Quite weekend on the games front. 

The weather was very bad over the weekend and both the Cork U21 hurling Challenge; Cork v Waterford and an Intermediate Hurling Challenge; Castlelyons v Ballyduff were cancelled as Páirc an tAthair Peadar O Laoghaire was unplayable.

Heading into Galway on Sunday for the NHL relegation clash Galway v Cork it was a very different scene. As we got a lucky parking space along the Promenade in Salthill the sun was blazing down and the place full with people walking along the Prom and many paddling in the seashore.

Cork after five defeats in the league had a welcome brightness to their hurling as they saw off Galway in a reasonable game on a score of 2-22 to 0-24.  There were six East Cork men on the starting fifteen and three more came on as substitutes.  It was great to see two forwards S Harnedy (1-0) and B Lawton (0-2) of the Imokilly senior team get on the scoring board and did well as did E Leahy when he came on at the end.  Of course, our own man Colm Spillane is out injured but he is making good progress and on rehab already.

Cork now take on Tipperary in the Championship on the 22^nd May in Thurles and must be in with a right chance of taking this one. Tipperary who were hot favourites out did not measure up to a weakened (through injuries) Banner outfit in Ennis also last Sunday.  All to play for.

Castlelyons play Fr O Neills in Division 2, Intermediate Hurling League.

We play Fr O Neills on this Sunday at 12 md at home in Castlelyons in Division 2 of the Intermediate Hurling League. We have four games played in the League and are showing good form to date as we have won three out of four games and lie third in the table behind Carrigaline and the ‘Hill who have a game less played.  We are just ahead of Valley Rovers but level with six points.

Fr O Neills have just two games played and have three points as they defeated Eire Óg and drew with Carrigaline.  Incidentally, Carrigaline were the only team to defeat us in our four outings.  Fr O Neills are strong with Imokilly and former Cork minor keeper Declan Dalton between the posts.  Podge Butler, Mark O Keeffe at the back and the promising Billy Dunne up front.

However, we have a lot of lads going well and even picking the team is tough going. So Sunday’s game promises to be a cracker and best of luck to the lads.

Castlelyons lads involved with Imokilly.

Imokilly had a useful workout last Wednesday evening as they had a challenge game with Sarsfields in Riverstown last Wednesday night.  While the team lined out without minor, U21 and County Stars a lot of lads put in some fine hurling and put up their hands for places in a result Imokilly 1-18 Sarsfields 0-18 and the team continues to improve.

Castlelyons had three players in action and all got game time, namely, Tom Carroll, Shane Moroney and Declan Varner.  Colm Barry and Aidan O Sullivan were suffering injury and did not tog.  Of course, playing with Imokilly is a great opportunity for the player to experience senior hurling and raise his skill level. In this age of driven training it gives players an opportunity to figure their skills a little more on their own and plan their week.  The demands are little as there were only two games to date with another shortly and the effort is appreciated.

Minors win first League Game.

Castlelyons 5-11 Ballygarvan 4-11 

Castlelyons travelled to Ballygarvan for their First league outing in the Rebel Óg East Minor A Hurling League.  They started and ended with 14 players due to injuries, etc., and a double yellow.  However, they dug out a mighty victory over the home side as Alex Henley hammered a last minute ball to the net to win 5-11 to 4-11.

Castlelyons played to a structure with Jamie O Leary marshalling the backs from the centre and Keith O Leary doing likewise from centre forward.  However, other development stars James Kearney and Barry Murphy played mighty hurling and the St Colman’s panellist John Paul Murphy did well in goal. 

Overall this was a great team performance with Manager Jimmy O Leary and Coach Shane Hickey and, of course, Brian Carroll and Anthony Spillane have come on board as selectors this year and are all working very hard with the team.  The next outing is on this Saturday 9^th April at home in Castlelyons at 6.30 pm as the lads play Valley Rovers and all possible support is appreciated.

Weekly Club Lotto Draw.

This week’s draw was held in the Community Centre on Monday 4.4.16.  The Numbers drawn were 14, 15, 18 and 30.  There was No Winner.

The Jackpot is now €8, 000. 

There were eight winners of the Lucky Dip at €20 each as follows: - Kieran O Connor, Michael Barrett, Alan Waters, Catherine O Regan, Eoin Fitzgerald, Paul O Shea, Declan Whelan, Michelle Tobin.

The next Draw for a bumper €8,000 Jackpot will be held on Monday 11^th April in the Abbey Tavern.  Thanks for your support and please advise your friends that they can play Lotto Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Castlelyons Main Sponsors.

Our main Sponsors were thanked at our recent monthly meeting as the new Castlelyons away jersey was put on display by our Chairman John Healy.  What other colour could it be but the trending colour of the ZEUS Packaging Group and rebel colour of Red and White and it looks very well.

Locally and from a farming perspective we can support ZEUS, whose CEO is local man Mr Brian O Sullivan, by purchasing Epicrop Bale Netwrap a product that delivers a quality performance demanded by farmers and contractors for all baling conditions. Of course this is but one of many products and we will deal with those in the coming weeks.

Special Meeting on Theft Stop and review of Text Alert in Castlelyons.

A special open meeting will be held in Castlelyons Community Centre on Thursday 14^th April, 2016 at 8 pm.  Speakers will include members of IFA and the Garda.  This will be on the IFA initiative Stop Theft in partnership with An Garda Siochána.  A unique security ID can be applied to valuable property and machinery which is logged and traceable as it will be listed in a data base.  This initiative is a valuable tool in crime prevention.  There will be a review of the Text Alert system also.  

Votes of Sympathy.

Sincere sympathies were extended to the Daly, Leech, Coughlan, Gubbins Barrett, Broe, Morrison, O Brien and McHugh families in their recent bereavements at the Club’s monthly meeting. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nainmeacha dílis.

Castlelyons Main Sponsors – ZEUS Packaging Group