Games Return

After a long winter break, matches have returned with our intermediate hurlers and junior footballers both having made their first appearances and plenty more games to follow over the following few weeks

Intermediate Hurling

The opening RED FM Division 5 League encounter saw Castlemartyr journey to Minane Bridge this morning where they suffered a one point loss to Tracton on 0-14 to 1-10 scoreline.

 Now under the joint captaincy of Jack McGann and Cathal Martin, Castlemartyr had Niall Madden on the edge of the square for his first appearance in a number of seasons, following his return from sunnier lands.

Overall, it was a strong defensive performance as all the backs held firm throughout, a fact reflected by the concession of just 14 white flags over the hour. Some costly wides and a bit of bad luck (as the ball hit the post on three occasions) proved decisive in a low scoring but well contested encounter.  

Last year's player of the year recipient Billy McGann started the new season in excellent form again, scoring the team's only goal in the first half and proving a threat throughout the hour. An injury to Mike Kelly was a negative as Castlemartyr tried to establish a pattern during the opening period in which scores were hard to come by as the short whistle sounded with our side leading by 1-7 to 0-7.

Thereafter, the search for scores continued to prove difficult for both sides, but we stil led 1-9 to 0-10 inside the final quarter. However Tracton finished the game stronger to outsource the Reds 0-4 to 0-1 and secure a hard earned opening day win.

Our next installment brings Cloyne to Paddy Walsh Memorial Park two weeks hence for a pre run of the championship clash later in the season. This weekend Cloyne posted a 3-22 to 1-14 win over Glen Rovers, whilst in the only other game played in the section Kilbrittain defeated Midleton by 2-18 to 0-19.

Team - Jack McGann, Darragh Leahy, Cathal Martin, Barra O'Tuama, James Lawton, Darragh Joyce, Jamie Stack, Mike Kelly, Charlie O'Neill, Mike O'Dwyer, Ciaran Sice, Joe Stack, Billy McGann, Niall Madden, and Eoghan Martin.

Subs - Mike Cosgrave for M Kelly (20), Andrew Kelly for E Martin (45), Cian Murphy for C Sice (45), Richard Burke for C O'Neill (48) and Liam Martin for N Madden (54)

Junior Football

In football, the Division 1 League campaign began a week ago as an away clash in Youghal got the ball rolling, where the home team won their first brace of points on a 2-11 to 1-8 scoreline. Weather conditions were extremely difficult and understandably sticky under foot conditions added to the problems for both teams.

Youghal were slightly more up to speed after having a game under their belts away to Erins Own and despite a second half goal from Darragh Cashman after good work by a number of players, the home team kicked on to win by 6 points with the help of a late penalty.

Next up is an outing against Lisgoold this coming weekend, with both sides looking for their first points of the new season. 

 Currently the match is listed for Lisgoold on Sunday afternoon but the fixture is likley to change. Updates to follow.

Team v Youghal - 1 Conor Whyte 2 Declan Kelly 3 James Latwon 4 Cian Murphy 5 Richard Burke 6 Cathal Martin 7 Jamie Stack 8 Mike Cosgrave 9 Daragh Joyce 10 Liam Martin

11 Jack McGann 12 Billy McGann 13 Andrew Kelly 14 Daragh Cashman 15 Eoghan Martin

Subs used. Oisin Cantwell Mike Kelly Tom Fleming Peter Fleming Eoin Roynane Joe Stack and Ruiari Murphy

Junior Hurling Games

After our opener against Midleton fell victim to the "pitch closed" signs this weekend - our junior hurlers will be anxious to get into action. It's a short journey to Killeagh on Monday March 23rd - 8pm to get things underway, with the Midleton game now refixed for Tuesday March 31st - 7pm - venue to be confirmed.

Under 21 Football

This Wednesday Castlemartyyr travel to play against Youghal at 7.30pm in Club Arás in the Under 21 Development league - a further match awaits the winners against St Colman's on St Patrick's Day.

Membership Bundles 

- One Last call for membership bundles this week as we ask all our club members to please resign and to actively chase their contacts. The bundles are hugely significant to financing our needs for further development.... without them we have a considerable shortfall in our ambitions to continue the good work that has been done over the past few years. Thus, we appeal to everyone to renew their efforts over the next few days in an effort to bring this year's membership bundles up to the expected targets. 

Cork V Limerick

Cork v Limerick produced a few fireworks on the Ennis Road on Saturday evening, with the smart money on the teams matching up again in the league decider on Easter weekend.

  A long standing arrangement going back to 1980, means if both sides progress by getting positive results in their final games, they will re engage on shannonside for the decider. Tipperary and Galway will have other ideas and both will be hopeful of reaching 8 points on the table. Galway would need to win in Limerick on Saturday week to be in contention and would progress on the head to head unless Tipperary forced a three way tie, in which case scoring difference would dictate. Cork, for the part need to avoid defeat at home to relegated Offaly to ensure back to back Final appearances.

Scór na nÓg

A big word of congratulations to our recent prize winner in the East Cork Scor Finals - a tradition that lives on through the decades in many clubs around the county. 

 The great work of a small dedicated group of people has again come to fruition with honours coming to Castlemartyr GAA. Congratulations to Éabha Enright on winning the Ceol Aonair and also to Éabha and her colleagues Darrach Ó Tuama, Clodagh Scully, Leah Scully and Laoise Ní Thuama who finished second in the Grúpa Cheoil section (see accompanying picture)