GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
Granagh Ballingarry ease into First Intermediate Semi Final Since 2018
Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Granagh/
Ballingarry….……….3-18
Croom……………..….1-13
In difficult wet and windy conditions at Rathkeale’s newly refurbished Sean Finn Park on Saturday evening, Granagh/Ballingarry recorded a comfortable 11 point victory over gallant neighbours Croom to qualify for the semi final of the Limerick County Intermediate hurling championship for the first time since 2018 against Effin on this Saturday 9th October in Newcastle West at 4pm.
Over 3,000 spectators turned out to watch this quarter final clash of neighbours despite the wet and windy conditions, played on an excellent pitch with David Deady of Bruree in charge. Croom won the toss and elected to play with the aid of the wind in the opening half and hit a number of wides before their no 13 Conor Laffan, following a good solo run, finished past Granagh/Ballingarry keeper John O’Grady on 6 minutes before white flags were traded by Croom’s no 9 James Malone from open play on 8 minutes and Granagh/Ballingarry no 14 Denis O’Connor a minute later to leave it Croom 1-1, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-1 on 9 minutes. Then Mark Reidy on 10 minutes and Conor Allis on 11 minutes raised white flags from open play for Croom before points were traded by Denis O’Connor from a placed ball on 12 minutes and Conor Allis from open play on 13 minutes, Denis O’Connor from a placed ball on 13 minutes and Conor Allis from a placed ball on 14 minutes before no 13 Conor Laffan split the uprights on 15 minutes to leave the boys in white and blue six ahead, 1-6 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter at the water break. On the resumption of play Granagh/Ballingarry hit 1-3 in a five minute spell with white flags through Niall Kennedy (play) on 16 minutes, Denis O’Connor (free) and 18 followed up by a cracking Niall Kennedy goal on 19 minutes and a Denis O’Connor white flag from a placed ball a minute later for 1-6 each on 20 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before white flags were traded by Conor Allis from a placed ball on 21 minutes and Jack Cagney from open play on 22 minutes, Conor Laffan from open play on 24 minutes and Cathal O’Keeffe from open play on 25 minutes, Denis O’Connor from open play on 27 minutes and Conor Allis from a placed ball on 29 minutes before Granagh/Ballingarry no 11 Cathal O’Keeffe split the uprights following a good solo run a minute later to send the boys in black and green in at the interval leading by one 1-10 to 1-9. Niall Kennedy from open play and Conor Allis from a placed ball traded white flags in the opening six minutes after the interval to leave the Granagh/Ballingarry boys still one ahead 1-11 to 1-10 on 36 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before Denis O’Connor split the uprights from a placed ball on 39 minutes and a cracking Jack Cagney goal three minutes later to give Granagh/Ballingarry a five point 2-12 to 1-10 advantage on 42 minutes. Then Conor Allis won a point back from a placed ball for Croom on 44 minutes before Sean O’Connor landed a fine point from out near the sideline for Granagh/Ballingarry a minute later to restore their five point 2-13 to 1-11 advantage at the end of the third quarter at the waterbreak. When play got underway again Denis O’Connor raised the Granagh/Ballingary boys’ third green flag on 47 minutes before white flags were
traded by Conor Allis from a placed ball on 48 minutes and Granagh/Ballingarry substitute and team captain David Condron on 49 minutes, Conor Allis from a placed ball on 52 minutes and Denis O’Connor from a placed ball three minutes later to leave the boys from Knockfierna eight ahead 3-15 to 1-13 on 55 minutes. The Croom boys’ cause was not helped with the sending off of their no 4 with a straight red card on 56 minutes and final four minutes plus was all Granagh/Ballingarry with a trio of white flags from open play through Niall Kennedy, substitute Michael Russell and Denis O’Connor to bring his tally for the game to 1-9 of which 1-2 was from open play. At the final whistle Granagh/Ballingarry were worthy eleven point 3-18 to 1-13 winners to qualify for their first Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship semi final since 2018.
The Croom boys were gutted to have lost by an 11 point margin but were very sporting in defeat and wished Granagh/Ballingarry the best of luck in the semi final. Granagh/Ballingarry scored 3-11 from play and 0-7 from frees. Croom scored 1-6 from play and 0-7 from frees.
Granagh/Ballingarry: John O’Grady, Niall Cahill, John Kelly, Eoin Herlihy, Eoin Casey, Donal O’Grady, Thomas O’Donovan, Pat Carroll, Darragh Casey, Luke Flynn, Cathal O’Keeffe 0-2, Jack Cagney 1-1, Niall Kennedy 1-3, Denis O’Connor 1-9 (0-7 frees), Sean O’Connor 0-1. Subs used: David Condron (captain) 0-1, Damien O’Donovan, Michael Russell 0-1, Sean Murphy.
Croom: Ger Flynn, Kevin McNamara, Aidan Morrissey, Kevin Laffan, Dara O’Farrell, Cormac Behan, Damien Sexton, Sean Cahill, James Malone 0-1, Marcus Cregan, Conor Allis 0-9 (7 frees), Stephen Lucey, Conor Laffan 1-2, Mark Reidy 0-1, Mark Kelly. Subs used: Noel Hayes, Jack Murray, Ethan Barry, James Fitzgerald.
Referee: David Deady (Bruree).
Intermediate Semi Final Preview
All roads lead to Newcastle West GAA Grounds on this Saturday 9th October at 4pm for the eagerly awaited clash of Granagh/Ballingarry and Effin in the Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship semi final. Tremendous support is anticipated for both clubs as Granagh/Ballingarry bid to reach their first final since 2005 when they defeated Glenroe 4-10 to 3-10 at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock, and Effin a first since 2011 when they defeated Ballybrown 1-9 to 1-8 at Páirc na nGael and later were crowned Munster Intermediate Champions defeating Ballyduff, Kerry by three points 0-14 to 0-11 in the final at Newcastle West. Saturday’s meeting will be the third in three seasons between the sides. When they clashed in Round 4 of Group 2 in the County Intermediate Hurling Championship at Páirc Caoimh Uí Luinh, Feenagh in 2019 Granagh/Ballingarry recorded a hard fought two point 0-12 to 0-10 win over a gallant Effin in difficult wet conditions. The teams that evening at Feenagh were:
Granagh/Ballinarry: Keith O’Kelly, Eoin Casey, Niall Cahill, Eoin Cahill, Colm Noonan, David Clancy, John Carroll, Donal O’Grady 0-1, Denis O’Connor 0-6 (4 frees, 1 65), Sean O’Connor 0-1, Jack Cagney 0-1, Cathal O’Keeffe 0-2, David Condron, Niall Kennedy. Subs used: Kevin Forde, John O’Grady 0-1.
Effin: James O’Leary, Robert Cagney, Tommy Quaid, Adrian Barrett, Enda Kelly, Nickie Quaid, Patrick Carroll, Ruairi O’Connor, Jack Quaid 0-9 (6 frees), Brian Clifford, Darren
Sheehy 0-1, Damien Moloney, Clive Doherty, Pierse O’Kelly, Frankie Herr. Subs used: David Barrett, Hugh O’Neill, Enda Kelly and Kieran Murphy.
When the sides clashed again in the County Intermediate Hurling Championship relegation semi final on Sunday 6th September 2020, Effin retained their Intermediate Hurling Championship status for 2021 with a deserved six point 3-19 to 3-13 victory over a gallant Granagh/Ballingarry at Staker Wallace GAA grounds in Kilbreedy.
The teams were:
Effin: James O’Leary, Mark Mullins, Robert Cagney, Patrick Carroll, Michael Rea, Darren Sheehy, Alan Byrne, Paul Treacy, Jack Quaid 2-9 (0-8 frees), Nickie Quaid, Ruairi O’Connor 0-5, Pierse O’Kelly 1-1, Fergal O’Connor 0-1, Thomas Quaid 0-2 (1 free), Hugh O’Neill 0-1. Sub used Frankie Herr.
Granagh/Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly, Niall Cahill, David Clancy (captain), Brendan Lynch, Thomas O’Donovan, Donal O’Grady, Eoin Casey, Pat Carroll, Darragh Casey, Damien O’Donovan 0-1, Cathal O’Keeffe, Luke Flynn 0-1, Denis O’Connor 0-9 (7 frees 1 65), David Condron 2-2, Gerard Lynch. Subs used: Eoin Chawke 1-0, Jack Cagney, Sean O’Connor, Edward Sheehy.
En route to Saturday’s semi final, Effin defeated last year’s defeated finalists Na Piarsaigh 3-18 to 0-16 and Kilmallock 2-23 to 1-16 to top Group 4 on four points to qualify for a quarter final meeting with Group 3 sedond place Knockaderry in the quarter final at Páirc Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh where they recorded an impressive 2-13 to 0-9 victory on Sunday to qualify for Saturday’s semi final. Granagh/Ballingarry came from two points down in added time courtesy of a cracking goal by second half substitute Cathal O’Keeffe and a long range Denis O’Connor pointed free paved the way for a thrilling two point 2-19 to 3-14 victory over Tournafulla at Páirc Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh on Saturday 18th September in Croom, to finish second in Group 2 behind Bruree to qualify for a quarter final meeting with Group 2 top side neighbours who they defeated by eleven points 3-18 to 1-13 at Páirc Caoimh Uí Luing on Sunday to set up this Saturday’s quarter final clash with Effin in Newcastle West at 4pm.
Support
A proverbial mount-watering clash awaits with neither side fearing the other and both confident of victory. So on this Saturday 9th October at 4pm in Newcastle West GAA grounds is the place for all Granagh/Ballingarry fans to cheer on the boys in black and green and their management team of Eoin Kennedy, Michael Clancy, Bobby Houlihan and Pat O’Connor (Newtown) to victory and a place in the Limerick County Intermediate Hurling Championship final for the first time since 2005 when they defeated Glenroe 4-10 to 3-10 at Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock on Sunday 9th October where current team manager with 3-3 won the Man of the Match award.
Tickets
Tickets for the Granagh/Ballingarry v Effin and Bruree v Croagh/Kilfinny County Intermediate Hurling Chamipnship semi final in Newcastle West on this Saturday 9th October at 2pm and 4pm can now be purchased on www.universe.com, search for Granagh/Ballingarry Club. The link to purchase tickets is also posted on the Granagh/Ballingarry Facebook or Twitter page. €10 per adult, €6 per student, €2 for U6s.
Note – No tickets will be on sale at the gate.
West Junior B Football Championship Semi Final
Sunday 17th October – Granagh/Ballingarry v Athea in Tournafulla at 3.30pm, Knockaderry v Ballysteen in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale at 3.30pm.
Dromin/Athlacca Book Semi Final Spot with late points
County U/19 B Hurling Championship Quarter Final
Dromin/
Athlacca……….2-14
Granagh/
Ballingarry………1-15
The meeting of neighbours Granagh/Ballinarry and Dromin/Athlacca in the quarter final of the Limerick County U/19 B Hurling Championship, played in difficult wet and windy conditions in Kilbreedy, was a loose hard fought contest with a pair of late points, courtesy of Jack Fitzgibbon from open play and Cian Scully paved the way for a two point victory for the South Division side over the unlucky boys from Knockfierna. A good crowd watched this close hard fought contest between two fine sporting sides despite the wet and windy conditions played on an excellent pitch with Joe Mulcahy of Killeedy in charge Darragh Casey and Jack Fitzgibbon traded white flags in the opening two minutes before a pair of white flags for Granagh/Ballingarry through Michael Russell from open play on 3 minutes and Paudie Murphy from a placed ball on 4 minutes were cancelled out by Cian Scully from placed balls to leave for 0-3 each on 6 minutes. Then Michael Russell won back the lead for Granagh/Ballingarry when he split the uprights following a good solo run on 7 minutes before Cian Scully sent a 30 metre placed ball to the back of the Granagh/Ballingarry net to leave the Dromin/Athlacca boys two ahead 1-3 to 0-4 on 9 minutes. Eoin Lynch and Rory Condon of Granagh/Ballingarry hit wides before a trio of white flags courtesy of Adan Henley from a placed ball on 12 minutes and Jack Fitzgibbon from open play on 14 and 15 minutes to leave Dromin/Athlacca five ahead 1-6 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter at the water break. When play got underway again a pair of white flags, courtesy of Adam Henley from open play on 17 minutes and Cian Scully from a long range placed ball a minute later extended the Dromin/Athlacca boys’ advantage to seven, 1-8 to 0-4 on 18 minutes. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys far from being overawed hit 1-5 in a 12 minute spell Darragh Casey from open play Micheal Russell four (3 frees, 1 play) and Eoin Enright a penalty goal to send the boys in black and green in at the interval leading by one 1-9 to 1-8. Granagh/Ballingarry dominated the open ten minutes after the interval with a pair of white flags through Michael Russell from a placed ball and Eoin Lynch from open play to extend their advantage to three before Dromin/Athlacca no 11 Jack Fitzgibbon finished past Eoin Hogan in the Granagh/Ballingarry goal to leave the sides level, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-11, Dromin/Athlacca 2-8 on 43 minutes. Then a pair of white flags through Michael Russell from placed balls on 44 and 45 minutes to leave Granagh/Ballingarry two ahead 1-13 to 2-8 at the end of the third quarter at the second water break. On the resumption of play Dromin/Athlacca had white flags through Jack Fitzgibbon from open play on 47 minutes and Cian Scully from a long range placed ball on 48 minutes before points were traded by Eoin Lynch from open play on 49 minutes and Cian Scully from a 65 on 40 minutes, Darragh
Casey from a placed ball on 51 minutes and Jack Fitzgibbon from open play two minutes later to leave the sides level, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-15, Dromin/Athlacca 2-12 on 53 minutes. Granagh/Ballingarry created a number of scoring chances in a five minute spell which they failed to convert before Dromin/Athlacca finished strong with a pair of white flags from placed balls through their no 6 Cian Scully on 59 and 62 minutes to leave the boys in blue and white two ahead but only just 2-14 to 1-15 at the final whistle after a most enjoyable hard fought contest to qualify for the County U19 B Hurling Championship semi final. Granagh/Ballingarry were gutted to have lost by two points in the final few minutes but were very sporting in defeat and wished their neighbours the best of luck in the semi final. Granagh/Ballingarry scored 1-7 from play, 0-8 from frees. Dromin/Athlacca scored 1-6 from play, 1-7 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.
Dromin/Athlacca: Thomas Delahunty, James Sheahan, Shane Scully, Dara Rabbitt, Shane Fitzgibbon, Cian Scully,William Dore, David Griffin, Pearse ????, Ciaran Fox, Jack Fitzgibbon 1-3, Keane Costelloe, Daniel Scully 0-2, Adam Hanley 0-2 (1 free), Diarmuid Enright. Subs: Jack Walsh, Sean Herlihy, Jamie Gubbins.
Referee: Joe Mulcahy (Killeedy).
Thanks
Thank you to the management team Graham Russell and Mick Chawke and the first aid official Louise Enright and the panel of players for giving creditable performances in this year’s County U19 Hurling Championship reaching the quarter final despite short a number of key players due to injury.
Newcastle West Dethrone Holders
West Junior B Hurling Championship Quarter final
Newcastle West…….0-15
Granagh/
Ballingarry………….1-10
Holders Granagh/Ballingarry made their exit from this year’s West Junior B Hurling Championship at the quarter final stage going under to a fine Newcastle West side by two points in a thrilling contest played in difficult under foot conditions at Páirc Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh on Sunday evening.
A good crowd turned out to watch this thrilling West B quarter final between two fine sporting sides with Donie Browne of Mungret/St. Paul’s in charge. Holders Granagh/Ballingarry dominated the opening eight minutes with a trio of white flags through Colm Noonan from a 65 Richie O’Keeffe from a placed ball and Jack Hartnett from open play before Andrew Mortell opened the Newcastle West boys account with a long range point from play, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-3, Newcastle West 0-1 on 9 minutes. Then white flags were traded by Richie O’Keeffe from a placed ball on 12 minutes and Evan Sheehan from open play three minutes later to leave one between the sides, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-4, Newcastle West 0-3 at the end of the first quarter at the water break. On the resumption of play, white flags were traded from open play by Eoin Enright on 18 minutes and Conor Walker on 20 minutes before a pair of white flags from play through Ruadhan O’Connor on 22 minutes and Michael Blashkiv three minutes later to leave Newcastle West one ahead 0-6 to 0-5 on 25 minutes. Granagh/Ballingarry finished the opening half strong with a Richie
O’Keeffe pointed free on 28 minutes followed by a Kevin Forde goal on 30 minutes from a Richie O’Keeffe delivery to send the holders in at the interval leading by three 1-6 to 0-6. On the resumption of the second half it was all Newcastle West with five unanswered white flags through Conor Walker on 36 minutes, Michael Blashkiv on 38 minutes, Mikey Carroll on 39 minutes, no 20 on 41 minutes and Evan Sheehan (free) on 44 minutes before Richie O’Keeffe ended a fourteen minute spell without a Granagh/Ballingarry score when he split the uprights from a placed ball on 45 minutes to reduce the deficit to one, Newcastle West 0-11, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-7 at the end of the third quarter at the second water break. When play got underway again, points were traded from open play by Richie O’Keeffe on 45 minutes and Jack O’Connor on 48 minutes before a pair of white flags from placed balls for Granagh/Ballingarry through Colm Noonan on 52 and Richie O’Keeffe on 55 minutes, to leave the holders one ahead 1-10 to 0-12 with five minutes of normal time remaining on the clock. The Newcastle West boys far from being over awed hit a trio of unanswered white flags through Jack O’Connor from a placed ball on 57 minutes. Ruadhan O’Connor, from open play on 59 minutes and Evan Sheehan from a placed ball on 61 minutes to seal a thrilling two point victory 0-15 to 1-10 victory over holders Granagh/Ballingarry to qualify for a meeting with Croagh/Kilfinny in the semi final of the West Junior B Hurling Championship on Saturday 9th October in Askeaton at 4.45pm, Newcastle west scored 0-12 from play and 0-3 from frees. Granagh/Ballingarry scored 1-3 from play, 0-6 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.
Granagh/Ballingarry: Jimmy Shiels, Mickie O’Keeffe, Donagh McCarthy, Kieran Condron, Patrick Shelton, Mark Tierney, Colm Noonan 0-2 (1 free, 1 65), Eoin Enright 0-1, Brendan Lynch, Brian Noonan, Jim O’Keeffe, Richie O’Keeffe 0-6 (5 frees, 1 lineball), Jack Hartnett 0-1, Kevin Forde 1-0, Eoin Lynch. Subs used: Jack O’Donoghue, Mick Carroll, Brian Mulqueen and Niall Carroll.
Referee: Donie Browne (Mungret/St. Paul’s).
October County Club Draw
The next Limerick County GAA Club Draw is on Saturday 30th October with a top prize of €10,000. There are a host of other prizes to be won, 2nd €3,000, 3rd €2,000, 4th €1,000m 5th Exclusive prize of two night hotel break with dinner, 6th to 9th 500, 10th to 13th €250, 14th to 30th €100. Entry to the draw is just €10 per month with the option to join our own ten monthly draw and County Club draw for €150. Granagh/Ballingarry has three winners to date, Nora Faragher who won €100 in March and Paul McCarthy who won €100 in May and Teresa McCarthy won the exclusive star prize in August. If you would like to renew your membership please follow the link Limerick Draw, sign up and select Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club and the number of draws you wish to sign up for. You may also contact the Granagh/Ballingarry Club draw co-ordinator Stephen Stapleton on (086) 1960301.
Note: All new names to be included in the October 30th draw must be in by Wednesday 27th October.
Club Diary
Wednesday 6th October
County U19 B Hurling Championship Quarter Finals: Kildimo/Pallaskenry v Ballybricken/Bohermore/Fedamore in Doon at 7.30pm. Caherline v Mungret/St. Paul’s in Rhebogue at 7.30pm.
Thursday 7th October
County Junior A Hurling Championship, Group 4, Round 5: Ballybrown v Staker Wallace in Knocklong at 8pm.
Friday 8th October
County U19 B Hurling Championship Quarter Final: Glenroe v St. Kierans in Kilbreedy at 7.30pm.
Saturday 9th October
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Finals: Bruree v Croagh/Kilfinny in Newcastle West at 2pm. Granagh/Ballingarry v Effin in Newcastle West at 2pm.
County Intermediate Hurling Championship Relegation Final: Tournafulla v Feohanagh/Castlemahon in Dromcollogher at 4pm.
County Junior A Hurling Championship, Group 1, Round 5: Doon v Monaleen in Caherelly at 5pm; Feenagh/Kilmeedy v Mungret/St. Paul’s in Askeaton at 5pm; Askeaton v Patrickswell in Clarina at 5pm.
County Junior A Hurling Championship, Group 3, Round 5: Templeglantine v Ballybricken/Bohermore in Feenagh at 3pm; Caherline v Crecora in Claughaun at 3pm; Old Christians v Drom/Broadford in Croagh at 3pm.
County Junior A Hurling Championship, Group 4, Round 5: Castletown/Ballyagran v Killeedy in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 4pm; Claughaun v Rathkeale in Bruff at 4pm.
West Junior B Hurling Championship Semi Finals: Killeedy v Adare in Sean Finn Park, Rathkeale at 1.45pm; Newcastle West v Croagh/Kilfinny in Knockaderry at 4.45pm.
Sunday 10th October
County Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals: Doon v Kilmallock in Páirc nan Gael at 2pm, Na Piarsaigh (holders) v Patrickswell in Páirc nan Gael at 4pm.
County Senior Football Championship Semi Finals: Galtee Gaels v Adare in Fitzgerald Park, Kilmallock at 2pm; Newcastle West v Monaleen in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 4pm.
County Junior A Hurling Championship, Group 2, Round 5: Garryspillane v Monagea in Kilfinane at 1pm; Ahane v St. Kierans in Croagh at 1pm; St. Patrick’s v Kilteely/Dromkeen in Cappamore at 1pm.
Tuesday 12th October
County U19 A Hurling Championship Semi Finals: Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale v Coshlea Gaels in Knocklong at 6.15pm; Cappamore v Naomh Eoin in Knocklong at 8pm.