The 30th AGM of the Tipperary Supporters Club was a great gathering of Tipperary Supporters in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin on Tuesday 13th December last.
At the request of Michael Power, new ex-officio Treasurer, Bryan Maher, Assistant Treasurer, presented the detailed accounts for the year which resulted in grants of over €125,000 to expenses connected with the successful Senior Hurling All-Ireland campaign including medical treatment, specialist training, travelling and accommodation. Major sources of income were membership (€57,000), golf classics in Tipperary and Dublin (€68,000) and sponsorship and dog night/draw (€18,000). Expenses such as the cost of membership gifts and postage of membership packs had been kept to a minimum.
In his first report to the AGM as Secretary Eamonn Buckley, summarised the highlights of the Club’s activities in a memorable year for hurling in Tipperary. John Coman, PRO, on behalf of John Malone, Membership Officer, who was unavoidably absent, reported on another good year for numbers joining as adult members and as junior members, and asked all members to make a special effort to encourage extra members to join up and to ask existing members to join using the direct debit facility. Members joining by direct debit will enjoy a special discounted membership rate of €30 for 2017. He reported that hundreds of members had already joined for 2017 with the member’s gift of the specially-produced DVD of the 2016 All-Ireland campaigns proving very attractive. John especially thanked committee members Jim Reidy (who was awarded the Laochra Gael award this year) and Danny O’Connell for their long hours of work on the membership efforts.
In his address as Chair John Tierney thanked all the Tipperary Supporters for their generosity in supporting the fund-raising efforts of the Club. John thanked everyone who had helped him in his role as Chair of the Club including Club members, sponsors, funders, committee members, County Board officials, team manager, selectors and backroom team and of course the players who had given the supporters so much to cheer about during the year. John made a presentation to Joe Tuohy on his retirement as Secretary of the Club and thanked Joe and his wife Eleanor for their tremendous contribution to the cause of Tipperary hurling. He noted that Joe was continuing as an active Committee member.
The following officers were re-appointed: John Tierney, Chair; Eamonn Buckley, Secretary; Bryan Maher, Assistant Treasurer; John Coman, PRO; and John Malone, Membership Officer. Two new committee members were co-opted: JP Brennan (Newport) and Tom Hayes (Upperchurch-Drombane).
The meeting was also addressed by Michael Bourke, County Board Chair, who thanked the Supporters Club for being a vital element in the winning effort for 2016 he commented on the great co-operation between the County Board and the Tipperary Supporters Club in their work. LIam Myles, President, Tipperary Association Dublin also congratulated the Club on a great year and commented on the brilliant way in which the Tipperary hurlers represented the county on and off the field. Also present at the meeting were John Devane, County Board Vice-Chair, and Tim Floyd, County Board Secretary and Joe Bracken, PRO, County Board.
Finally, Michael Ryan, Senior Team Bainisteoir, who was joined at the meeting by players Noel McGrath and Steven O’Brien, brought an end to the meeting by thanking the Tipperary Supporters Club for their invaluable help. Michael asked all Tipperary Supporters to continue to support the Club and explained that the players were already preparing for 2017.
ORDER NOW TO GET TIPPERARY SUPPORTERS CLUB 2017 MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL GIFT DVD DELIVERED BEFORE CHRISTMAS
With Christmas postage deadlines fast approaching, please order now to ensure delivery in time of the very popular Tipperary Supporters Club member’s gift in 2017 which is a specially-produced DVD of Tipperary’s 2016 season which includes:
· Full coverage of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final 2016
· Highlights of the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Final
· Highlights from other senior championship games during the year
· Footage of the memorable homecoming in Semple Stadium
· Exclusive interviews with Michael Ryan and several players reflecting on the year.
Hundreds of members have already placed their orders and the DVD is proving ot be a very attractive Chrismas/New Year present for Tipperary Supporters.
Each member will also receive a Tipperary Supporters Club car/window sticker featuring Brendan Maher with the Liam McCarthy Cup and a 2017 Membership Card. The Membership Card entitles the holder to a range of discounts including a 10% discount at the Tipperary GAA Shop, Lár na Páirce, Thurles.
Members will also be entered into:
· A draw for five sets of stand tickets for all Tipperary games in the Munster and All Ireland Senior Hurling Championships.
· In the event of Tipperary Senior Hurlers reaching the All-Ireland Final, there will be a special draw for 2 night’s accommodation for 2 people in the Four Star Louis Fitzgerald Hotel (match tickets included).
Members also get regular email updates on news along with a text for each Tipperary team announcement for the Allianz League and all Senior Hurling Championship games.
Supporters can join on line now on tippsupportersclub.com/join by credit card or debit/laser card. Membership is €40 per person. Also on the website details are available of the direct debit facility; as the Club is run on a completely voluntary basis it would be a great help if members could join by direct debit. We are encouraging members to switch to Direct Debit payment by offering a reduced charge of €30 for all Direct Debit members in 2017. It’s easy to sign up for Direct Debit, just download the short form by clicking here, fill it out and send it to Jim Reidy at the address below.
Click here to join Tipperary Supporters Club for 2017.
If joining by post please send a cheque or postal order for €40 payable to Tipperary Supporters Club to Jim Reidy, 13 Castleknock Close, Dublin 15 (086-3580718, email: info@tippsupportersclub.com )
Keep up with all the news:
· On www.tippsupportersclub.com
· Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/TippSupportersClub
· Follow us on Twitter @TippSupporters
All proceeds from membership go towards the preparation and training of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team.
Membership is an ideal Christmas/New Year gift for someone at home or abroad.
