GRANAGH BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES

FOOTBALL LEAGUES OPENER WEDNESDAY UNDER LIGHTS IN MOUNTCOLLINS
2021 West and County Junior B Football champions (and Munster finalists v Randal Og Cork on Saturday 26th March in Knockaderry at 2.30p.m.) Granagh/Ballingarry opened their West Junior Football League Championship campaign tonight Wednesday 16th March when they travel to Mountcollins to play the home side under lights at 8p.m.
Eight teams: Mountcollins, Granagh/Ballingarry, St. Senan’s, Glin, Athea, Ballysteen, Dromcollogher/Broadford and St. Kieran’s have entered with the top two teams to qualify for the West Junior Football League/Championship final. If teams finish level on points scoring difference will apply. An exciting game is in prospect so come and support the boys in black and green and their management team of Shane O’Grady, Denis O’Sullivan and Andrew Holmes this Wednesday 16th March in Mountcollins at 8p.m. in their bid to make a winning start to their West League/Championship campaign.
West Junior Football League/Championship 2022
Wednesday 16th March: Round 1 Mountcollins v Granagh/Ballingarry in Mountcollins at 8p.m.
Sunday 27th March: Prov. Round 2: Granagh/Ballingarry v St. Senan’s in Ballingarry at 12 noon.
Sunday 17th April Round 3: Granagh/Ballingarry v Glin in Ballingarry at 12 noon.
Sunday 24th April Round 4: Granagh/Ballingarry v Athea in Ballingarry at 6.30p.m.
Sunday 15th May Round 5: Granagh/Ballingarry v Ballysteen in Ballingarry at 12 noon.
Sunday 22nd May: Round 6: Dromcollogher/Broadford v Granagh/Ballingarry in Dromcollogher at 12 noon.
Sunday 29th May: Round 7: Granagh/Ballingarry v St. Kieran’s in Ballingarry at 12 noon.
Note: The top two teams qualify for the West Junior Football League/Championship final. If teams finish level on points scoring difference will apply.
2021 Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final
Knockaderry is the venue on Sunday 26th March at 2.30p.m. for the eagerly awaited meeting of five times Limerick County Junior B football championship winners Granagh/Ballingarry and Cork kingpins Randal Óg in the much delayed 2021 Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final. Tremendous support is anticipated for both clubs in this the 13th final in the competition since Clann na nGael Cork won the first one in 2006. Randal Og will be contesting their first final and hoping to become the second Cork club on Sunday week to win the title since Clann na nGael won in 2006, while the opponents Granagh/Ballingarry reached the decider in 2010 where they went under to Na nGael Kerry by three points 1-10 to 3-11 will be hoping to become the second Limerick cub to raise the Munster Club Junior B Football Championship trophy since Ballybrown caused a major shock by lowering the colours of much fancied Cromane from Kerry in the 2017 decider.
Na Gael Claim Munster Crown from Battling Granagh/Ballingarry
2010 Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final
Na nGael (Kerry)….1-10
Granagh/Ballingarry (Limerick)….3-1
Na nGael landed yet another Munster Club Junior B football championship title for the Kingdom of Kerry on Sunday 12th December 2010 with a spirited three pint win over a determined and battling Granagh/Ballingarry played in arctic weather conditions in Knockaderry in front of a big crown in Knockaderry. It was the greater potency of the Na nGael forwards that told in the end, this despite the Granagh/Ballingarry boys managing to breach the Na nGael rear guard and find the net on three separate occasions. The Kerry champions have made no secret that throughout their campaign the second period was where they were at their strongest and on Sunday they proved once again true to that, scoring an impressive 1-5 to Granagh/Ballingarry’s one goal. In the end they proved worthy winners but only after living dangerously and keeping the big crowd on tenterhooks for long periods of the game. Playing on a calm but bitterly cold afternoon it was the favourites from Tralee town who opened brightly with two well worked points in the opening 10 minutes. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys did respond and after a wave of fruitless attacks Niall Cahill found the corner of the Na nGael net on 12 minutes. The Na nGael boys settled but it was the more physical and determined Granagh/Ballingarry boys that had the better of the opening period, with Eoin Kennedy tapping over a fine point midway through. Indeed the four time Limerick champions pushed on and were not faced by the occasion or indeed their challengers and when Pat Carroll found the Na nGael net for the second time one sensed an upset might well be on the cards. The Na nGael boys found the range three more times in the opening half which left Granagh/Ballingarry with a small two point 2-1 to 0-5 half time lead.
Munster Championship finals are unique occasions and often bring out the best in players. This can be said for a number of Na nGael players who rose gallantly in the second half to the challenge of the boys from Knockfierna. David Culloty and midfield and captain Colm Lyons and centre back deserve special mention for their part in bringing this title to the kingdom and for their contribution to what was a marvellous game of football. The key score of the game came on 45 minutes when after an excellent move that started deep in their own half Seamus O’Neill of Na nGael found Patrick Kenrick’s net. It signalled the lead for the Kerry champions and one that would not be relinquished as they upped the gears and managed to put daylight between the sides facing the closing minutes Granagh/Ballingarry substitute Seamus McDonnell did close the gap to three points when his rasping shot beat Adrian Quirke but by then Na nGael had done enough to ensure victory.
Knockaderry club chairman Tom Sheehy was on hand to present the Na nGael captain Colm Lyons with the Munster Club Junior B Football Championship trophy and Kerry’s fourth Kingdom club after Cromane 2007, Tuosist 2008 and Churchill 2009 to have their name inscribed on the base of the cup in five years.
Na nGael: Adrian Quirke, David Ross, Dylan Brazil, Niall Lucey, Eoin O’Neill, Colm Lyons, Robert Murphy, David Culloty 0-1, Declan Doody 0-1, Micheál Griffin, Dermot Flaherty 0-2, Eamonn O’Neill 0-3, 0-2 frees, Paul Daly 0-2, 0-1 frees, Seamus O’Neill 0-1, Diarmuid Herlihy 0-1. Subs used Kieran Dineen, Richard Barrett, Darragh Collins.
Granagh/Ballingarry: Patrick Kenrick, Kevin Forde, David Clancy, Eoin Cahill, Bobby Houlihan, Donal O’Grady, Kieran Condron, Marcus Moore, Michael Conigan, captain, Niall Cahill 1-0, Denis O’Connor, Micheál Clancy, Pat Carroll 1-0, Eoin Kennedy 0-11, Kevin Moynihan. Subs used Niall Kennedy, Gearóid O’Leary, Stephen O’Brien, Seamus McDonnell 1-0.
Referee: Simon Stack, Cork.
Support
Hopefully all Gaels in both Granagh and Ballingarry will travel to give support to our Junior B footballers and their management team of Shane O’Grady, Denis O’Sullivan and Andrew Holmes in Knockaderry on Saturday 26th March for the 2.30p.m. throw in to cheer them on in their bid to become only the second Limerick Club since Ballybrown in 2017 to be crowned Munster Club Junior B Football champions.
Flags
We urge people all over Granagh/Ballingarry parish to put their flags in support of the Granagh/Ballingarry Junior B footballers for Saturday week’s Munster Championship final v Randal Og Cork in Knockaderry at 2.30p.m.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2022
Limerick City and County Council will host a St. Patrick’s Day parade this Thursday 17th March starting at 12 noon. This is the first parade in two years and the parade theme is belonging and identity. Mayo Daniel Butler has chosen that a representative group of the Limerick GAA organisation will be the 2022 grand marshals on the day and lead the parade. The group will be headed by a number of Limerick All senior hurling panellists with the Liam McCarthy Cup. Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club will be represented on the day by Cormac McCarthy, mentor, Joe McCarthy, Ide McCarthy and Noel McCarthy in our club colours. Beannachtai na Féile Padraig dhuit.
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.
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.
Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake
The annual Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus will be hosted at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium from Saturday 26th March to Friday 22nd April. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Just a Minute
At GAA Congress 2022 an tUachtaran CLG Larry McCarthy used the most significant day of the non games GAA calendar to reflect on the murder of Ashling Murphy. An tUachtaran remarked on the grace with which the Murphy family have borne such a horrifying experience, while also praising the resilience and support demonstrated by Ashling’s camogie club Kilcormack/Killoughey in the aftermath of her death. Since the tragedy many members have reached out asking wthe association to lend its voice to the conversations that were happening across Ireland. One email struck a particular chord with the President. It highlighted the gratitude a mother felt when her son’s coach took a minute after training to speak to the 37 young men on his U17 development squad about the importance of always demonstrating respect for women and girls. When she picked him up after a training session her son relayed the message to his mother, thereby continuing the important conversation and demonstrating the impact the talk had on the young men. It was suggested by this GAA member to An tUachtaran that were all GAA coaches to take just a minute and have a similar conversation with their players, the impact could be considerable. An tUachtaran is therefore encouraging all coaches across the association to take just a minute at your next training session to ask your squad of players to demonstrate respect towards women and to be leaders amongst their peers by calling out any disrespectful behaviour or language towards women or girls they come across. Any such conversation will reinforce the values of the GAA’s long standing ‘Give Respect, Get Respect’ campaign which aims to promote behaviour and ensure the Gaelic game is an enriching environment for all involved. It encourages and promotes
respect both on and off the field by coaches, parents, spectators, players, referees, match officials and anyone else who is involved in the Gaelic games family.
Every Step Counts Challenge Prizewinners
With 28,600 participants, more than 450 clubs hit the 4,000km target and were entered into the O’Neill’s voucher draw in their province as part of the ‘Every Step Counts Challenge’. Granagh/Ballingarry GAA, Camogie and Ladies Football Club didn’t have any luck in the draw for vouchers but it was still worth all the steps.
The following are the lucky club winners:
Ulster – €2,500 Na Dunaibh (Donegal), €1,500 St. Malachy’s/Castledawson (Derry), €1,000 Butlers Bridge GAA (Cavan).
Leinster – €2,500 Kilmessan GAA (Meath), €1,500 Skerries Harps (Dublin), €1,000 Shillelagh Coolboy (Wicklow).
Munster – €2,500 Glin GAA and Glin Emmets LGFA Club (Limerick), €1,500 Ballina (Tipperary), €1,000 Inagh Kilnamona (Clare).
Connacht – €2,500 St. Mary’s GAA Club (Sligo), €1,000 Ballinrobe GAA (Mayo).
West Senior Hurling League/Championship 2022
Saturday 2nd April
Round 1, Granagh/Ballingarry v Croagh/Kilfinny in Ballingarry at 6.30pm.
Saturday 9th April
Round 2, Granagh/Ballingarry v Feohanagh/Castlemahon in Quaid Park, Coolyroe at 6.30pm.
Saturday 30th April
Round 3, Newcastle West v Granagh/Ballingarry in Newcastle West at 6.30pm.
Saturday 7th May
Round 4, Granagh/Ballingarry v Knockaderry in Ballingarry at 7pm.
Saturday 21st May
Round 5, Adare v Granagh/Ballingarry in Adare at 7.30pm.
Note: Top two teams qualify for West Senior Hurling League/Championship Final. If teams finish level on points scoring, difference will apply.
Third Win for Westmeath
National Football League, Div 3, Round 5
Westmeath………1-12
Limerick………….1-6
Westmeath recorded their third win in Division 3 of the National Football League with a deserved six point win over gallant Limerick at Páirc na nGael under lights on Saturday evening to go joint second on the table with the boys in green and white on six points, one behind Antrim. We wish the Limerick boys the best of luck in their bid to get their league campaign back on track when they travel to O’Moore Park, Portlaoise this Saturday 19th March to play Laois at 7pm. Please support.
National Hurling League, Div 1, Group 1, Round 5
The best of luck to manager John Kiely, our own Donal O’Grady coach/selector and all involved with back to back All Ireland hurling champions Limerick who will have to avoid defeat when they clash with Offaly in their final league campaign game on this Sunday 20th March in Páirc nan Gael at 1.45pm to avoid a relegation playoff.
County Scor na nOg Finals
Fantastic afternoon entertainment at the Limerick County Scor na nOg finals on Saturday at Pallasgreen Community Centre. Congratulations to all the new County Champions who will proudly wear the green and white of Limerick at the Munster Final in Cashel on Sunday 3rd April.
The winners are:
Question Time: Bangoue.
Recitation/Storytelling: Darragh Fitzgerald, Newcastle West.
Figure Dancing: Banogue.
Solo Singing: Adele O’Sullivan, Athea.
Ballad Group: Pallasgreen.
Instrumental Music: Pallasgreen.
Set Dancing: Banogue.
Quiz Master was Jim Enright, Askeaton.
Bean an Tí was Veronica Twomey Cullinan, Bruff.
Limerick Irish Officer
Church Gate Collection
A Church gate collection will be held before Mass in Granagh on this Sunday 20th March from 9.30am to 10.30am in aid of the Ukraine people. Please show your solidarity with Ukraine in their darkest hour.
Club Gear
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club tops, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at http://www.loachrasport.ie/…/clubs/granaghballingarryclub
€17,500 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €17,400 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery on Saturday 12th March in Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 6, 7, 9 and 10. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Pa O’Grady, promoter online; Kieran Hedderman, promoter The Rock Bar, Granagh; Philip Byrnes, promoter Eoin Kennedy; Eddie Baggott, promoter Dinny A. The next draw for a jackpot of €17,500 will be held on Saturday 19th March. Tickets are €2 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’s Facebook or Twitter which finishes at 6pm Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.
Club Website Check out our website at www.granaghballingarrygaa.ie for all the latest club news. Our Club website is updated regularly and is well worth a visit. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/granaghballingarrygaa and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/granaghballingarrygaa
Club Diary
Wednesday 16th March
West Junior Football League/Championship, Round 1: Granagh/Ballingarry v Mountcollins in Mountcollins at 8pm.
Saturday 19th March
National Football League, Div 3, Round 6: Limerick v Laois in O’Moore Park, Portlaoise at 7pm.
Saturday 20th March
National Hurling League, Div 1, Group A, Round 5: Limerick v Offaly in Páirc nan Gael at 1.45pm.
Saturday 26th March
2021 Munster Junior B Club Football Championship Final: Granagh/Ballingarry (Limerick) v Randal Og, Cork in Knockaderry at 2.30pm.
Sunday 27th March
National Football League, Div 3, Round 7: Limerick v Fermanagh in Páirc nan Gael at 2pm.
Saturday 2nd April
West Senior Hurling League/Championship, Round 1: Granagh/Ballingarry v Croagh/Kilfinny in Ballingarry at 6.30pm.