The excitement is building Around the Banner GAA Club in Ennis this week, ahead of next Saturday at 3pm in Newmarket-on-Fergus where our adult hurlers will line out in the clubs first ever Junior A county hurling championship final versus Ballyea.

The panel have been training together since January. In the league the team had a successful campaign winning promotion for 2026 and winning the league trophy in their final victory on July 5th over neighbours Eire Og. 

This year the Banner side are jointly managed by 2013 All Ireland medal winner with Clare Cian Dillon and Cork native Donagh Stack who played his club hurling with Newtownshandrum back in his playing days. 

On the run to this years final the Banner Ennis side topped their group with wins over Ennistymon, Clooney-Quin, Cratloe and Clonlara. Having topped the group The Banner qualified straight to the semi final and again played Clooney-Quin coming away with an 8 point victory. 

Our opponents in the final Ballyea have also had a very successful year to date. Playing in the league division above our lads, Ballyea were undefeated in the league campaign winning the league title and silverware on July 6th where they had a 10 point victory over Bradford in their league final. In their championship campaign to date Ballyea had wins over Wolfe Tones, Crusheen and Tulla. In their quarter final they had a 2 point win over Clonlara and in their semi final they got the last 3 scores in the closing minutes to see off their neighbours Clarecastle by 2 points.

So, all is poised for an exciting week for our club. The final promises to be a great game between 2 talented sides, both sides having a nice blend of experience and youth.

Calling on all our Banner underage players and coaches and our loyal band of supporters to show your support for the team this week. Please get out the bunting and flags from the attic and show our colours around the Lahinch Rd and Shanway Rd  and the club. It will mean a lot to the players. For anyone that wants to get some bunting, or flags please make contact with a committee member.  Our club shop has a stock of flags and bunting for sale and we will arrange to open on Wednesday evening so that supporters can purchase some colours. 

Vitally, please plan to make your way to Newmarket on this Saturday to cheer the lads on. They have worked very hard to make it to this stage and the team and management are really appreciative of the great support we have received in our campaign to date.

Thanks to our Adult Hurling Team Sponsor, Henchy’s Daybreak Stores (Limerick & Galway) 

The Banner Panel and Management are as follows:

Fiachra Hayes, Eoin Fitzpatrick, Cailum Henchy, Liam Hughes, Ronan Kilroy, Jonny Martin, Brian McDonald, Justin McGrath, Matthew McGrath, Oisin McMahon, Sean McMahon, Darren Meehan, Shane Meehan, Thomas Meenaghan, Brian Moloney, Conal O’Reilly, Conor O’Toole, Ben O’Halloran, Cian Ruane, Cian Rynne, Oran Rynne, Diarmuid Toner, Niall Walsh, Eoin Walsh, Caleb Walsh, Keelan Bane, Scott O’Loughlin-Kelly. 

Management: Cian Dillon & Donagh Stack (Joint Managers), Noel Kenny & Liam O’Reilly (selectors), Darren O’Neill (Team Physio), Martin Davis (S&C)

Backroom: Bobby Power & Cian McNulty (Stats)

Waterboys & Matchday kit support: Finn Duignan, James O’Connor, Thomas Mathius-Williams, Tony Burke, Sean Hegarty, Tom Spelman, Ethan Walsh, Conor Coffey.