Castlelyons GAA Notes week ended Monday 25.11.19. 2019-11-29 08:30:00

Interesting AGM on Friday 22nd November 2019.

The Castlelyons GAA Annual General Meeting was held last Friday night last 22.11.19 in the Club Bar. The attendance was low despite the recent excitement of the land purchase. It did prove to be an interesting meeting as those present received an account of the stewardship of the club for 2019 and some tentative matters were discussed for 2020.

Our Secretary, Michael Barrett opened with the minutes of last year’s Cruinniú Bhliaintúil and gave a thorough and excellent account of all the happenings in our club during the past year both on and off the pitch. This included the following: -

  • He gave a brief outline of the activities of the intermediate, U21 and Junior B hurlers, the junior and Under 21 footballers for the year and thanked the players and management teams for their great effort and commitment during the year.
  • We possibly could have done somewhat better in the premier intermediate hurling championship after defeating Youghal we were defeated by Inniscarra in a game there for the taking.
  • Our Under 21A hurlers won the East Cork in style but were defeated by Newcestown in the first round of the county in a good game.
  • He had a special mention for Niall O Leary and Jack Barry who won Fitzgibbon Cup medals with UCC in 2019 and outlined the honour it was for our club, their parents and the lads themselves.
  • He thanked the Chairman and Treasurer for their work during the year and all the other officers with various responsibilities.
  • He complimented the Juvenile and Camogie Clubs who continue to promote our games and introduce the children of the Parish to the game.
  • He praised our players involved with the county teams during the year. He congratulated all Colm Barry, Niall O leary, Tom Carroll, Barry Murphy and Kieran McGann (Treasurer) all from the club and involved with Imokilly who won the Cork senior hurling championship for 2019.  This was a historic three in a row.
  • He paid a special thanks to the CES workers under the leadership of Assumpta Mangan who kept the whole place so well for the year.  John Healy who acted as Liaison Officer with Assumpta and the CES workers on the pitch & dressing rooms and Ms Bridie Milward who facilitated with meetings in the Centre.
  • He thanked the bar committee who worked hard all year but have retired for the coming year.
  • He outlined the value of the Club Lotto, the great work of the sellers and the commitment of the Lotto Committee under the stewardship of Donal O Leary. The Secretary thanked all who offer their assistance in any way and those who purchase tickets.
  • He thanked the Strictly Castlelyons Committee who arranged a wonderful Parish evening down in Little Island and the profit is contributing to current costings in the purchase of lands for the club.
  • He thanked John Barrett who has continued to promote and collect the finances for the Cork GAA Clubs Draw for the last number of years as it is a good source of finance to our club while offering good prizes also.
  • He had a special word of thanks for our Sponsors ZEUS and all others who sponsored and made contributions to the club during the year.
  • He wished the club the best for 2020
  • Our Secretary offered condolences to all who lost loved ones during the year. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

Treasurer’s Report

Donal Barry, our treasurer, gave his report and presented his financial statement and balance sheet together with bank balances and other details. When he finished there was a brief discussion on our affairs. There was a clear realisation that we must make every effort in the coming year to support the Club and introduce financial initiatives for our exciting new development and of course the routine requirements of the club.

The Treasurer thanked all his fellow officers, committee members, our sponsors, patrons, and those who bought and sold tickets during the year. He thanked John Healy for his great work as chair of the field committee and John McCarthy. 

He pointed to the importance of the weekly lotto and thanked the Lotto Committee and handed over to Donal O Leary who gave a most comprehensive report on our Lotto Draw for the year and this was most positive.  Donal O Leary was thanked most sincerely for his great work. John Barrett was thanked for his work on the Cork GAA Clubs Draw. Donal Barry was especially thankful to his own Committee who had three successful initiatives during the year as they arranged a Cheltenham Preview, a Summer Skills Camp and a Draw.

Managers Reports

Con Lawlor, Manager of the Premier Intermediate hurling team, Ciarán McGann of the Junior B Hurlers and Anthony Spillane on behalf of the U21 Hurlers and Footballers, and John McCarthy Manager of the Footballers all gave reports.  Generally, teams performed reasonably well especially the Under 21 A hurlers who won the East Cork but were defeated by Newcestown and Junior B Hurlers who played a total of 14 games during the year.  However, it was agreed that there is need for discussion on the future of football in Castlelyons as the level of effort and input from players could be much better.

 Chairman’s Report

Con Lawlor, our outgoing chairman then gave his report and reiterated many of our Secretary Michael Barrett’s comments outlining that he was very proud to be chairman of a strong club like Castlelyons.  He thanked his secretary, treasurer and the club for their great work.  He outlined that there was a lot of work required both on and off the field as there were major plans for development and improvements to our facilities.  He outlined that the club is presently in the process of closing a deal in the purchase of lands adjoining the present club property.  This land is in two lots and amounts to 9.5 acres approx. with Mr Jeremiah Healy of Healy Crowley & Company Solicitors acting on behalf of our Club.  The lands are being purchased from two separate Vendors namely the Personal Representative in the Estate of Eileen Doherty, Deceased and Mr Edmund Kent, Castlelyons. He was grateful to these Vendors as they are providing a legacy for the future.   Generally, he felt the Castlelyons was in a very good position and with a bit of luck they would achieve more success in 2020.

Declan Spillane took the Chair for the Election of Officers who are as follows: -

  • Life President: - Dave Hegarty
  • President: - Ned Fitzgerald
  • Vice Presidents: - Father Gerry Coleman, Seamus Sexton, Martin Dorgan and Donal O Connell.
  • Chairperson: - Con Lawlor
  • Vice Chairperson: - John McCarthy
  • Secretary: - Michael Barrett
  • Registrar: - James Maye
  • Treasurer: - Donal Barry. Assistant Treasurer: - Donal O Leary
  • PRO: - Kieran McGann
  • Website Administrator: Kieran McGann
  • Insurance Claims Officer: - James Maye
  • Children’s Officer: - Clare Reals
  • County Board Delegates: - John Barrett and Kieran McGann
  • East Cork Board Delegates: - Vacant
  • Cultural Officer: - Vacant
  • Safety Officer: - Anthony Spillane.
  • Health and Well Being Officer: - Tom Carroll.

There were no motions and discussions were good, positive and one on the new Corporate Trustee initiative.   The GAA has established a trust company (“Iontaobhas Corparáideach Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta”) Corporate Trustee to hold on trust property for various units of the Association. Traditionally, real property of the Association was held by personal trustees and this can prove cumbersome from time to time.

To streamline how property is held throughout the Association the GAA is providing its units with the option to hold property through the Corporate Trustee.  This is a facility open to GAA clubs is entirely optional.  Holding property through the Corporate Trustee does not in any way affect the ownership; the Corporate Trustee is merely holding on trust in the same way as personal trustees do.  However, the initiative has many advantages too numerous to mention here.  We are very thankful to Jerry Healy, Solcr, who gave a thorough outline of this new Trustee initiative and it was passed overwhelmingly.

Finally, a very special word of thanks to all who took time out to attend the AGM ach mar deirtear an seanfhocal “is maith an t-iománaí an té a bhíonn ar an gclaí”.  Folks we do need a few to jump off the ditch and give a hand agus ath mór oraibh le 2020.

Castlelyons Juveniles hold a very successful AGM.

Castlelyons GAA Juvenile GAA Committee took stock of the 2019 season at their AGM on Thursday night last.  It proved a very good meeting and while there were some elder folk present it was great to see young people attending and a few ladies.

One could glean from reports that we are a typical rural club working hard with limited numbers as we have one hundred and thirty-one juveniles on the books.  Outgoing secretary Donal O Callaghan gave a good report including the success of holding Féile this year and a team went to Semple Stadium for a tournament.

Outgoing Children’s Officer Lorna Murphy who really led the club into a very good place on all policies and updating over the last three years outlined the importance of vetting and protecting oneself. All children’s policies are on the website and while it requires a little updating Lorna has discussed this with the Chair and it will be done shortly.  Lorna was thanked for her great work.

Another outgoing officer, Shane O Neill gave an account of his year in coaching.  He recalled that it was especially pleasing for the Club to receive a Rebel Óg Silver Coaching Award.  This was based on the number of games played taking into the account the number of players available in ratio to the population of the parish.  Shane thanked the adult players who assisted with coaching and requested more involvement if possible. He spoke about developing a style of play suitable to the club and that could be taken through the ages and wished this would happen in the future.

Most of those if not all of those over the teams during the year were present and gave an account of games and activities.

Chairman Declan Spillane gave a comprehensive account of the work during the year and reiterated the words of the previous speakers.  He had a special word of thanks for Orla Hallihan and Dave Hegarty who arranged and ran the Cúl Camps this year. He spoke of the historic purchase of adjoining lands and thanked the Vendors for their wonderful generosity.  He hoped that we would have much improved facilities soon.  Of course, as chairman of the Juveniles he has a major involvement in this work.  Declan then vacated the position as Chairman for our Club Chairman Con Lawlor to conduct the election of officers.

 Con Lawlor took the Chair for the Election of Officers who are as follows: -

  • Presidents: - Dave Hegarty and Fr Coleman
  • Chairperson: - Declan Spillane
  • Vice Chairperson: - Vacant
  • Secretary: - Nelius O Brien
  • Assistant Secretary: - Donal O Callaghan
  • Treasurer: - Kieran Barrett.
  • Assistant Treasurer: - Ed Myers
  • PRO: - Michelle Griffin.
  • Assistant PRO: - Helen Hussey.
  • Children’s Officer: - Clare Reals.
  • Coaching Officer: - Colm Barry.

Declan resumed the chair and Treasurer Ed Myers have and account of the finance which was in a very healthy position.  Fair play to Declan the chairman as he outlined that he had secured a sponsor for the juveniles to cover a three-year period and this would be announced soon.  There was a discussion on the cost of sliotars due to losing so many.  This is common to all clubs and it was felt the best way forward was to buy at the best price and target some person at games to take specific control of the sliotars.  Declan’s last input at the meeting was a rallying call for more assistance in coaching the juveniles and maybe this could come from the adult players.

New Management set up for Premier Intermediate Hurlers.

There is a new management set up for the intermediate hurlers this year with Ciarán McGann taking on the role as Manager and he has secured Peter Murphy and Sean Kenny as selectors. All three have played a power f hurling at various levels including senior for our club and are well up to speed in training and coaching.  Johnny Crowley who was with us last year will also give a handout with the coaching.

We wish the team and management the best and certainly they will have to be up for it as they find themselves in a fine tough draw in the championship. They are in a group with Inniscarra, Blarney and Blackrock.  Management for other teams and the football will be settled at the monthly meeting on Monday 11th December.

St Colman’s College into quarter final of Harty Cup.

St Colman’s College, Fermoy have made the quarter final of this seasons Harty Cup by reason of a facile victory over John the Baptist College in wet Kilfinnane recently.  The score was 0-15 to 0-6.  Well done to the lads and tour own Castlelyons lads Leon Doocey who had a strong game and Colm McCarthy sub goalie on the panel.

Castlelyons Camogie girls take County League Final.

Congrats to our Under 16 Camogie girls who won the U16B1 County League in Aghada recently.  This caps a great year for the club.

Castlelyons girls on Cork football panel.

Congrats to Castlelyons girls Leah Hallihan and Ciara Morrison who have made the Cork Ladies Football panel for 2020. 

Club Lotto with a Jackpot of €20,000 up for grabs. 

 Our weekly club lotto draw was held in the Peddlers on Tuesday 25th November and the numbers drawn were 7, 12, 27 and 30. There was no winner. There were eight Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Tom Tobin, Michael Barrett, Rory & Susan Waters, Ann Cotter, Sarah Hegarty, Carol Quinn, Mary Foughy and James O Brien.

Next week’s draw will be held on Monday 2nd December at 9.30pm in the Peddlers. The Jackpot is still €20,000.  What a pot for Christmas and you could be the winner for just €2. We would ask all our patrons to support us and especially those in the Adult, Juvenile and Camogie Clubs.  The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media.  Thanks to all.

Vote of Sympathy

Castlelyons GAA wish to express sincere condolences to the Clancy family, Castlelyons on their recent bereavement. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dilis. 

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group





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