Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:
Bonfires Blaze as Granagh Ballingarry Bridge 18 Year Gap with Two Point Win
Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
Granagh Ballingarrry………………..0-18
Croagh Kilfinny……………………..1-13
Bonfires blazed at both sides of Knockfierna Hill on Saturday night after Granagh Ballingarry’s thrilling two point victory, 0-18 to 1-13, over unlucky neighbours Croagh Kilfinny to claim their third Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship title (a first since 2005) and the Michael O’Leary Memorial Cup in front of a record crowd at Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran on Sunday afternoon.
Declan O’Driscoll, of Ballinacurra Gaels, took charge of this thrilling hard fought 32 score all West Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship final played in front of a record crowd for an Intermediate Final on an excellent pitch. Both sides exchanged wides in the opening few minutes before a pair of white flags, from open play, for the Granagh/Ballingarry boys, through Darragh Casey on 4 minutes and Sean O’Connor on 6 minutes were cancelled out by Brian Hannon on 7 minutes and Bryan Flynn two minutes later for a 0-2 each on 9 minutes. Then Granagh Ballingarrry’s no 15 Damien O’Donovan put his side ahead when he split the uprights from out near the sideline on 10 minutes before 2014 All Star winner Seamus Hickey batted the sliothar past Granagh Ballingarry keeper Denis O’Connor following good work by Cian O’Carroll to leave the 2021 and 2022 defeated finalists Croagh Kilfinny two ahead 1-2 to 0-3 on 11 minutes. Then white flags were traded by Sean O’Connor from a placed ball on 12 minutes and Josh O’Connor from open play on 13 minutes, Luke Flynn from open play on 14 minutes and Cian Cagney from a placed ball a minute later to leave Croagh/Kilfinny still two ahead 1-4 to 0-5 at the end of the first quarter. The Croagh Kilfinny boys dominated the next seven minutes with a trio of white flags courtesy of Cian O’Carroll play on 18 minutes and a placed ball on 20 minutes and Denis Lenihan play three minutes later to extend the boys in blue and white’s advantage to five, 1-7 to 0-5 on 23 minutes. The Granagh Ballingarry boys failed to be overawed with four unanswered white flags in a seven minute spell through Sean O’Connor from placed balls on 24 and 26 minutes, Luke Flynn from open play on 28 minutes and Sean O’Connor from a placed ball on 30 minutes to reduce the deficit to the minimum Croagh Kilfinny 1-7, Granagh Ballingarry 0-9 at the interval.
There was a lengthy pause at the start of the second half after an unfortunate injury was sustained by Croagh Kilfinny’s no 8 Adam Shanagher who was forced to leave the field of play and replaced by no 21 James Lanigan on 35 minutes. When play got underway again, a pair of white flags from play for Granagh Ballingarry, courtesy of Damien O’Donovan on 36 minutes and Paudie Murphy on 38 minutes were cancelled out by Cian O’Carroll from a placed ball on 40 minutes and Jack Lenihan from open play two minutes later to leave the minimum once more between the sides, Croagh Kilfinny 1-9, Granagh Ballingarry 0-11 on 42 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before white flags were traded from open play by Cathal O’Keeffe on 44 minutes and Jack Lenihan three minutes to leave the Croagh Kilfinny boys still one ahead 1-10 to 0-12 on 47 minutes. Then Sean O’Connor of Granagh Ballingarry split the uprights from open play to leave the score at 0-13 to 1-10 on 4 minutes. Then Granagh Ballingarry created a number of scoring chances in the next six minutes from open play and long range placed balls by Denis and Sean O’Connor which they failed to convert before Cathal O’Keeffe finally found the range for them when he split the uprights from open play on 56 minutes cancelled out three minutes later from a placed ball by Cian O’Carroll to level the score once more, Granagh Ballingarry 0-14, Croagh Kilfinny 1-11 with one minute of normal time remaining on the clock. Then Cian O’Carroll gave the Croagh Kilfinny boys a one point advantage when he split the uprights from a placed ball on 61 minutes before Sean O’Connor made the sides level once more a minute later when he split the uprights from a placed ball, Granagh Ballingarry 0-15, Croagh Kilfinny 1-12 on 62 minutes. Then Granagh Ballingarry’s no 14 Luke Flynn who had moved outfield, showed his class with a pair of long range points from open play on 63 and 65 minutes before a foul on Sean O’Connor allowed Sean to split the uprights from the placed ball awarded a minute later to give the boys from Knockfierna a three point 0-19 to 1-13 advantage six minutes into added time. Then a mistake by the Granagh Ballingarry defence allowed Croagh Kilfinny’s no 3 Barry Lenihan through for a goal chance to win the title for the boys in blue and white, only to see his shot go just over the crossbar to the delight of the Granagh Ballingarry supporters to reduce the deficit to two on 68 minutes. With the atmosphere electric, the Croagh Kilfinny boys created a number of chances which they failed to convert against a firm Granagh Ballingarry defence who held out for a thrilling two point 0-18 to 1-13 if only just victory to claim their third Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship title, a first since 2005. The Granagh Ballingarry supporters went absolutely wild with delight at reiteoir Declan O’Driscoll’s final whistle and they charged onto the pitch to cheer their heroes who brought the County Intermediate Hurling Championship title to the club and parish for the third time, a first since 2005 and the Michael O’Leary Memorial Cup. There was no doubt that the better side won, but the losers must be regretting their missed goal opportunity to win the game in the final minutes of added time. The Croagh Kilfinny mentors and players were very sporting in defeat and wished the Granagh Ballingarry boys the best of luck in the Premier Intermediate grade in 2024. Croagh Kilfinny have a fine young side. All the Granagh Ballingarry team were heroes on the day but the performances of no. 14 Luke Flynn who scored 0-4 from open play must get the Man of the Match tag.

Presentation:
Amid unprecedented scenes of excitement County Board Chairperson Seamus McNamara congratulated both teams on a great close hard fought final and praised us for holding out for a thrilling two point win to take our first County Intermediate Hurling Championship in 18 years and Croagh Kilfinny for their part played in a thrilling close final, who lost nothing in defeat as the game of hurling was the real winner on the day. He wished us the best of luck in the Premier Intermediate grade in 2024 and he complimented referee Declan O’Driscoll and his officials, the Castletown Ballyagran Club on having everything in top class order and he paid tribute to his former colleague on the West Board, the late Jim Lynch who would be thrilled with Granagh Ballingarry’s success. He thanked County PRO Eamonn Phelan and all who helped compile an excellent 60 page final programme, the 12 teams who took part in this year’s Intermediate Hurling Championship and then presented the Michael O’Leary Memorial Cup to Granagh Ballingarry captain David Condron to the joy of the large Granagh Ballingarry support. David also complimented the referee and his officials and the Castletown Ballyagran Club for having the field in top condition. He thanked the management team of manager Michael Clancy, coach Ger Kelleher, strength and conditioning coach Donal Walsh, selectors Eoin Kennedy, Donagh McCarthy, stats James Flynn, physio Caolan Scott, first aid Niamh O’Keeffe, Dr. Cian Cagney, along with the backroom support team of Graham Russell, Bobby Houlihan, Andrew Holmes, Darragh O’Grady, Niall Carroll, Stephen Stapleton, Cormac McCarthy, Darren Clifford, sponsor Dinny Ahern and the supporters, before giving three rousing cheers for sporting Croagh Kilfinny.
Granagh Ballingarry scored 0-12 from play and 0-6 from frees. Croagh Kilfinny scored 1-8 from play and 0-5 from frees.
Granagh Ballingarry: Denis O’Connor, Eoin Casey, John Kealy, Brian Sheehy, Colm Noonan, Jack Cagney, Donal O’Grady, Josh Quille Mulcaire, Darragh Casey (0-1), Michael Russell, Cathal O’Keeffe (0-2), Sean O’Connor (0-8, 6 frees), Paudie Murphy (0-1), Luke Flynn (0-4), Damien O’Donovan (0-2). Subs used: David Condron (captain) and Niall Cahill. Other panel members: Keith O’Kelly, Thomas O’Donovan, Ronan Mullane, Pat Carroll, Owen Lynch, Eoin Lynch, Eoin Herlihy, Mark O’Shea, Padraig McKenna, Brendan Lynch, Edward Sheehy, Jack Hartnett, Gearoid Lynch, Ger Ryan, John O’Grady and Sean Murphy.
Croagh Kilfinny: David Lynch, Conor Lenihan, Barry Lenihan (0-1), Mark Storan, Seamie Lenihan, Tom McMahon, Denis Lenihan (0-1), Adam Shanagher, Josh O’Connor (0-1), Eoin Barry, Brian Hannon (0-1), Jack Lenihan (0-2), Cian O’Carroll (0-6), 0-5 frees), Seamus Hickey (1-0). Subs used James Lanigan and Gearoid Lenihan.
Referee: Declan O’Driscoll, Ballinacurra Gaels.

Path to the County Intermediate Hurling Championship Title
Group 2
Round 1: Granagh Ballingarry 1-26, Knockainey 1-13.
Round 2: Granagh Ballingarry 3-21, Feohanagh Castlemahon 0-8.
Round 3: Granagh Ballingarry 4-28, Croom 0-14.
Round 4: Granagh Ballingarry 0-20, St. Kieran’s 0-11.
Round 5: Granagh Ballingarry 0-18, Croagh Kilfinny 1-13.

Final Briefs 2023:
Last Sunday was the 45th County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final.
Granagh Ballingarry parish can now lay claim to three titles – Ballingarry 1910, Granagh Ballingarry 2005 and 2023.
Ballingarry won the inaugural County Intermediate Hurling Championship in 1910.
Padraig Murphy and Brian Sheehan, at 19 years of age, are the youngest players on Granagh Ballingarry County Intermediate Hurling Championship winning side.
Team manager Michael Clancy and selectors Donagh McCarthy and Eoin Kennedy were members of the victorious Granagh Ballingarry County Intermediate Hurling Championship winning team in 2005 and Eoin Kennedy won the man of the match award.
Granagh Ballingarry team coach Ger Kelleher and strength and condition coach Donal Walsh are former Dromin/Athlacca players.
Dromin Athlacca, who won their first ever County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship title on Saturday with a one point victory over Blackrock, led the County Intermediate Hurling Championship roll of honour with 5 titles – 1977, 2004, 2007, 2013 and 2018.
Granagh Ballingarry County Intermediate Hurling Championship winning captains Tom Keating 2010, Paul Kennedy 2005 and David Condron 2023.
Granagh Ballingarry keeper Denis O’Connor and no 7 Donal O’Grady were members of the victorious Granagh Ballingarry County Intermediate Hurling Championship side in 2005.

Granagh Ballingarry County Intermediate Championship 2023 Stats:
Played 7, won 7, scores for 12-168, against 5-105, plus 84, scorers 0-67, Luke Flynn 3-19, Paudie Murphy 5-6, Cathal O’Keeffe 0-17, Michael Russell 0-15, Damien O’Donovan 1-11, Donal O’Grady 2-2, Darragh Casey 0-7, Denis O’Connor 1-3, Josh Quille Mulcaire 0-6, Jack Cagney 0-5, David Condron 0-2, Brian Sheehy 0-1. 20 players were used out of a panel of 34 players, difference plus 84 points.

Congrats Maurice:
Massive congratulations to our own Maurice Noonan, a member of the Munster Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie Club side who were crowned All Ireland Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie Champions for the fifth time at the Ashbourne Community School Meath on Saturday 21st October. This is a great honour for Maurice, his family and our club. Munster defeated Ulster, lost to Leinster and beat Connacht in the group stage to qualify for the final where they recorded a second victory over Ulster to be crowned All Ireland champions for the fifth time in extra time
Munster team: Kieran Bennis, Steven Casey, Darren Dineen, Cormac Downey, Seán Hassett, Cian Horgan, S. Kakor, Paul Kelly, James McCarthy, Edel Morrissey, Maurice Noonan (Granagh/Ballingarry), Caroline O’Halloran, Gary O’Halloran and Ellie Sheehy.
Congratulations and well done to the panel of players John Carey and Dave Fitzgerald, coaches and all involved in this great 5th All Ireland victory.

Results:
County Senior Hurling Championship Final
Na Piarsaigh 1-20, Patrickswell 0-9.
County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
Dromin/Athlacca 2-20, Blackrock 3-16.
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
Granagh/Ballingarry 0-18, Croagh/Kilfinny 1-13
County Junior A Hurling Championship Final
Mungret/St. Paul’s 2-21, Feenagh/Kilmeedy 1-24 aet
Mungret/St. Paul’s won (4-1 on penalties)
County Junior B Football Championship Quarter Finals
Bruree 6-12, Knockane 4-5. St. Kieran’s 2-13, Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2-13. Knockaderry 1-7, Mungret/St. Paul’s 1-6, Ballylanders 1-9, Oola 1-6.
County Junior A Hurling Championship Relegation Final
Blackrock 21-9, Staker Wallace 3-12.
County Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter Finals
Muroe/Boher 2-20, Effin 2-3. South Liberties 3-14, Bruree 3-12.

October County Club Draw:
The following are the results of the draw held on October: 1st €10,000 Eithne O’Sullivan, Ballysteen; 2nd €3,000 A. O’Dubhghall, South Liberties; 3rd €2,000 John Moynihan, Ballinacurra Gaels; 4th €1000 James Carmody, Kildimo/Pallaskenry; 5th Exclusive prize of €500 voucher worth of home heating oil. 6th to 9th €500 Joe Treacy, Doon; Michael Reidy, Dromcollogher/Broadford; Eoin Fitzgibbon, Oola; Jenny Ryan, Garryspillane. 10th to 13th €300 Gerry O’Sullivan, Hospital/Herbertstown; Nora O’Shea, Rathkeale; Fintan Coleman, South Liberties, Ann Ferncombe, Galbally, 14th to 30th €200 Sineád Hayes, St. Kieran’s, Paul Stapleton, Club Limerick, Dublin; David Larkin, Knockaderry; Pat Keogh, Old Christians; Jacqui Meehan, Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan Bord na nÓg; Sean Lane, Galtee Gaels; Michael Collins, Kilmallock; Paul Kennedy, Ahane; Con Costello, Dromcollogher/Broadford; Ciarán Dillon, Effin; Caherline GAA Club; Elaine Hickey, South Liberties; John Healy, Fr. Casey’s; Marian O’Connor, St. Kieran’s; Charlie Boyle, Feenagh/Kilmeedy; Cliona Moore, St. Patrick’s; Donal O’Grady, Rathkeale/Granagh/Ballingarry.
Granagh Ballingarry had 117 members in the September draw and three winners to date – Claire Herlihy €3,000 in August, Niamh O’Keeffe and Brian Burke €300 each in September. If you would like to still renew your membership please follow the links limerickgaa.ieclub-limerick-draw-signup and select Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club and the number of draws you wish to sign up for. You can also contact the Granagh Ballingarry Club co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton on (086) 1960301. Note, all members for the next draw must in by today Wednesday November 22nd at 12 noon.

1973 Keeping The Dream Alive Launch On Sunday Night:
The Story of Limerick’s Historic All Ireland Hurling Success 50 years ago
This book which costs €30 has been in production since January to commemorate and celebrate the wonderful achievement of the victorious and fondly remembered Limerick hurling team of 1973. It contains over 500 pages packed with original archive material plus a host of rare photographs, many of which have never been seen before until now. The book will be launched on Sunday 5th November at Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at 6pm. The profits from this book will be shared between two most deserving charities, the Children’s Ark University Hospital, Limerick and the Limerick Society of St. Vincent de Paul. For more information contact James Lundon (085) 1436727, Liam O’Brien (087) 7557898 or Niall Deegan (087) 7789120.

Defibrillator Meeting:
A defibrillator meeting will be held in the GAA Clubhouse in Ballingarry on this Monday 9th November at 8pm sharp. A recent event in our GAA field brings a lot of awareness of the importance of a debibrillator. All clubs are requested to be represented on the night.

Club Gear:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club tops, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.larochasports.ieproduct-category/club/granagh/ballingarry

Cups Visit National Schools:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club officials, mentors and players will visit Ballingarry National School at 10.30am and Granagh National School at 12 noon on Friday 10th November with the County Intermediate Hurling Championship (Michael O’Leary Memorial Cup), Granagh/Ballingarry Intermediate Hurling (Jim Twin Lynch Memorial Cup). West Junior B Hurling Championship (Mary Sexton Memorial Cup), West Junior B Hurling League (Seamus Flanagan Memorial Cup, County Junior B Hurling League (County Bord Cup), Granagh/Ballingarry Junior B Hurling Tournament (Dinny A Cup) Granagh/Ballingarry U11 Hurling (Liam English Memorial Cup), Blackrock U11 Hurling (Cahill Cup), Murroe/Boher U9 Hurling (Rathkeale Memorial Cup). It promises to be a great morning of celebration at both schools with nine pieces of silverware on display.

€2,100 Jackpot on Sunday:
There was no winner of the €2,000 jackpot in the Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw on Saturday 28th October in Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry. The next draw for a jackpot of €2,100 will take place on Saturday 28th October in Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bars and from promoters. You can also play the weekly draw online and the links are available on the club’s Facebook and Twitter which finishes at 6pm every Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.

County U21B Hurling Championship
Group 3 Round 1:
Granagh/Ballingarry play Claughaun/St. Patrick’s Ballybricken/Bohermore or Caherline on this Saturday November 4th at 2pm. Venue and opponents to be confirmed, please support.

Club Website:
Check out our website at www.granagh-ballingarry.ie for all the latest club news. Our website is updated regularly and is well worth a visit, you can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Club Diary:
Saturday 4th November
County Junior A Premier Football Championship Final
Feenagh/Kilmeedy v Newcastlewest in Raheenagh at 1pm.
County Intermediate Football Championship Final
Mungret/St. Pauls v Dromcollogher/Broadford in Askeaton at 3pm.
County Junior B Football Championship Semi Finals
Ballylanders v St. Kieran’s in Ballyagran at 2pm, Bruree v Knockaderry at venue tbc at 3pm.
Sunday 5th November
County Junior A Football Championship Final
Camogue Rovers v Mungret/St. Paul’s in Fedamore at 12noon.
County Senior Football Championship Final
Adare v Newcastlewest in Páirc nan Gael at 2pm.

Launch:
Launch of the booking Keeping The Dream Alive will be held at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at 6pm.