Granagh Ballingarry GAA CLUB NOTES
Cumann Greanach-Baile an Gharraí C.L.G.
Annual General Meeting 2021
on Friday 18th December 2020 at 8.30pm online via Microsoft Teams
Cuntas An Runaí Seán Ó Loingsigh
A Cahaorleach agus chairde Gael, Annual General Meeting time has arrived once more. I would like to welcome you all tonight to our historic online AGM. It is my great pleasure as An Runaí to put before you my 29th annual report of the happenings in Cumann Greanach Baile an Gharraí CLG for 2020. 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. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has had and continues to have a massive effect as we know all aspects of life and specifically led to a pause on all our club activities on two occasions from Thursday 12th March to Monday 29th June and Monday 5th October until further notice.
The year under review was another very successful one on the Inter County front with the Limerick Senior hurlers winning their second All-Ireland title in three seasons, the Munster League and back-to-back Munster Championship and National League Division 1 titles, while their counterparts in football won the McGrath Cup and National League Division 4 title and most unlucky to go under to eventual winners Tipperary by a point in the Munster Championship Semi-final.
On the local front we had curtailed and condensed year on the playing fields due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Twenty-three competitive games were played at adult level (a decrease of 18 games on the previous year. The only silverware to come our way was the Intermediate hurlers winning the Inaugural Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Perpetual Cup Tournament and the Junior ‘B’ hurlers winning the (Dinny Cup) Tournament and reaching the West ‘B’ Championship Semi-final, along with their counterparts in Football against Feenagh-Kilmeedy to be played early in the new year. A decreased number of games due to Covid-19 were also played by the Bord na nÓg section of our Club, winning the County U14 Hurling 13-a-side Championship, the County Division 3 U16 Hurling Shield and their counterparts in football have reached the County 13-a-side Championship Final against Caherconlish to be played early in the new year.
· The 11th Annual Knockfierna King of the Hill on St. Stephen’s Day.
· Our Novelty Act Group performed ‘Family Holiday Panic’ very well to finish second to Borrisoleigh from Tipperary in the Munster Scór na nÓg finals at Éire Óg GAA Pavilion at Ovens, Cork on Sunday 5th January.
· The West Limerick All-Star Banquet
· Bord na nÓg Awards Night
· The hosting of 3 Hurling Tournaments – Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Cup, Dunworth Cup and Dinny Cup.
· The Summer Camp that was run in July was enjoyed by all the children.
· The financial success of the County Club Draw, our own Club Draw / Lottery.
· The record gate taking at Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Cup Hurling Final – €1,600 cheque presentation to Pieta House and the presentation of the Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Football Cup to officials of Limerick County Board on Thursday 24th September at the Rock Bar, Granagh
· Dermot Kiely winning a Mercedes CLA 180 in the County Draw.
· Richard O’Donoghue being elected as a TD to Dáil Éireann.
· €3,000 grant received towards the boundary fence of playing pitch from Limerick City/County Council……
were among the many other highlights.
52 teams in 11th Annual Knockfierna King of the Hill
A record fifty-two teams completed the course, an increase of one on 2018, in the 11th Annual Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club King of the Hill Challenge in difficult, misty conditions on St. Stephen’s Day over scenic Knockfierna.
Adult Competition: First place on 44 shots were the JLA team of Josh Quill Mulcaire, Luke Flynn and Andrew Meade. Three teams finished level on 45 – John O’Grady, Kevin Trainor and Niamh O’Sullivan; Jim O’Keeffe and Conor O’Keeffe; Jack O’Donoghue, Liam Barrett and Cal McCarthy.
Family Section: Seamus, Peter and Stephen Stapleton won the seventh annual Family Section with forty-eight shots. Second were Beth, Jessie and Kaylee Stapleton on fifty; third on fifty-two shorts were Paudie, Seamus and Paudie Murphy.
Thank you – to all fifty-two teams who completed the course; to Pat and Claire Herlihy for the light refreshments; to Dinny Ahern for the soup and refreshments served in Dinny As Bar, Ballingarry, which were more than welcome. Thank you also to Niall Carroll of Sullivan Insurance for their sponsorship, the stewards and drivers John Carroll, Stephen Stapleton, Andrew Holmes, Richard O’Donoghue, Sean O’Connor and Pat Herlihy; John Carroll and Andres Holmes for taking photos; the organising committee and all the volunteers who helped on the day.
The amount raised was €1,400 which goes towards the team training fund.
Munster Scór na nÓg Finals
All the best in cultural fare emerged at the Munster Scór na nÓg finals in Éire Óg GAA Pavilion at Ovens, Cork on Sunday 5th January. A full house added to the glory and excitement and at the end of a rousing over six-hour programme of cultural entertainment, teams from Tipperary with four titles and Cork and Kerry with two more dominated the destination of the provincial honours. Granagh-Ballingarry Novelty Act Group of Thomas Houlihan, Gráinne Lynch, Ava Morrissey, Megan Morrissey, Saorla Tierney and Emily Sheehy performed ‘Family Holiday Panic’ very well but it was Borrisoleigh from Tipperary who took the honours in a very close contest. Thank you to Maura Friel Lynch, Producer; Patricia Houlihan, Mentor and the parents for their help in getting the group together; the Ballingarry Hall Committee, especially John Joe Carmody for the use of the hall for practice; bus driver Tadgh Keating for his patience on the day and all the supporters who travelled to Askeaton and Ovens for both the County and Munster Finals. Unfortunately, the 2020 County Scór na nÓg Finals are cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
All-Stars Honours
The 23rd annual West Limerick GAA All-Star Banquet took place at the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine on Friday 28th February. There were ten people there from Granagh-Ballingarry to pay tribute to Gearóid Lynch who got the Minor ‘B’ Hurling Award and Maurice Noonan, the All-Ireland Wheelchair Award; West Board Chairman Michael O’Sullivan and his officials deserve great credit for the way the banquet was organised.
Bord na nÓg Presentations
Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg Committee held a most enjoyable presentation registration night on Sunday 16th February in Ballingarry Community Hall. Guests of honour on the night were Limerick All-Ireland Hurling medal winner Gearóid Hegarty, St. Patrick’s and our own newly elected T.D. Richard O’Donoghue. Presentations of clubs socks were made to all panels from U6 upwards. The U16s received their County 13-a-side Hurling and Football Championship medals. Presentations were made to our County five-in-a-row novelty act winning group of Gráinne Lynch, Tomás Houlihan, Ava Morrissey, Megan Morrissey, Saorla Tierney, Emily Sheehy, Producer Maura O’Friel Lynch and mentor Patricia Houlihan, who performed ‘Family Holiday Panic’ very well for us on the night. Individual presentations were made to Darragh Casey in recognition of winning Munster Minor Hurling Championship medal with Limerick and Maurice Noonan (All-Ireland Medal Wheelchair Hurling with Munster), School representative Sean O’Gorman and Thomas Twomey (West Mackey Cup), Tom Horgan (West Sarsfield Cup), Limerick Development Panel
representatives Eoin Horgan (U14 Football), Paudie Murphy and Brian Sheehy (U15 Hurling), West Representative Sean O’Gorman and Ian Sheehy (West U13 Hurling), Eoin Enright and Sean Murphy City/West (Celtic Challenge). Zip Club Tops were presented to Reece Kelly, Rory Condon, Eoin Herlihy, David Bennett, Eoin Lynch and Philip Byrnes, all of whom are leaving Bord na nÓg and Gráinne Lynch leaving Scór na nÓg for the dedication to Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club. The Minor Hurlers received their West Minor ‘B’ Hurling Championship medals and presentations were made to Manager Michael Clancy, Selectors James Flynn, Eoin Kennedy and Liam Casey. Service Awards were presented to John Sheehan, Granagh and Pat Cagney, Ballingarry and First Aid presentations to Teresa Noonan, Louis and Siobhán Enright. The final presentation of the night was a cheque for €400 by Granagh Community Council Treasurer, Shane Twomey, to Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg Chairman, Stephen Stapleton. Our Bord na nÓg Committee, especially Chairman Stephen and Secretary Graham, deserve great credit for the way the function was organised. Thank you to Jimmy Chawke who did an excellent job as MC, John and Niall Carroll for their help with the purchase of club gear, the Team Managers for collecting membership fees, Marion Sheehy and Andrew Holmes for taking photos, the invited guests and the Ballingarry Hall Committee and especially John Joe Carmody for the use of the hall and everyone who helped in any way to make the night so enjoyable.
Cheque and Memorial Cup Presentation
The Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club made a cheque presentation of €1,600, the proceeds of the Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Hurling Tournament Final played on Sunday 5th July in Ballingarry between Feenagh-Kilmeedy and Granagh-Ballingarry to Gerard Enright and Tommy Togher of Pieta House on Thursday night 24th September at the Rock Bar, Granagh. The presentation of the Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Football Cup (New County Junior ‘B’ Football Championship Trophy) was made to Vice-Chairperson of the Limerick County Board, Seamus McNamara also on the night. The MC Jimmy Chawke welcomed everyone, especially the representatives from Pieta House, Gerard Enright, Tommy Togher, Seamus McNamara Vice-Chairman of Limerick County GAA Board Secretary of Limerick GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee along with the representatives from Feenagh-Kilmeedy, Feohanagh-Castlemahon and Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club made the presentation of the €1,600 cheque to Gerard Enright and Tommy Togher of Pieta House. Gerard and Tommy thanked the club for the kind donation from the Memorial Cup game and spoke of the work carried out by Pieta House. John Lynch thanked Pieta House, especially Gerard Enright for the help and support given to him over the past 16 months. Gerry McNamara informed us of the work the Limerick Health and Wellbeing Committee do for the GAA clubs in the county. The presentation of the Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Perpetual Memorial Football Cup (New County Junior ‘B’ Football Championship) was made by Jim’s twin brother, John to Limerick County GAA Board Vice-Chairman Seamus McNamara and Children’s Officer Gerry McNamara. Seamus in a wide-ranging address, thanked the Lynch Family for the cup on behalf of the Board and spoke of Jim’s lifelong association with the Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club as player, team captain, Junior Football Selector and Assistant Secretary of the West Limerick GAA Board. Thank you to all who supported the night, Jimmy Chawke who did an excellent job as MC and Seamus and Janet Twomey of the Rock Bar who provided the food.
Playing Activities for 2020
The year 2020 was a quiet and condensed year for Granagh-Ballingarry on the playing fields due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. A total of 23 competitive and very sporting games were played since our U21 Hurlers commenced the competitive playing season on Sunday 2nd February defeating Glenroe 0-16 to 0-13 in the opening round of Group 4 in the County ‘B’ Championship at Ballingarry and the curtain came down on Saturday 3rd October with a comfortable 2-15 to 0-2 victory over a gallant St. Senan’s in the quarter-final of the West Junior B Football Championship at Quaid Park, Collyroe.
U21 Hurlers reach County B Championship Quarter-final
For the first time in seven years it was agreed to enter a 15-a-side U21 Hurling team in the B Championship. This Championship was run on an All-County basis this year for the first time ever from the Divisions and 16 teams entered. There were four groups of four, with the top two teams in each group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Granagh-Ballingarry were drawn in Group 4 with Glenroe, Croom and St. Kieran’s. The honour of commencing the adult competitive playing season on Sunday 2nd February fell to the U21 Hurlers who defeated Glenroe by three points 0-16 to 0-13 in difficult wet and windy conditions at Ballingarry. They received a walkover from Croom in Round 2 on Sunday 9th February and had a long wait to Friday July 17th due to Covid-19 restrictions to play St. Kieran’s in Round 3 at Coolcappa, where the home side recorded a deserved three point 3-12 to 2-12 over the boys in Black and Green to finish level on four points, with Glenroe and Granagh-Ballingarry. However, they lost out on a quarter-final spot because of a five point scoring difference to Granagh-Ballingarry who advanced to play Ballybricken/Bohermore/Fedamore on Monday 27th July in Clarina, where the Ballybricken/Bohermore/Fedamore boys’ ability to score goals was crucial to their ten point 4-15 to 0-17 victory over gallant Granagh-Ballingarry to advance to a semi-final meeting with Caherline.
Thank you – to Manager Mark Tierney, Selectors Thomas O’Donovan, Jim O’Keeffe, Colm Noonan and Niall Carroll and the panel of players for giving creditable performances in this year’s County U21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship to reach the quarter-final, fielding a very young side with 13 of the starting 15 underage next season.
Disappointing Year for Minor Hurlers
After winning the West Minor ‘B’ Championship in 2017, ’18 and ’19 and narrowly losing the County Final to Monaleen last season, it was a disappointing year for our Minor Hurlers, failing to make the County ‘B’ Championship quarter-final. This year Minor ‘B’ Hurling Championship was run on an All-County basis from the Divisions and 13 teams entered. There was one group of four and three groups of three, with the top two teams in each group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Granagh-Ballingarry played in Group 2 with Dromcollogher-Broadford and Croagh-Kilfinny/Rathkeale. In the opening Group 2 stage game on Sunday 16th August in Dromcollogher, where home side Dromcollogher-Broadford recorded a surprise three point 1-10 to 0-10 victory over Granagh-Ballingarry.
In Round 2 five days later on Friday 21st August, the Granagh-Ballingarry boys had to face neighbours Croagh-Kilfinny/Rathkeale in Ballingarry, where the visitors recorded a hard fought eight point 3-11 to 0-12 victory over the Granagh-Ballingarry boys, after a most enjoyable contest to finish top of Group 2 on four points to quality for a quarter-final meeting with Askeaton. Dromcollogher, in second place on two points, played Knockaderry, while Granagh-Ballingarry, pointless at the bottom, made their exit from the competition. Congratulations to our neighbours Knockaderry who were crowned County Minor ‘B’ Hurling champions with a thrilling 1-13 to 0-15 victory over Belville Gaels in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Thursday 24th September.
Thank you – to Manager Michael Clancy, Selectors Liam Casey, Eoin Kennedy, James Flynn; First Aid Officials Louise and Siobhán Enright and the panel of players for giving creditable performances in this year’s County Minor B Hurling.
Creditable Performances in the All-County Minor ‘B’ Football Championship
The Minor B Football Championship was run on an All-County basis this year from the Divisions and fourteen teams entered. There were two groups of four and two groups of three, with the top two teams in each group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Granagh-Ballingarry were drawn in Group 1 with Mungret/St. Pauls, Monagea and Belville Gaels. In the opening round on Friday 28th August Mungret/St. Pauls recorded a three-point 3-8 to 1-11 victory over the Granagh-Ballingarry boys. A well taken point from out near the sideline by Eamon Baynhan two minutes into added time earned Monagea a 2-9 each draw at Monagea on Friday 4th September in Round 2. The final group stage game played on Friday
11th September at Pairc Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh, where a cracking goal by Diarmuid Ryan one minute into added time added Belville Gaels (Feohanagh-Castlemahon and Feenagh-Kilmeedy) a thrilling one point 5-7 to 4-9 victory over unlucky Granagh-Ballingarry to finish top of Group 1 in the County Minor ‘B’ Football Championship on three points to qualify for the quarter-final, along with Mungret/St. Pauls, who finished second on two points and Granagh-Ballingarry and Monagea left at the bottom on one point and made their exit from the competition.
Thank you – to Manager Edward Sheehy, Selectors Graham Russell and Denis Sheehy and the panel of players for giving creditable performances in this years County Minor ‘B’ Football Championship.
Difficult Year for Intermediate Hurlers
It was a very difficult year for Granagh-Ballingarry Intermediate Hurlers, minus a number of key players due to injury. They played only a total of six competitive games, a decrease of three games on the previous year due to the non-playing of the County Intermediate leagues, West Senior and Intermediate and the revised County Intermediate Championship because of Covid-19 restrictions. They won two, drew one and lost three games.
Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Perpetual Cup Final
Granagh-Ballingarry 0-20 Feenagh-Kilmeedy 1-12
Dinny Cup Final
Dromin-Athlacca 3-20 Granagh-Ballingarry 2-18
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 1
Granagh-Ballingarry 1-19 Croom 2-16
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 3
Hospital-Herbertstown 1-14 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-11
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Relegation Semi-final
Effin 3-19 Granagh-Ballingarry 3-13
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Relegation Final
Granagh-Ballingarry 1-16 St. Patricks 1-14
Thank you – to Manager Mossie O’Connor, Coaches Mike Chawke and Darragh O’Grady, Selector: Adrian Farragher and Physio Caolan Scott and the panel of players for giving creditable performances to win the Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Cup and in the County Intermediate Championship minus a number of key players due to injury were most unlucky for the second successive year to lose out on a quarter-final spot to a late Hospital-Herbertstown goal by Aaron Murphy but secured Intermediate status for 2021 with a two point win 1-16 to 1-14 victory over St. Patricks in their final outing of the season.
6th Junior ‘B’ Hurling Semi-final-in-a-row
Granagh-Ballingarry Junior ‘B’ Hurlers won 5 and lost one of their six games this year. They won the Dinny Cup Final defeating Camogue Rovers; finished second in Group 2 of the West Junior B Hurling Championship to qualify for a quarter-final meeting with neighbours Croagh-Kilfinny, who they defeated to advance to the semi-final for the sixth successive year against Feenagh-Kilmeedy, deferred to early January due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Dinny Cup Final
Granagh-Ballingarry 1-10 Camogue Rovers 0-10
West Junior B Hurling Championship Group 2
Round 1 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-12 Tournafulla 0-13
Round 2 Granagh-Ballingarry 4-11 Adare 2-9
Round 3 Granagh-Ballingarry 4-19 Drom-Broadford 0-9
Round 4 Feohanagh-Castlemahon 2-19 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-12
Quarter-final Granagh-Ballingarry 2-16 Croagh-Kilfinny 1-12
Semi-final Granagh-Ballingarry v Feenagh-Kilmeedy deferred to January 2021
Final Granagh-Ballingarry/Feenagh-Kilmeedy v Feohanagh-Castlemahon
deferred to January 2021
Thank you – to Manager Conor Snow, Selectors Andrew Holmes, Stephen Stapleton, Niall McCarthy, First Aid Official Theresa Noonan and the panel of players for giving some outstanding displays to win the Dinny Cup and reach the West Championship semi-final for the 6th year in-a-row against Feenagh-Kilmeedy in the new year.
Junior B Footballers Make it to 5th West Semi in-a-row
Granagh-Ballingarry Junior B Footballers under a new management team of Shane O’Grady and Mark O’Sullivan, had a very successful year winning three of their four games to qualify for the West Junior B Football Championship semi-final against Feenagh-Kilmeedy deferred to January 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
West Junior ‘B’ Football Championship Group 2
Round 1 Granagh-Ballingarry 4-8 St. Kieran’s 1-8
Round 2 Adare 1-13 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-12
Round 3 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-8 Feenagh-Kilmeedy 1-6
Quarter-final Granagh-Ballingarry 2-15 St. Senan’s 0-2
Semi-finals Feenagh-Kilmeedy v Granagh Ballingarry
Adare v Knockaderry deferred to January 2021
Thank you – To management team of Shane O’Grady and Denis O’Sullivan and the panel of players for giving some outstanding displays to reach the West Championship semi-final for the 5th year in-a-row against Feenagh-Kilmeedy in the new year.
County 13-a-side U21 Football Championship
Granagh-Ballingarry, Dromcollogher-Broadford, Knockaderry, Hospital-Herbertstown, Kilteely, Dromkeen and South Liberties entered this competition, to be played on a League system in one group, with the top four teams to qualify for the semi-finals. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the County CCC have made the decision to redraw this competition on a new format with two chances, to be played in January and February 2021.
Bord na nÓg 2020
The following officers were elected to guide Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg Committee for 2020.
Chairman: Stephen Stapleton
Secretary: Graham Russell
Children’s Officer: Jimmy Chawke
Games & Coaching Officer: Jimmy Chawke
Teams were affiliated in all grades of Hurling and Football from U8 to U16 with all teams giving some brilliant displays. Our Bord na nÓg Officials, Managers, Selectors, Parents and Teachers in both schools must be complemented for the great work they did for the youth of our Club in 2020. The many highlights included:
· A most enjoyable presentation function on Sunday 16th February in Ballingarry Community Hall
· U14 Hurlers winning the County 13-a-side title
· U16 Hurlers winning the County Division 3 Shield
· Their counterparts in Football have reached the County 13-a-side Championship Final against Caherconlish to be played yearly in the New Year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
· The Summer Camp that was run in July was enjoyed by all the children.
Unfortunately, the National School Fun Days and our Club Fun Day did not take place this year due to Covid-19 restrictions. Congratulations to all concerned for making 2019 such a successful and enjoyable year for Granagh-Ballingarry Bord na nÓg. A more comprehensive report on Bord na nÓg affairs will be given by Bord na nÓg Secretary, Graham Russell at their AGM.
Lottery
Our Weekly Club Lottery was worth €7,500 on Saturday 4th January. There were no winners of the jackpot in 2020. It will be worth €10,100 on Saturday 18th December. Thank you to
our Lottery Committee for their dedication each Monday night and to all those who support the lottery each week.
County GAA Club Draw
Our Club had approximately 100 members in the Limerick County GAA Club Draw and five winners, Denis Noonan €1,000 in November, Noel Lynch €500 in October, Ann Cullane €100 in October and Redmond Shine €100 in June.
Michael Byrnes December Exclusive Star Prize Winner, which is:
· €100 Voucher for Timmy Macs Bistro.
· €100 Voucher Limerick Greyhound Stadium
· €150 Voucher Scanlon’s Menswear
· €100 Voucher Marie Keating Photographer
· Complimentary Membership for two people to 2021 Club Limerick Draw
The last draw take place on Saturday 30th January 2021. Thank you to our Draw Co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton and all who supported the draw during the year.
Club 10-Month Draw
Congratulations to all the lucky winners in the 10-Month Draw, which now runs from June to June each year. It is the main source of income for our Club. Thank you to Draw Co-ordinator, Eoin Kennedy, the promoters and all the punters who supported the draw during the year.
Clubhouse and Field Development
Sean Ó hOráin, Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael was to be Guest of Honour on Wednesday 8th April at the Open Day to showcase the refurbishment of our clubhouse in Ballingarry, but unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, this event was cancelled and will be rescheduled when it is safe to do so. The playing pitch perimeter fencing is now complete and we thank Limerick City/County Council for the €3,000 grant received for same, to Councillor John O’Donoghue and Richard O’Donoghue TD, for their help with our successful grant application.
Camogie
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, Granagh-Ballingarry Camogie Club enjoyed a successful year, winning the County Junior ‘B’ Shield and a couple of underage titles, while the Seniors lost narrowly to holders Newcastle West in the County Semi-final. The future for the girls in Black and White is bright, with a number of players on County panels and after the Junior ‘B’ and underage successes this season, I look forward to seeing Granagh-Ballingarry back in the race for County Senior honours in 2021. Hearty congratulations to Fiona Hickey on her appointment as PRO of the County Camogie Board.
Ladies Football
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Granagh-Ballingarry Ladies Football Club played no games in 2020. I look forward to seeing them field teams at underage and adult level next season.
Community Games
Due to Covid-19 restrictions no action took place this year. I look forward to seeing the Community Games back up and running again in 2021. It is through involvement in Community Games that some people begin sporting careers.
Congratulations Maurice
Hearty congratulations to our own Maurice Noonan on being named GAA For All M. Donnelly Wheelchair Hurler of the Year in 2019 in May this year. Maurice worked hard over the years to get this achievement, which is a great honour for his family, our Club and parish.
Seamus and Jimmy Re-elected
Congratulations to our own Seamus Twomey on his re-election to the position of Munster Council Delegate at the County Convention held online on Wednesday 18th December, and to Jimmy Stapleton on his re-election as President of the West Limerick GAA Board.
Online Registration
I would like to compliment John Carroll on the excellent job he did on the online registration of club players and members. John was capably assisted by Eoin Kennedy, Club Draw Co-ordinator and Team Managers to collect membership fees. It is essential to remember that for legal and insurance reasons that all players, officers and volunteers must pay annual membership fees each year.
Congratulations Richard
Congratulations to our own Richard O’Donoghue on his historic election to Dáil Éireann on Monday 10th February. This is a great honour for Richard and his family and for the parish of Granagh-Ballingarry. He puts in a massive amount of work right across Limerick and fully deserves his success. On behalf of Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club I wish him the best of luck in his new role.
11-year-old Diarmuid Wins Car
Massive congratulations to Diarmuid Kiely, Granagh, winner of the Mercedes CLA 180 car in the Limerick GAA Win a Mercedes CLA 180 official draw on Saturday 5th December. The winning promoter was Seamus Twomey, Rock Bar, Granagh. Thank you to everyone who supported this very successful fundraiser.
County Panels
Congratulations to all our club players who were selected on County underage panels but unfortunately no competitions were played due to Covid-19 restrictions. Well done to Sean O’Connor on his selection on the County U20 Hurling panel.
McGrath Cup and National League Division 3 Double
Congratulations to the Limerick Senior Footballers and their Manager Billy Lee, and Captain Ian Corbett on winning the McGrath Cup and National Division 3 League double and were most unlucky to go under to eventual winners, Tipperary by a point in the Munster Championship semi-final after extra time.
Fr. Dan Lane
On Sunday 19th September Fr. Dan Lane celebrated his final Mass, culminating sixteen years of service to the parish of Granagh-Ballingarry. He came to the parish with a two-fold vision – preparing us for the time when we would not have a priest and ensuring that there would be a faith community here for our children. On behalf of the club I thank Fr. Dan for his service and his support for all parish activities down through his sixteen years with us. We wish him a long and happy retirement in his native Brosna, although he will still be helping out in the West Limerick Pastoral Unit and I am sure looking forward to Kerry winning back the Munster Senior Championship in 2021.
Coverage
The promotion of our games through the media is very important. I was delighted to have had time to attend and cover all our adult club games played this year, as well as other happenings. Thank you to Graham Russell for his Bord na nÓg reports, Nora O’Connor, Marian Sheehy and Sylvia Hartigan for taking photos, Neil Dunworth and Niall Carroll for streaming matches on Facebook, James Flynn for his updates on Twitter and Andrew Holmes and all involved in updating our Club Facebook page.
Limerick Round Off Glorious Year with Second Liam McCarthy Win in 3 Seasons
Hearty congratulations to the Limerick Senior Hurlers, Manager John Kiely, Captain Declan Hannon, and our own Donal O’Grady, a member of the Management Team on their thrilling 11 point victory over Waterford 0-30 to 0-19 at Croke Park on Sunday 13th December to capture their second All-Ireland title and the Liam McCarthy Cup in three seasons, and their 9th overall, to add to their Munster League and back-to-back National Division 1 League and Munster Championship titles won early in the season.
Sympathy
Since our last AGM on 13th December 2019, many were called to their eternal reward. Among them were former players and medal winners, Eoin Duffy, Neilie Hickey, Seamus Costelloe, Moss McAuliffe, James Clancy, Joe Daly, Mick Quaid and Christy Noonan. We
also remember Christy McAuliffe, Sharon Hennessy, Patrick Leahy, Mary Lane, Mary McEniry, Stephen Houlihan, Gerry Alymer, Neilus O’Connell, Sean Baggott, Jack Higgins and Ray Fox, all who had family connections with our Club. To their families and to all who suffered bereavement since our last AGM, I offer deepest sympathy on behalf of the Club.
Acknowledgements
I would like to say a special word of thanks to the following for their help and co-operation during a very difficult year for us all – my wife Maura, Gráinne and Gearóid, fellow officers, especially Chairman Andrew and Treasurers Adrian and John, and Registrar John Carroll for the professional way they carried out their duties during the year in very demanding positions, Bord na nÓg Officers Stephen and Graham, Coaching Officer Donagh, Children’s Officer Jimmy Chawke, Club Draw Co-ordinator Eoin Kennedy, County Club Draw Co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton, West and County Board Officers, especially Mike and John, Mickie and Breda Club Players, Managers, Selectors, to Andrew Holmes, Pat Cagney, Mike O’Neill, Christy Hennessy, Pat and Eoin Herlihy and all who helped out looking after the clubhouse and field. Andrew Holmes, Mossie O’Connor, Kevin Carroll, Michael Healy, Pat Herlihy and all the Field Development Committee Members. A special word of thanks to Theresa Noonan, Louis and Siobhan Enright for providing First Aid to our players as they are providing an invaluable service to our Club. Thanks for the co-operation of Nora O’Connor, Marian Sheehy and Sylvia Hartigan for providing photos and local correspondents John O’Riordan, Mary O’Regan and Daithi O’Riordan in the Weekly Parish Notes and Joe Power on Granagh Community Website and the coverage given by Jerome O’Connor of the Limerick Leader, Matt O’Callaghan of the Vale Star and Weekly Observer, West Board PRO Johnny Walsh and County Board PRO Hugh Murphy.
I wish all club members, officers and supporters a Happy Christmas and a prosperous new year and a successful 2021 both on and off the playing field. The year ahead should be another interesting one with the 2020 Junior B Hurling and Football and U21 13-a-side Football Championship to be completed, and if all club teams can field at near full strength, I hope we will be in a position to say 2021 was a great year in both grades for all Club teams and be back playing Premier Intermediate Hurling and Junior A Football in 2022.
I wish the AGM every success and hope that our deliberations are advantageous to the continued success of this great Club. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
Is mise
Seán O Loingsigh
Runaí
Parish Club Roll of Honour
Ballingarry:
County: SHC 1911; IHC 1910; JAHC 1944, 1979; PMHC 1971; MBHC 1989; JBFC 1989; U16PHC 1969
West: SHC 1904; JAHC 1934, 1944, 1966, 1969; U21PHC 1974; MPHC 1970, 1971, 1974; MBHC 1989; U16PHC 1969, 1972; JBFC 1979; MBFC 1988; U14PHC 1962, 1969, 1976.
Granagh:
County: JAHC 1914, 1916, 1942, 1976; PMHC 1939; MBHC 1988.
West: JAHC 1924, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1974, 1975, 1976; MPHC 1939, 1980; MBHC 1988; U16PHC 1964, 1976, 1978; JAHL 1986.
Granagh Ballingarry:
County: JAHC 1998; IHC 2005, JBFC 1996, 2002, 2010; IHL 1995; Div1MHC 1993, 2001; 12-a-side MFC 2010; U21 12-a-side FC 2011; JBFL 2010; U12PHC 1985; U16BFC 1995, 1996; Div3U14FC 2015, 2018; Div2 U16HC 1997; U16PHS 1988; U16Div3FS 2007; ACHL Div5 2000; Div4 2004; Div3 2005; Div2MFC 2008; U14CHC 2007; U16 13-a-side HS 2011; U15 Div3HC 2015; JBHL 2016, U21 13-a-side HC 2017; U14 Div3HS 2017; U14 13-a-side HC 2018, 2020; Div3 U16 FC 2018; U16 13-a-side HC 2019; U16 13-a-side FS 2019; U16 Div3 HS 2020.
West: SHC 1945, 2008, 2015, 2018; IHC 2015; JAHC 1957, 1958, 1998; MBFC 2005, 2008; JAFC 2006, 2010; PMHC 1958; MAHC 2001, 2006; U15AHC 1982; U15BFC 1985; U16PHC 1983, 1984; U16BFC 1985, 1987; U16BFL 2004; U12PHC 1985, 1997, 2000, 2003; U14BFC 1995, 1996, 1997; U14BFL 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003; U14PHC 1983, 1984, 1997, 2002, 2003; U14BHC 2001; U14CHC 2007; U12CFS 2002; U12BFC 1995, 2004, 2008; West Féile na ngael 2002; U16BFL 2004; JBHC 2003, 2015, 2016; JBFC 1996, 2010, 2016, 2018; JBHL 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016; JBFL 1996, 2010; JAFL 2003, 2011; U21PHC 2003, 2004; JAFC 2006; Special JBHC 1994, 1995, 1996; U21 12-a-side FC 2012; All-Ireland 7s Junior Hurling Shield 1999; Morrissey Cup 1998, 1999, 2002, 2010; Dunworth Cup 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018. Dinny Cup 2012, 2020. MBHC 2017, 2018, 2019. Jim ‘Twin’ Lynch Memorial Cup 2020.
Knockfierna Gaels:
County: JAHC 1990.
West: JAHC 1990, 1991; U14PHC 1990; JAFC 1990; JAHL 1990, 1991; U12BFC 1992.
Na Fianna – Granagh/Ballingarry – Cappagh – Croagh – Kilfinny:
County: U16FC Div2 2008. MBHC 2011.
West: MBHC 2011.
Granagh-Ballingarry/Banogue West Minor B Football Championship: 2014, West U21 B Football Championship: 2016.
Granagh-Ballingarry/Rathkeale West Minor A Hurling Championship: 2015, West Minor B Hurling Championship 2016.