County Convention: Footballers and hurlers need to pick up the pieces - Floyd

An unsuccessful season for the Tipperary senior hurlers and footballers will hopefully gave way to brighter campaigns in 2023, and the Secretary of the County Board, Tim Floyd addressed the issue in his report to Convention.

Outlining the hurlers dismal run of injuries and results, which culminated in the distinct possibility of playing a championship relegation play-off, the Secretary writes that after weeks of discontent and after much deliberation, Liam Cahill replaced Manager Colm Bonnar, thereby becoming the third Tipperary Manager in twelve months.

It was also a disappointing year for Tipp’s senior footballers whose form went downhill after gaining promotion to Division 3. However, that promotion could well prove very significant and David POwer and his management team will have high quality games in the National League in 2023.

“Losing to Cavan in that league final was a blow we never recovered from despite a first-round victory over Waterford. Injuries dogged our season and Brian Fox’s work rate was sadly missed.

“Unfortunately, continuity is inconsistent in Tipperary Football and player turnover has been massive since our Munster Final victory in November 202. The loss of key players has had a serious impact on team performance and to gain promotion from Division 4 under the circumstances has been an incredible achievement.

“Looking ahead to 2023, David Power will try and put the pieces back together. Paddy Christie has moved on to be Longford manager whilst a new coach Sean Maher from Meath has been appointed with Charlie McGeever, Tommy Toomey and Elaine Harte continuing as selectors,” he writes.

There is a detailed account of the club scene with the focus on Clonmel Commercials winning the county senior football title, and Kilruane MacDonagh winning the county senior hurling championship.

And he opines: “One of the most positive changes I have seen during my term as secretary has been the introduction of the Split Season along with the restructuring of our own county championships.

“It’s impossible to please everybody but the response from our club and inter-county players says it all,” he writes.

The Secretary takes a trip down memory lane in his final report outlining some of the many highlights he enjoyed during his term in office. These range from All-Ireland final successes, to club achievements, developoment of facilities, establishment of new sponsorship programmes and deals, the running of championships during the unprecedented global pandemic which was Covid 19, and the move towards the streaming of games on Tipperary TV.

And, he also refers to the very sad passing of Clonoulty Rossmore and Tipperary hurling defender Dillon Quirke. “His loss to Tipperary and Clonoulty Rossmore GAA club is immense but nothing in comparison to the loss to his parents Dan & Hazel and sisters Kelly and Shannon.” See more inside.