Embedded Files
Officers for 2012
President- Fr. Willie Hennessy P.P.
Vice President- Denis Wall, Mick Cuddy, Fran Dollard, Percy Phelan
Chairperson- Monica Delaney
Vice Chairperson- Padraig Cuddy
Secretary- Fionán Cuddy
Treasurer- Seán Fleming T.D.
P.R.O- Tom Dooley
Assistant Secretary- William Delaney
ASAP Officer- Kevin Conroy
School Liason Officer- Gerry Gaughan
Coaching Officer- Seamus Lyons
Committee- Richard Poole, P.J. Delaney, Seán Mullaney, John Finlay, Tony Delaney, Ben Cuddy, Mick Phelan, P.J. Mullaney, Gerry Gaughan
Senior Trainer- Joe Errity
Senior Selectors- Danny Reddin, Padraig Cuddy, Fionán O Sullivan, Benny Conroy
Junior A Management- Ger Cuddy, Mick Phelan, Joe Heffernan Jnr., John Lyons
Junior B Management- Vivian Cahill, Francis Hegarty, Martin Lowry
U21 Management- Padraig Cuddy, Ken Holmes, Seamus Lyons
Minor- Tom Dooley, David Cuddy, J.P. Campion, Tim Drea
Senior Captain- Fionán Cuddy
Junior A Captain- Tom Delaney
Minor Captain- Ben Conroy
Secretary's Report 2012
It is my pleasure as secretary of Castletown Slieve Bloom G.A.A. Club to present the Secretary’s report for 2012. This is the Club’s 39th A.G.M. 2012 saw the continuation of the club’s agreement to amalgamate with Slieve Bloom. As in the previous year we had five teams compete in county hurling competitions-Minor, U21, Junior B, Junior A & Senior. The minor team won the “B” championship and were the only successful outfit in 2012. Despite this the Junior A & Junior B teams reached the knockout stages of both league and championship. The Senior team reached the knockout stage of their championship. The Junior B team lost the league and championship semi final. The Junior A team lost the league final and championship semi final The Senior team finished bottom of their league group and lost the championship quarter final after a replay.
Overall 2012 was a reasonable year for the club despite limited success. Combining both clubs’ resources gives additional scope when preparing adult teams with a bigger pool of players. It is important to continue with the amalgamation and for all to work towards building competitive teams in the future. I would like to thank my fellow officers in our own club and those in the Slieve Bloom Castletown Club for their help and co operation during the year.
I would like to thank all those who have participated in club activities and helped the club over the past year. I would like to thank the players for their efforts at all levels, minor U21, Junior and senior. I would also like to congratulate and thank all the players from the Club who represented Laois at county level.
Minors
The minor league and championship had a change of structure this year. Our team competed in a 3 team group in Minor league. Although there was no “A” and “B” leagues, groups were effectively seeded in a manner that made each group competitive. In the opening round we lost to Clough/Ballacolla after a spirited performance and easily beat Clonad Gaels in the second round. This was not enough to secure a place in the semi finals as only one team went through. For the first time in many years we entered the “B” Championship this year. This was being run as a 3 team Round Robin competition. Having received a walkover from St Fintan’s Mountrath our second round tie V Rosenallis became the final of the competition. In one of the more spirited performances seen in a Castletown jersey in many years the team came from 10 points down at one stage to win the game. Ben Conroy captained the team to this title.
This victory saw the team gain entry to the “A” Championship and a quarter final date with Portlaoise. An excellent performance against a much older and stronger Portlaoise team led to a narrow defeat and exit from the championship.
Considering the small pool of players and young age profile this was an excellent year. The change in structure of both league and championship was a help step considering the heavy beatings we have taken at this level in recent years. Credit is due to the County Board here.
I would like to thank Tom Dooley, David Cuddy, JP Campion & Tim Drea for managing and training the team and all the players who took part despite our limited resources.
U21
At U21 level we competed without Ballyfin for the first time in a number of years. Once again the U21 championship was run on a knockout basis. We were drawn against The Harps Gaels at the Quarter Final stage. Once again this competition is run in a very haphazard manner with the time of year and postponements not helping given the large number of players that are away in college. This makes preparation very difficult. Despite this the team acquitted themselves well losing out 1-8 to 1-6. I would like to thank Padraig Cuddy, Seamus Lyons & Ken Holmes for preparing the team and all the players who took part.
Junior B
The Junior B team had a good run in the ACHL Division 4. We played 12 matches, winning 7, drawing 2 and losing 3. This was enough to qualify for a semi final where unfortunately Ballyfin proved stronger on the night. The championship was once again run on a knockout basis. We defeated Colt in the quarter final after extra time. An objection that was lodged by Colt regarding the eligibility of one of our players was thrown out and we advanced to the semi finals. Mountmellick were far superior here and also went on to win the final. 12 league games is probably asking too much at this level given how difficult it is to maintain a consistent team.
I would like to thank Vivian Cahill, Francis Hegarty & Martin Lowry for managing the team.
Junior A
The Junior A team started well this year with an excellent run in the Division 3 league winning 7 out of 9 games and qualifying for the league semi final. We won the semi final, defeating St Fintan’s Mountrath after a replay. Portlaoise reversed the previous years result and unfortunately we were beaten in the final.
In the championship despite losing the first group game to Clough/Ballacolla we won the remaining games and finished second qualifying for a semi final spot. On the day we failed to match the determination of Ballypickas and were beaten.
This competition has been there for the taking since we dropped back from intermediate for the 2007 championship. In the last 5 years we have lost 3 semi finals and 2 quarter finals. 4 of those defeats have been to “football” clubs.
Despite many management combinations and an amalgamation along the way each year has started very well and ended disappointingly. This competition should have been secured at some stage since 2007, and particularly since the amalgamation with Slieve Bloom.
I would like to thank Ger Cuddy, Mick Phelan, John Lyons & Joe Heffernan for managing and preparing the team.
Senior
As has been the case for the last number of years our Senior team had a very mixed year. There was a change of structure this year. The Palmer Cup was no longer knockout and the ACHL Division 1 would be split into 2 groups of 5. Finishing positions in the ACHL would decide championship pairings. Championship was to be knockout, with one backdoor chance for the first round losers.
In the Palmer Cup we were to play 4 games. We lost 3 and gave a walkover in the other.
In the ACHL Division 1 we once again lost 3 and gave a walkover in the other. The walkover arose after we travelled to Ballinakill only to be told the pitch was unplayable. It soon became clear that both Ballinakill and the referee were aware of this from early in the day. Neither the county board or our club were informed. The game was refixed for 3 days later on a Monday evening, 24 hours after the ACHL Division 3 final. We were to play the championship first round the following Saturday and management decided the game was not worth the risk involved. Our decision to grant this walkover was later discussed at county board level with other clubs unhappy with our decision. Whether the decision was correct or not, it was made with the interest of Castletown Slieve Bloom in mind, the needs of other clubs did not and should not come into it.
The championship first round was against Portlaoise. This match was cancelled, refixed, cancelled again and finally refixed without any consultation with us two and a half weeks after the original date. We lined out short several players and were narrowly defeated. The “backdoor” second round doubled as a relegation playoff. This was against Abbeyleix and we were lucky to escape with a draw before easily winning the replay.
For the third year in a row we faced Clough/Ballaolla in the quarter final. Once again it went to a replay and we were beaten by one point. As with last year we had opportunities to win these games. Unlike last year we did not fade in the replay and there is cause for optimism.
Our extremely slow starts to the year at senior level need to be addressed.
I would like to thank Joe Erritty for training and managing the team and particularly Danny Reddin, Fionán O’ Sullivan, Padraig Cuddy & Benny Conroy for their work throughout the year.
Membership
Memberships have dropped off slightly. We had 123 members in 2012. There was difficulty collecting memberships. This will be an ongoing problem as it clashes with the €130 county board tickets. The only solution is to encourage more people to pay by Standing Order. All the club membership promises were delivered with free admission to home league games, text updates for fixtures and results, Social night for members, Club Merchandise and free draw for all Ireland tickets. I would like to thank all who worked to enlist members and who delivered on the membership commitments. 2013 will once again prove challenging in this regard.
Non payment of membership by players is an old problem that is starting to resurface over the past 12 months. It is something that must not be tolerated. Also anybody wishing to have an involvement with teams as regards managing or selecting should be a member of the club.
Other Activities
A drama called “The Pitch” was organised in August. For the second year in a row many club members assisted Castletown Tidy Towns in a clean up of the village area. We ran a major fundraising event in “Who wants to be a Thousandaire” in October. Tom Dooley and Richard Poole organised an Over 40s charity game on New Years Day V Camross. These events are important, particularly those which give something back to the community that sustains us.
Club Development
Having successfully obtained a grant of €25,000 it is a time when some important decisions have to be made by the club. It is important that the correct approach is taken and the money is used in the most beneficial ways possible. It is vital that this matter is discussed openly here today.
Financially there is a definite limit on what we can raise and it is important that what we raise is spent appropriately. To this end club development should be considered ahead of team preparation expenses that we incurred this year but avoided in previous years.
Castletown & Slieve Bloom Amalgamation
Our amalgamation with Slieve Bloom has come to the conclusion of its initial 2 year trial. It is important now that you the members express your feelings on how this arrangement should progress into the future. How we proceed could be the single biggest decision since the club reformed and is not one that should be the responsibility of a small number of people.
I would also like to compliment the Naomh Eamann Juvenile GAA Club on their continued good work and congratulate them on their many successes.
I wish to thank all those involved in Castletown GAA Club over the past year. The operation of the Club requires a lot of effort and owes to the hard work of my fellow officers and committee members. The committee and especially those involved in the Thousandaire event worked extremely hard.
Our Main Sponsors Carroll Quarries once again deserve tremendous credit for giving us €3000 towards the purchase of a new mower. Also our Thousandaire main sponsors-Cuddagh Motors, A & R Poole, Tom Delaney & Sons, Colgan Sports, Carroll’s Costcutter, CJ Sheeran, Kildavin Electrical, Michael Doyle & all the advertisers deserve our support in return for their generosity.
I would also like to thank the following:
Mick Cuddy for his generosity, both financially and time wise in purchasing the mower and cutting the field.
Mick Phelan & Gerry Gaughan-Field Maintenance
Pat Phelan – Sale of Tipperary Draw tickets
Mary Hooban – Looking after jerseys
Jimmy Conroy – Physio
Pat Delaney – Race night MC and preparation
I wish to sympathise with all those who have suffered bereavements during the year.
Finally, I would be of the opinion that somebody who has finished playing would be more suitable to the role of secretary and it is something the club should consider.
I wish the Club every success in 2013.
Is Mise,
Fionán Ó Cuidithe
Runai
Other Events during 2012
The A.G.M on 8th January 2012 was attended by the following;
Seán Fleming
John Finlay
Monica Delaney
Padraig Cuddy
Fionán Cuddy
Kevin Conroy
Loughlin Hegarty
Tony Delaney
Seán Mullaney
William Delaney
Martin Phelan
Ben Cuddy
Gerry Gaughan
Richard Poole
P.J. Delaney
Pat Phelan
Mick Cuddy
Eoin Dooley
Danny Reddin
David Cuddy
Tom Dooley
Paul Cuddy
Tom Phelan
Apologies:
Fr. Hennessy
Brendan Peters
Willie Byrne
Tom Doheny
P.J. Mullaney
Patrick Mullaney
Mick Phelan
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During 2012 Seán Fleming stepped down as Treasurer and Joe Delaney and Seán Mullaney took over as Joint Treasurers.
Seán was thanked for his many years of service to Castletown GAA.
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Membership Card 2012
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The following are the results of all games played by Castletown in 2012;
Palmer Cup
Castletown Slieve Bloom 2-10 Camross 1-9
Castletown Slieve Bloom ---- Portlaoise ---- Conceded by Castletown Slieve Bloom
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-7 The Harps 0-17
Castltown Slieve Bloom 0-7 Borris in Ossory/Kilcotton 2-18
ACHL DIV1
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-13 Camross 1-16
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-11 Rathdowney Errill 1-17
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-9 The Harps 2-10
Castletown Slieve Bloom ----Ballinakill Conceded by Castletown Slieve Bloom
SHC
Round 1; Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-13 Portlaoise 1-16
Round 2; Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-11 St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix 0-14
Replay; Castletown Slieve Bloom 4-16 St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix 1-8
Quarter Final; Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-11 Clough Ballacolla 0-14
Replay; Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-11 Clough Ballacolla 0-12
ACHL DIV 3
Castletown Slieve Bloom 2-8 Borris in Ossory/Kilcotton 2-4
Castletown Slieve Bloom 2-19 Ballypickas 2-4
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-9 Portlaoise 1-11
Castletown Slieve Bloom 5-14 Kyle 1-11
Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-14 The Harps 0-4
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-11 Rathdowney/Errill 3-12
Castletown Slieve Bloom ---- Timahoe Conceded by Timahoe
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-14 St Fintan’s Mountrath 2-8
Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-13 Clough/Ballacolla 2-10
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-16 St Fintan’s Mountrath 1-16 (Semi Final)
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-8 St Fintan’s Mountrath 0-10 (Replay)
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-10 Portlaoise 1-12 (Final)
JHC A
Round 1; Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-10 Clough Ballacolla 1-19
Round 2; Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-10 Portlaoise 1-6
Round 3; Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-13 St Fintan’s Mountrath 1-9
Round 4; Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-14 Kyle 0-5
Semi Final; Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-9 Ballypickas 2-11
ACHL DIV 4
Castletown Slieve Bloom 4-8 Ballyfin 3-3
Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-13 The Harps 2-7
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-12 Clough/Ballacolla 2-8
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-8 Rathdowney/Errill 1-9
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-9 St Lazerian’s Abbeyleix 1-5
Castletown Slieve Bloom ---- Borris in Ossory/Kilcotton Conceded by Borris/Kilcotton
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-8 Clonad 1-11
Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-9 Ballinakill 1-11
Castletown Slieve Bloom 2-13 Colt 2-13
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-4 Camross 2-12
Castletown Slieve Bloom 3-8 Mountmellick 3-8
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-15 Portlaoise 4-2
Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-5 Ballyfin 2-7 ( Semi Final)
JHC B
Quarter Final; Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-16 Colt 1-14 AET
Semi Final; Castletown Slieve Bloom 0-7 Mountmellick 2-16
U21 HC
Quarter Final Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-6 The Harps 1-8
Minor League
Castletown Slieve Bloom 1-10 Clough Ballacolla 1-15
Castletown Slieve Bloom 4-10 Clonad Gaels 1-4
Minor “B” HC
Round 1; Castletown Slieve Bloom -----St Fintan’s Mountrath Conceded by Mountrath
Final; Castletown Slieve Bloom 4-11 Rosenallis 4-9
Minor “A” HC
Quarter Final; Castletown Slieve Bloom 2-10 Portlaoise 3-11
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The following were graded Senior when the revised gradings were submitted in July 2012 by the Senior Management and therefore could not compete at a lower grade for the remainder of the year;
Gearoid Gaughan, Brian Ferns, Fionán Cuddy, Declan Keenan, Patrick Mullaney, Paul Cuddy, Ger Reddin, James Hooban, Ben Conroy, Gavin Conroy, Ger Cuddy, John Gaughan, David Cuddy, Robert Delaney, Kevin Conroy, Brendan Reddin, Tom Phelan
The following were graded Junior A when the revised gradings were submitted in July 2012 by the Junior Management and therefore could not compete at a lower grade for the remainder of the year;
Joe Delaney, Barry McKelvey, Damien Brophy, Cyril Cuddy, Brendan Cuddy, Enda Conroy, Tom Delaney, Eoin Dooley, Tadgh Dooley, Kevin Carroll, J.R. Kingston, John Palmer, J.P. Campion, Seamus Lyons, John Lowry, Adrian Dollard, Loughlin Hegarty Martin Delaney
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A new gang mower was purchased at the beginning of 2012 for €3,500. Carroll Quarries paid €3,000 towards the purchase while Mick Cuddy donated the balance of €500. Mick also volunteered to cut the grass for the year. The club is extremely grateful to Mick for his generosity.
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A Joint Race Night between Castletown and Slieve Bloom GAA Clubs was held in the Castletown Inn on Saturday 4th August.
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The clubs social night took the form of a drama called "The Pitch" on Saturday 25th August.
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Castletown and Slieve Bloom also joined forces to organise a "Who Wants to be a Thousandaire" fundraiser in October.
To view our Sponsors and Advertisers on the night please click here
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In December it was announced that Castletown GAA had been awarded a Sports Capital Funding grant of €25,000 for pitch development.
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A charity Over 40s match between Castletown Slieve Bloom and Camross was organised by Tom Dooley and Richard Poole for 1st January 2013. It was ran to raise money for St. James's Hospital Dublin. Click here for details.
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