GAA: O'Grady's extra-time point ‘DOONS’ champions !
Granagh-Ballingarry…1-18
Doon…0-20 a.e.t.
In ideal conditions at Bruff on Sunday morning a point from a 20 metre placed ball in the final minute of the second period of extra time by John O'Grady after a foul Padraig Lynch earned Granagh-Ballingarry a thrilling victory over gallant All-Ireland champions Doon to qualify for their first county Junior B Hurling Championship final since 2008 against last year’s defeated finalists Monaleen on Friday, 23rd October, in Pairc na nGael at 8.15pm, a repeat of the 2002 decided won 2-6 to 2-4 by Monaleen. The game was played out on a well laid out pitch in front of a good crowd who gave great support to their teams, who produced fine passages of hurling, good movement, great scores and a very exciting finish.
Shane Brennan and John O'Grady exchanged points from placed balls in the first two minutes before points from Robert McLoughlin on 3 minutes and Shane McKenna on 5 put Doon two ahead, 0-3 to 0-1, on 5 minutes. A couple of wides were exchanged before points were traded by John pgrady on 7 minutes and Shane Breen from a placed ball on 9, John O'Grady on 11 minutes and Shane Breen a minute later to leave Doon still two ahead 0-5 to 0-3 on 12 minutes.
Then points by Darragh Shanahan from play on 14 minutes and from a placed ball on 16 extended Doon’s advantage to four before John O'Grady won a point back for Granagh-Ballingarry from a placed ball to close the gap to three, Doon 0-7 Granagh-Ballingarry 0-4 on 18 minutes. Points were traded by Bernard Crowe on 22 minutes and John O'Grady from a placed ball on 24, John Crowe on 26 minutes and Kevin O'Kelly on 28 to leave Doon still three ahead on 28 minutes. Shane McKenna and Kevin Lenihan had wides for Doon before the final score of this well contested half fell to John O'Grady of Granagh-Ballingarry from a 50 metre placed ball in added time to leave Doon two ahead at half-time, 0-9 to 0-7.
On the resumption points were exchanged by Padraig Lynch on 33 minutes and Jason Ryan on 35, Shane Brennan from a placed ball on 37 minutes and John O'Grady on 40 to leave Doon still two ahead 0-11 to 0-9. The game was held up for three ins and when play got under way again a couple of wides were exchanged before Shane Brennan landed a long range point to extend Doon’s advantage to three on 46 minutes. a good forward surge by Granagh-Ballingarry involving Kevin Forde and Johnogradyt was finished with a cracking Kevin O'Kelly goal on 51 minutes followed two minutes later by a fine point by Padraig Lynch form out near the side line to put Granagh-Ballingarry ahead for the first time, 1-10 to 0-12 on 53 minutes. Mark Snow and Brian Fitzgerald had wides for Granagh-Ballingarry before points were traded from placed balls by Shane Brosnan on 55 minutes and John O'Grady on 57, John O'Grady on 59 and Shane Brosnan on 61 to leave Granagh-Ballingarry still one up, 1-12 to 0-14. Just when it seemed as if Granagh-Ballingarry would hold out, Shane Brennan split the uprights from a 40 metre placed ball three minutes into added time to leave the teams level, Granagh-Ballingarry 1-12 Doon 0-15 at the end of normal time, sending the game into extra time.
The first two minutes saw points exchanged by Shane Brosnan and John O'Grady from a placed ball; then points from placed balls by John O'Grady on 5 and 7 minutes were cancelled out by Shane Brennan from a placed ball on 8 minutes and Robert McLoughlin on 10 to leave the sides still level, Granagh-Ballingarry 1-15 Doon 0-18. The second period was again very exciting with play flowing from end to end but with both defences well on top scores were scarce. Granagh-Ballingarry went two ahead courtesy of points by Kevin Forde on 12 minutes and John O'Grady from a placed ball on 12 but these were cancelled out by sub Denis Ryan on 17 minutes and Kevin Lenihan on 19 to leave the teams still velel, Granagh-Ballingarry 1-17 Doon 0-20 with a minute to go. Just when we thought this thrilling contest would go to a replay, up popped John O'Grady with a point from a 20 metre placed ball following a foul on Padraig Lynch to seal a place for Granagh-Ballingarry in the County Junior B Hurling Championship final for the fifth time since 2008 against last year’s defeated finalists Monaleen on Friday, 23rd October, in Pairc na nGael at 8.15pm Granagh-Ballingarry were overcome with joy at having defeated the All-Ireland champions in such a thrilling contest by one point; the Doon players were gutted to have lost both their county and All-Ireland titles in the final minute of extra time but were very sporting in defeat and wished the Granagh-Ballingarry boys the best of luck in the final.
Granagh-Ballingarry scored 1-7 from play and 0-11 from frees; Doon scored 0-12 from play and 0-8 from frees.
Granagh-Ballingarry: Conor Mulqueen, Michael O'Keeffe, Eoin Cahill, Stephen Hickey, Mark Tierney (capt.), Michael Walsh, Edward Sheehy, Eoin Casey, Brian Fitzgerald, Kieran Condron, Kevin Forde 0-1, Mark Snow, Padraig Lynch 0-2, John O'Grady 0-14, Kevin O'Kelly 1-1. Sub used: Marcus Moore.
Doon: Adam McLoughlin, John Stokes, James Fox, Shane Ryan, Eddie Ryan, Jason Ryan 0-1, Shane Brosnan 0-11, Padraig Ryan, Robert McLoughlin, Kevin Lenihan 0-1, James Ryan, Bernard Crowe 0-2, Shane McKenna, Darragh Shanahan 0-2, Dylan O'Dwyer. Subs used: Denis Ryan 0-1, Raymond Ryan and Fiachra O'Grady.
Referee: John Paul Kiely, Fedamore.
LATE GOAL CAPTURES U15 CROWN
County U15 Division 3 hurling final
Granagh-Ballingarry…1-4
Shamrock Gaels…0-6
Granagh-Ballingarry won the County Division 3 U15 hurling title in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon against valiant Shamrock gales in Claughaun. Training by two points with a minute to go, Seán O'Connor struck the all-important goal to send the boys in black and green into a one point lead which they defended stoutly to the final whistle. In a tough and bruising contest the spirit and determination of the boys from Knockfierna saw them cross the line in a game that was close from start to finish. The work rate and team play of Granagh-Ballingarry all over the pitch was a major factor in achieving this success. At the end of the game Limerick County Bord nanOg chairman Denis O'Carroll presented Granagh-Ballingarry captain David Lynch with the trophy to huge cheers from the local supporters. David thanked all the supporters as well as coaches James Flynn, James O'Connor and Donagh McCarthy before calling for three cheers for the gallant Shamrock Gaels. On Sunday evening the team paraded the spoils of victory through Granagh and Ballingarry before returning to the clubhouse for refreshments. The club would like to thank the parents who provided the wonderful refreshments on a very enjoyable evening. Well done to all the boys on a great performance.
U15 squad: Keith O'Kelly, Eoin Enright, David Lynch, Seán English, Shane Collins, Darragh Casey, Seán Murphy, Seán O'Connor, Luke Flynn, M. J. Purtill, Conor Lynch, Gearóid Lynch, William O'Regan, Aaron Noonan, Adam Long, Jeremy O'Connor, Bryan Mulqueen, Denis Sheehy, Jamie O'Donovan, Daniel Herlihy. First aid: Teresa Noonan and Louise Enright.
Major crowds expected for Junior B final
Tremendous support is anticipated at Pairc na nGael this Friday, 23rd October, at 8.15pm for the eagerly awaited clash of West champions Granagh-Ballingarry (which is a repeat of the 2002 final won 2-6 to 2-4 by Monaleen). This is the climax of the 2015 County Junior B Hurling Championship. Both sides are in Friday night’s final on merit after playing a lot of good hurling on the way. Granagh-Ballingarry, playing their fifth final, will want to inscribe their name on the base of the trophy for the first time, while Monaleen, in their third final and second in succession, are looking for their second title and first since that day in 2002.
2015 Form
Granagh-Ballingarry have won 13 of their 16 games so far this year, won the West League and Championship and reached the County League final which they lost to All-Ireland champions Doon by five points.
West Junior Hurling League group 2
Round 1 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-11 Croagh-Kilfinny 1-8
Round 2 Granagh-Ballingarry 2-9 St Kieran's 1-9
Round 3 Knockaderry 2-16 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-16
Play-off Granagh-Ballingarry 5-13 Croagh-Kilfinny 1-8
Semi-final Granagh-Ballingarry 1-16 Feohanagh-Castlemahon 2-10
Final Granagh-Ballingarry 1-17 Tournafulla 2-13
County semi-final Granagh-Ballingarry 1-14 Blackrock 2-6 a.e.t.
County final Doon 2-12 Granagh-Ballingarry 0-13
West Junior B Hurling Championship group 2
Round 1 Granagh-Ballingarry 2-11 Feohanagh-Castlemahon 0-8
Round 2 Granagh-Ballingarry 0-31 Feenagh-Kilmeedy 0-3
Round 3 Granagh-Ballingarry 3-18 Tournafulla 0-12
Round 4 Granagh-Ballingarry w/o Newcastle West scr.
Semi-final Granagh-Ballingarry 0-21 Tournafulla 2-10
Final Granagh-Ballingarry 0-12 Feohanagh-Castlemahon 1-8
County quarter-final Granagh-Ballingarry 0-16 Camogue Rovers 1-9
County semi-final Granagh-Ballingarry 1-18 Doon 0-20
Dunworth Cup final Camogue Rovers 2-14 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-11
Barry Quaid Memorial Cup final fro 3-20 Granagh-Ballingarry 1-15
Finals of the past
Granagh-Ballingarry have contested and lost four County Junior B Hurling Championship finals: to Monaleen 2-6 to 2-4 in 2002, Newcastle West 0-8 to 0-7 in 2003, St Kieran's 3-11 to 1-10 in 2004 and Bruree 1-13 to 1-12 in 2008. The four losing Granagh-Ballingarry teams were worth remembering:
2002 v Monaleen Jimmy Shiels, Liam Carroll, Conor O'Keeffe, Noel Forde, John Carroll, Jim O'Keeffe, Brian Kennedy, J. J. Enright, Brian Fitzgerald, Eoin Chawke 1-4, John O'Sullivan, Denis Noonan, Micheál Mulcahy, Davy Fitzgerald, David O'Keeffe junior.
2003 v Newcastle West Jimmy Shiels, Liam Carroll, Ollie O'Brien, Aidan Barrett, Shane Clifford, Brian Fitzgerald (Capt.), John Carroll, Eoin Barrett 0-1, Kieran Mulqueen, Conor Mulqueen, John O'Sullivan 0-1, niel Dunworth, John Paul Morrison 0-5, bily O'Connor, Jim O'Keeffe. Subs: Brian Kennedy, Davy Fitzgerald, Edmond Cullinane, J. J. Enright, Neville O'Donnell, Mike Houlihan, Shane O'Grady, Andrew Holmes, Denis Noonan, Paul McCarthy, Mark Tierney, Kevin Carroll, Martin Lane, Mickie O'Keeffe.
2004 v St Kieran's Jimmy Shiels, Liam Carroll (capt.), Ollie O'Brien, Kevin Carroll, Mark Tierney, Brian Fitzgerald, Blaine Cagney, John Carroll, Neil Dunworth, Denis O'Connor, Kieran Mulqueen, John O'Sullivan, Denis Noonan, David O'Keeffe, Fergal Noonan, Darragh O'Grady, Mick Houlihan, Liam O'Connor, Mickie O'Keeffe, Conor Mulqueen, bily O'Connor, Shane Clifford, Pat Carroll. Manager: Jimmy Stapleton.
2008 v Bruree Jimmy Shiels, Kieran Condron, Niall Cahill, Eddie O'Brien (capt.), Darragh O'Grady, Martin Tracey 0-1, Michael Houlihan, Pat Carroll 0-5, Gordon Cagney, Eoin Cahill 0-1, Jim O'Keeffe 0-2, Michael Corrigan 0-1, Mark Tierney 0-1, Shane Mulqueen, Neil Dunworth 1-1. Subs: Blaine Cagney, Ollie O'Brien, Denis Noonan.
Monaleen who did not enter the city League have won seven of their eight games this season to reach Friday’s final:
City Junior B Hurling Championship
Round 1 Monaleen 3-14 Kildimo-Pallaskenry 1-12
Round 2 Monaleen 0-18 Mungret-St Paul's 1-9
Round 3 Monaleen 4-16 Ballybrown 0-3
Round 4 Monaleen w/o Patrickswell scr.
Round 5 Monaleen w/o Claughaun scr.
Round 6 Monaleen 4-10 Na Piarsaigh 2-12
Semi-final Monaleen 5-16 Ballybrown 0-5
Final Mungret-St Paul's 5-7 Monaleen 4-7
County quarter-final Monaleen 2-10 Pallasgreen 1-7
County semi-final Monaleen 0-14 Feohanagh-Castlemahon 0-9
Support
The proverbial mouth-watering clash awaits us with neither side fearing the other and both confident of victory so this Friday 23rd October at Pairc na nGael is the place for all Granagh-Ballingarry fans to be at 8.15pm to cheer on the boys and their manager Conor O'Keeffe, coach Tony Delaney and selectors Niall McCarthy, Liam Carroll and Andrew Holmes in their bid to bring the first ever county Junior B Hurling Championship title back to the parish and club.
SENIORS SEEK FIRST TITLE SINCE 2008
Seán Finns Park, Rathkeale is the venue on bank holiday Monday 26th October for the meeting of Granagh-Ballingarry and holders Adare in the West Limerick Senior Hurling Championship final at 3pm; this is a repeat of the 2008 final won 0-13 to 0-11 by Granagh-Ballingarry.
Preview
This is the climax of the 2015 West Limerick Senior Hurling Championship. It will be the 77th final, and the trophy on offer is the Willie Hough Perpetual Cup. Holders Adare, who reached the county semi-final this season, will start as favourites and will be seeking their ninth title and two in a row. Granagh-Ballingarry will be in their eighth final and first since 2012, when Killeedy beat them in a replay; they will be seeking their first West senior title since they beat Adare 0-13 to 0-11 in the 2008 final, and their fourth overall.
Support
Hopefully, all true Gaels in both Granagh and Ballingarry will travel to support our senior hurlers on Monday in Seán Finns Park, Rathkeale at 3pm in their bid to bring the West Limerick Senior Hurling Championship and the Wllie Hough Cup back to the parish for the first time since 2008.
MINOR A HURLING REPLAY
Clarinia is the venuye this Sunday, 25th October, for the clash of Wets champions Granagh-Ballingarry/Rathkeale and City/east champions South Liberties in the County Minor A Hurling Championship semi-final replay at 12 noon with extra time if required. Another exciting game is in prospect and your support would be welcome.
LOTTERY
The numbers drawn in the Granagh-Ballingarry G.A.A. club lottery on Monday 19th October in Buckley’s bar Ballingarry were 3, 16, 19 and 31. The jackpot was not won. Lucky dips of €20 each: Seán O'Grady, Ray Fox, Cormac Kennedy, Jim Kennedy and Richard Sheehy. The next draw is on Monday 26th October in Trainor’s bar, Ballingarry. We thank all our punters for their continued support.
CLUB DIARY
Wednesday 21st October County Minor A Football Championship semi-final, Claughaun/Old Christians v Oola in Kilbreedy 8pm
Thursday 22nd October County Minor A football, Galbally v Ballysteen in Kilbreedy 8pm
Friday 23rd October County Minor B Hurling Championship final, Ballybrown v Kildimo-Pallaskenry in Pairc na nGael 6.45pm
County Junior B Hurling Championship final, Granagh-Ballingarry v Monaleen in Pairc na nGael at 8.15pm
County U21 13-a-side hurling semi-final, Glenroe v Staker Wallace in Knocklong 8pm
Saturday 24th October County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final, Bruree v Monaleen, Fitzgerald Park Kilmallock, 2pm
Count Intermediate Hurling Championship final, Feohanagh-Castlemahon v Cappamore, Fitzgerald Park Kilmallock 3.45pm
County Junior A Football Championship final, Cappagh v Galtee Gaels in Bruff at 2pm
County Junior A Hurling Championship final (provisional), Dromcollogher-Broadford v Na Piarsaigh in Bruff 3.45pm
County 13-a-side minor football competition final, Athea v Ballylanders, O'Carroll Park, Ballyagran, 12 noon
Sunday 15th October County Minor A Hurling Championship semi-final replay, Granagh-Ballingarry/rl v South Liberties in Clarina at 12 noon
Monday 26th October West Senior Hurling Championship final, Granagh-Ballingarry v Adare, Seán Finns Park, Rathkeale 3pm
County Minor B Football Championship semi-final, Na Piarsaigh v Ballybricken-Bohermore in Caherconlish 3pm
Tuesday 27th October South Senior Football League, St. Patrick’s v Rathkeale, Seán Finns Park,, 8pm
Saturday 31st October County Minor A Hurling Championship final, Granagh-Ballingarry/Rathkeale or South Liberties v Claughaun/ Old Christians in Bruff 1.15pm
