Return to play for Adults.

We are all delighted with the return of widespread sport in the country.  Castlelyons adults are now back training on Tuesday 11.6.21 in groups of up to 15 even ahead of the summer months.  Of course, our juveniles came back on the 26.4.21.  Better still matches are back on Monday 2.6.21 but spectators are not permitted to attend.  Memories of last year flood back to games where up to 200 spectators were allowed and that was tough.  I have no doubt there will be some interesting scenarios from roadside, the field alongside, the digger or the top of the van but please be careful.  So, we will have some club competitions in early June and if the senior county teams are eliminated from intercounty competitions the county championships will start sooner rather than later.  From a Cork perspective we hope the Rebels will see the session out to the All-Ireland final.

Traffic care and Covid advice in and about the playing fields.

All adult and underage groups are back training in the pitches again.  All age groups have been assigned specific times by Covid Officer Helen Hussey.  There will be a lot of traffic and pedestrians in the carparks in the evenings and Saturdays. Accordingly, all are asked to take extreme care when driving or standing about the place particularly when dropping and collecting the juveniles to and from training. Should you have to stay at the pitch please wear a mask, observe social distancing, and use hand sanitising.

Presently on Fridays and Saturdays there are beautiful coffee and cake stalls in the village on Saturdays and I believe a fish & chip stall on Fridays.  No doubt young and old alike are enjoying these lovely treats and there is a great buzz to the village.  Again, just a bit of advice on taking care amid heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic exiting and about our pitches.  All road users please be cautious, observe the basics of road safety, drive within the speed limits and put away the mobiles and ensure strict child supervision. Your cooperation is vital in staying safe and having a great time. Enjoy.

Castlelyons intermediate hurlers play League Cup hurling during 2021.  

Castlelyons intermediate hurlers will feature in Cork League Cup competitions which are replace the Club Leagues for 2021, with football and hurling played on alternate weekends from June 7th and June 13th, respectively. The League Cup competition grades are based mainly on two groups of four. with the top two in each group qualifying for the semi-final stage. These competitions will have no impact on league grading for 2022, which will instead revert to 2020 positions. Groups for the league cups were based on previous league positions, with modifications added to avoid clubs meeting in both league and championship.

Castlelyons are in Group 4 which has a total of eight teams.  They are split into A and B with the top team in A playing runner Up in B and vice versa in the semi-finals and are as follows:  Bandon, Youghal, Watergrasshill, Ballincollig are in 4A with Fermoy, Carrigaline, Castlelyons, Mayfield in 4B.  Castlelyons are nestling in a section of highly rated teams.  Every game has its own individuality with Fermoy a top senior outfit, Carrigaline serious contenders for the PIH Championship this year and Mayfield former All Ireland JH champions, 2017 and serious IH contenders.  The first game in the series is down for Sunday 13^th June and that’s not far away but it will be behind closed doors.  

East Cork Board to align fixture programme with County Board Fixtures. 

Now that the draft County Board master programme is published the East Cork Board will examine all the options. They will interlink their own fixtures to compliment that programme.  Castlelyons have entered a football team in the championship this year plus Junior B hurling and for the first time a Junior C hurling team.  Three adult hurling hurling teams and a football team is mighty for a small club like Castlelyons but a heavy workload.   So now is the time ensure the plans of winter meetings are activated and get cracking in what should be an enjoyable year for all.  

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto valuable again as Jackpot now €12,400. 

Last week’s draw took place on Tuesday 4.5.21 due to Bank Holiday Monday and the numbers drawn were 3, 6, 8 and 22. There was no winner of the Jackpot. There were eight "Lucky Dip" winners of €20 each as follows: - Barry Fitzgerald, Johnathan Quirke, Marian Galligan, Andrea Quirke, Dave and Clodagh, Diane Hartnett, Billy O Sullivan, and Carmel Ryan.

This week’s draw was held Monday 10.5.21 and the numbers drawn were 1, 11, 20 and 32. There was no winner, and the Jackpot is now at €12,400. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Michael Barrett, Emily Sexton, James Tobin, Des O’Keeffe, Deirdre Shinnick, Nora McCarthy, David Cremin, and Nora Connolly.  The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media.  The next draw is Monday 17.5.21 at the Centre. Thanks so much for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto, ONLINE or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Confident win for the Rebel over the Déise.

They say a wet and windy May fills the barn with corn and hay. Well, it was wet and windy early on Sunday as Cork hurlers returned to action against Waterford in the Allianz hurling League in a splendid Páirc Uí Chaoimh. There was an air of freshness all about the Stadium with new members on the team, panel, and backroom staff. They took the field wearing a fabulous new blood red jersey with the famous Sports Direct logo looked great too.  They matched this freshness with a powerful display against a good Waterford side and bagged five goals into the bargain. The big talking point after the game was that the Rebels did not put five shots through the barn door like that for a while. 

Delighted to see our own Castlelyons man Niall O Leary have a top game at corner back.  The backroom team looks good too as former top coach Donal O’Grady is on board, Marc Brady, their strength, and conditioning coach has the lads in great order, and they look to have a lot of work done.  They showed great commitment in winning so many little battles that mattered big scoreboard.  It may be a bit too soon to speak but the future looks great, and the Rebels could reap the benefits of a crop of strong committed hurlers and fill the trophy room before the year is out.

Imokilly to field teams in the senior hurling and football championships this year.

The Divisions / Colleges section of the PSFC and PSHC will be completed along last year's lines.   Imokilly recent three in a row SHC champions but missing out in 2020 will have a bye to the semi-finals of the Colleges / Divisions Section of the PSHC along with CIT and UCC in 2021. There may be a play off for other Divisions depending on entries.  In the football Duhallow, CIT and UCC are straight into the semi - finals of the Colleges / Divisions Section of the PSFC.

Imokilly are fielding a football side this year after an absence of a few years and will join the remaining Divisional teams in a play-off arrangement, with games taking place on Wednesday, July 14th and Wednesday, July 21st. All Divisional teams that have entered the Round Robin stage agreed previously to line out without County players if necessary. All divisions / colleges are hereby requested to confirm entries by next Monday, May 17th.

Ensure Mouthguards for football and official Hurling Helmets for training and games.

Great for all as its return to play and the pitches are filling up again.  No doubt Santa came, and with young and old getting some gear and equipment.  Just a few notes on especially important items for players safety the mouthguards and helmets. In football players must wear a mouthguard in training and games.  They can be sent-off in a game for not wearing a mouthguard and it is the responsibility of each individual player to wear it.  A properly fitted mouthguard is the best available protective device for reducing the incidence and severity of sports-related dental injuries. Players will not be covered under the GAA player injury scheme if they don’t comply with the mouthguard rule.

In hurling all players at all levels in training and games it is mandatory for, and the responsibility of, each individual player to wear a helmet with a facial guard that meets the standards set out in IS:355 or other replacement standard as determined by the National Safety Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Again, players are advised that in the event of a head injury occurring, if the helmet being worn does not meet the standard or is modified or altered from the original manufactured state, they are not covered under the terms of the GAA Player Injury Fund. Once the helmet or faceguard is modified in anyway, the player is playing at an increased risk of injury and not covered under the terms of the GAA Player Injury Benefit Fund.

Replacing Ball Stop Nets in Páirc O Laoighaire.

At our last meeting it was decided to replace the Ball Stop Nets at both ends of the pitch.  In recent years, the current netting has taken a fair battering from wind and storms.  It is intended that the new netting will be stronger, have more stays and cover the same area.  However, like all materials in recent times the cost as risen and there is a delay in supply.  Hopefully, the job will be done withing the next six weeks.

Public Mass returns in Castlelyons Parish.

Mass has resumed in the Parish since Monday 10.5.21.  Please wear a mask and observe social distancing while attending.  The current Mass times in Castlelyons are 9.30am daily, Sundays in Castlelyons at 11.30am and on Sundays in Coolagown at 10am.  Thanks to our Parish priest Fr. Coleman who facilitated all with Mass on Facebook and YouTube during the pandemic and I believe this facility will continue for those unable to attend Mass.

Votes of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA wish to extend sincere sympathy to the O’Riordan family Watergrasshill on the sad passing of Tim O Riordan. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann PRO