Castlelyons Notes WE Monday 9.11.20 2020-11-11 22:23:00

Dark Evenings - Lock in - In the Lockdown.

Tough times as the hours of darkness are increasing each day and all organised social activity is restricted with the effects of Coronavirus hitting all communities and clubs nationwide. Our Club lotto is on hold as are all games.  Our playing season was short, but we did have a great run in intermediate hurling winning two challenge and four championship games before going down to Blarney in the PIHC final.  Our minor hurlers did well too as they made the Rebel Óg East final. Getting into the games was a problem but streaming the games compensated somewhat as we had record numbers tuning in. We were due to have both Under 21 hurling and football championships around this time, but it now looks like a 2021 setting for these games. 

The Barrymore Players were in full swing this time last year in training for a December production of Robin Hood, The Pantomine while there were children’s concerts, parties, and numerous other activities in the Hall.  These are all communal gatherings that provide so much entertainment, fun and laughter for our locals but are locked down for this winter. Hopefully, we will be able to travel and loosen up a little more for the Christmas season as numbers are reducing weekly.

Then great news on Monday as we seem to have reached a watershed moment with Pfizer and BioNTech issuing a statement that they have a Covid-19 Vaccine which is ninety per cent effective in preventing the illness.  Well RTE and news media across the world are really excited about the announcement.  This is so important as hospitals are overworked, and nearing overcapacity and economies are struggling to reopen.  We all know that vaccines are most essential in controlling health crises so hopefully this is a defining moment for us all and that other companies who are pursuing similar work will have good news too even if it takes some time yet to get. The European stock markets and oil prices have jumped on the announcement. Meanwhile we must endeavour to stick with the guidelines in a tough scene. Tabhair aire.

County Board seeking approval for New Rebel Bounty Draw format.

The County Board regretted that the absence of an in-person County Committee meeting to secure full approval for the new Rebel Bounty Draw. Covid-19 restrictions have prevented all from having a full vote. It was outlined that the Executive committee retains decision making powers during the current restrictions but sought a mandate from Clubs to proceed with Rebels' Bounty for the next three years. The details of the Draw are circulated to al club members

Following the consultation with Clubs by County Executive members in the recent past, it is now the belief of the County officers that there is a broad consensus in favour of Rebels' Bounty proceeding, notwithstanding the genuine concerns raised by Clubs in relation to sales quotas including Castlelyons.  Also, having paused the draw due to the latest Covid-19 restrictions, a significant number of Clubs that are highly dependent on the draw have urged us to begin sales urgently.  So, it now appears to be going ahead with many local Clubs taking part.

Access to Tickets for Games during the championship.

Many of our own supporters fond it hard to come by tickets during Castlelyons run to the county final. We often wondered why we did not get our share of tickets.  However, it was revealed at the recent Board meeting that the loyalty of season and premium ticket holders had to be acknowledged despite the restricted access to games and that staff worked hard to meet requests in terms of online ticket sales during a challenging period. Overall, many of these tickets did make there way back to the clubs involved.

Financial Assistance for Clubs due to Covid.

While media reports have indicated that such funds may be available that due to the poor year arising from Covid should the GAA may benefit from a Government Grant and hopefully monies would accrue to the clubs any monies. It was outlined at the Board meeting that that further information was awaited.  Communication from Croke Park had been received in regard to grants relating to inter-county games, but it did not contain specific information for clubs, and this is awaited. Matters relative to affiliation and insurance were discussed but there was no outcome to date.

Rebels on the move.

 A great day weekend for Cork as our hurlers had a facile victory over Dublin in Thurles.  The team and management, much maligned by thirsting supporters when they lost to Waterford, circled the wagons, greased the wheels, and added a few shining lights to role over the Dubs in style.  Great to see our own man Colm Spillane add a bit of steel to the back line and Niall O Leary coming on in the second half.  Well done lads. Mentioning steel it was very noticeable that Cork were really up for this game as the Dublin goalie came out to tackle Declan Dalton but came off the worse and the Fr O Neills hit a beauty of a ground shot for Cork’s Goal.  Then as a Dublin forward cut through, he met up with Colm Spillane and went no farther.  Colm received a card which in seemed very harsh.  Tipperary will be a different proposition on Saturday as they are wounded after the Limerick drubbing so we will be looking for a repeat performance from a newly designed Cork outfit.

Then on the Sunday the Cork footballers produced one of the surprises of the championship by knocking out Kerry in tough hard encounter in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.  A new dawn for a team containing a sprinkling of young men with U20 All Ireland medals in their pocket and anxious to add more.  Maurice Shanley at full back had a stormer and young Sean Meehan from Kiskeam to many the real man of the match as he tided up, turned over and attacked the Kerry lads with power. Then with time almost up a powerful looking Mitchelstown man Mark Keane fetched and buried a goal in style for a deserved victory. Well done to the players and management after a few tough years it is great to see progress.  Best of luck in the final versus Tipperary on Sunday a tough outfit in their own way too so it should be a good game in two weeks’ time.

Clubhouse Refurbishment

The Club wishes to thank Gearoid Crowley, electrician who has completed the upgraded all electrical requirements and synchronised same with the Community Hall refurbishment. There were discussions with the Fire Officer and a scope oof work required to make the Clubhouse compliant and usable for the foreseeable is now being finalised. Once the drawings and scope of work are completed the costings can be prepared and all stakeholders consulted regarding apportionment of costs and final decision rests with the Executive.

 Annual General Meeting – Sunday 6th December.

We have tentatively set the Sunday December 6th as the date for the AGM with a view to an outdoor meeting. At this time, it is our intention is to hold the meeting in person once Covid restrictions are eased to allowed proper gatherings. We propose to issue all reports in writing two weeks in advance of the AGM to allow members to review these in detail. We will have an opportunity to discuss each report at the AGM and the election of Officers will take place as normal. Nominations for all positions will be taken in advance of the AGM and at the AGM. A number of personnel are stepping down from their positions this year having completed their time in officerships.  This detail has been circulated to all club members and every effort should be made to ensure replacements and a smooth transition in the various positions

Votes of Sympathy

Castlelyons GAA wish to express sincere condolences to the Coughlan family, Fermoy, the O’Flynn and Rea families, Farren, the Murphy and Slattery families Castlelyons on their recent bereavements. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

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