Defeat for Castlelyons Under 21 Footballers in Championship.

Castlelyons 2-11 Glanmire 3-15

Our Under 21 footballers travelled to Sallybrook to play Glanmire in the Under 21 C Grade football championship.  This game was refereed by Robert Whelan who did a good job.  We started the very well but a 1-2 scoring burst from the home side coming up to the short whistle put them in control.  The lads give it their best in the second half but Glanmire were just stronger up the centre and ran out convincing winners.  We were down five players for various reasons and hopefully Dave Morrison, Peter Roche, Ian O Riordan, Jack Kenny and John Paul Murphy will be all available and fit for the next game. We play Cloyne in our next game this weekend, but the day or time is not settled going to print. This is a most important game and a win will keep us in the shakeup.   Thanks to Colm Barry and Gerald McCarthy who are over this team

Team: Eoin O Neill, Declan Geary, Shane Flynn, Evan Lenihan, Declan Morrison, Conor McCarthy, Stephen Casey, Leon Doocey, James Kearney, Shane Cotter, Barry Murphy, Colm Mc Carthy, Darragh Spillane, Mark Spillane, Richard Morrison.  Subs: Seamus Morrison, Oscar Hallihan, Peter Greaney, Gavin O Neill, Ian Ryan

Castlelyons 3-12 Ballymartle 1-18

Our intermediate hurlers were on the road last Saturday and headed for Ballymartle where they played the locals in what proved a very good challenge game. The fact that we were down the Under 21’s due to football commitments and some lads involved with the county panel meant an opportunity for other lads.  Ballymartle are a senior outfit and we have met them a few times in the past.   Our backs played well where with Leo Sexton at centre back after return from a few years hurling with St Jude’s of Dublin.  He had a very steady game and is an excellent addition to the team this year. 

All our lads hurled very well with most of the excitement in our full forward line.  Their back knew the ability of Anto Spillane and Alan Fenton and gave them plenty attention at close quarters.  However, it was the man in the other corner, Alan O Regan, that slipped them as he banged in two excellent goals and was in hard luck for his hat trick.  Great to see Alan back and enjoying his game as he had a lot of ould injury and was out for a lot of last year.

Team: J Barry, B Carroll, C O Neill, C O Leary, J O Leary, L Sexton T Carroll (0-1), E Maye, R O Regan, K O Leary, D Tobin (0-1), B O Donovan (1-0), A Spillane (0-1), A Fenton (0-6, 5 frees, 1 ’65), A O Regan (2-0). Subs D Kenny, N McAuliffe, C O Flynn, Ml Geary, John Healy.

Barry Murphy on IT Carlow Panel for Fitzgibbon Cup Semi – Final.

Barry Murphy is a member of the IT Carlow team panel heading for the Fitzgibbon Cup Semi Finals. They defeated NUIG Galway 5-21 to 0-28 after extra time and now face Mary Immaculate College, Limerick in the semi-final.  This year IT Carlow possess arguably the most star-studded team in the competition, and we wish Barry the best as he hopes to add a Fitzgibbon Cup medal to his collection.

Special Congratulations to our Sponsor Brian O Sullivan of ZEUS 

Congratulations to our Sponsor Brian O'Sullivan recently described as having “an indefatigable appetite for acquisitions”. He is the founder, CEO and sole shareholder of Zeus Packaging Group was as busy as ever through 2019.  He completed five takeovers in Ireland and the UK, for an outlay of c.€20m.  Brian was a teacher but during his early days took a summer job selling agricultural packaging and it all started from there. He is a proud Castlelyons man and we wish him the best for 2020.

Point to Point Races in Knockanard on Sunday 16.2.20

All roads lead to Knockanard Point to Point Races on Sunday 16.2.20. Castlelyons GAA are hosting a Refreshment Tent. There is a good bit of work in this and a “paper pick” at the end. We need help for a few hours on the day and we would appreciate if some volunteers gave their names to our Secretary, Michael Barrett.

This year Knockanard share racing with Punchestown and Nenagh. A strong entry is expected with seven races and possibly a divide. There is a retired jockeys’ race for charity with proceeds going to the injured jockeys fund So, for a great day its Race Day in Knockanard.

Results of Weekly Lotto Draw. 

Our weekly club lotto draw was held in the Peddlers on Monday 3^rd February and the numbers drawn were 10, 21, 25 and 28. There was no winner. There were eight Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Noreen Moroney, O Donovan Family, Chris Corcoran, Ann Waters, Eileen Palmer, Coran Lawlor, Colin Burger and Joan O Callaghan.

Next week’s draw will be held on Monday 10^th February at 9.30pm in the Peddlers. The Jackpot is still a massive €20,000 so don’t forget your ticket for next week.  The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media.  Thanks to all our Lotto players who support us each week as without you we would not be able to invest in the future of our club.

Big win for Cork Hurlers over Tipperary.

Last Saturday the first of February, the feast of St Brigid and, at least down South, we had a bright sunny day and looking good for the spring.  The same could be said for Páirc Uí Chaoimh as the Rebels welcomed Tipperary to their magnificent floodlights and new summer like sod.  This Allianz hurling league was a cracker from the outset as Cork defeated Tipp 2-24 to 1-25.  Mighty to see Castlelyons man Colm Spillane continue his recovery from injury and go the distance as he cleared his lines taking no prisoners.  Niall O Leary was a sub but not used on this occasion.  Colm Barry is back in full training again and no doubt needs game time.

Cork are not out again until the end of the month when they play Limerick at home in the Páirc on Sunday the 23^rd so we should have the lads back with the club for a while especially for our first league game versus Ballyhea game on the 15^th. Incidentally, despite Cork playing at home in such suave surroundings in the Páirc the crowd was small at 9821 with the new styles counting all children and everybody entering the Grounds.  In contrast there was 15000 for the Limerick v Galway game in Limerick, over 15000 for Dublin v Mayo football league in Castlebar and over 11000 for the for the Kerry v Galway football league game in Tralee. So, the second city, the hurling lords of Imokilly and other principalities should should get behind the Rebels for the Limerick game on Sunday week.

Club Membership Due.

Payment of club membership payments is going very well and thanks to our hurling management who have done a big promotion and collection.  So, if you’re a player and /or patron who has not paid to date please attend and you can pay Donal Barry Treasurer and /or James Maye Registration Officer, or any of the hurling management team.

Castlelyons GAA have considerable cost in maintaining the pitch and dressing rooms and, of course, proposed new development.  Club membership incorporates membership of the Gym. The cost of the GAA Public Liability, Property Scheme and Players Injury Fund is considerable.  Accordingly, it is imperative that all involved with the Club pay membership as it may be some help to cover these huge costs. Only a Full Member who has paid his annual Club subscription by the due date set by the Executive Committee of the Club is eligible to vote at, nominate for, or seek election to the Executive Committee at any following General Meeting of the Club in the membership year.  Social Members will also receive a text of all our Games, Venues and Times.

Fixtures.

Intermediate Hurling Challenge: Castlelyons v Erins Own Saturday the 8^th February at 3.30pm in Caherlag.

 Vote of Sympathy

Castlelyons GAA wish to express sincere condolences to the O Flynn, Morrison and O Donovan family (Carrignabhfear) on their recent bereavements.  Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir. 

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group

Weekly News by Kieran McGann PRO