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WEEKLY NOTES 19.07.2020   21/07/2020

Update on return of spectators to GAA games:

Last weekend saw the return of competitive action for the club with some of our Juvenile teams in action. With this mind and the GAA recently published guidelines on the return of spectator’s to GAA club games, here is a few asks of members going to 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. 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.

In accordance with the Government Revised Roadmap, a maximum capacity at GAA grounds of 200 people is in effect until further notice. The figure of 200 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

Having enjoyed a return training over the past two weeks, our juvenile teams made the long awaited return to action during the past week.

 Our U10’s had their first games in a while, welcoming Lisgoold to Watergrasshill. The teams played games in both Hurling & Football and there was some fantastic skills on show in both codes. All of the boys were delighted to be donning the red jerseys, lining up alongside, but socially distanced, from their friends once again. A great morning was enjoyed by all, as seen in the image below. Many thanks also to Lisgoold for making the short trip to Watergrasshill.



 

Our U12’s had their first outing of the year with a trip to Killeagh on Saturday July 18th. These two teams have met a few times in recent years and always had a ding dong battle. This encounter belonged to our hosts however who played really well. Despite falling behind to an early goal and some well taken Killeagh points the lads battled gallantly and tried hard to get back into the game. Some long range goal efforts were dealt with by a very strong Killeagh goalkeeper. Killeagh were sharper and more industrious throughout but there was also good performances from the Hill, notable mentions to Dave Barry midfield, Darragh O’Neill who hurled a lot of ball out of defence and also Daniel O’Connor corner forward who showed quick feet and good skill. The lads were disappointed in their first competitive game of the year but can hold their heads up high for never giving up, this is a good team with plenty of good days ahead no doubt. Thanks to coaches Shane, Turlough, Alan, Paul, Eamonn, Kevin & John who are putting a lot of work into this group. Thank you also to Claire Callanan and Rachel McCarthy for taking on Covid Supervisor duties for this team.

 

Our U14s traveled to Castlemartyr on Friday evening July 17th in their opening game of the League. With a squad depleted by injuries and holidays, Kiltha Óg proved too strong for the lads despite a late and very good spell in the last 20 minutes for the Hill. Highlights for the hill included three great frees from Shane O’Callaghan, a goal apiece from Bobby Kelleher and Mike O’Riordan. Ryan Loftus 0-2; Ciarán Linehan 0-2; Dean Field 0-1 and Cathal Sheehan 0-1 also contributing some scores from play.
Thanks to Ger O’Brien and Martin O’Riordan for their continued work in preparing the team. Special thanks to Michael Bowman who has taken on the role of U14 Covid Supervisor duties for this team.
After the game, the lads went to Garryvoe for an evening swim and treats. Thanks Ger O’Brien for organizing the Garryvoe evening - it was very much enjoyed and appreciated by all.

 

Our U16’s had their competitive league opener at home to Cobh on Monday night. In lovely conditions for hurling both teams served up a very entertaining game of hurling played at a good pace that showed neither team had lost their touch during the Covid related downtime. The Hill opened the scoring inside the opening two minutes with a point from play from Brendan Lehane, but Cobh were quick to respond and both teams traded scores in the opening 10 minutes to leave the score 4 points apiece. The Hill were winning the midfield battle but Cobh were showing signs of danger up front and our goalkeeper Darragh Casey had to be alert throughout. As the game ran towards the first half water break, the boys put three points on the board, two from play, from Brendan and Joseph O Riordan and one from a placed ball from Brendan Lehane again. The score at this point was 7 points to 5 in favour of the Hill. After the water break the boys took off from where they left off and score of the first half came on the 21st minute when a great period of team work, working the ball from defence to attack with skilful and measured passing resulted in a lovely point by Sam Dennehy. Even though the scoreboard suggested the Hill were on top, Cobh were showing enough signs they were dangerous and Darragh Casey was very strong under some high ball in goals and needed to be on guard to their threat. Before the halftime whistle we registered another two points, again Brendan clinical from the dead ball and Joseph O Riordan with a really nice score off his left. Joseph was certainly proving a great target man upfront and working hard to win ball. The score at halftime was Watergrasshill 10pts to Cobh’s 5pts.

On the resumption, the pace of the second half was set, and inside the opening 30seconds we hit the first goal. Great work by Eoghan Knapp resulted in Joseph O Riordan taking possession and despatching the sliotar to the back of the net. Not long after Joseph picked off a nice point after the Cobh keeper was put under pressure and pulled off a great save, with Joseph in a good position to take his point.  Our lads showed the threat of goals was there and the upright was needed not long after to keep our goal tally down. Over the next 10 minutes Cobh hit a purple patch, scoring 1-3 but two points from play for the Hill, Brendan Lehane and Colm O Regan the scorers, Colm showing great skill under pressure, meant we kept the lead leaving the score mid-way through the second half Watergrasshill 1-13, Cobh 1-7. As the game entered the last quarter, the intensity certainly picked up, epitomised by Brendan Lehane, showing great work rate throughout the game, drove at the Cobh defence and finished with a goal to put our lead back to 9 points. Cobh to their credit kept going and got another goal on 21 minutes to reduce the deficit. Our lads though never relented and points from Ryan Murray, Colm O Regan, Brandan Lehane and two from Liam Foley (after great support from Rory Leahy) pushed on to leave the final score  Watergrasshill 2-18 (27) to Cobh 2-11 (17). This was a really good team performance and coaches Donal Lehane, Derek Casey & Andrew O Callaghan must have been pleased, with plenty more to work on too. Still lots of hurling to be played (hopefully) but a good opening competitive performance from the Hill. Well done lads.



We would also like to thank our parents and supporters who are adapting well to the continued public health guidelines from the GAA and HSE. We are all very aware of the changing environment currently, but the fantastic support and flexibility show thus far will help us all to hopefully come through this current crisis together.




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 20th 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 quickpick 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.




Congratulations

Congratulations to all our juvenile members who recently graduated from Watergrasshill & Glenville national schools. A big milestone for you all and we wish you all the very best in the move to secondary school.




Thank You

A big thanks to Kenneth Ross of Ross’s Centra Watergrasshill who kindly donated a new defibrillator to Watergrasshill GAA Club this week. Ken is a huge supporter of every sport, community initiative and club in Watergrasshill and is a major supporter of Watergrasshill Hurling Club. Juvenile Club Chairman, Barry Joyce, thanked Ken for this exceptionally generous sponsorship. "Ken is always supporting us and other local clubs in so many ways. We are very grateful for the new defibrillator which will be located in the club rooms. Hopefully we won't have to use it, but it is an essential piece of equipment that could save lives. We look forward to developing and building on our relationship with Ken, Ian and the team at Centra Watergrasshill" Photograph: Ken Ross presenting a new defibrillator to Barry Joyce, Juvenile Chairman and Claire O'Leary of Watergrasshill GAA Club.






GAA/Irish Life June Steps Challenge

The results of the GAA/Irish Life June Steps Challenge were announced recently and the winning club in Munster is our friends at Kiltha Og Gaa Club, Congratulations to you. A word of thanks again to all that participated for our Club and well done to you all. We got into the Top 20 Munster Clubs (there were 117 registered) in the final tally and were named today in the 2020 winners announcement. In the end, we had 30 people log steps, we covered 8,366,726 steps in June, fair play to you all. Special mention for our Top 3 participants, Eoin Barry (690,706 steps), Shane McCarthy (632,532) & Deirdre Nugent (595,302), I hope you all have new walking shoes got! We hope this has helped kick-start some healthy habits if not already there. It was a great initiative and motivation to get up and out and we hope people will continue in this vein. Thanks again to everyone, really appreciate you signing up and getting involved. Hill Abú 



Sympathy

Our sincere condolences to the O’Connor family and everyone at Aghada GAA on the sad news of Kieran’s passing last week. May he Rest in Peace.





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