Castlelyons overcome Courcey Rovers and qualify for County Final.

Castlelyons 1-23 Courcey Rovers 1-17

Saturday was a beautiful and busy day in the Parish with first hold communion in the Church and the girls playing in a county camogie junior semi-final at home in Páirc an tAthair Peadar versus our neighbours Bride Rovers. So, despite the scarcity of tickets for PIHC semi-final versus Courcey Rovers in Páirc Uí Rinn I think there was no one left disappointed and even some left over.  No dressing rooms available due to Covid and we opted to get ready over at the far stand. The pitch in mighty order as always and Teddy O Donovan, a no-nonsense referee on the whistle.  Despite the scare attendance there was a fair atmosphere when the drum rolled for Amhrán na bhFiann as we had hope for Castlelyons but respect for Courcey Rovers.

We often started games better and Courceys read the tea leaves as they went for early blood. They had a few early points and when a short puck out was intercepted by Sean Twomey the Cork senior panellist, he made no mistake as he hit a low banger to the net to put a gap in the scoreline.  Incidentally, Twomey had to retire midway through the first half with an old injury and he was a loss to Courceys.  Early on Courceys were very strong on the ball especially in the half back line as they broke up play and picked up loose ball driving it into a strong full forward line who won primary possession. They were up 1-6 to 0-3 after seven minutes.  We rallied but they continued to lead 1-8 to 0-5 despite our inside forwards making good use of little possession.  However, our full back line of Jamie O Leary in the corner tied down Aidan O Donovan, Colm Barry began to command the air and ground majestically at full back and Tommy Carroll took full charge of the stand side corner.  

This left the Courceys goalie Stephen Nyhan with no option but to shorten his long puckouts and if he did our half backs of Leo Sexton, Niall O Leary and Colm O Neill thundered into the game and more ball became available to our forwards as they put over a few points. Tom Carroll bate his man out for a ball, picked up on the forty, ran at all in front of him to the next forty and clipped over a beauty of a gamechanger. They say you cannot train a horse with shouts and expect it to obey a whisper well Tommy was roared on his way by the small crowd and this score even lifted Castlelyons people in Australia.  Then James Kearney fought hard for a long ball in and Anthony Spillane latched on to it with style, turned his man, and banged in a mighty goal to put us back in the game.  In fact, Anthony was in tough luck again as he hit both the upright and crossbar with the one shot.  All the forwards were doing well as James Kearney Michael Spillane, Alan Fenton all scored.  Barry Murphy was now really on his game put over two massive points from the Boreenmanna roadside and this put us 1-12 to 1-10 ahead at half time.

Courceys started the second half well and levelled the game with a score from play and a free. In a few minutes of savage pressure, they went for a goal but again our backs done really well and gradually we got on top all over as a hard-working Keith O Leary and Eoin Maye took over midfield.  Jack Barry began to find his men with his puckouts, as Colm Spillane fielded some massive ball and passed well.  Again, James Kearney was outstanding and will surely remember his two assists to Colm Spillane for two points as all the forwards fought hard.  Anthony Spillane, in particular, was just outstanding as he won anything put in his direction and, of course ended the game with 1-6 from play.  We were well worth our win of 1-23 to 1-17 in a game that everyone made a massive contribution to a mighty team victory including Leo Doocey and Bryan Carroll who were introduced later in the game.

Just to note that every one of the forwards scored plus one of the midfielders and the other man put in some game while the backs really came into the game to choke the opposition to well done lads and to their officials of Ciarán McGann, Manager, Johnny Crowley, Coach, Selectors, Peter Murphy, Sean Kenny, Johnny Crowley, and Ciarán McGann. Brendan Hoare, Stats. John Healy Physio and Dr Paddy Burke who helped us also.  However, all to be played for as we now face Blarney who had a facile victory 4-20 to 1-12 over Carrigaline in the other semi-final on Saturday evening last. All roads to Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the County Final on Saturday 3^rd October at 7pm so more next week.

Team: - Jack Barry, Jamie O Leary, Colm Barry, Tom Carroll (0-1), Leo Sexton, Niall O Leary, Colm O Neill, Eoin Maye, Keith O Leary (0-2), Barry Murphy (0-2), Colm Spillane (0-3), Alan Fenton (0-3, 0-2 frees), James Kearney (0-1), Anthony Spillane (1-6) and, Michael Spillane (0-5, 0-2 frees). Subs: Dave Kenny, Leon Doocey, Ronan Fenton, Darren Tobin, Brian O Donovan, Bryan Carroll, Conor McCarthy, Liam Moroney, Ronan Bransfield. Extended Panel: - Cian O Flynn, Alan O Regan, Richard Morrison, John P Murphy, Coran Lawlor, Peter Roche, Shane Flynn, Shane Fenton, Declan Morrison, Seamus Morrison, Shane Cotter, Christopher Cotter, Eoin Barry, and John Healy. Injured Players: - David Morrison, Cian O Leary, Ronan O Regan

Castlelyons Ladies qualify for County Final.

Castlelyons 3-12 Bride Rovers 1-10

The ladies made it a double for Castlelyons at the weekend as our Camogie team qualified for the County Junior B Final with a well-earned victory over Bride Rovers.  It certainly added to the excitement of the day. There were queries all around Páirc Uí Rinn about the ladies’ game back home in Pairc an tAthair Peadar as there was no Twitter, but word came fast and furious off the mobiles that Castlelyons were doing well.  The half time score was 2-9 to 0-5 with the goals coming from Leigh Hallihan and Jessie O Leary. Some broke from the traps a bit early in Cork and made part of the camogie game.  One call revealed that we were in a bit of trouble as Rovers were making a right come back. 

He was right as Rovers put 0-5 on the board in the second half before Castlelyons got their first score 0-1 from a free by Gráinne McCarthy.  Fair play to Castlelyons they drove on again with a few more scores including 1-0 by Jessie O Leary and 0-1 by Nollaig McCarthy to close out a fine win.  Again, a great team display as the more experienced players of Niamh Barry, Aibhín O Sullivan and Melissa O Sullivan blended in well with some the young stars like Gráinne McCarthy, Lucy McNulty, and Ava Hallihan. A feature of the game was the clinical accuracy of Gráinne McCarthy who scored 0-7 from frees.  Congratulations to all the girls and their management of Timmy McCarthy, Trevor Hickey and Sean Cotter, Mary McNulty, and Orla Hallihan Covid Officer.

Team: - Zoe Power, Áine Ní Mhaolán, Niamh Barry, Cáit McCarthy, Clodagh O’Flynn, Melissa O’Sullivan (0-1), Sarah Morrison, Lucy McNulty (0-1), Eva Hallihan, Aibhín O’Sullivan, Nollaig McCarthy 0-2, Leah Hallihan (1-1), Avril Beirne, Gráinne McCarthy, Jessie O Leary (2-0). Subs used: - Billy Shanahan, Anna Greaney, and Isabelle Fenton.

The Camogie county final will be played at Castle Road on Saturday 26^th September at 2pm against Inniscarra.  Inniscarra who defeated Cobh in the other semi-final have a strong traditional camogie club.  They are in the county senior final also as they defeated St Finbarrs last Saturday so we will be playing their second team, but they will be anxious to do the double and have a lot of players.  This is Castlelyons second year in their short history in a county final as they were beaten by Ballinora last year.  It is some complement to our trainers and the club in general that eight of the starting fifteen the last day were minors and seven of them are underage again for 2021.  As we can see the camogie are now fielding teams at all ages and it is paying dividends. All guns blazing for this final and we wish them well.  This will be an all ticket affair and they will be scarce due to Covid so get cracking and you might find a few along the line. We are told by every single one of the medical profession to get out in the fresh air as it is good for mind, body and prevention of the pandemic so no doubt we will find various ways to support yet another great team from Castlelyons on Saturday. Go n-eirí an t-ádh libh. Castlelyons Abú.

Camogie Fixtures

Monday 21.9.20 at 8pm in Castlelyons U13 Castlelyons v Dungourney. Wednesday 23.9.20 at 6pm in Ballynoe U12 Castlelyons v St Catherines. Date & Time TBA County Minor Semi Final in Youghal: Castlelyons v Youghal. Saturday 26.9.20 at 2pm in Castle Road Castlelyons v Inniscarra.

East Cork Oil Junior B Hurling Semi Final.

Castlelyons who defeated Aghada in the quarter final now meet Midleton in the semi- final of the East Cork Oil Junior B Hurling Championship.  This is now down for Monday 28th September, but the time and venue are not confirmed to date.  Midleton had a strong win over Killeagh at the weekend and will be tough.  We have a few injuries and are hoping that some of them will be available and if they are, we are in with a shout.

Best wishes to Ronan O Regan.

Best wishes to Ronan O Regan who is undergoing an operation this week on his knee and will be out of hurling for some time. The joys of the game as Ronan was having a great season until injury struck and is certainly missed off the Intermediate panel.  Ronan, we wish you the best and a speedy recovery.  

Castlelyons Weekly Lotto Draw Results.

This week’s Lotto Draw was held on Monday 31.8.20 in the Centre.  Numbers drawn were 3, 9, 14 and 28. There was no winner of the €20,000 Jackpot. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: -Robert O Sullivan, Gearoid Sheehan, Clare O Brien, Carmel Beecher, Pat Drislane, Eoin Barry, Donal O Connell, and Anne O Farrell. The next draw is Monday the 7.9.20 in the Community Centre. Thanks for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Cork County Board Rebel Bounty Draw.

The traditional Cork GAA Club’s draw is being replaced by a revamped ‘Rebels’ Bounty’.  This has been requested by clubs all over the county with some time as they deeded the old-style draw was gone stale.  So, a Sub-Committee of the Board led by Chairperson Tracey Kennedy and Runaí Kevin O Donovan have put a new style draw together which promises to help compensate clubs for lost revenue amid Covid-19 restrictions.  The County Board Cork GAA have outlined how a new-look draw will offer €500,000 in prizes to be shared across Cork.  

The board promises that the scheme is designed to ensure clubs get a fairer distribution of funding based on sales. The proposed new system is designed to maximise return to clubs and is part of the overall drive to raise revenue for reinvestment at local and county level. It will also give clubs an opportunity to generate funds at a time when traditional methods are restricted because of COVID-19.   There is a Webinar available describing the new draw in its entirety and those wishing to view it should contact our Club Secretary.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.