The senior hurlers qualify for the county final, more silverwear for Sinéad Meagher while Grace O’ Brien is nominated for a Camogie All-Star. Once again this week’s notes are awash, with news on the Blues

An exhausted Pearse Morris takes it all in at the full-time whistle ©Padraig Hogan

Congratulations Grace

Grace O’ Brien

We extend our congratulations to Grace O’ Brien who was, on Wednesday, nominated for a Camogie All-Star award following her performances in the blue & gold this year. Grace became a thorn in the side for many corner backs throughout 2018 and memorably scored the winning goal against Offaly, thus ensuring Tipperary’s progression to the knock-out stages of the championship. Four other Tipperary players joined Grace with nominations, namely Mary Ryan (Moneygall), Karen Kennedy (Thurles Sarsfields), Orla O’Dwyer (Cashel) and Cáit Devane (Clonoulty-Rossmore). 

Grace has become the ideal role model for any aspiring Camogie player with her performances over the years which has seen her collect an impressive medal haul including Munster and All-Ireland titles at underage with Tipperary as well as under-16, under-18, junior and intermediate county championships with Nenagh Éire Óg. Last year she became the first Nenagh Éire Óg player to play senior championship Camogie for Tipperary.

Congratulations from everyone in the club Grace, we are extremely proud to say you are one of our own. 

The full list of nominations reads as follows:

Goalkeepers: Emma Kavanagh (Kilkenny), Aoife Murray (Cork), Sarah Healy (Galway).

Full-Back Line: Mary Ryan (Tipperary), Laura Treacy (Cork), Grace Walsh (Kilkenny), Shauna Healy (Galway), Catherine Foley (Kilkenny), Edwina Keane (Kilkenny), Sarah Dervan (Galway), Pamela Mackey (Cork), Colette Dormer (Kilkenny).

Half-Back Line: Karen Kennedy (Tipperary), Hannah Looney (Cork), Hannah Hegarty (Dublin), Claire Phelan (Kilkenny), Róisín Egan (Offaly), Anne Dalton (Kilkenny), Davina Tobin (Kilkenny), Áine Lyng (Waterford), Chloe Sigerson (Cork).

Midfield: Niamh Kilkenny (Galway), Gemma O’Connor (Cork), Lorraine Bray (Waterford), Meighan Farrell (Kilkenny), Julia White (Cork), Libby Coppinger (Cork).

Half-Forward Line: Orla Cotter (Cork), Orla O’Dwyer (Tipperary), Siobhán Flannery (Offaly), Katie Power (Kilkenny), Orla Cronin (Cork), Denise Gaule (Kilkenny), Amy O’ Connor (Cork), Anna Farrell (Kilkenny), Niamh Rockett (Waterford).

Full-Forward Line: Orla Beagan (Dublin), Carrie Dolan (Galway), Cáit Devane (Tipperary), Shelly Farrell (Kilkenny), Katrina Mackey (Cork), Michelle Quilty (Kilkenny), Beth Carton (Waterford), Grace O’Brien (Tipperary), Siobhán Kehoe (Dublin).

Grace photographed with her Éire Óg teammates after Tipperary captured the All-Ireland minor title in 2016. Left to right: Hazel McAuliffe, Sarah Quigley, Grace O’ Brien, Maeve Coffey & Ruth Hassett

Grace photographed with her Éire Óg teammates following Tipperary’s win in the All-Ireland minor final in 2016. Left to right: Hazel McAuliffe, Sarah Quigley, Grace O’ Brien, Maeve Coffey & Ruth Hassett

Senior Hurling

Andrew Coffey blasts home our first goal ©Padraig Hogan

Our senior hurlers qualified for the county final today after defeating Thurles Sarsfields in Semple Stadium on a scoreline of 2-18 to 2-15. An early Andrew Coffey goal set the scene for John Fitzgerald’s men and this was followed up with another by Paddy Murphy in the second half. Thurles tried hard, especially in a frantic closing few minutes, but resolute defending along with a superb Shane Hennessy save ensured our passage to the final. 

In the other semi-final Clonoulty Rossmore had too much for our neighbours Toomevara and won 0-19 to 1-10. The county final is expected to take place in two weeks time.

“I believe I can fly” Conor Ryan holds onto the ball despite the efforts of the flying Thurles man, John Maher ©Padraig Hogan

Juvenile News

Under-6

The under-6 players had a fantastic end of season party in Nenagh College recently. Our thanks go to their parents and guardians for all their support and help this year as well as their hard-working mentors who left no stone unturned in their efforts to improve the boys’ skills and more importantly ensured that all had tremendous fun. We can’t wait to see you all back in MacDonagh Park again in 2019.

Under-10

A morning of fun was had by our under-10s on their last training session of the year

Fun at the last under-10 training session of the year

Under 13

Captain Mason Cawley collects the plaque on behalf of his determined team mates from North Tipperary secretary, Philip Delaney

Camogie News

Nenagh Éire Óg Walking Group

On Tuesday evening last the walking group met for the first night of their nine-week programme which will continue every Tuesday from MacDonagh Park. There are two walks, a beginners and more advanced group and everyone is welcome to join and no one will be left behind. There are large numbers participating from both Nenagh and surrounding parishes and it is a fantastic and healthy way to make new friends. Everyone is welcome to participate, regardless of ability.

For further information please contact Bartley at 086 735 8359

Good Wishes from Ballygalget

Clothes Collection

Francis taking a break from supervising Bartley during the clothes collection.

Our thanks go to everyone who contributed old clothes on Saturday morning during the clothes collection in MacDonagh Park. This helps raise vital funds for our juvenile section while also having the added benefit of decluttering peoples’ homes. As you can see from the photograph above, once again the response was generous from so many. 

Handball

Sinéad, with her coach Eamonn and family and friends

Congratulations to Sinéad Meagher who won the All-Ireland ladies singles junior final this weekend defeating Dearbhaile O Keeffe from Kilkenny 21-10 and 21-3. It’s been a great year for this extremely hard-working young talent and it’s not over yet! Well done Sinéad, coach Eamonn Spillane and all involved.

Schools

Congratulations to Josh Keller, Tom Kennedy and the Nenagh CBS Dean Ryan Cup team who won their quarter-final clash with Hamilton High School, Bandon on Wednesday last. We also send our congratulations to St. Mary’s junior Camogie panel who won the Munster Schools Junior 7’s championship in Cork during the week. Well done girls and thanks to coaches Mr Dullea and Mr Mulcahy. 

Once again the club wishes to thank all the teachers in the schools in the parish for their generous spirit of volunteerism in promoting Gaelic games. The dedication over the years has ensured that the GAA is in a very strong position.