Welcome to the first of our regular news feeds for all members, supporters and friends of Castlemartyr GAA Club.
Time To Celebrate – At Last!
It’s a case of third time lucky but it should be a night to remember for the wider Castlemartyr GAA family as they come together on this Saturday evening January 21st at Castlemartyr Resort to celebrate the club’s great run of success in recent times. Covid meant the cancellation of two previous such functions arranged over the past few years, so this weekend’s knees up is certainly well overdue.
Apart from the headline making Intermediate ‘A’ and Lower Intermediate county wins, the past few seasons have seen county and divisional under 21 hurling titles being won, a junior ‘C’ hurling title in Imokilly and a 15 year gap being bridged by winning the under 21 East Cork football title. So a lot to catch up on for players and supporters this Saturday.
All those attending are asked to arrive from 6.30pm onwards and are requested to be seated in the Function Room by 7pm at the latest – (the bar in the function room will open at 6.30pm). It’s very much a case of “last orders” in terms of ticket sales. Please drop me a message on 086-8778182 by Monday evening. Here’s to a great night of celebration before thoughts turn to the 2023 playing season.
AGM
The club’s pre Christmas AGM took place at Ballintotis Community Centre where the attendance reflected back on another great year of activity for the club both on and off the field. There is no doubt as we stand on the doorstep of our centenary year in 2024, Castlemartyr GAA is in a very good place. Let’s all keep that positive vibes going in the months ahead.
Current chairman Mike Falahee and secretary Donagh McCarthy delivered very comprehensive reports, summarising 2022 and outlining plans for 2023.
Intermediate team manager Seamus Lawton, paid tribute to the panel who he described as outstanding ambassadors for Castlemartyr GAA and praised their fantastic efforts of the past few years. He said that after a deserved break, the group would set their sights on the challenges of league and championship action in the coming season.
There will be an alteration on the sidelines. Derry Guilfoyle, who has been an hugely dedicated intermediate selector for the last number of seasons, has stepped down and is being replaced by Donal Burke, another Castlemartyr native who has a long coaching CV having previously been involved with Cork inter county, college and Cork club teams.
Donal will bring vast experience to the set up and will double up as selector and assistant coach to Eoin Murphy, who has done a splendid job in his three year tenure at the helm. Another local stalwart and former player Tony Barrett will also remain as selector.
Interestingly, the backroom team will have familiar notes to look back on ahead of the championship campaign in late summer. Ballinhassig and Kilworth, who were bracketed in the same group as Castlemartyr in 2022, will again provide round robin opposition. The only alteration is the addition of Watergrasshill in place of Ballincollig. The busy schedule of league fixtures begins with a home game against Dungourney on Sunday March 5th – 11.30am.
In football, Castlemartyr’s ambitions will also be about going one step further, hoping to learn from the pain of defeat to Cobh in the JAFC decider, the club’s first appearance in this marquee fixture in 31 years. They also have the deferred division 2 league final to look forward to against Cloyne early in the new season. Paul Kelly will manage the team for the season ahead.
Club Officers 2023
President – Christy O’Sullivan
Chairman – Mike Falahee
Vice Chairman – Carey Joyce
Secretary – Donagh McCarthy
Vice Secretary – Paul Kelly
Treasurer – Michael Shanahan
PRO – John Cashman
Asst PRO – Elaine Bowens
Lotto Results
No overall winner of last week’s 8,050 jackpot – numbers drawn were 2,8,10 and 16. Congrats to €25 winners – Ger Cunningham, Mossie Hodnett junior, Charlotte Carroll, MIchael Abernethy and Ultan Murphy. Draw each Monday – tickets on sale locally.
Grant Aid
With the ambitious development plans on going and in advance eof the the construction of our new all weather area, grant aid is vital to our progress. Thanks to the efforts of Ollie Smiddy and Michael Shanahan, it has been confirmed that €2,600 will be added to our coffers from the Munster Council.
A lot done and more to do – so we urge all our members, supporters and friends to support our ongoing fundraising efforts during 2023.
Ladies Football
2023 will also see the dawn of a new era with the birth of a ladies football club in Castlemartyr. Well done to all who have worked in the background in recent times to get it off the ground – it should be an exciting journey in the years ahead.
Castlemartyr Lights Up
Don’t forget our Wednesday weekly walks in association with Operation Transformation. Unfortunately the rain lashed down last Wednesday, but here’s hoping for a clear sky this Wednesday. Castleamrtyr GAA Lights Up – 7pm to 8pm each Wednesday until early February.
Well Done Mike!
Well done to our own Mike Kelly on his recent call up to the Cork senior hurling panel. Great to see Mike rewarded for outstanding displays over the past few years. Well done also to Darragh Leahy who lined out for Midleton CBS as they reached the Harty Cup Semi Finals. A number of other Castlemartyr players are also involved in the panel.
Keep An Eye To Social Media
Finally a reminder to keep an eye to all our social media platforms on a regular basis. Elaine Bowens is doing a fabulous job with all the up to the minute club announcements and imagery.
Until next week – “Up the Reds”
follow us on facebook, twitter and instagram
