Castlelyons 2-21 Lough Rovers 0-8.

Heading out to Glenville on Friday evening the weather was glorious.  I was thinking about the cashless gates introduced for all county championship games in 2022 despite efforts to have a pick & mix system whereby patrons could pay cash at the gate if they were not able to negotiate technology. Anyway, all went well at the gate. The place looked well as a load of sponsorship signs, a lovely synthetic pitch, modern scoreboard, dressing rooms, Gym and other improvements show that Glenville have caried out serious improvements recently.

Back to the football and Castlelyons down from Junior A were well on top in this game all through.  A few well taken points by Dave Morrison and a well taken goal by Darragh Spillane set up by his cousin Anto put Castlelyons on the road. Barry Murphy, Jack Barry, and Ronan Fenton had scores and Brian O’Donovan banged in another goal.  Lough Rovers were under pressure but Johnathan O’Conor, Shane Long and Timmy McCarthy kept the scoreboard going for them.  The half time score was Castlelyons 2-9 Lough Rovers 0-5.

Castlelyons introduced fresh legs during the second half as Declan Morrison, Eoin Barry, and Alan O’Regan, Cas Kwoenberg Danny Murphy came in and done well.  In fact, Cas Kwoenberg kicked over three points.  Mike Spillane in his new position as goalie was safe and had a monster kickout while all the backs done well with Ronan Fenton and Jack Waters holding the middle well in a facile victory.  Also great to see young players Darragh Spillane, Cas Kwoenberg, Stephen Casey and Declan Morrison stepping up from minor grade and do well. No doubt there will be tougher days ahead but with a little more football training Castlelyons could be a formidable outfit. Lough Rovers have a bit of work to do to get back to winning ways as Shane Long, Johnathan O Connor, and my good friend Niall O’Sullivan tried hard for them. Incidentally the referee was calm, well in control and had a great game too.

Panel: - M Spillane, J O’Leary, L Moroney, S Casey, C McCarthy, C Barry, C Keeney (0-1), R Fenton (0-2), J Waters, A Spillane (0-1), B Murphy (0-5) D Morrison (0-5), B O’Donovan (1-1), J Barry (0-3), D Spillane, E Barry, D Morrison, C Kwoenberg (0-3), D Murphy.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS