Successful Weekend

Another successful weekend for our club - on and off the field. 

 A big congrats to our Under 21 hurlers who produced a mighty second half performance to claim East Cork honours in today's East Cork 13-a-side final against Cobh.

  On Saturday the club were delighted to welcome GAA President Jarlath Burns to Castlemartyr, where he proved a very popular visitor, mixing and mingling with us during his two hour stay. The President did a lap of our walking track to view facilities, before officially opening our new all weather training pitch and then adjourning to the School Hall , where the strains of the "The Boys of the County Armagh" met him on arrival.  

After a welcoming greeting from chairman Carey Joyce, Jarlath Burns then addressed the assembled gathering, when he praised our members for all their good work in the community and encouraged engagement and involvement in all areas of the club. Paula Lynch and Noreen Cashman from our Centenary committee made a special presentation to the President, who depatred with happy memories and new friends made in our club.

Thanks to our club members who did so much work in preparing for the big day.

Under 21 Hurling Success

 - A cracking Under 21 'C' decider which saw Castlemartyr reign supreme on a 2-21 to 2-19 scoreline. The reds delivered the required top drawer second half performance to turn around an eight point interval deficit. Their response was fantastic, with Darragh Joyce driving the team on from the halfback line and Darragh Leahy coming up with a memorable late match winning goal. However, all the players rose to the challenge as a unit, in arguably their best half hour of the season to book a ticket to the county semi final.

Castlemartyr got a dream start and raced into a 1-3 to 0-0 advantage inside five minutes. A brace of fine Billy McGann points was followed by a great goal by Oran Murphy, who rounded his man and raced forward before striking the ball into the net. When Charlie O'Neil added an instant point all was going to plan.

With the additional space that the 13 a side allows, scores continued to flow freely. After Tom Fleming struck an excellent point on seven minutes, Cobh roared back to move ahead 2-4 to 1-5 by the quarter hour. Billy McGann then trimmed the deficit to one on 16 minutes, but then Cobh took control. Playing against the wind, Castlemartyr struggled to gain possession around the middle third and move the ball up field as our opponents reeled off seven unanswered points on the way to the dressing room. It meant at the break, having managed just that one white flag in twenty minutes, the reds trailed 2-11 to 1-6. From six up to eight down momentum had swung and it was time to reset.

Everyone stood tall in what followed. Resuming with renewed energy and purpose, rewards arrived in the shape of a string of quick fire points with Darragh Joyce, Billy McGann, Mike O'Dwyer and Darragh Leahy (who did a great job on marshalling Timmy Wilk) all finding the range. By minute 37, the gap had squeezed up considerably. Three more answered points - two from the imperious Darrgh Joyce and one from the increasingly busy Ciaran Sice had us within range at 1-14 to 2-13 behind.  

The scores continued as the momentum shifted big time in our favour. Darragh J and Billy had pointed from frees to square the game by the 43rd minute. When the industrious Billy McGann and Darragh Leahy landed back to back points, Cobh needed a response. As expected, there was a kick in their challenge. They scored four of the next six points in what was now a hugely entertaining contest - the two points in between from Ciaran Sice and Darragh Joyce with a monster free were crucial to the reds cause.  

All to play for then with just five left on the clock and Castleamrtyr's tally reading at 1-20 in response to 2-17. A minute later, Cobh edged ahead from a close range free. Then an instant reply. After a well taken Ciaran Sice sideline from the left, Darragh Leahy took centre stage with a great finish, and one sensed it could be the championship winning goal. When the goal scorer immediately added a point - a chink of daylight aperaed at 2-21 to 2-19.

No easy watch coming into injury time as Cobh got one point back. Oisin Cantwell and Richard Burke stood firm as always in the full back line. In the end despite a late scare, victory was achieved by a determined Castlemartyr outfit. This group has proved their worth in the past and stuck together to produce a great result in the face of what looked like a daunting uphill journey at half time.  

Well done to all players who gave everything for the cause. A word to team boss Cha O'Neill and his management team for getting silverware on the table in this very significant year. Another outing awaits in early winter as we await the winners of the Kilmeen v Ballincollig quarter final.

Team

James O'Donovan, Oisin Cantwell, Richard Burke, David Lynch, Darragh Joyce, Tom Fleming , Billy McGann, Ciaran Sice, Charlie O'Neill, Sean Morgan, Mike O'Dwyer Darragh Leahy, Oran Murphy,

Subs used - Warren Broderick Subs - Ewan Cashman, Alex Broderick,

Scorers - Billy McGann 0- 8 (Incl 0-3 frees), Darragh Leahy 1-3, Darragh Joyce 0-5 (inlc 0-2 frees), Oran Murphy 1-0, Ciaran Sice 0-2, Charlie O'Neill, Tom Fleming and Mike O'Dwyer 0-1 each.

Mass On Saturday

Saturday's Vigil Mass this coming weekend will remember all our past club members and friends who have passed on to their eternal reward. There will be special involvement from club members in the ceremony.  

AGM

Our club AGM is just over two weeks away . All are welcome to the School Hall on Wednesday, December 4th 8pm

Social Media

Finally, keep an eye on social media for more photos of the President's Visit over the next few days.