Adult Club Update

Our Intermediate and Junior teams have returned to action with a bang and with a couple of training sessions and challenge matches under their belt. Its clear the lads took good care of themselves over the past few weeks, keeping their fitness levels up. Competitive action begins shortly for the teams so important dates for the diaries are Sunday August 2^nd, 2pm in Blarney we take on Ballincollig in the Premier Intermediate Championship and Saturday 1^st (TBC), the Juniors take on Fr O’ Neills in Dungourney. Best of luck over next few weeks to both teams.

On Friday 10^th July, the GAA announced revised match regulation’s which all our teams should familiarise themselves with. The GAA also published guidelines on the return of spectator’s to GAA club games. Watergrasshill GAA will follow these guidelines and implement measures to ensure a safe return for spectators in line with Government public health advice but its also down to individuals to take personal responsibility when attending matches. Some key messages for spectators are.  Please be aware that all the risks posed from Covid-19 cannot be eliminated, including attending GAA games, but that essential control measures have been put in place to reduce risks for members. Spectators must not attend games if they display any symptoms of Covid-19 and instead should phone their GP and follow public health advice. Individuals that are considered high risk or are in close contact with others who are considered high risk should not attend games. Please follow current public guidance of 2m social distancing, wearing of face coverings (strongly advised for all patrons over the age of 13) and hand sanitation (we encourage you to bring your own hand sanitiser). Spectators must not enter the field of play at any time including pre-match, at half-time and other intervals and after the final whistle or at end-of-match presentations. Individuals and small groups should remain insofar as possible in the same area for the duration of the game, remain 2m apart and avoid intermingling with other individuals or groups. We advise to take note and  keep a record of close contacts at a match for potential tracing purposes and we strongly recommend all members to download the HSE tracing app. Commencing 20th July 2020 in accordance with the Government of Ireland Revised Roadmap, a maximum gathering of 500 persons is permitted in the 26 Counties. This will therefore restrict the total capacity at GAA grounds to 500 until further notice. The figure of 500 includes all present at the ground, including staff, volunteers, players, backroom staff, media, contractors, and spectators of all ages. We continue to monitor the situation and stay abreast of GAA and Government guidance and update all our members if any changes occur.

Juvenile Club Update

Another very busy week on and off the field for our Juvenile club, with most teams now back to training with the exception of our nursery teams. We continue to be very aware of the ongoing COVID-19 scenario and recent reported events across Cork GAA reinforces the need to remain vigilant. We continue to follow Croke Park and HSE guidance in that regard whilst balancing the desire to return to full activities, everyone’s patience and co-operation is sincerely appreciated. With the resumption of activities in recent weeks, it is very encouraging to witness the enjoyment that our games bring not only to players but to our supporters and community alike. It is also fantastic to see our teams returning with their fitness and skills maintained, this is a testament to our coaches who helped their teams with drills, practice and challenges during the lockdown and indeed to the players themselves who continued to practice by themselves during that time – well done to you all. Special mention to all of our coaches who continued to look after our teams as well as their own families whilst working from home and in many cases, the front line during the lockdown – go raibh mile maith agaibh. This week sees the resumption of competitive action with our U14 team travelling to Kiltha Og on Friday 17^th July and our U12 team travelling to Killeagh on Saturday 18^th. Best of luck to both teams on their return.

Upcoming Juvenile Fixtures:

U-12, Saturday 18^th July@ 12:00, Away to Killeagh

U-14, Friday 17^th July@ 7pm, Away to Kiltha Og

U-16, Monday 20^th July @ 7pm, Home to Cobh

U-18, Wednesday 22^nd July @ 7pm, Away to Aghada

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 1, 5, 18, 28. €20 lucky dip winners are Kieran O Keeffe, Shane McCarthy, Eamonn Counihan & Jimmy O Callaghan. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is €3,650 and draw will take place Monday 20^th June. Following the Covid lockdown we have moved our lotto ticket sales exclusively to on-line for now but we do hope to have tickets available for purchase in some of our village outlets shortly. Details of how you play are as follows: Step 1: Visit our Club website (www.watergrasshillgaa.ie) or indeed look at our Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages and you can click on the Lotto links. Step 2: Choose if you want to buy for yourself or buy for a friend. Step 3: Choose how many draws or plays you want (various options available, from €5 for three lines, right up to the annual ticket for €80 which gets you 52 weeks for the price of 40 (12 free)). Step 4: Select your numbers. You can also select a quick-pick option and numbers will be randomly picked for you. You can add a line to select different numbers from here. Step 5: Enter your card details (Debit or Credit). There is also an option to auto renew to ensure your ticket and numbers are renewed after all draws on the current ticket have expired. This makes certain you never miss another draw and also don’t have to follow steps above again. Step 6: Confirm you purchase. 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. We do very much intend to restart ticket sales from our local village outlets in the near future, but for now its done via on-line. Remember, if you’re not in you can’t win.

Pitch Signage & 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 its important to celebrate the past and the history of the club, its 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 endevour 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.

Club Shop

If your noticing a dramatic growth spurt in your kids (or indeed yourself!) over the past few months, maybe its time to update the wardrobe. Well fear not as our summer collection of Watergrasshill GAA club clobber has just been launched and we are here to help you. Our club shop is opened, here you can get yourself the latest club fashion must have's for summer 2020. 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 on our club Facebook page where new club gear can be seen.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

The year was 1978 and an U16 East Cork & County B Hurling success. Pride of place on the playing field in 1978 went to the U16 hurlers, who brought the first County under-age title to the parish. Their path to victory was.........

Watergrasshill 5-4 Cloyne 0-1
Watergrasshill 3-5 Fr. O’Neill’s 1-2
Watergrasshill 2-6 Sarsfields 2-3
East Cork Final Watergrasshill 0-6 Carrigtwohill 0-4
Watergrasshill 7-10 Donoughmore 0-1
Watergrasshill 2-4 Kanturk 2-3

County Section Final Watergrasshill 4-9 Milford 0-14

County Final: Watergrasshill 4-9 Ballyphehane 2-1

Match Report from "News and Star" byTim Murphy.

Watergrasshill 4-9 Ballyphehane 2-1
Many months of dedicated preparation and hard work was rewarded at Castlelyons last Sunday for the players and mentors of the Watergrasshill Club when their brilliant U16 team powered their way to a decisive victory in the County U16 Hurling Final. This was the first County Title at under age level for the East Cork Club but on their evidence of their display a lot more will be heard of this team and their progress will be watched with particular interest in the years ahead.
Any fears that the Hill’s form suffered due to the six week lapse since their last competitive game were quickly eased when they got into their stride from the word go. John Barry sent a powerful drive to the Ballyphehane net after only three minutes. Then almost immediately Frankie Halbert cut a sideline ball from 40 yards over the bar as the red and white flags of the huge Hill following lanced the air. Ballyphehane recovered from their bad start and Tadhg Cotter raised their first flag when he pointed after six minutes. Six minutes later John Barry pointed a 40 yards free to stretch the lead to four points. At this stage the East Cork Champions were hurling in that fluent style that had marked their play all year.
Ballyphehane, however, had not got this far without being an able side and as their half-back line with D Crowley and H Lyons making their mark they got a grip on this important sector and began to exert strong pressure on the Hill defence which culminated in a fine goal by G Murray in the fifteenth minute. The game was evenly balanced at this stage and seven scoreless minutes passed before a strong Hill attack was halted by a foul on J Callaghan, John Barry’s free was partially cleared, but Sean Ryan’s cross from the left was brilliantly crashed to the net by James O’Callaghan to restore the four point lead. Any complacency that the Hill supporters might be feeling was quickly dispelled when the city Champions roared back with T Cotter smashing in a fine goal from a 21 yards free. Few in the crowd would have believed at this stage that Ballyphehane would not score again.
There were some near misses at either end before John Barry closed the first half scoring a point from 36 yards free to leave the Hill two points to the good at half-time.
The Hill opened the second half drawing on their abundance of hurling talent to completely dominate the proceedings, and within five minutes had forged into 3-4 to 2-1 lead through long range point from Martin O’Farrell which was followed by a goal from the same player when his 50 yard free went all the way to the net.
Barry and O’Farrell added points and when James O’Callaghan flighted a lovely lob to the net it was obvious they were going to win. The final moments were made memorable by two beautiful points by substitute Andrew O’Callaghan that brought the winning margin to a convincing fourteen points.
People worried that hurling standards are in decline should have been at this game when they would have seen a team perfectly prepared, play first class hurling at all times and proved that small country clubs have nothing to fear at this level of competition.

Picture attached:
Back l-r: Sean Ryan, Richard Cashman, James O Callaghan, John Barry, Joe o Riordain, Gerry Mackey, John Walsh, Francis O Sullivan, Bernard Buckley, Kevin McCarthy, Pat Walsh
Middle l-r: Eamon Ryan, Bill Leahy, Dermot O Callaghan, Frank Halbert, Martin O Farrell, Declan O Connell, Billy Sheehan, Mick O Leary, Frank Halbert.
Front l-r: Tommy O Keefe, John Moloney, Larry O Connor, Andrew O Callaghan.