GRANAGH BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
34-YEAR GAP BRIDGED
The following is a record of the 1976 Limerick County Hurling and Football Championship finals with Granagh winning the Junior Hurling Championship after a gap of 34 years defeating Staker Wallace after a replay in the final and Monaleen a great treble Intermediate Football U16 Hurling and Football Double.
County Senior Hurling Championship Final 1976
South Liberties 2-9, Killeedy 2-6.
The 1976 Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Final at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 3rd October attracted a very large attendance, the gate realised 3,520 and despite some ugly showers they enjoyed good hard hurling, thrills a plenty marked by sheer excitement and unrelenting thrills right to the final whistle when the scoreboard read three points, 2-9 to 2-6 in favour of South Liberties to claim their fifth Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship title, a first since 1972.
South Liberties: Mike Lundon, goal, Joe Grimes, Pat Hartigan, Ben O’Riordan, Mike Grimes, Walter Shanahan (captain), Mikey Butler, Michael O’Brien, Eamonn Grimes, Larry Grimes, Joe McKenna, James Moynihan, Eamonn Dooley, Denis O’Sullivan, Tom Ryan, Tom Toomey.
Killeedy: Pat Meehan, goal, James Mulcahy, Ben O’Sullivan, Ben Mullane, Con Herbert, John McGrath, P.J. Cronin, Willie Fitzmaurice, Paudie Fitzmaurice, Michael Fitzmaurice, Tom Mulcahy, Mick Scanlan, Jerry Forde, Donal Flynn, Willie Cronin.
County Senior Football Championship Final
Croom 1-8, Oola 0-7.
A new name was inscribed on the Limerick County Senior Football Championship trophy on Sunday 7th November 1976 in front of a record crowd for a Limerick County Football Final at Pairc na nGael where, led by the great Mark Reidy at fullback beat Oola by four points, 1-8 to 0-7 after a lively and exciting decider.
Croom: Anthony Lawlor, goal, Liam Fahy, Mark Reidy (captain), Tony Kiely, Donal Murray, Seán Breen, Pat Culhane, Fr. Willie Walsh, Jerry Murray, Peter Kiely, Con Shanahan, Brendan Culhane, Paddy Hurley, Gerard Collins, Donal Carroll.
Oola: T. Ryan, R. Ryan, T. Fitzgibbon, T. McGrath, W. Burns, P. Ryan, R. Ryan, N. McGrath, S. Fitzgibbon, T. Landers, D. Fitzgerald, J. Ryan, S. Holmes, Davy Quirke, Philip Ryan, Patrick J. Rourke.
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Final 1976
Fedamore 3-8, Glenroe 1-9
Fedamore bridged a forty-nine-year gap since their County Senior Hurling triumph of 1927 at Bruff on Sunday 7th November 1976 when they won the Limerick Intermediate Hurling Laurels for the first time by defeating Glenroe 3-8 to 1-9 in a hard fought and exciting decider.
Fedamore: M. Hedderman, J. Keogh, M. Keogh, P. McNamara, P. Hurley, T. Clohessey, A. McNamara, D. Connery captain, w. Moloney, M. Carey, J. Dondon, E. Prendeville, G. Gleeson, B. Burton, S. Fitzgibbon.
Glenroe: M. Hennessy, M. O’Brien, M. Lee, J. McSweeney, M. Daly, D. Coffey, P. Moloney, T. O’Brien, P. Maguire, M.J. Coffey, P. Meade, M. Murphy, M. McSweeney, T. O’Dwyer, M. Coffey.
County Intermediate Football Championship Final 1976
Monaleen 1-4, Patrickswell 0-4.
Monaleen became the third winners of the Limerick County Intermediate Football Championship title at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 7th November 1976 when they defeated Patrickswell by four points, 1-4 to 0-4 in an all-city division decider which produced thoroughly enjoyable fare.
Monaleen: Maurice Murphy, John Leonard, Dave Fitzpatrick, Tom Moloney, Willie Nicholas, John Gilmartin, John O’Brien, Diarmuid Leonard, Eamonn Nicholas, Tony McMahon, Paul Cosgrave, Noel Bridgeman, Ged O’Dwyer, Garry Long, Pa Moloney captain. Subs: Eddie Franklin, Mike Moloney, Seán Scanlan.
Patrickswell: L. Fenton, P. Bennis, R. Bennis, B. Nolan, D. Pinch, S. Foley, F. Nolan L. Enright, D. Pinch, C. Jeffers, P. Levin, J. Enright, J. Lynch, P. Carey, J. shiels.
Referee: Pat Lane, Foynes.
County Junior Hurling Championship Final 1976
Granagh 1-10, Staker Wallace 3-4 (draw)
Granagh 3-11, Stakers Wallace 0-7 (replay)
Granagh were defeated by four points, 2-6 to 0-8 by Treaty Sarsfields in the 1975 County Junior Hurling Championship Final at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, but were back in the decider again the following year (after defeating their sister parish Ballingarry in the West Final and Patrickswell in the County Semi Final) and played a drawn game with Staker Wallace 1-10 to 3-4 at Bruff on Sunday 28th November 1976 returning to the same venue the following Sunday where they won 3-11 to 0-7 to take their fourth County Junior Hurling Championship title, a first since 1942. The Irish Press Cup was presented to captain Mike Chawke.
Granagh: Michael John Hourigan, Dan Hartigan, Davy Hartigan RIP, Billy O’Connor, Tommy Treacy, Donie O’Connor, Ned Cullinane, Dan Hanly, Seamus O’Brien, Dan Sheehan 1-2, Mike Chawke 0-3, captain, Richie Chawke, Seán Cagney 1-1, Jimmy Chawke 1-0, Derry Noonan 0-5, John Chawke, Dinny Aherne, Pat O’Connor, Mike Treacy, Christy Murphy RIP, Neilus Bresnahan.
Staker Wallace: A. Fitzgerald, M. Lyons, T.J. Hanley, J. Brazil, J. Hayes, J. Maguire, P. Carroll, J. Lyons, J. Maguire, L. Heffernan, M. Noonan, f. Hayes, L. Hayes, M. Gammell, E. Maguire. Subs: J. O’Brien, G. Hanly.
County Junior Football Championship Final 1976
Garryspillane 1-9, Mountcollins 0-5
Garryspillane won their first County Junior Football Championship title in 1976 in the final at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Sunday 20th December 1976. They beat Mountcollins by seven points, 1-9 to 0-5.
Garryspillane: M. Meade, J. Bourke, P. O’Donnell, J. O’Brien, P. O’Grady, P. Heffernan, T. O’Connell, M. Carroll, K. Walsh, P. Maunsell, B. Bourke, B. Carroll, I. Kelly, P. Tobin, Seán Burke captain).
Mountcollins: D. Lenihan, F. O’Connell, M. O’Donnell, T. Brosnahan, S. Gleeson, S. O’Connell, Fr. Tom Carroll, D. O’Donnell, G. Cahill, J. O’Connell, C. Brosnahan, L. Lyons, L. Hartnett, C. Brouder, S. Sullivan.
County U21 Hurling Championship Final 1976
Patrickswell 5-2, Bruree 1-2
Patrickswell won the fifth and back-to-back Limerick County U21 Hurling Championship titles with an 11 point 5-2 to 1-3 victory over South champions Bruree at Bruff.
Patrickswell: J. Murphy, P. Foley, J. O’Brien, E. Kelleher, P. Foley, Dom Punch, D. O’Sullivan, Dave Punch, J. Murray, J. Fenton, G. Hayes, T. O’Brien, K. Darcy, M. Sheehan, J. Mulqueen.
Bruree Panel: Seán Simcox goal, Noel Howard, Mike Lyons, Gerard Mullane, Eamonn O’Dea, John Potter, John Lyons, Gerard Moloney, James O’Dea, Donal Mullane, Michael Walsh, Michael Moloney, Pat Potter, Neilius Simcox, Mike Barron, John Fitzgerald, Joseph Morrissey, Joe Riordan, Con Daly, Danny Deady, John Daly.
County U21 Football Championship Final
Na Fianna 1-4, Na Piarsaigh 0-7 (draw).
Na Fianna 2-5, Na Piarsaigh 0-7 (replay).
South champions Na Fianna and city winners’ Na Piarsaigh finished level, Na Fianna 2-5, Na Piarsaigh 0-7 in a thrilling Limerick County U21 Football Championship Final at Caherconlish on 6th December 1976. The replay at Bruff on 20th December was another close hard fought contest with Na Fianna taking their first over Limerick County U21 Football championship title with a two point, 2-5 to 0-7 victory over the Caherdavin boys.
Na Fianna: Norman Hartigan goal, Chris Conway, Jimmy Carroll, Malachy Fogarty, Patsy Maloney, Gerry Whelan, Billy Cotter, Billy Higgins, Timmy Davern, Aiden Quinn, Mike Ryan (captain), Gary O’Sullivan, John O’Grady, Martin Cleary, Timmy Davern, John Hayes, Donough McGovern.
County Minor Hurling Championship Final 1976
Doon 2-9, South Liberties 3-3.
It was an all East Limerick lineout for the 1976 Limerick County Minor Hurling Championship Final at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 3rd October 1976 and in a most interesting game in which Doon beat South Liberties by three points 2-9 to 3-3 to make it an east and county final double over the Liberties.
Team: Ger McNamara captain, W. Reale, M. Hayes, L. Ryan, J. Quigley, P. Keogh, T. Keogh, M. Thompson, J. Ryan, F. Ryan, M. O’Donnell, M. Ryan, C.J. McGrath, Tom McGrath, P. Ryan, J. Maher, T. Coffey, N. Maher, D. Quigley, P. O’Grady, M. Cummons, D. O’Connor, D. Coffey, P. Moloney.
County Minor Football Championship Final
Askeaton 2-6, Kilmallock 1-1.
Askeaton won their fourth and made it back-to-back Limerick County Minor Football Championship titles with an eight point, 2-6 to 1-1 victory over Kilmallock in the 1976 decider played on 3rd October 1976. Notable players on the winning panel were P. Ivess, P. Barrett, D. Moron, F. Ryan, M. McDaid, J. Neville, J. O’Donnell, G. Ranihan, G. Boyce, D. Gorman, Br. Sheehan.
County U16 Football Championship Final 1976
Monaleen 0-4, Kilmallock 0-2.
Monaleen won their first County U16 Football Championship title with a hard fought two point 0-4 to 0-2 victory over south champions Kilmallock at Bruree in the 1976 decider.
Winners’ Panel: Wilfred Cremen captain, Brian Spillane, Noel, Leonard, Derek McCarthy, Ger Stokes, Niall McDonnell, Seán Cremen, John Murphy, Franke Burke, Eugene Ryan, Joe Redington, Richie Stokes, John Doyle, Tommy Lenihan, Mike Pond, Mike Quinn, Tom O’Connor, Martin Maher, Mattie Bridgeman and Ger Clohessy.
County U16 Hurling Championship Final 1976
Monaleen 0-4, Kilmallock 0-4 (draw)
Monaleen 2-5, Kilmallock 2-4 (replay)
Monaleen met Kilmallock in the 1976 County U16 Hurling Championship Final at B ruff. A draw 0-4 all was the result and in the replay at the same venue the city side Monaleen beat Kilmallock by a point, 2-5 to 2-4 who they had also defeated in the football decider for a County U16 Hurling and Football Championship double.
Winners’ Panel: Ger Stokes captain, Richie Stokes, Noel Leonard, Tom O’Connor, Wilfred Cremen, Derek McCarthy, Martin Maher, Seán Cremen, Niall McDonnell, John Doyle, Brian Spillane, Mike Pound, Henry Byrnes,, Eugene Ryan, Tommy Lenihan, Mattie Bridgeman, Frank Burke, John Hanley, Seán Kelly, Ger Clohessy, John Nicholas and Paul Murphy.
County U14 Football Championship Final 1976
St. Mary’s City 5-5, Kilmallock 1-1.
St. Mary’s City played Kilmallock in the final of the Limerick County U14 Football Championship on August 24th 1976 at Caherconlish. St. Mary’s looking for their first ever county championship title had to line out without star centre back
Richard Mulcahy and star centre forward Brendan McCormack. It was therefore a great credit to the full St. Mary’s panel and trainers that they rose to the occasion and produced a brilliant game of football to beat South champions Kilmallock. St. Mary’s started at a very fast pace and notched a goal scored by Tom Butler and a point by Paul Kirwin after only three minutes. The Saints played fine football and regularly principally through Tom Butler (4-0), and John Cusack, captain, (1-3) to build up a big score for a convincing 5-5 to 1-1 win to claim a first ever county championship title of the St. Mary’s Club in Limerick city. This was essentially a team effort by the City side but their individual stars in T. Stapleton, G. Butler, D. Tobin, M. Walsh, M. Flannery, R. Flanagan, Martin Lyons, S. Finnucane and N. Walters.
Kilmallock were best served by Seán O’Riordan, J. Cleary, B. O’Dwyer, B. Wiley, Tom Tobin and Maurice Nelligan.
St. Mary’s City: A. Stapleton, N. Walters, G. Butler, T. Healy, D. Tobin, M. Lyons, A. Kelly, J. Cusack, M. Walsh, P. Kirwin, S. Finnucane, K. Kilbridge, M. Flannery, Tom Butler, R. Flanagan, R. Mulcahy, B. McCormack, N. McNamara, D. Tracey, Des Fitzgerald, N. Desmond.
Kilmallock: M. Donegan, S. Riordan, J. Sullivan, J. Cleary, L. Mulcahy, B. O’Dwyer, D. Barry, T. Mulcahy, E. Wiley, T. Tobin, E. Riordan, N. Nelligan, J. Leahy, L. Tobin.
Referee: Pat Wade, South Liberties.
County U14 Hurling Championship Final 1976
Doon 4-6, Granagh/Ballingarry 3-1.
Great hurling and thrills in abundance with the main features of the 1976 County U14 Hurling Championship final played in front of a big attendance at Bruff. Doon were ahead at the end of a hectic game but their opponents Granagh/Ballingarry who contributed so much to the encounter, shared the honours, one of the best underage finals in recent years. It was played at a non-stop pace with the hurling of a very high standard. Doon were the early leaders with scores from Michael Ryan and Richard Quigley. They were playing with the breeze at this stage but this did not deter the Granagh/Ballingarry boys who came very much into the game. At the break Doon were four ahead, 1-5 to 1-1. Granagh/Ballingarry bombarded the Doon goals in the early part of the second half. They came up against a resolute defence and minutes elapsed before they shot the equaliser, a goal from Joe Noonan. Doon showed their fighting qualities when they added 1-1 after this reverse with five minutes remaining and only a point separated the sides. Excitement was high at this stage and both sides strived for vital scores. It was Doon who were in luck and Richard Quigley shot over a valuable point. In lost time they had further goals to put the issue beyond the reach of the West champions. Michael Ryan, Richard Quigley, John Ryan, Martin Hayes and P.J. Richardson played major roles in Doon’s win. John Hogan in goal, the Lynch twins, John and Jim Joe Noonan, Joe Power, Joe Hennessy, Tadgh Costelloe, Kevin Clifford and Mike Quaid were the Granagh/Ballingarry stars. After the game Mr. Jim Kirby the County Bord na nÓg chairman presented the winning cup to Martin Hayes, the Doon captain.
Scorers – Doon: M. Ryan 3-1, R. Quigley 0-4, M. Hayes 1-0, G. Thompson 0-1, Granagh/Ballingarry: Joe Noonan 2-0, Jim Lynch.
Doon: Gerard Keogh, Steve Tierney, John Hayes, Michael Keogh, Tom Richardson, John Ryan, Pat Ryan, Richard Quigley, Martin Hayes (captain), Ger McGrath, Michael Ryan, Martin Landers, P.J. Richardson RIP, Ger Thompson, Seán Maher. Sub: Philip Ryan.
Granagh Ballingarry: John Hogan, Tom O’Regan, John Lynch, Sean Mullane, Joe Power, Kevin Clifford, Joe Hennessy, Tadgh Costelloe, captain, Sammy Riordan, Joe Noonan, Jim Lynch (RIP), Michael Quaid, Paddy Tierney, Ned Cagney and Charlie Byrnes.
Referee: Tom O’Brien.
PLAYERS LOSS OF COVER
Croke Park and the County Board has advised clubs to inform players that the Player Injury Scheme for 2021 will not cover for loss of wages. Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club officials encourage all adult club players to consider getting personal injury insurance to cover loss of wages before the various competitions and championships resume, as the club will not be in a position financially to cover loss of wages for players injured while playing in an official sanctioned game or training session.
GAA MUSEUM VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB
While it’s not possible to visit the GAA Museum or its library and archives in person right now, you can still learn more about Gaelic games and the history of the association by becoming a member of their new Virtual GAA Museum Book Club. Each month the GAA Museum team will chose a well-known GAA book to read and review. At the end of the month, the museum will host a free online interview with the author in which members can submit questions and comments. The ambition of the book club is to review some of the great GAA books and to give us all a much-needed sporting boost as we all stay at home. You can find out more and how to get involved via crokepark.ie/bookclub.
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 non-players, €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 a.s.a.p. 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.
CLUB LIMERICK DRAW 2021
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 30th €100. There will again be exclusive monthly prizes to be won. Entry to the draw is just 10 per month or €100 for the ten draws with the option to join our own ten monthly draw and county club draw for €150. If you would like to renew your membership for 2021 please follow the link llimerickgaa.ie/clublimerick-draw-signup/ and select Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club and the numbers of draws you wish to sign up for. You may also contact the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club draw co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton on 086 1960301.
Note: the first Club Limerick draw for 2021 will take place on Saturday 27th March.
COVID 19 VOLUNTEERS
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 them to your door. We ask you to please avail of this service as we all want to work together to keep our community safe.
LIMERICK GAA REFEREE RECRUITMENT
Are you interested in becoming a referee? Think you can do better? Then put your whistle where your mouth is and become a GAA referee!
Why become a GAA referee?
Stay involved with the game as an alternative to playing.
It’s a great way to keep fit.
Could you referee a County Final or All Ireland?
Learn more about the game. Give something back off players at the end of their playing days the opportunity to continue in the sport.
It helps to develop personal skills that are of value in all walks of life.
What qualities are required to become a GAA referee?
Good knowledge of the playing rules. Be physically and mentally fit. Have the ability to remain calm. Have the moral courage to take decisions which are correct.
If interested please forward your details a.s.a.p. to Patsy Coffey, Cappamore 087 9160344 or Mike Sexton, Bruree 087 9188375.
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, U13, U15, U19 and U21). 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 Hurling and Football formats/dates, etc will be circulated ASAP.
2021 COMPETITIONS
The County C.C.C. has informed clubs of the following decision with regard to the running of the remaining 2020 hurling and football county championships.
U21 Premier A/B 13-1-side Football Championship abandoned.
Minor premier and A/B 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 will go ahead if time permits). Clubs will be afforded sufficient lead time to train prior to the commencement of their respective championships.
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.
GAA BE READY TO PLAY
The Gaelic Games family launched ‘Be Ready To Play’, a coaching and sport science programme in association with UPMC official healthcare partners of the GAA and GPA, that will deliver via Webinars, website programmes, Instructional videos and live online sessions. The programme is a holistic coaching and performance plan that will be of great benefit to all club coaches and players, male and female, adult and youth alike. It will help them return to training post Covid in a way that will hopefully increase enjoyment, performance and participation while simultaneously reducing the risk of injury. Further details can be found here groundbreaking Be Ready to Play coaching programme launched (gaa.ie).
20 L LIAM
The official number players ‘20 L Liam’ are now available for sale in ships in Limerick County and City. Please support fundraiser as all the proceeds go to the Limerick team training fund.
COMMEMORATIVE JERSEY 1921-2021
Limerick County GAA Secretary Mike O’Riordan recently launched the Limerick GAA Commemorative Jersey which honours the sitting Mayor of Limerick George Clancy and former Limerick Mayor Michael O’Callaghan in 1921 who were murdered by the British Auxiliaries during the War of Independence. This limited-edition jersey is a replica of the one worn by the All-Ireland hurling winning team in 1921 but features all the benefits of a modern-day jersey with high performance fabric that transports moisture away from the skin. The Jersey features a hooped design and an image of the Liam McCarthy Cup on the sleeve. Check out the O’Neill’s website to order this one-off jersey.
TLC6 Clean-Up
Limerick GAA have announced TLC6 Clean-Up will take place in some capacity this Good Friday, April 6th in compliance with HSE restrictions. Please visit www.teamlimerickcleanup.ie to register your interest. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake 2021
Limerick Greyhound Stadium are busy preparing for the commencement of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake 2021 with a total prize of over €150,000. The event which will be hosted behind closed doors and traditionally would involve thousands of GAA racing and Limerick GAA fans, is to go ahead commencing on Saturday 27th March, with a virtual support programme of events. As per previous years each participating club will be asked to register their interest virtual and each will be assigned one of 70 plus greyhounds that are entered in the classic event. As the greyhound progresses in the competitions. So do the nominating club.
Note: each club is in with a chance to share in a €20,000 prize fund (with an impressive €10,000 to the winning club).
The 48 Hours Relay
Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club are delighted to launch their 48-hour relay which takes place over the weekend of the 26th to 28th March. 48 of Granagh-Ballingarry players both past and present will run/walk in one-hour slots continuously over the weekend, starting at 3pm on Friday March 26th and finishing on Sunday march 28th at 4pm.
Note: Each player will run/walk for an hour, their own 5k to adhere to Level 5 restrictions. Proceeds are in aid of Ballingarry and Granagh National Schools and Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club. Please donate at gofundme?????
€12,300 jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €12,200 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery on Saturday 13th March. The numbers drawn were 1, 6, 26 and 28. Lucky dips of €20 each went to Sarah Dore, O’Gorman’s Shop promoter; Colm Kiely, Niall McCarthy, promoter; Tom and Ann Hickey, Richard O’Donoghue TD promoter; Mairead Chawke, promoter Jimmy Chawke.
The next draw will be held this Saturday 20th March for a jackpot of €12,300. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops from promoters. Thanks for your continued support.