Castlelyons hit the Déise for Intermediate Hurling Challenge.

Castlelyons 2-22 Lismore 0-12.

We went to Lismore on Friday evening for a hurling challenge with the locals and it was very competitive but we pulled away towards the end as we showed great effort and a positive attitude. 

The first half was tough and dogged as we played into the town end against a cold breeze.  Lismore with were strong early on but our midfield did well with Eoin Maye getting in a few good blocks and Robbie Feeney doing well.  We held our own on the scoreboard as Alan Fenton was accurate from frees and play, Ronan Bransfield and Ronan Fenton also put over some good scores. 

We were under serious pressure for a while but our full back line of the two Carroll Bros, Tom and Brian with Cian O Leary held well.  Colm Barry had a mighty battle with Ray Barry in the centre with Ciarán McGann and Cian O Neill on the wings both winning and distributing broken ball well.  However, Shane O Sullivan was outstanding in goal as he saved a penalty.  On the 17^th minute he was out again to block down the forward and clear his lines and his puck outs were good too.  There was good decision making as we took the right options many times like Ml Spillane laying on for Ronan Fenton to score and Tom Carroll breaking through tackles and popping to Alan Fenton for a good score and Shane Moroney got in good work too.  We were 0-11 to 0-8 up at half time.

So it was into the Ballyduff end for the second half and we got in for a goal chance early on but their goalie Sean Barry, saved well for a ’65 which A Fenton scored and we added 0-8 in quick succession through S Moroney, R Bransfield, E Maye, C McGann and A O Sullivan.  Lismore were under real pressure for twenty minutes but came into the game again and this time our sub goalkeeper Eoin Barry done well in goal as he stopped two shots and looked very safe.  Shane Moroney made a trademark high catch parted to E Maye who banged in a great goal.  Then M J Dorgan was in fast with an overhead flick for another goal and shortly after Dunny opened up the backs with a brilliant Vardi flick (that fellow that plays for Leicester) for S Moroney to put over the final point.  Lismore’s effort was smothered in the second half as we tackled well and played out good possession to run out winners on a fortuitous score 2-22 to 0-12.

However, it is not the score that counts here as Lismore were missing the Shanahan brothers, Dan and Maurice and the Prendergast brothers John and David but it is the performance.  Lismore with the great Tony Browne as coach are just relegated from the senior grade to intermediate.  They were still laden with a scatter of good hurlers who have all played at county level, namely, Sean Barry in goal, Ml Fitzgerald at full back, Paudie Prendergast at centre back, the great Brendan Landers out at wing back, Ray Barry at centre forward, Peter O Keeffe and Jack Prendergast in the full forward line. Talking with Jimmy O Gorman, Lismore, a man with a good eye for the game, he was in praise of our team and mentioned some players showing up with good hurling.

Our next game will be in the League versus Fr O Neills who are flying at the moment and we have it all to do so don’t get carried away.  However, we are putting in strong team performances with honest effort and buying into the game plan by taking the best options.  All the lads are serious about their game and doing well. We may not be the favourites for the Premier Intermediate Championship this year but we are certainly in the middle of the chasing pack.  Our management outfit are making a mighty effort too so it’s time please for our Patrons to be there, get behind your team and keep it up all the way.  Good stuff lads.

The game was refereed by Thomas Walsh, Modelligo, and up and coming inter county referee, and he done an excellent job, giving the advantage at the right time and taking no nonsense. 

Team: -  Shane O Sullivan, Brian Carroll, Cian O Leary, Tom Carroll, Ciarán McGann, Colm Barry, Colm O Neill, Eoin Maye, Robbie Feeney, Shane Moroney, Michael Spillane, Ronan Fenton, Alan O Sullivan, Ronan Bransfield.  Subs: - Eoin Barry for S O Sullivan (40 Mins); Declan Varner for B Carroll (30 mins); Liam Moroney for Colm O Neill (52 mins); Darragh Lawler for R Feeney (30 mins); M J Dorgan for A Fenton (52 mins); Brian O Donovan for Ml Spillane (45 mins); R Feeney back on for Colm Back (inj, 53 mins):  Scores: - A Fenton 0-9 (0-5 frees); R Fenton 0-4; R Bransfield 0-2; M J Dorgan 1-0; C McGann 0-1, ’65; E Maye 1-1; S Moroney 0-2; A O Sullivan (0-2)

Footballers play Galtee Gaels in preparation for the Championship.

Castlelyons 1-10 Galtee Gaels 1-8.

This challenge game was at home on Saturday evening and we recorded a facile victory.  We took over around the middle of the field from the throw in as Shane Moroney and Darragh Lawlor lorded it and gave in good ball to the forwards.  Jack Barry was creating problems for the ‘Gaels’ backline with high fielding and interceptions.  Ronan Bransfield and Alan Fenton fed off him well. 

Shane O Sullivan went over on his ankle after just 5 mins and had to retire and Dunny came on. Jack intercepted a pass and fed to Ronan who buried a great goal.  Dunny then showed an array of skills as he took a great pass from Alan Fenton and banged in a good goal and then scored a point again with the other foot to leave us comfortable at half time.  The second half was along the same lines as we were on top throughout. 

Galtee Gaels were a little disappointing as they reached the Limerick County Junior Final in 2015 and were unlucky to be defeated by Cappagh.  However, speaking with their mentors they were short four or five players including their two county men, Tommy Chiles who plays with the Limerick Juniors and Maurice O Sullivan who recently had a great game with the Limerick U21’s who were narrowly defeated by Kerry.

The game was refereed by John Kirby, Midleton, and he was strict at times but overall did a good job.  He did check one player for not wearing a Gumshield before the start of the game and we’ll these talk about this later.

Team: - S Hickey, D Varner, T Carroll, L Moroney, B Carroll, C Barry, E Maye, S Moroney, D Lawler, A Fenton, R Fenton, R Bransfield, R Feeney, J Barry and S O Sullivan.  Subs: - B (Dunny) Donovan for S O Sullivan (inj, 5 Mins), E Barry for A Fenton (HT), N McAuliffe for R Fenton (45 Mins).

East Cork Junior Hurling League Division 2

Carrigtwohill 1-21 Castlelyons 0-13

We went to Carrigtwohill on Sunday evening to play the locals in the East Cork (Mossie O Sullivan Cup) JHL Division 2.  This is a Club nearly as old as the GAA itself and they must be complemented on a fabulous set up with Pitches, Dressing Rooms, Hurling Walls, Gym and loads of Tarmac.  The Grounds is a focal point for the Village and loads of young people banging the slioter on a fine evening. It was mild and dry with a little breeze into the town goal and we choose to play this way in the first half.  We gave a reasonable display but came out second best on the score 1-21 to 0-13. 

We were under pressure from the throw in but our backs done very well especially the full back line of Mark Murphy, Barry O Connell and Liam Moroney.  However, we had five wides and we were awarded a penalty and Timmy McCarthy hopped the slioter off the ground but their goalie made a good save. Carrigtwohill were leading 1-8 to 0-6 at half time.

However, we started very well in the second half as Ciarán McGann landed two long frees.  Then Brian (Dunny) O Donovan and Colm O Neill got on top for a bit at midfield as Colm O Neill came through the middle for a great point.  Sub Alex Henley banged in a goal after good work by Timmy McCarthy.  Then Timmy made a good catch and turn for a great point to put us ahead.  But we lost our way again as Carrigtwohill scored six points on the trot as Thomas Hogan and Mickey ‘Da’ Fitzgerald of their senior panel were prominent.  Eoin Barry our goalie made two great saves to keep us in the game and our half backs of Noel McAuliffe, Declan Varner and Shane Fenton fought well even though some of them had games already at the weekend.  Carrigtwohill pulled away again to 1-21 to 0-13 at full time. 

While we have just one game played and ‘Carrig’ are heading the league table with four points from two games.  There are nine games in this League and we have an opportunity to improve yet. I made out ten players that are eligible for our team, but were either injured or not around for this first League game. these being lads who are training under a top coach.  It is imperative as previously stated that we have a functioning and committed second team as many players like to get games and it keeps up standards for the Intermediate team.  Our management outfit of James Maye, Colm Spillane and Aidan O Sullivan deserve support and all lads turn up for the game.  Congrats to Mark Murphy who has been appointed Captain, a strong defender, who knows how to wield the camán and stand his ground.  Good to see Colm Spillane moving well again from his serious injury as he conducted the warm up for the lads before the game and one could see his drive.

The game was refereed by Pa O Driscoll, Bride Rovers, who was fairly vigilant and contributed to a good game.

Team: - E Barry, M Murphy, B O Connell, L Moroney, N McAuliffe, D Varner, S Fenton, B (Dunny) O Donovan, D Beausang, C McGann, B O Donovan, M.J. Dorgan, C McGann, A O Regan. Subs: - A Henley for A Regan (17 Mins), A O Neill for D Beausang (44Mins), R Fenton and I Ronayne.  Scorers: - C McGann 0-8 (0-3 play, 5 frees); A Henley 1-2; B O Donovan 0-1; T McCarthy 0-1; C O Neill 0-1.

Mouthguards and the GAA Information for the Club, Players and Parents.

The following New Rule was introduced in January 2014: - ‘All Players at all grades are required to wear a Mouthguard in all football games and practice sessions.    Clubs and Players are not covered under the Player Injury Scheme if they are not wearing the Mouthguard.  The Referee is not expected to individually check players before a game but if he notices a player not wearing a Mouthguard he should caution the player and if he refuses to wear one he should send the player off’. 

The Rule is honoured in the breach rather than the observance by many players so it is certainly advisable to wear a Mouthguard from both a Health and Safety perspective by saving the jaw and teeth, or, of course, staying on the field if caught out not wearing it could be an early shower.

East Cork JFC A Quarter Final, Sunday 24.4.16. Castlelyons v Glenbower Rovers. 

All roads lead to Castlemartyr on Sunday evening the 24^th April at 6 pm as Castlelyons take on Glenbower Rovers in the Quarter Final of the East Cork Junior A Football Championship.  Such progress is new but welcome for Castlelyons as they had a convincing win over Glenville in the first round and were then lucky skip the next round as we were drawn into the Quarter Final.

We do not take part in the League just playing in the Championship.  We won the U21 B Grade last year land, and the County B Championship in 2014.   Overall we have a nice bunch of footballers who bring good energy and skill to their game.  This is the first time we have done a bit of training for many years and got in a good Coach so we will be travelling in hope.

Glenbower Rovers had a handy win over Dungourney in the first round and like ourselves were drawn into the Quarter Final.  The team comprises of Killeagh and St Ita’s and are a formidable outfit as they operate in the East Cork Division 2 League and are doing all right there too.  They will be favourites as they as they have some very good players including Kieran Lane, Sean Long and the Cahill brothers and the St Ita’s men Ciarán and Darragh O Brien. The best of luck to the lads and the management outfit of Donal O Leary, Maurice Carroll and James Moroney.  Let us give them a bit of support we are used to winning in the football lately. Castlelyons Abú.

Weekly Lotto Draw.

This week’s Lotto was held in the Community Centre and the numbers drawn were 7, 14, 23 and 26.  There was no winner.  However, there were eight Lucky Dip winners of €20 each as follows: -  Fergal Crowley; Joan O Callaghan; Breda Cotter; Pat Pyne; Pauline Sheehan; Rob O Leary; Mary Buckley and Colm Crowley.

The Jackpot is now €8, 400.  They next draw will be held in the Abbey Tavern on Monday 25^th April at 9.30 pm.  Thanks for your support and you can continue to play our Lotto Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Congratulations.

Congratulations to our Treasurer Donal O Leary whose Coolagown based company Metrology Systems and Services have been short listed for a major award at the 2016 Irish Laboratory Awards to be announced at the end of May.  James Maye of our Club is also very involved with the Company.  We wish them the best of luck.

Also congrats to our former star hurler Daniel Carroll and Debbie Collins, Ballyhooly, as they recently announced their engagement and a nice celebration last Saturday night.  Best of luck folks.

Club Main Sponsor: - ZEUS Packaging Group