Minor hurlers  qualify for Rebel Og East Division 2 MHC in cracker.

Castlelyons 3-13 Passage West 3-9.

So far so good for our minor hurling team as we grinded out a great victory in the Rebel Óg East Division 2 MHC away to a tough Passage side in Maulbaun last Wednesday evening.  What a difference a few days makes as the weather was so good when we were in Mayfield and on Wednesday evening one felt a bit uneasy due to the eminent threat of Storm Ellen.  However, it was the calm before the storm as despite being dull there was little wind.  Seeing the réiteoir David Daly on the whistle brough a further sense of calmness as he is a man of common sense and a top-class referee.  Castlelyons were sharp from the start and were rewarded as Oscar Hallihan and Leon Doocey had points from play and Darragh Spillane had a great goal after good work by Oscar Hallihan.  Passage had 0-2 from frees and gradually came back into the game. Declan Geary had one mighty catch and cleared his lines as Declan Morrison did well in the full line and Anthony Moran and Ian Ryan done well too.  Darragh Spillane got possession and headed for goal but was hauled down and Colm McCarthy pointed and Cess Kouwenberg 0-1 from play.  Then Evan Lenihan drove in a great ball and Darragh Spillane got on the end of it again his shot was parried by the goalie but he followed up to put it in the net helped too by Brendan Spillane and we were leading  2-4 to 0-2 at the water break.

Play resumed and now Passage were with a fortuitous goal and points from play and frees and an unstoppable goal from their corner forward it was 2-4 apiece.   Credit our lads as they began to settle again especially in the backs with Stephen Casey, Declan Geary and Matthew Rosner cutting out a lot of supply. Colm McCarthy free, Cess Kouwenberg and Darragh Spillane again scored 0-3 for us.  But Passage were still there, and the hurling was outstanding.  Their full forward and main marksman Conor Coughlan came back to almost his own twenty-one and sent over a free to the delight of the home crowd to leave it 3-7 to 3-6 at half time.

There was some serious chat by both sides at half time as you had Justin McCarthy, former Cork hurler in their corner and Alan Fenton in our corner. Passage again resumed with power hurling as they peppered our goals. Their No 14 Conor Coughlan now on the 40 pointed, and they had four wides.  Then came what could be termed the turning point of the game as Gavin O Neill made a point blank save and the siege was lifted.   Leon Doocey, Evan Lenihan and Colm McCarthy really came into the game as Oscar Hallihan 0-1 play and Colm McCarthy 0-2 frees.   We were 3-10 to 3-8 ahead at the water break and we resumed with good hurling as Darragh Spillane and Leon Doocey had points.  Passage had a point to leave a goal in it.  This can be a dangerous lead and it was exciting stuff as Passage pressed hard but fair play to Leon Shanahan a man never afraid to show for ball he came downfield won possession, turned well and sent over a great score from the wing to put four in it at the long whistle for a hard earned but thrilling win 3-13 to 3-9.

This win puts us in the semi-final against Watergrasshill.  This game will be played in Castlelyons next Wednesday evening the 2.9.20 at 6.30pm with Willie Wallis an réiteoir. Great to make it this far and well done to the team and management of Alan Fenton, Willie Casey and Pat O Neill and while we know the ‘Hill are favourites you can be sure that our lads will make every effort and will be in with a right shout too.

Tough times as only 50 allowed in and since cut down to games behind closed doors due to the pandemic.  Passage have a great set up and they told me they have a bar but its closed presently. Well back in 1896 there was a game between Redmonds, and Blackrock held in Passage and over 15,000 attended.  The pubs were shut from

10am to 10pm and 100 police drafted in to keep the peace.  Redmonds won the game. I cannot say if the pubs have been shut in the last 120 years but the camán wielders must have been tough them times. Fan slán.

Panel: Gavin O’Neill, Anthony Moran , Declan Morrison Ian Ryan, Stephen Casey Declan Geary, Matthew Rosner, Leon Doocey (0-2), Evan Lenihan, Cees Kouwenberg (0-2), Colm McCarthy (0-4 frees), Leon Shanahan (0-1), Oscar Hallihan (0-2), Darragh Spillane (3-2), Brian Spillane, Michael Griffin, Ian O Sullivan, Peter Greaney, A Fenton, Oisin Morrison and Alex Newman and, Colie O’Flynn (injured).

Big shock as Imokilly exit Co-Op Superstores SHC.

Imokilly 1-20 UCC 1-23

Well the dream of four in a row for our Imokilly senior hurlers faded in the deserted and eerie bowls of Páirc Uí Rinn with hardly a howl last Sunday evening.  However, it was a magnificent game of hurling as early on UCC with a sprinkling of intercounty hurlers throughout the field were on fire and dominated the first half.  Mark Coleman, Cork, Paddy O Loughlin, Limerick, Neil Montgomery, Waterford, and the current Maradona of hurling Kerryman Shane Conway showed true class. However, Imokilly did a bit of hurling too and fought their way back into the game as our own Colm Barry, Niall O Leary together with John Cronin and Bill Cooper put some ball into the forward line.  Alas Imokilly shot eleven wides as UCC marked hard and tight.  UCC led 1-13 to 0-10 at half time. 

Like true champions Imokilly contested like tigers for the second half. The interesting team sheet was torn up and form men like John Looney, Josh Beausang and Diarmuid O Leary were introduced. When Willie Leahy banged in a goal at the end of normal time to put the Candy Stripes one point ahead and it looked game over as UCC were out on their feet.  However, the young students came alive again and hit over the last four points to win an outstanding game 1-20 to 1-23.  This was disappointing for the East Cork side and while there were some valuable players missing on the night probably the loss of Shamie Harnedy who done his hammy the night before with St ita’s was greatest.  However, the College were down some good hurlers too most notably the young Tipperary star Paddy Cadell.  This throws the Cork SHC wide open as a victory for the bookies favourites from East Cork would have helped circle the wagons, strengthen the team, and put fear in opposition but it was not to be.  Well done to our own Jack Barry, Colm Barry and Niall O Leary who all done so well and was Barry Murphy also on the panel.  Our man Keith O Leary started in the middle of the park for UCC but had to retire due to a hammy injury. Hopefully, Keith will be okay for us on Friday evening as games are coming hot and heavy now.

Castlelyons defeated by Youghal in East Cork Oil JBHC

Our Junior B Hurlers played Youghal in Ballynoe on Saturday evening The St Catherines club are working hard future proofing for better times as they have built fabulous new frontage, new entrance, new gym, walkways, and other refurbishments on going. However, the present set up in games behind behind closed doors has a sense of loneliness with hardly a supporter for either side. Mike Walsh local man was the réiteoir for the evening and leaves the play move on even if there is the odd bit of hard stuff.  We look at some other counties and beg for this type of officialdom to improve Cork hurling and he contributed to a very good game.  The game was played to a high standard with Darren Tobin putting us into an early lead of 0-.  Youghal levelled but Cian O Flynn, Ciarán McGann and Darren Tobin from a 65 put us up 0-6 to 0-3 at the water break.  We resumed with 0-1 from play by Ciarán McGann and Darren Tobin who was doing very well on the 40 put us five up. However, Youghal fought hard despite through Damien Ring, Sean Monaghan, and Sean Smiddy and at half time it was all square at 0-10 to 0-10.

We started the second half and Youghal put us under pressure, but Declan Morrison, Liam Moroney and Conor McCarthy defended well. We had points from Tobin and Bransfield, Brian O Donovan and Ciarán McGann but Youghal kept with us and led 0-18 to 0-15 with time up.  We continued to do well and created some guilt edged goal chances which we failed to finish.  In a flurry of excitement, a last shot from Cian O Flynn flew over to leave the final score at 0-18 to 0-16 for a Youghal victory.  This was a great game with some outstanding patches of hurling and assists.  We are not gone away yet as Youghal and St Catherines have to meet now, and we have an outside chance of making the quarter finals.  Hard luck lads but keep the faith as all is not lost.

Team: D Kenny, D Morrison, L Moroney, C Lawlor, S Flynn, C McCarthy, S Fenton, C O’Flynn (0-2), B O Donovan (0-2), R Bransfield (0-1, D Tobin (0- 8), R Fenton, A O Regan, C McGann (0-3), R Morrison , J P Murphy, J Healy, S Cotter, E Barry, C Cotter, Ml John Dorgan, S Morrison.

Results of Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Draw. Monday 24.8.20. 

This draw was held in the Centre and the numbers drawn were 2, 7, 15 and 32. There was no winner of our Jackpot of €20,000. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Sara-Jane Dorgan. Martina Minihane. Emma Cogan. Bernie Howard. Chrissie Mackessy, Ger Tobin, Mike Spillane, Edel & Joe Moran, Next Draw Monday 31.8.20 for €20,000 in the Community Centre. Thanks for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto Online or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Castlelyons play Inniscarra in Round 3 of Co-Op Superstores PIHC on Friday 28.8.20.

Well its back to the premier intermediate championship on Friday evening next as our lads face up to Inniscarra in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7.30pm.  No need to mention how they put an end to our interests in last years championship with a comprehensive win despite our lead at half time and they down to 14 men and injuries in the second half. This year they were defeated by Blarney but came back in style to take Blackrock, so this is a make or break game. At least we know Inniscarra have fierce fighting qualities and we will certainly be in some battle.  We have played well to date, but this will be some test I can see some great tussles around the field as the big men Colm Barry and Colm Casey may face up to each other on the edge of the square although Casey could move onto Niall O Leary too.  One of Corks best man markers, Sean O Donoghue, could be in the face of our own star Colm Spillane. Our backs will have to deal with Owen McCarthy who destroyed Imokilly with a powerful goal the last night and the free taking of our own Mike Spillane and Inniscarra’s Fergal O Leary will be interesting too.  These are to mention but a few possibilities as both teams are loaded with good players in what should be a mighty contest.  The game of hurling is one of unintended consequences but if our team spirit is high, good discipline and fouling limited Castlelyons will be in there with a good chance of controlling the consequences.   Best of luck lads give it holly the Parish is behind you.

Streaming Castlelyons versus Inniscarra on Friday evening 28.8.20 at 7.30pm

The latest phenomenon of playing behind closed doors is a challenge to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. However, players and management countrywide are not deterred as they continue to put on some magnificent games.  We have all seen exciting stuff on TG4 and RTE.  In our own case the games versus Blackrock and Blarney have been streamed also and patrons at home can see the game.  We are streaming our game with versus Inniscarra game from Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday evening.   This is great for juveniles who cannot attend, patrons in the parish, Diaspora and so many that help us with the club. There is a cost to this despite all the volunteering as we have to get a company to the technical stuff.  The game will be shown on the Castlelyons GAA Facebook page. The club have set up a system whereby patrons can contribute to defray the costs if they so wish through “Castlelyons GAA Go Fund Me”.  Also, if anyone wishes to do some advertising on screen before the game or at halftime please contact Kieran McGann PRO at 0867773100.  Fan slán.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes: -  Kieran McGann Club PRO