Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 25.1.21 2021-01-27 21:24:00

Castlelyons Juvenile GAA AGM – A virtual review with confidence for the future.

Castlelyons Juvenile Club held their AGM this week in a virtual manner through the medium of ZOOM.  The numbers participating were small but all the officers, team managers, selectors took in an enthusiastic and excellent meeting.  It is fair to say that the Club was reviewing an era of tough and historic times as our children and young people have had it rough from the first quarter of 2020 and most likely biting into another half of 2021. Our children and young people have experienced difficulty in not seeing their friends, not seeing their teachers, missing the learning order of the classroom, losing out on sporting activities and losing out on a regular routine.  This can have an effect on the minds of young people, and we hope and pray for an end to these terrible times sooner rather than later.

However, a major bualadh bos for the officers and team officials as they worked hard within the Covid and GAA guidelines to provide a suite of training and games for all the juveniles and various age groups.  This was difficult and while it required solid leadership from the officers the involvement of a Covid Officer with each team worked very well as nothing was left to chance.  Undoubtly this was a major contribution to the health and wellbeing of our young and sure lining up against the Rovers, Catherine’s and the ‘Hill kindled the hearts of the older folk too.

Managers Reports

Declan Spillane Cathaoirleach chaired the meeting, and Nelius O Brien Runaí had prepared a Clár with Kieran Barrett Cisteoir on the finance. All team managers gave detailed reports as Wille Casey reviewed a good year for the minors, Donal O Callaghan outlined a good year for the U16s who defeated in a plate final, John Leetch had good outings with the U14s but was a little short on numbers, Shane O Neill was over U12s, Shane Hickey with U11’s, Simon Barry with U10s, Declan Wallace U9s, Mairead Barry U8s and Shane O Neill also had U6 and U7s.  It was so pleasing to note that Alan Fenton, Colm Barry, Jack Barry, Anthony Spillane, Colm Spillane, Keith O Leary, Brian O Donovan, Niall O Leary and Zoe Power all gave some time coaching.  All these lads and Zoe are training and playing themselves so their efforts with the juvenile set up is appreciated.

Coaching can be a great experience for our youth and good for their their CV as it shows an ability to take responsibility and show leadership. An abiding memory for this writer is being down in Passage one evening last year at a minor game. Alan Fenton our coach, with his selectors Willy Casey and Pat O Neill and the team were pitted against the famous Justin McCarthy and his selectors ex Passage hurlers. It was a cracking minor hurling championship game the same evening and Passage were dominating a bit.  However great encouragement and some astute moves on the evening by Alan Fenton and the lads resulted in fierce hurling by Castlelyons who finished well for a great win.  

Officers Reports.

Claire Reals, Childrens Welfare Officer, gave an account of the year and outlined the lifespan of Garda vetting was now valid for just three years and many were coming up for renewal.  Any adult involved with under 18’s required Garda Vetting.  Claire had attended an online virtual workshop and was up to date on all matters. It was pleasing to hear her report that there were no incidents or issues regarding child welfare in the club during the past year.

Treasurer Kieran Barrett gave a clinical account of the financial affairs of the Club and it cost money to purchase sliotars, footballs, jerseys, miscellaneous items, and this past year Covid equipment so there was a lot paid out despite the usual few bob coming in.  Kieran was especially thankful to Glennon Brothers and, indeed, Chair Declan Spillane was also very appreciative of their club sponsorship. Overall, the finances are good, but more parents will have to get involved especially with the proposed club development.

Games Development Officer Colm Barry gave a very positive account of work during the year and they were unable to hold many planned activities it was great to get in training and a lot of games.  Colm put in a number of coaching sessions himself and secured other members of adult teams to assist with training.  He was thanked for his efforts by the Chairman Declan Spillane.

Election of Officers

The Runaí Nelius O Brien and Chairman Declan Spillane gave first class reports too and Donal O Callaghan took the Chair for the election of officers.  The following officers were elected Chairman Kieran Barrett, Vice Chairman Declan Spillane, Secretary Nelius O Brien, Assistant Secretary Donal O Callaghan, Treasurer Simon Barry, Games Development Officer Colm Barry Pitch Bookings and Covid Officer Helen Hussey and PRO deferred t the first club meeting. The selection of team managers and officials for the various grades was deferred to the next club meeting.

Incoming Cathaoirleach Kieran Barrett thanked Declan Spillane for all his work during the last few years. He outlined Declan’s great work with with the steering committee and proposed development of facilities. He was glad that Declan was staying on as vice chairman to represent the juvenile club in the steering committee.  Of course, Kieran, a former player himself, is keeping up the family tradition as his father John Barrett was chairman of Castlelyons in very successful times and his uncle Michael is the current secretary.

Concluding discussion

In the concluding discussion of a very constructive meeting there was one area causing a little concern.  Attendees felt that there could be more parental involvement especially with coaching the various teams.  So, if you wore Castlelyons or any colours in battle and have sons involved in the various teams the rallying call from Páirc O Laoighaire is come hither and get involved. Go n-éirí an t-ádh líbh I mbliana.

Wear a GAA approved hurling helmet for 2021. 

All players, adults, and juveniles are reminded about the need to check that their equipment is in good condition and meets the required safety standards. The GAA have again instructed all players at all levels in all Hurling Games and Hurling Practice Sessions that it is mandatory for, and the responsibility of, each individual player to wear a helmet with a facial guard that meets the standards set out in IS:355 or other replacement standard as determined by the National Safety Authority of Ireland (NSAI).

Lads please just do not be cutting bits of metal in front of the eyes in order to get a better view. Once the helmet or faceguard is modified in anyway, the player is playing at an increased risk of injury and not covered under the terms of the GAA Injury Benefit Fund. now is the time for players to ensure their helmets are in order for the coming season.  I have more detail on the Helmets for players and parents on our Website so please familiarise yourself so you can have all the details.

Return of Shane Moroney from overseas duties.

We welcome back Shane Moroney who missed out on the entire 2020 championship season with us last year overseas in Lebanon.  A gunner with the Army Artillery Section, spent six months on peacekeeping duties along the infamous Blue Line between South Lebanon and Israel. Now back in Collins Barracks Cork he has recently been deployed with other colleagues to assist very busy Nursing Homes on non-clinical duties.  Always a fit man and after a bit of wielding the camán again he will be a valuable to the Club later in the year.

Juvenile Coaching

Parents, ex-players, and current players in the Parish with a little time to spare would really be appreciated to do a little work with our juvenile hurlers and footballers as they start their journey from nursery to U17 for the 2021 season. Clubs like Nemo Rangers, Crokes, Thurles Sarsfields and Sixmilebridge are all trained from within the club as the ex-players pass on their skills and it would be mighty to strengthen this culture within our own set up too. You can contact Colm Barry our juvenile games development officer. Now is the time while it is quiet as Colm and our Childrens Officer, Claire Reals, will arrange Garda Vetting, and a little necessary training.  When the training resumes you will be ready to give that helping hand. Thanks again.

Oifigeach Gaeilge/Cultúir.

Tacaíonn Cumann Lúthchleas Gael le cur chun cinn na gaeilge, an damhsa ghaelaigh, an cheoil, na hamhránaíochta, Scór agus an chultúir ghaelaigh i gcoitinne. Chun an ról sin a chomhlíonadh tá struchtúir éagsúla i bhfeidhm ag Cumann Lúthchleas Gael.  Tá sé de dhualgas ar gach club sa tír Oifigeach Gaeilge/Cultúir a cheapadh.   We had an Oifigeach Gaeilge/ Cultúir in our Club in times past but no one in the position these last few years either at adult or juvenile level.

President Biden has appointed gaeilgóir Marty Walsh to his Cabinet.  Marty is of proud Connemara stock as his Mam and Dad emigrated to Boston in the late 1950’s.  He is a fluent Irish speaker and is now the Secretary of Labour in Biden’s Cabinet. So, an open invitation for someone to take up the role of Oifigeach Gaeilge/Cultúir in ourf adult, juvenile clubs, or camogie clubs. Promote the culture, gaeilge, music and song in historic Castlelyons of Fr Ferris, the Kents, an tAthair Peadar and much more. This in turn will help promote our club and parish and maybe you could meet Marty Walsh or Marty Morrissey. Doras feasa fiafraí.

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Draw Results Jackpot at €20,000   - Monday 25.1.21. 

 The numbers drawn at Monday night’s draw were 2, 14, 17 and 18. There was no winner, and our Jackpot is €20,000. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - D-N-K-N, Joy Dahill, Mike Griffin, Eilish O’Brien, Ger McCarthy, Hickey Family, Ger & Pat O’Brien, Martin Dorgan. 

Next Draw Monday 1.2.21 and a right chance to win €20,000. 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.

 Club Memberships now due.

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, contact Michael Spillane (Snr) Treasurer and /or Michael Barrett Secretary.  Our OAP / Social Members will receive a text of all our Games, Venues and Times. New registration system this year too as Peter Murphy and Colm Barry are facilitating registration ALL members on the new GAA Management System called “An Foireann”.

Votes of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA wish to extend sincere sympathy to the family sad passing Josephine (Joan) Roche, Kill St Anne and to the Barry and Egan families of Castlelyons and Glanworth on the recent passing of Mrs Ellen (Nellie) Egan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainmneacha go léir.          

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann PRO




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