GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES
The First All-Star Hurling and Football Teams in 1971
Players from seven different counties made up the first All Star Hurling team in 1971, four each from All Ireland finalists Tipperary and Kilkenny, two players from Cork and Limerick and one each from Dublin, Galway and Offaly. In football the county representation on the first All-Star team in 1971 showed a wider spread. The two All-Ireland finalists Offaly and Galway received four awards each while one player was selected from each of Antrim, Cork, Down, Kerry, Mayo, Meath and Sligo.
FIRST ALL STAR TEAMS ANNOUNCED
When the first All-Star teams were announced in autumn 1971, there was little build-up or anticipation. At that stage not many people had heard of the new awards scheme and unlike today the list of nominated players was not published in advance. The hurling All-Star team was announced on Monday October 18th on RTE television and radio sports bulletins. The team was published the next day on the national newspapers two weeks later. The first All Star football team was announced in the same way. The scheme was the brainchild of the four leading Gaelic Games reporters at the time, the late Padraig Puirseal, John D Hickey and Mick Dunne, along with Paddy Downey, the surviving one of the group.
The 1971 teams were notable for a number of reasons, not least the fact that the respective All Ireland champions Tipperary (hurling) and Offaly (football) were each limited to four players. Pat Hartigan (Limerick) at full back and Eddie Keher (Kilkenny) named alongside Babs Keating (Tipperary) in the half forwards, were each to go on to win five awards. Only 29 players were honoured that first year in 1971 because dual players Ray Cummins (Cork) had the distinction of being selected on both the All Star hurling and football teams. This fantastic achievement has never been replicated during the 50 years of the scheme. In later years Roy’s team mates Brian Murphy, Jimmy Barry Murphy and Denis Coughlan and Liam Currans from Offaly were similarly honoured.
The hurling team in ’71 included Tadhg O’Connor who was Tipperary’s All Ireland winning captain that year and the football team included Offaly’s winning captain Willie Bryan.
The First All Star
The prestige of receiving an All-Star grew quickly over the past 50 years, but who has the honour of being the first ever All-Star? The hurling team in ’71 was the first to be announced, so the record books show that Offaly goalkeeper Damien Martin was the first ever All-Star. However, it could be argued that Offaly footballer Eugene Mulligan was the first All-Star as he was nominated unanimously for the right half-back position as there were 26 journalists on the nomination panel in 1971. This was an impressive achievement. For other positions in 1971 up to 13 players were nominated. It was amazing for Eugene to be the only name nominated by such a large number of journalists.
First All-Star Banquet
The inaugural All-Star banquet took place in the Inter Continential Hotel (known to most as Jury’s Hotel) in Dublin on Wednesday 15th December, 1971. An Taoiseach Jack Lynch was the guest of honour at the first banquet and to the players delight he presented the first All-Star trophies. His presence was significant as Jack Lynch was a multiple All-Ireland winner himself, having won six all-Ireland medals for Cork, five in hurling and one in football in the 1940s. In December 1979 Jack Lynch announced his resignation as Taoiseach, just two days before the All-Ireland banquet which he did attend ad was greeted by a standing ovation.
First All-Star Line-outs in 1971
Hurling: (GK) Damien Martin, Offaly (for maintaining his very high level of brilliance in a position that invariably produced more than a few of class performances in any one year); (RCB Tony Maher, Cork (for his dependability, his unobtrusive but completely effective work in defence has always bee the great quality of his hulring particularly in 1971); FB Pat Hartigan, Limerick (for his contribution as one of the mainstays of Limerick’s resurgence in 1971. At full back he showed unyielding stubbornness under the heaviest of pressure.); LCB Jim Treacy, Kilkenny (for maintaining his position as the outstanding left corner back in the country, for his sportsmanship and calm play in every situation); RWB Tadhg O’Connor, Tipperary (for captaining Tipperary in their recapture of the All-Ireland championship. His qualities of leadership and great-hearted spirit were repeatedly in evidence throughout the season); CB Mick Roche, Tipperary (for his memorable performances as one of the hurling perfectionists of his era, his true brilliance comes to the surface when the competition is at its hottest); LWB Martin Coogan, Kilkenny (for bringing his judgement and experience out of retirement in 1971. His steadying influence was a major reason for the return of the Leinster title to Kilkenny); MD John Connolly, Galway (for the admirable hurling style exemplified in his play. His crisp, deft striking of the ball was one but one of his many splendid skills); MD Frank Cummins, Kilkenny (for his considerable role in recapturing the Leinster title for Kilkenny and Cork championship for Blackrock. All the promise of his early hurling years blossomed in 1971); RWF Francis Loughnane, Tipperary (for his quick incisive forward play. His scoring ability was one of the factors enabling his County to become All-Ireland champions in 1971); CF Michael ‘Babs’ Keating, Tipperary (for his exemplary performance in recovering his County team place and then becoming the inspiration of his team’s many fine achievements during the year); LWF Eddie Keher, Kilkenny (for his consummate artistry, the poise and grace he brings to his chosen sport. For a decade his play has delighted thousands of lovers of the game); RCF Mick Bermingham, Dublin (for his stalwart contribution to the Dublin attack during the season. His skill, earnestness and unflagging enthusiasm made him the country’s leading scorer in 1971); FF Ray Cummins, Cork (for introducing a new degree of subtlety into full-forward play. His perfect coordination and the wide variety of his attacking play continually setting up scores); LCF Éamonn Cregan, Limerick (for his speed, elusiveness and powerful shot which unite to make him one of the most successful score-getters of modern times. His effectiveness was strikingly emphasised during 1971).
Football: GK P.J. Smyth, Galway (has the distinction of being the very first All-Star football keeper; RCB Johnny Carey, Mayo (won 2 Connacht Senior Football championships in 1970 and 1971 and National Football League medals in 1971 and 72); FB Jack Cosgrove, Galway (from the Clifden club was a member of the Galway Senior Football team from 1971 until 1977); LCB Donie O’Sullivan, Kerry (from the Spa club was a member of the Kerry team from 1962 until 1975. He was Kerry’s first All-Star in 1971 which he achieved again in 1972); RWB Eugene Mulligan, Offaly (he played for his local club Rhode and was a member of the Offaly team from 1968 to 1980); CB Nicholas Clavin , Offaly (he played for his local club A Carthage’s and was a member of the Offaly Senior Football team 1968 until 1973);
LWB Patrick Reynolds, Meath (he enjoyed much success with the Meath senior football team in the 1960s. He usually played as a halfback and played his club football with Walterstown); MD Liam Sammon, Galway (played football with his local clubs Fr. Griffins and Salthill-Knocknacarra and was a member of the Galway senior football team from 1966 to 1979); MD Willie Bryan, Offaly (born in Walsh Island, Offaly played for his local club Walsh Island and was a member of the Offaly senior football team from 1966 until 1978. Bryan won two All-Ireland football medals with his native Offaly in 1971 and 1972 and captained the side to their first ever All-Ireland title in 1971); RWF Tony McTague, Offaly (played for the Ferbane club and was a member of the Offaly senior football team from 1965 until 1975 winning All-Ireland medals in 1971 and 72); CF Ray Cummins, Cork whose dual hurling and football league and championship career with the Cork senior teams spanned fifteen years from 1967 to 1982 winning four hurling and one football All-Ireland medals, five national hurling league medals and three hurling and two football All-Star awards); LWF Mickey Kearins, Sligo (played for the Sligo county senior football team for 17 years from 1961 to 1978. In 1971 Mickey was the first Sligo man to win an All-Star award. He is also the only Sligo player to win a Cu Chulainn Award winning it three consecutive years in 1964,64 and 66. He won seven county senior football titles with his club St. Patrick’s-Dromard and one Connacht senior football championship medal with Sligo); RCF Andy McCallin, Antrim (his fame began when he finished with a magnificent scoring tally of 1-5 in Antrim’s 1-8 to 0-10 victory over Roscommon in the 1969 All Ireland Under 21 football championship final. In 1971 Andy represented Ulster in both football and hurling winning a Railway Cup Football medal. He played hurling and football for both Antrim and Limerick); FF Seán O’Neill, Down (played with his local club John Mitchel and was a member of the Down senior football team from the 1950s until the 1960s. O’Neill is one of the only few Down players to win three All-Ireland senior football championship medals); LCF Seamus Leydon, Galway (was a vital part of the great Galway’s great All-Ireland senior football three in a row winning side of the mid-1960s. The John Mitchel clubman was the scourge of all right half back up and down the county for a decade.
260km Clocked Up In Every Stop Counts Challenge
A great first day of walking as part of the GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge where a massive total of 260km was clocked up on Wednesday 19th January by Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Camogie and Ladies Football Club which is the equivalent of walking from the clubhouse in Ballingarry to Belmullet in Co. Mayor. There is still plenty of time to sign up to take part, simply download the My Life by Irish Life app from the app store or Google play. Once registered on the app follow the steps below to sign-up to the Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Camogie and Ladies Football Challenge.
– Open the My Life app; Click Social; Select Challenges; Select Munster GAA; Select Leader Board; Select join; Select Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Camogie and Ladies Fotoball.
Further details on the challenge can be found in the link below along with many of your questions answered, mylife.irishlife.ie/every-step-counts2022.
Note: €2,500, €1,500 and €1,000 O’Neill’s vouchers to be won per province. If Granagh/Ballingarry reach the 4,000km target, they will be entered into the prize draw.
Club Limerick Draw 2022
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club are once more promoting the Limerick County Club draw for 2022. 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 €2,000, 4th €1,000, 5th exclusive star prize, 6th to 9th €500, 10th to 13th €250, 14th to 30th €100. There will again be exclusive month 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 draws and County club draw for €150. If you would like to renew your membership for 2022 please follow the link limerickgaa.ie/clublimerick-draw-signup- and select Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club and the number 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 2022 will take place on Saturday 26th March.
Membership Due
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club membership fees for 2022 are now due and are €40 for adult players (€120 with club draw), €20 for students and non-players, €15 for Bord na nOg (120 per family). Non players who pay €100 club draw fee in full will automatically become members for 2022. 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 insured. If you were not yet registered we ask you to do so. It is generally felt by club officers, that any members 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 what so ever from our club.
Results
McGrath Cup Senior Football Final Kerry 2-17, Cork 0-11.
Munster Senior Hurling Cup Final Limerick 0-27, Clare 0-18.
Dr. Harty Cup Munster Colleges Senior Hurling Semi-Finals Ard Scoil Ris, Limerick 4-18, Thurles CBS 1-12; St. Joseph’s Tulla, Clare 0-2, De La Salle, Waterford 1-13.
All Ireland Club Senior Hurling Championship Semi Finals Ballygunner, Waterford 2-17, Slaughtneil, Derry 1-17; Shamrock-Ballyhale, Kilkenny 2-15, St. Thomas, Galwasy 0-20.
All Ireland Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi Finals Nass Hurling Club, Kildare 0-18, Tuairin, Mayo 0-13; Kilmoyley, Kerry 2-15, Banagher, Derry 1-12.
All Ireland Club Junior Hurling Championship Semi Finals Mooncoin, Kilkenny 2-26, Salthill-Knocknacarra, Galway 0-12; Ballygiblin, Cork 4-20, Fullen Gaels, Lancashire 0-12.
Munster Junior B Football Championship
Knockaderry GAA club have hosted the Munster Junior B Club Football Championship since 2005 and will continue to host it this year. Five County Championship winning teams Granagh/Ballingarry, Limerick defeated finalists in 2010 Moyvane, Kerry, Parteen, Clare, Nenagh, Eire Og, Tipperary, Randeal Og, Cork and the Nire, Waterford will participate. The draw for the competition will be made in the coming weeks and will be a knockout competition over consecutive Sunday’s in Knockaderry in mid-February.
Limerick Ease To Back To Back Munster Cup Titles
Munster Senior Hurling Cup Final
Hearty congratulations to All-Ireland Hurling champions Limerick manager John Kiely, captain Barry Nash, our own Donal O’Grady and the rest of the management team on their impressive nine-point victory over gallant neighbours Clare 0-27 to 0-18 at Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday to capture their their Munster Senior Hurling Cup title in five seasons overall and back to back wins in the history of the competition.
€16,800 Jackpot On Saturday
There was no winner of the €16,700 jackpot in the Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club lottery on Saturday 22nd January. The numbers drawn were 13, 24, 30 and 31. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Helen Cronin, promoter online; Redmond Shire, promoter Condron’s Bar; Jim Lenihan, promoter Dinny A; Declan Hartnett, promoter Paddy Hennessy. The next draw for a jackpot of €16,800 will be held on Saturday 29th January. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bars and from promoters. You can now also play the weekly draw online and the link to play is available on the club Facebook or Twitter which finished at 6pm every Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.
Club Diary
Saturday 29th January
National Football League Division1 Round 1 Dublin v Armagh in Pairce an Chrocaigh at 7.30pm.
National Football League Division 2 Round 1 Derry v Down in Owenbeg at 6pm.
National Football League Division 3 Round 1 Limerick v Longford in Pairc nan Gael at 7pm; Fermanagh v Antrim in Brewster Park at 7pm.
National Football League Division 4 Round 1 Carlow v London in Cullen Park at 7pm.
All-Ireland Club Senior Football Championship Semi Finals St. Finbarr’s, Cork v Kilcoo, Donwn in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise at 3pm; Padraig Pearses, Roscommon v Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin in Breffni Park at 5pm.
All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship Semi Finals St. Faithleachs, Roscommon v Trim, Meath in the Downs, Westmeath at 11.30pm; Na Gaeil, Kerry v Steelstown-Brian Ogs at Connacht Centre of Excellence at 2pm.
All-Ireland Club Junior Football Championship Kilmeena, Mayo v Clonbullogue, Offaly in Pearse Park at 1.30pm; Gneeveguilla, Kerry v Denn, Cavan in O’Connor Tullamore at 1.30pm
Sunday 30th January
National Football League Division 1 Round 1 Kildare v Kerry in Newbridge at 1.45pm; Mayo v Donegan in Markievicz Park at 1.45pm; Tyrone v Monaghan in Healy Park, Omagh at 3.45pm.
National Football league Division 2 Round 1 Roscommon v Cork in Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon at 2pm; Galway v Meath in Pearse Park at 2pm; Clare v Offaly in Cusack Park, Ennis at 2pm.
National Football League Division 3 Round 1 Westmeath v Wicklow in Cusack Park, Mullingar at 2pm; Louth v Laois in Pairc Mhuire, Ardee at 2pm.
National Football League Division 4 Round 1 Leitrim v Cavan in Pairc Sean MicDiarmada at 2pm; Wexford v Sligo in Wexford v Sligo in Wexford Park at 2pm; Waterford v Tipperary in Fraher Field at 2pm.