Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

Daly’s late point seals inaugural U20B Final spot for Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry:
Limerick County U20B Hurling Championship Semi-final
Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry……2-15
Belville Gaels………..1-17
A well taken point from all of 60 metres by Jack Daly following a good solo run out of defenced paved the way for a thrilling one point 2-15 to 1-17 victory over Granagh-Ballingarry over unlucky Belville Gaels (Feenagh-Kilmeedy, Feohanagh-Castlemahon) under lights at Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale 3G pitch on Thursday night, to qualify for a clash with Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmond in the inaugural Limerick County U20B hurling championship final this Saturday 21st December.
This all West County U2- B hurling championship semi-final was played in dry, cold conditions on an excellent pitch in front of a good crowd, who gave great support to their sides with Alan Kehoe of Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan-Desmonds in charge. It was a thrilling hard-fought contest between two fine sporting sides with the issue in doubt right up to the final whistle. Paudie Murphy and Eoin Horgan of Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry split the uprights from open play in the opening two minutes before white flags were traded by Cathal Lynch, play on 3 minutes and Jack Daly play on 5 minutes and Tomas Galvin play on 6 minutes, Paudie Murphy play 7 minutes and Cian O’Connor, free on 8 minutes, Johnny Field play on 10 minutes, Jack Daly play on 11 minutes, Cian O’Connor free on 12 minutes and Paudie Murphy play on 13 minutes, Jack Mulqueen play on 14 minutes, Ben Murrihy play 9 minutes later to leave the Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry boys one ahead, 0-7 to 0-6 on 19 minutes.
The Belville Gaels boys now began to up their game with a trio of unanswered white flags courtesy of Tomas Roche, play on 20 minutes, Cian O’Connor free on 22 minutes and Tomas Roche play two minutes later to leave the Feenagh-Kilmeedy and Feohanagh-Castlemahon combination one ahead, 0-9 to 0-8 on 24 minutes. Eoin Lynch and Jack McNamara of Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry hit a pair of wides before white flags were traded by Jack Daly from a placed ball on 28 minutes and Patrick O’Doherty from open play on 30 minutes to send the Belville Gaels boys in at the interval leading by one, 0-10 to 0-9.
The Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry boys made a dream start to the second half with a cracking Jack Mulqueen goal inside a minute before white flags were traded from placed balls by Cian O’Connor on 22 minutes and Jack Daly on 34 minutes and from open play by Jack McNamara on 35 minutes and Ruairi O’Connor a minute later to level the Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry boys two ahead, 1-11 to 0-12 on 36 minutes. Ruain O’Connor raised a green flag for Belville Gaels on 38 minutes before Kieran O’Kelly of Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry following a good solo run out of defence landed a long range point from play to leave the sides level at 1-12 each on 40 minutes. After 4 minutes of scoreless play Jack Daly split the uprights from a placed ball on 45 minutes before Tom Horgan finished past Belville Gaels keeper David O’Brien two minutes later to leave the Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry boys 4 ahead, 2-13 to 1-12 on 47 minutes. The Belville Gaels boys far from being overawed with a pair of white flags from placed balls courtesy of Bobby Donegan on 50 and 53 minute and open play by Ben Murrihy on 55 and Patrick O’Doherty two minutes later to leave the sides level once more Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry 2-13, Belville Gaels 1-16 on 57 minutes. The final three minutes plus were very exciting with white flags traded from open play by Jack Daly from open play on 58 minutes and Cian O’Connor from a placed ball om 59 minutes and extra time looked likely but Jack Daly of Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry following a good solo run out of defence landed a last gasp winner from all of 60 metres one minute into added time to bring his tally for the game to 0-8 (5 play, 3 frees) to send a one point 2-15 to 1-17 victory for Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry in a thrilling 35 score contest and a place in the inaugural Limerick County U-20B hurling championship final against Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds this Saturday 21st December in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale at 2pm. Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry scored 2-12 from play and 0-3 from frees. Belville Gaels scored 1-10 from play and 0-7 from frees.
Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry: Kyle Hayes, Croom, Shane O’Brien, Croom, Brian Sheehy, Granagh-Ballingarry, Padraig McKenna, Granagh-Ballingarry, Kieran O ‘Kelly 0-1, Croom, Mark O’Shea, Granagh-Ballingarry, Luke Murphy Croom, Paudie Murphy 0-3 Granagh-Ballingarry, Jack Daly 0-8, 3 frees, Croom, Darragh Enright, Eoin Horgan 0-1, Granagh-Ballingarry, Eon Lynch, Granagh-Ballingarry, Tom Horgan 1-0, Granagh-Ballingarry, Jack McNamara 0-1, Croom, Jack Mulqueen 1-1 Granagh-Ballingarry. Subs used Ian Sheehy, Granagh-Ballingarry, Cian Shinnors, Croom, Tom O’Sullivan, Granagh-Ballingarry, Michael Naughton, Croom.
Belville Gaels: David Ryan, Oisin Garvill, Ciaran Kenny, Daragh Lynch, Danny O’Doherty, Bobby Donegan 0-1 free, Diarmuid Ryan, Cian O’Connor 0-6, frees, Patrick O’Doherty 0-2, Ben Murphy 0-1, Ruairi O’Connor 1-1, Tomas Gavlin 0-1, Johnny Field 0-1, Cathal Lynch 0-1, Tomas Roche 0-2. Subs used Patrick Cagney and Fionn Meehan.
Referee: Alan Kehoe, Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds.

Saturday’s inaugural County U20 B Hurling Championship Final:
Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale is the venue this Saturday 21st December at 2pm for the eagerly awaited clash of Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry and Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds in the inaugural Limerick County U20 B hurling championship final. Both sides are in Saturday’s final on merit after finishing top of their respective groups. Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds finished top of group 2 on 7 points with Adare, with a win over Patrickswell received a walkover from Knockaderry, drew with Adare and defeated St. Kieran’s to qualify for the semi-final against Caherline, who they defeated. Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry finished top of group 3 on 6 points with wins over Templeglantine, Dromcollogher and received a walkover from Ballybricken-Bohermore Fedamore to qualify for a semi-final meeting with Belville Gaels, who they defeated by a point 2-15 to 1-17 in a thrilling 35 score contest played in Mick Neville Park 3G pitch to qualify for Saturdays final against Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale at 2pm.

Paths to the final:
Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds Group 2
Round 1: Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds 4-17, Patrickswell 2-10
Round 2: Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds w.o Knockaderry scr.
Round 3: Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds 0-14, Adare 0-14.
Rounbd 4: Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds 2-20, St. Kierans 3-7.
Semi-final: Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds 5-16, Caherline 2-12.
Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry Group 2
Round 1: Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry6-23, Templeglantine 0-7.
Round 2: Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry 12-25, Dromcollogher-Broadford 1-3.
Round 3: Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry w.o, Ballybricken-Bohermore-Fedamore scr.
Semi-final: Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry 2-15, Belville Gaels 1-17.

Support:
A mouth-watering clash awaits us with a neither side fearing the other and both confident of victory. This Saturday 21st December in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale is the place to be to cheer on the Croom-Granagh-Ballingarry boys and their management team of Seamus Murphy, Matt Daly and Pat Hynes as they bid to win the inaugural Limerick County U2- B Hurling championship title.

St. Kieran’s ease into inaugural County U20 Football Championship Final:
County U20 B Football Championship semi-final
St. Kieran’s…..2-14
Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom…..0-6
St. Kieran’s eased into the inaugural Limerick County U20B Football Championship final with a comfortable victory over gallant Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom in dry, cold conditions at Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale on Saturday afternoon. A small crowd turned out to watch this all West County U20B Football Championship semi-final, which was played on an excellent pitch with Michael Browne of Dromcollogher-Broadford in charge. St. Kieran’s were sharper, more direct, showed better touches up front and were too strong for their gallant under-strength opponents. The boys in Green and gold with the wind at their backs laid a firm foundation for victory in the opening half going in at the interval leading by 13, 1-12 to 0-2. The St. Kieran’s goal came from the boot of their No. 8 Jack O’Sullivan on 22 minutes. The Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom boys battled hard in the second half and had the deficit reduced with a trio of white flags before sub Charlie McMahon put the game out of their reach, when he raised the St. Kieran’s boys second green flag on 43 minutes. At the final whistle St. Kieran’s were comfortable 2-14 to 0-6 winners to qualify for the inaugural Limerick County U20 B Football Championship final against Galtee Gaels on Saturday 21st.
St. Kieran’s scored 2-8 from play and 0-6 from frees. Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom scored 0-5 from play and 0-1 from a free.
St. Kieran’s: Con Enright, Conor Kelly, Cillian Heffernan, Conor McMahon 0-2, Sean Long, Darragh McMahon 0-1, Mikey Kelly, Jak O’Sullivan 1-6 (0-4 frees), Lorcan Murphy 0-1, Fionn Gleeson 0-2, Mikey Long 0-1, Cathal O’Connor 0-1, Luke Corrigan 0-2 frees, Oisin Ryan, Eoghan Sheehan. Subs used Derry O’Connor, Oisin Commane and Charlie McMahon 1-0.
Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom: Kyle Hayes, Croom, Tom O’Sullivan, Granagh-Ballingarry, Jack McNamara, captain, Croom, Padraig McKenna, Granagh-Ballingarry, Mark O’Shea, Granagh-Ballingarry, Brian Sheehy, Granagh-Ballingarry, Darragh Enright 0-1, Croom, Eoin Lynch, Granagh-Ballingarry, Ian Sheehy, Granagh-Ballingarry, Tom Horgan, Granagh-Ballingarry, Luke Murphy 0-5, 1 free, Croom, Ben Ryan, Croom, Jack Mulqueen, Granagh-Ballingarry, Shane O’Brien, Croom, Cian Shinnors, Croom. Subs used Cathal Mangan, Croom, Keith McGoey, Granagh-Ballingarry, Cillian Lucey, Croom.
Referee: Michael Browne, Dromcollogher-Broadford.
Thank you to our own Seamus Murphy, the Croom club and the panel of players for giving creditable performances in this year’s County U20 B football championship.

Last County Club Draw of 2024:
Unfortunately Granagh-Ballingarry had no winner in the last Limerick County GAA Club Draw of 2024 on Saturday 14th December. Full results in the sports pages of this paper. The first draw of 2025 will be held on Saturday 29th March.

15th Annual King of the Hill:
Have you three people capable of striking the sliothar?
Are you up for a challenge?
Then outside the Rock Bar, Granagh is the place to be on St. Stephen’s Day as Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club have organised their 15th annual King of the Hill challenge. Registration is from 10am to 11.30am in the Rock Bar, Granagh. The competition will start at the Rock Bar and will continue in a circuit around roads in the parish and the team that complete the course which takes about two hours with the fewest pucks win the King of the Hill perpetual trophy. We introduced a family competition in 2013 with a team of three members of the same family with the fewest pucks winning a family section perpetual trophy. It is the perfect way for mothers and fathers to play with their sons and daughters and have fun along the way. The entry fee is €10 per person, own hurley and sliothar needed, route and rules provided on the day, U16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Presentation:
After successful completion of the course when all the teams have come in the King of the Hill perpetual trophies will be presented to the winning adult team and family team in the Rock Bar, Granagh. If you need more information please contact Niall Carroll on 0851026663 or any finance committee member for more information. Thank you to John Carroll of Laochra Sports Gear for his kind sponsorship of the King of the Hill challenge.

Gaelic Football New Rules Meeting Tonight:
The Limerick County GAA Board will hold a questions and answers session at the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare tonight Wednesday 18th December at 7pm. The purpose of the meeting is to educate players, coaches, management and club officers on the new rules in Gaelic Football that will be introduced at inter county and club level on January 1st 2025. Colm Collins who is a member of Jim Gavin’s FRC committee and former Clare senior football manager will attend on the night to explain and answer any questions people might have. All clubs in the county are requested to have representation at the meeting tonight (no limit on representation per club).

AGM this Friday:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club will review a busy and successful year, both on and off the field, at the AGM on this Friday 20th December at 8pm in the Community Centre, Granagh. The AGM is there for members and players to air their views on club affairs over the past year. The aims and ambitions for 2025 will be high on the agenda and it will take people with time and vision and energy to maintain the club’s place among top dual clubs in the county secretary’s report in the sports pages of this paper.
Adrian Farragher and Niall Fitzgerald will give the treasurer’s report. David Condron, the development report and Andrew Holmes the chairperson’s address. All club members are asked to attend and the debate and discussion as always should be lively.

Mungret/St. Paul’s Crowned All Ireland Junior Champions:
All Ireland Ladies Junior Football Club Championship Final
Mungret/St. Paul’s (Limerick)……….0-12
Na Dunaibh Donegal………..0-4
Hearty congratulations to Mungret/St. Pauls and our own Fiona Morrissey on their eight point 0-12 to 0-45 victory over Na Dunaibh Donegal 0-4 victory over Na Dunaibh of Donegal in the All Ireland Ladies Junior Football Club Championship Final on Sunday in Parnell Park in Dublin.

Regrading:
Any Granagh/Ballingarry player wishing to be regraded from Intermediate to Junior B Hurling for 2023 should contact club secretary John Lynch on 087 2912356 as soon as possible as forms must be returned to the county by the end of January 2025.

2025 GAA National Club Draw:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club are promoting the 2025 National Club Draw. There is no financial cost to the club to get involved as all cost of tickets and prizes are covered by the Central Council. In addition to maintaining the proceeds for all tickets sold by the club, any club who sells a minimum of 200 tickets automatically gets into a draw for €1,000, a prize won by Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club in March. Prizes include 1st €50,000, 2nd €20,000, 3rd €10,0000, other prizes include All Ireland Final tickets and overnight package, €2,500 voucher plus a number of other cash prizes. Tickets are €10 and will go on sale in the coming weeks in local shops/bars and from promoters.

Pulse of the Nation GAA 140 Years Book:
The ultimate book to celebrate 140 years of Ireland’s greatest sporting and cultural institution, the GAA. Pulse of the Nation is a celebration of the GAA’s 140 years at the centre of Irish life from its foundation in November 1884 to the present day institution that has expanded massively at home and abroad. It zones in on the greatest players in football and hurling, raking them one to ten accompanied by profiles in each of the fifteen positions in both codes. The greatest days for all 32 counties are explored along with a trawl through the various competitions from the All Ireland Championship with their heartbeat of the Irish summer billing to those that were once popular but are no longer in place. Controversies are explored, the changed managerial environment is assessed – including the impact of some of the biggest names from Kevin Heffernan to Mick O’Dwyer, from Brian Cody to John Kiely – and the covers are lifted on the GAA’s role in Ireland’s social and cultural history, including the growth in popularity of camogie and ladies’ football. Written by award-winning sports journalists Martin Breheny and Donal Keenan, this is the ultimate publication for the GAA’s 140th anniversary, which costs €14.50 and can be purchased online. It would make an ideal present for a family member or friend.

Limerick GAA Season Tickets:
Limerick County GAA Board launched their 2025 season tickets recently. The tickets will entitle the bearer entry to all Limerick County Board Club games in 2005. For €150 it would make an ideal Christmas or new year’s present for a family member or friend can be purchased online at limerickgaa.ie tel 061 335576.

Club Gear:
Granagh Ballingarry Club’s tops, hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.laochasports.ie/product-category/clubs/granaghballingarry

Club Website:
Check out our website at www.granagh-ballingarry.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/granagh’ballingarrygaa.club and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/granaghballingarry

Michael Griffin RIP:
Granagh/Ballingarry club officials, players and members extend sympathy to the Griffin family, Ballyagran on the death of Michael Griffin, late of Drewscourt East, Ballyagran. The late Michael was a true GAA Gael who served as secretary of Castletown/Ballyagran GAA Club for many years and will be sorely missed.
Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam.

Club Diary:
Wednesday 18th December
Gaelic Football New Rules Meeting in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at 7pm.
Friday 20th December
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club AGM in Granagh Community Centre at 8pm.
County U20B Hurling Championship Final
Croom/Granagh/Ballingarry v Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan Desmonds in Seán Finn’s Park, Rathkeale at 2pm.
Thursday 26th December
15th Annual King of the Hill Challenge
Registration in the Rock Bar, Granagh, 10am to 11.30am.

Happy Christmas:
I wish all club members, officers, players, supporters and people everywhere a Happy Christmas and prosperous new year, both on and off the field.