Castlelyons Notes (26th Jan)
- Jan 26,2025
Managers and Selectors – Senior A Hurling Team.
Michael Spillane has taken up the Management role for the Senior A Hurlers this year. His selectors are Sean Leneghan and Ciarán McGann. Eoin Dorgan has taken on the role of Strength & Conditioning. Pat O’Neill and Robbie O’Leary will do the logistics while it is expected that we may get the assistance of a Coach later for the championship. The Junior & Under 21 management teams are being arranged presently.
Junior Football Selectors.
Great to hear that Castlelyons are entering a football in the adult scene again after a lapse of a two years when they were concentrating in the sliotar. Liam Moroney has taken on the role of manager, Darren Tobin, coach, selectors, Chris Cotter and Ronan McConville. They will also manage the Under 21 team. Best of luck to them.
Committee Positions filled.
There were some positions outstanding he AGM and were filled at our last monthly meeting as follows: - Cultural Officer Keith O’Leary. Health & Well Being Officer; Jamie O’Leary. Second County Board Delegate; John McCarthy. Second East Cork Board Delegate; Michael Barrett. Rebel Bounty Coordinator; John Barrett. Well, done lads on taking up these roles.
Congratulations to John Leetch – winner of a National Volunteer LGFA Award.
THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association recognise the contribution of amazing volunteers across the country at grass roots level. They award ten national volunteers annually and the overall winner will receive the prestigious Lulu Carroll Award. John Leetch of the Castlelyons LGFA has been chosen as one of the ten award winners. John founded the Castlelyons LGFC in 2021, and his determination and hard work is the reason the girls in the parish can play Gaelic football. John will be presented with his award by the LGFA, at a special ceremony in Croke Park next Friday 24th January. John from Kilkelly, Co. Mayo is a committed Mayo supporter and lives in hope of the big day. He is an outstanding clubman and a highly skilled tradesman. He has given endless hours of voluntary work with other great volunteers on the construction of the Dugouts in the new pitch, the new Stand and other works on our facilities. Congratulations to John on the well-deserved recognition and it’s a great honour for Castlelyons LGFC and Castlelyons GAA.
Facilities Development Programme.
The Steering Committee are continuing to work on the facilities. The Stand which accommodates 300 patrons was recently completed plus tarmacadam laid on the entrance from the Community Centre to the new carpark and new pitch. Preparations are being advanced for the construction of a 40 X 80 Synthetic Pitch in 2026. Chairman of this committee Mick Spillane is seeking quotes and although planning is granted John Coleman is liaising on the finer details with Waterman Kelly. Eamon Fitzgerald and Declan Spillane are preparing plans for the construction of toilets close by the new pitch and carpark. Of course, this all depends on sufficient funding.
We were accepted for a sizable grant under the Sports Capital Funding in October 2024, but we will require nearly fifty percent more funding to cover the cost. Foremost among fundraising is the Development Contribution Scheme set up in 2022 and it is proving it’s worth. This club contribution of €250 a year is for a total of five years is the pillar of our fundraising efforts. All funds raised received are going directly towards the development and not used for any other purpose. Thanks to those participating in the scheme and we would appreciate any others involved in the GAA, Camogie or LGFA Clubs to join if they have not already done so. The fabulous facilities presently being developed will not only benefit all those in the parish today but will benefit many for generations to come.
Helen Hussey is working hard on the acquisition of any further grants, and we remain hopeful. The committee meet on a fortnightly basis Robbie Feeney and Ronan Fenton do the paperwork on the finance while Margaret Doran as secretary actions the jobs and partly project manages the work.
Castlelyons Camogie Officers for 2025.
The Castlelyons Camogie Officers for the coming year are as follows: - Tom Quirke; Chairperson. Elaine Murphy; Secretary. Margaret O Donovan; Treasurer. Ava Hallihan, PRO. Sinead Hickey; Child Welfare Officer. Best of luck to them. We will have team managements later.
Emer Hallahan on Cork U16 Camogie Panel.
Congratulations to Emer Hallihan on making the Cork U16 A Camogie Panel for 2025. She has worked very hard on her game so best of luck to Emer, the panel and management for the season ahead.
A step too far for Sarsfields.
Sarsfields senior hurlers after an outstanding season in competing in the county final and beaten by Imokilly. Then they went on again to win the Munster club title and reach the All-Ireland final in Croke Park. Unfortunately, they lost the All-Ireland Club Hurling final to a superior Na Fianna in Croke Park on Sunday last.
However, if one looks at their achievements since the vicious Storm Babet destroyed the club’s grounds in Riverstown 14 months ago on October 14, 2023, they have come a long way. That storm caused €1.5 million damages to the Clubs’ facilities. They have since replaced the grass pitch, the astro-turf pitch, floodlights, footpaths, walls, fencing, and tarmacadam which were all destroyed. They also kept their eye on the ball in so far as they still catered for all their teams ensuring they had a place to train and play their games. Well, done to the players and management on an outstanding year even if they were defeated in Croke Park.
Castlelyons GAA Lotto Results – Monday 20.1.25 - Lotto Jackpot at €20,000
The last draw was held on Monday 20.1.25 and the numbers drawn were 3, 4, 21 and 25. There was no Jackpot winner. The Lucky Dip Winners of €20 each were as follows: - Brian Carey, John Drislane, Rory Waters, Claire Daly, Ger Dorgan, Colm Dorgan, Fiona O’Callaghan, Luke Healy.
The Jackpot is again at a monster €20,000. The next Draw be held in the Community Centre on Monday 27th 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.
Castlelyons GAA Referee Recruitment
We need referees for all our games, so we welcome male or female applications. If you have a passion for the GAA, Camogie or LGFA refereeing is a great way to get involved or staying involved. Refereeing is more than just officiating games as you can give assistance your community, and it’s an opportunity to develop valuable skills that will benefit you both on and off the field.
There are free beginner training sessions led by experienced referees. A mentorship program to guide you through your early days on the pitch. A referee starter kit, including your official gear. Recognition and appreciation events to celebrate your contribution.
Cork County Board welcome players, former players, and anyone with a passion for GAA, aged 16 or older. Whether you’re new to officiating or have prior experience, they will support you every step of the way. We in Castlelyons urgently need referees for all our games so we welcome male or female applications. Contact any club member or Cork County Board if interested.
The Big Challenge, Lotto, Rehearsals and Training.
All the facilities were in demand on Monday evening with the Castlelyons GAA weekly Lotto for a massive €20,000 was held in the Centre and no winner. The Community Council had a meeting in the next room. The Drama group were rehearsing for the play ‘The Real McCoy’, set in rural Ireland in the mid-sixties, and by all accounts will be full of laughter, suspense and drama. Our senior hurlers were on strength & conditioning in our newly kitted Gym.
Ireland Lights Up/ 40-day Challenge was held again on our fully lit walkway with Michael O'Donovan and Declan Wallace in charge of 20 juveniles and supporting John Drislane on his journey plus many adults. All in all, a hectic Monday evening. Of course, on the previous Wednesday evening we had special guest Stephen Quinn from Croke Park last Wednesday evening with over 90 persons between juvenile on the walk. Certainly, great support for John Drislane’s Challenge and he even brought along the Disco for a dancing with the stars style warm up by Dicko O’Brien. Great to see all the action and facilities used so well. Gach dalta mar oiltear.
Club Sponsor: East Cork Oil.
