Gallant Display by Castlelyons in East Cork Junior Football Final.

Castlelyons 1-8 Cloyne 2-7.

We headed for Killeagh on Friday evening last with confidence and we knew that our lads with latent talent would do well in our first appearance in an East Cork Junior A Football Final since 1969.  This was a big evening for Killeagh as host Club with the football final preceded by the U21A Hurling Final between Aghada and Erin’s Own who actually were our conquerors in the semi Final of that competition.  Indeed, Erin’s Own went on to defeat Aghada in that game.  The Killeagh complex boosts massive parking, several pitches, dressing rooms, gym, ball wall and indoor training area.  They must be complimented on their outstanding development.

During the warm up for our game with Cloyne we had the traditional and the modern mixed as we were emblazoned with a benediction of the setting sun and new lighting system shining down on a fantastic pitch, a sight to behold.  One sensed that Castlelyons were up for this game even in the warm up.  Right from the start we played some great football land were in control but our shooting was off target and Cloyne through a ‘45 from D O Sullivan and 0-1 from P O Sullivan squeezed in 0-2 through our own three wides from good positions.  However, we got on target when Ml Spillane was fouled and R Bransfield put over 0-1.  Then our domination began to pay off as Anto Spillane landed two gems from far out to put us three points to two ahead.  Then an excellent catch by Anto and he put the ball nicely in behind were Ronan O Regan won good possession but was fouled and Stephen Hickey put over the resultant free.

The game ebbed and flowed in the first half and Cloyne made a strong comeback as the “Rock” showed fierce determination to beat his man and clatter over a point.  K Mullins took a pass from the “Rock” and did likewise.  Then Colm O Sullivan had a wide when in close and loose.  K Mullins pointed a free after the ball was brought up a good few yards after some talk to the Referee and they got another point.  This was 0-4 on the trot for Cloyne and worse was to come as C O Sullivan banged in a goal for them.

However, our lads rose the tempo with fierce determination and began to win possession again.  Colm Barry won a great ball and tore down the field before parting to Tom Carroll who was on fire.  Carroll put down the shoulder made ground and parted to Ronan Bransfield who scored a great goal.  We were now going really well winning possession all over the place but we gave it away at times very easy even through failing to find a man from three of our own line balls.  Alan Fenton landed another magnificent point and we were looking good leaving the half time score 1-6 to 1-5. 

The second half was much the same trend as the first. We had had plenty of possession but had three wides and no score before Colm O Sullivan struck for his second Cloyne goal an unfortunate pass out of our defence went astray.  P O Sullivan added another point and putting them 0-5 to the good and 53 minutes gone in the clock.   However, yet again we came back strong and Ronan Bransfield scored a good point and S Hickey was wide from a ’45 after strong pressure.  P O Sullivan and R Bransfield traded wides before T Carroll laid off a great ball to A Fenton who scored a point and then A Fenton had another great point.  With just just two points between the sides there was a mighty atmosphere and the ball a little hot for both teams Castlelyons still fought gallantly. 

The Referee played over 5 minutes’ injury time and there was a mighty struggle as Castlelyons fought for scores to no avail and the “Rock” had the last say but was wide with a free for Cloyne.  This was a strong physical game and our lads just came up short as they played outstanding and could have come away with a result.  I think the oldest in the team is about 24 years land we look to have a good future.  Well done to Donal O Leary, Manager, Maurice Carroll, James Moroney Selectors and Colm Crowley, our trainer.

Castlelyons: - S Hickey, D Varner, C O Leary, N McAuliffe, E Maye, C Barry, T Carroll, A Spillane, S Moroney, A Fenton, R Bransfield (Capt), J Barry, R O Regan, R Fenton, M Spillane. Subs: - R Feeney, S Buckley, B Carroll, S Fenton, L Moroney, S O Sullivan, A O Regan, B O Donovan, E Barry, R Feeney, A O Sullivan.  Scores for Castlelyons: - R Bransfield 1-2(0-1free), A Fenton 0-3, A Spillane 0-2, S Hickey 0-1 (free).

Castlelyons take Rebel Óg East Minor A Hurling Title in Style.

Our Minor A Hurlers lived up to promise and defeated a strong St Catherines side by four points on Saturday evening.  The game was played in Páirc na Bríde in good but very windy conditions as a strong breeze prevailed down towards the Crossroads Bar.  We opted to play with the breeze in the first half and took control immediately as Barry Murphy scored 0-1, Keith O Leary had points from play and a free and Niall O Leary scored a mighty point from a free.   David Morison set up Barry Murphy for a cracker of a goal on twelve minutes.   Catherines kept in the game and made a fine comeback as Rory Galvin scored 0-3 for them.  However, we were still in control as that man Barry Murphy again lashed over 0-3 and Keith O Leary scored 0-3.  Rory Galvin did score 0-1 for them but we had a commanding lead of 1-10 to 0-4 on twenty-four minutes.  Then St Catherines were granted a lifeline on half time as Phillip Keane ran up field, parted to Rory Galvin who let it off to Richard Galvin and he pulled the trigger for a good goal for them.  The half time score was 1-10 to 1-4 in our favour and we deserved our lead as we were well up for it.

We shared 0-6 with our opponents as we banged over three more points in the first 15 minutes of the second half through two Keith O Leary frees and a good David Morison point from play.  Then Catherines began a comeback as Rory Galvin cut over a line ball, B O Brien scored another 0-1 and their goalie Eoin Davis, aided by the strong breeze pointed a free from his own 20 metre line.   This left the score 1-13 to 1-10.  However, through some great hurling and two vital scores from none other than our centre back Niall O Leary, 0-1 from a free and 0-1 play we put a bit of daylight again on the scoreboard as we now led 1-15 to 1-10 on fifty-six minutes.  Catherines had a consolation score, 0-1, from B O Brien to leave the final score 1-15 to 1-11 and a great victory for Castlelyons.

Congratulations and well done to all the lads who hurled their socks off as it can be difficult to maintain composure on a breezy day and, of course, to the Management.  The Cup was presented by Liam Shanahan, Chairman of Rebel Óg East to our Captain, Jamie O Leary.  Both teams now go on to contest the County Championship and coach Shane Hickey outlined that we will be playing Kilbrittan on the weekend of the 16^th/17^th September and St Catherines play Ballygiblin on the same weekend.   

The Reitóir was Ger Scully from Killeagh, who also refereed the East Cork Junior A Final this year awarded 9 frees to Castlelyons and 15 to St Catherines and in the second half he awarded 8 to Castlelyons and 9 to St Catherines. He has a high standard of refereeing and did a good job overall.  Also, wasn’t it mighty to have a traditional “real” East Cork Final where old parish rivalries are rekindled and Imokilly hurling is seen in its best light.

Junior B Hurling.

We were awarded a walk over by Cloyne in a Junior B Hurling League game at the week end and Manager James Maye has another game arranged versus Carrignabhfear at this Friday evening the 9^th in Carrignabhfear at 7 pm.   Great to see progress in these games and a special appeal to all our Junior B Panel to turn out.

Scór:  Scriptwriting Competition in Leiriú and Recitation/Story telling.

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael through Scór and Coiste Náisiúnta na Gaeilge is holding an open competition for newly composed original scripts, which would be available to clubs for performance in Léiriú Stáitse and Aithriseoreacht/Recitation for any performer taking part in Scór competitions.  This is an ideal opportunity for our talent young to write a piece on this historical year 2016 especially for Castlelyons.  

1. Script for Léiriú Stáitse.   Léiriú Stáitse is a stage presentation with a theme based on an aspect of Irish life, culture or folklore (including GAA).   It would be a dramatic presentation in serious or comic form, of not more than 10 minutes’ duration, and which would be performed by groups of at least 3 and not more than 8 people.   Simple props may be used.  There will be a 1^st Prize of €500 and 2^nd Prize of €300
2. Aithriseoireacht / Scéalaíocht – Recitation / Storytelling.   This competition is for a solo performer and it takes entries in the form of recitations, monologues, poems and stories relating to Ireland (including GAA), its history, local folklore, people or places.  Each piece to be of not more than six minutes’ duration.  There will be a 1^st Prize of €500 and 2^nd Prize of €300

The script writing competition is open to all.   Fáilteofar roimh iontrálaithe as Gaeilge agus cuirfear duais speisialta de €200 don Léiriú / Aithriseoireacht Gaeilge is fearr muna mbíonn ceann i nGaeilge sa céad nó sa dara áit.

Prizes will be presented to the winning entries by Aogán Ó Fearghail, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, at Páirc an Chrócaigh, on a date to be announced.   All the Scripts entered will be made available to GAA Clubs in Book Form for use in Scór competitions.   Though Scripts are freely available to Clubs, this will not prevent the author from using the work in another Forum should he/she wish to do so.   The author will be acknowledged in any performance.  Entries should be sent by email to scor@gaa.ie on or before the closing date of 11 February, 2017.  

Weekly Lotto Draw of the 5.9.16. 

The numbers drawn were 2, 15, 23 and 29.  There was No Winner.  There were Eighty Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each as follows: -

Denis Granville. Ann Ahearn.  Gerry Cash.  Tom Barry. Patrick O Regan.  Griffin Family.  Spillane Family.  Kay Sheehan.  The next Draw is Monday 12th September, 2016 at the Community Centre at 9. 30 pm. 

Next Week’s Jackpot is €4, 200.  Thanks for your support and we appreciate if you could advise your friends that they can buy tickets Online for from the usual outlets.

Commiserations to our Camogie Teams.

Tough luck on our two camogie teams who were defeated in the Under 16 League Final and the Junior Championship at the weekend.  It was a weekend of high expectations as we were in four Cup finals between Camogie, football and hurling.  However, we were victorious in just the Minor Hurling Championship. But, no doubt, with the effort being put in by all teams in the Adult, Juvenile and Camogie Clubs success will accrue shortly. 

Refereeing in Cumann Lúthchleas Gael

There were several comments on Referees both nationally and locally this year.  Media reports with headlines “Referee robs Waterford” (Tony Kelly point), “Kerry supporters appear to throw objects at Referee” “Standard of refereeing not acceptable” (Bernard Flynn). Then, is it any wonder that the club comments after a result displeasing to fans and mentors will often focus on the display of the referee rather than that of individual players or glaring wide’s, etc. 

It is not good for the game to hear the Referee coming in for often unwarranted abuse as Referees are human too and can make mistakes. No referee goes out to have a bad game.  They have to make split second decisions and do not have the luxury of replays and different angle views of the incident.  Some clubs do not even have a culture or tradition of referees within their membership and do not see value in having referees.  So please respect the Referee and respect the Game. 

Congratulations.

Congratulations to David Cremin and his partner Patrice on the birth of their baby girl Kate.  David a former player and member of our Club is now living in Quin, Co. Clare and their daughter fills their life with joy and love.

Votes of Sympathy.

At our last Club Meeting a vote of sympathy was extended to the Hegarty family, Carrignabhfear on their recent bereavement. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.

Club Main Sponsor: Zeus Packaging Group