Sports capital grant of €150,000 approved
We were delighted to find out that our application for a grant for our pitch development was approved last week to the tune of €150,000. There was a lot of work put in behind the scenes to get the application ready to go in so well done to all involved. The money has been approved to help develop the new pitch in Leahy’s Field. It is of paramount importance that this development can take place as soon as is feasible. The archaeological digs took place before Christmas and there were no hidden treasures found (Thank God), so the green light was given for further developments. Unfortunately, the top pitch has now been left unplayable, with filled in trenches and mounds of dirt. This leaves us with one functioning pitch for the foreseeable future. With the juvenile, adult, camogie, and ladies football all needing space to play their games it is so important that we can get our new pitch funded and developed as soon as we can. This State money will go a long way to achieving our ambitions but there will be a large fundraising drive carried out over the next few months to help us reach or financial targets so we can start turning the sod on our brand-new pitch.
GAMES RETURN WITH U17S OFF TO A WIN
Last Sunday our U17 football team began our league with a home game against St Vincents. This year we have a very young panel, and we had 11 U15s togged out on Sunday morning. On a tough day for any game, Castlelyons pitch was a credit to everyone and held up very well.
The game started difficult for us, as we struggled to get to terms with a physically bigger team in Vincents. We conceded a few early frees before we got to grips with them, but gradually we worked our way back into it and at half-time it was 6 points to 4 in favour of the visitors.
We started the second half more aggressively and this paid off for as we were creating more attacks as the game went on. We capitalised on this good play by scoring two goals from Mathew and Olan. The last quarter was extremely tight and even though we conceded two goals to them, great credit is due to all our lads as we kept working and eventually finished up winning by the bare minimum on a score line of 2-07 to 2-06.
This was a good start for the lads, but we know there will be plenty difficult games to come. Next up is another home game as we start our U17 Hurling league versus Passage next Sunday, 27th, at 11am.
Our panel last Sunday was: Shane Hallihan, Cathal Riordan, Darragh Bransfield, Tom O’Neill, Shane Hussey, Lee Ryan, Oisin Morrisson (capt), Dylan Leetch, Ronan Ryan, Cathal Sheehan, Kevin Barry, Colman O’Flynn, Adam Lardner, Jack Reals, Olan Lenehan, Luke Morrisson, Jack Cremin, Mathew Rossner and Brian Spillane.
FINAL CALL FOR REBEL BOUNTY
The Rebel Bounty Draw is a key fundraiser for clubs like us. The funding from this draw contributed €6,500 to the new ball stop nets behind the goals, €2,000 towards the new gym, and €6,000 towards the €100,000 development loan we have. We recently spent €1,000 resodding the goal mouths and we will be repairing two of the floodlight poles that have gone askew over the coming weeks. The Rebel Bounty draw has over €500,000 in prize money, 12 draws in the year and with over 30 prizes within each draw. We have now sold over 70 tickets which means that 100% of the proceeds of every ticket now sold will go directly back to Castlelyons GAA If you wish to buy a ticket please visit gaacork. ie/rebelsbounty and make sure to put Castlelyons as your club! Make sure you have your ticket bought early.
MEMBERSHIP DUE
Club membership is due again. We are using the ‘Foireann.ie’ website again this year. Foireann allows you to register as a member of Castlelyons GAA club online and to choose the membership fee you wish to pay. Fees are as follows: Adult nonplayer €50, Adult OAP/Social Member €20, Adult Player €100, Student Player €80. You can still pay the old-fashioned way as well. Just contact one of the club officers or club registrar Peter Murphy on 0879950075. New members are always welcome and encouraged so if you are new to the parish or have been here for years yet have an interest in our games, please don’t be shy and contact us to become a member.
LOTTO JACKPOT €20,000
Numbers drawn on 21/02/22 were 12, 14, 18, 31. There was no winner of the jackpot. Consolation prizes went to Libby Quirke, Phil Shanahan, Lisa Byrne, Bertie Murphy, Isabelle Rose, Paul Cashman, Mary Barrett and Kitty Murphy. Next week’s Jackpot is €20,000 and will be held on Monday, 28th February at 8pm in the Community Centre. Make sure to buy your ticket to be in with a chance to win.
VOTES OF SYMAPTHY
Sincere condolences to McCarthy family Ballynoe on the recent passing of Tommy. May he rest in peace.
SPONSORS
Our main sponsor is Zeus Packaging. We would like to thank them for their continued support.