GRANAGH -BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
LIMERICK HURLING MANAGEMENT HISTORY
The following is a list of Limerick senior management over the last fifty years.
The team manager/coach only came into use in Limerick in 1977 with the appointment of Noel Drumgoole of Na Piarsaigh, the former St. Vincent’s player who captained Dublin when they won the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship in 1961 beating Wexford 7-5 to 4-8 in the final, only to lose narrowly 0-16 to 1-12 by a marvellous Tipperary team in the All Ireland Final.
Managerial History 1970-2020
1970 to 1971: Joe McGrath (Waterford) trainer. Jackie Power (Ahane) coach, Michael McDonnell (Croom), Dan Hickey (Na Piarsaigh), Rory Kiely (Feenagh/Kilmeedy) and Mick Tynan (Claughaun).
National Hurling League Division 1 and Oireachtas Cup Winners 1971, 1972 to 1975: Mickie Cregan trainer, Dick Stokes, Pallasgreen, Jackie Power (Ahane), Seán Cunningham (Doon), Denis Barrett (Bruff), Jim Quaid (Feohanagh/Castlemahon).
All Ireland Champions 1973 All Ireland Runners-Up 1974
Munster Champions 1974, 1976
1976: Dick Stokes (Pallasgreen), J. P. Ryan (Garryspillane), John Mulcahy (Cappamore), Kevin Long (Feenagh/Kilmeedy), Phil Bennis (Patrickswell).
1977 to 1982: Noel Drumgoole manager (Na Piarsaigh).
Munster Champions 1980, 1981 All Ireland Runners-Up 1986
1983 to 1984: Brother Michael O’Grady manager (Patrickswell).
National Hurling League Division 1 Winners 1984, 1984 to 1986
Noel Drumgoole manager (Na Piarsaigh)
National Hurling League Winners Division 1 Winners 1985.
1987 to 1988: Eamon Cregan manager (Claughaun).
1989 to 1991: Liam O’Donoghue manager (Mungret St. Paul’s).
1992 to 1993: Phil Bennis manager (Patrickswell).
National Hurling League Division 1 Winners 1992
1994 to 1997: Tom Ryan manager (Claughaun)
2003: Dave Keane manager (Adare).
2004 to March 2005: Pad Joe Whelahan manager (Birr Offaly). Limerick looked outside and secured the services of the famous Offaly man. It didn’t work, however, and he left during the 2005 National League campaign.
April 2005 to June 2006: Joe McKenna manager (South Liberties). Limerick went back to one of their own, but it listed only fourteen months for the All Ireland and five-time all star winner as Joe resigned after a big defeat by Clare in the All Ireland qualifiers.
2007 to 2008: Richie Bennis manager (Patrickswell). The former All Ireland medal and all star winner led Limerick to the 2007 All Ireland Final via the qualifiers where they lost to Kilkenny.
2009 to 2010: Justin McCarthy manager (Passage West Cork). It was back to the outside trail as Limerick looked to Cork and a man who had spent seven seasons as Waterford manager. Limerick reached the 2009 All Ireland semi final where they lost heavily to Tipperary. A major controversy erupted at the start of 2010 when most of the top players refused to join the panel after a row over the manner in which several players had been omitted. Limerick ended up fielding a largely second-string team in the league and championship and made no headway.
2011: Donal O’Grady manager (St. Finbarr’s Cork). Back to Cork again and this time it worked, Donal stabilised Limerick in 2011 and while they lost narrowly to Waterford in the Munster championship and to Dublin in the All Ireland quarter final, the seeds were sewn for a solid future.
2012 to 2013: John Allen manager (St. Finbarr’s Cork). Having succeeded Donal O’Grady as the Cork hurling manager at the end of 2004, Alan did likewise in Limerick seven years later and after an encouraging opening season in 2012 he steered them to their first Munster title for seventeen years in 2013 with a 0-24 to 0-15 victory over his own native Cork in the final at Pairc na nGael on 14th July. While Limerick were subsequently seen as favourites to land the All Ireland crown, their championship campaign came to an end following an All Ireland semi final defeat to Clare. While the Limerick County Board had hoped that Denis would remain as manager for 2014, he announced on 9th September 2013 that he was stepping down as Limerick senior hurling manager.
2014 to 2016: T.J. Ryan (Garryspillane), Donal O’Grady (St. Finbarr’s Cork) joint managers. In November 2013 T.J. Ryan was named as the new manager of the Limerick senior hurling team alongside former boss Donal O’Grady. After a league campaign which saw Limerick finish second to Cork in Division 1A, Limerick’s championship plans were thrown into turmoil when Donal O’Grady resigned as coach on 20th April 2014. Ryan took up full responsibility as manager after the coach on 20th April 2014. Ryan took up full responsibility as manager after departure of Donal O’Grady, a position he held until 11th July 2016 when he resigned as manager after three seasons in charge following Limerick’s 0-19 to 0-15 defeat to Clare in round two of the All Ireland qualifiers on 9th July.
2017 to Present: John Kiely manager (Galbally). Kiely was named as the new manager of the Limerick senior hurling team for 2017 after a meeting of the County Board on 14th September 2016. In his first year in charge Limerick reached the semi finals of the National League losing by 1-11 to 1-21 to eventual winners Galway. Limerick were later beaten by Clare in the Munster Championship before exiting the All Ireland Championship following a three-point defeat to Kilkenny. In his second year in charge Kiely’s side won the Munster Senior League and secured promotion to Division 1A of the National League after securing maximum points in their five group stage games. Limerick later narrowly missed out on a place in the Munster Final, however, their third place finish in the new Munster Championship group stage allowed Limerick to qualify for the All Ireland Championship.
Subsequently defeats of Carlow, Kilkenny and Cork secured a place in the All Ireland Final. On Sunday 19th August 2018 Kiely guided Limerick to their first All Ireland title in forty-five years after a thrilling one point, 3-16 to 2-18 victory over holders Galway. On 31st March 2019 Kiely guided Limerick to a first National Hurling League Division 1 final since 2005, a 1-24 to 0-19 defeat of Waterford secured a first Division 1 League title for Limerick since 1997. Limerick later went on to
qualify for their first Munster final since 2014. An impressive 2-26 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 30th June secured a first Munster Senior Hurling Championship title for Limerick since 2013. While Limerick were subsequently seen as favourites to land their second All Ireland title in a row, their championship campaign came to an end following an All Ireland defeat to Kilkenny. Limerick and Kiely enjoyed their best year ever on the playing field winning their second All Ireland Senior Hurling title in three seasons defeating Waterford in the final 0-30 to 0-19 at Croke Park on Sunday 13th December. The Munster League and back-to-back Munster Championship and National League Division 1 titles.
Last Limerick Club Draw on Saturday
The January Club Limerick Draw: the last one for 2020/21 will take place on this Saturday 30th January. The club had five winners to date: Denis Noonan €1000 in November, Noel Lynch €500 in October, Ann Cullane €100 in October, Redmond Shine €100 in June and Michael Byrnes December exclusive prizewinner which is a €100 voucher for a meal, a €100 voucher for Limerick Greyhound Stadium, €100 Scanlon’s Menswear, €100 voucher Maire Keating photographer, and complimentary membership for two people for the 2021 Club Limerick Draw.
If you would like to renew or update your membership for 2021 please follow the line limerickgaa.ie/clublimerick-draw-signup/ and select Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club and the number of draws that you wish to sign up for (note one draw remaining for 2020 with a star prize of €500).
The Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club are once more promoting the Limerick County Club Draw for 2021. There will be monthly draws from March to December with a top prize of €10,000. There are a host of other prizes to be won: 2nd €3,000, 3rd €2000, 4th €1000, 5th to 9th €500, 10th to 13th €250, 14th to 40th €100. There will again be exclusive monthly prizes to be won, entry to the draw is just 10 per month or €1200 for the ten draws with the option to join our own ten-monthly draw and county clubs draw for €150. Anybody wishing to join as a new member for 2021 should contact Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Draw co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton on 086 1960301.
Song for Charity
To mark Limerick’s All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final win over gallant Waterford, West Board PRO Johnny Walsh of Mountcollins recorded a song titled, ‘The Mighty Men from the Shannonside’. All proceeds go to Milford Hospice. Copies available from Homestore, Tournafulla, Buckley’s Devon Road, Templeglantine or contact Johnny Walsh on 087 3517589.
Covid 19 Volunteer Group
The Granagh/Ballingarry Covid 19 volunteer group would like to remind parishioners that their delivery service is still up and running. Elderly, vulnerable or anybody who cannot leave their homes to get groceries or medication can ring O’Grady’s, O’Gorman’s, Snow’s and O’Riordan’s Pharmacy. You can give them your order and pay them over the phone or put it on your account. They will contact a member of the delivery team to drop to your door. We ask you to please avail of this service as we all want to work together to keep our community safe.
Membership Due
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club membership fees for 2021 are now due and are 40 for adult players (€120 with club draw), €20 for students and nonplayers €15 for Bord na nÓg (€120 per family). Non players who pay €100 club draw fee in full will automatically become members for 2021. Fees should be paid on or before 31st March to club registrar John Carroll or any club official. To train or play for the club you have to be insured. If you have not yet registered we ask you to do so. It is generally felt by club officers that any member or player should feel obliged to get their membership paid as soon as possible and we must reiterate that people who have not paid will not be covered by insurance or entitled to any privileges whatsoever from our club.
2020 and 2021 Competitions
The County CCC has informed clubs of the following decision with regard to the running of the remaining 2020 hurling and football county championships:
U21 Premier A and B and 13-a-side football championship, abandoned.
Minor premier and A football championship finals will be played at the next available date.
County Junior A Hurling Championship semi finals and final will be played at the next available date.
County and Divisional Junior B Hurling and Football Championship will be played at the next available date (county only go ahead if time permits)
Clubs will be afforded sufficient lead time to train prior to the commencement of their respective championships.
2021 Competitions
The 2021 County U12 Premier A and B and 13-a-side hurling and football championships will take place in the autumn.
The County U19 Premier A and B and 13-a-side hurling and football championships will replace the minor hurling and football championships will be played on Friday evenings and Sundays.
County hurling and football leagues to commence in April, depending on Covid restrictions.
Collective Club Training
All collective club training for all adult and underage hurling and football teams is suspended until further notice and any breach of this regulation will be dealt with as per appropriate rule.
New Age Groups
The age grade for underage hurling and football teams will change for 2021 in line with national policy. The age grades will move to uneven numbers (U7, U9, U11, U13, U15 and U17). The fixtures at club level will be co-ordinated by the following committees:
Coaching and Games: U7, U9, U11.
County Bord na nÓg U13, U15, U17.
County Senior Board: U19, U21, Junior A, intermediate and senior.
Divisional Boards Junior B
Formats, dates, etc will be circulated to clubs at the end of January.
Limerick Club Draw
The January Club Limerick Draw for 2020/21 will take place on Saturday 30th January. The club had five winners to date: Denis Noonan €1,000 in November, Noel Lynch €500 in October, Ann Cullane €100 in October, Redmond Shine €100 in June and Michael Byrnes December exclusive prize winner which is €100 voucher for a meal, €100 voucher for Limerick Greyhound Stadium, €150 voucher Scanlon’s Menswear, €100 voucher Marie Keating, Photographer and complimentary membership for two people for 2021 Club Limerick Draw. If you would like to renew or update your membership for 2021 please follow the link limerickgaa.ie/clublimerick-draw-signup/ and select Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club and the number of draws that you wish to sign up for (note one draw remaining for 2020 with a star prize of €500).
Granagh/Ballingarry are once more promoting the Limerick County Club draw for 2021. There will be monthly draws from March to December with a top prize of €10,000. There are a host of other prizes to be won: 2nd €3,000, 3rd €200, 4th €1000, 5th to 9th €500, 10th to 13th €250, 14th to 40th €100. There will again be exclusive monthly prizes to be won. Entry to the draw is just €10 a month or €100 for the ten draws with the option to join our own ten month draw and county clubs draw for €150. Anyone wishing to join as a new member for 2021 should contact Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club draw coordinator Stephen Stapleton on 0861960301 as soon as possible.
Thank you to all our punters who have already joined.
First Meeting of 2021
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club will hold their first special general meeting of 2021 on Friday 29th January or Friday 5th February at 8.15pm in the clubhouse, Ballingarry or virtually through the Microsoft teams due to the club awaiting formats, dates, etc for all hurling and football competitions to be circulated by the County Board.
Young Sportsperson and Manager of the Year
The RTE Sports Awards 2020 will be held tomorrow Thursday 28th January at 10.15pm on RTE One. Five top athletes have been shortlisted for the Young Sportsperson of the Year category while six names including Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely have been put forward for Manager of the Year. Snooker player Aaron Hill who pulled off a sensational victory over six-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan at the European Masters. Mayo Gaelic Football defender Oisín O Mullin. Limerick mountain bike star Oisín O’Callaghan, Meath, darts player Keane Barry and Kildare boxer Kate Lynn Phelan complete the shortlist for the Young Person of the Year category. The Manager of the Year group also contains plenty of strong candidates for the honour. Brian Dowling is included in the list after guiding Kilkenny to a Senior All Ireland Camogie title in 2020 while Dublin Ladies Football box Mick Bohan is also featured after their four-in-a-row All Ireland triumph last year contenders along with Dublin six-in-a-row All Ireland winning football boss Dessie Farrell, horse trainer Joseph O’Brien and Shamrock Rovers soccer manager Stephen Bradley.
€11,600 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €11,500 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry club lottery on Saturday 23rd January. The numbers drawn were 9, 12, 15 and 32. Lucky dips of €20 went to Liz Clifford, Snow’s Shop promoter Sean O’Gorman. John English promoter Willie and Patsy Power Willie Power promoter, Willie and Patsy Power, Willie Power promoter, Aine Lenihan, Denny Ahern promoter.
The next draw will be held on Saturday 30th January for a jackpot of €11,600. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops and promoters.
Website
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