Castlelyons take on Glenville in East Cork Junior A Football Championship

Castlelyons take on Glenville in Páirc na Bríde, Rathcormac on Saturday 26^th March at 3.00 pm.  This local derby should be interesting as Castlelyons took the County Junior B Championship in 2014 with an injury time goal by Alan Fenton against Kilmeen to win by 1-6 to 0-7 and gave a good account of themselves recently in the U21 A Grade Semi Final against Glanmire before going down 0-10 to 1-9 after extra time.  We have a lot of very good footballers but we just play in the Championship with most concentration on the small ball.

However, Glenville, like the Kingdom, are past masters when it comes to the big ball and have a mighty competitive tradition.  They have won sixteen (16) East Cork titles at Junior A Grade level and are now a very successful Intermediate outfit while Castlelyons are still seeking a first Junior A title.

This year we have done a good bit of preparation.  We had no Club game at all with the last two weeks giving a decent run of training which should put us in the zone for a good football display.  The fact that it is the Glenville second team means little as they have no Intermediate championship game played to date and will have a huge number of lads with first team league experience.  So the best of luck to Manager Donal O Leary, his Selectors Maurice Carroll, James Moroney and the players on Saturday.  Hopefully, we can get a result.

Intermediate Hurlers play next League game versus Bandon

Our next Cork Intermediate Division 2 league against Bandon is now fixed away in Bandon on Easter Monday at 6.45 pm.  We head the table after three games played but the others have a game less with Bandon having only one game played.  Bandon defeated Ballincollig comprehensively in that game and will be out to increase their league points tally against us.  They are a strong outfit and head up Division Four of the Intermediate Football League with five wins from six starts. 

However, if we have a full outfit available we must have a right chance of more league points.  A bit of support would be appreciated and lifts the lads.  

Castlelyons men on Uí Mac Coille team v Thurles Sarsfields in Senior hurling challenge.

On Sunday morning Uí Mac Coille senior hurlers played Thurles Sarsfields in a senior hurling challenge on their own Grounds beside Semple Stadium.  As one enters the Dressing Rooms, the Muriel overhead brings hurling matters to order as eight Tipperary victorious Captains take pride of place stretching from Jim Stapleton and Tom Semple to Tony Wall, Jimmy Doyle and Mick Murphy.

We took the field and got a fairly fast baptism from present stars Pa Bourke, Lar Corbett with Kevin O Gorman (full back), Aidan McCormack (centre forward), Richard Ruth (full forward) and Denis Maher (wing forward) also stars who have played at county Minor and U21 level and some pocketed All Ireland medals.  They were up 2-11 to 0-8 at half time and 3-18 to 0-14 on the long whistle. 

However, it must be said that Thurles Sarsfields are three weeks away from their first Championship game whereas Uí Mac Coille are three months away from theirs and this was the very first get together due to poor weather and non-availability of pitches.

Four Castlelyons players saw game time with Colm Barry starting at full back, Tom Carroll in the corner, Shane Moroney at full forward and Declan Varner coming on at half time.  All four lads done very well.  Colm had a mighty game dealing with the respected Richie Ruth and drawing favourable comments from the Thurles management on his raw potential that could be honed for bigger days.  

Moroney had a right tussle with Kevin O Gorman.  Shane won a lot of ball, scored a point, set up two more scores and was fouled for a score.  This was a very good display considering Shane was marking Kevin O Gorman who has played minor, won an U21 medal, and played intermediate with Tipp over the last few years. 

Overall Thurles were very accurate, strong on winning the dirty ball and had massive spirit. Uí Mac Coille will have to show similar power to reach the Holy Grail but there is time to work on it and there were a lot of players unavailable due to Senior and U21 County games.

Attractive County Under 21 Challenge Game; Cork v Waterford in Castlelyons.

Cork U21 Hurlers play Waterford in Castlelyons on Friday evening the 1^st April at 7.30 pm in a very interesting challenge game.  Presently Waterford are laden with a number of excellent hurlers on the U21 team and many like Austin, Gleeson, Tom Devine, DJ Foran and the Bennetts are already plying their trade with great success on the senior team and panel.  Their Manager is Sean Power who was over their All Ireland Minor winning team of 2013 and his selectors are legendary hurlers Paul Flynn and Eoin Kelly

Cork managed by that great Killeagh man, Damien Irwin, have not had much or any success at minor level lately as their last won All Ireland Minor Championship was in 2001, 15 years ago. However, if one looks back at 2013 Cork and Waterford played out a cracker at minor level and the Déise took it only after extra time by 3-19 to 1-20.  The Déise went on to win the All-Ireland defeating Galway in the Final that year.  Cork have not gone away as they have a number of that minor team going well most notably Pat Collins present senior goalie and our own Anthony Spillane.  What a pity that mythical figure Pa O Callaghan, Ballyhea, who was a rising star that time has decided to remain away from the county scene.

Waterford won one All Ireland U21 back in 1992 when the great Tony Browne, who went on to hurl with Waterford for 23 years, captained the team.  Cork on the other hand have won the title 12 times and are joint leaders in the role of honour with Kilkenny.  Cork’s last All Ireland win at U21 level was back 18 years ago in 1998 when Dan Murphy of Ballincollig captained them to success.

The Rebels have a lot of work done this year under coach Damien Irwin and surely, if hunger and tradition means anything, they must drive on for success.  Cork are at home to Limerick in Páirc Uí Rinn this with Waterford are at home to Clare in their Munster Championship games this year.  We are thankful to the County Board and Damien Irwin for arranging to play in Castlelyons and all players on view will be out to impress and get their name on the team panels for the Championship.  We will have more details on the teams next week.

1916 Limited Edition Limited Edition Special Lapel Badge

Cumann Lúth-Chleas Gael, Coiste Chontae Chorcaí have produced a once off limited edition 1916 Commerative Badge.  This collector’s item is a beautiful piece and can be worn throughout the year.  These Badges are available from the County Board office at Páirc Ui Rinn or through the Clubs at just €15.

Congratulations to Denis Hurley, Sarsfields.

Denis Hurley, Sarsfields Hurling Club was recently presented with the GAA Presidents Award for 2016 by an tUachtarán Aogán O Fearghaill.  Denis an outstanding administrator for over four decades for his Club won two Cork Senior hurling championships and was a selector on four Cork All Ireland winning teams the first in 1966 and his last in 1990.  Currently President of Sarsfields Denis has always been helpful to Castlelyons and to the cause of Cork GAA.  Congratulations and well deserved Denis.

Castlelyons Camogie Club in St Patricks Day Parade.

Great to see Castlelyons Camogie Club taking part in the Fermoy St Patrick’s Day Parade. This was an outstanding day with a huge entry from Fermoy and the surrounding areas.   The culture and tradition is alive and well as locally and nationally it was a great day and, of course, some of the local made a few bob in Cheltenham.

Weekly Lotto Draw.

The Clubs Weekly Lotto Draw took place in the Abbey Tavern on Monday 21^st March.  The numbers drawn were 12, 19, 24 and 27.  There was a Jackpot of €7, 400 and there was no winner.

The Jackpot is now €7, 600.

There were eight Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each as follows: -  Liz O Leary – Jimmy O Leary; Noelle O Keeffe – Dave Hegarty; Colm Crowley – Club; Diarmuid Barry – Con Lawlor; Mary Fenton – Mary Fenton; Mary Cronin - Donal O Connell; Martin Dorgan – Martin Dorgan; John Paul Murphy - Macs

Next Week’s Draw is Tuesday 29^th March in the Community Centre.  Thanks for your support and please advise your friends to play our club Lotto Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Club’s Main Sponsor:  Zeus Packaging Group.