Refurbishment of Community Centre commences.

Well it is great to see that the refurbishment of our Community Centre has commenced with the job expected to take about three months.  The Centre is now deemed a construction site and as can be seen access is prohibited.  Please take care in the vicinity of the centre.  If there are any queries do contact Pamela McCarthy the secretary of the centre committee.

Meanwhile the development committee continue to prepare plans for the refurbishment of the Squash, Bar, and toilet area at the back of the Centre and, hopefully, these works can be carried out shortly.

East Cork JBHC versus Youghal in Ballynoe Saturday 22.8.20 at 7.15pm.

Castlelyons play Youghal in the East Cork JBHC on Saturday 22^nd in Ballynoe at 7.15pm.  We defeated St Catherines in Glenville last week on a score of 2-11 to 0-15. We were lucky to come away with a win as St Catherines dominated much of the game. Youghal always have a strong panel of players and this year it includes Harry Oliphant, Cathal O Laochdha, Johnathan Ormond, John Grace, and Damien Ring. They are going well in the intermediate too and will be big favourites.  However, if our lads put in a strong effort over the hour, there could be an upset here.  Best of luck lads.

Imokilly head out for four in a row in Senior Hurling Championship.

County champions Imokilly set out on a unique journey on Sunday evening 23.8.20 at Páirc Uí Rinn as they take on the winners of UCC/ Duhallow in the SHC.  Champions for the last three years they are going for four in a row and are the bookies favourite to do the business again.  This would be certainly be a unique achievement.  Great players of the calibre of Declan Dalton, Fr O’Neill’s and Paudie O Sullivan, Cloyne, have been lost to the senior ranks. Still, there are thirteen clubs to choose from and there are still are very rich pickings in Imokilly these days.  Aghada, Castlemartyr, Castlelyons, Dungourney, Russell Rovers and Watergrasshill are all doing well in the PIHC and IHC and we know of the calibre of junior teams contesting the Jamsie Kelleher Cup. Ciarán Cronin of Lisgoold has taken over from Fergal Condon as manager and is working hard on holding on to the title and we wish Imokilly the best of luck.  

Castlelyons have players on the panel including Colm Barry and Tom Carroll with three county medals and Niall O Leary with two medals and there may be others.  Also, Keith O’Leary, Castlelyons is lining out with UCC this week against Duhallow and could yet be facing up to his old teammates if UCC come up trumps. For all the players the club season is now very condensed due to Covid-19 and they are out on a weekly basis.  Playing with both club and Division will be tough going that is, of course, if both were to continue on a winning route as the risks and sustainability for players are certainly high. Intercounty training commences in training mid-September and for some Divisional players this is also a consideration as they will have three sliotars to juggle the one evening. However, sport is there to be enjoyed, choices and decisions add to the mix of excitement and it is great to have the games for the patrons so best of luck to all. 

Rebel Óg Progress.

Castlelyons teams are doing well with Rebel Óg especially our minor and U12 hurlers.  The Minors top their grade with wins over Bride Rovers and Mayfield.  They are out again on Wednesday 19.8.20 in Passage against the home side with as 7pm throw in.  This is a vital game as a win for Passage and Rovers, who play Mayfield could put them back in it and it would come down to points difference.  Trainer Alan Fenton is doing a great job with the lads and teams up with astute selectors Willie Casey and Pat O’Neill so they should be in top form and we wish them the best of luck.

The Under 12 team are going well in both hurling and top their group with two wins Carrigtwohill and St Colmcilles and they are at home to Whitechurch on Saturday 5.9.20 at 10.30am. A win here could qualify them for a semi-final.  Catherines, Sarsfield 2 and Midleton are looking good in the other group so it all adds up to an exciting U12 hurling championship.  They are going well in the football too with one win over Fr O Neills and one defeat to neighbours Catherines, but they lead the group. Keep it up lads and enjoy the games.

The Under 16 lads are in the Mid Region and had a good win over Tracton but have some games to play.  They are also in Division Two Mid Region thirteen a side hurling competition. Our Under 14 teams are finding it tough in both hurling and football due to lack of numbers on the age but are fulfilling all their fixtures and making every effort.

Castlelyons v Inniscarra fixed for Friday 28.8.20 at 7.30pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Round three of the PIHC Castlelyons v Inniscarra is now fixed for Friday 28.8.20 at 7.30pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.  We have now lost Ronan O Regan as he injured the dreaded cruciate against Blarney and will miss the season as a result.  We wish Ronan well and a safe recovery as this takes time. He was flying this year and his work rate, ability to track back, and tackle will be missed.  Peter Roche will be out for some time with ligament injury while both Anto Spillane, hand injury, and Colm Barry shoulder injury are improving.  We will know more next week.

GAA Weekly Lotto Draw.

This week’s Lotto Draw was held on Monday 17^th August in the Centre.  The numbers drawn were 3, 8, 9, and 29. There was no winner of the €20,000 Jackpot. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - B Lynch, J Shanahan, E McCarthy, L & B Hallahan, C Drislane, P McCarthy, S Sexton, and C Verling. 

The next draw is Monday the 24.8.20 at the Bar. Thanks for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Castlelyons Camogie on the rise.

Castlelyons camogie continues to flourish as they now field teams at all level from Under 12 upwards and two adult teams.  They recently defeated Youghal at both the Junior B and minor in the championship.  The Junior C side were defeated by Mitchelstown and are now out of the championship.  However, there are a lot of games left at many levels and it could add up to a really exciting year.  Well done to all players and their management teams.

A sustainable model of club and county games.

In recent years we have experienced a division in the Association as the elite county scene and player are somewhat separated from the club.  The various provincial championships, Super 8s, etc, have really improved the game.  Unfortunately, this has been to the detriment of Club as these county games take precedence, county players rarely train with their club and worst of all there is often a three-month game between club championship games.  The Club is the fulcrum of Cumann Luthchleas Gael and the pitch is at the centre of every parish for juveniles, adults, camogie, and ladies’ football to the enjoyment of supporters.  We have seen a unique bond even in the darkest days of lockdown as management and players in clubs came together through various types of technology to talk and train.  The indications are that the supreme efforts of Clubs will be finally recognised and treated fairly.

We have had the growth of the Gaelic Players Association and more recently the Club Players Association and while the GPA have made steady ground the CPA have found the going more difficult.  The GPA have now produced a brilliant document in the last week whereby the county season would run from February to July and the Clubs would have all to themselves including county players for the remaining five months.

This will give clubs a defined and set time to play their games.  Indeed, for us in Castlelyons the playing of games on set dates has been a breath of fresh air in these tough times and it is the same throughout the country as we get to know fellow clubs from Shelmaliers to Sixmilebridge through TV and streaming. Cork are to be commended in their championship groping and set up this year and just imagine if this were to get such an opportunity on an annual basis it would be to the enjoyment of players and patrons alike. This will be decided by the authorities shortly and hopefully from 2021 onwards there may be a separate season for county and club games to the betterment of all.  Meanwhile we look forward to the completion of our games this season despite the resurgence of the pandemic.  Sport of any type is good as one is out in the open fresh air and it keeps us all occupied.  Despite the low numbers we now have that new facility of streaming games and all can enjoy. In order to continue with the games, we must be cautious and continue with the HSE and GAA guidelines.  There is a saying that when everything is going against you remember that the plane takes off against the wind not with it so hopefully, we are online. Compliance and honouring these guidelines are vital to us all.  Tabhair aire.

Vote of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA extend sincere condolences to the O Flynn, and Hegarty families on the passing of Ted O’Flynn, Mohera, Castlelyons. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dilis.

Castlelyons Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.