Watergrasshill GAA Club Notes
- Aug 10,2022
By Paul Hurley, PRO Watergrasshill GAA Club.
Field Of Legend
What a day on Thursday last for our U-11s who made ”The trip to Tipp” to play in Semple Stadium. This hallowed turf has seen many an epic Munster battle over the years and for this great bunch of kids it was an amazing experience, an experience we hope they will never forget. Playing in this great stadium, “The Field of Legends” as it’s also know, which they were told by their guide on the stadium tour. As coach Willie O Leary commented “and today we witnessed 22 legends today out on the field wearing the Red jerseys of the Hill”. The boys won all 3 games they played in beating Portroe of Tipp in game 1, Rockwell Rovers of Tipp game 2 & Croom of Limerick in game 3 and playing some great hurling in all the games. The day was topped off with a trip McDonald’s on the way home which we’re not sure was endorsed by our nutritionist, but was a great treat for the boys none the less. Big Thank You to the coaches & parents who traveled on the bus which helped in making it a special day out and well done to the boys too who were great ambassadors for our club through their sporting play and impeccable behavior both on and off the field.
Results Round Up
It was a mixed bag results wise this past week where we had 4 teams in championship action.
Our U-15’s got the ball rolling with a commanding display on Wednesday evening last. The lads got off to a flier registering 2-9 before conceding their first score of the game to a free. With David Barry and Adam Casey playing well at the back and Leon Clarke O’Shea pulling off a couple of magnificent saves, we were comfortably in front 2-9 to 0-1 on the 15 minute mark. It wasn’t all one-way traffic though and when St. Catherine’s eventually got into the game, to their credit, they registered some fine scores from play. However Shane O’Callaghan and Tadgh McCarthy continued to drive our lads on and finished the half leading 4-11 to 0-8. St. Catherine’s continued their recover in the second half and registered their first goal of the game after the restart. With Jack Counihan and Donncha O’Leary now starting to come more into the game we pulled away again to finish comfortable winners 6-18 to 2-12. A great campaign continues for the lads with their final game against Lisgoold on August 31st & we wish them all the best for that game.
Our U-17’s travelled to Cobh on Friday evening for a game which clashed with the Intermediate tie against Castlelyons. This game didn’t go our way and despite Cian Cronin O’Neill opening the scoring with a pointed free, the concession of 2 first-half goals meant by half time we were down 2-9 to 0-3, with Cian registering all 3 scores for us.
Our lads regrouped at half time and showed great heart in the second half. With Darragh Collins, Mike O’Driscoll and Ryan Loftus registering quick scores for the hill after the restart. To be fair, Cobh were the better team and despite second half goals from Cian Cronin O’Neill and Ciarán O’Leary ran out winners by 2-17 to 2-8. Hard luck to our lads who went down fighting but their season will continue in the shield competition towards the end of August.
Also on Friday evening, our Intermediates made the short trip to Rathcormac to face Castlelyons in the Premier Intermediate Championship. The lads came into the game in good spirits after their performance against Éire Óg and were now looking to build on that good form. A great start to the game with energy and pace combined with scores from Paddy O’Regan (0-2) and Seán Desmond (0-1) had us ahead 0-3 to 0-1 after the opening 10 minutes. The intensity from our lads was really top notch and with Kevin O’Neill, Daire O’Leary and Denis O’Farrell very strong across the half-back line. With Paddy and Seán adding to their tally after 22 minutes the lead was out to 4 points 0-7 to 0-3. As the 30 minute mark passed, the lead was still 4 points, however two Alan Fenton frees for Castlelyons before the break left the score 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time. We were deservedly leading at the break, but a big 30 minutes were ahead. Castlelyons came out of the blocks flying after the break & within 2 minutes of the restart the game was level. Our lads were having to battle for everything now as Castlelyons were on top and were ahead 0-9 to 0-10 after 6 second half minutes. But our boys never panicked and with James Gowen and a long distance free from Aiden Foley raising white flags, this game was going down to the wire and with 20 second half minutes gone it was tied 0-11 each. Into the closing stages and when Paddy O’Regan levelled the game on 28 minutes, the nerves were finally shot when an Alan Fenton free looked to have won it for Castlelyons. But these men form the Hill never quit and when Daire O’Leary landed a beauty in injury time to level it, Paddy O’ Regan’s free on 35 minutes looked to have won it for the hill – but nerves of steel from Alan Fenton levelled the game from a 65 after 35 minutes after which, David Copps sounded the final whistle. A draw was probably a fair result, but our lads certainly did more than enough to win the game. Their work rate was immense, the rallied in the second half when things looked to be getting away from them and really fought for each other to almost steal it at the death. All to play for now in the last round of games and a win over Carrigaline would see us qualify for the knockout stages. The calculators will be out as score difference will play a factor too, but there is huge credit due to the lads for their performances to date and the whole parish will be shouting for them to hopefully see them progress.
Closing out championship action this week, our Juniors travelled to Lisgoold to open their campaign against Carraig na bhFear. Unfortunately for the lads, Carraig were too strong on the night and it finished Carraig na bhFear 2-17 V 0-10 Watergrasshill. Next up are Erin’s Own on August 28th and we wish the lads well for that game.
Good Luck Cormac
Everyone involved with the club would like to wish Cormac McCarthy all the very best this weekend when he travels to Carlow to compete in the All-Ireland long-puc finals as part of Community Games 2022. Safe journey to Shane, Adrienne and the boys and we hope that Cormac enjoys his day.
An Cupán Tae
As you may have noticed, our newly opened match-day café “An Cupán Tae” is now up and running. An Cupán Tae is based in our clubroom and will be open on match-days providing tea, coffee, soft-drinks and snacks. Keep an eye on our social media channels for detailed opening hours and please do pop in and say hello and grab a snack before, during or after one of our upcoming home games.
Lotto
There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 14, 18, 19 & 21. Lucky dip winners are Danny Farrell, John O’Mahony (Shop), Peggy Barry and Mary O’Donoghue (Midleton). Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €3,000 and draw will take place Monday 15th August in The Fir Tree Bar. Tickets are on sale in some of the village businesses like The Hut Bar, The Fir Tree, Johnny's Shop and our new Lotto stand in Ross's Centra. Tickets can also be purchased on-line via our club website (www.watergrasshillgaa.ie). The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members and supporters of the Watergrasshill GAA Club Lotto. The Club Lotto is a vital source of income for the running of all our teams within the Club and for future development of our facilities, so we ask you to please support it if you are in a position to do so. Remember, if you’re not in you can’t win.
Recent Results
Wednesday 3rd August
Rebel Óg East Fé15 D2 Championship Section 1
Watergrasshill 6-18 V 2-12 St. Catherine’s
Friday 5th August
Rebel Óg East Fé17 D1 Championship Section 1
Cobh 2-17 V 2-8 Watergrasshill
Friday 5th August
Co-Op Superstore Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Castlelyons 0-14 V 0-14 Watergrasshill
Sunday 7th August
Junior A Hurling Championship
Carraig Na bhFear 2-17 V 0-10 Watergrasshill
Upcoming Fixtures
Friday 19th August
Rebel Óg East Fé17 D1 Championship Section 1
Watergrasshill V Kiltha Óg at 7:00pm in Watergrasshill
Sunday 21st August
Rebel Óg Coiste Fé17 C3 League Section 2
Watergrasshill (2) V Courcey Rovers (2) in Watergrasshill at 2:00pm
Sunday 28th August
Junior A Hurling Championship
Erin’s Own V Watergrasshill at 6:30pm Venue TBC
Wednesday 31st August
Rebel Óg East Fé15 D2 Championship Section 1
Watergrasshill V Lisgoold at 7:00pm in Watergrasshill
