Castlelyons go second in Division 1 IHL

Castlelyons 0-16 Watergrasshill 1-12.

We took on the ‘hill in their own Felix Sarsfield Memorial Park on Saturday and came away with a merited win. The evening was misty with a stiff breeze blowing into the Glenville end and Niall O Neill was on the whistle and did a good job. We were first to score as Ronan O Regan played a great ball to Eoin Maye who duly obliged with 0-1. Shane O Regan, who had a cracking game for the ‘Hill, levelled but Tom Carroll had 0-1 and M Spillane 0-3 (frees), one involving all three Spillane before Colm was fouled. Darragh Lawlor 0-2, one from way out on the wing. Anto Spillane showed a return to form after lengthy injury as he picked one from a ruck and put it over to leave us 0-8 to 0-1 ahead.

However, the ‘Hill returned fire and a deft flick into the paw, turn and pass to Shane O Regan by Kevin O Neill saw O Regan drive on and stick a mighty shot in the net. Then Shane O Regan put over 0-2 (1free). Our backs held well with Tom Carroll going well, Colm Barry improving although his long-term angle injury remains a concern and Robbie Feeney having the proverbial blinder. We were leading 1-10 to 1-3 at half time. In fact, Declan Varner came on for Colm Barry at half time as he needs more rest on his ankle.

On the restart Anto Spillane cracked home a class goal after good work by Shane Moroney. Ronan Fenton then received a nasty knee injury and had to retire. He was replaced by David Morrison. Keith O Leary who is improving again with every game after long term injury set up Eoin Maye who cut in for another goal and 0-1 from D Lawlor put us up 2-12 to 1-3. However, Watergrasshill fought back with seven unanswered points to make a game of it as their full forward Shane O Regan was really motoring and a cause of concern for our backs. However, we finished reasonably strong as Shane Moroney had further points in between another O Regan point to leave the final score 2-14 to 1-11 in our favour.

Overall, this was a good result and puts us second in the league. We play Kilworth on this Wednesday evening and a win would put us into the final. However, Kilworth are another side on the up as they had a massive win over Aghada in the championship last week end and will be out to lower Castlelyons as well. We wish Ronan Fenton a speedy recovery from this injury received against the ‘Hill an honest player he means a lot to our outfit. Barry Murphy, Alan Fenton and Ciarán McGann are still out but are making progress. We are out in the championship against Courcey Rovers on the 15^th September so hopefully our selectors will be dealing from a full deck as we need all available.

Team: - Jack Barry, Brian Carroll, Colm Barry, Robby Feeney, Tom Carroll, Aidan O Sullivan, Colm Spillane, Darragh Lawlor, Eoin Maye, Keith O Leary, Anthony Spillane, Ronan Fenton, Michael Spillane, Shane Moroney, Ronan O Regan. Subs: - John Paul Murphy, Declan Varner and Noel McAuliffe, Brian O Donovan, Peter Roche, Shane Flynn, Conor McCarthy, David Morrison.

Best wish to Niall O Leary in All Ireland U21 hurling final on Sunday.

Cork are returning to an All-Ireland Hurling Final where they sported and played so many times through history but not in the U21 grade with 20 years. The game is down for the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick at 5.30pm next Sunday evening. The Rebels opponents are Tipperary who they already defeated to take the Munster title at home in the Park. However, on neutral grounds and after over a good win over a fancied Galway side Tipperary will be all out to make amends.

Castlelyons man Niall O Leary is going well all year for the Rebels and a vital cog in the defence. Niall has shown massive promise from his juvenile days with Castlelyons, in the Academy, with St Coleman’s College, at county minor level and of course centre back on the Imokilly county senior winning team last year.

That great Imokilly manager Fergal Condon says East Cork is the best barony in the country for hurling. He says, “It is a phenomenal place to grow up for hurling”. He outlined his pride for the Division to the lads before the senior hurling final last year and the team responded none more so than young Niall O Leary who put in a massive hour at centre back that evening. How right Fergal is as it looks like eight East Cork players on the panel for Limerick on Sunday. Cork’s last victory in this grade in 1998 marked the rise of our own great the great Timmy McCarthy at centre forward so the Castlelyons supply lines are still open. Best of luck to our man Niall, also to Eoin Roche, Bride Rovers, all the panel and management under Denis Ring. Castlelyons agus Corcaigh Abú

Rebel Og East Cork Minor B1 Hurling Semi Final.

Castlelyons 4-10 Tracton 5-8.

Hard luck on our lads who after a great win over Nemo Rangers had to travel all the way down to Minane Bridge to play Tractor in their own home ground in the semi final of the East Cork B1 minor hurling championship. Our lads were outstanding on the night but unfortunately lost out by 0-1. What a pity these games are not played at a neutral venue but there is so much going on in various clubs that that pitches are hard to come by. Well done to the lads and especially to the backroom team of Peter Murphy, Ger McCarthy, Ronan and Alan Fenton.

Result of our Weekly Lotto of Monday 20.8.18. 

The numbers drawn were 7, 9, 11 and 15. There was no winner of our Jackpot of €11, 000. There were eight "Lucky Dip" winners of €20 each as follows: -Donal O Leary, Ronan Fenton, Blondie, Martin Francis Dorgan, Mary Murphy, Blondie (Again), Saoirse Healy and Luke Healy.

The Jackpot is now a cracking €11,200 so here is your chance to land the price of the turkey for just €2. Our next draw is Monday 27^th August 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.

Munster GAA Development Grants.

Applications are now open for Clubs wishing to apply for 2018 Grants. Details on the various Development Grants are available on the Munster GAA Website. The deadline for Grant Applications is August 31st. Our Club has undertaken a lot of new netting and repairs and hopefully will be able to make an application this year.

Queries and requests should be directed by email to Padraig Ó hArgáin Oifigeach Forbartha Coiste Chontae Chorcaí developmentofficer.cork@gaa.ie.

Castlelyons Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group