Tight win over Erins Own

The damp weather has slowed down preparations across the club over the last 10 days. The pitch has been closed due to the wet weather. With our new pitch still not up and running it is important to mind our current one and make sure it doesn’t get cut up. Our Junior hurlers have had two challenge games cancelled the last 2 weekends. Juvenile, Intermediate and camogie trainings were all curtailed so hopefully we will be back on the playing field soon.

We were hoping to have started the walkway and the further ground works around the field by now too but we must wait for the sky and ground to dry up a bit before we bring in more heavy machinery.

TIGHT WIN IN CAHERLAG

We played Erins Own last Sunday in Caherlag on a cool and breezy spring morning. This challenge game was a great opportunity for some game time against top quality opposition given cancellation of other games recently. Both managements decided to play four 16 minute quarters which allowed for flexible substitute making and to try different formations.

Castlelyons played with the help of the breeze for the first half and we started very brightly. Our inside forward line of David Morrison and James Kearney were causing the Glounthane men a lot of headaches. It was James who opened the scoring after Leon Doocey set him with a pin point diagonal ball and he pointed well off his right side from 30 yards.

James scored the game’s opening goal after a bit of helter skelter at the Erins Own goal. Kearney rounded his man after another nice ball in, his rebounded shot fell to David Morrison whose shot was also saved and James managed to scuffle the ball home into the back of the net. Our whirlwind start continued when David Morrison was taken down when through on goal and Alan Fenton made no mistake from the penalty spot. We were 2-06 to 0-3 points up after 16 minutes before Erins Own had their first clear chance at goal when Jack Barry was called into action to save at close range.

Our defence was well on top otherwise with Robbie Feeney, Leo Sexton and Shane Moroney all hurling well. We had a few injuries that forced replacements midway through the first half. All the lads that came on accounted well for themselves. At half-time we went in ahead 2-08 to 0-04.

The second half saw a lot more changes on both sides with everyone getting some game time. Erins Own came back at us in the second half with the aid of the elements. We were able to keep them at bay with some great defending by Colm Barry and Conor McCarthy. The hard working Oscar Hallihan got on the scoresheet with a fine point after breaking the line from winning a scrum ball. Substitutes Shane Flynn and Alan O’Regan scored really well needed points to keep our noses in front. Erins Own kept pressure on and when Rob Feeney took down his man when he was through on goal it was up to Jack Barry to save the penalty which he duly obliged. Keith O’Leary scored the insurance point 2 minutes from time from a free to leave the final score 2-13 to 0-17 points.

Team: J Barry, C McCarthy, C Barry, R Feeney, S Moroney, L Sexton, D Spillane, B O’Donovan (0-1), K O’Leary (0-1f), L Doocey (0-2f), B Murphy, O Hallihan (0-1) D Morrison, J Kearney (1-4), A Fenton (1-1f). Subs: P Roche for B Murphy 10 mins, S Flynn for K O’Leary 25mins, S Cotter for A Fenton 25 mins, G O’Keeney for D Morrison 28 mins, A O’Regan for J Kearney 48 mins, M Rosner for D Spillane 48 mins, J Waters for B O’Donovan 48 mins.

CATS DOWN REBELS

Kilkenny defeated 14 man Cork in last Sunday’s League semi-final. It was a disappointing performance from Cork. Too many wides and missed chances left them never getting close to the Cats.

The league overall had some very promising performances. The wins over Limerick and Galway early in the campaign showed some great promise. Injuries to key men like Seán O’Donoghue, Robbie O’Flynn and others made Pat Ryan’s job more difficult but he was able to blood in a number of promising youngsters.

From a Castlelyons perspective it was great to see Niall O’Leary continue to cement his place on this Cork team and being given the honour of captaining the side on 3 occasions. We wish Niall and his team mates the best of luck in their preparation for championship and their opener against Waterford on Sunday, 30th April in the Páirc.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Division 3 hurling league v Kilworth at home in Castlelyons on Saturday, 8th April. Time tbc. Junior hurling league v Fr O’Neills on Monday, 3rd April at 8pm in Castlelyons.

LOTTO JACKPOT €20,000

Numbers drawn on 27th were 13, 16, 19 and 21. There was no winner of the jackpot. Lucky Dip winners were John Barrett, Aoife Beausang, Michael O’Mahony, Ann Adams, Billy O’Sullivan, Clodagh Maye, Katie O’Riordan, and Elma Waters. Next week’s jackpot is still a huge €20,000. Make sure to buy your ticket to be in with a chance to win. Next draw will take place on Monday, 3rd April at 8pm in the Community Centre.

SPONSORS

Our main sponsor is Zeus Packaging. We would like to thank them for their continued support.