Castlelyons hurlers majestic unbeaten championship run was thrillingly and historically extended at Páirc Uí Chaoimh when they were crowned intermediate champions of Cork county. And how the masses of their ecstatic supporters showed their appreciation when long-serving captain, Mick Spillane accepted the Jim Long Cup. The game itself, which saw them pitted against fellow divisional side Killeagh, produced a great hour’s hurling and saw fortunes ebb and flow throughout the game, leaving the outcome in doubt up to the final whistle. The Castleyons victory, on a scoreline of 2-12 to 2-09, set in motion a feast of well deserved celebration and a place within senior ranks in 1999.
There was county glory also for Kilworth when the minor B hurlers recorded a 1-10 to 1-07 victory over Watergrasshill at Glanworth. The win bridged a 31 year gap for Kilworth, the club previously recording county glory in 1967. And while the lads from Watergrasshill may not have been successful, the girls of the parish wrote their own piece of history at Glenville when they trounced Tracton on a 6-06 to 1-05 scoreline in the county junior A camogie final, closing a 29 year gap in this grade amid a welter of excitement.
Thursday, November 5, 1998 was a very special day for Sean Hegarty of Britway, Castlelyons, who retired as principal of Rathcormac National School. Sean and his wife Ann were present at a special Mass is Rathcormac Church to mark the occasion, attended by all the teachers, school children, their parents, many past pupils and the school’s board of management. Many tributes were paid to Sean for his total dedication and commitment to the school in Rathcormac, for his kindness to the welcoming, warm and gentle approach to all associated with the school.
In a ‘This Is Your Life’ style tribute night, the parishioners of Killavullen united to say a fond farewell to Fr Tim O’Connor, who had been assigned to the district of Coachford. In a genuine show of affection for the affable Kerryman, the people of Killavullen celebrated the contribution made by Fr Tim, during his nine year spell in the village. Going on the anecdotal evidence produced on the night, Fr Tim was a priest for all occasions, who made a lasting impression on the people he served.
Bunscoil na Toirbhirte, Mitchelstown were awarded first prize in the Special Endeavour Category in the Drink Can Collection Competition in 1998, sponsored by Cork County Council. The recycling of cans, jam-jars and stamps was actively pursued in the school, while glass and clothes recycling was encouraged to the local outlets outside of school hours. The awards ceremony was held in the Hibernian Hotel in Mallow. Ms Sheehan-O’Donoghue attended, along with the following pupils: Claire Pigott, Edel Moriarty, Carmel Murphy, Sabrina Joyce, Rosemary Fanning, Patricia Creed, Geraldine Fitzgerald and Jacqueline Crowley.
John O’Connell from Dungrud, Glen of Aherlow graduated from the Garda College at Templemore in November 1998. He was educated at Lisvernane National School and Abbey CBS, Tipperary Town. He was assigned to the Garda Station at Anglesea Street, Cork.
As Castlelyons parish celebrated their great county final hurling win over Killeagh, it was back to rehearsals again for 100 children of the parish as they put the final touches to their 1998 production of ‘In The Nick Of Time’. The show was produced and directed by Enda Murray.
Cattle report for Tuesday, 10th November ’98: Good quality bullocks remained a good trade but plainer sorts were marginally quite. Beef and store heifers were improved by £5-£10 per head on the previous week. Big selection of weanlings on offer met a good steady trade with little or no change from previous week. Beef bullocks £120 under to £70 under £1 kilo; Forward stores (double punched) £100 under to £50 under £1 kilo; Medium and Forward stores E 22 MP £85 under to £1 kilo; Lighter stores E 10 + 22 MP £20 under to £20 over £1 kilo; Beef heifers £60 under to £120 under £1 kilo; Store heifers £80 under to £135 under; Dry cows £280-£400 per head; Weanling bulls £200-£465 £1 kilo to £50 over £1 kilo; Weanling heifers £115-£250, £100 under to £70 under £1 kilo, calves: Bulls £60-£160, Heifers £40-£90.
