With details of training days for the use of e-mail, a win and a draw for the senior hurlers plus details of nearly every other thing of note in Tipperary GAA, PRO Ed Donnelly brings us his latest roundup. IT TRAINING DAYS In 2003, the Tipperary GAA County Board introduced e-mail as the primary form of communication.  Prior to this decision, 4 training events were held to help club officers become familiar with e-mail and computers in general.  These training events covered computer basics, e-mail, the Internet and text messaging.  The Tipperary IT Committee of the GAA has organised 2 more training events to cater for the new club officers elected at recent club AGM's and also for Bord na nOg County and Divisional officers.  The training will take place in the Tipperary Institute Thurles on Saturday, February 28th from 10:00am to 4:00pm. The training is limited to one officer per club (secretary if possible) and entries will be taken on a first come, first served basis.  If you are interested in taking part in this training event, please contact Ed Donnelly at 087-2055642. PRIMARY SCHOOLS IT/GAA COMPETITION The County Youth Committee will be organising an IT/GAA competition for Primary school students in the coming weeks.  More details will appear here soon. NEW VICE-PRESIDENT Tomás O'Baróid has been selected as Leas-Uachtarán (Vice-President) of the Tipperary County Board in recognition of his enormous contribution to the G.A.A. in Tipperary over a very lengthy period. Congratulations to Tomás on this great honour. TIPPERARY GAA HISTORY As the history of the G.A.A. in Tipperary was last updated in 1984, it has been agreed the time is right to update this again. Seamus J. King has been given the task of updating the history from 1984 to 2004. UPCOMING SENIOR HURLING CHALLENGE GAMES The Tipperary Senior Hurling team will play Kerry on Sunday at 1:00pm in Dolla. On February 14th, Tipperary will play Waterford in Walsh Park in the AIB tournament. These are the last two games before the start of the National Hurling League. TIPPERARY DEFEAT GARDA COLLEGE Tipperary proved too strong for an under strength Garda College side in a Senior Hurling Challenge game in the Garda College grounds in Templemore on Saturday. Played in very blustery conditions, Tipperary had the better of the first half and led by 0-11 to 0-4 at the interval.  As the conditions got worse in the second half, scores became harder to come by and at the final whistle, Tipperary were ahead by 0-18 to 0-5. Neither side created a goal chance in the match. The Garda College side included Emmett Dunphy of Roscrea in goal and David Boland of Silvermines at wingback. The Tipperary team lined out as follows: - Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange); Thomas Costello (Cappawhite), Damian O'Brien (Burgess), Michael Phelan (Ballybacon-Grange); Eamonn Corcoran (JK Brackens), John Carroll (Roscrea), Paul Kelly (Mullinahone, 0-1); Ken Dunne (Toomevara), Martin Gleeson (Loughmore-Castleiney); Donal Shelly (Ballingarry, 0-2), Shane Maher (Burgess, 0-3), Pat Shortt (Upperchurch-Drombane, 0-5, 0-4 frees); Seamus Butler (Drom & Inch, 0-4), Brian O'Meara (Mullinahone, 0-1), Noel Moloney (Nenagh Eire Óg, 0-1). Sub: Ger "Redser" O'Grady (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-1) for O'Meara. TIPPERARY DRAW WITH DUNLOY Tipperary played out a draw in a very competitive Senior hurling challenge match with the Ulster Club champions, Dunloy of Antrim.  Played in very windy conditions in Cloughjordan, both teams gave it their all from the throw-in.  Dunloy led by 3-5 to 2-5 at half time, aided by goals from Gregory O'Kane (2) and Colm McGuckian.  However, Tipperary improved in the second half to take the lead before Dunloy scored 2 late points to earn a draw.  Tipperary lined out as follows: - Justin Cottrell (Toomevara); Ger Griffin (Ballinahinch), Damian O'Brien (Burgess), Hugh Moloney (Nenagh Eire Óg); Declan Fanning (Killenaule), David Kennedy (Loughmore-Castleiney), Pat Buckley (Emly); Eddie Enright (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-2), Denis Byrne (Mullinahone, 0-2 frees); Mark O'Leary (Kilruane McDonaghs, 1-2), Conor Gleeson (Boherlahan-Dualla), Benny Dunne (Toomevara, 0-2); Eamonn Ryan (Sean Treacys, 0-1), Ger "Redser" O'Grady (Thurles Sarsfields, 2-2), John O'Brien (Toomevara, 0-1). Sub: Shane Maher (Burgess) for Fanning. MINOR FOOTBALL CHALLENGE GAME Tipperary defeated Down in a Minor Football challenge game played in St. Colmans College, Newry on Sunday morning on a scoreline of 2-9 to 1-10. Down led at the interval by 0-7 to 0-5. The Tipperary team lined out as follows: - Martin McKeogh (Ballina); Conor Morrissey (Clonmel Og), James Hayes (Golden/Kilfeacle), Ian Murphy (Killenaule); Lawrence Coskeran (Aherlow), Daniel Lyne (Moyle Rovers), Kevin Harney (Commercials); George Hannigan (Shannon Rovers), Darragh Egan (Kildangan) (0-1); Philip Austin (Borrisokane, 0-1), Stephen Murphy (Kilruane McDonaghs, 0-3), Shane O'Brien (Ballina, 1-0); Timmy Dalton (Arravale Rovers, 1-1), Barry Grogan (Aherlow), Declan Walsh (Ardfinnan, 0-1). Subs: - Brian McCormack (St. Patricks) for Hannigan), John Coleman (Gortnahoe/Glengoole, 0-1) for Walsh, Nigel Ryan (Newport) for Dalton, Tony Ryan (Ardfinnan) for Ian Murphy, Michael Harding (Golden/Kilfeacle) for Grogan, Kevin O'Callaghan (Commercials), Mark Tobin (Commercials), Christopher O'Connor (Newport), Sean Cahill (Ballingarry), Joseph O'Brien (Aherlow). SCHOOLBOY INTERNATIONAL RULES TOUR Darragh Egan (Kildangan) and Shane O'Brien (Ballina) have been named in the travelling party for the Schoolboy International Rules Tour of Australia in April.  Ireland will play the hosts in three test games on April 8 (Brisbane), April 11 (Melbourne) and April 15 (Perth).  Congratulations to both players. TIPPERARY UNDER 21 AND JUNIOR FOOTBALLERS The management of the above teams are about to start forming panels to commence training for the championship. The selectors would be grateful if clubs contacted them with names of players who are interested as soon as possible. The selectors for the coming year are Liam Molloy (Manager / Coach - Ballina), Liam Duggan (Thurles Sarsfields), Kevin Byrne (Ballina), Michael O'Loughlin (Clonmel) and Jerry Cahill (Knockavilla Kickhams). INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHALLENGE The Tipperary Intermediate Hurling selectors got their preparations underway last weekend with a challenge game against the 2003 Intermediate Hurling champions Kilruane McDonaghs.  The Tipperary team was made up mainly of players from the South and West divisions.  The Tipperary Intermediate Hurling selectors for 2004 are Eamonn Kelly (Manager, Kildangan), Michael Grogan (Thurles Fennellys), Vinny Ryan (Eire Óg Annacarty) and Donal McCarthy (Cahir). POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS NEWS Congratulations to the High School, Clonmel, who defeated the holders Abbey CBS in a thrilling Cusack Cup, U-15 Football Final on a scoreline of 3-7 to 2-5.  Clonmel lead comfortably at half time but the Tipperary town boys came back to take the lead and it took a late, late winner to snatch the cup after an epic. In the MacGabhann Cup, U-18 Football final, Cashel CS had little difficulty in winning over near neighbours, Rockwell College on a scoreline of 4-11 to 0-5.  In the U-17 Fitzgerald Shield hurling, Thurles CBS 'B' had an easy semi-final win over Thurles VS and await the winners of Cistercian Roscrea and Scoil Ruan, Killenaule in the final.  Commiserations to St Joseph's, Borrisoleigh on their Harty Cup defeat by Colman's after a tremendous performance. APOLOGY At a recent meeting of the County Executive, a letter from Kilkenny Secretary Pat Dunphy was read apologizing for the contents of an article that appeared in the national media last December concerning the selection of the All-Stars Team. CLUB AGM's The following clubs will hold their Annual General Meeting in the next week: - Ballybacon-Grange (February 6th) and Kildanagan (February 7th).  SIGERSON CUP SUCCESS FOR GARDA COLLEGE The Garda College produced a good finish to defeat Trinity College Dublin in the preliminary round of the Sigerson Cup last Wednesday.  Fergal O'Callaghan of Commercials scored 3 points from full forward.  The Garda College now play UCD in the first round proper, which is being played this Wednesday, February 4th in Templemore. GAA CLUB OF THE YEAR On Monday last, members of the Moyle Rovers club were in Croke Park to collect their prize for winning the 2003 AIB GAA Club of the Year for Tipperary. Club President Mrs. Kitty O'Donnell accepted the award on behalf of the club who were also represented by their Chairman Frank Burke, Secretary Seamus Delahunty and Treasurer Seamus Norris.  Also in attendance were Sean Fogarty (Munster Council Vice-Chairman), John Ryan (Munster Council Representative) and James O'Donnell (County Development Officer). Nicky English and Liz Howard were also in attendance. Limerick's Patrickswell won the Munster Club of the year while St. Jude's of Dublin won the All-Ireland Club of the year. ENGLISH LESSONS FOR DUBLIN HURLERS Forty-four second year hurlers from secondary schools all over Dublin attended a coaching session run by former Tipp great, Nicky English, in DCU pitches in St Clare's recently. The players, selected from a series of trials held between April and November of last year, were put through a number of drills that aimed at improving first touch and speed of movement. A panel of 25/30 players will be selected from this group over the coming weeks to participate in the Leinster juvenile "A" hurling league in late March. TIPP PLAYERS IN UCD Babs Keating is in charge of UCD (University College Dublin) for this year Fitzgibbon Cup. He has a number of Tipperary players to choose from including Diarmuid Fitzgerald (Roscrea), Tommy Fitzgerald (Roscrea), Pa Morrissey (Galtee Rovers), Dara Walton (Ballingarry), Colm Everard (Moyne- Templetouhy), Colm Ryan (Moycarkey-Borris), Eamonn Ryan (Moycarkey-Borris) and Diarmuid Corcoran (Templederry).  UCD are playing in the Walsh Cup Senior Hurling competition in Leinster and thanks to wins over Down, Westmeath and Offaly have qualified for the final. The Walsh Cup final against Kilkenny will take place this weekend. UCD play the Garda College in the quarterfinal of the Fitzgibbon Cup. That match is fixed for the Garda College grounds in Templemore on February 25th. TIPPERARY GAA MEMBERS DRAW 2003/2004 The Kilruane McDonaghs GAA club will host the Tipperary GAA Members Draw for February in the Western Pass, Ardcroney on Friday, February 6th. This draw will coincide with the North Final of Scór Sinsear at the same venue. All are welcome on the night. SCÓR NA nÓG MUNSTER FINAL The Scór na nÓg Munster Final took place on Sunday last in Killarney. Borrisoleigh won the Question Time competition. They will now represent Tipperary and Munster in the All-Ireland Final in Athlone on Saturday, February 21st.  The winning team was made up of Tomas O Sean chain, Sean Mac Cormaic and Seamus O' Theimhneain. Borrisoleigh represented the County in no less than 4 events (Figure & Set Dance, Instrumental Music) with JK Brackens (Novelty Act) and Portroe (Ballad Group) with one each. MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP Best of luck to the Tipperary Intermediate Football champions Grangemockler who play John Mitchells of Waterford on Sunday at 2:30pm in Kill, Co. Waterford.. MUNSTER JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS The 2003 County Junior "A" Football champions Ballina will play the Cork champions Carbery Rangers on Sunday at 2:30pm in Ballina.  Extra-time will be played if necessary in the Intermediate and Junior Club Championships REFEREES Last week, I asked the following question. A player having caught the ball plays the ball against the ground with his hands and back in to his hands again.  Then he plays the ball again to the ground with his hands but does not take the ball in to his hands a second time. Is this a breach of the rule?  Yes. The following is the list of referees from the county who are on the National panel of referees for the National Leagues. Paddy Russell, Brian White and Brian Tyrell for Football.  Willie Barrett, Seamus Roche and Johnny McDonnell for Hurling. 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 Ed Donnelly at 087-2055642 or via e-mail at [email protected] Tweet

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