Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 30.11.20. 2020-12-03 19:17:00

Castlelyons GAA Club Annual General Meeting – Friday 11th December 2020.

The Lockdown is ending albeit partially this week as we move down to Level 3. Club meetings are not allowed, and our Chairman has outlined that the Club Annual General Meeting will take place on Friday 11th December at 8pm through “Zoom” and will be interactive.   The following agenda is proposed.

  • Adoption of minutes of 2019 AGM.
  • Adoption of secretary's report.
  • Review and adoption of Treasurer’s report.
  • Adoption of chairman's address.
  • Other Reports.
  • Elections of Officers.

Copies of the Secretary’s, Treasurer’s, Chairman’s, and other miscellaneous reports are available from the Secretary.

Streaming of Club Games, a great success. 

They say necessity is the mother of invention well this year due to the COVID, limited attendances and games behind closed doors the streaming of club games took off in the GAA.   In our own Club we sought to bring the Premier IHC games to our supporters, who struggled to secure tickets limited tickets. I remember going to Lisgoold on reconnaissance before the Blackrock game and with little reception on the roadway thinking it was a goner.  However, even to the surprise of locals I hit the jackpot behind the dugout as I got 4G (full power) off a Mast in the forest. 

Fair play to our committee they agreed on streaming and it proved a great summer for our Club as we our games went out live on Facebook links to a most appreciative audience of juveniles and adults. We even brought the atmosphere and crack of Club games into the homes of our Diaspora in various countries and they loved it too. Thanks again to our supporters and our Diaspora who showed their appreciation by contributing to a Go Fund Me project which yielded a massive amount of money and surpassed all our expectations.

One Cork launched by County Board – Driving future success for Cork GAA

A One Cork branding is the amalgamation of the Cork County Board, Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium Board, Cairde Chorcaí, Clubs and supporters.  It is hoped to raise over €20 million in revenue over the next five years and make Cork one of the most successful sporting organisations in the country. There will be a sponsorship programme, usage of the Páirc as a world class stadium for various concerts, games, and events. Supporters can contribute to the Rebels’ Bounty; a revamped draw format will see clubs benefit directly from improved ticket sales. One Cork will deepen links with the clubs and their communities. The goal is to ensure that every player, from the 5-year-old starting out to the inter-county star, will see the benefits of the programme. The will be undoubtable major benefits in bringing all these individual groupings together.  When one considers Cork with 259 Clubs, compared with Dublin’s 134 while Kilkenny have just 41 the Rebel county is a sleeping joint. One Cork looks the business in modern society and the Rebels could be planting the seeds for a double like 1990 in a short time.

Cork County Board Draw. - Rebels ‘Bounty going ahead.

At the County Committee Meeting of the 24.11.20 Chair Tracey Kennedy and the Runaí praised the new model and described the Rebels’ Bounty as a fantastic opportunity for clubs outlining that both County Board and Clubs would soon reap the benefits. They acknowledged receiving correspondence that from many clubs both positive and negative.  Eighty per cent of clubs supported the new format, so they outlined it was not fair that a small percentage should hold it up. There is a support committee set up to speak with clubs who had reservations, but all clubs must sell the required amount. They are going ahead, and a special website will be live on the first weekend of December for the Christmas. However, if one looks at it positively all tickets after the first seventy will yield one hundred percent profit for our Club. If our adult, juvenile and camogie groupings were to take it on we would be able to clear the levy and make a sizable profit, but it will demand a bit of coordinated work.  

The Cork County Board Convention on Thursday 17.12.20.

The Cork County Board Convention will now be held on the later date of Thursday 17.12.20.  The later date is to afford the opportunity of completing the Stadium accounts and the County Board accounts for 2020 in the one pack. The count for the election of officers will still take place on Friday December 4th. Pat Horgan, Midleton, Ronan Duane, Aghada and Des Cullinane, Glen Rovers are contesting the vice chair position while Bill O’Flynn, Grange and Jerry Walsh, Ballydesmond are contesting the Coaching Officer spot. There is fair battling going on for these much sought after seats on the Board.   The Chairperson said that County Convention would take place on Thursday December 17th and that it was planned to be fully interactive through Teams.

East Cork Board Annual Convention Tuesday 15th December at 7.30pm.

Please note that the Annual Convention of Bórd Roinn Oirthear Chorcaí takes place in a virtual setting on “Teams” on Tuesday 15th December at 7.30pm. The Convention was originally arranged for Carrigtwohill, but level 3 does not allow the use of such facility which is disappointing.  The Board does are seeking a Runaí as Michael O Brien outgoing has completed his term and is taking up the position of Treasurer.

Local Waterford support for the All-Ireland Final.

There will be strong Castlelyons support for Waterford in their bid to capture the McCarthy Cup on Sunday week. There may be many Waterford people in the Parish, but both the Kenny and Barry families have special reason to don the Déise colours for the day anyway.  Ian Kenny son of the late Tom Kenny who was a former chairman of our Club is starring at corner back for Waterford this year.  Ian went to National School in Castlelyons but later returned with his Mam Gráinne and family to Waterford.  He plays his club hurling in Ballygunner and played with UCC.  A teak tough corner back he takes no prisoners as they tidied up the kitchen time and again in the Kilkenny game to make the final.

Ian is a cousin of Paddy Kenny and his family in the village and the Barry family, Coole.  The genes are good as Paddy Kenny, his sons Sean, David, and Army Captain Kevin Kenny, Paul and Niall all played with Castlelyons.  Likewise, Breda Barry family, Coole especially Colm and Jack who hold Fitzgibbon Cup medals with Colm staring at fully back for Imokilly as they won three county senior titles in a row recently and, of course, Donal, our Club treasurer. No doubt all ag bualadh bos and looking forward to the McCarthy cup at least coming back along the road to Waterford and maybe Cork next year. Best of luck Ian.

Striding into Christmas after a great weekend and more to come.

Last weekend really gave us all an opportunity to appreciate life as we now stride into Christmas.  We had the Toy Show on Friday night enjoyed by grandparents, parents, and children since 1975 and were still all excited and delighted about this year offering. Over 1.7 million watched the Show and it yielded over 6 million for children’s charities.  Then on Saturday we had the Camogie semi-finals in the Páirc with Kilkenny and Galway making it through after great games.

That evening the Déise took on Kilkenny in Croker and what a game as both teams gave an exhibition of effort, strength, and skill. TJ Reid was at his very best, but it was not enough to swing it the Cats way as the Déise hurled for their lives and came out on top. They matched the Kilkenny intensity and Stephen Bennett of Ballysaggart matched Reid’s skill too scoring 1-12.  Then on Sunday Galway faced Limerick in a tense battle of skill, tactics, and ferocious war like hits. Limerick came out on top despite Joe Canning shooting over sidelines like twenty ones. Finally, we had the Sunday Game that evening with new man Dave Fitzgerald giving us his words of wisdom.

Next weekend it’s Cavan v the Dubs on Saturday in Croker at 5.30.  The betting is amazing stuff in a two-horse race as Dublin are 1/50 and Cavan 16/1.  Of course, Dublin are hoping to make it six in a row. Well even if they do a Corkman from near the Shandon Bells and played with Glen Rovers put six All Ireland Medals in a row in his pocket well before them. Former Taoiseach Jack Lynch won All-Ireland medals in the small ball game with Cork between 1941 and ’44, in football in 1945 and another in hurling for good measure in 1946. Sure, the Rebels have really done it all and wouldn’t it be great to repeat the dose in the next few years. 

Tipperary play Mayo at 3.30pm on Sunday in the other semi-final. Here Mayo are 2/7 while Tipperary are outsiders at 4/1 but. The Premier have some great players in Conor Sweeney, Colin O’Riordan, Michael Quinlivan and are all out to upset the odds. Cork play Galway in the All-Ireland Senior Ladies football semi-final in the LIT Gaelic Grounds Limerick at 1.30pm on Saturday.  So, while the stands may be silent, we can sit back and watch as we have a cracking weekend of games coming up.

More good news.

The media are now full of talk about the coronavirus vaccine this week and the fact that it may even be available later this month. We are really moving on and while it will hardly be under the tree if we can see the session out maybe we could hit a sense of normality by summer. Enjoy the next few weeks of football and hurling here’s to Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, stay safe, have a Happy Christmas, and thanks for reading.

Main Club Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.




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