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Officers for 2004
President- Fr. Edward Rhatigan P.P.
Vice President- Tom Ferns, Pat Mullaney, Bro. Bernadine Cunniffe, Fran Dollard, Denis Wall, Liam Delaney, Percy Phelan, Pat Kirwan, Paddy Cuddy
Chairperson- Gerry Gaughan
Vice Chairperson- Mick Phelan
Secretary- Bill Delaney
Treasurer- Seán Fleming T.D.
Committee- Brendan Peters, Paddy Cuddy, P.J. Cuddy, Francis Hegarty, Tim Dooley, Patrick Kelly, Seán Mullaney, Pat Phelan, Padraig Cuddy, Seamus Hooban
Senior Selectors- Mick Cuddy, P.J. Mullaney Trainer- Michael Doyle
Intermediate Management- Brendan Peters, Paddy Cuddy, P.J. Cuddy
U21- John O' Sullivan, Pat Phelan
Minor Management- Gerry Phelan, Gerry Gaughan, Paddy Cuddy
Secretary's Report 2004
It is once again my pleasure, as Secretary of Castletown GAA Club, to present the report for 2004. 2004 was not a good year for Castletown GAA Club. It is the first time in many years in which no silverware was brought into the Club. After winning 5 Senior Titles in a row we were finally beaten in the 2004 final by Portlaoise. After being at the top of Laois Hurling for so many years the disappointment of defeat was hard for both the club officers, the players and the members of Castletown GAA. It will take a great deal of effort to get back on top again but this must be our aim in 2005. I would like to thank those who have been involved in the Club throughout the year both on and off the field. I thank all the players at all levels from Minor to U21, Intermediate, Junior B and Senior and I congratulate all players who have represented our county throughout the year.
Minor
We had no success at minor level this year. As I stated before we face a number of problems at this age group in Castletown.
1. We are very short on numbers and are finding it hard to put out a team.
2. The amount of training sessions completed by minors is too few.
We need club members to become involved with our underage teams, especially minors. What was most disappointing about this year was the fact that competing in the "B" Championship we still failed to win a game. I have no doubt that in the future we will once again be competing in the "A" Championship, but while our numbers are few and while we are competing in the "B" it is important to nurture this team as we are dependent upon them to produce Senior Hurlers of the future.
U21
This year in the U21 Championship we were joined with Trumera and I would have to say that this team was perhaps the most disappointing of all Castletown teams. Their performance was dismal, while this team contained many of our better players, they seemed to lack heart. It is regrettable that this year's U21 Championship was played so late in the year. I feel that this is not a good development for hurling in Laois. On paper this year's U21 team looked like a good team but against Ballacolla they did not perform.
Senior
Our Senior Team reached its 6th County Final in a row in 2004. In many clubs that in itself would be some achievement but in Castletown our expectations are higher. We expect to win. In 2004 we did not produce the hurling that we are capable of playing. If we are to get back to our winning ways then we must embrace change. Fr. Rhatigan spoke of this need last year. In his address to the Club he stated that the Club must come first at all times. He spoke of how young players must be given a chance and how we must embrace change. 2005 is a time for change. I would call upon all players on the senior panel to redouble their efforts to ensure that in 2005 Castletown will win another Senior Championship.
Intermediate
In 2004 Castletown Intermediate team once again held their own in the Intermediate Championship. We do not seem to be able to make the breakthrough to win the Intermediate Championship. We are capable of both getting through quarter finals and into semi finals in both League and Championship but yet have failed to win either in the last number of years. I feel that we are well capable of winning an Intermediate Championship but to do so will mean that a lot of the regular players on the team will have to attend the field a lot more often for training.
Junior B Football
Our Junior B Footballers were beaten in the final by Spink in Timahoe. This was the first year in many years in which we competed in the Championship, mainly because it did not interfere with the Senior or Intermediate Hurling Championship. While great enjoyment is got out of competing, it must be remembered at all times that hurling is the number 1 game in Castletown and football must not be allowed to interfere with that at any level. We also this year entered a team in the Minor B Football Championship but lost to Courtwood narrowly in the first round.
In conclusion I would like to thank those who were involved in Castletown GAA this past year. I would like to thank my fellow officers, the Chairman Gerry Gaughan. I would like to pay tribute to Gerry for all the work that he has done over his term as Chairman. I thank the players for their dedication and committment throughout the year. I thank the committee for its work and I thank you the members for your co-operation at all times. I wish to thank our main sponsors Carroll Quarries for their contribution towards the success of the club.
Is Mise,
Liam ó Dubhshláine
Runai
Other Events during 2004
Michael Doyle, who had managed the Tipperary Senior Hurlers the previous year, took over as manager of the Senior team.
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In the Senior Championship Castletown began well defeating Tinnahinch and Rathdowney well in the opening rounds. Mountrath were also beaten and Kilcotton disposed of in a quarter final.
In the semi final Mountrath were again the opponents and again were beaten.
Portlaoise, however, were sharper and hungrier in the final to deny Castletown a record 6 in a row on a scoreline of 2-8 to 0-7.
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Castletown Intermediate Hurlers had a good run in the Championship before losing their last game in the group stages to Camross to an injury time point. A draw would have qualified Castletown for the quarter finals.
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Castletown were beaten in the Minor B Championship narrowly by Abbeyleix/Ballypickas, Park/Ratheniska-Timahoe and Ballyfin.
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The following players were regraded for the beginning of 2004
Senior to Intermediate- Seamus Lyons, Padraig Cuddy, Eoin Dooley, Tadgh Dooley and Paul O' Gorman
Intermediate to Junior C- Damien Campion, David McKelvey, Kevin McCartney,
Ian Condell and Des O' Sullivan
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A Dinner Dance was held in Castletown Community Centre was held on Saturday April 3rd where the 2003 SHC medals were presented.
A presentation was also made on the night to all members of the 1974 JHC Winning team along with their Chairman Denis Wall.
Where players were deceased a family member accepted the award on their behalf, and this also applied to late Secretary Christy Phelan from Castletrench.
Johnny Purcell, MC for the night, gave a brief introduction and history of each player!
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Senior Hurling Championship 2004
Round 1: Castletown 2-8 Tinnahinch 0-13
Round 2: Castletown 1-19 Rathdowney 0-13
Round 3: Castletown 1-21 Clonad 2-2
Round 4: Castletown 1-11 Mountrath 0-8
Round 5: Castletown 1-15 Clough/Ballacolla 1-8
Quarter Final: Castletown 1-18 Kilcotton 2-6
Semi Final: Castletown 3-9 Mountrath 2-6
Final: Portlaoise 2-8 Castletown 0-7
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County Semi Final Programme
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To view the County Final Programme from 2004 please click on the image below;
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In the O' Brady Cup (ACHL Division 1) Castletown beat Tinnahinch 2-13 to 1-14 in a semi final played at Mountrath on Saturday 24th October, before losing to Kilcotton 0-12 to 0-6 at Errill on Saturday 30th October.
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For Match Reports from 2004 please click here
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