Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

All roads lead to Sean Finn’s Park, Rathkeale on this Saturday October 25th at 2pm for the mouth-watering meeting of Granagh/Ballingarry in the County Premier Junior A Football Championship Relegation Semi Final.

This is a rematch of the East City West Junior A Football League, Group 2, Round 4 tie won by 10 points 1-15 to 0-8 by Granagh/Ballingarry on Saturday 12th April in Ballingarry. The winning Granagh/Ballingarry side read: David Clancy, Paudie McKenna, Eoin Casey, Tom O’Sullivan, Tom Horgan, Damien O’Donovan, Mark O’Shea, Edward Sheehy, Darragh Casey, Paudie Murphy 0-5 (1 + 2 free), Jack Cagney 1-5 (0-1 free), Eoin Horgan 2×2 play, Michael Russell 0-1, Jack Hartnet, Jack Mulqueen.

Ballybrown: James Purcell, Rory Murphy, Adrian Roberts, Senan Leenane Diarmuid O’Connor 0-1 (45), Seán Healy 0-1, Josh Moloney, Sean Coughlan, Jamie Behan 0-1, Freddie Lynch, Bobby Smith 0-3 (1 free), Sean O’Brien, James Smith, Ross Kenny, Michael Griffin 0-2. Sub used: Jarlaith Flaherty.

Referee: Ger Reardon (Crecora-Manister)

In Group 1 of the County Premier Junior A Football Championship Ballybrown suffered four straight defeats to Monagea5-9 to 0-11, Athea 2-16 to 0-9, Fr. Casey’s 1-19 to 0-8, Mungret St.Pauls 0-16 to 1-10 and were forced to give a walk-over to Mountcollins in the final group stage game to finish pointless at the bottom of Group 1. Granagh/Ballingarry made an impressive start to Group 2 with a thrilling 3-7 to 1-13 draw with Ahane and a 4-10 to 1-15 victory over Feohanagh/Castlemahon before suffering three straight defeats to Croom 2-13 to 0-13, Feenagh/Kilmeedy 1-12 to 0-5 and Kilteely/Dromkeen 3-7 to 2-4 last time out to finish fifth in Group 2 on 3 points, one ahead of Kilteely/Dromkeen to set up Saturday’s relegation semi final with Ballybrown. The winners will retain their County Premier Junior A Football County Premier Junior A Football Championship status for 2026 and the losers play Mountcollins or Kilteely/Dromkeen in the relegation final on Saturday 1st November with the losers here relegated to Junior A for 2026. So Sean Finn’s Park, Rathkeale is the place to be on this Saturday 25th October at 2pm to cheer on the boys in black and green and their management in their bid to retain their County Premier Junior A Football champions status for 2026.

County U16 Final Division 3 Championship Semi Final

Granagh/Ballingarry 2-6 Caherconlish 0-11

Hearty congratulations to the Granagh/Ballingarry U16 footballers and their management team on their thrilling one point 2-6 to 0-11 victory over gallant Caherconlish after the sides went in level, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-3, Caherconlish 0-6 at the interval in difficult wet and windy conditions at Staker Wallace GAA Club Grounds in Kilbreedy on Saturday to qualify for the County U16 Football Division 3 Championship Final against neighbours Knockaderry this Saturday 25th October at 11.15am in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale where the Granagh/Ballingarry side will be aiming for a County U16 Hurling Division 3 and U16 Football Championship Division 4 double and neighbours Knockaderry for a County U16 Hurling and Football Division 4 Championship double.

Granagh/Ballingarry: Jamie O’Grady, Charlie Hanley, Eoghan Kiely, Nigel Noonan, William O’Grady, Danny O’Grady, Sean Stapleton, Declan Dunworth, Edward Putill, Liam English, Edward Lynch, Nathan Hartnet, Liam O’Kelly, Alex Condron, Adam Mulqueen, Niall O’Shea, Michael Curtin and Adam Lyons.

Granagh/Ballingarry Path to the County U16 Football Division 4 Championship Semi Final Division 4B

Round 1: Granagh/Ballingarry 7-10, Knockainey 1-7. Round 2: Knockaderry 3-8, Granagh/Ballingarry 2-4 Round 3: Granagh bye. Round 4: Granagh/Ballingarry w/o Coshlea Gaels scr.

Round 5: Granagh/Ballingarry 5-7, Killacolla Gaels 2-7. Semi Final: Granagh/Ballingarry 2-6, Caherconlish 0-11.

Knockaderry Path to the County U16 Football Division 4 Championship Semi Final: Division 4B

Round 1: Knockaderry bye.

Round 2: Knockaderry 3-8, Granagh/Ballingarry 2-4.

Round 3: Granagh bye.

Round 4: Granagh/Ballingarry w/o, Coshlea Gaels scr.

Round 5: Granagh/Ballingarry 5-7, Killacolla Gaels 2-7.

Semi-final: Granagh/Ballingarry 2-6, Caherconlish 0-11.

Knockaderry’s path to the County U16 Football Division 4 Championship Semi Final Division 4B

Round 1: Knockaderry bye.

Round 2: Knockaderry 3-8, Granagh/Ballingarry 2-4.

Round 3: Knockaderry w/o, Coshlea Gaels scr.

Round 4: Knockaderry 3-16, Killacolla Gaels 0-2.

Round 5: Knockaderry 3-12, Knockainey 4-7.

Semi Final: Knockaderry 1-10, Claughaun 0-6.

Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale is the place to be on this Saturday 25th October at 11.15am to cheer on the boys in black and green and their management in their bid to make it a County U16 Hurling Division 3 and U16 Football Championship Division 4 Double.

Granagh/Ballingarry County Intermediate hurling champions of 2005 that beat Glenroe by 3 points, 4-10 to 3-10 at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Sunday 9th October reunion night takes place this Sunday 26th October in Condron’s Bar in Ballingarry starting with a showing of the DVD of the match at 6.30pm followed by music and finger food.

All are welcome for this night of celebrations.

County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final 2005

Granagh/Ballingarry 4-10 Glenroe 3-10

Back through the years of the GAA since Granagh and Ballingarry first came together in 1945, many great men have shone out upon the field of play for the combined club in many a triumphant battle. The boys of 2005 who became the first Granagh/Ballingarry side to win the Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship title when they defeated Glenroe by 3 points at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Sunday 9th October can now join with the legendary Ballingarry team that beat Ardpatrick 8-0 to 1-2 in the inaugural County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final at the Markets Field on July 23rd 1911.

This was an enthralling final between two well prepared sides who gave an hour plus of good hurling, despite the difficult windy conditions. The tenacity, commitment, whole-hearted endeavour, great scores and above all the high level of sportsmanship had the loyal followers of both teams on their toes right up to the final whistle.

The game was played on a well laid out pitch in front of a big crowd with gate receipts of €21,000 and Eamon Phelan of St. Patrick’s in charge. Granagh/Ballingarry played with the aid of the wind in the opening half and their captain Paul Kennedy got the opening point inside a minute but DJ Sheehy cancelled this out straight from the puck-out. Both sides were guilty of inaccurate striking in the following four minutes. Bart Hanley edged Granagh/Ballingarry back in front on 7 minutes with a well taken point after a great cut cut-in from the endline by County Minor Denis O’Connor. Granagh/Ballingarry who made the better start struck for the first of their four goals when a long delivery by Paul Kennedy was flicked to the net by Eoin Kennedy on 10 minutes. Glenroe got their game together after this with the dominance of Danny and Johnny Murphy, Stephen Walsh and the hard-working Mike O’Brien and by the end of the first quarter the teams were level with Danny Murphy landing a free between the uprights. Mike O’Brien added another from near the sideline which was followed by a Stephen Walsh line ball which went all the way to the net. Granagh/Ballingarry responded with an Eoin Kennedy point in between. They say goals win matches and over the next five minutes Granagh/Ballingarry carved the Glenroe rearguard apart to score two brilliant goals from the in-form Eoin Kennedy. Glenroe at this stage looked in trouble and five minutes later things got worse for them when the experienced Seamus Stapleton pounced for another goal after a mix-up in the Glenroe defence. Granagh/Ballingarry at this stage were coasting and Eoin Kennedy stretched their lead to 10 points two minutes later. At this stage the writing was on the wall for the South Limerick boys until Michael Meade latched on to a through ball to find the net. Stephen Walsh fired over another point before this epic opening half came to a close with a Seamus Stapleton point to Leave Granagh/Ballingarry ahead at the break on a score of 4-5 to 2-4.

On the resumption Glenroe returned a different team and in a 15 minute blitz they had drawn level with a well-taken goal by D.J. Sheehy and white flags from Danny Murphy 0-3 (0-2 frees), Mike O’Brien and Stephen Walsh, one each from frees with Granagh/Ballingarry captain Paul Kennedy landing one between the uprights in between. At this stage Glenroe looked like winners and they and they hit the from the first time on 51 minutes when Declan O’Connor fired over a fine point. Great credit is due to the Granagh/Ballingarry boys as they did not panic with county senior player Donal O’Grady showing great leadership as he scored two brilliant points which put them in front by one point 4-8 to 3-10 in 58 minutes. With the atmosphere electric and the play flowing from end to end it was Granagh-Ballingarry who sealed victory in the closing 2 minutes with points from Paul and Eoin Kennedy. The Granagh-Ballingarry supporters went absolutely wild with delight at recteoir Eamon Phelan’s final whistle and they charged onto the pitch to cheer their heroes who brought the County Intermediate Hurling Championship to the parish for the first time under Granagh-Ballingarry. There was no doubt that the better side won but the losers must be regretting their missed opportunities particularly in the first half. All the Granagh-Ballingarry team were heroes on the day but the performances of Eoin Kennedy who scored 3-3 from open play must get the man of the match tag. Glenroe who had to swallow the bitter pill of defeat can still look to the future with confidence as they have a fine young side. Granagh-Ballingarry scored all 4-10 from play. Glenroe scored 2-6 from play, 0-1 from frees and a goal from a line ball.

Amid unprecedented scenes of excitement County Board chairperson Denis Holmes congratulated both teams on their fine display. He congratulated Granagh-Ballingarry and wished them well in the senior grade in 2006. He commiserated with Glenroe and thanked the Intermediate teams who took part in the championship in 2005 and then presented the cup to captain Paul Kennelly. Paul complimented Eamon Phelan and his officials and the Kilmallock club on a job well done. He thanked the players manager Tom Burke trainer/coach John Lacey selectors Kevin Kennedy, Gerry O’Donovan, Mossie O’Connor, former managers Jimmy Stapleton and Conor O’Keeffe, Breda O’Keeffe and Bridget Downes, first aid and the club officials and supporters, before giving three rousing cheers for Glenroe.

Granagh-Ballingarry: Shane Mulqueen, John Carroll, Donagh McCarthy, Niall McCarthy, Mick Carroll, David Clancy, Darren Clifford, Paul Kennedy captain 0-3, Donal O’Grady 0-2, Bart Hanley 0-1, Jim O’Keeffe, Denis O’Connor, Eoin Kennelly 3-3, Seamus Stapleton 1-1, Michael Clancy. Subs used Cormac McCarthy, Stephen Stapleton, Eoin Chawke. Other panel members Bobby Cagney, Neil Dunworth, Ollie O’Brien, Conor Mulqueen, Brian Kennedy, Eoin Barrett.

Glenroe: Kieran Tobin, JB Murphy, Philip Coffey, Gerald Coffey, Stephen Fox, Johnny Murphy, Martin Mee, Danny Murphy 0-4, Stephen Walsh 1-2, John Quane, Mike O’Brien 0-2, Michael Mansell, Michael Meade 1-0, Mike Wallace, DT Sheehy 1-1. Subs used Declan O’Connor, Dave Wallace and Diarmuid McCarthy.

Group 2 Round 1: Granagh-Ballingarry 2-11, Cappamore 1-8.

Round 2: Granagh-Ballingarry 0-16, Newcastle West 1-11.

Round 3: Granagh-Ballingarry 0-13, Bruff 1-9.

Quarter-final: Granagh-Ballingarry 3-12, Claughaun 1-6.

Semi-final: Granagh-Ballingarry 3-9, Pallasgreen 2-4.

Final: Granagh-Ballingarry 4-10, Glenroe 3-10.

Played 6, won 6, scores for 13, points against 16-48 plus 41 points. Scorers Denis O’Connor 1-28, Eoin Kennedy 3-6, Bart Hanley 2-5, Michael Clancy 2-9, Paul Kennedy 1-8, Niall McCarthy 0-3, Donal O’Grady 6-5, Jim O’Keeffe 0-3, Seamus Stapleton 3-4, Eoin Chawke 0-7, David Clancy 0-1, Stephen Stapleton 0-1, 21 players were used outs of panel of 28. Difference 41 points.

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

The next Limerick County GAA Club Draw will be held on Saturday 26th October with a top prize of €10,000. There are a host of other prizes to be won, 2nd €3,000, 3rd €2,000, 4th €1,000, 5th Executive Star Prize, 6th to 9th €500, 10th to 13th €300, 14th to 30th €200, Granagh Ballingarry had 198 members in the sixth draw in August and four winners to date. Club Chairperson Andrew Holmes and Noreen Hennessy won €200 in the first draw in March, Mary Horgan €200 in July and Richard Chawke €200 in August.

If you would like to renew your membership please visit limerickgaa.ieclublimerickdrawsignup and select Granagh Ballingarry GAA club or contact Granagh Ballingarry Club co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton at (086) 1960301.

Note: All new members for the next draw must be in by Thursday 23rd October at 5pm.

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.

There was no winner of the €12,300 jackpot in the Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw held on Saturday 18th October in Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 1, 5, 9 and 29. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Beth Stapleton, promoter online; Breda O’Keeffe, promoter Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry; Emma and Eoin Ryan, promoter Darragh O’Grady; Patsy Power, promoter Willie Power.

The next draw will be held on Saturday 25th October in the Rock Bar, Granagh for a jackpot of €12,400. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bars and from promoters. You can 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.

Hearty congratulations to our neighbours Knockaderry on their thrilling one point, 0-13 to 0-12 victory over Doon to claim the Limerick County Premier Junior A Hurling Championship title and the Rory Kiely Memorial Cup in front of a big crowd played in difficult wet and windy conditions at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Saturday; to Castletown-Ballyagran on their impressive 3-14 to 0-9 victory over gallant Templeglantine to claim the Limerick County Junior A Hurling Championship also played in difficult, wet and windy conditions at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale under lights on Saturday evening. We wish both clubs the best of luck in the County Intermediate and Premier Junior A Hurling Championship in 2026.

Check out our website at www.granaghballingarrygaa.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/granaghballingarrygaa.club and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/granaghballingarry

Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club extend sympathy to the Sheehan family, Lisduane, Granagh, on the death of John Sheehan. The late John played underage with our club in his youth. Ar dheis Dé go raigh a anam dilis.

Saturday 25th October

County U16 Division 4 Championship Final: Granagh/Ballingarry v Knockaderry in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 11.15am.

County Premier Junior A Football Championship Relegation semi-final: Granagh/Ballingarry v Ballybrown in Sean Finns Park, Rathkeale at 2pm.

Sunday 26th October: 2005 Granagh/Ballingarry County Intermediate Hurling Champions 20 year reunion in Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry at 6.30pm.