Tipperary GAA facing a 'challenging period' according to CEO

Tipperary GAA Secretary and CEO Murtagh Brennan has issued a warning that the county is facing “a challenging period ahead” as they face a perfect storm of financial and infrastructural difficulties.

Speaking at the Tipperary GAA County Convention on Sunday, Brennan noted in his report that the county will have spent close to €2 million on preparing inter-county teams this year, as they did in 2023.

“While we can be very proud of our on-field successes and exciting new initiatives and financial partnerships, it is my view that Tipperary GAA is facing a challenging period ahead,” he wrote.

“We have found ourselves in a perfect storm regarding financial and facility shortfalls. These have coincided with the reformatting of all Inter County competitions into a round robin system which consequently increase the amount of games taking place at all levels, lengthen each respective season, put added pressure on limited facilities and increases costs.”

Brennan articulated his frustration and dismay at Tipperary GAA missing out on the recent distribution of Large Scale Sports Infrastructure funding. “I am compelled to express again the County Board’s disappointment at not being allocated LSSIF funding for both the TUS project and FBD Semple Stadium.

“This decision from the government, represents a major setback in terms of our strategic planning on facility development, as this project was to provide the Tipperary County Board with three new floodlit pitches including a 4G pitch.

“It now means that we as a county have to carefully consider potential avenues for the provision of funding for these important infrastructural elements.”

Brennan outlined that Tipperary GAA currently own only three playing pitches in Coolmore Morris Park and has created infrastructural “pinch points” resulting in the necessity to rent pitches and gymnasiums for usage from clubs in order to facilitate the county training plan.

“In short, we have an insufficient number of training pitches to prepare our inter-county football and hurling teams, as well as our extensive Games Development Program.

“An unintended consequence of the split season is the compression of all pre-season and championship activity into winter/spring when our weather is at its most volatile. This puts pressure on our playing pitches creating a real challenge for our inter-county managers when attempting to plan a program of training ahead of the championship.

“The lack of a Tipperary GAA-owned 4G pitch places another financial strain on the County Board as we are required to rent the usage of a 4G pitch for our inter-county teams and to complete our club championships which run late into winter.”
Brennan gleaned some hope from a tough year for Tipperary’s senior hurlers, who did not emerge from the Munster SHC.

“While the season did not deliver the results we aspired to, it provided key learnings and the opportunity to introduce four new debutants into championship hurling. This reflects the commitment of the management and backroom team to developing talent and laying the groundwork for future success.”

Brennan paid tribute to the heroics of the minor hurlers to claim an All-Ireland title against Kilkenny in June. “The U17 hurlers etched their names into the history books with one of the most memorable victories in recent years. In a dramatic All-Ireland final, marked by the resilience and tenacity of our young players, they overcame the adversity of two controversial player dismissals to secure a hard-fought two-point win.

“Bringing the coveted ‘Irish Press Cup’ back to Tipperary, their performance exemplified grit, determination, and a refusal to yield under pressure.

"This triumph not only highlighted the character and talent of these young players but also underscored the critical role played by our clubs, schools, and Games Development staff in nurturing and developing the next generation of Tipperary hurlers. It was a victory that will long be remembered and celebrated across the county.