Castlemartyr Centenary Year and celebrations now in full swing 

IT'S all go at Castlemartyr GAA, with lots happening in the club's centenary year. 

Whilst a special committee was set up last year to oversee a number of commemorative events, the main club committee have also been very busy as they aim to develop facilities at Paddy Walsh Memorial Park.

Central to the current path to progress is the recently completed new all weather training facility, the availability of which was something of a godsend, in view of the extremely wet weather of recent months. 

This new pitch is now catering for large numbers of players with the club's hurling and football teams, camogie, ladies football and KIltha Og groups along with the newly formed mothers & others team all regular occupants.

Obviously fundraising has to play a big part in the life of the current committee, as the €170K plus facility ensures that a constant cash flow is needed. 

Recently, a "Know Your Sport" style competition was organised as members and friends were given the opportunity to forecast the outcome of a number of high profile upcoming sporting fixtures. 

However, the main summer fundraiser will be the annual Golf Classic which this year has been extended to a 3 day competition at Castlemartyr GC in mid July.

Following a New Year's Day get together to launch the centenary year, the club recently also hosted a tree planting ceremony to mark this milestone year. 

This featured club president Christy O'Sullivan and the youngest member of the current Kiltha Og club - five year old Jayden O'Donovan who literally did the spade work. 

Currently the sub committee are advancing plans for a summer walk/run aimed at bringing all strands together for a one off feel good mid summer night.

The high point of the year's celebrations, will take place over the August Bank Holiday Weekend, when a Club Day will be held at Paddy Walsh Memorial Park. 

This will incorporate a wide series of activities for members of all ages and the aim is to reunite former players and club members from home and abroad with colleagues from olden days. 

The conclusion of the centenary year activities will be focussed around a Dinner Dance in mid November.

Meantime, events on the field of play will of course occupy the minds of everyone in red in the months ahead as Castlemartyr aim to add some silverware to it's collection of the past 100 years. 

The club would love to make the historic step to senior hurling in this milestone year, having been very close in recent times. 

That dramatic last second reversal against Inniscarra in the 2022 premier intermediate final, was followed last autumn by defeat to future All Ireland finalists Castlelyons in the county semi final. 

So the indications suggest the current crop of players have realistic hopes of being very much in the championship conversation next autumn. Under their new management team featuring Shane Brick, Ruairi McGovern, Donal Burke and John Kingston, the team won their opening league games against Cloyne and Argideeen Rangers. 

The premier intermediate grade remains extremely competitive and Castlemartyr will face tough tests in their group games against Valley Rovers, Carrigaline and Watergrasshill.

Some fine displays by the club's junior team under the management of Dave Fleming ensured promotion to the top flight of the Amarenco leagues this year, which indicates further significant progress with the small ball. 

This group will also be striving to go one step further than last autumn when they lost to Killeagh in the junior 'B' championship final.

As for the big ball - the aim will be to get back to the top table again.

The "reds" reached the 2022 junior 'A' decider but were second best to a talented Cobh team who went on to reach the county final.

After enjoying a glorious era with a highly talented team that won six titles in ten years between 1982 and 1991, the club has gone through a long barren spell without lifting the Jim Ryan Memorial Cup. 

Ending that wait would obviously be extra special if it could happen in 2024. Former St Finbarr's man Joe Stack has this year come on board as part of the football management team which is again headed up by Paul Kelly.