Castlelyons GAA Notes WE Monday 11.5.20. 2020-05-21 17:56:00

A return to training and games raises more questions than answers.

The resumption of Gaelic games activities and indeed all sport will be a complex process. Club and County championship dates have come and gone as famous stadiums echo the sound of silence. The resumption of training and games will require a detailed process which will ensure safety of our players, patrons and especially the wider community. This will require new policies, review Health and Safety Statements, an assessment of the sporting environment in serious detail. The major obstacle is social distancing as how can sport accommodate Covid-19 in our midst which may push out all sport until there is a vaccine and a green light given for go when we get to life after the pandemic.

Internationally Australia have set out a framework for rebooting sport in a covid-19 environment, New Zealand have a community return to play guidelines While World Rugby have written on a safe return to rugby in the context of the pandemic. Tennis and the Equestrian Industry have prepared their policies also. Dr Éanna Falvey has made a major contribution to the World Rugby policy and it is an excellent document. However, all documents exercise extreme caution on return due to social distancing. They all specify that a return will be to a different environment of adherence to specific policies with detailed facility management, cleaning, and personal hygiene and many more regulations.

Our President John Horan spelled it out on the new Sunday Game the other night in a clinical manner. He stressed how the safety of GAA members, and their families will continue to take precedence over a return to action of any kind including collective training. While there is a Government roadmap confirming that sports facilities could reopen to groups of four and non-contact collective training could be introduced on the 9th June our association have rightly put this back to 20th July. Hopefully matters will have improved by then and there may be a review with information and direction taken from the health authority but only when its safe will training or games recommence. While it may be regrettable that there is uncertainty the overarching policy of our association is entirely understandable.

Young People’s Health and Well Being during these times.

We are all doing our best to look after ourselves during these times, but young people and children may need extra attention and support. There is a sense of a ‘new normal’ in what we hope are temporary circumstances. Study and schooling from home is tough going for young people and parents. Summer is around the corner and there will be a delay in returning to our pitches for training and games. This sporting activity engenders camaraderie and a bond for all groups and ages, it is vital for young people in their development. We may lack pitch and sports facilities for communal gatherings. However, there may be other ways of innovating training and development during these difficult times that would benefit our youth. Any ideas here!

Great to see the adult teams who came together while staying apart and continue some fitness work on Sunday morning as they put in a physical session using Zoom and wearing the jerseys and gear sponsored by local entrepreneur Brian O Sullivan of ZEUS.  The lads are doing a few 5K, etc on the highways and byways of Castlelyons. And hopefully keeping in good condition. While the return to the real stuff is put back this virtual aided training is good for mind and body and a big hit.

Imokilly seeking a four in a row.

At the County Convention of 2018 a city club had a motion to delete bye-law 41 which allows the county committee to give permission to divisional committees enter teams in the senior hurling and football championships. This was after Imokilly had completed two in a row in winning the SHC of 2017 and 2018. Willie Ring the East Cork Board representative, a stalwart from Cloyne and nephew of the great Christy Ring spoke against the motion with great eloquence and it was well defeated. Imokilly made it a hat trick in 2019 against Glen Rovers on a score 2-17 to 1-16. So, the question is will Imokilly get a chance to have a go for four will we have any championship in 2020.

Talking with new Manager Ciarán Cronin during the week he is happy with the way preparation has gone to date while he understands the uncertainty of the current season. They have played Bride Rovers, Valley Rovers and St Finbarrs in challenge games and had a few get togethers before the layoff. Declan Dalton, Mark O Keeffe, Joe and Ger Mellerick and some of the other Fr O Neill players are off the panel as they are gone senior and of course Paudie O Sullivan of Cloyne likewise. However, there ae strong additions t the panel in Colm Spillane, Niall O Leary, and Jack Barry of Castlelyons, Jos Beausang, Kieran Walsh, and Eoin O Sullivan of Russell Rovers. The youthful Dylan Hurley of Dungourney and Darragh O Leary are lads that will also come onto the panel is making plus a few returning from injury. All in all, the future looks good but the loss of such mighty scoring forwards like Declan Dalton and Paudie O Sullivan is a loss to the team. No doubt about it the torch was lit by Fergal Condon and new manager Ciarán Cronin of Lisgoold is anxious to go on another journey. So, they will be ready if championship day arrives in 2020.

Incidentally, it was great to here Diarmuid O Sullivan on the Brian Carroll Podcast Show recently explain about Imokilly hurling when the question was put to him about the pick and number of clubs available to Imokilly. He outlined the difficulty of arranging a divisional team and how it took hard work by a good hurling man like Fergal Condon to lure the players and commitment back to play for the senior team. Also, how it gave players form small clubs the opportunity of senior hurling and it will only improve the competition in Cork.

Construction and maintaining of facilities can

While the last GAA directive of the 7th May confirmed that no on field activities would take place until at least July 10th and facilities were to remain closed until then. They did allow maintenance of facilities and resumption of construction work from May 18th onwards while adhering to the guidelines. This is ideally suited to the refurbishment of the Community Centre which is due to commence shortly. Also, there are some other associated works and maintenance which are necessary and can be considered at this time. Facility management is vital and time on preparation and readiness for the recommencement of training and playing will benefit all. 

Assistance available from Castlelyons GAA.

Castlelyons GAA have a service available to assist as many members from the adult, juvenile and camogie sections have volunteered assistance to support parishioners who might be worried about leaving their house for: - Shopping pick up. Medication pick up. Any urgent matters. It is appreciated that the level of travel has risen to 5K but with social distancing and vulnerability still an issue if you need some assistance do not hesitate to contact any of those listed below and assistance will be arranged: -

Michael Barrett - 087 244 6597:

Trish Lawlor - 086 828 8285: 

Stacey Cronin - 087 637 2606:

Colm Barry - 086 238 1526: 

Pam McCarthy - 087 272 9002.

We do have over 25 volunteers available to assist overall and they all will do within the guidelines of HSE etiquette so do call if you require assistance.

Votes of Sympathy

Castlelyons GAA wish to express sincere condolences to the Geary family, Garrynoe on the death of Jimmy who passed away peacefully in the loving care of his family recently and to all his relatives in the area. Also, to the O Hara family, Glenrouske and Milward family, Mohera family on the sad loss of Emily O Hara who passed away peacefully in Marymount Hospice on Monday. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

Main Club Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group





Back to top