Castlelyons impress in putting Ballincollig to the sword.

Castlelyons 3-11 Ballincollig 1-6

Castlelyons played well at home on Sunday as we defeated Ballincollig which gives up two points in the Division 2 of the Intermediate League.  Our Pitch was in good condition as it was well cut, and the ground was reasonable despite all the rain beforehand.   The game was held up for 15 minutes as some our opponents had gone on to another venue.

The game started with both teams exchanging wides and points for the first ten minutes as Alan Fenton put over a free after a foul on Michael Spillane and Cotter got a smart point for Ballincollig.  Castlelyons then upped the tempo as the backs and midfield got on top and put in good ball into the forwards.  This resulted in 2-2 in a five-minute spell.  Ciarán McGann took a long side-line to Alan Fenton who gave a superb reverse pass to Darragh Lawlor and Darragh sent it over.  Alan then took a good pass from Robbie Feeney and banged in a great goal.

Then Timmy McCarthy gained possession out near the sideline, rolled back the years and in typical Timmy manner drew the defence by running at them.   He gave a great pass to Aidan O Sullivan who banged in another goal.

Ballincollig fought back and had a few wides and our goalie Shane O Sullivan was coolness personified and had good puck outs. Our full back line of B and T Carroll and Liam Moroney done held well.  Our forwards kept ticking over as Aidan O Sullivan operating at full forward rounded his man and got in for another goal and a point. One of the highlights of the first half was a massive point from midfield by Eoin Maye but Ballincollig closed off the half with a point on half time to leave the score 3-6 to 0-5.

The second half was a tight tough game of hurling as Ballincollig again attacked but again we closed them down as the half back of P Mahon, C Barry and C McGann done very well and our midfield of E Maye and R Feeney had a high work rate and were always available for the pass.  While Ballincollig did get in for 1-1 we scored through A O Sullivan 0-2 from play and A Fenton 0-3 frees, as there were fouls on Ronan Fenton and Ml Spillane, leaving the final score 3-11 to 1-6.

There is no doubt the Manager, Mick Spillane, targeted a win in this game and the U21 football going to extra time the previous evening did not help as we did not have a full panel.  The more senior players done well and the younger lads available for selection rallied to the cause so this made the result all the more satisfying. We now face Milford at home again on this Friday evening.

Team: -  S O Sullivan, B Carroll, T Carroll, L Moroney, P Mahon, C Barry, C McGann, R Feeney, E Maye, R Fenton, M Spillane, D Lawlor, A Fenton, A O Sullivan, T McCarthy.  Subs: -  M Murphy, D O Neill, C O Neill, R Bransfield, C O Neill, M J Dorgan, S Fenton.  Scores: -  A O Sullivan 2-3, Ronan, A Fenton 1-6, O Maye and D Lawlor 0-1 each.

Wrong side of Extra Time for our U21 Footballers.

Glanmire 1-9 Castlelyons 0-10.

We went to Duggan Park in Sallybrook last Saturday to take on Glanmire in the East Cork U21 A Grade Semi Final.  We had to concede venue as there was no other pitch available due to the present weather conditions. However, although the day was cold the sun shone with good drying and the quality of the football was warming.

The game was the proverbial cracker despite a huge step up for Castlelyons in Grade and with a lot of young players. We opened well and Anto Spillane put over two points the second one receiving an excellent offload from Barry Murphy.  Glanmire began to come back as James O Sullivan exerted influence and won a lot of possession in the half forward line.  But the lads came back well and hit a great patch as the backs done well and Barry Murphy and Anto tacked on more points. 

Then Glanmire were fortunate to get a goal as Brian O Donovan had gone down injured and we lost concentration.  Brian had to come off as he was drowsy after a shoulder to the head.  We also lost our towering midfielder, Jack Barry, with a hand injury.

This was a bit of a blow to us but they were replaced by Andrew O Neill and Seamus Moroney both younger lads.  Conor Hickey put over a ’45 to leave the half time score 1-3 to 0-5 in favour of Glanmire.    

Castlelyons stuck with the task in the second half and despite the loss of the two lads Mark Murphy and his management outfit made a number of good moves and the two subs, Andrew O Neill and Seamus Moroney our subs did very well.  Conor Hickey made a massive save to keep us in the game and young Barry Murphy continued to show good form, as indeed did all the lads.  With the advantage of a slight breeze we were level on full time at 1-6 to 0-9.

Into extra time and again it was the physicality of the opposition that wore down our younger lads.  Glanmire as we know have a really massive pick and it showed but what a heroic effort by our young lads. It is not the size of the dog but the fight in the dog and Glanmire despite attacking a lot were only a point ahead on 0-9 to 1-7 at half time in extra time.

The second half of extra time was hectic as both teams gave it a right lash.  The game ebbed and flowed and we finally lost out by just two points on a score 1-9 to 0-10.  I liked the spirit and attitude of this team and we could well have won this one.  I am looking forward to the U21 Hurling as I feel there are some tough men around the field who can wield the camán even better.  Well done to the Management outfit led by Mark Murphy with the wily Mark O Flynn and it is nice for Ronan Fenton and Michael Spillane taking up the role of selectors.

Team: - S Hickey, D Beausang, D Varner, S Fenton, Jack Buckley, J O Leary, C O Neill, S Moroney, B O Donovan, P Varner, R Bransfield, J Barry, M Spillane, A Spillane, B Murphy.  Subs: - J.P. Murphy, R Walsh, S Moroney and A O Neill. Scores: - A Spillane 0-5 (3f), B Murphy 0-1, S Hickey 0-1 (’45), R Bransfield 0-3 (2f).

Minor Teams.  

Shane Hickey, Manager of our A Grade minor teams, will be assisted by Brian Carroll and Anthony Spillane.  They are all lads who know their game and we will be expecting fireworks.  We were to play Ballyhea in a challenge but it was cancelled and the first league hurling game is fixed for 4.4.16 but then Cork minors line out against Waterford on the 7.4.16 down in Waterford to this game will, no doubt be put back.  The Championship draws is taking place this week so lads it’s all ahead of you and, hopefully, a good year.

Congrats to Shane Moroney.

Shane Moroney was on the CIT Panel for the Higher Education Fresher’s Hurling Final versus DCU played in Waterford last week as he has featured in many of the games to date.  Shane Aherne, Fermoy and Shane Walsh, Bride Rovers are also on the Panel and we could do with a win in 3^rd level Colleges to lift the hurling a bit.  This is an excellent competition for young hurlers and best of luck to all.

Injury to Jack Barry

One of our hurling goalies and a member of the Cork U21 hurling panel received a nasty had injury in the East Cork U21 Semi Final versus Glanmire on Saturday.  The injury resulted him spending over night in the CUH.  We wish Jack a speedy recovery. 

New Selectors for Junior B Hurlers.

Chairman John Healy announced at Monday night’s monthly meeting that James Maye has answered the call for a Manager of the Junior B hurling team and will be assisted by Aidan O Sullivan and Michael Spillane as selectors. Thanks to the lads for taking up these roles as it is vital to keep the second team going because there are a lot of young players and, indeed, some more senior lads, about who need a bit of assistance and encouragement and can offer a lot in the future.  Thanks to the lads for taking up these roles.

New Selectors for Junior A Football Team.

Chairman John Healy announced at Monday night’s monthly meeting that Donal O Leary and Maurice Carroll will take charge of our football team. We are not taking part in the League and play Glenville in the Junior A Championship shortly.  After winning a County Junior B Championship in style in 2014, an East Cork U21 B Grade in 2015 and an outstanding display in the East Cork U21 A Grade Semi Final there is massive potential about if we make a bit of an effort.  We wish the lads the best of luck.    

Club Lotto Draw on Monday night 7.3.16

The numbers drawn were 4, 22, 27 and 31.  There was No Winner

There were eight Lucky Dip Winners as follows: -  Dick Dorgan – Martin Dorgan:  M & Dick O Brien – Michael Hegarty:  Mary O Connell – Donal O Connell:  Fergal Crowley – Mick Spillane:  Florence Waters – Florence Waters:  Bill Kelleher – Ned Fitzgerald: James Birmingham – Donal Barry:  Denis O Brien -  Clem Carroll. 

Thanks for you support and please advise your friends to play Online or purchase tickets from the usual Outlets.  

The Jackpot is now €7,200.

Thanks for your support and please advise your friends to play Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Cork v Kilkenny Allianz Hurling League in Páirc Uí Rinn - Saturday.

Cork could be going better at the moment but they continue their Allianz Hurling League programme next Saturday with a home game against reign All-Ireland Champions Kilkenny in Pairc Uí Rinn at 7pm. Hopefully, there will be a bounce in Cork and they will have a right cut at winning their first league points of the campaign.

Cork will be wearing a special designed Blue jersey similar to the jersey wore by the Cork teams of 1916 and Saturday night will be a great occasion.  The Rebels could be going better but please show support and bring the juveniles to see this great fixture and roar on Cork to victory.

Tickets can be purchased at the usual outlets or play online and you can save rather than purchase at the stiles.

Votes of Sympathy.

Sincere sympathies were extended to the Twomey, Fenton, Caplice, Mannix and Lyons in their recent bereavements at the Club’s monthly meeting.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a aimeacha dílis.

Club Main Sponsor: -  ZEUS Packaging Group