Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

There should be a feast of hurling at GAA venues all over the county for the three first round matches listed in the 2024 Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship (Michael Fox Memorial Cup).

The all west clash of the 2020 and 2023 second tier county intermediate hurling champions Newcastle West and Granagh/Ballingarry will sign the start of the matches in this year’s championship tomorrow Thursday 25th July in Seán Finn’s Park, Rathkeale at 7pm. The 2024 Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship is played on a league system in one group of eight which include Glenroe, Blackrock, Garryspillane, Effin, Newcastle West, Bruff, Na Piarsaigh and Granagh/Ballingarry. Each team plays a very other once with the top four teams to qualify for the county championship semi finals and the bottom four play in relegation semi finals with the losers to play off for intermediate status for 2025.

The mouth-watering All West clash of the 2020 and 2023 tier county intermediate hurling champions, Newcastle West and Granagh/Ballingarry is going ahead tomorrow Thursday 25th July in Seán Finn’s Park, Rathkeale at 7pm. This game has generated a buzz in both clubs over the last four weeks. When the sides clashed in the opening round of the 2024 West Senior Hurling League/Championship at Ballingarry on Thursday 4th April. Granagh/Ballingarry boys recorded a hard fought two-point 1-12 to 2-7 victory over the magpies in difficult, cold, wet and windy conditions. The teams that evening read Granagh/Ballingarry Denis O’Connor, Brian Sheehy, John Kelly, Mark O’Shea, Eoin Casey, Darragh Casey, Ronan Mullane, Edward Sheehy, Seán O’Connor (0-5, 2 frees), David Condron (0-1), Cathal O’Keeffe, Michael Russells (0-1), Eoin Lynch (0-1), Luke Flynn (0-3), Paudie Murphy (0-1). Subs used: Gearóid Lynch, Colm Noonan, Eoin Herlihy, Eoin Horgan, Niall Carroll.

Newcastle West: Michael Quilligan, Colm Foley, Jody Woulfe, Michael Blashkiv, Steven Brosnan, William Hurley, Diarmuid Lyons, Leo Woulfe, Jack O’Connor (0-1), Brian Hurley (1-1), Brian Foley (2-0), Leon Barry, Cathal Hayes (0-4, 2 frees), Evan McMahon, Andrew Lyons. Subs used: Conor Walker and Seán Touhy.

Newcastlewest who gained premier intermediate status in 2020 have won two, lost two and received one walkover in their five games to date this season to finish joint third on six points with Croagh/Kilfinny in the West Senior Hurling League Championship table.

Results as follows:

West Senior Hurling League/Championship

Round 1: Granagh/Ballingarry 1-12, Newcastlewest 2-7

Round 2: Newcastlewest 0-18, Feohanagh/Castlemahon 2-10

Round 3: Newcastlewest 1-11, Croagh/Kilfinny 0-12

Round 4: Dromin/Athlacca 1-11, Newcastlewest 0-14

Round 5: Newcastlewest w/o Adare scr.

Manager: Derry McMahon

Granagh/Ballingarry who won promotion back into the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship last season for the first time since 2016 have won two, drew one, lost 2 and recorder two walkovers in their seven games to date this season to finish top of the West Senior Hurling League/Championship table on nine points to win the Jim Twin Lynch Memorial Cup for the fifth year in a row to reach the West Senior Hurling League/Championship Final where they went under to neighbours Dromin/Athlacca and the Dunworth Cup Final going under to Ballysaggart from Waterford.

West Senior Hurling League/Championship

Round 1: Granagh/Ballingarry 1-12, Newcastlewest 2-7

Round 2: Granagh/Ballingarry w/o, Adare acr.

Round 3: Dunworth Cup Final 2023 Granagh/Ballingarry 1-14, Dromin/Athlacca 0-17

Round 4: Granagh/Ballingarry w/o, Feohanagh/Castlemahon scr.

Round 5: (Jim Twin Lynch Memorial Cup Final)

Granagh/Ballingarry 0-23, Croagh/Kilfinny 0-11.

West Senior Hurling League Championship Final

Dromin/Athlacca 0-23, Granagh/Ballingarry 2-14

Dunworth Cup Final

Ballysaggart (Waterford) 1-21, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-16.

Granagh/Ballingarry Intermediate Hurling Panel

Denis O’Connor, Eoin Casey, John Kealy, Brian Sheehy, Ronan Mullane, Jack Cagney (captain), Colm Noonan, Josh Quille Mulcaire, Darragh Casey, Mike Russell, Luke Flynn, Cathal O’Keeffe, Paudie Murphy, Damian O’Donovan, Eoin Lynch, Keith O’Kelly, David Condron, Mark O’Shea, Niall Cahill, Eoin Horgan, Eoin Herlihy, Seán Murphy, Owen Lynch, Padraig McKenna, Jack O’Donoghue, Edward Sheehy, Ian Sheehy, Thomas O’Donovan, Gearóid Lynch and Seán O’Gorman.

Team management manager: Micheál Clancy, coach Paul O’Grady (Patrickswell) selectors Eoin Kennedy, Stephen Stapleton, stats James Flynn, strength and condition coach Cathal O’Brien (Njewtownshandrum)

First Aid officials: Niamh O’Keeffe/Brian Kennedy, physio Caolan Scott, club sponsor Denny A’s Bar, Ballingarry.

A mouth-watering clash awaits us with neither side fearing the other and both confident of victory so tomorrow, Thursday 25th July, Seán Finn’s Park, Rathkeale is the place to be to cheer for the boys in black and green and their management team as they bid to make a winning start to their County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship campaign.

The Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship dates back to 1910, it was the third to be established in the county and was seen as a stepping stone between the senior and junior championship but three separate hurling championships in the county proved hard to sustain due to lack of competitive clubs and the newly formed intermediate championship was not staged in 1913 and was suspended in 1915. In 1928 an effort was made to revive it but after two seasons it was suspended again in favour of a two-tier senior and junior championship.

After a gap of nearly half a century the Intermediate Hurling Championship was re-organised again in 1975 and again it only survived for three seasons. By 1998 the gap between senior and junior squads was too great and the Intermediate Hurling Championship was introduced once more, this time it remained a staple competition on the club hurling calendars in Limerick but it has undergone chances originally played as a straight knock-out championship the competition was expanded to feature a group league stage so as to get more games for clubs. In 2013 the Intermediate Hurling Championship was relegated to being the third most important hurling championship in Limerick as a new premier intermediate grade was set up because the number of participating clubs was reduced from 16 to 12.

Michael O’Leary roll of honour

Dromin/Athlacca (5) 1977, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2018, Pallasgreen (3) 1995, 2003, 2014 Na Piarsaigh (23) 1994 2022, Bruff (2) 1989, 2008 Garr7yspillane (2) 1990, 1996

Hospital/Herbertstown (2) 2002, 2010, Mungret St. Pauls 1975, 2016, South Liberties (2), 1911, 2009, Effin (2) 2011, 2021, Granagh/Ballingarry (2) 2005, 2023, Cappamore 2015, Ballybrown 2012, Claughaun 2006, Tournafulla 2003, Knockainey 2001, Murroe/Boher 1999, Croom 1998, Monaleen 1997, Blackrock 1993, Killeedy 1992, Old Christians, 1991 Feohanagh/Castlemahon 1988, Fedamore 19786, Hospital 1929, Kilmeedy 1928, Murroe 1914, Ballybricken 1912, Ballingarry 1910, Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2019, Glenroe 2017, Newcastlewest 2020.

Michael Fox Memorial Cup Roll of Honour

Monaleen (2) 2016, 2022, Bruff 2014, Bruree 2015, Murroe/Boher 2017

Garryspillane 2018, Blackrock 2019, Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2020

Mungret/St. Pauls 2021, Dromin/Athlacca 2023.

All Granagh/Ballingarry supporters please note that tickets for all Limerick Senior Intermediate and Junior Hurling and Football Championship games in 2024 must be purchased in advance using the link limerickgaa.iebuy-club championship tickets, adults €10,  OAPs and students €6 and under 16s free. No tickets required.

County Minor B Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 2

Caherline 8-25 Granagh-Ballingarry 0-11

Caherline made it back to back wins in Group 1 of the County Minor B Hurling Championship with a comprehensive victory over Granagh-Ballingarry in dry, cold and windy conditions at Caherconlish on Wednesday evening. The Caherline-Caherconlish officials had their pitch in top class condition for this East and West County Minor B Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 2 tie played in front of a small crowd with Philip Dee of Murroe-Boher in charge. The physically stronger Caherline boys laid a firm foundation for victory in the opening half with the wind at their backs and the Granagh-Ballingarry boys reduced to fourteen players after only two minutes due to a red card, to lead 4-14 to 0-3 at the interval.

Granagh-Ballingarry fielding mostly U15 players cause was not helped wither in the second half when they lost their No. 6 Ian Sheehy due to a leg injury but they fought bravely to the finish. At the final whistle the home side Caherline were comprehensive 8-25 to 0-11 winners of their second successive brace of points in Group 1 of the County Minor B Hurling Championship to go top of the table on four points, two ahead of Ballybrown and Belville Gaels.

Granagh-Ballingarry will hope to get their championship campaign back on track tonight Wednesday 24th July when they play neighbours Dromin-Athlacca in Ballingarry at 7.30pm. while the Caherline boys’ next outing is also tonight when they travel to Dooley Park or Crecora v South Liberties-Crecora-Manister at 7.30pm. Caherline scored 8-23 from play and 0-2 from frees. Granagh-Ballingarry scored 0-6 from play and 0-5 from frees.

Caherline: Thomas Carroll, Mark Boland 0-1, Calvin Lenihan, Conor Partridge, Cillian O’Connor, Ben Madden 0-2, Conor O’Dwyer, Jamie Boland 0-3, 1 free, Padraig McCarthy 1-1, Sean O’Dwyer 0-1, Sam McElligott 3-6 0-1 free, Kieran Godfrey 0-6, Jack Kelly 1-0, Tadhg Spencer, Evan Martin 3-5. Subs used Ryan Moloney, Oisin Heelan, Jamie Kiely.

Granagh-Ballingarry: Edward Lynch, Sean Stapleton, Darragh O’Shea, Ben Daly, Conor O’Shea, Ian Sheehy, Paddy O’Keeffe, Tom Horgan 0-2, Darragh O’Donoghue, Donie O’Grady 0-1, Jack Mulqueen 0-8, 5 frees, Paul Griffin, Edward Purtill, Matthew O’Shea, Jordan Twomey. Subs used Nigel Noonan.

Referee Philip Dee, Murroe-Boher.

Limerick County Junior B Hurling League Final

South Liberties 1-12 Granagh-Ballingarry 0-13

A Shane O’Neill goal 24 minutes into the first half was crucial to South Liberties hard fought two point win over gallant holders Granagh-Ballingarry to claim their first County Junior B Hurling League title at rainy Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Friday evening.

This last County League Final of 2024 was played on an excellent pitch in front of a good crowd who gave great support to their side with David Deady of Bruree in charge. It was a close hard-fought contest all through with the issue in doubt right up to the final whistle. The opening 22 minutes at Kilmallock were close and exciting with white flags traded by David O’Neill free on 2 minutes and Eoin Lynch, play on 4 minutes, Eoin Lynch play on 5 minutes, Ben Compton play on 6 minutes, Barry Walsh play on 11 minutes and Eoin Horgan play on 14 minutes, Owen Lynch free on 17 minutes and David O’Neill play on 18 minutes, Brian Sheehy play on 20 minutes and Joh Hegarty play two minutes later to leave 0-5 each on 22 minutes. Then the game turned nicely in favour of the South Liberties boys when a short free out by Granagh-Ballingarry was intercepted and resulted in South Liberties No. 11 Shane O’Neill finishing past Granagh-Ballingarry keeper Keith O’Kelly on 24 minutes and Ben Compton on 26 and Brian Geary two minutes latter followed up with white flags from open play to leave five between the sides, South Liberties 1-7, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-5 on 28 minutes.

Ronan Mullane of Granagh-Ballingarry split the uprights following a good solo run on 30 minutes to reduce the deficit to four, South Liberties 1-7, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-6 at the interval.

Eoin Lynch from open play and Eoin Horgan from a placed ball raised white flags for Granagh-Ballingarry in the opening four minutes after the interval before white flags were traded by Shane O’Neill play on 35 minutes and Brian Sheehy play on 37 minutes, Eoin Horgan free on 40 minutes, Barry Walsh free on 42 minutes, Eoin Horgan play on 45 minutes and Barry Walsh free five minutes later to leave two between the sides, South Liberties 1-10, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-11 on 50 minutes. Then white flags were traded from open play by Barry Walsh on 53 minutes and Eoin Horgan on 55 minutes Barry Walsh on 57 minutes and substitute Jack O’Donoghue two minutes into added time to leave South Liberties two points, 1-12 to 0-3 winners of their first County Junior B Hurling League title after a close hard fought contest. The Granagh-Ballingarry boys were gutted at the final whistle to have lost out on back to back County Junior B Hurling League titles by just two points but were very sporting in defeat and stayed on the field as County Board Vice Chairperson Frank Reidy and President PJ Manus jointly presented the County Junior B hurling trophy to winning captain David O’Neill to the joy of the large South Liberties supporters. South Liberties scored 1-9 from play and 0-3 from frees. Granagh-Ballingarry scored 0-10 from play and 0-3 from frees.

South Liberties: Paul Butler, Kieran O’Brien, Stephen Noonan, Owen Dunne, Ronan O’Mahoney, Eoghan Godfrey, Mike O’Brien, Matthew Gaule, Paddy O’Donnell, David O’Neill, captain 0-2, 1 free, Shane O’Neill 1-1, Joe Hegarty 0-1, Ben Compton 0-2, Brian Garry 0-1, Barry Walsh 0-5 2 frees. Subs used William Hickey, Ryan Godfrey, Sean Keane, Sean Enright.

Granagh-Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly, Ger Ryan, Eoin Enright, Michael Carroll, Sean Murphy, Mark O’Shea, John Carroll, Brian Sheehy 0-2, Ronan Mullane 0-1, Eoin Herlihy, Eoin Lynch 0-3, Eoin Horgan 0-5, 2 frees, Jack Hartnett, Jim O’Keeffe, Owen Lynch 0-1 free. Subs used Richie O’Keeffe, Peter Hughes, Jack O’Donoghue 0-1.

Referee David Deady, Bruree.

All Ireland U16 A Camogie Championship Final

Limerick 0-10 Galway 0-9

Congratulations to our own Aoife Morrissey and all involved with the Limerick U16 camogie  team on their thrilling one point, 0-10 to 0-9 victory over 15-time champions Galway to claim their first All Ireland U16 A Camogie Championship title at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Saturday.

The next Limerick County GAA Clubs draw is on Saturday 28th July with a top prize of €10,000. There are a host of other prizes to be won. 2nd €3,000, 3rd €2,000, 4th €1,000, 5th Executive Star Prize, 6th to 9th €500, 10th to 13th €250, 14th to 30th €100. There will be again exclusive monthly prizes to be won.

Granagh-Ballingarry had 165 members in the fourth draw in June and two winners to date Liam Carroll who won €200 in April and Patsy Quinn who won €300 in June.

If you would like to still renew your membership please visit limerickgaa.ie/clublimerick-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.

All new members for the next draw must be in by 5pm Wednesday 24th July.

All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34AET

Congratulations to Clare on their thrilling one point 3-29 to 1-34 victory after extra time over unlucky Cork to claim their fifth All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title, a first since 2-13 at Croke Park on Sunday. Well done also to Johnny Murphy of Ballylanders who became the 11th Limerick man to referee an All Ireland senior hurling championship final and played a huge part in Sunday’s thrilling decider. Other Limerick All Ireland senior hurling championship final referees include John Sheehy 1890, Denny Lanigan 1927, Young Ireland, Bill O’Donoghue 1951, 1952 Fedamore, Stephen Gleeson 1957, Fedamore, Gerry Fitzgerald 1959, 1961, Rathkeale, Sean O’Connor 1969-1975 Claughaun. Granagh Ballingarry 3

Sean O’Grady 1977 (Mungret), Neily Duggan 1985 (Rathkeale), Terence Murray 1987, 1983 (Patrickswell), Pat O’Connor 1999, 2001, 2003 (Ahane).

County Junior B Hurling League Final

South Liberties 1-12 Granagh Ballingarry 0-13

County Junior A Football Championship Group 2 Round 2

Monaleen 3-7 St. Patrick’s 1-6

West Junior B Football Championship Round 3

St. Kieran’s 4-13 Dromcollogher Broadford 1-8 Ballysteen 4-11 Glin 0-3 Knockaderry 4-16 St. Senan’s 0-5

County Minor Football Championship Group 1 Round 2

Kildimo Pallaskenry 4-7 Fr. Casey’s 2-13

County Minor Football Championship Group 2 Round 3

Cappagh Rathkeale 0-9 Oola 1-6 Fr. Casey’s 1-7 Monaleen 1-7 Mungret St. Paul’s 2-6 Kildimo Pallaskenry 0-9

County Minor A Football Championship Group 1 Round 1

Ahane 2-15 Galbally 2-3

County Minor A Football Championship Group 2 Round 3

Ahane 3-7 Ballybricken Bohermore Fedamore 3-4 Na Paqirsaigh 3-12

Ballylanders 1-7 Galbally W/O Killacolla Gaels scr

County Minor A Football Championship Group 2 Round 3

Newcastle West 5-7 Dromcollogher Broadford 2-13 Adare 3-9 St. Kieran’s 0-10

Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan 3-12 Shannon Gaels Athea 2-11

County Minor B Football Championship Group 1 Round 3

Belville Gaels 5-8 Claughain 3-7 Ballybrown W/O Monaleen Scr

County Minor B Football Championship Group 2 Round 3

Galtee Gaels 7-12 Hospital Herbertstown 1-10 Cappamore W/O Monagea Scr.

Granagh Ballingarry GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Clubs are coming together to organise a night of fun and dancing on Saturday 12th October in the Charleville Park Hotel for Srictly Come Dancing 2024. Fourteen couples will take to the dance floor to battle at out for the title with all money raised going to the further development of facilities for our clubs future and current stars. Firstly the club is looking for volunteers to take to the dance floor to dance on the night.

So what will this entail for you!

1)         Training once a week with the dance instructor

2)         The dance instructor will pair individuals off

3)         Each couple will be set up with an iDonate page online where money raised will corretate to votes on the night.

If you are interested or require further information please contact Laura O’Keeffe 087-6117023 or Seamus Twomey 087-1201571 or any club official.

Granagh Ballingarry players’ membership can still be renewed online at www.foireann.ie Any player not currently registered who incurs any injury will not be covered by GAA insurance and will have to cover all costs, including medical and loss of earnings. So, we ask all players to register at www.foireann.ie as soon as possible.

Edward Sheehy, Paudie McKenna, Sean Tracy and Vinny McHale received the Granagh Ballingarry. All-Ireland Senior Football Final tickets in the draw held on Monday evening.

Please note Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club grounds’ Eircode is V94 V264.

Granagh/Ballingarry clubs tops, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.laochrasport.ie/product-category/clubs/granagh/ballingarry club.

Check out on website at www.granagh-ballingarrygaa.ie for all the latest club news. Our club website is updated regularly and is well worth a visit. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/granaghballingarrygaa and on twitter at www.twitter.com/granagh-ballingarry

There was no winner of the €5,800 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw on Saturday 20th July in the Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 6, 12, 21 and 32. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Adrian Farragher, promoter online; Helen Cronin promoter Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry; JJ Enright, promoter Mike Carroll; Niall McCarthy promoter Niall McCarthy.

The next draw for a jackpot of €5,900 will be held on Saturday 27th July in McAuliffe’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 link is available on the club’s Facebook or Twitter page which finishes at 6pmevery Saturday.

Thank you for your continued support.

Thursday 25th July

County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 1

Granagh/Ballingarry v Newcastle West in Sean Finn’s Park, Rathkeale at 7pm

Friday 26th July

County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 1

Glenroe v Na Pairsaigh in Cahercorlish at 7pm

Saturday 27th July

County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Effin v Garryspillane in Bruff at 7pm

County Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2

Granagh/Ballingarry v Bruff in Paddy Carroll Memorial Park, Ballyagran at 7pm

County Junior A Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 1

Killeady v Claughain in Ballingarry at 7.45pm

Conty Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2

Garryspillane v Blackrock in Fitzgerald Park, Killmallock at 7pm

County Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2

Na Pairsaigh v Effin in Bruff at 1pm

Newcastle West v Glenroe in Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran at 3pm

County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 2

Tournafulla v Caherline in Ballingarry at 7pm

County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 2

Glenroe v Effin in Kilfinane at 7pm

County Premier Intermedaite Hurling Championship Round 3

Newcastle West v Bruff in Ballingarry at 7pm

Granagh/Ballingarry v Garryspillane in Bruff at 7pm

County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 3

Blackrock v Na Pairsaigh in Bruff at 7pm.