An All-Ireland title won, three World Championship medals, a hurler of the ’90s and much much more. Once again this week’s club notes are bulging with news on the Blues

Community Games

All Ireland Community Games Champions, 2018

What a year it has been for this team. Capturing the county and Munster finals before travelling to the University of Limerick on Saturday last to face Connacht champions Clarenbridge and Leinster winners Dicksboro in the All-Ireland finals. 

Action from the match V Dicksboro

First up were the Kilkenny men and in a match that belied their tender years both sides produced a game of skill, passion and composure that many senior sides have yet to produce. The Cats managed to open up a six-point lead but credit to our lads, they never panicked and kept tacking over the points before the goals arrived in the second half. In the end Nenagh held out for a dramatic one-point win which was greeted with hugs, cheers and a few fist pumps as the parents and mentors invaded the pitch to congratulate the young men.

What a goal!! A young Nenagh player celebrates scoring Nenagh’s first goal against Dicksboro

They had a three hour wait for their second match against the Galway men and once again this was fine performance from the Blues. Heading into the game they knew a win would secure the title and started tetchy enough but once they opened their shoulders and started to hurl the Connacht side had no answer and for the very first time, the All-Ireland Community Games title was making its way back to Nenagh after a 6-6 to 2-5 win.

Manager Kevin Tucker, winner of a North Tipperary junior-B hurling medal in 1992, issues the instructions

Huge credit must go to the team’s mentors who put in countless hours developing the players skills and talents. Seán McTiernan, Willie O’ Brien, Kevin Connolly and Kevin Tucker left no stone unturned when preparing this team. The panel themselves have been a credit to the club, training hard and always turning up with a smile on their faces. It was a particularly sweet win for Kevin Tucker who himself, lost this final back in 1988 when Clarenbridge beat Nenagh by one point. Two players in particular demonstrated the commitment of this group, Valters Janitena and Conor Hodgins, who both cut short family holidays to be there on the day. 

There is an old saying that form is temporary but class is permanent and these lads oozed class when they travelled to visit Tommy Mulcahy, their very first coach at under-6 level to show him their medals. Unfortunately Tommy could not make it to the games but was thrilled with his unexpected visitors. Well done to all involved for such a thoughtful gesture.

Prior to their match against Clarenbridge the team received words of encouragement from former Munster and Ireland rugby player, Paul O’ Connell

Hurler of the ’90s

Michael kindly agreed to stand in for a photograph with his four biggest fans, Liam Heffernan, Michael Heffernan, Paul Lillis and Ger Tucker at the Community Games finals on Saturday.

Congratulations to Michael Cleary who was recently named on the GAA hurling team of the 1990s at corner forward, the only Tipperary man bestowed with the honour. This team were honoured today in Croke Park at the All-Ireland hurling final between Galway and Limerick. Michael won an All-Ireland medal in 1991 when he famously put a side spin on the sliothar from a free that ended up in the Kilkenny net for the decisive goal of the game! 

At senior inter-county level Michael won two All-Irelands titles, four Munster titles, two National Hurling Leagues and four All-Star awards. 

The full team is as follows:

1) Damien Fitzhenry (Wexford)
2) Brian Corcoran (Cork)
3) Brian Lohan (Clare)
4) Martin Hanamy (Offaly)
5) Brian Whelahan (Offaly)
6) Seánie McMahon (Clare)
7) Liam Dunne (Wexford)
8) Ciarán Carey (Limerick)
9) Michael Coleman (Galway)
10) Martin Storey (Wexford)
11) Gary Kirby (Limerick)
12) Jamesie O’Connor (Clare)
13) Michael Cleary (Tipperary)
14) DJ Carey (Kilkenny)
15) Johnny Dooley (Offaly)

Handball

Catriona and Sinead with their one wall doubles under-19 silver medals

It has been an amazing week at the World Handball Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota with two players winning gold medals. 

Firstly, Sinead Meagher and her partner Catriona Mullane won silver in the one wall under-19 doubles on Wednesday. This was a remarkable result for the ladies as their focus had been on the four wall championship. Then on Sunday, Sinead followed this up by winning gold medal in the under-19 singles. 

Brian and John with the masters doubles gold medals

Secondly, we congratulate underage mentor Brian O’ Brien (Silvermines Handball Club) on winning the masters doubles with partner John Kennedy of Bawn. Brian is a popular figure among the juveniles and has given countless hours honing their skills.

Every voluntary organisation has members who quietly go about their business, seeking no glory in their efforts to work for the wider good. We here in Nenagh have one such hero, namely Eamon Spillane. There is no question that without Eamon’s hard work, Sinead would not be the athlete she is today. His dedication to her and to the overall promotion of handball in the town deserves huge credit and we would especially like to congratulate Eamon for his huge role in Sinead’s success. 

Tipperary

On your bike! Jake gets an encouraging pat on the back from team mate Jerome Cahill of Kilruane MacDonaghs

We extend our best wishes to Shane Hennessy, Jake Morris and the Tipperary under-21 hurling side who will face Cork in the Bord Gáis Energy, All-Ireland final on Sunday evening next in The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick with a 17:30 throw-in time. The lads will be hoping to join Roger Coffey (1979 & 1980), Brian Heffernan (1979, 1980 & 1981), Michael Kennedy (1980), Philip Kennedy (1980 & 1981), PJ Maxwell (1980), Jim O’Sullivan (1981), John Flannery (1985), Declan O’Meara (1995), Kevin Tucker (1995), Robbie Tomlinson (1995), Paddy Murphy (2010), Michael Heffernan (2010) as previous Nenagh Éire Óg All-Ireland under-21 winners. 

Grace O’ Brien in action against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final in Semple Stadium

It was a disappointing day for the Tipperary adult camogie teams who both fell at the semi-final stage of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland championships. In the senior game Grace O’ Brien fired over a 29th minute point but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to inspire her side with The Rebels winning out 0-21 to 0-9. In the intermediate semi-final Down sucker punched Tipperary with a late goal to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat 2-8 to 1-13. Hard luck to all involved.

Junior-A Hurling

Goalkeeper, Michael McNamara, makes a stunning second-half penalty save against Toomevara

Commiserations to our junior-A hurlers who were defeated on Saturday evening in the North Tipperary semi-final by Toomevara in MacDonagh Park, 1-18 to 2-8. Toomevara now await the winners of Burgess and Roscrea in the other semi-final. We wish to thank the management and panel of players for all their efforts this year.

Christopher Ryan crashes home Nenagh’s second goal against Toomevara

Junior-A Football

Our North Tipperary quarter-final against Inane Rovers last Tuesday evening was postponed and as yet, there are no details of the re-fixture. 

Minor Hurling

Our minors defeated Ballina during the week 0-14 to 0-10 however that game was our last of the year and we wish to thank all the management and panel of players for their hard work this year.

Juvenile Club Notes

Under-14 challenge V Burgess

Under-14 challenge V Burgess

Senior Camogie

Caroline Browne

Camogie Semi-Finals

MacDonagh Park hosted two camogie All-Ireland semi-finals on Saturday afternoon with Galway and Cork playing in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland intermediate semi-final with Cork winning 0-14 to 0-9. In the Liberty Insurance Premier Junior semi-final Kerry defeated Roscommon 1-15 to 1-5. We wish to thank all of our volunteers for kindly giving up their free time to help make the day such a success. 

The Caribbean is Discovered on Top of the World

There are very few of us who haven’t dreamt of simply dropping everything, quitting our job and heading off to explore the world but one Nenagh Éire Óg man, Willie Bolger, did just that a few years ago and has seen more than most of our planet having visited countries including Canada, Australia and Trinidad and Tobago. Affectionately known as “Caribbean Willie”, only this week he achieved one of his lifetime goals by climbing to the base camp of Mount Everest. Fighting heavy fog, steep climbs and altitude sickness the former goalkeeper proudly displayed a Tipperary flag upon reaching his target and thankfully, Mount Everest, came out of its hiding place behind the clouds as he began his hectic decent to make it down in time to watch the All-Ireland senior hurling final between Galway and Limerick. Congratulations Willie on this latest adventure and we can’t wait to see what else you have planned next.

Luimneach Abú

John Fitzgerald celebrates Nenagh’s win over Clonoulty Rossmore last week

Our senior hurlers will be thrilled with news that Limerick’s famous win today in the All-Ireland final will surely mean that senior coaches John Fitzgerald and Darragh Droog will be in particular good form this week and training should be much easier than normal. We here in the club wish to congratulate the Shannonsiders on capturing the Liam McCarthy Cup and especially we hope that Darragh, John and other Limerick people who make a significant contribution to Nenagh Éire Óg like Tom McAuliffe and Dr.Paul O’ Farrell enjoy the well deserved celebrations.