Results round-up
With very few competitive games last weekend on the club front, it was great to see Cork come out on top over Waterford and give ourselves a fighting chance of progressing in the All-Ireland series. Whilst Munster honours are beyond us for another year, the fight and spirit shown on Sunday afternoon in Walsh Park was the reaction we hoped for and with the result mirroring the performance, it’s do or die against Tipp this weekend.
On the flip side, Waterford now face a perilous wait to see if they progress having claimed the first silverware of the year, the Déise may now be out of the All-Ireland series should Cork beat Tipp, a scenario that couldn’t have been predicted in early April when Conor Prunty lifted the Dr Croke Cup for Waterford’s 4th National Hurling League title.
On the home front, it was our underage teams who were busiest this past week. Starting the week were our U10 buys who played rounds 3 and 4 of the Cashman Cup on Wednesday evening in Blackrock.
In what can only be described as a marathon of hurling 20 players in 2 teams had to play 6 matches against Eire Óg, Blarney and Carrigtwohill. 2 hard fought victories against Eire Óg were the highlight of the night. Well done to the boys and their coaches on a fantastic effort in a prestigious tournament. A great experience for these young boys.
A busy week for our U11s began when they travelled to Bishopstown on Thursday evening. The boys played a couple of great games, banked more experience, and certainly showed what a talented and hardworking bunch they are. The U11s were on the road again on Saturday morning when they travelled to Youghal and enjoyed a great mornings hurling. Two teams of 11 playing 3x20 mins - super teamwork, skill and comradery from the boys. Thank you to the coaches and parents for giving their time to the boys and thanks also to Bishopstown and Youghal for organising the games.
On Monday evening, our U15 boys completed their Rebel Óg East league campaign with a comprehensive 7-16 to 2-14 win over Lisgoold. They topped the group undefeated wins over Erins Own, Cobh, Mayfield and Fr O’Neills during the campaign. Well done to the team and their coaches and we wish them well in the league final in early June.
PAUL O’CONNOR MEMORIAL BLITZ
Paul O’Connor was a terrific hurler and coach until his untimely passing in 2013. His record in the Fitzgibbon Cup with UCC as both a dynamic midfielder and astute coach is unrivalled. He hurled for the college in five Fitzgibbon finals in a row, as captain in 1986 having graduated from the North Mon with a Harty medal in 1980, followed by a county minor double in 1981 with his club Na Piarsaigh. He was involved in another five victories for UCC from the sideline.
Paul was a senior county champion in 1990 and 1995 with Na Piarsaigh and Man of the Match in the ‘ 95 decider under the watchful eye of Watergrasshill man Eamonn Ryan.
Paul’s legacy of love for the game of hurling and the positive influence it can have on young people’s lives is maintained through the hosting of the Paul O’Connor Memorial Blitz every year by Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG.
This year the 5th class pupils of Watergrasshill National School once again participated in the blitz and went all the way to the final, losing out to a very strong Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin team. The boys enjoyed wins over Rathpeacon, St Marys on the hill and Gaelscoil Mhuscraí. Well done to the boys on a great tournament and special mention for Sam O’Leary who received an award for most sporting player from Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG príomh oide, Dónal Ó Buachalla. Thanks also to Mary Lehane and Mr. Griffin for their words of encouragement for the boys throughout.
EQUIPMENT RE-CYCLING DRIVE
Our equipment recycling continues to be a fantastic success and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed thus far.
With so many new families in the parish and in an effort to minimise the cost of getting started and maximise accessibility to hurling, we are asking that if anyone has hurleys or helmets which they no longer use, that they be dropped to the clubrooms where our drop boxes will be located. The clubrooms will be open every Saturday morning between 10am and 1pm where we will have a ‘home for hurleys’ and a ‘helmet hub’ where items may be dropped for re-use.
We will ensure that all equipment is fully sanitised before re-distribution and make sure that no child goes without. This initiative will primarily benefit our juvenile club by providing affordable access to equipment and who knows, maybe unearthing the next Daire O’Leary from our underage academy.
TEXT SERVICE RE-LAUNCH
This year we are re-launching our supporters text messaging service as another way to keep members up-to-date with upcoming fixtures.
If you would like a weekly supporter’s message with fixtures for Watergrasshill and Glenville hurling, football, camogie and ladies football matches please contact Paud O’Neill 087-9890964 or Barry Joyce 087-1847017.
There is a nominal fee of €5 per year for this service. We would also appreciate if members could share this service with those who are not on social media as we have found in previous years that this service is very beneficial for them.
LOTTO
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 1, 7, 28 and 29. Lucky dip winners are Margaret O’Callaghan, Rob Knapp, Sophie Fitzgerald and Martin / Betty. Congrats to you all. Next week’s jackpot is €1,800 and draw will take place Monday 23rd May.
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 online 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.
RECENT RESULTS
Sunday, 15th May - Rebel Óg Coiste Fé14 Hurling League, Youghal v Watergrasshill (conceded by Youghal). Monday, 16th May - Rebel Óg East Fé15 Hurling League, Watergrasshill 7-16 v 2-14 Lisgoold.
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Saturday, 21st May - Red FM Intermediate Hurling League, Blackrock v Watergrasshill in Church Road at 4pm. Wednesday, 25th May - Rebel Óg Fé14 D1 Championship, Watergrasshill v Bride Rovers in Watergrasshill at 7pm. Thursday, 26th May - Rebel Óg Coiste Fé17c Hurling League, Fermoy 2 v Watergrasshill 2 in Fermoy at 7pm.