Hall of Fame for Sonny as large crowd attends club social

After a gap of a number of years, the annual Castletownroche GAA Social returned, taking place in The Castle Arms on Friday night last. It was great to see a large crowd attend and everybody who attended agreed this event needs to retain its place in the calendar and return to being an annual event.

The evening opened with chairperson, Tom Barrett, welcoming all to the venue. There were two main presentations on the night. The first was the presentation of medals to our victorious 2023 North Cork Junior B champions. Most of the players were present on the night and were presented with their medals.

For the record, the victorious panel from 2023 were: Jack Relihan, Jonathan O’Callaghan, Pat Madden, Wesley Walshe, Adrian O’Donovan, Seamus Sheehan, Sean Sugrue, Will Madden, Aidan O’Leary, Niall Hazelwood, Liam Sugrue, Billy Batterberry, Dane O’Neill, Mark O’Callaghan, Dave Relihan, Johnny Batterberry, James Lenihan, Liam McGrath, Thomas Barrett, Muiris Browne, Noah O’Brien, James Ladd, David Linehan, Leon Farrell, Chris Relihan, Richard Relihan and Robert Quirke.

Tom also paid tribute to our trainer, Denis Gallagher and to selectors Conor Drinan, Dave Butler, Mikey Hazelwood and Tommy O’Leary, for their significant contributions to the success. Thanks were extended to Pauline O’Dwyer who captured photographs on the night.

This was followed by the presentation of the Hall of Fame award to Stephen 'Sonny' Mannix, who was a popular recipient. Sonny was a key contributor to success for both Abbey Rovers and Castletownroche during the late 1950s and the glory days of the early 1960s. Indeed, it was fascinating to listen to all of the key matches and events which Sonny was involved in during that period, which was delivered by Bobby Hazelwood.

After the presentation, Sonny said a few words and it was evident he was humbled by the award and that Castletownroche GAA is very much near and dear to him all these years later.

Thanks to The Castle Arms and their staff for making their venue available and providing refreshments on the night. FIXTURE

Our next game in the North Cork Hurling League Division 2 Group 2 takes place on Friday evening next at 6.45 in Castletownroche, with Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels providing the opposition. Hopefully the weather will pick up and we won’t lose another game to the weather. It’s been a difficult spring as regards pitch availability with the inclement weather and we have already had one postponement, so fingers crossed the game goes ahead and we get in some much needed preparation for the upcoming County Junior B Championship, which starts over the May weekend. As always, all support would be greatly appreciated.

CLUB LOTTO

The next club lotto draw takes place on Monday night, April 22nd, in The Rockforest Bar, with the jackpot now standing at €9,200. Tickets are available through local retail outlets in the village, from your usual sellers or through any club officer.

Tickets can also be purchased online by logging in to Clubforce and searching for Castletownroche GAA. Details on how to access this link can also be found on the club's online page. The club would like to express our appreciation to everybody who continues to support our draw.

CONDOLENCES

The club wishes to extend its condolences to the family of the late Patsy O’Donovan, a popular figure in the local village who was a daily visitor to our GAA grounds. The late Patsy passed away last week and a large contingent attended his funeral on Friday. May he rest in peace.

LEFT: CELEBRATING SUCCESS - The North Cork JB1 Championship 2023 panel, management and officers from Castletownroche, at their medal presentation in The Castle Arms last Friday. (Pic: P O’Dwyer)

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Niall Hazelwood, man of the match in the North Cork JB1 Championship (2023) winning side, with his dad Mike and uncle Bobby, secretary Castletownroche GAA, at the presentation of medals in The Castle Arms last Friday night.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Johnny O’Callaghan with his sons, Jonathan and Mark, members of the Castletownroche panel that won the JB1 Hurling Championship in 2023, at the medal presentation on Friday night.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) Wesley Walshe receiving his Junior B1 Hurling Championship medal from Tom Barrett, chairman of Castletownroche GAA Club, in The Castle Arms last Friday night.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) At the medal presentation in The Castle Arms on last Friday night, some of those involved with the North Cork JB1 Championship 2023 panel - Richard Relihan (management) with his sons Richard, Christopher and David and grandson Jack (captain).

P O’Dwyer) (Pic: Liam Sugrue, Liam McGrath, Niall Hazelwood, Aidan O’Leary and Sean Sugrue, all members of the Castletownroche panel, at the presentation of the JB1 Hurling Championship medals in The Castle Arms.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) HALL OF FAME - Congratulating Stephen Sonny Mannix (centre), Castletownroche GAA Hall of Fame recipient, in The Castle Arms last Friday night, were l-r: Richard and Danny Relihan, Johnny O’Callaghan and Willie Magner.