Castlelyons slip on the Hill.

Castlelyons 2-15 Watergrasshill 1-21.

We hit for the ‘Hill to play Watergrasshill in the league on Saturday evening last with great confidence especially after such a good game with Douglas the week before.  However, our opponents whom we had beaten a few times in recent years especially in U21 were also confident and well up for this game.  The Castlelyons panel were short Ronan Bransfield, Jamie O Leary, Keith O Leary all on holidays and Ciarán McGann, sickness and Watergrasshill were short Sean O Callaghan and two U21 players as they were playing U21 Championship the following day.  One could sense by their very body language in the warm up that they were ready for Castlelyons.  While the game was exciting we suffered another defeat in the league as Watergrasshill went on to record a good league win.  

Robbie Feeney scored a point for us inside the first minute and they had four on the trot before Anthony Spillane scored 0-1 for us in the ninth minute.  The Hill were playing with the breeze into the Motorway goals and our backs were under serious pressure especially the full line but held out well as B Carroll, C Barry and D Varner were solid.  Then on 12 minutes Tom Carroll made a strong run and sent in a long ball which the Hill goalie saved but Shane Moroney blocked him down and Anthony Spillane finished the loose ball easily to the net.  Then we had good some possession but our shooting was not good enough as we took shots from black spot areas and at times turned into opponents to shoot and got blocked down too easily.  We fouled at will for a while and this gave the ‘Hills deadly marksman Shane O Regan an ideal opportunity to show his skills as he scored 0-10 from frees and 0-1 from a ’65 during the course of the game.  Alan Fenton cut through for a great individual goal and although blocked he did finish well to the net.  This gave us hope as we traded points to leave the score 2-4 to 0-13 at half time.

It was expected that playing with the breeze and only 0-1 behind for the second half we would drive on for victory.  Shane Moroney 0-1 and Anthony Spillane 0-2 in between a ‘Hill point.  However, on six minutes Shane O Regan broke through our defence and gave Shane O Sullivan no chance for a ‘Hill goal.  We were under pressure for scores from then on as our half back line with Cian O Leary, Niall O Leary and Tom Carroll covering well.  Anto Spillane, who had a mighty battle with his direct marker Anthony Cronin, did very well with some great points on the run.   Otherwise, our shooting was somewhat off target as Watergrasshill went on to record a three-point victory.

We have had better outings than Saturday evening last and with our Championship day coming next Sunday versus Ballinhassig we certainly have got the demons out of the system.  We have already given a rousing display in the PIHC versus Courcey Rovers in Blarney and if we can repeat this, get the aim right and be in the zone we could do well.  A big improvement is necessary but Mick Spillane and his management outfit know the score and the lads have responded before so the best of luck this Sunday as all roads lead to Páirc Ui Rinn.

Team: - Shane O Sullivan, Brian Carroll, Colm Barry, Declan Varner, Cian O Leary, Tom Carroll, Niall O Leary, Phillip Mahon, Eoin Maye, Alan Fenton, Anthony Spillane, Jack Barry, Michael Spillane, Shane Moroney and Robbie Feeney.  Subs: - Ronan O Regan, Alan O Regan, Declan Sexton, Liam Moroney, Colm O Neill and Aidan O Sullivan. (Colm O Neill for Eoin Maye, Aidan O Sullivan for Ml Spillane).

Best wishes to our Cathaoirleach John Healy.

We extend our very best wishes to our Chairman John Healy who was victim of a most unfortunate and freak accident at our game in Watergrasshill last Saturday evening.  John was on the line supporting his team when two opposing players came to the line at speed in pursuit of the slioter and their velocity carried them well over thereby crashing into John which resulted in a serious leg injury. John was kindly assisted and comforted while awaiting the ambulance by our First Aid, Ms Jacinta O Leary, First Responder, Mark Murphy and Physio, Ken Nagle and the Watergrasshill Physio Barry Wain.  Ger Lane, Chairman, Cork County Board extends his best wishes to John. The Watergrasshill Club and many other Clubs wish John well in recovery, and of course, all members of our own Castlelyons GAA do likewise.  

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Draw - Monday 25.7.16

Our Weekly Lotto Draw was held in the Abbey Tavern tonight 25th July, 2016.  The numbers drawn were 11, 19, 22 and 30.  There was No Winner.  The eight Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: -  Martina Minihane:  Ronan Fenton:  Mary Cronin:  Aibhín O Sullivan:  Jack Kenny:  John Mackessey:  Dave Hoare:  Ann Moroney

The Jackpot is now €3, 000.    Next Week’s draw will be held in the Community Centre on 2^nd August, 2016.  Please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase tickets at the usual outlets.  Thanks for your support. 

Fixture – PIHC versus Ballinhassig in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday 30^th July at 3.30 pm 

Our future in this year’s Championship will be decided on Sunday as we come up against Ballinhassig in Páirc Uí Rinn at 3.30 pm.  Ballinhassig showed they are serious championship contenders in early May as they defeated Tracton with forwards Daniel O Callaghan Patrick Collins and Fintan O Leary belting in 3-18 between them as O Leary, a big man, showed mighty stick work and positional sense.  However, they came a cropper late in June to Carrigaline as they suffered a two-point defeat.  Our own form has been indifferent too until a strong showing against Courcey Rovers saw us advance to this stage of the championship.  We have a nice mix of players especially youth although down big men Leo Sexton, transfer to Dublin and Colm Spillane, injury, who have tasted a lot of underage success so now is the hour to show a bit of mettle.  Hopefully, the selectors will be pulling from a full panel.  So best wishes to Ml Spillane, Manager and Selectors John McCarthy and Colm Crowley and all our lads who have given great commitment to date.  Castlelyons supporters are the best and with 194 at the recent Cúl Camps let’s hear the roars of young and old from the Stand and lads give them good stuff to shout about.  Castlelyons Abú.    

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