Best wishes to Cian Broderick and Rory Ryan who will both wear the Blue and Gold this weekend. Cian is in the starting 15 for Tipperary Blue against Antrim in the Celtic Challenge competition which begins in Abbotstown on Saturday at 2pm. Tipperary Blue will play East Cork on April 13th and Kilkenny on April 20th. The group format provides teams with the opportunity to play three group games over the space of three weekends. Quarter-Final pairings are performance based with counties playing up to six games in the competition.

Counties have the opportunity to enter multiple teams with the success of this model clearly evidenced in 2023 as there was success right across the tiers as East Cork and Wicklow Blue joined Tipperary, Antrim and Westmeath in claiming honours.

Cork, who have again entered four sides in the Celtic Challenge, along with one team in the All-Ireland Minor Championship, can only select U17 players and are providing a great opportunity for the players in their pathway. Sides such as Tipperary and Kildare have also entered second teams to ensure that participation of players across their respective counties remains high.

The Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge is named in recognition of the original juvenile hurling club known as ‘Celtic’. The Divisional trophies are named in memory of 6 of the 14 civilians who were shot dead in Croke Park on Bloody Sunday, 21st November 1920. Michael Hogan [aged 24], Tom Hogan [aged 21], John William Scott [aged 14], William Robinson [aged 11], Jerome O’Leary [aged 10] and Michael Feery.

Meanwhile Rory will line out for the Primary Game which takes place at half-time during the Tipp/Waterford Munster Senior Football Championship game which takes place in Dungarvan at 2pm on Sunday. This year’s Primary Game will see almost 500 boys and girls from all six counties of Munster line out in their county colours at FBD Semple Stadium, Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and other venues throughout the province.

Played at half-time during Munster Championship games, The Munster GAA Primary Game gives sports-mad boys and girls the opportunity to wear their county jersey on Big Match Day, sharing the spotlight with their heroes on their “Field of Dreams” in front of huge crowds of ardent supporters.