Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 11th December 2017 2017-12-12 17:30:00

Castlelyons play Youghal in the PIHC first round 2018.

Results of Weekly Lotto Draw held on Monday 4.12.17. 

This Draw was held in the Clubhouse on Monday 11.12.17. The numbers drawn were 2, 12, 25, and 27. There was no winner. There were six "Lucky Dip" winners and this time they received €30 meat vouchers as follows: - Pat Pyne, Willie McGrath, Denis Fenton, Tom and Shiela Tobin, Michael Sheehan and Mary Cronin. The Jackpot is now €4,200 and our next draw is Monday 18th of December at 9.30 pm in the Club Bar. Thanks for your support and please remind your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual sources.

A massive change of Officers at County Convention 

The Annual Convention of the Cork County Board took place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on this Sunday 10.12.17, after Bishop Buckley and Fr Cotter presided at the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The late famous songwriter Bob Marley never made it to the Park, but it was he who had it in a song as a man sows so shall he reap and there was a fair bit of setting on Sunday. This was a huge day in the history of Cork GAA and it was marked by a lot of change. The incoming chair, Ms Tracey Kennedy took up office as did new vice chairman Kevin O Donovan, new treasurer, Diarmuid Gowen, new development officer Pat Horgan, new Children’s Officer Des Cullinane. Then there is the retirement of long serving secretary Frank Murphy towards the end of ‘18. This is a sea change and there is a real expectancy now more than ever that Cork GAA will drive on from the splendour of the Park to winning wars which ultimately will lead to success again in both hurling and football titles. Ms Tracey Kennedy who created history as the first female in the Cork GAA chair, was powerful in her acceptance speech and understanding in the awareness of areas of concern. However, probably her greatest line was that she would not be making any promises to make Cork great again as Cork is already great and this piece certainly resonates with this writer who as a young person in another county remembers you couldn’t beat Cork at any level. Them days are well gone but no doubt her goal for Cork is to start the ball rolling again. We wish Tracey and all the lads the very best of luck in their individual offices and collectively for the cause of Cork in the coming years.

Castlelyons draw Youghal in 2018 premier intermediate hurling championship.

Well the championship draws after convention last Sunday evening saw Castlelyons versus old rivals Youghal as a big game in the PIHC for 2018. I say old rivals in that while they went different directions in the last few years we were all treated to a cracker in Páirc Uí Rinn in the PIHC final in October 2013. That Saturday evening, we were leading 0-8 to 0-5 against a fancied Youghal side with just 15 minutes to go and again with the clock running down we were 0-10 to 0-7 only to get caught on the line as Youghal got four unanswered points to take the title and move up to senior grade.

That defeat rocked Castlelyons a good bit and we found it hard to hit the same form the last few years and even wound up in a relegation battle this year. We had the retirement of Barry O Connell, Barry Fitzgerald, Timmy McCarthy and emigration of Phillip Mahon and move to Dublin of Leo Sexton. These lads, all big tough hard men and skilled with the camán, were a serious loss. Similarly, with Youghal found it hard to make an impression at senior level but held their own until this year. Two defeats in the championship this year by Douglas and Newtown saw them fighting for survival in the senior ranks with the Barr’s and a one-point defeat sent them down again to intermediate. Youghal did go from the field to the Board to stay up senior and made many points about their potential as a team and status as a town but failed in that bid too. Now this will give them fierce determination to make a fast return to senior ranks again. So, what about Castlelyons. Well we have real potential again with many good players, a strong U21 side who were east cork champions last years and good minors. There are so many people in East Cork of the opinion that Castlelyons are capable of more and could go all the way. This will take a supreme effort so lads its back on the horse for 2018 and best of luck to all. Castlelyons Abú.

Incidentally, the Castlelyons team in the PIHC final of 2013 was as follows: - Shane O’Sullivan, Brian Carroll, Barry O’Connell, Tom Carroll, Cian O’Leary, Leo Sexton, Ciarán McGann (Capt), Colm Barry, Phillip Mahon, Colm Spillane, Barry Fitzgerald, Aidan O’Sullivan, Alan Fenton, Timmy McCarthy and Anthony Spillane: Subs: Ronan Bransfield for Alan Fenton (49), Ronan O’Regan for Timmy McCarthy (52).

Club Dinner Dance.

Arrangements for the forthcoming Dinner Dance are going well and Aidan O Sullivan is the ticket master here with Denis Fenton and Colm Barry setting the location, menu, band and other features. The medals for our victorious teams U21 east cork hurling champions, east cork junior league football league and county intermediate hurling league division 2 champions will be presented. So, meeting the stars and a bit of bonding with craic, caint, ceol agus ól should lead to a great night and take the gene out of the bottle for 2018.

Congratulations to Fermoy’s Diarmuid Gowen as new treasurer of County Board.

Congratulations to Diarmuid Gown of Fermoy who was elected treasurer of Cork County Board last Sunday replacing Pierse Murphy who held the position for the last 21 years. Thee were three candidates for this position in Diarmuid, John Feeney, Dripsey and John O Flynn, Freemount. The voting was close with Diarmuid just pipping John O Flynn. We thank Pierse Murphy who gave massive service and was good to Castlelyons in giving us our fair share of championship games and no doubt Diarmuid will do the same. Great to have a local man up there and we wish him the very best in the years ahead. It was certainly a weekend of mixed emotions for Diarmuid as his dad Derry Gown passed away during the week and was laid to rest on Saturday. The late Derry Gowen held many positions in the Cork County Board and was treasurer from 1964 to 1971. Scór and the U21 championships were among many initiatives he introduced to the GAA in an outstanding career. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.

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