Time to renew Club membership and new members’ welcome.

Club Membership and Registration.

We have embarked on major development these last few years and our facilities are improving all the time especially with the provision of a second playing pitch, a fully lit one kilometre walkway and by mid-February we will have a 40’ X 80’ fully lit Grounds fenced in with a hurling wall attached.  Membership is open to everyone, pending acceptance by our Club. All members are expected to uphold and promote the aims and objectives outlined in the Official Guide of the GAA. Membership rights are contingent upon adherence to the Club's Constitution, the GAA Official Guide, and the payment of annual membership fees.

Our Club membership payments are ongoing, and we would appreciate if renewals were expedited as we have some annual expenditure coming up shortly. Only paid-up members for 2026 are eligible and insured to play and use club facilities. Registration for 2026 can be done through Foireann. The following Fees apply: - Social Members @ €20: Adult Players plus Gym @ €130:  Student Players plus Gym @ €100:  Non-Player members @ €50:  Non-Player members plus Gym @ €130 and if you have any queries, please contact Marie Barry on 0868955430 and thanks to Marie for her work on the Foireann System.

Important Gym Information.

This year we are introducing a FOB system in the gym. Each gym member will have their own unique FOB. To get this started, we will hand out the FOBs on Jan 23rd between 7pm to 9pm in the Tuck Shop. The new gym access system will be electronically activated from Jan 31st. You are encouraged to pay your membership online on Foireann before 23rd January or you can pay on the night. Those who have membership paid shall receive a FOB and the unique serial number will be recorded. U18’s are not allowed in the gym unless supervised.  There were several improvements to the Gym last year and we will be getting some more machines in 2026. 

2025/26 TUS Dr. Harty Cup Quarter Final in Castlelyons.

This game between Thurles CBS and De La Salle, Waterford was played in Castlelyons last Wednesday.  The Tipperary team made it to the semi- finals with a stoppage time goal and finally 2-13 to 0-16.  They now meet Nenagh CBS who defeated Midleton CBS on a score 3-19 to 2-14.  Two Clare teams have made it to the other semi-final namely St Flannans Ennis versus St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla.  Thanks to all our Stewards, the girls in the shop and Garda Dane Murphy, Community Policing, Fermoy who all were outstanding in dealing with a very large attendance.

Castlelyons win East Cork JBHC 50 years ago amidst great times for the Rebels.

Castlelyons had a strong football team in the seventies winning the East Cork Junior B in 1974, but they kept the hurling going as well. They played the JBHC Final in Riverstown in 1976 and defeated Erins Own 2.15 to 2.5. This was an important hurling win at the time as the juvenile club was formed the same year and there was a great interest in the hurling at the time which yielded dividends in the years to come.

The Castlelyons team was as follows; Seanie Barry, Bertie Clancy (RIP), Jim Kirwin, Dermot McAuliffe, John Murphy (RIP), Donal McCarthy (Capt.), Maurice Carroll, Raymond Murray (RIP), Maurice O'Connell, Michael Lyons, Matt Hegarty, Paddy O Leary, Dick O Brien, Ned Fitzgerald and Pat Crowley.

The same year, 1976, Con Murphy from Innishannon, Cork was elected President of the GAA at Congress as the Cathedral Bells tolled in Ennis.  He was the holder of four All Ireland senior hurling medals and responsible for the building of Páirc Uí Chaoimh at a cost of £1.4 million.  Cork senior hurlers won the first of three in a row All Ireland titles in 1976.   Now Ben O’Connor, holder of three All Ireland SHC medals, has taken up as manager of the Cork senior hurlers.  Twenty-one years is a mighty long time since the last senior title but with a bit of luck this could be the year of the thirty first title for the Rebels.  

Castlelyons GAA Electronic Scoreboard.

We have a top of the range electronic score board on the top pitch. However, there is currently only a handful of people who can operate it. It would be great to get a few more volunteers, who could operate the board during matches for the new season.  If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact or test our secretary Margaret 0879646443 and we’ll get you set up.

Former Club member Monsignor James O’Donnell, Macroom, celebrates Platinum Jubilee.

Monsignor James O’Donnell of Macroom returned to his home parish Castlelyons to concelebrate his Platinum Jubilee as a priest and Mass with his brother Archdeacon Neilus O'Donnell and Fr Gerard Coleman in St. Nicholas Church, Castlelyons last Sunday.   There was a large crowd present to honour this remarkable milestone lifetime of faith, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his vocation as a priest. There were many parishioners, relations and friends present especially his sister Maureen Spillane one of our great supporters and some really uplifting singing by the Castlelyons Gospel Choir. After Mass we were invited and treated to some lovely refreshments in the Community thanks to the Community Council and Community Centre Committee.

Born in Castlelyons in 1931 the Monsignor in his homily reflected about growing up in Castlelyons.  His parents Mary and Thomas, both from county Limerick, came there back in 1925 to work in the local creamery and his father later managed the Creamery a focal place for so many in the parish.  He lived through great times growing up in Castlelyons marked with one tough time and that was the burning of the Creamery.  However, the parishioners rebuilt it again and it grew massive over the years.  It became the pride of Castlelyons with the gradual development of a strong positive culture that was rooted in the community.  He worked with many locals in both farming and sporting outlets. He attended the local National School and St Colman’s College and was a member of the victorious Harty panel of 1948 before entering Maynooth in 1948.

Of course, like so many before and after him he played hurling and football with Castlelyons.  However, as a minor in 1947 he played with Bride Rovers as Castlelyons had no team and wore the Rovers jersey, but they were beaten 2-3 to 2-2 with Monsignor O’Donnell as centre back.  Peadar Coughlan (RIP) was in goals and Paddy Rea (RIP), Corrin, a sub, both lads were well known to this writer as Peadar worked hard for the juveniles and Paddy was a real Rebel supporter of many stories.

Then in 1948 St Bartholomew minors got to East Cork Final v St Enda’s of Midleton, played in Dooneen, Leamlara. Midelton led 4-0 to 3-1, just two points at half time. James O’Donnell remembered Bride Rovers mentor, David John Barry, exhorting the team at half time "There's an East Cork medal staring ye in the face" but Midleton won 7-3 to 5-2. James O’Donnell was still a minor in 1949, but they had no minor team that year. He played hurling and football while in Maynooth Seminary.

Monsignor O’Donnell was a vital cog again in the first Castlelyons team to contest an East Cork Junior A hurling final in 1954. He played in the half back line with Liam Cronin (RIP) and Martin O’Riordan (RIP) versus Castlemartyr before a record a record attendance in Midleton.  However, Castlelyons were defeated by just one point 2-4 to 2-3.  Michael O’Brien his brother-in-law and a schoolteacher who a massive East Cork hurling was playing with Castlemartyr.  James O’Donnell was so disappointed to have missed out on one of Castlelyons greatest days in 1955 when the club defeated St Catherines to capture the East Cork JAHC for the first time. He was unavailable due to his ministry in England at the time. 

As a Dean and President of St Colmans College, Fermoy he thought many subjects including French and German which he had learned in later life by taking courses in France and Germany.  He retained much of his early enthusiasm for sport and took an active part in in training the college hurling and football teams.  He oversaw significant sports facilities with the assistance of past pupils and parents. including an indoor sports hall. Later he went on to the Parish of Macroom and during his time in the priesthood to date he has worked under six Bishops and nine Popes.

Dave Hegarty our legendary juvenile secretary of many years outlined that when he requested the release of boarders from St Colmans for games that Monsignor O’Donnell was always faciliatory provided the lads were back in the College at the arranged time.  Now in his 95th year his disciplined life, clarity of purpose and motivation was so evident in the powerful homily at our Sunday Mass.  In fact, from a sporting parlance, one could sense that if he met you with a shoulder he could still drive you over the sideline.  Monsignor we wish you continued good health and enjoyment in this latest chapter of your life from all in Castlelyons GAA Club.

Castlelyons GAA Lotto

Our weekly Lotto Draw on Monday evening 12.1.26 in the Community Centre.  The Jackpot of €20,000 was not won.  The lucky dip winners were as follows: Paul Cashman (NF), Mary Cronin (DOC), Pauline Kiely (JB), Florence Waters (FW), Roseanne Tobin (MH), Martin Cronin (Online), Blondie (POS) and Nicola Cremin Hurley (CM)

The next Draw for a bumper €20,000 Jackpot will be held on Monday 19th January at 8pm in the Community Centre. If you’re not in you can’t win.  You can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets. Thanks for your support.

Bingo in the Community Centre on Saturday night 17th January. 

Castlelyons Camogie Club are holding a Bingo night in the Community Centre on Saturday 17th January at 8.30pm.  There will be refreshment supplied and a raffle.  Your support appreciated.

Votes of Sympathy.

We wish to offer our sincere condolences to the O’Brien family Fermoy and Castlelyons and the Hegarty family, Castlelyons on the sad passing of Sadie O’Brien, Fermoy.  To the Murphy family, Deerpark, on the sad passing of Ned Ryan, Modeligo, Waterford.  Also, to the Crowley family Ballyoran, the Cotter families, Ballynoe and the O’Connell family Ballynoe on the sad passing of Eamon Cotter.  Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí dá n-anamacha.

Notes: Kieran McGann, Communicatons Officer.

Club Sponsor: East Cork Oil.