New Ladies Gaelic Football Club in Castlelyons. 

The Lidl advertisement for the Ladies Gaelic football shows the ladies playing the game in a handy hillside field and just surviving but, of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth as it is now one of the fastest growing sports in Europe.  There are over 1000 cubs in Ireland and many more in countries worldwide. Many of the top players are some of the best-known sportswomen in the country and many more stars have headed for Australia to play the professional game.   Now the ladies football craze has taken off in Castlelyons.  There were over fifty girls from 6 years to 12 years at the initial coaching and training session in the Fr Ferris Field last Tuesday evening.         

Castlelyons Ladies Gaelic Football Club registered in 2020 but due to the pandemic did not get going.  However, Croke Park waived the fees, and they are ready for this year.  The coaching is based on Groups U6, U7, U8, U10 and U12 and they hope to enter an Under 12 team in the East Cork Ladies League. It is intended to build up the ages in the next few years.  John Leetch, Donal O’Callaghan, Kieran Crowley, Tracey Bransfield, Anne Marie O’Connor, and George Leetch are providing coaching, training, and assistance for the girls.  Well done to John Leetch as this is the second time, he has helped found a new club in the parish.  Back in May 1995 John helped found Castlebridge Celtic soccer club and was Chairman for ten years.  From Kilkelly, County Mayo but domiciled in Castlelyons for many years John is a massive sportsman and played football for Castlelyons.  He is an avid Mayo supporter, and he hopes it’s Sam goes West this year.  Well done to all who have set up Peil Ghaelach na mBan in Castlelyons, congratulations from Castlelyons GAA and in a few years’ time we could see success like our Camogie Club.  

Greater alignment of GAA, Camogie and LGFA - Central Council Report, May 2021.

Tracey Kennedy Cork County Board representative on the Central Council set out in her May report that there appears to be an increased impetus on moving towards greater alignment of the GAA, Camogie and LGFA, mainly due to pressure from Sport Ireland and the Government.  Coiste Bainistí had considered various themes and topics, and Camogie and LGFA are currently undergoing a similar process with a view to providing an agreed way forward for all three bodies, as distinct from the two separate memorandums of understanding previously agreed.  Again, this will be of particular benefit to Castlelyons as we now have a strong Camogie Club and a newly formed Ladies Gaelic Football Club.  The way forward is a strong alignment with the GAA Club thus delivering facilities in Castlelyons for all three groups into the future. 

Two Star Players take time out as they hit for warmer lands. 

Cian O Leary one of our most consistent players in hurling and football and on the county winning teams in both minor, under 21 hurling and the IHL County League is taking some time out and heading for the Cayman Islands.  Cian is an accountant and will be working with the Grant Thornton Group one of the world’s leading firms in the provision of assurance, tax, and advisory services. Cian is a serious loss to our club as he is a great competitor and strong man in the backs. However, heading for the Cayman Islands is a game changer.  It is in the Caribbean Islands with a beautiful climate of sea, sun, sand, and enjoyment plus a GAA Club and Ladies Gaelic football Club. Of course, he will not be the only Castlelyons person on Cayman as Bridge Verling is a resident there for over eight years and married there with a family. No doubt Cian will be back again in 2022 and fresh from time out ready to give it a lash again.

Ronan Bransfield another one of our players who was a member of the county winning minor, under 21 hurling teams and the IHL County League.  He is a strong performer but transferred to a Dublin Club for a short time as he worked there in a busy number.  Back again and going well in 2020 and 2021 has decided to take some time out and head for Dubai.  Another man on finance Ronan works in Private Equity and will take up a position with Investbridge Capital covering independent alternative asset management and advising on emerging growth markets.  No doubt Ronan will take up with Dubai Celts GAA Club and sure like the Cayman Islands, Dubai is another land of great money.  He won’t be the only Castlelyons person in Dubai as are two former Castlelyons club members there already. One of our greats, Eoin Fitzgerald and his family has taken time out there working with Dell. One of our more recent stars Phillip Mahon and his wife Nicole are taking some time out there too and are involved in the teaching and fitness business.  Cian and Ronan will be missed, two sound men and we wish them well in their careers and hope they will return to wear the Castlelyons colours richer men after some time away.

Robust debate at special County Board meeting on Players Injury Benefit Fund. 

As reported last week there was some serious discussion at Central Council level on the Players injury Benefit Fund the possibility of dropping the loss of wages from the scheme the Clubs were circulated with two options. We were requested to submit a reply to the County Board for discussion at a special county committee meeting on the subject which was held last week.  Well, there was a robust discussion as many delegates denounced the options given.  Finally, it was agreed that the County Secretary would communicate with Croke Park setting out the following "That the premium of €1,000 per adult team for this year would cover the period up to 31 December 2021, but that this cover would include loss of wages, as before”. 

A prompt reply was returned from Croke Park outlining that this proposal from Cork was already considered plus several other proposals and fully respected.  It was outlined that putting multiple pricing options for consideration was not practical as it would have resulted in an inability to draw a conclusive decision on the matter. Croke Park outlined that it is the defined responsibility of Coiste Bainistíochta (as the Management Committee of the GAA) to offer what it feels are the most appropriate options and solutions for further consideration, and the two best options were presented. So as agreed at last Tuesday night’s meeting and by the County Executive, Cork the fall-back position was to support Option One which is that a twenty-five per cent levy will be applied to every to every club’s Injury Fund premium for 2021 to cover the forecasted €1.5m shortfall. 

Castlelyons GAA Weekly Lotto Jackpot now at €13,000. 

This week’s draw was held Monday 31.5.21 and the numbers drawn were 14, 26, 27, and 28. There was no winner, and the Jackpot is now at €13,000. The Lucky Dip winners were as follows: - Emma Hanley, Pauline O’Leary, Saoirse Healy, Des O’Keeffe, Shane Moroney, Freek Rosner, Kevin Barry and Yvonne Bransfield.

The results of the Club Lotto are published on both the Avondhu and social media.  The next draw is Tuesday. 8.6.21 at the Centre. 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.

Club Grants.  

This subject of Grants for Clubs was raised at the recent Munster Council meeting.  Cork representatives on the Council Ger Lane and Michael Byrne reported as the Council is still restricted in attendances its unlikely grants will return in 2021. The hope is that grants will be returning at the end of 2022.  Castlelyons benefited well after the purchase of lands in 2019 from a Munster Grant.  Hopefully, we will benefit from a development grant again in 2022 if we have some works carried out in the new project.

Fixtures.

East Cork Junior A Football League Cup: Cloyne -V- Castlelyons at Cloyne at 11.30am

Rebel Óg East Fixtures

• Monday 7.6.21 at 7pm. Referee Denis Motherway. Fe12 Group 2 HL: Castlelyons -V- St Colmans at Castlelyons:
• Wednesday 9.6.21 @ 7pm. Referee; Arthur Murphy. Fe14 Group 4 HL: Castlelyons -V- Mayfield at Castlelyons:
• Friday 11.6.21 @ 7pm. Referee Chris Broderick.Fe13 Group 5 HL: Brian Dillons -V- Castlelyons at Brian Dillons
• Friday 11.6.21 @ 7.30pm. Referee; Pa Beausang. Fe18 Group 2 HL: Castlelyons -V- Fr O'Neills at Castlelyons:
• Saturday 12.6.21 @ 12md. Referee Pa Beausang. Fe15 Group 2 HL Games Castlelyons -V- St Colmans at Castlelyons

Club Main Sponsor: ZEUS Packaging Group.

Notes by Kieran McGann Castlelyons GAA PRO