Castlelyons defeat Newcestown in vital Red FM county hurling league game. 

Cork is a big hurling county and this is not the half of it as we headed on a journey of almost forty five miles for Newcestown on Sunday morning to play the locals in a vital Red FM league game at 11.30am.  While some light showers made the pitch slippy the lads were focused, hurdled well and came away with two valuable league points as they won 4-14 to 1-16.  The win was important to us as we now preserve our position in division three for 2026.

We started well with two good points from Alan Fenton and Barry Murphy.  They had a point and put on early pressure but Jack Barry who was in good form came out to snaffle up a dangerous ball and clear downfield.  We got on top again with 0-2 from Anthony Spillane and 0-1 from Eoin Maye.  Then Brian O’Donovan scored a good goal as he latched onto a pass from Dave Morrison.  We were leading 1-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes. Then Peter Roche added another point and the score of the day came as Colm McCarthy broke clear in the half back line and sent a beauty of a pass up the wing to Anthony Spillane.  Anto turned his man and found Dave Morrison in front of goal who oblidged with a cracking goal.  It was notable too  that young Olan Linehan was hurling well for us with some great touches and a few scores.  Our backs were on top Barry Murphy was working hard at centre forward as we put over a few more points and then Anthony Spillane in great form banged in a goal to leave it 3-9 to 0-5 as Barry Murphy scored twice to leave it 3-11 to 0-5 at halftime.  

Newcestown came out after half time and really upped their play for a while. It was tough going at times.  But our backs played very well particularly the half back line of Shane Moroney, Colm McCarthy and Oscar Hallahan.  Jack Barry stood his ground to make a great save and while they scored 0-3 we got back nto the game and scoring ourselves and when Anthony Spillane got his second goal after good work from Alan Fenton the game was as good as over.  In the last ten minutes Castlelyons introduced a number of subs and it was unfortunate that Oscar Hallihan received a nasty knee injury.  We wish him the best in recovery as he is vital for the championship and a few more in the injury list too. This game completes our league list and while we were mediocre in some games we signed off with a good win here.  We now have a good opportunity to prepare for the championship and no doubt the lads will make an all out effort again this year.

Panel: Jack Barry; Peter Roche, Colm Barry, Brian Carroll; Shane Moroney, Colm McCarthy, Oscar Hallihan; Alan Fenton, James Kearney; Brian O’Donovan, Barry Murphy, Ronan Fenton; Dave Morrison, Anthony Spillane, Olan Linehan; Matthew Rosner, Jack Cremin, Shane O’Flynn, Oisin Morrison.

Great day for our Under 12 hurlers as they win the Willie Ryan Cup in Aghada.

Our under 12 hurlers were invited to play in Aghada's prestigious Willie Ryan Tournament last Saturday. We played Youghal on the Quarry in our semi-final and the boys played brilliantly winning by eight points. In the other semi-final, Aghada scored a last-minute long-range point against Kiltha Óg to snatch victory in their semi-final.  It was Castlelyons versus Aghada in the final and it proved to be a great game as both teams showed skill and determination as we proved that bit stronger to claim the cup amidst fantastic celebrations.  Well done to the boys as they played two great games and are really improving their hurling these last few weeks. It was great to see them lift their first cup together as a team.

Thanks to Aghada for inviting Castlelyons down for a great day’s hurling and the refreshments afterwards. It is a very well organised tournament, and it was privilege to be invited.

The cup is named after the late Willie Ryan was an outstanding administrator for Aghada until his untimely death in 1981.  He was club secretary for over 30 years and kept it going in the lean times, and he instrumental in securing and developing their first pitch back in 1971.  His contribution to juvenile affairs in East Cork was immense.

Castlelyons Panel: Robbie Milward, Bobby Hosford, Liam Cashman, Luke Dolan, Jack Cronin, Tom Barry, Robbie Wallace, Fionn O’Neill, Rian Fitzgerald, Liam Martin, Callaghan McCarthy, Cian O’Donovan, Diarmuid O hUallacháin, Mason White, Charlie White, Darragh McCarthy.

Castlelyons Cúl Camp.

Our GAA Cúl Camp commenced on Monday morning and is in full swing these days.  It is organised and run by the juvenile club and catering for almost 120 children.  The pitches are full, the craic good and the learning great as many of our adult stars are involved.  Mol an oige agus tiochfaidh siad. 

 Junior Footballers in a County Final on this Sunday 6.7.25 at 2pm in Mallow.

We are back in the football business again this year entered an adult team in the confined junior C competition and have made the final after a tough game versus Lough Rovers in the semi-final recently.  We are playing a very strong Rochestown outfit in the final in Mallow on Sunday at 2pm who have a lot of new players since last year. While it is a bonus to make the final, I am sure our team will give a good account of themselves.  We have an even team though we are young.  Well done to the team and the management of Shane Moroney, Chris Cotter and Darren Tobin.  All support appreciated please.  Castlelyons Abú.

Castlelyons GAA Lotto Results - Monday 30.6.25 - Jackpot now €15600

The results of the draw held on Monday 30.6.25 had the following numbers drawn were 11, 25, 29 and 32. There was no Jackpot winner which was €15,000.   The Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: Ann Waters, Tara O’Sullivan, Laura Fitzgerald, Cathy’s Grandkids, Lisa & Brendan Hallihan, Willie Ryan, Clem Carroll and Matty O’Sullivan.

The Jackpot is now a massive €15,600.  The next Draw be held in the Community Centre on Monday 7th July at 8pm. Thank you all for your support and don’t forget you can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Castlelyons Minor Footballers defeat Mayfield in the League.

Castlelyons 4-13 Mayfield 1-9

Our minor footballers had another convincing win in the league this time over Mayfield at home last Wednesday evening.  We now move to third place with a game to play are in with a chance of making the final.  Devin Barry done well in goal with all the backs having their moments as Mayfield fought back after we scored an early goal from a goalmouth ruck.  But Dylan Leetch and Ronan Ryan got on top at midfield and Ciarán Murphy began to go well at centre forward as they got the ball in fast to our full forward line. Adam Lardner and Sean O’Callaghan scored goals and Adam put over some frees as we led 3-5 to 0-6 at half time. Despite Mayfield looking the stronger team, we played some great football in the second half to motor home with a good win.  Well done lads.

Panel: Kevin Barry; Gearóid McCarthy, John O’Neill, Tom O’Neill, Sean Óg McGuire, Darragh Fleming; Dylan Leetch, Ronan Ryan; Óisin Cronin, Sean O’Callaghan, Shane Hussey; Adam Lardner, Ciarán Murphy, Darragh Bransfield; Thomas McAuliffe, Jude Hallihan, Liam O’Riordan and Ryan Stack.

Best of luck to Cork on Saturday as the festival of intercounty hurling is drawing to a close.

We had a great festival of hurling these last few weeks and now the inter county senior hurling championship is now down to four teams.  There were surprises along the way too.  Who ever thought that you would have a Kerry man on a Kilkenny team and there were five players from Thomastown, who beat Castlelyons in the intermediate club championship in 2023 on a Kilkenny team during the Leinster senior championship this year.  But it is no surprise the Cats are in a semi-final again. Tipperary are home grown in management and players this year and have made it to the last four with a new enthusiasm.  All Ireland Champions Clare are out with a while. Dublin are the surprise packet of the lot this year are in the All-Ireland semi-final with a totally home grown outfit as Niall O’Ceallacháin the manager, the management and players are all Dubs.  Their defeat of Limerick in the quarter final was the biggest shock for decades.  Cork have built on their performance of 2024 by winning the League, the Mackey Cup in Munster and now are just two games away from the Liam McCarthy Cup. 

The Rebels, are back in Croke Park to face this formidable Dublin team on Saturday 5th July with a 5pm throw in.  There is an air of expectation under the cap of many supporters that Cork can do it but there must be caution and go for it with the steely determination and skill that the team has built on over the last few years.  It is imperative too that Cork supporters turn Croke Park red and bring the traditional noise and colour because no doubt the Dubs will be there in strength.  Best of luck to the team, management and Castlelyons man Niall O’Leary. Go n-eirí líbh.

Castlelyons Ladies Gaelic Football.

Castlelyons LGFA are starting a Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others team in Castlelyons. If you fancy dusting off those football boots or joining a new activity for some fun and loads of laughter please get in touch with George Leetch or Donal O’Callaghan.

Wedding Bells.

Congratulations to Liam Moroney and Hannah Mulcahy on their recent wedding. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness and fulfilment together from Castlelyons GAA.

Condolence.

It was with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of William O’Sullivan, Ballyhamshire last week.  Billy, who was in his eighty ninth year passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was an outstanding member of Castlelyons GAA club for many a year. He was a selector, cut the pitch, took personal care of the tractor and mower as he had a great knowledge of machinery, put out flags, nets, generally attended to the Grounds, he was on the Lotto committee and much more.  He was involved with the Community Centre and always was always willing to lend a helping hand.  Of course, Billy worked as a farm assistant with many farmers in the parish and as we all know there is no five-day cow so Billy helped lads make evening games and a morning sleep in after the odd night out as no job was too big or too small for him.  He will be remembered by Castlelyons GAA as a person who was always generous with his time and a true volunteer. The Club wish to express sincere condolences to the O’Sullivan family & extended families on his sad passing.  Solas na bhFlaitheas da ainm uasal.

Fixtures.

• Rebel Óg Under 14 Hurling League; Lisgoold v Castlelyons; on Friday 4th June at 8pm in Lisgoold. 
• Rebel Óg Under 12 Hurling League; Castlelyons v Ballygiblin; Sunday 6th July in Castlelyons at 2pm.
• McCarthy Insurance Group Confined Junior C Football Championship final; Castlelyons v Rochestown; Sunday 6th July in Mallow at 2pm.
• Rebel Óg Under 18 Football League; Castlelyons v Bride Rovers; Wednesday 9th July at 6.30pm in Castlelyons.

Kieran McGann PRO.

Club Sponsor:  East Cork Oil