GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
NED CHAWKE
Munster All Ireland Medal Winner 1940
In the merry month of May 1918 Ned Chawke was born at the foot of famed Knockfierna Hill at a place known locally as Chawke’s Cross where 5 roads meet in Granagh in the heart of rural Limerick. There is no doubting the link between birthplace and destiny and this was certainly true in Ned’s case because even though Irish independence was not yet won, Gaelic Games were thriving and hurling was particularly strong in both Limerick and Granagh. The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship title came to Limerick in 1918 and again in 1921 (not played until 1923) while Granagh were West and County Junior A Hurling Championship winners in 1914 and 1916. So apart from the Troubles hurling was a topic of conversation in many local households. This was very true in Ned’s house as his father Richard was a big supporter of the GAA and had played with the old Granagh Davitt’s team in the 1890s. Living at a crossroads, there was a constant stream of callers and many a heated discussion developed on the merits of various teams and players. No surprise then that Ned was enthusiastic about hurling from a very early age although they were farmers, his father worked off the farm as manager of the local creamery so when Ned finished national school, he stayed home to work on the farm with his brother Bill. There were six boys and six girls in the family so it was easy to get a gang together for a match after the cows were milked in the summertime. Many of the lads came to the crossroads for that very purpose or maybe it was to meet a girl, who knows, but they had some fierce contests in the small field behind the house. Ned said that to survive he had to think fast, move fast and strike fast with a light hurley swing (no time or room for big golf-like swings) and some old timers who’d seen him play said this was his trademark.
Ned Chawke’s career began when he played with the Granagh winners in 1935 and 1936 when they were beaten in the West Final in both years. He also lined out for the juniors in 1925/26, 37 and 38 but no honours came their way. However, he must have impressed the Limerick selectors because he joined the Limerick junior hurling team for the 1938 campaign. Ned lined out at half back and while they beat Waterford, they went down to Cork in the final 6-6 to 5-5. In 1939 he was selected again this time at midfield and was joined by his older brother Stephen who played at full forward. They beat Clare but went down to Waterford in the Munster Final 4-2 to 2-4. Limerick objected as several seniors had played for Waterford and were awarded the game but for some reason Waterford were nominated to play Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi and were beaten. The year 1940 was a very special one for Ned as he was selected to play for the Limerick senior hurling team and what a team that was. They had dominated hurling for most of the 1930s, won five leagues, contested four All Ireland finals and won two, so many of the players Ned joined already had two All-Ireland medals and lots of experience.
However, the newspapers of the day tell us he really pulled his weight and in the replay v Waterford he gave a great display at midfield with Timmy Ryan. In the semi-final v Galway Ned moved to corner forward and played his best game for Limerick scoring under and over the bar securing his place for the final. This was a memorable day and even though times were tough with a war on big crowds travelled to Croke Park from Limerick several from Granagh to support Ned. The following is a profile of Ned prior to the 1940 All Ireland Senior Hurling Final v Kilkenny.
Ned Chawke, age 22, height 5ft – 10ins, weight 11st – 9lb, long slim, dark haired.
Ned Chawke of Granagh first came to the notice of hurling fans with the Limerick seniors in 1939 and this year quickly won his way into the senior selection successfully partnering Timmie Ryan in the replay against Waterford.
A farmer born in the townland of Ballybologue at the foot of Knockfierna, he opened his career with Granagh minors four years ago. He participated in all of that club’s games since last year with Granagh, he won the Western senior title. He was also with the county team that won the Munster Junior Championship. A very fast striker of the ball he revels in hard work and when he goes on the move it is like racing red deer on Knockfierna with him. He was regarded by his club-mates as best suited for the half back line. Ned has played some great games at midfield and again in the All-Ireland Semi Final he again proved his versatility by giving a sound and clear display in the position allotted to him. On Sunday 1st September 1940 Limerick faced Kilkenny in Croke Park in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final. Kilkenny were the champions and seasonal veterans and they fielded the same team that won in 1939. The lead-up to the final was incredibly exciting. Everyone in the county felt confident of a Limerick victory. There were six special trains from Limerick city and county which carried 2,700. 500 travelled from Limerick Junction and 750 from Tralee, considering that petrol was rationed the attendance of 49,290 was a fantastic crowd and gate receipts were £4,120. There was a huge Granagh contingent in Dublin to savour the day and I am sure there was also a huge Ballingarry contingent as well, by train, bus, car and bicycle they came to town making the city their very own as they awaited the clash of the champions. They were not to be denied. The full forward line of Chawke, McMahon and Power faced the Kilkenny might of Grace, Larkin and Blanchfield.
In the first half Kilkenny had the better of things and led 1-4 to 1-2 at the interval. In the second half Limerick were the better side and won the match by 3-7 to 1-7. When the final whistle blew, the Limerick players were carried shoulder high around the field.
Limerick: Paddy Scanlon (Galway and Ahane), Mick Hickey, Timmy Ryan, Paddy McMahon, Jackie Power, John Mackey and his brother the immortal Mick Mackey who captained the team. All these were from Ahane, completing the team were Jim McCarthy, Feenagh and Mick Kennedy, Young Ireland, Tommie Cooke, Knockainey, Paddy Clohossy, Fedamore, Peter Cregan and Jim Roche, Crook, Richard Stokes (Pallasgreen and UCD) and Ned Chawke, Granagh, Tony Herbert, Ahane was a sub.
Kilkenny: J. O’Connell goals, P. Grace, P. Larkin, P. Blanchfield, R. Hickey, W. Burke, P. Phelan, J. Kelly, J. Walsh, J. Langton captain, T. Leahy, J. Gargan, I. Mulcahy. Sub: I. Phelan.
The Limerick team (the minor team won as well with former Granagh chairman wearing the No. 2 shirt) were feted and mobbed by their admirers for hours after the match and on Sunday night were guests of honour at a monster ceilidhe in Dublin where the All-Ireland medals were presented. There was great excitement in Limerick at the result. On Monday evening fog signals greeted the arrival of the homecoming train from Dublin. Six bands played martial music on the route to Cruise’s Hotel, it was a triumphant procession as they were seated in army lorries suitably decked in greet and white and it was a torturous journey through the wildly cheering crowd. For weeks after the match was analysed. We can safely assume Knockfierna Hill and the Black Hill were ablaze those nights with celebratory bonfires.
Ned resumed his intercounty career later that year in the league with wins over Galway (11-3 to 9-2) and Kilkenny (7-5 to 3-11). He did not play against Waterford but played v Cork (beaten 1-7 to 1-4) against Clare (they won 11-3 to 4-1 Ned scored
two goals). His intercounty career continued into 1941 a year when things were not right at county level in Limerick. A foot and mouth outbreak affected Limerick particularly badly. Ned played right corner forward in a win over Clare by 3-8 to 1-5 which led to the Munster Final against Cork in September. The Mackey brothers were not playing. Three quick goals at the start by Cork without replay seemed to unsettle Limerick. They trailed 5-3 to 1-0 at half time and lost 8-10 to 3-2. Ned played at right half forward. The following year 1942 was better again. Limerick won through to the Munster Final against Cork. This was a terrific game of hurling, they matched each other score for score. At half time Limerick led 3-0 to 1-4. As the game drew to a close the sides were still level. In the dying minutes Cork scored two points to win 4-8 to 5-3. In 1945 he played with Limerick in the league v Clare, Tipperary and Galway. In the Munster Championship he played in the victory over Clare (3-6 to 3-3) and lost to Tipperary in the Munster Final 4-3 to 2-6. In the autumn his league career resumed with games v Offaly and Galway. In 1946 he was selected with Christy Daly (Ballingarry) to play Westmeath in the league in Mullingar. The game was postponed due to bad weather but when it was played in March Westmeath had a shock win over Limerick. This seemed to be the end of his intercounty career. In 1947 he played senior hurling with Croom when they lost to Treaty Sarsfields 8-8 to 3-2. Later they met South Liberties in the losers group final in August and won 2-7 to 2-1 to qualify for the county semi-final which they lost to Ahane 5-6 to 1-2. In a very poor game Croom had everything that a championship side needed bar those vital factors, club spirit and teamwork. Ahane hurled as a unit, Croom as individuals.
Croom: J. Murray (Ballybrown), P. Carroll (Castletown), Paddy McCarthy (Newcastlewest), Joe Cregan, Jim Morrissey (Castletown), Peter Cregan, Frank Costelloe, Ned Chawke (Granagh), Tom Cregan, Bertie Mullane (Granagh), P_. Fitzgerald (Askeaton), D. McCarthy (Dromcollogher), M. Earls (Kilmallock), J. Hannon, Granagh and D. Noonan (Granagh).
In 1948 Croom overcame Knockaderry in the county semi-final by 3-6 to 2-3
Croom: P J. Wilson, P. Hall, M. Sexton, Joe Cregan, M. Murphy, P. Cregan, L. Connors, T. Cregan, M. Mullane, B. Mullane), Morrissey, C. Simcox, F. Costelloe, Ned Chawke, P. McCarthy.
Knockaderry: P. Liston, P. O’Grady, D. Guiry, J. Keating, J. Roche, J. Danaher, J. Hannon, P. Browne, S. Danaher, B. Sheahan, D. Sheehy, M. Quaid, P. O’Grady, P. Meehan, J. Cremin.
They again met Ahane in the County Senior Hurling Championship Final of ’48 played in Limerick in early December which turned out to be a strange affair.
In the opening quarter fighting broke out and the crowd invaded the pitch. It seemed the match would be abandoned. This was followed by an extremely bad fog; visibility was as poor on the pitch as elsewhere. The match was held up for a time and many people left the grounds confused thinking the match was cancelled. However, the referee insisted in finishing the game. Ahane won this strange final 2-3 to 0-1.
Croom: Jimmy Wilson, Patsy Hall, Mick Sexton, Joe Cregan, Sean Murphy, Peter Cregan, Larry Connors, Tom Cregan, Mick Mullane (Granagh), Bertie Mullane (Granagh), Jim Morrissey, Con Simcox, Frank Costelloe, Ned Chawke (Granagh), Derry McCarthy. Ned continued to play with Granagh until 1949 having played his last game for Limerick in 1946 v Westmeath.
In 1953 a presentation of an inscribed silver tray on behalf of Granagh GAA Club was made to Ned Chawke on the occasion of his recent marriage to Mairead Speiran by honourable secretary Willie Lee. Fr. Patrick Lyons C.C. called on GAA people to remember the details and highlights of this hurling occasion such as this match interesting as it was, not because of his valuable services to the parish to the parish in the county championship, but for the honour he had brought to the parish by representing it on the county team in the late 30s and in 1940 when he rendered such valuable services to the Limerick team in securing All Ireland hurling honours. When Ned’s hurling career was over, he devoted his time to the Granagh club. He was a selector when Granagh won three West Junior A Hurling Championship titles in a row, 1974, 75, 76 and went on to capture County Junior A Hurling Championship honours in 1976. Ned kept a keen interest in all sports and went to all the matches. He loved chatting to old hurling stock and with the advent of TV he watched boxing, horse, races, rugby, athletics and of course Gaelic Games. He admired quick skilful hurling and was thrilled when Limerick after a gap of 33 years, once more defeated Kilkenny in the 1973 All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final. He was also in Croke Park when Limerick lost in the 1974 final to Kilkenny and the 1980 final to Galway.
Unfortunately, that 1980 final was to be his last All Ireland Final because he died suddenly on St. Stephen’s morning 1980 straight across the road from where he was from. He would have been very proud of the fast that so many old hurlers turned out to form a guard of honour as of course they always stood by one another. Ned is interred in Granagh cemetery.
RESULTS
Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals
Limerick 2-14 Waterford 0-9, Tipperary 2-11 Clare 1-11.
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals
Waterford 1-28 Cork 1-24, Limerick 3-23 Tipperary 2-17
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals
Kilkenny 3-20 Dublin 2-22, Galway 1-27 Waterford 0-17
Joe McDonagh Cup Senior Hurling Round 2
Kerry 2-19, Westmeath 0-14, Carlow 2-25, Antrim 5-15 (draw)
Ulster Senior Football Championship Preliminary Round
Cavan 2-15 Monaghan 1-17
Christy Ring Cup Senior Hurling Round 2A
Down 1-13 Armagh 1-9, Mayo 1-23 Tyrone 0-9
Connacht Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Mayo 2-15 Leitrim 0-10
Leinster Senior Football Championship Round 1
Longford 1-9 Louth 1-7, Wicklow 2-9 Wexford 0-11, Offaly 3-14 Carlow 0-20
Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals
Donegan 1-13, Tyrone 1-11, Armagh 0-17 Derry 0-15
Lory Meagher Cup Senior Hurling Round 2
Fermanagh 0-16 Cavan 1-13
All Ireland Senior Camogie Championship Group 1 Round 2
Cork 3-12 Wexford 1-8, Galway 3-13 Offaly 0-3
Noel and Ann Winners in County Draw
Congratulations to Noel Lynch c/o Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club on winning €500 and Ann Cullinane €100 in the Limerick County Club Draw on Saturday 31st October.
The other winners were: 1st €10,000 Jimmy Walsh, Effin. 2nd €3,000 Michael Browne, Ballylanders, 3rd €2,000 Patricia Cregan Cappagh. 4th €1,000 Chris Noonan, Gerald Griffins. 5th Exclusive star prize of a two nights stay in a deluxe from at Lough Ryann Castle Estate and Gardens was won by Ann Horan (Glin). 6th to 9th €500 Cunninghame Foods Club Limerick, Paudie Naughton Mountcollins, Glin GAA Club Glin, Noel Lynch Granagh/Ballingarry. 10th to 13th €250 Teddy Meade Garryspillane, Diarmuid Mullins Mungret/St. Pauls. Gerry Murphy Dromin/Athlacca, Martin Sexton South Liberties. 14to to 30th €100 Tom Drake Blackrock Bord na nÓg, Brian Nolan Rathkeale, Michael O’Shea Croom, Sandra and Gerard O’Brien Templeglantine, Phillip Culhane Glin, Cormac and Shirley Ryan Askeaton/Ballysteen Bord na nÓg, Kennedy grandchildren Doon, Tim Guerin Garryspillane, Charles Sheehan Rathkeale, Margaret Clifford Na Piarsaigh, Tommy Ryan Cappamore, Jimmy Hartigan Ballybrown, Ann Cullinane Granagh/Ballingarry, Ned and Nora O’Donnell Glenroe, Pat Dineen Caherline, Ann and Donal Moroney St. Senan’s, Paudie Gallahue.
The next draw is on Saturday 28th November and the exclusive star prize is two nights spa break in Fitzgerald’s Woodlands House Hotel and Spa, bubbly in the room on arrival. Dinner in Timmy Macs Bistro, monthly tempting treats for two people in Revas Spa.
Thank you to all the members who have already joined the Limerick County GAA Club draw through the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club.
Early Goals ease Limerick into Munster Football Semi
Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Limerick……………2-14
Waterford………………………….0-9
First half goals courtesy of Cillian Fahy and Adrien Enright paved the way for an eleven-point victory for Limerick over gallant Waterford in the quarter final of the Munster Senior Football Championship at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Saturday. We wish the best of luck to the boys in green and white this Saturday against Tipperary in the Munster Semi Final in Páirc na nGael at 1.15pm.
Limerick on Course for Back-to-Back Munster Title
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final
Limerick………….3-23
Tipperary…………2-17
Hearty congratulations to the Limerick senior hurlers and our own Donal O’Grady a member of the management team on their impressive 9-point victory owner All Ireland champions Tipperary to qualify for their second successive Munster Senior Hu8rling Championship Final against Waterford on Sunday 15th November in Semple Stadium, Thurles at Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm where the boys in green and white will be aiming for back-to-back Munster titles for the first time since 1980-81.
October Club Draw Winners
The following were winners in the October/Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club draw held on Saturday 31st October: €400 Jimmy Sheehy promoter Mike Carroll, €100 each to Davy Clifford promoter Darren Clifford, Phil and Sophie Mulqueen promoter Paddy Hennessy, Gerard Cronin promoter Dinny Ahern.
We thank all our punters for their continued support.
€10,400 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €10,300 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA lottery on Saturday 31st October. The numbers drawn were 9, 15, 24 and 29. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Helen Shiels c/o O’Grady’s Shop, Sean and Diarmuid Holmes c/o Andrew Holmes, Fergal Noonan c/o Stephen Stapleton, John O’Keeffe c/o John O’Keeffe.
The next draw is on Saturday 7th October for a jackpot of €10,400. We thank all our punters for their continued support.
Fixtures
Saturday 7th November
All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Round 1
Laois v Clare in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny at 1.15pm.
Cork v Dublin in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 3.45pm.
Connacht Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Galway v Sligo in Pearse Stadium at 1.15pm.
Joe McDonagh Cup Senior Hurling Round 3A
Carlow v Meath in Cullen Park at 2pm.
Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Westmeath v Dublin in O’Moore Park at 6.15pm
Ulster Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Cavan v Antrim in Breffni Park at 1.15pm
Christy Ring Cup Senior Hurling Round 2B
Derry v Offaly in Páirc Esler, Newry at 1.30pm.
Mickey Rackard Cup Senior Hurling Round 2B
Longford v Leitrim in Pearse Park at 1.30pm.
Monaghan v Tyrone in Inniskeen at 1.30pm
Connacht Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Roscommon v Mayo in Dr. Hyde Park at 1.30pm
Leinster Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals
Longford v Laois in Pearse Park at 1.30pm
Wicklow v Meath in Aughrim at 1.30pm
Kildare v Offaly in O’Moore Park at 5.30pm
Munster Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Cork v Kerry in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm
Ulster Senior Football Championship Semi Final
Fermanagh v Down in Brewster Park at 1.30pm
Christy Ring Cup Senior Hurling Round 2B
Roscommon v Sligo in Athleague at 12 noon.