Hard Luck to our Fé12 Boys

Rebel Óg East – Fé12 League Final: Watergrasshill 2-6 Kiltha Óg 4-6 (AET)

Hard luck to our U12’s who just came up short in their Rebel Óg Fé12 league final on Sunday 26^th. Playing the opening half against a strong wind, the boys were under pressure but fought hard and went into the halftime break 7 points down, 2-3 to 0-2pts. With the wind at their backs and buoyed by a solid team performance in the first half, the lads tore into it. Every one of them played their hearts out, and created good opportunities and with two minutes left they had the game back to one score 1-4 to 2-4 down. But the Hill boys weren’t done just yet, and true to the great battling qualities this team has shown all year they engineered a goal chance and duly took it, to level the game and send it into extra time.

Extra time was a tough, competitive, close encounter with neither team giving an inch, and at halftime of extra time, it was our opponents who shaded the scoreboard by a point, 2-6 to 2-5. Going into the last period of extra time, it was still too close to call, and with the Hill lads naturally pushing forward to get ourselves back level, it left an opportunity for Kiltha Óg, and they scored a brilliant goal. We drew it back to three points again shortly after but our hosts struck for a second well taken goal and saw the remaining few minutes out to take the spoils on this occasion. Congratulations Kiltha Óg.

Terrific effort form the Hill and although naturally very disappointed, this group can be immensely proud of their performance. They have shown great improvement all year and reaching a final for the first time was a great end to the year.  Well done today lads and hard luck on this occasion. Ye’ll be back again competing for silverware no doubt!

A massive thanks to the coaches for the time and work put into this group all year. They boys did you proud today.

U12 Team: Cormac McCarthy, Liam Sheehan, Lorcan O’Herlihy, Scott O’Mahony, Will Manley, Gearoid Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Connolly, James Buckley, Fergal Duffy, Darren Cahill, Matthew Counihan, Dylan Joyce, Billy Graham, Tadhg McCarthy, Cillian O’Connor, Sam O’Leary, Tom Fennell, Joe Beecher, Eoin O’Brien, Jake Loftus, Eamon O’Shea, Andrew O’Mahony, Josh Madden.

Coaches: Brendan Duffy, Eamonn Fitzgerald, Willie John Manly, Shane McCarthy, Barry Joyce.

The GAA at the heart of our community

               Since the opening of Felix Sarsfield Memorial Park in Condonstown in 1978, the fundamental benefit of having our GAA grounds at the heart of our community, safely and easily accessible for all was always hampered by the N8/R639. Whilst the location made vehicular access relatively easy, pedestrian and cycle access has always been unattractive due to the lack of a proper footpath. However, thanks to the efforts of our club committee, a new cycle and foot path have now been completed which connects the village directly to our grounds. This is a great piece of infrastructure, which now means that one can walk from the center of the village to the pitch and with the extension of the reduced 60Kph to a point North of our grounds, the stretch of road has now been transformed to an amenity where evening walks to the pitch are safe and enjoyable. With upgraded junction signage, a staggered crossing point and new footpath & access works at the southern end of the grounds, the connection with the village has been much improved and will no doubt benefit the entire community for years to come. Watergrasshill GAA would like to thank Cllr. Sheila O’Callaghan & Cork County Council for their support in completing this invaluable project for our community.

Remembering Felix Sarsfield

                With the centenary of Watergrasshill GAA Club approaching towards the end of this decade and the commencement of the first major capital improvement works at Felix Sarsfield Memorial Park since it’s opening in 1978 and subsequent upgrades in 1989, it is timely to remember Felix Sarsfield whom our current grounds are dedicated in memory of.

Felix Sarsfield was a member of Watergrasshill hurling teams what won East Cork titles in 1947 and 1952. He served as chairman of the club for many years and as a Junior, Intermediate and Juvenile board delegate. He was elected to the GPC of the East Cork Board in 1967 and represented Imokilly at the County Board from 1969 to 1974 and from 1981 to 1985. He was registrar of the East Cork Board from 1974 until his death in 1985 and was also a selector with the successful Glenville team in the 1970’s.

                At the dedication of our grounds in his honour in 1989, our grounds were re-opened and marked by the hosting of a senior hurling challenge match between Cork and Limerick. Another great Watergrasshill Clubman, Eamonn Ryan wrote in the match-day program “Felix’s loyalty to the club was legendary and transcended the usual pre-occupations of victory and defeat. His vison for the club was all encompassing and one of his dearest ambitions was to precure a permanent home of its own for the club. As we look around us here today, the fruits of his labour are plain for all to see.”

                Everyone involved with Watergrasshill GAA hope that with the completion of the access upgrades to our pitch, the commencement of our gym fit-out and the plans to complete further improvement works in the form of flood-lit astro pitch construction, hurling wall extension and dressing & club room upgrades in the coming years that Felix Sarsfield’s vision is continued and that future generations in Cnocán Na Biolraí will remember Felix Sarsfields legacy and his contribution to our club.      

Lotto

There was no winner of the Lotto Jackpot this week. Numbers drawn were 1, 18,19 & 22. Lucky dip winners are Teresa Kennedy, Mary O’Leary, Marie O’Neill & Bríd McHugh. Congrats to you all. Next week's jackpot is a fantastic €10,000 and draw will take place Monday 4^th October. Tickets are on sale in some of the village businesses, like The Hut Bar, The Fir Tree, 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:

Saturday 2^nd October

Rebel Óg East – Fé17 D1 Championship Plate Play-Off

Youghal V’s Watergrasshill, in Youghal at 11:00am

Sunday 3^rd October

Rebel Óg Coiste – Fé13 Premier 2 – Shield Semi-Final

Watergrasshill V’s Valley Rovers, in Watergrasshill at 11:00am

Sunday 3^rd October

East Cork Oil - Junior A Hurling Championship

Watergrasshill V’s Sarsfields, in Carraig Na bhFear at 2:00pm

Results Roundup:

Sunday 26^th September

Rebel Óg East – Fé12 D3 League Final

Kiltha Óg 4-6 V 2-6 Watergrasshill (AET)

Club Shop

We are delighted to announce that our club shop has now gone on-line. We have partnered with O’Neill’s sportwear to provide an on-line shop for all of our club merchandise and training apparel. Club crested clothing is available to buy, from shorts to jerseys to training tops and tracksuit bottoms, for adults and juveniles in various sizes. The on-line shop is available at www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/ireland/watergrasshill-gaa.html or through the “SHOP NOW” button on our Facebook page.

Of course you can always contact any of the club officers, team trainers or committee members if you need to purchase items such as helmets or hurleys, if you need assistance with the on-line shop or would like to speak to someone about what is available and sizes, contact Adrienne on 087-7589139 or reach out through any of our social media channels.