1954

Castlemartyr regraded from intermediate back to junior status and the championship year got off to a winning start against Cobh in Castlemartyr . This particular game was twice delayed, once due to the Bishop visiting the parish clashing with the game and the second fixture was further postponed due to the ordination of Fr. Billy Abernethy.

When they finally went to battle, Castlemartyr  6-8 to Cobh 7-3.

Next up  Castlemartyr 7-9 to Little Island 4-3.

In the Semi final Castlemartyr 6-2 Russell Rovers 4-7 on the 29/8/1954

Castlemartyr: John Baker, Alfie Smyth, Pakie Lawton, Michael Lawton, Paddy Walsh, Frank O’Brien, Pat Dowling, Paddy Cooney, Michael O’Brien, John Garde, Paddy Abernethy, Mossy Garde, Dominic Barry,,Ted O’Sullivan , John Abernethy, Pat Barry, Marty Fleming, Dermot Whyte, Patrick Morgan, Maurice Whyte.

Russell Rovers : Connie Walsh, Donal O Herlihy, Haulie O’Driscoll, Donie O Driscoll, Paddy O Driscoll, John Shanahan, Jackie Egan, Thomas Hennessy, Dan Joe O Brien, Robert Fitzgerald, Tadgh O Driscoll, Jackie O Sullivan, Philly Egan, John O Brien, Michael Roche

 

East Cork Final Final Castlemartyr 2-4 Castlelyons 2-3; 12/9/1954

The grade A junior hurling championship of East Cork returned to Castlemartyr on Sunday last when the Ted Sullivan led side overcame a spirited challenge by Castlelyons in the final at Midleton. Played before a record crowd this proved a stirring struggle with the better balanced Castlemartyr team about deserving their narrow victory.

Right through the opening half the teams were locked together with a single point dividing the well matched fifteens at the short whistle. But he winners resumed on a whirl wind note and goals by Dowling and Sullivan and a further point left them in a comfortable position. At this stage it looked as though Castlelyons had shot their bolt, but how wrong this proved to be. Back they came as the hour was running out and when Lomasney who played a captains part right through the hour, pointed, it was the signal for an all out effort, which produced a goal and as the dying seconds ticked away Lomasney again was on the mark with a minor which reduced arrears to the minimum. Time was all against them, however and with a grand Castlemartyr defence foiling a few further dangerous moves, the final whistle sounded to the relief of the winners supporters without any further scoring.

The game reached a high standard despite the difficulty players found in controlling the ball. Feature of the hour was the splendid defence put up by the respective back divisions ample testimony of this is the low scoring.

This was Castlemartyr’s first bid for the junior championship in a number of years; previously they played in the intermediate grade but emigration and transfers, which cost them he service of such outstanding performers as Liam Dowling the county and Ireland full forward, and that very capable goalman, John Burke, forced them to seek re-grading which was granted at the start of the season. Led by the veteran of the game, Ted O’Sullivan of unforgettable memories they have strung together a grand side, having particularly good men in the Abernethy’s, Pat Dowling and goalman, Baker.

Although defeated Castlelyons need not feel down-hearted. Theirs was a gallant attempt to wrest the laurels and providing they stick together, it seems certain they will credit the Northern village with a championship in the not too distant fture. In skipper, J. Lomasney they have a player who can hold his own with any junior in he county while lads like Scannoll, Riordan and Cronin are all above average caman holders.

THE SCORING

Castlelyons were off to a lightning start, Scannell pointed and Meade following with a goal before Cooney opened the winners account with a minor. The same pointed a free to further reduce the arrears and when O’Brien added a third point, the margin was reduced to the minimum. Thus the position stood at the interval: Castlelyons 1-1, Castlemartyr: 0-3.

From the resumption the winners forced the pace and soon Dowling out in the lead which they never after relinquished with a goal, which was soon followed by a like score from Sullivan and  a further point to leave them six points in front. Then came the losers’ fight back. Lomasney pointed and a goal followed and another minor reduced the arrears to the minimum but this proved the final score.

Castlemartyr: Ted O’Sullivan, Capt., John Baker (goal), John Abernethy, Paddy Abernethy, Pat Dowling, Dominic Barry, John Garde, Paddy Cooney, Pakie Lawton, Michael Lawton, Alfie Smith, Paddy Walsh, Michael O’Brien, Mossy Garde, Frank O’Brien. Pat Barry, Marty Fleming, Dermot Whyte, Patrick Morgan, Maurice Whyte.

Castlelyons: J. Lomasney, J. Flynn, J. O’Donnell, L. Cronin, M. Riordan, T. Kent, P. Meade, A. Scannell, J. Coughlan, T. Buckley, J. O’Brien, D. Shaughnessy.

At the conclusion of the game the cup was presented  to Ted Sullivan, captain of the Castlemartyr team, by Mr. Ben Purcell, chairman of the East Cork GAA Board.

 

In the first round of the county Castletownroche beat Castlemartyr  4 – 8 to 2 – 4 in Fermoy 3/10/54

Castlemartyr went under to a strong Castletownroche team who dominated the second half completely. Castlemartyr led with the elements 2-4 to 0-4 at half time but were overwhelmed in the second period. Frank O’Brien at centre back and Pat Dowling in midfield, were credited with good games while the entire full forward line were said to be dangerous but working from a limited supply of ball

Team John Baker Alfie Smyth, Pakie Lawton, Michael Lawton, Dermot Whyte, Frank O’Brien, Paddy Walsh, Pat Dowling, Mossie Garde, Marty Fleming, Paddy Cooney, Dominic Barry, John Garde, Ted O’Sullivan John Abernethy Sub Pat Barry for Marty Fleming

Frank and Michael O Brien were from Cloyne and Michael returned to play with St Colmans the following year. Michael won an East Cork medal with St Catherines in 1957 and his native Cloyne in 1960 and 1961. When he moved to Dublin he won a Senior Club football medal with Erins Hope in 1956.

John Baker who was residing in Heffernans Tce at the time played in goals for Castlemartyr as John Burke was starring in goals for the Midleton senior hurling team that year. The similiarities in their names has led many records to show John Burke in goals that year. In a further twist John Burke and family moved into the Baker house in Heffernans Tce after John Baker and family had emigrated to England.