Celebrating a Memorable 2014

Last year was a memorable year for Castlelyons GAA Club as we won our first football county final win since 1989, a twenty five year gap. We started on the County Junior B trail back in May year started back in May overcoming Kilmeen on a score of 2-06 to 0-06 points. This was followed up with facile victories over Doneraile and Rathpeacon.  In the Rathpeacon game Ciarán McGann suffered a nasty cruciate injury which ended his season.

In the County Semi Final we faced near neighbours Grange in an immaculate Fermoy pitch.  This was a tough, tense game with the lads showing good football and spirit to some out on top by the narrowest of margins 0-7 to 1-3.

So we were in the County Junior B Football Final and our second in the Clubs history.  Our opponents were a tough Kilmeen outfit on a wet day and greasy Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday the 24^th August. This was a dogged game with both sets of backs marking tight and scores hard come by but Kilmeen were ahead by two points in the 60th Minute.  It was like the PIH County Final 2013 and Youghal déjà  vu all over again as it looked to be slipping away from us.

Supporters were uneasy and feared the dreaded long whistle as we trailed Kilmeen by the two points.  However, Barry Fitzgerald drove in a long and high line ball into the full forwards.  Timmy McCarthy went high with their full back and corner back getting sucked in as well but these guys were not going to outfield Timmy. I think Anto Spillane may have got a touch also.   Suddenly, the ball broke to our goal poacher supreme, Alan Fenton.  He gained possession and moved in one on one with the keeper.  As with Alan in those situations one result, bang! Goal!!! The right hand corner of the net shook, a mighty roar and Castlelyons were up a point.  With time almost up Robby Feeney scored the insurance point when he fisted the ball over the bar to insure a memorable victory.

Then the long whistle sounded and what a win as Castlelyons were champions again for the second time in 25 years on the score of 1-6 to 0-7.

Well done to all the lads who done so well from Goalies Kieran Higgins and Stephen Hickey right through all the Panel over the year the gave it great commitment and were rewarded. And, of course, well done to our Coach Mick Spillane assisted by selector Michael Barrett and assist selector Ciarán McGann (after injury) and all involved on a memorable day.

Celebratory Night in Vienna Woods Hotel on Saturday 21^st, February, 2015.  

The Club are now celebrating this great victory by hold a medal presentation, dinner and dance at the Vienna Woods Hotel Glanmire on Saturday 21^st February. The county winning squad will be in attendance and will be presented with their medals. This should be a great night as there are a number of other Presentations to be made also.

We did reach the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final against Youghal and lost by the narrowest margins in 2013.  However, there are runners up county medals for this final and they will now be presented on this night.  It should be noted that we won the Intermediate Hurling League in 2013 but the County Board give money to the Clubs rather than medals for winning the Leagues.

The history makers of 1989 who defeated Whitechurch in an epic encounter in Watergrasshill on the score of 3-4 to 1-9 will also receive a presentation on the night to mark 25 years.  Incidentally one of the real stars of that team and last year’s coach Mick Spillane is Castlelyons most decorated footballer to date as he went on to win a county senior football title with Imokilly and an All Ireland Junior Football medal with Cork.  

Colm Barry, Colm and Anthony Spillane who won Munster and All Ireland Intermediate Medals will also be present.  They all starred on the Cork winning team 2014.  This is a great honour to have three members of our own Club take such a haul.  Of course, having playing and done so well with the Munster Under 21 Hurling Team before losing out to that mighty Clare outfit who did go on to win a third All Ireland in four year as well, our lads are now in with a chance of the Cork Senior Panel and while, Colm Spillane is injured presently, Anthony and Colm Barry are getting game time and we wish them the best.

All in all this promises to be a mighty night and the function is open to everyone members, supporters, friends and family. Please put down Saturday night the 21^st February on your diary and the tickets will be available shortly from any committee member of Castlelyons GAA Club.

Players Meeting – Friday 23^rd January at 8.30 pm

It would be appreciated if all Players could attend a meeting at the Community Centre on this Friday night 23^rd January at 8.30 pm.  There will be a full meeting with the Hurling Management to discuss plans for the coming season.

Membership

Membership for the 2015 season is now due. The fee is €50 for Adults and €20 for Students and OAP can be paid to  Donal O Leary (treasurer) , Denis Fenton (PRO) or any club officer.

Knockanard Point to Points.

Knockanard Point to Points are taking place this year on Feb 15th with Castlelyons GAA again hosting the tea tent. Any help in the preparation of food, or on the day in the tent, would be much appreciated.

Club Lotto – 19.1.15

Numbers Drawn - 11, 12, 15, 28

No Winner

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