Castlemartyr Notes (7th Apr)
- Apr 07,2026
Castlemartyr GAA News
Intermediate Win In MIlford
Castlemartyr recorded a 1-17 to 0-17 win over Milford on Sunday morning in the RED FM League at the splendidly appointed North Cork venue.
Joe Stack's goal four minutes form the end of the hour was the defining score as the reds made it three games without conceding a goal and moved to three points on the division 5 table. The green flag, brought about by a shot from distance that deceived the 'keeper, ultimately decided a contest that the visitors led from the 12th minute onwards. At that stage Billy McGann had edged them into a 0- 6 to 0-5 advantage, following a very lively opening in which both teams clipped over some excellent points. On his return to the red jersey, Brian Lawton made an immediate impact with two of that half dozen and his long range accuracy saw him double his personal tally by the 18th minute as Castlemarty led 0-9 to 0-6.
Jos Stack too was making a favourable impression, having been the target for many of Jack McGann's wind assisted long puck outs, - Joe made it a four point lead entering the final ten minutes of the ehalf. Whilst Milfrod had shown a descent return, they only managed another white flag in the remainder of the first period, whilst Castlemartyr had scores from Billy McGann (his third of the half) Andrew Kelly (his second) and the excellent Charlie O'Neill who along with defensive colleague Richard Burke was enjoying a very good game. It was the first time that both players had begun in defensive roles this season.
So 0-13 to 0-7 on the restart, but after missing a few early second half chances, Castlemartyr looked a bit light on the board for quite a while in the second half, adding just two points in the following 22 minutes. Darragh Joyce's free and Charlie O'Neill's crafty finish from a tight angle kept them in front but the gap was now down to two points. Thus, Andrew Kelly's 53rd point was very well received. The aforementioned goal looked to have secured the league points for Castlemartyr soon after, but Milford were far from done as reflected by a quick fire three point salvo, which left it as a one score game.. Billy McGann's close range point alleviated injury time nerves, which meant a like score at the other end still left us winners by that all important goal.
Castlemartyr, well marshalled for Cathal Martin in the full back position and with Jack McGann a commanding goalkeeping presence, will be delighted with another solid defensive display and will look to the return of a few regulars to help supplement the existing scoring threat in upcoming games.
A third very tight league game - but this time after a narrow defeat and a draw - a first win was recorded on a weekend that saw two of our championship opponents clash with Dungourney edging out Cloyne 0-12 to 0-10. Elsewhere Tracton had a big home win against Youghal and Midleton posted a runaway triumph in Ballygarvan. Our next opponents are Glen Rovers on Saturday week in Paddy Walsh Memorial Park. The city side remain pointless after their match against Kilbrittain was postponed on Saturday due to weather conditions.
Team - Jack McGann, Darragh Leahy, Cathal Martin, Richard Burke, Charlie O'Neill, Darragh Joyce, Mike Cosgrave, Brian Lawton, Liam Martin, Joe Stack, Eoghan Martin, Daire Coughlan, Billy McGann, Mike O'Dwyer, Andrew Kelly
Subs used - Oran Murphy for L Martin, Peter Fleming for `E Martin, Niall O'Donovan for D Coughlan and Darragh Cashman for A Kelly.
Scorers - Joe Stack 1-1, Brian Lawton 0-4, Billy McGann 0-4 (incl 0-1 free). Andrew Kelly 0-3, Darragh Joyce 0-2 frees and Charlie O'Neill 0-2, Jack McGann 0-1 free
Gallant Junior Hurlers v Midleton
Our junior hurlers had a busy week, with two games in very different circumstances .
First up of two ROCA Sports JHL2 matches was the very eventful 1-27 to 4-12 reversal in Midleton under sunny skies at Park South 3G Pitch on Tuesday. So much activity with scores flowing, but unfortunately a stack of injuries. After losing Odhran Cantwell to a hamstring injury inside five minutes, Conor Ronayne, Jamie Stack and Cian Murphy were all forced to retire at half time with further injuries.
At the break we trailed 0 15 to 1.7...Conan Finnegan netting on 10 minutes.
Lengthy treatment for Tom Flemig soon after the resumption further hampered the team, but their response was magnificent against the odds.
Having trailed by 1-17 to 1-8 at this juncture, Castlemartyr galvanised their challenge. Conán , Eoghan Martin and Niall O'Donovan all hit the net in a real purple patch as young players Jack O'Neill and Rory Lynch were at this stage in the thick of the action on their junior debuts, having been introduced at half time. The score was now 1-18 to 4-8 in MIdleton's favour with over a quarter of the game remaining.
Whilst the hosts did outscore us by 0-8 to 0-4 in the remainder of the game, Castlemartyr never gave up and well in the match until the closing minutes despite all the disruption. Oisin Cantwell, Dave Lawton, Tom Fleming, Mike Cosgrave and Zak McAuliffe offered strong resistance to Midleton's efforts to find the net again against James O'Donovan, who himself picked up a pre match injury. Meantime, Eoghan Martin and Conan Finnegan proved a constant handful for the magpies defence.
Team - James O'Donvan, Declan Kelly, Odhrann Cantwell, Oisin Cantwell, Tom Fleming, Richard Burke, Zak McAuliffe, Mike Cosgrave, Ciarán Sice, Conor Ronayne Eoghan Martin, Cian Murphy, Conán Finnegan, Niall O'Donovan and Oran Murphy.
Subs - Jamie Stack for O Cantwell (4 mins) inj. Dave Lawton for Jamie Stack , Jack O'Neiil for Conor Ronayne and Rory Lynch for Cian Murphy - all half time - injured
Scorers - Conán Finnegan 2-4 (inc 0-1 free) Eoghan Martin 1-6 (incl 0-3 frees) Niall O'Donovan 1-0, Jack O'Neill and Oran Murphy 0-1 each.
Watergrasshill Trip
Fours days later with the squad ravaged by injury and unavailability, Castlemartyr faced a difficult trip to Watergrasshill in very blustery conditions. The issue was rarely in doubt as the hosts put in a solid hour and were convincing 2-19 to 1-4 winners, with Oran Murphy finding the home net.
Team - James O'Donovan, Ruairi Murphy, Zak McAuliffe, Oisin Cantwell, Rory Lynch, Dave Lawton, Tom Fleming, Peter Fleming, Oran Murphy, Jack O'Neill, Darragh Cashman, Declan Kelly, Conor Flaherty, Niall O'Donovan and Jack Smiddy.
Upcoming Games
Sat April 18th RED FM League Castlemartyr v Glen Rovers In Castlemartyr 3pm
Tues April 21st ROCA Sports JFL1 Lisgoold v Castlemartyr in Lisgoold 7pm
Allianz League
No joy for Cork in the Gaelic Grounds on Sunday afternoon, as Limerick ran out deserving winners in the Allianz League decider. Ciarán had an excellent game in the number 3 jersey and looks set to continue in that role when Cork head to Thurles on Sunday week to begin their Munster Championship campaign. Fellow defender Sean O'Donoghue who retired through injury is now a doubt for that game, which is expected to attract a capacity crowd. Then, a week down the road it's Limerick again for the rebels - so a big few weeks ahead.
Juvenile Action
- Great to see so much activity at under age level over last weekend - alot of work went into the hosting the Féile Football on Saturday - well done to all. Meantime, the new Castlemartr jersey was evident at a number of different venues as our new juvenile club were represented in a host of age groups in what was their respective first outings. Best wishes go to all teams for the season ahead.
