Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 27.11.17 2017-11-28 23:04:00

Good turnout for AGM and new chairman elected.

We had our annual General Meeting on Friday night last 24.11.17 in the Club Bar. There was a good strong crowd present and a most satisfactory attendance from players. There was a rousing tribute paid to our outgoing treasurer, Donal O Leary, who did not seek re-election. Donal gave four years mighty work in the post and was taking a well-earned rest. Maurice Carroll our chairman stood down after one year in the position and was thanked for his work. Con Lawlor was elected Chairman and takes up this most important post at a time when there is a lot of young talent in the club but a lot of work to be done also.


Our Secretary, Michael Barrett opened with the minutes of last year’s Cruinniú Bhliaintúil and gave a thorough and excellent account of all the happenings in our club during the past year both on and off the pitch. This included the following: -

  • He gave a brief outline of the activities of the intermediate, U21 and Junior B hurlers, the junior and Under 21 footballers for the year and thanked the players and management teams for their great effort and commitment during the year.
  • We won three Cups this year the IHL 2 League Final, the East Cork JFL 3 League Final and the East Cork U21AHC Final and it is a tribute to all involved.
  • He thanked his fellow Officers for their work during the year and all the other officers with various responsibilities.
  • He complimented the Juvenile and Camogie Clubs who continue to promote our games and introduce the children of the Parish to the game. He noted that they work very hard.
  • He outlined that there was a strong number of players involved with County teams namely Colm Spillane an All-Star Nominee with Cork senior hurlers and outstanding this year. Barry Murphy doing so well with the Cork minor hurling team. He congratulated all Colm Barry, Niall O leary, Tom Carroll, Aidan O Sullivan and Kieran McGann all from the club and involved with Imokilly who won the Cork senior hurling championship for 2017. He pointed out that there were a lot of players involved at a high level and it augurs well for the future.
  • He paid a special thanks to the CES workers under the leadership of Assumpta Mangan who kept the whole place so well for the year and to the bar committee who revitalised the place again this year.
  • He outlined the value of the Club Lotto, the great work of the sellers and the commitment of the Lotto team under the stewardship of Michal Hegarty and to all who offer their assistance in any way.
  • He had a special word of thanks for our new Sponsor ZEUS and all others who sponsored and made contributions to the club during the year.
  • Our Secretary offered condolences to all who lost loved ones during the year. He mentioned our life President, the late Tom Joe O Riordan. We recall Tom Joe as an outstanding Gael of sincerity and great values who had a special grá for the parish as he worked so unselfishly for both the community and Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

Treasurer’s Report

Donal O Leary, our treasurer, gave his report and his financial statement and balance sheet together with bank balances and other details with a facility of detail and accuracy. When he finished the deliberations were few as he had covered all. Donal has given mighty leadership in finance, operational and tetchy areas while introducing quality initiatives that have yielded rich to keep the Club ticking and we thank him for this work.

He pointed to the importance of the weekly lotto, the Cork GAA Clubs Draw and the Monster Draw and, of course, generous ZEUS Sponsorship as being vital to club funding. He paid special thanks to the new finance committee involving the adult, juvenile and camogie groups who worked hard at the monster draw and it was a real success.

He had a special word of thanks for the lotto committee particularly Michael Hegarty who has headed up the Weekly Lotto for more than twenty years has given tremendous service to the club. Gathering, accounting and banking cash on a weekly basis requires laborious and honest endeavour and Michael, a former Postmaster, has that unique facility with the cash and pen as our Lotto flourished under his hand. Michael indicated last year that he would be retiring this year and is taking a well-deserved rest and all present thanked him for his great work. Well done and thanks Michael.

Mark Murphy of the Bar Committee assisted Donal in giving an account of the Bar for the year. This is a new committee and they have done an outstanding job for the year and are in a good strong position. Mark was generally satisfied with the support but would like to see some more of the senior members support the venture. He had special thanks for Bridie Milward and the group who run the Tuck shop for their support during the year. Well done to the Bar Committee.

Donal thanked all his fellow officers, committee members, our sponsors, patrons, and those who bought and sold tickets during the year. He thanked John Healy for his great work as chair of the field committee with Donal Barry and John McCarthy. Donal informed the meeting that as he had done four years he was standing down as Treasurer but would remain on the Committee and assist the incoming Treasurer, but it was time for change. Well done Donal for such a major contribution during your term of office and glad to know that you will still be involved

Managers Reports

Mick Spillane, Manager of the Intermediate team, Donal Barry of the Junior B Hurlers and Donal Barry again on behalf of the U21 Hurlers and Footballers, and Donal O Leary Manager of the Footballers all gave reports.

Mick Spillane pointed out it was a good season for the Intermediate hurlers as they only suffered two defeats in the league and championship and unfortunately the were the championship defeats to Kanturk (eventual outright winners) and Fr O Neills. We won the Division two league and were promoted back to the Premier League. Mick felt there is more to come from the present team and was very thankful to John McCarthy and Colm Crowley his selectors. He outlined that John McCarthy was totally dedicated and had all logistics in order while Colm Crowley had done a lot for Castlelyons over the last three years and was now moving on. He thanks Colm for his great work. He also thanked Shane Hickey for his work during the year. Well done to these lads they gave it everything and with a bit of luck we could have had a right cut in the championship so hopefully the cup is more than half full.

Donal Barry gave an account of the Junior B Hurling and both Donal and his selectors James Maye, Larry Murphy, Darren Tobin and Colm Barry put in a lot of work with both the Junior B and U21 teams. The turnout for the Junior B’s was mighty and they were so unfortunate to lose to an extremely strong Sarsfields outfit in the East Cork final and Sars then went on to win the County. The Under 21’s were outstanding and had a great win in East Cork and the County Quarter Final before losing out to Inniscarra in the county semi-final. Donal thanked his fellow selectors and especially the two boys Darren and Colm who upped the intensity of the training, work so well with the lads and almost brought county success. Well done lads it is great to see a strong junior B panel and U21 side with fellow club players doing the training and leading out the posse.

Next up it was that all-rounder Donal O Leary who managed the Junior A footballers this year as we competed in the A Grade championship and Junior 3 League. He outlined that playing in the league set us up well for the championship and we were so unlucky to lose out to Erins Own in a massive game that saw us leading the way up to the 53rd minute before suffering a narrow defeat. In fact, Erins Own then won out East Cork and went on to the county final. Donal O Leary thanked the players for their efforts and enthusiasm for football this year as they trained in an organised manner whilst not interfering with the hurling. He thanked his fellow selectors James Moroney and Maurice Carroll, also, Anthony Spillane and Ciarán McGann who took some sessions. Of course, victory in the League final over Carrigtwohill was well deserved and another cup for the club this year. Well done to the footballers too.

Chairman’s Report

Maurice Carroll, our outgoing chairman then gave his report and reiterated many of our Secretary Michael Barrett’s comments outlining that while he was very proud to be chairman of a strong club like Castlelyons he regretted that he could not continue due to other business. But he had a strong belief that with the great club effort shown in 2017 Castlelyons were on a good road and in a position, achieve the ultimate success of a County Championship shortly.

John Healy took the Chair for the Election of Officers and the following were elected: -

  • Life President: - Dave Hegarty
  • President: - Ned Fitzgerald
  • Vice Presidents: - Father Gerry Coleman, Seamus Sexton, Martin Dorgan and Donal O Connell.
  • Chairperson: - Con Lawlor
  • Vice Chairperson: - Brian Carroll
  • Secretary: -  Michael Barrett
  • Assistant Secretary: - Donal Barry
  • Registrar: - Colm Barry
  • Treasurer: - Vacant. Assistant Treasurer: - Vacant
  • PRO: - Kieran McGann
  • Insurance Claims Officer: - James Maye
  • Children’s Officer: - To be appointed by Juvenile Club
  • County Board Delegates: - John Barrett and Kieran McGann
  • East Cork Board Delegates: - Seamus Sexton and Mark Murphy
  • Cultural Officer: - Vacant
  • Safety Officer: - Vacant
  • Health and Wellbeing Officer: - Tom Carroll

There are some people available for the unfilled officerships and these will be settled at the next club meeting. On the above list it is pleasing that while we have fond memories of the late Tom Joe O Riordan we now have another club legend namely Dave Hegarty move into the position of Life President. Dave has been a mighty man down the years in his contribution to the Juveniles, the adult section, fundraising, field, Cúl Camp, and you name it he has done it. Also, Ned Fitzgerald, was elected President of our club and he has given many years of serious commitment, e.g., looking after teams, fundraising, etc. We wish them both all in their new positions. There were wo motions. However, there was lively discussion on many matters pertinent to the club and player development.

We wish Con Lawlor the very best in his new position and it is imperative he gets all support possible. Con a Dublin man and an ardent Dublin supporter is resident in the parish and married to Trish from Killeagh. He has been involved in the club for many years as his lads Darragh and Coran have played for the club. Overall the future looks very good with a lot of talent about the club so there is no point looking in the rear-view mirror and going for the odd Sunday drive as it is now time to circle the wagons and then have a right cut off a serious journey for 2018. Best of luck to all. Castlelyons Abú.

Congratulations to Kevin Kenny.

Congratulations to one of our former players Kevin Kenny who was recently promoted to the rank of Captain in the Army. Kevin has recently returned from overseas duties in the Lebanon and is enjoying a welcome break. Kevin will resume duties shortly in his new rank in Custume Barracks, Athlone. Well done Kevin.

Abernethy Cup Final on Saturday 2nd December 2017.

The East Cork intermediate hurling championship may have run a little late due to the involvement of Imokilly in the SHC, Fr O Neills in the IHC and both teams at U21 level but it should be a great end to the season. Both teams played out a cracker in the championship earlier this year as Fr O Neills ran amok earlier and at one stage led by 12 points only for Castlelyons to bring it back to two points. O Neills did drive on again to finish convincing winners 5-17 to 3-20 but it was felt that Castlelyons could have done a bit better. O Neills went on to defeat Kilworth but failed surprisingly to Ballinhassig in the quarter final.

Fair play to our mentors as the intermediate, junior B and U21 teams beavered away all year winning the IHL 2 League and East Cork U21AHC, so we are in a good position too and it would be great to win the Abernethy Cup. O Neills have a lot of good hurlers in Declan Dalton, U21 hurler of the year, the Mellerick brothers, Eoin Butler, Cillian Broderick with many more and will be clear favourites. However, I have no doubt the Barrys, Spillanes, O Learys, Eoin Maye, Declan Varner and Alan Fenton will be out to set the record straight and go all out to avenge the championship defeat. A game not to be missed and we need your support. Castlelyons Abú.

East Cork GAA Annual General Meeting.

We are honoured to host the East Cork GAA AGM in the Community Centre, Castlelyons on next Wednesday the 6th December 2017 at 8 pm. The Uí Mac Coille divisional committee wish to remember the late Tom Joe O Riordan who was an outstanding officer of the Board for many years both as treasurer and Vice President thus holding it in Castlelyons this year. The Sean Óg Murphy cup will be back and displayed on the night for the first time since 1998 with Imokilly county champions again this year.

Congratulations to Barry Fitzgerald.

There was a big night at the famous K Club recently as the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland held their Gala Dinner and Awards night. We were well represented as our own Barry Fitzgerald a former player for many years and county medallist with Imokilly figured well in his latest enterprise venture. Barry’s revamped butcher shop in Fermoy won a Star Shop Top Ten Award and, in addition, he beat off competition from all over Ireland to take top prize for the ‘best traditional sausage’. We congratulate Barry, his Dad, Ned, and Fitzgerald Bros in their success. Fitzgerald Butchers have been patrons and sponsors of our Club from many years so don’t forget to call to them for quality home produced meats and the Castlelyons Lotto tickets are always on the counter for you.

Results of Weekly Lotto Draw held on Monday 27.11.17. 

This Draw was held in the Clubhouse on Monday 27.11.17. The numbers drawn were 2, 11, 24, and 29. There was no winner. There were eight "Lucky Dip" winners as follows: - Mary Quinn, Colm Murphy, Roisin Ronayne, Johnny Joyce, Donal O Connell, Catherine Hallihan, Killian Smith and Katherine Q (Club Bar). The Jackpot is now €3,800 and our next draw is Monday 4th of December at 9.30 pm in the Club Bar. Thanks for your support and please remind your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual sources.

Castlelyons GAA Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group




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