GAA Notes

SECOND WIN FOR GRANAGH/BALLINGARRY OVER 13-MAN MONALEEN

COUNTY PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 2

Granagh/Ballingarry……….0-17

Monaleen……………0-14

Granagh/Ballingarry recorded their second successive win in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with a hard fought three point victory over last year’s intermediate defeated finalists. Monaleen who had former county senior footballer Ger Collins sent off in the final minute of the opening half at Bruff on Friday evening moved to fifth place on the league/championship table on four points behind Garryspillane and Monaleen on scoring difference to stay in contention for a semi final spot.

A good crowd watched this hard fought close contest between two sporting sides on a fine pitch with John Paul Kiely ofFedamore in charge. Granagh/Ballingarry were forced to line out minus former county minor and U21 star Niall Kennedy while the city side were at near full strength.

Bart Hanley and Lorcan Lyons traded points in the opening 3 minutes before a pair of white flags by former county senior Brian Geary from a 65 on 4 minutes and Andrew la Touche Cosgrove from play 2 minutes gave the Monaleen boys a 2 point advantage 0-3 to 0-1 on 6 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before a trio of unanswered white flags from placed balls by Denis O’Connor of Granagh/Ballingarry on 9, 14 and 15 at the end of the first quarter. Then points were traded between Andrew LaTouche Cosgrave on 17 minutes and Kevin O’Connor on 19 minutes before Granagh/Ballingarry were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes for a foul on David Condron which Donal O’Grady sent over the bar to increase the black and greens’ advantage to 3, 0-7 to 0-4, 10 minutes from the interval. Then a pair of white flags courtesy of Donal O’Grady on 22 minutes and Micheal Clancy a minute later increased

the Granagh/Ballingarry boys’ advantage to 5. Shane Mullane from play on 24 minutes and Denis O’Connor from a placed ball 2 minutes later exchanged white flags before Peter Russell of Monaleen closed the gap to four with a fine point from play on 28 minutes. Monaleen were hit with a major blow on 29 minutes when they had their No. 10 former county senior footballer Ger Collins sent off.

The final few minutes of this well contested opening half produced no more scores to leave Granagh/Ballingarry go in at the interval still 4 ahead 0-10 to 0-6. Denis O’Connor from a placed ball and Brian Geary from a 65 exchanged wides in the opening 2 minutes after the interval. Then Granagh/Ballingarry with the extra men dominated for the next 11 minutes with 5 unanswered white flags courtesy of David Condron on 35 minutes. Donal O’Grady on 36 minutes and from a placed ball on 40 minutes and Bert Hanley 3 minutes later to increase their advantage to 9, 0-15 to 0-6 on 43 minutes. Monaleen far from being overawed scored 5 points in the next 8 minutes through Andrew la Touche Cosgrave from a free on 45 minutes and then on 47 minutes Edward Doyle on 48 minutes, Andrew la Touche Cosgrave (free) on 49 minutes and sub Eamonn O’Connell on 51 minutes before points were exchanged by Donal O’Grady on 53 minutes and Andrew la Touche Cosgrave from a placed ball a minute later to leave 4 between the sides Granagh/Ballingarry 0-16, Monaleen 0-12 on 54 minutes. The next 3 minutes saw both sides miss chances before points were traded from placed balls by Shane Mullane on 58 minutes and Denis O’Connor on 59 minutes to leave Granagh/Ballingarry still 4 ahead with 1 minute of normal time remaining on the clock. Then Andrew la Touche Cosgrove split the uprights from a placed ball to reduce the deficit to 3 on 60 minutes. Monaleen piled on the pressure in added time in chase of a green flag to draw this game but could find no way past a firm Granagh/Ballingarry defence who held out if only just for a 3 point, 0-17 to 0-14, victory to take this second successive brace of points in the Premier County Intermediate Hurling Championship to stay in contention for the semi finals and remain in fifth place on the league/championship table on 5 points behind Garryspillane and Monaleen on scoring difference.

The black and greens can now look forward with more confidence to their next round against sixth placed Blackrock on the weekend of Sunday August 2nd while Monaleen clash with third placedGarryspillane Granagh/Ballingarry who scored 0-10 from play 0-7 from frees, Monaleen scored 0-8 from play, 0-5 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.

Granagh/Ballingarry: Timmy Shields, Cian Cagney, Donagh McCarthy, Michael Carroll, John Carroll, David Clancy, Bobby Houlihan, Bart Hanley 0-2, Sean Lenihan, David Condron 0-1, Donal O’Grady 0-5, Denis O’Connor 0-7, Michael Clancy 0-1, Kevin O’Connor 0-1, Pat Carroll. Subs used: Eoin Kennedy, Niall McCarthy and Jack Cagney.

Monaleen: Cian O’Dwyer, Darragh Madden, Damien Cosgrove, Jamie Potter, Lorcan Lyons 0-1, Brian Geary 0-1, Simon Griffin, Edward Doyle 0-1, Michael Doyle, Ger Collins, Peter Russell 0-1, Mark O’Dwyer, John Nicholas, Andrew la ToucheCosgrave (0-7), Shane Mullane 0-2. Subs used: Eamon O’Connell 0-1 and Darren Gleeson.

COUNTY PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 4

Bruree 1-16, Pallasgreen 0-19, Granagh/Ballingarry 0-17, Monaleen 0-14, Garryspillane 0-20, Dromin Athlacca 1-14, Blackrock 1-15, Knockainey 3-9.

Round 5 Draw

Monaleen v Pallasgreen, Bruree v Garryspillane, Blackrock v Granagh/Ballingarry, Dromin/Athlacca v Knockainey.

Note: These games are to be played on the weekend of Sunday 2nd August.

COUNTY INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 3

Group 1: Mungret St. Pauls 3-16, Knockaderry 0-14, Feenagh/Kilmeedy 2-13, Caherline 0-10.

Group 2: Hospital/Herbertstown 1-16, Claughaun 1-9.

COUNTY SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 3

Group 1: Patrickswell 2-18, Ahane 1-12, Kilmallock 4-13, Murroe Boher 0-17, Effin 2-13, South Liberties 0-19.

Group 2: Adare 3-16, Na Piarsaigh 2-19, Ballybrown 1-19, Bruff 1-12.

LIMERICK CLUB DRAW

The following were winners in the fourth draw held on Saturday 27th June on Limerick live 95FM;

13,000 Donnacha and Doirean Walsh, Blackrock Bord na nOg, 3,000 Seán Moloney, Ballylanders/Glenroe, €2,000 Joan Toomey, Na Piarsaigh, €1,000 Brendan Long, Feenagh Kilmeedy, €500 John Keane, Na Piarsaigh, €500 Padraig Doherty,Rathkeale, €500 N. O’Mahony, Ballinacurra Gaels, €500 Robert Dowling, Feohanagh-Castlemahon, €500 Keileagh Ambrose, Gerald Griffins, €250 Frank Balfry, Caherline, €250 Mark Phelan, St. Patrick’s, €250 Kevin Fitzgibbon, Drom/Broadford, €250Conor Enright and Enda Gallagher, Ballysteen, €250 Dave and Marie McDonnell, Ballylanders/Glenroe, €250 Mike O’Connor, Na Piarsaigh, €250 Helen Hourigan, Rathkeale, €250 Donie O’Mahony, Ballylanders/Glenroe, €250 Michael Clancy, St. Patrick’s, $250 Joan Ahern, Na Piarsasigh, €250 Tommy Wallace, Glin.

SECOND HALF GOALS VITAL AS DOON RETAIN LEAGUE TITLE

County Junior B Hurling League Final

Doon...2-12, Granagh-Ballingarry...0-13

A pair of green flags in the1st and 12th minutes of the second half, courtesy of Mark Coleman and Ger Beary, were crucial to All Ireland champions Doon’s 5 point victory over a very much under strength Granagh, to take their second County Junior B Hurling League title in a row in a thrilling contest at windy Hospital on Thursday evening.

The Hospital-Herbertstown officials had their pitch in top condition for this B Final, played in front of a big crowd who gave great support to their teams with John Paul Kiely of Fedamore in charge. It was tit for tat all through this full blooded contest with the green flags by Coleman and Geary for Doon in the opening 12 minutes of the second half the difference between the sides at the final whistle. Granagh-Ballingarry were forced to line out minus key players in captain Mark Tierney, Padraig Lynch, Patrick Potter and Edward Sheehy, while All Ireland Champions Doon were at near full strength.

The opening six minutes were close and exciting with points ecahgned by Brendan Lynch and Shane McKenna, Cathal Maher free and Niall Cahill for 0-2 each. Then Granagh-Ballingarry with the wind at their back had a pair of white flags from play, courtesy of Kevin Forde on 7 minutes and Kevin O’Kelly two minutes later to leave it 0-4 to 0-2 in favour of Granagh-Ballingarry on 10 minutes. Doon No 14 Cathal Maher closed the gap to one with a fine point from play on 12 minutes before white flags were traded between John O’Grady on 14 minutes and Mark Coleman on 15 minutes, Kevin Forde on 17 minutes and Cathal Maher from a placed ball two minutes later, to leave Granagh-Ballingarry still 1 ahead, 0-6 to 0-5 on 21 minutes. Then both sides found it hard to make scoring chances until one pair of white flags, courtesy of John O’Grady from a placed ball on 26 minutes and Niall Cahill from play two minutes later, extended the Granagh-Ballingarry boys advantage to three 0-8 to 0-5 on 28 minutes. With no more scores in the final minutes of this well contested opening half, Granagh-Ballingarry went in at the interval still there ahead, 0-8 to 0-5.

Doon with the wind at their backs made a good start to the second half with a green flag by Mark Coleman inside a minute, followed up by a pair of white flags by Coleman and Bernard Crowe to push two ahead, 1-7 to 0-8 on 34 minutes. Then JohnO’Grady from a placed ball on 36 minutes and Shane McKenna from play on 38 minutes exchanged points before John O’Grady of Granagh-Ballingarry split the uprights from near the sideline on 40 minutes to close the gap to one, Doon 1-8, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-10 on 40 minutes. Niall Cahill and Eoin Casey hd wides for Granagh-Ballingarry before Doon’s second goal arrived on 42 minutes when substitute Ger Beary finished past keeper Conor Mulqueen to put the All Ireland champions four ahead, 2-8 to 0-10. Then points were traded by sub Jack O’Donoghue on 43 minutes and Bernard Crowe on 44 minutes, before a trio of unanswered white flags from Doon, courtesy of Shane McKenna on 46 minutes, Cathal Maher free on 48 minutes and Shane McKenna two minutes later to leave it Doon 2-12, Granagh-Ballingarry 0-11 on 50 minutes.

The next five minutes saw both sides miss opportunities until a pair of white flags for Granagh-Ballingarry by Eoin Casey from a 65 on 56 minutes and sub Jack O’Donoghue from play two minutes later closed the gap to five. The Granagh-Ballingarry boys continued to pile on the pressure in the final few minutes, but could find no way past a firm Doon defence who held out for a deserved five point, 2-12 to 0-13 win to claim back to back County Junior B Hurling League titles after 60 minutes of exciting fare, Granagh-Ballingarry lost nothing in defeat as they gave their all on the night to only lose out to the All Ireland Champions, despite fielding minus five key players and if they can keep most of this panel together, they should enjoy a good championship run. Doon scored 2-9 from play and 0-3 from frees. Granagh-Ballingarry scored 0-9 from play, 0-3 from frees and 0-1 from a 65.

Doon: Adam McLoughlin, Shane Ryan, James Fox, Ger Crowe, Eddie Ryan, Jason Ryan, Shane Brennan, Padraig Ryan,Diarmaid Cummins (capt), Mark Coleman 1-3, Kevin Lenihan, Bernard Crowe 0-2, Shane McKenna 0-3, Cathal Maher 0-4, James Nolan. Subs used: Ger Beary 1-0, Dylan O’Dwyer and Dara Shanahan.

Granagh-Ballingarry: Conor Mulqueen, Mickie O’Keeffe, Eoin Cahill, Stephen Hickey, Michael Walsh, Eoin Casey 0-1, Michael O’Rourke, Brian Fitzgerald, Mark Snow, Niall Cahill 0-2, Kevin Forde 0-2, Kieran Condron, Brendan Lynch 0-1, John O’Grady 0-4, Kevin O’Kelly 0-1. Subs used: Richie O’Keeffe, Jack Donoghue 0-2, Alan Chawke, Niall Carroll.

Referee: John Paul Kiely (Fedamore).

Presentation

After the game County Board Chairman Olive Mann congratulated Doon on winning back to back League titles, praisedGranagh-Ballingarry for their part in the final and wished both sides the best of luck in the championship. He complimented referee John Paul Kiely and his officials, the Hospital-Herbertstown club for having everything in top class order, before presenting the cup to a delighted winning Doon captain Diarmaid Cummins.

LOTTERY

The numbers drawn were 4, 10, 11 and 13. The jackpot was not won. The next draw is on Saturday 25th July at Limerick Live 95fm studio.

HURLING RE-FIXTURE

The rescheduled meeting of this year’s League winners Granagh-Ballingarry and last year’s defeated finalists Feohanagh-Castlemahon in the first round of group 2 in the West Junior B Hurling Championship goes ahead today Wednesday 1st July inDromcollogher at 7.30pm. Five teams, Tournafulla, Feohanagh-Castlemahon, Feenagh-Kilmeedy, Granagh-Ballingarry and Newcastle West, are entered in group 2 with the top team to qualify for the semi-final and the second and third teams qualifying for the quarter-finals. They clashed in the corresponding game last year and Feohanagh-Castlemahon won 2-14 to 2-6.

(ThatGranagh-Ballingarry team was Conor Mulqueen, Niall Fitzgerald, Eoin Cahill, Kieran O'Donovan, Mark Tierney, John O'Grady, Eoin O'Kelly, Gordon Cagney 0-5, Seán Lenihan, Mark Snow, Brian Fitzgerald, Alan Chawke, Neil Dunworth 0-1, ShaneMulqueen 1-0, Mickie O'Keeffe, subs used Marcus Moore 1-0, Brendan Lynch, Kieran Condron, Jack O'Donoghue and Jimmy Shiels.) both sides have shown good league form this season and they met in the semi-final in Tournafulla on Wednesday 11th June when Granagh-Ballingarry won 1-15 to 2-10 and went on to beat Tournafulla 1-17 to 2-13 in the final and Blackrock 1-14 to 0-16 in the county semi-final after extra time before losing to All-Ireland champions Doon 2-12 to 0-13 in the final at Hospital last Thursday. So today at 7.30pm Dromcollogher is the place to be, come and cheer the boys on.

Note: Granagh-Ballingarry play Feenagh-Kilmeedy this Sunday 5th July in round 2 at 7pm in Knockaderry. But before that, they will hope to win their fourth County Hurling League Division 2 game when they play neighbours Croom this Saturday, 4th July, in Croom at 7.30pm. Croom will enter on four points from five games after beating Blackrock 2-12 to 1-13 and South Liberties 3-14 to 1-14 but losing to Effin 1-16 to 0-15, Knockainey 1-17 to 0-12 and Bruff 1-23 to 2-10, while Granagh-Ballingarry, with a back game???? To play against Knockainey, are top of the table on 6 points with Garryspillane, knocainey and Effin after beatingGarryspillane 2-16 to 0-12, Blackrock 4-10 to 2-10 and Bruff 1-16 to 1-13 but losing to South Liberties 1-15 to 0-11 in theirfourth game. An exciting game is in prospect as Croom, who lost to Bruff and played a thrilling draw with Adare in round 2 of the County Senior Hurling Championship, hope to get their league campaign back on track. Granagh-Ballingarry after losing

to Knockainey and Garryspillane in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship got their own season back on track with three-point wins over both Pallasgreen and Monaleen and will be all out to stay top of the Division 2 league table to boost their confidence before their next Championship game against Blackrock. Your support would be welcome.

WEST JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

A busy few days of action lie ahead for Granagh-Ballingarry. This Friday 3rd July they play Gerald Griffin's in Knockaderry at 7.30pm, and then they play Cappagh on Tuesday 7th July in Seán Finns Park, Rathkeale, also at 7.30pm. Hopefully, a full turnout of players will be there for both games and your support would be appreciated.

TYRONE ADVANCE

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier round 18

Tyrone…1-14

Limerick…0-8

Tyrone recorded a nine point victory over a battling Limerick side at Healy Park, Armagh, on Sunday. The home side led at the interval 0-6 to 0-4. Limerick emerged with considerable credit from their second-half display when playing into the wind, and had Gerard Hegarty’s goal-bound effort not come back off the post they might have pushed their opponents to a nervy finish.

Tyrone: M O'Neill, M McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron, R McNabb, Justin McMahon, R Brennan 0-1, C Cavanagh 0-2, P Harte 1-0, M Donnelly 0-1, R O'Neill 0-1, T McCann 0-1, D McCurry 0-1, S Cavanagh, C McAliskey 0-6. Subs used: M Bradley 0-1, Joe McMahon, D McBride, R Donnelly.

Limerick: B Scanlon 0-1, J McCarthy, S O'Dea, C Sheehan 0-1, I Corbett, C Fahy, S Cahill, T Lee, D Neville, D Treacy, C Sheehan 0-1, S Buckley 0-1, P Nash, G Hegarty 0-1, I Ryan 0-1. Subs used: B Fanning, M Brosnan, P Rannahan, K Moore 0-1, C Phair, G Noonan.

Referee: P Neilan, Roscommon.

HURLING SEMI-FINAL

We wish the Limerick minor hurlers the best of luck in their bid to reach their third successive Munster Championship final in a row when they play Cork tomorrow Thursday 2nd July at Pairc na nGael at 7.30pm.

HURLING QUALIFIER

We wish our own Donal O'Grady and the Limerick senior hurlers the best of luck as they bid to get their All-Ireland Championship campaign back on track after the heavy Munster semi-final defeat, when they play Westmeath in the qualifiers this Sunday 5th July in Cusack Park, Mullingar, at 2pm.

LOTTERY

There was no jackpot winner on Monday 29th June at the Rock bar, Granagh. The numbers drawn were 3, 16, 25 and 31. Lucky dips of €20 each: Patrick O'Kelly, Alan Chawke, James Stapleton, and Claire O'Shea twice. The next draw is on Monday 6th July in Dinny A’s bar, Ballingarry, for a j ackpot of €8,400. We thank all our punters for their continued support.

CLUB DIARY

Wednesday 1st July Munster Junior Football Championship final, Kerry v Cork, Pairc Ui Rinn 7.30pm

West Junior B Hurling Championship group 2 round 1, Granagh-Ballingarry v Feohanagh-Castlemahon in Dromcollogher at 7.30pm

Friday 3rd July West Junior A Football Championship round 3, Granagh-Ballingarry Gerald Griffin's in Knockaderry at 7.30pm

Saturday 4th July County Hurling League Division 2 round 5, Granagh-Ballingarry v Croom in Croom at 7.30pm

Sunday 5th July All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship qualifier round 1, Limerick v Westmeath, Cusack park, mullincar, at 2pm

Munster Minor Football Championship final, Kerry v Tipperary, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, at 12 noon

West Junior B Hurling Championship group 2 round 2, Granagh-Ballingarry v Feenagh-Kilmeedy in Knockaderry at 7pm

Tuesday 7th July West Junior A Football Championship round 4, Cappagh v Granagh-Ballingarry Seán Finns Park,, Rathkeale, 7.30pm

Wednesday 8th July Munster Junior Football Championship final, Limerick v Cork, Pairc Ui Rinn, 7.30pm