the minute with 1-24, 0-19 Frees,Paddy not to be out done with 2-03 from play and Sean Kenneally getting in on the act with 0-04 from play, both days.

1.-Boherlahan – Up 1.

Move again following the draw with Moneygall, they may yet rue not driving home their 7 point half time lead in Templederry last Sunday evening, in their meeting of the North and Mid divisional Champions,. Should beat Shannon Rovers in round 3 and guarantee a Quarter Final spot. Their spread of 8 scorers and 3-19 against Moneygall should hold them in good stead for what we think could be another meeting between the 2 sides, near the end of October.

Premier Intermediate Club

We are doing the Power rankings in reverse this week, with the Senior Power Rankings already sorted and the Intermediate soon to follow….

No Movement with 4 Clubs and Movement with 12,it hasn’t been as volatile as the Senior or the Intermediate, but we suspect that’s down to very little between a lot of the teams and We can foresee a Tour de France style bunch sprint in Round 3 with a few lying on the ground battered and bruised and wondering how it all went so wrong so very quickly.

16.-Portroe – No Change from previous Power Ranking

Looked like they were getting back on track at half time against Gortnahoe/Glengoole but only managed 1-5 in the 2nd half. They need to get AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulrooney back asap, they had the lowest from play total of any club in Rd 1 with 4 players scoring 0-06 whilst its improved in Rd 2 with 6 players scoring 1-12 from play, its bound to have them sleeping fitfully up on the hill, they are destined for the relegation battle now regardless of their round 3 result with Lorrha.

15.-Moyne/Templetuohy – No Change

Lost again despite having Gearoid O’Connor who hit 0-17 back in the mix. Conor Bowe injury isn’t as bad as first feared, they yet may curse the 30 seconds where Conor got injured and sub Steven O’Brien then goaled for Ballina . 3 Players scoring 1-02 from play is relegation form, Hard to see them beating St Marys in the last round.

14.-Silvermines – Down 2

Two tough losses now for the ‘mines. Will need to recover quickly to have a chance of beating near neighbor’s Newport and avoid the relegation play-offs. They have scored 0-32 in total over the past 2 rounds, Jason Forde has scored 0-22 of them.

13.-Sean Treacy’s – Down 1

A tough loss against West Rivals Eire Og. Will need a huge performance against Thurles Sars to get out of relegation. Patrick Carey their standout scoring performer so far with 2-17.

12.-Ballina – Up 2

Got the win they needed over Moyne. Steven O’Brien back is a plus and he made an instant impression bagging a goal 20 seconds after his introduction. Probably don’t have enough to trouble Cashel but have avoided the relegation battle. Matthew Power their go to man with 0-21,Eoghan Power with 1-06 from play.

11.-Newport – No change

A bad loss for Newport against Burgess and only scoring 11 points to boot. Will still fancy taking the Silvermines but won’t progress much further. This has all the look of a relegation quarter final.38 Year old Conor O’Mahony still proving he knows how to get stuff done with a 0-08 tally so far.

10.-Eire Og Annacarty – Down 1

Lose a spot despite winning. Last years Senior outfit finding life to be extremely sticky in the second level.Looked comfortable against West rivals Treacy’s. Need to beat Swan though to progress. Not an easy task however as Sars also have the head to head on them.

9.-Thurles Sarsfields B – Down 2

Lose 2 spots after a tough loss to Carrick Swan. Should have too much for Sean Treacy’s in the last round but their cause won’t be helped by their Senior team pilfering performers at this level, James Armstrong being a case in point already.

8.-St.Marys – Down 2

Poor result vs Cashel but will take heart from their performance down a few key players. 2-41 in total scored so far and the scoring graph is pointing up for them just at the right time, 5 players bagged 0-11 in round 1 while in round 2 it was 9 pulling in 2-16. Now they face a must win game vs Moyne in New Inn Saturday 26th, to guarantee qualification for the third year running.

7.-Carrick Swan – Up 3

A come from behind win over Sars will have the Swan roaring. Their scoring total of 3-28 has them right slap bang as to where they should be in the power rankings. Gavin O’Halloran (0-15) and his free taking prowess key to them making further headway. Their game with Annacarty has the makings of a cracker with the winner certain to make the knockout stages. A massive game.

6.-Clonakenny – Up 2

The Darkest of Dark Horses for this, but dont be fooled……Accounted for the ‘mines easily enough. In Round 1 they knocked out 1-16 with 5 different scorers in round 2 it was 2-18 with 7 different scorers which tells you what way their scoring graph is headed, John Joe Ryan, Capo of Clonakenny with 2-17 so far. Beat Burgess and they become real contenders.

5.-Gortnahoe/Glengoole – No change

Got the win over Portroe but not as convincingly as some would have thought. Conceded 1-18 also which is a worry. Their game Vs Killenaule will give a good indication of where both sides are. Have the preliminary Quarter Final get out of Jail card safely in the arse pocket but you feel that last years beaten finalist will want to come through the front door. When we get the scoring charts sorted later this week, we expect Keane Hayes to be at or close to the summit with 0-27.

4.-Killenaule – Down 3

Lose 3 places following loss to Lorrha, where their wide count didn’t do them any favours, although they might fancy their chances if both sides met again. They have had a consistently high spread of scorers across both games so far with 9 getting on the board both days, their scoring total jumps out at us 5-45 and even more impressive is their 5-34 from play. Have a prelim in the bag but will want to win the derby v Gortnahoe. They haven’t gone away.

3.-Burgess – No change

Going about their business quietly. A very good win over Newport where they turned on the after burners in the second half. One potential chink in their armor is their dependence on Stephen Murray with 1-25 out of 1-41. A cracker in store vs Clonakenny where they could seal a quarter final place.

2.-Cashel – Up 2

Put up another barnstorming performance v Mary’s despite being without the Ryan brothers. 1-28 is serious scoring with the Connolly’s running the show. A big robust team with probably the greatest depth of talent of any of the leading contenders which they have backed up by having 10 separate scorers the last day out.

1.-Lorrha/Dorrha – Up 1

Sailing into the Quarters. Job done and wrapped up after round 2 with 5-37 scored, Colm Fogarty with 1-19 franking his talent, Their movement and appetite for goals against Killenaule was exceptional. We would urge caution before any rush to crown them though, strength in depth is a major Achilles heel of theirs and even 1 injury could scupper their season.

Be sure and check out our latest Podcast Episode where we go through every game and put our necks on the block for Round 3.

2 Rounds in and all is changed utterly….

The Algorithim is working over time but even at that, its hard to conceive of some of the fluctuations in some Club’s progress up the Rankings from before the Championship started.

Senior Hurling Club Power Rankings

16.-Templederry Kenyons – No Change from Round 1

Look destined for the Relegation scrap but have potentially the best forward in the division in Seanie Ryan with 1-08 scored so far from play, they had 9 scorers in Round 1 scoring 4-18 v Loughmore and ran up 1-18 v the Church, their issues aren’t in the forward line. At number 16 at the moment, It wouldn’t surprise us if they move up ‘slightly’ and survive before its all over.

15.-Jk Brackens -Down 2

Brackens are set for the relegation battle. Hard to see how its happened but it shows the competitiveness of the Championship. One clue as to where they find themselves could be their lack of a spread of scorers, 5 scorers in Round 1 with only 4 scoring 0-07 from play. In Round 2 a similar story, 5 scorers scoring 1-05 from play, if this continues the omens are not good.

14.-Moycarkey/Borris -No Change

Moycarkey put in a very credible performance against Toomevara with 9 individual scorers, but had Rhys Shelly to thank that it was so close. Shelly also has so far 0-03 to his name from between the sticks, A humdinger with County Champs Kilruane in round 3 with the loser in the relegation mire.

13.-Kilruane -Down 1

The biggest fallers after the round 1 games going down 7 places, Kilruane have now given up their Dan Breen crown in round 2 and will want to avoid going straight into the relegation dogfight. Can’t call a winner in their game with Moycarkey at this point. Could the introduction of Seamus Hennessey who came in and scored 0-03 v Toome swing this in their favour?.

12.-Mullinahone -Down 1

Mullinahone are safe from relegation and have nothing to lose against Nenagh, Mikey O’Shea is in standout form for them at the minute with 3-04 already plundered from play. Will be a big ask to topple the North champs but stranger things have happened.

11.-Upperchurch/Drombane -Down 1

The ‘Church bounced back with a win in Rd. 2 to set up a huge game with Loughmore in the last game. On form Loughmore look likely to win but there isn’t much between the sides. A slight worry might be only 4 scorers in Round 1 with 1-06 from play, they have improved in round 2 with 8 players chipping 1-13 from play, Padraig Greene’s freetaking prowess is key to them going deep into the Championship.

10.- Roscrea -Up 5

Roscrea knocked Kilruane out with Shane Fletcher with 2-03 from play ripping up many an accumulator. Alan Tyan with 1-06 from play in the first 2 rounds, continuing his fine Tipperary form, Luke Cashin also catching the eye,11 players scoring the last day v Kilruane tells us that confidence is high in the camp. Still need to get something out of the Toomevara game. Moycarkey could catch them on score difference if they don’t.

9.- Clonoulty/Rossmore -Down 3

Clonoulty drop down 3 places and have to produce a big perfomance v Kiladangan in round 3 to get the ship sailing again. Their spread of scorers is a major worry only 3 in round 1 and 5 in round 2,if anything happens to Cathal Bourke with 1-24 scored already, you’d have to wonder where their scores will come from, Have the divisional title route like Thurles if needed, to fall back on.

8.- Holycross -Up 1

Holycross move up 1 despite ‘losing’ to scoreboard gate. They should beat Templederry in the last round and qualify. The have the head to head on Upperchurch too. Memo to Liam Cahill, they have this chap by the name of Cathal Barrett, introduced into their half forward line the last day who scored 1-05 from play.

7.- Thurles Sarsfields -No Change

Thurles Sarsfields still sit in 7th after turning up the gears late on to take a much needed win v Clonoulty in round 2. Potential to top Group 1 but also can end up in bottom spot. Have the Divisional title route if needed but Thurles will want to get another win on the board and keep the momentum going. Darragh Stakelum with 1-06 from play so far catching the eye, Aidan McCormack unflappable on frees with a total of 1-11 ran up so far.

6.- Kiladangan -Down 5

A massive 2nd half v Borris where Kiladangan showed their true power, similar to their round 1 game v Thurles Sarsfields wasn’t enough to get them over the line as Brendan Maher had a different idea. A win v Clonoulty in Round 3 will be enough to qualify them out of the group. Number 1 spot in the Power Rankings after round 1 for Kiladangan who looked to be sailing into the knock out rounds, but this group is throwing up all sorts of possibilities .Billy Seymour back to his u20 form with 1-18 on the boards so far.

5.- Borris-ileigh -Up 3

A last gasp winner by Brendan Maher v Kiladangan in a game that had huge swings moves Borris up into 5th. Borris have to rally again to avoid defeat to Thurles Sarsfields in round 3 to qualify for the knock out stages (pending a Kiladangan win v Clonoulty).Only 5 players managed to score 1-06 in their round 1 game v Clonoulty but they have bucked themselves up in round 2 with 9 of them of running in 3-14.

4.- Nenagh -Up 1

A drop from the power ranking number 1 spot prior to round 2 for Nenagh but they’re not going away. A win or draw v Mullinahone in round 3 will get Nenagh through to the knock out stages in 2nd place in Group 1, but they have the back door route otherwise as North Champions. Still Jake Morris-less so the longer their alive, the better chance of Jake getting back on the field. Down also Tommy Heffernan who had scored 1-05 from in round 1 but it mattered little in round 2 as 8 of them tallied 4-06 from play.

3.- Toomevara -Up 1

Like the 2 teams above them, 2 wins from 2 for Toome and a win or draw v Roscrea in final round will ensure top spot in Group 2. Darragh McCarthy (2-08), Jack Delaney (2-08) and Shane Nolan (0-10) showing serious intent for Toome with a team who are very efficient in front of goal.

2.- Drom/Inch -Up 1

Drom-Inch are going about their business without too much talk, like Loughmore 2 wins from 2, but are sure to qualify for the knockout stages as group winner due to the head to head ruling over Nenagh & Mullinahone. Dark horses and moving up the rankings to justify their current form. Its the depth and spread of scorers that are impressing us, 5-39 scored in 2 games,12 individual scorers so far, Seamie Callanan with 2-12,Tommy Nolan with 2-06,Johnny Ryan with 0-08 and the list goes on and on..

1.- Loughmore Castleiney -Up 1

With 2 wins from 2, Loughmore move up to top spot. But if results go against them in Round 3, they could finish 3rd in their group and not qualify. Score difference may come into play. Loughmore are leaking goals which is a slight concern, but are doing serious damage at the other end (5-53) with scorers all over the pitch with John McGrath top of their pile with 1-21 pillaged so far.

Listen into our latest Podcast Episode, where We review every Hurling game which happened in the County across Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate.

We have now employed the Algorithm to sift through the possibilities of the Tipperary Intermediate Club Championship, Its a competitive Championship with 14 teams involved in 3 groups, Ballina won it last year and they have already made a winning start in the Senior Championship.

Click to see our Senior Football Power Rankings Here

Intermediate Club Football

14.Moyle Rovers

Considered by many in the know to be Poorest on this list and already in a spot of bother, having been beaten last night (Friday 04/08) by Commercials Second Squad on a scoreline of 3-12 to 0-04.

13.Loughmore/Castleiney

Lack of strength in depth and being pulled in all directions in both codes have Loughmore here, A poor campaign last Year also doesn’t help, in the 6 team of group 3,so one or two results might keep them alive.

12.Jk Brackens B

Similar to Loughmore dependent on players not playing Senior plus the hurling thrown in the mix also, good underage teams in recent years so can’t be written off, also in Group 3.

11.Clonmel Og

Drew with Fr. Sheehys in the South Championship which should give them something to work with here, they have a difficult Round 1 assignment V Grangemockler/Ballyneale in Monroe this coming Bank Holiday Monday at 2 Pm.

10. Fr.Sheehys

Another in danger of getting involved in a relegation battle , the addition of ex minor hurler Cathal English this year is a big bonus, they play Fethard in Monroe this coming Bank Holiday Monday at 3:30 Pm.

9. Mullinahone 

We had them placed much higher until they lost last night, (Friday 04/08) to a Sars team up from Junior on a score line of 1-11 to 1-15

A Good season last year until a heavy final defeat, A poor league and South campaign as well in 2023 means they will have to bounce back and quick.

8.Thurles Sarsfields

Just up from Junior and after beating Mullinahone in Rd 1 there’s more scope for progress, numbers and recent under age success means they have the potential to go Senior, soon.

7. Fethard

One of the traditional Football Powerhouses in Tipperary that have fallen off recently, they had a just ok league and South campaign. A must win game for them v Fr.Sheehys on this coming Bank Holiday Monday.

6. Moyne/Templetuohy 

Could be dark horses to return to Senior after a 2 year gap, the fortunes of their Hurlers may have a bearing on their progress with Conor Bowe crucial to their chances, a physically fit hard working team.

5. Clonmel Commercials B 

Their season will depend on how many players are used at Senior but still will be there or thereabouts as witnessed by their 3-12 to -0-04 win over Moyle Rovers last night.

4. Golden/Kilfeacle 

Semi finalists last year but seem to concentrating on hurling this Year?, Played in the 2023 Senior league but were poor, as a well as a heavy defeat in West. A win tonight v Moyne though, could kick start their year in a big way.

3.Galtee Rovers

Heavy defeat to Aherlow in the West Championship already but proved to be contenders in recent years and Group 3 looks winnable for them.

2.Aherlow 

A very experienced team but might lack fitness in long run, had a very good league and west campaign, in Group 3 also.

1 Grangemockler/Ballyneale

Favourites to win it again ,A great young team but may lack the experience to get it done over more battle hardened outfits. Clonmel Og up first.

Its a Football Weekend this Weekend and it would be very remiss of us if We didnt put out a Big Ball Power Rankings also.

Big John from Premierview has crunched the numbers ,checked the pulses and looked lads in the eyes to developed the Football Algorithm and this is the result.

16: Moycarkey-Borris. Everyone’s favourite to go down every year but they have always managed to pull one big performance out of the bag to survive. This year might be different through as they did not employ Eddie Brennan to take them football training and their lack of ball work in a group with Loughmore-Castleiney, Ardfinnan and Ballina will probably count against them.

15: Cahir. Despite having a few good underage teams a few years ago they don’t seem to have kicked on to Senior. In a group with Upperchurch, Killenaule and Arravale Rovers they will feel they have a chance and while I have them as No 15 in the power-rankings, that is only because somebody had to be No 15 and in truth there is not a lot between any of the teams from 10 to 16.

14: Drom-Inch.The Norwich City of Tipperary Football as ever second year they seem to be in a promotion or relegation battle. Capable on their day but hurling is No 1 in the club so they will have little or nothing done in terms of football. With talented players you might get away with that Intermediate level but you get found out at Senior. If they go deep into the hurling championship then their football results will suffer.

13: Eire Og Annacarty.The great survivors and most peoples favourite to go down last year but yet again they survived and they may just do it again this year even with three teams to go down. Their game v Drom-Inch will be vital but I expect them to get over it and that and while it would be a big ask for them to reach a quarter-final, I do expect them to finish third in the group which would be enough to see them out of the relegation battle.

12: Killenaule. Capable of being much higher than Twelfth in the power rankings but some years they are only on nodding terms with football. With three teams to go down this year, Killenaule will have to be careful but in truth I’m not expecting anything as dramatic as relegation that to happen them.

11:  Ballyporeen: Word on the field is that Ballyporeen are concentrating more hurling and if this is true then without the services of Conor Sweeney this year, it seems a dangerous ploy to abandon their traditional football roots. Being in a group with Moyle Rovers, Rockwell Rovers and JK Brackens isn’t going to help their mood but when it comes to the crunch, they should have enough talent in their team to be competitive.

10: Arravale Rovers: A Club with a tremendous football tradition who have had a number of good underage teams in recent years. Last year with Niall Fitzgerald in charge they were well organised defensively but struggled with the transition from back to front. If they can improve on this area they are well capable of taking a scalp or two along the way.

9: Ardfinnan: Quarter Finalists for the past two years, Ardinnan have been extremely unlucky not to progress further on at least one occasion. No doubt they will leave no pebble unturned in their efforts this year.  A lovely team to watch in possession, if they are to progress this year they will need to improve their turnover count especially in the middle third as they have struggled when teams run at them. If they can do that and with players like Colm O’Shaughnessy, Gavin Whelan, Michael Barlow and Billy Hewett in their ranks, then they are capable of competing with any team.

8: Rockwell Rovers. A welcome addition to senior football over the past few years where they have more than held their own.   They are in a tough group this year with Moyle Rovers, JK Brackens and Ballyporeen but it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world if they were to take a scalp and qualify out the group.

 7: Kilsheelan-Kilcash. On paper Kilsheelan-Kilcash have as good a team as any and it’s not too much of an exaggeration to say that if they can keep everyone fit they can be rightly considered legitimate contenders for County honours. But almost annually they seem to get marquee players injured at key moments in the championship. It’s getting a stage now where it’s go or get off the pot time for them because with players like Evan Comerford, Daire Brennan, Mark Stokes, Paul Maher (if fit) and Mark and Barry Kehoe in their team, they have the talent to make their presence felt against any team.

6: Ballina: When the Premier Pod boys asked me to do this they sent me their own power rankings and they had Ballina at No 16. I couldn’t disagree more and I am tipping Ballina to be the surprise package in this year’s championship. Deciding between Ballina and Ardfinnan for a quarter final spot is no easy task but I’ve opted for Ballina in the end. Steven O’Brien will most likely miss the early stages of the championship and is an obvious loss but with players like Teddy Doyle, Eoghan Power, James Hanley and Michael Breen playing under the guidance of Kevin Byrne and John Maughan last year’s Intermediate champions are well capable of making their presence felt.

5: J.K. Brackens: JKB’s chances this year could well depend on getting players back from Injury. Paddy Cadell and Eanna McBride are the two players who make Bracken’s tick and both were absent in the hurling defeat to Mullinahone last Sunday. If these two were fully fit,  I would be tempted to put JKB into second or third place in the power-rankings but with doubts over their participation in the early stages of the championship, I’ve slotted JKB into 5th although I expect them to get stronger as the year goes on. Tom Murphy, Jordan Moloney and Neil Quinlan provide style and substance but it’s at full forward where the magic happens. Jack Kennedy has been the best forward in Tipperary for two years now. If Brackens can move away from their counter-attacking style and offer him more support he will be even better and with Kevin Mulryan taking the reins I expect to see a more offensively minded JKB this year.

4: Moyle Rovers: Rovers are becoming like Forrest Gumps box of chocolates….you just never know what you’re going to get. Most teams have good days and indifferent days. Rovers deal in a dicier market. They are either brilliant or poor…and sometimes in the same game. Rian Quigley is on his travels and an obvious loss but if Stephen Quirke and Luke Boland can bring their county form back to club level, then Moyle Rovers could be a dangerous animal. As always consistency of performance will be the key to Moyle Rovers chances but if they can get that then the sky is the limit for them. 

3: Upperchurch-Drombane: I was stupid enough to dismiss their chances last year because I believed they wouldn’t have enough football played. I was reminded of it once or twice as they progressed to the County Final so I’m not going to make the same mistake this year. People talk about their hard work and commitment and of course they have both in abundance but they also have some wonderful footballers. Paul and Luke Shanahan are the star turns in the forward line while personally I’ve always admired the way Jack Butler goes about his business. They may or may not repeat their hurling achievements of last year by getting to a semi-final but I think they will definitely get to a semi-final in football and once there nobody will want to meet them. With Pat Shorrt and Mickey O’Sullivan on their management team, they won’t be found wanting on the line.

2: Loughmore-Castleiney: A close call for second spot in the power-rankings between Loughmore-Castleiney and their Mid Tipperary neighbours Upperchurch-Drombane. I’ve went with Loughmore-Castleiney purely on the basis of tradition and of course it is always foolhardy to rank them any lower. They will need to be on their toes early this year in what could be a potentially tricky group with Ardfinnan and Ballina but they should negotiate those hurdles and in a way those tricky games early on might help them later in the year. With Liam and John McGrath up front they have the fire power to once more progress deep into the championship any maybe even all the way.

1: Clonmel Commercials: You don’t have to be related to Old Moore to know that Commercials will be strong favourites to retain their county title. Their team is littered with pub-hold names so there is little point in going through them but a young man to keep an eye out for this year is Cian Smith.

After last Weekends first Round of Premier Intermediate Club action, We definitely expected Movement in the Rankings and We got some.

This was our first edition of the Premier Intermediate Power Rankings, check out where We thought everyone was before the Round 1 games.

Click Here

The Likes of Killenaule,Lorrha and especially Thurles Sars with their defeat of Eire Og Annacarthy have all laid down an early marker, while the likes of Portroe ,Moyne Templetuohy and the Silvermines will need a win in Round 2 to get their season back on the Road.

Premier Intermediate Power Rankings

16 Portroe No Change

We were having our doubts as Port started well against Killenaule but the eventual heavy defeat backs up their original position. In a very tough group with three in form teams so could be set for the relegation play-offs and will need the return of key players to strengthen their hand if that is the case.

15.Moyne Templetuohy Down 3 

An abysmal second-half showing against Cashel in what was a feisty affair in Holycross, 0-06 from play and we don’t even want to go into the wide count or the tactics v 12 men.Moyne will need to re-group quickly for a must-win clash in round 2 with Ballina if they are to avoid the relegation play-offs.One Glimmer of light,We are hearing that a certain Gearoid O’Connor is back from the States.

14.Ballina No Change 

Were very competitive for large periods against St. Marys in Round 1 but just came up short against the south side losing by 3 at the end, they may take some confidence from this and a win in round 2 v a Moyne side in all sorts of trouble, would see them shoot up the rankings.

13.Sean Treacys Up 2

The famed Treacy’s  never say die attitude was on full display in Round 1 as the West side fought back from 5 points down against Carrick Swan to take a share of the spoils. Will be delighted to take something from that game and will look to cause a shock in Round 2 against a rattled Eire Og,the form of Patrick Carey is key to them progressing. All to play for in this group.

12.Silvermines Down 2

Lost a tight arm wrestle against Burgess and might be disappointed they didn’t get over the line in that one.  Now face a must win tie against Clonakenny in Round 2,the major worry looking in,is their continued dependance on their talisman,Jason Forde,0-14 the last day,11 frees,1 65,2 from play,3 other scorers contributing 0-4 points from play,You don’t need to have Paul Kinnerk levels of foresight to see what you have to do when you go and play the ‘mines.

11.Newport No Change

An opening round draw sets Newport up for an all North Round 2 clash against Burgess and with the likes of both Colin and Odhran Floyd in flying form they will fancy their chances of being higher come the next edition of these rankings.Conor O’Mahony with 0-03 the last day yet again showing class is permanent.

10.Carrick Swan Down 1

Once again they will start the County series with some regrets after a promising Divisional campaign. Although not an outright disastrous result drawing with the Treacy’s, they now face a tricky tie against a Sars team who will be full of confidence after their first round win. That match looks crucial to shaping their season now.

9.Eire Og Annacarthy Down 6

The joint biggest movers of these power rankings, but in the wrong direction. May have got too much respect  coming down from Dan Breen with their original placing but were well bet by Sars in Round 1.With 10 different Scorers v Sars but only 1-10 from play, they will have to adjust quickly to their new reality or a relegation battle for the second year in a row could be on their hands.

8.Clonakenny No Change

The old reliables will always be there or thereabouts in games at this grade and are a hard team to beat as evidenced by their 1-16 apiece draw v Newport.John Joe Ryan the main Man for them the last day with 1-10. A win over Silvermines in Round 2 would see them cement their place in the top 8, come Round 3.

7.Thurles Sarsfields B Up 6

The result of Round One, A win over a 2022 Senior Side sees Sars second team showing their true form after a disappointing divisional loss. Have a great mix of youth and experience so may be particularly dangerous in the group stages here.8 different scorers and 3 different scorers from frees shows strength in depth and they won’t fear anyone after this win. Swan up next for Sars.

6.St.Mary’s Up 1

Ground out a hard-fought win over Ballina in Round 1 with a late surge of scores proving the difference. Will now look at a top of the table clash with Cashel as a potential group decider in what looks like one of the games of round 2.Sean Kennedy got  0-11 all of them frees,a higher scoring rate from play and a win over Cashel will see them surge up the rankings next time out.

5.Gortnahoe Glengoole Down 4

A big fall for the Mid men after a late smash and grab by Lorrha, Which they were in control for all of normal time but they won’t be too concerned and should power back up with a win in Round 2 as they face basement side Portroe. Keane Hayes catching the eye in Moneygall with 0-10,7 of them frees.

4.Cashel King Cormacs Up 1

Cathal Quinn produced a star turn for King Cormac’s as they survived three red cards to bag a round 1 win.That performance provides as many questions as answers and they will need to be a lot more disciplined in future games, that being said the talent in their panel is there for all to see.Could Suspensions potentially coming down the tracks derail the 12 Apostles ?.Next up for them is Mary’s in Cahir on Sunday 13th of August.

3.Burgess Up 1

A 2 Point first round win over Ballina sets them up for a tilt at top spot and that highway straight into the quarter finals. Look to be a team that all really know their jobs and are well organised, a good recovery after the North final epic against Lorrha. Stephen Murray with 0-13 the last day and unerring on frees has kept up his 2022 form.

2.Lorrha Up 4

Pulses are definitely racing again up North with Ken Hogan’s men going from strength to strength,3 points down on the 60 minute mark v Gortnahoe in Moneygall and to win by 1 shows a team on a high and Semple Stadium provides a suitable setting for their Round 2 clash with Killenaule. Bonner, the Hogans. McIntyre’s et all will need to be on top form to make top spot next time round.

1.Killenaule Up 1
The highest margin victory in Round 1 follows up their South winning divisional crown,3-16 from play the last day in a second half demolition of Portroe with 9 different scorers from play, the Robins look to be purring along nicely and all without their talisman Bubbles so far. Manager Niall  Dwyer and team have done a fantastic job in reversing Killenaule’s fortunes and look sure to be a team that are involved at the business end of the competition.

The Updated Intermediate Club Power Rankings are also out

Click Here

Check out the Full Rankings in this Week’s Podcast Episode where We delve further into the Rankings and review every one of the Round 1 Games whilst also looking ahead and previewing the Round 2 games, across the 3 Grades.

After the Weekends first Round of Intermediate Club action, We definitely expected Movement in the Rankings and We got some.

This was our first edition of the Power Rankings, check out where We thought everyone was before the Round 1 games.Click Here

Some impressive Performances from the likes of Carrick Davin’s, Borrisokane and Moneygall have confirmed their status as contenders for the County, Others already such as Ballybacon and Shannon Rovers look to be in serious danger of a Relegation Semi Final berth already.

Intermediate Power Rankings.

16.  Ballybacon/Grange. 7 points scored in their Round 1 game v Skeheenarinky, a paltry return. The Church B game in Round 2 was always going to be their focus from the time the groups were drawn up, so nothing much has changed. – No Change

15. Upperchurch/Drombane B. Tough Loss to Borrisokane.Their  Round two with Ballybacon could be the relegation final in disguise. – No Change

14. Arravale Rovers. Heavy loss to Davins. Will be hard to pick up from here. They will need to repeat their West trick over Kickhams to avoid the relegation battle. SOS to Johnny Ryan – Down 2

13. Shannon Rovers. Big Fall due to the cut throat quality group they are in. Not as bad as this ranking but being in a  group Moneygall,Kilsheelan and Boherhlahan means they will contest relegation again this year – Down 8

12. Carrick Davins. Huge win over Arravale Rovers. Well set up now for a crack at Drom/Inch B. A win in this one will change the complexion of their year. – Up 2

11. Golden/Kilfeacle. Lost out to Cappawhite by three points again but relied heavily on Jack Leamy. Huge game with Kiladangan B coming up. – Down 1

10. Kiladangan B. Drop down following 4 point loss to Ballingarry. Looked lost at times. Important game with Golden in Round 2. – Down 4

9. Cappawhite. Winners over Golden by 3. Held their opponents to single digit points. Will need a big performance against Ballingarry though to move up the rankings further. – Up 2

8. Knockavilla Kickhams. Cracking result for Kickhams considering the players they were missing. Will relish a revenge mission against Arravale in Round 2,which will then set up a potential winner takes all clash v the Davins. – Up 5

7. Drom/Inch. Last year’s Semi-finalists will be disappointed to draw game one but will be confident of a victory against Davins. – Up 1

6. Skeheenarinky. Last year’s Semi-finalists move up after a hard fought but decent win over Ballybacon. Will need to find more scoring power to topple Borrisokane who ran up 3-27 in their Round 1 game. A hard game to call. – Up 3

5.Ballingarry. Showed true grit to get over a Kiladangan B team just down from Premier Intermediate. Dylan Walsh was on fire with 9pts. – Up 2

4. Borrisokane. The beaten North finalists justify their top 5 billing with an emphatic win over Upperchurch Drombane B in Round 1. Moving along nicely. – No Change

3. Kilsheelan. Should get back on the horse in round 2 v Shannon Rovers. Have a preliminary Quarter Final  in the bag from the South win. May need it yet in a very sticky Group 3 but still a top team. – Down 1

2. Boherlahan. Leapfrogging Kilsheelan by virtue of a one point win over them. Coming together nicely for the Mid side. Will move into the top spot with a win in round 2 over Moneygall. – Up 1

1. Moneygall. Struggled again with Shannon Rovers before an emphatic last 10 minutes saw them eight point winners. – No Change.

Check out the Full Rankings in this Week’s Podcast Episode where We delve further into the Rankings and review every one of the Round 1 Games whilst also looking ahead and previewing the Round 2 games, across the 3 Grades.

With the County Championship starting this Weekend, We fire out our first edition for 2023 across Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate,48 Teams,16 down to number 1 in each gradeIts a complex Algorithm based on current form shown in the divisions, last years form, players coming in, players injured or in America and who we are likely to get the most abuse from…

16.Roscrea

We have a few factors in having Roscrea, last years O’Riain Champions being here, one is the doubt that there is a gap starting to really widen between the Senior and the Premier Intermediate Clubs, this is backed up by Roscrea’s performance V Kiladangan in the North this month. Roscrea’s aim this year should be to survive and acclimatize at this level of Hurling and then push on with their Young Squad in the coming Years.

15.Templederry Kenyons

Last Years Relegation Finalists will hope not to be in the conversation this Year, the Forwards aren’t the issue with Seanie Ryan being worth the price of Admission alone, the defence is a worry and until they tighten it, doubts will persist.

14.Mullinahone

The Son of God back to where he started…in the goals. Can the gang be got back together in Mul for one final swing, the fact they seem to be now getting beaten in the South by Premier Intermediate teams on a regular basis has Us worried.

13.Toomevara

We can expect incoming fire having these lads at unlucky for some…,the 3 Ryan’s Alan, Kenny and Jason being unavailable leaves gaps,Mark McCarthy being suspended another, Kilruane might have too much for them in Round 1, but the remaining 2 games v Roscrea and Moycarkey both winnable, both loseable could see them move markedly in one direction or the other on our Power Rankings.

12.Moycarkey-Borris

Down Captain Pat Molloy already,Moycarkey have a must win v Roscrea in Round 1,We like the look of their defence with Tipp Keeper Rhys Shelly in fine form for the County, Can he translate it to Club?, Time for Eddie Brennan to deliver on the investment placed in him also.

11.Holycross

If We live long enough to put together the first edition of 2026 Senior Power Rankings, We expect Holycross to be a lot higher, Minor and U20 County Champions last Year ,they are a club headed in the right direction. For now though question marks about their ability to clock up scores has them pinned at 11.

10.Jk Brackens

Paddy Cadell a huge loss for the Templemore and Clonmore Crew, Pacey Combative and Athletic in equal parts, they will need to put away Mullinahone well in Round 1 to convince Us to place them higher next time round.

9.Drom&Inch

On paper Drom can aim for Dan, but need to up their form coming into the County Championship. Tommy Nolan, David Collins, Seamie Callanan and the mix of Campions if they can all click on their day, will score and trouble any team. A team no one will want to meet come knockout. A win v Brackens and Mullinahone is very likely to progress them from Group 1. And before all that could even take a Jake Morris Less Nenagh in Round 1 in Templemore this coming Saturday.

8.Loughmore Castleiney

You know Loughmore will be around come the business end, but may fall short with the dependency on the McGraths to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Noel in great form and worth the admission fee to see. Dark horses. 

7.Borris-ileigh

Borris had a year they wont want to remember last year and it doesn’t get any better this Year so far, In the group of Death or Champions whichever you prefer to call it, Niall Kenny being gone is a big loss, the 2 McCormack’s being back right is an addition, they will need everyone as numbers could be an issue.

6.Upperchurch Drombane

The People’s choice to be Champions ?, A dual Club who came so close delivering on both fronts in 2022,Very unlucky to not win their first Mid Senior Title. Will give any team trouble in the group and can take great positivity from their run in the Mid and bring that form to the County championship.

5.Kilruane

Craig Morgan back, Kian O’Kelly not yet back, Beaten by Borrisoleigh in the North, this Weeks game v Toome could be razor edge tight,as per last years Quarter Final, Can Liam Cahill use the knowledge of the in-laws and even turn the head of the County’s Version of Greta Garbo, Jer Cahill?, Kilruane should be higher but given the fact there has been 6 Champions in 6 Years, We have them at 5 for now

4.Clonoulty Rossmore

8 in a row West Champions after giving Cashel a trimming, they arrive into the group of Death with a Preliminary Quarter Final Get of Jail Card already in the back pocket, We are of the belief that there’s more Hurling in them now than when they won Dan Breen in 2018.

3.Kiladangan

Missing Deccie McGrath and Tadhg Gallagher due to suspension in their North Final loss to Nenagh, their Rd1 Clash V Sars in the Stadium next Sunday will give us a steer as to where they really are at.

2.Thurles Sarsfields

The big Dog is lurking and ready to pounce should any of the leading contenders falter, Had a Good win in the Mid Final last Weekend, to grind out the game in closing stages V the ‘Church. Billy McCarthy showing well, which will no doubt be closely watched by Liam Cahill, along with Eoin Purcell & Aidan McCormack in the forwards.Good mix of youth both on the field and sideline. 

1.Nenagh Eire Og

How many times have We been here before with the Capital of the North, the Mayo of Tipp Club Hurling, flattering to deceive before finding a different way to fall apart. We have however sensed a new approach to their play in the North Championship…. Doggedness and Workrate. Johnny Kelly knows how to win a Dan Breen but the health of Jake Morris is Key, If he can return as soon as possible, Maybe just Maybe the Frank McGrath will have the Company of the Dan Breen come Autumn time.

Check out the Full Rankings in this Week’s Podcast Episode where We delve further into the Rankings and Preview every one of the Round 1 Games on this Weekend across the 3 Grades.

With the County Championship starting this Weekend, We fire out our first edition for 2023 across Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate,48 Teams,16 down to number 1 in each grade

Its a complex Algorithm based on current form shown in the divisions, last years form, players coming in, players injured or in America and who we are likely to get the most abuse from…

16. Portroe – May struggle with absences, AJ Willis and Ruadhan Mulrooney being 2 particular losses. Get them back and things will change. The attitude of the 3 Divisional Champions who have already secured Preliminary County Quarter Final slots and are in Portroe’s group could see them move out of the red zone in our next Power Ranking Edition.

15. Sean Treacys – Treacy’s will give their all as is their traditional approach and will be close in most games,but might lack strength in depth.

14.Ballina – another North team who have under performed in recent years, Stephen O’Brien’s loss might scupper their hopes, have they the potential to go a lot better in the Big Ball?.

13.Thurles Sarsfields B – hard to know who they will put out given the numbers at their disposal, A disappointing Mid divisional defeat V Clonakenny doesn’t bode well for them in this company.

12.Moyne Templetuohy -Form of Conor Bowe vital to their chances, Also will they get Gearoid O’Connor back from the States in Time to make an impact ?,A Team with the Potential to be placed much higher.

11. Newport – frustratingly less than the sum of their parts in recent campaigns.

10. Silvermines – over-reliant on Forde on frees and from play, vulnerable if he’s held as We have already seen this Year in the North, some very useful younger lads starting to emerge in this Club. Their round 1 derby game v Burgess has all the hallmarks of a cracker.

9. Carrick Swan-will aim to bring divisional form to county series, haven’t done this recently though.

8 Lorrha – Their goalscoring North form a throw back to their 2020 Premier Intermediate Final run, Squad depth an Issue and no Brian Hogan, currently in Australia, another that could go higher in our next power ranking edition.

7. St Mary’s – Beaten semi finalists last two years, need to push on this year, A Club with their population base needs to be in Senior both from a South Perspective but also from a Tipperary viewpoint.

6. Clonakenny – in a tough group, but divisional form is solid, a case for them to be placed higher.

5. Cashel – looked good V Treacy’s, Took a whipping from a much higher ranked Clonoulty in the West Final, On Paper look the real deal, doubts persists that they are less than the sum of the parts at the minute.

4. Burgess – Were well in control of the North Final V Lorrha in the North Final and then proceeded to be outscored 4-10 to 0-07 in the second half, Have better Squad Depth than most North teams that’s why We have them to go deep this Year.

3. Eire Og Annacarthy – Used to playing at a higher level, having being relegated from Senior last Year, Its well within their grasp to bounce back up this Year

2. Killenaule-Perennial and maddening under achievers have already taken out a Dan Breen team in this Years Divisional Championship, Where is Bubbles?, He could be the Key.

1.Gortnahoe/Glengoole – Already Mid Champs in 2023,Only for the performance of Daryl Ryan in the closing stages between the sticks for Roscrea in last Year’s Premier Intermediate Final, They would have been Senior in 2023 ,We will be keeping an eye out in particular for the form of young Damien Corbett.

Check out the Full Rankings in this Week’s Podcast Episode where We delve further into the Rankings and Preview every one of the Round 1 Games on this Weekend across the 3 Grades.

With the County Championship starting this Weekend, We fire out our first edition for 2023 across Senior, Premier Intermediate and Intermediate,48 Teams,16 down to number 1 in each grade

Its a complex Algorithm based on current form shown in the divisions, last years form, players coming in, players injured or in America and who we are likely to get the most abuse from…

16. Ballybacon/Grange – Perennial Relegation team. Brendan Cummins dug them out of a hole with a long range free last year. Their game with the Church will be decisive.

15. Upperchurch/Drombane B – Just up from Junior and have lost James Barry. Tough Group with Skeheenarinky and Borrisokane

14. Carrick Davins – Did well to get to the South Final, will need to find a win V Arravale or Kickhams to avoid Relegation Battle

13. Knockavilla Kickhams – Last years Quarter Finalists lost out to Arravale in the West this Year,Missing Lorcan Carr, Eddie Daly, the Horgan’s & Paudie O’Carroll. Tough first game v Drom.

12. Arravale Rovers – excellent win over Kickhams in the West, took Cappawhite to the wire. If Johnny Ryan returns home from San Francisco, expect them to place higher in our rankings next time round.

11. Cappawhite – Won West Intermediate 2023 but suspect form when holding leads. A very tough group.

10. Golden/Kilfeacle – Lost out to Cappawhite by a goal but the return of both Niall Heffernan & Ben Currivan will be a boon to them.

9. Skeheenarinky – 2022 Semi finalist. Good form in South, could be again the dark horses to make another semi final in 2023.

8. Drom/Inch B – 2022 Semi finalists, lost out to Boherlahan in Mid Final

7. Ballingarry – Division 3 League Finalists, very sharp in South and form of Dylan Walsh encouraging.

6. Kiladangan B – Just down from Premier Intermediate, Division 4 League finalists.

5. Shannon Rovers – Took Moneygall to extra time in the North. In a Tough group so a win in Round 1 v Moneygall will be vital, they get that and their season will take off.

4. Borrisokane – Lost by 1 Point to Moneygall in 2022, beaten North Finalists this year. Form of Oisin Larkin is exciting.

3. Boherlahan – 2022& 2023 Mid Winners, addition of O’Dwyer’s & Clarke’s a huge bonus. Up and coming team.

2. Kilsheelan – 2021 Finalists & 2023 South Winners – Having Mark Kehoe & Paul Maher firing for them is instrumental in We placing them at 2.

1. Moneygall – 2022 Finalists, 2023 North Winners – two intercounty senior forwards in Fogarty and Kenneally. Management Team bolstered by the addition of Cormac McGrath, Hard to see them being beaten this year.

Check out the Full Rankings in this Week’s Podcast Episode where We delve further into the Rankings and Preview every one of the Round 1 Games on this Weekend across the 3 Grades

20 Questions on the life and times of one of the Greatest ever Tipperary Hurlers

A Colossus be it with Thurles Sars or Tipperary, When it comes to the conversation about the greatest 6 backs of this Century, Paudie will always be in the conversation.

Now is your chance to test yourself in how much you know about Maher.

18 out of 20 is what Paudie would expect from You.

Try the How Well Do you know the Current Tipperary Squad,Click Link to take the Quiz.

The days of the Manager and the Selector’s are numbered, When you can get a Robot to do the Job

We asked Chat GPT to solve a few much debated questions and it got back to Us straight away

Some Answers aren’t too far off the mark, One answer it ducked and another answer will probably annoy the Kilruane Lads.

Question 1, The Greatest 15 Tipperary Hurler’s of All Time?

1. John Doyle
2. Theo English
3. Jimmy Doyle
4. Tony Wall
5. Babs Keating
6. Nicky English
7. Pat Fox
8. Michael Cleary
9. Tommy Dunne
10. Declan Ryan
11. Eoin Kelly
12. Lar Corbett
13. Brendan Cummins
14. Padraic Maher
15. Seamus Callanan

Question 2, The Greatest Tipperary 15 Hurler’s of the past 30 Years?

1. Nicky English
2. Declan Ryan
3. Eoin Kelly
4. Lar Corbett
5. Brendan Cummins
6. Padraic Maher
7. Noel McGrath
8. Seamus Callanan
9. Michael Cleary
10. John Leahy
11. Tommy Dunne
12. Paul Kelly
13. Conor O’Mahony
14. Shane McGrath
15. Ronan Maher

Question 3, The Current Top 10 Hurling Clubs in Tipperary ?

1. Loughmore-Castleiney: Loughmore-Castleiney is a strong hurling club in Tipperary, having won the county title in 2013, 2014, and 2019. They also reached the Munster Club Final in 2014.
2. Kiladangan: Kiladangan is a relatively new hurling club in Tipperary, but they have already made a significant impact. They won the county title in 2020 and followed it up with their first Munster Club Championship in the same year.
3. Clonoulty-Rossmore: Clonoulty-Rossmore is a successful hurling club in Tipperary, having won the county title in 2018 and reaching the semi-finals in 2019.
4. Nenagh Éire Óg: Nenagh Éire Óg is a strong hurling club in Tipperary, having won the county title in 2015 and reaching the semi-finals in 2019.
5. Thurles Sarsfields: Thurles Sarsfields is one of the most successful hurling clubs in Tipperary, having won the county title in 2012 and reaching the semi-finals in 2020.
6. Borris-Ileigh: Borris-Ileigh is another successful hurling club in Tipperary, having won the county title in 2019 and reaching the semi-finals in 2020.
7. Drom & Inch: Drom & Inch is a small but competitive hurling club in Tipperary, having reached the county final in 2020 and competing at a high level in recent years.
8. Kilruane MacDonagh’s: Kilruane MacDonagh’s is a competitive hurling club in Tipperary, having reached the county final in 2019 and consistently competing at a high level in recent years.
9. Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill: Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill is a strong hurling club in Tipperary, having reached the county semi-finals in 2020 and competing at a high level in recent years.
10. Toomevara: Toomevara is a traditional hurling powerhouse in Tipperary, having won the county title 9 times in the past. While they haven’t had as much recent success, they remain a competitive club and a force to be reckoned with.

Question 4, Who will win Dan Breen in 2023?

I do not have the ability to predict the future or know the outcomes of upcoming events. The Tipperary senior hurling championship is a highly competitive tournament, and many factors, including team form, injuries, and luck, can influence the outcome of the competition. It is impossible to know which team will win the championship in 2023.

Question 5, The Top 10 Greatest All Ireland Finals

1. 2014: Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 2-14
2. 1994: Offaly 3-16 Limerick 2-13
3. 2004: Cork 0-17 Kilkenny 0-9
4. 2013: Clare 5-16 Cork 3-16
5. 1989: Tipperary 4-24 Antrim 3-9
6. 2018: Limerick 3-16 Galway 2-18
7. 1991: Tipperary 1-16 Kilkenny 0-15
8. 2009: Kilkenny 2-22 Tipperary 0-23
9. 1971: Tipperary 5-17 Kilkenny 5-14
10. 2019: Tipperary 3-25 Kilkenny 0-20

And Finally

Question 6, Pick the Tipperary Team to Play Clare

1. Barry Hogan
2. Cathal Barrett
3. Ronan Maher
4. Johnny Ryan
5. Bryan O’Mara
6. Barry Heffernan
7. Seamus Kennedy
8. Noel McGrath
9. Michael Breen
10. Dan McCormack
11. Jason Forde
12. Jake Morris
13. Gearoid O’Connor
14. John McGrath
15. Sean Ryan

Daryl Ryan’s save is the moment of the Year as voted on by the Premierview Podcast Listeners in our Tipperary Moment of the Year Poll.

Daryl had stiff competition from the likes of the Tipp goal to win the Minor All Ireland Final, the Eoin Kelly Ghost Goal and fellow Keeper Heroics in the shape of Eoin Horgan in the Munster final penalty shoot out v Clare.

Nearly 5,000 people voter in the poll and Daryl took the honors with 39% of the final vote.

He made 2 excellent saves in the Premier Intermediate Final v Gortnahoe Glengoole, both of which if they had gone in, could have swung the momentum of the County Final away from Roscrea and meant they would not be Senior for 2023.

Congratulations to Daryl and We look forward to more Top Drawer saves from him in the Red and White of Roscrea in the Dan Breen this Year.

A different Year, a different set of Injuries

Last Years Management couldn’t catch a break with a raft of injuries and it now appears Cahill and Co are heading for the same levels of down right bad luck

Barely the middle of Feb,5 games in between Munster League and 2 Rounds of the National Hurling League and We think Tipp are already down 9 Players.

1.Rhys Shelly

Hurt on Fizgibbon duty with UL, Hopeful of a return in the coming Weeks

2.John McGrath

Hurt Hamstring during Warm down in Nowlan Park

3.Ciaran Connolly

Has been in both Tipp and DCU Fitzgibbon Squads, currently recovering from an Operation.

4.Conor Stakelum

Man of the Match in the first half v Laois,5 mins into the 2nd,pulls up while running, could be a Hamstring, could be a Tear, could be a precaution that he hasn’t featured since.

5.Craig Morgan

Done his ACL V Nenagh mid August 2022,with a 9 month time he could feature in May for Tipperary.

6. Ger Browne

Knee Surgery, wont be available for Tipperary this year.

7. Cathal Barrett

Another Corner Back Down, Injured in a collision with Ronan Maher, displaced fracture to the scapula,12 weeks out, potential comeback first week in May.

8.Paddy Cadell

Cruciate Tear, Gone for the Year

9.Niall O’Meara

Adductor Groin Tear, should be back to full training first week in April.

The Intercounty Hurling season is back and so is Fantasy Hurling.

Where you can win over €2,500 in prizes 

We will also be giving away a Jersey from the Orga Retrowear Collection to the person who tops the Premierview Adult Podcast Leaderboard after the Hurling League Final.

For our Junior Winners,Its a signed Padraic Maher Book.

Want to know how to go about it ?

Go to Fantasyhurling.ie

Set up your Account

Click to be either Adult or Junior

Set up your starting team

Pay €10

You are entered in the Fantasy Hurling League and in to win over €2,500 in prizes

To be in to win the Orga Jersey or the Paudie Book.

Click Join League Tab

Click Join an Existing League

Copy and Paste this Code  

 2UCBQP-1674031331

You’ve Joined the Premierview Podcast Private League where We will be calling out the Leaders and the Laggards on the podcast.

Stay Tuned

Fixtures Link

Rules Link

Scoring Link

Munster GAA Team Spending, the Arms Race in the Room.

We were intrigued by the Irish Examiner Article which took a look at the overall amount spent per Munster County on Teams in 2022 and We decided to do a little bit of digging of our own to see if the figures are climbing or not.

If you are one of those lads that believes the GAA to be an Amateur Organization, its probably best now to stop reading or at least have a sit down before you go any further.

We took a look at the 6 Munster Counties from 2014 to this Year and it involved a bit of leg work in getting all the figures lined up and correct.

Total Munster GAA Team spending for the 6 Counties 2014-2022 is north of €57.5m and no, We didn’t believe the figures at first either

Biggest Spenders are Cork with over €13m in that period.

Followed by Limerick with close on €11.4m of a spend (2022 figure was close on €2.3m alone)

Tipperary with just over €10m spent

Then Kerry close by on €9.4m

Clare €6.8m

And in last place Waterford, who is around €50k shy of Clare’s Total for the Period we looked at.

Total Spending per year is climbing too with the exception of the Covid year of 2020 when it “only” hit €4.9m that year.

2014 €5.8m

2017 €6.6m

2022 €8.8m

All the counties bar Clare and Waterford have been consistently spending the guts of €1.3m to €1.5m on their teams the past 6/7 years

Limerick have broken the €2m spending barrier in 2022, Galway the same

The question has be asked at what point does it become unsustainable for even the best resourced of Counties?

How close are We to reaching that point ?

The Chart below shows spending per Season per County 2014-2022

Click the Scores Tab on it for the amount spent per Year per County

Click the Rank Tab which shows biggest spenders in a particular Year

and the Replay Tab if you cant believe your eyes at the spending and you need to see it more than the once .

Take the All Star Hurling 1971-2022 Quiz and test your All Star Hurling Knowledge.

By @slievekimalta
Are the importance of the Divisional final being over stated?

In Senior & Premier Intermediate none of the Divisional winners made it to the semi finals. Brackens, Clonoulty & Nenagh all went out at Preliminary Quarter or quarter final stage, in Premier Intermediate, where all 4 divisional winners were in one group, the four of them were out of the championship by Quarter final stage.

Kiladangan &  Roscrea both played in divisional finals while Drom were the only other divisional finalist to get to a semi final.

In intermediate it doesn’t make for better reading, only 1 divisional winner has made it to the semi finals. Drom played in the mid final but there was only 2 teams in the mid championship. Boherlahan winning comfortable enough in that decider. Skeheenarinky didn’t even play their divisional championship and one wonders whether they should be even allowed to compete if the rules were followed correctly. Moneygall the 4th Semi-Finalalist were comprehensively beaten in the North where they started without a number of players due to injury and travel.

The Divisional championships have lost their lustre for the majority of clubs. Now I can hear the Brackens lads chirping and how the church lads would love a mid medal, of course they would, but in the bigger scheme of things winning a division does nothing to enhance your chances of winning a county title. Carrick Swan won the south Senior title this year and very nearly ended up playing 3rd tier Hurling in 2023 failing to win a game between the south final and the relegation decider.

The added weekend for Preliminary Quarter finals further complicates things. While I’m sure Clonoulty/Rossmore were delighted to win their preliminary game against Thurles, they ultimately failed to qualify from their group and were beaten quarter finalists. Nenagh qualified from the group and were beaten Preliminary Quarter-Finalists falling to JK Brackens who also failed to Qualify for the knockouts and were dumped out at quarter final stage. In Premier Intermediate, Clonakenny and the aforementioned Carrick Swan failed at preliminary stage while Cashel & Portroe didn’t get passed the Quarter finals.

At intermediate level, Kilsheelan were drawn by mid winners Boherlahan, who had failed to qualify, Kilsheelan prevailed after penalties but went out at quarter final stage to Moneygall, Kickhams also didn’t qualify from their group but overcame Cappawhite in the preliminary only to bow out also at quarter final stage. That just leaves Lorrha as the sole divisional winner still standing and they need extra time to overcome Borrisokane in their Quarter final.

The Divisional system served a purpose at one stage but not anymore. It is a hindrance to clubs with County ambitions. Clubs will say they enjoy playing them but in reality don’t really give them the respect they deserve.

It’s time to cut ties and have a stand alone County Championship. The farcical nature of the South & West Championships in 2023 with only one Dan Breen representative in each division. If the West follow the south mantra then you could have the situation next year where the Divisional winners of the Premier competition in the South and West cannot compete for Dan Breen and that to me is a compete waste of everyone’s time.

As we all know, Tipperary shares the colours of the Ukranian flag.

We on Premierview have designed a t-shirt to fundraise for recently displaced Ukrainian people living in Tipperary.

By buying a “Tipp stands with Ukraine” t-shirt – Irish-designed and made – you too can show your support for the Ukranian people when cheering on our own teams.

All proceeds stay in Tipperary.

Go to tippstandswithukraine.org/ and An Post will take care of the rest!

#tippstandswithukraine

by John Condon

It takes a while to learn it, but after a few years immersed in the language you eventually start to pick it up. Let’s look at a few stock phrases in the wink and nudge Hurling lexicon.

“Let it flow!”: this is a command to referees not to enforce the rules of the sport. The flow is generally only desired by supporters of the dirtier team.

“Intensity”: a catch-all word for high energy fouling. Most often this means to surround the player who has the ball, pull at his arms, drag him, and hold his wrists for periods just short enough that the referee could not consistently give the free.

“Physicality”: very similar to “intensity”, possibly with some undertones of wrestling thrown in.

“Bottle him up”: surround the player with the ball, then block and hold him with your arms and hands. Imagine zombies on steroids who don’t want to eat you, but just want to tie up your arms so you can’t play hurling. 

“Passionate” as in “he’s awfully passionate so he is” , See Below

“Swarm”: the plural word for a group of hurlers, but only relevant in recent times.

“Honesty”: in the modern game, this most often means cheating, and well, dishonesty.

“Pull on it!!”: this is now obsolete, not used much anymore. In the modern language it might be applied to pulling back a players shoulders or hips as he tries to move, but it hasn’t been heard in years.

“Rules”: this is a word used only by sour losers in hurling today. The people who refer to the rules of the game invariably are not tough enough or strong enough to handle the modern game. Some people might also get very uncomfortable about the idea that the sport is not played in line with its own rule set, so be a gent/lady and don’t mention this word too much.

“Learnings” a relatively new one but beloved of Lads who want to sound smarter than the average with their “Lessons”, A “deep dive” cant be too far away.

Anyone have any other good ones, we would love to hear them

There’s been a lot of confusion even before Conor’s appearance on Saturday Sport with Des Cahill and Derek McGrath

Here We are going to bring clarity to his proposal with the Man himself explaining his solution.

by Calvitakid

On Aisake Ó hAilpín’s Twitter feed, his bio reads:

“Dont tell me the skys the limit when there are footprints on the moon.Il let u know when I land.”

For one day in 2010, Aisake became an astronaut. Down in the old bowl by the Lee, he moonwalked just like Michael Jackson had in the same spot 22 years previously. Aisake, then as now, was unconventional. He was as heedless of reputation then as he is of punctuation now:

“I remember the day so well. It really didn’t bother me who Tipp put at full-back. Whoever it was would be just another guy, standing in my way.”

The thing is, even then, Pádraic Maher was not “just another guy”. He was the ciotóg who had kept Baby Joe in chains; who had prevented a Galway treble while kicking off a double of their own. He was the living embodiment of Tipperary teak who was destined to take on all comers on the edge of the square for a decade or more. His physique was such that Shefflin was bounced in the League Final the previous year. This young lad put me in mind (again, says you!) of Flann O’ Brien’s droll characterisation of Fionn MacCumaill:

“… he was a man of superb physique and development. Each of his thighs was as thick as a horse’s belly, narrowing to a calf as thick as the belly of a foal. Three fifties of fosterlings could engage with handball against the wideness of his backside, which was wide enough to halt the march of warriors through a mountain pass.”

But on that balmy day in Backdoorland, he just couldn’t read the particular contours of the tuathalach young warrior from the other Sarsfields who stood as tall as Michael Jordan. Later in his career, in an echo of that early discomfiture, Paudie faced a Galway giant called Glynn. Again, it was like waltzing an albatross.

My abiding off-pitch memories of that day in Cork a dozen summers ago were of a sage (or plámásach?) Cork supporter whom I fell into step with who assured me that we would see far more hurling that year than he. And later seeing Liam Sheedy sitting shellshocked in the window of a restaurant downtown wondering whether Seán Óg’s unheralded brother had capsized his season and nascent managerial career.

And this is where Pádraic Maher comes in. After the 10-point defeat – which pretty much mapped to Aisake’s contribution in scores taken or created – Paudie and the new crew (of the firm Maher, Maher, and Maher) felt a collective responsibility to atone. After Liam Sheedy had digested his steak in Cork, he called his troops for a debrief. They would have the proverbial 5 weeks to save their season. And as ever, the brickbasts were being fired at home. Tommy Barrett let loose a few salvoes about over-training and going backwards and Babs was as reliably self-serving as ever: “They’d be better positioned today if they had sat down with us for a couple of hours.”

And so followed what Marty Morrissey called the “tour around Ireland” where Tipp stopped off to pick up redemption from Offaly, Wexford, Galway and Waterford. All the time, Tipp were improving. Paudie had left the Euclidean demands of the square to roam out on the wing instead.

It was the 7 shirt that he came to own and inhabit as very few others in the game ever have. Jackie Tyrell has spoken in recent days about how Kilkenny deliberately avoided his wing in 2011 – again implicitly calling into question our selection on the other wing that day – not only because Paudie’s fielding and distribution was of a rare order, but he was the member of the team for whom every act counted double.

The catches over Walter Walsh in 2016 and 2019 (a penny for his thoughts these days as his Twitter timeline lights up with Paudie lording it over him literally and metaphorically) are two of the best moments any Tipp man has ever had in Croke Park. As Tyrell said, Paudie spoke to something primal in us as Tommy Walsh spoke to the Noreside brethren. It was as if Paudie alone knew the recipes from Hell’s Kitchen.

It’s fair to say that while he may have been undone by pace at times – Éanna Ryan’s snapheeled opportunist goal in 2010 to instance an occasion – as we said, it has been the gnarly lads that gave him most bother. Because when it came to skill, Paudie covered the entire constellation. His hook on Conor Cooney in 2016 has no peer; not even that of his gifted ciotógach counterpart JJ on Seamie. And Paudie had heft to match his poise: his shoulder on Joe was probably felt in Norway (there is a Canning Museum in Stavanger; the locals are fond of sardines. Children are taught to “eat what you can and can what you can’t).

The bravery and timing of that hit are of a high order. Miss, and you are more likely to hurt yourself (or land on top of Jake Morris and the Tipp minors):

“We played the minor All-Ireland (semi-final) in 2016 and were sitting down in the Hogan Stand after,” says Morris. “Padraic Maher nailed Joe Canning a shoulder across the line out in front of us. I’ll never forget the crunch of it, that shoulder that day. I was called into the Tipp team in 2018 and I remember thinking to myself as a light 18-year old that I’d better not go near Pádraic Maher or he’ll throw me out over the line. That was my fond memory of him. That shoulder, which was the turning point that day.”

And in the highlight reels, we’ve all probably seen the bemused look on the Clareman when he breaks a hurley off Paudie’s unflinching chin; ash meets teak, teak wins.

As in all the greatest myths, his younger brother now assumes his brother’s mantle. Like his Japanese homonym, the ronin, our new captain will now serve no master but himself. He will be thrown back on his own resources and he will thrive. And why? Because he is a Maher and he is born to it.

By coincidence, Pádraic has an academic namesake called Martina Maher who has written a PhD in recent years about the representations of the death of Fionn MacCumaill in Gaelic literature. Our own Slievenamon figures among these tales but she concentrates largely on a manuscript she calls “The Chase” from eleven hundred years ago. Nowhere in the tale is Fionn’s death actually made explicit, Maher tells us. Instead ” … the tale breaks off with Finn still alive, albeit weary and bloodied and standing alone encircled by his adversaries, his death is a logical next element in the narrative, not least because there is repeated mention of a prophecy of his demise throughout the tale.”

In this, we see the bones of our own modern warrior. He practically patented the “weary and bloodied and standing alone encircled by his adversaries” meme. And as for prophecies? We have long known that the men that undertook that tour of Ireland in 2010 would one day file away. To Michael and Brendan we now add Pádraic. But his myth will never die. The championship of 2022 will be bereft without him. Whether pinballing out of defence or piercing diagonal balls into Seamie, he will be missed because he was matchless in his best moments.

For more, we cannot ask.

Jack Fallon Moycarkey Borris, a worthy recipient of 21 hurler of the year. Jack was a prodigious athlete in his early days, a talent he has used to great effect over the years. He was identified from an early age as a player of huge potential and has produced some terrific performances over the years. He has a collection of medals which is the envy of many of a club hurler. 

Jack’s first medal was achieved with Two -Mile-Borris school where he was on the school team from an early age. Special thanks to Liam McCullagh who put in huge work with this bunch. Jack nearly played all his hurling in centre field where he could fully utilise his athletic ability and long-range shooting. Often Jack was man marked with two players to curb his influence. His first medal was achieved at under 12 where Moycarkey overcame Boherlahan in a terrific county final.  Boherlahan had beaten them in the mid final after a replay.  Jack gave a commanding performance in the final, dominating the mid field.

Jack was selected to represent mid and county at under 14 and continued to develop his array of skills.  Moycarkey again reached the county 14 final and overcame a talented Cappawhite.  During that year Moycarkey also won the Peil and Feile.  Jack captained the Feile team to victory.  What is sometimes forgotten is Jacks prowess as a footballer with the ability to kick with both feet. It was in the 16-county final against Toomevara that Jack showed everyone his talent. Captaining the side he gave a masterclass of midfield play, scoring from all angles.

Jack graduated on the senior team at 18 and had a terrific first year for one so young. Jack picked up a number of injuries which halted his progress but this year has seen him return to his best. He has cemented his place on the senior team and has been superb for the 21s this year with his long-range shooting has been a standout. The highlight of the 21 campaign was his terrific performance against Drom & Indch in the mid final where he scored 5 sublime points. We look forward to seeing Jack in his club colours and the Blue and Gold over the coming years and fulfilling his huge potential.

Goalkeeper 

Shane Ryan (Clonmel Commercials)

A composed presence in the Commercials nets all year, Ryan is also well capable of sensational saves, which was seen on numerous occasions throughout the Year with Man of the Match displays in the 2021 Minor Football county semifinal vs JK Brackens and the u19 county final vs Ballina.

Full Back Line

Eoghan Walsh (Clonmel Commercials)

Strong performances in the South final and quarter final, Unfortunately missed out on a county final appearance, but was one of Commercial’s best man markers throughout the year with pace to burn and very strong in the tackle.

Alex Hanrahan (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)

Alex is a very tenacious defender who is always fearless in the tackle and willing to put his body on the line, as well as being a very skilled and composed footballer. Was outstanding for Kilsheelan-Kilcash in the South championship all last year.

Adam Brannigan (Clonmel Commercials)

The cornerback was a key part of Clonmel’s defense with him being a tough and tight marker, He also made sure his physical presence was always felt.

Half Back Line

Conor Wall (Durlas Og )

This ball playing Center Back would be an asset to any team along with him being a quality defender, he was also able to deliver the ball to his forwards fast and accurate, which really set up Durlas Og this year.

Cian Molloy (Ballina)

The Ballina secret weapon this year had a number of defensive man of the match display this year, his outstanding performance in the North u17 final before going off make him a worthwhile inclusion here.

James Ryan (JK Brackens)

This athletic and powerful half back showed his class as a footballer all year as he out shined county finalists Durlas Og in the mid final only for his JK Brackens side to fall short to Clonmel in the county semi.

Midfield

Philip Hayes (Durlas Og)

The intelligent midfielder was the Durlas Iniesta, unlocking their deadly inside forward line, the midfielder picked out seemingly impossible passes for fun in the County final and all throughout the 2021 Minor Football Championship.

Charlie King (Ballina)

The speed merchant showed his class this year by providing the goods for Ballina in the 19 and Minor with a near perfect display in a tight encounter with County Champs Clonmel.

Half Forward Line

Diarmuid O’Riordan (Newport)

The big and skillful half forward played the most pivotal role in Newport’s shock North Final success scoring 5 points in the final and with a strong display against Durlas Og in the semifinal, he fully deserves his spot.

Cian O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials)

Cian showed his athletic ability of being a rugby star along with his footballing skills in the last quarter of a dog fight County Final, his leadership inspired Clonmel to crawl back into the game and inevitably win it.

Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials)

Cian was Clonmel’s scoring forward with 7 points against Kilsheelan/Kilcash in the South final this year, his ability to bring teammates into the game gave confidence to the Commercial’s Forwards around him. Smith was scorer in chief for the Clonmel outfit in the 2021 Minor Football Championship, he also played a key role in their u19 journey to the County Final also. Part of the Tipperary Minor panel for the past 2 years,

Full Forward Line

Ciaran Woodlock (Durlas Og)

The Thurles inside forward provided an aerial threat, speed threat and a threat to score from anywhere. This is the handful any defender would dread to mark. Ciaran is also deserving of special mention as he is the only player to make both Minor Teams of the Year, having already been included in our Hurling Team of the Year,He now makes the 2021 Minor Football Team of the Year.

Jack Grace (Ballina)

Give Grace Space and he will kill you. He was scoring for fun with 5 points in the 19s county final victory and 5 against Clonmel in the Ballina Minor’s narrow defeat, A worthy inclusion to the 2021 Minor Football Team of the Year.

 Lee Ryan (Newport)

The small lightning quick inside forward was worth his weight in Gold for Newport in the 2021 Minor Football, once the ball went in to Lee he made sure there was always a positive outcome.

GK Rhys Shelly [Moycarkey/Borris]

Current Tipperary Senior Panelist and County winning Captain. Rhys is a super all around goalkeeper, which he has shown throughout this campaign. While both the length and accuracy of his puckouts are rightly the first thing you notice, he is also an excellent shot stopper and athletic enough to create space for his strike when put under pressure.  His long range free taking makes him a threat on the scoreboard as well.

CB Darragh Butler [Kiladangan]

Very solid throughout the campaign, with big performances in the North Final and County semi. He is a physical man marker who didn’t concede a score to any of his opponents. This included the unenviable job of trying to curtail county 20s star Max Hackett. While Hackett still had an influence on the game through winning frees, Butler did as good a job on Hackett as you will see anyone do.

Full Back Peter Melbourne [Moycarkey/Borris}

The Moycarkey fullback has been nothing short of heroic this year. To play week after week with a torn calf is one thing, but for his performances to get better with each passing game is almost beyond belief. Along with Darren Flood he was one of the finals 2 standout performers and HOTD MOTM. A combination of strength and speed coming out to the ball makes him a nightmare for forwards, who if even a second off the mark will be left behind.

CB Daire O’Brien [Mullinahone]

Full back O’Brien dominated the square throughout the championship, and is very much a mixture of the modern hurler and old style full back. Daire is another player who faced some big name opponents, such as Willie Barry of Cappawhite, and came out on top. Has a very good all around game and is a serious athlete. Even in defeat in the final he is a player who came out with his stock greatly enhanced. 

WB Darragh Flannery [Kiladangan]

Former County u20 and already a Dan Breen winner with the Kiladangan seniors. In Kiladangan’s extremely competitive north semi against Nenagh, he put on a man of the match performance. This was the catalyst for their north title win. Not the typical stylish hurler you would associate with Kiladangan, he is a serious competitor, combined with his experience, this made him a great leader for this Kiladangan team.

CB Conor Whelan [Mullinahone]

A star underage hurler with Tipperary, big things are expected in the future from the Carrick or possibly Mulllinahone man. An orthodox style centre back, opposition teams are often left more worried about marking him, than if their centre forward influences the game. A clean striker of the ball, he is a superb long range free taker. Looks like a man among boys at 21s level, played to the level that you would expect of him, which bodes well for Tipp in the future.

WB Tom Ryan [Moycarkey/Borris]

The Moycarkey Centre Back is a player who has really come into his own this year, with the club’s seniors and u21s. He is a ferocious tackler and while lined out at centre back, he played tight on the centre forward, allowing the sweeper to occupy the middle. While O’Shea still had an influence in the final, it is no coincidence that his scoring from play dropped as a result of Tom following him.

MF Jack Fallon [Moycarkey/Borris]

A Rolls Royce of a midfielder and the Premierview Podcast HOTD with nearly 40% of the public vote, Jack seems to play the game at a stroll. It still looks like a stroll as he leaves chasing players behind him. Along with his serious speed and fitness, Jack is another top striker of the ball putting up big scores in 3 of the 4 games. His scores from midfield often come from smart runs off the shoulder but when moved into the forwards in spells of games, he can get out in front of his man and create space for his own shot.

MF Martin Kehoe [Mullinahone]

A big performer for Mullinahone seniors the last 2 years, he not only brought this form with him to their u21 hurling team but lifted it to another level. On a team filled with athletes, he is one of the big standouts. His work rate often causes opposition players to lose possession and will generally be the man to come away with the ball from the ensuing rucks. Ended up on the most ball of any midfielder in each game and can take a score when given the chance. 

WF Conor Bowe [Moyne/Templetuohy]

One of the big names at this grade not only in Tipp but all around the country. Now with the County Hurlers after a spell with the footballers, it seems that year of S&C with the footballers brought him on leaps and bounds. Conor led a Moyne team with Gearoid O’Connor in goal to victory against a JK Brackens team containing multiple former Tipp minors and 20s. Then in the following game he had Moycarkey on the ropes for a long time. Lined out at midfield but his play was such that he could have been named on most lines of the field with the ground he covered.

CF Mikey O’Shea [Mullinahone]

County 20 hurler and Current Tipp senior football panellist, Mikey looked a class apart in the games leading up to the county final where he was able to score almost at will. A tidy  sticksman his hurling ability was never in doubt, however his fitness levels had been questioned. This is most certainly a thing of the past and he is not afraid to take on his man from start to finish of the game. Added an extra bit of class to the Mullinahone team.

WF Shane Gleeson [Kiladangan]

The top marksman for Kiladangan, he had a noted effect on the game both from play and placed ball. His standout performance came in the North Final against Roscrea, where his shooting was top quality all throughout. While Kiladangan had some big name players such as Sean Hayes and Bryan McLoughney, Gleeson was extremely consistent all year and had to be somewhere on this team.

CF Kyle Shelly [Moycarkey/Borris]

County 20 hurler Kyle is also a distinguished footballer. Kyle, like his brother, is a great striker of the ball and scored a lot from play and placed balls in this campaign. While moved around the forward line from time to time, it was his ability to play in a 2 man full forward line that stood out. His ability to move across the top line and create options for the ball allowed Moycarkey to play a sweeper without hindering them in attack. His last 15 minutes spell against Moyne in the first round set Moycarkey on their way to county honours.

FF Max Hackett [Moycarkey/Borris]

A Star County 20s player, Hackett was another who was found himself in a variety of positions in the forwards for Moycarkey. His mid-final performance will live long in the memory for those who were there but he played an important role in the other games. His scores in the Moyne and Mullinahone game showed his touch of class, along with his battling spirit in the county semi where he didn’t throw in the towel and won a lot of important frees when many others would have lost their cool with the same treatment. 

CF/Sweeper Darren Flood [Moycarkey/Borris]

While he finished up there in the first game, it was his permanent move to sweeper at half time of the mid final where he began to shine. Flood was a star performer in both county semi and final. An extremely clever player, his use of the ball and positioning allowed him to influence the game in numerous aspects. Never rushed in possession, he was able to find Moycarkey forwards and defensively cut off supply to the full forward line.

An extremely versatile player, picked at Centre Forward on the Premierview Podcast Minor Team of the Year. He manned the full back spot in Holycross Ballycahill’s successful Mid and County U19B Championship campaign while simultaneously leading Holycross Ballycahill’s forward line in their run to the Co. Minor A Final.

Eoin Craddock of Holycross Ballycahill is that rare blend of ball winner, creator and finisher. Typically playing at center forward Eoin was the focal point of the Mid Club’s attack. Always available to receive the ball, whether it was the perfect 30 yard pass from Gould or a long under pressure clearance from the likes of Ryan or Morris, it didn’t matter what way it came at Eoin, he was going to win it and make the correct decision after he did. 

When called on in the Mid Final to lead the line in scoring he bagged a hat trick of goals.

Likewise in the Quarter Final Replay Eoin was asked to go full forward and rattle the net which he did with another hat trick.

When St. Mary’s took a deserved 2-3 to 0-0 lead in the Co. Quarter Final Craddock, along with others, stepped up to the challenge. Craddock took the hits to win frees, put his body on the line to win the ball, offloaded it to Robbie Ryan, Jimmy Lahart and others to take the score. He was the epitome of the well known mantra, ‘get the ball to the man in the best position’ .

In the County Final Craddock again led the line, taking the fight to a much larger Durlas Og team. As one of only two forwards up to the age, Eoin led by example putting his body on the line time and again to win crucial possession before delivering the perfect ball to his younger teammates.

To sum up Eoin Craddock’s performances in 2021 in a few paragraphs is very difficult. 

Perhaps the best way to do it is to reflect on his similarities to perhaps Tipp’s most important forward of the last 10 years, The Bonner Maher.

Many people outside Tipp may not appreciate Boner’s greatness but within the county Bonner is a folk hero, he’s the man that every true Tipp man would follow into battle. He’s the man that every opposition forward line hates to see coming. Eoin Craddock has the potential to be the next Bonner Maher, for both Holycross Ballycahill and Tipperary, while possibly being a better score taker. 

Craddock is a diamond in the rough, if he continues to develop as he has done in the last two years, We in Tipperary will have a 10 carat diamond on our hands.

JAMES O DWYER  Holycross Ballycahill

Excellent shot stopper, brave and speedy off the line and accurate with clearances, James had an excellent year.

CIARAN WOODLOCK  Durlas Og

Strong, tight in the tackle and skillful in possession, Kieran proved a real leader in Durlas Og’s title winning campaign.

EVAN MORRIS  Holycross Ballycahill  

Showed huge strength and maturity all year despite his youth, never put a foot wrong, had a great battle with Jock Fogarty in the County final.

KIERAN PURCELL Durlas Og
Its a sign of the faith the Durlas Og management have in Purcell that he was detailed to mark a succession of key forwards and never found to be wanting all year.

RONAN CONNOLLY Cashel King Cormacs

The second Hurler from the Connolly household to feature on One of our Teams of the Year with Eoghan making the Seamus O’Riain TOTY, The younger Connolly showed huge leadership in Cashel’s West title win, booming clearances and intelligent covering across the entire backline.

JIM RYAN  Holycross Ballycahill

Cool ,consistent and reliable at the heart of the Holycross defense, strong in the air and great positional sense all year.

SAM O FARRELL Eire Og
Powerful leader in Nenagh’s campaign, drove them on with pace, skill and vision. His North Final Performance alone deems him worthy of inclusion.

BEN CURRIVAN Golden Kilfeacle

Fluent ball striker off either side ,found the posts regularly and led the charge in Golden’s fine run. Currivan has further bolstered his credentials in being a vital part of Cashel Community Schools Harty Cup Run.

TADGH GOOLD  Holycross Ballycahill

Calm leadership and with excellent, intelligent use of the ball, always seemed on top of his game and never rushed at midfield.

ROBBIE STAPLETON Durlas Og

Phenomenal pace and deadly finishing made him a constant threat in Durlas Ogs lethal forward line.

EOIN CRADDOCK  Holycross Ballycahill

Hat trick of goals from play in both the mid final and County quarter final replay were highlights for a hugely effective operator at 11 all year.

TOMMY MAHER Durlas Og

Superb deliverer of quality ball from either midfield or half forward, got crucial scores for Durlas Og throughout the campaign.

RUAIRI LEAHY ST MARYS

Pacey, elusive and with a keen eye for goal, opposition defenses found him hard to pin down in possession all year.

JOCK FOGARTY Durlas Og

Powerful target man at the edge of the square for Durlas Og, caused endless problems for opposing backlines.

ROBBIE RYAN  Holycross Ballycahill

Prolific scorer in Holycrosses league and championship run, brought others into play with clever stick and hand passes.

Goalkeeper

Ewan Bourke Holycross Ballycahill

Tall,brave and with a huge range of puckouts,Ewan has been excellent for Holycross Ballycahill all year.Very good reflexes and a great ability in 1 on 1 situations are other traits to admire in a hugely consistent goalie.

Corner Back 

Pa Dwyer Holycross Ballycahill

Mr Consistency at 2,the Holycross Ballycahill captain hasn’t put a foot wrong in 2 seasons ,his cool interventions denying many opposition scores

Full Back

Thomas Fahy Borris-ileigh

Fahy has a lot of experience in a Borris-Ileigh jersey, and only for an influx of underage talent in recent years, would still have been hurling at senior level. He was a regular at corner back for the Borris seniors in years gone by, but was a big factor in Borris-Ileigh making a North final, and made a name for himself late in the game, moving to full forward and scoring 2-2 within 10 minutes. An experienced operator.

Corner Back

Conor O’Sullivan Galtee Rovers

O’Sullivan was his usual tough tenacious tight marking self throughout the year.His Performance was the foundation stone of Rovers win in the West Junior Championship.

Wing Back

Fionan O’Suilleabhain Skeheenarinky

An experienced hurler who has been an integral part of the Skeheenarinky defensive unit in 2021 after a brief switch to wing forward early in the campaign. Team Captain and calming influence, his ability to read the game and start attacks from the half back line were integral to Skeheen’s title win and Munster performances to date. Fionan missed the Club’s Intermediate campaign in 2015 through travel and will be looking forward to testing himself at the grade in 2022. 

Centre Back

Sean Geaney Nenagh Eire Og: 

Geaney is one of the men many Nenagh supporters would point at as a man playing beneath his level at junior level, and you can see his ability as he commanded centre back all year. A former All Ireland schools winner with Nenagh CBS, Geaney has other interests away from GAA that hampered his regularity at senior level, but he is a class operator at junior level and was a key member for Nenagh all year.

Wing Back 

Frank Hanafin Holycross Ballycahill

Super solid in the air and on the ground,Frank’s power in the middle third was key to Holycross  Ballycahills two mid titles in 2020 and 21

Midfield 

Darragh Brennan Skeheenarinky

Co. Minor panelist in 2019, Darragh is an outstanding young hurler whose move from corner forward to midfield during the campaign made a huge difference to the balance of Skeheen in 2021. His standout moment was against Galtee Rovers in the Co. semi Final when his solo goal late on proved the difference. Darragh is strong, athletic and intelligent on the ball which equips him well for the Intermediate grade in 2022. Bright future ahead.

Josh Keller Nenagh Eire Og

His first year at adult level couldn’t have went better for Keller ad he clinched a North medal at the first time of asking. He was a serious talent underage, and his ability to travel with the ball proved to be a massive attacking weapon for Nenagh. Expect this man to be a regular with the Nenagh seniors in the coming years.

Wing Forward

Conor Sweeney Skehenarinky 

Better known for his Football exploits with Tipperary but Conor is an accomplished hurler in his own right. His strenght, athleticism and composure were key to Skeheen’s charge in 2021. His three points in the final quarter of the Co. Final laid the platform for the win but his standout moment came against Grangemockler in the South quarter-final when his goal entering injury time put Skeheen in the driving seat. 

Centre Forward

Tony O’Brien Galtee Rovers

O’Brien was in red hot form scoring 1-74 in 7 Championship games scoring 0-15 Points in a number of outings,His accuracy from Play and unerring free taking was the difference in ‘21 between Galtee Rovers losing and winning a lot of their games,A club Talisman

Wing Forward

Jamie Lee Dwan Holycross Ballycahill

Ball winning half forward,well able to take a score,exceptional in the air and surely a fixture at senior in the years ahead in green and white.

Corner Forward 

Tomas Vaughan Skeheenarinky

Skeheenarinky’s marquee forward throughout the campaign and the Premierview Podcast Junior Player of the Year for 2021. His reliability and consistency on frees and in open play was one of the main reasons Skeheen landed the Co. title. Powerful in possession, his standout moment, amongst many, came in the South Final against Ballingarry when his solo goal set his side on their way to their 10th title success. His selection on the South Senior Panel underlines his undoubted talent and one to watch in next year’s Intermediate Championship.

Full Forward 

Donnacha Quinn Nenagh Eire Og

Quinn was in exceptional form as Nenagh clinched the North title with victory over Borris-Ileigh. The centre forward has had a tough few years with a recurring and debilitating knee injury hampering him, and only for that injury, he would definitely be a key player for Nenagh at senior level. But it’s good for Quinn that he can still contribute on the field, and he was an integral scoring threat for Nenagh all year.

Corner Forward

Dean Finn Skeheenarinky 

The Skeheenarinky player’s player of the Co. Final. His three point haul, above all, created the platform for his team’s success. Dean is strong, athletic and direct in attack and creates opportunities for those around him and strikes fear in the opposition. His form has continued into the Munster campaign and will be a handful for anyone in the Intermediate Championship in 2022. 

Plus

Give a listen to our Podcast Episode with Dr. Damien Young who brings us right into the Heart of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Set Up,a must listen for all Hurling Fans.

1 – Paul Maher – Moyne Templetuohy – Missed the opening 2 games due to injury but once returned, it allowed Murty Kelly to add to the attack for Moyne Templetuohy. His puck outs played a big role in Moyne Templetouhy reaching the summit this year.

2 – Roddy Teehan – Moneygall – Roddy was exceptional for Moneygall all year, stylish, abrasive and fast, he was also able to man mark when opposition players required it. He nullified both Conor Whelan & Dylan Walsh and his 1^st half performance v Mark Kehoe was very commendable after it reported he was suffering with illness before the game.

3 – Ciaran Lloyd – Moyne Templetuohy – An area where needed improvement, Lloyd was immense for the Mid side this year. He is tall, robust and has a decent turn of pace. Has youth on his side and will be one to watch into the future.

4 – Kieran Breen – Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams – Comfortable either in the Corner or on the Wing for Kickhams, Breen was joint Captain for only their second West Intermediate ever this year, His level of consistency has been rewarded with a solid show for the winners of the Miller shield at the end of this year.

5 – Bill Maher – Kilsheelan Kilcash – Had a fantastic season for Kilsheelan whereby along with Paul were the heartbeat of the defence and the link men for the attack. Exceptionally comfortable on the ball, his endless running tormented both forwards and defenders this year.

6 – Tossy Hamill – Moyne Templetouhy – Had a great year where he commanded the centre back roll and linked with his half backs and midfield to build the attack. Had a trojan second half in the Co Final, he has been there with Tipp in the past and this experience really stood to him when Moyne Templetuohy needed him this year.

7 – Paul Maher – Kilsheelan Kilcash – A lot of people would suggest he was the Intermediate Hurler of the Year in 2021 and it is very hard to argue against it. Brilliant to lead to the defence, like Bill he is so comfortable on the ball. He had powerhousing displays in the Co Semi and Final only to come up ever so short. 

8 – Mark Stokes – Kilsheelan Kilcash – Very strong hurler, quick and very combative. He is a big man, very skillful and has a great eye for a score. He provided much needed running to link with the two Mahers and if he dedicated more to the hurling, he would be a great option for Tipp going forward.

9 – Conor Bowe – Moyne Templetuohy – Stared the year in corner forward but Liam England’s decision to move him to centre field was a telling move. He provided pace to this area of the field that caused huge problems for teams, evidently shown in the Co Final. His shooting can be very erratic at times but his stint with the footballers has seen him bulk up and it was only a matter of time before Tipp Senior Hurling management came calling.

10 – Mark Kehoe – Kilsheelan Kilcash – Highest scorer from play in this years Championship with 5-19 alone from play, the Tipperary panellist was in brilliant form through the season. He was immense when it mattered on the big days for Kilsheelan this year, he is going to have a part to play with Tipperary in the years ahead.

11 – Gearoid O’Connor – Moyne Templetuohy – Missed one game in the championship and it was the only game Moyne Templetuohy didn’t win, which says it all. He was the lynchpin to everything Moyne Templetuohy did in attack and his scoring from frees was massive for the Co Champions. His running from deep was a huge plus for the Mid side and his training with Tipp Seniors has really improved his game. Expect to see him involved more with Tipp in 2022.

12 – Joe Fogarty – Moneygall – Joe was inspirational form for Moneygall this year. He has really added a lot to his game this year, he has bulked up, is fast but it his aerial ability that is very hard to contend with for any defender such is his spring. He has recently been added to the Tipp Training squad and this is sure to improve his overall game going forward. 

13 – Sean Kenneally – Moneygall – Only 18 years old and playing his first year at adult level, Kenneally was what the North sided needed beside Joe Fogarty to take them up a level. He is bound to play a big part in Brendan Cummins tenure as U20 manager and it will be interesting to see his progress. Has a great eye for a goal and is very strong for his age. 5-12 from play and second highest from play scorer in the intermediate.

14 – Dylan Walsh – Ballingarry – Club Captain at an age when most young men are concerned about even making their clubs squad, a metronomic free taker who still managed to grab 3-11 from play, Walsh has a big future ahead of him with both Club and County.

15 – David Butler – Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams – With 3-16 from play this year, Butler is one of the most lethal forwards in the a grade packed with forward fire power, scored a cracker of a goal in the West Intermediate which showcased his opportunism pace and striking ability.

Goalkeeper

Paddy McCormack Thurles Sarsfields

The most consistent Club keeper in Tipperary of the past decade, assured shot stopper and accuracy on puckouts all combine to make him our choice.Rhys Shelly of Moycakey Borris ran him close, but he will have another day.

Corner Back

Willie Eviston Loughmore Castleiney

Tigerish and secure, Willie was a shoo in based on his performances throughout the year, might be unsung by many but those in Loughmore know his worth.

Full Back

Padraic Maher Thurles Sarsfields

More awards and medals than a World War 2 Soviet General, The Force of Nature will no doubt treasure this award more than all the rest.

Corner Back

Craig Morgan Kilruane MacDonaghs

Young Master Morgan exemplified all that was good about Kilruane,this year. Soaring Stickwork and no shortage of drive, His future with MacDonaghs and Tipp probably resides in the half backline, but for now he fills out our 2021 full back line.

Wing Back

Alan Flynn Kiladangan

After the never to be forgotten year of 2020,Kiladangan never really reached the heights in 2021 that they set previously,Alan Flynn however set the standard in every game for them year……..their leader.

Centre Back

Dan McCormack Borris-ileigh

Borris similar to Kiladangan never hit the heights in ‘21 either,but their centre back shone bright like a diamond throughout,Everytime we saw them this year, Dan was their man.

Wing Back

John Meagher  Loughmore Castleiney

We are going to make no bones about what we are going to say next, John Meagher is deserving of a consistent run with Tipperary in the Munster League and the League itself proper, Meagher has been a colossus for Loughmore across the half back line for this years Dan Breen, Hands and Brains.

Midfield 

Noel Mc Grath  Loughmore Castleiney

Tipperary’s and Loughmore’s Tom Brady, that is all

Ciaran Connolly  Loughmore Castleiney

Missing for the mid final v Sars and Loughmore felt it,Connolly brings energy and momentum to the engine room,Colm Bonnar is bound to have taken note.

Wing Forward 

Darragh Woods Holycross Ballycahill

In a difficult year for the Mid men, Woods stood out from the trees especially in their moments of need, In the relegation final v Roscrea he scored 1-10,with 3-12 from play this year, there is more to come….

Centre Forward

John McGrath  Loughmore Castleiney

We could write an opus on his exploits this year,but we will just type 4 more letters.

HOTY

Wing Forward

Cian Darcy Kilruane MacDonaghs

The Kiruane man has proven this year  he can hurl anywhere, Midfield, Half Forward and the Full Forward line, Space is where he kills you.

Corner Forward

Paddy Creedon Thurles Sarsfields

There were times particularly when the ground was hard that We had to remind ourselves that Creedon is still only 19,A man child for his years, he lit up  much of the mid and group stages, Not as effective in both finals, but his time will come. No 2 on our scorer from play list with 4-15 over the 7 Dan Breen games.

Full Forward

Dennis Maher Thurles Sarsfields

Dennis the Menace is normally the last lad you want to see rolling in towards you and you the opposition Full Back, an absolute handful when he decides to go direct but Maher’s game is a lot more nuanced than that as Paddy Creedon will tell you.

Corner Forward 

Pa Bourke Thurles Sarsfields

We started with the most consistent keeper in Tipp club hurling of the past decade,We fill out the list with the most consistent Tipperary club forward of the past 10 or more years.Pa Bourke finishes top of the play scoring charts with 3-19 from play.It might be Autumn in his career with the Sars,but he has a few Indian Summers days left yet.

Give a listen to our Podcast Episode with Dr. Damien Young who brings us right into the Heart of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Set Up,a must listen for all Hurling Fans.

Credit; John Condon Donal White

The intensity! The work rate! The energy, electricity, and the high voltage!

The Tipperary County final didn’t quite hit the spot until we were treated to the longest and greatest ruck in hurling history, at the death of the battle for the Premier throne.

This glorious passage began at 62:40 on the match clock.

Like a murmuration of starlings before migration, the group swarmed and turned, coursed from side to side, condensing and dissipating, renewing the proud tradition of hurling in its home county.

The skills of hurling from yesteryear were not to the forefront in this ruck-of-the-ages. We didn’t see a ball struck, controlled, passed, or even significantly moved.

But we were treated to something far more sublime than those anciently outdated Celtic skills.

We saw bodies on the line. We saw serious athletes hit a mass of bodies in a way that will have Andy Farrell reassess his front row options in the spring.

We saw pushing, shoving, and the finest example of hurling “physicality” one will see this side of the Shannon.

We saw roll-lifts! Well, more like attempted roll-lifts, and there were too many to count.

This was the latest encouraging sign of hurling’s beautiful evolution into “hurling 2.0”, as dubbed by our finest experts on RTE.

The modern hurling ruck is the latest and greatest species in the evolution of this sport. Sunday presented us with the alpha of the species: 20 players crouched scrambling for almost half a minute to get the ball in their hand.

No one dared to actually pull on the ball, as recent history has shown that to be a yellow card offense – if you’re lucky.

And anyway, why play this little ball away when you can run with it in your hand! And take as many steps as the atmosphere of the day demands.

With the ball in your hand, there is always a chance the referee will punish you for over-carrying, giving a free to one of the surrounding horde of zombie defenders and their outstretched arms, but that is a risk worth taking.

The risk is even more worthwhile if you flail your arms wildly while trying to escape with possession.

So let’s dampen the calls to actually look at what’s happening in our national sport. Suspend your disbelief and join in the fun.

After all, what’s the best thing about the circus? – it’s intense.

Michael’s Tipperary Team of the 80’s

In the previous two parts of our series on Tipperary hurling in the 1980’s,We’ve looked at the games in Part One and the scorers in Part Two, Now in Part 3 Michael puts his head on the block and names what he thinks in the best Tipp 15 of the decade,so who are the 15 Tipperary Titans of the decade?.

Goalkeeper

Tipp has had many good keepers over the years and none more so than in the 80’s. Pat McLoughney started the decade between the sticks and won an All-Star, John Farrell, John Sheedy & Tony Shepperd all had spells there too,but I’ve gone for the big Lorrha man Ken Hogan, Who with 14 appearances, 1 All-Star, 3 Munster medals and 1 All-Ireland as the pick of the bunch. 

Right Corner Back

At Corner-back, I’ve gone for Roscrea’s stylish defender Paul Delaney. Delaney is one of my favourite players to ever wear the blue & gold. He would also pop up with vital scores & an expert free-taker scoring 18 points during the period in 14 appearances. 

Full Back

I stay North for the full-back position with Nenagh’s Conor O’Donovan wearing no.3. Ever present at full-back during the All-Ireland campaign, he was equally as comfortable anywhere across the line. 

Left Corner Back

The ‘Mines stalwart Noel Sheehy is the other corner-back. A teak tough defender who also played full-back and centre-back during the decade. 

Right Wing Back

Cashel’s stylish Pat Fitzelle just edges out fellow Cashel man Conal Bonnar for the no.5 shirt. Fitzelle a regular in the early years also played at midfield. 

Centre Back

Lorrha get their second player on the team with the pick of John McIntyre at centre-back. McIntyre played 7 times for Tipp during the decade and was equally at home at wing-back. 

Left Wing Back

Having started his Tipp career as a Full-Forward Bobby Ryan found a home in the half-back line. He won 3 all-stars and is my undisputed pick for No. 7. 

Midfield

In the middle of the field I have gone for two West men, The enigmatic Joe Hayes was a huge addition when introduced during the 1987 campaign and managed to score 1-10 in 12 appearances while also popping up at centre-forward the odd time. 

Midfield

Beside Joe is new Tipp manager Colm Bonnar. Bonnar was the engine of the midfield during the latter part of the 80’s and when he went well Tipp went well. 

Right Wing Forward

Still only 20 years old in 1988 Declan Ryan won an All-Star at wing-forward and scored 2-13 in 8 appearances. His size and ability were instrumental in Tipp winning the All-Ireland in 1989

Centre Forward

Centre-forward goes to the big Killenaule man Donie O’Connell. A cult hero in Tipp Donie was hugely important to our game during the ‘Babs’ era. Donie knew where the posts were too coming in 4^th in scoring during the period with 4-19

Left Wing Forward

Another Borrisoleigh man takes the no. 12 shirt, Aidan Ryan was a ball of energy winning an All-Star for his displays in 1987. He would score 0-20 in the decade. 

Right Corner Forward

There is no competition for the no.13 shirt, Pat Fox played everywhere for Tipp, Midfield or Corner-back but it was as a no.13 that the left-hander found is fame. The free-taker for the team in the famine ending season of 1987. Fox was 2^nd on the scoring charts for the decade. 

Full Forward

I have picked Nicky English at full-forward. There was never a question of Nicky not being in the team just where to place him. Winning 6 All-Stars during the decade English was often unplayable. English was the best player  to do the blue & gold in the 80’s and arguably ever. 

Left Corner Forward

Cappawhite’s Ger O’Neill gets the nod at 15. Ger was brilliant for Tipp in 1984 and especially during the 1985 Munster Final. He scored 2-07 from play and was always a threat. Saw brief playing time during ‘Babs’ time but there was no doubting O’Neills prowess around the square. 

We look forward to seeing all your comments on our twitter page

Mikes’s 15 Tipperary Titans

Credit; John Condon Donal White

What is the Hook Tackle in Hurling?

Do you know?

If two people ever had a disagreement on the hook, where would they go for the definition? Well, the hook is a style of tackling in the sport, so they might reasonably go to the rulebook for the answer. They would be disappointed, or maybe even shocked.

When you read the rulebook with the hook in mind, the result is:

• The hook is not defined and has never been defined in the 140 odd years since the rules of the game have been codified.
• It is not mentioned anywhere as a legal action in the game.
• It is not a legal tackle, according to how the tackle is defined.
• Descriptions of fouls in the rulebook very accurately describe the hook.
• If you repeatedly perform a hook in a match, you could even receive a red card for your troubles, according to descriptions of certain rules of Foul Play.

Before I go further, let me be clear that I think the hook is a fantastic part of our game. It is skilful. It is clean.

These are the facts on the hook:

1. The hurling rulebook does not mention the hook anywhere. Camogie took enough care to include it in their rules, while the GAA did not.

2. In the hurling rulebook, there are 11 rules of The Play, contained within the larger section of the Rules of Fair Play. These rules fundamentally describe the sport. They allow you to catch the ball, to hit it with the hurley and to solo with it, among other things. The hook is not in these rules.

3. These same rules of The Play allow you to “tackle an opponent for the ball”. They describe how to tackle for the ball, which is through a shoulder-to-shoulder fair charge. The hook tackle is not there.

4. The tackle in hurling is defined as “any attempt to dispossess or reduce the advantage of opponent within the Rules of Fair Play. With the exception of the charge (fair), the tackle is aimed at the ball not the player.” Let’s break this down:

All of the above is enough to say that the hook is not a legal part of the sport of hurling.

Rules of Foul Play

But there is another section in the rules called the Rules of Foul Play. Do these have anything to say about the hook? 

Aggressive foul 5.15 is “to strike an opponent’s hurley unless both players are in the act of playing the ball.” 

And the rulebook defines “play the ball” as “to touch the ball”.

Foul 5.15 means it is a foul to strike an opponent’s hurley, unless both you and him are touching the ball. This is the foul commonly known as a “chop”. If you commit a chop on the opponent, most often it is when the ball is on his hurley, or about to be on his hurley, and you strike his hurley. That is a perfect break of foul 5.15.

This rule is also written in a way that it is not a foul for two players to pull on a ball simultaneously and strike or clash hurleys in the process. So far, so good.

However, the GAA made a fatal error with foul 5.15 because it also applies to the hook. Most commonly, when the hook takes place, there is an upward striking motion by the defender onto the oncoming hurley of the attacker about to hit the ball. And this happens at a moment when it is not the case that both players are in the act of playing the ball, thus breaking 5.15.

With this rule, they made a foul of both the chop and the hook. Both are acts of tipping or striking the opponent’s hurley, but the GAA did not distinguish between the two. They threw the baby out with the bath water. Although in this case, the baby, i.e. the hook, was never a legal part of the family in the first place, because it was omitted from the Rules of Fair Play.

To make things worse, we can make a very strong case that the hook breaks multiple rules of Foul Play.

Foul 4.9 is “to tip an opponent’s hurley in the air or to tip it up with hurley or foot, for the purpose of allowing the ball to pass through.” This may have been written with a certain purpose in mind, but it also quite accurately describes a hook. I’ll explain:

Just imagine you have thrown up the ball to hit it. At that moment, I tip your hurley so that the ball passes through the would-be area of contact, and falls to the ground. That was a perfect break of Foul 4.9.

The punishment for the hook

This seems like a crazy section of the article. But we’ve very reasonably shown here how the hook is an example of fouls 4.9 and 5.15. What is the punishment for those fouls?

Let’s keep this short. If you repeatedly commit foul 5.15, the punishment is at first a yellow card, and eventually a red.

Reminder: that’s the punishment for when you hook with an upward striking motion on the opponent’s hurley as they are hitting the ball.

The hook when the hurley is stationary

You might raise a question about the case of when the hook is performed with a stationary hurley held in the path of the swing of the attacker. This version of the hook seems to be a minority one, and in any case, when that hook happens there is still a strike of the hurlies with the ball not present at the location of contact. If there was no strike between the hurlies, there was no hook.

Taking foul 5.15 to mean exactly what it says (that seems fair!), the stationary hook would result in an infraction. You could argue that a strike -this time by the attacker with the ball – onto a defender’s stationary hurley in the hook position is not a deliberate strike of that hurley, and so not a foul. But the rule does not require it to be deliberate, even though it does require this standard of other fouls. And even then we are still accepting that the hook in any form is not a legal tackle. It’s clear it just needs to be legislated for.

What does it matter?

On a careful reading of the book, it is clear that playing the opponent’s hurley was not a desired part of the sport. With the exception of the shoulder charge, it is a completely ball-focussed sport.

Tipping or striking the opponent’s hurley when they’re about to play the ball is a foul (5.15 and 4.9), but the hook is essentially a skilful version of this tipping or striking motion. This makes it unique in the game, but was never recognised as such by rule-makers. As far as the rules are concerned, it is a forgotten and illegal part of the sport.

“But what does all this matter?” you might say. “We know what a hook is! And the ref will never blow a free for it!”

But the referee’s first duty is “to control the game in accordance with the Playing Rules”. If the hook is a foul, there can never be any respect for the rules, and the referee can have no hope of performing his first duty. The referee’s source of power – the rulebook – is then openly acknowledged as a farcical document.

We will see that the hook being a foul is actually the least of our problems. There are things that the referee is currently not allowing in play, and which anyone would agree are not good for the game, but which are perfectly legal according to the rulebook. We will expose these problems in the coming weeks to make it clear to the GAA what needs to change.

But let’s take one thing at a time. I will not pose a problem without posing a solution. From what I’m aware, below is the first ever published suggestion for a definition of the hook. Of course, the final definition should be something agreed upon by a suitable panel. For the respect of hurling, and for the respect of referees, it’s time to put the hook in the book.

WHAT WE RECOMMEND

ADD THIS RULE TO THE RULES OF FAIR PLAY:

A player may tackle by hooking an opponent.

ADD THIS DEFINITION TO THE APPENDIX:

To hook:

For a player to use his hurley to connect with an opponent’s hurley from behind, in order to deflect the arc of that opponent’s swing during his attempt to strike the ball.

Postscript

It’s worth making a quick mention here of the block in hurling. When a player blocks purely on the ball, this is allowed for in the Rules of Fair Play (just about) and is not a breach of Foul 5.15 or any other foul once it is ball-focussed. 

Like to Read More?

Thrown not blown, an in game analysis of the handpass in the 2021 Hurling Championship

We have already had a look at the up and coming in form young hurlers based on their Championship form in the Great 8 .

Now working with Hurler on the Ditch and his comprehensive from play scoring charts across the Breen,O’Riain and Intermediate Tipperary Hurling Championships.

We highlight the young gun forwards who Colm Bonnar and his incoming management team need to run the rule over.

Sean Ryan Templederry Kenyons

When you talk about so hot right now, Sean Ryan is literally steaming ,A young gun astride the Top of the scoring charts with 4-11 from play in 3 group games, Man of the match performances in nearly every game he’s played in this year,10 out of 10’s given to him in the local media, everything he touches at the minute is resulting in the raising of either a green or white.

Schooled in Our Lady’s Templemore where he operated in the half forward line and a starter in last winter’s Munster Final v Cork at Wing Forward.Most of us here wouldn’t have had him as a top score contender 6 month ago, never mind top of the pile.

He did however give us fair warning in the first round of the North against Roscrea when he scored a barely credible 2-08 from play located at full forward and was literally unmarkable that day.

In the O’Riain since, he has racked up 4-02 against Newport from play operating at corner forward,0-05 in the defeat to the Mines again operating at corner forward and another 4 white flags from wing forward against Clonakenny.

It’s going to be interesting to see how he copes as Templederry progress in the O’Riain and the quality of defenses improve against him, the only relative blip so far this year was him scoring just the 0-02 from full forward  v Borrisileigh in their North Championship beating.

He keeps this straight up scoring trajectory going and he will have to feature in our new managers plans.

Alan Tynan Roscrea

Tynans underage back story is well known at this stage, Part of both beaten Tipperary 2015 Teams in that year’s All Ireland Finals, Leinster Schools Rugby winner that year also. Then left the GAA World behind in 2016 to join the Munster Academy and played in the u20 World Cup in 2017.

Having failed to gain a Professional Senior Contract with Munster in the cut throat world of Professional sport, He returned to hurl with Roscrea in 2020.

Having watched him with interest in the 3 rounds of the 2020 Tipperary Senior Championship,Tynan’s physical approach stood out,his hurling unfortunately didn’t,but that’s understandable given that he probably had’nt held a hurley in the 3 odd years he was away from the game.

He finished with a total of 4 points in the 2020 group stages as Roscrea headed for the relegation Semi-finals.

Many were surprised that he was called into the extended Tipperary panel on the foot of those performances in January this year, but the years hurling both with Club and County has sharpened his game up no end and he finishes the group stages this year with a much improved tally on last year, a total of 1-11.

His scores 0-05 v Nenagh at Wing Forward,1-5 v Kilruane at Centre Forward and 0-01 V Borrisileigh,all from play in this year’s championship allied to his pace and physical approach to the game should pose the following question to Colm Bonnar.

Could Alan Tynan fill a Bonner Maher sized hole for Tipperary?.

Joe Fogarty Moneygall

The Moneygall maestro has been the leading light for the North club as they beat all what came before them in the Co League and North Championship. While he lit up the league, his performance in the North Final was as good as seen in years when he scored 1-5 from play in a man of the match performance.

That said, his performances in the opening 3 games of the Intermediate Championship have yielded 4-08 from play alone,from the Half Foward line and his unnerving free taking is also another string to his bow . 

While Joe has incredible skill, one of his best attributes is winning primary possession in the air along with having the softest of hands when the ball is on the ground but he is also a very explosive runner on the ball.

His burst of pace alone should nearly ensure that he gets a Tipperary call up as anyone that’s seen him in full flight would have him down as one of the paciest men currently hurling in the country

A member of the successful 2019 U20 panel, Joe has taken his hurling to a different level , he has added serious bulk and is aided by the engine he has to torment defenders. 

He is sure to be leading light for UL in the upcoming Fitzgibbon Cup and if Moneygall are to go deep in the Intermediate this year, it will be Fogarty who will be leading the charge. 

He is a player who would flourish in a Tipp Senior set up, as with that talent around him, will only make him a better player.

Peter McGarry St. Mary’s

Peter McGarry has been in scintillating form for St. Mary’s U-19s as they have progressed to the county final recently and has also become a key component of the senior side playing a prominent role in each of the Clonmel side’s Seamus O’Riain group games to date,scoring 2-04 from play alone.

Playing in midfield at underage level, McGarry’s scoring stats and range are one of the most impressive aspects to his game with his ability to score from distance a key attribute. Added to this is a key eye for goal, bagging a brace of goal in both Mary’s south final win over Carrick Swan and their county semi final win over Knockavilla Kickhams.

Although not a tall player by any means, McGarry’s speed and strength have ensured a seamless transition to the senior set-up, where he has been given a more advanced role as part of a remodelled Mary’s forward line this year.

County representative honours have also not eluded the youngster, featuring in midfield for Tipperary minors last year in their run to the Munster final. McGarry progressed straight to the U20 panel this year, featuring off the bench in both games,He might be too young yet for a Senior call up,But time is most definitely on his side.

Brendan Cummins will surely be looking to him for a more prominent role at this grade in 2022 and 2023.

Dylan Walsh Ballingarry

The fact that this young gun was Captain for Ballingarry in their recent South  Intermediate final win  v Moyle Rovers should tell you something about his leadership qualities and the faith placed in him by the outfit relegated from the senior ranks in 2020.

Captaincy coupled with free taking doesnt seem to phase this tyro as he chipped in that final win with 0-09,8 of which were frees,coming from the wing forward position.

He continued his excellent form into the group stages of the Intermediate championship with his tally from play standing at  2-10 and normally the best player that Ballingarry have on the pitchat the minute.

His freetaking is exemplary with your correspondent reminded of his performance in the 2020 relegation semi v Kiladangan which operating in midfield,he scored 0-13 points from frees.

If Ballingarry are to return to their rightful place in Senior,it’s obvious that the team will be built around Walsh’s broad shoulders.

The question though needs to be asked….

Could he be the Heir apparent to Jason Forde?

Paddy Creedon Thurles Sars

Which brings us to our last name on the list, hes already featured on our Super 8 list and while we might be accused of having shares in him.

How could we leave him out.

Top scorer overall and Top scorer, more importantly in the group stages of the Dan Breen with a tally of 4-09 from play, he’s been cutting through defenses recently like Una Healy on her way to the Bar in Hayes.

Whatever they are feeding him in the Creedon household at the minute its working that coupled with Paddy’s elevation to the big job with the big ball means Christmas with the Creedons will be a one day event this year.

He’s played at corner forward for Sars this year but we feel with his direct and powerful running,his natural position is at 14.

With the u19A hurling v Mary’s to look forward to, plus the Sars production line in full flow, we foresee a treasure trove of medals and awards with both club and county in this young man’s future.

The Hurler on the Ditch Scorers from Play Tables in Full.

Credit; Michael McCarthy

Scorers and Starters

In Part One, We had a close look at the Decade, Year by Year, Game by Game, this time round we look at the Scorers and Starters, the Men who represented their County and with no small degree of success.

During the ten year period 1980 to 1989,Tipp would use 79 different players, You could only make three subs at the time.

Bobby Ryan made the most appearances with 23, followed closely by Pat Fox with 21 & Nicky English on 20.

29 different clubs were represented with Borrisoleigh & Kilruane having the greatest number of representatives with a Joint 8,Roscrea in second place having 6. 

Tipp’s 79 players of the 80’s

Number of players contributed by Club

29 different Clubs were represented with Borrisoleigh & Kilruane having the greatest number of Players with a Joint 8.

Roscrea in second place having 6 and Nenagh and Cashel in joint third with 5.

Tipp players by Division

Tipperary Scorers

In scoring terms Tipp managed 55-392 in those 26 games.

An average of 2-15.5 per game with the opposition scoring 52-326 which is an average of 2-12.5 per game.

46 different players raised a White or Green flag for Tipp during this period.

Yet anyone who has watched Tipperary during this time will all know the impact the Lattin/Cullen man made during this period, Nicky English scored an incredible 15-87 (132 points).

Fellow West man Pat Fox is in second place on 8-67 (91 points).

Nobody else comes close to them in the scoring charts, Seamus Power is in 3^rd with 3-23(32 points). 

Tipp scorers by Player in the 80’s

Our All Stars

In terms of All Stars,Goalkeeper Pat McLoughney was receiving his 2^nd award and Tipps only All-Star in 1980.

We had to wait until 1983 for Nicky English to win one at Wing-Forward, a feat he carried on in 19884 & 85.

Bobby Ryan was our lone All-Star in 1986 at No.7.

’87 would see us win 4 awards with Ken Hogan in Goal & Aidan Ryan(RWF), Pat Fox(LCF) & Nicky English(FF) collecting awards. 

We would again win 4 awards in 1988 with Bobby Ryan Collecting his 2^nd at LWB, Colm Bonnar in Midfield, Declan Ryan(RWF) & Nicky English(FF).

Tipp would pick up 6 awards in 1989 with Bobby Ryan, this time at CB, Conal Bonnar at RWB, Declan Carr in Midfield and Tipp receiving the whole full forward line of Pat Fox, Cormac Bonnar & Nicky English.

English collected his 6^th award of the decade, Bobby Ryan his 3rd and Pat Fox his 2nd.

Credit; Michael McCarthy

The Definitive Short History of Tipperary Hurling in the 1980’s,Part 1

The start of the decade of the 80s saw Tipperary Hurling in the doldrums. We hadn’t won a championship game since 1973 and there was no end in sight for this famine. By the end of the decade we would be All-Ireland Champions but what a rollercoaster of a 10 years it turned out to be. 

1980

As with all years there was hope in the air as Tipp headed to Thurles for the first of 7 battles with Cork during the 80s. The great Pat McLoughney was in goal, Pat Fitzell of Cashel was at no. 5, A young Annacarty man  by the name of Pat Fox held the No.9 jersey while upfront Eamonn O’Shea was on one wing with Droms Tommy Butler at 14. O’Shea would score one point with Tommy Butler hitting 1-04 but Tipp would once again fall to Cork in Thurles by 2-17 to 1-12. 

1981

’81 saw us play an exciting draw with Limerick in Thurles, Tipp 3-13 to Limericks 4-10, John Grogan with 2-06 and Peader Queally with the other goal would shine, before travelling to Limerick only to return with our tails between our legs as Limerick beat us by eight 3-17 to 2-12. Clonmore’s Seamus Bourke would come off the bench to hit 2-03 for us. Funnily enough a Limerick man by the name of Mossie Carroll would line out at 6 for us which might have just spurred on the Limerick team. 

1982

In 1982 we had a younger line up with Nicky English, Donie O’Connell, Ger O’Neill & Bobby Ryan all starting in the forwards with Pat Fox again in midfield. This time there was two Limerick men in our ’15 as Mossie was joined by brother Brian who played at wing-forward. Cork put paid to our chances with a comprehensive 1-19 to 2-08 victory. Our goals coming courtesy of Noel O’Dwyer and sub Martin McGrath. 

1983

A collective sigh of relief swept the county following our 1^st victory in ten years in 1983 as we got the better of Clare by one goal 2-11 to 1-11. Nicky English was the only surviving forward from the previous campaign in a much changed Tipp line out. Waterford would be the semi-final opposition and would come out on top by five 4-13 to 2-15. John Grogan was our top scorer with 0-7 and the majors coming from either side of the Carrick divide with Ralph Callaghan and Tom Waters raising the green flags. 

1984

The duck was broken and centenary year of 1984 brought much hope, The All-Ireland was to be played in Thurles and it was all to play for. Clare were once again dispatched in our first game this time by one point with Nicky English 0-04 & Seamus Power 0-05 leading the way for us. An epic Munster final was played in Tom Semple’s field but once again we came up short to Cork side that would go onto All Ireland glory. Seamus Power again led the way with 1-06. 

1985

Clare would again be our first game in ’85 and a dour affair would end 1-08 a piece, the replay would see one of our better performances of the decade scoring 5-14 in an eleven point win. Nicky English & Seamus Power with two goals a piece and Ger O’Neills 1-03 set us on our way.

That set up a second Munster final in a row with Cork, this time in Pairc Úi Caoimh. Another titanic battle would see Cork come out on top 4-17 to 4-11. Nicky English would lead the way with 2-04 while ably assisted by Ger O’Neill with 1-03. 

1986

Clare would eventually get over us in 1986 scoring a 2-10 to 1-11 victory over us. Nicky was absent through injury, Seamus Power would score five points with Boherlahan’s Liam Maher getting the goal. It was a disappointing year but one that brought about much needed change. 

1987

The first 7 years of the decade had seen us play a paltry 12 games in total, and win only three games all against Clare. New blood and fresh minds were needed and in came Michael ‘Babs’ Keating with Theo English & Donie Nealon in tow. 

The impact was immediate and Kerry were dispatched with ease in round 1. Only 5 players would make the team from the previous year. Pat Fox took up position at 13 and was scorer in chief with 1-10. Clare were again our Munster Semi-final opponents. The game was played in Killarney and a draw 1-13 a piece was the end result. Pat Fox again to the fore with 0-7 but Nicky was back and notched 1-03.

The replay again was in Killarney and we duly dispatched Clare with a rousing 4-17 to 0-08 victory. Nicky with 2-04 & Pat Fox with 0-07 in Tour de force from the West men. We were into our third Munster final in 4 years and Cork would again be the opponents.

A rip roaring contest in Thurles saw us draw 1-18 each. Fox had 0-09, Nicky 1-01 and big Donie O’Connell chipped in with 0-04 points. Following a row over the venue for the replay Tipp got their way and back to Killarney for our fourth game of the campaign there.

Cork would storm into the lead and were up six after twenty minutes. But Tipp would fight back into game and with five to go it was level at 1-16 each. Fenton would point again from a free. Tipp had a chance to level from a ’65 but Delaney drove wide. Cork had a chance to stretch the lead but it was wide.

Hogan gave it everything on the puck-out as time was nearly up, Nicky English was onto the break like a flash and after dodging the Cork defender was through on goal with two Cork bearing down on him, He took the sensible option and palmed the ball over to tie the game.

Terence Murray blew the game up on the puck-out and extra time would be needed. Michael Doyle & Donie O’Connell would be Tipp heroes in Extra Time as the Munster Cup returned to Tipp for the first time since 1971 and Borrisoleigh’s Richie Stakelum got to utter those famous word ‘The famine is over’ 

The All-Ireland semi-final would see us meet Galway in Croke Park. A good game was played but Galway would win by six 3-20 to 2-17 . Nicky English with 0-06 and Pat Fox with the two goals. 

1988

The following year brought about much hope, Finally the munster hoodoo had been broken. Cappawhite’s Pa O’Neill took over from Richie Stakelum as Captain and Tipp marched to a NHL final victory over Offaly with the Cappa man notching 2-1.

Limerick were first up in Munster and a trip to Cork was in store. Mullinahone’s John Leahy would make history and don the blue & gold for the first time. Pat Fox would score 0-07 with fellow West men Joe Hayes and Pa O’Neill chipping in with two points each as Tipp won 0-15 to 0-08 by the banks of the lee.

With the home & way agreement fractured the previous year Limerick and it’s yellow posts would host a Tipp v Cork Munster final. Babs made two changes with Sharkey Gibson in for Richie Stakelum and Nicky English returning for John Leahy. English would score 0-09 as Tipp retained & Pa O’Neill lifted the cup in a 2-19 to 1-13 victory.

Antrim would be our semi-final opponents and while the men from Glen put up a good performance Tipp won 3-15 to 2-10 to set up a tilt at Galway in the final. The run into the final was overshadowed by controversy as Keating replaced captain Pa O’Neill with John Leahy for the final. Nicky English would captain Tipp instead but Galway again had too much for us and won by four 1-15 to 0-14. 

1989

1989 again brought hope of an elusive Liam McCarthy victory, Limerick again our Semi-Final opposition in Cork, English scored 2-05 and Fox 1-05 as Tipp won 4-18 to 2-11 . Waterford were surprise opposition in the final but couldn’t keep into a rampant Tipp in a nationally televised game.

English was again scorer in chief with 0-13 as Tipp won 0-26 to 2-08. The All-Ireland semi-final vs Galway again courted controversy as Galway centre-back Tony Keady was suspended for playing illegally in New York. In a somewhat fractious affair Tipp finally got the better of their western neighbours 1-17 to 2-11. Pat Fox with Tipps goal.

An All-Ireland final V Antrim lay in store. Antrim had surprised Offaly in the other semi-final but were no match for Tipp in the final. English was on fire and shot 2-12 of Tipps 4-24, Pat Fox & Declan Ryan would get Tipps other goals. Bobby Ryan was Tipp’s victorious captain, raising Liam McCarthy aloft. 

It was a fitting way to end a decade that at times offered hope and also heartbreak. The final three years of the decade saw us play fourteen games in total, Win three Munster titles & one All-Ireland. Win 10 of the 14 games played, draw 2 and lose twice to Galway. 

Tipp’s 26 games in the 80’s

Tipperary’s Win/Loss % in the 1980’s