Slow start but long year ahead

RED FM DIVISION 2B INTERMEDIATE HURLING LEAGUE Éire Óg 0-15 Castlelyons 0-10

We had a very week of bad weather and waited until a 10am pitch inspection Sunday morning and the ‘all-clear’ before travelling to Eire Óg for the first round of the Red FM Division 2B Hurling League with Eire Óg. The ground is massive with a few pitches, synthetic pitch, bar, hall, dressing rooms, etc, catering for a massive population 15 minutes from the city.

We had the luxury of warming up in another pitch and playing in the main pitch plus the comfort of a stand for those of us who like to sit down. We lined out with a reasonably strong panel although we were down a few notables. We started well as Alan Fenton pointed from a pass by Colm Spillane and Oisin O’Shea put over an equaliser for Eire Óg. Colm McCarthy put over a fine point to put us into the lead again with 15 minutes gone. James Kearney had a good point from play for us. We put in some reasonable ball into the forwards, but we were rusty.

Then Eire Óg began to apply pressure as Kevin Hallissey scored two points with Lar Considine and Eoin O’Shea one apiece one for Eire Óg to put them up 0-6 to 0-3. We came back well to level the game with two points from Alan Fenton and one from Barry Murphy. However, Eire Óg closed out the first half with two points from Kevin Hallissey and Ronan O’Toole to leave it 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time in favour of Eire Óg.

Eire Óg hurled very strongly in the second half and went thirteen points to six up with great scores Eoin O’Shea, Kevin Hallissey, and Jerome Kelleher. This was due to several factors in that we were clumsy in our handling of the ball, Eire Óg had an excellent goalie in Denis Desmond and they were generally fitter and stronger as they have already played football league and had a hurling challenge versus UCC. We were left chasing the game as Ronan and Allan Fenton had good points plus two from

Keith O’Leary. Eire Óg just were superior on the day and ran out 0-15 to 0-10 winners.

Fair due to Nathan Wall, referee who handled the game well despite poor conditions. So only one game down but where does this leave us? Well, Tom Carroll had a mighty game while Leo Sexton and Colm Barry did well in the backline. Alan Fenton did well in the middle and Conor McCarthy came on for the second half and had a fine game too. The type of day did not suit our forwards, Jack Waters came on to make his debut for Castlelyons, but it was late in the game. Perhaps we could get going with a game plan in forward department. We must get up the fitness levels and get in some ball work soon as there are several games left, and it is a very competitive league. However, it is early days yet and hopefully the top of the ground would suit us better too.

Panel: Jack Barry, Peter Roche, Leo Sexton, Tom Carroll, Colm Spillane, Colm Barry, Colm O’Neill, Alan Fenton, Jamie O’Leary, Keith O’Leary, Dave Morrison, Ronan Fenton, James Kearney, Barry Murphy Colm McCarthy, Conor McCarthy, Griffin O’Keeney, Jack Waters, Brian O’Donovan, Mike Griffin.

JUNIOR LEAGUE GAME CANCELLED

Due to the inclement weather our first junior hurling league game versus Midleton had to be postponed on Sunday Evening. The decision was made in order to protect our only remaining pitch from taking any damage and we are hoping to get the game played soon as the weather begins to improve. Introduction

LAUNCH OF PATRONS SUPPORT SCHEME

Castlelyons has a proud history of Gaelic Games. The Club has seen and experienced some challenges but many great times too. A special congratulations to all teams in the GAA, Camogie, Ladies football Club and Cúl Eile Camp for their achievements recently. In 2019 Castlelyons GAA Club purchased additional land adjacent to our current pitch with no debt outstanding. This is due to great support of local donors, Munster GAA Grants, and the proceeds of the Community Strictly Dancing event. We secured a loan from the GAA to be paid back over 10 years. Part of the loan was used to complete the land purchase and the remainder will be used for new development.

PHASE ONE OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The club is now entering into another exciting phase in its history. Phase One of the Development Programme includes a second pitch with a new entrance/ exit. A synthetic pitch, carpark and ball wall will be considered later on, which may be ambitious but is achievable. The GAA club, camogie and ladies football clubs are asking you to partner with us in this new ambitious development project which will benefit the whole parish for generations to come. Central to this is that our parish continues to grow. The number of girls, boys and adult playing Gaelic games is on the rise and we must offer modern facilities and pitches to our members and attract parishioners of all ages to use them.

RECENT SPORTS CAPITAL GRANT OF €150,000

We received a major boost recently as the club received €150,000 of a Sports Capital Grant the under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). While this is an outstanding grant the overall cost of Phase 1 of the development project as described above is a major undertaking. To progress this development, we need to back up this great funding with community funding and no doubt we will achieve our goals through your help which will benefit the community for many years into the future.

YOU CAN ASSIST IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER

The successful delivery of this phase one project will require the support within the parish of Castlelyons. We are seeking support from individuals in the community through a five-year direct debit programme for a minimum of €250 per annum. The club has recently received a Certificate of Approval as a qualifying Sports Capital Project from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Therefore, should you donate €250 or more, the club can receive a tax refund from the Revenue Commissioners, thereby increasing the size of your contribution to the project. There are different options open to nonPAYE workers. Likewise, if you are not able to contribute this amount this is much very much understood, and any assistance will be appreciated.

We want to invite everyone to the community centre on Friday, 25th March at 8pm for an open meeting and discussion about the upcoming development and how we are planning on fundraising for it. Refreshments will also be served. We want this development to benefit everyone in the parish for generations to come so it is important that we can get as many people to engage with us as possible. If you are unable to attend or you are uncomfortable attending enclosed areas due to Covid then do not worry. There will be brochures available, and any club members will be willing to meet with people individually over the coming weeks and months to explain the process.

LOTTO JACKPOT €20,000

Numbers drawn on 14/03 were 1, 3, 18 and 27. There was no winner of the jackpot. Consolation prizes went to Maureen Carroll, MJ Dorgan, Mattie O’Sullivan, John Barrett, Declan Whelan, Billy Kelleher, Jimmy O’Sullivan and Mark Henley. Next week’s jackpot is €20,000 and will be held on Monday, 21st March at 8pm in the Community Centre. Make sure to buy your ticket to be in with a chance to win. You can buy tickets through lotto online on our website and through all the usual outlets.

CÚL CAMPS RETURN

The Cúl Camps return this summer from the 4th to the 8th of July. Full details on registration are yet to come and we will keep you informed.

SPONSORS

Our main sponsor is Zeus Packaging. We would like to thank them for their continued support.