Championship hurling resumes: 

A big weekend coming up for our Intermediate and Junior teams, as both are in Championship action next Sunday. Both these game will have strict Covid protocols in place and both are all ticket games. Anybody attending must have a ticket. Due to HSE & GAA restrictions of 200 people max, it means after both squads, back room teams and match officials are looked after, we have a very limited number of tickets available to distribute. The tickets we do have will be raffled amongst members of the club, so if you would like to go to either or both games, please send your expression of interest to secretary.watergrasshill.cork@gaa.ie or PM us through the club Facebook page and we will ensure you are in the draw. The draw will be done Thursday night (July 30^th) and once again is open to members only. We know there is great interest in both games and this is frustrating for everyone and goes against the ethos of the association but these are the guidelines in which we have to abide by for games at the present time. For those that don’t get a ticket to the Intermediate game we do hope to live stream this on Sunday via Facebook, watch out for details of this. 

Those lucky enough to take in hurling action next weekend and over the next few weeks please remember 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. 

• 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. 

Juvenile Club Update: 

Minor Championship East D2: Aghada 0-9 Watergrasshill 1-21 

Our minors had their season debut last week with a championship fixture against Aghada. Before throw-in at picturesque Rostellan, we took the opportunity to express Watergrasshill GAA's condolences to our hosts on the recent passing of Kieran O Connor and presented Aghada GAA with a sympathy wreath bouquet. Kieran was a club hero, a county star and his tragic loss was felt right throughout the GAA community. Once again we express our deepest sympathies to Kieran's extended family, his countless friends and all associated with Aghada GAA. May he rest in peace.
The game began with our lads really showing intent and a great passage of teamwork resulted in the opening score of the game, inside the opening 30 seconds with Gary Doyle getting the first score. Aghada did hit back and a point from play and a converted 65 had them lead inside the opening 5 minutes. Brendan Lehane then levelled the game from a free, won after some great work by Cian Cronin O Neill, and from that point on the Hill lads would not see themselves behind in the game. Playing with a strong breeze in the first half it was clear we were out to gain the upper hand on the scoreboard and hit a purple patch for 20 minutes where we registered 1-11 to Aghada's 1 point. Daire O Leary playing at centre back got to grips with the breeze quickly and was showing great marksmanship from dead balls and also tagged on a great point from play in the 11th minute. On 18 minutes we struck for our first goal, it was somewhat fortuitous when a long range effort from Michael O Driscoll wasn’t dealt with by the Agahda's defence and the goalkeeper was short sighted and the ball hit the back of the net. The Hill lads didn’t ease up there, and further points from Brendan Lehane, one excellent effort from a free at a very tight angle drilled into the breeze, and excellent scores from play from Liam Foley, after quick thinking and quick hands from Cian Cronin O Neill, Colm O Regan & Cian Cronin O Neill getting on the scoresheet, gave us a halftime lead of 1-13 to Aghada's 3 points. The first half was a really good team performance. Right throughout the team from defence through midfield to the forward line the lads were working really hard for each other and gelled really well. A notable mention of our half forward Liam Foley who had an excellent opening half. Despite having a comfortable lead, there was still a sense the breeze could be a factor in the second have and we knew Aghada would come out fighting. They certainly did that and registered the opening score of the second half right from the resumption. We quickly cancelled this out with another nice free from Brendan Lehane but Aghada did apply pressure. They registered four points over the next ten minutes but points from Daire o Leary a lovely accurate long range effort meant mid-way through the second half we still held a 10 point lead. After the second half water break and entering the final quarter of the game, our lads really kicked on. Further scores from Brendan Lehane, who together with Gary Doyle were winning the midfield battle, and a nice score from Michael O Driscoll made by the hard working Cael Guichard meant any momentum Aghada were trying to build was stifled. To Aghada's credit they did push on looking for the elusive goal to get them back into the game but the Hill defence stood firm and each of the lads from 1 to 6 were very solid, working hard and working ball out through our midfield where the platform was set to get ball into our industrious forward line. In the closing minutes, we weren’t done and great points from play from Liam Foley, Cael Guichard and a placed ball from Brendan Lehane ensured this was our day on a scoreline of Aghada 0-9 points, Watergrasshill 1-21. This was a great win and more pleasing a great team performance. Every one of the squad played their part, showcased their skill and high ability and the younger lads can be especially proud of their contribution on the night for sure. The coaching team of Tommy Bowe, Pat O Leary and Paddy O Regan, haven't had long with this group this year, but there is a great spirit evident and we look forward to more games in the coming weeks. Well done lads. A word of thanks also to all our travelling supporters on the night. Due to the Covid guideline's there was restrictions on access and this was an all ticket game, but players, parents, and supporters were a great help in the quick turnaround and confirming attendance for ticket distribution. Thank You.
The panel was: James Barry, Dylan Roche, Cathal Fitzgerald, Cormac Lenihan, Donal Sheehan, Daire O Leary, Andrew Chandler, Gary Doyle, Brendan Lehane, Michael Driscoll, Cael Guichard, Liam Foley, Cian Cronin O' Neill, Joe O Riordan, Colm Regan, Dylan Field, Ryan Murray, Ben Whelan, Darragh Casey