Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:

The AGM of Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club will be held on Thursday 11th December in the clubhouse in Ballingarry at 8pm sharp. Secretary John Lynch in his 34th successive annual report states that the year under review was very busy and successful on both the inter county and local front.

On the Inter County front Limerick senior hurlers finished in fifth position on 5 points in Division 1A of the National Hurling League. In the Munster Senior Hurling Championship Limerick qualified for their seventh successive Munster Senior Hurling Championship final against neighbours Cork on Sunday 7th June in Páirc nan Gael where the Shannonsiders’ brave bid to win their seventh Munster Senior Hurling Championship title in-a-row were dashed when going under to Cork 3-2 after a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the sides had finished level, Limerick 2-27, Cork 1-30 in front of 43,580 at Páirc nan Gael on Sunday 7th June in the All Ireland Quarter Final the Limerick boys’ brave bid to reach their eight successive All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi final was dashed when going under to a superb 14 from Dublin side by two points 2-24 to 0-28 at Croke Park on Saturday 21st June. Limerick U20 hurlers defeated eventual Munster and All Ireland champions Tipperary 2-13 to 0-17 drew 1-13 with Waterford before suffering two straight defeats to Cork by two points, 1-12 to 1-20 and Clare by four points 0-27 to 1-20 to finish fourth in the group on three points two ahead of Waterford to lose out on a semi final spot. The Limerick minor hurlers managed by our own Donal O’Grady suffered two straight defeats to Cork by 2-25to 0-21 and Waterford 1-20 to 0-14 before defeating holders Tipperary by a point 2-13 to 0-18 but unfortunately went under to Clare 2-20 to 0-28 in the final round of group stage 6 games in the Munster U20 hurling championship to finish fourth in the group on two points ahead of pointless Tipperary. In the All Ireland Minor Hurling Championship preliminary quarter final Limerick defeated Wexford 1-20 to 0-15 before going under to eventual champions Waterford by four points 1-18 to 1-14 in the quarter at Semple Stadium, Thurles on Sunday 1st June.

On the football front Limerick senior footballers defeated Wexford by two points 3-11 to 0-18to claim the Division 4 National Football League title on Saturday 29th March in Croke Park and promotion to Division 3 for 2026 suffered an 11 point 0-24 to 0-23 defeat to neighbours Cork in the Munster Championship quarter final at Páirc nan Gael on Saturday 5th April. Recorded three straight wins in Group 3 of the Tailteann Cup over London 0-25 to 1-15 Antrim 1-18 to 1-10 and Westmeath 0-19 to 0-18 to finish top of the group on six points, two ahead of Westmeath to qualify for a quarter final meeting with Wexford on Sunday 15th June at Páirc na nGael (who they defeated by eight points 4-21 to 2-19 to qualify for a semi final meeting with Wicklow who they defeated by four points, 2-18 to 1-17 at Croke Park on Sunday 22nd June to make it through to the Tailteann Cup Senior Football Final for the first time on Saturday 12th July in Croke Park where they brave were dashed when going under to Kildare by two points 1-14 to 2-19 after a thrilling contest. The Limerick U20 footballers lost to Tipperary, defeated Waterford and lost to Clare and Waterford on two points to lose out on a place in Phase 2 on scoring differential to Clare and into the B Munster Final against Waterford on Tuesday 1st April in Mallow where Limerick captured back to back Munster U20B football championship titles and the John Kerins Cup with a deserved 10 point 3-14 to 0-13 victory over gallant Waterford. In the semi final of the All Ireland U20B football championship Limerick suffered a narrow 2 point 3-17 to 0-24 defeat to Monaghan at Moorefield on Sunday 11th May. The Limerick minor footballers lost to Clare and defeated Tipperary and Waterford to finish level on the Phase 1 Munster Minor Football Championship table on four points with Clare and Tipperary only to lose out on a phase/Munster semi final spot to Tipperary an Care on scoring differential. In the opening round of the Tier 3 All Ireland Minor Football Championship, Limerick suffered fa 2-14 to 0-7 defeat to Wicklow at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Saturday 10th May.

On the local front 46 competitive games were played of adult level an increase of one game on their previous year’s winning three pieces of silverware, county minor Co Hurling Championship Jim (twin) Lynch Mermorial Cup and Dunworth Cup Intermediate Hurling Tournaments. A huge number of games were also played by the Bord na nÓG section of our club winning four pieces of silverware: the U17 Division 4 County Hurling Championship, County U16 Hurling Division 3 and U16 Football Division 4 Championship double and the U10 hurling Stephen O’Keeffe Memorial Cup Tournament. The U14 hurlers reached the County Division 2 Championship semi final where they were most unlucky to go under to eventual winners Monagea by three points 2-8 to 0-11 while their counterparts in football suffered a heart breaking one point 1-6 to 1-5 defeat to Cois Laoi Gaels (Effin Staker Wallace) courtesy of a late goal in the County U14 Football Division 4 Shield final. The highlights of the year at adult level were undoubtedly the success of the minor hurlers winning the inaugural County Minor C Hurling Championship title defeating neighbours Knockaderry by four points, 1-15 to 2-8 in the final at Páirc Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh on Sunday 7th September. Our intermediate hurlers and management team put in a lot of effort to win seven and lost seven of their 14 competitive games. They finished joint third on the West Senior Hurling League/Championship table on four points with Effin to qualify for the semi final where they went under to 2024 County Premier Intermediate champions Newcastlewest by eight points at Páirc Uí Luing, Feenagh when forced to field minus a number of key players. They won the Jim (twin) Lynch Memorial Cup for the sixth successive year defeating Feenagh/Kilmeedy after a penalty shoot-out and the Dunworth Cup defeating Ballygiblin Cork after extra time. They went on to win over Glenroe and South Liberties before they suffered two straight defeats to Bruff and neighbours Croagh/Kilfinny but they got their County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship back on track with a win over Blackrock before suffering two narrow two points defeats to both eventual winners Garryspillane and defeated finalist Effin in the final two rounds to finish fourth with Blackrock and Bruff on six points on the County Premier Intermediate Hurling League Championship table but unfortunately lost out ion a semi final spot on scoring differential to Blackrock. The Junior B hurlers won six differential to Blackrock, the Junior B hurlers won six , one walkover and lost seven of their 14 competitive games this season to reach the West Junior B Hurling League Final, West Junior B Hurling Championship Final, Dinny Cup Memorial Cup Final, County Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter Final but unfortunately won no silverware for the first time for the first time in a number of years. The junior footballers won three, drew two and lost seven of their competitive games in 2025. In Group 2 of the City/East/West Junior A@ Football League they finished second on 7 points, two behind St. Kieran’s to qualify for the West Junior A Football Championship seem final where they wen under to Fr. Casey’s and also went under to Fr. Casey’s in the West Junior A Football competition semi final made an impressive start to Group 2 of the County Premier Junior A Football Championship with a thrilling 3-7 to 1-13 draw with eventual winners Ahane and a 4-10 to 1-15 victory over Feohanagh/Castlemahon before suffering three straight defeats to Croom/Feenagh/Kilmeedy/Dromkeen to finish fifth in Group 2 on three points, one ahead of Kilteely/dromkeen to set up a relegation semi final with Ballybrown who they went under to by six points, 3-13 to 2-10 before Mountcollins by 8 points, 1-16 to 1-8 in west cold windy conditions under lights in Mountcollins on Thursday 30th October to retain our County Premier Junior A Football Championship status for 2026.

Impressive displays were given by the U20hurlers who amalgamated with Croom to reach the County U20B Hurling Championship quarter final where they were most unlucky to go under o defeated finalising Blackrock by one point 0-14 to 1-10 at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Sunday 23rd November while their counterparts unfold.

53 teams completed the course in the 15th Annual Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club King of the Hill hurling challenge on St. Stephen’s Day.

130 players present at Bord na nÓg presentation night in the community Hall, Ballingarry on Friday 28th February.

The back – to – back 2024 West Junior B Hurling League/Championship and awards presentation function in Dinny’s As Ballingarry on Saturday 2st March

Johnny O’Riordan RIP and Christine Connell winning the Limerick County Senior Scór Instrumental Music competitions on Friday 8th March in Askeaton Community Hall.

The presentation of a framed club jersey to club president and former club/chairperson/secretary/treasurer.

Tom Burke marking his 90th birthday on St. Patrick’s Day our nominated dog ‘Left Corner Back’ finished first in Round 1 but failed to finish in the top three of heat 8 in Round 2 of the Con and Annie Kerby Memorial Stake ion Saturday 29th March.

3,000 cheque received through the Council Council’s (General Municipal Allocation) funding kindly supported by Councillor John O’Donoghue.

21,500 received under the Community Centre Investment Fund Grant.

The Cúl Camp Monday 7th to Friday 11th July which was booked out and the first ever inclusive Cúl Camp held from August 5th to 8h with 14 participants from across West Limerick was enjoyed by all the children who attended.

Maurice Noonan captained the Munster Wheelchair Hurling/Camogie side who completed a five-in-a-row All Ireland title on Saturday 20th September at SETU and appointed vice captain of the Irish Wheelchair parafloor ball tournament team

Danny O’Grady a member of the Limerick U16 hurling Shield winning team, Eoghan Kiely and Adam Mulqueen on their selection on the Limerick U14 hurling side who competed in the Tony Forrestal Cup competition and Declan Dunworth on his selection on the U15 hurling side.

Noel Noonan selection on the Limerick Masters Hurling Panel.

Danny O’Grady and Declan Dunworth who have been called for County Munster Hurling trials.

Donal O’Grady manager of the Limerick minor hurling side that reached the All Ireland quarter final.

Our camogie girls winning the U16A title Junior C title and reaching the U14A Final, Senior League Final and Intermediate Championship semi final.

Our ladies footballers reached the County Junior B Championship Semi Final

Christ the Saviour National, Ballingarry winning the Post Primary Schools Division 1 Hurling and Division 2 Football titles. The 2005 Granagh-Ballingarry County Intermediate Hurling champions 20 year reunion held at Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry on Sunday 29th October.

The O’Kelly Brothers Demolition joined as new club sponsor.

Darragh O’Donoghue, Rory Lynch, Paul Griffin, Charlie Hanley and Kyllian O’Keeffe winning Under 19 hurling Liam O Cinneide Cup medals with Coláiste Chiarain Croom on Tuesday 2nd December.

Adrian Farragher and Niall Fitzgerald will give the treasurer’s report, David Condron, the development report and vice chairperson David Clancy the chairperson’s address in the absence of Andrew Holmes. The AGM is the place for members and players to air their views on club affairs over the past year. The aim and ambitions for 2025 will be high on the agenda and it will take people time, vision and energy to maintain the club’s place among the top clubs in the County. All club members are asked to attend and the debate and discussion as always should be lively.

County U20 B Football Championship Group 4 Round 3

Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom 1-6 South Liberties-Crecora-Manister 0-5

Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom forced to give a walkover to Pallasgreen and a walkover from Belville Gaels (Feohanagh-Castlemahon-Feenagh-Kilmeedy) claimed their second brace of points in Group 4 of the County U20 B Football Championship with a hard-fought 4 point 1-6 to 0-5 victory over gallant South Liberties-Crecora-Manister played in difficult wet and windy conditions at UL grounds, Maguire’s pitch on Saturday. The game was played in front of a small crowd on a well laid out pitch with Kieran Guina of Feohanagh-Castlemahon in charge. South Liberties-Crecora-Manister played with the wind at their backs in the opening half but it was the Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom boys who went in at the interval by one 1-1 to 0-3 courtesy of a Seán O’Gorman white flag from open play and a cracking Tom Horgan goal. Paul Griffin extended the Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom boys’ advantage to two when he split the uprights following a good solo run in the 5th minute after the interval before South Liberties-Crecora-Manister landed a pair of white flags from open play to leave the sides level, Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom 1-2, South Liberties-Crecora-Manister 0-5 at the end of the third quarter. The Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom boys despite playing with fourteen players due to Ben Ryan being forced to leave the field of play due to injury, dominated the final quarter with four unanswered white flags from open play through Sean O’Gorman, Shane O’Brien and Luke Murphy, two to seal a hard fought four point, 1-6 to 0-5 victory, to go joint top of the County U20B football championship Group 4 table on 4 points with Pallasgreen, who have a game in hand against South Liberties-Crecora-Manister o this Saturday 13th December in Pallasgreen at 2pm where a victory for the Pallasgreen boys will see Pallasgreen and Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom qualify for the quarter-final but a win for South Liberties-Crecora-Manister will see them qualify due to Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom having given a walkover to Pallasgreen.

Granagh-Ballingarry-Croom: Ryan Carroll, Ian Sheehy, Cathal Mangan, Oisin Galvan, Jack McAteer, Eoin Horgan, Ben Ryan, Michael Naughton, Darragh Enright, Shane O’Brien 0-1, Tom Horgan 1-0, Sean O’Gorman 0-2, Darragh O’Donoghue, Luke Murphy 0-2, Paul Griffin 0-1. Referee: Kieran Guina, Feohanagh-Castlemahon.

The last Limerick County GAA clubs draw of 2025 is on this Saturday 13th December 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 20th €200, Granagh Ballingarry had 198 members in the nineth draw in November and six 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; David O’Hanlon 1st prize of €10,000 and Paudie O’Sullian 3rd prize of €2,000 in November.

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 11th December at 5pm.

Munster U19 Hurling (Corn Liam O Cinneide Final

Coláiste Chiarain Croom 3-10 Comeragh College Waterford 1-13

Hearty congratulations to Coláiste Chiarain Croom, our own Rory Lynch, Darragh O’Donoghue, Paul Griffin, Charley Hanley and Kyllian O’Keeffe on winning the Munster U19 Hurling Corn Liam O Cinneide title with a thrilling hard-fought 6 point, 3-120 to 1-13 victory over gallant Comeragh College, Waterford played in difficult wet and windy conditions in Bansha, Tipperary on Tuesday 2nd December. The winning Coláiste Chiarain Croom side that brought great honour and glory to their school and clubs read John Murray, Patrickswell, Oisin Galvin, Croom, Ryan O’Carroll, Croom, Rory Lynch, Granagh-Ballingarry, Tommy Gore, Crecora-Manister, Tommy Reidy, Croom, Noah Reidy, Croom, Conor O’Mahony, Crecora-Manister, Ben Ryan, Croom, Mark O’Keeffe, Crecora-Manister, Darragh O’Donoghue, Granagh-Ballingarry, Morgan Kavanagh, South Liberties, Aidan Hannon, St. Patrick’s, Stephen Murphy, Croom, Paul Griffin, Granagh-Ballingarry, Lewis Ferguson, Patrickswell, Conor Longaigh, Mungret St. Paul’s, Kyllian O’Keeffe, Granagh-Ballingarry, Nicky Sheahan, Dromin-Athlacca, John Paul Danaher, Crecora Manister, Charlie Hanley, Granagh-Ballingarry, Harry Lynch, Patrickswell, David Kidney, St. Patrick’s, Cian Partley, Claughaun, TJ Keogh, South Liberties, George Fox Connor, Banogue, Conor Carey, James Fitzgerald, Adare, Michael Lyne, Patrickswell, Cian Conway, South Liberties, Liam O’Donovan, Croom, Gearoid O’Donoghue, Mathew Furlong, Banogue, Cormac Clancy, Croom.

Have you three people capable of striking the sliothar? Are you up for a challenge? Then outside the Rock Bar, Granagh is the place to be on St. Stephen’s Day as Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club have organised their 16th annual King of the Hill challenge. Registration is from 10am to 11.30am in the Rock Bar, Granagh. The competition will start at the Rock Bar and will continue in a circuit around roads in the parish and the team that complete the course, which takes about two hours with the fewest pucks, win the King of the Hill perpetual trophy. We introduced a family competition in 2023 with a team of three members of the same family with the fewest points winning a family section perpetual trophy. It is the perfect way for mothers and fathers to play with their sons and daughters and have fun along the way. The entry fee is €10 per person, own hurley and sliothar needed. Route and rules provided on the day, U16s must be accompanied by an adult. If you need more information please contact Niall Carroll on 085-102663 or any finance committee member for more information. Thank you to John Carroll of Laochra Sports Gear for his kind sponsorship of the King of the Hill challenge.

John Lynch of Granagh-Ballingarry was among the delegates at the annual Convention of the West Limerick GAA Board at the Devon Inn Hotel on Monday night where all the outgoing officers were returned unopposed for 2026. The officers re-elected were President Michael O’Sullivan, St. Kieran’s, Vice President Tom Sheehy, Knockaderry, Chairperson Breda Hartnett Breen, Monagea, Vice Chairperson Gerard Murphy, Templeglantine, Treasuer Jim Enright, Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan, Assistant Treasurer to be appointed; Communication Officer Johnny Walsh, Mountcollins, Secretary Majella O’Sullivan, Killeedy, Assistant Secretary Pat O’Shaughnessy, Glin.

Johnny Brosnahan of Tournafulla stepped down after 28 years of dedicated service to the Board as chairman, vice chairman, treasurer and assistant treasurer. Thank you Johnny for your huge contribution to the GAA in West Limerick over the years and we wish him well in his retirement and know that he will not be lost to the GAA.

Granagh-Ballingarry club hoodies, tracksuits, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.lauchrasparts.ie.product-category/clubs/granagh-ballingarry

There was no winner of the €13,00 jackpot in the Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club lottery held on Saturday 6th December in Condron’s Bat, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 9, 11, 15 and 29. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Stephen Kiely, promoter online; Eileen Twomey, promoter The Rock Bar, Granagh; Peter Dunworth, promoter Mossie O’Connor; Clare Herlihy, promoter Pat Herlihy.

The next draw will be held on Saturday 13th December in the Rock Bar, Granagh for a jackpot of €13,100. 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.

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. Your can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/granaghballingarrygaa.club and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/granaghballingarry

Thursday 11th December

Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club Annual General Meeting in Ballingarry Clubhouse at 8pm.

Thursday 26th December:

16th annual King of the Hill Challenge. Registration in the Rock Bar, Granagh 10am to 11.30am.