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Well done to the Tipperary senior hurling team on their victory over Kilkenny in the National Hurling League last weekend. It was the best way possible of bouncing back after the surprise defeat to Dublin the previous week. Interestingly it was Tipperary’s first National Hurling League victory over Kilkenny at Semple Stadium since March 29^th 1998 when Tipperary won by 3 13 to 1 13. The victory also keeps Tipp in contention in the League but there is no time for resting on laurels as Galway will pose a significant challenge next Sunday, March 14^th in Semple Stadium (2.30pm).  It will be the 65^th League encounter between Tipp and Galway with 41 Tipp victories, 18 Galway victories and 5 draws in the previous 64 games. Their last 10 League meetings have seen 6 wins for Tipp, 2 for Galway and 2 draws – Galway won their last Semple Stadium encounter in 2006 while it is 2004 since Tipp last won against the Tribesmen in Thurles.

ALLIANZ GAA FOOTBALL NATIONAL LEAGUE

Well done to the Tipperary footballers on securing their first point of the current League campaign against Division 2 table toppers Down at Páirc Esler, Newry on Saturday night last. Down looked to have secured victory in the closing minutes but a last minute free from Barry Grogan secured a well deserve draw for Tipp. Their next outing will be against Meath in Semple Stadium on Sunday next, March 14^th at 12.45pm.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR ALLIANZ LEAGUE GAMES ON MARCH 13^TH.

Both stands will be open at Semple Stadium on Sunday next, March 13^th for the Allianz GAA National League games between Tipperary and Meath in football at 12.45pm and Tipperary and Galway in hurling at 2.30pm. Please note the following arrangements for entry: Old Stand – Stile 1 for all passes and club groups; Stile 3 for Juveniles under 16 (free of charge); Stile 5 for Students / Senior Citizens (with valid photographic id); Stile 15 for Season ticket holders, and players pass and Croke Park issued Press pass holders. Ambulance Door for stewards. New Stand – Stile 44 for Juveniles under 16 (free of charge); Stile 47 for Students / Senior Citizens (with valid photographic id); Stile 51 for Season ticket holders, and players pass and Croke Park issued Press pass holders; Stile 54 Stewards, Club Groups and other valid passes.

DR. HARTY CUP POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS SENIOR HURLING FINAL

Congratulations to both Thurles CBS and Ard Scoil Rís, Limerick on producing yet another thrilling draw in the replay of the Dr. Harty Cup final last Sunday in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh. Both teams deserve great credit for their skill, courage and commitment and it is a pity that there will eventually be a loser in this riveting saga. However, it may be some consolation to the losers that they will still qualify for the All Ireland series. Thanks are due to Nenagh Éire Óg for doing such a good job hosting both games.  The second replay will take place this Thursday, March 11^th at 2.30pm in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh. Extra time will be played again in the event of a draw. The losing team will play Kilkenny CBS in the All Ireland quarter-final on Monday, March 15^th at a time and venue which will be fixed after Thursday’s game. It is a pity that the fixture cannot go ahead at a weekend but such is the tight schedule applying to colleges games that this has not been possible.

MARCH COUNTY BOARD MEETING

The March Meeting of Tipperary County Board will take place on Tuesday next, March 16^th at 8pm in the Sarsfields Centre. All club delegates are asked to attend.

MUNSTER COUNCIL VICE CHAIRMAN

Hard luck to John Costigan who was defeated by Robert Frost of Clare in the contest for Vice Chairman of Munster Council in Listowel last weekend. The defeat is no reflection on John’s enormous contribution to the GAA and Munster’s loss is Tipperary’s gain as John will continue to represent Tipperary on Central Council and to work as always for the benefit of the GAA at all levels in Tipperary. John was typically gracious in congratulating Robert Frost and we join him in wishing Robert well for his term of office.

PRO SEMINAR ON FRIDAY MARCH 12^TH

All PROs are reminded that the PRO seminar takes place this Friday night, March 12^th in the Horse and Jockey Hotel at 7.30pm sharp.  Light refreshments will be served before the seminar commences.

TIPPERARY CLUBS DRAW

The final Draw of the 2009/10 Tipperary Clubs Draw which is for the months of  March and April (free), will take place this Friday night March 12th in Butler’s Sports Bar Fethard at 10pm sharp. On the night Alice Lawerence (Fethard) will be presented with the car she won in a recent draw and Eamonn Lonergan (St Mary’s, Clonmel) will be presented with the €12,000 he won. There will also be a presentation to Brendan Franklin (Moyle Rovers) of €2,500 he won in the Tipperary GAA Lotto. 4 cars will be won on the night along with over 50 other prizes including  cash prizes, Holidays and a set of Jerseys. Numbers for the Lotto Jackpot of €5000 will also be drawn on the night. Well done to Draw Co-Ordinator, Ger Bradley; Draw Committee Chairman, Peter Byrne; the Draw Committee and all the club promoters who have made the current draw such a resounding success.

REFEREES SEMINAR AND PRESENTATION NIGHT

The annual referees presentation night and seminar will take place in the Horse and Jockey Hotel on Monday, March 22^nd.  In addition to annual awards being presented, gear and match passes for 2010 will be distributed and Ed Donnelly, Chairman of Tipperary GAA IT Committee will conduct a seminar on the new ServaSport system for submitting referees’ match reports. All referees are asked to make a special effort to attend this important function.

CADBURY’S MUNSTER U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

The Cadbury’s Munster U-21 Football championship was launched on Monday, March 1^st in the GAA Centre Mallow. Tipperary was represented by selector Tommy Toomey of Arravale Rovers and player Conor Sweeney of Ballyporeeen. Tipperary will play the winners of the quarter-final between Limerick and Clare in the Munster semi-final on Thursday, March 18^th in Semple Stadium at 7.30pm. Defending champions Cork play Kerry in the other quarter-final with the winners playing Waterford in the semi-final.

TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB

Lucy Cunningham of Drom will be the Tipperary team mascot at Sunday’s match against Galway. Lucy joined up for FREE as a Junior Member on www.tippsupportersclub.com and adult members can also join up there on line for just €30. Adult members can also join at Sunday’s match at the Tipperary Supporters Club stand outside Ardan Ui Riain (New Stand).

FITZGIBBON CUP FINAL

Congratulations to Seamus Hennessy (Kilruane MacDonaghs), who was a key member of the NUIG team which won the Fitzgibbon Cup Third Level Colleges Senior Hurling title for the first time in 30 years when they defeated Waterford IT in the final at Pearse Stadium Galway last weekend. Congratulations also to Shane Quinlan (also Kilruane MacDonaghs) who featured as a substitute in the final and Sean McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) who was a member of the NUIG panel. WIT also had a strong Tipperary representation with Timmy Hammersley (Clonoulty Rossmore – top scorer for the finals weekend and the entire competition), Ray McLoughney (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Willie O’Dwyer (Carrick Davins), Kieran Reade (Carrick Swans), Michael Sheedy (Portroe) and Stephen Spillane (Arravale Rovers) all members of the panel. They were coached by former Tipperary selector and All Ireland medallist and current Wexford Senior Hurling manager, Colm Bonnar from Cashel.

CROKE PARK GAA MUSEUM – VENUE FOR SCHOOL TOURS

The Croke Park GAA Museum is interested in having schools visit on tours. Teachers who may be interested in visiting the museum as part of their school tour should contact Elaine Powell in the GAA Museum, Croke Park on 01 8192375 or by email at epowell@crokepark.ie. Check www.crokepark.ie/gaa-museum for more information about the GAA Museum.

COMMUNICATIONS THEME FOR MARCH – THE CLUB

Each month for the rest of the year, the GAA will focus on a particular communications topic for each month. In March the topic is the Club. It is particularly relevant with the All Ireland Senior Club football and hurling finals being played on St. Patrick’s Day. It is 16 years since a Tipperary club featured in a club senior final – an absence that we hope will end shortly.  In Tipperary we are holding our Club PRO seminar in March as part of promoting the “Club” theme. In addition we would encourage all clubs to make a special effort to promote their activities during the month of March.

TIPPERARY GAA SCENE

Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please contact the County Public Relations Officer Ger Ryan at 086-8149146 or via e-mail at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3:00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at http://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.

Tickets cost €25 and includes a wine reception. There will be spot prizes galore and a raffle.

This is a very worthy cause and all support is greatly appreciated.

In the Templemore Arms Hotel at 8.00 pm on Thurs 11^th March four guests speakers will discuss equine subjects such as veterinary care, nutrition, dentistry and breeding policies within the industry.  Afterwards there will be a chance for the audience to put their questions to the participants, all are welcome and €10 entrance includes refreshments.

Anyone interested in travelling to Balmoral Agricultural Show on May 13^th/14^th should contact our Secretary asap to book a seat, non-members welcome.

The IDHBA has over 900 members countrywide, the Tipperary Branch welcomes new members with an interest in horses, particulary Irish Draughts but not essential.  Meetings are held regularly in The Templemore Arms Hotel, please contact our Secretary at 087 6607517 for further details.

As people who have taken part in previous years will testify, it is a super day out and fun is had by all, its only one day out of the year and its always good to give back as we all know someone whose life is changed and helped by the fantastic people in the Childrens hospital in Crumlin so please get in touch and take part in this brilliant event. We organise a bus every year to go from Templemore to Dublin and make a day out of it where we go early in the morning, and after the race is finished we stay for a meal etc in a hotel in city centre dublin, where we also have a room available for changing and for showering facilities etc. It is truely a fantastic day. If you cant participate on the day, we would ask you to please take a sponsor card and collect for our group, as every little helps and we need all the help we can get this year so if you could help us out it would be greatly appreciated.

If you would like to take part this year either jogging, walking or running please contact Mike Delaney  at 0504 32220 or 086-8800597 for more details, you can also find us at www.facebook.com which is where our official facebook page is registered. Or you can also contact Mike by email at michaeldelaneytemplemore@yahoo.co.uk

by Séamie Morris PRO

U 8s.  Training indoors in Eire-og complex for month of March on Tuesday from 5.30-7.

U 10s  Training Tuesdays and Fridays 5.30-6.30

U 12s  Training Tuesday and Fridays from 5-6.30.  They had a friendly game against a very strong Toomevara team last Saturday and competed very well in a very tough contest.

U 14s  Training Tuesday and Fridays from 5.20-6.30.  They played a challenge game against Carrig Riverstown under lights in Ballingarry in terrible conditions last Wednesday evening.  The girls acquitted themselves very well against a well organized team and lost out narrowly.

There will be an U12 and U14 blitz this Sunday from 11am to 4 pm in the Christian Brothers.( Fields will be prepared on Saturday help will be needed with this please contact Pat Sheridan) with teams from Nenagh, Castleknock, Salthill and another unconfirmed team.  All support and help will be greatly appreciated on the day.

There are still a number of players due to register and it is required to do so as soon as possible.  Registration is 25 Euros per player or 50 Euros per family.  There is also a non playing registration of 10 Euros.

The club have received a large stock of new hurleys which are available at 20 Euros each it is advisable that each player has a hurley that suits them.  The hurleys are available from Pat Sheridan who will advise on size.

The training start times put down are for players to be on the field ready to train on time.

Congratulations to the girls that were picked on the Tipp U14 panel for next weeks game versus Cork in Cahir next Saturday morning at 10.30. Best of luck to the Tipp U 14 mentors for the year.  Best of luck to Noelle Kennedy, her management team and the U 16 Tipperary Camogie panel in their first game of the championship against Cork @ 2.30pm in the Ragg on Saturday March 13, Ciara Mc Grath is the sole Nenagh Eire-og representative on the team.

Best of luck to the Felie Na Bpaisti participants in Portroe on Friday night where Nenagh Eire Og will have 21 participants in 7 events.

The Rural Development Programme (RDP) focuses on improving all aspects of social and economic life in rural areas, including community, enterprise, heritage, culture, tourism, food, energy, and other projects.  It will operate from 2007-13 with a budget of approximately €425 million, which is made up of a combination of Irish national exchequer and EU funds.  The RDP allocation for North Tipperary  for 2007-13 is approximately €9.7 million and will be delivered by the NTLP.

The CB Network extends a welcome invitation to those involved in community and business development in and near Cloughjordan and from around north Tipperary. This CB Network event will also benefit anyone who has an interest in developing Cloughjordan as an attractive, welcoming, historic, artistic, sustainable, educational and heritage destination for visitors. CB events are informal, open to all entrepreneurs and admission is free. Please mark your diary, bring your business cards and join the Network. No RSVP required.

For further information contact: Liz OShea e: liz@lizosheafinewriting.com m: 087 6661337 and Una Johnston e:

una.johnston@mementomori.ie m: 087 2624154

ALLIANZ GAA HURLING NATIONAL LEAGUE

After a disappointing defeat to Dublin last Sunday, Tipperary’s senior hurlers will be hoping to bounce back against Kilkenny on Sunday March 7^th when hopefully the twice cancelled game against the defending League and All Ireland champions will actually take place. The game is scheduled to commence at 2.30pm. In keeping with the promise made to supporters on the night the first game was cancelled, there will be no entry charge. Both stands and one terrace will be open from 12.30pm on Sunday. Supporters are asked to come early if they wish to gain access to the stands. As the game is non-ticket, health and safety rules mean that both stands will be closed once 70% full.  This will be the 60^th league encounter between Tipperary and Kilkenny with Tipp having won 28, Kilkenny 25 and 6 draws in the previous 59 games.

ALLIANZ GAA FOOTBALL NATIONAL LEAGUE

Tipperary will play Down in the 3^rd round of the Allianz GAA Football National League in Pairc Esler, Newry on Saturday night next at 7.30pm. Tipperary will be seeking their first victory in the current campaign while Down will be aiming to make it 3 wins a row in this rematch of last year’s Division 3 final, which Tipperary won.

County Senior Football Championship Draws 2010

The county senior football championship will be played on a knockout basis with the last four teams playing the four divisional champions in the County quarter finals. If a team comes through to the last four in the County series and also win their respective divisional championship, they will automatically go through to the County Semi Final. There will be one preliminary round with the winner playing in game (A) in round 1. The full draw is: Preliminary Round: J.K.Brackens v Clonmel Commercials; Round 1: (A) Preliminary winners v Loughmore Castleiney;  (B) Killenaule v Aherlow; (C) Fr John Kenyons v Cahir; (D) Galtee Rovers v Fethard; (E) Eire Óg Annacarty v Ardfinnan; (F) Carrick Swans v Clonmel Óg; (G) Thomas MacDonaghs v Moyle Rovers; (H) Arravale Rovers v Moyne Templetuohy. The second round draw will be the winners of AvB, CvD, EvF, GvH.

COUNTY SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE DRAW

The senior hurling league is divided into three divisions of eight teams with the top four teams in each division playing semi finals.  First teams listed have home venue for their first round game. The draw is: Premier Division – Round (1): Thurles Sarsfields v Drom and Inch; Nenagh Eire Óg v Borris-Ileigh; Clonoulty Rossmore v Toomevara; Holycross Ballycahill v Upperchurch Drombane. Division (1) – Round (1): Moycarkey Borris v Kilruane MacDonaghs; Loughmore Castleiney v Cappawhite; Lorrha and Dorrha v Portroe; Kildangan v J.K.Brackens. Division (2) – Round (1): Boherlahan Dualla v Templederry Kenyons; Burgess v Moneygall; Ballingarry v Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams; Golden Kilfeacle v Roscrea. Games are scheduled to commence on the weekend of March 27^th and 28^th.

County Intermediate Hurling League

The County Intermediate hurling league has eight teams with the top four teams advancing to the semi finals.  The teams listed first have home venue for their first round game. Round (1) – Clonakenny v Aherlow; Cahir v Fethard; Gortnahoe Glengoole v Grangemockle Ballyneale; Moyne Templetuohy v Moyle Rovers.

County Junior Hurling League

The County junior hurling league has eight teams with the top four teams advancing to the semi finals. The teams listed first have home venue for their first round game. Round (1) – Rockwell Rovers v St Patricks Drangan; Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams v Kilsheelan Kilcash; Cahir v Clonoulty Rossmore; Ballylooby Castlegrace v Cappawhite.

MUNSTER COUNCIL CONVENTION MARCH 5^th 2010

The Annual Convention of Munster Council will take place on Friday night next March 5^th in Listowel. We wish former Chairman of Tipperary County Board and current Central Council Representative, John Costigan of JK Brackens every success in his quest to become Vice Chairman of the Council. The other contestant for this position is former Chairman of Clare County Board, Robert Frost. Michael Power (outgoing) of Newcastle will be returned as Treasurer and we wish him all the best for the coming year. John Ryan (Holycross-Ballycahill) will retire as a Tipperary delegate to Munster Council having completed a 5 year term. John has made a great contribution to the council particularly in relation to grounds development, an area in which has demonstrated expertise for many years in Tipperary and beyond. We thank John for representing the county with such distinction and look forward to him continuing to contribute to the GAA in Tipperary in other ways. He will be replaced by PJ Maher of Boherlahan Dualla who was elected at the Tipperary County Convention in December 09. Donal Shanahan  (Toomevara) will continue as the other Tipperary delegate to the Council. Jimmy O’Gorman (Waterford) will retire as Chairman at the Convention having completed his 3 year term. The GAA 125 celebrations last year were among the highlights of Jimmy’s term and we congratulate him on a successful 3 years carried out at all times in a friendly and courteous manner. He will be succeeded by Sean Walsh of Kerry to whom we wish every success for his term.

SCÓR

The County Senior Scór final was held in the Marian Hall, Borrisoleigh on Saturday night last, 27th February. A wonderful night of cultural entertainment was enjoyed by everyone in the packed hall. It was fantastic to see competitors representing all four divisions in the county. Newcastle were triumphant in the figure dancing and ballad group competitions. Noreen Ryan of Clonoulty/Rossmore came out on top in solo singing competition. A strong team from Newport succeeded in the instrumental music competition. Aine Ryan of Upperchurch/Drombane won the recitation title after having the crowd in knots of laughter. Borris-Ileigh were victorious in both the question time and set dancing competitions. The Novelty Act was won by the team from Moyne/Templetouhy. We wish all the successful competitors the best of luck in the upcoming Munster semi-final which will be held in Cappamore on Saturday 6th March at 7pm. Keep an eye on this section for upcoming fixtures for Scór na bpáistí.

2009 NATIONAL AWARDS TO VOLUNTEERS IN IRISH SPORT

Over 400,000 people give of their time voluntarily to sports clubs and organisations in Ireland each year and volunteers who run and administer sport in Ireland but often go unnoticed were honoured last week at a National Awards ceremony in Dublin. Tipperary’s Liz Howard, former President of the Camogie Association and PRO of Tipperary County Board, received the award for National Administrator of the Year. Congratulations to Liz on her well deserved achievement.

FITZGIBBON CUP THIRD LEVEL COLLEGES FINALS

The Fitzgibbon Cup third level colleges senior hurling semi-finals and final will be hosted by NUIG in Galway this weekend. The semi-final between Waterford IT and Univeristy of Limerick; and Limerick IT and NUIG will take place on Friday March 5^th and  the final will be on Saturday March 6^th. There are students from Tipperary playing with all 4 colleges and we wish them all good luck for the weekend.

SEMINAR FOR CLUB PROS

A reminder to all adult and juvenile club PROs in Tipperary as well as divisional PROs and PROs of Bord na nOg, Football Board, Friends of Tipperary Football, Tipperary Supporters Club, Tipperary Handball, Tipperary Camogie, Tipperary Ladies Football, Cumann na mBunscol and Tipperary Scór that a PRO seminar will be held on Friday, March 12^th at 7.30pm in the Horse and Jockey Hotel. The purpose of the seminar is to provide some practical advice and assistance to club PROs that will enable them to perform their roles more effectively.  There will also be an open forum discussion and question and answer session with all the speakers. Notification has been sent to all Club Secretaries. Please confirm attendance to Ger Ryan, PRO, Tipperary County Board at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie no later than Friday, March 5th. Details provided should include name of attendee(s), position held and email and phone contact details.

DR. HARTY CUP POST PRIMARY SCHOOLS SENIOR HURLING FINAL

The replay of the Dr. Harty Cup Post Primary Schools Senior Hurling Final between Thurles CBS and Ard Scoil Rís, Limerick will take place at 3pm on Saturday March 6^th 2010 in MacDonagh Park Nenagh. We have been asked to point out that there will be no parking in the MacDonagh Park grounds except for match officials and teams.

TIPPERARY GAA SCENE

Information concerning all areas in the GAA will appear in this section in the future. If you wish to include any item of interest in future articles, please contact the County Public Relations Officer Ger Ryan at 086-8149146 or via e-mail at pro.tipperary@gaa.ie on or before 3:00pm on Monday. Visit the Tipperary GAA web site at http://tipperary.gaa.ie to keep up to date with all the latest news in Tipperary GAA circles.

Last years contest produced many fantastic nights of tension and excitement. Some of the changes this year include audience voting as well as judges, and all acts guaranteed 2 performances, as any acts eliminated in the 1^st rounds will have a second chance in a special Wild Card night.  Remember last year’s winner, Patricia Conlon, came through the Wild Card night!

You can still enter, and remember its open to all types of entertainers so get your entry forms now from The Tavern at 067-22195. Meantime all roads lead to the Tavern for Heat 1 this Friday the 1^st March. See you there!

Prepare for a scare as on a dark Halloween night, a disused old mill, said to be haunted, draws to its doors four people with secrets.  An old woman from a home.  An estranged father and daughter.  And the ghost of a young girl.  All searching for something.  Their paths cross and interweave to reveal a dark family past where even half-forgotten melodies can take on an unforeseen significance…

The Haunting of Helena Blunden is the 35^th production by Big Telly Theatre Company. This show, part musical, part thriller, part ghost story is as ambitious as it is entertaining. Music and song combine with a truly chilling story that will have you singing along one minute, and on the edge of your seat the next. Featuring an all star cast including  Fair City actor Karl O’Neill as Michael and dame of the stage Helena Bereen as Maggie, This show is sure to be a smash. The last time Big Telly were at The Source with The Well of The Saints and The End of The Beginning they were the talk of the town for days. So don’t miss out on the chance to raise some goose bumps with The Haunting of Helena Blunden.

The Haunting of Helena Blunden is at The Source Arts Centre on Saturday 6^th March at 8pm. Tickets €20 / €18 concession.

For Bookings please call the Box Office on 0504 90204 or log on to www.thesourceartscentre.ie