There were no major shocks as the Tipperary SFC got underway, with holders Clonmel Commercials and leading rivals Loughmore-Castleiney among those recording first round victories.

Tipperary’s 2001 All-Ireland-winning captain Tommy Dunne will manage the Premier County’s U17 team next year.

Two goals down after four minutes, county champions Thurles Sarsfields recovered well to see off Kilruane MacDonaghs in the Tipperary senior hurling championship second round at Templemore yesterday. 

It’s the morning of the 1916 All-Ireland hurling final. The Tipperary hurlers are in Dublin — they walk down the quays and turn left onto Sackville Street.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the wood from the trees, to stand back far enough to see where and why a problem exists.

Having won this year’s All-Ireland senior and U21 hurling double, and with Sixmilebridge in Sunday’s Munster Club final, Clare hurling is on the crest of a wave.

Toomevara conjured up a dramatic late rally to pip outsiders Templederry 0-24 to 2-17 in a thrilling SHC round three tie at Nenagh.

Every hurling county has its renowned clubs. Tullaroan, Mooncoin, Mount Sion, Toomevara, Thurles Sars, Cork’s big trio of Glen Rovers, Blackrock and St. Finbarr’s, all roll off the tongue.

Tipperary 2-18 Dublin 1-11

Marksman David Flynn was the hero as Roscrea edged out Lorrha 2-12 to 1-14 in a thrilling Tipperary SHC third round tie.

The double-jobbing with hurling teams over the past couple of months has created a frantic schedule for Donagh O’Donnell.

You could call this weekend the calm before the storm but it will still be a busy few days with top action at a number of venues.

Former Tipperary, Dublin and Toomevara hurler Phil Shanahan has died.

TIPPERARY’S senior hurlers announced their new fitness, strength and conditioning coach last night.

JOHN ALLEN said yesterday he was “flattered and delighted” to be approached to manage Limerick, having been ratified as senior hurling manager of the Treaty County on Tuesday night.

THE scene for the knock-out stages of the North Tipperary SHC is almost set following the penultimate round of games at the weekend.

Three-time All-Ireland winner and former Tipperary minor boss Declan Ryan has been appointed to succeed Liam Sheedy as manager of the Premier County's senior hurlers.

TOOMEVARA narrowly overcame a determined Borris-Ileigh challenge to capture their 32nd North Tipperary SHC title in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh on Saturday evening.

In selecting his team for Sunday's All-Ireland SHC final against Kilkenny at Croke Park (throw-in 3.30pm), Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has kept faith with the side that started last time out against Waterford.

TIPPERARY GAA chiefs last night postponed six local club fixtures which had been scheduled for next weekend due to the county’s forthcoming All-Ireland senior final battle with Kilkenny and their participation in next Saturday’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21HC semi-final.

JOHN O’BRIEN has been drafted into the Tipperary team for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final against Waterford in the only change from the side that defeated Galway in the quarter-final.

LAST year’s captain Willie Ryan is one of six players axed from Liam Sheedy’s Tipperary senior hurling championship panel ahead of their big championship clash with Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh at the end of next month.

WATERFORD hurling star Eoin Kelly has rubbished suggestions he will not be lining out for the county next season, saying he is looking forward to working with manager Davy Fitzgerald and his new selectors.

IT’S A long way from Balbriggan to Thurles, longer still if, like Michael Gleeson, you lived in one but pined for the other.

OF THE four remaining teams in tomorrow’s Tipperary SHC semi-finals, one stands out. In what many will see as the main event, champions Toomevara continue their Kerry-like run through the back door, take on Drom & Inch, the only divisional champions still standing.

ONE-WAY traffic in this, the last of the four Tipperary senior hurling quarter-finals played in Semple Stadium at the weekend, as champions Toomevara continued their well-timed run towards retaining their title.

Willie Ryan has been confirmed as captain of the Tipperary senior hurling team for 2009.

THESE are busy times for hotelier Conor Fitzgerald, the last few weeks in the run-up to Christmas, office parties by the dozen to be arranged in the two Fitzgerald family hotels, one in his native Adare – the Woodlands – the other in Cork, the Vienna Woods Hotel in Glanmire.

Cushendall were crowned the first provincial club champions of 2008 thanks to a 1-14 to 1-13 victory over Down champions Ballygalget in the Ulster club SHC final at Casement Park, on a day which saw 13 county finals around the country, and also action in the Ulster and Connacht provincial club championships.

Toomevara 0-17 Loughmore-Castleiney 0-13

Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has made one change to his team for Sunday's NHL Division 1 final against Galway (Gaelic Grounds, throw-in 4.15pm).

THE strike called by the Gaelic Players’ Association presents the GAA with a unique opportunity of reverting to its roots.

Defender John Lee believes the bond of friendship and evident strength in depth in the current Galway team has his side ideally placed to step up their quest for All-Ireland Under-21 hurling championship glory this weekend.

Kilkenny duo Henry Shefflin and James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick were in top form as Ballyhale Shamrocks beat Toomevara 2-20 to 3-14 this afternoon in an epic AIB All-Ireland club hurling semi-final.

The 2007 AIB All-Ireland club championships spring to life next Sunday when Kerry and Munster football champions, Dr Crokes travel to Ruislip to take on London champions, St Brendan’s in the quarter-final.

WELL known Tipperary hurler John O’Brien was in a stable condition at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital last night following a road accident earlier in the day near Daly’s Cross on the Nenagh to Limerick road.

Waterford hurler Eoin Kelly has been suspended by his club Mount Sion over comments he made after his side's Munster semi-final defeat at the hands of Toomevara.

THESE are busy times for Toomevara GAA PRO Tommy Shanahan.

CORK champions Erin’s Own have no injury worries ahead of Sunday’s Munster Club SHC final against Toomevara at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick (2pm throw-in).