Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

AGM:
Cuntas an Runaí Seán O Loingshigh
A Cathaoirleach agus a chairde Gael, Annual General Meeting time has arrived once more. I would like to welcome you all here tonight to the Community Centre, Granagh. It is my great pleasure to put before you once more my annual report of the happenings in Cumann Greanach Baile an Gharraí CLG for 2024. The time has come for us to look back and reflect on the happenings both on and off the field over the past twelve months and to look forward and make plans for the year ahead.

Inter County​:
On the inter-county front Limerick Senior hurlers finished top of Group B in Division 1 of the National Hurling League to qualify for a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny at Pairc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday 23rd March, where they surrendered their National Hurling League Division 1 title when they suffered an eight point 3-17 to 1-15. In the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Limerick qualified for their sixth successive Munster Senior Hurling Championship final against Clare for the third year in-a-row on Sunday 9th June in Semple Stadium, Thurles, where Limerick won their 24th Munster Senior Hurling Championship title for a historic sixth year in-a-row and the Mick Mackey Memorial Cup after beating neighbours Clare by six points 1-26 to 1-20 in front of a crowd of over 44,000. In the All-Ireland semi-final, Limerick’s brave bid to reach their fifth successive All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final were dashed when going under to neighbours Cork by two points 1-28 to 0-29 after a thrilling contest played in front of a record crowd for an All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday 7th July. The Limerick U20 hurlers lost narrowly to Clare, Tipperary and Cork before defeating Waterford in the final round of the group stage in the Munster U20 Hurling Championship to finish fifth in the group on two points ahead of pointless Waterford to lose out on a semi-final spot. The Limerick Minor hurlers unfortunately suffered four straight defeats to Cork, Clare, Waterford and Tipperary in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship to finish pointless at the bottom of the table.
On the football front, Limerick Senior footballers after suffering relegation to Division 4 in the National Football League, suffered a 3-13 to 0-11 defeat to neighbours Cork in the Munster Championship quarter-final, went under to Down and defeated Offaly and London in Group 4 of the Tailteann Cup Competition to qualify for a preliminary quarter-final meeting with Tipperary, who they defeated to qualify for a quarter-final meeting with Sligo at Markievicz Park, Sligo on Saturday 15th June, where they went under to the Sligo boys 2-20 to 6-9. The Limerick U20 footballers lost to Clare, drew with Tipperary and defeated Waterford to finish third in Phase 1 of the Munster U20 Football Championship to qualify for the B final against Waterford, who they defeated by eight points 2-10 to 1-5 at Mallow on Wednesday 10th April to capture the inaugural Munster U20 Football Championship title and the John Kerins Cup dedicated to the memory of former Cork two-time winning All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal winning goalkeeper. In the All-Ireland U20B Football Championship semi-final Limerick suffered a 1-15 to 2-5 defeat the hands of Westmeath at Semple Stadium Thurles on Saturday 11th May. The Limerick Minor footballers suffered three straight defeats to Tipperary, Clare and Waterford to finish pointless at the bottom of the table in Phase 1 of the Munster Championship, before defeating Fermanagh in the All-Ireland Minor Football Tier 3 Championship preliminary quarter-final to qualify for a quarter-final meeting with Down who eased their way into the semi-final of the All-Ireland Minor Football Tier 3 Championship semi-final with a comfortable victory over gallant Limerick at Grangegorman on Saturday 25th May.

On the Local Front:
On the local front 46 competitive games were played at adult level, an increase of 2 games on the previous year, winning three pieces of silverware. A huge number of games were also played by the Bord na nÓg section of our Club, winning two pieces of silverware – the U10 Granagh Ballingarry Hurling (Liam English Memorial Cup) and the U12 Hurling (Stephen O’Keeffe Memorial Cup). The U15 hurlers reached the County Féile na nGael Division C semi-final where they suffered a heartbreaking one point 1-15 to 0-7 defeat to Blackrock, and the U14 hurlers the Division 2 Shield final where they also suffered a heartbreaking one point 2-11 to 1-13 defeat to Kildimo-Pallaskenry.
The highlights of the year at adult level were undoubtedly the success of the Junior B hurlers winning 8, drew 2 and lost 2 of their 12 games, achieving back to back West B Hurling League / Championship titles and reaching the County Junior B Hurling League final for the second successive year, 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 eventual winners Kildimo-Pallaskenry by four points 2-18 to 4-8 after a hard fought contest.
Our Intermediate hurlers and management team put in a lot of effort to win 6, draw 1 and lose 5 of their 12 competitive games in 2024. They finished top of the West Senior Hurling League / Championship on 9 points to qualify for the final, where they were most unlucky to go under to 2023 County Premier Intermediate Champions Dromin-Athlacca by 3 points. They won the Jim (Twin) Lynch Memorial Cup for the fifth successive year and went under to Dromin-Athlacca after a penalty shoot-out in the much delayed 2023, and Ballysaggart in the 2024 Dunworth Cup finals in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after going under to Newcastle West and Bruff. They went on to defeat Na Piarsaigh before going under to Effin and defeated Blackrock and Glenroe in the final two rounds to finish joint fourth in the group on 8 points with Effin but unfortunately lost out on a semi-final spot on the head to head rule as Effin defeated us in round 5.
The Junior footballers won five and lost five of their ten competitive games in 2024. They reached the West Junior A Football League / Championship final for the third year in-a-row with four straight wins over Mountcollins, Feenagh-Kilmeedy, Athea and Monagea, but unfortunately lost the final for the second successive year to eventual County Premier champions, neighbours Cappagh by a point 2-7 to 0-12. In Group 1 of the Premier County Junior A Football Championship after defeating Mungret / St. Paul’s in the opening round, we suffered four straight defeats to Feenagh-Kilmeedy, Athea, Cappagh and Kilteely-Dromkeen, to finish joint bottom of the table on 2 points with Mungret / St. Paul’s, to avoid a relegation final on the head to head rule as we had defeated Mungret / St. Paul’s in the opening round.
Fielding mostly U15 players, we suffered three straight defeats to Ballybrown, Caherline and Dromin-Athlacca in Group 3 of the County Minor B Hurling Championship. Due to insufficient numbers of players we did not compete in the County Minor B Football Championship. Impressive displays were given by the U20 hurlers, who amalgamated with Croom, defeated Templeglantine, Dromcollogher-Broadford and received a walkover from Ballybricken-Bohermore-Fedamore to finish top of Group 3 in the County U20 B Hurling Championship to qualify for a semi-final meeting with Belville Gaels, who they defeated by a point 2-15 to 1-17 in a thrilling contest on Thursday 12th December in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale to qualify for a final meeting with Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds on this Saturday 21st December in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale at 2pm, while their counterparts in football defeated Ballybricken-Bpjermore-Fedamore, St. Patricks and went under to Claughaun in Group 2 of the County U21B Football Championship to qualify for the semi-final where they went under to a strong St. Kieran’s by 2-14 to 0-6 at Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale on Saturday 14th December.

Other Highlights:
A record number of teams completed the course in the 14th Annual King of the Hill Challenge on St. Stephen’s Day.
200 guests attended our presentation Dinner Dance at the Long Court Hotel, Newcastle West on Friday 1st March.
Luke Flynn’s inclusion on John Kiely’s Senior Hurling panel for the Munster Senior Hurling League and Darragh Casey called for Limerick Senior Hurling trial.
Ian Sheey, Eoin and Tom Horgan’s inclusion on the Charleville CBS team that reached the Harty Cup semi-final.
Darragh Casey, Captain of the TUS Mid-West side that reached the Fitzgibbon Cup semi-final.
Paudie Murphy’s inclusion on the UL Fresher panel that won the Higher Education Freshers Hurling Competition.
Denis O’Connor winning All-Ireland Junior Hurling Inter-firm Hurling medal with Limerick Garda team.
161 players present at Bord na nÓg Presentation Night in the Community Centre, Granagh on Sunday 25th February.
The Cúl Camp Monday 1st to Friday 5th July was enjoyed by all the over 110 children who attended despite the wet weather on a couple of days.
The Ballingarry to Boston virtual journey on Friday 26th July.
Scrap metal collection on Saturday 18th May.
The €1,000 Club win in the National Club Draw on Wednesday 3rd April.
The financial success of our Club Draw / Lottery and County Club Draw with six winners – Liam Carroll won €200 in April, Patsy Quinn won €300 in June and Elizabeth Crogan €3,000 in July, Margaret O’Kelly €500, Jack Hennessy and Noel Noonan €200 each in November.
Donal O’Grady’s appointment as Limerick Minor Hurling Manager, Coach/Selector and his brother Darragh Stats for Limerick Munster 6-in-a-row Hurling winning team.
Maurice Noonan winning his sixth All-Ireland medal with Munster Wheelchair Hurling Camogie Club.
Community Games re-established in our parish.
Limerick receiving 4 Hurling All-Stars.
Participated in Question Time and Solo Singing in Senior Scór.
Our nominated dog owner Owner Cracker finished second in Round 1 and first in Round 2 but failed to finish in the top three of heat 8 in the quarter-finals of the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Stake.
Adam Mulqueen and Anna O’Grady played on the Limerick Primary Schools Hurling and Camogie teams.
€5,000 cheque received from Councillor John O’Donoghue as part of his local authority sports facilities funding.
Declan Dunworth a member of the Limerick U14 Hurling squad who won the Tony Forrester Shield and Danny O’Grady a member of the Limerick U15 Hurling side who competed in the Arrabawn Cup.
Aoife Morrissey winning U16A Camogie All-Ireland Championship medal with Limerick.
Our Camogie side reaching the Division 1 Féile na nGael Shield final at Wexford Centre of Excellence on Saturday 22nd June.
Bord na nÓg End of Season Family / Cup Finals Day and official opening of Hogan’s field on Saturday 28th September.
The successful Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser at Charleville Park Hotel on Saturday 12th October.
Club member Richard O’Donoghue’s re-election to Dáil Éireann on Saturday 30th November.
Croom / Granagh-Ballingarry qualifying for the County U20B Hurling Championship final on Saturday 21st December…were among the many other highlights.

63 Teams in the 14th Annual Knockfierna King of the Hill:
A record sixty-three teams completed the course in the 14th Annual Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club King of the Hill Road Hurling Challenge in ideal conditions on St. Stephen’s Day. Adult competition first place were David Condron, Pa Shelton and Jack Cagney with a very creditable score of 51 shots. Family section – Mary, Tom and Kate Horgan won the tenth annual family section with 55 shots. Thank you to all sixty-three teams who completed the course, our hosts Seamus and Janet Twomey and family of the Rock Bar, Granagh. Thank you also to John Carroll of Laochra Sports Gear for their sponsorship, Co-ordinator Niall Connell, the organising committee and the volunteers who helped on the day. The total amount raised was €1,725 which goes towards the Club’s new training field.

200 Guests at Presentation Dinner Dance:
Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club celebrated the many acclaimed and outstanding double success of the Intermediate hurlers winning the County Intermediate Hurling Championship and the Jim (Twin) Lynch Memorial Cup, the Junior B Hurlers on winning the West and County Junior B Hurling League Double, the Dinny Cup Tournament and the West Junior B Hurling Championship in 2023 in front of 200 guests on Friday 1st March at the Longcourt Hotel, Newcastle West. Those who graced the presentation function with their presence over the years were there and also some new people. MC Jimmy Chawke welcomed everyone especially the invited guests, Seamus McNamara (Fr. Casey’s) Chairperson of County Board, Frank Reidy (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Vice-chairperson of the County Board Breda Breen (Monagea), Chairperson of the West Board and her partner Jimmy Condon, Pat Ryan (Doon) Limerick All-Ireland Senior Hurling medalist and Fr. Tom Carroll PP, who congratulated us on our Intermediate and Junior B Hurling success in 2023. After the beautiful meal was served the honour of presenting the County Intermediate Hurling Championship West and County Junior B Hurling League and West Junior B Hurling Championship medals was accorded to Limerick All-Ireland Senior Hurling medalist Pat Ryan (Doon). Special presentations were made to the successful team managers, coaches, selectors and first aiders, physio, doctor, stats, James Flynn, Intermediate Support Team, Maurice Noonan in recognition of winning his fifth All-Ireland Wheelchair medal with the Munster Hurling Club in 2023, team sponsor Dinny Ahern (RIP) of Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry, Coach/Selector 4-in-a-row Limerick All-Ireland Hurling Champions, County Intermediate Hurling Championship final 2023, Man of the Match Award – Luke O’Flynn, Club Person of the Year Award – Niall Carroll. The final presentation of the night was made to Jimmy Chawke for his service as MC for all events held by the Club in 2023. It was then onto the dance floor with dancing well into the early hours of the morning to the music of Free Beer followed by a disco. Thank you to all who supported the night. Jimmy Chawke who did an excellent job as MC, the organising committee, David Clancy, David Condron, Seamus Twomey, Niall Carroll, Michael Clancy door tickets, Mossie O’Connor, guest Frank Reidy, Breda Breen and Jimmy Condron, Pat Ryan, Fr. Tom Carroll PP, Laura O’Keeffe and Eddie Guiry for taking photos, the raffle ticket sellers and everyone who helped in any way. All in all a brilliant night was had and thanks to the Longcourt Hotel for the beautiful meal served and all the patrons who played their part in making the night so enjoyable.

161 Players Present at Bord na nÓg Presentation Night:
161 players were present at a most enjoyable Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg registration and awards presentation night on Sunday 25th February in the Community Centre, Granagh. MC Jimmy Chawke welcomed everyone, especially the players, their coaches, parents and club officials. Presentations of medals were made to all panels of players from under 5 upwards, training tops to Thomas Twomey, Sean O’Connor, Ian Sheehy, Darragh O’Shea, Jack McMahon, Tom Hourigan, Rory Lynch, Paul Griffin, Ben Daly, Killian O’Keeffe and Jack Ahern who are leaving Bord na nÓg for their dedication to Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club over the years. Club service awards were presented to Johnny Sheahan, Granagh and Paddy Hennessy, Ballingarry. Special presentations were made to Adam Mulqueen who played on the West Primary School team. Eoin Kiely and Nathan Hartnett, Limerick Primary Schools team, Danny O’Grady on the Limerick U14 Hurling Tony Forrester team. To Stephen Stapleton for his huge contribution made to our Club as Bord na nÓg PRO 2022 – 2023. Our Bord na nÓg Committee, especially Chairperson Cormac McCarthy, Secretary Seam Twomey, Assistant Secretary Eddie O’Brien, PRO Charlotte Henley and Children’s Officer Trish Clancy, deserve great credit for the way the function was organised. Thank you to Jimmy Chawke who did an excellent job as MC. John Carroll, Niall Carroll and David Condron for their help with the purchase of the gear and registrations. The ladies for the tea and goodies served. Charlotte Henley for taking photos and Joe Power and all in Granagh Community Centre and everyone who helped in any way to make the night so enjoyable.

Community Games:
It was a great boost for our parish and Club to see the Community Games Club re-established for the first time since 2019. Community Games is where all young people begin and provides a huge range of activities for children from 6-17 years of age. These activities include a number of individual and team sports, some include art, handwriting, drama, music, draughts, chess, hurling, football, camogie, soccer and athletics. The full list can be found on the Community Games website. I wish the committee running our Community Games Club the best of luck in the year ahead and look forward to County, Munster and National titles coming back to our parish like the years gone by.

Over 600 Attend Strictly Come Dancing Fundraiser:
A massive thank you to everyone who helped make the Granagh-Ballingarry Camogie and Ladies Football Club’s facilities Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser such a huge success on Saturday 12th October at Charleville Park Hotel. On the night 13 couples – Deirdre Shelton & Bobby Houlihan, Leah Twomey & Colm Noonan, Eoin Herlihy & Emma Noonan, Josh Quill Mulcaire & Amy Hartnett, Annemarie O’Keeffe & Luke Flynn, Louise Kelly & John O’Keeffe, Jack Cagney & Aislinn Herlihy, Orlando O’Doherty & Eoin Casey, Laura Clancy & Mikey O’Keeffe, Kayleigh Twomey & Sean English, Aisling Irwin & Sean Murphy, Club Chairperson – Andrew Holmes & Lynsey Buckley, Ger Ryan & Rachel Irwin – all took to the stage showcasing their dancing skills in a bid for votes and donations. It was an exciting fun-filled night bringing together dancers from all the GAA codes, backroom staff and committee members with weeks of practice behind them, the dedication from the dancers was remarkable as they started out of their comfort zones and put on their best performance possible. All funds raised from this event wen toward the continued development of the Club’s grounds and facilities, benefitting both young and old members of our community. Congratulations to the three category winners – Deirdre Shelton and Bobby Houlihan who took home the top prize, Sean English and Kayleigh Twomey won the judges prize, Colm Noonan and Leahy Twomey, awarded for the most entertaining dance. The sponsorship we received from businesses and individuals was phenomenal. Our MCs Jimmy Chawke and Theresa Noonan oversaw proceedings with professionalism, good craic, humour and fun. Thank you to the adjudicators, Conor Tom Carroll, Susie Butler, Richard O’Donoghue TD, David Condron and Laura O’Keeffe, the main organisers – dance teacher Miriam Ball, Lillian Walsh for taking photos, the hotel, staff and the countless others who helped in any way. It showed the best of the parish as everyone chipped in to make it a success.

Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake:
Granagh-Ballingarry nominated dog Owner Cracker finished second in Round 1 and first in Round 2 but failed to finish in the top three of heat 8 in the quarter-finals of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday 6th April. So unfortunately, was not included in the semi-final draw.

€1,000 Win in National Club Draw:
The National Club Draw took place on Wednesday 27th March in Croke Park. Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club were chosen at random as part of the club specific draw to win €1,000. This great win for the Club would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our 200 local Membership & Club Co-ordinator, Niall Carroll.

Ballingarry to Boston Virtual Journey:
Throughout the month of June, the entire Granagh-Ballingarry GAA adult and Bord na nÓg Club from the sprightly U6s to the seasoned adult teams, along with parents, committee members and supporters, united to log collective 4,667 kilometres, the distance from Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Clubhouse to Boston GAA grounds in Canton, Massachusetts. This wasn’t about logging kilometres but was about embodying the spirit of togetherness, celebrating our love for exercise and enhancing the camaraderie we are so proud of in Granagh-Ballingarry. The sweat and smiles were of course for a number of great causes – proceeds of around €7,000 from our efforts was generously distributed between Granagh National School, Ballingarry National School, and the completion of the new Granagh-Ballingarry GAA training pitch. On Tuesday 26th June, Boston Féile Football team travelled to Ballingarry where they defeated Killacolla Gaels and Granagh-Ballingarry to claim the Granagh-Ballingarry U15 Football Mini Blitz Cup and take it back to Boston to Canton, Massachusetts. Congratulations to all involved in both Boston and Granagh-Ballingarry for making the fundraiser such an enjoyable and financial success.

€5,000 Cheque Presentation:
Huge thanks to Councillor John O’Donoghue who presented Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club with a cheque for a whopping €5,000 as part of his Local Authority GAA Funding in May. This extremely generous gesture will be used towards the Club’s underage training pitch, which will benefit current and future generations of GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football players.

Denis Wins All-Ireland Inter-Firm Medal:
Hearty congratulations to our own Denis O’Connor who lined out in the No. 15 Jersey raising a white flag from opening play for Limerick Garda in their five point 1-25 to 3-14 victory over gallant Campion Insurance to claim the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Inter-Firm title at UL on Thursday 7th March.

Three Dr. Harty Cup Players:
It was a great honour for our Club to have three players – Eoin Horgan, Tom Horgan and Ian Sheehy on the Charleville CBS panel who lost narrowly by four points 2-18 to 1-17 to eventual winners, St. Joseph’s CBS Nenagh in the Munster Colleges U19A Hurling (Dr. Harty Cup) semi-final played in difficult wet and windy conditions at Cappamore on Saturday 20th January.

Darragh Captains TUS Mid-West:
Hearty congratulations to our own Darragh Casey who captained TUS Mid-West to reach the Higher Education Fitzgibbon Coup Hurling quarter-final where they went under to Mary Immaculate College 1-25 to 1-17, played on an excellent Mary Immaculate pitch on Wednesday 7th February.

Paudie Wins Higher Education Medal with UL:
Congratulations to our own Paudie Murphy who was part of the UL Freshers hurling squad who defeated DUC 1-14 to 1-13 to take the All-Ireland Fresher Division 1 Higher Education Freshers Hurling title at UL on Wednesday 28th February under lights.

Aoife Wins All-Ireland Medal:
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 U16A Camogie Championship title at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Saturday 20th July.

Limerick U14 and U15 Hurling Teams:
Hearty congratulations to our own Declan Dunworth who gave an outstanding performance for Limerick U14 hurlers who defeated Cork in the Tony Forrestal Shield final winning the Player of the Match award at Mount Sion GAA clubgrounds in Waterford on Saturday 24th August. Well done also to our own Nathan Hartnett who was very much a part of the panel but was unfortunately injured. Congratulations to Danny O’Grady on his selection on the Limerick U15 hurling team who competed in the Arrabawn B Cup Tournament also on Saturday 24th August played in Moyle-Rovers GAA clubgrounds in Tipperary. It was a great honour for Declan, Nathan and Danny, their families and the Granagh-Ballingarry Club to have three players wearing the green and white of Limerick.

Primary Game:
Hearty congratulations to Anna O’Grady and Adam Mulqueen of Christ the Saviour National School Ballingarry, who played for the Limerick Primary School Camogie and Hurling team against Tipperary and Cork at half time in Limerick’s Round 1 and 2 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Games.

Sixth All-Ireland Medal for Maurice:
Massive congratulations to our own Maurice Noonan, a member of the Munster Wheelchair Hurling and 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 to add to the League title won at the same venue in August. Munster defeated Ulster 6-1 to 5-0, Lenister 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.

€94,768 Sports Capital Grant:
Granagh-Ballingarry GAA received €94,768 in the latest Capital Grant funding announced in September. 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. Our Club has invested heavily in its facilities in recent years and this funding will assist with the next stage of the Club Development Plan. A big thank you also to local TDs and Councillors who helped during the application process. All in the Club are looking forward to see how this funding improves our facilities.

Playing Activities 2024:
The year 2024 was another very active and busy year for Granagh-Ballingarry on the playing fields. a total of 46 very sporting competitive games, an increase of five on 2023, were played at adult level since our Junior footballers commenced the competitive playing season on Saturday 23rd March, defeating holders Mountcollins 2-10 to 1-8 in the opening round of the West Junior ‘A’ Football League Championship at Ballingarry and the curtain has not yet come down on the playing season with Croom / Granagh-Ballingarry due to play Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan in the County U20B Hurling Championship final on Saturday 21st December in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale at 2pm.

Granagh-Ballingarry Claim Back to Back West Junior B Hurling League Championship Titles:
Granagh-Ballingarry Junior ‘B’ hurlers enjoyed a very successful season, winning 8, drew 2 and lost 2 of their 12 games, achieving back to back West Junior ‘B’ Hurling League / Championship titles and reaching the County Junior B Hurling final for the second successive year, 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 eventual winners Kildimo-Pallaskenry by four points 2-18 to 4-8 after a hard fought contest. Granagh-Ballingarry finished top of Group 1 in the West Junior ‘B’ Hurling League on 9 points after receiving walk-overs from Dromcollogher-Broadford and Knockaderry recorded back to back wins over Croagh-Kilfinny 2-11 to 2-10 and Adare 1-21 to 0-12 before playing a thrilling 1-12 to 0-13 draw with St. Kieran’s in the final group stage game to qualify for a final meeting with neighbours Bruree. The final played in dry cold windy conditions on Wednesday 12th June in Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran where holders Granagh-Ballingarry, despite being forced to line out minus a number of key players including keeper Keith O’Kelly, replaced by John O’Grady due to exams and work commitments, recorded an impressive eleven point 3-17 to 0-15 victory over gallant neighbours from the South division to claim their second West Limerick Junior ‘B’ Hurling League title in a row and the Seamus Flanagan Memorial Cup for the sixth time in fourteen years, and also qualify for their second successive County Junior ‘B’ Hurling League final in a row against South Liberties.
Granagh-Ballingarry: John O’Grady, Ger Ryan, Eoin Enright, Mike Carroll, Niall Cahill, Mark O’Shea, John Carroll, Pat Carroll, Ronan Mullane (0-3), Eoin Herlihy, Capt. (0-1), Jack Hartnett (2-0), Jim O’Keeffe (1-2), Padraig McKenna. Subs used: Owen Lynch, Rory Condon, Conor O’Donoghue and Thomas O’Donovan. Other players used in the course of the competition were: Keith O’Kelly, Eoin Horgan, Ian Sheehy, Richie O’Keeffe, Brian Mulqueen, Edward Sheedy, Mikey O’Keeffe, Niall Carroll, Gearóid Lynch, Darren Clifford. In the County Junior ‘B’ Hurling League final on Friday 19th July at Fitzgerald Park Kilmallock, 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.

West Junior B Hurling Championship:
In Group 1 of the West Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship holders Granagh-Ballingarry recorded two straight wins over Feohanagh-Castletown 3-14 to 2-16 and Knockaderry 5-19 to 1-7, received a walkover from Tournafulla before playing a thrilling 5-13 to 3-7 draw with Feenagh-Kilmeedy in Ballingarry on Wednesday 18th September between two fine sporting sides. These results saw both sides finish level on top of the West Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship Group 1 table on 7 points, with holders Granagh-Ballingarry qualifying straight for the semi-final on a greater 13-point scoring differential and Feenagh-Kilmeedy play third team in Group 2 Newcastle West in the quarter-final. The semi-final played in dry, windy conditions at Dromcollogher on Saturday 28th September, 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 on Sunday 6th October in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale where a strong all-round team performance, coupled with 0-6 by Gearóid Lynch and 1-2 by 2013 Limerick Munster Senior Hurling winning captain Donal O’Grady from open play and a number of top class saves by keeper and team captain Keith O’Kelly paved the way for a thrilling 8 point 1-16 to 0-11 victory for Granagh-Ballingarry over gallant Adare to claim their 6th West Limerick Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship title – a second in-a-row) and the Mary Sexton Memorial Cup.
Granagh-Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly (Captain), Ger Ryan, Eoin Enright, Niall Cahill, Ian Sheehy, John Carroll, Mark O’Shea, Edward Sheehy (0-2), Pat Carroll (0-1, free), Jim O’Keeffe (0-2), Donal O’Grady (1-2), Gearóid Lynch (0-7), Owen Lynch, John O’Grady, Jack Hartnett (0-1). Subs used: Michael Carroll, Thomas O’Donovan, Jack O’Donoghue (0-1), Conor O’Donoghue and Marcus Moore. Other panel members used in the course of the Championship: Rory Condon, Peter Hughes, Brian Mulqueen, Mikey O’Keeffe, Tom O’Sullivan, Richie O’Keeffe, Niall Carroll and Cian Cagney.

County Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter-final:
A strong all round team performance, coupled with a faultless display of striking by Donal O’Grady who finished with a personal tally of 0-7 from open play, paved the way for West champions Granagh-Ballingarry progressing to the Limerick County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship semi-final for the first time since 2016 against Kildimo-Pallaskenry on Sunday 26th October in Adare at 2pm following a hard-fought 4 point 0-15 to 0-11 victory over gallant South Liberties to reverse the yearly 2 point 1-12 to 0-13 County League final defeat in dry windy conditions at Fedamore on Saturday 19th October.

County Junior B Hurling Championship Semi-final:
In dry windy conditions at Adare on Sunday 26th October, Kildimo-Pallaskenry recorded a hard-fought four point 2-18 to 4-8 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 at Drumgoole Park in Caherdavin, where they claimed their first ever County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship title with a two point 2-13 to 1-14 victory over the Ballybrown boys.

Conclusion:
On behalf of the Club and the people of Granagh-Ballingarry, we congratulate the players on the many great displays they have given, winning eight, drew two, received three walkovers and lost two of the 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, Beny Kelly, Andrew Holmes, Mikey O’Keeffe and first aid officials Niamh O’Keeffe, Anne Marie O’Keeffe, Theresa Noonan and Physio Caolan Scott and the backroom team too. If they all stay together this team looks like being a match for the best again next season.

Granagh-Ballingarry Retain Premier Intermediate Hurling Status:
Since the start of the season Granagh-Ballingarry Intermediate hurlers and management team put in a lot of effort to win 6, draw 1 and lose 5 of their 12 competitive games. They finished top of the West Senior Hurling League / Championship on 9 points to qualify for the final where they were most unlucky to go under to 2023 Premier Intermediate champions Dromin-Athlacca by 3 points at Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale, when forced to field minus a number of key players. They won the Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Cup for the fifth successive year and went under also to Dromin-Athlacca in the 2023 Dunworth Cup final and to Ballysaggart of Waterford in this year’s final. In the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after going under to Newcastle West and Bruff, they went on to defeat Garryspillane and Na Piarsaigh before going under to Effin and defeating Blackrock and Glenroe in the final two rounds to finish fourth in the group on 8 points with Effin to retain our Premier Intermediate status for 2025 but unfortunately lost out on a semi-final spot on the head to head rule as Effin defeated us in round 5.

West Senior Hurling League/Championship:
Round 1:​Granagh-Ballingarry ​1-12​Newcastle West ​2-7
Round 2:​Granagh-Ballingarry​W.O.​Adare​Scr
Round 3:​Granagh-Ballingarry​1-14​Dromin-Athlacca​0-17 (Draw)
​(Dromin-Athlacca won 2023 Dunworth Cup 7-6 on penalties)
Round 4:​Granagh-Ballingarry​W.O.​Feohanagh-Castlemahon​Scr.
Round 5:​Double-up with 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
2024 Dunworth Cup Final:
​Ballysaggart (Waterford)​2-21​Granagh-Ballingarry​1-16
County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship:
Round 1:​Newcastle West​1-18​Granagh-Ballingarry​0-14
Round 2:​Bruff​1-18​Granagh-Ballingarry​0-14
Round 3:​Granagh-Ballingarry​2-20​Garryspillane​2-17
Round 4:​Granagh-Ballingarry​1-20​Na Piarsaigh​0-12
Round 5:​Effin​2-21​Granagh-Ballingarry​1-16
Round 6:​Granagh-Ballingarry​3-17​Blackrock​4-11
Round 7:​Granagh-Ballingarry​3-14​Glenroe​0-11
Congratulations to the players on the many great displays they have given to retain Premier Intermediate status and well done to the management team – Michael Clancy and Eoin Kennedy – who have decided to step down after four years with the team, Paul O’Grady, Stephen Stapleton, Cathal O’Brien (Newtown), first aid official: Niamh O’Keeffe, Physio Caolon Scott and the backroom team too. I am sure, despite a number of players travelling abroad, this team looks like being a match for the best next season.

Good Start to Season Ends in Disappointment for Junior Footballers:
Granagh-Ballingarry Junior Footballers won five and lost five of their ten competitive games this season. They reached the West Junior ‘A’ Football League / Championship final for the third year-in-a-row with four straight wins over Mountcollins 2-10 to 1-8, Feenagh-Kilmeedy 4-5 to 0-8, Athea 1-10 to 0-12 and Monagea 3-17 to 0-10, but unfortunately lost the final for the second successive year to eventual County Premier Champions, neighbours Cappagh by a point 2-7 to 0-12, when forced to field minus a number of key players on Saturday 25th May at Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale. In Group 1 of the County Premier Junior ‘A’ Football Championship, after defeating Mungret / St. Pauls 4-7 to 0-13 in the opening round on Sunday 30th June, we suffered four straight defeats to Feenagh-Kilmeedy 1-10 to 0-6, Athea 0-13 to 0-8, Cappagh 0-11 to 1-2 and Kilteely-Dromkeen 1-15 to 0-6 in the final group stage game on Saturday 14th September in Meanus to finish joint bottom of the table on 2 points with Mungret / St. Pauls, who played Cappamore in the relegation on the head to head rule as we defeated the City side in the opening round.
Thank you to our Junior ‘A’ Football management team of Edward Sheehy (Player Manager), Seamus Murphy and Andrew Holmes, Selectors and the backroom team for their co-operation and to the players who gave the required commitment over the season.

County Minor B Hurling Championship Group 3:
In Group 3 of the County Minor ‘B’ Hurling Championship, Granagh-Ballingarry fielding mostly U15 players, suffered three straight defeats to Ballybrown, Caherline and neighbours Dromin-Athlacca. Thank you to Shane Twomey, Denis O’Connor and Shane Mulqueen for the time and great work they put into this youthful side in the course of the season.

County Minor B Football Championship:
Due to insufficient number of players we did not field a team in the County Minor ‘B’ Football Championship.

Croom/Granagh-Ballingarry Reach Inaugural County U21B Hurling Championship Semi-final:
Due to insufficient numbers of players available in Granagh-Ballingarry for the U20 grade in 2024, it was agreed to amalgamate with neighbours Croom for U20 Hurling to play under the name Croom / Granagh-Ballingarry. The 2024 County U20B Hurling Championship was run on an All-County basis. There was one group of five and two groups of four, with the top team in each group to qualify for the semi-final and the second place in each group to play-off for the fourth semi-final spot. Croom / Granagh-Ballingarry were drawn in Group 3 where they defeated Templeglantine 6-23 to 0-7, Dromcollogher-Broadford 12-25 to 1-3 and received a walkover from Ballybricken-Bohermore-Fedamore in the final group stage game to qualify for a semi-final clash with Belville Gaels who they defeated by a point 2-15 to 1-17 in a thrilling contest on Thursday 12th December in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale under lights to qualify for a final meeting against Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan Desmonds on Saturday 21st December in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 2pm.

Inaugural County U20B Football Championship:
Like their counterparts in hurling, due to insufficient numbers of players available in Granagh-Ballingarry for the U20 grade in 2024, it was agreed to amalgamate with neighbours Croom for U20 to play under the name Granagh – Ballingarry / Croom. The 2024 County U20B Football Championship was run on an All-County basis. There were three groups of three with the top team in each group to qualify for the semi-final and the second team in each group to play-off for the fourth semi-final spot. Granagh-Ballingarry / Croom were drawn in Group 3, where they defeated Ballybricken-Bohermore-Fedamore 3-15 to 2-9, St. Patricks 11-19 to 0-2, before going under to Claughaun 3-16 to 3-11 in the final Group 3 stage game to finish level on four points with Claughaun and Ballybricken-Bohermore-Fedamore with the Granagh-Ballingarry / Croom boys qualifying straight for the semi-final with a greater scoring differential than Claughaun against St. Kierans who they went under to by 2-14 to 0-6 at Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale on Saturday 14th December.
Thank you to our own Seamus Murphy, the Croom Club and the panel of players for giving creditable performance in this year’s County U20B Football Championship.

Bord na nÓg 2024:
The following were elected to guide Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg Committee for 2024: Chairperson: Cormac McCarthy. Secretary: Seamus Twomey. Assistant Secretary: Eddie O’Brien. Children’s Officer: Trica Clancy. PRO: Charlotte Henley. Teams were affiliated in all grades of hurling and football from U6 to U17, with all teams giving some brilliant displays despite having small panels of players to select from. Our Bord na nÓg officials, managers, selectors, parents, club school coaches and teachers in both schools must be complemented for the great work they did for the youth of our Club in 2024.
The many highlights included:
161 players present at the most enjoyable registration and awards presentation night on Sunday 25th February.
The Cúl Camp Monday 1st to Friday 5th July, was enjoyed by all the over 110 children who attended, despite the wet weather on a couple of days.\
The U15 hurlers reaching the County Féile nan Gael Division ‘C’ semi-final, where they suffered a heartbreaking one point 1-5 to 0-7 defeat to Blackrock and the U14 hurlers the Division 2 Shield final where they also suffered a heartbreaking one point 2-11 to 1-13 defeat to Kildimo-Pallaskenry.
The U10 hurlers winning the Liam English Memorial Cup and the U12s the Stephen O’Keeffe Memorial Cup.
The Ballingarry to Boston virtual journey on Friday 26th July.
The U11 trips to Thurles and Pairc na nGael and the U12s to Birr.
Congratulations to all concerned for making 2024 such a busy and enjoyable year for Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg players. A more comprehensive report will be given by Bord na nÓg Secretary, Seamus Twomey.

Primary Schools:
Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club recognise the crucial role both Granagh and Ballingarry primary schools play in promoting hurling, football, ladies’ football and camogie, which ensures that games are part of the students’ everyday lives. Hearty congratulations to the boys from Christ the Saviour NS in Ballingarry, who were crowned West Indoor Hurling champions at Newcastle West on Friday 23rd February. To Anna O’Grady and Adam Mulqueen of Christ the Saviour NS, who played for the Limerick Primary School Camogie and Hurling teams against Tipperary and Cork at half-time in the Limerick Round 1 and 2 Munster Senior Hurling Championship games. To Adam Mulqueen on playing in the Mackey Hurling Tournament and Keelan, Anna and Emily O’Grady who played in the Neville Cup Camogie Tournament for West Limerick Primary Schools.

Limerick Claim Sixth Straight Munster Title and Mackey Cup:
Hearty congratulations to the Limerick hurlers and manager John Kiely and our own Donal O’Grady (Coach/Selector), Darragh O’Grady (Stats) and the rest of the management team on winning their 24th Munster Senior Hurling Championship title for an historic sixth year in-a-row and the Mick Mackey Memorial Cup after beating neighbours Clare by six points 1-26 to 1-20 in front of a crowd of over 44,000 at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday 9th June. Unfortunately, Limerick’s brave bid to reach their fifth successive All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final were dashed when going under to neighbours Cork by two points 1-28 to 0-29 after a thrilling contest played in front of a record crowd for an All-Ireland semi-final at Croke Park on Sunday 7th July.

Donal Confirmed as New Limerick Minor Hurling Manager:
Hearty congratulations to our own Donal O’Grady who was confirmed as the new Limerick Minor Hurling Manager in places of Shane Dowling of Na Piarsaigh at the October meeting of Limerick County GAA Board on Tuesday 8th October. Donal will team up with former Granagh-Ballingarry Intermediate Hurling Coach Ger Kelleher, Tom Murphy, Brian Sexton, Jody Hannon and Liam Reale in a bid to bring the Irish Press Cup back to Shannon-side for the first time since 1984.

With the Limerick Senior Hurlers:
Hearty congratulations to our own Luke Flynn who was included on the Limerick panel for the Munster Senior Hurling League games against Waterford and Cork in January. To Luke’s first cousin, Darragh Casey, who was rewarded for his many outstanding displays for Granagh-Ballingarry in this seasons County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship, named at centre-field on the green team in the Limerick Senior Hurling trial game on Saturday 16th November at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, where he put in a good display scoring a long-range point from open play.

Lottery:
Our weekly club lottery was worth €3,000 on Monday 6th January. There were no winners of the jackpot for 2024. It will be worth €8,000 on Saturday 21st December at Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry. Thank you to our lottery committee for their dedication each Saturday night and to all those who support the lottery each week.

Six Winners in County Club Draw:
Our club had approximately 165 members in the 2024 draw and six winners – Liam Carroll won €200 in April, Patsy Quinn won €3,000 in June, Elizabeth Cregan €3,000 in July, Margaret Kelly €500, Jack Hennessy and Noel Noonan €200 each in November. Thank you to our draw co-ordinator, Stephen Stapleton and all who supported the draw during the year.

Quarterly Club Draw:
Congratulations to all the lucky winners in our quarterly club draw. It is the main source of income for our Club. Thank you to the draw co-ordinators, the promoters and all the punters who supported the draw during the year.

New Training Pitch Opened:
There has been a huge amount of work done on the development of our new training pitches this year. It was an historic occasion on Saturday 23rd September when Canon Tom Carroll and Mike Hogan cut the ribbon to officially open Hogan’s Field, which is now available for underage games and training, which is a necessity for our Club and our partners in Granagh-Ballingarry Ladies Football and Camogie. With all three clubs and over 37 teams looking to use our main field in 2024, our training pitches will mean we host more West and County Championship games, enabling us to increase revenue without impacting our teams’ training schedules. Well done to all involved who worked with our dedicated Facilities Committee to oversee all improvements and to ensure that all applications for grant funding and prerequisites are met in their entirety. Thank you to the Hogan Family for the long-term lease of the training pitch.

Ladies Football:
Well done to our Ladies Football Club on fielding teams at both adult and underage level this year. Congratulations to the U16s on winning the Novice Competition, Marie Doody and Lizzy O’Brien on winning Larkin Shield medals with West Limerick and the Juniors on reaching the County semi-final where they went under to Oola and all other teams gave creditable performances in underage competitions. Well done to all involved in the promoting of Ladies Football in our Club and Parish.

Camogie:
Hearty congratulations to the Granagh-Ballingarry girls on reaching the Division 1 Féile na nGael Shield final at Wexford Centre of Excellence on Saturday 22nd June, where they were most unlucky to go under to Newmarket-on-Fergus by a point 2-2 to 1-4 and winning and County Féile. To the U16s on winning the County ‘B’ Championship, the U14A Mackey Plate, and the Intermediates on reaching the County Championship final, where they went under to a strong Croagh-Kilfinny side and credible performances were given by the Junior ‘B’ team in both League and Championship and by all other underage Camogie teams without winning any silverware. I wish all involved in our Camogie Club the best of luck in 2025 and look forward to them back as a Senior Club in 2025.

County Senior Scór Final:
Twelve teams took part in the Limerick County Senior Scór Question Time final at Mungret / St. Pauls GAA clubhouse on Thursday 21st March. The Granagh-Ballingarry team of Cormac McCarthy, Jimmy Chawke, Seamus Twomey and Pat Herlihy did very well to finish seventh after a close contest behind winners Mungret / St. Pauls, Banogue, Mungret Football Club, Garryspillane, South Liberties and Na Piarsaigh. On Friday 22nd March in the stage competition in Solo Singing, Johnny O’Riordan (who first competed in Scór 50 years ago in 1974), which was acknowledged by Oifigeach Cultúir Veronica Callinan, sung ‘Where Carby and Shannon Flow’ very well. Congratulations to our neighbours Banogue who were crowned Munster and All-Ireland Novelty Act winners and Crecora-Manister Figure Dancing winners. Thank you to our Scór Officer, Maura Friel Lynch, Cormac, Seamus, Jimmy, Pat and Johnny for representing our Club with pride in Scór 2024.

Tickets:
The ticketing situation this year for all inter-county games from April to July has once more proved a challenging one for those club officers responsible for ordering, handling and distributing said tickets (through no fault of Limerick County Board or Club). Croke Park deal with Ticketmaster has resulted in a generous burden being placed on club officers due to placing orders, receiving codes, issuing codes, emails registering. Ticketmaster accounts payment upfront required on occasions and not others, which puts a huge financial burden on clubs. Hopefully Croke Park will address the distribution of tickets situation with County Boards and clubs next season. Thank you all, especially Seamus Twomey, Andrew Holmes and Adrian Farragher for the excellent job they did with the distributing of tickets this season.

Online Registration:
I would like to compliment John Carroll on the excellent job he did on the online registration of club players and members. It is essential to remember that for legal and insurance reasons that all players, officers and volunteers must pay membership fees each year.

Coverage:
The promotion of our games and other events through the media is very important. I was delighted to have had time to cover all our adult club games played this year, as well as other happenings. Thank you to Charlotte Hanley for her excellent Bord na nÓg updates and all involved in updating our Club Twitter and Facebook page.

Children’s Officer:
I would like to compliment Trica Clancy who replaced Stephen Stapleton as Club Children’s Officer at the start of the year for overseeing child welfare in the most diligent and hands-on way possible.

Denny Ahern R.I.P.:
A great old Gaelic games enthusiast, player, administrator, fundraiser and sponsor, Denny Ahern (Denny A’s Bar), Ballingarry died peacefully in University Hospital Limerick on Saturday 10th August, surrounded by his loving family. The late Denny Ahern’s name has been synonymous with the GAA in Granagh-Ballingarry, West Limerick and Knockane and Pallasgreen GAA Clubs in East Limerick, along with Ballingarry Macra na Feirme. Denny, a native of the townland of Ballyroe, was a member of the Granagh side that was crowned West Junior ‘A’ Hurling champions three years in-a-row 1974, 1975, 1976 and also went on to claim County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship honours in 1976, defeating Staker Wallace 3-11 to 0-7 in the final after a replay in Bruff on Sunday 12th December. Denny continued playing hurling into the 80s and played corner-back on the Granagh side that lost to Tournafulla in the 1981 West Senior Hurling Championship final at Dromcollogher and the County Senior Hurling Championship quarter-final to South Liberties at Pairc nan Gael. In the mid-80s, Denny bought the Idler Bar in Knockane in East Limerick and transferred to Knockane Football Club, where he served as their Club Secretary for a number of years and was a member of their sister club Pallasgreen Junior Hurling panel who were crowned East and County Junior ‘A’ Hurling champions in 1987, defeating Drom-Broadford in the final at Kilmallock. In 1996 he returned to his native place, this time to the west side of Knockfierna Hill, where he bought Dunworth’s Bar, now known as Denny A’s Bar, in Ballingarry. In January 1988 he was elected Chairperson of Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club, a position he served in with distinction for five years, up to 2002. Over the past 25 years since 1999, Denny kindly sponsored all Granagh-Ballingarry Club adult teams and the local Dunworth Cup and Denny A’s Cup Hurling Tournament. In 2013 when they were unable to fill the position of Chairperson, Denny kindly volunteered to serve a second term 2013 to 2015. Despite being in failing health in recent years, Denny still maintained a great interest in the local club and County GAA affairs and was delighted when Limerick won the Liam McCarthy Cup for the fourth year-in-a-row and Granagh-Ballingarry the County Intermediate Hurling Championship title for the first time in 18 years in 2023. It was an honour to have served as Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club Secretary/PRO under Denny’s chairmanship from 1998 to 2002 and 2013 to 2015. Denny Ahern will always be remembered as a true GAA Gael in Granagh-Ballingarry, Knockane, Pallasgreen and through West/East and County Limerick. His death is sincerely regretted by all in Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club. To his brother John, sisters Peggy (Ryan), Eileen (Regan), and Breda (Doggett), his special friend Eilish, brothers-in-law Patsy, John and Larry, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grandnephews, cousins, relatives, kind neighbours and many friends, sympathy is extended. Requiem mass was celebrated by his good friend Canon Tom Carroll in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballingarry and he was laid to rest in Castletown Conyers cemetery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Field & Clubhouse:
Thank you to field and clubhouse caretaker Paddy Hennessy and co-ordinator Eddie O’Brien who both did an excellent job in their first year in very demanding positions; to John Joe Carmody, Jim Roche, Andrew Holmes, David Clancy, John Shiels and the FÁS workers and to everyone who played their part to have everything in order for all games and events hosted by the Club this year.

Sympathy:
During the past twelve months many of our players, past and present, supporters of the club and officials suffered bereavements. On a personal note and on behalf of the Club we extend our sympathy. May the Lord comfort and console the relations of those who have been called to their eternal reward.

Acknowledgements:
I would like to say a special word of thanks to the following for their help and co-operation during the year – my wife Maura, Gráinne, Gearóid, fellow officers, especially Chairperson Andrew, Vice-Chairperson David, Treasurers Niall and Adrian, Registrar John Carroll, Children’s Officer Trica, Coaching Officer Paul McDonagh and Bord na nÓg Chairperson Cormac McCarthy, Secretary Seamus Twomey, and PRO Charlotte Hanley for the professional way that they carried out their duties during the year in very demanding positions. County Club Draw Co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton, Club Draw Promoters, West and County Board Officers, especially Seamus, Mike, Frank, Mary, Sean, Ger and Eamon, Breda, Majella and Johnny. Club players, managers, selectors, to Paddy Hennessy, Eddie O’Brien, Andrew Holmes, John Joe Carmody, David Clancy, Stephen Stapleton, Jim Roche, John Shiels and all who helped out looking after the field and clubhouse, finance, coaching and development committee members. A special word of thanks to Niamh, Louise, Anne Marie O’Keeffe and Theresa for providing first aid and physio Caolan Scott as they are providing an invaluable service to our Club. Thanks for the co-operation of all who provided photos and local correspondents John O’Riordan, Mary O’Regan and Daithí O’Riordan in the Weekly Parish Notes and the coverage given by Matt O’Callaghan and Eddie Guiry of the Weekly Observer and Vale Star. West Board PRO Johnny Walsh, County Board PRO Eamonn Phelan and all the Limerick Leader Sport reporters.
I wish the club members, officers, players and supporters a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year and successful 2025 both on and off the playing field. The year ahead should be another interesting one with our new training field in use and if all club teams can field at near full strength I hope we will be in a position to say 2025 was a great year in both codes and be back playing Senior Hurling and Intermediate Football for the first time in our Club’s history in 2025.
I wish the AGM every success and hope that our deliberations are advantageous to the continued success of this great Club.

Sean O Loinshigh
Runaí