GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
PROFILES OF GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GREATS
Christy Daly was born in 1921 in Ballingarry where he began his hurling career. He and his brother Billy were destined to win Munster and All Ireland Junior Hurling Championships as well as playing prominent roles in their respective GAA Clubs. Christy and his brother and Herbert Clancy, Ballingarry, were part of the Granagh team that won the County Minor Hurling Championship in 1939. Later in that year he played for Ballingarry when they overcame Kilfinny in the first round of the West Junior A Hurling Championship and then met Pallaskenry. Ballingarry tried out some newcomers with success and were rewarded handsomely in that the eighteen-year-old Christy Daly proved a rare find. This was his first match and from the first to the final whistle he kept hurling away in a manner that would do credit to one of Mick Hickey’s seasoned warriors.
A bright future was predicted for him and this is not surprising when it is recalled that he is one of the old Davy stock of Ballingarry, being brother of such noted players a Willie and Peter Daly who were also expert handballers.
His intercounty career started in 1945 against Galway in the league. In 1946 he played v Clare and Cork in tournament matches. He qualified as a mental health nurse and worked in the mental hospital in Limerick city where he lived. In 1954 he had the honour of helping Limerick with the Munster and All Ireland Junior Hurling Championship with his fellow parishioner Michael Sheehan, Granagh. He was instrumental in forming a new hurling club from the hospital staff named Mental Hospital GAA Club in 1968. The newly formed club was making great strides in team-building for the coming season. They got together some of the most promising hurlers in the city and county and went all out for the 1948 County Junior A Hurling Championship. They made their debut when they took part in the Ballysimon Tournament. At this time there were more hurlers than could be accommodated by their parish clubs hence they played where ever they could. It was difficult to field a team regularly from a hospital work background. So other unattached hurlers were invited to play with them and they later changed the name to St. Joseph’s GAA Senior Club. City Gaels were a senior team selected from city based junior clubs. Christy played with both. In 1948 he was on the Mental Hospital team defeated in the city semi final, 5-7 to 0-9 by Ballysimon-Faughs. In 1949 he was captain of the Mental Hospital team but neither they nor City Gaels were successful. In 1950 City Gaels had a good run of success and reached the county final but lost to St. Patrick’s, 4-5 to 3-5.
City Gaels: J. Murray, I Doyle M. Canning, K. Lynch, J. Donoghue, M. McGrath, J. O’Shea, D. Kelly, T. Boland, P. Browne, C. Daly, C. Mannix.
In 1952 Christy Daly captained the City Gaels team.
The year 1953 was a great year for Christy when he helped Mental Hospital to their first ever hurling championship. The junior hurling campaign led to the divisional final against Kildimo-Pallaskenry. Mental Hospital, after six years of endeavour, won their first City Junior A Hurling Championship title. The game was fought in true championship fashion with no quarter asked or given. Hurling was of a close man-to-man variety with every one of the thirty players giving of his best in an all out do-or-die struggle as to who would exert superiority. Five minutes from the end Kildimo/Pallaskenry were a point behind and they delighted their followers with a goal and so it seemed as if the Mental Hospital boys would have to wait another year for the title but her of all their battles, Christy Daly, again proved his worth. Hero of the defence and now in a last-minute attempt at pulling the game out of the fire he moved downfield and put new life into his side with two minutes to go. A 21-yards free was awarded and Christy Daly was the taker. There was scarcely a murmur as Daly sent a rasper towards a well-guarded goal. Seán Brennan connected to finish to the back of the net and victory. The winners were fully deserving of their victory and they proved worthy champions and game fighters when all seemed lost near the finish. The full time score was 3-5 to 3-4. Christy would have competed against many of his old friends and adversaries from West Limerick when occasionally City Gaels played Western Gaels. In one such game he played against his old mates Michael Quaid, Ballingarry and Michael Sheehan, Ballingarry. In 1953 Mental Hospital won the All Ireland Shield and the Afton Cup (donated by PJ Carroll, Dundalk to the Limerick Development Association).
In 1954 Mental Hospital retained their City division crown v Patrickswell 2-11 to 2-3. Mental Hospital hurled like champions all through the games. Willie Dooley was their outstanding player while not far behind came Paddy Berkerry, Christy Daly and Mick McGrath. They lost to Kilmallock in the county semi final. In 1955 Mental Hospital were going for three city Junior A Hurling Championship titles in-a-row but failed narrowly losing to Ballybrown by the puck of a ball, 4-8 to 4-7. Christy Daly continued to play with St. Joseph’s for some years and retired circa 1958. He continued his interest in GAA affairs being on the club selection committee and also being club board delegate.
He was on the committee when the club was re-organised as St. Joseph’s Hospital. Christy Daly’s hurling career was remarkable and his contribution to the GAA invaluable. Christy died in February 1998 and is buried in Mount St. Lawrence Cemetery, Limerick.
Paddy Browne and Paddy O’Grady
The parish rule is the basis of the GAA structure but in reality where parishes joined it had to some players hurling with either parish from time to time. The history of Paddy Browne and Paddy Browne, Ballinarough, illustrates this situation as from time to time they played with Granagh/Ballingarry or Knockaderry. Paddy Browne was born in Knockaderry, qualified as a butter maker and in 1942 started work in Glenwilliam Creamery. After he married he came to live in The Square, Ballingarry. He started his hurling career with Knockaderry.
Paddy O’Grady, Ballinarouga, was a farmer and a member of the great O’Grady hurling family which features continuously in Granagh/Ballingarry GAA since earliest times. Ballinarouga is officially in the parish of Clouncagh and part of the Knockaderry GAA Club catchment area. However, because of its close ties with Ballingarry the townland extends almost to the bounds of the Creamery on the Downs Road and its residents were allowed to choose who they wished to play for. Thus over the years many Ballinarouga hurlers here have switched allegiance back and forth. Their first great success was with Ballingarry in 1944 when they helped Ballingarry win the West and County Junior A Hurling Championship and the following year they won the West Senior Championship title before they lost to Ahane in the County Final. In 1946 they played for Limerick against Clare in an Aras nan Gael hurling tournament. In 1946 Paddy Browne hurled with his native
parish Knockaderry and when they defeated Feenagh 5-3 to 2-1 on May 11th, he was credited as one of the best for Knockaderry.
In 1947 they both hurled for Knockaderry and won the West and County Junior A Hurling Championships. Knockaderry began their campaign with a win over Southern Chemicals by 8-5 to 0-1 and eventually beat Ardagh in the West final by nine points, 3-2 to 0-2.
The winning Knockaderry side was: J. Dowling, D. Geary, J. Fitzgibbon, S. Danaher, P. Meehan, J. Hannon, Paddy Browne, M. Quaid, D. Flanagan, J. Danaher, Paddy O’Grady, F. Whelan, M. Donegan, D. Sheehy and J. Guiry.The County Semi Final against Fedamore proved to be the County Final and it was a tough affair. This semi will long be spoken of as one of the best junior hurling games ever played. It was touch and go for the full hour with play alternating from end to end. Knockaderry were the more stylish players. It ended in a draw.
In early November they met again. The game was another terrific game of hurling played in continuous rain, play, ground play and speed were all of the highest standard. Knockaderry led 2-1 to 0-6 at half time and won in the end, 7-7 to 4-10 – remarkable scoring considering the conditions.
On Sunday 16th November 1047 Knockaderry had a very easy victory over Bruff in the County Junior A Hurling Championship Final played in Adare. They led 2-4 to 0-4 at half time and won 5-7 to 0-4. The winning Knockaderry panel of players used were Jim and Seán Danaher, (Tirnahilla), David and James Geary (Kiltanna), Johnny Hannon (Knockaderry), Denis Sheehy (Ballyhahill), Patsy Meehan (Knockaderry), Tommy Barry (Grange), Michael Liston (Lisauisce), Joe Enright (Gortnacreha), Jackie Dowling (Ahalin), Denis Flanagan (Kilmeedy), Frank Whelan (Walshstown), Dan Cremin (Ballydoorty), Mickey Quaid (Clouncagh), Gerard Fitzgibbon (Gortnacreha), Mick Donegan (Knockaderry), Paddy Browne (Lisauisce) and Paddy O’Grady (Gallinarouga).
When Knockaderry returned home that evening the bonfires were blazing. A torchlight procession accompanied by an impromptu band were features of the celebrations. Salvos of cheering rang out in the night air including cheers for their vanquished opponents. A few weeks later there was a celebratory dinner and dance in the local hall. There were speeches by Fr. O’Callaghan PP, Fr. Culhane CC, Jeremiah O’Sullivan, club chairman Dr. James O’Brien, M. Burke, national teacher, J. Liston, Jim Danaher captain), Eddie Liston, Joe Murphy, D. Flanagan and Paddy Browne. A great occasion for everybody.
In February 1948 at a great concert and variety under the auspices of the Knockaderry GAA Club the West and County Championship medals were presented to the victorious players. The year 1948 was the highlight of both their hurling careers when they were selected to play on the county junior hurling team. A victory over Tipperary led to a meeting with Cork on August 8th in the Munster final in Dromcollogher which they won 4-7 to 4-5. Paddy O’Grady scored 1-1, Browne 2 and N. Quaid who came on as a sub, each scored a point. Limerick went on to defeat Galway 4-5 to 2-5 in the All Ireland Semi but sensationally lost the final to Meath 5-9 to 2-1. In 1948 they played with the Knockaderry senior team and did very well. Knockaderry met Young Ireland in the first round of the senior championship and to everybody’s surprise had a good win by 5-10 to 3-2. Young Ireland were a very fancied team. Knockaderry got into their stride early and were seven points up thanks to O’Grady and Danaher without reply. They next defeated St. Patrick’s by 3-7 to 1-4. In early November they met Croom in the county semi final and lost 3-6 to 2-3. They both continued to play with Knockaderry over the following years in 1950 the Knockaderry team that defeated Ahane in the local senior hurling tournament was F. Wallace (Knockaderry), J. Fitzgibbon (Gortnacreha), D. Guiry (Kiltanna), M. Quaid (Clouncagh), J. Hannan (Knockaderry), C. Crowley (Ardagh), J. Barry (Grange), P. O’Grady (Ballinarouga), D. Sheehy (Ballyhahill), T. Danaher (Tirnahilla). They also helped Knockaderry defeat Dromard/Rathkeale 3-5 to 2-5 in the Egan Cup Final in 1948. In 1955 Knockaderry were involved in an acrimonious encounter with Feenagh/Kilmeedy in the West Junior A Hurling Championship. They met twice and drew both times. A serious dispute arose over the second replay. Eventually it was played in Rathkeale and the Feenagh/Kilmeedy boys won by two, 3-6 to 3-4. On that winning Feenagh/Kilmeedy team were: Johnny Fitzgibbon who at one time worked in Ballingarry and had great success with Granagh/Ballingarry. Feenagh/Kilmeedy went on to win the west title and lost the county semi final. Paddy Browne was selected for the Limerick county junior team which lost to Clare in the Munster championship. It appears 1954-55 were Paddy O’Grady’s last years of competitive hurling. Paddy Browne reverted to playing with Granagh/Ballingarry and was on the team that won the West Junior A Hurling Championship final over his native parish, Knockaderry, in 1959 and lost narrowly in the county final to Pallasgreen. He continued top play up to 1959. Paddy Browne was interested in GAA administration and became assistant secretary to John Whelan of the West Board. He graduated to secretary in 1983. He was also registrar of the West Board and was involved in West Bord na nÓg from 1960 and Scór Paddy O’Grady died on 24th November 2000 and is buried in Ballingarry. Paddy Browne died on March 19th 2001 and is also buried in Ballingarry.
September Club Draw Winners
The following were winners in the September Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club draw in the clubhouse, Ballingarry on Saturday 10th October: €400 Joe Fitzgerald (promoter Mike Healy), €100 each to Eoin O’Kelly (promoter John Carroll), Peter Dunworth (promoter Mossie O’Connor and Pat Herlihy), Timmy McKenna (promoter John O’Keeffe). We thank all our punters for their continued support.
€10,000 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €10,000 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery on Saturday 10th October in the clubhouse, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 17, 23, 26 and 31. Lucky dips of €20 each went to Sean Crosby (promoter O’Grady’s Spar), Kieran Dillane (promoter Andrew Holmes), Conor Snow (promoter Conor Snow), Eugene Reidy (promoter Pat Cagney). This week’s draw for a jackpot of €10,100 will be held in the clubhouse, Ballingarry on Saturday 17th October. Thank you for your continued support.
West Junior B Hurling Championship Semi Final
Granagh/Ballingarry v Feenagh/Kilmeedy (to be played whenever games will resume).
West Junior B Football Championship Semi Final
Granagh/Ballingarry v Feenagh/Kilmeedy, Knockaderry v Adare (to be played whenever games will resume).
Fixtures
Saturday 17th October
Munster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Cork v Clare in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 1pm.
National Football League Division 1 Round 6
Monaghan v Kerry in Inniskeen at 2pm, Dublin v Meath in Parnell Park at 7pm.
National Football League Division 2 Round 6
Westmeath v Laois in Cusack Park, Mullingar at 2pm, Armagh v Roscommon in Athletic Grounds at 5.30pm.
National Football League Division 3 Round 6
Down v Leitrim in Pairc Esler, Newry at 4pm.
Cork v Louth in Pairc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm Derry v Longford in Celtic Park at 4.30pm.
National Football League Division 4 Round 6
Wicklow v Antrim in Aughrim at 12.30pm.
Carlow v Sligo in Cullen Park at 5pm.
All Ireland U20 Football Championship Semi Finals
Dublin v Tyrone in Breffni Park at 2pm.
Galway v Kerry in Pairc na nGael at 4pm.
Sunday 18th October
Munster Minor Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Kerry v Tipperary in Pairc na nGael at 1pm.
National Football League Division 1 Round 6
Galway v Mayo in Tuam Stadium at 2pm.
Donegal v Tyrone in Ballybofey at 4pm.
National Football League Division 2 Round 6
Clare v Fermanagh in Cusack Park, Ennis at 1pm.
Kildare v Cavan in Newbridge at 2pm.
National Football League Division 3
Tipperary v Offaly in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 2pm.
National Football League Division 4 Round 6
Limerick v Wexford in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 3pm.
National Hurling League Division 2A Final
Antrim v Kerry at O’connor Park at 1.30pm.
National Hurling League Division 2B final
Down v Derry in Athletic Grounds at 2pm.
National Hurling League Division 3B Final
Sligo v Leitrim in Connacht Centre of Excellence at 1.30pm.
Monday 19th October
Munster U20 Hurling Championship Quarter Finals
Tipperary v Clare in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 7.30pm.
Cork v Kerry in Austin Stack Park, Tralee at 7.30pm.