Castlelyons Notes (18th Aug)
- Aug 18,2025
Castlelyons GAA Notes week ended 18.8.25.
Castlelyons Senior Hurlers through to the knockout stages of SAHC.
We headed for Kildorrery on Saturday evening to play Ballyhea in the second round of the SAHC. As we got there it was getting a bit dark and chilly with word that West Cork was hit by power outages by rolling thunder and we feared the worst. But the weather held for us bar the odd blast of thunder and light showers. There was a big crowd in a splendidly laid out grounds and pitch and they were treated to an exciting game if not a bit fiery at times as referee Alan O’Connor let it flow while imposing his authority when necessary. Leading by nine points at half time we mastered a second half Ballyhea storm to come home with a good win.
We started well with Shane Moroney clearing his lines and finding Anthony Spillane who fetched, turned his man and rocketed to the net. On the puckout the game certainly fired up with a bit of a schmozzle around midfield and two yellow cards were dished out. Ballyhea put over a free and a sideline as they attacked ferociously and had two wides, but they had a goal from Eugene O’Leary to bring them right into the game. Our backs were defending ferociously especially Colm Barry, Dara Spillane and Peter Roche in the full back line. Leon Doocey ran at the heart of the Ballyhea defence and despite his effort being smothered our Anto was on hand this time to blast a ground shot to the net. Then Alan Fenton pointed from a free and Keith O’Leary laid off a lovely assist to Darren Tobin who pointed again. Jack Barry struck a long pass down the wing to Anto who put us 2-3 to 1-2 up with fifteen minutes gone.
Colm McCarthy placed Doocey for a point and again Anto won possession turned and blasted across for another great goal while Doocey added another point. At this stage Alan Fenton and James Kearney both added points from play and were in command around the middle. Once again Anto latched onto a broken ball and shot to the net for his fourth goal to put us up 4-7 to 1-7 at half time.
Ballyhea started the second half with some power hurling adding two points and Pa O’Callaghan shot for goal, but it was blocked for a sixty-five which was scored, and they were back n the game. However, Shane Moroney, Niall O’Leary and Colm McCarthy got on top in the half back line and they provided the foundation for scores by the two Fentons and Kearney. It was tough going as this was hard championship hurling and Ballyhea worked tried all the way, but our lads were not found wanting. I noted two great scores toward the end one a great catch by Colm McCarthy who then set up Anto for a point and, then a mighty lash of the sliotar from Jack Barry our goalie as he scored a point from play a little out from his own goal. Goals win games and rousing points lifts a team and while Ballyhea made a brave effort this was our evening. No doubt there will be tougher days ahead, but with two wins from two we have moved to the knockout stages. We play Inniscarra on Saturday 6th September at 6.30pm in Páirc Uí Rinn and while Inniscarra and ourselves are now qualified for the knockout stages a victory here could send us to a semi-final. Congratulations t the team and management. Castlelyons Abú.
Team and Subs: Jack Barry (0-1); Shane Moroney, Colm Barry, Dara Spillane; Niall O’Leary, Aidan O’Sullivan, Charlie McCarthy; Jack Kearney (0-2), Peter Roche; Shane Cotter, Leon Doocey (0-3), Darren Tobin (0-1); Anthony Spillane (4-4), Alan Fenton (0-4), Keith O’Leary. Subs: Brian O’Donovan, Olan Lenehan, Brian Spillane, Robbie Feeney, Ronan Fenton (0-1).
Rebel Óg Under 18 Division 2 Championship
Castlelyons 2-11 Nemo Rangers 2-15.
We played Nemo Rangers Grounds away in their splendid Trabeg grounds on Wednesday and in a game of generally good hurling we went down by four points to a stronger Nemo side. We started well but missed a few chances as Ciarán Murphy scored 0-2 one a free and Ronan Ryan finished pulled first time to the net to put us 1-2 to 0-2 ahead. Shane Hallahan gave a great pass to Bransfield who pointed, and Dylan Leetch sent one over from long range to leave it 1-4 to 0-7 on sixteen minutes. We were playing with the aid of the breeze but when Nemo moved the ball up field, they were dangerous. We defended well with the O’Neill brothers and Cathal Sheehan strong in the full back line while Oran Hickey and Gearóid McCarthy cleared a lot of ball too. Ciarán Murphy and Dylan Leetch added 0-2 apiece to leave it 1-8 to 0-2 to us at half time.
We brought in fresh legs at half time in young guns Sam McCarthy and Khalid Abdelrazik as we faced the breeze for the second half. The lads had an impact as Sam broke down a great ball to Khaled who lashed it to net making it 2-8 to 0-9. Just after that we missed another chance of a score but back came Nemo with three unanswered points from frees. Then came a major turning point of the game. Nemo were awarded an innocuous free a few yards their own goal. It seemed one spectator outside the fence mentioned about fair play and referee moved on the sliotar and once more another supporter outside said, “well done”, and the sliotar was moved on again. This was an unusual decision. Eventually the free was taken and was dropped in by Nemo going all the way to the net. Sam McCarthy was fouled and pointed for us, but Nemo came back to score a good goal, and they added points. At this stage after a shower of rain and dark clouds it was getting dark but credit our lads they hurled with great spirit as Khalid Abdelrazik, and Ciarán Murphy scored points to leave three points between us. Despite a few good efforts Nemo ran out winners by four points.
Our next game is on Wednesday 27th August versus St Catherines in Ballynoe. Catherines head the group with big wins over Cobh, Mayfield and St Vincents and will be highly fancied for this game too. However, if our lads play with the same heart as the Nemo game and a bit more luck comes our way we should be in with a chance.
Panel: Jude Hallihan; John O’Neill, Tom O'Neill, Cathal Sheehan; Oran Hickey, Dylan Leetch, Gearóid McCarthy; Sean Óg McGuire, Thomas McAuliffe; Shane Hallihan, Darragh Fleming, Ciarán Murphy; Darragh Bransfield, Ronan Ryan, Sean O’Callaghan. Subs; Sam McCarthy, Khalid Abdelrazik, Liam Riordan and Ronan Hickey.
East Cork Oil Junior B Hurling Championship.
Castlelyons 2-15 Aghada 1-18
A demanding weekend meant we travelled to Carrigtwohill on Sunday morning to play Aghada in the second round of the East Cork Junior B hurling championship. Having lost the St. Catherines in the first-round last weekend, and with Aghada beating Castlemartyr in their first round, we knew we needed something out of this game to continue our interest in the championship. We won the toss and captain Liam Moroney decided to play with the gale force like wind in the first half. We started well with young Dylan Leech opening our account with his first score in adult hurling. This was followed by scores from Bryan Carroll and Shane Flynn, while Aghada were keeping the scoreboard ticking over themselves playing against the strong breeze. Cess Kwoenberg who came on as temporary substitute for Stephen Casey made an immediate impact scoring from distance. Dylan Leech got on the scoreboard again and with a couple of points from Jack Cremin we led 0-10 to 0-5 at half time.
Within thirty seconds of the throw in Jack Cremin, who was causing the Aghada full back line all sorts of problems had the ball in the back of the net. Although this put us up eight points everyone present knew this was not a big lead considering the wind we were facing for the next thirty minutes. As expected, Aghada reeled in our eight-point lead and just when it looked like they were about to take control of the game, Shane Flynn struck for a great goal to give us some breathing space. Aghada came back at us again and got the goal they had been threatening all second half, to leave the scores level. With time almost up, Stephen Casey who had a great game in midfield was fouled and Jack Cremin put us one ahead again. The referee let play continue and Aghada took their opportunity with a point to level the game, and that was the way it finished. This was a much-improved performance by our lads from the first day out, and it was great to see a few of the younger lads making their championship debuts. We now play Castlemartyr in two weeks, knowing we need a win to have any chance of progressing out of the group.
Team: Gavin O'Neill; Oisin Morrisson, Liam Moroney, Eoin Barry; Conor McCarthy, Stephen Griffy, Matthew Rosner (0-1); Bryan Carroll (0-1) Stephen Casey (0-1); Noel McAuliffe, Shane Flynn (1-1) Dylan Leech (0-2); Jack Cremin (1-8) (4f) Alan O Regan, Jack Kenny. Subs: Declan Morrisson, Shaun Leneghan, Ian O Sullivan, Mike Griffin, Stephen Rice, Kevin Barry, Cees Kwoenberg (0-1) Sean O Callaghan, Sean Og Maguire.
Rebel Óg East Under 12 Hurling Group 3 Phase 2
Castlelyons 5-8 Aghada 1-1
Our Under 12 team shot to the top of this group with a big win over Aghada in Castlelyons on Saturday. It was a great team performance with Cian O’Donovan, Rían Fitzgerald and Robbie Wallace giving a great display to put us 5-2 to 1-0 up at half time. Our backs worked hard throughout too as they cleared an amount of ball. It was great to see our management team of Declan Wallace and Michael O’Donovan rotate the lads often giving all a chance to play
Panel: Robbie Wallace Robbie Milward, Jack Cronin, Bobby Hosford, Sean Ekechukwu, Darren Buckley, Fionn O’Neill, Liam Martin, Eoghan McCarthy, Rìan Fitzgerald, Callaghan McCarthy, Dara McCarthy, Morgan O’Driscoll, Cìan O’Donovan, Diarmuid Ó hUallacháin, Liam Cashman, Tom Barry.
Rebel Óg under 14 Division 2 Hurling Championship.
Castlelyons 10-20 Lisgoold 5-9.
This was a game hard to make out as Lisgoold started very well and Tadgh Hickey brought off two great saves for us at the start and Lisgoold led 1-1 to 0-0 for a while. Then Castlelyons got going as Ewan McCarthy placed Cionnaith Cotter who goaled for us. Jimmy O’Riordan added a point and then Ned Condon took over at midfield supplying some great ball into the forwards as they tagged on the scores with Cionnaith scoring four more goals leaving he half time score 5-7 to 3-3. We were completely on top in the second half with our backs marshalled by Dylan Barret and Ned Condon and Alex O’Brien in total control. Generally, it was a great team display. Our next game I believe is the shield final as we now play Fr O’Neills who ran up a big victory over Kildorrery and this will be a tough one. Well done to the team and management and best of luck next day lads.
Team: Tadgh Hickey; Robbie Wallace, Malik … Jack Cronin; Ryan Wallace, Dylan Barrett, Carter Clegg; Alex O’Brien, Ned Condon; Jimmy O’Riordan, Ewen McCarthy, Cathal Hickey, Chris O’Sullivan, Cionnaith Cotter, John Maloney.
Thanks to the Stewards for PIHC game in the pitch on Sunday
We hosted a Premier Intermediate Championship game Lisgoold versus Mallow on Sunday. There was a good crowd as Lisgoold are back in the championship with a credible one-point win. They now take on Dungourney in what should be a cracker on Sunday 7th September at 2pm again at the Castlelyons venue. Well done to our stewards who performed various tasks admirably and to the Garda for their assistance too.
Castlelyons GAA Special Information Evening
This meeting was held in the Community Centre last Friday evening and there was a reasonable attendance. Club Chairman John McCarthy welcomed all and commenced by outlining the development to date and its value to our club and what works we proposed to do in the next phase. John thank all who joined the contribution scheme and outlined that without this financial assistance the level of development could not take place. He then hand over to club treasurer Mick Spillane and assistant secretary Margaret Doran who are leading the Steering Committee as well. Margaret had an excellent presentation prepared while Mick gave an outstanding account of finance expenditure to date and the plan for the development of a Synthetic Pitch (80’ by 40’) with a hurling wall and a Toilet Block at the back of the Stand. He set out how the club had had secured substantial funding in the form of grants. He thanked all who helped with the development particularly the stand and dugouts built by the meitheal and Helen Hussey who prepared the grant applications and papers. We are now able to go ahead with this next phase of development commencing at the end of September and should be ready for 2026.
There will be an outstanding cost outside of the grants and the Club is holding a 24-hour Walkathon again this year with the proceeds going towards the new synthetic pitch, toilet block and walkway maintenance. This date is the 12th and 13th of September in our Walkway with 24 teams and 24 captains representing all groups, clubs and ages in the parish. Cards available and in circulation. Any information needed available from any committee member. Thanks again.
Special Day at Donal Sheehan’s Blossom Farm on Sunday 31st August 11am – 2pm.
Donal Sheehan of Blossom Farm is opening the gates of his farm to the public as part of ‘Inside the Gate’ which takes place on Sunday August 31from 11am to 2pm. The event, with a capacity for up to 30 people, is designed to boost public understanding of the importance of nature-friendly farming, including practices that support healthy soils, clean water, diverse habitats, and sustainable food production. Visitors can expect to see bee hives in action, harvest honey, and see how cows are fed to make rich dairy products. Tickets for this event are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis online at: www.tickettailor.com/events/farmingfornature. We wish Donal, a member of our club and former player the best on the day.
Kilmagner National School Golf Classic.
Kilmagner N.S. are holding a Golf Classic in Lismore Golf Club on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th August. It will be a three-person full scramble at €75 per team and the timetable will be posted in the Club House. Sponsorship is available. Main Sponsors €250 (team included) and tee-box sponsor €50. Contact 085 54026 and 083 4880145.
Munster Hurling Development Roadshow – Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 1.9.25.
A Munster Hurling Development Roadshow will take place on Monday, September 1st from 7pm to 8:30pm in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. This Show aims to identify ways we can collaborate across all levels of our Association to grow hurling further in Munster and nationally. The Speakers on the night will include Kieran Leddy (Munster GAA CEO), Jarlath Burns (GAA President) and William Maher (Head of Hurling). To register for the event and for further details please get on to the Cork GAA Website.
Sympathies expressed.
At our last club meeting special condolences were expressed to the Spillane family Ballyoran, the Quinn family Ballyroberts and the Cashman family Ballyhampshire, on their recent bereavements. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a nainmeacha go léir.
Fixtures.
Junior C Football; Castlelyons v Carraig na bhFear; on Saturday 23.8.25 in Castlelyons at 6.30pm.
Rebel Óg East Fé 18 hurling Division 2 league; Castlelyons v Kilworth/Araglen; in Castlelyons on Saturday 23.8.25 at 7pm.
Rebel Óg East Fé 12 football league; Castlelyons v Kilta Óg; on Sunday 24.8.25 in Dungourney at 6pm.
Rebel Óg East Fé 16 Division 1 hurling championship; St Colmcilles v Castlelyons; on Monday 25.8.25 in Lisgoold at 7pm.
Club Sponsor: East Cork Oil.
