Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:
KILDIMO PALLASKENRY MAKE IT TO FIRST COUNTY B FINAL WITH FOUR POINT WIN
Limerick County Junior B Hurling Championship Semi Final
Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-18 Granagh Ballingarry 4-8
In dry, windy conditions at Adare on Saturday afternoon Kildimo Pallaskenry recorded a hard fought four point victory over gallant West Champions, Granagh Ballingarry to qualify for their first ever County Junior B Hurling Championship Final against last year’s defeated finalists Ballybrown on Sunday 3rd November in Adare at 7pm. A big crowd attended this West v City County Junior B Hurling Championship semi final who gave great support to their sides, played on an excellent pitch with Michael Browne of Dromcollogher Broadford in charge. The Kildimo Pallaskenry boys, with the wind at their backs, dominated the opening 16 minutes at Adare with 2-4 from open play courtesy of a point each by Aaron O’Donovan, Rodger Ryan and Ruairi Maher, followed up with a pair of green flags by Rodger Ryan and a second Ruairi Maher white flag to leave it 2-4 to 0-0 in favour of the boys from the City Division at the end of the first quarter. Then the Granagh Ballingarry boys finally got off the mark when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Thomas O’Donovan which their fullback Eoin Enright sent past Kildimo Pallaskenry keeper John Chawke on 17 minutes to reduce the deficit to seven 2-4 to 1-0. Then white flags were traded from open play by Mark O’Shea on 19 minutes and Pat Carroll on 21 minutes, before a trio of white flags for Kildimo Pallaskenry, courtesy of Ruairi Maher (play) on 22 minutes, Rodger Ryan (play) on 23 minutes and Aaron O’Donovan (free) two minutes later to leave ten between the sides, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-8, Granagh Ballingarry 1-1 on 25 minutes. The Granagh Ballingarry boys failed to be overawed with a trio of white flags through Owen Lynch (free) on 27 minutes, Pat Carroll (play) on 28 minutes and Jack Hartnett (play) two minutes later to reduce the deficit to seven, 2-8 to 1-4 on 30 minutes. The Kildimo Pallaskenry boys finished the opening half strong with a pair of white flags through Conor McMahon from open play and Aaron O’Donovan from a placed ball in added time to leave nine between the sides, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-10, Granagh Ballingarry 1-4 at the interval. Cian Hayes from open play and Pat Carroll from a placed ball traded white flags in the opening five minutes after the interval to leave nine again between the sides, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-11, Granagh Ballingarry 1-5 on 35 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before Granagh Ballingarry’s no 3 Eoin Enright raised his second green flag when he sent a 30 metre placed ball to the back of the Kildimo Pallaskenry net on 38 minutes and Pat Carroll followed this up with white flags from placed balls on 40 and 41 minutes to reduce the deficit to four, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-11, Granagh Ballingarry 2-7. Then Conor McMahon of Kildimo Pallaskenry split the uprights following a good solo run on 43 minutes to extend his side’s advantage to five before a long range Granagh Ballingarry placed ball sent in by Eoin Enright was finished past Kildimo Pallaskenry keeper John Chawke by Thomas O’Donovan two minutes later to close the gap to two, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-12, Granagh Ballingarry 3-7 at the end of the third quarter. Both sides were guilty of inaccuracy before a trio of white flags from open play for the City Divisional side courtesy of Rodger Ryan on 50, Luke Guinane on 53 and Conor McMahaon two minutes later to leave five between the sides, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-15, Granagh Ballingarry 3-7 on 55 minutes. Then Granagh Ballingarry’s keeper Keith O’Kelly, from a placed ball on 56 minutes and Kildimo Pallaskenry’s no 15 Aaron O’Donovan from a 65 on 58 minutes traded white flags before Granagh Ballingarry’s no 11 Donal O’Grady sent a 30 metre placed ball to the back of the Kildimo Pallaskenry net two minutes later to close the gap to two, Kildimo Pallaskenry 2-16, Granagh Ballingarry 4-8 on 60 minutes. The Kildimo Pallaskenry boys finished strong with a pair of white flags in added time through Cian Hayes from open play and Aaron O’Donovan from a placed ball to seal a hard fought four point 2-18 to 4-8 victory for the boys in blue and white and a place in the Limerick County Junior B Hurling Championship Final for the first time ever against last year’s defeated finalists Ballybrown on this Sunday 3rd November in Adare at 7pm.
The Granagh Ballingarry boys were gutted to have lost but were very sporting in defeat and wished the Kildimo Pallaskenry boys the best of luck in the County Final against Ballybrown.
Kildimo Pallaskenry scored 2-14 from play, 0-3 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.
Granagh Ballingarry scored 1-3 from play and 3-5 from frees.
Kildimo Pallaskenry: John Chawke, Seamus Stokes, Evan Considine, Ciaran Downes, Matthew Lucey, Kevin O’Connell, Calum Coughlan, Marc O’Shea 0-1, Luke Guinane 0-1, Keel Moloney, Cian Hayes (Captain) 0-2, Conor McMahon 0-3, Rodger Ryan 2-3, Ruairi Maher 0-3, Aaron O’Donovan (0-5, 3 frees). Sub used Adam Butler.
Granagh Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly (captain) 0-1 free, Ger Ryan, Eoin Ryan 2-0 (penalty and free), Michael Carroll, Ian Sheehy, John Carroll, Mark O’Shea, Edward Sheehy, Pat Carroll 0-5 (3 frees), Jim O’Keeffe, Donal O’Grady 1-0, free), Cian Cagney, Owen Lynch 0-1 free, Thomas O’Donovan 1-0, Jack Hartnett 0-1. Subs used Jack O’Donoghue, Conor O’Donoghue, John O’Grady and Richie O’Keeffe.
Referee: Michael Browne (Dromcollogher/Broadford).
Conclusion
On behalf of the club and the people of Granagh Ballingarry we congratulate the players on the many great displays they haven given, winning eight, drew two, received three walkovers and lost two of their 15 games this year to win back to back West Junior B Hurling League/Championship titles and reaching the County Junior B Hurling League Final where they were most unlucky to go under to South Liberties by two points 1-12 to 0-13 and the County Junior B Hurling Championship semi final where they went under to a strong Kildimo Pallaskenry by four points 2-18 to 4-8 after a hard fought contest. Well done to the management team of Niall Carroll, Mike Chawke, Benjy Kelly, Andrew Holmes, Mikey O’Keeffe, and first aid officials Niamh O’Keeffe, Annie Marie O’Keeffe, Theresa Noonan and physio Caolann Scott and the backroom team too. If they all stay together, this team looks like being a match for the best again next season.
Three County Hurling Cahmpionship Titles Go West
Hurling in the West Division received a great boost over the weekend with three West Limerick Clubs winning adult county hurling championship titles.
Hearty congratulations to our neighbours Feenagh Kilmeedy on their thrilling three point 3-16 to 2-16 victory over gallant St. Patrick’s to claim the inaugural Premier County Junior A Hurling Championship title to become the first holders of the Rory Kiely Memorial Cup at Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale on Saturday.
To Croagh Kilfinny who claimed their richly deserved County Intermediate Hurling Championship title with a thrilling one point 0-18 to 1-14 victory over Bruree at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Saturday under lights.
To Newcastle West who gained Senior Hurling status for 2025 with a hard fought four point 2-12 to 1-11 victory over Garryspillane to claim their first ever Limerick County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship title played in difficult wet conditions at Páirc nan Gael on Sunday.
Hard luck to Rathkeale and congratulations to Monaleen who captured the County Junior A Hurling Championship crown with a tense two point 1-16 to 1-14 victory over the West Limerick side at Bruff on Saturday to gain back to back promotions.
The City side won the City and County Junior B Hurling titles in 2023 and the All Ireland Junior B Hurling crown in March.
Doon Claim First Senior Hurling Title with One Point Win
Limerick Co Senior Hurling Championship Final
Doon……………0-16
Na Piarsaigh……..2-9
Hearty congratulations to Doon who created history by winning their first ever Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship title and the John Daly Cup on Sunday evening when edging past hat-trick seeking Na Piarsaigh by one point, 0-16 to 2-9 in difficult wet conditions at Páirc na nGael.
October County Club Draw
Unfortunately, Granagh Ballingarry had no winner in the eighth Limerick County GAA Club draw on Saturday 26th October. See full results of this draw in the sports pages of this paper. The next draw will be held on Saturday 30th November. 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.
Official Limerick GAA 2025 Calendar
The official Limerick GAA 2025 Calendar was launched recently by Limerick Senior Hurling Manager John Kiely. The calendar includes photos of Limerick’s twelve All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winning teams – 1897, 1918, 1921, 1934, 1936, 1940, 1973, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023. The profits from this calendar, which costs €12.50, will go to the Limerick team’s training fund. It would make an ideal present for a family member or friend and is available in O’Grady’s Spar, Ballingarry; Broderick’s Spar, Croom; Tadhg O’Connor’s Hardware, Newcastle West; McDermott’s Shop, Patrickswell; Ryan’s SuperValu, Kilmallock; Shannon Stores, Castleconnell and Gleeson’s Sportscene online store, Upper William Street, Limerick.
Club Gear
Granagh Ballingarry Clubs’ tops, hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.laochasports.ie/product-category/clubs/granaghballingarry
€7,300 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €7,200 jackpot in the Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw on Saturday 26th October in Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 8 and 18. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Rory Alymer, promoter online; Joanne Long, promoter Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry; Niall Fitzgerald, promoter Eoin Kennedy; Kevin Carroll, promoter Kevin Carroll. The next draw will be held on Saturday 2nd November in the Rock Bar, Granagh for a jackpot of €7,300. 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 Diary
Friday 1st November
All Star Hurling and Football Presentation, live on RTE 2 at 7.30pm.
Saturday 2nd November
County Junior A Football Championshiop Final (provisionally): Ahane v Fedamore in Caherconlish at 1pm.
County Premier Junior A Football Championship Final: Athea v Cappagh in Askeaton at 2.30pm.
Munster Junior Club Hurling Championship Quarter Final: Kilrossanty (Waterford) v Feenagh Kilmeedy (Limerick) in Lemybrien at 1.15pm; Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) v Kilgarvan Kerry in Ardfinan at 1.15pm.
Sunday 3rd November
County Junior B Football Championship Final: Jim (Twin) Lynch Memorial Cup, St. Kieran’s v Mungret/St. Paul’s in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale at 12 noon.
County Intermediate Football Championship Final: Galbally v Rathkeale in Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran at 1pm.
County Senior Football Championship Final: Fr. Casey’s v Adare in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 4pm.
Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship Quarter Finals: Newcastle West (Limerick) v Cashel King Cormacs (Tipperary) in Newcastle West at 1.15pm.
Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Quarter Finals: Sarsfields (Cork) v Feakle (Clare) in Cork, venue ???? at 3.15pm; Doon (Limerick) v Ballygunner (Waterford) in Páirc na nGael at 4pm.
County Junior B Hurling Championship Final: Ballybrown v Kildimo Pallaskenry in Adare at 7pm.