Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

West Limerick Senior Hurling League Championship Round 4

Croagh Kilfinny 1-15 Granagh Ballingarry 0-15

The meeting of the 2023 and 2024 Limerick County Intermediate Hurling second tier champions Granagh Ballingarry and neighbours Croagh Kilfinny in Round 4 of the West Limerick Senior Hurling League Championship, at Croagh on Saturday evening, went the way of the home side Croagh Kilfinny, with a thrilling three point 1-15 to 0-15 fourth straight win to go top of the table on eight points, two ahead of Newcastle West who have a game in hand and Granagh Ballingarry’s fourth on two points, two behind Effin who they play in the next round on Friday 2nd May in Ballingarry at 7pm.

This clash of neighbours and great rivals was played on an excellent pitch in front of a good crowd who gave great support to their sides, with Mickie Browne of Dromcollogher Broadford in charge.

The opening five minutes at Croagh were close and exciting with points traded by Michael Russell (play) and Cian Carroll (free), Eoin Horgan and Brian Hannan from open play, before Cian O’Carroll finished past Granagh Ballingarry’s keeper Denis O’Connor, to leave the home side Croagh Kilfinny three ahead, 1-2 to 0-2 on 7 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before white flags were traded from open play by Seamus Lenihan on 9 minutes and Paudie Murphy two minutes later to leave three again between the sides, Croagh Kilfinny 1-3, Granagh Ballingarry 0-3 on 12 minutes. The next eight minutes was all Croagh Kilfinny, with five unanswered white flags from open play, courtesy of Pat Lenihan, Bryan Flynn, Declan Walsh, John Wall and Cian O’Carroll to extend their advantage to eight, 1-8 to 0-3 on 20 minutes. The Granagh Ballingarry boys, far from being overawed by the eight point deficit, with a trio of white flags from placed balls in a six minute spell courtesy of their no. 13 Damien O’Donovan before points were traded by Eoin Horgan from open play on 27 minutes and Cian O’Carroll from a placed ball on 30 minutes to leave five between the sides, Croagh Kilfinny 1-9, Granagh Ballingarry 0-7 at the interval.

Granagh Ballingarry keeper Denis O’Connor, from a long range placed ball and Damien O’Donovan from a 65 raised white flag for the visitors in the opening five minutes after the interval cancelled out from open play by Seamus Lenihan on 36 minutes and Owen Dee, two minutes later to leave it 1-11 to 0-9 in favour of Croagh Kilfinny on 38 minutes. Then points were traded by Damien O’Donovan from a placed ball on 39 minutes and Seamus Hickey from open play on 40 minutes before a pair of white flags for Granagh Ballingarry, courtesy of Eoin Horgan from open play on 42 minutes and Damien O’Donovan from a placed ball three minutes later to leave three between the sides, Croagh Kilfinny 1-2, Granagh Ballingarry 0-12 at the end of the third quarter. A couple of wides were exchanged before a pair of white flags, from placed balls for Croagh Kilfinny by Bryan Flynn on 50 and 52 minutes, were cancelled out from open play by Damien O’Donovan on 54 minutes and Darragh Casey two minutes later to leave three again between the sides, Croagh Kilfinny 1-14, Granagh Ballingarry 0-14 on 56 minutes. Then Darragh Casey created a goal chance for the Granagh Ballingarry boys to level the score, only to be denied by a top class save by David Lynch back between the posts again for Croagh Kilfinny, following his return from Australia, before points were traded by Owen Dee from open play on 59 minutes and Damien O’Donovan from a placed ball in added time. At the final whistle the home side Croagh Kilfinny were three point, 1-15 to 0-15 winners of their fourth straight brace of points in the West Limerick Senior Hurling League Championship to go top of the table on eight points, two ahead of Newcastle West, who have a game in hand to qualify for the semi final, while Granagh Ballingarry are fourth on two points being Effin who they play in the next round on Friday 2nd May in Ballingarry at 7pm. Croagh Kilfinny scored 1-11 from play and 0-4 from frees. Granagh Ballingarry scored 0-7 from play, 0-7 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.

Croagh Kilfinny scorers: David Lynch, Owen Dee 0-2, Aidan O’Shea, Eoin Barry, Jack Lenihan, Tom McMahon, Seamus Lenihan 0-2, Nessan Leahy, Bryan Flynn 0-4 (2 frees), Cian O’Carroll 1-3 (0-2 frees), Seamus Hickey 0-1, Pat Lenihan 0-1, John Wall 0-1, Declan Walsh 0-1.

Granagh Ballingarry: Denis O’Connor 0-1 (free), Paudie McKenna, John Kealy, Eoin Casey, Jack Mulqueen, Jack Cagney, Ronan Mullane, Darragh Casey 0-1, Edward Sheehy, Paudie Murphy 0-1, Eoin Horgan 0-3, Michael Russell 0-1, Damien O’Donovan 0-8 (7 frees, 1 65), Tom Horgan, Jack Hartnett. Subs used: Mark O’Shea, Eoin Enright.

Referee: Mickie Browne (Dromcollogher Broadford).

Munster Minor Hurling Championship, Round 3

Limerick 2-13 Tipperary 0-18

Congratulations to our own Donal O’Grady, manager and all involved with the Limerick Minor hurlers who recorded their first win in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship, in nine outings, with a hard fought one point 2-13 to 0-18 victory over holders Tipperary, courtesy of second half goals by Rian Horgan and substitute Killian Begley after they had trailed their hosts by four points, 0-10 to 0-6 at the interval. This was a huge win for the Shannonsiders ahead of their final round robin clash with Clare on this Friday 25th April in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 7pm, as not only do the top two sides at the end of the round robin phase reach the provincial final but the third and fourth placed teams will progress to the All Ireland series, along with the top four sides from the Leinster Championship. Your support for Donal and the boys in black and green would be appreciated at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeae on Friday evening for the 7pm throw in as they aim for back-to-back wins in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship.

The best of luck to manager Evan Loftus, Ballybrown and all involved with the Limerick U20 hurling who aim to continue their good run in the Munster U20 Hurling Championship when they clash with neighbours Cork in Páirc na nGael today Wednesday 23rd April at 7.30pm. Limerick will enter today’s game just second on the table on 3 points with Clare one behind Tipperary after a thrilling 2-13 to 0-17 opening round win over Tipperary and a 1-13 to 0-15 draw with Waterford last time out, while the Cork boys, after playing a 1-16 to 1-16 draw with Clare in their opening game, went under to Tipperary 1-20 to 2-11 in round 2, to go joint bottom of the table on one point with Waterford. Your support for the Treaty boys would be appreciated in Páirc na nGael for the 7.30pm start to cheer them on in their aim to continue their unbeaten run in the Munster U20 Hurling Championship to qualify for the business end of the championship.

Ballingarry is the venue tomorrow Thursday 24th April at 7pm for the mouth-watering clash of holders Granagh Ballingarry and neighbours Croagh Kilfinny in round 4 of group 1 in the West Junior B Hurling League. Croagh Kilfinny enter tomorrow evening’s tie joint top of the table on 5 points with Knockaderry, while the Granagh Ballingarry boys are third on 4 points. An exciting game is in prospect so come out and support the boys in black and green in Ballingarry at 7pm, where a win is a must to stay in contention for a semi-final spot.

Mackey Park in Ahane is the venue on this Saturday 26th April at 4.30pm for the meeting of the home side 2024 County Junior A Football League and Championship winners Ahane on 4 points and Granagh Ballingarry on 7 points in the final group 2 game in the East City West Junior A Football League. Granagh Ballingarry will enter Saturday’s game in second place on the table on 7 points, two behind St. Kieran’s with a game in hand. A win for the black and greens will see them finish top of the group on score differential. Please support.

Good luck to the Limerick Minor footballers and their management team who play Waterford in the final phase 1 game of the Munster Minor Football Championship on Monday 28th April at 7pm in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale, where a win will see them through to the B Final and place in the Munster Minor Football Championship semi final against Cork or Kerry. Please support.

Munster Senior Hurling Championship, Round 1

Limerick 2-23 Tipperary 2-23

A pointed free from UL student Darragh McCarthy in the fourth minute of added time earned a share of the spoils for Tipperary, who were looking for their first win over seven-in-a-row seeking Limerick in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship in difficult wet conditions at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday. The Tipperary boys’ next outing is against League Champions Cork on this Sunday 27th April in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm, while the Limerick boys are out a week later when they travel to Walsh Park, Waterford to play Waterford at 2pm.

Group A: Granagh Ballingarry, Newcastle West, Feohanagh Castlemahon.

Group B: Feenagh Kilmeedy, Knockaderry, Adare.

Note 1: Top team in each group qualify for the semi final.

Note 2: Second and third placed teams qualify for quarter final.

Note 3: If teams finish level on points scoring differential.

Note 4: Quarter finals top team Group 1 v third team Group 2 and second team Group 2 v third team Group 1.

Quarter Finals: Feenagh Kilmeedly v Granagh Ballingarry, Feohanagh Castlemahon v St. Kieran’s, Mountcollins v Athea.

Semi Finals: Fr. Casey’s v Feenagh Kilmeedy or Granagh Ballingarry; Feohanagh Castlemahon or St. Kieran’s v Mountcollins or Athea.

Final: 1 v 2.

Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club members are asked to please take note that tickets for the 2025 Munster Senior Hurling Championship round robin games are now available via www.gaa.ie/tickets, Ticketmaster and selected Centra and SuperValu outlets.

Note: Season ticket holders will be allocated tickets by the season. Team queries regarding these tickets should be directed to seasonticketatgaa.ieTicket prices: adult stand €35, adult terrace €30, student/OAPs stand €30, student/OAPs terrace €25, juvenile (U16) €5.

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 2025 for €150. It would make an ideal present for a family member or friend. Tickets can be purchased online at limerickgaa.ie Tel: (061) 335576.

Please note Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club’s Eircode is V94 V264.

The Granagh Ballingarry Cúl Camp will be held in the Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club grounds from Monday June 30th to Friday July 4th. Booking is now accepted online on www.kelloggs.gaa.ie/booking

Granagh Ballingarry Club tops, hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.laochrasports.ie/product-category/club/granaghballingarry

There was no winner of the €9,700 jackpot in the Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw held on Saturday 19th April in Denny A’s Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 7 and 8. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Donal O’Brien, promoter online, Benjy Kelly, promoter Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry, Nora Farragher, promoter Adrian Farraher, Chrissie Danagher, promoter Eoin Kennedy. The next draw will be held on Saturday 26th April in Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry for a jackpot of €9,800. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bars and from promoters. You can now also buy the weekly draw online and the link is available on the club’s Facebook or Twitter page which finishes at 6pmevery Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.

Check out our website at www.granagh-ballingarrygaa.ie for all the latest club news. Our Club website is updated regularly and is well worth a visit. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/granaghballingarrygaaclub and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/granaghballingarry

Wednesday 23rd Apil

Munster U20 Hurling Championship, Round 4: Limerick v Cork in Páirc na nGael at 7.30pm.

Thursday 24th April

West Junior B Hurling League, Group 1, Round 4: Granagh Ballingarry v Croagh Kilfinny in Ballingarry at 7pm.

Friday 25th April

Munster Minor Hurling Championship, Round 4: Limerick v Cork in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 7pm; Cork v Waterford in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7pm.

East City West Junior A Football League, Round 5: Granagh Ballingarry v Ahane in Mackey Park, Ahane at 4.30pm.

Munster Minor Football Championship, Phase 1, Round 3: Limerick v Waterford in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 7pm.

Munster U20 Hurling Championship, Round 5: Limerick v Clare in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 7.30pm.

West Senior Hurling League Championship, Round 5: Granagh Ballingarry v Effin in Ballingarry at 7pm.

Munster Senior Hurling Championship, Round 3: Limerick v Waterford in Walsh Park, Waterford at 7pm.

West Junior B Hurling League, Group 1, Round 5: Granagh Ballingarry v St. Kieran’s in Ballingarry at 7pm.

West Senior Hurling League Championship, Round 1: Granagh Ballingarry v Newcastle West in Ballingarry at 7pm.