Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:
 
Granagh-Ballingarry book final spot in extra time:
West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship Semi-final
Granagh-Ballingarry 3-23
Croagh-Kilfinny 1-24
In dry, windy conditions at Dromcollogher on Saturday evening holders Granagh-Ballingarry recorded a thrilling 5 point 3-23 to 1-24 victory over unlucky neighbours Croagh-Kilfinny after extra time to qualify for their fourth West Junior B Hurling Championship final in five seasons against 2021 champions Adare this Sunday 6th October in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale at 4pm.
Michael Browne of Dromcollogher-Broadford took charge of this thrilling contest, West Junior B Hurling Championship semi-final played on an excellent pitch in front of a good crowd who gave great support to their side. Croagh-Kilfinny No. 13 Declan Walsh and Granagh-Ballingarry No. 7 Ian Sheehy traded white flags from open play in the opening 4 minutes before a pair of white flags for Granagh-Ballingarry, courtesy of Pat Carroll from open play on 6 minutes and a placed ball 3 minutes later to leave the holders two ahead, 0-3 to 0-1 on 9 minutes. Then white flags were traded from open play by Declan Walsh on 10 minutes and Pat Carroll on 11 minutes before Croagh-Kilfinny No. 12 Gearoid Lenihan split the upright from a placed ball a minute later to reduce the deficit to the minimum Granagh-Ballingarry 0-4, Croagh-Kilfinny 0-3 on 13 minutes. Pat Lenihan finished past Granagh-Ballingarry keeper and team captain Keith O’Kelly on 14 minutes to the joy of the Croagh-Kilfinny supporters but their joy was short lived when David O’Grady cut through the Croagh-Kilfinny defence to finish past keeper Robert Lynch a minute later to leave one between the sides, Granagh-Ballingarry 1-4, Croagh-Kilfinny 1-3 at the end of the first quarter. The next 9 minutes were close and exciting with white flags traded from open play by Gearoid Lynch on 16 minutes and Pat Lenihan on 17 minutes, Edward Sheehy on 18 minutes and Gearoid Lenihan on 20 minutes, Edward Sheehy on 23 minutes and John Wall a minute later to leave one again between the sides, Granagh-Ballingarry 1-7, Croagh-Kilfinny 1-4 on 24 minutes. The Granagh-Ballingarry boys with the wind at their backs dominated the final 6 minutes of their close, hard-fought opening half with a trio of white flags courtesy of Donal O’Grady, play on 25 minutes, John O’Grady free on 27 minutes and Jack Hartnett play on 30 minutes to send the holders Granagh-Ballingarry in at the interval leading by four 1-10 to 1-6.
The Croagh-Kilfinny boys with the wind at their backs dominated the opening 12 minutes after the interval with four unanswered white flags from open play through Pat Lenihan, Declan Walsh, Gearoid L:enihan, two, before points were traded from placed balls by Pat Carroll on 43 minutes and Gearoid Lenihan two minutes later for 1-11 at the end of the third quarter. Then white flags were traded by Declan Walsh from a placed ball on 46 minutes and Pat Carroll from a placed ball on 47 minutes before a pair of white flags for Croagh-Kilfinny from open play courtesy of Gearoid Lenihan on 48 and 50 minutes were cancelled out by Pat Carroll from a placed ball on 51 minutes and substitute Eoin Lynch two minutes later for 1-14 each on 52 minutes. Donal O’Grady raised his second white flag from open play for Granagh-Ballingarry on 25 minutes before a pair of white flags from open play for Croagh-Kilfinny courtesy of Declan Walsh on 26 minutes and substitute Liam Lenihan two minutes later to leave it 1-16 to 1-15 in favour of the boys in blue and white on 28 minutes. Granagh-Ballingarry substitute Thomas O’Donovan showed his class when he finished past Croagh-Kilfinny keeper Robert Lynch on 59 minutes before a pair of white flags for Croagh-Kilfinny from open play through Nessan Leahy on 60 minutes and sub James O’Brien in added time to leave the sides level, Croagh-Kilfinny 1-18, Granagh-Ballingarry 2-15 at the final whistle to take this thrilling West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship semi-final to extra time.
Holders Granagh-Ballingarry with the wind at their backs dominated the opening 5 minutes of the first period of extra time with a trio of white flags from open play courtesy of Jack Hartnett 2 play and Pat Carroll 65 before Croagh-Kilfinny No. 13 Declan Walsh landed her 6th white flag from open play on 7 minutes to leave two between the sides, Granagh-Ballingarry 2-18, Croagh-Kilfinny 1-19 on 6 minutes. The final four minutes of the first period of extra time was all Granagh-Ballingarry with a trio of white flags through Pat Carroll, free, on 10 minutes to send the boys in black and green in at the break leading by five, 2-21 to 1-19. The Croagh-Kilfinny boys with wind advantage dominated the opening 8 minutes of the second period of extra time with five unanswered white flags courtesy of Gearoid Lenihan, play on 11 and 12 minutes, John Wall, play on 13 minutes, Gearoid Lenihan, free on 15 minutes and Nessan Leahy, play two minutes later to leave the sides level again on 18 minutes. Granagh-Ballingarry dominated the final two minutes plus of extra time with a cracking goal by substitute Jack O’Donoghue on 19 minutes followed by a pair of white flags from placed balls by Pat Carroll on 20 and 21 minutes. At the final whistle at the end of extra time the boys in black and green were five point 3-23 to 1-24 winners to qualify for their fourth West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship Final in five seasons against 2021 champions Adare on this Sunday 6th October in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale at 4pm.
The Granagh-Ballingarry boys were delighted to have made it through to their fourth final in five seasons and the Croagh-Kilfinny boys were gutted to have lost by four points in extra time, but were very sporting in defeat and wished the Granagh-Ballingarry boys the best of luck in the final against Adare.
Well done to both sides on a thrilling hard-fought contest, to the Dromcollogher-Broadford club officials for having the pitch in top class condition and the referee Michael Browne who also played his part in this thrilling contest. Granagh-Ballingarry scored 3-13 from play, 0-9 from frees and 0-1 from a 65; Croagh-Kilfinny scored 1-21 from play and 0-3 from frees.
Granagh-Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly, captain, Ger Ryan, Eoin Enright, Niall Cahill, Ian Sheehy 0-1, Mark O’Shea, John Carroll, Edward Sheehy 0-2, Pat Carroll 0-11 (8 frees, 1 65), Gearoid Lynch 0-1, Donal O’Grady 1-2, Jim O’Keeffe, Conor O’Donoghue, John O’Grady 0-1 free, Jack Hartnett 0-4. Subs used Thomas O’Donovan 1-0, Eoin Lynch 0-1, Jack O’Donoghue 1-0.
Croagh-Kilfinny: Robert Lynch, Jamie Burke, Gearoid Lowry, Billy Lenihan, Brian Sweeney, Maurice Lenihan, Ryan McCarthy, John Wall 0-2, Nessan Leahy 0-2, Pat Lenihan 1-2, Padraig O’Gorman, Gearoid Lenihan 0-10, 3 frees, Declan Walsh 0-6, Patrick Lenihan, Elliott Roche. Subs used James O’Brien 0-1, Liam Lenihan 0-1, Richard Lenihan.
Referee Michael Browne, Dromcollogher-Broadford.
Granagh-Ballingarry bid for 6th West B title on Saturday:
Sean Finns Park in Rathkeale is the venue on this Saturday 5th October at 5pm for the eagerly-awaited clash of five times winner (2003, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2023) Granagh-Ballingarry and 2021 champions Adare in the West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship Final.
Preview:
This is the climax of the 2024 West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship and the 40th final in the present format since Kilcornan beat Ardagh by one point 1-6 to 1-5 in the first one in 1985. The trophy they are playing for is the Mary Sexton Memorial Perpetual Cup. Both sides are in the final on merit after playing a lot of good hurling on the way and it will be the first ever meeting of the sides in the decider.
Granagh-Ballingarry Path to the final
Group 1
Round 1: Granagh-Ballingarry 3-14, Feenagh-Kilmeedy 2-16.
Round 2: Granagh-Ballingarry 6-19, Knockaderry 1-7.
Round 3: Granagh-Ballingarry w.o., Tournafulla scr.
Round 4: Granagh-Ballingarry 5-13, Feenagh-Kilmeedy 3-19.
Semi-final: Granagh-Ballingarry 3-23, Croagh-Kilfinny 1-24 (AET).
Adare Path to the Final
Round 1: Adare 1-26, Askeaton-Kilcornan-Desmonds 0-12.
Round 2: Adare 3-15, Newcastle West 0-10.
Round 3: Adare 1-24, St. Kierans 1-13.
Round 4: Adare 2-17, Croagh-Kilfinny 0-18.
Semi-final: Adare 2-16, Feenagh-Kilmeedy 3-11.
Support:
Hopefully all the Gaels in both Granagh and Ballingarry will travel to Sean Finns Park in Rathkeale this Sunday 6th October for the 4pmthrow in to support the boys in black and green and Their management ream of Niall Carroll, Mike Chawke, Andrew Holmes, P. Kelly and first aid official Niamh O’Keeffe in their bid to bring the West Junior B Hurling Championship title and the Mary Sexton Memorial Cup back to the parish and club for the 6th time in 21 years and the 2nd year in a row.
County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 7:
Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock is the venue on this Saturday 5th October at 2pm for the clash of Granagh/Ballingarry and Glenroe in the final round of group stage games in the Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship.
The Granagh/Ballingarry boys will enter this Saturday’s game in fifth place on the league championship table on 6 points and Glenroe seventh on 2 points. While the Glenroe boys are out of contention for a semi final spot, a win for Granagh/Ballingarry and if Na Piarsaigh were to defeat Garryspillane, Granagh/Ballingarry would take the fourth semi final spot on the head-to-head rule with Garryspillane as they defeated the Councers in Round 3. So, Fitgerald Park, Kilmallock is the place to be on this Saturday 5th October at 2pm to cheer on the boys in black and green and their management team to their fourth win in the Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Players’ Membership:
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
Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser:
Excitement is building as the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Camogie and ladies football clubs prepare for a fantastic night of entertainment and fundraising. On Saturday 12th October the clubs will jointly host a Strictly Come Dancing event at the Charleville Park Hotel where 13 couples (Deirdre Shelton and Bobby Houlihan (Leah Twomey and Colm Noonan), Eoin Herlihy and Emma Noonan), Josh Quille Mulcaire and Amy Hartnett (Annemarie O’Keeffe and Luke Flynn), Louise Kelly and John O’Keeffe), (Jack Cagney) and Aislinn Herlihy, (Orlando Doherty and Eoin Casey), Lauren Clancy and Mikey O’Keeffe), Kayleigh Twomey and Seán English), Aisling Irwin and Seán Murphy), club chairperson (Andrew Holmes and Lynsey Buckley). (Ger Ryan and Rachel Irwin) will take to the stage showcasing their dancing skills in a bid for votes and donations.
This exciting event pro9mises to be a fun-filled evening bringing together dancers from all the GAA codes, backroom staff and committee members. With weeks of practice behind them, the dedication from the dancers has been remarkable, as they step out of their comfort zones, to put on the best performance possible. Funds raised from this event will go towards the continued development of the club’s grounds and facilities, benefitting both young and old members of our community.
Your support will help ensure the future success of the club, allowing us to provide top quality facilities for everyone involved. As the big night approaches, we encourage everyone to keep up to date with the dancers’ progress in this column and on social media channels where behind-the-scenes photos and videos and updates will be shared. Join us for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of entertainment, friendly but fierce competition, and some well-deserved end of year celebrations. Tickets at €25 are now on sale, thank you for your continued support of Granagh/Ballingarry GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Club.
If you require further information on ticket sales etc please contact Laura O’Keefe (087) 6117023or Seamus Twomey (087) 1201571 or any club official.
September County Club Draw:
Unfortunately, Granagh/Ballingarry had no winner in the seventh Limerick County GAA Club Draw on Saturday September 28th. Full results in the sports pages of this paper. The next draw will be held Saturday October 5th.
Thanks to all 165 members who have already joined the Limerick County GAA Club Draw through Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club and our club co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton.
One Point Win Sees Kildimo/Pallaskenry Crowned U14 Shield Winners:
County U14 Hurling Division 2 Shield Final
Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2-11 Granagh/Ballingarry 1-13
Granagh/Ballingarry’s brave bid to claim the County U14 Hurling Division 2 shield just failed when going under to Kildimo/Pallaskenry in difficult wet and windy conditions at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Sunday morning. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys played with the wind at their backs in the opening half and led by nine points 1-11 to 0-5 at the interval.
Kildimo/Pallaskenry with wind advantage, laid a firm foundation for victory with a pair of second half green flags. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys, far from being overawed, created a goal chance in the final minute but unfortunately the sliotar hit the post to the relief of Kildimo/Pallaskenry. At the final whistle Kildimo/Pallaskenry were one point 2-11 to 1-13 winners of the County U14 Hurling Division 2 Shield. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys and management were gutted to have lost by a point but were very sporting in defeat. A brave effort from the Granagh/Ballingarry boys, their day will come. A fantastic display of skill, attitude and resilience from this group. They wore the black and green jersey with pride all season. The future looks bright.
Granagh/Ballingarry Bord na nÓg End of Season Family Day:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Bord na nÓg committee were delighted with the big turnout of players between U6 to U12 along with the U10s from Murroe Boher, Newcastlewest and Éire Óg Cork and the South Liberties U21s. The U10 Liam English Memorial Cup was contested by Granagh/Ballingarry, Murroe/Boher, Newcastlewest and Éire Óg Cork, Granagh/Ballingarry after an exciting and close contest won the cup.
The U12 hurling tournament was contested by Granagh/Ballingarry and South Liberties with the home side defeating the East Limerick side by two points, 1-7 to 1-4 after. A thrilling contest to claim the Stephen O’Keeffe Memorial Cup. It was a historic occasion on the on the day when Fr. Tom Carroll and Mike Hogan cut the ribbon to officially open the new training field.
Thanks to all the Granagh/Ballingarry Bord na nÓg committee, coaches, referees, parents, volunteers and the ladies for the teas, sandwiches and goodies served which was much appreciated by all present. The positive feedback received was great to hear and makes the time and effort for all involved all worthwhile.
Sixth All Ireland Medal for Maurice:
Massive congratulations to our own Maurice Noonan, a member of the Munster Wheelchair Hurling Camogie side, who were crowned All Ireland Wheelchair Hurling Camogie champions for the sixth time and the fourth year-in-a-row at SETU Carlow on Sunday 22nd September. Munster defeated Ulster 6-1 to 5-0, Leinster 9-0 to 4-0 and Connacht 4-1 to 1-0 in the group stage to qualify for the final where they recorded a second win over Leinster 5-0 to 1-0 to be crowned All Ireland champions for the sixth time and the fourth year in a row.
Munster team: Kieran Bennis, Steven Casey, Darren Dineen, Cormac Downey, Seán Hassett, Cian Horgan, Sultan Kakor, Paul Kelly, James McCarthy, Edel Morrissey, Maurice Noonan (Granagh/Ballingarry) Caroline O’Halloran, Gary O’Halloran and Ellie Sheehy.
Coaches: John Carey and Dave Fitzgerald.
€94,768 Sports Capital Grant:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club has received €94,768 in the latest round of the sports capital grant funding announced recently. A huge thank you to everyone involved in the application process who worked tirelessly to secure this funding. It will benefit the club’s GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football teams from U6 to adult level as well as parents, coaches and visitors to the club. The Granagh/Ballingarry club has invested heavily in the facilities in recent years and this funding will assist with the next stage of the Club Development Plan. A big thank you also to the local TOs and Councillors who helped during the application process. All in the club are looking forward to see how this funding improve our facilities.
Club Gear:
Granagh/Ballingarry clubs tops, hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.laochrasports.ie/product-category/clubs/granagh-Ballingarry.
€6,900 Jackpot on Saturday:
There was no winner of the €6,800 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw on Saturday 28th September in the Rock Bar, Granagh. The numbers drawn were 3, 4, 6 and 11. The lucky dips of 20 each went to Maireád Snow promoter Snow’s Shop, S. O’Dea promoter John O’Keeffe, John Kealy promoter Niall Carroll, Esther O’Doherty, Cartledge promoter online. The next draw will be held on Saturday 5th October in Dinny As 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 6pm every Saturday.
Thank you for your continued support.
Club Website:
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
Club Diary:
Saturday 5th October
County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 7
Granagh/Ballingarry v Glenroe in Fitagerald Park, Kilmallock at 2pm.
Newcastlewest v Blackrock in Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran at 2pm.
Garryspillane v Na Piarsaigh in Caherconlish at 2pm.
Bruff v Effin in Kilfinane at 2pm.
Sunday 6th October
West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship Final
Granagh/Ballingarry v Adare in Seán Finn’s Park, Rathkeale at 4pm.