Granagh Ballingarry GAA Club Notes:
Hurley’s Last Point earns Magpies a Share of the Spoils:
West Senior Hurling League/Championship, Round 2
Granagh/Ballingarry…………………0-13
Newcastle West………………………0-13
A well taken point from a forty metre placed ball into the wind two minutes from time by Eoin Hurley earned Newcastle West a deserved draw with Granagh/Ballingarry in a hard fought West Senior Hurling League/Championship Round 2 tie in cold, windy conditions at Ballingarry on Holy Saturday evening. Their second round West Senior League/Championship tie was played on an excellent pitch in front of a good crowd who gave great support to the sides with Michael Mann of Ballybrown in charge.
Newcastle West, with the wind at their backs, dominated the opening nine minutes with five unanswered white flags from open play through Thomas Quilligan on two minutes, Eoin Hurley on three and five minutes, Bryan Nix on eight minutes and John Whelan on nine minutes, before Jack Cagney cut through from defence to finally open the Granagh/Ballingarry boys’ account when he split the uprights to leave four between the sides, Newcastle West 0-5, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-1 on 12 minutes. Then white flags were traded from open play by Evan McMahon on 13 minutes and Damien O’Donovan on 17 minutes before a pair of white flags for the Magpies, from open play, through Bryan Nix on 19 minutes and Brian Hurley two minutes later to leave the visitors six ahead, 0-8 to 0-2 on 21 minutes. Granagh/Ballingarry, far from being overawed, had four unanswered through their No. 11 Damian O’Donovan from a 65 on 24 minutes and a trio of placed balls on 26, 29 and 30 minutes to reduce the deficit to two, Newcastle West 0-8, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-6 at the interval. Newcastle West, despite playing into the wind, dominated the opening four minutes after the interval with a pair of white flags courtesy of Eoin Hurley from a placed ball and Thomas Quilligan from open play cancelled out by Damian O’Donovan from a placed ball on 36 minutes and Darragh Casey from open play a minute later to leave two once more between the sides, Newcastle West 0-10, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-8 on 37 minutes. Then points were traded by Newcastle West No. 14 Evan McMahon from open play on 39 minutes and Granagh/Ballingarry keeper Denis O’Connor, from a 60 metre placed ball on 41 minutes, before a pair of white flags from open play for the home side courtesy of Paudie Murphy on 43 minutes and Luke Flynn two minutes later, making the sides level at 0-11 each at the end of the third quarter. Then white flags were traded from open play by Thomas Quilligan on 48 minutes and Damian O’Donovan on 51 minutes to leave the sides level for the second time at 0-12 each. A couple of wides were exchanged before Damian O’Donovan put Granagh/Ballingarry ahead for the first time when he split the uprights following a good solo run on 55 minutes to bring his tally for the game to 0-8 (3 play, 4 frees, 1 65). Luke Flynn and Paudie Murphy had wides for Granagh/Ballingarry before Eoin Hurley of Newcastle West split the uprights from a placed ball in to the wind on 27 minutes to level the score for the third time at 0-13 each. The final few minutes were exciting with play flowing from end to end with both sides failing to add to their total and at Michael Mann’s final whistle the sides were still level at 0-13 each after a most exciting hard fought sporting contest, a result which sees Granagh/Ballingarry go joint top of the League/Championship table on 3 points with holders Adare and Newcastle West joint second on 2 points with Croagh/Kilfinny.
Granagh/Ballingarry scored 0-7 from play, 0-5 from frees and 0-1 from a 65. Newcastle West scored 0-11 from play, 0-2 from frees.
Granagh/Ballingarry: Denis O’Connor 0-1 free, Darragh Casey, John Kealy, Niall Cahill, Brian Sheehy, Jack Cagney 0-1, Sean O’Connor, Darragh Casey 0-1, Josh Quille-Mulcaire, Luke Flynn, Damian O’Donovan 0-8 (4 frees, 1 65), Michael Russell, Mark O’Shea, Paudie Murphy 0-1, Owen Lynch, Thomas O’Donovan and Brendan Lynch.
Newcastle West: Michael Quilligan, Jody Woulfe, Maurice Murphy, Lee Woulfe, Michael Cremin, John Whelan 0-1, Michael Blashkiv, Jack O’Connor, Eoin Hurley 0-5 (2 frees), Brian Hurley, Conor Whelan, Brian Hurley, Thomas Quilligan 0-3, Evan McMahon 0-2, Bryan Nix 0-1. Subs used: Stephen Brosnan and Ross Donovan.
Referee: Michael Mann, Ballybrown.
Limerick Ease to 14th League Title
National Hurling League Div 1 Final
Limerick…………..2-20
Kilkenny………….0-14
Hearty congratulations to the Limerick senior hurlers, manager John Kiely and our own Donal O’Grady, coach/selector and the rest of the management team on winning their 14th National Hurling League Div 2 title with a comfortable twelve point 2-20 to 0-14 victory over gallant Kilkenny in the decider at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Goals in either half by Barry Nash and Aaron Gillane paved the way for a 14th League title for the Shannonsiders and a third under manager John Kiely, following wins in 2019 and 2020. Limerick’s next outing is against Waterford in the opening round of the Munster Senior Hurling Championship on Sunday 23rd April in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 2pm.
RESULTS
Munster Senior Football Championship Quarter Finals: Clare 0-14, Cork 0-13; Tipperary 3-9, Waterford 1-11.
Munster U20 Hurling Championship, Round 3: Cork 1-28, Tipperary 1-19.
West Senior Hurling League/Championship, Round 2: Granagh/Ballingarry 0-13, Newcastle West 0-13; Adare 2-26, St. Kieran’s 0-13; Croagh/Kilfinny 1-20, Knoackderry 0-12.
National Hurling League Div 1 Final: Limerick 2-20, Kilkenny 0-14.
Second Half Goals Book Semi Spot for Limerick
Munster U20 Football Championship Quarter Final:
Limerick…………2-6
Waterford………..0-6
With the sides level at 0-3 each at the interval, second half goals courtesy of David O’Shaughnessy and Aaron Neville paved the way for a six point 2-6 to 0-6 victory for Limerick over gallant Waterford in the final of the Munster U20 Football Championship at Paddy Carroll Park, Ballyagran on Sunday. The best of luck to the Shannonsiders in the semi final on Monday 17th April in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7pm. Please support.
Granagh/Ballingarry Unlucky to Lose Féile Semi Final
(AET)
Granagh/Ballingarry U15 hurlers won a few games in Div C of Group 3 in the County Féile na nGael to finish top of the group on Saturday to qualify for a semi final meeting with Blackrock on Monday at Staker Wallace GAA grounds in Kilbreedy, where they were most unlucky to go under to the South Limerick boys by one point, 1-6 to 0-8 after extra time.
County Div C Feile nan Gael, Group 3, Round 1
Granagh/
Ballingarry………..4-3
Dromcollogher/
Broadford………….1-2
Granagh/Ballingarry U15 hurlers got their Féile na nGael campaign off to a winning start at Páird Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh on Saturday with a ten point victory over Dromcollogher/Broadford. The boys in black and green got off to a great start and led by six, 2-2 to 0-2 at the interval. They showed great passion, character and skill throughout to run out deserved ten point 4-3 to 1-2 winners.
County Div C Féile na nGael Group 3 Round 2
Granagh/
Ballingarry………….2-5
Knockaderry………..2-3
Granagh/Ballingarry made it back to back wins in Féile with a hard fought two point victory over neighbours Knockaderry at Quaid Park, Coolyroe on Saturday. This second round tie didn’t start too well for the boys from Knockfierna playing against the wind in the opening half scoring only one point through Danny O’Grady to 1-3 for the Knockaderry boys. A stiff team talk at the interval inspired the Granagh/Ballingarry team to a fantastic second half display. Goals from Darragh O’Donoghue and Danny O’Grady followed up with points from Conor O’Shea, 2 frees from Darragh O’Donoghue and a fantastic long range point from play by Paddy O’Keeffe with the Knockaderry boys’ only reply a goal paved the way for a thrilling two point 2-5 to 2-3 victory for the boys in black and green.
County Féile nan Gael Div C Group 3 Round 3
Granagh/
Ballingarry…………..2-2
Belleville Gaels………0-4
Granagh/Ballingarry made it a hat trick of wins in Féile with a hard fought four point victory over Belleville Gaels (Feohanagh/Castlemahon and Feenagh/Kilmeedy) at Quaid Park, Coolyroe on Saturday. Granagh/Ballingarry started strongly with an early goal from Edward Lynch cancelled out by 3 points without reply for Belleville Gaels to leave the sides level, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-0, Belleville Gaels 0-3 at the interval. Granagh/Ballingarry started the second half like the first with a second Edward Lynch green flag followed by 2 frees from Darragh O’Donoghue with the Belleville Gaels only reply a point to leave Granagh/Ballingarry deserved one point 2-2 to 0-4 winners of their brace of points in Group 3 of Division C in Féile.
County Féile nan Gael Div C Group 3 Round 4
Granagh/
Ballingarry……….2-10
Templeglantine…1-1
Granagh/Ballingarry’s final Group 3 game was against Templeglantine on Saturday in Páirc Caoimh Uí Luing, Feenagh. The boys in black and green could smell the finish line and qualification for the semi final on Monday. One more victory is all that was needed. A very long and detailed team talk from the three coaches Noel Noonan, Donal O’Grady and Sean Murphy was given with strict instructions on how to gain a semi final spot. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys took off with a canter, no stopping these boys now and at half time they led 1-4 to 0-0. The black and greens again dominated the second half and at the final whistle were impressive 2-10 to 0-1 winners to finish top of Group 3 in Division C of County Féile nan Gael to qualify for a semi final meeting with South Limerick side Blackrock on Monday.
County Div C Féile na nGael Semi Final
Blackrock……………1-6
Granagh/
Ballingarry…………..0-8
(AET)
On a dull and dreary rain filled Monday morning at Staker Wallace GAA grounds in Kilbreedy, Granagh/Ballingarry went in to battle against Blackrock to seek a final spot in Division 3 of County Féile na nGael. Both sides were evenly matched and it was neck and neck all the way with the Blackrock boys leading by one, 1-3 to 0-5 at the interval. It was more of the same in the second half as conditions worsened with the sides finishing level, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-7, Blackrock 1-4. In extra time Granagh/Ballingarry worked so hard to get scores, but lady luck didn’t shine on them on the day and just failed to get over the line and it was the Blackrock boys who qualified for the County Div C Féile na nGael semi against Pallasgreen if only just by one point 1-6 to 0-8 after a most enjoyable hard fought contest. The Granagh/Ballingarry boys lost nothing in defeat and are a credit to their club, coaches, families and themselves.
Panel: Liam English, Ben Houlihan, Niall O’Shea, Paddy O’Keeffe, Diarmaid Kiely, William O’Grady, Conor O’Shea, Danny O’Grady, Alex Condron, Darragh O’Donoghue, Kieran Long, Jamie O’Grady, Edward Lynch, Nigel Noonan, James Murphy, James McDonagh, Edward Purtill, Sean Stapleton.
Coaches: Noel Noonan, Donal O’Grady and Sean Murphy.
A special word of thanks to Mike and Yvonne Condron for supplying food for the pane of players and coaches afterwards.
Membership Closed:
The closing date for membership for Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club for 2023 was Friday 31st March. A word of thanks to all who have paid. Those who pay their club draw €100 subscriptions in full are automatically members for 2023.
Players’ Membership Insurance:
Granagh/Ballingarry players’ membership can still be renewed online at www.foireann.ie Any player not currently registered who incurs any injury will not be covered by GAA insurance and will have to cover all costs including medical and loss of earnings. So, we ask all players to register at www.foireann.ie as soon as possible. Adult player €40, student €25.
Draw Promoters Hit the Streets:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club Draw promoters are taking to the streets of the parish to canvass members to join the 10 month draw, March to December. By joining you automatically become a member of the club for 2023 and you will be included in the weekly club lottery if you pay your €100 membership in full by May 1st. See draw brochure for details or contact any member of the finance committee.
Note: The first draw ill take place on Saturday 29th or Sunday 30th April and two draws will take place in December.
County GAA Club Draw:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club are once more promoting the Limerick County Club Draw for 2023. There will be monthly draws from March to December with a top prize of €10,000. There are a lot 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 €300, 14th to 30th €200. There will again be exclusive monthly 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 draw and County Club Draw for €150. If you would like to renew your membership for 2023 please follow the link limerickgaa.ie/clublimerickdraw.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 deadline for accepting membership will be closing shortly as the first draw ill take place on Saturday 29th April.
Munster Championship Tickets:
All Munster Championship matches in 2023 will be all ticket and must be purchased in advance. Tickets for all round robin games in this season’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship are now on sale via Ticketmaster and selected SuperValu and Centra outlets.
Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake:
Granagh/Ballingarry’s second nominated dog Burgess Bolger failed to finish in the top three of Heat 1 in the quarter finals of the Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake, sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus, at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Saturday, so unfortunately will not be in for this Saturday night’s semi finals.
Top of the Table Clash in West Junior B Hurling League:
Pallaskenry is the venue this Thursday at 6.45pm for the top of the table clash of last year’s West Junior B Hurling Championship defeated finalists and Kildimo/Pallaskenry in Round 2 of Group 1 in the West Limerick Junior B Hurling League. In the opening series of games on Sunday 2nd April both sides had impressive wins with Granagh/Ballingarry defeating Monagea 4-20 to 1-8 in Ballingarry and Kildimo/Pallaskenry 3-22 to 1-5 winners over Tournafulla in Tournafulla. An exciting game is in prospect so come and support the boys in black and green and their management team of Conor O’Keeffe, David Clancy and Andrew Holmes this Thursday in Pallaskenry at 6.45pm in their bid to make it back to back wins in Group 1 of the West Junior B Hurling League.
Football League Opener:
2022 West and County Junior A football champions Granagh/Ballingarry open their West Junior A Football League/Championship campaign this Sunday 16th April in Ballingarry where they play Dromcollogher/Broadford B team at 6.30pm. Nine teams, Mountcollins, Feenagh/Kilmeedy, Ballysteen, Athea and St. Senans in Group 1 and Dromcollogher/Broadford, Newcastle West, St. Kieran’s and Granagh/Ballingarry in Group 2, have entered with the top two teams in each group to qualify for the West Junior A Football Championship semi final, 1st Group 1 v 2nd Group 2 and 1st Group 2 v 2nd Group 1. If teams finish level on points scoring differential will apply. West Championship final winners qualify for the County Junior A Football League semi final. An exciting game is in prospect so come and support the boys in black and green and their management team of Shane O’Grady, Mark O’Sullivan and Andrew Holmes this Sunday 16th April in Ballingarry at 6.45pm in their bid to make a winning start to the defence of the West Junior A Football Championship title.
West Senior Hurling League Championship Round 4:
Ballingarry is the venue on Tuesday 18th April at 6.30pm for the top of the table clash of the home side Granagh/Ballingarry and holders Adare in round 4 of the West Senior Hurling League/Championship. Your support for the boys in black and green for this top of the table clash would be appreciated.
Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 1
Good luck to the Limerick minor footballers and their management team who play Tipperary in the opening round of Phase 1 of the Munster Minor Football Championship tomorrow Thursday 13th April in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 7pm. Please support.
Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 4
The best of luck to the Limerick minor hurlers in their bid for a hat trick of wins in the Munster Championship against Tipperary on Tuesday 18th April in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 7pm. Your support for the boys in green and white will be appreciated.
Quiz:
Congratulations to Patsy and Willie Power and Ann and Tom Hickey, the overall winners of the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA club fundraising table quiz on Saturday night at Condron’s Bar, Ballingarry. Thank you to all 19 teams, Yvonne and Mick Condron for hosting the event, quizmaster Jimmy Chawke an to everyone who helped in any way to make our quiz fundraiser such a huge financial success.
Club Gear:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club’s tops, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at www.larochasports.ie product-category/clubs/granagh/ballingarry
Club Website:
Check out our website at www.granaghballingarry.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 www.facebook.com/granaghballingarrygaa and twitter at www.twitter.com/granaghballingarrygaa
€9,400 Jackpot on Saturday:
There was no winner of the €9,300 jackpot in the Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club lottery draw on Saturday 8th April in the Rock Bar, Granagh. The numbers draw were 10, 22, 31 and 32. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Geraldine Mulqueen, promoter online; Catherine Philips, promoter Paddy Hennessy; Tom Burke, promoter Mossie and Pat; John Chawke, promoter Willie Power.
The next draw for a jackpot of €9,400 will be in Denny A’s Bar, Ballingarry on Saturday 15th April. Tickets are €2 each or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bars and from promoters. You can also play the weekly draw online and the link is available on the Club Facebook and Twitter which finishes at 6pm every Saturday. Thank you for your support.
Sympathy:
Granagh/Ballingarry GAA Club officials, players and members extend sympathy to the Walsh family, Moyne, Castlemahon and Ballingarry, on the death of John Walsh. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Club Diary:
Thursday 13th April
West Junior B Hurling League Group 1 Round 2:
Granagh/Ballingarry v Kildimo/Pallaskenry in Pallaskenry at 6.45pm.
Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 1
Limerick v Tipperary in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale at 7pm Waterford v Limerick in Lemybrien at 7pm.
Sunday 16th April:
West Junior A Football League/Championship Group 1:
Granagh/Ballingarry v Dromcollogher/Broadford in Ballingarry at 6.30pm.
Monday 17th April:
Munster U-20 Football Championship Semi-finals: Cork v Limerick in Pairc Ui Rinn at 7pm.
Kerry v Clare in Austin Stack Park, Tralee at 7pm.
Tuesday 18th April:
West Senior Hurling League/Championship Round 4:
Adare v Granagh/Ballingarry in Ballingarry at 6.30pm.
Wednesday 19th April
Munster U-20 Hurling Championship Round 4: Clare v Cork in Sixmilebridge at 7pm.
Thursday 20th April:
Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 2:
Clare v Limerick in Hennessy Park, Miltown Malbay at 7pm.
Tipperary v Waterford in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 7pm.
Friday 21st April
Munster U-20 Hurling Championship Round 4: Tipperary v Limerick in Semple Stadium Thurles at 7.30pm.
Saturday 22nd April:
Munster Senior Football Championship Semi-final: Kerry v Tipperary in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney at 4pm.
Limerick v Clare in Pairc na nGael at 7pm.
Sunday 23rd April:
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 1:
Waterford v Limerick in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 2pm.
Clare v Tipperary in Cusack Park, Ennis at 4pm.