Big win for Castlelyons Co-Op Superstores in the PIHC.

Castlelyons 1-20 Blarney 1-14.

Our hurlers were in action again Saturday evening in the Co-Op Superstores PIHC at Mourne Abbey versus a highly rated Blarney outfit. We were in a sundrenched amphitheater of scenery, greenery, seating, and wielding of the camán while some trains passed.  Surely if Percy French was around, he could write another song. Well done to Clyda Rovers as they have a fabulous set up and their pitch was immaculate. Playing Blarney is always a tough outing for Castlelyons, and we have so often been at the wrong end of the score. This game was streamed by the Irish Examiner and early comments really favored Blarney who were after a strong win over Inniscarra in their local derby, had a young team and a lot of great hurlers. Of course, our lads had a fair bit of preparation, a win over Blackrock and hoping for the best. We were set for the proverbial cracker with Alan O Connor from Ballygarvan on the whistle.

Blarney were strong early and Padraig Power put over 0-1. However, our lads really set down a marker with four points on the trot from Anthony, Colm and Mike Spillane and another from Keith O Leary. While we got another Blarney came back with two points. The Castlelyons briefing at the water break was serious as they came out of the traps like greyhounds.  Colm Spillane gained possession and banged home a great goal for the second week in a row. Alan Fenton who had returned after injury was going well for us too and put over a point but had to come off with hamstring trouble. In fact, Ronan O Regan came on and shipped a serious knee injury after a short time so hopefully it is not too serious. He was replaced by Leon Doocey who went on to play well Our full back line fought hard and took control but our half back line of Leo Sexton, Niall O Leary and Colm O Neill were the springboard as they controlled the air and ground and set up so many attacks. We had a seven-point lead at half time.

In the second half Blarney did apply some pressure but now Eoin Maye and Keith O Leary worked hard and outplayed Joe Jordan and Mark Coleman. Barry Murphy and Leon Doocey were doing well alongside Colm Spillane. We had goal chances and, on another day, Anto Spillane could have bagged a few but Paul Hallissey did well in goal for Blarney. Mark Coleman moved back centre back to try and curb Spillane. Blarney tided up their play and put scores on the board but we continued to dominate and run out facile winners as it took a Blarney goal seven minutes and forty five seconds in time added on to put a good complexion on the scoreboard.  How good are Castlelyons?  Well on this display we looked the part, but Blarney may have had an off day and we will certainly be tested in our next outing by Inniscarra.  We know what happened last year we were cruising, and they went down to fourteen men but still turned us over.  Well done to the team and management to date as folks ye have put a feel-good factor on an unusual summer for us.  Castlelyons Abú.

Team: Jack Barry, Jamie O'Leary, Colm Barry, Tom Carroll, Leo Sexton, Niall O'Leary (0-1), Colm O'Neill, Keith O'Leary (0-2), Eoin Maye (0-1), Barry Murphy, Colm Spillane (1-6), Alan Fenton (0-1), Dave Morrison (1-0), Anthony Spillane (0-3), Mike Spillane (0-3, 3f). Subs:  Leon Doocey (0-2), J Kearney (0-1), Cian O'Leary and, Bryan Carroll.

Victory for Castlelyons in East Cork Oil Junior B Hurling Championship

Castlelyons 2-11 St Catherines 0-15

Our Junior B game was moved from Rathcormac to Glenville for a 7.30pm throw in on Sunday evening. Our ticket allocation was a sell-out as the interest in hurling is strong these days in Castlelyons. We played St Catherines another club going well with two wins in the IHC. We had lost a few players to the intermediate team recently but still fielded a full panel. Playing towards the village end in the first half Darren Tobin and Richard Morrison put us 0-2 up but St Catherines levelled up.  We hit the front again with two from Darren Tobin, but St Catherines went on a scoring to lead 0-9 to 0-5 Ronan Fenton had a point for us and when Ciaran McGann parted timely to Richard Morrison he obliged with a splendid goal. We were tested but our full back line of Morrison, Moroney and Lawlor held firm   Catherines scored another to leave the half time score point to leave it 1-5 to 0-10 in their favour at half time.

We scored an early point on the resumption.  However, as Catherines attacked they were an innocuous free in the square and sure enough the referee spread the hands for a penalty. A goal at this stage would have put Catherines in control and their man hit it well to the corner but our goalie David Kenny got to it catlike for a massive save.  This gave us heart and kept us in the game. Ronan Fenton pointed to keep us in touch as did Cian O Flynn. We were down 1-7 to 0-13 at the water break but came back invigorated and Ciaran McGann pointed.  Their goalie partially cleared a ball that broke out and McGann got possession again moved in cutely and beat the keeper with a good shot which put us ahead to the delight of our supporters in this derby game.  Darren Tobin pointed but Niall O Regan kept Catherines in touch with a point.  Then Alan O Regan won good possession, sprinted away on the wing, and sent over a rousing score for us, but Ronan Clancy replied for Catherines.  Ronan Fenton had the final say for us with a point as we won on the score 2-11 to 0-15.  We were down for most of this game but showed great spirit to come back so well-done lads.  As we said so often it is all about games and keeping our second team involved so thanks to the team’s joint managers John McCarthy and Michael O Donovan.  Castlelyons Abú.

Team: D Kenny, D Morrison, L Moroney, C Lawlor, S Flynn, C McCarthy, S Fenton, C O’Flynn (0-1, B O Donovan, R Bransfield, D Tobin (0-5 frees), R Fenton (0-2), C Cotter, C McGann (1-1), R Morrison (1-1), J P Murphy, J Healy, S Cotter, E Barry, A O Regan, Ml John Dorgan, S Morrison.

Minor hurlers comprehensively defeat Mayfield.

Our minor hurlers travelled away to Lotabeg to play Mayfield las Wednesday evening.  The game was even enough for a while as Colm McCarthy had a few scores for us and Dara Spillane also had a point.  Mayfield stayed in touch with Jamie Lotty and Adam Lawlor hurling well.  However, we pulled away mainly through two well taken goals from Colm McCarthy and Leon Doocey and 0-2 from Cess Kouwenberg.  At half time we led 2-15 to 2-4. On the resumption we were in complete control with great scores from Dara Spillane, Oscar Hallihan and Matthew Rossiter. Castlelyons took complete control and it fizzled out as a contest. This minor side have improved a lot with a good full back line, half backs and midfielders Leon Doocey and Ivan Lenihan cover some ground in midfield and our forwards are sharp.  Our next game is against Passage next week. We top the table, but this is another serious test and a win is vital as they have a chance of qualification too. Best of luck lads.

Panel: J O’Neill, C O’Flynn, Morrison I Ryan, S Casey D Geary, M Rossiter, L Doocey, I Lenihan, C Kouwenberg, C McCarthy, L Shanahan, O Hallihan, D Spillane, B Spillane, Ml Griffin, I O Sullivan, P Greaney, A Fenton, O Morrison and A Newman.

GAA Weekly Lotto Draw.

Draw held on Tuesday 5^th August in the Centre but not published on Avondhu due to time factor.  Numbers drawn were 11, 17, 18 and 29. There was no winner of the €20,000 Jackpot. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Peter Murphy, Pat Murphy, Josh Hannon, Dave Stack, Nicola Cremin Hurley, Denis Fenton, Kevin Sheedy, Emily Feeney. The next draw is Monday the 10.8.20 in the Community Centre. Thanks for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

This week’s Lotto Draw was held on Monday 10^th August in the Centre.  Numbers drawn were 12, 18, 19 and 22. There was no winner of the €20,000 Jackpot. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - C and S Moroney, B Maye, S Hickey, A Henley, S Sexton, M Geary, J Barry and, J-M-K Barry. The next draw is Monday the 17.8.20 at a venue to be arranged. Thanks for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Commencement of Community Centre Refurbishment.

Great to see the commencement of the Community Centre refurbishment and hopefully completed within the next three months.  There is a group reviewing the Bar, Squash, and toilets area for the GAA as there is urgent need of refurbishment there also. Hopefully, these works can be complete in the near future as they are required.

Hosting of Games.

Due to the short season and heavy fixture list it is imperative that we host a number of games.  This demand work and attention and we would like to thank our diligent stewards who have assisted and worked hard at times.  Indeed, a special thanks to Patricia Lawlor who has done the gate for us and, of course, Helen Hussey, Mary Fenton and Laura Murphy who have made a major contribution during the unusual times. 

Tributes paid to the late Denis (Denny) Twomey stalwart of the famous 1955 team.

Castlelyons GAA extend sincere condolences to Denis and Annette Twomey, the Twomey family and extended relations on the recent passing of Denis (Denny) Twomey, Fermoy.  The late Denny Twomey was a stalwart in the Castlelyons team that won the East Cork Junior A Championship for the first time in 1955.  The Denny had a keen interest in all sports and always took a strong interest on the progress of Castlelyons over the years. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dilis.

Vote of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA extend sincere condolences to the Kent family, Ballyhampshire, Castlelyons on their recent bereavement. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dilis.

Castlelyons Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.