Fiftieth Anniversary of Páirc an tAthair Peadar 1971 – 2021.

Football, hurling, camogie and other sports were played in the parish from times long gone.  This year marks the 50^th anniversary of our present playing field Páirc an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire as it was officially opened in 1971. In the intervening years like all GAA clubs Castlelyons has had its ups and downs.  However, the loyalty and commitment of its members and the support of the parish in which it is embedded has been steadfast and rewarding. On a community perspective there has been some outstanding weeks and nights in the hall, great squash teams and, of course, the club itself won county football and hurling titles at various grades and went from junior b hurling to senior grade for several years and are presently parked in the premier intermediate grade.  Our members have experienced great individual achievements not just in Ireland but across the world and the Club and Páirc Uí Laoignaire is where it all begins.

Development and assistance in the early days

The Club rented a field from the Leahys of Abbeylands in the early fifties. This was of huge benefit as it meant that goalposts could be left up, grass could be cut properly, so the standard of hurling improved considerably. Then in the late sixties Cumann Lúthchleas Gael issued a directive that all Clubs should endeavour to purchase a pitch of their own. Castlelyons bought the present pitch at Abbeylands in 1968. The development of the pitch required major works as there was a bit of a hill in the field. The Committee secured a loan from the Bank to help finance this development work.  However, the Cork County Board were delighted with the initiative shown by Castlelyons and offered financial generous assistance.  The Board also promised to send down the County Senior Hurling team free of charge if a match could be arranged for the opening.

The Opening Day

The pitch was officially opened on Sunday 20th June 1971 by Mr. Pat Fanning, Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. The County Board true to their word arranged a game for the opening day between Cork and Clare on the new pitch. The Sunday was fine, and it was a massive occasion with a massive crowd. As a result, the takings at the gate were a mighty boost for the club fundraising activities and went a long way towards clearing the debt.  In fact, the crowd was so big that one man could not find his car around Castlelyons after the game and eventually the Gardaí located it several miles from the village.

Club chairman Michael Sheehan who had worked so hard and shown great leadership during the development missed the day due to sudden illness.  Mr Stephen Randles stood in for Michael as MC. Pat Fanning Uachtarán CLCG gave a great oration about our games, praised Michael in his absence plus Castlelyons as a great community and the renowned parish priest an tAthair Peadar O Laoghaire who had strived to keep alive a struggling language alive.  Uachtarán Fanning had hurling in his blood having played with Waterford and won seven senior county titles with Mount Sion. He had overseen the scrapping of the Ban (Rule 27) at the 1971 Congress.  He knew Castlelyons area well and certainly showed his delight at the great work of the Club.

The Castlelyons Pipe Band provided entertainment on the day and the match itself was a cracker between Cork and Clare. Cork won 5-8 to 3-6 and was notable for the fact that Mick Waters was outstanding at midfield and Martin Doherty made his debut as an ex-minor. Justin McCarthy and John Horgan (RIP) both played that day for Cork and later went on to coach Castlelyons with John taking us to our first and only county senior semi-final to date. Gus Lohan, father of the great Brian Lohan and Frank Lohan, was at centre back for Clare that day too.  Both teams used the game to prepare for the Munster championship but neither made the final that year as Tipperary beat Limerick in Munster and went on to win the All-Ireland beating Kilkenny.

Development of Dressing Rooms and Community Centre 1972 – ‘73

Both the County Board and Cork County Council followed up with more grants. The major share of the funds needed were raised at local level and all debt on the pitch was cleared in a short time. The Club then began to entertain thoughts of building dressing rooms and more development.  Around that time there was a small Community Hall in the middle of the village but had gone idle for some time and the various meetings moved to the old school for a while.  There was a suggestion to vacate the old school and making it available to the late Mr Jim Fleming who had proposed to set up a clothing factory there.  This in turn would give much needed employment in the area.  There were various initiatives discussed at the time and a meeting was called with the intention of building a community hall in the village which would assist community spirit. There was a public meeting called for the 30.9.1971 and all the clubs within the parish were invited to attend. The purpose of the meeting was to consider this further development.

It was decided to go ahead with plans to build dressing rooms and a hall to cater for all sections of the community on the GAA grounds. A few vibrant committees were set up.  They raised the money in the bank to commence the work. A builder was employed by day and an army of voluntary workers would come along every evening. It was an exciting time in Castlelyons, and the power of community spirit came to the fore as so many gave so much. Construction began in the Centre in May 1972 and exactly 12 months and 4 days after that inaugural meeting they held the first function in the newly built Centre. This was some tribute to the group at the first meeting as they hurdled with speed and coordination rather than pontification and prevarication to get the job done in record time.

The new building cost fair money and a big debt existed in the Bank.  There were no Government or Sports Capital Grants at that time, so it was a case of fundraising locally. A cattle scheme was thought up whereby cattle would be bought at the mart and given to farmers who would already have agreed to take them for six months free of charge. The cattle would then be taken back from the farmers and sold at the Mart. Sure, the cattle nearly cost as much as the building. So, they had to get another loan to buy the cattle and this entailed chatting up the bank manager again but there must be nice wealth around as he was happy to so do because he knew the loan would be covered. The job was oxo as loads of cattle were taken out to almost a hundred farmers form throughout the parish. This was a three-year scheme and yielded rich dividends.  This scheme plus fundraising activities like appeals to emigrants, firms, carol singing, concerts and festivals helped clear the debt completely. The parish now had a playing field, dressing rooms, showers and a community centre, and it was the first of its kind about the place because it catered for all ages.

However, Castlelyons did not rest on their laurels as the ladies were not adequately catered for in the new Centre. The Committee discussed the matter and visited many areas in the City to find a suitable game that could be played by ladies and gents, young and old. Finally, Squash was decided on and two squash courts were built together with a member’s bar. The parish now had its own playing field, meeting rooms, main hall for games, dances, concerts, plays, etc., a shop and dressing rooms with hot and cold showers, a big change from a few years before when players togged off by the side of a fence and only shower to be had come down from the sky. The County Board arranged another challenge game between Cork and Limerick for the opening of this new centre and it was officially opened by Mr. Con Murphy Uachtarán CLCG.  This time there was a free night for all that helped and ensured that the parish had top class sporting and community amenities.

A Sporting Village down the year.

Of course, there were other great sporting and social amenities provided since as the Community Council and others set out a beautiful Pitch and Putt Course.  Then in 1995 Castlelyons Soccer Club was formed and now boost their own pitch and a floodlight all weather pitch which is used by our own GAA Club amongst others.  Then the Community Council purchased 4 acres of land for a nominal sum from the Kent family Castleview again in 2010. Powerful work by the Council led to the establishment of a public recreational facility in 2010 as the Fr Ferris public park was opened. This facility has a 50-space car park, beautiful children’s playground, picnic tables and seats, lime kiln restoration, wildflower garden, public walkway with lighting and a communal pitch.  The GAA Club use the pitch also.

The Community Centre is due to reopen shortly after undergoing renovation and modernisation. Foremost among these works will be insulation of the walls and ceilings, a new electrical system, alterations to ladies and gents’ rooms, new kitchen, new furniture and it will be user friendly for disabled.  The hard-working committee led by Matt Hegarty have raised substantial finances, sought, and acquired grants and received a donation from an exceptional benefactor. These works are most timely as the Centre was need of upgrade. This will keep our Community Centre at the hub of community life for all parishioners and so many activities into the future.

A bright future on new development and a call to arms.

The most recent initiative by the Club in 2019 was the purchase of 9.5 acres of land from two separate vendors in 2019.  This land is ideal as it surrounds Páirc an tAthair Peadar and at the heart of the village. The purchase of any land is a slow and costly process.  Accordingly, we wish to thank the vendors and acknowledge great contributions made by the club officers and most especially our benefactors.

As outlined above this is the 50^th anniversary of the opening of Páirc an tAthair Peadar followed the year after by the building of the Community centre as we know it today.  Perhaps there will be a function or day set out to celebrate the event.  It is not only said that all politics is local, but all history is local as well and as this writer was not about at the time, so the surface of a great story is only scratched here.  There must be photos and records of the late sixties and early seventies about and if made available they can be returned once copied and it would facilitate a more accurate recording of historic times.

Looking towards the future the Club is now embarking on a major development programme and the initial draft plans of a second playing field plus other amenities are beginning to circulate.   This will be a major undertaking and help is required.  Can you get involved in the club activities or get involved in with development plans and associated works.  In doing not only can you assist in the present, but you can honour the hard work and strong culture built up by powerful parishioners of the past who developed the community centre, amenities, and pitch initially in tough times.  You will of course be preparing for the future and adding to the legacy of sporting and social amenities for our youth and parishioners.

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Results 8.2.21 – Jackpot of €20,000 still there for the taking. 

This draw was held Monday 8.2.21 and the numbers drawn were 6, 17, 23 and 31. There was no winner, and the Jackpot is still a whopping €20,000. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Johnny Quinn, Carmel Ryan, Ann Murphy, Josie Hoskins, Gerry Murphy, William Murphy, Orla Barry and Mary McNulty. Next Draw Monday 15.2.21. 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.

Pitch Maintenance.

Spring is a time for regeneration and putting things right for the start of the season. So, at our last meeting damage caused by recent storms to the Ball Stop nets at the rear of both goals were discussed and it was agreed to carry out repairs shortly. Regular sanding has facilitated the improvement of the pitch over the years and this is due again at the end of 2021.  The various other tidying works will be attended to for the start of the playing season.

Votes of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA wish to extend sincere sympathy to the Geary and Kenny families in their recent bereavements. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann PRO Castlelyons GAA Club