Castlemartyr GAA club celebrating 100th anniversary in style

THIS might be a once-in-a-lifetime year for Castlemartyr GAA.

There is a huge spread of events for their centenary celebrations, including a 100-mile relay run, a three-day golf classic, and a family day.

In last week’s relay, 100 club members each ran one mile at Paddy Walsh Memorial Park, each wearing a number that represented a year in the club’s history. Runners were on the start line every 10 minutes in groups of 10, with the events getting underway at 19.24, symbolising the year of the club’s foundation. Hurlers, footballers, camogie stars, ladies’ footballers, along with supporters and club officers, were all involved in what was a sea of red.

Long-term club administrator Mick Leahy was given a grand-marshal role and walked ahead of the opening group in the company of family and friends. He has made a mammoth contribution to Castlemartyr GAA over many decades and was the recipient of their very first Distinguished Career award, last season.

Chloe Lane, who was goalkeeper on Cork’s All-Ireland-winning minors, ran the last mile to complete the 100-mile journey later in the evening.

Attention now turns to the golf classic, which will be held at Castlemartyr GC from July 17 to 19.

It’s the first time the club has undertaken a three-day event and, so far, there has been a very positive response from the sporting and business sector in the region.

This classic is a key part of the club’s continued fundraising drive, the fruits of which are visibly evident at their home venue.

After the completion of an all-weather training pitch, walking track and auxiliary facilities, ambitious plans are on the horizon to construct a club house.

Grant aid and further fundraising will certainly be key to any such hopes, but the vibrant committee is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to mark this important era in the club’s history.

Enquiries to Christy 086 8040183, Bernard Lawton 087 2477194, or John 086 8778182. The official launch was attended by representatives of the three main joint sponsors: Amarenco, Army Surplus Stores, and Kia Motorview, along with the Guilfoyle family, who are associate sponsors.

Also present was Dick Fitzgerald, vice-chairman of Imokilly GAA.

Sunday, August 4 has also been earmarked as a key date in the centenary calendar, with a club day featuring a range of activities for all the family.

A special effort has also been made to unite Castlemartyr natives and former members who are now living elsewhere.

Mid-November will see a commemorative dinner dance being held to mark the centenary year, while there will be an extra touch of nostalgia to this year’s Joseph Memorial Long Puck competition in late December.

Ciarán Joyce is flying the Castlemartyr flag at the highest level and is eagerly looking forward to the All-Ireland semi-final against Limerick. The highly talented young player, whose father, Carey, is current club chairman, is following in the footsteps of some very distinguished Castlemartyr men to have worn the red of Cork.

Brian Lawton was an integral part of the set-up during the last decade, while in 1952 club icons Liam Dowling and Billy Abernethy both lined out in the full forward line as Cork defeated Dublin 2-14 to -0-7 to bring back Liam MacCarthy to the banks of the Lee.

Dowling scored both Cork goals on the day and won another medal a year later, while Fr Billy’s clerical duties took him on a different path.