Reeling in the year 2021
The eleventh installment of our Reeling In The Year covers November 2021.
Our U7 hurlers finished up their year with a delayed Halloween training camp during the 1st week of November on the Glenville astro. Brilliant fun was had by all. The boys have put in great effort all year, training and playing with a smile on their faces throughout. Thanks also to the boy’s parents who have supported the boys and made sure they attended training and go-games throughout the year. A massive Thank You too goes to the coaches who were excellent once again all year, not only coaching the fundamental skills of the game but also working hard to keep sessions fun, keeping the boys engaged and involved. Speaking of coaches, well done to the coaches for making an effort at getting dressed up for the Halloween training camp although it must be said, there has huge disparity of effort. A word of thanks also to Luke Conway for providing the lovely medals which all the boys received after the camp. We hope the boys, their families and indeed their coaches enjoyed the winter break, kept tipping away with a hurley in the hand every chance you get. See you all at U8’s this year.
Our intermediate hurlers maintained their Premier Intermediate status when they overcame Aghada in a titanic battle in Dungourney on November 6th. As was to be expected, this was a tense affair with premier intermediate status at stake. That was evident before the game where referee David Daly laid down a disciplinary marker by awarding red cards to Paddy O’Regan and Mike Russell before the game began. This early signal of intent was not taken onboard by the Agahda side who had a further 2 outfield players as well as 2 of their management team red carded in the second half.
Once the game eventually got underway, the opening encounters were close, with points being traded and no side really pulling away, that changed however in the 12th minute when the net was rattled for Watergrasshill following great work by Seán Desmond. At that point, Watergrasshill led 1-4 to 0-5 but Aghada responded well with two further points. Another ‘Hill point left the score 1-5 to 0-7 at the water break. It was nip and tuck at the half time whistle, with the sides tied on a score line of 1-7 to 0-10, at which point there was no indicator of the drama to come.
Watergrasshill had a great start to the second half where Seán Desmond struck the net after just 3 minutes of the second half and by the time 2 further points were added, we had opened a 4-point lead, Aghada were reduced to 13 men following a second yellow for Danny Creedon. Watergrasshill had already notched up 1-7 without reply to lead 2-14 to 0-11 at the water break. By the time Aghada notched their first score of the second half in the 25th minute, the game was over as a contest with a 3rd red card for Aghada.
The final score ended Aghada 0-11 v 2-15 Watergrasshill with Seán Desmond contributing 1-1 and a string of assists to Watergrasshill’s final tally, further points from James McCarthy, Padraig O’Leary and Anthony Cronin gave a one-sided reflection to the score line which flattered us slightly as undoubtedly, Aghada’s red-cards had a bearing on proceedings.
Everyone involved with Cnocán Na Biolraí extends our congratulations to all involved with the Intermediate team, coaches and the entire backroom team. Your hard work and dedication throughout a very difficult year has meant that our club remains at the Premier Intermediate grade for 2022.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 2, 15, 18 & 22. Lucky dip winners are Darragh O’Callaghan, Michael Kelleher (Tralee), Winnie Sheehan and Nestor/McHugh/ Cronin/O’Shea (Fir Tree). Congrats to you all.
Next week’s jackpot is a fantastic €12,000 and draw took place Monday, 22nd February. 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.
PITCH SIGNAGE 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 center of our community. Part of this project will be the development of our existing club grounds. To that end we will endeavor to raise a revenue stream from advertising, while giving businesses the opportunity to advertise their services and reach a wider audience within our community.
With the playing numbers on the increase our facility will be a busy spot over the coming years, and we would love to have your name and business positioned in the hearts and minds of all those who visit on a weekly basis. We are offering advertising space via pitch signage, 3000mm wide x 750mm high. These are a 5-year gloss laminate, flash mounted to 0.2mm skin diabond sign. 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.
REBELS BOUNTY DRAW
Support from across the parish and beyond has been fantastic and we’ve now surpassed our minimum target, meaning that proceeds from every ticket sold go directly back into our community. We’ve also now set up an internal monthly draw for a €50 prize for all Rebels Bounty ticket holders giving 31 chances to win per month, that’s 372 prizes over the 12 monthly draws.
The Rebels Bounty draw is an initiative of “One Cork” to give clubs a significant opportunity to raise funds. Proceeds from every ticket sold above minimum targets go directly to our clubs in Watergrasshill & Glenville. We had a fantastic response in 2021 and tickets are now up for renewal. We are asking all members and supporters to renew again this year and support this very important fundraised for both clubs. The 2022 prize fund is over €500,000 with 30 chances to win every month. Entries can be made on-line via www.gaacork.ie/ rebelsbounty or through any club member. If you need any assistance, feel free to contact Brian or Paud or please email rebelsbounty@gaa. ie or hillglenvillerebelsbounty@ gmail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated with much needed funds going directly into supporting your club and your community, míle buiochas duitse go léir.