Michelle the Magnificent

This week, adult camogie selector and player Michelle Barry spoke to the Nenagh Guardian and Tipperary Star about her recent kidney transplant, her determination to return to the playing fields and the invaluable support she and her family received from www.supportkidneycentre.ie 

Michelle has been a familiar face around the club in recent weeks, spending time on the astro turf striking a sliothar against the wall, sharpening her skills and refining her first touch as she continues her remarkable journey back to playing camogie.

Michelle’s road to recovery is a truly inspirational story. Everyone in Nenagh Éire Óg is immensely proud of her courage, determination and resilience, and we look forward to seeing her, once again, don on the sky blue, navy and pink jersey.

Senior 

Our Senior hurlers progress to the North Semi- Final after a good win over Toomevara on Sunday last. The final score was 2-23 to 2-18, with captain Jake Morris contributing 2-2 to the tally. They face Roscrea in two weeks time. 

Junior-A

Our junior-A hurlers played Toomevara in the opening round of the championship in Cloughjordan on Friday evening. In a nail biting finish, Seánie Geaney ensured a share of the spoils with a monster point from eighty yards to leave the score 4-16 to 1-25. Seán Phelan (3) and and Darragh Walsh (1) scored our goals. 

Best Wishes

Everyone in the club sends their best wishes to Noel Tomlinson for a speedy recovery following his recent hospitalisation. We look forward to seeing him back around MacDonagh Park again in the near future.

Camogie News

Under-6

Under-6 camogie training continues every Saturday morning at 9.00am. The girls are making fantastic progress this year while having great fun along the way. We would love to welcome any new players who would like to come along and give camogie a try. Everyone is welcome.

Under-8

The under-8s enjoyed a fantastic morning on Saturday as we hosted Lorrha, Shannon Rovers and Burgess in MacDonagh Park. The girls fielded three teams, each playing three games in glorious sunshine. The progress they are making week on week is wonderful to see. Their striking, blocking, teamwork and overall skill levels were evident throughout the morning.

We also received lovely messages of thanks from the visiting clubs, all of whom thoroughly enjoyed their trip to Nenagh. This is a great reflection on the girls, their coaches and the welcoming atmosphere around the club. Under-8 camogie training continues on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. New players are always welcome. Equipment is provided for newcomers or anyone who would like to give camogie a try.

Under-12

The under-12s had a busy week of action. Our Navy team travelled to Moneygall on Tuesday, 16th June, while our Blue team hosted Toomevara in Nenagh on Thursday, 18th June. Both teams produced excellent performances, with the girls showing great skill, teamwork and determination throughout. Their hard work and commitment continue to be evident in every game.

The under-12s return to training on Monday, 22nd June. Our Blue team will travel to Portroe on Wednesday, 24th June, for their next league fixture. A number of our under-12 players will also travel to Newtownshandrum on Saturday, 27th June, to take part in the Mary Egan Memorial Blitz.

Under-14

Our under-14s rounded off their season in style with a superb display in The Ragg on Wednesday, 17th June, overcoming Templemore in the County Plate Final. It was a fantastic team performance, with the girls producing arguably their best display of the year to secure an impressive victory. Captain Eva Bailey proudly accepted the shield on behalf of the team.

Congratulations to all the players and to their coaches Cyril, Brian, Áine, Alannah, Carly, Kieran, Eamon and Daragh for their dedication, encouragement and guidance throughout the season. After a short break, the girls will be back in action soon, with both the under-13 and under-16 championships getting underway in the coming weeks.

County Plate Final Winners

Back row (L-R): Meabh Collins, Meave Quinn, Ciara Nolan, Kate England, Ella Donnellan Houlihan, Isabelle Kinnane, Grace Nagle, Ailbhe Cahill, Chloe Murtagh, Laura Walsh, Saoirse Gilmartin.

Front row (L-R): Isobel Mullarkey, Amelia Zarina, Fiadh Harty, Eva Bailey (captain), Aoife Gilmartin, Eabha Moran, Aoife Ryan, Emily Harmse.

Minor

Well done to all our Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle players who completed their exams this week. We hope all their hard work pays off and wish them every success with their results.

Our Minor A Championship campaign begins with a home game against Boherlahan/Dualla on Wednesday, 24th June, in MacDonagh Park at 7.30pm. Best of luck to all the players and the management team as they begin their championship journey.

Juvenile News

Under-8 Boys

Our under-8s lined out against Burgess and Borrisokane on Friday evening in Nenagh, producing excellent performances across all games. Great skill, effort and enjoyment were on display from start to finish.

Training continues every Saturday morning. To get involved, contact John on 087 136 5053.

Under-10 Boys

The under-10s travelled to Roscrea for a series of highly competitive and hugely enjoyable matches. Excellent teamwork, determination and skill were evident throughout.

Training continues on Wednesday evenings. To join the group, contact Mike on 087 632 4202.

Under-12 Boys

Our under-12s continue to prepare for the upcoming hurling championship and are working hard in training.

If your child would like to try hurling or Gaelic football, contact Greg on 085 170 8133.

Under-14C Boys

Our under-14C team contested the County C2 Final against Clonmel Óg last week and, despite a tremendous effort, were narrowly defeated. The focus now switches to the hurling championship for both under-14 teams, with Newport providing the opening opposition.

We wish the boys every success in their championship campaign.

Under-15 Boys – Féile Double All-Ireland Journey

Our Under-15 Féile Finals Fundraiser continues, with the boys clocking up thousands of minutes of activity as part of their challenge. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the fundraiser so far.

Both of our under-15 teams have made history by qualifying for the Féile na nGael All-Ireland Hurling Final and the Peil na nÓg All-Ireland Football Final – an extraordinary achievement for this talented group of players.

We are seeking support from families, friends and local businesses as the boys continue their Féile journey.

Individual donations: https://getactiveandraise.com/donation-for-institute/ODE5

Corporate sponsorship: https://getactiveandraise.com/sponsorship-link/ODE5

Our under-15 hurling panel travelled to Portlaoise to compete in Division 1 of the Féile na nGael competition. They opened their campaign with a strong victory over Birr before losing out to Kilmacud Crokes in a closely contested second game.

That result saw them qualify for the Shield semi-final, where they faced Dunloy in a tense and low-scoring encounter. Dunloy eventually edged the contest, bringing Nenagh’s Féile na nGael campaign to a close.

A huge thank you to Niall, James and everyone involved for a fantastic day out and a memorable experience for all concerned.

Under-16 Boys

The under-16s continue their preparations for the upcoming league and championship campaigns.

New and returning players are always welcome. Contact Niall on 087 408 6439.

Under-17 Boys

The under-17s continue their preparations for the upcoming hurling championship.

We wish Éanna Tucker and the Tipperary minor hurlers the very best of luck in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final.

Club Lotto

There was no winner of this weeks club lotto jackpot of €6,500.

The 3 x €50 lucky dip winners were;

Ann Gallagher – Richmond.

John Kennedy – C/O Albany

Pat McLoughney – Coolbawn

Next weeks lotto jackpot is €6,500. If you would like to play our club lotto online you can do so here.

Blast from the Past

In 1993, Kevin Tucker, a man famously renowned for not knowing who his team’s sponsors are, captained the Tipperary minor hurlers to a 1-12 to 1-9 victory over Cork in the Munster Final at the Gaelic Grounds. Declan O’Meara from this parish was also a member of the panel. Featured in the match programme that day was a Q&A with Kevin, which is reproduced below.

Also included is a programme from Tipperary’s league clash with Clare in 1996, featuring photographs of Eddie Tucker and one of Michael Cleary alongside a young Cathal McGrath of Burgess.

STONE COLD SKILLS AND WRESTLEMANIA THRILLS IN SOCIAL HURLING SMACKDOWN!

What a night of thrills, spills and Astro-turf warfare unfolded under the lights as Jamie Kennedy, Martin Hogan and Conor O’Donovan stepped through the ropes for another blockbuster edition of Social Ground Hurling!

The evening exploded into life with a high-octane warm-up session that would have made even the legendary Shawn Michaels nod in approval. Armed with a size 3 football and the unforgiving wall, the trio spent ten relentless minutes firing strikes left and right while surging forwards, shuffling sideways and backpedalling like three gladiators preparing for battle at WrestleMania. The ball ricocheted around the arena with all the chaos of a Stone Cold Steve Austin entrance, leaving no room for passengers.

Then came the end-to-end striking challenge, and business was about to pick up! Two warriors stationed themselves at one end while the lone ranger at the opposite flank was peppered with deliveries from every angle. Each man spent two gruelling minutes flying solo, and with the narrow confines of the Astro acting like steel cage walls, there was nowhere to hide and no chance to catch a breather. Side-to-side movement became the order of the day as the trio danced across the turf with the intensity of Bret “The Hitman” Hart stalking an opponent.

As the floodlights blazed overhead, the contest entered another gear with the dreaded “Two Touches” middle-man challenge. Each competitor stepped into the cauldron for two minutes, attempting to tame the sliotar with a velvet first touch before dispatching it downfield with precision and power. The pressure was relentless. The tension was palpable. The crowd (well, if there had been one!) would have been on its feet.

But then came the main event!

With the atmosphere crackling like The Undertaker’s entrance gong, the middle player was tasked with hunting goals against the guardians stationed at either end. This was no place for the faint-hearted. Conor O’Donovan channelled his inner Ultimate Warrior and blasted home two magnificent goals to top the scoring charts. Martin Hogan and Jamie Kennedy battled bravely and shared a goal between them, ensuring the scoreboard remained as competitive as a Royal Rumble final four.

As the final whistle echoed around the Astro, the curtain came down on a magnificent evening of sweat, skill and sporting spectacle. Three men entered the arena, three men left exhausted but victorious after another classic encounter.

The countdown now begins to the next chapter of this weekly wrestling extravaganza. Social Hurling returns next Wednesday at 8.15pm, and if this week’s action is anything to go by, it promises to be another absolute slobberknocker!