GRANAGH/ BALLINGARRY GAA CLUB NOTES

DALY’S LATE POINT EARNS RANDAL ÓG REPLAY
Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final
Granagh/Ballingarry (Limerick).1-7
Randal Óg (Cork)…….0-10
At sun-drenched Knockaderry on Saturday afternoon a well taken point from open play by Seán Daly one minute into added time earned Cork kingpins Randal Óg a thrilling draw with five times Limerick County Junior B Football Championship winners Granagh/Ballingarry in the much-delayed 2021 Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final.
Eamonn Moran (Kerry) took charge of this thrilling hard-fought final which must compare with any of the 13 finals of the past, played on an excellent pitch in front of a big crowd who gave great support to their teams who produced fine passages of football, good movement, great scores and a very exciting finish. A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Johnny (John) Murphy, Granagh, father of Granagh/Ballingarry Bord na nÓg PRO and grandfather of players of Seán and Paudie and Josie Costelloe Ballingarry wife of the late Seamus, Noreen Murphy sister and secretary of Randal Óg, Club Secretary Gabrielle Crowley and Limerick County Games and Coaching Officer Denis Holmes, Oola. Granagh/Ballingarry were forced to lineout minus key players Cathal O’Keeffe and Aaron Smith and Randal Óg minus their No 3 and team captain Seamus Crowley. Randal Óg started favourites after defeating Kerrry champions Moyvale after a semi final penalty shoot-out playing with the advantage of the crossfield wind made all the early running with a third minute flag from open play courtesy of their No 11 Padraig O’Sullivan. The Cork champions continued to dominate for the next seven minutes and created a number of goal and point scoring chances which they failed to convert against a solid Granagh/Ballingarry defence. Granagh/Ballingarry now began to up their game with a well taken point from open play by Denis O’Connor on 11 minutes followed by a white flag from a placed ball by Seán O’Connor two minutes later following a foul on Eoin Herlihy to leave it 0-2 to 0-1 in favour of the Limerick champions on 13 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before 1-2 from open play by Denis O’Connor between the 16th and 19th minute to leave the Granagh/Ballingarry six ahead 1-4 to 0-1. Both sides were guilty of inaccurate shooting before Barry O’Driscoll finally ended 18 minutes without a Randal Óg score when he split the upright following a good solo run to reduce the deficit to five, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-4, Randal Óg 0-2 on 22 minutes. The standard of football in the next 6 minutes was poor with both sides guilty of inaccurate shooting before Granagh/Ballingarry’s Jac k Cagney finally found the range when he split the uprights on 29 minutes cancelled out from a placed ball by Barry O’Driscoll in added time to leave five between the sides, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-5 Randal Óg 0-3, at the interval.
Jack Cagney extended the Granagh/Ballingarry advantage to six when he split the uprights from a placed ball in the second minute after the interval cancelled out three minutes from another placed ball by Peter Collins to reduce the deficit again to 5, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-6, Randal Óg 0-4 on 35 minutes. The next six minutes saw both sides guilty of inaccurate shooting before Damien O’Donovan finally found the range for the Granagh/Ballingarry boys when he split the uprights following a good solo run to extend the Limerick champions’ advantage to six, 1-7 to 0-4 on 42 minutes. The Randal Óg boys now began to up their game shooting six points in a 13-minute spell through Donncha Collins (play) on 44 minutes, Peter Collins (2 frees) on 46 and 48 minutes, Seán Daly (play) on 53 minutes and Peter Collins (free) on 55 minutes without reply from the Granagh/Ballingarry boys to leave just one between the sides, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-7, Randal Óg on 55 minutes. Then the Cork champions created a couple of chances to level the game which they failed to convert before Denis O’Connor finished to the back of the Randal Óg net on 29 minutes to the joy of the large Granagh/Ballingarry support but their joy was short-lived as referee Eamonn Moran disallowed the goal and awarded a free out to the Randal Óg boys. Then Seán Daly split the uprights for the second time for the Randal Óg boys for the equaliser one minute into added time. The game ended in a welter of excitement as both sides created a number of chances in the final few minutes of added time to win the game which they failed to convert to leave the sides level at the final whistle, Grtanagh/Ballingarry 1-7, Randal Óg 0-10 to take this thrilling Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final to a replay on a date to be confirmed.
Full marks to both teams, referee Eamonn Moran and his officials on a thrilling hard-fought contest, Granagh/Ballingarry scored 1-5 from frees and 0-2 from frees, Randal Óg scored 0-5 from play and 0-5 from frees.
Granagh/Ballingarry: David Clancy, Thomas O’Donovan, Niall Cahill (captain), Kieran Condron, Luke Flynn, Darragh Casey, Brendan Lynch, David Condron, Edward Sheehy, Seán O’Connor 0-1 (free), Jack Cagney 0-2 (1 free), Eoin Herlihy, Keith O’Kelly, Denis O’Connor 1-3, Damien O’Donovan 0-1. Subs used Eoin Casey, Josh Quin Mulcaire.
Randal Óg: Ciarán Murray, Eoin Murray, Ian Crowley, Padraig Duggan, Cian O’Neill, Shane Patterson, Stephen Crowley, Conor O’Neill, Peter Collins (0-4 frees), Kevin Dullea, Padraig Collins 0-1, Seadhna Crowley, Barry O’Driscoll 0-2 (1 free), Donncha Collins 0-1, Seán Daly 0-2. Subs used: Padraig Collins, Seamus Crowley, Pauric White.
Referee: Eamonn Young (Kerry).
Thank you to our own Niall Carroll and Neil Dunworth for streaming Saturday’s game live on Facebook and James Flynn for his updates on Twitter.
Social Gathering
After the game on Saturday at a social gathering in Knockaderry Community Hall, both teams and supporters were treated to tea and sandwiches and goodies for which the Knockaderry Club officials and ladies committee must be thanked.
Limerick Book Division 3 League Final Spot and Promotion
National Football League
Division Round 7
Limerick…….1-16
Fermanagh…………….0-14
Congratulations to manager Billy Lee and all involved with the Limerick senior footballers on their thrilling five-point, 1-16 to 0-14, victory over gallant Fermanagh to record their fifth win in Division 3 of the National Football League at Páirc na nGael. This result will see Limerick finish second in the Division 3 League Table on 10 points, one behind Louth and ensures them promotion to Division 2 for 2023, a place in the Division 3 League Final against Louth this Saturday 2nd April in Croke Park at 4.45pm and a place in the Sam Maguire Cup and not the new Tailteann Cup this season.
We wish the boys in green and white and their management team the best of luck in their bid to win the Division 3 National Football League title when they play Louth in the final on this Saturday 2nd April in Croke Park at 4.45pm.
Your support would be appreciated.
Membership Due
The closing date for membership of the club for 2022 is tomorrow Thursday 31st March. Fees 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.
West Senior Hurling League/Championship Opener
2021 County Intermediate Hurling Championship defeated finalists and West and County Intermediate League/Championship winners Croagh/Kilfinny, travel to Ballingarry tomorrow Thursday March 31st to play their neighbours and great rivals Granagh/Ballingarry in the opening round of this year’s West Senior Hurling League/Championship at 6.30pm. Six teams – Granagh/Ballingarry, Croagh/Kilfinny, Adare; Feohanagh/Castlemahon, Newcastlewest and Knockaderry have entered with the top two teams to qualify for the final. If teams finish level on points, scoring difference will apply. An exciting game is in prospect so come out and support the boys in black and green and their management team tomorrow in Ballingarry at 6.30pm in their bid to make a winning start to their West Senior Hurling League/Championship campaign.
March Club Draw Winners
The following were winners in the first Limerick County GAA Club Draw of 2022 held on Saturday 26th March:
1st prize €10,000 Patrick Hartnet, Monagea. 2nd €3,000 Mal Gallagher, St. Kieran’s, 3rd €2,000 Eddie and Helen Corkery (Camogue Rovers), 4th €1,000 Kieran Noonan, Drom/Broadford, 5th Exclusive star prize a €500 voucher for Center Parcs Holiday Centre, Margaret Buckley, Croagh/Kilfinny, 6th to 9th €500 John Breedy, Galtee Gaels, Sadie Smith, Tournafulla, Pat Gleeson, Na Piarsaigh, Andy Wallace, Hospital/Herbertstown, 10th to 13th €250 Gary Madigan, Cappagh, Kennedy grandchildren (Doon), Brian Carroll, Garryspillane, Meghan Griffin, Banogue, 14th to 30th €100 Gerard Meaney, Dromcollogher/Broadford, Suzanne Liddane, Dromin/Athlacca, Ericka Shanley, South Liberties, Liam Murphy, Fr. Casey’s, Owen Ranahan, Askeaton/Ballysteen Bord na nÓg, Derek Giltenane, Na Piarsaigh, Gerry Mulcaire, Rathkeale, Mrs Lucy Geoghegan, Templeglantine, Pierce Rowesome, Monagea, Kevin Sheahan, Askeaton/Ballysteen Bord na nÓg, Tony Long, Feenagh/Kilmeedy, Christopher Mortell St. Patrick’s, Michael Mahony, Feohanagh/Castlemahon, Joan Keating, Tournafulla, Johnny P. Culhane, Gerald Griffin’s, Bryan Griffin, Ballybrown, Bernadette O’Gorman, Mungret/St. Paul’s. The next draw is on Saturday 30th April with an exclusive star prize of a team of four in the Club Limerick Golf event and €500 to spend at McGuirk’s Golf. Thanks to all the 117 members who have joined Limerick County GAA Club Draw through Granagh/Ballingarry and our own club draw co-o0rdinator Stephen Stapleton.
Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake
Granagh/Ballingarry nominated dog Clona finished sixth in Heat 12 on Saturday night in Round 1 of the annual Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium and so unfortunately will not be in the draw for this Saturday night’s quarter finals.
Golf Classic
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club is hosting their 2022 Golf Classic in Charleville Golf Club on Friday April 22nd. Prizes will be awarded for the first four teams on the day while they will also be a raffle with many prizes up for grabs. Tee times available from Mossie O’Connor at 087 2519691. €200 per team of three including meal or €100 to sponsor a tee. Your support for this club fundraiser would be appreciated.
€17,700 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €17,600 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Lottery on Saturday 26th March at the Rock Bar, Granagh. The numbers drawn were 1, 9, 11 and 30. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Adrian Farragher promoter online, John Chawke promoter Willie Power, John O’Grady promoter Niall McCarthy, Annemarie Horgan promoter O’Gorman’s Shop, Chawke’s Cross, Granagh. The next draw for a jackpot of €17,700 will be held at the Rock Bar, Granagh on Saturday 2nd April. 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 Facebook or Twitter which finishes at 6pm every Saturday.
Thank you for your continued support.
County U19B Hurling Championship
Friday 13th May
Round 1 Granagh/Ballingarry v Dromin/Athlacca in Ballingarry at 7.30pm.
Friday 1st July
Round 2 Tournafulla/Killeedy v Granagh/Ballingarry in Tournafulla at 7.30pm.
Friday 15th July
Round 3 Granagh/Ballingarry v Askeaton in Ballingarry at 7.30pm.
Note: Top two teams qualify for quarter finals. If teams finish level on point-scoring difference will apply.
Club Gear
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club top, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, shorts and socks can not be ordered online at http://www.laochrasport.ie/prod…/clubs/granagh/ballingarry club.
Sympathy
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club officials extend sympathy to Seamus Murphy (Bord na nÓg PRO) and his family on the death of his father, John Johnny Murphy, Granagh; to the Costelloe family Ballingarry on the death of Josie Costelloe, and the Holmes family, Oola on the death of Denis Holmes, County Games and Coaching Officer.
Ar dheis Dé to raibh a nanamnacha.
Club Diary
Thursday 31st March
West Senior Hurling League/Championship Round 1
Granagh/Ballingarry v Croagh/Kilfinny in Ballingarry at 6.30pm.
National Football League Division 3 Final
Limerick v Louth in Croke Park at 4.45pm.
National Football League Division 3
Cork v Waterford in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 7.15pm.