Very successful Castlelyons Camogie AGM. 

Castlelyons Camogie Club held an excellent AGM on Tuesday 24th November in the Community Centre. There was a wide range of matters discussed as the Club reviewed both the various teams’ successes and many individual players who represented Cork and Imokilly. The Club is in a very strong position for 2022 with a big number of adults and over 130 underage players involved.

Camogie team successes for 2021.

• Junior B County Championship 2020 winner (delayed).
• Minor C County Championship 2020 winner (delayed).
• U16B County League Plate 2021 winner.
• U16B County Championship Plate 2020 (delayed) runner up.
• U15 Imokilly League Winner 2020.
• U13 Imokilly League Winner (delayed) 2020.
• Feile U15 2021 - Runners up.

The club fielded a second adult team in the C Grade championship but were defeated by Kilbree. There was a bus outing to the All-Ireland Camogie Final in September, and all had an outstanding day out.

Individual camogie success for Castlelyons players.

• U18 Minor 2021 Cork Panel, Ava Hallihan, Lucy McNulty, Leah Hallihan.
• U14 2020 Cork Development Panel, Robyn Hickey. 
• U14 2021 Cork Development Panel, Eavan Cotter.
• Imokilly U15 2020 Ciara Morrison. 
• U13 2020 Phoebe Hallihan.

Fielding a great number of camogie team groups.

Overall, there are eight teams’ groups involved in the Camogie for 2022 from Under six up to two Junior teams. This takes up a lot of pitch time between games and training. The ‘One Club’ initiative was proposed to the Camogie Club earlier this year but due to such a load of activities they have only recently discussed this initiative and are holding a suite of further meetings on it shortly.

Camogie Officers elected.

• Chairperson; Tom Quirke. 
• Vice Chairperson; John Coleman. 
• Secretary; Elaine Murphy.
• Assistant Secretary; Margaret Doran. 
• Treasurer; Cathal O’Doherty. 
• Registrar; Áine Shimmin. 
• Lotto Rep; Michelle Griffin. 
• PRO; Anna Greaney. 
• Pitch Booking & Covid Liaison; Helen Hussey. 
• Imokilly Board Chairman; Ger McCarthy. 
• Imokilly Board Rep; Margaret Doran. 
• County Board; Mary McNulty.

The positions of Child Welfare Officer and Coaching & Development Officer were no filled. The position of Child Welfare Player is appreciated, and child welfare needs to stay top of our agenda. Those associated with younger players will need to be Garda vetted complete Child awareness courses. The position of Coaching and Development Officer is appreciated and equally important to achieve. This officer must ensure that all coaches do a foundation course in coaching and complete Level 1 coaching should be done as the coach wishes to move up the ages. Also, the officer must ensure that we are developing our players in line with that expected for their age Player Development.

Excellent first year for newly formed Castlelyons Ladies Gaelic Football Club.

Well John Leetch reports on a very successful first year of the Castlelyons Ladies Gaelic Football Club. They had coaching and games for Under Six, Under Eights, Under Tens and Twelves and a great time was had by the girls, the coaches, and the parents. Thanks to Peter Murphy, Sarah Coleman, and Barry Sheehy for looking after the U6’s, and Sarah Coleman and John Leetch after the U8’s, Kieran Crowley. Tom Quirke cached the the U10’s and Donal O'Callaghan, Cathal Doherty and Pat Finn the U12’s. Thanks to our committee, Donal O'Callaghan, Tracey Bransfield, Anne Marie O'Connor, Kieran Crowley Pat Finn Barry Sheehy and Cathal Doherty. If John has missed anyone he apologises. The new Club will finish the year with a coffee morning at the community centre on Friday the 17th of December. Our own Niall O'Leary will be providing the coffee so please come along and support the girls football club. Existing Covid precautions apply, masks and social distancing. Looking forward to seeing you and to enjoy Niall’s excellent brew.

Castlelyons GAA Club AGM.

The Castlelyons GAA Club AGM had an original date of 20.11.21 and was postponed due to the games. Then while it was arranged for Saturday 4^th December online the executive decided to hold off until early January 2022. There are many important matters for discussion and several important posts to be filled. The spirit of attendance and commitment to this meeting will play a major part in the running of the Club for the year. The Club is entering to a period of development, and we have a suite of juvenile teams plus a few adult teams. All the teams require leadership and assistance plus a few committees mandated with a specific purpose. Many hands make light work so please attend and give some help for 2022. The AGM of the Juvenile Club was not held to date and hopefully this will be soon also.

Castlelyons GAA Development.

Due to the recent rising cost of building pitches and various other developments it is hoped to undergo a suite of development over a gradual period. A second pitch is a priority with complimentary entry and roadway. Similarly, the renovation of the GAA Clubhouse at the rear of the Centre will be carried out in accordance with grants and available finances. An application for a Capital Sports Grant has been submitted for some time and we are awaiting approval. There are other initiatives being prepared to compliment this Grant and aid development also.

A Geophysical survey of the area for the new pitch was required and this is carried out. This has resulted in an archaeological assessment requirement as several areas of interest were found, and a suitably qualified Archaeologist has been engaged to do this job which will be completed early in the new year. There is an amount of work ongoing and it all costs. It is imperative that we have a second playing pitch as we have adult and juvenile teams, camogie adult and juvenile teams and ladies juvenile gaelic football juvenile at present but no doubt adult shortly in that category too. All these teams require facilities for training and games for such great numbers. We must look at this as a positive as there is a power in numbers and a power in unity. Get cracking and in no time at all suitable facilities can be funded.

St Nicholas’s Athletic Club members on Cork teams.

Congratulations and well done to three great St Nicholas AC athletes who competed in the uneven age All Ireland cross country championships held in Gowran Kilkenny on Sunday last. Michael O'Mahony Walsh ran on the Cork team in the U11 1500m boy’s race. Incidentally this race was won by Kenneth O’Connell of local club St Catherines AC. Kenneth was representing both Cork and Munster and came in a winner wearing the blue jersey of Munster so congratulations to Kenneth on a big win. Caoimhe Gray-Walsh St Nicholas AC ran on the Cork team in the U15 3500m girl’s race. Then Sarah Morrison of St Nicholas AC ran in the U19 4000m race receiving a silver medal as a scoring member of the Cork team. They have all had a fantastic cross-country season and done their club proud. Best of luck to all in the future endeavours in track and field.

East Cork Board Annual General Meeting.

The AGM of the East Cork GAA Board was held in the Carrigtwohill GAA Pavilion last Wednesday night. While attendance was limited there was a great turnout from Clubs. Peter Hogan from the host club welcomed all and the meeting commenced under the chairmanship of Donal O'Keeffe. Our secretary Daniel Lane produced an excellent report covering all the Divisional activities during the year. Outgoing treasurer Michael O'Brien outlined the finances while we had the PRO report from Kieran McGann and the referee’s administrator report from outgoing chairman Jerome O'Brien in which he thanked all the referees for their great work during the year and asked that all clubs supply men for the whistle. Bhí an tuarascáil of Oifigeach Cultúr agus Gaeilge againn freisin ach ní raibh Liam O Laochdha abalta bheith ann.

Our Chairman Donal O'Keeffe then addressed the meeting and foremost was his expression of condolences to the O'Leary family on the sad passing of Sean O'Leary one of Cork's greatest hurlers. Many at the of the club representatives including Mr Pat Horgan, Vice Chairman CCB, paid tributes also, especially Mick Walshe, Youghal, who played for many years with the late Sean O'Leary and almost brought us back on the pitch with great memories. Mr Pat Horgan, Vice Chairman, of the Cork County Board gave a very comprehensive report on county matters to our meeting congratulating Midleton, Castlemartyr and Lisgoold who won counties and commiserating Fr O'Neills, Castlelyons and Sarsfield beaten narrowly in the finals. He asked for support for the Rebel Bounty Draw and outlined the great benefit it was to Clubs in the county.

Presentations were made to outgoing officers of many years standing, Michael O’Brien, and Jerome O'Brien who both gave sterling service to the Board. Avril Gear, new vice chairperson and Oliver O'Loughlin new treasurer were welcomed onto the Board. The meeting concluded with a rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann from Don Hegarty of the Carrignabhfear Club. There was a special thanks to Carrigtwohill GAA for hosting the meeting and, of course, to Peter Hogan and Caroline Dixey of the Club for all the arrangements and refreshments on the night. Looking forward to 2022.

Star Castlelyons man Colm Spillane retires from the inter county scene.

One of our star clubmen Colm Spillane has decided to retire prematurely from the intercounty scene at just 28 years of age. While the story had traction on twitter, Facebook, and the Irish Examiner there is no doubt about it this is not an easy decision for Colm. Rather it is forced upon him due to a series of serious injuries that tended to blight an excellent inter county career. In his Irish Examiner interview with Michael Moynihan, he outlines the Munster Championships of 2017 and 2018 as highlights of his career and had some great tussles with Aaron Gillane, Limerick, and Seamus Calnan of Tipperary. Colm gave it everything in training and in the game. He was one of Cork’s best backs for a few years and contributed a lot to Castlelyons. Again, he outlines in his interview that while he intends taking a good rest from the game, he will wear the green and gold of Castlelyons later in 2022 which is great news for the Club. On behalf of the Club, we wish Colm the best in retirement and recouperation. Hopefully, a good rest will aid recovery and there will be better days ahead for Castlelyons.

Highspeed Broadband comes to Castlelyons Community Centre.

The chairman of the Community Centre, Michael Barrett, has circulated great news whereby persons wishing to access to Wi-Fi, highspeed broadband can have such a facility available both inside and outside the Community Centre. One can sit in their car and access free Wi-Fi by selecting the BCP free Wi-Fi network in your Wi-Fi settings. Follow the instructions from there. Just work away and if there are any issues contact Michael Barrett on 0872446597. If you want to go inside the Community Centre, the log in is the same and just give the Chairman a call or text beforehand to get into the Centre.

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Monday 6th December 2021.

This Draw was held at the Community Centre on Monday 6.12.21 and the numbers drawn were 11, 24, 28 and 30.  There was no winner. The Jackpot now €18,400. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Christy Daly, Kieran Milward, Angela O’Mahony, Ita Meade, Jade Shanahan, Cian Óg, Martina Quirke, and Sarah Jane Dorgan.

The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media. The next draw is Monday 13.12.21 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.

Vote of Sympathy.

Sincere sympathy to Geraldine, Aideen, Tomás and Ciarán and the extended O’Leary family on the sad death of Seanie O’Leary. His hurling prowess will long be remembered by everyone as will his humility. A Láochra Gael on the hurling fields he has left us with so many great memories. Suaimhneas Síoraí da anam dílis.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann PRO Castlelyons GAA Club