Quiet on the Club and County hurling front in 2016

Well the book is closed on another Cork hurling season. There was no success on the county front and we are left wondering when will we raise a cup again at Munster or All Ireland level in Minor, Under 21 or Senior. The underage is encouraging as we got to all seven finals and won four in the Munster intercounty tournament day.

Cork are so used to medals is it any wonder that we now crave success as we wish to fill the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh and make the home of Legends a reality in the modern era. However, a successful county team depends on the supply from the clubs and where are the next JBM’s, Rocks, and Timmy Macs going to come from.

Well as old time sets in its review time in Castlelyons with the Annual General Meeting coming up shortly and we look to new time in 2017. Of course, one tends to look at the others set up as we see the great success of Fermoy this year in so hard luck in the two Premier finals and the continued improvement of Bride Rovers in the senior championship and league as they fielded three adult teams and the gradual rise of St Catherines again. Well done to these clubs. Don’t forget about our own Juveniles as the Minors, U16’s and other teams had an outstanding year and are keeping the supply line going.

We got eight points in division two of the Intermediate League from ten games which included a game conceded to us by Eire Óg. Surely we could have had a better League. We had a great win over Courcey Rovers in the first round of the Championship. However, we went on to suffer unfortunate defeats to Inniscarra and Ballinhassig and exited the championship in a tame fashion.

We commenced training very early with outstanding turnouts but seemed to lose a bit of concentration as the year progressed and took the foot off the pedal when we should be motoring. We suffered defeats to Fr O Neills and Kildorrery, in the League, who went on to contest the intermediate final. However, we travelled to Bandon and had an outstanding league win over the home side who eventually went on to win the premier championship. We went to Lismore and again defeated the home side in an outstanding challenge game. On both occasions, it was so good to hear the opposition praise our talent on these evenings as we hurled so well but alas.

It was ironic to see Bandon play Lismore in the first round of the Munster Club Championship lately and know that Castlelyons would be well up for any of these teams. We done well with lesser effort to make the final of the East Cork JFC before going down in a good game with Cloyne. Talent is important but so is winning as losing can become a habit too. Castlelyons have outstanding talent and it is about time the lads showed a bit of character as hurling rather reveals character and as the book says there is everything to gain and nothing to lose when you do your best so we look forward to a right cut off it in 2017.

Club Premises Initiative.

The November monthly meeting agreed on an excellent initiative brought on behalf of a group of club members that the Club Premises would be given a facelift and opened on some regular evenings for the benefit of our members. Castlelyons GAA Club Premises is one of the oldest Registered Clubs in the area and has managed to hold is registration throughout lean years. We have an increase in population, a relatively new camogie club and a strong adult membership. Hopefully, we will have many warm words on cold nights for the coming winter and strong spirit for the summer. A previous committee with good heart put in a strong floor for a half set so now is the time and maybe we could even get ready for Scór.

Weekly Lotto Draw on 7.11.16. 

Tonight's Draw was held in the Abbey Tavern and the numbers drawn were 1, 3, 13 and 20. There was no winner. The following were winners in our Lucky Dip Draw: -

1. Oliver Doyle.

2. Mary O Connell.

3. Barry Fitzgerald.

4. Billy O Sullivan.

5. Troy Spinks.

6. Fitzgerald Family.

7. James Bermingham.

8. Paula O Regan.

The Jackpot is now €6, 000. Next week's Draw will be held in the Community Centre on Monday 14th November at 9.30 pm. Thanks for your support and please advise your friends they can purchase our tickets from the usual outlets or play Online.

East Cork Scór na nÓg Finals, Saturday 26^th November at 7.30 pm in Lisgoold

The promotion of Scór at adult and juvenile levels has helped to play an important role on the revival of our culture and heritage. Both juveniles and adults in towns and villages throughout the East Cork Division have been afforded the opportunity to interact in the best of Irish culture in this special centenary year, 2016.

It is imperative that we continue to promote Scór as it adds to the overall value to the Club unit. The key attraction of Scór is that it brings people into club who are not necessarily interested in the sporting side of CLCG. Scór provides potential to bring the Club to all the community thus increasing membership, support and greater community interest in the Club. We are commencing Scór this year with the Scór na nÓg Competition (after National Schools and up to 17 years). We would appreciate if all clubs took part in this competition. The closing date for entry is Wednesday 16^th November if you wish to take part please contact any officer of the Juvenile Club or Kieran McGann at 0867773100.

Steward’s Training Course – 2^nd and 3^rd December.

CLCG Uí Mac Coille are holding a Course for voluntary stewards to assist with our games in Ui Mac Coille, Páirc Uí Chaoimh and various venues. The purpose is to ensure that there is a quality level of stewarding at all our venues. Stewards may also be called occasionally to work at some of our major Munster venues. It is important to have qualified personnel in your club to run major events in accordance with Croke Park directives and clubs are expected to make people available for this training which is provided free. If you have previously stewarded for CLCG please avail of this course as retraining is vital. Instruction is also given on the role of Supervisory Stewards. Nothing beats being part of the match day action.

Conditions: - 

• Over 18 years of age (male or female).
• Available to steward at weekends (average of 10 - 12 events annually)
• Fit and Active
• Friendly, courteous, enthusiastic.

Stewards will be trained and accredited by the GAA National Health & Safety Committee and the course is monitored by the Portobello Institute who will be present.

Course Details: - 

• Venue: - Midleton GAA Club
• 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Friday 2^nd December, 2016 
• 9.30 pm to 1.30 pm on Saturday 3rd December, 2016
• You are required to attend the Course on both sessions.

Those interested please contact Kieran McGann, 0867773100 on / or before Wednesday 23^rd November, 2016.

Votes of Sympathy. 

At our last Club Meeting votes of sympathy were extended to the Daly, Kent, Fitzgerald and O Brien families on their recent bereavements. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

Castlelyons Main Sponsors: ZEUS Packaging Group.