Castlelyons Notes (30th Dec)
- Dec 30,2024
Castlelyons GAA Notes week ended 30.12.2024.
Hurlers preparing for 2025.
Cork hurlers at various levels and, indeed, the footballers are back training for some time. The Cork U20 hurling panel have done some training in Castlelyons these past few weeks. They have a hugely impressive management team with Noel Furlong, Carrigtwohill, Manager: Dónal Óg Cusack, Cloyne, Coach and three selectors Tadhg Óg Murphy, Sarsfields, Vincent Hurley, Courcey Rovers, Seán Guiheen, Na Piarsaigh. Castlelyons men John Healy and Dave Hoare are also part of the backroom team. They play round one versus Clare on 26th of March at a Clare venue.
It is interesting to read media outlining that maybe some current players may not be on the senior panel for various reasons and predicting the Cork hurling league panel for 2025 even before a challenge game. We will leave this business to Pat Ryan and his management team. There are no pre-season competitions like the Co-Op Superstores Munster hurling league so teams will be relying on some challenge games to get up to speed for the League and no doubt try out some players. On Saturday 4th January Cork will play Waterford in a senior hurling challenge at the Fraher Field, Dungarvan. This is a very attractive challenge game in aid of Friends of Brian Greene, Waterford Hospice Fundraiser so no doubt the Rebels will travel in support to Dungarvan. Our own club man Niall O’Leary had an outstanding year for both Cork and Castlelyons and we wish him the best for 2025.
Locally Castlelyons senior hurlers are still in rest mode after a historic and heavy year in 2024. This time last year our intermediate hurlers were in peak condition preparing to head for the All-Ireland IHC final in Croke Park and playing the top guns Thomastown from Kilkenny. Although we lost it was a historic occasion to have your local club playing in Croker. Then it was onto the league and Senior A championship paired with Bride Rovers, Fermoy and Cloyne. We won two and were defeated by the Rovers. Into the quarter finals and another historic day in Páirc Uí Rinn versus Na Piarsaigh with the score 3-23 to 2-26 after extra time we took it on a marathon shootout. Then into SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in October for the semi-final where we faced up to Glen Rovers holders of 27 county senior titles. With nine minutes remaining we were leading the famous Glen by a point. However, we could not keep up the momentum as we lost two of our best players Colm Barry and Niall O’Leary who had to retire due to injury earlier. Well done to all the players including our Junior B players and to Noel Furlong and his management team who trained both panels. It was a historic and hectic 2024. However, Noel Furlong, John Healy and David Hoare have now departed, and they will be some loss. There is a committee endeavouring to select a management group for 2025 and no white smoke to date, but the rest is well deserved.
Castlelyons GAA Lotto Results – Monday 23.12.24 - Lotto Jackpot at €20,000
The last draw was held on Monday 23.12.24 and the numbers drawn were 9, 17, 22 and 23. There was no Jackpot winner. The Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: - Kevin Dwane, Michael Condon, Caitriona Barry McCarthy, Shane Moroney, Mary Fenton, Christine Carroll, James Hurley, Elmar Waters, Emma Cogan, Johnny Joyce, Christy & Mary Kate and Mattie O’Sullivan.
The Jackpot is again at a monster €20,000. The next Draw be held in the Community Centre on Monday 6th January at 8.15pm. Thank you all for your support and don’t forget you can play our Lotto Online or purchase from the usual outlets.
Huge turnout for Castlelyons Poc Fada on St Stephen’s Day.
Our Juvenile Club held the annual Poc Fada competition on Saint Stephen’s morning at 10.30am. There was a huge turnout with forty-eight teams taking part in what proved to be a seriously competitive outing. Congratulations to the winners. Juvenile winners; Josh, Ewan, Dylan, Alex. Juvenile runners up; Tom, Robbie, Rian, Cian. Overall winners; Ciarán, Rachel, Emily and Mark Murphy.
Castlelyons won the under 14 Football Team East Cork League Champions 1970. This was the first Castlelyons team to win a juvenile competition. This was a tough league as they played five games and won them all. Dave Hegarty was the manager and coach to the team and fondly recalls 1970. He says they were an excellent side as there were good players all over the field. Dave who is an encyclopaedia of sporting knowledge and has a load of valuable club records outlined how they defeated Bride Rovers, Lisgoold, St Catherines, Carrignabhfear, and Glenville. It is regrettable that three of the team have gone to their eternal reward namely Raymond Murray the captain, John Murphy and most recently Oliver O Brien. Many of this team did go on to play a major part with the club both in the playing fields and at the administration tables and are still involved. The team panel was: - Sean Barry, Michael Lyons, Sean Barry, John Murphy RIP, Maurice Carroll, Liam Barry, Gerry Healy, Anthony O Regan, Patrick Noonan, Pat Quirke, Seamus O Sullivan, Ronnie O Leary, Mossy Burke, John Barrett, Raymond Murray (Capt) RIP, M. J Burns, Oliver O’Brien RIP, Thomas Murphy, and Michael Barrett.
40-Day Health Challenge and GAA Ireland Lights Up Initiative – Castlelyons GAA.
The new 40-Day Health Challenge which replaces the old Operation Transformation commences on Monday 6thJanuary. As we outlined in early December John Drislane is one of sixteen selected nationwide. This is committing to forty days of eating well, moving more and improving mental well-being. He will be utilising our new fully lit kilometre walkway for evening exercises and the promotion crew may visit on selected occasions. Castlelyons GAA Club have been included in the “Ireland Lights Up” initiative also. If you’re looking for an exciting new challenge in 2025 and want to be part of 40-Days that will positively impact your health, this is for you.
John has outlined that there will be regular advice on social media to support you from his trainers. Dr Virginia Cantillon an experienced Chiropractor and sports medicine graduate from Nottingham University has kindly agreed to carry out some private tests to suit those wishing to take part on Sunday 5th January at 7pm in the Community Centre. Then it’s the first walk on Monday 6th January at 7.30pm and thereafter you can pick your own evenings. There will be a fortnightly check by Dr Cantillon until the 14th of February. All clubs, groups and individuals are welcome to participate.
Votes of Sympathy
Regret on the death of Michael Sheehan one of Castlelyons greatest stalwarts.
It was with deep regret that we heard on Friday of the sad passing of Michael Sheehan one of our greatest stalwarts. Michael was a man always at the heart of community activity in Castlelyons and he had a passionate love for Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. He gave sterling service to the Club and won an East Cork Junior B hurling medal in 1953. He was part of the first Castlelyons team to win the East Cork Junior A Hurling Championship in 1955 when they beat St Catherines 3-10 to 4-6 in Clonmult Park Midleton.
He was a powerful administrator as he was Chairman of Castlelyons GAA Club for many years during the sixties and seventies. This was a major era of development that saw the Club purchase land and develop their first pitch which was opened in June 1970. Dressing Rooms and a Community Centre were built shortly after as Castlelyons parish led the way in social facilities. Again, Michael played a leading role in the major fundraising which was assisted by monies from the annual Harvest Festivals and other unique schemes. He was a great supporter of the down the years, and he was always so delighted in Castlelyons winning or any of our club players being selected for county teams. He was a man of great integrity and values who he had a special grá for the Parish.
Michael with his wife Anne farmed intensively in Ballyarra for many years and led the way in dairy farming. Indeed, Moorepark and Grassland Association members visited the farm which was treated with common basic essentials and had a quality Friesian dairy herd. He was nominated for Upjohn Quality Milk Awards in 1991. Out of 26 nominations by co-ops and dairies nationwide he was the sole Munster farmer nominated and was then runner up nationally which was a massive achievement. He was a supplier to Waterford Foods at the time and later served as the Castlelyons representative on the Regional Committee. He was also a beekeeper, a keen gardener and a member of many committees in the parish.
There was a huge attendance at his funeral in Ronayne’s Funeral home in Fermoy where Michael lay in repose and again at Requiem Mass on Saturday as so many members of the farming, business, sporting community and locals called to express their condolences. Our club chairman John McCarthy arranged a Guard of Honor as a fitting tribute. Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Caisleán Uí Liathán wish to express their deepest sympathies to Michael’s wife Anne, Liz (O’Brien), Mary, Donal, Kevin, Clare and Ger, grandchildren Áine, Eoin, Olivia, Cathal, Fionán and Olwyn, his sister Sr. Elizabeth (SMG) and the extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a ainm dílis.
Sad passing of Noel Qurke, Ballynella, Castlelyons.
Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Caisleán Uí Liathán wish to express their deepest sympathies to Bríd to Thomas, Andrea and Marie-Therese, Brendan, grandchildren Anna, Mae and Tom on the sad passing of Noel Quirke after a brief illness. Noel was a member of our club for many years and played both hurling and football. He was a great supporter down the years and loved to talk about sport in general as he attended Rockwell College and played rugby there. He was also a member of Fermoy Golf Club.
Our Club also wishes to extend sincere sympathy to the Corrigan family, Mohera, on the sad passing of Colm. Also, to the Healy family, Fermoy, on the sad passing of Martin (ex-Garda Síochána, Rathcormac).
Solas na bhFlaitheas ar a nainmeacha go léir.
