John Allen, Limerick Hurling Manager
The new Limerick hurling manager is Corkman John Allen. John is the third Corkman to take over the role, following in the footsteps of Justin McCarthy (2008-2010) and Donal O’ Grady who stepped down from his post in September 2011 after a year in the job.

John Allen was a selector when Cork won the 2004 All-Ireland under the management of Donal O’ Grady. Allen succeeded O’Grady in the bainisteoir’s bib in 2005 and helped Cork to retain the McCarthy Cup later that year. He retired from his post in 2006 after losing the 2006 final to Kilkenny. Both he and Kilkenny manager Brian Cody were interviewed in the Green and White in 2008.

John Allen worked as a teacher in Togher National School in Cork City until retiring in August 2011.

John was a dual player, winning All-Ireland hurling medals with Cork in 1976 and 1977 and winning National League and Munster Championship medals with the Cork football team.

Ballyagran National School win the Green & White Schools Shield
Thursday 23rd June, 2011 became a red letterday in our sporting history when, against all odds, Ballyagran National School won the Green & White Schools Championship in Rathkeale. On that date, all four divisional winners stepped forward to do battle: Crecora from the East, Monaleen from the City, Gaelscoil O’Doghair representing the West and Ballyagran flying the flag for the South.

In the semi final we were pitted against the much fancied team from the West and thus began our quest for glory. Our girls put everything they had into this semi final and emerged as worthy winners on a score-line of 5-6 to 3-0. {Scorers: Leah Riordan (4-5), Chloe O’Brien (0-1), Chloe O’Regan(1-0)}.

We rode our luck in the first half of the final (v Crecora NS). Super goalie, Aoife McMahon came to our rescue more than once and we began to wonder if this might just be our day. Fortune favours the brave and our ‘backs’– Sheila Cagney, Emma Kelly, Lorna O’Leary, Cara Fitzgerald, Lauren McGrath and Aine Walsh stood defiant in the face of a barrage of Crecora goal raids. Tanya McNamara and Chloe O’Brien covered every inch of the park unselfishly for the team’s cause and supplied good ball to Chloe O’Regan, Zara White, Aoife Edwards, Rebecca Carroll, Una O’Donnell, Grace O’Connell, Chloe Roche, Laura O’Keeffe and the main target-girl, Leah Riordan who scored 1-2 to give us a half time lead of 1-2 to 0-2.

Crecora cranked up the pressure in the second half and added 2 points to their tally. There was now just a single point between the teams. Gathering the ball in her own half, Tanya McNamara broke forward and struck over a super point to leave the final score at 1-3 to 0-4. Cara Fitzgerald received the trophy and headed for our school to savour a famous victory for a special group of girls.

Louise Dore missed out on the game due to injury. Special thanks to all parents who travelled to support us and to Mrs. Geary, Miss White, Master O’Connor, Brian Riordan and Cecilia McNamara for their input into this marvellous day. And to ‘Monty the Bus-driver’ who was so enthusiastic he was mistaken for one of the parents!

Limerick win the 2011 Munster Under 21
Limerick won the 2011 Munster Under 21 hurling titlewhen they defeated a hotly-fancied Cork team in a never-to-be- forgotten Munster Final played at Páirc na nGael. The game saw 52 scores recorded in the 80 minutes (the game needed 20 minutes extra time to separate the sides). Limerick emerged victorious on a scoreline of Limerick 4-20: Cork 1-27.

It was Limerick’s sixth success at this level. Leo’s Lions had reached the final by defeating Clare in Ennis– never an easy task. Unfortunately, the dream of ultimate success was shattered by Galway in a thrilling All-Ireland semi-final in Thurles. The Tribesmen went on to overcome Dublin in the All-Ireland final.

Manager Leo O’Connor was a player when Limerick recorded their first Munster Under 21 victory in 1986. That victory was followed by defeat at the hands of Galway but Limerick returned to take the Munster and All-Ireland titles the following year. Maybe history will be repeated in 2012.

Declan Hannon was shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Player of the Under 21 Championship and also for the Opel/GPA Young Player of the Year award in 2011.

Aidan Walsh of Cork received the Man of the Match Award for the Munster Final, scoring 8 points from play including the point that forced injury time. He still finished on the losing side.

Patrickswell’s Mark Carmody was a Limerick hero throughout the Under 21 campaign. Mark’s Dad, Anthony, was on the successful Under 21 teams of 1986 and 1987.

Limerick won 3 Under 21 All-Ireland finals in a row from 2000 to 2002.

Tipperary won the first All-Ireland Under 21 hurling title in 1964. Kerry won the first All Ireland Under 21 football title.

Limerick has one Munster Under 21 football title, gained in 2000.