Tipperary retain Skoda jerseys
Speculation has increased that the Czech firm would be ending their agreement with the county board after four seasons. However, the hurlers will wear the existing jersey against Mary Immaculate College in Thurles’ Dr Morris Park at 7.30pm tonight as will the footballers against Cork in Sunday’s McGrath Cup quarter-final with Cork in Clonmel.
Skoda replaced Enfer in April 2011 in an initial €600,000 deal, which ran up until the end of 2013. A one-year extension worth about €200,000 finished up last month. As part of the contracts, players and officials were provided with cars. A new jersey with the logo was also launched 13 months ago.
The company received plenty of exposure last year with the hurlers playing two All-Ireland finals and the footballers enjoying an extended run in the qualifiers.
“They will be on the jerseys until such time as someone else comes around with a better offer,” said secretary Tim Floyd. “Skoda are there for the moment and if something is going to change it will have to happen very quickly as the National League is only around the corner and it’s a vital time to get things done.”
Floyd also revealed just one of the eight Congress motions passed by the county board has been green-lighted by the rules advisory committee. The Frank Murphy-chaired group have sent back the other seven to the Tipperary County Board to be amended.
“At this moment in time, we’re not sure how many of our motions will appear on the Clár. The motions review committee have sent seven of them back to us asking us to quote the proper rules and they will have to be reworded.”
In what is a playing rules year — meaning clubs are entitled to put forward proposals to change the parameters of football and hurling — Tipperary are recommending such alterations as a reduction in the limit on the number of steps in hurling from four to three as well as a curb on the number of consecutive hand-passes in Gaelic football.
“There is certain to be plenty of motions on the Clár,” anticipated Floyd. “If everyone has as many motions as Tipperary we’re in for a long Congress!”
* Paddy Codd (Killenaule) has been retained as Tipp football captain for a third successive year.
