Please find below the club notes from Watergrasshill Hurling Club for week ending 28th June.
Weekly round-up
It wasn’t to be for our U-17 team last Tuesday evening in their shield final against a very strong Kilworth Araglen outfit. We trailed at the break by 4 points (0-11 to 1-10) however in the second half Kilworth Araglen asserted their dominance on the game running out winners 0-18 to 5-15. Credit to the lads who have endured a tough couple of years compounded by lack of game time as a result of the compressed season in 2021 where U-16 games were scarce.
As these boys turned men, transition from the juvenile club to our adult club, it’s worth taking a moment to acknowledge this great group. They have won a plethora of honours down through the years including league honours at Fé 12, Fé 13 & Fé 14, county honours at Fé 13 & Fé 14 and national féile honours at U-14 in 2019. With little or no games in 2020 at U-15 due to COVID and a non-existent season in 2021 at U-16 due to the Rebel Óg focus on odd ages post COVID, they went almost 2 years with no competitive action at what could be argued, the most critical age for player development & retention.
In spite of all that, with Mick O’Driscoll and Liam Foley representing Cork at minor level, Ciarán O’Leary, Cian Cronin O’Neill and Fionn Fitzgerald representing at Primary games level and Cian Cronin O’Neill also claiming national & munster handball titles as well as Cork U-16 long puck (at the age of 14) – this group have not only tasted great success but also some bitter defeats down through the years. Also worth mentioning is their successes with Glenville and Watergrasshill United, a multi-talented group across different codes.
In naming names, there is always risk of missing someone but Derek Casey, Donal Lehane, Martin O’Riordan, Ger O’Brien, Michael Moore and Andrew O’Callaghan and Darragh O’Callaghan have all at some point helped mentor this group down through the years and great credit must go to those men for giving their time to help develop the next generation. Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir and good luck to the lads as they transition to our adult ranks.
Elsewhere, it was great to see our Junior hurlers pick up their first win of the season overcoming Midleton 0-15 to 0-24. Again, credit to the lads for turning around a slow start to the season – just in time for championship too.
On Saturday last our U13’s made the trip to Castlelyons for a league game. Numbers depleted by holidays and injuries, we had only 50% of the boys on the age available so dipped into the younger reserves to make up a team. Despite going down 1-12 to 0-6pts, the boys put in a performance they can be proud off. Everyone to a man battled throughout and made life difficult for a strong Castlelyons team. Well done to all the boys and thanks to the younger players who gave a great account of themselves throughout.
Best Wishes to Mairéad O’Callaghan
Everyone involved with Watergrasshill GAA extends our best wishes to Mairéad O’Callaghan on the occasion of her retirement last week. Mairéad was principle of Glenville National School and gave 40 years of service at the school inspiring many generations through her love of education and GAA.
Community Games Success
Congratulations to Cormac McCarthy who won the U-12 long puck competition at the Community Games last weekend. Well done also to Sam O’Leary who came 4th. Cormac has also qualified for the All Irelands, in Carlow in August. No doubt, Cian Cronin O’Neill could give Cormac a few words of advice ahead of the big day – well done Cormac.
Lotto
There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 5, 9, 10 & 21. Lucky dip winners are Kieran Cotter, Pat O’Brien, Jerry Mackey and Dean Roche. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €2,400 and draw will take place Monday 27th April. 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
Saturday 25th June
Rebel Óg East Fé13 League
Castlelyons 1-12 V 0-6 Watergrasshill
Wednesday 22nd June
Junior Hurling League 1 (Tom Powell Cup)
Midleton 0-15 V 0-24 Watergrasshill
Tuesday 21st June
Rebel Óg North Fé17 League Shield Final
Watergrasshill 0-18 V 5-15 Kilworth Araglen Óg
Upcoming Fixtures
Saturday 2nd July
Red FM Intermediate HL D 2
Watergrasshill V Kilworth in Watergrasshill at 4:00pm
Sunday 3rd July
Junior Hurling League 1 (Tom Powell Cup)
Sarsfields V Watergrasshill in Riverstown at 11:00am
Monday 4th July
Rebel Óg East Fé12 League
Watergrasshill V Cobh in Watergrasshill at 7:00pm
Friday 8th July
Rebel Óg East Fé13 League
Lisgoold V Watergrasshill in Lisgoold at 7:45pm
Sunday 17th July
Rebel Óg East Fé15 League Final
Watergrasshill V Lisgoold – Venue TBC
