GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
BALLINGARRY JUNIOR HURLERS BRIDGE 35-YEAR GAP IN 1979
The following is a record of the 1979 Limerick County Hurling and Football Championship Finals with Ballingarry winning the Junior Hurling Championship after a gap of 35 years defeating neighbours Feenagh Kilmeedy by a point in the final to reverse the yearly west final defeat and Claughaun a great treble U14 Hurling, U12 Hurling and Football Championship double.
County Senior Hurling Championship Final 1979
Patrickswell 2-16, Tournafulla 1-6
The 1979 Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship Final was played at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 23rd September 1979 and it was enlivened by new faces when the champions of the west Tournafulla final came along to challenge Patrickswell who were back again as finalists for the first time since 1979 and were helped by their superior experience to take their sixth Limerick County Senior Hurling Championship title and the John Daly Cup, a first since 1977 on a full-time score of 2-16 to 1-6.
Patrickswell: Joe Murphy goal, Philip Foley, John O’Brien, Eamonn Kelleher, Leonard Enright, Phil Bennis, Dom Pinch, Seán Foley, Pa Foley, Ger Hayes, Ritchie Bennis captain, David Pinch, Frankie Nolan, Tony O’Brien and Joe Lynch.
Tournafulla: Seamus O’Sullivan goal, Con O’Gorman, Mick Brosnan, Pat Sheehan, Willie Hartnett, Mick Collins, Seán Hartnett, Chris Hartnett, Des O’Connor, Patsy Horgan, Con Brouder. Subs Fr. Tom Carroll, Timmy Horgan and Connie O’Sullivan.
Referee: Neilly Duggan, St. Mary’s Rathkeale.
County Senior Football Championship Final 1979
Oola 0-10, Askeaton 0-2
It was old campaigners east champions Oola and west runners-up Askeaton who contested the 1979 Limerick County Senior Football Championship Final played at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 28th October 1979 before a large football crowd with gate receipts £2,205. The final however was a disappointment as the east champions Oola won all too readily by eight points 0-10 to 0-1 to capture their sixth and last Limerick County Senior Football Championship crown.
Oola: John Ryan, Dick Quinlan, Patsy Ryan, Phil Ryan, John Ryan, Jim Guerin, Willie Burns, Seán Fitzgibbon, Dan Fitzgerald, Seán Holmes, Donal Fitzgibbon, Billy Godfrey, Joe Ryan, P.J. Bourke, Tom Landers.
Askeaton: Terence Madigan, John McDonnell, Declan Barron, Michael Ryan, Tommy Carrig, Jim O’Donnell, Finty Ryan, Ken Hanley, Michael J. O’Donoghue, Noel O’Donoghue, Seamus O’Connell, Joe Carrig, Dick Costelloe, Paddy Ivess, Tom O’Connell, E. McDaid.
Referee: Seán O’Connor, Claughaun.
County Junior Hurling Championship Final 1979
Ballingarry 1-9, Feenagh/Kilmeedy 1-8
In 1979 Ballingarry suffered their second successive West Junior Hurling championship Final defeat to Feenagh/Kilmeedy by a single point 4-5 to 3-7 which was their third West Championship Final defeat in three seasons but qualified for the county play-offs. They overcame Knockainey in the quarter final and Murroe in the semi final to qualify for first Limerick County Junior Hurling Championship Final since 1944 against great rivals Feenagh/Kilmeedy. The county final was a rematch of the West Final played in difficult wet and windy conditions in Dromcollogher on Sunday 25th November 1979. The Ballingarry boys on the day hurled with greater purpose and commitment and had a higher work rate. West champions Feenagh/Kilmeedy trailed by only a goal at half time and on the resumption reduced the deficit to a solitary point. The Ballingarry boys threw caution to the wind and with Joe Fitzgerald in rampant mood at centre forward they forged ahead to score a thrilling three point 1-9 to 1-6 victory to take their second Limerick County Junior Hurling Championship crown, a first since 1944. The Ballingarry captain Davy O’Keeffe received the Limerick County Junior Hurling Championship trophy (The Irish Press cup) from County Board Chairman Rory Kiely amid great scenes of jubilation.
Ballingarry: Jack Kelly goal, John O’Keeffe, Conor O’Keeffe, Conor Snow, Seán Dunworth, Dave Clifford, Dave O’Keeffe captain, Michael Healy, Liam Fitzgerald, Tadgh Costelloe, Joe Fitzgerald, Pat Cagney, D. O’Grady, Seán Kennedy, Dave Fitzgerald, Pat Cagney, Pat Histon, Danny O’Keeffe, Peter Healy, Mike Quaid.
Feenagh/Kilmeedy: Pat McCarthy goal, Tim Reidy, Paddy Walsh, Bill Lynch, Jim Power, Tony Galvin, John McCarthy, Dan Egan, John Neenan, Pat O’Sullivan, Mike O’Sullivan, Mike Keane, Gerry Lynch, Joe Lynch, Maurice O’Sullivan.
Referee: Neilly Duggan, St. Mary’s, Rathkeale.
County Junior Football Championship Final 1979
Ballysteen 1-5, Bruff 0-8 (draw)
Ballysteen 0-8, Bruff 0-3 (replay)
In 1979 Ballysteen suffered a seven-point 2-6 to 0-5 defeat to Feohanagh/Castlemahon in the West Junior Football Championship Final but qualified for the county play-offs and recorded impressive wins in the quarter and semi to qualify for a final meeting with south champions Bruff. They drew 1-5 to 0-8 at the first attempt but then at Pairc na nGael on 9th December the west runners-up Ballysteen ran out good winners 0-8 to 0-3 to capture their third Limerick County Junior Football Championship title, a first since 1961.
Ballysgteen: M. McMahon, J. Neville, P. McMahon, N. Fitzgerald, G. Renehan, D. Hayes, P. McKeogh, D. Neville, M. Fitzgerald, D. Moran (captain), P. Walsh, A. Moran, Fr. Michael Cussen, N. McMahon, S. McDonagh. Sub: J. Holland.
Bruff: T. Hehir, D. Carroll, T. Sullivan, T. McAuliffe, M. Wrenn, T. Gubbins, J. Brosnan, G. Hayes, D. Kiely, M. Hehir, G. Donovan, S. Bulfin, J.J. Bulfin, G. O’Connell, G. Hehir.
County U21 Hurling Championship Final 1979
Adare 1-9, Patrickswell 0-7
West champions Adare defeated six-time winners neighbours Adare by five points 1-9 to 0-7 to capture their first ever Limerick County U21 Hurling crown in a thrilling decider at Bruff on Sunday 21st October 1979.
Adare: Pat Brennan captain, Michael Alfred, Tony Flynn, Shane Fitzgibbon, Tom Dunne, Eamonn Fitzgerald, John Kelly, Seán Ryan, Michael Dundon, Ger Hickey, Liam Burke, Stephen Tierney, Michael Benson, Seamus Griffin, Michael Butler, Tom Normoyle, P.J. Kinnevane, Ger Butler, Tony Butler, Johnny Dunne.
County U21 Football Championship Final 1978
Monaleen 2-10, Askeaton 1-5
City champions Monaleen made it back-to-back Limerick County U21 Football champions with an impressive eight point 2-10 to 1-5 victory over west champions Askeaton in the 1979 County U21 Football Championship Final at Bruff on Sunday 8th November 1979.
Monaleen: H. Byrne, J. Reddington, E. Leonard, E. Nicholas, D. McCarthy, M. Leonard, G. Stokes, D. Hyde, B. Spillane, N. McDonnell, W. Cremin, T. Lenihan, S. Murphy, G. O’Dwyer, M. Moloney.
Askeaton: M. Ryan, J. Hanafin, P. Ivess, D. Foley, S. Fitzgerald, K. Hanley, J. O’Connell, P. Barrett, M. McDaid, T. Ryan, J. O’Donnell, E. McDaid, M. Dillon, D. Bannon, T. Fitzgerald.
Referee: Seán O’Connor, Claughaun.
County Minor Hurling Championship Final 1979
Down defeated by five points 2-9 to 2-4 by Claughaun in the 1979 Limerick County Minor Hurling Championship Final were back in the decider again the following year at Pairc na nGael on Sunday 23rd September 1979 and they made no mistake this time taking their seventh Limerick County Minor Hurling Championship title, a first since 1976 when they beat city champions Ballybrown by 2-13 to 1-8.
Doon: G. Keogh, J. Hayes, C. Ryan, J.J. Hayes, M. Cooney, M. Keogh, M. Hayes, R. Quigley, N. Maher (captain), F. Ryan, M. Ryan, S. Maher, J. Thompson, J. Ryan, P. McGrath.
Membership Closing Date Extended
Due to the changed financial circumstances of many at this difficult time the closing date for membership of Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club for 2021 is extended to July 1st. Fees 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 July 1st to club registrar John Carroll.
National Football and Hurling League
Congratulations to the Limerick senior footballers who got their National League Division 3 South campaign off to a winning start with a 2-point 1-13 to 0-14 victory over Munster champions Tipperary at Pairc na nGael last Saturday. We wish team manager Billy Lee and all involved with the Limerick senior footballers the best of luck as they travel to O’Connor Park, Tullamore this Saturday May 22nd to play homeside Offaly four point 1-14 to 1-10 winners over Wicklow at Aughrim last Sunday. Saturday’s game can be seen online on gaa.go at 3pm.
All Ireland hurling Limerick champion’s 14-game unbeaten run came to an end when they went under to Galway by seven points 0-27 to 1-17 in the second round of Division 1A of the National League League at Pearse Park last Sunday. We wish team manager John Kiely our own Donal O’Grady selector/coach and all involved with the Limerick senior hurlers the best of luck when they travel to Walsh Park, Waterford in the next round of the Division 1A of the National League this Sunday 23rd May. The game which is a ??? of the 2020 All Ireland Final can be seen live on TG4 at 3.45pm.