Go-Games lead the way

              Felix Sarsfield Memorial Park in Watergrasshill was alive with the sounds of hurling once again this weekend with full Rebel Óg and Go-Games programs. Our intermediate hurlers completed a great weekend with victory over Ballincollig in their Red FM Intermediate Hurling League game on Sunday evening. 

On Saturday morning last, our under 9 and under 10 teams hosted Kiltha Óg in Watergrasshill, whilst our Under 7, 8 and 11 teams travelled for the reverse fixture in Dungourney.

Our Under 9 and under 10 teams are really beginning to show massive potential and whilst there were a few cobwebs blown-off in their go-games matches against Kiltha Óg – there was most definitely some fantastic skills on display. Both teams have great numbers continuing to train every week, with over 20 players on each team – tremendous credit must go no only to the boys but their parents and coaches too for keeping them virtually involved and motivated during the lockdown.

The Go-Games format of 7-a-side (U-9) and 9-a-side (U10) really gives the boys space to focus on skills development, some of the first touch, passing and movement is very impressive to see at that young age. Under 10 head coach Willie O’Leary remarked “I am extremely proud of this group of boys; they are great fun and really give their all be it at training or matches. They have really developed a fantastic team spirit and are a pleasure to coach”.

Watergrasshill Under 10 team who hosted Kiltha Óg in their Go-Games matches last weekend

              Our Under 7, under 8 and under 11 teams made the short trip to Dungourney on Saturday morning to begin their 2021 Go-Games program against Kiltha Óg. On a fantastic sunny morning, all 3 teams were delighted to be back on the field. Our Under 7 & 8 teams are really bonding and whilst the focus at this young age is really to get the boys involved with a focus on fun, there was still some fantastic skills on display. The boys are learning the fundamental skills and movements of the game and their natural energy and enthusiasm was evident.

Our U-11 boys also had a very successful morning in Dungourney, they scored some great goals in both games, however coach John O’Sullivan was particularly impressed by some of the points scored “The boys had a great morning’s hurling – some of the points they scored were very impressive, they really backed each other up and managed to pass to a team mate if they were in trouble”.

Rebel Óg Round-up       

There were 5 Rebel Óg fixtures down for decision this past week. Pick of the bunch were our under 15s with both our 1^st and 2^nd teams coming out on top against Whitechurch (4-15 V 2-20) & Sarsfields (4-21 V 2-8) respectively. A brilliant 2^nd half display in particular ensured that our 1^st team came out on top against Whitechurch. Coming out on top by the narrowest of margins, the lads really dug in during the 2^nd half with Ryan Loftus, Coran O’Neill and Shane O’Callaghan impressing for the hill.

Our under 12 boys were unlucky to come out the wrong side of a 1-3 to 3-8 score line at home to Whitechurch and a sluggish 2^nd period cost our under 18’s as they went down 3-16 to 1-14 in Ballynoe against St. Catherine’s.

Intermediates start campaign with a win 

RedFM Intermediate Hurling League. Watergrasshill 1-16, Ballincollig 1-14

Our Intermediates opened their 2021 competitive season with a good win in the league against Ballincollig. Played in a sun-drenched Hill, in very warm conditions, our lads showed great energy and drive. Racing into a three-point lead inside the first five minutes, points, all from play from Daire O’Leary, Paddy O’Regan and Shane Óg O’Regan, set the tone for the opening quarter of the game. We moved the ball quickly and looked lively all over the pitch. In the 7^th minute, a speculative shot from Paddy O’Regan wasn’t dealt with cleanly by the Ballincollig goalkeeper and ended up in the net to give the Hill a 1-3 to no score cushion. It was the twelfth minute before the visitors opened their account which was quickly cancelled out by a fine long-range point from James McCarthy. Ballincollig took the next two scores, a point from play and a point from a 65, before Sean Desmond registered a point from play, engineered by a lovely sequence of fast passes from Daire to Shane Óg to Sean to slot over. This had us lead 1-5 to 3pts after 17 minutes. The next two minutes belonged to Ballincollig, slotting over a nice point from play, followed by a free and then on 19 minutes a goal, which was to be the last play before the first half water break. It really felt this opening period was owned by us but the scoreboard showed the game was tied at 1-5 apiece. Ballincollig came out of the water break buoyed by their goal and they dominated the opening few minutes. Excellent defending by Brian Fenton stopped a certain goal but alarm bells were ringing that goals were on Ballincollig’s mind. A few wides from the Hill, were soon forgotten about when Shane Óg registered another point after some great work from Paddy O’Regan out around the middle of the field. We led again 1-6 to 1-5pts. For the remaining 5 minutes of the half we outscored Ballincollig 3 points to 2, with the pick, a side-line cut from Shane Óg. The other two points coming from Sean Desmond and Paudie O’Leary. At halftime we led 1-9 to 7 points. However, in that last 5-minute period, only for the brilliance of Darragh O’Callaghan in goals, we could just as easily have been trailing. From the general balance of play the lead was deserved though. 

On the restart, Ballincollig were first to show intent, scoring a nice point from play. It was even enough for the next while, but our lads did manage to put up three points, two from frees and a lovely score from Shane O’Regan, Ballincollig had got another from a free, but our cushion remained three, 1-12 to 9 points after 13 minutes of the second half. Ballincollig added a tenth point and then had another great goal chance came their way, but somehow through great defending, it was kept out, and put out for a 65, which was slotted over to reduce the deficit to a single point. Our backs were working extremely hard as a unit and despite periods of strong pressure they were still creating good opportunities for the forwards. Shane O’Regan added another point from a lovely taken point running along the side-line. Ballincollig added a point from a free before Shane once again proved clinical from dead ball, slotting over a free himself to keep the deficit to two points entering the final five minutes of the game. The last five minutes like the opening five, the Hill lads showed great intensity and work rate. Ballincollig now chasing the game upped their efforts but were matched by our lads and two fine scores from Shane O’Regan and Chris Healey, matched by two Ballincollig points meant we retained the two-point cushion at the end, running out victors on a score-line of 1-16 to 1-14. A great opening performance by the Hill. Well done lads. 

Scorers: Shane O’Regan (6 pts), Paddy O’Regan (1-1), Shane Óg O’Regan (3 pts), Sean Desmond (2 pts), Daire O’Leary, James McCarthy, Paudie O’Leary, Chris Healey (1 pt.) 

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 6, 16, 19 & 30. Lucky dip winners are Ber O’Callaghan, Aisling Desmond, Rose Barrett & Humphrey Collins. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is a cool €8,500 and draw will take place Monday 14^th June. Tickets are now once again on sale in some of the village businesses, like Centra & Johnny's Shop. 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 & 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 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.

Upcoming Fixtures:

Games focus this coming week for Rebel Óg is football, with just 2 fixtures in hurling.

Similarly, Go-Games focus this coming weekend is on Football, so we wish all our players with Glenville the very best of luck as they begin their football program.

Monday 21st June 14

Rebel Óg East – Fé12 Hurling League

St. Colmcilles V’s Watergrasshill at St. Colmcilles at 7pm

Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé15 Hurling League

St. Colmcilles (2) V’s Watergrasshill (2) at Whites Cross at 7pm

Results Roundup

Monday 7^th June

Rebel Óg East – Fé12 Hurling League

Watergrasshill 1-3 V 3-8 Whitechurch

Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé15 Hurling League

Watergrasshill (2) 4-21 V 2-8 Sarsfields (4)

Wednesday 9^th June

Rebel Óg East – Fé18 Hurling Pre-Season Games

St. Catherine’s 3-16 V 1-14 Watergrasshill

Friday 11^th June

Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé13 Hurling League

Watergrasshill 4-12 V 3-3 Youghal

Saturday 12^th June

Rebel Óg East – Fé15 Hurling Pre-Season Games

Watergrasshill (1) 4-15 V 2-20 Whitechurch

Sunday 13^th June

Red FM Hurling League 4A

Watergrasshill 1-16 V 1-14 Ballincollig

Club Shop

Our club shop is always open where 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.