Castlemartyr GAA Club Set To Announce Centenary Celebration Plans 

ONE HUNDRED years in the life of any club, group or organisation is quite a landmark and Castlemartyr GAA are certainly not going to let this significant event pass without marking it in style. 

On this Friday from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, the club will host a launch night at Castlemartyr National School to announce plans for the 2024 centenary year celebrations.

A special committee was formed in early summer spearheaded by club stalwarts Christy O'Sullivan and John Whyte with a view to putting a plan in motion for 2024. 

As a result of a number of meetings, this active group has devised a detailed and varied programme which contains something for all club members, friends and supporters. 

The mantra "let's celebrate together" will be the group's tag line and with this in mind an open invitation is extended to one and all to attend this weekend's launch night.

The occasion will be an early opportunity to delve into the faded pages of club history, as well known clubman Pat Walsh has put together a nostalgic photo parade of teams, players and supporters from past years. 

It's appropriate that on the night a special club centenary calendar will also be launched, which offers another lasting memory of times past and includes faces aplenty from the club's decorated past.

Those attending Friday's launch are advised that the new Castlemartyr centenary jersey, along with new club leisurewear will be on sale alongside the aforementioned calendar. 

So, there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase those ideal Christmas gifts for red blooded Castlemartyr fans.

Meantime, in relation to matters on the field of play, there will be a new look sideline guiding the club's premier intermediate hurlers during the 2024 championship season, with confirmation of the incoming personnel expected at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting next month.

The previous backroom team headed by bainisteoir Seamus Lawton and coach Eoin Murphy stepped down at the end of this season, having guided the team to two county championship titles. 

The double success in the second covid year of 2021, which included success at both premier junior and intermediate 'A' level, will live long in the memory and the current group of players also came so close to ultimate glory in the premier intermediate grade last year, only to be denied by Colm Casey's dramatic very late injury time goal, which saw Inniscarra crowned champions. 

This year, Castleamrtyr lost out in the semi final stage to eventual champions Castlelyons.

Change is also about to happen at the top table in the next few weeks as Mike Falahee's three year term as chairman reaches a conclusion. 

The former St Finbarr's man has overseen a number of significant developments off the field in recent times and weather permitting another significant addition to club facilities is set to take place in the very near future, when a new all weather training area will become reality. 

This will be a massive boost to the growing demands on the current pitch options, as vibrant playing numbers with both ladies football and camogie clubs along with Kiltha Og juveniles ensure non stop activity at Paddy Walsh Memorial Park.

Activity is still ongoing on the playing fields in those early winter days in both codes as the U21 hurlers are due to meet Whitechurch this weekend in their opening fixture in the domestic championship, whilst the footballers have enjoyed a good campaign thus far, recording two wins, followed a hard fought draw on Sunday last against Fr O'Neil's which puts them into the championship final. 

The club previously won the competition back in 2019 with a win over For O'Neill's in the decider in Youghal.

Finally, all Castlemarty eyes will be on the forthcoming PwC All Stars banquet, as local hero Ciarán Joyce, has for the second year in a row been nominated for the young hurler of the year accolade. 

The category which sees Clare duo Mark Rodgers and Adam Hogan also nominated, recognises the best players in the land in the under 22 age bracket. 

Ciarán enjoyed another excellent year in the number 6 jersey for the rebels following last year's stellar breakthrough year at the heart of the defence.