Juvenile Notes week ended 13.10.14

Castlelyons 3-09; Whitechurch 2-10

Last Sunday in Carrignavar, Castlelyons U15 Hurlers were crowned A Grade League Champions for the Eastern Region after a massive struggle with Whitechurch.  The game was played in ideal weather conditions and under a blaze of sun.  Sure enough the game had it all as the two teams blazed into a mighty game of hurling and our massive support roared on the team. 

The teams were a little slow to settle but Castlelyons were first on the scoreboard when Seamus Moroney pointed in the fourth minute. A later Mark Spillane pointed before Whitechurch got their first score in the sixth minute. Mark Spillane pointed in the twelfth minute for Castlelyons but Whitechurch scored two handy frees to level the game by the fifteenth minute. Jack Ronayne pointed in the sixteenth minute to nudge Castlelyons ahead but Whitechurch levelled again in the eighteenth minute with another point. Both teams were now battling for supremacy and the game was hard and fast with the supporters roaring on Castlelyons. Mark Spillane pointed in the twenty second minute before Whitechurch battled back yet again to level the game in the twenty sixth minute.  Back came Castlelyons with Mark Spillane again pointing in the twenty eight minute and leaving us leading by a point at the short whistle.

Now the mentors as well as players had a lot to do at half time.  The first half was hard fought and playing up hill for the second half would make it tough on our lads with just a one point advantage.  Neilly Spillane and James Moroney, the managers, had a bit of motivating to do and no doubt as Covey said they “started with the end in mind”.

Whitechurch came out for the second half and used the hill advantage to good effect when they pointed after four minutes to yet again level the contest. Whitechurch then scored two goals in the next two minutes, the first of which was against the run of play, to go into a six point lead. Castlelyons lads regrouped and showed the character that got them to the final.

 John Paul Murphy was very steady in goals and used his puck outs to great effect. The full back line of Redmond Walsh, Michael Buckley and Thomas Gunther Quinn, after a shaky start, began to find their form. Our half backs Peter Roche and James Kearney played a lot of ball and defended with all their might. 

Center back and team captain Seamus Moroney was outstanding in the second half and drove the team forward with some great clearances. There was a tremendous battle at midfield, for the entire game, where Ian Riordan and Pearse Varner showed wonderful athleticism and heart as they battled mightily against two very good Whitechurch midfielders. 

Our wing forwards Conor McCarthy and Jack Ronayne provided a great outlet for our puck outs and used the ball intelligently. In the center Barry Murphy had a tremendous battle with the center back for the whole match and made some great catches and burst's forward. Our full forward line always looked dangerous with James McCarthy and Eoin O Neill in the corners battling for possession and Mark Spillane at full forward getting some inspirational scores. Shane Flynn and Gavin O Neill were both introduced in the second half and both lads played well.

Back to the game both  Barry Murphy and Mark Spillane were unlucky not to goal in the sixth and seventh minutes with Mark hitting a rasper off the side netting and Barry, after a great solo run, saw his kicked attempt at goal go inches wide. Mark Spillane steadied the ship somewhat when he pointed in the ninth minute to reduce the deficit to 5 points.

Then in the eleventh minute saw a little bit of luck for Castlelyons. A high ball into the square looked to be batted over the line by Mark Spillane who tumbled in the attempt and a Whitechurch player fell on top of him, referee gave a penalty to Castlelyons and up stepped Seamus Moroney to rattle the back of the Whitechurch net. Game on again with Castlelyons now just two points down. Castlelyons pressed home their advantage when Mark Spillane, who was on fire and had a great game, goaled in the fourteenth minute to put Castlelyons ahead by a single point.  

Back came Whitechurch and they got the next two points to go a point ahead yet again. A quick free by Mark Spillane on the twenty minutes put Pearse Varner through down the center and Pearse pointed to level the game yet again. Some good interplay between Conor McCarthy, Mark Spillane saw Seamus Morrisson get a great point in the 22nd minute to put Castlelyons ahead by a single point. However, Whitechurch weren't going away and they scored two points without reply in the next five minutes to put them a point ahead with time running out.

Castlelyons battled manfully and helped by a strong defence set up one last chance. A long ball into the square was batted out by Whitechurch but Jack Ronayne reacted quickest and gathered possession and calmly drove the ball into the roof of the net. There was time for one last attack by Whitechurch but our defences stood strong and when Michael Buckley cleared his lines the referee blew the full time whistle with Castlelyons two point victors.

So after a wonderful game of hurling Castlelyons lads emerged narrow winners against a gallant Whitechurch side who could be termed very unlucky as they played an equal part in this gripping contest.

Chairman of Rebel Óg East Region Donie Cahill then presented the trophy to winning captain Seamus Moroney who accepted on behalf of his delighted teammates.

We wish sincerely thank the Team Managers Neilly Spillane and James Moroney who have worked so well with this team this year.  This administrator has witnessed their good organisation, half time talks, ensuring good discipline and the team showed an array of skill al season.

Finally thanks to a wonderful group of lads – you have brought honour to Castlelyons and no doubt you will go on to achieve more success in the future – enjoy the game – Castlelyons Abú.

Panel: - John Paul Murphy, Thomas Gunther Quinn, Michael Buckley, Redmond Walsh, Peter Roche, Seamus Moroney, James McCarthy, Ian Riordan, Pearse Varner, Jack Ronayne, Barry Murphy, Conor McCarthy, James McCarthy, Mark Spillane, Eoin O Neill, Brian O Mahony, Gavin O Neill, Shane Flynn and the injured Seamus Morrison.

Report on Under 10 Hurling.

The GAA season for the U10 team ended on a high last Saturday when they took part in the last Rebel Óg U10 football blitz of the season in Killeagh on a lovely autumn day. It is a good sign when you go to a blitz with 10 full bottles of water and they come home empty with the lads having expended themselves throughout the day.

We played 3 matches against Glanmire, St Coleman’s & Youghal and gave each of the 3 teams a great battle. 12 lads travelled from Castlelyons and did the club proud never giving up and we came away with 2 wins and 1 loss. Every one of the lads got plenty of game time and enjoyed their day. We would like to thank Sean Crowley GDA for organising these Blitzes’s throughout the year.

Panel: - Adrian O'Mahony, William Verling, Aaron Fenton, Josh O'Leary, Leon Shanahan, Brian Spillane, Gearoid O'Sullivan, Mark Cullinane, Mark Callinan, Matthew Rosner, Cees Kowenburg & Anthony Moran.

Previous to this we travelled to Kilworth to play them in an end of season football match. We were a few lads short on the day and came up against a very strong Kilworth team on the day with an abundance of subs. We were down by a few goals at half time and made good inroads in the second half but just came up short at full time. We are grateful to Kilworth for the invitation.

We would like to thank the parents for their support during the year and taking their lads to the games for us.  Pride of place goes to our players who gave great commitment during the year and we look forward to a great 2015