Castlemartyr GAA NewsFeed
by Club PRO John Cashman
Junior Football Championship Update
This coming weekend is a crucial one for our junior footballers as we aim to hold on to our involvement in the 2023 championship season. Only six teams will remain in contention for the Jim Ryan Cup come Sunday evening, as the race hots up to succeed Cobh as champions.
Group 2 has already been decided with the two remaining matches being brought forward to last Friday and resulting in wins for Aghada and Lisgoold who fill the top two places, with last year’s beaten finalists Cloyne eliminated and Glenbower Rovers having finished bottom.
As for the other two groups, Fr O’Neill’s are already assured a place in the knockout stages whilst only a very rare combination of results can deny Midleton similar progress.
As it stands the magpies top group 1 having already accounted for Youghal by a point before producing a powerful performance to inflict a massive twenty point reversal on Bride Rovers last day out. Cormac Beausang registered 2-1 as Midleton made a big statement against a Rovers outfit who had comprehensively defeated us in their first game.
Castlemartyr now face Midleton in Dungourney on Sunday afternoon (2pm ) – with Midleton currently having a plus 21 scoring difference in the bag. Our first objective is to win the game and then hope that Youghal can ignite their reason in Ballynoe with a result and in the process deny Bride Rovers reaching the four point mark. The Rathcormac club, who won the title in 2021 will advance if they defeat the seasiders and Castlemartyr don’t record victory by a big margin over Midleton. Our scoring difference is currently-13 whilst Bride Rovers despite that heavy defeat have -4. Equally crucial of course is Youghal’s need for a return from their outing to avoid the prospect of a relegation play off.
Best of luck to the team on Sunday and please support the reds!
Intermediate Hurlers
A useful workout for our intermediate hurlers on Saturday evening at home to Sar’s where we ran out winners. Good to see both Mike and Andrew Kelly return to action after their respective lengthy injury layoffs. Championship time is coming on the horizon as the team look forward to an opening day engagement against Ballinhassig in Caherlag at 4pm on Sunday August 6th.
Junior Hurlers
Meantime our junior hurlers have a few days to wait before they step into the championship arena on Friday August 11th against St Catherine’s. Drawn In group 3, Sarsfield’s are the other side in this section in what is the only three team group in the competition. Best two group winners go directly to the semi finals, with the third group winner and the three runners up heading to the quarter finals.
Golf Classic
Our annual Golf Classic on Wednesday and Thursday week now very much takes centre stage and I promise this is one my last appeals for support. A big thanks to everybody who contributed so far – and yes we do need just one more nudge in the right direction to edge towards our targets for teams and tee boxes.
At this stage the time sheet needs to be finalised (limited slots remain) along with tee box signage so let’s give it one more go over the next week to see us over the line. Please contact either Christy O’Sullivan or myself if you can assist in recruiting a team or secure sponsorship of tee boxes (€50 each). There is still time!
Abernethy Cup
A big crowd was present for last Monday’s Abernethy Cup game between Imokilly and Ballygunner, which we hosted. Lots of compliments coming back with regards to the state of the pitch and facilities – so a big well done to Willie, Christy and all who continue to set huge high standards.
We are hosting the junior football game between Fr O’Neill’s and Erin’s Own on this Sunday and also will welcome Youghal and Lisgoold to Paddy Walsh Memorial Park for their opening intermediate ‘A’ county championship match on Friday August 4th – 7.30pm.
Lotto Update
Finally, tomorrow evening’s lotto jackpot is standing at €11,800 . Last Monday’s €25 winners were Patrick Troy, Siobhan Gardner, Dec Collins, Anna Mackey and Ann Marie Brown.
