Update on Castlelyons GAA Development.

The Steering Committee are meeting on a weekly basis with a view to progressing the development Project.  They have tabulated a suite of new groups.  These include a technical committee have been formed to review the site and will carry out a complete site survey shortly. A grants committee will study available grants for the project and be ready to assist when the plan is set out and agreed.  A layout development committee are coming together this week and will be undertaking some site surveys of recent GAA development projects.  A business plan committee is being formulated to set out a club strategy and set out an annual club plan. 

Finance is so important and again we must thank all our contributors to date.  Into the future fundraising will be of the utmost importance for future development and, of course, include the annual cash flow for the clubs as well so this will be considered in the coming weeks.

Red FM Division Two Hurling League.

Castlelyons 2-9 Ballyhea 3-21

Castlelyons due to travel away to play Ballyhea had the comfort of a home game as Strom George rendered their opponents pitch unplayable.  Páirc an tAthair Peadar was in great order and hosted three games on Sunday with an U14 football league played earlier and a minor game later.  Great credit to John Healy and the lads for having the pitch in such good order as the Ballyhea commented so favorably on it too. Sure, it’s well they might as they had a facile victory on the day winning 3-21 to 2-9. 

We were under strength on the day minus our two Cork panelists, Colm Spillane and Niall O Leary, Colm Barry after surgery, Anto Spillane and Leo Sexton shipping minor injuries and the younger Leon Doocey engaged in a minor game.  Ballyhea are a serious outfit with a culture of hurling with power and an ability to close out games and were in the quarter final of the senior championship last year.  So, we were always going to be in a battle. They put 0-2 on the board and then an uncharacteristic mistake from our goalie put them further ahead.  On the sixth minute James Kearney parted nicely to Alan Fenton who put over our first score 0-1.   Eoin Maye and Michael Spillane kept us ticking over with a few scores and on 15 minutes it was 1-7 to 0-5. Then Maurice O Sullivan, Jamie Copps and Pa O Callaghan began to hit form for Ballyhea and dominated to half time leaving it 1-11 to 0-5. In fact, Pa O Callaghan would get his place on most intercounty teams as he works so hard to get the ball in the paw and his shots are radar like between the posts and so consistent for Ballyhea over time.

Castlelyons commenced the second half with far more determination and pulled back the Ballyhea lead.  However midway through the half Ballyhea had another goal and despite serious efforts we just could not match their hurling strength and experience.  However, our lads worked hard over the hour and got in several good tackles, hooks and blocks and gave their best.  This is good for the younger lads too James Kearney, Shane Cotter and Dave Morrison are working hard and learning from these games.  With Cork out of the League and no competitive game for ten weeks we should have both Colm Spillane and Niall O Leary back for a few games.  It is imperative that management have all resources available as there is just six weeks left for our championship game against Blackrock and we need to develop a game plan. While a few league points on the table would be a confidence booster for the team now is the time to prepare and be ready for championship day.

Incidentally it is worth mentioning that Kilworth referee Aidan Hyland did a good job and had a team of four umpires with him for the game.

Team:  Jack Barry Jamie O Leary, Colm O Neill, Cian O Leary, Conor McCarthy, Tom Carroll, Shane Moroney, Eoin Maye (0-1), Barry Murphy (0-2), James Kearney, Alan Fenton (1-4), Shane Cotter, Dave Morrison, Mike Spillane (1-2) and Ronan O Regan. Subs played: Ronan Fenton, Darren Tobin, Liam Moroney, Dave Kenny and Brian O Donovan.

Our next outing is against Courcey Rovers in the league on Sunday 8^th March away in Ballinspittle at 2pm.  This is going to be another big test and hopefully we will have a few more available for selection.

Results of Weekly Lotto Draw.

Our weekly club lotto was held in the Pedlar’s Rock on Monday night the 2^nd March and the numbers drawn were 10, 14, 22 and 32. There was no winner. There were tight Lucky Dip winners as follows: - Malachy Cullen, Aoife Hegarty, Fr Corkery, Billy Kelleher, Catherine Verling, Catherine O Sullivan, William Martin and Margaret Egan.

Next week’s draw will be held on Monday 9th March at 9.30pm in the Peddlers. The Jackpot is still a massive €20,000 so don’t forget your ticket for next week.  The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media.  Thanks to all our Lotto players who support us each week as without you we would not be able to invest in the future of our club. Please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

East Cork Under 21 C Football championship.

 Castlelyons were due to play Cloyne last Saturday but game was postponed due to the adverse weather conditions and will now go ahead at home in Castlelyons on Thursday 5th March at 7.30pm in Castlelyons and the referee is Shane Hodgins.  We were defeated by Glanmire in a high scoring game but recovered to beat Carrigtwohill in the next round and victory over Cloyne could put us in the semi-final.  This is easier said than done as we know how Cloyne’s ability, but we have the potential to make a right contest of it.  Best of luck lads.

Star man out for a while.

Colm Barry our most consistent hurler over the last four years staring at full back on our own side and manning the full pack position for Imokilly in the famous three in a row is unfortunately out for a few months.  Colm had made the county panel earlier this year but suffered an ankle injury that required surgery.  He has had the necessary treatment carried out at the Sports Surgery Clinic Santry recently and hopes to be back again in four months approx.  We wish Colm the best in recuperation.

New football manager.

 Our chairman Con Lawlor has taken up as football manager of the junior team.  He is setting about getting his coach and selectors and we wish him the best for the year.

The Rebels taken out by the Tribesmen in wet and windy Salthill.

 On a historic year with Cork honouring fallen heroes of 100 years ago a trip to Pearse Stadium in Salthill for survival in the League was always going to be a modern battle.  Playing against a cutting wind Cork were only a goal down at half time with Galway having shot eleven wides.  The second half proved that wind does not win games and it was Galway who showed real character when tested to take the day 2-18 to 1-16. Our own club men Niall O Leary and Colm Spillane done well in the backline and the loss of Robbie O Flynn through a red card did not help Cork’s cause.  This means Cork are out of competition for ten weeks and the money side of the League.  However, history says that we should not judge Cork until the cuckoo sings and no doubt they will still be a major force come championship.

An tAthair Peadar O Laoighaire Comóradh 100 Bliain.

There is a guided tour to mark the centenary of an tAthair Peadar Laoighaire “Tar siar Linn go Múscraí on the 21^st March 2020. Beidh tús an turais I Caisleán Uí Liatháin ar 9.30am.  For more information and to book a place contact Éilís at 0871235203. Indeed, Eilís O’Brien and her son Pat have written a biography on the life and writings of the famous priest entitled Mise an Mac San: (I am that son) – remembering an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire.  This was launched in 1918 

An tAthair Peadar was a strong advocate of vernacular Irish – the language of the people. His most beloved works include Séadna and Mo Scéal Féin. These stories, among other works, are much loved by students and scholars of Irish to this day. He was born in the in the parish of Clondrohid & Carriganima near Macroom. Following his clerical formation in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, an tAthair Peadar, served as a priest in the Diocese of Cloyne, including in Macroom. He died here in Castlelyons and he is buried here. An tAthair Peadar is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern Irish literature.

Vote of Sympathy

Castlelyons GAA wish to express sincere condolences to the O Callaghan, Healy, Twomey (Fermoy) and O Brien Families on their recent bereavements.  Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir. 

Main Club Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group