East Cork U21F C Development League.

Castlelyons 3-7 Midleton 1-7.

Castlelyons headed for Midleton’s 3G Astro Pitch in their fabulous new development in Park South.  This full sized and flood lit synthetic pitch in the heart of East Cork is most welcome development as it can cater for so many games especially in winter weather.  Our lads played the Midleton second team and we put in a great first half leading 3-4 to 1-2 at half time. The goals came from Adam Lardner, Sean Óg McGuire and Jack Cremin. However, the second half was much closer.  Our backs played well including goalie Kevin Barry who had a stormer and was good in his kickouts too. This was our third straight win in this league, and we are now in the knockout stages, and our next opponents are not known to date as there are some games this week.  Well done to all.

Panel:  Kevin Barry, Oisin Morrison, Gearóid McCarthy, Cathal Sheehan, Matthew Rosner, Tom O’Neill, Dylan Leetch, Brian Spillane, Ciarán Murphy, Jack Cremin, Adam Lardner, Ronan Hickey, Shane Hussey, Liam O’Riordan, Oran Hickey and Sean Óg McGuire.

Cork hurlers heading for blue skies after a star-studded win on Saturday night.

The story gets better every week as a record crowd for a league game of almost 31,000 really got value for the money in the Rebel’s Colosseum.  There were black, yellow and red cards flying as in this gladiator type battle of League and Munster champions versus the All-Ireland champions.   Cork set out their stall in a determined and abrasive manner mixed with style and free flowing hurling, and they got the win with seven points to spare and three wins from three starts.  However, it was difficult to read much into the game as both sides were experimenting with their panel on the evening.  Cork will be happy with the win plus the great form many of the panel and the Watergrasshill man Daire O’Leary is growing in stature at full back in each game.  Our own clubman Niall O’Leary was rested for the Tipperary game and the Roches from Bride Rovers did not feature either.     

Cork manager Ben O’Connor had a few lively words about attempts to cleanse the game of hurling.  Tipp man Liam Cahill had his problems about playing League and Fitzgibbon Cup games on the one week while John Kiely of Limerick outlined in a common-sense manner that he expected his players to take responsibility during the game and they did that quietly with a win over Kilkenny.  Waterford with a win over Offaly have made it two wins on the trot and no doubt their win recently over Limerick has added serous value with intensity to the Munster senior hurling championship.  As far as Clare are concerned, they are languishing down in Division 1A with games versus Antrim, Down and Kildare.  One wonders if this type of competition for the Banner will provide a cutting edge for the bearpit of the Munster championship.  We will have a good idea of preparation and form on Sunday 19th April as the Rebels rumble on to Thurles to take on the Premier County and the Déise travel up to Ennis to take on the Banner in the first round of the Munster SHC.  Exciting days ahead.

Castlelyons Juvenile Underage Team Management. 

Castlelyons Juveniles under chairperson Michael O’Donovan, Secretary Neilus O’Brien and Treasurer have settled the various team managements for 2026 and they are as follows.

Under 7:  Eamonn Fitzgerald, Ronan McConville

Under 8:  Sean Cunningham, Darren Tobin

Under 9:  Pádraig O’Brien & Isabella Millward

Under 10:  Daire O hUallacháin, Eoin Murphy, Michael John Dorgan

Under 12:  Michael O’Donovan, Des O’Keeffe, Brian O’ Loughlin

Under 14:  Declan Wallace, Neilus O’Brien, Declan Martin

Under 16:  Timmy McCarthy, Gavin Sheehan, Naill Condon, Nigel Lander

Under 18:  Shane Hickey, Sean Cotter, Colm Barry.

We wish the various groups, teams and management the very best for the coming season and the ball will be thrown in on Sunday 1st March at 12.30pm in Castlelyons as we play Lisgoold in the Rebel Óg East Under 18 football league.

Point to Point Races in Knockanard on Sunday 15.2.25

All roads lead to Knockanard Point to Point Races on this Sunday the 15th of February. Castlelyons GAA will have a refreshments tent present where you can have a soup and sandwich or tea/coffee, etc. Please call by if you’re feeling peckish. All money raised will be going towards the development fund so any help at all would be fantastic.

This year Knockanard share racing with just Nenagh, Co. Tipperary so we are expecting a strong crowd. The races commence at 1pm. Members of the Cork senior hurling team are attending on the day with our own star Niall O’Leary as they have no game this weekend.  There are many other attractions which makes it a perfect family occasion, get up close and personal with the future stars of the Irish National Hunt scene and, of course, the mighty Rebel hurlers. So, all in all you are guaranteed a great day out.

New Hurling Wall Erected.

Poor weather this past week did not deter Banagher Concrete from erecting our new hurling which is integrated with the new Astro pitch.  The fact that the hurling wall is now build it will expedite the completion of the Astro pitch in the next few weeks.  Performance coaches are loud in their praise for using a hurling wall as it helps build confidence, reaction and muscle memory.  Of course, our new floodlight Astro training pitch will help double/triple training capacity for our various teams in training sessions over the winter months.  These are just more of the outstanding facilities in securing the future for Castlelyons GAA, Camogie and LGFA, ladies & gents, boys & girls.  Mar deirtear ní dhéanfaidh smaoineamh an treabhadh duit and Castlelyons are acting on the plans.

Rebel Bounty 2026 – your support appreciated.

Thanks to those who have renewed their contributions already it is really appreciated.  The Rebels’ Bounty Draw for January, February, and March will be taking place towards the end of March 2026 and after that the draws will take place monthly.  We have a set quota of tickets to sell and while it is fairly demanding for us as a senior club all the proceeds from ticket sales above this quota will go directly to our club.  The profit from sales provides vital funds for Castlelyons GAA.

The purchase of a ticket is a most exciting chance to win great cash prizes while supporting the club. Participants can win one of 30 prizes in each draw, ranging from €100 to €20,000. A special prize of €100,000 will be awarded in December 2026, providing a thrilling end to the year’s draws.  Tickets are priced at €100 each and can be purchased directly from any club member or online through a provided link in the Conty Board Website.

The closing date for direct debits is the 1st of March and the closing date for the draw is 1pm on Friday 27th of March.  The draw takes place on Friday 27th of March at 7pm. 

Ashbourne Cup Final Victory – Congrats to Leah Hallahan.

UCC 2-15 UCD 0-7

After a tough semi-final victory over UL on the Tuesday evening UCC swept to a comprehensive win over UCD in the Ashbourne Cup Camogie final on Saturday. This was their first final in 26 years (2003).  The team had many heroes, and our own Leah Hallihan played wing forward and scored two points.  Her Mam Orla was also involved with the the team management.Congrats to Leah, Orla, the Hallihan family and to Castlelyons Camogie on a historic outcome as this is a first Ashbourne Cup medal for our parish.

Jack Barry for Dubai.

Our star goalie Jack Barry has taken some time out from his teaching profession in Lismore CBS as he headed for Dubai last week.  Jack has enjoyed some wonderful times as cúl báire for Castlelyons, Imokilly and UCC from minor to senior level and from Páirc and tAthair Peadar to Croke Park.  As a goalie he has scored from puckouts, play, penalties and saved bullets.  He headed for Australia before for a while and no doubt the grá for home will entice him back again as it heats up over there. 

Castlelyons GAA Lotto Results - Tuesday 3.2.26 - Jackpot now €20,000

The results of the draw held on Tuesday 3.2.26 due to the Bank Holiday Monday and the following numbers drawn were drawn: - 11, 15, 20 and 22. There was no Jackpot winner which was €20,000.   The Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: - Padraig O’Brien (CM), Peggy Broderick (JOS), Eamonn Fitzgerald (NF), Susan Hickey (DH), Noel Furlong (Online), Richard O’Brien & Pauline Kiely (JB), Niamh Barry (Online) Chrissie Mackessy (DH).

The next Draw will be held in the Community Centre on Monday 9^th February at 8pm. With a massive Jackpot of €20,000. Thanks for your support and don’t forget you can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Castlelyons GAA Lotto Results - Tuesday 9.2.26 - Jackpot now €20,000

The results of the draw held on Monday 9.2.26 and the following numbers drawn were drawn: - 3, 9, 18 and 21. There was no Jackpot winner which was €20,000.  The Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: - Healy Grandchildren (CD), Bridget Maye (DH), Maureen Barry (JB), Carmel & Willie Ryan (CM), Selina Cotter (Online), John Quinn (JB), Mary Hartnett (CH), Mary McAuliffe (DOC).

The next Draw will be held in the Community Centre on Monday 16th February at 8pm. With a massive Jackpot of €20,000. Thanks for your support and don’t forget you can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.

Pitch Closure.

Due to the present spell of wet weather, a decision was made at last night’s monthly meeting to close our floodlight pitch to all until further notice.  This will be reviewed again at the weekend of the 15.2.25.

Votes of sympathy.

Sincere sympathy to the Walsh family, Ballyroberts on the sad passing of Mary Walsh, and to the Noonan family, Conna on the sad passing of Patrick Noonan. Sincere sympathy also to Bobby Kelly and family Glenrouske, Fermoy on the sad passing of his sister Nancy Cuddigan, Cloyne.  Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.

Notes: Kieran McGann Communications Officer. 

Sponsor:  East Cork Oil.