Castlelyons GAA Notes WE 15.3.21. 2021-03-17 19:55:00

Great excitement as more children young people to school in phased reopening.

There was great excitement in many households last Monday morning as children and teenagers prepared for school again after a lengthy lay off.  This latest part of a phased reopening of the schools means that all primary school children are back in class.  Second level fifth year students have joined their sixth-year colleagues who returned two weeks ago.  There will be a further return of students on the 12th of April and the next few weeks will be monitored carefully. It is imperative that the the virus is controlled and good advice in this regard for parents is not to linger about school gates while dropping off or collecting children and leave immediately.  Overall, this return to school is a massive step towards normality again and hopefully it will remain this way.   We must thank the teachers, young people and parents who made a massive effort on distance learning in the interim.  This work was not easy but vital to the development of our young people.

Juvenile Club line up their managers.

Our Juvenile Club has lined up their Managers for the coming season.  It is the same in all for hurling and football and they are as follows: U17/U18; Declan Spillane.  U13; Shane O Neill.  U15; John Linehan.  U14; John Leetch.  U12; Shane Hickey.  U11; Simon Barry and Declan Wallace.  U9; Mairead Barry.  U7; TBA.  These managers will be arranging their own management teams shortly. All have some time to familiarise themselves the highest standards in child protection, players respect and coaching as we await a return to play.  Our own club and clubs in general were outstanding last year in the observance of the Covid protocols until there some stupid behaviour after county finals around the country caused serious problems.  Hopefully, a return to training in pods for our young people could restart soon as it vital for their wellbeing.  Action on Saturdays and the longer evenings must be the goal of national and local committees and managers.  The best of luck to all our players and management teams for 2021.

Change in Rebel Óg Underage levels is a cause of strong debate.   

A Croke Park Development Report in 2020 has recommended that all competitions up to and including U17 should focus on development rather than winning, with players not allowed to participate in adult competitions until they are too old for the U17 grade.  Even the Féile competition is moving up from U14 to U15 plus the regional tournaments and county champions will no longer be the only clubs to represent their county by right. This in turn has huge implications for various clubs especially those with big numbers.  Rebel Óg have moved with the Croke Park policy of U13, U15 and U17. Numerous Cork Clubs are critical of this new set up and up and have communicated with the County Board on the matter.  Present negotiations between the Board and Rebel Óg are moving well as games may be held in U14 and U16 age groups for 2021 with a caveat that most of the players in that grade are up to the age.

However long term it seems the future set up will be U13, U15 and U17 rather than the traditional U12, U14, U16 and U18.  This is based on an idealistic school of thought that excessive competitiveness at under-age level is a problem for the GAA as many children drop out because they do not get games.  The overzealous competitiveness in underage GAA even received mention at Oireachtas committee level back in 2018.   At that meeting a full time GAA community and health manager outlined at the time that the GAA are working towards a sea change in competitiveness at under-age levels. The same committee were examining other issues for our youth in the country and without going into detail these issues call for more exercise and competitive action. But the question must be asked about research to support this belief. This modern view of underage games is certainly very idealistic, and the older scene for the Under 21 age group does not seem set to date.  If it is reduced to U20 it is an early age for young adults to try and get games at adult level after and, of course there is a fair gap between Under 17 and Under 20.   

The competitive lure of the GAA is a strong factor in the promotion of our games right through the parish and county scene.  The competitive environment influences a greater exercise intensity and has long enhanced promotion, practice, training, and enjoyment for young players. The more games played and promoted the better for our youth.  Maybe our Organisation would gain a lot by working on behavioural scenes and ensuring that individuals on management teams and parents show strong respect for referees and the opposition.  This will create positivity for all and allow our younger players express and enjoy the game rather than too much tribal roaring at times and overzealous control of players. Another area of importance is the holding of meaningful competitive games close to people who attend these games rather than travelling off in big, long journeys and playing just for the sake of it. These suggestions may be a little pragmatic but the strong idealism of more participation for the sake of it with less competition may be questionable.  Rather a more understanding blend of both views could be really helpful in ensuring continued strong involvement of our young players and positive promotion of our underage games.

New GAA President delivering on gender promise in Committees.

New President of the GAA Corkman Larry McCarthy has delivered on his promise of appointing a woman to each of his committees.  Mary Judge, Galway is on the Central Competitions Control. Aoife Farrelly, Meath, is on Central Hearings.  Julie Galbraith, Donegal, is on Central Appeals and Professor Anne Looney Dublin to the GAA’s Management Committee.  Larry is showing leadership already as this intervention provides inclusiveness, which is significant for women, men and for diversity in the GAA more broadly.  He brings a different perspective from the norm being the first elected president from outside the country. He lectures on a sports management course in a school of business in New York. So, no doubt he will use this wide awareness of different perspectives to assist the future of the Organisation.

Cheltenham Races holding the interest for the week.

Cheltenham is often described as the Olympics of horse racing as best horses, trainers and jockeys go head-to-head in four days of racing.  It is often said that the Cheltenham roar is nearly as good as the Clare roar but this year there will be silence coming up the hill as the crowds are absent.  There is a great buzz about the place as the Races draw near. Our own Club set up a Buster and the interest is massive.  We must congratulate and compliment Michael Spillane Jnr and Liam Moroney on some trojan work in this regard.  While we come up with a few Euros and put in our horses they are administrating in the background. The idea is to raise funding for the purchase of equipment for our new club gym.

This year the number of Irish horses entered is down due to the red tape of Covid and Brexit.  But there is a strong local interest as last year’s big winner Lisnagar Oscar formerly owned by Denis Fitzgerald, Rathcormac is out again on Thursday.  Then we have Rosie’s Hollow now running in the colours of JP McManus was formerly owned by Phillip O Connor Cork, and John Hallahan of Castlelyons but still trained by Johnathan Sweeney Kildinan and running on Thursday too. Another local horse is Claim to Pass owned by Eugene O’Sullivan Lombardstown and running on Friday. Sure, a local winner would be great always bring out the best in people.  Enjoy the racing, gamble responsibly and stay safe.  

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto – Jackpot now €10,800. 

This draw was held Monday 15.3.21 and the numbers drawn were 4, 11, 17 and 25. There was no winner, and the Jackpot is now €10,800. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Christine Carrol, John Barry, Barry O Connell, Ber Keane, Ber Desmond, Nelius De Roiste, Aisling Murphy, and C O’Sullivan. The next draw is Monday 22.3.21. Thanks so much for your support and please advise your friends that they can play our Lotto, ONLINE or purchase tickets from the usual outlets.

Bumper Evening of Rebels’ Bounty Draw - Thursday 25th March

Hi Folks, do not forget your Rebel Bounty ticket as they are lining up at the starting line already with no favourites. All names must be on the cards by Thursday morning at 11am and then we have a “Bumper Evening of Draws” live on Facebook courtesy of the County Board and the Irish Examiner.  These of three lots of €20,000 and a total of ninety cash prizes can be streamed live into your own home so it could be some celebratory evening for you, the family, your pod or wherever you are.  Of course, there will be nine of the twelve more monthly draws still left with the first prize €20,000 each month and the first prize for Christmas is €100,000. A sincere thanks to all our members and supporters who have joined and made it a success to date.  The tickets are mighty value and if you have not joined to date you might consider having a go.  Beir bua to all.

Community Fundraiser for Fr Ferris Park.

Tickets are currently on sale for a six-week Draw which takes place on Monday 3rd May with weekly prizes of €500, €200 and three Prizes of €100. Tickets are priced at €50 for the six draws (one free). The Fr Ferris Park came about when the Community Council purchased 4 acres of land for a nominal sum from the Kent family Castleview. Powerful work by the Council led to the establishment of a public recreational facility in 2010 as the Fr Ferris public park was opened. This facility has a 50-space car park, beautiful children’s playground, picnic tables and seats, lime kiln restoration, wildflower garden, public walkway with lighting and a communal playing pitch. It is ideally located, close to the National School and used by so many. There is a cost in maintenance and there will be further improvements shortly, so your support is appreciated.

Votes of Sympathy.

Castlelyons GAA wish to extend sincere sympathy to the Cliffe family, Ballynafauna, Fermoy and Kett family Cappoquin. Also, to the Baker and O’Brien families, Fermoy in their recent bereavements. Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann Castlelyons GAA PRO







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