Go Games are flying high
Without doubt, the gradual easing of restrictions and the return to play has been a breath of fresh air across the GAA community and indeed across the country. However, the return of Go Games in particular have been a resounding success. Not only is it fantastic to see our youngest members get back to the field of play, the energy and vibrancy that they bring to each GAA club is truly uplifting.
We witnessed that energy again ourselves this past weekend where Watergrasshill and Blarney met in the Go Games series with our U9s and 10s travelling to Blarney and our U7s, 8s and 11s teams hosting Blarney in Watergrasshill. Thankfully the weather again was in our favour and a fantastic morning’s hurling was provided.
Our U9s were in action in Blarney on Saturday 26th. We fielded two teams, each playing three games. The boys were outstanding throughout. Great skill on show and best of all, smiles all round. Coach Jerry McHugh commented “It’s lovely to see the progress the boys are making and most of all to see them enjoying themselves” coach Liam Fahy said he was off home to give the face a break from smiling. That in itself captured the magic of the Go Games program, with the emphasis on fun and skills development, the boys are free to enjoy and express themselves. The energy they bring is not only beneficial in their long term development as players but also uplifts all those around them. A great morning’s fun and games, very well done boys.
REDFM INTERMEDIATE HURLING LEAGUE Watergrasshill 1-19, Bandon 2-12
Our intermediates played host to Bandon in round 2 of the RedFM intermediate hurling L=league last Saturday night. Going into the game the squad was somewhat reduced through injuries and also Daire O’Leary and Shane Óg O’Regan were out due to Cork commitments. This gave an opportunity for others to get a starting berth and give the management something to think about as the season moves on. The lads started in fine fettle and had the opening score registered inside the first minute, Aidan Foley getting a point from play. Bandon did equalise after two minutes of play before the Hill took command of play and the scoreboard. A great point from play from Sean Desmond, followed by two from Shane O’Regan, both from play, the second after a lovely passage of play where Anthony Cronin won the ball at midfield sent a nice pass into Paudie O’Leary, who offloaded to Shane to tap over a score. This had us lead four points to one after 8 minutes.
In the 12th minute Aidan Foley hit a great point from a free from 60 yards out, and a minute later the game’s first goal went the way of the Hill. Great work by Sean Desmond who got the sliotar 40 yards from goal, turned his man and took off on a solo run, he struck a great shot which the Bandon goalkeeper parried but Shane O’Regan was on hand to finish it to the net. Paddy O’Regan added another point, again after great work by Sean which had us lead the opening quarter 1-6 to 1 point. Like the opening game against Ballincollig, the Hill lads were playing with a great intensity and work rate and a real feature was the dominant play by our backs.
The second quarter got off to a good start for the Hill, with points from Anthony Cronin, from distance, and another from Shane O’Regan after nice interchange with Paddy O’Regan. In the 19th minute Bandon added their second point of the day to leave the scoreline 1-8 to 2pts after twenty minutes of play. From this point to halftime, Bandon certainly came into the game. They outscored us five points to two in a ten minute period, three from play and two from dead ball. Our two points came from Colin Cronin and Aidan Foley, right on the stroke at half-time, to leave the score at the midway point 1-10 to 7pts. It really felt the first half belonged to the Hill yet the scoreboard had us only six points ahead.
We made a bright start to the second half, with two pointed frees from Aidan Foley, whose accuracy from distance was excellent. Bandon got their first score of the second half after five minutes before Aidan landed another free, after great work by Paudie O’Leary drawing the foul and opportunity to register another score. In the 11th minute, Aidan landed another point from a free, an absolute monster, from well inside our own 65. This was followed up by an excellent point by Chris Healey, who was having a fine game. Bandon converted a free of their own, which came from the lead up to a goal chance but Darragh O’Callaghan pulled off a great save to deny them.
For the remainder of this quarter we outscored Bandon once again and two points from Anthony Cronin and another from Chris Healey, had the score at the second half water break, Watergrasshill 1-18 to Bandon’s 10 points. The last quarter belonged to Bandon. They got their first goal after 18 minutes of the second half and then hit a scoring purple patch adding two quick points from play. Aidan Foley added a point from play for the Hill on twenty two minutes before Bandon registered their second goal to leave things 1-19 to 2-12. Bandon pushed hard to close the deficit, Darragh pulling off a tremendous save from point plank in the twenty sixth minute. Great credit goes to the Hill though, who dug in for the closing few minutes to ensure the scoreboard reflected the effort put in throughout, and by the time the final whistle did come, we had those four points to spare, running out winners on a final score line of 1-19 to 2-12.
Scorers: Aidan Foley (8pts) Shane O’Regan (1-3), Anthony Cronin (3 pts), Chris Healey (2 pts), Paddy O’Regan (1 pt), Sean Desmond (1pt), Colin Cronin (1 pt).
LOTTO
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 9, 15, 25 and 29. Lucky dip winners are Denis Buttimer, Bernard Burke, Claire De Lacy and Colm Fenton. Congratulations to you all. Next week’s jackpot is a cool €8,700. Tickets are on sale in some of the village businesses, like Centra and Johnny’s Shop. Tickets can also be purchased on-line via our club website. 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.
PITCH SIGNAGE AND ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY
As we enter a new decade, we do so with great optimism and excitement here at Watergrasshill GAA Club. Later this decade we will celebrate our centenary year, which will be a special milestone. While it’s important to celebrate the past and the history of the club, it’s also important we look forward to the future. With this in mind, the club will shortly be undertaking a development project, to prepare the club for the future and further position ourselves at the centre of our community. Part of this project will be the development of our existing club grounds. To that end we will endeavour to raise a revenue stream from advertising, while giving businesses the opportunity to advertise their services and reach a wider audience within our community.
If you would be interested in this opportunity to advertise and support our club, please contact Claire O’Leary on 087-6239297 or any member of the club who can provide assistance.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Go Games focus is back to football this weekend and we wish all the lads the very best of luck. There are just 4 Rebel Óg hurling fixtures down for decision in the coming week. Sunday, July 4 Rebel Óg East – Fé17 div 1 hurling championship Killeagh vs Watergrasshill in Killeagh at 7.00pm. Monday, July 5 Rebel Óg East – Fé12 hurling league Watergrasshill vs Grenagh in Watergrasshill at 7.00pm. Monday, July 5 Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé15 hurling league Kilara Óg (2) vs Watergrasshill (2) in Araglin at 7.30pm. Friday, July 9 Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé13 hurling league Erins Own vs Watergrasshill in Caherlag at 8.00pm.
RESULTS ROUND-UP
Saturday, June 26 Red FM Intermediate Hurling League Watergrasshill 1-19 v 2-12 Bandon. Saturday, June 26 Rebel Óg East – Fé15 pre-season games St Colmans 1-14 v 4-14 Watergrasshill. Friday, June 25 Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé 13 hurling league Kiltha Óg 7-16 v 7-14 Watergrasshill. Monday, June 21 Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé 15 hurling league St Colmcilles (2) 2-10 vs 2-9 Watergrasshill (2). Monday, June 21 Rebel Óg East – Fé 12 hurling league St Colmcilles 1-3 vs 4-5 Watergrasshill.
CLUB SHOP
Our club shop is always open where club crested clothing is available to buy, from shorts to jerseys to training tops and tracksuit bottoms, for adults and juveniles in various sizes. Hurling helmets also available to buy through the club. If you need anything or would like to speak to someone about what is available and sizes, contact Adrienne on 087-7589139. Also keep an eye online where new club gear can be seen.