Castlelyons lose out yet again at final level and this time to Courcey Rovers.

Castlelyons 1-18 Courcey Rovers 1-19

We all headed for Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Saturday evening in confident mood. We lost the final last year to Blarney after injury to Colm Spillane in the opening minutes. This year we had done well in our qualifying games and stood up to a stern test from Ballinhassig in the semi-final to make the final with Courcey Rovers. There was an eery confidence about the place that we could do it and I suppose that’s good. However, as I outlined last week Courcey Rovers had views of their own with a top-class goalie, tight backs, hard midfielders and four of their forwards were top men. Like Castlelyons they had won all their games convincingly. Of course, in the semi-final last year they lost their county man Sean Twomey early on against us which had a bearing on the game and the year before they were defeated after a replay by Charleville in the final. So, the scene was set for an intriguing final the last night and that is certainly what we got.

Courceys started very well and had three points on the board as we conceded two frees which were scored and then Jerry O’ Neill put over the first of his five points courtesy of a defensive mistake. But Castlelyons began to hurdle well and three good points via Richard Morrison, Alan Fenton and a cracker from Ronan Fenton put us in the frame. Alan added a long distance free to put us 0-4 to 0-3 at the sos uisce. On the resumption Leon Doocey had a massive point for us but Sean Twomey replied for them to put it 0-5 apiece. Then around twenty-four minutes in Jack Barry hit a monster puckout it broke behind the backs and Niall O’Leary poached a goal by beating their goalie Stephen Nyhan with a first timer to the net. Anthony Spillane hit right form and scored 0-3 while Alan Fenton had 0-1 but all this time Courceys got three points of their own and showing strong physicality especially in the half backline. The half time score was Castlelyons 1-11 to Courceys 0-8. While we led by six points it was a hard battle all the way.

We returned playing up to the city end with Alan Fenton putting over a free and Colm Spillane putting over one from play to put us 1-13 to 0-8 up but it was short lived as Courceys got into a mighty streak of hurling as they put over four points on the trot with Sean Twomey doing fierce damage. I wrote down at the time that that Courceys were beginning to dominate with strength and physicality especially in their back six and supplied wagons of ball up field. I wrote that the backs were holding well, and Tom Carroll was hurling out of his skin. Eoin Maye having the game of his life for our lads stemmed the tide with a point and Alan Fenton another man going well had another 0-1 to leave it 1-14 to 0-13 to Castlelyons at the last water break and we certainly needed water.

On the resumption Courceys were now hurling for their lives and while they were a bigger outfit, they took on a powerful physicality as Sean Twomey fetched a mighty ball out in the wing from a few of our lads, turned, burst through, and placed a pinpoint pass to Alan Crowley who gave our goalie Jack Barry no chance from short range. Hard to believe that Courceys put over the next five points as we conceded a few needless frees and Richard Sweetnam was so accurate for them. They were now 0-3 up with five minutes on the clock and in fairness to Castlelyons they fought back hard again as Alan Fenton and Anthony Spillane landed two to bring it back to the minimum. However, we had three wides that another day would have sailed over, and it was Courceys evening at the long whistle.

So, for the second year the Co-Op Superstores Premier IHC championship has evaded Castlelyons. No doubt about it we are all tribal and competitive by nature and there was disappointment about the place including among loyal supporters because the expectation of winning on the night was not realised. That’s understandable and digging for scapegoats can make it raw for all. While losing a tight one is traumatic for the supporters, just imagine how tough it is the on the panel, management and their families who have made such efforts and sacrifices all year. Behind the scenes lads made serious arrangements and adjustments to their work, lives, and families to accommodate training. They so often travelled long distances just to make training and games. Losing always stings but it is part of life and you got to move on. We salute our players and management for a supreme effort all during the year even if they came up short by the narrowest of margins in the final. We congratulate Courcey Rovers who themselves have been knocking on the door for a few years and we them the best in their Munster club campaign. 

Panel: J Barry, J O'Leary, C Barry, T Carroll, S Moroney, L Sexton, L Doocey (0-1), E Maye (0-3), C Spillane (0-1); A Fenton (0-7), N O'Leary (1-0), R Fenton (0-1); D Morrison (0-1), A Spillane (0-3), K O'Leary. Subs: M Spillane (0-1), B Murphy, J Kearney, C McCarthy, S O Sullivan, C O’Neill, C McCarthy, D Tobin, L Moroney, B O Donovan, O Hallihan, S Casey, A O’Regan, D Spillane, P Roche, J Healy, D Kenny, G O’Neill, JP Murphy, E Barry, D Beausang, I O Sullivan. Team Management: C McGann Manager/Selector, J Crowley, Coach / Selector, P Murphy, S Kenny, Selectors, B Hoare Stats, D Kenny GK Coach, P Hanley Physio, Dr Paddy Burke (Doctor).

Rebel Bounty Draw.

The Christmas Rebel Bounty Draw will be drawn on Thursday 2^nd December at 7pm. This is the one we are all waiting for as first prize is a whopping €100,000. So don’t forget to tune in to cork.ie for the draw live as it could be you. This is the last draw of the current ticket, and the Club wishes to thank all who supported it. The new launch for next season will be held shortly and as there were some disappointed that it was not a rolling scene now is the opportunity to purchase your twelve-month ticket.

Castlelyons GAA AGM.

Castlelyons GAA AGM is now listed for Saturday 4^th December at 5.30pm in the Community Centre. All members are asked to make a special effort to attend. There are a few positions to be filled especially the roles of Secretary, Lotto Manager and PRO. The duration of these roles is three years, and some have been in position for almost ten years, so it is past time for change. No doubt members will not be fond wanting in assisting and Saturday evening is an opportunity to get cracking.

Cork County Convention.

The Cork GAA County Convention takes place on this Saturday 4^th December in Páirc Uí Chaoimh with Mass at 6pm and the Convention at 7pm. There are several important motions up for discussion and these include instruction from Croke park to update Byelaws to conform with General Rule, the splitting of the Development Officer role into two new roles, the removal of the requirement for registered post, the restructuring of County Hearings Committees, facilitating an U19 club grade in 2022, the addition of a Referee’s Administrator to the Rebel Óg Officer Board and clarification of transfer Byelaws.

Castlelyons Food & Craft Fare an outstanding success.

A morning drizzle failed to dampen spirits of the forty plus traders in the tented village at Fr Ferris Park on Sunday last. They were rewarded by massive support from the locals and visitors alike as the day dried up. Trade was brisk as a Christmas festive atmosphere broke through while the market brought a great life to the village. Comhghairdeas to the organisers especially Ann Hegarty, Ann Barry, and James Kenny it was an outstanding success and no doubt bigger and better next year.

Santa Claus paying two big visits to Castlelyons.

Santa is coming to the Abbey Bar to meet the Friends of Dean and Padraig Group on this Thursday the 2.12.21. The children will be able to meet Santa between 3pm to 5.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm. This should be a very exciting evening with Santa about the place and each family have their own time slot. There will be a lot of surprises as well. Great credit to proprietors Jim and Aileen McMurtry who are hosting Santa and to Carol Shanahan and Cathriona Barry on all the arrangements.

Then on Sunday December 5th Santa will visit a specially designed open-air Santa’s Grotto at the Fr. Ferris Community Park, Castlelyons. This time Santa will have Mrs Clause and some of their Elves and helpers are coming with as well. They will have presents for the children plus a lot of other fun.

There will be some fun and excitement with Storytellers, Bakers, Elves working, A Magical Puppet Band, Paddy Pixie the Postmaster, A Musical Penguin, Farrier Making Shoes for Rudolph, and “A MAGIC POSTBOX” you will have to see this to believe it, post your letter and it disappears to the North Pole. There will be a special Elf Photographer for that all important digital photo with Santa. There will be some refreshments and even Mammy & Daddy can enjoy some mulled wine along with some other food & drink options. There is an online booking system available on the Castlelyons Parish Facebook so book early

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Jackpot now at €18,200. 

This week’s draw was held Monday 29.11.21 and the numbers drawn were 7, 9, 11, and 13. There was no winner, and the Jackpot is now at €18,200. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Noelle O’Keeffe, Joanne Lee, Tracey Cremin, Peter Murphy, James Martin. Chris Corcoran, Eilish O’Brien, and Sarah Granville.

The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media. The next draw is Monday. 6.12.21 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.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.