Castlelyons GAA Notes week ended Monday 12.7.21.

Castlelyons Intermediate Hurlers qualify for League Cup Semi Final.

Castlelyons 2-21 Carrigaline 3-18.

Well Saturday was a great day of GAA.  Hitting on for the LIT Gaelic Grounds early for the Munster SFC between Cork and Limerick early on. There was little or no excitement with a crowd of over 3,000. The Cork backs outscored the Cork forwards in the first half and Limerick scored very little too in a serious defensive set up that would have kept Wembley Stadium sterile.  Cork came good in the end and will now play Kerry in the final.  Hitting on through Charleville for Carrigaline I thought about the very size of county Cork as I passed some famous clubs. Finding a car space was difficult in Carrigaline but thanks to an old friend he sorted me out. Carrigaline now the biggest town in Cork with a 16, 000 population boost a fine set up.  They have two fine pitches, full Astro turf pitch fine dressing rooms and social centre and I couldn’t but notice the partially open tent as some members availed of the libations.

Anyways the game was well on when I got there with the score 2-8 to 0-7 in favour of the home team.  I found it hard to make out the Castlelyons set up.  They appeared in a little disarray, and it was after the first half water break. Carrigaline fielding all their stars especially Kevin Cavanagh at centre back, Rob O’Shea in midfield and David Drake at full forward were driving into our lads.  The next thing they worked in another clever goal putting them 3-8 to 0-7 up and almost out of sight.   However, our lads came back as Dave Morrison struck a powerful ground shot to the net and both teams exchanged points. Thankfully, there was a difference between the referee and the scoreboard at half time but the man that mattered said it was 3-10 to 1-10 in favour of Carrigaline.

I wondered when I saw Colm Barry and Mike Spillane in tracksuits during the half time interlude and thought my God further injuries.  However, Mike did not start, and Colm saw stars during the game and had to come off.  The reason being both had the vaccine jab earlier and although Tom Carroll had it a little earlier, he was in fine shape all through.  However, Castlelyons reorganised and meant business in the second half.  Alan Fenton and Eoin Maye began to pick up the pace of the game at midfield and got on top as Anthony Spillane putting over 0-2, Dave Morrison 0-1, Alan Fenton 0-1 but Carrig kept their side going too.  Our backs were excellent under pressure as Colm O’Neill continued his good form and both Conor McCarthy and Liam Moring little pass on the wings and fought hard. 

Colm Spillane, on stage for the first time since the county final last year, had moved back to centre back for the second half as Colm Barry had gone off.  He put in a powerful half hour showing he is recovering to his best as he defended massive and put over three points from play.  We were five points behind at the last water break but really in it. Both teams resumed giving it all as the pace and quality of hurling rose the crowd.  Barry Murphy came in and like his namesake in Donegal he had a sore hammy but made an immediate impact on the game as himself and Morrison had points.  We had a few wides and Carrigaline pressed with scores.  However, a good clearance was picked up by Anto Spillane he ran at them parting with style to Morrison and he rocketed to the net put us up a point.  Not to be outdone Carrigaline struck back and equalised with a point deep in injury time leaving the final score 3-18 to 2-21. 

All our younger players Leo Doocey James Kearney and Conor McCarthy and Dave Morrison did really well, including young Colm McCarthy who scored a point and had some blocks and winning ball during his time on the pitch which augurs well for the future.  The draw was good enough to qualify us for the semi final of the League Cup so well-done lads. The referee Liam O’Riordan was confident and strong in his decisions, and he contributed to a most exciting game where two teams went all out.    

Panel: Jack Barry, Jamie O Leary, Tom Carroll, Colm O’Neill, Shane Moroney, Colm Barry (0-1), Conor McCarthy, James Kearney, Eoin Maye (0-1), Leon Doocey (0-2), Colm Spillane (0-3), Alan Fenton (0-3), Colm McCarthy (0-1), Dave Morrison (2-2), Anthony Spillane (0-6), Shane O’Sullivan, Barry Murphy (0-2), Darren Tobin, Brian O’Donovan, Dara Spillane, Liam Moroney, John Healy, Alan O’Regan, J P Murphy, Gavin O’Neill, and Leo Sexton (inj). 

Spinathon & Funathon Castlelyons 2021

The weekend 6^, 7 & 8^th August should be a lively one in Castlelyons.  For all the over 16s it is on the bike for fun and sweat and for all the under 16s there will be a Funathon at all games and training over the weekend.  The Spinathon will be taking place outside the Community Centre while the Funathon will be arranged by the managers of all teams, adult, juvenile & Camogie.  There will be entertainment, prizes, and sponsorship cards.  This is being organised by the GAA, adult & juvenile, the Camogie Club, and the Community Centre Committee.  Michael Barrett, John McCarthy, Kieran Barrett of the GAA Club, Pamela McCarthy, Michelle Fenton of the Community Centre, plus John Coleman and Helen Hussey of the Camogie have a group together and are making all the arrangements. We will have more details closer to the weekend.

Under 12s come up short against Bride Rovers. 

Bride Rovers 2-09 Castlelyons 3-04.

Our Under 12s hit for Páirc na Bríde last week to take on the Rovers with the weather and pitch ideal for hurling.  Sean Crowley was on the whistle and did a good job, he did a great job and let the game flow.  We lined out down a few players due to injury but put in a massive effort. We were under pressure early on but after the first water break, we started to come more into the game and finished strong as Ronan Hickey scored a goal.  The Rovers led 1-6 to 1-1 at the short whistle. 

We started the second half as we finished the first half and put a lot of pressure on the tackle and started to play more free flowing hurling. Cionnaith Cotter in goals had a great game and was finding the lads well with his puck outs.  Ian O Riordan finished off a great goal and Thomas McAuliffe latched on to a long ball from Liam O’Riordan to finish to the net and we were well in the game.  Indeed, all the players, including the under 11s put in a massive effort and Rian Lenehan who has been flying all year popped up with an excellent point to bring us to within a point with a few minutes to go. Despite a few goal-mouth scrambles Rover held on for a two-point win.  The Under 12s have a break now for a few weeks and are due to play Carrigtwohill and Kiltha Óg in our two remaining league games.

Team: Cionnaith Cotter, Cathal O Keeffe, Liam O Riordan, Adam Collins, Ronan Hickey, Ben Leahy, Tomas McAuliffe, Sean Myers, Ian O’Riordan, Jude Hallihan, Rian Lenehan, Rory Lardner, Cian Leahy, and Calum Sice.

Under 13 Hurlers topping their League.

The Under 13 hurlers are showing good form with two strong wins over a weak Mayfield side, home and away, who had just four players on the age. While I don’t have a report on them, I see that Castlelyons are leading their league section division 5 East presently with six points from three games followed by Shamrocks on the same points, St Colmcilles, Mayfield, St Vincents and Brian Dillons are trailing down the field.   Well done to the players and mentors.

Camogie Notes 

Our U8s hosted Watergrasshill last Saturday morning and gave another great performance. The girls are getting stronger every week which is great to see. Keep it going girls.  Our U10s played Sarsfields at home last Saturday in some competitive games. All their hard work in training is paying off with the girls showing great skills and teamwork. Well done girls. Our U16s had two good wins against Fermoy in a challenge match and against Douglas in the league. Well done girls as the standard and quality of our camogie at underage level continues to improve.

Our Junior C Team won their league match against Carrigtwohill last week. Sarah Kate Reals, Lily Boyd & Mona Hallihan who made their junior debut in that match and done very well. Our Junior As have played Banteer & Sarsfields in recent weeks and are busy preparing for more matches to be played in the coming weeks.  All in all, busy times.

Congratulations to Cork Under 20 Team – 2020 All Ireland Hurling Champions.

A well-prepared Cork outfit and so eager on the field started well and finished well to defeat Dublin in this high-octane encounter in Kilkenny on Saturday.  This was a most important win for the Rebels and as the year is young yet sure it could set off a winning streak of a few more cups.  Congrats to all the lads and mentors especially to our neighbours from Bride Rovers the Roche brothers Eoin and Brian and to Eoin Davis of St Catherines. Rebels Abú.

Special Training in main Pitch on Tuesday Evenings. 

A group of little All Stars are going very well and now have the lovely name of “Friends of Dean and Padraig”.  They train in our pitch each Tuesday evening from 5pm to 6pm have great fun and games and recently received some new equipment.  The Friends of Dean and Padraig care for children with special / additional needs while the parents are present.  However, some assistance with training is required to deal with the numbers.  Would it be possible for members of the adult, camogie, and juvenile club to help on the Tuesday evening for the hour? If there were a few names it may be just twice in the month as there will be a rota of assistance and it is so rewarding.  If you are available, could you text Cathriona Barry at 0834864577 please.

Cúl Eile Summer Camp will be held in Castlelyons.

Cúl Eile, a pilot camp organised for children with / special additional needs, will be held by Castlelyons GAA for three days from 27^th to 29^th July inclusive.  The cost is €30, and this is only to cover the Gear.  As with the typical Cúl Camp, activities include football, hurling, and other fun time-outs.  Cúl Eile is relatively new.  It was held in Wexford, Clonakilty and Midleton in 2020.  In those camps they saw children who hadn't previously enjoyed sport flourish, learning one or more strengths, and above all had lots of fun and laughter.

Simon Barry of the juvenile club is putting in huge work in the arrangements and they are going very well but folks he needs assistance from club members to facilitate the Camp. So, a special appeal for your help and if you could contact 0834864577 this week it would be appreciated and rewarding.  There is a little basic training required but only takes minimum online time.  Thanks to Sean Crowley, who covers Cork City and East as Games Development Officer, for his guidance, advice, and support and to Kevin O’Callaghan Cork GAA Games Manager who granted the Camp. 

Ensure special precautions due COVID and the Delta Variant.

Covid and the Delta variant is strong in communities and can cause havoc as it is more transmissible, can cause severe illness and at times vaccines don’t work well against it. Recently there were serious disruptions in sports with players unavailable in both club and county teams so great care and application of all possible prevention is necessary. Stay safe by taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. Check all local advice where you live and work. Do it all!  Stay safe as the country strives to deal with the current scene and endeavours to provide vaccination of the entire population. 

Please, avoid the 3Cs: - Closed spaces, Crowded Spaces, Close contact. 

Fixtures

Junior JAFC: Castlelyons v Carrigtwohill, Venue TBA Saturday 17.5.21 @7pm.

Rebel Óg Fixtures.

• Fé 13 Football League Castlelyons v Killeagh in Castlelyons Wed 14.7.21 @ 7pm.
• Fé 18 Football Ballycastle Gaels v Castlelyons Ballyhooly Wed 14.7.21 Sat 10.7.21 @12md.
• Fé 13 Football League Castlelyons v Mayfield in Castlelyons Friday 16.7.21 @ 7pm.
• Fé 15 Football Ch Castlelyons v St Vincents Sat 17.7.21 @ 2.30pm.
• Fé 14 Hurling League Castlelyons v Bride Rovers Wed 21.7.21 @ 7pm.
• Fé 18 Hurling League Castlelyons v Kilara Óg Castlelyons Wed 21.7.21 @ 7pm

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.