Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 18.1.21. 2021-01-20 18:48:00

Meetings and a look forward with the County Board and East Cork Board.

The County Board provided us with a summary of fixtures at the first meeting of the year on 12.1.21. The National calendar had been sent out to the clubs. This entailed a dedicated 12 week only for clubs, and the Rúnaí acknowledged that 12 weeks is very tight in Cork especially for dual clubs. Kevin O Donovan, Runaí, said the Board were looking at provisionally starting championships 2 weeks early on the weekends of the All-Ireland Senior Finals in July and if Cork were in the finals then Championship would be deferred. In relation to the completion of the 2020 competitions, it is clear that the dates previously advised for early March cannot be achieved and it is hoped these games in late June or early July, prior to the 2021 competitions commence but a bigger window is needed to complete the Junior competitions.

In relation to the leagues, the Board are trying to ensure fifty per cent of league games only be played this year. The GAA Master Calendar shows all county games league and championship set for the early part of the year with both All Ireland Finals hurling and football down for the middle weekends of July.  The starting date for the National Leagues will surely be postponed.  The club championships are not due to start until the last weekend in July.  In the times we have this we hope that if games cannot start on time, they can start in the summertime. However, putting the games in perspective, they are down the line as we hope and pray for an improvement in the wellbeing of our community and nation as we grapple with this most serious pandemic.

The County Treasurer, Diarmuid Gowen, referred to a recent national County Treasurers’ meeting. A funding support package is available for insurance. Clubs who wish to avail of this support must respond to the questionnaire they have received by Friday week January 22nd, Diarmuid encouraged clubs to fill it out. The Chairman by urging members to comply fully with Public Health Guidance to help curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

The East Cork Board have notified clubs of picking up some action from last year championships as the weekend of the 17th / 18th April is set as a provisional date for action.  Castlelyons may will be in action on that weekend as they are down to play Glenbower Rovers in the Under 21C football semi-final with the winners meeting Glanmire in the final. There is no team training presently but hopefully lads will do a bit on their own and, if so, we would have a handy outfit at this level.  The Under 21B hurling is down for mid-June. So, this give our lads an opportunity to get in a bit of collective training as it is into the summer.  It will be mid-July before the premier intermediate hurling commences and maybe later should Cork go all the way to the All-Ireland finals.  The All-Ireland Finals in both hurling and football are down for mid-July and we wish Cork well in their bid to bring home the Liam McCarthy after an absence of 16 years and Sam McGuire after eleven years.

Club Development Progress.

Our outgoing committee lead by chairman Con Lawlor, treasurer Donal Barry and Secretary Michael Barrett have left a real legacy in the acquisition of lands surrounding Páirc Ó Laoighaire.  They may have been born under a star as the Club strove for extra land for many a year and this, always a vision of our stalwart clubman Dave Hegarty is now achieved. The passing of the baton has taken place and it is now the job of the new committee under the chairmanship John McCarthy, Treasurer Michael (Snr) Spillane, and continuing secretary Michael Barrett to follow the rainbow in developing the new grounds.  John and Michael (Snr), having joined the Steering Group, were on site this week carrying out assessments and percolation testing with the engineers.  They have already met up with a number of pitch construction companies and acquired quotes for the construction of a second pitch in the new grounds.  However, works cannot begin until there is sufficient finance available and presently forms for the Sports Capital Grant are being prepared by Mary Fenton, Helen Hussey and Margaret Doran which may yield substantial monies later in the Autumn.  This will of course have to be matched by other fundraising activities, so help is nigh and would be appreciated in assisting our new committee to get to the end of that rainbow.

Congratulations to Orla Hallihan.

Congratulations and well deserved to Orla Hallihan, Castlelyons Recently appointed Liaison Officer with the Cork Minor Camogie Management Team for 2021.  Orla has made a massive contribution to organising and running the Cul Camps with Dave Hegarty, to the Camogie club and her family are very involved in both the Camogie and Ladies Football.   Orla will be the link on various matters between the girls and their trainer and coaches and helping out in various ways.  She had a similar role last year with the Under 16 Ladies footballers.  She is delighted with the appointment and looking forward to the year ahead.   The Cork Minor Camogie Management team for 2021 are as follows: - Manager Jerry Wallace Midleton. Coaches:  Michael Boland, Carrigtwohill and Mark O Sullivan, Midleton.  Goalkeeping Coach:  Michael Walsh, Midleton. Fitness / LO: Sonya Walsh, Glen Rovers. Liaison Official: Orla Hallihan, Castlelyons. County Board Liaison: Louise Weldon PRO.

Camogie Club Annual General Meeting.

The Camogie Club had their Annual general meeting on Thursday 14.1.12 and a fine crowd tuned in virtually through Zoom.  The Club reviewed an excellent 2020 season as they won the Junior B county, got to the final of the minor C (not played to date) and the final of the U16 C Plate.  Ger McCarthy was Manager of the Imokilly senior team. The Club participated in all grades and had girls in both Imokilly and county panels and, also, Cork Development Squads. The Club were active in fundraising and Secretary Margaret Doran gave a full briefing on the present state of progress of developments on lands acquired last year by the GAA.

Castlelyons Camogie Officers for 2021.

The following officers were elected 2021: Chairperson; John Coleman, Vice Chairperson; Tom Quirke, Secretary; Margaret Doran, Assistant Secretary; Zoe Power, Treasurer; Lisa Hallihan, Child Welfare; Sharon Beirne, PRO Anna Greany, Registrar Áine Shimmen, Lotto Representative; Michelle Griffin, Coaching & Development Officer; Vacant, Pitch Booking & COVID Liaision Officer; Helen Hussey.

Camogie Team Managers for 2021.

The following team managers were elected for 2021:  Junior A & C Teams; Timmy McCarthy, Trevor Hickey and Sean Cotter, Minor Team; John Coleman and Mark O Flynn, Under 16; Brendan Hallihan, Under 14 Rachel Murphy and Gráinne McCarthy, Under 12; Cathal O Doherty, Under 10; Tom Quirke, Under 8 and Younger; Tom Quirke.  The Camogie Club Delegates for 2021: Senior Board Representative; Mary McNulty and Imokilly Board Representative; Ger McCarthy.

Dr Tony Holohan will deliver Keynote address GAA Healthy Club Conference 2021

Dr Tony Holohan will be the main speaker at the virtual GAA Healthy Club Conference 2021 which will be held on Saturday 23rd January from 10am to 4pm. The role played by GAA clubs in supporting the health and wellbeing of their members and communities across Ireland will be discussed.  Delegates will have the opportunity participate in workshops covering healthy eating, diversity & inclusion, social Gaelic Games, and youth leadership in the GAA. The topics will be brought to life through practical club case studies with additional contributions by exciting guest speakers.

Dr Holohan, a Limerick man, has a keen interest in our games having played with clubs in both Limerick and Dublin. He spoke at a Conference in Croke Park back in 2013.  Other guest speakers on the day will include the head of performance nutrition for the Dublin senior ladies and Longford senior men’s football teams, Kate McDaid, activist, and journalist Joanne O’Riordan, and former Wexford senior hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng.  You can register your attendance for the conference through GAA.ie.  No doubt as a national sporting organisation Cumann Luthchleas Gael can influence the promotion of health and wellbeing of its club members and in the local area.  So hopefully members especially our own committee will sign in and attend into this virtual show as it can promote a challenge among members to keep fit and healthy and assist the local community.  

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Draw. - Monday 18.1.21. 

This draw was held this evening and the numbers drawn were 3, 9, 17 and 28. There was no winner, and the Jackpot is still €20,000. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Aoife O Sullivan. Assumpta Mangan. Michael Hegarty Jnr.  Rory Waters.  Thomas Broderick.  L & A Hallihan.  Daniel Carroll and, Louise Spillane.  The next draw will be on Monday 25.1.21. Thanks so much for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Rebels’ Bounty members Draw.

The Chairman of the County Board, Marc Sheehan, said at the January meeting that this draw was being promoted vigorously and significant engagement was taking place with clubs and members by our staff and the Support Committee. He was very conscious of the Covid-19 situation and based on feedback from clubs as they want time to meet people the first three draws will be held on March 25th, 2021.  Our own Castlelyons Club sales are going well, and all members are requested to continue to promote this Draw.  The the prizes are outstanding with a top prize of €20,000 and a total of thirty each of the 12 months.  Then for Easter and August the top prize is €25,000 and the Christmas (December) one is €100,000. Value for money surely at just €100 for the ticket and the more sold by our club the more profit accrues to the Club.  Thanks for your support it is appreciated.

Club Memberships now due.

Our club membership payments are now requested please. Only paid-up members for 2021 are eligible and insured to play and use club facilities. Adult player membership is fixed at €100, Student at €80.00, Non-Playing Member at €50 and OAP/Social Member at €20. So, please make a note and pay your membership fees immediately to Michael Spillane (Snr) Treasurer and /or Michael Barrett Secretary.  Our OAP / Social Members will receive a text of all our Games, Venues and Times. A big thanks you to Peter Murphy and Colm Barry who are facilitating the change of Registration for our Club members to the new GAA Management System called “An Foireann”.

Votes of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA wish to extend sincere sympathy to our former chairman John Healy on the recent passing of his brother the late Jerry Healy, Inniscarra, to all the O Sullivan family on the sad passing of Jim O Sullivan, Terramount, and to the Ryan family Ballingeary and Watergrasshill on the death of Eamonn Ryan. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group

Notes by Kieran McGann PRO




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