Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:
Croagh-Kilfinny bridge 45 year gap West Limerick Junior B Hurling championship Final:
Croagh/Kilfinny 0-21 Granagh/Ballingarry 0-10
Croagh-Kilfinny with a strong all round team performance recorded an impressive 11 point, 0-21 to 0-10 victory over 3-in-a-row seeking neighbours Granagh-Ballingarry to claim their third West Limerick Junior B Hurling Championship title, a first since 1980 won under the old format, in front of a big crowd at St. Kieran’s new GAA club grounds in Ardagh on Saturday evening.
The St. Kieran’s club officials had their new pitch in top class conditions with the scoreboard in operation for this 31st West Limerick Junior B hurling championship final between neighbouring club with Kieran Guina of Feenagh-Kilmeedy in charge. Wides were exchanged before the Croagh-Kilfinny boys despite playing against the wind were rewarded with a pair of white flags from open play courtesy of Pat Lenihan on 3 minutes and Gearoid Lenihan on 7 minutes before Brian O’Sullivan opened the holders’ account when he split the uprights from out near the sideline a minute later to leave it 0-2 to 0-1 in favour of the Croagh-Kilfinny boys on 8 minutes. Croagh-Kilfinny hit a trio of wides in as many minutes before points were scored by the two nines Darragh O’Carroll from open play on1 2 minutes and Colm Noonan from a placed ball three minutes later to leave one again between the sides, Croagh-Kilfinny 0-3, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-2 at the end of the first quarter. John O’Grady had a pair of white flags for Granagh-Ballingarry from open play on 17 minutes and a placed ball on 19 minutes before points were traded from open play by Gearóid Lenihan on 21 minute and Donal O’Grady a minute later to leave Granagh-Ballingarry one ahead 0-5 to 0-4 on 22 minutes. Croagh-Kilfinny added five unanswered points in as many minutes through David Walzer, Cian Costello, Darragh O’Carroll, Cian Costello from open play and Pat Lenihan from a placed ball to leave the boys in blue and white 4 ahead, 0-9 to 0-5 on 27 minutes. Colm Noonan won a point back from a placed ball for the Granagh-Ballingarry boys on 29 minutes before a pair of white flags by Darragh O’Carroll from open play on 30 minutes and Declan Walsh from a 65 two minutes into added time to send the Croagh-Kilfinny boys in at the interval leading by 5, 0-11 to 0-6. Croagh-Kilfinny dominated the opening 8 minutes after the interval with four unanswered white flags from open play through Darragh O’Carroll on 32 minutes, Declan Walsh on 34 minutes, Pat Lenihan on 36 minutes, Declan Walsh on 34 minutes, pat Lenihan on 36 minutes and Declan Walsh on 38 minutes before Colm Noonan opened the Granagh-Ballingarry boys second half account, when he split the uprights from a placed ball to reduce the deficit to 8, Croagh-Kilfinny 0-15, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-7 on 40 minutes. After 3 minutes of scoreless play the livelier Croagh-Kilfinny boys hit 4 unanswered points in as many minutes from open play through Gearoid Lenihan, Declan Walsh, Patrick Hartian and Darragh Carroll before Colm Nonan of Granagh-Ballingarry split the uprights from a 65 on 50 minutes to leave 11 between the sides, Croagh-Kilfinny 0-19, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-8. With 10 minutes of normal time remaining the Granagh-Ballingarry boys’ cause was not helped when their No. 13 John O’Grady was shown a yellow card before a pair of white flags for the Croagh-Kilfinny boys from open play by David Walzer on 53 minutes and Darragh O’Carroll on 85 minutes were cancelled out by Pat Carroll from a placed ball on 57 minutes and Philip Byrnes from open play on 30 minutes, which was too little too late for the Granagh-Ballingarry boys at the final whistle as Croagh-Kilfinny were worthy 11 point, 0-21 to 0-10 winners of their third West Limerick Junior B hurling championship, a first since 1980 won under the old format, to deny the Granagh-Ballingarry boys 3-in-a-row who were gutted to have lost both the West Junior B Hurling League and championship finals this season, but were very sporting in defeat and congratulated the Croagh-Kilfinny boys on their great win and stayed on the field as Johnny Walsh, West Limerick GAA committee communications officer presented the West Junior B Hurling Championship trophy, Mary Sexton Memorial Cup to the winning Croagh-Kilfinny winning injured captain Padraic O’Gorman. The Granagh-Ballingarry season is not over as they play South champions Staker Wallace in the County Junior B Hurling Championship this Sunday 5th October in Pairc Caoimh Ui Luing Feenagh at 12 noon and Croagh-Kilfinny play South runners-up Camogue Rovers in a second quarter-final also on Sunday at 12 noon.
Croagh-Kilfinny scored 0-19 from play, 0-1 from a free and 0-1 from a 65. Granagh-Ballingarry 0-4 from play 0-5 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.
Croagh-Kilfinny: Cian Sheehy, Jamie Burke, Kevin Dee, Gearoid Lowry, Patrick Lenihan, Mark Mullane, Ryan McCarthy, Maurice Lenihan, Darragh O’Carroll 0-6, Patrick Hartigan 0-1, Cian Costello 0-2, Gearoid Lenihan 0-3, Declan Walsh 0-4 (1 65), David Walzer 0-1, Peter Lenihan 0-2. Subs used Colin Barry, Elliott Roche, James O’Brien, Timmy Molyneaux, Niall Cahill, Billy Lenihan.
Granagh-Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly, Ger Ryan, Eoin Enright, Paudie McKenna, Niall Cahill, John Carroll, Cian Cagney, Pat Carroll 0-1 free, Colm Noonan 0-3 (2 frees, 1 65), Donal O’Grady 0-1, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1, Philip Byrnes 0-1, John O’Grady 0-2 (1 free), Owen Lynch, Sean O’Gorman 0-1. Subs used Donagh McCarthy, Richie O’Keeffe, Conor O’Donoghue, Peter Hughes, Paul Griffin. Referee: Kieran Guina, Feenagh-Kilmeedy.
Feenagh/Kilmeedy ease to second win Limerick Co. Premier Junior A Football Championship Group 2 Round 4:
Feenagh/Kilmeedy 1-12 Granagh/Ballingarry 0-5
Feenagh-Kilmeedy failed to give a walkover to neighbours in the opening round, recorded their second win in Group 2 of the Limerick County Premier Junior A Football Championship with a comfortable 10 point, 1-12 to 0-5 victory over a very much out of Sorts Granagh-Ballingarry under lights at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Thursday evening, to go second on the league championship table of 5 points, 3 behind Croom to stay in contention for a quarter final and Granagh-Ballingarry second from the bottom on 3 points ahead of pointless Kilteely-Dromkeen who they play in the final group stage game. This All West County Premier Junior A Football Championship Group 2 Round 4 tie was played in front of a small crowd in cold, dry conditions on an excellent pitch with Kieran Flaherty of Monaleen in charge. The Feenagh-Kilmeedy boys were more up for the game, then Granagh-Ballingarry were sharper, more direct, showed better touches up front and were too strong for their gallant opponents. The boys in blue and white laid a firm foundation for victory in the opening half, giving in at the interval leading by 7, 0-9 to 0-2. The Feenagh-Kilmeedy boys again dominated the second half and added 1-3 to their first half total to 0-3 for Granagh-Ballingarry with their goal from the from the boot of Gary Donegan on 43 minutes. Credit to the Granagh-Ballingarry boys who refused to give up and continuously took the fight to their much stronger and fitter opponents and were it not for two top class saves, two in the first and three in the second half, by Granagh-Ballingarry veteran keeper David Clancy. The Feenagh-Kilmeedy Boys margin of 10 points, 1-12 to 0-5 would have been far greater. Their second win by the Feenagh-Kilmeedy boys sees them go second in Group 2 in the County Premier Junior A Football League/Championship table on 5 points, one ahead of Feohanagh-Castlemahon to stay in contention for a quarter final spot and Granagh-Ballingarry 4th on 3 points, one ahead of pointless Kilteely-Dromkeen, who they play in the final group stage game. Feenagh-Kilmeedy scored 1-10 from play which included 2 +2 pointers and 0-3 from frees, Granagh-Ballingarry all 0-5 from open play. Feenagh/Kilmeedy: Dan Gayer, Sean Holmes, Conor Heehan, Dylan Murray O’Connor, Maurice Fitzgibbon, Bryan Hannigan, Tomas Galvin, Cian O’Connor 0-5, 2 + 2 pointer, Ruairi O’Connor, Patrick O’Doherty, Darragh Kiely, Liam Lynch 0-1, Gary Donegan 1-0, Colm Ryan 0-5, 2 frees, David Boyce 0-1. Subs used Diarmuid Ryan, Michael O’Connor, Billy O’Sullivan, Brendan Sherlock, Rian Lynch.
Granagh/Ballingarry: David Clancy, Niall Cahill, Eoin Casey, Paudie McKenna, Mark O’Shea, Brian Sheehy, Cian Cagney, Luke Flynn, David Condron, Eoin Horgan 0-1, Jack Cagney, Eoin Lynch, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1, Paudie Murphy 0-3. Subs used Michael Russell, Tom Horgan, Sean O’Gorman and Jack Hartnett. Referee: Kieran Flaherty, Monaleen.
Late goal denies Granagh-Ballingarry Shield title County U14 Football Division 4 Shield Final:
Cois Laoi Gaels 1-6 Granagh/Ballingarry 1-5
Hard luck to the Granagh-Ballingarry U14 footballers on a heart-breaking one point defeat 1-6 to 1-5 to Cois Laoi Gaels (Effin-Staker Wallace) courtesy of a late goal in the County U14 football division 4 Shield Final on Saturday morning at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.
County U16 Hurling Division 3 Championship Final:
The best of luck to the Granagh-Ballingarry U-16 hurlers and their management team who play Newcastle West in the County U16 Hurling Division 3 Championship Final this Saturday 4th October in Askeaton at 9.30am. Please support.
U20 Hurling Postponed:
The meeting of Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom and Pallasgreen in the opening round of Group 3 in the County U20 B Hurling Championship fixed for Croom last Sunday was postponed due to Pallasgreen playing Newcastle West in round 4 of Group 2 in the County Intermediate Football Championship also on Sunday. The Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom boys’ next outing is on Sunday 12th October away to Croagh-Kilfinny-Rathkeale at 4pm.
Na Piarsaigh crowned U14 Camogie Champions with 4 point win County U14 Camogie U-14 Treaty Cup Final:
Na Piarsaigh 3-5 Granagh/Ballingarry 3-1
Hard luck to the Granagh-Ballingarry U14 camogie side who suffered a four point, 3-5 to 3-1 defeat to Na Piarsaigh in the County U14 Camogie Final on Saturday morning in Pallaskenry.
County Junior B Hurling Championship quarter-final:
Pairc Caoimh Uí Luing Feenagh is the venue on this Sunday 5th October at 12 noon for the meeting of back to back South champions and West runners-up Granagh-Ballingarry in the quarter-final of the Limerick County Junior B Hurling Championship. In the South Final Staker Wallace were 13 point, 2-18 to 0-11 winners over Camogue Rovers, while the Granagh-Ballingarry boys suffered an 11 point, 0-21 to 0-10 defeat to neighbours Croagh-Kilfinny. Your support for the boys in black and green would be welcome in Feenagh on Sunday for the 12 noon throw-in to cheer them on in their bid to get their championship season back on winning ways after going under to neighbours Croagh-Kilfinny in the West Final.
Mark O’Kelly fundraising run in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation:
On Sunday 24th September 2023 Mark O’Kelly of Croom, while playing for h is club Croom against Feohanagh-Castlemahon in the County Intermediate Hurling Championship in Ballingarry, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest caused by a rare condition called Commotio cardis. It happens when a sudden blew to the chest lands at an exact moment in the heart’s electrical cycle, just 20-40 milliseconds disrupting the rhythm and causing cardiac arrest. It is incredible rare but can happen to anyone, even with a healthy heart. Thanks to the quick actions of those on the pitch and sideslines, as well as access to CRR and an AED Mark’s life was saved that day. He is forever grateful to them and to the amazing team at University Hospital Limerick, who helped him recover. That experience changed his life and now he wants to give something back and is why he is organising a 5k fun run in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation on this Saturday 4th October starting at 10am at Croom GAA club grounds. Entry €15. Your support for his fundraising event would be much appreciated.
Players’ Membership:
Granagh Ballingarry players’ membership can still be renewed online at www.foireann.ie Any player not currently registered who incurs an injury will not be covered by GAA insurance and will have to cover all costs including medical and loss of earnings. So, we ask all players to register as soon as possible.
Club Gear:
Granagh Ballingarry Club tops, hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.laochrasports.ie/product-category/clubs/granaghballingarry
€12,100 Jackpot on Saturday:
There was no winner of the 12,000 jackpot in the lottery draw held on Saturday 27th September in Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingary. The numbers drawn were 2, 9, 12 and 17. Thelucky dips of 20 each went to Noel Noonan promoter online, Donie Barron promoter O’Gorman’s Shop, Granagh, Fr. Tom Carroll promoter Mossie O’Connor, Mike Kelly promoter Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry.
The next draw will be held on Saturday 4th October in Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry for a jackpot of €12,100. 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 available on the club Facebook or Twitter page which the next draw will be held on Saturday 27th September in Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry for a jackpot of €12,000. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops and businesses.
The next draw will be held on Saturday 6th September for a jackpot of €11,700. 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 available on the club’s Facebook or Twitter page, which finishes at 6pm every Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.
Club Website:
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
Sympathy:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club extend sympathy to the Kerins family, Hazeltine, The Grove, Athlumney, Navan, Meath/Ballingarry/Limerick/Athlone/Dublin on the death of James Christy Kerins. Many in Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club have fond memories of assisting Christy with his research for the club history book. His passion for the subject and incredible attention to detail shone through at all stages. We will always be grateful to ~Christy for taking on this huge task and seeing it through to the end. The rewards was the publication of his book ‘In the Shadow of Knockfierna – A History of the GAA in Granagh/Ballingarry 1890-1990 in April 2017. His thoughts were not just of the past but very much with future generations in mind. His book informed how two small clubs in one parish played such a great part in the history of the GAA. He was so aware that apart from a sporting history it also reflected a social and cultural history of the times for generations to come his name and his book will be referenced by those researching or interested in the history of the period. Christy’s legacy will always be remembered by those who live in the shadow of Knockfierna.
Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam dilís.
Club Diary:
Saturday 4th October
County U16D Division 3 Hurling Championship Final
Granagh/Ballingarry v Newcastlewest in Askeaton at 12 noon.
Sunday 5th October
County Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Granagh/Ballingarry v Staker Wallace in Páirc Caoimh, Feenagh at 12 noon.
Saturday 11th October
County Premier Junior A Football Championship
Group 2 Round 5 Granagh/Ballingarry v Kilteely/Dromkeen in Meanus at 1pm.