Castlelyons Intermediate Hurlers play Ballincollig in Red FM League Cup Final.

Castlelyons play Ballincollig in the Red FM League Cup Division 4 Final at Riverstown this Saturday evening 7.8.21 at 5pm.  Our team came through their group as runners up and defeated Watergrasshill in the semi-final. This is serious stuff for Castlelyons as they now face Ballincollig also a premier intermediate outfit with great ambitions to go senior.  The men from the Muskerry Division defeated a strong Fermoy outfit, who are senior status these times, by 2-13 to 0-16 in the other semi-final.  We will be without our county men Niall O’Leary and Colm Spillane but surely this is an opportunity for others to put the paw up for a starting place in the championship.  

We played Éire Óg on Sunday morning in a good workout as they were fine tuning for their county intermediate final versus Aghabullogue this coming weekend.  Although a grade below us they were moving well and won with a bit to spare.  Again, we were down a few through injuries and county duties.  Good to see Mike Spillane was back to form on the frees as he had 0-7 plus 0-1 from play, with Alan Fenton 0-5, Dave Morrison o-4, Colm McCarthy 0-2, and Oscar Hallihan 0-1. Castlelyons are fine hurlers playing a nice game but often fail to breast the tape as winners on final day.  I remember the roar of a legend who trained us some years ago and that was toughen up lads.  So, Saturday evening is an ideal opportunity for the team to toughen up and stay the distance because Ballincollig are a test for any team.  Best of luck lads.  Castlelyons Abú.

Castlelyons make a gallant bid for first ever County Junior A Camogie title.

Ballinora 4-8 Castlelyons 2-7

No doubt it Castlelyons Camogie is really on the way up.  The girls won the Junior B Championship last year and made it all the way to the Junior A Final this year having defeated Charleville in the semi Final. They played a more experienced Ballinora team in the final in Castle Road on Monday evening.  Ballinora ran up an early lead of 1-2 to 0-0 but we really came into the game as Gráinne McCarthy scored 1-3 but Ballinora managed another 1-1.  Then Jesse O Leary scored a great goal for Castlelyons to leave it all square at half time and there for the taking at 2-3 apiece. We started the second half well as Ava Hallihan scored 0-1 but Ballinora applied a lot of pressure and lead 3-7 to 2-5 with just under ten minutes left.  There was a fierce battle for a while and Melissa O Sullivan pulled a few great saves to keep our girls in the game.  Then with time ticking away just four points separated the teams Ballinora got the vital goal in injury time to take the laurels.  This is a noticeably young panel and with recent minor success I have no doubt that Castlelyons girls will be back stronger than ever in 2022. Well done to all the panel and mentors Timmy McCarthy, Trevor Hickey and Sean Cotter.

Panel: Melissa O Sullivan, Rachel Murphy, Niamh Barry, Cait McCarthy, Clodagh O Flynn, Áine Ní Mhaoláin Ní Chatháin, Isobel Fenton, Billie Shanahan, Aibhín O Sullivan, Avril Beirne, Grainne McCarthy, Anna Greaney, Jesse O Leary, Niamh Coleman, Abbe Quirke, Nodhlaig McCarthy, Megan McNulty, Ava Hallihan, Lucy McNulty, Leah Hallihan, Ciara Morrison, Michelle Hartnett.

Footballers bow out of Junior A championship. 

Castlemartyr 3-13 Castlelyons 1-6.

This last game of our round robin Junior A Football championship in a dead rubber outing for both for both teams.  The only reason it was fulfilled was to prevent fines for not playing all games.  However, we were treated to a good game in a splendid pitch in Dungourney and well refereed by Michael Walsh of St Catherines.  Castlemartyr started well and scored a fortuitous goal, but we came back well and a goal before the water break by Jamie O’Leary left it 1-5 to 1-3.  We missed a few easy frees but were still in the game at half time and had a great ten minutes of the second half through some powerful play from Tom Carroll.  However, Castlemartyr finished the stronger as Castlelyons rotated players giving all the panel a game.  Castlelyons played all league games and the three games in the round robin championship.  Thanks to those who turned out for the games and to the mentors Ciarán McGann, Peter Murphy and Sean Kenny who took on the football with the hurling this year.  There is no doubt that football compliments hurling, and there could be more interest in the game.  We have seen so many clubs do well in both codes, and it suits when one is a lesser grade.  When one must ply their trade with the hands rather than the assistance of a stick it helps the toughening up process for hurling strength and fitness.  As I said before all chat for a winter’s night.     

Team: S Hickey, L Moroney, E Barry, D Geary, E Maye, D Morrison, J O Leary, S   Moroney, P Varner, L Doocey, G O’Keeney, B O’Donovan, R Morrison, I Ryan, P Roche, D Spillane, W Daly, S Casey, T Carroll, and C O’Neill.  

2020 Imokilly Camogie U15 League Final. 

Castlelyons 8-7 Bride Rovers 1-18.

Last Sunday Castlelyons hosted and won the delayed 2020 Imokilly U15 league final between us and Bride Rovers. Both teams were up for the battle. The Rovers opened the match with a goal, but Castlelyons soon responded with a goal to tie the game. Bride Rovers had put up another few points on the board before Castlelyons put their gears in motion and really started to open the Rovers defence. From early in the first half the forwards were working hard to get their goals and pull ahead from Bride Rovers, Bride Rovers replied by scoring points to narrow the gap between the two teams. There was little in it at half time as Castlelyons led 5-2 to 1-12.

Both gave it everything in the second half and there were some great passages of play.  They say goals win games and Castlelyons bagged three more in the second half to more than match some great point scoring from the Rovers.  Indeed, typical of the Rovers fighting spirit they never gave up and we were lucky to hold out.  It was an amazing performance overall from our girls as the final score was 8-7 to 1-18.  Congrats to the girls and their mentors as the Camogie Club goes from strength to strength.  Our own Ger McCarthy now an officer with Imokilly Camogie presented the cup to the Castlelyons captain Lily Boyd.

Team: Angel Moran, Sarah Hussey, Lily Boyd, Saoirse McAuliffe, Ella Quirke, Mona Hallihan, Emily Murphy, Sarah Kate Reals, Chloe O’Riordan, Eavan Cotter, Ciara Morrisson, Michaela Griffin, Aine Casey, Robyn Hickey, Lillie Barry. Subs: Phoebe Hallihan, Katie Rice, Sive Hallihan, Amy Verling

Castlelyons men and Rebels set for Semi Final in Croke Park.

The attendance at Croke Park for the all-Ireland semi-finals is now upped to 24,000.  It is a long way off the capacity 80,000 but it is going in the right direction.  The appetite is there among all supporters of the eight teams in both semi-final grades and tickets will be like gold dust.  The Rebels are flying and take on Kilkenny.  Our own Club are getting 48 tickets and as we have two members on the panel the families will surely get a few as well.  Generally, the Cork drive and spirit is back as epitomized by Tim O’Mahony’s great goal the last day.  Our own man Niall O’Leary had a massive game against Dublin even popping over a point from corner back.  Colm Spillane is getting back to full fitness and his form is returning too and his recent time as substitute will do his confidence the world of good.  This is a great honour for our Club to have two men on the Cork Panel and, of course for the lads themselves and their families. Both teams are evens with the bookies but if the Rebels repeat their Corkiness and spirit, they should take Kilkenny on Sunday.  

Waterford have shown great drive and spirit too as they held off a gallant Tipperary side in a cracker of a game in the Páirc.  Since Liam Cahill took over, they have accounted for nearly all the big names in championship hurling in the last two years with Limerick remaining the ultimate test. Even though Limerick are raging favourites with the bookies don’t write off the Déise.  We look forward to another great weekend of hurling and the best of luck to the Rebels and especially our own men Niall and Colm.

Congrats to our Rebels Bounty Winners Martina Quirke and Colman O’Connell.

Congratulations to our latest Cork GAA Rebels Bounty Draw winners.  Martin Quirke has won €3,000 and Colman O’ Connell won €250 in the recent July Draw.  This Draw was revamped for 2021 and while there was some talk about club quotas and queries on the proposal.   It was fine-tuned and has been a resounding success.  The Castlelyons club have been lucky to date in pulling a good number of prizes.  There are still five months left and with the top prize €20,000 plus 29 others each month and a whopping €100,000 first Prize for December. So, all our Castlelyons members in the Draw are still hurling for big cash.  Thanks for your support and best of luck.

Great afternoon in Fr Ferris Park.

The Community Council organised a lovely afternoon of entertainment last Sunday in Fr Ferris Park.  Derek Burke of Crystal Swing with Anthony Cahill from Ballycotton was on the accordion.  They belted out many favourite sing alongs and even a set for the dancers. Of course, the splendour of this park, with its parking, playground, walkway, seating, and historic sites shone through in a lovely day and led to positive comment from visitors.  

The aroma of the freshly brewed coffee on site by Coffee Beo was indulging too.  They say coffee with a friend is like happiness in a cup. Pat O’Neill and the lads were joking about Clare losing out to Cork and Niall O Leary, starring with the Rebels this year was brewing the good stuff in the corner like he does at corner back.  He was assured it is the Rebels for the Cup, and we are all behind you Niall.  Well done to the organisers and to Derek and company for a great evening.  The local support could be a little better on the day.  As it says in the song, they will be days like this and don’t fret as the venue suits and hopefully normality will come back soon.

Junior C Hurlers Defeat Bride Rovers.

Bride Rovers 2-7 Castlelyons 3-13.

Fielding a third hurling team this year our Junior C lads had a convincing win over Bride Rovers.  This is something rare in games with the Rovers these times so well done to all who were well tested on a wet and windy evening.  We got on top early and held out over the hour with the goals coming from Dara Spillane, Colm McCarthy, and Ian Ryan.  Colm McCarthy and Ciarán McGann were accurate from frees also. However, John Healy who had scored a monster point from half back received an unfortunate injury which required hospital and surgery.  John is on the mend again and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Panel: G O Neill, D Geary, E Barry, M Geary, J Healy, S Casey, P Varner, O Hallihan, C McCarthy, A O’Regan, D Spillane, M Griffin, Ian O’Sullivan, C McGann, D Beausang, G O’Keeney, M Murphy, B Hoare, and I Ryan.

Our Under 13s going well in hurling and football. 

Rebel Óg broke the 2021 season U13 league into two phases. The reason for this is that often at U13 and U12 level, teams can end up in groups where the opposition are either too strong or too weak and thus not benefiting either team. The first phase consisted of 3 matches in both hurling and football. Depending on the results of these matches Rebel Óg would then create new league groupings with the aim of providing more meaningful games to all.  In Phase One hurling and football, Castlelyons played Dillions, Mayfield, Sliabh Rua and St. Colmcilles. We won all our matches and for Phase Two we have been put in stronger group in both football and hurling. In football we will play St. Catherines, Bride Rovers and Kildorrery. In hurling we will be playing Bride Rovers, Fermoy and Killavullen.

Castlelyons started phase 2 of the league last Saturday with a home football match against St. Catherines. Catherines were a far stronger team than any we had meet this year and from the throw in we struggled to keep with them. Our best players on the day were our goal keepers Ryan Stack and Ciaran Murphy, which tells the pressure we were under. In fairness to our boys, they kept going and competing but at the end Catherines ran out easy winners on a final score line of 0-3 to 2-15. Mentors Shane O’Neill and Damien Fleming are making a big effort with the lads and the panel drawn is from the 13 and 12 age group.

Panel: Eoin Corrigan, Darragh Fleming, Dylan Goulding, Sam Greaney, Shane Hallihan, Cian Hickey, Oran Hickey, Gearoid McCarthy, Aaron Murphy, Ciaran Murphy, John O’Neill, Alex Quirke, Cathal Shanahan, Ryan Stack, Khaled Abdelrazik, Eanna Cotter, Jude Hallihan, Ronan Hickey, Tomas McAuliffe, Sam McCarthy, Sean Myers, Liam O’Riordan. 

Last Calls for Spinathon Weekend.

Would you like to win an Apple Watch, a signed Cork senior hurling jersey, and numerous sports vouchers from Fitzgerald Hurley & O ‘Neill Sports.  All Funathon and Spinathon returned sponsorship cards will be entered into a draw to be held on Thursday August 12th at 8pm in the Community Centre. Our prizes are very generously sponsored by Metrology Systems. Still time to sign up to the Spinathon starting this Friday 6.8.21. The sponsorship cards are going well, and we are on target for forty-eight hours of continuous spinning. If you want to take a spin and support your clubs and the Community Centre do have a go.  You can shed sweat, lose weight, and win a prize.  So please contact Michael Barrett (087)2446597, Michele Fenton (086) 837 0480, Kieran Barrett (086) 0214895 or Helen Hussey (086) 1701164 collect your sponsorship card and book you time slot.

Votes of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA wishes to extend sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the late Owenie McAuliffe, Glanworth.  He was a great Gael and gave so much to his club Glanworth, Avondhu and Cork.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm uasal.

Fixtures.

Adult.

• Red FM HL Cup Final: Castlelyons v Ballincollig in Riverstown Saturday 7.8.21 @ 5pm Rebel Óg
• Fé 13 HL: Bride Rovers v Castlelyons in Rathcormac Thursday 5.8.21 at 7.30pm.
• Fé 15 HC: Castlelyons v St Colmans in Castlelyons Saturday 7.8.21 @12md.
• Fé 12 FL: Castlelyons v Kiltha Óg in Castlelyons Monday 9.8.21 @ 7pm
• Fe 13 FL: Kildorrery v Castlelyons in Kildorrery Thursday 12.8.21 @ 7.30pm
• Fé 12 FC: Glenville v Castlelyons in Glenville Wednesday 14.8.21. @ 10.30pm.
• Fé 15 FC: Kildorrery v Castlelyons in Kildorrery Saturday 14.8.21 @ 12md
• Fé 12 HL: Whitechurch v Castlelyons in Whitechurch Monday 16.8.21 @ 7pm
• Fé 18 HL: Castlelyons v St Colmcilles in Castlelyons Wednesday 18.8.21 @ 7.30pm
• Fé 13 HL: Castlelyons v Killavullen in Castlelyons Thursday 19.8.21 @ 7.30pm.

Camogie.

• Fé 18A – Castlelyons v Ballygarvan in Castlelyons 7/8.8.21 TBD

Castlelyons Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann PRO Castlelyons GAA