GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY
IMPRESSIVE CROAGH/KILFINNY OFF TO A WINNING START
WEST SENIOR HURLING LEAGUE/CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 1
2021 County Intermediate Hurling Championship defeated finalists and West and County Intermediate League winners Croagh/Kilfinny got their West Senior Hurling League/Championship campaign off to a winning start with an impressive 10-point victory over neighbours and great rivals Granagh/Ballingarry on Thursday evening in dry cold conditions in Ballingarry.
A good crowd turned out to watch this first game of the year for both sides, played on an excellent pitch with John McGrath of Monagea in charge. Croagh/Kilfinny’s No. 8 shot a wide from a placed ball before Granagh/Ballingarry’s No. 14 Denis O’Connor opened the scoring with a second minute white flag from a placed ball.
The opening green flag of the game arrived in the 3rd minute through Croagh/Kilfinny’s No. 11 Brian Hannon before white flags were traded from open play through Croagh/Kilfinny’s No. 15 Andrew Meade on four minutes and Granagh/Ballingarry’s No. 11 Cathal O’Keeffe two minutes later to leave it 1-1 to 0-2 in favour of Croagh/Kilfinny on six minutes. Both sides were guilty of inaccurate shooting in the next six minutes before the Croagh/Kilfinny boys’ second green flag arrived through their No. 13 Barry Lenihan on 13 minutes before a pair of white flags for the home side through David Condon on 14 minutes and Denis O’Connor from a placed ball a minute later reduced the deficit to three, 2-1 to 0-4 at the end of the third quarter.
The visitors extended their advantage to five through a pair of white flags by former all-star Seamus Hickey on 17 minutes and Brian Hannon on 20 minutes before points were traded by Damien O’Donovan (play) on 21 minutes and James Lanigan (free) on 22 minutes. Josh O’Connor (play) on 23 minutes and Denis O’Connor (play) two minutes later to leave five between the sides Croagh/Kilfinny 2-5, 0-6 on 25 minutes.
The final five minutes of the opening half was all Croagh/Kilfinny with a trio of white flags from open play through Nessan leading on 26 minutes, Andrew Meade on 28 minutes and Barry Lenihan on 30 minutes to leave the visitors in at the interval leading by eight, 2-8 to 0-6.
Brian Hannon had a white flag for the Croagh/Kilfinny boys in the third minute after the interval to extend their advantage to nine. The game was held up for the next five minutes due to injury of a trio of Croagh/Kilfinny players who were forced to leave the field of play due to leg injuries. When play resumed Croagh/Kilfinny’s No. 14 Denis O’Connor finished past the Croagh/Kilfinny keeper David Lynch to reduce the deficit to seven, Croagh/Kilfinny 2-10, Granagh/Ballingarry 1-6 on 40 minutes. Then Brian Hannon extended the visitors’ advantage to eight when he split the uprights following a good solo run on 41 minutes. The game was held up for the next five minutes dur to injury to a number of players and when play resumed white flags were traded by Eoin Casey from a long range placed ball on 47 minutes and Tom McMahon from a placed ball on 48 minutes before a pair of white flags for Croagh/Kilfinny through substitute Cian O’Carroll from a placed ball on 50 minutes and open play on 52 minutes were cancelled out from open play by Michael Russell on 53 minutes and substitute Josh Quill Mulcaire on 54 minutes before white flags were traded by Denis O’Connor from a placed ball on 56 minutes and Brian Hannon from open play a minute later to leave it 2-15 to 1-10 in favour of Croagh/Kilfinny on 57 minutes. Then a trio of white flags from open play through sub Padraig O’Gorman on 58 minutes, John Wall on 60 minutes and substitute Cian O’Carroll on 62 minutes before Denis O’Connor had a late consolation point from a placed ball for Granagh/Ballingarry on 64 minutes and at the final whistle Croagh/Kilfinny were worthy ten-point 2-18 to 1-11 winners of the two West Limerick Senior Hurling League/Championship points on offer. Croagh/Kilfinny scored 3-15 from play and 0-3 from frees, Granagh/Ballingarry scored 1-6 from play and 0-5 from frees.
Croagh/Kilfinny: David Lynch, Ciarán Tagney, Mark Mullane, Ryan McCarthy, Paudie O’Carroll, Tom McMahon 0-1 free, Josh O’Connor 0-1, Seamus Hickey 0-1 free, James Lanigan 0-1, Gearóid Lenihan, Brian Hannon 1-4, Nessan Leahy 0-1, Barry Lenihan 1-1, John Wall 0-2, Andrew Meade 0-2. Subs: Cian O’Carroll 0-3 (1 free), Padraig O’Gorman 0-1, Conor Lenihan, Seamie Lenihan, Jamie Burke, Jim Lenihan, James O’Brien, Pat Lenihan.
Granagh/Ballingarry: John O’Grady, Edward Sheehy, John Kealy, Eoin Herlihy, Eoin Casey 0-1 free, Darragh Casey, Thomas O’Donovan, Pat Carroll, Seán O’Connor, David Condron 0-1, Cathal O’Keeffe 0-1, Luke Flynn, Michael Russell 0-1, Denis O’Connor 1-5 (0-5 frees), Damien O’Donovan. Subs: Josh Quille Mulcaire 0-1, Keith O’Kelly, Paudie Murphy, Gearóid Lynch, Brian Sheehy, Eoin Lynch, Colm Noonan, Brendan Lynch.
Referee: John Sexton (Bruree)
Second League Win for Granagh/Ballingarry
West Junior A Football League/Championship
Round 2
Granagh/Ballingarry ……….3-15
St. Senan’s………….0-4
Granagh/Ballingarry fresh from their thrilling draw with Randal Óg Cork in the Munster Junior B Football Championship final at Knockaderry on Saturday 26th March extended their unbeaten run of games to eight since defeating Knockaderry 1-12 to 1-11 in the opening round of the 2021 West Junior B Football Championship at Newcastlewest on Wednesday 18th August with an impressive twenty-point 3-15 to 0-4 over a gallant St. Senan’s second string 15 to record their second win in the West Junior A Football League/Championship at sunny Ballingarry on Tuesday 29th March. A small crowd turned out to watch this second round league tie played on a top class pitch with John McGrath of Monagea in charge.
Granagh/Ballingarry were sharper were direct and showed better touches up front, were too strong for their opponents despite being forced to line out minus a number of first team players.
The home side led by six, 0-8 to 0-2 at the interval. Six of the Granagh/Ballingarry opening half white flags came from the boot of Aaron Smith (2 play 3 frees 1 45) and one each from Paudie Murphy and Keith O’Kelly. Senan’s replied from the boot of Michael Sillery and Kevin Doody. Granagh continued to dominate after the interval with white flags through substitute Kevin Forde, Aaron Smith (free), Jack O’Donoghue and substitute Jack Hartnett without reply from the St. Senan’s boys to extend their advantage to ten, 0-12 to 0-2 at the end of the third quarter.
The game was ended as a contest early in the final quarter with a trio of green flags for the home side courtesy of Jack O’Donoghue and Kevin Forde (two), followed up by a trio of white flags through David Condron, substitute Cian McHoey and Paudie Murphy to leave it 3-15 to 0-2 in favour of the Granagh/Ballingarry boys on 55 minutes. Credit to the St. Senan’s boys who refused to give up and continuously took the fight to their much stronger and fitter opponents were rewarded with a pair of white flag flags courtesy of Francis Farrell and Michael Sillery resulting in a penalty which Granagh/Ballingarry saved from Dom Cienan’s at the final whistle. The 2021 West and County Junior B Football champions and Munster finalists Granagh/Ballingarry were comfortable 3-15 to 0-4 winners of their second straight win in the West Junior A Football League Championship to join Ballysteen at the top of the League/Championship table on four points and can now look forward with confidence to their Round 3 game against Glin on Saturday 17th April in Ballingarry at 6.30pm and the much delayed 2021 Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final replay against Randal Óg, Cork in Knockaderry.
Granagh/Ballingarry scored 3-10 from play, 0-4 from frees and 0-1 from a 45. St. Senan’s scored all 0-4 from play.
Granagh/Ballingarry: David Clancy, Kieran Condron, Niall Cahill, Brian Sheehy, Brendan Lynch, Darragh Casey, Luke Flynn, David Condron 0-1, Edward Sheehy, Damien O’Donovan, Aaron Smith 0-7 (4 frees 1 45), Eoin Herlihy, Paudie Murphy 0-2, Jack O’Donoghue 1-1, Keith O’Kelly 0-1. Subs used: Kevin Forde 2-1, Jack Hartnett 0-1, Cian McGoey 0-1, Kieran O’Donovan.
St. Senan’s scorers: Michael Sillery 0-2, Kevin Doody 0-1, Francis Farrell 0-1.
Referee: John McGrath, Monagea.
First League Win for Rathkeale
West Junior A Hurling League/Championship
Round 2
Rathkeale…………..2-13
Granagh/Ballingarry…….0-11
Rathkeale fresh from their opening round 4-13 to 3-16 draw with Askeaton in the opening round recorded their first win in the West Junior A Hurling League/Championship with an eight point victory of a gallant Granagh/Ballingarry second string 15 played in cold dry conditions in Ballingarry on Saturday evening.
Michael Woulfe of Patrickswell took charge of this game played on an excellent pitch in front of a small crowd. It was the Granagh/Ballingarry boys’ first game in the competition while the Rathkeale boys had the benefit of their opening round, 4-13 to 3-16, draw with Askeaton behind them entering the game. The opening 30 minutes at Ballingarry saw the home side leading by three, 0-6 to 0-3 after 20 minutes but the visitors fought back to leave just one between the sides at the interval. Granagh/Ballingarry 0-7, Rathkeale 0-7.
The game turned nicely in the Rathkeale boys’ favour seven minutes into the second half when they raised the game’s first green flag from a goal line scrum and when Paudie Mulcaire added their second green flag 12 minutes later to leave eight between the sides.
Rathkeale 2-11, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-9 (credit to the Granagh/Ballingarry boys who refused to give up and continuously took the fight to the much stronger opponents and were rewarded with the last score of the game, a well taken point by Brendan Lynch.
At the final whistle Rathkeale were eight-point 2-13 to 0-11 winners to join Askeaton at the top of the West Junior A Hurling League/Championship table on three points. Granagh/Ballingarry lost nothing in defeat and can look forward with confidence to the next round against Kildimo/Pallaskenry on Sunday 1st May in Kildimo at 12 noon.
Granagh/Ballingarry: Keith O’Kelly, Patrick Shelton, Eoin Enright, Seán Murphy, Eoin Lynch, Ronan Mullane, Colm Noonan, Edward Sheehy, Brian Sheehy, Paudie Murphy, Marcus Moore, Brian Noonan, Richie O’Keeffe, Brendan Lynch, Jack O’Donoghue. Subs used: Niall Fitzgerald, Brian Mulqueen and Mickie O’Keeffe.
Referee: Michael Woulfe (Patrickswell).
Results
Munster U20 Hurling Championship
Group 1 Round 1
Limerick 3-7, Clare 9-15.
Munster U20 Football Championship
Quarter Final
Limerick 2-9, Waterford 1-6.
Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final Replay
Five times Limerick County Junior B Football champions Granagh/Ballingarry will renew rivalry with Cork kingpins Randal Óg in their eagerly awaited and much delayed Munster Club Junior B Football Championship Final replay on Saturday 14th May in Knockaderry at 2.30pm.
Note
Entrance fee for supporters for Saturday 14th May Munster Club Junior B Football Championshi0p Final replay, Granagh/Ballingarry (Limerick) v Randal Óg (Cork) in Knockaderry at 2.30pm is €10, which includes a match programme and tea/light refreshments in the local hall post-match where the Man of the Match award sponsored by Knockaderry/Clouncagh Community Council will be presented.
April County Club Draw
The next Limerick County GAA Club’s draw is on Saturday 30th April with a top prize of €10,000. There are a host of other prizes to be won, 2nd €3,000, 3rd €2,000, 4th €1000, 5th exclusive prize of a team of four in the Club Limerick golf event and 500 to spend at McGuirk’s Golf, 6th to 9th 500, 10th to 13th 250, 14th to 30th 100. Entry to the draw is just 10 per month with the option to join our own ten monthly draw which starts in June and County Club Draw for 150, Granagh/Ballingarry had 117 Granagh Ballingarry GAA 2
Members in the first draw in march. If you would like to still renew your membership, 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 all new members to be included in the April draw must be in by Wednesday 27th April at 12 noon.
Membership Closed
The closing date for membership for Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club for 2022 was Thursday 31st March. A word of thanks to all who have paid. Those who pay their club draw €100 subscriptions in full are automatically club members for 2022.
Golf Classic
Granagh-Ballingaarry GAA club is hosting their 2022 Golf Classic in Charleville Golf Club on Friday 22nd April. Prizes will be awarded for the first four teams on the day, while they will be a raffle with many prices 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.
Munster Hurling Championship Opener
The best of luck to manager John Kiely, captain Declan Hannon, our own Donal O’Grady, coach/selector and all involved with back-to-back All Ireland Hurling Championship. Limerick who make their first defence of the Munster and All-Ireland titles when they play neighbours Cork in the opening round of the Munster Championship this Sunday 17th April in Pairc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm. Please support
Club Gear
Granagh-Ballingarry GAA Club top, hoodies, tracksuits, jackets, shorts and socks can now be ordered online at http://222.laochrasport.ie/…/clubs/granaghballingarryclub.
Team Limerick Clean-Up
Registration is now open for the 7th edition of the Team Limerick Clean-Up, the largest one-day clean-up in Ireland which takes place on Good Friday, April 15th across Limerick City and County. Anybody in the parish or club still interested in participating are now asked to complete the registration form on www.teamlimerickcleanup.ie.
Mackey Cup
Congatulations to Danny O’Grady, Christ and Saviour National School Ballingarry who represented West Limerick Primary Schools reaching the final of the Mackey cup played recently in Bruff where the East Limerick side ran out deserved 1-12 to 0-6 winners.
West Limerick Win Neville Cup
Congratulations to Annabelle Mulcaire Quill, Christ the Saviour National School, Ballingarry who represented West Limerick Primary Schools who defeated South Limerick in the Eithne Neville Cup Primary Schools Camogie final in Bruff recently.
West Junior A Football League/Championship Round 3 and 4
A busy few days of action lies ahead in the West Junior A Football League/Championship for 2021 West and County Junior B Football Champions (and Munster Replay finalists v Randel Og Cork on Saturday 14th May in Knockaderry at 2.30pm). Granagh-Ballingarry, on Thursday 21st April, they play Glen in Ballingarry at 7.15pm and three days later on Sunday 24th April they travel to Athea to play the home-side at 6.30pm.
Two exciting games are in prospect, so come and support they boys in black and green and their management team of Shane O’Grady, Mark O’Sullivan and Andrew Holmes on both evening in their bid to make it four straight wins in the West Junior A Football League/Championship and extend their unbeaten run of games to 10, since defeating Knockaderry 1-12 to 1-11 in the opening round of the 2021 West Junior B Football Championship at Newcastle West on Wednesday 18th August.
Defibrillator Group Meeting
The Granagh-Ballingarry Defibrillator Group was set up in 2007 following on from an open meeting which was attended by 50 plus people. The group fundraised locally and were in a position to purchase four defibrillators which are in place at O’Grady Spar shop, Ballingarry, Granagh-Ballingarry GAA grounds, in Ballingarry O’Gorman’s shop, Chawkes Cross, Granagh and the Rock Bar, Granagh. Training courses were arranged in the use of the defibrillators. The group continued to provide regular training sessions until the pandemic restrictions made it impossible. Over the years the Group numbers have
dwindled as happens with many groups. The Group have continued to maintain the defibrillators, checking batteries and pads and replacing as necessary. Thankfully none of the defibrillators have needed to be used over the 15 years. Now there are only 2 of the Group left from the original group. A relaunch is now necessary. Now that restrictions are thankfully lifted, it is a good time to start up again. There is to be a community meeting in the GAA clubhouse in Ballingarry on Wednesday 27th April at 8pm. All organisations and clubs in Granagh and Ballingarry are requested to send a representative. Feel free to contact Ann Hickey 086-8615864 or Breda O’Keeffe 086-3215372 for further information.
€17,900 Jackpot on Saturday
There was no winner of the €17,800 jackpot in the Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club lottery on Saturday April 9th in Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry. The numbers drawn were 2, 24, 25 and 30. The lucky dips of €20 each went to Padraig Herlihy, promoter online; Phil Mulqueen, promoter O’Grady’s Spar shop, Ballingarry; Mike Linehan, promoter Dinny A’s Bar, Ballingarry; Kevin and Charlotte Hanley, promoter Eoin Kennedy. The next draw for a jackpot of €17,900 will be held on Saturday 16th April in Buckley’s Bar, Ballingarry. Tickets are €2 or three for €5 and are on sale in local shops, bar and from promoters.
Note: you can now play the weekly draw online and the link is available on the club’s Facrbook or Twitter which finishes at 6pm on Saturday. Thank you for your continued support.
Sympathy
Granagh-Ballingarry GAA club extended sympathy to the Hanley and Carmody families on the passing of Jim Hanley, 13 Lilac Close, Newcastle West and formerly of Ballykein, Ballingarry. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Club Diary
Wednesday 13th April
Munster U20 Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 2: Cork v Clare in Sixmilebridge at 7pm
Munster U20 Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 2: Tipperary v Waterford in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 7pm.
Thursday 14th April
Munster Minor Football Championship Round 1: Clare v Waterford in Wolfe Tones GAA pitch, Shannon at 7pm; Tipperary v Limerick in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 7pm.
Sunday 17th April
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 1: Waterford v Tipperary in Welsh Park, Waterford at 2pm; Limerick v Cork in Pairc Uí Chaoimh at 4pm.
Monday 18th April
Munster U20 Football Championship Quarter Finals: Limerick v Cork (Limerick venue TBC) at 7pm; Kerry v Clare in Hennessy Memorial Park, Miltown-Malbay at 7pm.
Tuesday 19th April
Munster Minor Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 3: Clare v Waterford in Sixmilebridge at 7pm.
Munster Minor Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 3: Limerick v Kerry in Pairc nan Gael at 7pm.
Wednesday 20th April
Munster U20 Hurling Championship Group 1 Round 3: Cork v Limerick n Pairc Uí Rinn at 7pm.
Munster U20 Hurling Championship Group 2 Round 3: Kerry v Waterford in fraher Field, Dungarvan at 7pm.
Thursday 21st April
West Junior A Football League/Championship Round 3: Granagh-Ballingarry v Glin in Ballingarry at 7.15pm.
Munster Minor Football Championship Round 2: Limerick v Clare in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale at 7pm; Waterford v Tipperary in Lemybrien at 7pm.
Saturday 23rd April
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 2: Limerick v Waterford in Pairc nan Gael at 7pm.
Sunday 24th April
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 2: Tipperary v Clare in Semple Stadium, Thurles at 2pm.
West Junior A Hurling League/Championship Round 4: Athea v Granagh-Ballingarry in Athea at tbc