Castlelyons surprise Blarney in County Senior A Semi-Final.

Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Championship Semi-Final.

Castlelyons 4-12 Blarney 0-19

Páirc Uí Chaoimh is really looking well these days decorated with that lovely trademark SuperValu, and it is a fitting word for our Castlelyons heroes as they are straight the Glen took us.   However, on Saturday evening when Blarney tried to take us in the closing stages, but we showed great character to come home winners.

The evening was dry and with a fairly strong breeze blowing towards the Blackrock end when referee Conor Lane threw in the sliotar.  Blarney started well with giving us super value in the last few years.   Saturday evening was one of the best so far with an outstanding victory over strong favourites Blarney in the semi-final of the Co-Op Superstores senior A hurling championship.  We played Glen Rovers last year in the semi-final and despite leading coming into the home Mark Colman pointing from a free into the wind.  Leon Doocey and Davy Morrison responded immediately for us.  Blarney pushed on again and then both Anthony Spillane and Alan Fenton made it four points apiece on nine minutes. Fenton split the posts again for us and then our goalie Jack Barry lifted our supporters with a drone like point from eighty yards.  We pushed on to lead 0-8 to 0-4 as we scored six points in a row without reply from Blarney.  Our dominance at the time was due to great work by our backs as Shane Morony, Colm Barry and Darragh Spillane were hurling well and tight on their opponents. The mid Cork men came back with points from Barrett and Coleman showing his mettle on the frees but quiet otherwise.  In between a Davy Morrison shot was well saved by the Blarney goalie and Anto followed up but unluckily hit the side netting.  Keith O’Leary shot for a point, and it rebounded off the post and was dealt with poorly by Blarney.  Davy Morrison got on the ball, took on his man and shot low to the net.  Coleman pointed again and then Alan Fenton sent in a long free from up by the North Stand. It went all the way to the net with the goalie unsighted due to Leon Doocey out jumping his marker to try and fetch it.  The score was now 2-8 to 0-8 and moving to half time.  Blarney responded again with two points which left it 2-8 to 0-10 at half time and we were full value for our four-point lead.

The second half commenced with Blarney dominating the game for a while, but our backs were outstanding against a team that had already scored eight goals enroute to this game.  Colm Spillane who had an outstanding first half was doing well.  Niall O’Leary held his fellow Cork star to pittance while young Shane Cotter more than dealt with the treat posted by Mark Coleman. But Blarney stayed in the game mainly through Coleman’s accuracy from frees and they scored 0-5 without reply from us and lead 0-15 2-8.  With the wind to their backs, Blarney sensed victory but back cam our boys with a long range free from Fenton.  Anto made a great catch and swung over a point.  Then we were awarded a 21-yard free, and Alan sent in a low rocket, but it was saved.  That man Dave Morrison was there to lash in the rebound to leave it 3-10 to 0-16 on 52 minutes. Blarney scored two more points, but Alan Fenton pointed a free and was fouled and pointed his own again.   Then after some great defending James Kearney who had a stormer all through ran from the middle releasing Anto up the side and he beat his man, cut in and gave a peach of a ball across to Davy Morrison.  Davy settled and took his goal well and made it a hat trick and some evenings work for him.   All our team worked hard and starred at different times during the game including subs Eoin Maye and Brian Spillane who came on. Well done again to the panel and management.

This is outstanding stuff to date with four championship wins between the group and semi-final.  Our next day out is Saturday 18th October in the Páirc at 7.30pm versus Bride Rovers in hopefully what should be a great final.  The Rovers came through in style in their semi-final joust with Carrigtwohill and are a star-studded outfit.  John Arnold text me from his holidays in in Greece to say it will be a great few weeks by the banks of the Bride for both sets of supporters and I said to John victory for either side would shorten the winter but easier said than done.   Looking forward to the game with Ian McCarthy, Bandon the referee.   

Panel: - Jack Barry (0-1), Darragh Spillane, Colm Barry, Colm Spillane, Shane Moroney, Niall O’Leary, Colm McCarthy, Shane Cotter, James Kearney, Darren Tobin, Dave Morrison (3-1), Keith O’Leary, Leon Doocey (0-1), Alan Fenton (1-7), Anthony Spillane (0-2), Eoin Maye, Brian Spillane, Gavin O’Neill, Peter Roche, Bryan Carroll, Brian O’Donovan, Ronan Fenton, Brian Spillane, Olan Linehan, Robbie Feeney, Jamie O’Leary, Matthew Rosner, Shane Flynn, Mike Griffin, Alan O’Regan, Oisín Morrison, Declan Morrison, Cees Kouwenberg, Stephen Casey, Oscar Hallihan, Barry Murphy and Aidan O’Sullivan.

Castlelyons Senior Hurlers – County Final – GoFund.me

Our senior hurlers have given us massive enjoyment and brought great honour to the parish of Castlelyons in the last few years.  This year 2025 is our greatest to date as we play in the biggest final – the Co-Op Superstores Senior A hurling championship Final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Saturday versus our neighbours Bride Rovers in what should be an most exciting local derby.

Your support on the evening is vital, and it is great to see the flags and buntings going up all over the place.  There is a cost to the Club associated with the preparation of the team and especially when we make the county final.  In order to reduce these costs, we have set up a Go Fund.me.  Any contribution is voluntary and a matter of choice for anybody. It is just that any donation helps us get closer to our goal.  You can click the link circulated and set out below to donate or share it with others who might want to help.

Thanks for being part of our journey and let be said that the community contributions to the major development programme for Castlelyons GAA is really appreciated by the Club.  Castlelyons Abú.

https://gofund.me/b0e112281

Rebel Óg East Under 18 Division 2 Hurling Championship Final.

Castlelyons 2-10 Nemo Rangers 1-15

Castlelyons minor hurlers were defeated by Nemo Rangers in the final of the Rebel Óg East Under 18 Division 2 Hurling Championship in Glenville last Sunday 5th October.  We had already won the League in the North defeating Kilworth.  Nemo had defeated us already in the group game in Trabeg earlier in the season.  Despite all the rain Glenville pitch was in good condition with a slight breeze down field. We started well with a point from Sam McCarthy and then Ciarán Murphy touched down a ball to the path of Sam travelled on and slapped on a great goal.  We were playing well and had scores points from Ciarán Murphy and Adam Lardner.  It had taken ten minutes for Nemo to score and that was from a free.  Our backs were dealing well with Oran Hickey and Gearóid McCarthy doing well on the wings as we cleared out a lot from the full back line.  Gradually Nemo came back into the game as we concede a few frees and while they were off target the made it 1-3 to 0-3.  Sam McCarthy who was playing well and linking up with our midfielders Sean Óg McGuire and Thomas McAuliffe had two more points.  We had some goal chances and failed to score which we were to rue later.   Nemo attacked hard in the closing stages of the first half, and it took a great save by Jude Hallihan to hold them, but they did score two points.  Seanie O’Callaghan won a great ball and an assist to Ciarán Murphy who pointed for us leaving the half time score 1-7 to 0-6 in our favour.

The second half commenced with a lot of Nemo pressure and Jude Hallihan once again done well in the goals as they scored three points without reply from us.  Then Ciarán Murphy coming in from the wing shot a great goal to put us in front again 2-7 to 0-10.  Adam Lardner and their captain Matthew Keenan exchanged points.  Lardner was on hand again for another point after an assist by Murphy and with ten minutes to go Gearoid Murphy cut up from half back for a great point for them leaving just three points in it.  Then despite good work by our back Nemo got in for a goal and two points.  We tried very hard late on, but our only reward was a point by Khaled Abdelrazik as we lost by two points.  Overall, it was a good year for the minor panel, and they worked and improved their game.  This final was a very close game, as the margin of error was very small, and a few lucky inches would have swung it in our favour.  Congratulations to Nemo Rangers and well done too to our lads and their management of Trevor Hickey, Ciarán McGann and Shane O’Neill as they gave us a great season’s enjoyment. who gave us a great year’s enjoyment.

Panel: Jude Hallihan; Tom O’Neill, John O’Neill, Cathal Sheehan; Oran Hickey, Dylan Leetch, Gearóid McCarthy; Darragh Fleming, Sean Óg McGuire; Shane Hallihan, Sam McCarthy, Ciarán Murphy; Adam Lardner, Darragh Bransfield, Kevin Barry; Liam O’Riordan, Thomas McAuliffe Shane O’Callaghan, Ronan Ryan, Khaled Abdelrazik, Ronan Hickey, Alex Quirke and Eanna Cotter.

East Cork Junior C Football Final on Sunday 12th October in Carrigtwohill. 

The quote “far from the madding crowd” could be applied to junior C football as the football crowd lacks the hustle and bustle of our huge hurling following.  However, in front of a good crowd we landed the county C football championship in the final in Mallow earlier this year.  On Sunday 12th October at 11.30am in Carrigtwohill we play Cobh in the East Cork Final after winning our three group games and defeating Aghada in with just a goal to spare in our semi-final in Castlelyons last week.  Castlelyons defeated Cobh a tight tough group game that went to the wire by 2-9 to 0-14.  This game was down in Cobh and was easily our toughest game in football to date this year. Due to our senior hurlers progress in the county and picking up injuries along the way we are playing many of our younger players are playing and have responded very well. Well done to the team and management who are giving so much enjoyment in football this year and best of luck in the final.

Proposal for Castlelyons GAA, Camogie and LGFA to purchase the App called CLUBZAP 

There will be a meeting on CLUBZAP on Monday 13th October at 8pm in the Community Centre.   There is an interest in this by the various Clubs in particular the Juvenile Club and it seems an ideal App for all four Clubs Adult, Juvenile, Camogie and LGFA.

The CLUBZAP is a communication and management App for Clubs with news, notes, fixtures results and finance features and has its own GAA compliant push notification system rather than WhatsApp for individual Manager, Teams, and Groups in the Club. There are a massive features attached to it which would really assist with communications

It would be appreciated if two or three interested members from each of the Clubs could attend on Monday evening at 8pm.  We will also have a ZOOM call with the CLUBZAP Company.

GAA Special Congress.

GAA President Jarlath Burns paid tribute to the Football Review Committee after all their rule enhancements were ratified at a GAA Special Congress in Cork last Saturday. A total of 61 motions relating to the FRC rules were passed by delegates and will come into effect from January 1 next year.  President Jarlath Burns said that the game of Gaelic football needed serous surgery and after watching a full year of the new rules they like what they see.  Sure, we have seen a great improvement in the game ourselves.

Imokilly Scor na nÓg set for Bally Noe Community Centre. 

The Imokilly final for Scór na nÓg 2025 has been set for Saturday 18th of October in Ballynoe Community Centre at 7pm. Closing date for entries is FRIDAY 10th of OCTOBER to be sent to Alan Whelan, Knockaheem, Leamlara, Co. Cork.

There are eight events/disciplines in Scór that cover all aspects of Irish culture: Rince Foirne/Figure Dancing, Amhránaíocht Aonair/Solo Singing, Bailéad Ghrúpa/Ballad Group, Aithriseoireacht-Scéalaíocht/Recitation-Scéalaíocht, Nuachleas/Novelty Act, Ceol Uirlise/Instrumental Music, Rince Seit/Set Dancing and Tráth na gCeist/Table Quiz.

An open County Tráth na gCeist (Round 1 and 2) as per Leabhar Rialacha Scór will be held on Thursday 30th of October at 7:30pm. Imokilly clubs including Castlelyons are requested to compete in the County Quiz. There will be NO Tráth na gCeist at the Imokilly Final.

Scór na nÓg Imokilly would appreciate all clubs’ promotion and engagement in the competition.  We have always had great participation through Castlelyons and Kilmagner National Schools in Scór na bPaistí thanks to our teachers and students. It would be great if our talent in Scór could follow on to participate at the Scór na nÓg level.   The closing date for applications is Friday 10th of October.  The Imokilly Final - Saturday 18th of October in Ballynoe Community Centre at 7pm with open County Quiz (both rounds) - Thursday October 30th at 7:30pm.

Castlelyons Ladies Football Club.

Huge Congrats to Our U13 Team and their management today who capped off an unbeaten league campaign with winning the Plate v Fermoy. Super proud moment for club. Castlelyons Abú

Castlelyons GAA Lotto Results - Monday 6.10.25 - Jackpot now €18,400

The results of the draw held on Monday 6.10.25 had the following numbers drawn 3,12,18 and 19. There was no Jackpot winner which was €18,200.   The Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: - Noreen Moroney, Patricia Carroll, Phil Shanahan, Kevin Daly, Casey Family, Tom Hegarty, Michelle Harrington and Marie Fitzgerald.

The Jackpot is now a massive €18,400.  The next Draw will be held in the Community Centre on Monday 13th October at 8pm. Thank you all for your support and don’t forget you can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Castlelyons Camogie Club Fundraiser

Castlelyons Camogie Club are holding Bingo in the Community Centre on Bingo on Saturday 11th October.  They will have a Raffle and Refreshments.  Your support is appreciated.

Become a GAA Referee in Cork. 

Are you passionate about GAA and looking for a new way to stay involved? Why not step up and become a referee with Cork GAA? Refereeing is more than just officiating games – it’s about staying connected to the sport you love, giving back to your community, and developing valuable skills that will benefit you both on and off the field.

You can stay active and keep fit. Develop leadership skills as refereeing builds confidence, decision-making, and communication skills.  Play a vital role in ensuring games are fair and enjoyable for everyone. If really interested, you can progress from local games to provincial and national stages.

You will be trained by experienced referees with a mentorship program to guide you through your early days on the pitch and a full referee starter kit, including your official gear. Cork GAA welcome players, former players, and anyone with a passion for GAA, aged 16 or older. Whether you’re new to officiating or have prior experience, they will support you every step of the way.

Our own Club has a serious interest in refereeing and their performance, but we do not have any club referee(s).  Both the East Cork and County Board are anxious that each Club supply referee(s).  If interested, you can contact the Cork County Board or any member of Castlelyons GAA Committee. 

Castlelyons GAA Annual General Meeting.

The annual general meeting of Castlelyons GAA will take place in the Community Centre at 3pm.

Notes: Kieran McGann Communications Officer.

Club Sponsor:  East Cork Oil.