GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES

Granagh/Ballingarry fought hard to bank first Munster Final spot since 2010
Munster Club Junior B Football Championship semi-final 2021
Granagh/Ballingarry Limerick………1-8
The Nire Waterford……………………1-4
Five times Limerick County Junior B Football Championship winners Granagh/Ballingarry fought hard in difficult underfoot conditions in Knockaderry on Sunday when reduced to fourteen players for the final quarter due to Aaron Smith receiving a straight red card on 45 minutes to hold out to test gallant Waterford champions The Nire second string side by four points to qualify for their first Munster Club Junior B Football Championship final since going under to Na nGael Kerry by three points, 1-10 to 3-10 in the 2020 decider against Moyvane, Kerry or Randal Og Cork scheduled for Sunday 27th February in Knockaderry at 2p.m.
The Nire A football stronghold in Waterford, winners of both the County Senior and Junior B football championship in 2021 are very familiar with West Limerick surroundings as they also travelled to West Limerick where they went under to the home side Newcastle West in the quarter final of the Munster Senior Club football championship on Saturday 4th December.
A good crowd watched this Munster Junior B club championship semi-final played in heavy underfoot conditions with Eamonn Moran Kerry in charge. Prior to the start of the game a minute’s silence was observed in memory of former Ballingarry club players John Skipper Scanlon and Peadar Daly. The Waterford champions The Nire with the wind at their backs started the better, but failed to convert early chances before Cathal O’Keeffe of Granagh/Ballingarry found the range with a well taken point from open play on 5 minutes. The standard of football in the next 13 minutes were poor with both sides guilty of inaccurate shooting hampered no doubt by the difficult underfoot conditions. Then an Aaron Smith free from Granagh/Ballingarry was flicked to the back of The Nire net by Denis O’Connor to leave the Limerick champions four ahead, 1-1 to 0-0 on 19 minutes. Then Shane Walsh finally opened the Waterford champions’ account when he split the uprights from a placed ball on 21 minutes cancelled out from open play by Séan O’Connor two minutes to restore the Granagh/Ballingarry boys four point 1-2 to 0-1 advantage on 22 minutes. The next seven minutes saw both sides guilty of inaccurate shooting before Connie Power finally found the range for The Nire boys when he split the uprights from a placed ball on 29 minutes to reduce the deficit to three, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-2, The Nire 0-2 at the short whistle. Granagh/Ballingarry dominated the opening 13 minutes of the second half with five unanswered white flags, Aaron Smith (free) on 32 minutes, Jack Cagney (play) on 35 minutes, Aaron Smith (free) on 39 minutes, Jack Cagney (play) on 41 minutes and Cathal O’Keeffe (play) five minutes later to extend their advantage to eight 1-9 to 0-2 on 43 minutes. Then the game turned in The Nire favour when the Granagh/Ballingarry boys were reduced to fourteen player when their scorer in chief Aaron Smith received a straight red card on 45 minutes and 1-2 frees from placed balls by Connie Power in the a three minute spell reduced the deficit to three, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-7, The Nire 1-4 on 40 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before The Nire No. 11 Conor Power got inside the Granagh/Ballingarry defence only to be denied an equalising goal by an inspired save by Granagh/Ballingarry keeper David Clancy on 55 minutes. Livelier on the ball and more willing to attack Granagh/Ballingarry dominated the final five minutes to seal a four point 1-8 to 1-4 victory with a well taken point from play Denis O’Connor two minutes from time to book their place in the Munster Club Junior B Football Championship final for the first time since going under to Na nGael by three points, 1-10 to 3-1 in the 2010 decider against Moyvane, Kerry or Randal Og Cork on Sunday 27th February in Knockaderry at 1p.m.
Granagh/Ballingarry scored 1-6 from play and 0-2 from frees. The Nire scored all 1-4 from frees.
Granagh/Ballingarry: David Clancy, Thomas O’Donovan, Niall Cahill, captain, Kieran Condron, Luke Flynn, Darragh Casey, Brendan Lynch, Jack Cagney 0-2, Edward Sheehy, Eoin Herlihy, Séan O’Connor 0-1, Aaron Smith 0-2 frees, Jack O’Donoghue, Denis O’Connor 1-1, Cathal O’Keeffe 0-2. Subs used David Condron, Josh Quil Mulcaire.
The Nire: Steven Ryan, Cody, Peters, Aidan Condon, Séan Ryan, Jody Beckers, Darren Guiry, Julian O’Halloran, Seamus Lawlor, Eamon Wall, David Nugent, Connie Power 1-3 frees, Martin Walsh, Jordan Ryan, Shane Walsh 0-1 frees, Ciaran Ryan. Sub used Liam Cooney.
Referee: Eamonn Moran, Kerry.
Thanks to our own Niall Carroll for streaming Sunday game live on Facebook and James Flynn for his updates on Twitter.
SOCIAL GATHERING
After the game on Sunday at a social gathering in Knockaderry Community Centre both teams and supporters were treated to tea and sandwiches and goodies for which the Knockaderry club officials and ladies committee must be thanked on such a cold day.
BORD NA nOg PRESENTATION
The Granagh/Ballingarry Bord na nOg presentation and registration night takes place this Sunday 20th February in Granagh community centre at 6.30p.m. The raffle will include presentations to all panels from U6 upwards. The 2020 County U-16 football 13-a-side championship medals will be presented and service awards will also be presented by a special guest on the night. Looking forward to seeing you there.
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.
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 their €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 be 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 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 what so ever from our club.
LIMERICK GAA REFEREE RECRUITMENT
Are you interested in becoming a referee? Think you can do better? They put your whistle where your mouth is to become a GAA referee. Why become a GAA referee? Stay involved with the game as an alternative to playing. It is a great way to stay 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 day 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 require3d to become a GAA referee? Good knowledge of the playing rules, be physically and mentally fit, have the moral courage to take decisions which are correct. If interested please forward your details to Patsy Coffey, Cappamore 087-9160344 or Mike Sexton, Bruree 087-9188375 a.s.a.p.
RESULTS
All Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final: Ballygunner, Waterford 2-17, Shamrocks Ballyhale Kilkenny 1-19.
All Ireland Senior Club Football Championship Final: Kilcoo Down 2-8, Kilmacud Crokes Waterford 0-13.
Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Semi-final: Granagh/Ballingarry Limerick 1-8, The Nire Waterford 1-4.
National Hurling League Division 1 Group A Round 2: Galway 0-27, Limerick 1-18. Wexford 2-20, Clare 1-20. Cork 4-25, Offaly 1-15.
National Hurling League Division 1 Group B Round 2: Dublin 2-19, Antrim 2-15, Waterford 7-31, Laois 0-19, Tipperary 1-19, Kilkenny 1-18.
National Hurling League Division 2A Round 2: Kerry 4-18, Kildare 2-16. Down 2-18, Meath 1-19. Carlow 1-20, Westmeath 1-14.
National Hurling League Division 2B Round 2: Derry 2-24, Wicklow 0-12. London 4-11, Mayo 1-10. Donegal 1-19, Sligo 2-14.
National Hurling League Division 3A Round 2: Tyrone 4-29, Warwickshire 0-7. Armagh 4-22, Monaghan 0-13. Roscommon 2-21, Louth 0-14.
National Hurling League Division 3B Round 2: Lancashire 0-23, Cavan 0-12.???? Fermanagh 1-10, Longford 0-11.
BACK TO BACK WINS FOR GALWAY
National Hurling League Division 1 Group A Round 8
Galway….0-27
Limerick……1-18
Galway made it back to back wins in Division 1 of Group A in the National Hurling League with a deserved six point win over back to back All Ireland championship Limerick in front of 15,000 at Pairc na nGael on Saturday night under lights. Limerick pointless at the bottom of the table will have to regroup ahead of their next game against Cork on Sunday 27th February in Pairc na nGael at 3.45p.m.
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3 ROUND 3
The best of luck to manager Billy Lee and all involved with the Limerick senior footballers in their bid for a hat-trick of wins in Division 3 of the National League against Louth on Sunday 20th February in Pairc na nGael at 2p.m. Please support.
COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS 2022
The draws for the 2022 Limerick County Hurling and Football Championships will take place in the Woodlands House Hotel, Adare on Tuesday 22nd February at 8p.m.
€17,000 JACKPOT ON SATURDAY
There was no winner of the €17,000 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery on Saturday 12th February in McAuliffes Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 2, 20, 29 and 32. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Mike Mangan, promoter online, Donie and Ruth O’Grady, promoter Donal O’Grady, Mary Chawke, promoter Jimmy Chawke, Margo O’Connor Forde, promoter Dinnys A’s Bar, Ballingarry. The next draw for a jackpot of €17,100 will be held on Saturday
19th February in Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bars and from promoters.
Note: You can now play the weekly draw online and the link is available on the club Facebook or twitter which finishes at 5p.m. every Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.
JOHN (SKIPPER) SCANLON R.I.P.
A great old Gaelic games enthusiast player and supporter died on Wednesday 9th February. The late John was an outstanding hurler and master of the No. 7 jersey winning two West Limerick Junior A hurling championship medals with Ballingarry in 1966 and 1969. John went on to achieve further success in winning two All Ireland Junior Hurling Championship medals with Warwickshire in 1969 and 1973. John’s death is sincerely regretted by all in Granagh/Ballingarry and to his wife Kathleen, sons, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, son-in-law, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. Sympathy is extended from all in the club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
PETER (PEADAR) DALY R.I.P.
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club officials, players and members extend its sympathies to the Daly and Dunworth families, Ballingarry on the death of Peter (Peadar) Daly, Tuamgraney, Clare and formerly of Ballingarry. Peadar was one of four Daly brothers along with Pat, Maurice and Liam to represent our club with distinction over the years. Peadar won a West Limerick minor hurling championship medal with Granagh/Ballingarry in 1958 along with his brother Pat. Peadar was a member of the Limerick minor hurling team in 1960 who were beaten by Tipperary. In 1964 Peadar joined the Garda Síochána and was part of the Young Irelands team that beat UCD to win the Dublin County Senior Hurling Championship Final. Peadar played in Croke Park with the Garda Síochána against The Army scoring 5 goals on one occasion. Peadar lined out with the Limerick senior hurlers in 1967 and was part of the great Ballingarry team that won the West Limerick Junior A hurling championship title in 1969. Peadar moved to Clare and continued to play and support Bodyke GAA club before finally retiring at the age of 53. Peadar made one final cameo when he lined out age 57 with his two sons Conor and Gordon, when the team were short a player Peadar had the distinction of playing competitive hurling across five decades in the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
CLUB DIARY
Saturday 19th February:
National Football League Division 1 Round 3: Armagh v Monaghan, Athletic Grounds at 5.30pm.
Dublin v Mayo in Pairc an Chorcaigh at 7.30p.m.
National Football League Division 3 Round 3: Antrim v Wicklow in Corrigan Park, Belfast at 2p.m.
Fermanagh v Laois in Brewsters Park at 6p.m.
National Football League Division 4 Round 3: Carlow v Waterford in Cullen Park at 7p.m.
Sunday 20th February:
National Football League Division 1, Round 3: Kerry v Donegal in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney at 1.45p.m.
Tyrone v Kildare in Healy Park, Omagh at 3.45p.m.
National Football League Division 2 Round 3: Derry v Cork in Owenbeg at 1p.m. Roscommon v Clare in Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon at 2p.m. Meath v Down in Pairc Tailteann at 2p.m. Galway v Offaly in Pearse Stadium at 2p.m.
National Football League Division 3 Round 3: Westmeath v Longford in Cusack Park, Mullingar at 2p.m.
Limerick v Lough in Pairc na nGael at 2p.m.
National Football League Division 4 Round 3: Leitrim v London in Pairc Séan MacDiarmada at 12 noon.
Sligo v Cavan in Markievicz Park at 2p.m.
Wexford v Tipperary in Wexford Park at 2p.m.
Munster Club Junior B Football Championship semi-final: Randal Og, Cork v Moyvane Kerry in Knockaderry at 2p.m.
Granagh/Ballingarry Bord na nOg Presentation and Registration Night in Granagh Community Centre at 6.30p.m.
Monday 21st February:
West Limerick GAA Board meeting in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantine at 7.30p.m.
Tuesday 22nd February:
Limerick County Hurling and Football Championship draws, Woodlands House Hotel, Adare at 8p.m.