Castlelyons beaten as Bride Rovers come back to take the SAHC and Jim Forbes Cup.

Castlelyons 7-18 Bride Rovers 3-13.

We played Bride Rovers and were back in the mecca of Cork hurling for the big replay of the SAHC county final with our neighbours Bride Rovers.  There was a bit of tension with the supporters as they mulled of what might be the outcome on a dry and sunny but cool and breezy atmosphere.  I suppose the game was so close and low scoring the previous day it was hard to predict as both sides had rued missed chances the previous day.  Replays rarely through up the same style of game or score so we were looking forward to an exciting hours hurling.

This time we had Mark Maher from St Finbarrs on the whistle, a man known to let the game flow. We hurled with the aid of the breeze into the Blackrock end and both teams adapted the same setup as the last day.  Both sets of back defended well and scoring efforts were hard come by.  Bride Rovers led by 0-3 to 0-0 lead before we got our first score and that was massive point from Niall O’Leary after 14 minutes of play.  Our backs were doing very well with the Rovers threat on goal.  Our tactic of high balls into the full line was dealt with by the Rovers back although we did have nine wides in the first twenty minutes. 

However, Alan Fenton who came into the game with a nasty knee injury but played through the pain barrier pointed for us and, Keith O’Leary landed a great score from play.  Then Alan sent over another free after Anthony Spillanne was fouled.  Anthony sent over a point himself, but Rovers kept the scoreboard ticking over too as they made it 0-5 to 0-5.  Finally, we hurled with a bit more confidence as Colm Spillane who was outstanding set up Alan Fenton for a point from play.  Niall O’Leary set up corner back Shane Moroney who was coming like a train near the shoulder and Shane done well to send over another point.  Then Eoin Maye sent over a point from play to send us in at half time leading 0-9 to 0-5.

There was a wintry shower at half time, but it cleared when the teams came out.  Adam Walsh put over a good point from a free for Rovers, but Leon Doocey done well at the city end for us as he won a good ball lost it regained possession and scored a point.  Then Rover got on top through industrious hurling and scored 1-2 without reply.  Their goal came from a high ball in that was fielded by Adam Walsh and he done well to score which put them ahead again.  However, that man Colm Spillane rallied Castlelyons again with a monster point and his brother Anto scored another point, but they levelled again.  Then there was about ten minutes of about fierce hurling and Keith O’Leary playing very well sent in a ball to David Morrison who obliged with a great goal for us to make it 1-9 to 1-12. Rovers did score a point from a monster free but again Colm Spillane set up Keith O’Leary who shot over a good point.  Shortly after Shane Cotter who was having a great game broke from midfield and cantered through the Rovers defence before parting to Leo Doocey who slammed the ball to the net to put in command.  When Eoin Maye put us six points ahead with seven minutes left, we were in the driving seat and heading for the finish line. 

However, Rovers tapped into something powerful and compelling as gradually eat into our lead although we defended very well. They were aided by a speculative shot that deceived all and ended in our net.  Then with our lead down to two points Cillian Tobin sent over a monster point for them.  The excitement was at fever pitch and the sliotar broke kindly to David Barry of Rovers and he duly sent over the lead point for Rovers.  It was now deep into injury time, and we attacked hard again.  Leon Doocey appeared to be fouled in a scorable position and there was certainly a legitimate claim for a free.  But referee Mark Maher judged that there was no foul on Leon, and the final whistle went in ecstasy for Bride Rovers and anguish for us.

On reflection we had two outstanding games with so little between the teams. The games were played to a very high standard with plenty of hard exchanges but in a very sporting manner and a credit to all.  This Castlelyons team have achieved a lot over the last few years and were almost there again to take another major trophy this year, but heartbreakingly it was not to be.  Congratulations to our players, panel and management on their massive effort throughout the year as it demands tremendous dedication.  Bride Rovers have been unlucky too in a few semi-finals in recent years, and we congratulate them on their victory.  No doubt they will do well in the premier senior next year.    

Castlelyons Team: J Barry; D Spillane, C Barry, C Spillane (0-1); S Moroney (0-1), N O’Leary (0-1), C McCarthy; J Kearney (0-1), E Maye (0-2); S Cotter, A Fenton (0-3), L Doocey (1-1); K O’Leary (0-2), A Spillane (0-2), D Morrison (1-0).  Sub: B Spillane.

Castlelyons Under 12 team win the Aghada Billy Ahern Under 12 Football Tournament.

Our Under 12 footballers were invited to play in the annual Billy Ahern football tournament in Aghada on Sunday morning.   We played Aghada in the semi-final, and after a very good game, we came out winners by five points.  On to the final and our opponents were Youghal, who had beaten Kilta Og in their semi-final. The boys played brilliantly in this game, attacking straight from the throw-in. Eoghan McCarthy and Rian Fitzgerald worked hard in midfield.  Rian slipped a great ball into Robbie Wallace, who found Dara McCarthy with a hand pass and Dara made no mistake finding the net.  This was a good start, and Robbie and Rian added points soon afterwards.

Youghal back into the game, but our full backline of Jack Cronin, Callaghan McCarthy, and Liam Cashman were tackling well and putting them under pressure. Sean Ekechukwu was calm in his goals and finding his men well from kickouts. The Youghal goalie made two great saves before halftime, and we led 1-2 to 0-0 at the short whistle.

The second half started with our halfback line of Luke Dolan Fionn o Neill and Cìan O’Donovan pushing forward and delivering great balls into our forwards. Tom Barry, Liam Martin, Robbie Milward, Diarmuid O hUallacháin and Flynn Murphy were showing well for the ball and passing it around nicely.

We had a few shots off target but kept the pressure on and a great ball from Luke Dolan to Robbie Wallace and he slipped to younger brother Dara on the run who found the corner of the net with a powerful shot.  Dara McCarthy and Rìan Fitzgerald added two more points, and our backs held firm as Youghal put us under serious pressure. To great celebrations we won 2-4 to 0-0.  This brings down the curtains on a mighty year for the Under 12’s who have won five cups. Comhghairdeas mór the boys and their management.

A huge thanks to the organisers, referees and all who helped with the day.  A special word of thanks to the Ahern family who were present despite the recent loss of their mother as it was such a poignant time for them.

Panel: Séan Ekechukwu, Callaghan McCarthy, Jack Cronin, Liam Cashman, Fionn O’Neill, Cìan O’Donovan, Luke Dolan, Rian Fitzgerald, Eoghan McCarthy, Tom Barry, Liam Martin, Dara McCarthy Robbie Milward, Robbie Wallace, Diarmuid O hUallacháin, Flynn Murphy, Dara Wallace.

Lonesome Boatman takes the Paddy Power Grand National in Mallow

What a win for former Castlelyons player Paddy O’Leary with Lonesome Boatman in the Paddy Power Grand National in the Cork Racecourse at Mallow last Sunday.  The horse is trained by Araglin trainer Sean Allen and Doneraile Darragh O’Keeffe the jockey on board.   Congratulations to Paddy and the O’Leary family on a historic win and wishing them every success in the future.

Under 21 East Cork C Grade Hurling Championship.

Castlelyons play Bride Rovers in the semi-final of the East Cork Under 21 C Grade championship on Sunday 9th November at 11am in Lisgoold.  Winner on the day applies for this game. 

Castlelyons GAA Annual General Meeting Update. 

Due to the replay of the County SAHC Final the Annual General Meeting of Castlelyons GAA will take has been moved to Sunday November 16th at 3pm in the Community Centre.  Your help would be appreciated in any of the following in club management, development, finance, fundraising, coaching, assisting with games, assisting with communications, cultural activities like Scór, history agus an gaeilge, health and community activities.  New members always welcome and all welcome to the AGM.  

Notes: Kieran McGann Communications Officer.

Club Sponsor: East Cork Oil.