Castlemartyr Notes (22nd Mar)
- Mar 22,2026
Castlemartyr GAA NewsFeed
League Tie Ends All Square
Castlemartyr 1-16 Cloyne 1-16
- A useful early season workout for both sides who shared the spoils in Sunday's RED FM Div 5 League clash at Paddy Walsh Memorial Park. For both Castlemartyr and Cloyne, it was a dry run ahead of their big championship clash later in the summer. Both sides will have taken positives and for Castlemartyr it was a first league dividend of the new campaign, having lost narrowly away to Tracton in the opener.
An excellent 20th minute Jack McGann save had helped Castlemartyr lead by 0-9 to 0-5 on 23 minutes after a well taken point from Mike Cosgrave, Castlemartyr coughed up a a goal soon after, which seemed to put a different spin on the game either side the short whistle. The "reds" retired 0-9 to 1-7 in arrears after a half that saw Billy McGann register 3 points whilst impressive duo Barra O'Tuama (playing at midfield) and Mike O'Dwyer both tallied on the double.
Joe Stack who had struck a fine first half score added his second with a well taken effort from the right wing in response to three early scores for a Cloyne side that had Brian O'Shea in his customary efficient free taking mode. The hosts then hit two of the next three scores with Darragh Joyce's long ranger and another Billy McGann free leaving it at 1-10 to 0-12 in Cloyne's favour as the third quarter drew to a close.
Little in it at this stage and with James Lawton impressive at centre back, Castlemartyr were again putting in another good defensive shift overall.
Then, following another Cloyne score, sub Andrew Kelly struck for the Castlemartyr goal. Mike O'Dwyer, who continued to catch the eye, broke Darragh Joyce's long delivery and Andrew struck home to put his side back in front on a 1-12 to 1-11 scoreline.
It was deadlocked at 1-13 each with five minutes on the clock at which stage Cloyne hit three unanswered quick fire points in as many minutes. So a test awaited Castlemartyr .. and they responded in fine fashion to earn a draw courtesy of another double from Mike O 'Dwyer either side of a Billy McGann effort.
Concerns came in the shape of a very early hamstring injury to Niall Madden and what looked like a similar issue for Barra O'Tuama in the second half. The team have 2 weeks before a third fixture takes them to Milford for an Easter Sunday outing against the North Cork side.
Team - Jack McGann, Cathal Martin, Darragh Joyce, Darragh Leahy, 8Jamie Stack , James Lawton, Mike Cosgrave, Charlie O'Neill, Barra O'Tuama, Joe Stack, Ciaran Sice, Niall Madden, Eoghan Martin, Mike O'Dwyer, Billy McGann.
Subs - Daire Coughlan for N Madden (2), Conán Finnegan and Andrew Kelly for C O'Neill and C Sice (both 37) Peter Fleming for B O'Tuama (41), Richard Burke for Jamie Stack (50) and Cian Murphy for E Martin (52)
Scorers for Castlemartyr - B McGann 0-6, M O'Dwyer 0-4, A Kelly 1-0, B O Tuama and Joe Stack 0-2 each, M Cosgrave and D Joyce 0-1 each.
Junior Hurling League
- A reminder that our junior hurlers start their campaign away to Killeagh this Monday at 8pm in division 2 of the East Cork league. A second outing follows a week down the road with the rearranged match against Midleton set to take place
Football League
We are then approaching a football weekend and it's another short trip - this time to Aghavine and a game against Fr O'Neill's on Sunday 2 30pm.
Cork League Finals
These are good days for both Cork teams in the Allianz Leagues with the footballers following the hurlers pathway with their win in Tyrone today. The hurling decider means another trip to the TUS Gaelic Grounds for the clash with Limerick on Easter Sunday at 4pm. It could be an attractive day out with Castlemartyr in Milford at 11.30am. Best wishes to Ciarán and the Cork team as they search for back to back league titles, a feat last achieved by the county in 1981.
Rebels Bounty
This is the last week if you want to be part of the 2026 Rebels Bounty Draw, which offers a considerable fund raising stream to Castlemartyr GAA each year. If you are not in - you cannot win - and every ticket counts for your club. Please make contact with any committee member if you wish to continue helping. Tickets cost €100 with the first 3 monthly draws taking place together later in the week.
Well Done Ollie
A big word of congratulations to our own Ollie Smiddy who was on the podium last week having won an individual bronze medal in the 123.ieNational Masters Indoor Athletics Championships in Athlone. Ollie clocked 2:15:25 in an eye-catching run in the men's Over 50 800 meters Final. So 17 years on from making headlines as our 2009 captain in that historic success, the Mogeely man is certainly showing no signs of easing up.
Community Notes
To finish - just a few lines are local events.
Castlemartyr Community Council are holding a Quiz Night on Friday April 17th April at the Hunter Hog - 7.30pm. On Sunday 19th - before a trip to Thurles for many - the first Car Boot Sale of 2026 is on in our Grounds from early morning - proceeds to the Castlemartyr School Enhancement Group. Before that the same group is hosting a Spinathon at Tesco in Market Green on this Saturday from 10am to 4pm .
Finally, the 15th annual Ballintotis 4 Mile Race is taking place on Thursday April 23rd - 7.45pm - Entries are arriving at pace - at this link
https://eventmaster.ie/event/LdBbtp3H76
