Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 25.5.20. 2020-05-28 20:21:00

The Castlelyons hurlers of 1993 bridge a 38-year gap.

Castlelyons returned to the big time when they defeated Killeagh 2-11 to 1-9 in the ‘Hill in 1993.  In doing so they bridged a 38-year gap as they last won the Jamesie Kelleher trophy back in 1955.  There were some good days in between including Junior B county titles in both football and hurling but this was the holy grail. The planning early in the year was meticulous with Ger Barry in the Chair, Tom Joe O Riordan was secretary, and his son Willie on the cash.  Patsy McCarthy and Maurice Carroll were selectors with Colm Murphy over the footballers and trainer to the hurlers.  We did not have a coach but like good chairmen do Ger Barry came up with a coach from Lismore Donie Coughlan. Donie had a hurling aura about him, he knew and talked the game well, he had a great personality and to make it better he was originally from the locality.  So, with the background work done early in 1993 we were ready for road.

We started early with fitness training for both the hurling and football under the experienced Colm Murphy a former Nemo Rangers man who had several accolades including an All-Ireland senior club medal. Then another buzz of excitement hit the place as John Quirke of Ballyduff and Waterford and now residing in Castlelyons joined the club. Our first round was against St Catherines second string in Rathcormac.  We won that one 3-15 to 2-3.  So, it was on to Killeagh for the semi final versus a very fancied Castlemartyr side and hurled above ourselves.  We led into the last minute and Castlemartyr were awarded a penalty and with three in the goal they had a chance to put us out but elected to put it over the bar and make a draw of it.  We were now the form team and won the replay well.

There is something special about an East Cork final, sure there are nearly as many clubs as Clare in the place, the prize is the prestigious Jamsey Kelleher Cup bought by the Board in 1947 and the standard of hurling is top class. The build up to the 1993 was mighty with buntings in both villages and a famous poster doing the rounds Castlelyons for the milk and Killeagh for the hurling.  In fairness Killeagh had the big players and were raging favourites but our lads had two great games against Castlemartyr, a good backroom team, a nice blend of youth. 

An Electric Final    

The final was on Sunday 29th August and hitting up the road there was a feel-good factor with tropical weather and the smell of new mown hay around a pristine Watergrasshill venue.  We even took centre stage in the match programme as Ger lane, vice chairman at the time, profiled our famous juvenile secretary and East Cork Board representative Dave Hegarty.  We had our own band, the Castlelyons Pipe Band and when they rolled the drum for Amhrán na bhFiann the atmosphere was electric as the huge crowd gave it a lash too.  Referee John Motherway threw in the ball and Castlelyons were on fire.  They bate back a few early Killeagh attacks and Syl McAuliffe delivered in a good ball towards John Quirke who was already causing endless problems at full forward.  Quirke got a right belt of a shoulder but as he was falling, he showed his county class with a lovely double on the sliotar that gave Alan Budds no chance in goal. We added a few points and then Barry Fitzgerald pulled on a ground ball to put us 2-3 to 0-0 after eleven minutes. Killeagh hit back and had a few fine scores leaving the score at the short whistle Castlelyons 2-5 Killeagh 0-5.

The roof of the Killeagh dressing room nearly came off at half time. They made a few positional changes and burst out the door with the wind to their backs.  Castlelyons did get the first pint but Killeagh had waves of pressure and finally Andy Leahy banged in a goal to leave 0-4 in it and game on. Our backs were under savage pressure, but the full back line of Ger McCarthy Anthony O Regan and Ned Kearney were not for turning. Killeagh had us pinned in our own half a lot and put over 0-3 with two of them coming from a young Mark Landers.  We held firm with some massive individual battles and mighty hurling as the game ebbed and flowed. Donal Sheehan came on in the 55th minute and this proved a master decision.  His first touch was inches wide and then he combined well with Padraig O Brien for 0-1.  There was a welter of excitement and even the umpire, got a slap of a sliotar in the nose.  There was a free given to Castlelyons beyond the halfway line and after a bit of strong talk between a Killeagh player and the referee the sliotar was moved on ten yards and we got a score out of it. The referee, John Motherway, recalls as the sliotar was on its way over he heard an unmerciful belt on the big drum by Sonny O Brien of the Pipe Band on the halfway and the Castlelyons crowd went ecstatic.  Donal Sheehan and Barry Fitzgerald banged over two more and we led by four at the final whistle to bridge a 35-year gap.

That eminent sportswriter John Horgan of the Evening Echo wrote on the Monday evening that from Aidan Barry in goals to top of the left Sylvester McAuliffe the will to win was etched across every sweat soaked brow.  He went on to say that Barry was supreme in goals, fullback Anthony O Regan was never found wanting, Mick Spillane, a great servant to this proud club was a monarch over all he survey in the No 6 shirt while Padraig O Brien was a great captain and the troops responded.  Horgan then said that singling out individuals in this team may be unfair as every man played his part on a day that will live forever in these proud people’s hearts.

There was a massive evening when the team returned to Castlelyons and Bridesbridge. The man of the match award was presented on a highly celebratory Monday afternoon up in Watergrasshill to our goalie Aidan Barry. We went on to play and draw with Courcey Rovers in the first round of the county and lost the replay narrowly. The sense of camaraderie and euphoria in the community built a culture that would drive the club to even greater success in later years. So well done to the players and management of 1993 you gave us great days.

Team and Panel: Aidan Barry, Gerald McCarthy, Anthony O Regan, Ned Kearney, Declan Spillane Mick Spillane, William O Riordan, Sean Cotter, Paul Cashman, Peter Randles (0-1), Con Murphy, Padraig O Brien (Capt)(0-3), Barry Fitzgerald (1-3), John Quirke (1-1), Sylvester McAuliffe (0-1). Subs: Donal Sheehan (0-2), Ger O Regan, Kevin Cotter, Mark O Flynn, Joe Hartnett, Paul O Sullivan, Shane O Neill, William McAuliffe, and Pat Sweeney.

Since that great summer Ger Barry, Tom Joe O Riordan, Donie Coughlan and John Quirke have gone to their eternal reward. All supreme hurling men and no doubt they are looking down on us these times. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-ainmeacha.

A boost for the rural village.

Great to see a good news story so congratulations to Bart and Helen Arnold, Bartlemy, as their company IRIS has won a major TV contract to provide coverage from Irish racecourses. This contract is a major deal and will enhance racing coverage and viewing including the use of tracking cameras in some courses and possible use of drone cameras.  There will be extra facilities in Stewards rooms additional cameras at racecourses will assist in a best in class integrity service. IRIS is a sister company their other sports one TVM that provides major coverage of our GAA games.  The ongoing developments of such business is a major boost for life in rural Ireland.  Beir bua.

Loosening the Rules.

The Covid-19 rules are slightly relaxed, and the news is good.  People are advised to keep obeying the simple rules issued by the Government and HSE.  Hopefully, this terrible pandemic can be controlled and there will be further relaxations on the next review date. Tabhair Aire.

Main Club Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group




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